Senior Boarding Housemaster End Of Term Wrap Up

Term 2 has been a wonderful time for our boarders thus far, with a lot going on, which has been keeping our boys very busy. It continues to be fabulous having our parents around more; at school, in the House and on sporting fields. We are looking forward to our upcoming holidays, and we wish our boarding families a relaxing and peaceful time together.

In Week 7, we recognised Reconciliation Week, playing our part in collectively building relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and the future.  This year marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process. 
 
Here at Shore we have represented the different parts of the lives of our Indigenous students. Beautiful Didgeridoo sounds were played by our students, accompanied by the organ in Chapel each service. On Thursday, our young men were mentored by indigenous rugby legend, Glen Ella, which was followed by a Q & A led by Braydon Mundy at the School’s assembly. Artwork has also recently been installed in the Senior Library, telling the individual stories of each of our young men, captured on canvas and paper. This was then celebrated with a morning tea with special guests.   Overall, it was a wonderful Reconciliation Week here at Shore, and we thank especially Cay Camden for her outstanding work with our boys.

A great idea that came out of one of our Boarder Rep meetings was to invite a nutritionist to speak to our boarders. The boys were educated on Thursday evening in Week 4 by Dietician, Sports Dietician & Exercise Physiologist, Robynne Jeftha. On the agenda were making good choices, eating for optimal performance and how to eat well and still enjoy the odd favourite takeaway.

The boarders were treated to some entertainment recently at our formal Friday Lunch in the Dining Hall. Before a scrumptious meal of slow-cooked lamb shanks, baked potatoes and salad, a boarders’ band opening up proceedings with a bit of Eric Clapton’s Layla. School House’s Hunter Black and Jock Litchfield, Hodges’ Ben Stockwell and Barry’s Adrian Lai entertained the troops, a fantastic way to see off the week. 

There have been so many great activities enjoyed by the boys this term, and we have been up and running once more, including recent excursions to bowling and SkyZone. One fantastic return to the social calendar was a Year 7-9 social at PLC, Pymble. 2020 was a write-off for functions like this, so it was refreshing getting the opportunity to socialise with the girls of PLC, Wenona, Abbotsleigh, Loreto Normanhurst and Ravenswood. We hope to return the favour later this year.

Another highlight of our calendar each year is the State of Origin series. The Houses get prep done early and pile into their Recreation Rooms for pizza, donuts and footy. This year was no exception and the boarders could be heard a couple of suburbs away.

Once again, we wish everyone a wonderful end to the term, and look forward to catching up again soon.

Best wishes,
Brendan

Robson House Boarding

As the staff and boys move into the end of another busy term, I just wanted to send information about ideas of boarding in Robson House.  A few weeks ago, Will Kemp arrived at our door to say that his surf board had been broken.  Naturally, I was very concerned so I went down to the kitchen and all the boarders from Robson were sitting and standing quietly.  All of a sudden, they were singing happy birthday (it must have been for Oli Wilson and me).  For a Housemaster who has been in Robson for 7 years, this was an absolute delight (my thought is Kim organised the lot).  It is a reflection of what we as parents aim to do and that is bring up young men who are happy, healthy and safe and then look back at their time at school, when they are 40 and represent fine young me.

As you all know, I sent a previous email with regards to last weekend.  Heather Foord, Kim and I visited Griffith and Wagga Wagga for a Boarding Expo.  We were thrilled to catch up with past parents who are keen to send their son(s) to Shore, along with other parents who have only heard about the School.  We had about 16 inquiries which is really exciting along with two dinners, one in Griffith and the other in Wagga Wagga.  These are certainly great opportunities to catch up and give them an insight into Shore boarding. 

Finally, all the boarding staff really enjoy our times with these boys, from a chat to cooking food and having a fire pit all around the House.  Thank you for the fine effort you are doing raising these young men.

Coonabarabran Horse Expo

The Events included One Day Event with Henry Clifton placed 4th in the 60 cm division, combined training Archie placed 11th in Dressage and participated in the Working Horse challenge including stock whip cracking on horseback and which Henry DM is now very prolific at.

Henry D-M came 5^th  in the Flag race and participated in the Bending, Barrel and keyhole race.  The Pentathlon was completed by Henry Clifton.

Team Penning Henry DM team made the finals for the Polo cross show jumping dressage and hacking. 

The team represented the school with pride and had a very enjoyable few days competing against many other schools.

Shara Douglas-Menzies

Well done to Henry, Henry and Archie and thank you for representing Shore.  We look forward to more students competing in the Coonabarabran Horse Expo next year.  Please note the Shore Brow Bands and saddle blankets.

Boarding Life By Mr Separovich

Every now and then, there are people who pass through in our lives who have a lasting impact.  They attract more than a passing glance, a mere recognition.  They are people we talk about at reunions, around the table to our children when we are parents and whose memory we call upon when we need a laugh, or motivation or perspective.  Mr Separovich is one of these people.  Apart from everything that he has brought to Barry House across many spheres, he is one of the hardest workers I have ever met.  Barry House is saddened to be saying goodbye to Mr Separovich at the end of Term 2.  He has been an institution in the House; his warmth, care, support and friendship will be greatly missed by us all – Mr Morris. 

I still remember my first ever boarding duty.  It was an icy cold July evening in School House and I was shadowing Mr Hughes.  I don’t think I had ever been in a boarding house before that night; we didn’t have boarding school at St Pius.  In all honesty, I had no idea what I was in for. 

I remember I was looking forward to catching up on some work from the previous day, maybe open up my laptop on the couch, answer some emails and maybe some lesson planning for tomorrow.  How hard could it be?

School House had other plans!

I will never forget moving up and down the staircase; up and down, up and down, up and down.  A Year 7 boy was crying because he lost his PE uniform, two Year 9 boys were arguing about who got the last ‘Up & Go’, Year 12’s were going crazy at the Year 8’s for making too much noise running through the dorm to see who would get to the showers first… it was 9.30pm and I was exhausted.  I still remember, clear as day, thinking to myself, ‘I can’t do this… there is no way I can last another night like this!’

I think initially two things kept me in boarding after that first night:

1. I was too embarrassed to be the first assistant boarding master to quit after half a day
2. I wanted to see what was so ‘special’ about this boarding community everyone talked about

I am so thankful that School House did not break me that night. 

I feel that, whilst watching the boys grow into young men and move through boarding and their time at Shore, I, too, have grown.  There are so many amazing boys and staff that I have had the pleasure to work with throughout my journey in boarding.  I would not be the man I am today without them.

As I sit here, 2 weeks left in what some would call an ‘illustrious’ boarding career, so many different, special moments come to mind; some funny, some wildly inappropriate and others that will leave a lasting impression on me.

There was the night I took 25 Year 8 and 9 boarders to Kincoppal-Rose Bay for a social.  Within an hour we were politely asked to leave.  To our boys’ credit, this was not because of their behaviour but that of our hosts.  Regardless, I was too embarrassed to call the Director of Boarding to explain what had happened, so we walked the streets of Rose bay for 3 hours until our bus arrived.  Needless to say, all of us kept quiet about that night for a while.

I have witnessed some incredible feats of human endurance over the years; funnily enough most of these coincide with Origin night.  The annual donut-eating contest in Barry House where I saw Nick Halliday devour 5 in ninety seconds.  A year earlier in School House I witnessed a young Louis Cathles very nonchalantly put down 8 hot dogs, doing so with a huge smile on his face and upon scoffing down the final hot dog, he asked, ‘what’s for dessert?’

During the Pokemon Go era I would routinely take the boys for long walks to the Opera House.  For those who don’t know, this is where all the best Pokemon are! I never told Mr Morris this, but one quiet Saturday night Lachie Clift, Will Hobson and I went Pokemon hunting to the city.  We got bored after an hour or so, so decided we would sit down for burgers at Grill’d.  We had a good laugh that day at some of the people who we had met along the way! Now, you may ask yourself who was looking after the House at the time – luckily for us Mr Davis was around minding both Hodges and Barry (I am hoping Mr Morris can’t fire me for this now as I am already leaving).

I will never forget the look on Mr Morris’ face when he saw the receipt I left on his desk after one night where Tom Pearce, Will Horsburgh and I decided we would treat the House to lamb chops, steak and apple pie with ice cream.  Needless to say, I was given a stern talking to about spending too much money, but it was still worth every cent in my mind!

There are the countless moments with individual boys that are too precious to share in this forum but will stay with me forever.  I hope that in some way I have made a difference in some of these boys’ lives as they have mine.

There are so many people who have made my time in boarding special, but there are two in particular whom I wish to thank; Mr Blood and Mr Morris.  Both of these men taught me so much about serving others, leadership, values and upholding standards.  Without these men, boarding wouldn’t be what it is today and neither would I.  Watching the way they interact with the boys each day, continually putting the boys’ best interest ahead of theirs is admirable. 

I can hear some of the Year 8’s getting rowdy again as I try to wrap up, so I really should get back up those stairs….  I will miss my time in boarding but I am on to the next stage of my life.  I will always look back on my time in boarding at Shore and remember the fun times, the sad times and the special times fondly.  I will miss my boarding family but I will never be too far away!

Mr Separovich

Mr Separovich will always be a part of Barry House.  He is a special person and a great role model.  As we wave him farewell, we welcome Mr Laurence, who will be an outstanding asset to Barry House.  He will say hi in our first edition next term.

Lazy Sunday

Saturday night just past, saw the Fitisemanu Family “Dumpling” machine kicked into second gear. Not only was there dumplings but the boys were able to watch the best TV ever invented….. the Fire Pit. There is something inherent about a fire pit. Add to that a pile of Smores, and you can guarantee a good night in.

When Sunday came around, it was a cracker of a day. Blue skies, no clouds and about 20 degrees. The perfect ingredients for a Gelato!!!! …..So taking full advantage of Yr 7 being at Sky Zone. I assembled School House out on the front steps and we started out on our merry walk. We arrived at Kirribilli and you wouldn’t believe it but there is a Gelato place there…… Who would of thought.

After a double scoop of Mango and Salted Caramel in a cone, I pointed south and we headed down towards the Harbour. You have too stop and smell the roses, we are so lucky to have such a beautiful harbour right there in our back yard. I got a great panoramic shot of “Da Boyz” with the Opera House and Harbour bridge as a backdrop.

My wife who I love dearly suggested we walk back along the harbour walk way down pass Luna Park. As beautiful as the walk along the foreshore is, it is at sea level, Shore is not.  Unfortunately, the beautiful fore shore walk finishes with the Curry Stairs. If you don’t know of the Curry Stairs, they are long and steep, with an India restaurant at the top, which you can’t see from the bottom because it disappears into the clouds… OK there were no clouds but it was a long, long way away.

After stopping several times to tie my shoelaces on my boots, we made it back home. Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a lazy Sunday.

Darren Junee

Farewell Mr Philips

It is with sadness that we are farewelling Mr. Philips and his family from Hodges House.  At the end of Term 2, Mr.  Philip will conclude his time in the house but will remain working at Shore Prep School.  Having moved into Hodges House with his wife Sarah in the middle of 2014, Mr. Philips has served the young men of Hodges House as Assistant Housemaster while raising his own young family in the Shore Boarding Community.  Josephine, now a 5-year-old, and their 12-month-old son William, know no other experience other than living in the boarding community. 

We feel incredibly blessed Mr. Philips could be a part of the Hodges community for the last seven years and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.  They will undoubtedly be missed.

Barry House Builds Good Men

The Building Good Men programme began for all Houses in Week 7 this term, and Barry’s Year 11s did an outstanding job in mentoring our Year 8-10s.  The themes this term are Honesty, Courage and Resilience, three extremely important aspects in one’s character moving through life.  Our Year 11s prepared their sessions and presented their intended lessons to Mr Morris in advance, with some excellent and interesting feedback and responses coming back on the day.  While Year 11 were running their sessions, our Year 12s met with Mr Morris to review the House and its functioning at present, present ideas on improvement and look over leadership best-practice.

My Week In Boarding – Boarding Trial 2021

I LOVE BOARDING, having the ability to wake up five minutes before going to early morning sport was amazing.  I loved being able to be around all the boys all day and I got to hang out with older boys who I otherwise would not have.

The boarding house was a place full of laughter and fun, being able to go play rugby on the oval after school or go to the gym without the worrying fact of it is getting dark and now, I must sit on a bus for another 30min.

The prep study is also amazing, having the ability to work at your desk in quiet, and being able to ask a Year 12 study leader or another kid for help at any time.

The breakfast was sensational with having the option of six different types of normal cereals, raison and normal toast, eggs and bacon, and having the ability to eat at whatever time in the morning that suits you.  The lunch great too, with the ability to make your own toasted sandwich or have the premade food, served by the school caterers.

I loved being able to spend my nights with all the boys in the House.  We were watching the NRL (rugby league) before bed and drinking milos.

I also liked the fact that we had to be clean and could not leave the place to rot.  The rooms had to be cleaned every morning before role call at 7:15 and had to be made with nothing left on the floor.  The hygiene was surprisingly good, everything was having daily showers and were cleaning their teeth.

The boarding house is a place for anyone, and I think for you too.

CHARLIE GALLIGAN YEAR 8

Elevated Rituals

I have been reflecting recently on the life of the Japanese philosopher Sen no Rikyū. He did not write lengthy arcane texts to convey his ideas. He decided that living them out was far more impactful, and so developed a tea ceremony which revolved around the ideas of Kei – the fruit of sitting in a confined space with other and being able to converse free of artifice and Jaku – a sense of tranquil peace which allows a superlative potential for growth.

What was the point? To recognise that the simple, everyday rituals of life can be elevated, meaningful and richly demonstrate those things we value most.

What do I value? This place, these people.  So, I decided last week to bake, and thus manifest my values in cake. I invited School House Year 12 to supper.  Now, I am not a fan of austerity in the same way as Rikyū, so we did have ‘high tea’ with fine china and silver plates and pinkies lifted, but the intention was there.  I sat in a circle of people I have watched grow into men and was filled with a quiet joy.  Their gentleness, humour and camaraderie despite their differences filled me with Kei and Jaku.

Dear Ewan, Alec, Hunter, Ashton, Alex, Braydon and Daniel (and Ben in your absence) – thank you for being people that elevate the mundane into something extraordinary.  Thank you for being people I will grieve when you leave.  I hope you will continue to live out what you value, and share it with others.

I will bake and drink tea in your honour.

Ms Rachel Pickering
Assistant Housemaster – School House

Hodges Goes Jet Boating

On Sunday 16^th May, Hodges House and School House members embarked on a journey to Circular Quay to experience jet boating on the harbour.  For 30 minutes, the boys of Hodges and School experienced some of Sydney’s best waterside views while doing a combination of 270-degree spins, power slides and sudden holts that soaked everyone on board before zooming off at top speeds again.  Overall the experience was thrilling, and every person on board had an incredible time.

Link to Vimeo Video Here

Ben Stockwell (12MS)

Pymble Social Function

As the Shore boys got off the bus, we were all pumped with adrenaline and excitement, for this was the first social we’ve had in the past year because of COVID.  We entered the hall and saw a variety of different schools such as Knox, Loretto, Pymble and Abbotsleigh.  At first, there was a sense of awkwardness as this was all new to us.  But as time went on, students from different schools started to talk to each other and the tension quickly disappeared.  Then the lights went off and the music turned on.  Lights were flying everywhere and it felt like a party.  At the end, Everyone was sad to see that it was time to go.  I think I speak for everyone when I say that overall the Pymble Ladies College social was an extremely fun and enjoyable experience for everyone and I hope that students in the future will also have the opportunity to go.

Callum Zhu

Alex Knapman Takes Care

Alex Knapman (along with fellow boarder, School House’s Ashton Gresham) has recently been selected as a Wellbeing Prefect, a new but significant and very important role here at Shore.  Below, Alex talks about his new role, what he has been doing and what he hopes to achieve.

The Senior Wellbeing Committee at Shore consists of three members: me, Ashton Gresham and Scott O’Conner.  Our job on this committee is to assess the overall mental health of the students of the School.  I have been trying to help as many individuals as best I can around Shore, just so they can get over difficult obstacles more easily.  Sometimes the boys need a helping hand and I love playing that role within the School.  I hope that more younger boys use this committee and come to seek us out so that we can help out.  As an older boy, I think that it is our duty to pass on knowledge to help and guide those in a younger age groups.  Overall, in boarding, I do think that the boys are really getting around each other and there is a lot of new friendships being created in the community.

Alex Knapman (Barry, Year 12)

Sky Zone

On Sunday 6^th of June School House Yr 7 + some Yr 8’s boarders, headed off with Mr Tim Morrison to Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline centre. After a bus, train and a short walk to Mascot, we arrived for our two hours of non-stop fun. As soon as our time started we got onto the trampolines and started jumping. We were jumping into the foam pit, playing dodgeball, trying to wall climb or just jump. It was great fun but tiring.  After our time had finished we made our way back to the boarding house. Overall Sky Zone got the thumbs up…. 😊

Sam Henry (Yr7)

Henry Murray Reflects In National Boarding Week

National Boarding Week recognised the many great things that boarders do and support, and at Shore this term, our boarders enjoyed many fun and worthwhile activities.  In Sunday Boarders’ Chapel on May 23 this term, after giving the reading, Henry Murray spoke (along with School House’s Braydon Mundy) about his boarding experiences over the years.  Henry’s big takeaway was the difficulty he faced being away from his family, especially with big brother Charlie now at university, but the boys in boarding made things much easier, being like a second family away from home. 

Human Nature Thank You

Hodges House has recently been contacted by Human Nature who have expressed their gratitude for the $12,755 raised to fund 60+ Activ8 therapeutic mentoring sessions! These sessions will provide young men in regional Australia with access to mental health support and services so they can heal and thrive. Every week Human Nature receives dozens of referral calls from social workers and parents who are desperately seeking support for their child. Human Nature have a solution, and now thanks to the financial support from Hodges House, Human Nature can say “yes” to more of these calls.

Words are not enough to thank everyone who supported the Hodges House Charity Walk this year, they put together a video to share the impact of your support. 

Video link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WGLdovidFBIAafRN95vvGnnXIyATcn_x/view

Saturday Night In By Mrs Camden

After a big day of sport, cold weather, and with the end of term looming, it was nice to have a quiet night in on a Saturday.  Jim Richardson and Atip Natbaen kicked off our afternoon, helping some of the School House boys make dumplings, and then returning to Robson to help with choc-chip cookies and starting on the fire pit. 

Once the sun had set, the other boys ventured outside and we enjoyed many hours of talking and laughing – or as Ramiyah would say “having a good yarn”.  Sharing highlights from our day, be it sporting ventures or finally finishing an assignment, before moving into stories from home, and finally working through all the weird and wonderful facts in the Robson boys’ heads!

Stories of shark attacks, weird looking sharks, fast sharks, all while throwing a footy around – I think these will be some of the memories that our boarding boys take with them forever.  To polish off a great evening, the boys enjoyed some Pizza by the fire.  The perfect end to a busy day!

Year 7 Boarding Trial Review

The Shore boarding trial was an amazing experience. The School House year 7 boys are so nice and respectful and took care of me well and lend you anything you need. I did the boarding trial with two other boys Harvey Joyce and Darcy Squire. I talked to these boys, and they had the same answer me, it was an incredible experience. Also, the food there is good quality food and well cooked, and the lunch ladies are very nice and helpful. 

The teachers there like Mr Junee are very helpful, nice and are happy to answer any question. There are many old boys there as well who also walk around helping. Also, it’s not only the year 7 boys who are nice it’s also all years in School House. The boys there also included me in all their activities and rugby games on the school grounds and outside of school down at the shopping centre. In conclusion the Shore boarding trial was an amazing experience for me and the other boys and happy with the care that school house has given us. 

Harry Clough (Dayboy)

Are You Being PLAYED

Over the past couple of weeks, while Year 11 has been preparing for Building Good Men, the rest of Hodges have come together, taking the chance to reflect on the usage of online games and discuss the potential downsides of today’s connected, technology-based society. 

By viewing the Four Corners documentary “Are You Being PLAYED?”, we have gained insight into the inner workings of popular video game titles and the strategies implemented by game designers to increase engagement.  We have also discovered how manipulative marketing techniques can lead to addiction and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.  One of the things that surprised us the most was the sheer amount of time we dedicate to the internet and how much of our time can potentially be wasted as a result.  By shedding light upon contrasting perspectives surrounding computer usage, this documentary has challenged Hodges boys to reflect on how we spend our time and given us valuable knowledge into the possible consequences of such an interconnected world in which we live.

A link to “Are you being PLAYED?” can be found here.

Oscar Kanaley (10HS)

Tutor Groups Spoiled

Our boys are especially lucky to be cared for by such outstanding Tutors, who not only guide them in Tutor Group and via the Building Good Men programme, but they even take them to dinner on their nights off! Recently, BY1 and BY 2 were spoilt outrageously by Ms Dowdell and Ms Horsley, enjoying dinner outside under a magnificent moon, at the Greenwood.  Mr Separovich did the same not long ago as well, spoiling his charges at Milky Lane in Crows Nest.  To our wonderful tutors – we salute you.

Hodges House Indigenous Project

As a part of giving Hodges House a ‘fresh look’, Hodges has decided to integrate some Indigenous artwork into our House.  Matt Fellingham, a First Nations artist and Awabakal man, visited Hodges to design and create a piece representing the story, history, and community of Hodges.  Matt conducted the first of two workshops during Reconciliation Week.  He joined the house for our evening roll call and gave us insights into his family history and what Reconciliation means to him, an Awabakal man. 

After we asked a few questions and Matt learned more about the varied backgrounds of the boys from Hodges, it became evident that unity was vital to us all.  As a group, we decided to call this new artwork “Unity”.  As a House, we have come together from different areas to live and work with each other.  Like the rest of Australia, Unity is important for Hodges as we have boarders from Hong Kong, the countryside of Australia, and the Torres Strait Islands.

The medium that we are using is a copper sheet, employing a traditional process called the Patina Method.  Different acids such as vinegar and lemon juice are used to oxidize the copper, creating a depth within the piece.  Various acids produce different colours on the copper to create a sense of importance with handprints of different people coming together.  Another amazing thing about this method of artwork is that as Hodges House ages, more handprints of men coming into the house can be added, creating more depth alongside the general oxidisation of the copper over time. 

Overall the men of Hodges House were grateful for the support and work of Mr. Fellingham and are excited to continue to work with him on this masterpiece in the weeks to come.

Finn Beachley (11HS)

Meanwhile, A Bit Of Culture Breaks Out

Barry House recently filled up with some culture, visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art for their New Australian Art Exhibition.  After chapel and then a BBQ bacon and egg breakfast, we all hopped on the ferry to Circular Quay for a lesson in art, culture and heritage.  Nevertheless, this didn’t prevent them taking a short pitstop at Macca’s just before jumping on the ferry home.