A New Chapter: Announcing Mackey House
The foundation of Pastoral Care at Shore is our outstanding House system—a structure introduced around 25 years ago to ensure that every boy is known, supported, and experiences a strong sense of belonging and community throughout his time in the Senior School.
I’m pleased to share with the Shore community that from the beginning of Term 1, 2026, Shore will be introducing a new Day House, our 19th House. The new House reflects our deep commitment to ensuring every boy continues to be known, supported, and nurtured within a strong and positive community. It will allow us to further strengthen the Pastoral Care that lies at the heart of the Shore experience, to grow small, creating more opportunities for meaningful relationships, character formation, and a deep sense of belonging. While it will also help ease some practical pressures on shared spaces, the driving purpose is to preserve and enhance the quality of care and connection that defines our House system.
We are especially delighted to announce that this new House will be named Mackey House, in honour of Miss Meta Mackey, affectionately remembered by generations of Shore boys as Madame Mackey.
Miss Mackey was a pioneer in every sense. She was the first full-time female staff member at Shore, serving from 1921 to 1944, and she was very much a person who embodied what it means to be a Shore schoolmaster. Born in Northern Ireland and a graduate of the Royal University of Ireland, she brought with her a wealth of experience, including time teaching in Germany and at Scotch College, Perth. At Shore, she taught French with energetic competence and achieved outstanding results. Her forthright character, tireless dedication, and deep care for her students earned their respect and affection.
Her influence extended well beyond the classroom. She was a generous contributor to the School Museum and Library, and she ran the French and Sweet stall at the School Fete. She also supported the Millers Point Boys Club and the Erskineville Club, where many Shore boys served the community. In 1928, The Torch Bearer noted that the Erskineville Club was indebted to her for her interest in its welfare and her many donations.
One story, shared recently by longtime staff member Mr Sam Walker, captures the warmth and character of Miss Mackey’s relationship with her students. His father, an Old Boy who left Shore in 1942, recalled how later in her career, after a fall, Miss Mackey was carried to class in her chair by the boys. In the original building, above what is now the Common Room where we teach Mathematics and Commerce, she was placed on a raised platform at the front of the room. The boys would sometimes let one leg of the chair slip slightly off the edge, causing it to tilt. They would then catch her, and she would thank them. It was a light-hearted exchange and an example of the kind of exchanges that occurred at the time, showing mutual affection and respect between staff and boys.
The naming of Mackey House is not only a tribute to a pioneer in Shore’s history, but also a celebration of the values she lived out—service, character, and community. As we prepare to welcome this new House in 2026, we look forward to a series of events that will inaugurate its Housemaster and student leaders and begin building a strong and positive community from day one.
Later this year, boys in Years 7 to 11 will have the opportunity to express interest in joining Mackey House. This process will be carefully guided by the pastoral team to ensure thoughtful and balanced placement. Our aim is to create a House where every boy is known, supported, and given the opportunity to grow in character and connection. We’re currently in the process of appointing the new Housemaster, and more information will be shared with you in due course.
To mark the beginning of this new chapter, we will be hosting a series of events later this year and throughout Term 1, 2026. These gatherings will bring together students, parents, and staff to celebrate the launch of Mackey House and to foster the sense of community that lies at the heart of our House system.
We would also like to thank Mrs Tanya Hill (School Archivist) and our Community Engagement team for their work in preserving our School’s history, which has allowed us to rediscover and honour the legacy of Miss Mackey.
For now, a new chapter in Shore’s story is beginning.
Mr Derek Champion
Deputy Head, Pastoral Care
