A Recap, A Farewell and A New Beginning
2022-23
P. P. Zhang
FOR THE YOUNGER BOYS OR NEWER READERS WHO ARE UNAWARE, THE SWR HANDOVER TAKES PLACE IN TERM 3, WEEK 2. Traditionally, the final week of articles has been marked by recaps and rankings of the year passed, and I wanted to carry on that legacy – in the fresh format of a quiz. Cover the answer and see how many you get correct.
- Who have been the MIC’s of the Shore Weekly Record this year?
A: Along with the usual change in the Senior Committee, the current Master in Charge is Mrs Reid, who replaced Ms Horsley in Term 4 of last year.
- What new elements did this cohort bring to the table?
A: This year, the Senior Committee came up with the new name “Holtermann Columns” and a fresh design for the student section of the SWR. Furthermore, mostly thanks to the work of the Editor, Secretary and Graphics Editor, the 2022-23 committee also created new sections of creative contributions of comics and games. We also incorporated weekly student-written sport reports from the respective captains. The SWR also experienced a mass overhaul from the Shore Community Engagement Team, who replaced the online old PDF version with a clean website design.
- What parts of the SWR have featured since Volume 1 in 1939?
A: The very first edition was essentially an activities report for the students. Rugby, which was called Football back then, Rifle Shooting and Debating were the only activities that were reported on. Notes on weekly Chapel services also made an appearance. Incredibly, scores of the First and Second XV Shore Prep Rugby are also mentioned. From there, the SWR immediately expanded in the following weeks, detailing other aspects of the school such as school performances and productions, chess club and other small features such as a section titled “A criticism of a criticism”.
4. Which article used the best line to describe the achievement of one of our Rugby players?
A: The best line comes from LDL Banks’ article A New Wind, detailing the Northbridge spectacle that broke the six-year drought. The sentence will undoubtedly go down in journalism history: “Personally, I’m sceptical of things such as divine intervention, but after Saturday I have no doubt that Finn Baxter’s birth was specifically planned out by a higher power in order to provide us with one of the most exhilarating moments I have witnessed in schoolboy rugby.”
5. What was the name of the three-part saga written by Michael Kwak in Term 1 of this year?
A: Michael’s articles were titled The Mindless Dissonance of Modernity, with the different parts respectively called The Joker, The Lie of Egalitarianism and Empowerment and Being Happy as the Worker Ant.
6. Which volume was the Holtermann Columns Special Edition in the 2022-23 year and what was the reason for it?
A: The special edition Climate Blame was the last edition of 2022, published on the 2 December 2022. It was the first time the SWR had featured a guest writer – E. J Wyndenham from Wenona, who won 2nd place for a speech she delivered at the Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) Festival of Speech. This article broke new ground as traditionally the SWR has traditionally been a student newspaper written by Shore boys, for Shore boys.
- Who are the current and future (2023-24) Editor and Secretary of the SWR?
A: This year, the SWR has been led by Justin Gao and James McCreery. I would like to thank my bosses Justin Gao and James Mccreery, the current Editor and Secretary respectively for everything they have contributed to the newspaper this year. They pass on the torch with trusting hearts, because there is no doubt that the 2023-24 Editor, Michael Kwak, and Assistant Editor and Secretary, Braden Dent, along with the rest of the Senior Committee, will keep the flame burning bright.
If you’ve made it this far, tally up your score and tell me what you got if you see me around. Thanks to everyone who read an article of mine this year – I hope I’ve inspired some of you to write your own articles in my absence.