From the Interim Headmaster

“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13, KJV)

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

I felt the love! I felt the joy! What am I talking about? I am referring to the atmosphere, the feeling, the ‘vibe’ at the Northbridge Campus on Saturday.

At both Rugby and Football (soccer), the team spirit and the support from the crowd, i.e. the boys themselves, parents and Old Boys, demonstrated a wonderful School culture, fully invested in Shore and in support of one another.

Men are sometimes uncomfortable with talk of love. This is partly because we only have a simple word which covers a raft of positive emotions, and because the concept of love has been misappropriated and cannibalised by Hollywood. The sort of love I saw is what New Testament Greek called philadelphia, i.e. honourable, brotherly love, support for mates and support for team in this case. New Testament Greek actually had four words for love, and the other form that was visible on Saturday was agape, i.e. acts of service, or what we might call practical and visible support in the form of teamwork. Boys didn’t play for themselves; they played for the team, for the School and their pride in both. This is love in a very positive sense. Jesus himself said, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13, KJV). It was not quite a matter of life and death on the field on Saturday, even though some of the play was very robust!

This is the kind of mateship (as love is defined above) we celebrate on Anzac Day. It is not sloppy, but genuine and is a sign of strength. There is too little community left in society. It was former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who said there is no such thing as society, just an aggregation of individuals pursuing their own interests. I like to think she is wrong, as far as Shore is concerned. Great schools manifest strong communities which develop supportive friendships for life. Shore is a great school. Shore boys should never have any need for the innovation in British politics, a Minister for Loneliness.

The other love I was delighted to see was found in the support from boys themselves, parents and Old Boys for our currently hospitalised and seriously injured Head of Geography, Mr Nigel Scozzi. Love manifested in action was seen in the visible support, in attire, cheering and fundraising for Mr Scozzi.

The joy I saw was joy in playing and the outpouring of euphoria in wins by a number of teams but, most especially, the First XV. It was, as the saying is, ‘A long time between drinks,’ in terms of competition victories for our First XV. The boys were thrilled to get the win on Old Boys’ Day and can truly say, ‘We did it for Mr Scozzi!’.

Thank you very much to everyone who made Saturday such a success in every way. Love? Joy? Yes, in abundance! It is about the people. Shore is a great school!

Dr John Collier
Interim Headmaster