Holistic Education: Collaborating with Girls’ Schools
An issue of considerable interest to parents in our single sex senior School is what co-educational experiences Shore can embody within the overarching structure of educating boys. It is very good to know that the girls’ schools with which we cooperate, reflecting the views of their parents, are just as keen for such experiences as are Shore and our parents. This is a case of the best of both worlds, or more colloquially, having our cake and eating it too. In this case, we want to manifest outstanding excellence in the domain of boys’ education (that is the ‘cake’) with helpful, structured experiences in cooperation with girls’ schools (that is the ‘icing’). What follows is an extensive briefing by our Acting Deputy Head, Pastoral Care, Mr Derek Champion.
Dr John Collier
Headmaster
Building Good Men
This article delves into the innovative initiatives undertaken by Shore in its approach to ensuring a holistic approach that is inclusive and builds good character. To achieve this end, the School has embarked on many collaborative initiatives with girls’ schools to provide boys with a comprehensive and authentic education. This approach aims to cultivate values like respect, integrity, and compassion, transcending gender, cultural, and social boundaries, and emphasising the significance of these virtues for all individuals.
Through strategic partnerships with girls’ schools, Shore aims to engage boys with an educational model that goes beyond the norm. These collaborative efforts extend outside the classroom. From shared pastoral care programs that nurture empathy and emotional intelligence to endeavours in performing arts that involve creative exploration, we seek to promote unity and mutual understanding. Additionally, our service-learning initiatives empower students to engage with diverse communities, instilling a sense of social responsibility and an opportunity to put character into action.
Character Education
Our well-established Senior School Cadet Programme is a significant and vital partnership with neighbouring Wenona. This program transcends traditional boundaries, fostering an environment where young boys and girls come together to test their leadership skills within the framework of an army cadet corp. The programme focuses on developing teamwork, humility, and respect, but also creates bonds of friendship and service.
This partnership aligns purposefully with our Character Education approach, designed to equip our young people with the tools to connect meaningfully, empathise, collaborate, and mentor. Moving outside the classroom, this experience is intentionally designed to challenge each student beyond their comfort zone, building confidence and resilience that will serve them well in every area of life.
Annually, around 60 Shore boys and 60 girls from Abbotsleigh unite to create ‘Shabbots,’ a CRU camp held at Galston Gorge. The Shabbot’s camp stands out due to the exceptional leadership of students. Students from both Abbotsleigh and Shore take charge of planning and leading most of the activities, showcasing their dedication and preparedness in action. Alongside insightful talks, participants engage in discussion groups, singing, games, and a theme night focused on a treasure hunt. The return of former students who shared their school experiences and the enduring impact of their Christian faith is a further highlight of the weekend.
Another significant facet of Shore’s CRU group involves Roseville College. On select Fridays, students from both schools convene for an inspiring session of conversation, games, and biblical insights. This student-led initiative has proven to be encouraging, demonstrating the commitment of both schools to mutually build and uplift one another within the two CRU groups.
Service Learning
Our Service-Learning initiatives also offer numerous opportunities for engagement and collaboration with various girls’ schools. Currently, Shore collaborates with Queenwood for the annual sleepout at Rough Edges, alongside Year 11 girls from that school. Students gain insights into patrons’ experiences and stories, and engage in various activities during the evening, fostering group work, reflective discussions, and inquiry. Furthermore, Queenwood and Shore engage in training for weekly service at Rough Edges Cafe, working together on risk management, communication skills, and specific scenarios to support the patrons.
A further example is the annual Sony Camp. Each November, Shore’s Year 11 boys engage in Camp training days and the camp itself, working alongside girls from Pymble Ladies College to their mutual benefit.
The Sony Camp’s focus on providing children with disabilities with a space for fun and skill development significantly contributes to the Year 11 students’ growth, by instilling the values of inclusivity and empathy and fostering a positive environment and relationships with children with disabilities.
The students become role models and mentors, encouraging responsibility and leadership. Their support creates a nurturing environment that boosts the self-esteem and confidence of the visiting children. As they witness the impact of their actions on the campers’ lives, Year 11 students deepen their understanding of empathy and the importance of forging meaningful connections. As well as aiding in the social and emotional development of students, the boys gain a broader perspective on gender equality and the importance of treating everyone with respect and dignity.
Ultimately, experiences gained through working with girls during the Sony Camp training days and camp play an instrumental role in shaping these Year 11 students into compassionate, socially conscious, and emotionally intelligent individuals, reflecting the values of ‘Good Men’.
Looking ahead to 2024, we plan to work with Wenona, Queenwood, and Roseville, in collaboration with Impact 100, to create a day/night event focused on understanding homelessness. This will culminate in a ‘pitch’ style presentation highlighting six non-government/charity organisations, like the broader Impact 100 event hosted by the Sydney Community Foundation. This event will involve several Shore students in a service day within Year 10 and other Houses.
Shore also aims to incorporate girls’ schools into their Year 11 Service week in December, alongside other new initiatives involving partnerships with BaptistCare, Bill Crews Foundation, Salvation Army, and HopeStreet. While the details are not yet finalised, these initiatives hold the potential to include girls’ schools, encompassing various houses and year groups from Shore.
Co-Curricular Activities
Participating in a range of co-curricular Music and Drama activities at Shore provides boys with opportunities to develop performance skills, collaborative abilities, communication skills, and confidence. Engaging with theatre and drama exposes them to the intricacies of the human condition, nurturing empathy, and social and emotional intelligence. While this aspect is integral to our programs, both co-curricular and curricular, it’s the longstanding partnerships with girls’ schools in numerous productions and experiences over the years that enable boys to grasp the essence of striving to become good men. Similarly, previous combined performances, such as last year’s Spring Concert, and masterclasses provide an opportunity to engage together with girls’ schools and enrich the breadth of our music-making.
The shared dedication and creative energy required to bring a theatre production to life encourages boys and girls to listen, support, empower, and celebrate each other’s contributions, both as individuals and as a collective. Beyond embodying the characters they portray, they deepen their understanding of one another and themselves through healthy relationships on and off the stage. The theatre realm mirrors the world outside the school gates, encompassing challenges, triumphs, dilemmas, and moments that push our youth beyond their comfort zones in each rehearsal process. These experiences are shared by boys and girls in an environment that values inclusivity, gender equality, and respect for diversity. After all, drama, a living exploration of humanity, thrives on embracing diversity.
The partnership with girls’ schools extends across Shore’s performing arts domain. Students from Roseville College, Wenona, Loreto Kirribilli, Pymble Ladies College, Willoughby Girls’ High School, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and Redlands are welcomed annually for the Shore Musical on both the stage and in the Orchestra pit. Often, they are also part of the Year 8 play, Middle School play, Senior play, and Student-Directed productions. This collaboration has expanded to encompass curriculum experiences. The HSC Drama cohorts from select girls’ schools have joined forces with the boys for HSC Drama IP Monitoring evenings, offering mutual encouragement and feedback. The blend of boys’ and girls’ qualities and approaches enriches this process, fostering valuable cross-learning. Additionally, opportunities have been created for the Senior Theatre Group to attend productions alongside students from partner girls’ schools. The ensuing robust discussions about these productions are enlightening and impressive.
The commitment to fostering these vital partnerships with girls’ schools is unwavering. The inclusion of girls in our Drama programs surpasses the mere portrayal of female characters. All participants benefit from these shared experiences, with one of the many advantages being that boys develop a deeper understanding, both explicit and implicit, of what it means to evolve into ‘Good Men’.
A holistic approach
The significance of a school like Shore offering a holistic education cannot be overstated. The intertwining of authentic interactions with neighbouring girls’ schools forms a foundation for a well-rounded education that prepares Good Men for life. This approach transcends mere gender perspectives. It extends to encompass a comprehensive understanding of diverse cultures and social dynamics, to foster open-mindedness, and a spirit of collaboration.
Shore’s Pastoral Care team has thoughtfully partnered with girls’ schools for many years to facilitate essential social and emotional learning experiences for boys. The annual Building Connections initiative with Roseville College and Queenwood encourages joint learning about respectful relationships, as well as discussions on critical topics such as consent education, mental health awareness, and cyber safety. Currently, we are partnering in a joint research project in Year 10 with North Sydney Girls High School, focused on gambling prevention for young people to develop financial literacy. It’s crucial that students collectively learn and engage with these significant themes, fostering open dialogue and the sharing of personal insights and perspectives.
Shore’s commitment to fostering connections extends to engaging in various social events with neighbouring girls’ schools. One such example is the participation in school dances, such as the Year 10 Formal, which Shore shares with Pymble Ladies College. This partnership goes beyond the dance floor, as students from both schools connect prior to the event to establish friendships and collaboratively plan the occasion. This approach exemplifies the value of student voice in promoting agency, empowering students to work together, and honing their social and emotional skills. By participating actively in the planning process, students not only create a memorable experience but also foster lasting friendships across schools.
Furthermore, this commitment to connection and camaraderie is reflected in the Year 12 students’ engagement in a series of friendly sporting contests with neighbouring girls’ schools. These contests provide an avenue for students to have fun while engaging in healthy competition. This approach promotes physical wellbeing and overall wellness. As students engage in these friendly sports events, they develop skills in teamwork, collaboration, and sportsmanship.
Our schools share in a unified purpose to nurture young people of character who are respectful, compassionate, and principled. It is foundational to our Christian ethos and guiding virtues.
The commitment to providing a complete education, grounded in diverse and challenging experiences, sets the stage for our boys to thrive and embrace the complexities of a global society with an open heart and an eager mind.
Mr D Champion
Acting Deputy Head Pastoral Care