Message from the Headmaster

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

There is a long history of Shore deploying expertise for the assistance of staff and, therefore, through them, the benefit of our students. We enjoy a very productive engagement with the Faculty of Education at the University of NSW. Our English Department continues to benefit from an ongoing relationship with a Professor of English at Sydney University. Other departments establish specific connections at points of need with our various universities in Sydney and, over time, with Harvard University, which has been at the forefront of learning theory in recent decades. We wish to dig deeply into evidence-based research.

Currently, Shore is being gifted a wonderful opportunity by two scholars-in-residence, Professor Trevor and Dr Margaret Cooling, whose complementary expertise covers the years of Prep and Senior School, the humanities and the sciences (including the so-called soft and hard sciences). Professor Cooling is Emeritus Professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University in the United Kingdom. 

Both Drs Cooling major on good pedagogy, i.e. the art and craft of excellent teaching. Professor Cooling, in particular, is a very experienced figure in the vital field of Character Education. Both these issues are critical to Shore. Professor Cooling argues for the importance of teaching students to think well in a world pervaded by interpretation. He argues for the rigorous teaching of knowledge and interpretation of its application to the real world. He stresses the importance of exploring what it means to be human. In terms of Christian Education, he argues for giving students room for disagreement as they think through a diversity of viewpoints. He says “I propose that this process of discovering meaning and judging significance is essentially what education is all about. Schools should be equipping pupils to participate in this activity, which characterises what it means to be human”. He opposes a notion of schooling which simply hands down proclaimed truth from on high, without any engagement with propositions by students. Professor Cooling argues for an open and inclusive approach to Christian Education which allows students to exercise agency.

Professor Cooling’s approach is grounded in the Scriptures: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Shore, in the company of many Anglican schools, has enjoyed a long-term relationship of around 15 years with Professor Cooling, during which time he has consistently been at Shore or engaging with Shore staff. We regard ourselves as fortunate in this respect, as both Professor Trevor and Dr Margaret Cooling are in demand throughout Australia. 

International Opportunity

Congratulations to our Captain of Debating, Michael Kwak, who has been invited to the World Schools Debating Championships in Belgrade in July.  

Dr John Collier
Headmaster