Our Shore Foundation

Many of you will have seen the Sydney Morning Herald news story covered recently, Sydney’s top private schools rake in millions in donations. The article was indeed based on fact. I believe we should be proud to have a strong foundation and the role it plays in enhancing the educational experience for all Shore students and for others in the community.

Shore’s fundraising is community based and we do our best to ensure that families are not pressured into giving what they cannot. Shore was named in the top three schools in Sydney for the number of donations received from 2017 to 2022. The other two schools named have received very large single sums of money in recent years, but Shore is a unique community. We value receiving a small donation as much as we value receiving a larger donation. I am always cognisant that not everyone can contribute. School fees are not inexpensive. As a father of three, I get it.

We have much to be thankful for in being a part of the Shore Community. I am proud and grateful to those who help provide further opportunities for others and who help continue to build and shape our environment for the future.

Private schools do not receive capital grants from the government. If we took an aerial photo of Shore and looked at our physical space, we would determine that more than 80% of Shore has come about, in a large way, through the provision of donations. School House, Graythwaite, our Library, the Benefactors Building, the R A I Grant Centre, the Centenary Building, the Smith Auditorium, the Stands and fields at Northbridge Campus – the list can go on!

The history of giving at Shore is remarkable and is embedded in the School’s values. Generations of students, Old Boys and staff are grateful to all those who have given from their hearts in the past.

The true spirit of philanthropy at Shore, and one of my favourite stories, is about how our Northbridge fields were purchased. Opened in 1919, the Shore Community raised money for these fields during World War I. At a time, when we lost over 130 Old Boys in battle, the Shore Community came together with generosity and foresight to provide the grounds that we enjoy today.

We should be proud of these stories and never take our good fortune for granted.

Next week, I will highlight more of the areas that the Foundation supports that are often overlooked.

Mr D Mason-Jones
Executive Director, Shore Foundation and MIC Rugby