Service Learning at Shore: Building Good Men

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45

Woven deeply into Shore’s history is the concept that our School is committed to developing men of character who will serve at many points of need in the world. This was strongly etched into Shore’s culture soon after it was established by the many Shore graduates who lost their lives serving their country in the First World War. The proportion of those who paid the ultimate price was markedly high amongst Shore’s men. This was partly because their education had imbued them with the coupling of leadership and service and, hence, many were officers who led from the front and, thereby, put their lives in jeopardy.

This year we have given prominence and platform to Service Learning by appointing Mr Huw Blood as our inaugural Head of this portfolio. His commission has been to scope the area of possibilities and then action them in a way which will manifest the School’s Christian teaching in concrete actions for the good of others. Last week, we enacted a kind of launch of the programme. The essence of it appears below.

Dr John Collier
Headmaster

Shore aims to build an outward focus through service, as a guiding virtue in the strategic plan as recently publicised by the School. The act of service is profound and powerful in many different educational settings, not only at Shore, but globally around the world. Looking to the needs of others as part of the School’s Christian faith is imperative as Shore deliberately shapes character, compassion, and men for the future. The School proudly endorses a Christan message, in which service to others as modelled by Jesus is an integral part of the everyday teachings at Shore, through Christian Studies, Chapel, Crusaders and broadly in the School’s ministry. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45, speaks to the nature of service, in that Jesus came to serve and not be served, demonstrating the great paradox of serving others first as a leader, and putting other’s needs before oneself. Throughout the gospel and Jesus’ ministry, the importance and significance of service is paramount and a great example of how to live.

Service towards others underpins the essence of character and is widely accepted as an important protective factor in the wellbeing of students, staff, and the Shore community. Significant evidence-based research pointing to increased self-efficacy, self-esteem, and improvements in one’s wellbeing suggest that service is not only important but should actively be part of everyday educational offerings. Furthermore, experiences beyond just internal school offerings are both highly valued and sought by many universities, workplaces, and future employment. Students exploring university placements, job opportunities and future careers, must ensure service is a part of their experience to provide a balanced portfolio, as they progress beyond the gates of the school. These experiences build good men of character, moral judgement and an outward focus on others.

Most notably and importantly, the deep impact and partnerships formed with charities and organisations is critical in developing agency and capacity of many vulnerable people. Organisations and charities face many difficult challenges, including increasing demands on services, volunteer shortages, financial hardship, resource shortfalls and a very significant increase in people using or reliant on their assistance. As these trends continue, Shore has a great responsibility to partner with organisations and charities to make an important difference, looking to serve others where possible.

As service continues to be developed at Shore, the breadth and depth of experiences offered will ensure that students understand service, and have opportunities to be involved, through Houses and of their own volition. These experiences are a vital part of an holistic educational experience at Shore from Kindergarten through to Year 12.

In summary, Shore will connect and serve in the following primary organisations as part of the service-learning programme, with many other events to also be added in 2024:

Our Big Kitchen

Our Big Kitchen provides meals in the thousands each week to many disadvantaged communities throughout Sydney, including the Salvation Army, Exodus Foundation, St Vincent’s de Paul, Women’s shelters, and many marginalised communities. Shore will continue in this important partnership, inviting each of the 18 Houses to participate once in a calendar year in this worthwhile cause.

Rough Edges

Rough Edges is a café in the heart of Darlinghurst and Kings Cross, serving meals to marginalised members of Sydney. Many patrons that regularly visit eat, drink, and find a point of connection in this community. Shore has enjoyed a long association with Rough Edges and will continue to support this cause, with weekly service and the Rough Edges Sleepout in 2024.

Broderick-Gillawarna School

Similarly, Shore has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with this amazing school. Students have been visiting for many years, assisting students, staff and parents look after students with greater needs. This school provides important educational services to students with a range of disability. Year 10 students will once again support Broderick-Gillawarna throughout 2024.

BaptistCare

BaptistCare is a national organisation that helps facilitate and provide services to those suffering disadvantage and furthermore, assisting our ageing population. Students in some Houses will have the opportunity to partner with this wonderful organisation, assisting elderly in residential care facilities, community facilities and a variety of aged care environments. Furthermore students will have opportunities to assist in the Mount Druitt hub and further west in regional areas such as Dubbo.

Bill Crews Foundation

Founded by Reverend Bill Crews, the foundation has a wide array of support and services to many disadvantaged communities within Sydney. Shore aims to be involved through Bill Crews Foundation, supporting their important work with literacy programs in low socioeconomic areas. Students in some Houses will have the opportunity to assist primary school teachers, mentor students, peer tutor and help literacy skills in reading groups.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a well-known organisation, serving and working in many critical areas, across Australia. Students will have the opportunity to assist in both Surry Hills and Waterloo, assisting in cooking, serving, and engaging with patrons. Students within Houses will also help in annual appeals near Christmas and the well-known Red Shield Appeal.

Sony Camp

Sony camp is a significant collaboration with Pymble Ladies College and Shore students in providing residential care of 25 disabled boys and girls, allowing respite for their parents. Year 11 students from both schools host the campers within a Boarding House and provide 24-hour care for most of the first week of the December holidays. Students and campers participate in a wide variety of excursions, activities and fun, serving a wonderful cause and enriching the lives of campers. Significant training and preparation take place, for almost an entire year, requiring a community effort to facilitate.

Underpinning and centralising these experiences will be the introduction of a new Service-Learning Award in 2024. Students will have opportunities to serve as part of their allocated House, opportunities individually to serve through a suite of options via a dedicated service page and finally to participate in many already existing service activities within the School. The award requires 200 hours to achieve and will be presented at the School’s annual Speech Day. Further information and details will be provided early in 2024, so students can begin their journey in service.

As part of a broader school-wide approach, Shore aims to connect with charities, non-government organisations and well-known services, to help all students, staff and families learn to serve and shape their values well beyond their formal education at Shore. By partnering with organisations, Shore aims to help improve the lives of many disadvantaged communities and build connections with many people outside the Shore community. Through these partnerships, service will organically grow, with trust and support from Shore in the years ahead. Students will have the opportunity to participate, reflect and share experiences in Tutor periods, House meetings and at home. Through reflection and shared stories, students will develop their own understanding of service, whilst equipping them thoughtfully for the future. As we aim to pass on the torch of life, we aspire to do so, in the service of others, using our abilities for the greater good and to enrich the lives of many in our efforts.

Mr Huw Blood
Head of Service Learning

HSC Encouragement

NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) are gradually releasing to schools the details of students nominated in various subjects which have a performance mode or major projects marked by external examiners. The excellent news is that a further three students have been nominated for Design and Technology and Industrial Technology. Congratulations to Angus Brewer, Milo Hogarth-Scott and Archie Parker. HSC Visual Art candidates, Thomas Graetz and Corrie Sloan, have been nominated for consideration in ARTEXPRESS. Hearty congratulations to both.

For some decades, the only information available to schools about how their HSC students had fared has been information from NESA, being scaled exam and assessment results. After many, many years of urging from Heads and their professional associations, UAC (University Admissions Centre), a federal government body, has relented and will release ATARs (Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks) to schools. These are much more relevant than Band 6 results as they are the actual “passports” through which Year 12 leavers are able to enter university. We expect to receive these in timely fashion. They are important, not just in bringing our sense of closure with our students, for whose success we care deeply, but also because they assist us in analysing our delivery of curriculum such that we can make any adjustments revealed as necessary and helpful.