From the Interim Headmaster

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

It seems to me, as an historian, that this is the most difficult time in history to be bringing young people through preparatory years and adolescence into adulthood. Parents, carers, teachers and others with responsibility for assisting with this journey, and young people themselves, are navigating fairly recent phenomena. These include the toxic dimensions of social media; the rapid and deep sexualisation of our culture, including marketing targeting young people; the surge of a multi-billion dollar international pornography industry which is accessible on personal devices; the multiple voices claiming that masculinity is inherently toxic and the hyper-individualism of contemporary society, which manifests the paradox of being lonely in a crowd. In addition to all of this, and perhaps in some respects caused by the foregoing, we are witnessing a tsunami of mental health issues, mostly visible in anxiety and depression, apparent across youth of the western world. A recent public lecture by an academic psychologist presented the alarming statistic that 31% of American college students were found to be clinically depressed and dysfunctional.

The Australian social commentator, Mr Hugh Mackay AO mentions in his book The Good Life that he sees rampant individualism as leading to an epidemic of loneliness and a fragmentation of community. American psychologists Twenge and Campbell, in a book I have recently read, The Narcissism Epidemic. Living in the Age of Entitlement, diagnose a litany of hyper-individualism, narcissism, hedonism, consumerism, superficiality and a fixation on celebrity culture as contributing to a lack of emotional strength and resilience amongst youth. Professor Nancy Hill, Professor of Education at Harvard University, to whom I have been listening recently, argues that to current youth the haziness and apparent insecurity of the future leads them to live very much in the present moment. She notes that they often concern themselves with community and meaning as well as an emphatic concern for identity and a hunger for a sense of belonging. She says that they sometimes ‘hide’, including through oppositional behaviour, because they want adults to look for them and find them in a deep sense, and they want to know they are loved unconditionally. This explains the ‘boundary riders’ often seen in schools: those young people who, when presented with a boundary, immediately rush up and push against it to see if it will hold. Perversely, it seems, they want it to withstand their challenge as they need to know, despite their apparent defiance, that the adults are actually in charge.

The present angst of young people is not the way it was meant to be. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” or as some translations put it, “I have come that you may have life and have it in all its fullness” (John 10:10). How may we assist our young people at Shore to achieve a life of abundance? It seems to me that parents and staff can continue to come together in helpful ways which both create and enhance community; which promote a sense of belonging through friendship, pastoral care and wellbeing programmes. Such programmes are fundamental to Shore and are strategically led by Housemasters, Tutors and School Counsellors, amongst others. An experience of success, in whatever domain, and the huge value of sport and of cultural pursuits, which are in themselves an antidote to depression, are hugely important. I would hope also that young people seize the hope which is found in the Christian world view, which is in itself an antidote to despair.

My expectation is that the strength of the Shore Community manifests positive mental health amongst our young people, who are well above the national average. Clinical surveys, which have been rigorously pre-tested and validated, affirm that this is the case. This is not an argument for complacency. A litmus test of our strength is the extent to which we reach out to assist those in our community who are struggling. Great schools look after their people and help deliver an abiding sense of purpose and meaning. This is our challenge and our commitment.

Dr John Collier
Interim Headmaster

Staff Spotlight – Technology Services

Creating The Best Environment to Support Digital Learning

Most teenagers need no encouragement to access electronic devices. Shore’s Head of Technology Services, Mr Richard Jones is committed to giving this generation the best possible environment to support their digital learning.

With 14 years at Shore under his belt, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematical Science, Mr Jones has seen technology evolve at pace and is well-placed to predict and plan for immediate and future needs.

“We have been very pleased to introduce laptops for Year 10 this year, coupled with the use of Microsoft OneNote, and look forward to rolling this out further in 2023,” explains Mr Jones. “Virtual Reality (VR) is another non-curriculum activity already supported by the TAS department here at Shore. While still a niche area, it is offered to students that have a personal interest in this space,” he continues.

“Technology Services cover all aspects of our lives, both inside and outside of the school community,” Mr Jones expands. “Our staff team has experience in designing, implementing, and supporting technology infrastructure in a variety of industries, such as Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education, Mining, Architecture, Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Financial Services. We’re well-placed to provide the systems, computers, and underlying technology infrastructure to support student learning. It’s a responsibility we take seriously as we want to set the students up for every possible success.”

On a day-to-day basis, the team’s primary role is to support student and staff use of Shore’s hardware and software systems. One way in which the team achieves this is via the ‘Tech Hub’ in the Library. Mr Jones says, “This is popular and both boys and staff can stop by and speak with our experienced tech team – Mr McNeilly, Mr Hakim, Ms Ghomshei, Mr Douglass, and Mr Bell – to get help.”

It’s not all tech support and infrastructure, however. The team also supervises the Robotics Engineering and Programming activity (REAP). At mention of this, Mr Jones breaks into a wide grin. “It’s such fun, Robotics and Engineering … what’s not to love?”

An important part of digital learning is e-safety. To this end, Shore parents of students in the ELC through to Year 12 are invited to an evening with Dr Kristy Goodwin who will be discussing ‘Kids, Teens and Screens’ on Tuesday 23 August. The Seminar commences at 7.00pm, followed by supper in the Hawkins Foyer at 8.30pm. Further information and registration can be found here and on Lampada.

Top Image Credit: L-R Jack Douglass, Stuart Rodrigues, Grant Longhurst, Trevor McNeilly, Richard Jones, Michael Bell, Nicholas Wright, Roxanna Ghomshei, Chris Hakim, Matt Darby.

American Tea – You’re Invited!

American Tea – Three Weeks to Go!

We can’t wait for American Tea to return with all of your favourite stalls including Trash and Treasure, Cake Stall, Snow Cones, Fruit Salad, BBQ, Farmers’ Market, International Food, Drinks and Spiders, Hot Chips, Lucky Jars, Oysters, Book Stall, Sweets, Undercroft Cafe, Crested Goods, Fairy Floss, Garden Stall, Gourmet Foods.

The Boyzone rides will be bigger than ever this year and the Fun Alley and Fishpond are also returning. We also have some new stalls this year – Fresh Flowers, Dumplings and Crazy Hats. There will be food trucks and lots of shopping stalls, plus music performances throughout the day from the boys. We hope to see lots of parents, family and friends come along throughout the day. You can also access more details on the American Tea Lampada page

Purchase Your Son’s Wristband for Rides

Boyzone Rides are back for 2022 and the boys won’t want to miss out on Ninja Run, Big Baller Wipeout, Meltdown, Mechanical Surfboards and Storm Ride! Wristbands to access these rides will be pre-sold for $30 and must be purchased by Monday 5 September through this link: https://bit.ly/americantea

Wristband Collection

Senior School Students
Thursday 8 September outside the Library
7.30am to 8.20am, Recess, Lunch, 2.50pm to 3.30pm
Preparatory School Students
Thursday 8 September from the Preparatory Office at Recess or Lunch

Pre-Purchase Your Gourmet Goods and Flowers

You can now also pre-purchase delicious goodies from the Gourmet Food Stall via trybooking here: https://bit.ly/americantea. This includes handmade jams, Christmas puddings and delicious frozen dinners. You can also purchase a beautiful posy of fresh flowers from the Flower Stall, new for 2022! All orders for the Gourmet Food Stall and Flower Stall must be received by Friday 2 September.

Payments at American Tea

Make sure your son has some funds to enjoy the day! This year, all stalls will have eftpos machines (except Fishpond, which takes coins) so if your son(s) have a debit/eftpos/prepaid card they can use these at all stalls. Cash will also be accepted at stalls. A price list for food and drinks can be found on the American Tea Brochure which is available on the American Tea Lampada page.

Volunteer Sign-Up — Genius Now Live

Please consider signing up to help out for an hour or two at your favourite stall on American Tea Day. I’m sure your son(s) would love to spot you there! The sign up link can be found here: https://bit.ly/ateasignup

For any enquiries please contact:

Rita Yates, American Tea Convenor 2022
Candace Rutka, Assistant American Tea Convenor 2022 spaaamericantea@shore.nsw.edu.au

For all the latest updates please visit the American Tea Lampada page.

American Tea – Stalls and Volunteers

With the American Tea being held on Friday 9 September 2022, there are only four weeks to go and we can’t wait! All your favourite stalls are back this year: Trash and Treasure, Cake Stall, Snow Cones, Fruit Salad, BBQ, Farmers Market, International Food, Drinks & Spiders, Hot Chips, Lucky Jars, Oysters, Book Stall, Sweets, Undercroft Cafe, Crested Goods, Fairy Floss, Garden Stall and Gourmet Foods. The Boyzone rides will be bigger than ever this year and Fun Alley and Fishpond will also be returning. We also have some new stalls this year – Fresh Flowers, Dumplings and Crazy Hats. There will be food trucks, shopping stalls, plus music performances from the boys throughout the day. We hope to see lots of parents, family and friends come along to celebrate and enjoy themselves at this iconic event on the Shore calendar.

Volunteer Sign Up – Now Live

Please consider signing up to volunteer an hour or two of your time at your favourite stall on the day of American Tea. I’m sure your boys would love to spot you there! The sign up link can be found here: https://bit.ly/ateasignup

Donations Needed for Stalls!

1. Trash and Treasure Stall items – The popular Trash and Treasure Stall is back and bigger than ever. We are seeking donations of old sporting equipment, electronics, games, dress ups, toys and homewares.
2. Smashing China Stall items (Fun Alley) – Any old or chipped china would be much appreciated.
3. Second Hand Books Stall – Books of all genres and reading levels are welcome. We ask that only books in good condition are donated.
4. Crazy Hats, Wigs and Sunglasses Stall – The crazier the better!

Please drop off the above items to the Shore Loading Dock on William Street on Monday to Thursday between 8.00am to 3.00pm.

5. Lucky Jar Stall – Any clean jars, with labels removed, of different sizes (e.g. jam jars, pasta sauce jars) and jar fillers e.g. bulk packs of covered sweets such as mini chocolate bars, Fantales, Minties, mini-Mentos, Life Savers, small packets of M&M’s, small toys and vouchers (e.g. Westfield, Hoyts). Lollies/chocolate bars need to be wrapped and nut-free please.

Drop-off points for filled jars and jar fillers will be announced closer to the day of the American Tea. If you would like to donate these items or have any questions, please email: shoreclassof2024@gmail.com.

For any other enquiries please contact:

Mrs Rita Yates, American Tea Convenor 2022

Ms Candace Rutka, Assistant American Tea Convenor 2022

spaaamericantea@shore.nsw.edu.au

American Tea – Silent Auction Sneak-Peek

Registration Details Coming Soon

Please see below some of the wonderful items that will be available as part of the Silent Auction.

One-on-one Yoga Session

Donations still welcomed!

If you have any items or vouchers you would like to donate to the online auction, please contact:

Liz Currie by mobile on 0412 487 404 or by email at AmericanTeaAuction@shore.nsw.edu.au

Upcoming Events for Term 2 Week 6

E-Safety Seminar for Parents – ELC to Year 12

Tuesday 23 August

Smith Auditorium, 7.00pm to 8.30pm

For parents unable to attend in person, a webinar link will be shared via Lampada to watch the seminar online.

An Evening with Dr Collier for Parents – ELC to Year 6

Thursday 25 August

Smith Auditorium, 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Grandparents are also welcome to attend.

Please RSVP: www.trybooking.com/CBSIK

Confirmation Service

Sunday 28 August

The Chapel, commencing at 9.00am

Boarders Sunday Chapel Service

Sunday 21 August

Chaplain’s Chat

I confess that there are times when I break my promises eg the promise of going to the movies or spending time with my children. It’s only when the time arrives that other things seem to take charge. Perhaps you have been in similar situations. Of course, in life we see others breaking their promises as well. Sometimes we are on the receiving end of a broken promise against us and it can be difficult to accept. Perhaps, in our society we see less and less of ‘someone’s word’ being their bond. It seems that it is relatively easy to get out of sporting contracts these days, with many suggesting that these contracts are “not worth the paper they are written on.”

In Chapel, this term we are looking through the book of Genesis where remarkably we see God make a series of promises initially to Abraham. Abraham has an unremarkable background, and yet God promises him to give him descendants, land and to make out of him a great nation. A truly remarkable series of promises. And yet, as the story unfolds, we see that God is faithful to His promises and they are fulfilled, even when Abraham himself doesn’t see all of these come to fruition. We are left thinking that we can trust the God of the Bible because He is faithful to His promises as He is trustworthy. This gives us great comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty.

Reverend Anthony Benn
School Chaplain

Holiday Workshops

Holiday Workshops will be offered from Thursday 22 September to Years 11 and 12 boys studying for the HSC in the upcoming holidays. These workshops have proven successful in providing the boys with structure, which complements their individual study programmes.  

Each three-hour Holiday Workshop session will cover important HSC topics in each subject area. A mix of strategies will be used in order to maximise learning: revision lectures, structured tutorials and discussions. Workshops will be limited to a minimum of seven and a maximum of approximately 20 boys.  

A fee of $65 (including GST) will be charged per (three-hour) workshop, which represents excellent value compared to externally run HSC lecture courses. Charges will be made to the next fee statement on a no-refund basis. Boys are strongly encouraged to make good use of the workshops and are expected to stay to the end of each workshop.

A selection form will be emailed to each boy in Year 12 and each form will need to be returned to Ms Ducrou, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Head Academic, Mr Matt Leeds. Boys may choose to attend as many sessions as they like. Every attempt will be made to accommodate all boys, but it may be necessary to restrict the number of boys in a particular workshop, depending upon demand. This will be done on a first come, first served basis. 

A list of all Holiday Workshops will be available on Shore’s website on Friday 2 September here: https://www.shore.nsw.edu.au/curriculum/holiday-workshops

Boys will not be required to wear School uniform.

Boys are not encouraged to drive to the School for the workshops, as they will not be allowed to park on the School premises and they will need to find alternative parking.

We hope that each boy will participate in the workshops, which, according to boys in the Classes of 1999-2021, contributed well to their success in the HSC examinations.

Mr Ian Middleton
Assistant Director of Studies

Expressions of Interest – HSC Supervisors

Expressions of Interest are now open for supervisors for Shore Higher School Certificate (HSC) Examinations

From Wednesday 12 October to Friday 4 November the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) will conduct HSC examinations for our Year 12 boys at Shore.

The School will appoint Mr Mark Sellen, former Head of Mathematics at Shore, as Presiding Officer to be responsible for employing and overseeing supervisors for these examinations. This year we are looking for additional supervisors to be employed by the School on a casual basis to assist in the running of the HSC examinations at Shore. Supervisors will receive remuneration on a casual basis as outlined by NESA HSC supervision guidelines.     

The role of a supervisor is to:

• Ensure that instructions are clearly given to students prior to an examination, as well as ensuring the School rules are followed to guarantee the smooth conduct of the examination.
• Assist in the distribution of booklets and papers prior to the examination as well as assisting in the collection and collation of examination scripts.
• Maintain an effective level of supervision throughout the examination.

Supervisors cannot be the parent, guardian or close relative of a student sitting for the HSC at any school. The majority of supervision is in a large candidature setting, however, some of the supervision is undertaken on a 1:1 or 1:3 basis for students with special provisions. Supervisors will generally be required for about seven to eight sessions during the HSC examination period.

If you are interested in applying for this, or require more information, please contact Ms Lee Ducrou, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Head Academic, on 9900 4746 or by email: deputyheadacademic@shore.nsw.edu.au

Mr Matt Leeds
Deputy Head Academic

Career News

Call Out to Old Boys to Share Their Career Experiences

On Wednesday 14 September, during Periods 5 and 6, we are hosting a Career Conversations afternoon with our Alumni. Year 11 students were invited to design this event and we held our first Careers Committee last Friday. The afternoon will involve sessions in classrooms across a range of professions and industries and will include Old Boys who are established career professionals and also younger Old Boys who have recently graduated from Shore.

If you are an Old Boy, and would like to share your story, we are in need of representation in the following areas:

Health, Exercise Science, Sports Management, Renewable Energy, Engineering, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Science, Environment, creative industries (including Design) and entertainment industries.

If you are a parent, brother, uncle, son or friend, we would love to hear from you via email: vshirriff@shore.nsw.edu.au

Call out to Shore Community for Assistance with Work Engagement Programme

It is proving challenging to secure placements for students with the increase in the number of staff working from home. We would greatly appreciate any organisations that are able to host students on-site for five days. There are two programmes running this year which are as follows:

• Monday 19 September to Thursday 22 September – Year 11 non-Cadet students
• Monday 28 November to Friday 2 December – All Year 10 students

If you work for an organisation that is able to provide a work experience opportunity for students to gain an understanding of a specific industry, please get in touch. This may include spending a day in each area of the organisation, job shadowing, undertaking a specific research project and or collating surveys and data. We are also very happy to work with you to develop a programme should you wish. These learning experiences are invaluable for students and allow them to gain insights into industries before investing their time and energy into tertiary education. 

The Careers Newsletter is also available on the Careers Lampada page. The table of contents is listed below to provide an overview. We hope you are able to attend and that your son finds the information provided useful in the planning of his future career path.

1) University Admission Centre (UAC) p.2
Special entry requirements p.3
Year 12 Key Dates for Uni Applications p.3
Interstate Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs) p.3

2) Webinars, Info Sessions & General Updates p.4
University of Sydney | Studying Languages and Culture p.4
Camp America | 2023 Online Info Session p.4
What counts when making career choices: Lessons from Australian agriculture p.4
University of Sydney | How Archaeology, Ancient History and Science Converge p.4
UAC Digital | Let’s Chat – Law p.4
ANU Ask Us Anything – Study Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences p.4
Basair | Pilot Career Seminar p.5
UAC Digital | Let’s Chat – Health p.5
Monash University | Information Evening – NSW and ACT p.5
University of Sydney | Life of a Biologist p.5
UNSW | 2022 Co-op Career Chat – Business p.5
UNSW | 2022 Co-op Career Chat – Technology p.6
UNSW | 2022 Co-op Career Chats – Engineering p.6
UNSW | We need to talk about Nuclear Technology p.6
ACAP | Discover ACAP Online Info Sessions p.6
UAC Digital | Scholarships p.6
UNSW | Current Affairs in Aviation Short Course p.7
Campion | HSC Workshops p.7
University of Sydney – Life of a Mathematician p.7
AIE | Film Production Workshop p.7
Monash Information Evening – Moving Away From Home Webinar p.7
University of Sydney – Project Management Online Spring Camp p.8
ACU | Talk with Youth Workers and Social Workers p.8
ACU | Talk with Psychologists p.8
Griffith | Year 9 and 10 Experience Days p.8

3) Applications p.8
Deloitte Cyber Academy p.8
PwC Higher Apprenticeship Scheme p.9
Transport for NSW – 2023 Road Design Engineer Training Program p.9
Transport for NSW – 2023 Traffic Engineering Officers in Training p.9
Transport for NSW – 2023 Electrical Design Engineer in Training Program p.9
St Andrew’s College (University of Sydney) Scholars Program Applications p.9
University of Sydney – Conservatorium of Music Audition Registration Site p.9
Charles Sturt University Medicine, Vet and Dental applications p.10
University of New England p.10
Entry to Medicine 2023 p.10
TAFE NSW Degrees p.10
Australian Apprenticeships p.10
AFL Sports Ready Traineeships p.10
Master Builders Become an Apprentice p.10
MTA Auto Apprenticeships Here p.10
CSIRO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeships p.11
CSIRO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadetships p.11

4) Early/Direct Entry Programs p.11
University of Sydney Gadigal Early Offers p.11
University of Wollongong p.11
Macquarie University Leaders and Achievers p.11
UTS Early Entry Program p.12
UTS Edge Program p.12
Notre Dame University p.12
NIDA 2023 Applications Are Open p.12
University of Sydney Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme p.12
Guarantee your place at ACU, even before your Year 12 exams p.12
ICMS Early Entry Pathway Applications p.12
Bond University: Year 12 early offers for 2023 p.12
Sydney Actors School Acting Application and Audition Monologues p.13
University of Western Sydney Early Offer True Reward Dates p.13
QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme p.13
RMIT Early Offers – Applications Now Open p.13
JMC Academy Early Entry p.13

5) Institution Open Days p.13

6) Work Experience, Workshops and Courses p.14
Chartered Accountants ANZ – The illuminate nextgen challenge p.14
November 28 – December 2, 2022 p.14
Work Experience with Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences p.15
Work Experience with Services Australia p.15
Work Experience with BAE Systems Australia p.15
Work Experience with National Pharmacies p.15
UNSW x National Science Week 2022 p.15
National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) 2023 p.16
UN Youth – Junior Leadership Weekend Registrations for 2022 Express Your Interest p.16
Le Cordon Bleu High School Residential p.16
National Mathematics Summer School p.16

7) Scholarships p.17
Macquarie University Co-op Scholarships p.17
UNSW Co-op Scholarships p.17
UNSW Undergraduate Merit Scholarships p.17
UTS Bachelor of Accounting Co-op Scholarship p.17
University of Sydney – Sydney Scholars AWARDs p.18
Shaw Reynolds Lawyers Law Scholarship p.18
2023 Teacher Education Scholarship Program p.18
Melbourne Chancellors Scholarship p.18
Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme p.18
John Bell Scholarship p.18
Scholarships for Y12 Students Quantity Surveyors p.18

8) Competitions p.18
2022 National History Challenge p.18
Anthology Magazine Short Story Competition p.19
Little Stories Big Ideas Flash Fiction Competition for Secondary School Students p.19
Ayn Rand Essay Contest 2022 p.19
MyState Student Film Festival p.19
JMC Songwriting Competition p.19
Future of Travel Youth Design Challenge p.20
National Pitchfest Schools Competition p.20
Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition p.20

9) International Opportunities p.21
Top US University Colleges Not In The Ivy League p.21
Camp America p.21
UK Gap Year Opportunities with Letz Live in 2023! p.21
Overseas Experience with GVI p.21

10) Other Resources p.21
AG Career Start p.21
Career Stories from myfuture p.21
How can I turn my passion into a career? p.21

Ms Vanessa Shirriff
Head of Careers Education

From the Music Department

Concert Group: Voyage 3

A reminder to Concert Group students that the next concert will be on Tuesday 23 August. Should you no longer be able to attend, you must find another student willing to go in your place. Mr Dorich and Ms Wentzel will be in attendance. If you would like to catch the train with them, please meet them in the Music Department by 5.45pm.

Confirmation Service – Sunday 28 August

Chapel Choir will be singing at Confirmation Service held on Sunday 28 August. The Service begins at 9.00am and all choristers will be required to arrive at 8.00am.

Year 12 Family Service – Sunday 11 September

The ForeShore will be singing at the Year 12 Family Service held on Sunday 11 September. The Service begins at 9.00am and all choristers will be required to arrive at 8.00am.

Choir Camp – Monday 12 September

Choir Camp will now be held on Monday 12 September from 8.20am to 6.30pm. This has been rescheduled from the original two-day camp on 2 to 3 August. This camp will assist in preparing Choir students for the Spring Concert on Tuesday 13 September. All choristers and their parents should have received an email with more details. For any queries, please contact the Director of Choirs, Mr Evan Wels, at ewels@shore.nsw.edu.au

Spring Concert – Tuesday 13 September 7.00pm

The Spring Concert showcases our large ensembles in one concert and is the only concert throughout the year where this occurs. Chapel Choir, Concert Band I, Concert Band II, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, ForeShore, Senior String Ensemble and Stage Band will all perform on this evening. The concert will be held in the Smith Auditorium from 7.00pm and tickets are at no cost.  

Music Photos

Co-curricular Music photos can be purchased from www.melbastudios.com.au, please select ‘school orders’ and log in using the password: bluewhite

Upcoming Music Term Dates

Mrs Kim Barber
Head of Music

GPS Debating

Round 3 vs Sydney Grammar School

In the first away debate of the season, the Shore Debaters travelled to Sydney Grammar School to debate on topics around education. The Shore teams built on earlier successes, putting in their best ever performance against the Grammar debating juggernaut. Shore claimed victory in all the Junior A teams, and the Seconds also claimed a decisive victory.

The Year 7 teams negated the topic “We should ban home-schooling”, once again coming away with wins in the 7As and 7Bs and a close defeat in the 7Cs. The teams emphasised the importance of allowing parents to choose whether their child should attend school and also the availability of flexible learning options in a post COVID-19 world.  

There were mixed results from the Year 8 and Year 9 teams, who argued against the topic “It should be compulsory to do subjects from all subject areas throughout high school.” The 8A and 9A teams both came away with victories against strong Grammar sides. They highlighted the value of allowing students to determine their subjects and the importance of specialisation in areas of interest. The B and C teams struggled to get over the line and came off second best but developed valuable debating skills in the process.

The Year 10 teams were given the task of arguing against the topic “Literature classes in high school should only teach texts from the 21st century.” Both the Year 10 teams argued about the importance of maintaining a variety of texts in the curriculum, highlighting the value of studying the likes of Shakespeare, Dickens and Orwell. Unfortunately, it was Grammar’s argument that swayed the adjudicators with both teams suffering narrow defeats.

Debating the same topic as Year 10, the results in the Opens debates were much less favourable, with losses for the First, Second and Third teams. The one bright light among the shadows were the mighty Fourths, comprised of Max McAlpine, Charlie Ashton and Tom Wait, who secured the Opens’ sole win in their first debate of the season. Frustration was the theme in the Seconds and Thirds who came close, but were unable to snatch a win.

The Opens teams had the formidable task for arguing against the motion “Tertiary education should be free.” Many examples of Whitlam Era reforms were brought up by the Grammar teams and our teams were challenged to argue in favour of a more balanced Tertiary Education reform. Unfortunately, the Firsts and Thirds were unable to sway the adjudicator in our favour.

The performance of the night goes to the Seconds teams consisting of Blake Fite, Aaron Rucinski, Jimmy Nicholas and Lachie Hunt. The debate opened with a strong rebuttal of the affirmative’s case by Blake. Blake highlighted the economic flaws of the affirmative’s case, while also arguing that the model would not improve educational outcomes for the most vulnerable stakeholders. Aaron and Jimmy built on this momentum by continuing to attack the opposition’s model, while identifying the merits of the status quo. The adjudicator in his judgement commended the boys on the quality of their speeches and it was one of the most commanding performances by a Shore team.

Next week, we head to The King’s School for another away debate on topics of Media, Culture and Entertainment. Debaters are welcome to take the opportunity to watch some Netflix in preparation for the debates.

Mesake Taulawakeiaho
Captain of Debating

Years 7 and 8 Photo Competition

Athletics Update

With the Athletics season underway, this week has seen the first week training commence. Monday morning saw a wonderful turnout of boys to officially start their preparations. Myles Kinchington was a willing leader of the distance squad as they ran a steady tempo run through the streets of North Sydney. Our sprinters worked on the School Oval with our Athletics Captain, Henry Murray, leading the group. Our shot-put throwers continued their preparations as they aimed to sharpen their technique.

Tuesday and Thursday sessions were at Northbridge Campus in the afternoons and the boys eagerly applied themselves to their training. Of particular note was one of our Coaches, Mr Ben St Lawrence, who is looking after our Distance Programme. Ben is still very competitive in the marathon and at one point held the national 5000 metre and 10,000 metre record on the track. We are fortunate to have him working with the boys.

Our first carnival is this Saturday afternoon 20 August at SOPAC Homebush Competition Arena (main track). The programme of events can be found below, as well as under the Athletics section on Lampada.

Athletics Carnival Programme

Please note: Timings are only a guide and numbers of competitors and events will determine the exact timings for the Carnival. Events will be moved forward if possible, so please ensure you arrive well in advance of the scheduled programme.

1500m age groups combined U13/U14, U15/U16 and U17/Opens.

Long Jump and Shot Put to make three jumps/throws and then two further jumps/throws for a top five.

High Jump to go up by greater increments.

Reverend Anthony Benn
MIC, Athletics

Cross Country Report

AAGPS Cross Country Championships Hosted by The Scots College

Upjohn Park, Rydalmere, Saturday 13 August

The Shore Cross Country fraternity headed to the Annual AAGPS Cross Country Championships with much excitement last Saturday, as our aspirations of claiming the silverware looked to be in the bag. We were buoyed by reading the supplied Championship programme as we had been anointed Champions already for the Open AAGPS title. Well, there you go! Yet, it wasn’t a reason to be complacent as the Shore lads were keen to make a good account of themselves in the competition on the day. That being said, we were decimated by injury and illness in the Junior and Intermediate teams and failed to field full teams of four, with only three Shore athletes competing in two age divisions.

Racing began with the Junior race and our representatives looked to be a tad nervous on the starting line. However, we had welcomed Hamish Cleland back from England and he ran well to be 61^st with Loki Lam on his tail in 62^nd. Leo Ryan was 85^th and I was thrilled to hear of his fine effort in Sunday’s City2Surf. I am so pleased he is enjoying his running. Our Intermediates were led, yet again, by Jesse Cochrane, who after several weeks out of form and suffering from the lurgy, ran superbly and looked like he would be earning himself a place in the top three before eventually ending up fourth. However, it was great to see him running so freely and well again, and this augurs well for him in the upcoming Athletics season! Patrick Zhang was impressive, finishing 20^th and Lachlan Martin recorded a tenacious 30^th.

With much anticipation, the Opens race got underway a little after 10.00am with a bevy of Shore athletes upfront in the racing. Lachy Brown latched onto the leaders and Nathan Stanmore assured he wasn’t far behind. Thus, it was for the duration and Lachy finished a superb 3^rd and went on to snatch a spot on the podium. Nathan looked ready to race prerace, and I commented to Reverend Benn that “he may trot out a super run.” And so he did, finding himself in the top 10 at the race’s end, finishing an impressive 8^th. James Bestic, who we anointed the ‘machine of the year’ after the race, lived up to that title as he motored into a superb 11^th. We keep pinching ourselves because he is only in Year 9! Matt Hogg and Myles Kinchington raced side by side for the duration with Matt just outlasting Myles to finish 12^th with Myles only two places behind in 14^th. I had challenged the boys to have six Shore athletes in the top 15 and we were close! Unfortunately, Cam Burnett had a niggle and chose to withdraw, but I’m sure that were he fully fit we would have nailed that challenge! It was so cool to be able to rely on our depth and rest Cam and yet emphatically run away with the win in the team’s event on the day! Nice! However, the accolades don’t stop there! Lachlan Hunt has had a blinder of a season and has improved just about every week and he secured a fine 24^th. Captain Rohan Stannage was determined to finish his season at the helm in fine fashion and he was 29^th. That gentlemen runner from Walcha, Jock Fenwicke, landed himself just outside the top 30 in 31^st. Ultimately, it was a superb finish to a fabulous season for all the Cross Country ‘Boys of Blue St!’

As the season draws to a close and we transition into Athletics, it would be remiss of me not to thank the wider Shore Cross Country fraternity for what has been a most delightful season. Our Captain, Rohan Stannage, and Vice-Captain, Joshua Mamelok, have been superb in their encouragement of both their peers and the little blokes in the team. The support of the parents has been most appreciated by all the coaches and boys. Their sense of perspective and encouragement was wonderful. ‘Fam Stannage’ took control of a most wonderful end of season celebration, which was enjoyed thoroughly by all in attendance. I jokingly commented, early on in the season, that we had more coaches than athletes, thankfully this ended up not being the case. However, it is wonderful to having a coaching staff of good number to care for our boys as they indulge in the running delights available to them adjacent to the School! We look forward to continuing to celebrate a fine season of running at Shore and look forward to building on this season’s success next year.

Good running,

Mr M Spratt
MIC, Cross Country

Top Image Credit: Shore XC Team with NA Emery Trophy 

Golf Report

Saturday 13 August – 2BBB and Individual Stableford

The final day of the season and the forecast threatened to spoil it a little, but the showers stayed away and the lads enjoyed a sunny end to proceedings. Some decent results ensued as they vied for the coveted Handicap Championship. The tee placements were generous, but that was made up for in spades with some barely legal pin positions that made putting treacherous and kept the scores modest. Tom Livingstone put together a solid round taking out 3^rd in A grade. Riley Meale, Luke Robson and Leon Li also took home minor prizes. Riley’s steady final round ensured he ran out the winner in the Handicap Championship, with Luke second and Oliver Arnold coming from the clouds with a late burst to finish 3^rd.

Mr R J Ward
MIC, Golf

Football Report

First XI vs The Scots College
Loss: 1-4, scorer (Alistair Colvin)

Thursday night at Homebush Athletics track was always going to be a tough ask for the boys, as they probably have never played in such a stadium, where the pitch was under bright floodlights. An advantage was given to The Scots College as they had been playing at this stadium all year, coupled with the fact that it was a huge pitch and definitely the biggest field that Shore have played on.

Scots scored from a long-range effort, 25 metres out through traffic, which left Killian clutching at air. Unfortunately, some poor tracking of opponents allowed Scots to score a second from a cut back. Shore responded well with a nice strike from the edge of the box by Alistair Colvin after some nice build up play.

Another long-range effort gave Scots a 3-1 lead, although Shore had another great opportunity to cut into the deficit through Matt Simpson, (his third in three weeks) but it was not to be.

Shore then changed shape, trying to cut into the deficit by going to three at the back, four in midfield and three strikers, pushing for a result. Unfortunately, in doing so they conceded a fourth with the last kick of the game.

I could not fault the boys’ work rate as every player came off the pitch with saturated shirts.

Man of the Match – Nick Griffiths

Mr G Lee
Coach First XI

Rugby Report

Saturday 13 August – Final round vs The Scots College

The final Rugby weekend was upon us and Shore teams were looking to go out in style. Thankfully, heavy overnight rains did not result in cancellations and the Blue & White army would be on the march for the last round.

Our U13s had their initiation to the Christison Park grounds in Vaucluse, it is always tough out there due to the opponents we face and the sloping fields. Our U14s were at Northbridge Campus for their final games and whilst The Scots College got the better of us, matches were close and hard-fought. In the U15s and U16s, the honours were shared between the teams and even Rugby was played.

For the Scots Main Ground and the Shore Fourth XV we were going for an undefeated season. After a tight first half, the Fourths then played some superb Rugby in the second half and scored some brilliant tries. It was nice to see some of the Year 12 boys in and amongst the points – well done to Cheer Captain, Hugh Simpson, Jamie Nagle and Darcy Davies for being amongst the tries, as well as Ramiyah Tamu for kicking the final conversion. Well done on a great season, team.

Our Third XV were next and faced a determined Scots side. There were also many Year 12 boys in our Thirds determined to finish in style. The game was a tight one, hard fought and in doubt until the end. Unfortunately, Scots were just too good on the day and the Thirds went down. It was a see-sawing season for the boys. Riverview eventually shared the Third XV Premiership but we were the only team to beat them, however, we dropped games we perhaps should not have. Regardless, this was a fantastic Third XV side, full of great characters who developed a style of play which was more often than not ‘champagne’.

The Second XV were next and facing a Scots outfit who were going for the Premiership. The game was an excellent one and Scots took the lead early on, but Shore matched them for skill and physicality. To their credit, Scots showed us why they were in Premiership after contention and extended their lead into the second half. Shore, however, started to lift a gear and chased down the score. Could the boys pull it off and catch Scots? It looked like it, but we needed 10 more minutes of match time. In the end, Scots held on, providing themselves as deserved winners and Second XV Premiers.

And then the final game. And what a game it was! The First XV match was another thrilling encounter.

Having been defeated by Scots in the Trials at Northbridge Campus during our Indigenous Round, the Shore men were keen to reverse the result. The match started at a frenetic pace and Scots showed their hand by getting the ball out wide and creating havoc in space. Shore however, used the ball well and worked our way to the line for Archie Jackson to crash over for a try. Hutton then converted to extend the Shore lead. Scots hit back well though, and soon it was 7-7 through good play down the right side. Scots went in again shortly after on the left side and converted to take the lead by 7-14. Shore fought back and sustained pressure led to some clever play by Joe Hutton to pick-and-go and score next to the posts. He converted and took the score to 14-14. The rest of the first half saw Scots finish the more dominant side and they scored two unconverted tries to take a 14-24 lead into half time.

The talk at half time from Shore was confident, with young gun Tom Klem urging the players on, keeping the faith in their fitness and heart.

The second half started and it was dramatic. Captain, Jackson Stiel, took the lead and charged into the Scots defensive on numerous occasions. Galligan was ‘edgy’ and James McCreery was dominant in the lineout. The momentum was shifting. Henry Murray pounced on a well-weighted kick which turned the Scots team around and was fast enough to score his try. The score back to 19-24. The game pace lifted a level and Daimon Pin was kicking and organising the troops around the park better than any other #10 in the competition. With Leo Bass trucking the ball up from #12, Tom Klem returning well from #15, the advantage line was being breached and field position gained. Noah Holt and Marshall Le Maitre continued to be defensive workhorses and Ned Ritchens was everywhere, proving why he is one of the finest #6’s in the GPS.

More pressure was applied to the Scots line through clever kicking by Dougal Payne and Finn Baxter who went in for another try from a rolling Shore maul with a 24-24 kick to come. Alas, it just shaved the post and the scores were level.

I can’t really remember what happened next, except that no fingernails are now in the possession of the author.

What I do remember is that Shore really looked the fitter side and seemed to have the running of the game. The clock was ticking down and Shore was on the attack. A penalty advantage went to Shore from a kick-able distance 40 metres out! Shore then used this advantage to attack but were held back by the gallant Scots line. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Daimon Pin received the ball 40 metres out and 10 metres in from the sideline. In what was possibly the sweetest strike of a field goal I have seen, his drop goal attempt sailed through the posts and Shore hit the front 27-24.

The scoreboard clock showed that time was up and the Shore crowed erupted. However, the referee still had three minutes on his watch and that’s the watch that matters. Both sides were tired, but the next three minutes were heart stopping. In the final play of the day, the Scots winger made a break down our left side and it looked like he was in. Cometh the second hour, cometh the second man. Henry Murray charged across the field and with the assistance of Noah Holt, snuffed out the try … and to the relief and joy of the Shore crowd, the final whistle blew.

This was another fantastic game of schoolboy Rugby and congratulations to all the Shore and Scots players involved.

It was a fitting farewell for our First XV coach, Mr Hadley Jackson, who leaves Shore to pursue coaching opportunities in Europe. He helped shape a wonderful season with the First XV finishing as GPS Runners Up.

Special mentions – 13 August

1. Fourth XV undefeated in 2022. Well done men!
2. Sebastien Cheers, Oliver Dorney, Alex Ryan and Jaxon Bishop for winning coaches awards in the U13E’s. Coaches Murray and Austin (two great Old Boys) were very proud and want to take the 13E’s again next year.
3. 15A XV for a great final win on the McKay Oval vs Scots. The 15B’s had their third (maybe fourth?) Draw for the year. A new record, I think.
4. And to all the Year 12 boys who have played their final game of Rugby for Shore – thank you for your wonderful service and I hope you all loved your final year. You put your bodies on the line week in and week out and I am grateful for what you have down for the Blue & White.

Team Awards

Second XV

• Best Back – Ben Whatley
• Best Forward – Harry Stiel
• Best & Fairest – Eoghan Killick

First XV

• Young Gun – Marshall Le Maitre
• Workhorse (most tackles) – Marshall Le Maitre
• Hardest Trainer – Leo Bassingthwaighte
• Metre Eater (most metres made in games) – Jackson Stiel
• Defensive Axe (hardest defensive player) – Jackson Stiel
• Most Tries in Competition Rounds – Archie Jackson
• Most Points – Joe Hutton

Mr D L Mason-Jones
MIC, Rugby

Top Image Credit: Henry Murray, First XV

Drop Shipping

What is it & why has it become so popular?

E. V. Milne – Junior Contributor

The modern age comes with modernized versions of old things such as fashion, technology and more – but with it also comes new things, and this is one of them. Drop shipping is an intelligent way of making money where you take a seller’s product and resell it for a higher price while also adding something on – like packaging – to add to the price. Around the world, this business is making people millions of dollars a year. But the best bit about this business is its simplicity. 

Due to its on-demand selling criteria, many people have not only one, but up to five different drop shipping businesses. But you may be thinking – isn’t this a little unethical? And in some respects, yes, but if you are making it better in a small way, many people would think that it is a fair deal. 

Over the next few years, this modern-age business model is going to increase in popularity and I believe in ten years everyone around the globe will know what it is.

 But how does someone even begin to make a drop shipping business? Well, it truly is quite simple, all you need is a selected few products and, from that, if your advertise it better than the company that makes it and you have a unique twist to it, unlike anything the original buyer or any other drop shipper can do, then your drop shipping business will most likely succeed. This business is about difference because if your product and marketing are better and at a higher price people will want to buy from you rather than a small business on Esty. I believe even as a teen you could be doing this and making more cash than your friend that has a 5-hour job on the weekend.

A Life Well Lived

Remembering the life of Olivia Newton-John

P. P. Zhang

ON MONDAY THE 8^TH OF AUGUST, AUSTRALIA MOURNED THE PASSING OF ONE OF OUR OWN. At the age of 73, Dame Olivia Newton-John’s battle with breast cancer ended peacefully. Her husband confirmed the news of her death, adding that “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer”, calling her “the most courageous woman [he’s] ever known”. In 2017, it had been announced that her breast cancer had returned and progressed to Stage IV, as well as metastasising to her lower back, which sadly resulted in her passing.

There are few who are as influential in as many ways as Olivia Newton-John was. Perhaps she is best known for her standout role in Grease, a film that sports infectious tunes, a rollercoaster of emotions and nostalgia that permeates through generations. Additionally, she not only won 4  Grammys, with a music career that included five number-one hits, but also was an animal and environmental rights activist, as well as advocating for breast cancer research, having been diagnosed with it three times. In addition to all this, Newton-John also performed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony. It was her services to cancer research, charity and ultimately entertainment that earned her the title of Dame (DBE) in 2020, the highest honour a civilian can receive.

Tributes have flown in for the star’s death including from her Grease co-star John Travolta, Kylie Minogue as well as the prime minister Anthony Albanese. Many places in Sydney and Melbourne have lit up their landmarks as a tribute to the remarkable life of Olivia Newton-John. She took the world by storm in the 70s, and this week, she was taken from us far too soon.

Olivia Newton-John made it to the big stage from the shy suburbs of Melbourne. In the pre-internet age of the 1970s, a rise to fame like that of Newton-John’s was incredibly rare; it can only be attributed to her unwavering determination and resolve combined with a hint of magic that caused her to become one of Australia’s most successful and significant figures.

So as the summer nights slowly approach, we’ll all be singing “tell me more, tell me more”, captivated by the voice of a star who won’t be forgotten anytime soon. 

A Failing System?

Examining the value of electoral democracies

J. A. McCreery

Who is to blame for the failures of governmental rule? The inevitable caveat of this question: that one believes there is a shortcoming, or deficiency, in their nation’s leadership. Alas, such disenchantment is prevalent in Australia and appears to be increasing in recent years. British political scientist Gerry Stoker reifies this through his co-authored paper Trust and Democracy in Australia wherein he finds:

“Sixty per cent of Australians believe that the honesty and integrity of politicians is very low. Furthermore, the one issue that appears to unite most Australians is complaining about their politicians.”

Such distrust is not unfounded, a history of embezzlement, misuse of funds and corruption pervades even the most advanced societies in the world. A recent estimate put the annual cost of bribery alone at about $2 trillion (roughly 2% of global GDP) yet the overall economic and social costs of corruption are likely to be even larger, since bribes constitute only one aspect of the possible forms of corruption – IMF report, Corruption: Costs and Mitigating Strategies. 

This circles back to the initial question, who is to blame for this perceived and often real failing of our authorities. The politicians? The people which instate them? The structures which support them?

Politicians are made out to conduct the running of nations as a ‘game’, the ‘game of politics’, raising individuals out of the shadows to, when their agenda suits, mercilessly fell them in a storm of controversy. Although this is often the case, the forced examination of political figures,  their scandals, slips, and affairs, suffuses our media, pushing a narrative of personal incompetence rather than systemic diseray. Who is to say that our current system is sustainable, or even right? So often people are guilty of championing the election process simply to condemn the every action of those that are elected.

The glorified institution of electoral democracy must be challenged. 

The most often highlighted pitfall of the electoral system is the political instability it incurs. Leaders change at the whims of the people, cohesive structure, direction and intent are derailed by constant switches or the need to campaign and counter-campaign in order to stay in power. Decisive decisions become ruled by archaic structures and short term political conditions. Take Brexit for example, Belgian cultural historian David Van Reybrouck comprehensively highlights its place as an exemplification of a disjointed system:

“Never before has such a drastic decision been taken through so primitive a procedure – a one-round referendum based on a simple majority. Never before has the fate of a country – of an entire continent, in fact – been changed by the single swing of such a blunt axe, wielded by disenchanted and poorly informed citizens.”

The threat to society does not lie with democracy itself but the devolvement towards reducing it to consensus or majority based voting. Is this civic duty, an act performed quickly and often misguidedly by the masses, whereby individual gut feelings are turned into shared priorities, really the mode we accept to ensure the prosperity, wellbeing and integrity of nations? The belief that elections are a doctrine, a precondition to democracy in and of themselves, requires dismantling. Such an entrenched electoral fundamentalism runs deep and can only prove blinding, pushing a hazy so-called justness onto a flawed system. 

The need for expression and consensus are nevertheless essential and Reybrouck offers a solution in the form of Athenian sortition. Under this system a random sample of the population is drafted and their competency examined, ensuring they come to understand the subject matter in order to make informed, logical decisions. Renaissance states such as Venice and Florence worked on the same basis and experienced centuries of political stability.

“A cross-section of society that is informed can act more coherently than an entire society that is uninformed.”

Although it may remedy the ills of current electoral processes, flaws still pervade this system and likely any other which can possibly be put forward. In the end, tight regulation, accountability, transparency and an intangible altruistic intent is required in government so they may best protect and further the rights of their people. 

Hope and Unity in Las Vegas

Cult leaders, musicians, and dictators; drinking the Kool-aid

J. Y. Gao

Our senior Shore News editor, Lawson Banks, wrote the phrase ‘ready to drink the Kool-aid’ in his account of Shore’s great return to dominance in rugby, which has, in turn, sparked a discovery that was helped along by our Insights Editor, William Johnston (in history class), about the People’s Temple cult of the 50s, 60s and 70s America. The particular phrase refers to the mass murder-suicide of 918 individuals by Valium, chloral hydrate, cyanide, and Phenergan poisoning. Horrid and morbid indeed – though the journalistic world has no place for the mundane.

Why an individual would ever consider willingly taking fruit punch laced with cyanide seems like an impossible question to answer. From the perspective of the ‘sane’ and the ‘normal’, psychopaths and their psychopathic followers often seem mysterious and alien, and yet when we unravel a little bit of the psychology behind cults and powerful ideologies, we quickly discover that it was not by divine intervention that millions of people were able to buy into the blatant racism of Hitler, nor supernatural forces when a orderly, well-mannered girl of 18 turned into a crazed monster screaming at a wiggling Elvis Presley. These are men and women, like you and I, who have jobs and families.

Hope. Hope is what I am inclined to say at first, so let’s discuss this idea for a moment. If you ever notice the rhythm of your life, your daily habits, movement and actions, you’ll find almost everything you do is goal orientated. We consistently strive to achieve a goal – no matter at what scale. Perhaps you will even believe when I say that bigger, decade-spanning goals – regardless of whether or not you are aware of them, are the only source of meaning in your life. An individual will aim for a higher position at work, more sustainable family conditions, establishing/improving/sustaining relationships with your significant other and others in your life. And thus when we discover the omnipresence of goals, it becomes clear why hope is able to guide not only the leader toward their ambitions, but guide an entire nation towards undefined ends. Hope is the belief that a goal is achievable, and when that goal is achievable, the means so often become negligible. 

The victim card and justice card – a hand that, when played, creates the most compelling ideologies of history. Jim Jones, the leader of the People’s Temple cult preached of a world that is equal and a world that is fair. He preached of himself and his followers as suffering minorities of good in a dark evil world. In a society where colour dictated the bathroom you used, the table you sat at, and the seats you took on the bus, Jones held each congregation with alternating races sitting side by side, hand in hand, every row, to the back of the church. He preached of himself as a God who could heal wounds with words (he faked many ‘healings’ during his preachings by simply asking a walking woman or man to act paralysed from the waist down. Jones would then help them to walk again with only his voice).

Of course, in a setting that is as large as Jones’ congregation, with a goal of a perfect utopia, a motivation of injustice, a sense of moral obligation as the suffering minority, and a hope of success with the divine powers of a divine leader, even the most sensible are subject to persuasion.

A sense of unity and belonging is yet another driving force. The sense of patriotism – of pride and gratefulness – during a rendition of a national anthem, a national celebration of culture, or an inter-school sports match, is a powerful emotion. Every once in a while, when you realise that your beliefs do not stand alone, but are shared between thousands; your nationality not individual, but shared among millions; you feel as though in that very moment an entire people has opened its arms wide. The transmissibility of behaviour is a real phenomenon. When a crowd of three thousand clap and cheer their hearts out at a charismatic Jim Jones, we are all susceptible to the peer pressure. When a man with a little moustache rings his voice echoing around a vast square, 10 thousand soldiers positioned in alignment, and 10 thousand of your countryfolk cheering behind them, you are likely to cheer too. When two legs wiggle so naturally and so freely, and so induced by the music, and when ten thousand scream and cry in excitement, you will scream and cry in excitement too.

Through the course of history, we have seen the same goal appear over and over again. People will always want freedom. In democracy, it is freedom of speech and thought, and freedom from dictatorship; in socialism, it is freedom from individual burden and the injustice of life; in industrialisation, it is freedom from the restrictions of individual labour; in romanticism, it is freedom from the industrial world; in the renaissance, it is freedom from archaic tradition; again in Elvis Presley, it is freedom from traditional constraints of higher society to the real, visceral reality of physical and emotional experience; in the information age, it is freedom from the limits of technology to global interconnectedness; in war, is it freedom from injustice and oppression. 

When you are entranced by a light of freedom beaming just past the horizon, your boats, however small, will be pushed from the docks into waves however big.

A Final Word from Jackson Stiel

An Interview with One of Shore Rugby’s Greats

F. A. Loxton

AFTER A HISTORY MAKING SEASON FOR SHORE RUGBY, which saw the 1st XV win 3 GPS competition matches (and very nearly a 4th), there would be no better way to seek insight into what made it such a successful season than to interview a player. Jackson Stiel has played for the 1st XV for three consecutive seasons, represented the GPS 2nd XV for two years and recently, gained selection into the Waratahs U18 Academy known as Gen Blue. He was the acting captain of the 1st XV in their 5 GPS competition games and has led the men of Shore rugby particularly by his actions. Jackson will be sorely missed by the players, coaches and the blue and white army, so why not hear a final word from one of Shore rugby’s great players.

How did you start your rugby journey at Shore?

I started Shore in Year 7 weighing 80kg. In the previous year I had played for the Mosman Prep 1st team and had grown a passion for footy. I started my rugby journey for Shore at the U13s trials. I was heavy, and described by Mr Morrison as “pretty useless.”

What caused your first setback, and how did you overcome this?

In my first season I was dropped to the 13Bs and told I was too unfit. Growing up I had always played in the top teams, and the new level of competition really came as a shock to me. In the pre-season the following year, I worked on my conditioning as well as building up strength to help me on the field. I went on to make the 14As that year, and since then have always dedicated myself to improving my skills in the off-season.

When were you told you were going to debut for the 1st XV in Year 10?

In Year 10, after an extended pre-season, I was given the opportunity to play with the opens. For our first trial match against Riverview I was selected in the 2nd XV at Tighthead prop. In training the next week, Coach Hadley pulled me aside to let me know I would play against Newington in the 1sts. At the time I was shocked, but my new teammates gave me advice on their experience so I was ready for my debut.

What made this year’s 1st XV team so special?

The difference this year has definitely been the comradery and banter. Everyone respects each other equally throughout the team. We also developed strong chemistry throughout our junior years, as our team is mostly Year 12s. From the tough times doing the dreaded MAS shuttles to the highlights of beating Riverview at The Bridge, we all have trust in one another to do their role for the team.

A final message for the blue and white army.

The blue and white army truly did get us through the final minutes of each game, and without the boys in the stands, we wouldn’t have had the success we enjoyed throughout the season. After last weekend, I realized that playing with your mates in any sport at Shore, you create  some of the best memories you’ll make in your life, and every boy at the school should cherish the memories you make at Shore.

Heading into the Summer Season

What sport should you choose?

J. A. T. Collier

As the winter season wrapped up last weekend, the summer season approaches us, and sports registration is nearing. However, many boys struggle with choosing from the wide variety of sports on offer at Shore, so here is a guide to summer sport at Shore. 

Whatever sport you choose this season, remember to consider sportsmanship, teamwork, character development and to ultimately have fun. 

Basketball 

Basketball is also a very popular sport at Shore enjoying significant success in its recent seasons with the firsts winning the premiership in 2021. Basketball has always been a huge sport at Shore, and now due to the amazing facilities of the RAI Grant centre, the sport has had an increase in numbers. Basketball is all about teamwork as well as individual abilities and skills and if you are looking to have lots of fun with your mates, basketball is a great option to choose. 

Rowing 

To start things off, rowing is a popular sport at Shore. As I am a rower myself, I truly believe rowing is one of the best sports on offer at Shore. However, it is not for everyone. Many boys love rowing due to the culture created throughout the season and the bonds you form with other members of the school at the sheds. Rowing is one of the more physically challenging sports which many boys embrace. However, if testing your limits each session, early mornings and pushing through lots of pain several times each week isn’t your thing, maybe rowing isn’t the sport to choose. 

Surfing

Surfing is a more recent sport to Shore and the sport has taken off. Surfing is a very skillful sport and for those boys who surf competitively, this addition to school sport has been perfect for them. Surfing is very technical and lots of fun so many boys enjoy it. 

Water Polo

Water Polo has taken Shore by storm with countless boys embracing Water Polo in recent years. The sport is very physical and takes strong swimming abilities to excel in it, however it is very enjoyable. If you enjoy the water and want to have lots of fun on a Saturday in a fast and physical game, then Water Polo may be the sport for you. 

Cricket

Cricket has always been a traditional sport of Shore, with the firsts winning countless premierships over the years. Cricket is a great sport to play; it tests your patience and requires skill and strategy to win matches. However, if concentrating for long periods of time tests your focus, you may need to take this into consideration when choosing cricket. 

Tennis

Tennis is once again a very skilful sport with many boys at Shore playing it. The game takes patience and takes a lot of hand-eye coordination to play well. Tennis embraces both individual games and doubles and many boys love playing it for Shore. 

SLS (Surf Life Saving) 

SLS is also a great sport to choose at Shore and many boys love to participate in it. I don’t have much experience personally with SLS, however the feedback I have received from boys Is that it’s such an enjoyable sport to partake in. It is also a vital skill to learn and is very useful for helping patrol beaches in later years. 

So, that’s my brief personal guide on what sport to choose for the upcoming summer season. If I have missed any other sports, I apologise. Every boy has their opinion on sports, however, don’t be afraid to try new sports and the most important factor in choosing a sport is that you will enjoy it and have fun. Let’s get ready for the season and get excited for a season that isn’t interrupted by Covid like previous years. Well done to all the winter seasons’ teams, however, let’s get keen for the upcoming summer season and start thinking about what sport you want to play. GO SHORE. 

Concussions in sport

Is it getting better?

J. T. Mott

It was estimated in 2006 that 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur annually in the USA.  This was an estimate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) came up with and submitted in a 2003 report to the US Congress. 

Concussions are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to either the head or the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. This however is not a common injury with Men’s American Football with 0.91 players per 1000 getting a concussion between 1988 and 2004. This is 11.6% of all injuries and is the largest contributor. 

Frequency and rates of concussion in NCAA from 1988-89 through 2003-04

Since then, the concussion rate has risen to 10.4 concussions per 10,000 athlete exposures. This statistic might reflect the fact that more concussions are being noticed, however this is still too high. 

Concussions are severe as their symptoms include headache or “pressure” in head, nausea or vomiting, balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision, being bothered by light or noise, feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy, and confusion, or concentration or memory problems.

Concussions remain a major problem in today’s world, even though they are occurring less frequently. There are still too many and change is not happening fast enough. Many sports have brought in rules to prevent concussions, however, they are not being enforced harshly enough and concussions are still occurring at high levels.

Kyrgios

An Insight into the Effects of Psychology on Sporting Performance

B. Dent

Several weeks ago, professional Australian tennis player, Nick Kyrgios suffered a three set to one loss to world number 1 Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon grand final. Although his outcome in the match was unsuccessful, his road to this grand slam final was very impressive and it stunned many tennis fanatics around the world. There were a few factors that made his journey to the final outstanding. Prior to the commencement of Wimbledon (arguably the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world), Nick was not seeded, which meant that he was not placed in the 32 highest ranked competitors within the competition. Additionally, along his path to the grand final, he was able to beat world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Over Kyrgios’s 9 years as a professional player, he has constructed a very controversial presence within the world of tennis due to the contrast of his pure natural talent and his unstable demeanour within matches and dealing with the media. He’s an athlete who is able to inspire with his immensely impressive skills, but also one that will incentivise you to change the channel when he is arguing with the umpire or having an aggressive and uncomfortable interaction with a spectator. 

When it comes to competing in sport at a professional level, especially in an individual sport such as tennis, an individual’s attitude and mindset is extremely important, having the ability to drastically impact performance and focus. Mentality can often be the differentiator between being a good or a great athlete and serve as a clear indicator of a team/individual’s success. Given this information, it is difficult to comprehend the potential success that tremendously gifted athletes such as Nick Kyrgios could have if they were able to positively reconstruct their mentality. Psychological factors have the ability to impact various facets of an athlete’s development, training, and match-day performance. Consequently, a failure to build mental strength and resilience can lead to athletes falling into positive feedback loops. This may sound beneficial due to the deceptive ‘positive’ in the term, but that’s not the case. Positive feedback loops occur when the product of a reaction leads to an increase in that reaction. An example of an application of this process occurring within an athlete is an individual or team having a poor performance, leading to a decrease in confidence, leading to a worse performance, leading to less confidence, leading to worse performance, etc.

This process can also occur on the other end of the spectrum and therefore lead to athletes experiencing meteoric rises/falls. It is for this very reason that mentality and attitude are detrimentally important aspects that athletes must learn to master on top of their technical abilities if they truly wish to succeed. Using Nick Kyrgios as exhibit A, we can clearly interpret the effects that disadvantageous mental attributes such as arrogance and a lack of emotional control can have on an athlete’s ability to perform and their reputation among a sporting community. Watching Kyrgios at his best is a spectacle that leads to your eyes becoming dry from not being able to blink. However, when spectators see him begin to lose motivation and make unnecessary arguments, they become frustrated as they are forced to witness a showcase of wasted talent and unsportsman-like behaviour. It’s a love and hate relationship, dependent solely on the mental approach that he takes into each game.

A Critique of Utilitarianism

A philosophical examination

M. D. Kwak

You’re standing in the midst of train tracks; a lever in your hand. A trolley is about to come and kill the five people lying on the train track – that is unless you pull the lever and divert the trolley to another track where there is only one person that will be killed. 

The question in this thought experiment is whether or not the action of pulling the lever is a moral one. I would wager that a lot of people – maybe even the majority – would posit it to be. Some may even argue that not pulling the lever – a form of inaction as opposed to action – is immoral and akin to murder. Others might try to outsmart the thought experiment and ask about the character and nature of the people trapped on the tracks. They might seek alternatives – such as derailing the train. Regardless, the framework of utilitarianism is commonly applied when it comes to trade-offs and decisions. 

Utilitarianism is all about seeking to gain the most amount of utility for the most amount of people. It’s a way of thinking that’s predominantly focused on the outcome and how much utility it entails. It’s not too complex, it’s intuitive and in many cases it works fine. Interestingly however, there is a side of utilitarianism that’s borrowed by supervillains and rejected by heroes. Thanos? – a classic display of utilitarian thinking. Batman? – his refusal to kill the Joker and save countless potential victims is a surprising rejection of utilitarian morality. I’ve encountered far more people who gravitate towards the utilitarian framework and for that reason here are three problems with it. 

First is the problematic nature of defining utility. Most utilitarians try to escape this by preaching the equality of everyone’s experiences and utility. However, this is simply untrue as there is no universal definition of utility. For some it’s fulfillment, for others their happiness and utilitarian calculus is impossible to reconcile. 

Similarly, utilitarianism can be logically flawed when we ask ourselves about where the end point of the utilitarian calculation lies. For example, going back to the trolley problem, let’s say you make the initial calculus and save the five people. However, if one of them is a serial killer that will cause many deaths, what happens then? Further, if the killer is known to exclusively kill oil corporation CEOs that contribute to climate change and the deaths caused by that, how do we act then? Just from this simple example, it’s evident that calculating all the possibilities in the infinitely long-time scale is impossible. Human interactions are far too complex and numerous and far-reaching, that one can never gauge the impact their actions will have and especially how much of a ‘good’ is produced versus the ‘bad’.

However, there’s a more fundamental problem with utilitarianism. At its core, it treats humans as instruments. Individuals are no more than a means to an end – an end that seeks to maximise utility. They can be treated however one wants as long as the outcome is – on balance – more favourable than not. You might say, that’s fine, as long as more people are happy than not, right? However, as soon as one is part of the minority that is forced to bear the ethical sins of a society, as soon as one is the unfortunate sacrifice for the greater good, utilitarianism turns into a brutal, scary and suffocating system. The individual has no value. It is only the collective mass of utility that does.