“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jeremiah 29:11)
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
“To statesmen and soldiers men trust their lives and fortunes, but to schools they entrust their precarious hold on humanity itself.” (Broudy, 1965)
“The strength of an organisation comes from its stories and traditions, but the future of an organisation rests in its relevance and innovation.” (Ashley Fell, from McCrindle and Associates)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” (Gustav Mahler)
“What is the cocktail of successful schools and their leaders? They are restless. There is a paradox at their core: they are very secure in their systems, values and successes, yet simultaneously seeking to change and improve. These schools look inwards to secure wise development; they look outwards to seize innovation which they can hew to their own ends and, importantly, make a difference to the children and students they serve.” (Roy Blatchford, The Restless School)
“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” (Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland – paraphrased)
“Failing to plan, is planning to fail.” (maxim in the public domain)
These quotations, from figures as diverse as musical brilliance to fiction, provide commentary on our newly released Strategic Directions. What we do in schools affects young people’s lives and, hence, is vitally important. At best, students gain at school fundamental building blocks for their future. We need to find the best balance between tradition and evidence-informed innovation in a dynamic balance where initiatives are sparked by the best of our traditions, which provide an ongoing bedrock. We need to be purposeful, deliberate and aim at continuous improvement. To stand still is to fall back. We want our education, in the words of the Apostle Paul, to be transformative. We wish to open up a marvellous vista of possibilities for our students and equip them to be ready for the world beyond school. May this world be their oyster!
The published document has evolved from extensive consultation over the last nine months, a worthy gestation period for human development. The published version is approximately iteration 35, after adjustments for feedback. The School Council and Executive Leadership Team have worked diligently through this time, as have the staff and key stakeholder bodies within our community, including the SPA executive, the large OBU executive, our Foundation and our Prefects. All plans are best when they are ‘owned’, reflecting the significant participation of those charged with implementing the major ideas expressed within. What will follow shortly is an adjunct document that attempts to express the key distinctions, the very essence of Shore. We hope that it will resonate with everyone’s experience of Shore and articulate that which is either unique or deliberate in its emphasis at our School.
As society and education are changing so quickly, the plan has a short shelf life of currency – just three years. However, it acts as a signpost beyond that time so that the next Strategic Directions document can build upon the present. In that respect, Shore aims at the best interface between the ingredients of past and present success and the agility required to prepare our students for a future that will undoubtedly feature rapid change.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
We want to see our students prosper in every way!
Shore’s Strategic Direction 2023-2025 has been emailed to all parents and may be found on the School website: www.shore.nsw.edu.au/about/strategic-direction
Dr John Collier Headmaster
This Week We Thank
This week we thank Shore’s Senior School Receptionist, Carolyn!
Carolyn greets students, parents and staff daily with a warm smile, creating a welcoming atmosphere for our Community.
Carolyn keeps staff, students and visitors who come to Graythwaite or call our main phone number connected and informed. Her hard work and positive attitude set the tone for each day, helping to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Thank you for your service.
Year 12 Prep Leavers’ Dinner
The Year 12 Prep Leavers’ Dinner is a time-honoured tradition for all Year 12 boys who commenced at the Prep to celebrate and reminisce about their time at Shore, with some boys even starting from the Early Learning Centre (ELC).
Year 6 Prep teachers and Head of the Northbridge Campus, Miss Natasha Mitchell, also attended, with Mr Nick Saunders providing his memories and reflections after 14 years of service as Headmaster. Mr Adam Larby (previous Deputy Headmaster) was the guest of honour.
American Tea – Updates
Save the Date: Friday 8 September
This year marks the 85th year of the iconic Shore American Tea event! Shore Parents’ Association volunteers are already hard at work planning this massive community event across both Shore campuses. Over the coming weeks, we will be requesting contributions for the various stalls (eg bake a cake for the Cake Stall, old crockery for Smashing China, bric-a-brac for Trash and Treasure, lollies and jars for Lucky Jars as well donations to the Silent Auction). We hope to see you there!
This year the Auction effort is being run by the Year 7 Silent Auction Team. It is the largest component of the Tea’s fundraising initiative, with all donations made by the Shore community and all profits going towards important school initiatives that benefit our boys and girls.
David Cambridge, Kristy Borganah and Candace Welch 2023 Year 7 Silent Auction Team
Please Donate to the American Tea Silent Auction!
Term Dates 2023 – 2024
2023
Term 2
Wednesday 26 April – Thursday 22 June
Term 3
Tuesday 18 July – Thursday 21 September
Term 4
Tuesday 10 October – Thursday 7 December (Prep) / Friday 8 December (Senior)
2024
Term 1
Wednesday 31 January – Thursday 11 April NB: Good Friday 29 March – Easter Monday 1 April
Term 2
Tuesday 30 April – Wednesday 26 June
Term 3
Tuesday 23 July – Thursday 26 September
Term 4
Tuesday 15 October – Thursday 5 December (Prep) / Friday 6 December (Senior)
Upcoming Key Events
Christian seminar for parents – Wednesday 7 June.
American Tea – Friday 8 September. Save the date!
Chaplain’s Chat
Some people in life are dependable and reliable. They are trustworthy in what they say and do. A recent poll of professions found that doctors and nurses are the most trustworthy and reliable. They not only say they will assist but actually follow through with actions. Their reliability is seen in what they do. Of course, I think of my life, and while there are times when I certainly think I am reliable to do certain things, I am acutely aware of those times in life when I have said things I will do and have failed to do them. The promise to participate in a family activity which I then have not completed, or the good intentions to help someone that hasn’t materialised.
I suspect we can all think of such times in our lives. And yet, as we think of Jesus, we come across a man who was completely reliable in what he said and did. He said amazing things, predicted things to come, and acted on his words. In many ways, the people who came to Jesus understood that he was reliable enough to heal them. They were depending on him for this. Of course, for us, this can be a great comfort. In times of uncertainty, and perhaps as we reflect on our own reliability, we can trust that Jesus himself is reliable. He is trustworthy and can be depended upon. As Jesus says in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.” We can rely on Jesus.
Rev. Anthony Benn Chaplain
Chapel Notices
Sunday 4 June
Event
9.00am
Boarder’s Chapel (Reading: Psalm 119:1-8)
10.00am
Thanksgiving Service
10.30am
Baptism
CRU Update
It is often said that taxes and death are the two certainties in life. Some may have experienced the pain and grief of death more than others. But in all of history, only Jesus has proven his power and authority over death.
In Term 2 at CRU, we have seen that Christianity is all about Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God, who came to die in our place for our sins and provided the opportunity for forgiveness. This week we looked at the resurrection on the third day, which Jesus predicted would happen. The resurrection of Jesus is, for Christians, the most important event that has taken place in the history of the world. It is at the heart of the faith, and Christianity is simply not true if Jesus did not rise again. But on Friday, we saw that we can be sure Jesus was dead and that he came back to life. Pontius Pilate, the centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, and the women were all certain Jesus was dead and buried. Three days later, the women saw the empty tomb, and later hundreds saw Jesus alive, with many followers of Jesus dying for the sake of this gospel message.
The resurrection proves Jesus’ identity as the Son of God who will return to judge the world. It also shows that we can trust Jesus and that we can have life, too, by trusting Him since death has been defeated. This is amazing news. Next week, we will finish the Christianity Explored course, so be in the Christian Studies building to hear the conclusion.
Daniel Becker 10 TY4
Choral Evensong Service
6.00pm | Wednesday 19 July
School Chapel
All staff, parents, Old Boys and students are welcome.
Parking will be available on-site with entry via Hunter Crescent.
Christianity at Shore ‘Unpacked’
Shore is a school that has been shaped by Christian foundations for 134 years. As a parent at the School, you may well be asking questions like:
Is the Christian faith intellectually sustainable?
How does it shape the School?
Would Shore be better off without it?
What is my son being taught?
If you have ever thought about some of these questions, please consider coming to this relaxed, interactive seminar for Shore parents.
It is a great investment of 90 minutes of your time to think further about Shore, Christianity, education and life. There will be plenty of time for questions.
Date:
Wednesday 7 June
Time:
7.45pm – with some cheese and wine
Finish by:
9.15pm
Presenter:
Nick Foord (Shore Community Chaplain)
Venue:
Colebrook Room (Senior School)
Aim:
To explain more of the Christian faith and how it shapes Shore
Shore’s Study Centre has now started again. There are subject-specific sessions before and after School to allow the boys to seek individual help and guidance with their schoolwork. Teachers, sometimes assisted by high-achieving Old Boys, are available according to the published timetable. Study Centre operates on a drop-in basis, and there is no charge. The boys are strongly encouraged to attend.
The ‘Focus On’ programme is part of the Study Centre. It is run by staff in the Educational Services Department who support boys in all subjects in Years 7 to 10. They will assist the boys with their executive functioning skills, as well as help with homework and other schoolwork.
Please note that the Study Centre timetable changes occasionally as teachers’ Co-Curricular commitments change. It is always best to check for the most up-to-date version of the timetable on Lampada.
Holiday Workshops
Holiday Workshops will be offered from Thursday 22 June to Year 12 boys for the upcoming break. These have successfully provided boys with a structure that complements their individual study programmes.
Each three-hour Holiday Workshop session will cover important HSC topics in that subject. A mix of strategies will be used to maximise learning: revision lecture, structured tutorial and discussion. Workshops will generally be limited to a minimum of seven and a maximum of approximately 20 boys. A fee of $70 (including GST) will be charged per (three-hour) workshop, representing excellent value compared to externally run HSC lecture courses. Boys are encouraged strongly to make good use of the workshops and are expected to stay until the end of each workshop.
A selection form will be handed to each boy in Year 12 and is to be returned to Ms Ducrou, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Headmaster – Academic. Boys may choose as many sessions as they like. Every attempt will be made to accommodate all boys, but it might 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.
Charges will be made to the next fee statement on a no-refund basis.
A list of all available workshops will be available through the school’s Lampada portal from Friday 2 June.
Boys will not be required to wear school uniforms.
Boys are not encouraged to drive to school for the workshops. However, if they do drive, they are not allowed to park on school property under any circumstances.
We hope each boy will participate in the workshops, which, according to boys in the Classes of 1999-2022, contributed well to their success at the HSC examinations.
I M Middleton Assistant Director of Studies
From the Music Department
Instrumental and Choral Concert
Students have been rising early in the morning to rehearse repertoire for the upcoming Instrumental and Choral Concert that showcases Symphony Orchestra, Choirs, Chamber Ensembles and Guitar Ensemble. The concert will be held on Thursday 8 June in the Smith Auditorium at 7.00pm and will be approximately two hours long, including a short interval. The car park will be open from 6.15pm. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend.
Band Concert
The expansion of the Band Programme leads to a very exciting Band Concert which showcases Symphonic Winds, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Stage Band, Jazz Ensemble and Trumpet Ensemble. It will be held on Thursday 15 June in the Smith Auditorium at 7.00pm. The car park will be open from 6.15pm. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend.
Upcoming dates
Monday 5 June
Instrumental/Choral Concert rehearsal
Thursday 8 June
Instrumental/Choral Concert, 7.00pm Smith Auditorium. All welcome.
Friday 9 June
Band Concert rehearsal
Monday 12 June
King’s Birthday holiday
Thursday 15 June
Band Concert, 7.00pm Smith Auditorium. All welcome.
Tuesday 20 June
Battle of the Bands final
Thursday 22 June
1.00pm Term ends
Kim Barber Head of Music
Meet the Shore Weekly Record Student Editorial Team
Year group: Year 12 Why did you join the SWR Student Editorial Team? I saw the SWR as an influential platform within the School that could influence the student body, the staff, and the wider Shore Community. Therefore, I saw the SWR as an opportunity to challenge assumptions and start discussions in the rapidly changing world. I also sought an outlet to express my passion for film, politics and philosophy, and I saw the SWR as a comprehensive way of doing so. What have you learned from the experience? As the student editor of the SWR, I have gained a deeper insight into both my writing voice and the constructions of the English language. Through the weekly articles in the Holtermann Columns, I have found a pattern of expression that I can distinctively call my own, and I have thus made the necessary adjustments to grow as a writer. By editing the works of others, I have grown closer to the grammatical composition of language, repeatedly having to sharpen my awareness of dangling modifiers, apostrophes, commas and subject-verb agreements. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? The SWR is not a traditional newspaper and thus should not be seen as a source of mainstream/breaking news like the Sydney Morning Herald. With student articles mandated to be more than 600 words long, the SWR publication is a collection of pieces that give insight or opinion about the events that are relevant in our contemporary world and to our audience, whether that be the economy, sporting events, politics, or philosophy. Through our writing, the SWR hopes to provide an informed, holistic and comprehensive analysis of the topics of interest, which often means providing a viewpoint contrary to the opinions held by popular media or segments of the Shore Community. In doing so, we hope to stimulate reflection and discussion that may hopefully result in growth or increased nuance in understanding.
Year group: Year 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? Joining the team was an effort to expand my leadership responsibilities and better my managerial/interpersonal skills. The operation of news teams and magazines interested me; the depth of coordination required to bring together a full paper was inspirational (ever-heightened by the chaos of teenage boys). Further, and perhaps most plainly, I’ve always had a passion for writing, and this seemed a fitting pursuit that would force me to develop my skills. What have you learned from the experience? I’ve learnt what I set out to learn; my organisational, interpersonal and writing skills have grown greatly. Sure, writing makes up a large portion of my job, but for the most part, sporadic flares of interest fill out my articles. The SWR has been most beneficial as an opportunity for me to operate with professionals in a slightly higher stakes environment, learning to deal with deadlines and working through the chaos of a weekly, voluntary newsletter. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? The SWR is valuable as entertainment and information. This year alone, a multitude of incredibly impressive, insightful and thought-provoking articles have been published by my peers. Yet I believe the true beauty of the SWR is in its ability to facilitate the development of the boys’ skills, to let them express themselves, and, at the senior end, to learn through leadership. It has been a beyond-fulfilling experience for me. It has been a pathway for recognition of my work, manifested in my subsequent invite to intern at Forbes Magazine, a privilege born from the SWR.
Year Group: 12 Why did you join the SWR? Every Friday afternoon throughout my schooling, I would see the student newspaper handed out to students as they left the School. It became routine to skim the paper as I walked down to the train station to find any interesting articles to keep myself occupied on the train ride home. So, coming into Year 11, I took the opportunity to join the SWR Student Editorial Team and contribute to the paper that played a memorable part in my tenure at the School. What have you learned from the experience? As the Graphics Editor of the SWR, I was involved in creating the visual aspect of the SWR, which required me to learn how to use Microsoft Word and Photoshop in a way that would allow me to produce a clean final product every week without hiccups. Furthermore, I had to develop sufficient communication skills and learn to work to tight deadlines consistently to ensure the SWR would be distributed every Friday. It is still a learning experience, and I continue to hone these skills as time goes on. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? The SWR has served as the School’s primary outlet for student journalism. I believe it provides a unique opportunity for student writing to be displayed to an audience regularly, allowing students to develop their writing and providing a consistent platform for that writing to be shared.
Year group: 12 Why did you join the SWR team? I was particularly interested in joining the SWR Senior Committee as I wanted to develop my writing skills, learn more about current events and engage in a team that would give me valuable experience and insight into journalism and the functioning of a paper. I was also encouraged by a boy in my Tutor Group who held a key role in the team the year before. What have you learned from the experience? I have learned how to adequately prepare for, research and write about events in the world. Over the year, I have considerably improved my ability to search for and comprehend other articles I could draw from to form a more holistic and thorough article. Additionally, through my research for my articles, I have become far more knowledgeable on nuanced world events allowing me to present a more informed and worldly view in my writing. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? I believe that the SWR provides the Shore Community, whether students, parents, teachers, or any others connected to the School, with a showcase of Shore boys’ independent thinking and creativity and keeps them updated on current Shore events. The SWR is integral to the culture and tradition of Shore, inspiring boys in younger years to pursue their interests and express to the school community their passions while providing the senior boys on the committee with valuable experience and an opportunity to continue the legacy of the SWR.
Year group: Year 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? I was interested in the discursive style of article writing and improving my authorial voice. What have you learned from the experience? Sourcing inspiration and time management strengthened my writing, and the best stories are those you write with the audience’s enjoyment in mind. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? Showcasing little parts of the Shore Community provides an underutilised platform for boys to express their discourses, allowing them to flesh out their own worldviews.
Year group: Year 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? I joined the SWR editorial team to enhance my writing skills by writing about topics that interest me weekly and, in turn, sharing my writing with the Shore Community. Furthermore, I wanted to improve my research and analytical skills on various topics to write about them to the Shore Community. What have you learned from the experience? I have learnt many valuable writing and time management skills as I need to plan my responses and have them ready for submission each week. The overall experience has also been beneficial and has helped me in various subjects that require essay writing, such as English and History, as well as analysing topics and putting the findings into writing. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? I believe the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community is its ability to create a sense of community as it keeps the whole Shore community involved. Furthermore, the SWR brings various topics surrounding Shore to light through the voice of its students while also showcasing regular information from the Headmaster to the students and parents. The SWR also explores various topics where the boys showcase their knowledge by writing for the wider community.
Year group: Year 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? I joined the SWR Editorial Team to pursue a passion I’ve had for writing since I was young. Combining this with my love for sports, the SWR also gave me the opportunity to share my insights into sports with the greater Shore Community. A student-run newspaper is so rare these days, and to be a part of an entirely student-run initiative and working alongside my peers has been a rewarding experience. What have you learned from the experience? Since starting in Term 2 of Year 11, I have learnt that you are always best at things you are interested in, and therefore to write about what you are passionate about so the process is never boring or feels like a chore. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? I think the publication informs the Shore Community with every detail it features. From the sports results and reports to fundraising events and initiatives, everyone that makes up the Shore Community can find something important or interesting in the SWR.
Year group: 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? I’ve always liked writing about concepts outside of School; the SWR gave me an opportunity to report and share what I like to write about with the rest of the School. However, the main reason I joined was the impact the older SWR student editors had on me by encouraging me and giving my articles a chance within the paper. What have you learned from the experience? The main thing I have learned from this experience is an increase in my writing capabilities and vocabulary. This happened almost subconsciously as the more I wrote, the more I began to improve. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? Whilst the articles from all the boys are great, I feel that the SWR’s biggest contribution to the Shore Community is the awareness it brings to the sporting aspect. Through giving us weekly updates on how the Shore teams have gone, I believe that boys become more involved in the School, even just by glancing over the paper.
Year group: 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? I joined because I’ve always had a passion for writing and journalism, especially concerning current affairs and pop culture. The SWR is a medium that allows me to achieve this desire while providing me with a voice to communicate with the wider Shore Community. What have you learned from the experience? Through writing for the SWR, not only have I developed my skill as a writer, but along the way, I have learned more about my fellow SWR members, as well as my peers and teachers, who often feature in my articles. Additionally, writing articles each week has encouraged me to educate myself about the current state of the world and important events happening around me. One thing that surprised me about the SWR was the amount of people involved and the level of detail and care put into the publication each week. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? I think it is the way it connects boys, teachers and their families across all ages and cultures to Shore. Not only does it give a voice to those who wish to express their opinions, but it also celebrates the achievements of countless individuals or groups in the Shore Community. Without the SWR, the connection between boys in different year groups and the community as a whole would be compromised. In this way, I think the SWR also greatly contributes to the School spirit.
Year Group: 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? Writing has always been a passion of mine, so the decision to join the team came naturally to me. Not only would the prospect of writing for the SWR hone in and enhance my writing abilities, but it would also allow me to experiment with different writing styles and stylistic features. Furthermore, the freedom to write and explore virtually any area and topic seemed like a good way to broaden my knowledge of contemporary and historical issues. What have you learned from the experience? My writing skills have significantly improved, and my knowledge has broadened through the vast range of topics I’ve written across the past few terms. This has made me more knowledgeable and involved with current affairs across the globe and allowed me to write more adeptly in my essays during school exams. Furthermore, forcing myself to write during most weeks has made me more disciplined, and I have learned how to manage my time better to meet deadlines every week. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? I think it is its ability to nurture and develop the writing capabilities of those who are participating each year. This has prepared generations of Shore boys to succinctly convey their ideas through their writing, which has prepared them as they leave the School and participate in their future endeavours.
Year group: Year 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? Throughout my time at Shore, I have been impassioned to serve the School and community, and, seeking to manifest my communicative skills, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to lend myself to engage with the community whilst also being able to comment on and explore ideas of my own. What have you learned from the experience? During my time in the SWR, I learnt the importance of organisation, especially with one’s time, the significance of comprehensive research, and matured in my articulation and eloquence. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? To me, the most important part the SWR plays is in serving as a nexus between the students and the broader Shore Community. Our writing as students enables a closer look into the students’ perspective and provides a platform for students to discuss topical events and present our ideas.
Year group: 12 Why did you join the SWR Editorial Team? I joined the SWR Editorial Team as I thought it was a great way to keep up with current events and develop as a writer. I was also inspired by someone who had a key role the year before me and told me about his experience and how enjoyable it was. What have you learned from the experience? I have learned how to research and articulate information in a way that allows everyone to understand complicated issues in the world. Over the year, my writing has improved, and I moved from just writing about sporting news to more complicated economic events throughout the world and their effects on the economy. What do you think is the most important contribution that the SWR makes to the Shore Community? I believe that the SWR’s most important contribution to the community is providing the students with a way to inform the School about the issues in the world. It allows boys to express their creativity and provides a place for the School to see it.
AFL Report
A. W. Hall
THE SHORE FIRST XVIII PLAYED TRINITY GRAMMAR THIS WEEK IN AN EXCITING GAME AT ELS HALL. Fresh off a bye week, the team tha was pumped and feeling ready for a challenge against a Trinity team equally hungry for a win.
The game started fast with some fantastic play from on-field captain James Collier, some sticky hands from Matt Gill and rock-solid defence from James Boyd and Max Holland. Trinity started the game equally strong, and by quarter time the Blue and White trailed by just two goals.
Unfortunately, this would be as close as the team would get to Trinity as the second quarter opened with the opposition beginning to run away with it. Some strong play in the midfield from dominant ruckmen Max McAlpine and Remy Cameron, winning hitouts left, right and centre. On top of this the work of BenHocking and William Cole in the middle, which made Trinity’s lead well earnt as the duo never let up in the middle of the ground.
Despite a growing deficit, the Shore men were able to keep the game within reach well into the fourth quarter with notable moments including Matt Gill rising above a crowd of players to reel the footy in, metres above, whilst constant tackling pressure from the likes of Matt Hogg and Floyd Mitton annoyed defences all day long. However, the boys were hit when it counted most, despite controlling much of the footy in the third and fourth quarter, impressive counters from Trinity would extend their lead with some disposal inefficiency haunting the boys.
The Trinity boys were the better team on the day, but the First XVIII will continue to play and compete hard as the season heads towards finals, where, of course, every game counts.
Should You Judge Music Based on an Artist’s Reputation?
E. O. Milne
IF THERE WAS AN EXQUISITE PIECE OF MUSIC THAT YOU LOVED UP UNTIL THE PRESENT DAY, BUT THEN THE ARTIST WHO CREATED IT DID SOMETHING THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH, WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC?
Would you listen to the music that you once loved even though you knew you could be judged for playing tracks from that artist’s discography?
It begs the question, should we judge our music preferences based on the personal life of an artist? Should their sense of morality cause us to doubt our own musical preferences?
I have repeatedly asked myself these questions. For example, should I listen to Michael Jackson even though he is an alleged paedophile? Artists having a criminal record is not uncommon but when the media gets their hands on it, they can always turn it against the person whose name is on the front cover.
But it isn’t just criminal activity. If a singer says something in an interview that is considered offensive. Does that mean that their number one song still deserves to remain at number one?
To begin with, I think that music often comes from the personal life of the person that creates it, and if that person does something morally questionable then that may possibly be somehow represented in their music. It changes a song’s meaning and symbolism, with the public faced with knowing that the person who, for example, wrote a beautiful love song is now facing sexual assault charges.
Though at the same time, someone’s interpretation of a song may differ to that of everyone around them. That is the reason why not everyone has the same music taste, because people’s interpretation of lyrics is based on what they think its meaning is to them.
So, does this mean that the song is now the publics or the artists?
What happens if it is the fame and fortune that causes them to fall into disrepute? What I mean that, if there was a young boy who wrote a song and later in life he released the song, and from there it made him rich and famous, and then he got into drugs and was arrested for dealing with illegal narcotics, does that mean that the song he wrote before he got involved with these substances was still good because he had not yet made those wrong decisions in his life?
Because I know very well that at times we all make mistakes. We have all gone down the wrong path at some point and not a single human can say that they are perfect. Though only people under the spotlight get persecuted and called out for their mistakes and wrongdoings.
Now I’m not saying that we should support people who are criminals or say or do awful things in general. All I am saying is that if that person’s music is good, then you should continue listening to it. Music is about bringing you joy and the person who made it shouldn’t be allowed to take that away from you.
People exhibit poor judgement all the time. But in the music industry I believe you should not judge art on the acts of its creator.
Instead, you should judge it on how it makes you feel.
Because that is what music is for.
A Suspenseful Saturday
Around the Grounds of AAGPS Rugby Round Three
F. A. Loxton
COMING OFF ONE OF THE MOST ENTERTAINING SCHOOLBOY RUGBY MATCHES NORTHBRIDGE HAS EVER SEEN, LAST SATURDAY SAW THE SHORE FIRST XV FACE SCOTS AT THE ‘DEATH STAR’ OR MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS BELLEVUE HILL. In other fixtures, the two undefeated teams in the competition – Kings and Riverview, faced off at Parramatta, and Joeys travelled to Stanmore to face a hungry Newington outfit that remained without a competition point.
In a highly anticipated fixture at Hunters Hill, Joeys remained winless with two draws to Scots and Shore in their opening two rounds. Whilst promise remains with many accomplished players on the sidelines, such as outside back Oscar Jorgensen, last week’s game was crucial to stay within range of Kings and Riverview, who have been impressive to start. Led by Hwi Sharples – the halfback of the AAGPS First XV last year, Joeys struggled in the first half with handling errors to be behind at halftime. And at one point, the side was within five metres from scoring before an intercept try was conceded, and the 12-point turnaround proved a bridge too far. Whilst a comeback was made in the second half, the margin was too great as Newington secured a great 31-29 win.
Out at Parramatta, the top of the table, Kings faced the undefeated Riverview in a rematch after Kings got the upper hand in a preseason match in the holidays. With talented winger Hadley Tonga returning for his second match of the season and Riverview missing talented second rower Charlie Bull after an ACL injury, two early tries to the Kings school saw them establish an early lead through strong forward hit-ups. However, Riverview hit back after a charge down saw their winger go over, as Joe Dillon led the side from strong defence and attacking kicks. In the second half, the Kings inside centre Boston Fakanua made the most of some weak edge defence, and as the game closed, his intercept try secured a 31-26 win for the home side, despite some late efforts from Riverview. Kings now lead the competition as they remain undefeated with three wins after as many rounds.
In the final fixture of the round, Shore faced Scots as both sides looked for their first win after draws against Joeys. After a slow start, Scots found themselves ahead 12-0 with breakaway tries from wingers, however, Shore was as determined as ever to recover the deficit. This came through James Warner scoring off a rolling maul, which was then followed by Tom Klem breaking the line untouched off a well-executed move. Both sides went over once more to see the scores tied 19-19 at halftime. In the second half, Scots started strong with an early try, as Henry James’ kicking game led from the front. And, despite several tries in the final ten minutes from Shore, the brilliance of the Scots backline overcame Shore, defeated 31-38. This fixture next term at Northbridge will be highly anticipated.
Ultimately, Round Three of the AAGPS competition affirmed Kings as the competition’s leaders, Joeys as a struggling and defeatable side, and Shore with some work to do if they are to remain in contention in the new 10-round format.
Ashes Approaching
A Series of Rivalry, Redemption and Resurgence
F. A. Loxton
CRICKET’SMOST ICONIC RIVALRY IS SET TO IGNITE ONCE AGAIN, WITH ENGLAND HOSTING AUSTRALIA FOR THE SERIES IN JUST OVER TWO WEEKS. Holding a unique place in the cricketing landscape and capturing the imaginations of fans worldwide, the series is set to be highly competitive, with Australia and England sitting in second and third on the ICC test rankings and England with the crucial huge home advantage.
After a hugely dominant 4-0 victory in the 2021-2022 summer, which saw Australia retain the Ashes at home, this year, the series is expected to be all the more closer for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, with Cummins’ men struggling with both the bat and ball in India, going down in a four-match series 2-1, questions around the team’s ability to play away from Australia were sparked. In particular, David Warner’s form saw him be dropped from the side, and although his experience would be vital in an Ashes campaign, his record of zero test centuries in England makes him an unlikely opener to be selected.
Providing promise for Australia has been Usman Khawaja and the improving Cameron Green, who both scored centuries in the fourth test against India, although their score was surpassed to make the final match against India a draw. Additionally, a notable difference will be Steve Smith, who has played County Cricket in England in the leadup to the series to adapt to the English pitches. Some say his performance will be the determining factor, as we all know what happened in the last Ashes series in England, averaging 110 and scoring a total of 774 runs.
Another huge factor that has seen England favoured to win the series has been both Brendon McCullum’s appointment as head coach and Ben Stokes as captain, with a surge in confidence from their results in the past twelve months. And most confidently, English seamer Ollie Robinson has declared England can win the 2023 Ashes “comfortably,” as well as 77 percent of BBC respondents voting that England would win. This comes with Australia having not won a test series in England since 2001, with the 2019 series ending in a draw which saw Australia retain the urn.
Additionally, Jimmy Peirson was called up to join the Australian Ashes squad, putting him in line to replace Alex Carey should the first-choice keeper suffer any injuries. This sees the Queensland keeper move a step close to a test debut in the fiercely competitive Australian test team.
Despite these shifts in power dynamics within the men’s test cricket scene, Pat Cummins has said, “we left something behind in 2019,” and is as eager as ever to claim the series is what is the greatest rivalry in cricket. Ultimately, the 2023 Ashes are expected to be an evenly-matched contest, and there’s no doubt the series will be a thrilling contest with such a rich history and tradition.
The German Bottlers
How Borussia Dortmund Collapsed at the Final Hurdle
J. C. Lai
AFTER MY ANALYSIS OF ARSENAL’S COLLAPSE IN THEIR TITLE RACE AGAINST MANCHESTER CITY LAST WEEK, I COULDN’T HAVE POSSIBLY IMAGINED A TEAM TO BOTTLE THE TITLE EVEN MORE THIS YEAR.UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS PROVEN WRONG.
As Matchday 34 approached in the Bundesliga, it seemed like a sure thing that Edin Terzic’s Borussia Dortmund (BVB) had snatched the title off football giants Bayern Munich, reclaiming the title of German champions for the first time since 2011/12. With only a match to go, BVB held a two-point lead over Bayern Munich and were set to face ninth-place Mainz. Having sustained an eight-game unbeaten streak, virtually the whole world was supporting the in-form Dortmund side to take down 10-year consecutive domestic champions Bayern Munich, proving once and for all that the Bundesliga is not a farmer’s league. I mean, who doesn’t love an underdog story once in a while?
The footballing world was in for a surprise. Suffering a remarkable physiological and psychological collapse in the first twenty-five minutes, Borussia Dortmund found themselves 2-0 down against Mainz, following a penalty miss from Dortmund’s top scorer Sebastian Haller and two defensive collapses by a seemingly impenetrable defence. However, a rejuvenated Dortmund side in the second half pulled one back in the sixty-ninth minute before equalising in injury time. This seemingly put them a point ahead of Bayern Munich, who was suffering from an equally mediocre performance, which saw them neck and neck with 11th-place Koln after an equaliser by Austrian international Ljubicic in the eighty-first minute. With the dying minutes left in the game, it seemed as if Dortmund had managed to clinch the title off Thomas Tuchel’s side even after a shocking performance by Dortmund. However, out of nowhere, a phenomenal shot from 20-year-old break-through wonder-kid, Jamal Musiala, saw the German giants leapfrog their rivals into first place and steal the Bundesliga crown, winning the title on goal difference. As the full-time whistle was blown, the infamously chaotic Signal Iduna Park was silent, as Borussia Dortmund fans came to the realisation that they, like so many others before them, had bottled the title.
Bayern Munich’s victory against Koln marks their eleventh consecutive title win in the Bundesliga, solidifying their rule in the German footballing stratosphere. It brings a positive end to a chaotic season for the Bavarian side, which had undergone the mid-year sacking of manager Julian Nagelsmann and replacement with ex-Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel. This was coupled with an early exit from the Champions League and a shock exit from the German cup DFB-Porkal in April against SC Freiburg.
However, for the footballing world and especially for German football fans, Bayern Munich’s victory merely marks another title won by the most successful club in German football history, pushing the narrative that the Bundesliga is a ‘farmers league.’ The distaste amidst the footballing world was encapsulated during Bayern’s post-game trophy ceremony, where the European giants were deafened by the booing of the opposing Koln side.
Despite BVB’s unfortunate collapse during the final hurdle of the title race, it provides encouraging signs for the squad that they are more than capable of contending for the Bundesliga title despite Bayern’s superstar roster, giving them the necessary confidence boost for the upcoming season. Moreover, Munich’s marginal victory provides a stern warning that the Bundesliga may not be a farmer’s league for much longer, with contenders getting stronger year by year.
The Oyster Crisis
Why Oyster Prices are Skyrocketing
J. C. Lai
WITH A CREAMY AND BUTTERY FLAVOUR, OYSTERS ARE THE SYMBOL OF HIGH-END DECADENCE, CONSIDERED ONE OF THE LUXURIES OF TODAY’S WORLD. However, a look into the food’s history raises the question: “why are oysters so expensive and what makes them the luxury that they are today?”
Having historically been associated as a ‘peasant food,’ oysters saw a significant rise in popularity in cities like New York, London, and Paris in the late 18th century due to the invention of oyster cultivation, drastically increasing its accessibility and decreasing its price. Its popularity, particularly in New York City, which was crowned the “Oyster Capital of the World” in the 19th century, saw the establishment of oyster cellars and oyster bars all over the world. By 1900, New Yorkers were estimated to be consuming 1 million oysters per day.
However, the boom in oyster sales during the 18th and 19th centuries, coupled with rising environmental issues, has seen the supply of oysters significantly contract and its price rising dramatically, making it the luxury that it is today.
The industrialisation and overfishing of oysters, particularly during the back end of the 19th century, saw the disruption of the delicate balance between oyster populations and marine ecosystems, resulting in a collapse of many wild oyster populations, particularly in heavily fished regions such as New York’s Eastern seaboard and France’s Marennes-Oleron. Furthermore, the intensified harvesting efforts of the 19th century led to insufficient regard for sustainability for oyster beds around the world, permanently diminishing their productivity in producing oysters.
Not only has the overfishing of oysters caused a fall in the supply of the luxury food, but it has also had cascading effects on the marine ecosystem, causing countless negative ecological consequences. The reduction in oysters has led to decreased water filtration, lower water clarity, and excessive nutrient levels in the world’s oceans due to their ability to naturally filter feeders, remove excess nutrients from the water, and improve water quality. This has led to harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, hurting the quality of water and its habitants in these areas.
As more people moved to the coast, the dredging of the water and increased dumping of sewage in oyster-growing waters has also contributed to the falling supply of oysters. Not only has coastal movement caused the destruction of oyster ecosystems due to the excavation of materials and building of land over oyster-growing waters, dumping of junk in the ocean’s waters has caused outbreaks of typhoid and other diseases which has forbidden the harvesting of oysters in certain areas.
As the oyster industry adapted to the destruction of oyster-growing ecosystems and the need for environmentally sustainable processes, the shift to artificially grow them in oyster farms has caused prices to quickly skyrocket and attributes to their high prices today. Not only do oyster farms require labour-intensive production for constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure the correct conditions are in place for oysters to grow, the ever-growing demand for oysters as a luxury food item, particularly in upscale restaurants, will see prices of oysters continue to rise for the foreseeable future. What a sad day for oyster lovers.
The Philosophy of Fyodor Dostoevsky
Poor Folk → Crime and Punishment → Brothers Karamazov
J.A. McCreery
DOSTOEVSKY IS CONSIDERED AMONGST THE GREATEST RUSSIAN NOVELISTS OF ALL TIME. HIS WORKS PRY DEEP INTO THE HUMAN PSYCHE AND ITS INTERPLAY WITH VARIOUS CONTEXTUAL DRIVERS, ULTIMATELY EXAMINING HOW WELL WE TRULY KNOW OURSELVES, WHAT WE REALLY WANT AND HOW WE GO ABOUT CONSIDERING AND ATTAINING SUCH THINGS IN THE TURBULENT MODERN WORLD.
A religious yet troubled upbringing beseeched Dostoevsky, who was born in Moscow in 1821. The son of a successful doctor, he grew up on the hospital grounds where his father worked and was raised generally ‘well-off’ under the Russian Orthodox Church. Nevertheless, tuberculosis took Dostoevsky’s mother in his teen years, and, while Dostoevsky was away studying, his father died without definitive cause – although it was speculated that he was murdered by his own serfs in an act of vengeance. An early life surrounded by the sickness and death of a 19th-century hospital, a strong faith upbringing and the early deaths of both parents, punctuated by the “mysterious, possible murder of his father, likely all culminated into some amount of the early foundation of what would go on to become his unique but tragic voice as a writer.” (Robert Pantano)
As a disillusioned young adult, Doestevsky drifted away from his pious Christian practises as he became involved with the Petrashevsky Circle, a political and cultural group of rebels. His first work was published during this period (1846), receiving widespread critical and commercial success, titled ‘Poor Folk’, it was deemed as Russia’s first social novel. Subsequent novels did not garner such success, and this was partially a cause for his deeper involvement in radical groups of writers and intellectuals, focused on socialist utopianism. Captured in 1849 for such activities, Dostoevsky faced mock execution – a psychological tactic to instill fear in prisoners – and an experience which he later considered seminal for his future works.
Dostoevsky was thus turned away from utopian ideals, voicing pessimism and realism. His novel ‘Crime and Punishment’ (1866) captures such sentiment, attacking scientific determinism and rationalist utilitarianism. The focalised character Raskolnikov ‘robs’ two old cruel, yet helpless, women under the belief of utilitarianism – that denies the right of useless people to live – and a Nietzschean superman philosophy that affirms the rights of certain exceptional persons to live beyond the limits of traditional ethics. “In either case, the hero discovers that the result of his action is not a peaceful proof of the truth of these philosophies but a profound restless guilt for destroying the two women and a desire for confession and change of life.” (D. Leigh)
The final novel Dostoevsky produced was The ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ (1880), written over the course of two years, it is arguably his crowning achievement and definitely his deepest and most complex examination of human existence. The novel is a murder mystery and a courtroom drama, the action is but a backdrop and beautiful way of imposing the philosophical message of the writer; “the novel argues forcefully that people have free will, whether they wish to or not. That is, every individual is free to choose whether to believe or disbelieve in God, whether to accept or reject morality, and whether to pursue good or evil.” (SN. Guide)
The depth of Dostoevsky’s work is inextricable from his style. As a novelist, there was no propositionalist burden to work through, you can, in many cases, not scientifically examine existential workings, but you can characterise them, as Dostoevsky did to great effect.
Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) Report
T.J Ellis
IT WAS THE 20TH OF MAY. ON A CHILLY MORNING, THE SHORE MUNA SQUAD ARRIVED AT ARDEN HIGH SCHOOL, READY TO DEBATE A RANGE OF ISSUES. MUNA, or the Model United Nations Assembly, is an annual international competition that aims to test the debating skills, knowledge of the country applicable to certain issues and national dress of students who represent a selected delegation. The countries of Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom had the pleasure of being represented by the highly capable Michael Kwak, Daniel Kang, Braden Dent (United Kingdom), Oli Mezrani, Killian Featherstone, Ari Carboni (Japan), Lucas Gillespie, Will Nugent and Tom Ellis (South Africa). The morning brought about excited discussion between each delegation, with conversation ranging from potential alliances, to who wore the most outrageous costume. Day One saw the discussion of four resolutions, being:
McDonald’s as a world food.
Action on climate change.
Borders and national sovereignty.
Exploitation of space.
It was obvious from the get-go that Shore was a school that was not to be messed with, with National debater Michael Kwak silencing his competition with an array of words that few could even comprehend, and Daniel Kang dominating proceedings in a particularly regal crown and outfit. Unfortunately, the Shore MUNA team was struck apart, with debating mastermind Michael Kwak having to attend a national debate and GPS footballers Braden Dent and Killian Featherstone representing Shore well.
The Shore team arrived on day two of MUNA to seal the deal, with a total of two resolutions to be debated over the five hours. Alliances were further strengthened, but bridges were also burnt. The delegation of Russia dealt with the challenge of even speaking at this point, as they struggled to provide an amendment to given resolutions without severe clamour from the NATO delegations. Although no Shore team placed in the top three, we knew where we truly belonged – back home. It was truly an unforgettable experience. As a non-debater myself, getting used to ‘the lingo’ took some time, but was worth it by the cessation of the resolution. I’d like to congratulate my fellow Shore delegations on their outstanding performance. Additionally, I’d like to thank Mrs Reid for her efforts over the past weeks in preparing us for this monumental event. She’s allowed the Shore MUNA team to flourish yet again, and I’m sure she’d be more than able to do the same next year. MUNA is such an excellent opportunity for all Shore boys, as it allows you to meet and collaborate with people from all types of backgrounds and contexts and have some fun too.
Taser Tragedy
Concerns Around Fatalities Induced by the Weapon
P. P. Zhang
THE DEATH OF 95-YEAR-OLD CLAIRE NOWLAND LAST WEEK AFTER SHE WAS TASERED BY A POLICE OFFICER HAS RAISED QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE WEAPON AND REVIEWING POLICE POWERS. In the early hours of the morning on 17 May, Senior Police Constable Kristian White deployed his taser at a nursing home in Cooma, having asked Mrs Nowland to drop the steak knife she was holding. The 95-year-old suffered from dementia and was using a walking frame when she fell and fractured her skull, dying a week later at Cooma Hospital. The police officer was charged around the same time with multiple offences including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, however, he plans to fight the charges during his trial. Whilst he has been stood down from his role as Senior Constable, the 33-year-old continues to receive full pay. Bodycam footage has revealed that the officer allegedly said “bugger it”, moments before he tasered the elderly lady, with the entire encounter taking place within the space of a minute.
The act has become a global news story as the debate around police power and violence continues.
Tasers were introduced in Australia in the early 2000s as an alternative to the use of lethal force in the form of firearms that many other countries, notably the United States, still rely on. While the issue of police brutality is not as prevalent in Australia as in the States, taser use has still been widely debated due to an overuse of the weapon in recent years. Between 2014 and 2018, NSW Police deployed the weapon over 3000 times, with more than a third of victims suffering from a mental health issue. Another study conducted in 2010 found that three-quarters of all victims were unarmed at the time of the attack.
In comparison to lethal firearms, it seems that police are excessively trigger-happy with the weapon, with the number of fatal police shootings in fact rising, reaching an all-time high in 2019-20 despite the intended prevention of the need to use lethal force. The main issue with tasers is the lack of accountability around the weapon. Unlike firearms, incidents involving tasers are not required to be publically reported by police in any Australian state or territory. This contrasts with other nations such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand, both of which mandate police reporting. Furthermore, it is not evident what benefit tasers actually offer over other safer options for police. For example, pepper spray, which, despite still being illegal in Australia for civilians to carry, offers a much less lethal alternative than tasers, batons and other commonly used weapons. The electric weapon has faced additional criticism internationally, cited for its escalation of incidents and increased aggressiveness, and in some cases, its ineffective nature. In Mrs Nowland’s case, a retired senior officer has argued that based on the victim’s age and weight, throwing a blanket over her would simply have been enough to subdue the threat.
Calls have been made for inquiries into police treatment of dementia sufferers following revelations of another instance of brutality in 2020, when a nursing home resident, Rachel Grahame, was violently handcuffed after she had taken a staff member’s lanyard. Additionally, many believe an independent investigation into the incident is necessary to prevent potential corruption that arises from “police investigating police”.
Finally, perhaps a less discussed but equally pressing issue is police presence at aged care facilities in the first place. By next month, it will be mandatory for a registered nurse to be present at aged care homes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At least some change is occurring, but the haunting similarity of these incidents over three years suggests that NSW Police is not doing enough.
The Downfall of Chelsea F.C.
An Overview of Chelsea’s Misfortune and Midtable Mystery
T. G. George
FROM WINNING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL AND SPENDING NEARLY $1.2 BILLION (AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS) ON TRANSFERS IN BETWEEN, CHELSEA FIND THEMSELVES TWELFTH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE. No matter the result of the final game of the season, Chelsea will finish with their worst record in their fruitful reign of 31 years in the top division of English football. This unimaginable streak of poor form can be credited to a chain reaction of unfavourable events, beginning with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Former Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, was the father of Chelsea’s glory in England and Europe. Since his takeover of Chelsea in 2003, he transformed a mid-table club with European cup aspirations into a title-winning force. He consistently pumped money into Chelsea’s fortunate pockets, appointing world-class managers and recruiting exceptional players. His brutal appetite for managerial dismissal saw 13 managers sacked under his ownership, including the audacity to boot Jose Mourinho, “The special one”, twice. Evidently, his progressive attitude and desire for success would not wait for anyone, and subsequently, Chelsea won five Premier Leagues, eight Domestic Cups and two Champions Leagues.
As we are all very familiar, Russia invaded Ukraine on the 24 February, 2022. The implications of this conflict have caused chaos and headlines around the world, including a football club in West London. The British government accused Abramovich of ties to Vladimir Putin and suggested the possibility of corrupt activity. These allegations were never confirmed, but like many rich Russians with ties to Putin in 2022, Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government. Subsequently, on the 11 March, 2022, Chelsea’s bank accounts were frozen. They were unable to even sell tickets for their games. Fortunately, the British government approved Abramovich’s proposal to sell the club on the condition that the proceeds were donated to Ukrainian victims of war. This resulted in Chelsea F.C. being sold for AUD 4.8 billion, the largest sporting team sale of all time. The highly coveted reins fell into the soft, American hands of Todd Boehly. The turmoil had only just begun.
With big shoes to fill, Todd Boehly’s first instinct was to start digging. He treated the offseason transfer window like a FIFA career mode, with financial takeover enabled. Lavish spending, coupled with limited foresight, saw Chelsea spend $460 million on inadequate players. An already crowded locker room left former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, with large egos to diffuse amidst below-standard league and European performances. The Blues sat sixth on the Premier League table by early September, five points behind league leaders Arsenal. Having already replicated Abramovich’s transfer market tendencies, Boehly followed suit by mimicking his fiery attitude towards firing managers. He sacked Chelsea’s hero, the man that led them to miraculous Champions League glory, Thomas Tuchel. Debate immediately ensued, some suggested the decision was opportunistic, yet many felt it was an impatient, mindless stunt.
Todd’s response was to splash a casual $32 million on Graham Potter. Despite an impressive three-year stint at Brighton, Potter lacked the CV to take over a club the size of Chelsea, especially in a time of massive transition. He started slowly, pushing an injury-ridden Chelsea side to the January transfer window.
With major internal problems to address, and an already full team list, Todd Boehly saw only one viable option. Spend more money. And so, he spent recklessly, notably bringing in World Cup winner, one tournament wonder, Enzo Fernandez, for a Premier League record-breaking $202 million. Chelsea seemed to sign a new player every day of January, exhausting journalists. Not only did it exhaust journalists, but the bags also only dropped lower under Graham’s weary eyes.
By recruiting more players than could fit on a training pitch, Boehly only deepened the problems of the inexperienced powers leading a broken football club. A measly seven months and 12 wins into his campaign, Potter finally got the boot.
Former Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard, was appointed as interim manager. Another bizarre decision, as he had previously failed as Chelsea manager, and a lacklustre relegation battle stint at Everton in between, did not suggest any alluring qualities to take over the suicidal role. And as many suspected, Lampard has continued a meaningless season with abnormally poor results.
With the experienced manager, Mauricio Pochettino, joining the club next season and Boehly claiming he will step back from footballing decisions, the future may be a little bit brighter for Chelsea. We will just have to wait and see.
Football Report
Well, What a Difference a Week Makes
T. W. Roberts
THE SECONDS WENT INTO ROUND ONE OF THE GPS, LOOKING TO GET A WIN OVER KINGS AFTER THEIR DRAW IN ROUND ONE OF THE PLATE TOURNAMENT. The team started on the front foot, turning the Kings backline around as they gained field position in the final third, looking to create chances from the get-go. This pressure paid off with Liam Macfarlane scoring off an excellent volley following Matt Simpson’s perfectly waited corner. Not long after this, it was Liam again poaching in the penalty box and scored once again to put the seconds 2-0 up heading into half time. The second half was more of the same with the Shore side dominating the fair share of the ball. After consistent pressure on the King’s goal yet again, it was Ollie Parrish this time to score to put the boys 3-0, killing off any hopes of Kings mounting a comeback. The full-time score was 3-0, a good start for the Second’s GPS season.
Looking to redeem themselves from a 5-0 defeat to Kings last season and a tight loss in the first game of the Plate Tournament, the Firsts were eager to get a result against a strong GPS side in Kings to start the GPS season. With the main emphasis on energy from the start, the team adopted the “Grand Final” mindset to help fuel the team. Shore started on fire, with Will Kennedy scoring to put the team up 1-0 mid-way through the first half. Shore dug in for the rest of the half, holding King’s to a handful of opportunities. Half-time score, 1-0 to Shore. A contentious penalty call to Kings at the start of the second half put the team on the back foot, however, it was nothing to worry about as the Kings striker sent the ball over the ball and onto A-ground. Scores remain 1-0 Shore. The penalty to King’s acted as a wakeup call to the Firsts as they went not two, not three, not four, but 5-0 up after Will Kennedy scored three more goals to take his tally on the day up to four, whilst Josh Wilde also scored. A consolation by King’s towards the end of the game made the score line 5-1. The full-time score was 5-1 to Shore, avenging their heavy loss last season and getting the season started the right way.
Both teams look to refocus this week with a tough trip to Newington next weekend.
Why Lie?
The Shortcomings of Modern Politics and the Rise of Independents
L.D. Banks
WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT SEEM TO ALWAYS LIE? THE QUESTION WE ALL FIND OURSELVES CONTEMPLATING AS WE MATURE AND BEGIN TO GAIN AN INTEREST IN POLITICS. For a group of people supposedly dedicated to the service of the people, they often seem to make promises that never come to fruition. Admittedly, it is not the fault of the individual, but rather the system at large. But it begs the question, why is modern politics centred around deception and manipulation?
The specific responsibility of a politician is to express the ideas of the people or electorate they represent at their most genuine. A good example is the ‘Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Party’ which represent a very concentrated populace and their viewpoints at their most pure. This small-party format allows for the most genuine transfer of an individual’s perspectives into the parliament. Often this link between the people and the parliament is ignored, particularly due to the inherent nature of the two-party system to create a seemingly ‘this way or that way’ dichotomy in relation to many issues. In the debate of a particular issue, it is never black and white, yet the two parties take contrasting views on many issues. This is supposed to allow for a Hegelian dialectic, resolving the dispute at a point of synthesis that considers the thesis and antithesis. However, in modern politics, individual politicians are forced to align wholly with their party rather than their electorate in fear of repercussions. Preventing the approaching of a middle ground as there is a lack of genuine nuance as half the parliament says the same thing whilst the other half says the exact opposite.
In the lead-up to an election, it is difficult to truly tell what will happen if a certain member or party is elected, and often the difference is not major. Much of modern politics is rather based around a virtue-signalling, ‘if you’re not with me your against me’ polarisation. Political candidates often take up a certain viewpoint just to be in direct opposition with their counterparts rather than synthesising a truthful viewpoint that they believe. This prevents candidates from expressing all of the important intricacies that can be gained from the insight of their electorate. This describes the exact problem that is currently being combated by the push for more independent candidates. Admittedly the introduction of more unique voices increases the time needed to debate due to the increased divergence in perspectives. Yet, nothing should prevent the most accurate manifestation of Australian values in the parliament.
One particular advantage of the two-party system is that it ignores the viewpoints that are too extreme for consideration. The parliament in general overlooks the minor opinions that are not significantly represented by the population. There are exceptions to this, such as Pauline Hanson who certainly represents a niche perspective. Although her points can sometimes be perceived as indecent and offensive, when she decides to express herself in a respectful manner, she represents an important angle that is genuinely held by a portion of Australians.
So what can be learnt from these two contrasting mechanisms being; the complete polarisation of all individuals and the two-party system which overlooks intricacies? Ultimately, my personal opinion is that the benefit gained from the expanded pool of opinions due to independents is worth the additional debate and that this extra consideration will actually lead to better-developed and mediated bills being passed.
Furthermore, this may lead to a culture of truth, as parliamentary groups are forced to compromise more often rather than pass bills through majority. This may lead to a shift in culture for MPs as they would be incentivised to more accurately represent their electorate, as the voters in traditional party-voting electorates begin to see the extra attention given to other electorates with independent MPs. Hence, I see it as a benefit to introduce the additional broadening gained by the shift to independents.
ISC AFL Round 5 – Saturday 27 May 2023
Team
Round
Date
Opposition
Venue
Result
Score
Highlights
Shore Opens 1
ISC Round: 5
Saturday, 27 May 2023
Trinity
ELS Hall No. 3
Shore Lost by 75
Shore 17 (1.11) def. by TGS 92 (13.14)
Shore Intermediate 2
ISC Round: 5
Saturday, 27 May 2023
Trinity
ELS Hall No. 3
Shore WON by default of 60 points due to a forfeit by the opposition
Shore Juniors 2
ISC Round: 5
Saturday, 27 May 2023
Trinity
ELS Hall No. 3
Shore WON by 83
Shore 102 (15.12) def. TGS 19 (2.7)
Thomas Hamilton 5, James Mathur 3
Shore Juniors 3
ISC Round: 5
Saturday, 27 May 2023
Cranbrook
St Paul’s College Oval
Shore WON by 35
Shore 41 (6.5) def. CS 6 (0.6)
Luca Scott 3
Note: For a student to make Highlights, they need to have kicked three (3) or more goals
Wins:
3
Losses:
1
Draws:
0
Byes/Internal:
0
Match Abandoned:
0
Undefeated Teams: N/A
One of the most pleasing things to see when running a programme, being a Coach, or just a supporter is witnessing individuals and teams improving each week. The Junior Teams have gone from strength to strength this season, and it is fantastic to see both of our Junior Teams come away with strong performances and notch up another win.
Aidan Kurtis added a few more goals to his golden boot tally for the Junior Division Two team, with Thomas Hamilton hot on his heels, kicking five more to move within a few behind Aidan. Well done to Luca Scott for being the first Junior Division Three player to make the highlights kicking three goals.
Junior Division 2 vs Trinity
The First XVIII were returning from a week off due to Redlands forfeiting. Sometimes this can be an advantage to allow players to rest their bodies. But unfortunately, it played against us, with our boys looking a bit rusty with the contact and handling skills. We can never question their commitment and attitude, and they continue to strive for improvement each week. Next week, we head into the final round before the four-week playoffs against Newington. Newington is sitting on top of the ladder, so this will be our greatest challenge so far. Looking forward to the boys bouncing back and putting on a strong show.
First XVIII Matthew Hogg
With the Intermediate’s being moved down to Division Two, this can benefit the boys competing at a more suitable level with the opportunity to win games. The negative side is that sometimes, as happened on Saturday, the opposition turns up without the minimum numbers to field a team and is forced to forfeit the match. Fortunately, our boys and coaches were still eager to play a game. We gave them some of our players to even up the teams and played a friendly and competitive match.
Next week three of our four matches are at North Narrabeen, which will be great for creating a Shore ‘home-like’ atmosphere. So let’s get out and support our boys.
Success is not for the chosen, but for those who choose.
Mr G Tesoriero MIC of AFL
Football
Second XI Match Report – GPS Round One
Shore 3 vs Kings 0
Scorers: Liam McFarlane (2) Oliver Parish
The weather on Saturday was spectacular and a tremendous day to play football. Kings were always going to be a tough test, especially given their previous results. The match had great moments and was played with controlled aggression, and there was a wonderful spirit across the park.
After a slow start in the previous week, the Shore boys were determined not to go on the back foot with new corner and throw-in routines that meant we had a few early chances to put the pressure on from the get-go. Matt Simpson delivered a sublime corner for Liam Macfarlane to execute a delightful volley to open up the scoring and give the boys confidence moving forward into the game.
The midfield did well at handling the pressure, with Alex Wilde and Oscar Muhlbauer subduing their midfield easily in the first half. Ollie Parish created havoc with his mesmerizing runs down the left-hand side, and a quick break and excellent delivery saw Liam score his second goal of the match.
Coming into the second half, though, the Kings boys definitely stepped up in their confidence. Their midfield began taking us on, and they created several chances. Thankfully, Jamie D’Arcy was in goals, and his strong hands meant we were never in danger of a lucky goal against the run of play. However, as they pushed more and more, this gave Shore more opportunities on the counterattack, with Ollie Parish finishing off with an excellent passing move.
The entire team of the Second XI stepped up to the challenge on the weekend. It is now up to them to continue improving on that performance to bring home another win.
15 As Match Report – GPS Round One
Shore 2 vs Kings 0
Scorers: Will Procter and Daniel Harvey
Shore started the game strongly, keeping hold of the ball throughout most of the first half and consistently making chances. Finally, an opportunity came after a long run of play, keeping the ball switching from side to side where Will Procter played Dan Harvey through the defence. The defender did a bad challenge, and we were rewarded with a penalty. Will Procter stood up to take it and calmly slotted it in for a 1-0 lead for the half-break.
The second half started a bit slower, but we worked our way to control the game again with Dan Harvey and Will Procter linking up to make some great plays and almost scoring lots of goals. The defence held the Kings attackers to remain scoreless. With the midfielders playing lots of balls through, Dan again played through the lines, this time scoring the second goal for the team and securing a comfortable 2-0 win.
All players worked hard against a strong Kings team. A special mention goes to AlexFreischmidt in defence. He made some great interceptions and encouraged his team from the back.
13C
Kings
Loss
1
4
Joshua Webb
13D
Kings
Loss
1
3
Isaac Lo – some great saves and good play whilst filling in for the D’s keeper.
13E
Kings
Win
1
0
3 Daniel Bonouvrie 2 Oscar Hart 1 Harvey Bastick
13F
Kings
Loss
0
3
3 William Livingstone 2 Daniel Wallwork 1 Harry Ross Defended well in the second half to keep the score at 3-0.
14A
Kings
Loss
0
2
3 Jake Maslen 2 Lucas Wright 1 Michael Mitakos
14B
Kings
Loss
0
7
14C
Kings
Loss
1
3
Hamish White, Nick Blackman, Avery O’Neill.
14D
Kings
Loss
0
7
Dashiell Fairclough
15A
Kings
Win
2
0
A strong start from the 15As saw Shore dominate most of the possession for much of the game. A strong midfield performance from Alex Woolfe, Joshua Izzard and Will Wykeham-Fiennes allowed Shore to apply pressure to King’s defence. Goals from Will Procter and Daniel Harvey saw Shore finish the game 2-0.
15B
Kings
Loss
0
1
15C
Kings
Win
2
0
Jack Holland, Tom Atkin, Lachie Assheton.
15D
Kings
Loss
0
1
3 Jake Tranfield
15E
Kings
Loss
1
2
16A
Kings
Win
4
0
3 Fred King 2 Conor Fung 1 Dan Higgs
16B
Kings
Loss
0
1
Vaughn Finlay, Connor Morgan, Jonathan Brovandani-Mclean
16C
Kings
Loss
1
3
James Gandhi scored a goal. Josh Evans did a great job filling in as a midfielder and playing aggressively. Jonathan Chu did a great job on the wing – keeping the ball in possession and making great passes.
16D
Kings
Win
3
2
3 Harry Seibold 2 Eric Qiao 1 Darius
First XI
Kings
Win
5
1
Solid game by Shore. Started well with good enthusiasm and work rate. It was a fairly even contest early, with both teams creating a few opportunities. Shore was unfortunate not to score early, as some close offside decisions went against them. Shore went to the break 1-0 up through a well-taken goal by Will Kennedy. Will had an exceptional game scoring another three goals in the second half. Overall it was a very impressive team performance as every player performed well, working hard, maintaining good shape and backing each other up.
Second XI
Kings
Win
3
0
Oscar Muhlbauer, Liam Mcfarlene, Oliver Parish.
Third XI
Kings
Draw
1
1
3 Pete Bennett 2 Josh Constantian 1 Orlando Jamieson
Fourth XI
Kings
Win
6
0
3 Ollie Mezrani 2 Sam Guild 1 Luca Gleeson
Fifth XI
Kings
Draw
2
2
Sixth XI
Kings
Win
2
1
3 James Ku 2 Angus Holliday 1 Isaac Lanham
Seventh XI
Kings
Win
2
1
3 Jack Cambridge 2 Sam Dorich 1 Rex Cambridge
Eighth XI
Kings
Win
4
0
3 Kyle Kilshaw 2 Tom McCann 1 Will Burnett
Mr J Sparks MIC Football
Rugby Report – Scots
Last Saturday, Shore played away at Scots in the Round Three clash for First and Second XV and hosted Sydney Boys High First XV in our Third XV’s Round One clash in their GPS competition.
The Third XV started their competition with a hard-fought win on Northbridge A Ground. Welcome back from injury, Wylie Hockey and good to see you on the scoreboard with three tries. Shore took control of the first half and was three tries up at the break. However, the second half was a messier affair at the breakdown, leading to less cohesion for the team to stamp their authority. Credit to Sydney High, who played a strong second half. The final score was 22-7 to Shore.
Like Joey’s the week before, the Second XV match was a hard-fought game, and Shore was in the fight until the final whistle. Having lost Captain Molchanoff to the First XV late in the week, the team displayed a resolute cool in the match. Alex Segaert was strong at Number 10 and set the game alight with an excellent break to get the score to 8-14 with a few minutes to go. Shore pressed again and was unlucky not to go over in the final minute and have a kick to win the game. Such is life. Such is footy. We bounce back next week.
The First XV had a disrupted week, like many of our teams seeing a bit of flu and injury creep into the season. Big Number 8 Luca Fulton twisted his knee at training and will, unfortunately, miss the rest of the games this Term. He has been a force for the Firsts, and we look forward to seeing him back. Tim Bannister, who came so close to breaking Joey’s hearts the week before, was rubbed out with sickness. The team, however, has been training as a squad, and the next players up knew their jobs.
I was sick over the weekend too, so I watched all games via Cluch. The cat at our house looked at me strangely when I was cheering at my phone. Unfortunately, at the start of the First XV match, within the first few minutes, Shore gave away 12 points and an easy head-start for Scots. The cat saw me sadly shaking my head.
However, Shore teams always play with heart, and the First XV came back in style, putting on the next 19 points. In an unfortunate call, Scots were awarded a scrum just before halftime and in front of our posts and managed to level. The scores were 19 -19 at halftime.
The second half then saw Scots start the stronger team and get ahead. However, just when it looked like the game was not there for the taking, Shore rallied and brought the score to 31-38. In the final moments, Shore pressed into Scots territory but could not hang on to the ball. The clock ran out of time, and the final whistle blew. It was not to be our day. Scots played well and deserved their win.
Next, job Shore. Next week.
Team of the week – New format
Check out the new “Team of the Week” from across all our grades. Each week, coaches nominate their strongest players from the weekend, and Head Coach, Mr Angus Sinclair, picks the Team of the Week. Well done to all boys and teams featuring over the last two weeks.
Saturday 3 June vs Newington
Let’s FILL THE HILL at Stanmore on Saturday. I challenge the Blue and White army to have a bigger crowd than Newington and have the loudest presence on the day.
In the evening, Michael Hooper plays his last game for the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium. Let’s make it a “Blue” day with a Shore/Waratahs double!
Top Image: First XV
Mr D Mason-Jones MIC Rugby
Tom Klem – First XV
Individual Team of the Week vs Joeys – 13Bs
Shore Rugby Team of the Week vs Joeys – Saturday 20 May 2023
Forwards
Backs
1. Ollie Hamilton (13C)
9. Hugo Orpin (Firsts)
2. George Scammell (15A)
10. Will Hadfield (13B)
3. Henry Crooks (13A)
11. Lachlan Hunt (Sixths)
4. Fergus Abbott (Thirds)
12. Oscar D’Almeida (16A)
5. Hugh McCredie (14B)
13. George Newbrun (Fifths)
6. Hugh Reardon (16B)
14. Lachie Waite (14A)
7. Eoghan Killick (Seconds)
15. Tom Breakwell (14C)
8. Alec Eldershaw (15E)
Coach: George Davis (13B)
Individual Team of the Week vs Scots – 15Ds
Shore Rugby Team of the Week vs Scots – Saturday 27 May 2023
Forwards
Backs
1. Isaac Kingal-Paia (Fourths)
9. Angus Beggs (Thirds)
2. Henry Baxter (14A)
10. Alex Segaert (Seconds)
3. Finn Baxter (Firsts)
11. Andrew Strickland (13A)
4. Charlie Galligan (16A)
12. Toby Hill (13C)
5. Will Langfield (14C)
13. Wylie Hockey (3rds)
6. Jackson Dent (13E)
14. Phoenix Thompson (15C)
7. Marshall Le Maitre (Firsts)
15. Noah Quayle (15A)
8. Liam Kennedy (15D)
Coach: Nick Williams (15D)
Going for the charge down – Third XVAngus Beggs – Third XV
Cross Country
Shore Invitational, Sydney Park – Saturday 27 May 2023
The boys came into the meet with a message to send as Shore hosted on the gruelling Sydney Park Course. Shore decided to run the tough ‘four hills’ course, which included quad-shattering hills and little room for rest. The gruesomeness of the course did not seem to deter the Shore lads but rather increased our spirits. This lift was evident in the outstanding results this week.
After a passionate huddle on the start line, the junior field graced the course early in the morning. Heading straight up a steep grass hill, a few boys were rudely woken up. The Shore boys had the best race of their season so far, with the usual candidates of Toby Ward and Hugo Stewart pushing each other around for 10th and 11th, respectively. Well done, lads! However, the fun did not end there! Ben Frantz (21st), Archie Watson (22nd), and James Warren (23rd) put on a show, running a clinical team-based run to land the junior boys 64 points and 4th in the GPS.
The intermediates sought to back up the performance of the juniors. This was made evident by a fast start from Fraser Pandit and Thomas Gray. The multiple steep descents, unfortunately, got to Fraser’s knees. However, Tom came through for a strong 15th place in the GPS. Daniel Becker and JJ Black came through soon after for a solid top-30 position. James Thompson’s increased fitness from his disciplined training was shown off as he powered home to close the Shore intermediate Top Four. The Shore lads remained in 7th place without one of their star runners; well done, lads!
Ryan and James – ‘working together!’Ryan ‘heading for home!’
The senior boys displayed a true performance of grit, morality and determination to send a message to the GPS field. Lachy Brown looked strong from the gun as he controlled the front pack throughout the race. Lachy powered up the hills and stretched the field enough to place himself 2nd overall! Ryan Gilmour had the race of his season, building into the race and pacing himself well. Ryan finished strong, picking up two Scots boys and setting up the team for a great score. James Bestic, returning from COVID-19, showed his strength to close out the Shore Top Four in first place overall. Jesse Cochrane and Vice-Captain Jock Fenwicke worked well with each other around the course until Jesse showed a great display of class, helping a struggling Joey’s boy get through the race. Well done, Jesse!
Special Note: A few of the boys consisting of Matt Hogg, James Bestic, Jock Fenwicke, James Thompson, Will Thompson and Lachy Brown, competed in the Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn the day later. The Shore Firsts Team, consisting solely of members from the Cross Country team, took a dominant win in the ‘Head of the Hill Senior Schoolboys Relay’ in a tough field. Well done, lads!
Machine of the Week: (selected by the coaches and Mr Spratt) Ryan Gilmour.
Next week the team returns to the grassy, rolling hills of Upjohn Park, where the open boys have an opportunity to be selected for the open GPS team. The lads have another opportunity to take the lead in the overall rankings and show off the hard work that they have been putting into the sport.
Cam Burnett Shore Cross Country Captain 2023
Ronan – having a super run!Lachlan – emerging!Cam – leading by example!Archie, Thomas, Ben, James – rat a tat tat!Lachy – artistic running!Tom – focused!
Golf Competition
Individual Stableford and 2BBB – Saturday 27 May 2023
The fifth round of the season was held at Northbridge on Saturday, and there was not a cloud in the sky as the boys teed off. Having said that, icy early morning temperatures and constant breezes made getting a feel for the shots nigh on impossible. Usually, in this part of the report, I highlight the team’s exceptional performances and make mention of the prize-getters. However, a tough day at the office has meant that there isn’t much to write home about, though one of my few good shots on the 16th hole earned me a Nearest the Pin prize. As a result, the boys will be looking to make big improvements in preparation for next weekend’s June Monthly Medal, which marks the first round of the Shore Strokeplay Championship.
Henry Collins Captain of Golf
Golf Scores
Player
Stableford
2BBB
Henry Collins (10)
31
40
Oliver Graham (21)
31
40
Zach France (4)
31
34
Luke Robson (15)
29
38
Flynn Duncan (14)
27
38
Riley Meale (23)
27
36
Cameron Newton (11)
22
34
Stian Constable
NSA
NSA
Shore Swimming Club
Opening Race Night
Including lots of prizes and giveaways!
TUESDAY 13 JUNE 2023
WARM UP – 5.15pm
RACING TO COMMENCE – 5.45pm
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
Event Number
Event
1
25M FREESTYLE
2
50M FREESTYLE
3
100M FREESTYLE
4
25M BACKSTROKE
5
50M BACKSTROKE
6
100M BACKSTROKE
7
25M BREASTSTROKE
8
50M BREASTSTROKE
9
100M BREASTSTROKE
10
25M BUTTERFLY
11
50M BUTTERFLY
12
100M BUTTERFLY
13
25M KICKBOARD RACE
14
100M IM
15
200M IM
Entries
Enter through the entry form link below.
Swimmers can only enter one distance per stroke ie they can do either the 25m, 50m or 100m of each stroke.
Maximum six races per night (one of each stroke, kick and an IM).
All swimmers in the Shore Swimming Programme are encouraged to attend.
Cost – $10 for three events, $15 for up to six events. For payment details please contact shoreswimming@shore.nsw.edu.au
Shore Swimming Club Race Night is an SNSW-approved meet under SNSW and SAL rules. Times achieved are official and can be used as qualifying times to enter external swimming meets if you are a member of an SNSW Club.
Meet Director
The Meet Director reserves the right to vary the program. Entries are accepted on the basis that a parent/guardian is available to time keep, officiate, or assist as required to help run the meet.