Radical Service to Others

Shore’s Remembrance Day Service, falling on the anniversary of the Armistice which brought World War 1 to a stop on 11 November 1918, gave reason to consider Shore’s deep connection, not only with the Great War, but also with the deeply entrenched concept of serving others which is such a central part of Shore’s DNA. 

The occasion was graced by our Guest of Honour and Speaker, Sir Peter Cosgrove. Sir Peter has known war as a combatant; he became Chief of Army and then Chief of the Australian Armed Forces and then, subsequently, Governor-General. Our first thought was to publish his address (he has kindly granted permission) in either the Torch Bearer or the Shore Report. Both are, however, too far advanced towards publication for that to be possible, hence, it features in this edition of the Shore Weekly Record. 

Top image: Dr Collier, Sir Peter Cosgrove and The Hon Dennis Cowdroy AO KC (’61)

Dr John Collier
Headmaster

Remembrance Day – Saturday 11 November 2023
Address by General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC (Retd)

Greetings to the Headmaster, Reverend Sirs, Head Prefect, Senior Under Officer and men and women of the Shore Grammar Cadet Unit, Chair and Members of the School Council, ladies and gentlemen.

Lynne and I are honoured to be invited to join you for this occasion here at this famous School, with the occasion being added in lustre today by the presence of the group of Wenona women among your ranks.

l am particularly delighted that a significant part of the opportunity you extend to me today comes from a great man of Shore, retired Justice Dennis Cowdroy, whose uniform service was with our Navy and with whom I formed a friendship in the lead-up to the Centenary of World War I when he and I were advising the New South Wales State Government on its plans and arrangements.

This Chapel is a beautiful, solemn place —a place of aspiration and contemplation and sometimes consolation. There is no better place for us to gather all these many years after the end of the “War To End All Wars”.

The first sense of commemoration of the new nation Australia at war, was naturally enough resting on our first major campaign of the great war, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915. It might be said that the first commemoration of what became known as Anzac Day took place on the banks of the Nile in 1916.

What happened on 11 September 1914? The Battle of Bita Paka took place on the island of New Britain. This battle with the German reservists and Melanesian police was the first Australian action of the First World War. This battle also saw the first Australian fatal casualties of the First World War. A doctor, 24-year-old Captain Brian Pockley AAMC from Wahroonga in Sydney, was killed by another bullet as he tried to assist the wounded, having selflessly given away his Red Cross brassard to his orderly. This brave young man, this giver and saver of life, this archetype of all those who followed, was a paladin for you all, a man of Shore.

Can you remember your first Anzac Day? I remember watching Granddad and Dad march in the 50s. I remember attending the 90th anniversary of the Anzac landings in 2005. At the time, people were concerned about dwindling enthusiasm to mark the day.

Australians are instinctively communal, collegiate, and compassionate. We are not a martial country — there is no pseudo-Spartan ethos about us. We have an enormous sense of human dignity, of freedom, of its opportunities, its fragility, and its obligations. We have often ventured forth far from our shores to defend that freedom or recover it for others.

Over 60,000 of our forebears lie in foreign fields or in far-off seas.

We have, from 1914 onwards, steeled ourselves to the costs of those wars — of course, to our own but also to all those caught up in the struggle. In the aftermath of those conflicts, there is among us no great joy in triumph or even sorrow in defeat. Rather, there is perhaps a joyful relief in the struggle’s end. There is always a sober reflection on all that has occurred and always, always an overwhelming sense of obligation to those who went in our name and their loved ones. On this Remembrance Day, I say to you all that sentiment that we regard as such a precious part of what makes us Australians.

Whenever we have Mums and Dads, Grandads, and Grandmas to quietly pass on those sorts of insights, Anzac Day will remain in the hearts of our people.

We very much hope that none of our young men will ever see combat in war. However, the principle enunciated by Jesus, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13), is an ultimate expression of sacrificial love. Jesus, of course, spoke in the first instance of himself and his death on the cross as a saviour for humankind. His words have often been used to refer to the mateship of Australian service personnel in war. The spirit of giving to others contained therein is worthy of emulation throughout life. 

Dr John Collier
Headmaster

Please note: We encourage expressions of opinion by our Student Editorial Team without necessarily endorsing or embracing them as a School position; furthermore, boys write in a range of styles, including satirical, and not every critique should be taken literally.

A reminder regarding Shore Community Prayer Night

Parents, Old Boys and Staff are invited to attend the
Shore Community Prayer Night 

Thursday 23 November 2023 
6.30pm – 7.30pm 
Christian Studies Classrooms  

A light supper will be provided

RSVP: ChaplainsPA@shore.nsw.edu.au 
Parking will be available on site with entry via Hunter Crescent

Boarding Update

Weekend Activities

I have often been asked by prospective parents and students, “What do the boys get up to on the weekends once their sport is finished?” Looking through the various House Instagram pages last weekend, it is clear the Boarding staff are doing an absolutely wonderful job ensuring the activities are superb. From Barefoot Bowling, Bondi Beach, Ten Pin Bowling at Chatswood, Ice Creams down at Kirribilli, cooking up a feast in the Houses, in-house movies or fishing nearby. That is a typical weekend in Boarding at Shore.

Remembrance Day

High up on Holtermann’s Tower on Saturday morning, the bugler did a sterling rendition of the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ for Remembrance Day. As sad as it is, it is always incredibly moving. Special mention must go to Year 7 student Will W. His performance was flawless!

Barefoot Bowls and Bondi

It was a huge day in Barry House on Sunday. We loved some barefoot bowls in Neutral Bay with a delicious lunch while Year 10 hit Bondi Beach after bidding farewell to their little sister, Alexis. It was a big weekend for all – boys and staff!

Robson Update

You could hear the sighs of relief amongst the Year 9 and 10 boys this week as their exams finished up. However the marks come back, the Robson boys can be encouraged that they are fine young men and have such a positive impact on the School. To quietly celebrate the end of exams, Year 9 and 10 had a Thursday night movie, with popcorn and ice-creams included. Credit to the Year 8 boys who were still working hard (mostly) in their rooms in preparation for their assessments. The Year 11 boarders are very much enjoying their new rooms. What’s not to like…harbour views and single rooms. They are continuing to lead the House very well. With only a handful of boys in over the weekend, it was quiet and calm. More ice cream, more popcorn, PS4 and ping pong. A good way to wind down after a couple of busy weeks of assessments. Now we can look forward to this week’s Robson Christmas Party.

Hodges Update

We congratulate our dedicated Year 9 and 10 Hodges men for successfully completing their Yearly Examinations. Your hard work and perseverance have undoubtedly paid off, and we commend you on your achievements. As we bid farewell to the academic challenges of the year, we want to wish the very best of luck to our Year 8 students who are currently navigating their way through their final exams.  

On a lighter note, this past Sunday brought us an action packed bowling excursion with our friends from Ravenswood. Laughter, camaraderie, and a bit of friendly competition filled the lanes. A special shout-out goes to Christian, who emerged as the new reigning champ—apologies to Tim. You put up a valiant effort! 

Term 4, End of Term Arrangements

Dr A Mansfield
Deputy Head Operations

Impact100: The Power of Fundraising

How Shore is Making a Difference.

Fundraising extends far beyond the act of raising money; it offers students opportunities for personal growth, community engagement, and skill development that enrich their lives in profound ways. The School’s emphasis on fundraising as a critical component of community service, highlights its commitment to teaching students that they can be active agents of change. 

By encouraging students to consider various fundraising activities within their Houses, Shore is not only fostering a sense of responsibility, but also instilling key life skills such as leadership, team collaboration, critical thinking, and goal setting. Students learn that even the smallest contributions can make a significant collective difference in their role as active members of the School community and the broader society. 

How can you help? 

Parents and staff have the opportunity to contribute to the development of future leaders. By engaging with Shore’s initiatives on homelessness and philanthropy, you empower students to think critically and become change-makers.

Your support in discussing these topics with your sons/students and participating in fundraising activities can inspire them to take an active role in solving pressing societal issues. 

As we approach our final week of fundraising, we hope our students are well on the way to building considerable donations on behalf of their Houses. We also encourage all families to attend our Pitch Event, along with their sons to further support these efforts as all ticket proceeds will be donated on the night.  

Please join us next Thursday 23 November at 7.30pm in the Shore War Memorial Hall. All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the charities involved so your attendance will further amplify your sons’ fundraising efforts to address homelessness.

The five finalists pitching to the Shore community include the following:

•          The Haven, Nepean Women’s Shelter

•          Stepping Stone House

•          Dignity

•          Streetwork

•          House of Welcome

Tickets are available for purchase online via: https://events.humanitix.com/schools-for-impact-grant-pitch-night-hosted-by-shore

House Fundraising Links

Your contribution, whether through attending the event or supporting your sons’ fundraising endeavours, is greatly appreciated and will help shape a better future for all. Thank you for your consideration and support. 

Top Image: photo credit George Davis

Study Centre

The boys are encouraged to visit Study Centre each week, especially at this time of year, as they prepare for the yearly examinations. Study Centre offers free tuition by Shore teachers and Old Boys with sessions before and after School according to the timetable published on Lampada (under Library) and in the Shore Weekly Record.

For any questions, please get in touch with Mrs Eva White, Head of Library & Information Services, on 9956 1151.

Please view the study timetable below:

Careers Update

An excellent resource has been developed with the Sydney Morning Herald called Campus. It provides an interactive tool in which university and college courses can be explored by various selection criteria.

Campus also has a number of good articles which have been published over the last couple of weeks and provide interesting insights. They include:

Want to be an international space lawyer? Here are seven degrees you have never heard of (SMH, 7 November 2023). The degrees discussed include Master of International Space Law, Bachelor of Animal Ecology, Bachelor of Creative Industries (Festivals and Arts Production), Bachelor of Security Studies, Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles (Sustainable Innovation), Certificate IV in Aboriginal Performance and Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage.

How the ATAR is Calculated (SMH, 3 November 2023) This article provides a great description of the purpose of the ATAR and its calculation.

University isn’t for everybody. Meet the people who fast tracked their pay instead. (SMH, 3 November) While there can be pressure for students to attend university, this article is a good reminder that there are many pathways. Areas discussed include the Australian Defence Force, Microsoft Traineeship Program, Tour Guide, New Energy Apprenticeship, Real Estate Practice and Train Driver Traineeships.

Take a Gap Year (SMH, 3 November) Whether to take a gap year or not is often a key decision point for students, and this article outlines one comedian’s journey.

We look forward to working with Year 10 next week during the Future Ready programme, which includes a trip to UTS. Students will have the opportunity to experience university life in three workshops. Then, we have the joy of managing work experience the following week. A huge thank you to all the employers in the community who support this valuable programme.

The latest Careers Newsletter is available on Lampada with the usual wealth of resources, which can be explored through the link to the Careers website.

Kind regards

Ms V Shirriff
Head of Careers Education

From the Music Department

Congratulations to…

Alan L who was awarded his AMEB Associate Diploma in Musicianship. This is an outstanding achievement and required him to complete a very challenging written and aural component. Congratulations to Alan on this wonderful achievement.

Justin L who was awarded his AMEB Certificate of Performance in Flute. He received Honours, an outstanding achievement.

Joel G who is performing in a world premiere of Ann Cawrse’s Marimba Concerto, Dare to Declare, with the Sydney Wind Symphony on Sunday 26 November at Queenwood. We wish him well for the concert.

ForeShore students who performed, Abide with Me, accompanied by Archie W on Trumpet, Charlie C on French horn, Joel G on Trombone and Ms Robertson on Euphonium at the Remembrance Day Service last Saturday. William W played The Last Post and The Rouse from the top of Holtermann Tower. Thank you to Mr Wels, Ms Robertson, Mr Griffiths and the Music mentors for their support of the students.

Summer Twilight Concert Series / Year 11 Assessment Week /Year 10 Wellbeing Week

Summer Twilight Concert Series will be held from 20 November – 24 November. There will be live performances at lunchtimes and on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm and Thursday evening from 6.00pm showcasing our co-curricular ensembles on the Quad Lawn.

Bring your blankets and a picnic and enjoy the live music. There will also be sausages and drinks on sale. Please see the poster below for further details. The Summer Twilight Concert Series occurs during Year 11 Assessment Week and Year 10 Wellbeing Week. It is an expectation that all students will attend the lunchtime and evening concerts and perform with their peers.

A Reminder Regarding the Festival of Lessons and Carols

Please join the Chapel Choir singing beautiful carols on Monday 27 November at 7.00pm in the Chapel. This is a wonderful service to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. All are welcome to attend, and supper will be served on the Chapel Lawn after the service.

Year 7 and Year 8 Concert Attendance

A reminder that all Year 7 and Year 8 Music students are to attend two live Music concerts as part of their coursework. There are several upcoming events: Summer Twilight Evening Concerts on Monday 20 November at 6.30pm, Wednesday 22 November at 6.30pm and Thursday 23 November at 6.00pm on the Quad Lawn and the Festival of Lessons and Carols at 7.00pm in the Chapel on Monday 27 November. These are free events and all are welcome to attend. Students are to wear full school uniform (no coats or boaters). The Music syllabus requires students to experience a range of musical performances with a broad variety of repertoire. These concerts are wonderful opportunities for your sons to experience a live performance by Shore students who are collaborating and sharing their vast array of skills.

Studio Concerts

The dates and times for upcoming Studio Concerts are as follows:

Upcoming Term Dates

Mrs K Barber
Head of Music

Memories And Mythos

Our Memories Lie To Us. And That’s A Good Thing.

M. D. Kwak

“SOME PEOPLE SAY history moves in a spiral, not the line we have come to expect. We travel through time in a circular trajectory, our distance increasing from an epicentre only to return again, one circle removed.”

Ocean Vuong’s epistolary novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a blending of fiction and memoir, a piece of writing that is not only lyrically beautiful but infinitely sensitive in capturing the small moments, like the flow of tears or awkward silences that characterise our human condition.

The past refuses to die. It is an imprint that remains in our interiority for us to relive and re-experience with all its passionate vitality and grief until our minds fail us, until the distance from that epicentre becomes too great for us to meaningfully return to. But Vuong’s imagery of memory as being a circular journey, not only hints at its periodicity but also its gradual deterioration – how memory, as time goes on, becomes increasingly divorced from the truth, instead being redrawn into the realms of fiction and distortion.

He goes on to write: 

“Shifts in the narrative occur – the past never a fixed and dormant landscape but one that is re-seen. Whether we want to or not, we are travelling in a spiral, we are creating something new from what is gone.”

Memories are a human creation.

They’re a mythos that our minds fashion from the truth, and then imbue with our fluctuating emotions and arbitrary selectiveness. Now, mythos is an interesting word to describe memories as. Mythos, I think, entails two things. The first concerns subjectivity; a mythos is a traditional, recurring narrative, a set of beliefs. The second concerns causation; mythology attempts to make sense of the unknown and bring certainty into our fragile lives.

Memories are the aggregate of the individual human narrative.

They’re what we believe happened in our past, and, by extension, what we believe reality to be. The past, maybe entirely, informs our present, by which point the present becomes our past. A recurrence series into infinity driven entirely by perception and human subjectivity. 

But it’s a recurrence that we can control. 

Memories are a coping mechanism.

When faced with the horrors of life, the human ego protects itself under a veil constructed by lies. Lies of memories. Lies about the past.

These horrors of life don’t always have to be horrific abuse or trauma and its accompanying symptoms of dissociative amnesia. They’re often more ‘mundane’: an awkward interaction with an acquaintance, an embarrassing public situation, an unreciprocated first love – cumbersome and cringey.

Humans are selective about memories. We remember happy memories, locking them away in a vault to relive later on, and we try to forget painful ones, masquerading as if they never even occurred. Such imperfection is how our psyche survives, heals, and moves on, insulated from the infinite complexity and ‘what ifs?’ of the past, which crowd out any opportunity to live in the present moment.

But beyond a simple binary of permitting certain memories and denying others, the human mind also distorts memory, making the awkward moments a little less awkward in retrospect. Or perhaps it’s the rose-tinted lens people put on to look at the ordinary moments from their past, and fondly remember them as being the most passionate times of their lives (even if it was only high school).

Our memories create myths about ourselves, about the people we love. They’re how we delude ourselves into believing that we’re good people or that all of our friends love us – even if such convictions are mere fantasy.

Memories are perfectly imperfect.

But just because our memories are imperfect doesn’t automatically mean we are. I think there’s something human about infallibility, something comforting about the lies that shield us from truths too painful to bear.

There’s relentless progress towards a world which outsources memory to AI and seeks to perfect the art of recollection by means of social media preservation and ubiquitous video footage.

But memories that eventually deteriorate, that change with our emotions, and gently erase the worst parts of our life, remind us that we are human in a way that is simultaneously anxiety-inducing yet life-affirming. It reminds us that we are creatures of emotions and stories and not just machines run by data and precision, an enervating narrative that has become increasingly proliferated by cynics.

I dread the day when the machination of science perfects our “subpar” memory and makes recollection of the past, a seamless and entirely accurate process. From that point on, the past will entirely subsume our present. We will obsess over things that have already occurred. We will endlessly re-experience past moments of euphoria but abandon creating new memories filled with different kinds of joys. We will never allow ourselves to forget our traumas and incessantly re-watch our most haunting moments of despair and regret, as though it were the horror movie of our own lives. Human memory is limited, and that’s exactly what makes our lives bearable and perhaps even – beautiful because of, not despite, its imperfections.

“We’re Home Boys”

The Rekindling Of A Chronic Addiction

T. G. George and B. N. Dent

[A take from chickenboyeeee (B Dent)]

WHY OH WHY DID EPIC GAMES DECIDE TO BRING BACK OG FORTNITE JUST AS MY EXAM BLOCK APPROACHES. As if I didn’t already have enough reasons to procrastinate a little longer. I mean, I’m already busy enough as it is trying to keep up to date with my intense mewing schedule and the baby Gronk gossip. Epic Games really needs to get better at doing their due diligence in ensuring that the schedules of the individuals within their target market are free for when major updates come out. 

Nevertheless, I can’t complain. The return of the OG Fort map and weapons has been simply beautiful. If the gaming industry was an empty canvas sitting in Florence during the early 16th century, then the resurgence of the OG map was the brush in Leonardo da Vinci’s hand, ready to create a masterpiece. 

In addition to providing some much needed nostalgia and enjoyment, OG Fort has answered some questions which many of us have been thinking about for some time. Over the past few years, we’ve had to witness Fortnite slowly die like a wilting flower in the scorching sun. A once delightful game was corrupted by unnecessary updates and greasy sweats (good players), which ruined the fun. It really highlighted the old adage of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Regardless, our deteriorating perception of this game spurred on the question of whether the game had outgrown us, or if we had simply outgrown the game. And I think the return of OG Fort has answered this question once and for all. Sure, I have seen a couple of insta reels here and there that say that the game is just not the same as it once was, but the majority of us have been transported back in time and our passion has not only been rekindled, but set on fire, burning harder than ever. 

The average bloke after undergoing a grease metamorphosis induced by OG Fort.

Now The G-Factor (T George), for his take. 

Quite insightful Braden. I’ll unpack this more, but first, let me take you on a journey through space and time. 

April 27, 2018. 6:39 pm on a Friday night, but there was no place I’d rather be than hunched over in the spare bedroom. My new PS4 is wired up to the TV, the singular earpiece slipping out of my ear while I navigate a red haired default through Shifty Shafts on 30 FPS. The infamous ZestyMamba999 (H Richards) leads the squad’s rampage. But looming over the hill, stands the ominous Tilted Towers. With a total of two kills to my name, this journey has nonetheless taken its toll. I shake vigorously, and sweat creeps down my forehead. I flinch at the gunshots. I panic build, with my stairs edited sideways. “KNOCKED ONE”… “KNOCKED TWO”… “THE LAST GUY IS IN FRONT OF YOU”. I get lost in my inventory, then stuck on my builds, finally finding myself on the trusty pump shotty. BANG. Game over. #1 Victory Royale. I yell for my parents. I shed a tear. My hands tremble as I take a photo. I feel my body transcend into euphoria. 

That’s what it feels like. Every single time. The feeling never gets old. It may be hard to comprehend, but it is that same transfixion that has surged among the state’s teens. Even if the Year 7s were in the womb when I was cranking 90s in Salty Springs, OG Fort has no bounds. It has touched the lives of everyone. 

Expert in the field, dmoneyy (D Ivanhoe), sums up the craze nicely.

“To say Fortnite is a fundamental necessity would be a gross understatement. In essence, it’s just so much more than that. With a cumulative 1172 hours of my life devoted to this game since Chapter 1 Season 3, and a broad array of fond memories from all throughout the map, Fortnite has become a literal lifestyle. A lifestyle victim to a slow, yet purposeful erasure with age, which has now made its ultimate return. We are home.”

But if that is not enough, let’s take a look into the profound and wonderful impact Fortnite can have on someone’s life. We call upon a man who needs no introduction, but here is one anyway.  Eggs-With-Legs (J Cambridge). 2088 hours committed. 307 wins secured. $3500 was spent on V-Bucks (to which he states was “worth every cent”.) Countless memories. He runs a tight schedule, but when he could fit us in, we were gifted with his insight. Put simply, “The game has had a cultural impact… you get a HUGE hit of dopamine from not only every win but every kill… I guess those are the reasons why we love Fortnite”.

With all the questions we have answered, one still remains. Where are we droppin boys?

No More Bad Dreams

Rise And Shine, Sleepyheads.

L. M. Chavdarov

AS WE HURTLE THROUGH THE 21st CENTURY, one can’t help but marvel at the rate at which we’re solving problems that our ancestors assumed were as permanent as death and taxes – which, by the way, we’re still working on. It’s a time where existential crises, once reserved for broody philosophers, and those who’ve read too much Camus, have become as common as the cold, and similarly unpleasant. As we solve problems that have plagued humanity for eons – like diseases, distance, and getting a decent cup of coffee – we’re left with a strange void, a kind of metaphysical itch that no amount of technological advancement seems to scratch.

In the olden days, one’s existential crisis was mostly concerned with survival – avoiding being eaten by a saber-toothed tiger, or not dying from the plague. But the plague, and tigers alike are now extinct, and it turns out they were never the root cause of our existential dread. It’s no longer about survival, but about living. We’ve moved from “Will I survive the winter?” to “What is my place in a universe where I can 3D print a pizza?” It’s a shift from existential angst to existential ennui, a word that sounds exactly like what it means.

The modern world, with its relentless march towards solving all our problems, leaves us in a paradoxical state. On one hand, we’re achieving what humanity has always dreamed of – a world without the nightmares that haunted our ancestors. On the other hand, in solving these age-old problems, we find ourselves staring directly into the abyss of the unknown, pondering questions that were once mere thought experiments in philosophy textbooks.

Take, for instance, the quest for immortality, a topic that has moved from the realms of alchemy and fantasy to the boardrooms of Silicon Valley. The idea of living forever, once a dreamy speculation, now seems almost within grasp, thanks to advancements in medicine and technology. But this brings its own set of existential questions. What does one do with all that time? If you thought finding a purpose in a 90-year lifespan was hard, try doing it for all of eternity. You’ll get tired of pushing boulders up a slope eventually.  

Similarly, the rise of Artificial Intelligence has turned the ancient fear of the golem – the fear that what we create might surpass and destroy us – into a daily conversation. We’re in a bizarre race to create intelligence that could easily surpass our own – AI already seems to be smarter than most of the people I have to interact with daily – and I shudder to think what kind of destruction the singularity could bring about if poorly managed. Good old human intelligence is already wrecking the world; do we really want to give birth to a mechanical god before we’ve figured out our own ten commandments?

And let’s not forget about space exploration. Once the domain of Star Trek and little green men, it’s now a field with actual careers and prospects. Yes, real jobs that make real money. The existential crisis here shifts from “Am I alone in the universe?” to “If I’m not alone, do I need to update my LinkedIn profile to appeal to extraterrestrial employers?”

The modern existential crisis is a strange beast. We’ve answered so many of the ‘hows’ of existence that we’re left grappling with the ‘whys’ and the ‘what nows’. On one hand, it’s comforting to know that the shadows that haunted our ancestors are being dispelled by the blinding light of knowledge. But it’s disconcerting to live in a universe where all our questions have answers. The search for meaning is increasingly looking less like an epic odyssey, and more like a guided tour, replete with suggested paths and reviews.

Sure, there are still some mysteries that remain unsolved. Occasionally, just when we think we’ve got it, the universe throws us a curveball, like dark matter, or why reality TV is so popular. But even they’ll be solved eventually. Right? 

Probably, but if it reassures you, it still seems unlikely that we’ll be able to properly retire from the existential crisis. It’s a fundamental part of the human experience. Even once we have answers to all of our questions, we still won’t know what to do with those answers.

Technology may solve our problems, but it won’t give us meaningful answers. Humanity has opened up Pandora’s box yet again, and found not only hope at the bottom, but also a user manual for a quantum computer and a note saying ‘Good luck!’. The line between science fiction, and Monday morning memos is getting blurred, and the prospect of arguing with a smart fridge about my dietary choices has opened my eyes to a whole new spectrum of different forms of dread. But, in putting our bad dreams to bed, we’ve come a long way from wondering whether fire is magical or not, and we’ll go a long way yet. Even if we can’t escape our existential dread, at least it’s no longer tied to less fun discoveries, like tigers where they don’t belong. Maybe we’re worried about AI, or climate change, but now we don’t have to wonder anymore whether the rain gods are angry at us. And if that’s not a comforting thought, at least it’s a fascinating one.

Let’s Talk About Porn

Lifting the Rug on Porn

O. J. Carney

AS CONFRONTING AND EXPLOSIVE AS THE WORD IS, PORN is one of the prevalent issues facing young people today. But it’s often not given the spotlight of the scale and grip it has on young people today. The issue with “Porn’s” sensitivity is it creates a hostile environment in which discourse and solutions on the topic are often void of anything that solves the real issues that it causes young men and women.

But the research is clear. In Australia, just under half (44%) of children aged 9–16 surveyed had encountered sexual images in the last month. (Australian Institute of Family Studies). So let’s talk about it. 

Porn or the adult film industry is an exploitative corporate trade that profits from the exploitation of young girls often illegally sex trafficked and victims of abuse. What most people fail to think of in Porn is that profit is at the centre of their goals. They don’t care that the profit they make is on the back of creating addictions, sexual violence and body dysmorphia. Businesses like Pornhub generated an annual revenue of 97 billion in 2021. Pornhub details every part of their interface to create an addictive consumer experience, an addiction that could last for young men into their adult lives and have a serious effect on their future relationships. 

The problem with porn is it offers people mass surges of dopamine without having done any work. It’s free, accessible and available 24/7. This has led to a normalisation of pornography across Western culture and has led to kids or teenagers looking into porn as a means of normal entertainment or pleasure, one that teenagers don’t really understand the repercussions for. Kids as young as 9 look to Porn as a feature of growing up into being sexually knowledgeable adults. This is really damaging as Porn offers a completely subverted understanding of what sex is and how consent operates. With the mass waves of rape cases rising across Australian schools, Porn has to be assessed as having a major role in fuelling sexual violence in young people.

Often we understand Porn is harmful and this has been drilled into us through our parents and the school but addiction is often a hard thing to break. I think the best way to combat Porn is to destigmatise the word, Porn. It’s confronting to have honest conversation with yourselves, others and as a society as a whole but the most problematic approach is treating it like it’s not there. Ignoring and censoring the issue only exacerbates and brings on more shame. Young people need help and they need a platform where they are not ashamed or disciplined for their actions. They need compassion, conversations and honesty. The sooner we can destigmatise the word “Porn” the sooner we can spread public awareness and understanding of it and the sooner people can reach out for help.

The issue of online pornography is a significant concern, as research indicates that it can have a very negative impact on young people. It can profoundly affect their perception of self, others, and relationships, often leading to very negative and harmful consequences. Recognising the ease with which young individuals can access such content, our School is committed to addressing this challenge proactively. We regularly engage in meaningful conversations with our students about the negative effects of pornography. These discussions are facilitated by external speakers and further explored in tutorial sessions, Year, and House meetings. It’s important that we collaborate closely with parents to confront this issue and encourage the boys to ask for help. To support this partnership, we provide access to valuable resources on School TV. Parents are encouraged to visit Shore’s School TV site and this special edition about Online Pornography for more information and tools to help best understand and manage this issue effectively.

Mr D Champion
Deputy Head, Pastoral Care

Weekend Sporting Review 11/11

Victorious In Games Against Grammar, Can The Form Continue?

T. M. Kennedy

THIS SATURDAY Shore took on Sydney Grammar School at home for basketball and cricket. Round five of the AAGPS summer season saw Shore come out victorious in basketball, cricket, tennis and water polo, while the other sports participated in training and preparation for the rest of the season. 

In cricket, the First XI batted first up at Northbridge on a lovely wicket. An early loss of two wickets provided a little hiccup, but Year 10 cricketer Toby R, displayed some class batting, scoring 88 runs off 122 balls with 8 boundaries. A tidy 57 by Henry S provided Shore with a total of 223 runs after 50 overs. This very respectable score was very hard to beat, with opening bowler Samuel W taking a wicket on his fourth ball. Walton combined with another opener, young gun Thomas F, three wickets each, to bowl Sydney Grammar out for 61 runs and grab the extra point win. In the Second XI down in Rushcutters Bay, Shore bowled out Sydney Grammar School for a mere 133 runs, with Stuart H carving up a five wicket haul. This led to the Seconds chasing down the 133 runs in just 24 overs, with Noah Q scoring 64 runs and Aidan K 33 and also grabbing the extra point win. 

Sam W in action

In basketball, Shore hosted Grammar. From the get-go, Shore controlled both ball games. The Seconds had a convincing 58-35 win with Nick R, scoring a tidy 16 points with some crafty dribbles. Following this game, the Firsts continued their three-game win streak to try and find some form before the break, with Captain of Basketball Julian R scoring 34 points, and keeping his hot streak of points going alongside the Firsts winning 103-67.

The water polo held their first “Friday Night Lights” game against St Augustine’s College, with the Firsts taking down Augustine’s 7-5, with Captain Koby S snagging a goal. The seconds, also victorious over the weekend, beat St Joseph’s College, 6-4.

Julian R about to take a shot

Athe tennis courts, the Firsts continued their impressive form, staying at the top of the ladder. With a 6-3 win, the strong young team, led by Captain Zachary L, will continue pushing on to try and bring back a premiership to the cabinets of the blue street. The Seconds unfortunately went down 4-5 to Grammar, but are hoping for a bounce back this week. 

The following week, we will be taking on Newington College at Stanmore, an important fixture for all sports, with cricket, basketball, water polo and tennis all becoming tight at the top of the leaderboard.

The Shore Sporting Conundrum

Sports Shore Should Offer

A. J. Baker

BOYS AT SHORE OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES OPTING FOR SPORTS THEY DISLIKE. However, with the introduction of a range of new options, this conundrum can be resolved.

Touch Rugby – a fast-paced entertaining sport currently offered by a few GPS schools, including Riverview.  The sport is an excellent way to maintain fitness, improve coordination and engage in rugby based sports all year round. This sport would be offered in the summer season and would be highly competitive within the GPS and Shore itself. Furthermore, it would likely draw in large crowds as it is a short game displaying immense athleticism, and schools are already equipped with grandstands to support summer touch rugby.

Hockey – again, it is a highly entertaining and fast paced sport. Shore is notorious for producing some of Sydney’s best hockey players, including CIS representative Adam W and the entire Cope family, including Lachlan C who has represented both NSW and Australian U21 teams on multiple occasions. Field Hockey as a winter sport may not attract the same numbers compared to the already dominant Soccer and Rugby. However, it would still attract a few teams, likely filled with Cricket and Tennis players. The majority of the GPS schools have extensive spaces for playing fields and Hockey would be a great use for the unoccupied land.

Volleyball – during my time at Shore, students have made admirable attempts at introducing the sport to the school’s expansive co-curricular list but, unfortunately, were unsuccessful in their pursuits. Currently all GPS schools apart from Joeys, Shore, and TAS offer the sport, with Sydney Boys High dominating, likely due to Shore’s absence. However, from what I have seen in Year 10 PDHPE with Mr Wallace, Volleyball was a class favourite, and the cohort was not short of talent. I strongly believe Shore would be dominant and may even bring home a few pendants. 

Spikeball – the 360 degree game is taking the world by storm, blowing up on social media and spawning along the NSW coastline. The game is a hybrid of volleyball and squash (another genuine sporting option) where teams of two compete against each other and use the net as a trampoline. Sets consist of 21 points and last five to ten minutes. The sport may not attract hundreds of spectators, however, the training (at Balmoral) alone would likely encourage students to join the sport. Spikeball would most definitely be a summer sport, played on the beach, including swim breaks every three sets.

ESports – for the boys who are not naturally athletic yet competitive, the introduction of ESports accommodates these boys’ needs. The sport also offers the opportunity to stay inside and deplete athletes from any Vitamin D. Additionally, wet weather considerations do not apply. On a more serious note, offering the sport presents many pathways for future careers where technology dictates society.

These five sports would be very popular and likely contribute to Shore’s sporting success.

Shipwrecked Science

Hellenistic Tech Time Capsule

C. N. Vujanovic

“SUPERNATURAL”. That’s how the pre-modern world would see our technology, right? They’d think we’re gods with our planes, cars, instant messaging and food delivery. 

That’s what I thought too. But it turns out that computers have existed for thousands of years. And we only found out in 1901.

‘Once upon a time, a couple of divers discovered an ancient shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. Among its decaying ruins, they find a mysterious device so technologically advanced that it might be from the future…’

It sounds like the start of a Sci-Fi novel, but this actually happened!

Off the coast of Greece, near the island of Antikythera, we found what is now referred to as ‘the world’s oldest computer’ or a ‘mechanical cosmos’. (It’s an analogue computer for those of you wondering how they could’ve created the iPhone before Steve Jobs.)

Nonetheless, this device could predict and simulate the motions of the heavenly bodies and show them on display, in motion. Many thought it had simply fallen next to an ancient shipwreck, with its gears and mechanisms more complex than a Swiss watch. 

But how did they create such an incredible device?

Well, it was made at a time of nearly unparalleled scientific and technological innovation. Unfortunately, this period is what is known as the Hellenistic Period, a time we unfortunately know little about (323 BC to 31 BC).

The period’s achievements included Archamedies making the first steps to developing calculus (which was lost and would have to be rediscovered much later in the 17th century), Eratosthenes measuring the size of the earth with 90% accuracy, and Hero of Alexandria developing the first steam engine. I could go on, but the point is that this period was highly advanced.

I wonder, where would we be if we’d continue along this trajectory? What would our world look like now? Rick Riordan had an idea.

Let me see if I can paint that out next week.

Basketball Report

Week 5 Term 4 2023

The Firsts went into their fixture brimming with confidence after last week’s hoodoo-breaking win and got off to a hot start in the first quarter to lead 23 – 15 at the break. 

It was more of the same in the second quarter, with Shore extending their lead to 50 – 27 and effectively ending the contest by halftime. 

Julian R continued his scoring exploits to lead all scorers with 34, while Louis P chipped in with a handy 16 of his own, including three 3’s.

The Seconds were also expecting a win given their big performance last week and Sydney Grammar School’s (SGS) struggles thus far, but wayward finishing and poor turnovers at key moments meant that Shore trailed 7 – 8 after the first quarter. 

The last two quarters remained roughly even, with Shore only just getting their noses in front at 34 – 31 going into the fourth. 

I’m not sure what was said at three quarter time, but Shore came out a different team, outscoring SGS 24 – 4 to bring home a 58 – 35 victory which was far from as comfortable as the numbers suggest. 

The returning Nick R led the scoring with 16 points, while big man Harry D reeled in an impressive 14 rebounds.

In other games, Mr Chapman continues to avoid defeat as a Shore coach after the 16Bs won again. 

I think there are only two other undefeated teams at the school after five rounds, although I won’t jinx either here by saying who they are. 

The 16As were the best performing As team with a 44 – 14 win, while the best age group was the Opens with a 12 – 2 record.

Player of the Week: Phoenix T’s 18 points in the 16Cs’ 34 – 16 win would have been enough to beat SGS by himself.

Team of the Week: The 15Ds are an easy choice this week – check out the end of their overtime game on Instagram if you’re not sure why!

Mr G Davis
MIC Basketball

Tennis Report

Round 5 – Sydney Grammar

Firsts Report

In the long awaited, annual battle for the Fairwater Cup, the Shore Firsts team successfully defended the trophy with a 6 – 3 victory against Sydney Grammar. Leading the charge, our top players, Ollie W, and Felix H, each dominated their singles matches with scores of 6 – 3, 6 – 0, and 6 – 1, 6 – 0, respectively. Shore saw an early lead after winning two out of three doubles, showing an improvement in the team’s doubles ability. With this victory, Shore further reinforced their lead in the competition. However, to sustain our lead, we must continue to work hard and improve to finish the season strong. The Shore Firsts team has become a tight-knit group of friends and talented tennis players, demonstrating an ability to turn a traditionally independent sport into a team effort, further improving our strength.

Zachary L
Firsts Captain 

Seconds Report

The Seconds tennis faced a fierce opponent last Saturday, in which we closely lost 5 – 4. Chris M and Connor F started off strong with the doubles 6 – 1 6 – 0, with tightly fought matches and close comebacks in the 2nd and 3rd doubles, which resulted in unlucky losses. Connor F and Chris M started off the singles well, with Chris winning 6 – 2 6 – 3 and Connor winning 7 – 6 6 – 1 after coming back from 5 – 2 and saving 5 set points! Charlie M had a brilliant victory as player 6, winning 6 – 2 6 – 2 with ease. Unfortunately, George G, Josh C and Oliver D had tough matches, closely losing after fighting hard and giving it their all. Shore managed to maintain the fighting spirit throughout the day but was unable to snag the win.

Connor F
Seconds

Opens Thirds – Sixths Report

Against Sydney Grammar School, the Open Tennis Squad displayed remarkable talent and sportsmanship in a tough round that was accompanied by intense heat. Despite the previous week being a washout, Third IV Tennis kept up their winning pattern with a commanding 4 – 2 victory against Grammar, winning 31 games to 18. The Fourth IV had an impressive round, winning 4 – 2, 31 games to 25, with a comparable degree of domination. The Fifth and Sixth IVs, on the other hand, did not do as well this week, losing 5 – 1 each. Special recognition ought to go to Aaron L and Nathan L for their remarkable comebacks after losing their doubles, using their superior tactical skills to win their singles matches for the Fourth IV. The squad performed admirably overall in spite of the difficult playing circumstances. With the squad continuing to improve and perform against challenging opponents, especially the Third and Fourth IV, who remain undefeated, the season appears bright.

Taj G
Thirds

U14s Report

The Under 14s came up against a scarily strong opposition at Grammar on Saturday. I was immensely proud of the team who fought valiantly and would not be discouraged. Oliver C won his singles match, saving us from a complete wipe-out as far as the scoreboard was concerned. Tom H took his to the wire, losing in a tie-break. Christian L and Ben R each conceded their singles 4 – 6, which is a respectable loss in anyone’s book. The match that really deserves the accolades though, was Tom B’s A3 singles match, which was the most exciting and nerve-wracking schoolboy game I’ve ever seen. Tom threw everything he had at his opponent and demonstrated superb sportsmanship throughout. In the end, his bloodied toes could be glimpsed through the holes he wore through his new runners. He was devasted to lose in the tie-break but gallantly shook hands with the victor, went off court to pull himself together, and came back to sit with his teammates to cheer on his Christian L, who was playing the last match of the day. That’s the Shore spirit in action!

Ms Mellar
U16s Coach

Cricket Report

Round 5 – Saturday 11 November 2023

In Round 5, Shore faced off against Sydney Grammar School (SGS) across all ten of the scheduled matches. Remembrance Day provided an opportunity for all matches to observe a minute’s silence as Northbridge paused for a moment of reflection dedicated to those who served our country.

Home fixtures were blessed with amazing weather, and Northbridge looked spectacular. It hosted all three of the 14s sides, who used their home advantage to secure three wins. The 14s have repeatedly demonstrated their outstanding ability in this age group as they progress through the season. The Third XI followed suit later in the day with a comfortable win, the damage being done early in the game by the bowlers. The 16B side lost in their afternoon home fixture in what was a spirited game with great learning.

Travelling players had a tougher time, as we suffered defeats to SGS in both 15s matches. However, the 16As returned triumphant after a win at Weigall in a well-matched game.

In the competition fixtures, two great victories were recorded, with both teams securing bonus point wins. This allows the Second XI to move up the table, and they are now sitting in 2nd place with an impressive record of four wins from five games. The First XI put on a dominant display, scoring 223 and proceeding to bowl SGS out for 61 in an incredible spell of bowling. They continue their form, securing three wins in a row and steadying themselves in 4th place.

Highlights from 11 November

15As Match Report vs SGS

Shore ventured their way to Weigall playing fields, hoping to build upon their strong result the previous week. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Shore’s innings started shakily with a tough batting pitch, causing trouble for the batsmen through inconsistent bounce. Shore fell to 3/27 after the first 8 overs, with Cooper G attempting to steady the ship, scoring 47 runs off 59 balls. However, wickets kept falling at the other end, which prevented the Shore team from ever looking like building a threatening total. Late cameos from Jude T 15 off 44 and Tom G 9* off 23 helped to boost Shore’s score to 102 all out after 30 overs. Shore came into their bowling innings knowing they would have to bowl well to defend their total but remained hopeful after seeing the pitch reward bowlers who were able to hit good areas. Bun S (1/20 off 5 overs) got Shore off to the start they needed, sending the openers middle stump cartwheeling in the first over. Shore was able to continue to take wickets to slow down Grammar’s chase thanks to impressive bowling from Jude T (2/9 off 5 overs), leaving them 4/57 after drinks. Still in the game, but with a hefty task in front of them, Jude took a screamer of a catch from a one handed effort at backward point, a highlight of Shore’s fantastic fielding effort, putting their body on the line to defend their total. However, Grammar’s batsmen were able to remain composed and comfortably chased down Shore’s total after 6/103 with 7 overs remaining. A tough loss for Shore, with plenty to take away from the game to implement before next week’s game against Newington. 

Second XI Match Report vs Sydney Grammar

On a sunny day at Weigel, Grammar won the toss and batted. Shore never let Grammar build any momentum, regularly taking wickets to roll Grammar for 133. Stewart H was outstanding, taking a well-deserved 5/17.

Shore’s form with the bat continued, with Aidan K and Noah Q storming a 76 run opening stand. Noah finished with 64 runs, his fourth score of 50 or more in a row! Our middle order backing up the openers to chase the score in bonus point pace.

Shore win by 7 wickets, man of the match Stewart H.

Mr Cozens
Coach Second XI

First XI Match Report v Sydney Grammar School

Shore 6/223 (Toby R 88, Henry S 57) def Grammar 10/61 (Tom F 3/13, Sam W 3/15)

The First XI boys arrived to a picturesque Northbridge A Ground full of confidence. While lapping up the clear and sunny skies during warm up, it was clear they were ready and keen to carry over the momentum built up over the last two wins. Skipper and Coaches agreed it was a great opportunity to win a toss and set a big total to defend. And that they did… 

Losing the skipper early is always an unsettling start to the innings. But as seen in previous rounds… Toby R is in some devastating form. He managed a fantastic 88 (122) to steer our innings into a dominant position. He formed a crucial partnership with Henry S after a few early wickets fell. Henry showing great maturity well beyond his years, making a fine 57 (90). A perfect partner for Toby, which allowed him to play freer. A few small partnerships towards the end of the innings proved crucial in getting the boys to an impressive 6 – 223. 

The team has great confidence in our bowling attack and as such, the boys were out there early after lunch to help prepare the bowlers for our bowling innings. Enter Sam W and Tom F. These two were on fire from the get-go. Ruthless in their line and lengths. Constantly making the batters play. Everything went to plan, and it brought 4 ducks from the Grammar top 6. Sam and Tom both took 3 wickets, which can only be described as a complete decimation of the Grammar top order. A great reward for the boys who put in so much effort each and every week. It was always going to be hard to chase down the boys well above par total on such a large ground. The boys made it almost impossible with supreme execution and some great intensity. Special mention to all the other bowlers who all chipped in with 1 wicket each. 

The boys are excited to face Newington this weekend and carry on the momentum from their 3-game winning streak. 

Mr Papworth
Coach First XI

16Bs Shore vs Sydney Grammar School

Shore won the toss and elected to bat in the heat at Northbridge. Opening batsmen Dylan G and Fred C saw off the first ten overs of the 20-over innings. We scored 43 runs in the first ten overs and decided to increase our run rate with nine wickets in hand. Shortly after drinks, wickets fell in quick succession, but the run rate also increased. Shore finished the innings with a defendable total of 7/126. The top scorers were Malachi W (35 runs), Fred C (21 runs) and Dylan G (19 runs).

As Sydney Grammar began the run chase, Shore was ready to field at their best abilities to defend our total. The bowling started promisingly, with an early wicket coming from Henry C. The 16Bs kept engaged, maintaining enthusiasm and fielding to the best of their abilities. The Sydney Grammar batsmen were smart, taking advantage of any balls bowled on the leg side or short. Eventually, in the eleventh over, after a precise field placement, Liam O would take a catch for our second wicket bowled by Ollie B. As Shore began to bowl more economically, Sydney Grammar approached the target runs with only a few overs left, beating Shore by 6 wickets (14 balls left). Shore’s best bowlers were Henry C (1/8 off 2 overs), Ollie B (1/26 off 2 overs), and Malachi W (0/6 off 2 overs).

Bryce S (Year 9)
16B Captain

Mr R Johnston
MIC Cricket

Water Polo Match Reports

Firsts

The Firsts matched up against St Augustine’s for a Friday Night Lights fixture for Round 5 of the competition. Despite not being in the GPS, the game was a must-win for the team in order to get into the top group for the Combined Competition in Term 1. The St Augustine’s line up was strong with two U19 Australian players, but a strong focus on defence was going to be instrumental to take home the win. Good communication and centre back skills from Hamish W and JJ B were the foundation of defence. Calvin S brought his usual counterattack skills with quality full-field passes from goalkeeper Alex W. Koby S and Jett S, who were crucial in both offence and defence. The Firsts were able to keep the Combined Competition dream alive with a 7 – 5 win over St Augustine’s. Another big match up is on the cards for this Saturday with an away game against Newington.

Ms Dowdell
Firsts Coach

16Bs

Shore 16Bs matched up against St Augustine’s College for the first game of the day at home. Harry C opened the scoring for Shore early in the first quarter, and St Augustine’s returned serve with a goal and could have easily had more with some Shore defence lapses leaving players unmarked, but once again, excellent goalkeeping from Henry F denied any further goals, shortly after centre forward Lachie H scored 3 more (and a total of 12 for the game) in the first quarter to give Shore a 4 – 1 lead and a little breathing space. St Augustine’s had some strong swimmers and tested us at times but lacked numbers on the bench, which hurt them. After quarter time, Shore turned it on with a 10 – 2 lead at halftime and at three-quarter time it blew out to 15 – 3 and final score of 19 – 4 at fulltime to Shore. Despite not training all week, Hamish W scored the goal of the game in the 4th quarter, and Ashton T came away with 2 goals and was our most consistent in attack and defence. The 16Bs remain undefeated but go into their toughest game of the season this weekend, facing Newington College away.

Mr O’Kane
16Bs Coach

15As

The 15As had another stellar performance on Saturday against St Augustine’s despite having multiple players missing due to a Water Polo tournament in Canberra, and the team rose to the challenge. The first half saw a conservative approach by the team in a goal for goal game. It wasn’t until the second half that the team found their stride and showcased their strong fitness and game awareness. Top corner saves by goalkeepers Ed B and Henry F with full field passes to counterattacks. Sensational goals to Archie L and Max H, who were dominant in scoring top corner shots. Sinclair L displayed superior defence in centre back while Henry B was all class, scoring two centre forward goals. Another great game for the 15As, with a win of 10 – 5.

Results – Saturday 11 November 2023

Top Image: Firsts win against St Augustines

Miss Z Dowdell
MIC Water Polo

Rowing Report

The Shore Regatta returns to the Sydney International Regatta Centre

Last weekend, for the first time in well over 20 years, the Shore Regatta was held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. Before I go through the results, I would like to thank the following parents for their hard work in assisting the Regatta to come off without a hitch. 

Umpire Boat Drivers – Andrew Wheeler, Matthew Brooks and David Scammell.

Timing Hut attendees – Nick and Louise Harvey, Ed Fox, Patrick Salis, Ali MacFarlane, Simone Marshall, Sam Smith, Drew Hall, James Marshall, Mal McHutchinson, Sean Muffet, Andrew Scott and Matt Galligan.

The Regatta would not have worked so well without your assistance. Thank you!

The Regatta saw some brilliant performances from our crews. Whilst still a lot of our crews had to be rejigged due to illness (and a Saturday detention), the boys showed tremendous courage to post the following results.

The Third Yr10 VIII showed great style to record two 2nd-place performances, in almost identical times – this came with an 11th hour crew change due to illness overnight. In both races, after a very aggressive start, the crew settled into second place with some great middle 1000 metre rhythm being set up behind Tom F, who is only into his first season of rowing. 

The Second Yr10 VIII Notched up another run of wins – with this crew continuing their impressive run of form. In both of their races, this crew of fine Shore oarsmen opened up a sizable margin in the first 500 metres, which was built on the whole way down the course. Ultimately finishing, much to the delight of Eddie B in the coxswain seat, a seven second winning margin. The ultimate reward awaited these young men as they were awarded their medals by Shore “LEGEND” Mr Mark Ticehurst.

The First Year 10 VIII have found themselves in the middle of a very tough category this season. This crew recorded a 4th-place in their first race and then took a step forward to record a podium finish in the second race with a tough fought 3rd place. With still more improvement to be made technically – the future is bright for this boat.

Our Senior Third VIII for the second Regatta in a row was pieced together with Year 10 VIII rowers and senior rowers, and with the late withdrawal in the Third Year 10 boat, had to make a quick trip down to the blocks so that they could race. A big shout out to Taj R, who is just into his second/third week of rowing. He stepped up so this crew could race, and I really appreciate his bravery – not an easy ask so early in your rowing. In their first race, the crew settled for a 3rd, but in a great push, this crew worked a little harder through the middle 1000 metres to secure a 2nd place.

We saw the debut of the 3rd IV this weekend (after having to miss the first Regatta through sickness). This crew also debuted a new man to Shore rowing in Connor G, who has been a great addition to our team. It also welcomed back Dan W, who, after a brief stint in another sport, has returned to the shed ready to take up the fight. In both their races, this crew finished in 2nd place and showed great promise.

The Second IV continued their strong run, finishing in 2nd place in both their runs down the track. In their first run down the course, the crew came under fire by a spirited St Joseph’s College combination, but a good solid third 500 metres lead by the “Sherrif”, Henry S, saw the crew secure 2nd position.

The FirstIV, outside of the First VIII’s race, are in one of the tighter contested divisions, with any one of five schools being in a position to perform. The Shore crew showed great courage to record two 3rd-place finishes from their two starts.

The First VIII rounded out the Regatta for Shore, with the Second VIII losing two men through the latter part of the week. The crew this week, determined to start well, went through 1st in both races through the 500 metre, but this would come at a bit of a cost with the middle 1000 metre rhythm taking a little too long to establish. In both their races, this was the case, but there were some great signs in their second race that the crew has a lot more speed to unlock. This crew now gets disbanded, and selection opens again for all our senior crews as we move past the pre-season racing into the second phase of the season.

Mr G Bates
MIC Rowing

Surf Lifesaving Report

Week 5 Term 4 2023

Year 7 and 8 Nippers

Surf conditions were excellent during the week and on Saturday, meaning that the nippers could continue their training and conduct plenty of events. The skills of the boys are improving which is great to see.  The following events were held during the week:

Beach Sprint

Year 9 and 10 Intermediates

The Intermediate Bronze Medallion Group have spent their time between developing their skills and knowledge for the upcoming Bronze Medallion Award and still getting involved in some competitive events on the beach and in the surf. The boys have practised the ‘dry’ elements of First Aid, CPR, signals and radio use and continue to build confidence in the ‘wet’ elements of board rescues, tube rescues and spinal injury recovery. SLS training both in the week and on Saturday presented excellent conditions for some competitive swim and board races.

Year 11 Seniors

The Seniors unfortunately had a beach session cancelled in the week due to thunder and lightning. However, they more than made up for it later in the week, with great conditions experienced on both Thursday and Saturday. The boys competed in their Patrol Teams whilst they waited for their turn to patrol on the roster. The Seniors took part in a wide range of beach and water events and the following results were recorded:

Top Image: Group of Seniors and coaches

Mr G Jones
Acting MIC SLS