Character In Action: Character Development through Authentic Service Learning Experiences

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

A large part of Shore’s value proposition is that we aim not only at outstanding academic results and co-curricular experiences; we are also very intentional about developing young men of excellent character who will enter the adult world as men of comprehensive excellence. We undertake this mission amidst multiple definitions within society, and especially online, of masculinity. Our aim is for the good; our Christian position reflects the words of the Apostle Paul in highlighting values and virtues which he describes as ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22). These attributes are not ‘soft’ but indicate maturity and being in command of oneself. They are outward looking in terms of how we treat other people. Most of what follows represents the splendid vision of our Deputy Head, Pastoral Care, Mr Derek Champion in his own words: 

At Shore, we build good men through a holistic education that emphasises our School’s guiding virtues such as respect, humility, service, and integrity. We teach these principles and offer practical service-learning experiences through our tutorial programme. This approach allows our boys to actively embody these virtues, promoting character growth and positive community engagement.

Our Character In Action programme is a structured initiative designed to foster a transformative learning environment at Shore, emphasising the cultivation of positive relationships, positive masculinity, servant leadership, and genuine connections. This programme is underpinned by engaging, tutor-led sessions that introduce students to the School’s core virtues, equipping them with the necessary language and understanding to embody these principles.

Our Year 11 students will be involved in a mentoring capacity and supported to deliver some reflective sessions in tutorial for younger students in Term 3.

Shore’s commitment to character development is further embedded in the School culture, ensuring that principles of character are consistently demonstrated and reinforced. This is achieved through various channels including service opportunities, School assemblies, meetings, camps, and leadership roles, making the virtues of character visible and tangible to all students throughout their educational journey.

In summary, Character In Action is more than just a programme; it has a foundational link to Shore’s ethos, designed to nurture well-rounded young men who exemplify Christian character in every aspect of their lives.

Programme Structure: 

As society changes, and as our programmes mature, we have reflected on their pertinence and aptness for delivery with the following questions:

Has, or will the environment for which we are preparing our boys changed in ways that mean we need to adapt how this character development takes place? What are we preparing students for? (do we need a more comprehensive programme beyond Year 11 tutor group)?

Yes, the environment has changed, and we can further develop how this character development takes place with a more comprehensive character education programme across Years 7 to 12. This must be carefully planned to consider capacity, training and links to the existing programme, to build on the excellent work that is already taking place. This will include partnership with all areas of School including the Pastoral Care team, co-curricular (coaches and outdoor education), Chaplaincy staff, and School leaders/executive.

Character education, which refers to the intentional teaching of values and virtues such as respect, responsibility, honesty, and kindness, is an important part of the educational experience for our boys. Research has shown that character education programmes can be effective in helping students develop important character traits and make positive, responsible decisions. For example, studies have found that character education programmes can lead to improvements in students’ academic achievement, behaviour, and social skills. Additionally, research has shown that character education programmes can be particularly effective when they are integrated into the curriculum, when they involve participation from parents and the community, and when they are supported by the School’s leadership and culture.

There is considerable research and evidence that the environment is changing and that building character in our young people is an effective tool to help them navigate this challenge successfully. Our boys will be more likely to thrive and flourish if they can build and maintain good relationships and connect with experiences that they find purposeful. Professor Nancy Hill in her most recent book is The End of Adolescence: The Lost Art of Delaying Adulthood (Harvard University Press, 2021), discusses how successful and affluent students can become disengaged if they feel hopeless or helpless with regards to job prospects and other important life achievements. Research in schools uncovered evidence for this when interviewing groups of students about the trend for low meaning and purpose scores in our surveys. Students discussed their concerns about being able to break into the Sydney housing market. Professor Hill states that we need to support our young people to build good relationships to manage transition to adulthood from school for all students so they can use these skills to succeed in other areas of life.

Tyler Vander Weele, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Director of the Human Flourishing Program writes about the promotion of human flourishing and character development. His arguments are relevant to why we need to further develop our programmes on character to best equip our boys to be well and successful in the future. In his 2017 article on the promotion of human flourishing he argues for a deeper consideration and focus on understanding of outcomes such as purpose, and virtue and that we should move beyond narrow measures of any income or health.

The current programme aims to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the concepts of character so that they can consider what virtuous life is supposed to look like. We also encourage students to practice virtuous behaviour, with the knowledge that these can be acquired by habituation. Providing further explicit instruction in character traits and values will be of benefit. This can involve teaching students about specific character traits and the importance of living according to core values. We can further encourage students to develop greater understanding about their own character flaws and limitations, so that they can learn about influences and biases that can encourage non-virtuous behaviour and act as psychological impediments to virtue. Providing opportunities for students to practice and demonstrate character traits is also key. This can involve creating structured activities or situations in which students can practice and demonstrate character traits such as empathy, respect, and responsibility. Shore has established links with service-learning partners and continues to engage and further develop our service offerings and Christian practices which have character improvement as a by-product.

The ability to cultivate good relationships extends the digital space. Mark McCrindle in his book Generation Alpha describes young people today as digital natives who must be flexible, critical thinkers who can adapt, retrain, and upskill themselves to respond effectively to a changing workplace that values diversity, and be prepared for the possibility of many different careers. Research indicates that we need to teach practical and realistic strategies to help boys navigate online environments. Shore has already engaged with relevant experts from ysafe, Your Choicez, and others to help achieve this, and when combined with a whole school approach, we can more effectively prepare students to be equipped with the necessary skills and character values to make good decisions.

There is an opportunity to use the digital space for creating awareness of issues such as social and ethical responsibility. This an area were our young people need critical thinking skills, guidance from mentors and knowledge of related social responsibility concepts (social justice, community involvement, sustainability). Student leaders have knowledge and skills in this space, there is opportunity to encourage this further and bring awareness to more positive examples of behaviour that highlights good stories amongst the School and wider community. We have seen the need to gain student voice in this area. Our new Shore Student Committee, representing students from Year 7 to 12, will be asked to think on these issues.

Character development in young people is strong when they are part of community with strong values and positive role models. This is an area of strength for Shore, engaging young people with an authentic Christian experience, strong connection to community, and challenging curricular and co-curricular experiences. They will be more likely to develop important character traits to help them thrive as adults and form good relationships throughout life. This includes being principled, grateful, honest, and having empathy and caring for others.

Shore is keen to further develop our approach to character education and consider a character strengths framework based on our School virtues (Excellence and Rigour in Teaching and Learning, Integrity and Respect in Character, Humility and Compassion in Service, Faithfulness and Commitment in Community Life). We are keen to ensure that our programmes are evidence based. This will provide opportunities for students to access and engage with character language more explicitly across the academic, co-curricular and pastoral space. It is especially apt on International Women’s Day to articulate as a fundamental aim that our boys treat women and girls with deep respect as befits our desire to see equality and inclusivity manifested. The ultimate aim is to graduate students of wonderful character who deal well with men and women and contribute positively to society.

CRU Update

I wonder what your answer would be to the question, “How is your life going at the moment?” Perhaps you might talk about School and how you have a lot of assessments coming up, or you might talk about rowing and the quickly approaching Head of the River race. Others may be consumed by rehearsals for the upcoming musical. Whatever it may be, I wonder whether God was anywhere in your answer.

Huge crowds flocked to the Christian Studies centre last Friday to hear God’s Word from Isaiah 9. After a brief introduction from Mr Kellahan, Reverend Benn challenged us as we considered what God’s part in our lives is. We also heard how the people in Judah continued to reject God and go their own ways instead, which will eventually result in God’s judgement in allowing the enemies to invade Judah. However, God is not only just, but also merciful. As we considered the beginning of Chapter 9, we read about an important promise which has changed history forever. It spoke of a child who would be born and called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” God promised that He would send a great king who would reign forever in justice and righteousness, providing peace for the people. This was all pointing to the coming of Jesus. So, is Jesus part of your life? It is important to consider your response to Jesus carefully because, just like the people of Judah, we have all sinned and are cut off from God, but Jesus has the power and desire to save. Reverend Benn used an illustration to demonstrate this. In the analogy, Reverend Benn’s right hand represents each of us, while the left hand represents Jesus, and God is above. Imagine every time we have made a mistake, it is recorded in a book. The book recording our sin is on us (right hand) and separates us from God. But when Jesus died for us, the sin was placed on Him (left hand), and He takes the punishment for our sins, meaning the book is transferred to the left hand, which is Jesus. Now there is nothing in the way between us and God. It is because of Jesus that we can be in a relationship with Him and have the hope of eternal life, which is really something to be thankful for.

Daniel Becker
Year 11

Christian Conference – Save the Date

Date: Thursday 23 May 2024
Location: Shore, Blue Street, North Sydney
Conference: 10.00am – 4.30pm
Dinner: 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Key Speakers: Trevor Cooling and Stephen McAlpine

• ‘Is there a future for Christian schooling?’
• ‘What does spiritual leadership in a school look like?’
• ‘How can Christianity gain any traction in 21st Century Australian culture?’
• ‘Hot Topics or Too Hot to Handle: Chapel Talks, Self-Censorship and Cancellations’

Invitations will be out shortly…. Save the date in your calendar now!

Women in Leadership: Celebrating International Women’s Day

On this International Women’s Day, Friday 8 March, we honour Ms Natasha Mitchell, our esteemed Head of Preparatory School, for her dedicated service spanning over 30 years of shaping young minds.

Ms Mitchell’s leadership journey at Shore began in 2010 as the Head of Northbridge, overseeing our Early Learning Centre to Year 2. Since 2023, she has led our Preparatory School with a unique blend of collaboration and high expectations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and academic achievement.

Her genuine interest in each child and family, coupled with her empathetic and accountable leadership style, strengthens connections within the School community. Ms Mitchell is a devoted leader, passionately cultivating an environment where students, staff, and families thrive.

Our thanks go to a select group of inquisitive Year 3 students who interviewed Ms Mitchell on camera, delving into her experiences as a woman in leadership.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Watch the interview here.

Welcome back Mr Scozzi!

It is with immense joy and gratitude that we welcome back our esteemed colleague, Mr Nigel Scozzi, after an extended period away from work. Nigel has been a cherished member of our Shore community for over 30 years, and his absence has been felt deeply by us all.

A heartfelt thank you to our School community for an incredible fundraising effort during 2022 to support Mr Scozzi and his family during this challenging time. Your generosity and unity have made a significant impact.

Mr Scozzi, your return is a moment of celebration for all of us and your determination to get back into the classroom is an inspiration. Your passion for teaching and your positive influence on students have been sorely missed. We look forward to having your infectious energy and vast experience back on campus.

To express our collective joy, a special gathering of staff and senior school students was held on the School Quad on Wednesday, 28 February, celebrating his first day back at work.

Once again, thank you, Shore community, for exemplifying this wonderful spirit of compassion and support.

Watch the video on Lampada.

Southern Highlands Morning Tea

Parents and Carers are warmly invited to a Morning Tea

Date: Wednesday 20 March
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am
Venue: The Pavilion & Gallery at ‘Hopewood House’, 201 Centennial Road, Bowral.

The special guest will be the Head of Boarding, Mr Alistair Roland, who will share valuable insights into the vibrant world of Boarding at Shore in 2024.

RSVP: By Thursday 14 March 2024, please email oldboys@shore.nsw.edu.au or phone Maria Black, Alumni Community Manager on (02) 9956-1123.

Year 7 Welcome Family BBQ

The Shore Parents’ Association (SPA) warmly invites all 2024 Year 7 Shore families to a Welcome BBQ.

Date: Saturday 9 March 2024
Time: 4.00pm – 6.30pm
Venue: Shore Northbridge Playing Fields, E Ground (Behind the Hawker Stand).
Cnr Alpha and Sailors Bay Roads, Northbridge.
Parking will be available on G Ground with entry via Alpha Road.

A free sausage sizzle is provided and non-alcoholic drinks will be available to purchase. Please feel free to bring a picnic rug, cheese plates, snacks and NON-ALCOHOLIC drinks. Games and activities will be organised for the boys and their siblings by Shore staff, coaches and Senior boys.

All SPA events rely on the generosity of volunteers. We ask that you click on the link below for a 30-minute commitment. It’s also a great way to meet new friends!

For further information please contact Year 7 Reps: Stephanie Fischl, Fiona Mears or Edwina Gilbert on ShoreClassof2029@shore.nsw.edu.au.

Volunteering at Shore

Volunteering is integral to Shore’s vibrant community, fostering a strong connection among the greater School community. It allows parents to contribute meaningfully to our School’s diverse activities and initiatives, from K – 2 in-class parent helper groups to sport trials, cadets, parent events and much more.

A complete list of support areas and details on how to register can be found here.

As an important part of this, the School does need to adhere to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) guidelines, requiring all parent volunteers to undergo a free Working with Children Check (WWCC) through Service NSW.

The process is straightforward, and you will be required to produce personal identification.

We kindly thank all of our current and past-serving parents for your incredible support. You are crucial to the continued functioning and improvement of our wonderful School.

Shore Surfing Competition – Saturday 23 March

Attention all Surfers!

This year’s Shore surfing competition will be held on Saturday 23 March at Long Reef Beach. The competition will commence at 7.15am. Heat times and draws are available before the event. There will be two divisions – Junior (Years 7 to 9) and Senior (Years 10 to 12). Places may be limited (preference will be given to boys currently involved in board rider training and active members of board riders clubs).

Entry forms are available from Mr McClelland and should be signed and returned ASAP.

AAGPS Sporting Events

Each year, the major AAGPS Sporting events provide an opportunity for the boys of the School to come together to show support for their School and our athletes.

In 2024, the following year groups will be attending the AAGPS Events:

Head of the River, Saturday 16 March

• Compulsory for all Year 7, 8 and 9. Year 11 and 12 are welcome to attend.
• Summer School uniform (no coats or boaters) with yard hat or a blue Shore sports cap.
• Buses transfers will be arranged.

AAGPS Swimming Carnival, Friday 22 March

• Compulsory for all Year 10 and 11.
• Summer School uniform (no coats or boaters) with yard hat or a blue Shore sports cap.
• Buses transfers will be arranged.

AAGPS Athletics Carnival, Saturday 21 September

• Compulsory for all Year 7, 8 and 10. Year 12 are welcome to attend.
• Winter School uniform (no boaters) with yard hat or a blue Shore sports cap.
• Train travel will be arranged.

Buses will be provided to transport the boys from Shore to the venue and back to Shore, with the cost added to the next applicable fee statement.

Communications will be sent home to parents with relevant details closer to each event.

Dr A S Mansfield
Deputy Head Operations

Rugby Key Dates 2024

As the Winter Season approaches, please note the following key dates for boys in preparation for the season’s commencement.

Once registrations are open, please ensure your son completes the Sport survey for Winter Sport registration. We cannot communicate with you unless he does that.

Mr D Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby

Term Dates 2024

Study Centre

Welcome to Shore’s popular Study Centre. There are subject specific sessions before and after School to allow the boys to seek individual help and guidance with their work. Teachers, sometimes assisted by high achieving Old Boys, are available according to the published timetable. Most sessions are held in and around the Library, but check the timetable for locations. Study Centre operates on a drop-in basis, and there is no charge involved. All boys are strongly encouraged to attend.

Focus On is part of Study Centre. It is run by staff in the Educational Services department who offer support to 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 from time-to-time as teachers’ co-curricular commitments change. It is always best to check for the most up-to-date version of the timetable on Lampada.

Mrs E White
Head of Library & Information Services

Please view the study timetable below:

Careers

The University of Sydney Removes Advanced Mathematics Prerequisite for Some Courses

This week, the University of Sydney announced it will be removing the Advanced Mathematics prerequisite requirement for entry into a number of courses in 2025. This will apply to the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Economics
• Bachelor of Project Management
• Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine
• Bachelor of Psychology including (Honours)
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Courses that still require the Advanced Mathematics prerequisite entry are:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
• Bachelor of Pharmacy
• Bachelor of Advanced Computing

Before Year 11 and 12 students rush to drop to Standard Mathematics, it is essential they consider the level of Mathematics that suits their individual interests and tertiary study plans. Many courses still have “assumed knowledge” and “recommended studies” for Advanced Mathematics to ensure students gain the required skills and knowledge to succeed in the first year at university. Ultimately decisions should not be made on “getting in” but rather on “preparing” to thrive in the desired course at a tertiary level. Further information about the prerequisite change is available on the University of Sydney website.

We are currently enjoying meeting all Year 12 students this Term and creating goals and career plans. Appointments can be made via the Careers Lampada page.

Finally, the latest Careers News, which has been emailed out to all Year 10 to 12 parents and posted on the Careers Hub on Teams for students is also available on the Careers Lampada page.

Ms V Shirriff
Head of Careers Education

Term 1 Progress Meeting

Notice To Parents – Year 12 Progress Meetings

Tuesday 26 March | 4.00pm – 7.00pm | Zoom

• Information will be emailed home with all the details.
• Boys are expected to attend.
• No co-curricular activities for students who have Progress Meetings.

Mr S Werakso
Staff Professional Co-ordinator

Dr Justin Coulson, Parent Seminar on ‘Raising Young Men of Character’

Date: Wednesday 20 March 2024
Time: 6.00pm – 7.00pm. A supper sponsored by the SPA will be available from 5.30pm.
Venue: War Memorial Hall

BOOK NOW

Bio: Justin is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9’s Parental Guidance, the founder of www.happyfamilies.com.au, and one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. He holds a PhD in Positive Psychology.

Over the past decade, he has helped innumerable families with his nine books about raising children, his hundreds of media appearances (including all of Australia’s major news outlets, and even the Washington Post and the New York Times), and two viral videos that have been viewed a combined 80 million times! 

Justin and his wife, Kylie, have been married since the late 1990s and are the parents of six daughters.

Cadet Ceremonial Parade Invitation

Senior School Musical – Tickets on Sale

Cover and Contents

2024 Oscars Predictions

Is Anyone Actually Watching This Thing?

M. D. Kwak

THE BUILDUP OF EXAMS AND SCHOOLWORK (not to mention two SWR articles every week) have driven me to shambles. Forgive me for my shameless Oscars-themed excuse for an article. If you couldn’t care less about the Oscars (which is totally understandable), flick over to my debating report and familiarise yourself with the eminence of Shore debating. Nevertheless, my predictions are as follows.

Best Picture: Oppenheimer. It has everything going for it: Cold War politics, a didactic ‘these are the moral ramifications of scientific endeavour’ and above all, it’s a biopic which have historically been heavy-hitters in this category. In my opinion, not the strongest Best Picture we’ve had over the years, but a deserved one.

Actor in a Leading Role: Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer. Giamatti in The Holdovers is shaping up to be the closest contender, but Murphy is at his peak right now, and there’s no doubting his performance was exceptional – showcasing a wide variety of subtlety and raw emotion.

Actress in a Leading Role: Emma Stone in Poor Things. As the star of a mind-bending Frankenstein-inspired, feminist-leaning, arthouse film that critics have raved over, Emma Stone has clearly showcased her far-reaching talents.

Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things

Best Director: Christopher Nolan. I reckon the entire backstory of how Oppenheimer was directed and produced could be made into its own documentary. Nolan is one of the most talented directors of his generation – he deserves an Oscar.

Original Screenplay: Anatomy of a Fall will most likely win. But Past Lives is the winner in my heart.

Animated Feature: The Boy and the Heron. I haven’t even watched this film, but I have watched its biggest competitor Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and it was dismal. I was a huge fan of its prequel, and despite an improvement in animation quality, the plot contorted into an unnecessarily complex quagmire, the villain was comically underwhelming and the ending was such a blatant cash grab of ‘you better watch the sequel that’ll take five years to develop’, that the movie (even its good parts) were spoiled for me.

The boy and the Heron

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The Dichotomy Between Bad and Evil

Exploring The Moral Abyss

B. N. Dent

GOOD VS EVIL IS AN EXPRESSION THAT MOST OF US WOULD NOT BE SHY TO. From one place or another, you would have heard this phrase and potentially some of the paradoxes that encompass it. Such anomalies include the idea that no one person can be 100% good or 100% evil, and thus, the notions of pure evil or pure goodness are simply non-existent manifestations.

Nevertheless, I find the chasm between good and evil to be relatively boring as it is just too straightforward. Sure, sometimes variations in perspectives and intentions can lead to a deed that one person might see as evil being regarded as virtuous by someone else. But as a whole, labelling an action as good or evil is black and white for the average individual.

So instead, let’s focus on a divide that is not so easy to define – the dichotomy between bad and evil. When does someone or something go from being bad to evil? Is it when an individual goes from receiving a drill to a Saturday? Or is it more complex than that? Upon asking Thesaurus.com for synonyms for evil, bad is the first response that pops up. Logically, this alignment makes sense as ‘evil’ is essentially the proceeding progression of ‘bad’ along the spectrum of morality. It is precisely this close association that deeply complicates the task of differentiating between the two. 

A rational way to bisect these terms would be to determine the focal point where someone transcends being of bad nature, and transitions into the realm of evil. However, envisioning this point is very difficult, and instead I find it easier to look at historical or fictional characters, judge them as bad or evil, and then observe their characteristics. 

A character who perfectly encapsulates the idea of evil is Anton Chigurh from the 2007 neo-western film No Country for Old Men. Many critics argue that Chigurh is the best representation of a true psychopath ever showcased in film. The foundations for this claim come from not only Javier Bardem’s academy award winning portrayal of the character, but also the excellent writing of Chigurh. To give you an idea of his character, if killing a random person would allow him to complete his mission just five minutes earlier, he would take that opportunity without batting an eye.

Anton Chigurh, No Country for Old Men

On the flipside, a character who is a good representation of ‘bad’ morality is Lord Farquaad from the Shrek franchise. Farquaad has a poor moral compass and lacks empathy, which leads him to make decisions that directly hurt others, irrespective of their feelings. However, there is a clear degree of self-awareness within his character which is reflected in the reasonably low degree of atrocity in his actions.

I think that the key factors that differentiate ‘bad’ from ‘evil’ are remorse and self-awareness. When I consider all of the evil characters I have observed, they all share an intense lack of regard for the consequences of their own actions and their subsequent effects on other individuals. So, to sum up where I believe that bad transcends into evil, consider this masterfully constructed quote from English author Sir Terence Pratchett: “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.”

ISDA Debating Report Round 3 vs Scots

M. D. Kwak

LAST FRIDAY, SHORE WAS AWAY AT SCOTS debating topics surrounding health, with Shore winning a solid four out of six debates in the highs chool rounds. 

The Primary As and Bs negated ‘That schools should regulate what children can bring for lunch’ Unfortunately, both teams went down closely to a polished Scots side, but special mentions to Lucas and Joseph for being standout speakers this week!

Our Year 7 LND teams debated the topic ‘That we should televise all court hearings, losing one debate and winning the other. The Year 8 LND team continued their winning ways with the same topic, recovering well after the opposition presented an unexpectedly clever model and adapted their case successfully to prove large harms to perpetrators of crimes who were trying to rehabilitate themselves. Props to Lachlan Jansen, who spoke at 1st and 3rd (what a power move…)

One person down? Doesn’t matter. Your Year 7 ISDA team will haul back another breezy W. The talented team cemented their perfect record (three for three), negating the motion ‘That doctors should be able to override parents when making medical decisions regarding children.’ Adjudicated by the illustrious Will Defina, whose accolades include ‘The Wooden Spoon’ and being an all-round funny bloke, the debate was high-quality, especially considering such a difficult topic. Ultimately, it was Shore’s clearer case construction and harms that allowed for a close but clear victory. This Year 7 team is looking unstoppable. Watch out: they’re coming for that trophy. 

A jubilant Year 7 ISDA team post-victory (I need some of their happiness😣)

Year 8 ISDA didn’t have as much luck in negating the same topic and walked away with a bitterly close loss. According to a salty email from ‘Larry’ Richard Zhang, the team seemed to struggle with their side of the topic and despite strong speeches from all members, it was ultimately not enough to win. 

Year 9 also went down in a tight loss, despite speaking well and having noticeable improvements in their structure. However, important supporting arguments were missed, which limited the depth of their case. Shoutout to ‘STU8’ Rian Conners for having the best structure and points in his team. 

Year 10 put up another strong outing on the Negative side of the motion ‘That healthcare workers should not have the right to strike during emergencies.’ Shoutout to Jayden who gave a cracking 1st Neg speech, setting up the tone for the remainder of the debate and emphasising the importance of long term impacts on key stakeholders.

Is that a hint of a smile I see from Jayden? What a rare sighting…(he only reserves them for sweaty MUNA outings and debating dubs). Yukai’s smile, on the other hand, is glowing. 

As expected, the Senior boys did NOT disappoint with wins across both debates, placing them in good stead for knock-out rounds with 3/3 Ws. The lads negated the quite topical and enjoyable motion ‘That we support the use of AI to provide mental health services (e.g. talk therapy via chatbots).’

Sorely missing the expertise of Ramon, ‘I need to study for my Ext 2 Maths exam, so imma ditch debating’ Zhang, the Senior Bs were able to stumble over the line in a somewhat messy debate. Or, in Ms Wolsely’s blunt terms: “No one should have won the debate.” 🙁 Despite missing some big opportunities to attack the principle at the heart of the debate, the team was able to prove that quality of care, risk of data leaks and economic factors outweighed the potential benefits of AI mental health services. E-Giant Qiao was of great assistance as a real-life example of someone suffering from crippling Clash Royale addiction (evidenced by his concerning screen time stats that trail into the 14-15 hour daily range). Similarly, Callum’s intricate (but sussy) familiarity with ChatGpt’s features and outputs was of utmost importance. 

Determined to bring back a more rousing victory after last week’s performance, the Senior A’s did not disappoint – storming their way to victory in convincing fashion. Despite being a career 3rd speaker (BOooo), Dan Liu gave a remarkable 1st speaker speech, overcoming a somewhat hectic and rushed prep. Daniel Kang, aka Deek, shined as the debater of the week for his excellent job characterising the harms of relying on AI. No doubt drawing upon his own harrowing experiences of being trapped in the Instagram spiral or video games all-nighter, Deek had this great one-liner about how AI was like a video-game; fundamentally, it was an escape from reality which wouldn’t ameliorate the patient’s underlying problems of loneliness, trauma or isolation. Deep. 

And of course, Kax Mim was an outstanding team advisor, with his reassuring moral support and calming presence that makes him the glue of the team we all know and love. Thanks to him, the Snr As might not need AI chatbots to regulate our mental health just yet (NB: this may change after my Ext 2 maths exam on Monday, which I am drastically underprepared for. It is 11pm on Saturday and instead of cramming, it has been an hour since I have started this report. I fear for my sanity…)

A slightly happier Senior As on the bench

Next week, Shore faces Ascham at Shore. My sources tell me Ascham may be shaping up to be tough adversaries – but of course, nothing that our indefatigable debaters can’t handle.

Nuclear Energy in Australia

A Powerful Question

H. A. G. Longstaff

NUCLEAR POWER IS BANNED IN AUSTRALIA, and in every state and territory. But ironically, Australia has 33% of the world’s uranium and we are its third largest exporter globally. As we face climate change and the need to decarbonise, the nuclear debate is alive and well, ironically led by a Year 12 student from Brisbane, William Shackel. This article summarises the debate to help form your own view.

The Case For

Zero emissions with one quarter less CO2 emissions than solar farms.

It’s proven and works well overseas: Nuclear generated 10% of all global electricity last year. The USA’s 90 nuclear plants produced over 55% of the USA’s ‘green’ energy. France gets 75% of its power from nuclear. Canada’s 19 nuclear reactors produce around 15% of the country’s power. Slovakia, Belgium, Sweden, China and many more have successful operations.

It’s safe: With over 17,000 cumulative years of operation, nuclear is safe and proven. There have been only three incidents with Chernobyl and Three Mile Island decades ago with old technology, and Fukushima an earthquake. Many more people have been killed installing wind turbines and in conventional power stations than by nuclear.

It’s a reliable baseload: Australia’s and many global economies are built on reliable, cheap and abundant energy. The energy transition to renewables will degrade reliability, increase ‘load shedding’, and reduce Australia’s GDP.

It has a smaller ‘footprint’ and uses existing infrastructure: building nuclear in the place of old coalfired power stations can utilise the existing ‘poles and wires’. It has a much smaller footprint that swathes of land with solar and wind farms. This obviates the challenges of the renewables rollout, which requires billions more invested in transmission which has catalysed community opposition, just as the community is frequently opposed to the location of wind and solar.

The Case Against

It’s expensive: The CSIRO’s Gencost 2022-23 report suggests that nuclear has a capital cost of $18,167/kW vs large-scale solar at $1,058 and offshore wind at $1,989. But these numbers are contested as incomplete, not allowing for the considerable capital duplication necessary with renewables to manage intermittence and provide ‘firming’, as well as additional transmission needed. Alternative evidence from Canada shows nuclear provides energy at 7.2c per kW/h vs wind at 15.9c and solar at 51.3c.

It’s a ‘red herring’ to delay renewables rollout: Investment in renewables remains fickle, with investors seeking long-term certainty for long-life assets in an environment of continued policy volatility. If the Government was seen to be considering nuclear, the practical effect may be to increase investment uncertainty and materially reduce investor interest in building renewables.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) aren’t proven: SMRs, a civilian adaption of the systems used in nuclear submarines, are an emerging technology. But so is hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, next-gen batteries and other renewables. It is widely accepted that technology and innovation will be needed to decarbonise.

Safety and social licence: Irrespective of the facts and a nuclear reactor in the middle of Sydney at Lucas Heights, there is a solid public perception that nuclear isn’t safe which will certainly stoke robust community opposition to any nuclear plant.

The waste is dangerous: True, nuclear waste is dangerous. But the last 70 years have shown that waste can be safely stored, especially in Australia, with considerable remote and geologically stable land.

Conclusion

Australia is the only G20 country with a ban on nuclear energy. The question facing Energy Minister Chris Bowen now is whether nuclear power should continue to be banned. If it is uneconomic, then he should release the ban and let the market decide. What’s your view?

Murphy’s Law

“Anything That Can Go Wrong, Will Go Wrong”

T. G. George

YOU BEGRUDGINGLY ROLL OUT OF BED and hurriedly pack up your bag, soon making your way to early morning training. After enduring a gruelling session whilst drifting asleep between rotations, you are stunned to life when you rip open your bag in the changing rooms. Tie, shirt, shorts, belt, socks, school sho… No, this can’t be. You forgot your school shoes. A day of rocking your bright red runners awaits you. “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”.

There are a plethora of examples that encompass this idiom. The line you’re in at the supermarket is the slowest. You wait for hours in the lobby just for your friend to hop on when you get off. You like their post from 2 years ago.

Or…. you install the G force sensors to a rocket sled incorrectly. Well, that is what Captain Edward A. Murphy Jr did in 1949 at the Air Force Base in California. Here, officers were conducting tests to find out how many Gs (the force of gravity) a human could withstand. Murphy was recruited to attend one of these tests, with him a set of sensors capable of measuring the exact G-force applied when the rocket sled halted. There were 16 of these trusty sensors, with only two ways that each sensor could be installed. If you ask Mr Styles, he would tell you that there is a 99.99847412% likelihood of at least one of the sensors displaying a reading. And yet, when the human test, Colonel Stapp, winced from the rocket sled with bloodshot eyes and broken bones, he looked at the results to see all sensors registered zero. 

Colonel Stapp

The remainder of the story is highly contested, but Murphy exclaimed something along the lines of, “If there are two or more ways to do something and one of those results in a catastrophe, then someone will do it that way”. The key word in this idiom that is often overlooked is “If”. For example, if you can only install the sensor in one way, then it will work, but if there are multiple ways of doing so and one ends in disaster, it will end in disaster. Upon this reflection, Murphy’s Law can be categorised as a syntax of optimism or caution. That is, to not overlook quality control, and by taking effective action, catastrophe can be avoided. With this outlook, we are encouraged to prepare for life’s unexpected challenges.

And yet, this old adage has been skewed to satisfy our pessimistic outlook on life. “Murphy’s Law, and Other Reasons Why Things Go WRONG” by Arthur Bloch, presents us with “If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong”. Even further iterations of this law have been constructed. Murphy’s Third Law says, “Everything takes longer than you think it will”, Murphy’s Seventh Law says “Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse”, and Murphy’s Tenth Law puts it bluntly “Mother nature is a b*tch”. Of course, these laws were not crafted by Murphy himself. Most of them are humorous comments on the universal nature of ineptitude that may create unfavourable outcomes. They almost all, including Murphy’s Law, lack scientific backing, their legitimacy unable to be proven.

Whether comedic or informative, proven or false, these idioms reveal the innate pessimism in our lives. For example, when life is going well, we don’t take much interest. It is expected. If we pack our entire uniform for the day, we don’t parade about this fortunate event. But when our shoes are forgotten, or when other bad things happen, we look for reasons. We have gone to the extent of creating and modifying laws that explain our misfortune. These laws capture our tendency to fixate over the negative, and overlook the positive. It may be difficult, but if Murphy’s Law has taught us anything, it is to appreciate the good things in our lives, and to prepare for the potential troubles ahead.

Rising Ballers

Outclassing Today’s Greats, One Era at a Time

E. Y. Nam

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END. Wow, not exactly the most uplifting way to start an article, but rest assured, you’ll feel better by the end. In fact, maybe the bliss actually lies in the ending, and it’s the understanding of short-lived joy that gives watching football any actual meaning, knowing that they’ll be gone soon.

However, with the end of an era comes an exciting phase. There has never been a more exciting time to witness up-and-coming talent progressing through the footballing ranks, as a new star seems to burst onto the scene every week. There was plenty of big spending across the globe over the summer, but only some arrivals have taken to life at their new clubs. So I’ve cooked up some of 2024’s greatest footballing prospects based on form, trophies collected and impact for club and country, with a sprinkling of some crucial stats.

Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen):
A devastating dribbler and prime passer, Florian Wirtz took German football by storm as a teenage sensation. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder currently has a 25 G+A in just 31 games, being Bayer Leverkusen’s main man in their title run.

Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid):
Flashy and daring midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is a commanding presence, with an ability to progress the ball by passing or running with it. A Champions League and La Liga winner, the 21-year-old’s knack for playing in a number of positions makes him a manager’s dream.



Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich):
Jamal Musiala was destined for the top after becoming the youngest player in Bayern Munich’s history to make his Bundesliga debut at the age of 17 years and 115 days. An attacking ace capable of playing as a No.10 or on the wing, the German’s extensive dribbling abilities allow him to drift between the lines to create and score goals. Musiala, 20, already has four Bundesliga titles on his resume.



Jeremy Doku (Manchester City):
Doku has been recognised as generational talent for some time, but even still, his summer move to Manchester City was slightly unexpected, considering he’d long been linked with West Ham and had an average season with Rennes FC.

But Pep Guardiola’s tutelage seems to have unlocked something special in the winger this season. Doku’s fearless directness has added a new element to City’s attack. He displayed phenomenal talent against Bournemouth, when he provided a staggering four assists as well as scoring the opener.

Dominik Szobozlai (Liverpool):
Following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Liverpool desperately needed marquee midfield signing Szoboszlai to hit the ground running at Anfield. The Hungarian has risen to the challenge admirably, playing every second of his new side’s first 10 Premier League games and earning plenty of plaudits for his all-action performances. Some onlookers even likened him to Reds legend Steven Gerrard. He’s looking like an extremely shrewd signing.

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid):
This simply couldn’t be a rising ballers list without mentioning Jude, could it? England’s golden boy has enjoyed a dream start to life at Real Madrid, with a G+A of 28 in 29 games this season, and is likely to lift silverware with the Spanish club very soon.

While the 20-year-old is being played further forward by Carlo Ancelotti because of his attacking smarts, the fact that he boasts strong tackling skills, positional awareness and excellent fitness means he’s the complete package.

Basketball Report

Week 13 Term 1 2024

Our Firsts’ fixture against Newington College was always going to be a tough one – the men from Stanmore are unbeaten in more than two full seasons worth of GPS fixtures and came into the game flying after despatching second and third on the ladder by huge margins. Things went from bad to worse when Shore lost two players to illness before the game even started, but our boys nevertheless came out firing and were able to maintain parity for large portions of the game, with NC scoring well inside the paint while Shore found points on the back of forcing turnovers through the now trademark full court defence. The margin hovered around 15 points for the entire first half before a lack of numbers began to tell towards the end of the third quarter, with NC eventually running out 117-75 winners in one of the highest-scoring GPS fixtures I’ve ever seen. Julian Reynolds led all scorers with 37 points, and Shore now enters the final week of the season playing for 4th place against King’s.

In the Seconds, Shore was hungry for revenge after the reverse fixture against NC ended in a triple-overtime loss. A tight first quarter actually saw NC take a 5 point lead, but Shore came about firing in the second and was able to catch and then overtake their opponents, largely on the back of tough rebounding and some lights out shooting from James Ellis. Continued Shore pressure saw them maintain and build on this lead throughout the second half, with Shore finishing on top of a relatively comfortable 63-51 win. James Ellis led scorers with 21 points, while guards Will R and Rex Cambridge did an excellent job of controlling the flow of the game.

Outside the GPS teams, this was a tough week for the 16’s and 14’s, where good wins in the A’s saved a whitewash in both age groups. The 13’s continue to show their strength with a positive ratio, with an eye-catching 36-1 win for the 13G’s the pick of the results (and it could have been even better if the 13F’s had found just one more point to get them into overtime). A mixed bag in the 15’s saw more wins than losses, while the Opens didn’t quite make it to parity despite some good results in the Sixths and another statement win for the Sevenths.

Player of the Week: Liam B hit a free-throw with 12 seconds left to secure a nervy 28-27 win for the 16A’s.

Team of the Week: the 14A’s came away from NC with a 52-39 victory after their best performance of the season.

Top image: The 14A’s after their big win at NC.

Mr G Davis
MIC Basketball

Rowing Report

St Joseph’s Regatta

Last week saw the final round of racing for both our Senior and Junior crews. Our Juniors went into battle in Hen and Chicken Bay, taking part in the annual Scots College Regatta, whilst our Seniors returned to the Nepean River for the first time since the 1995 Head of the River to compete in the combined GPS Regatta. 

As has been the way in recent weeks – the Junior Regatta saw many of the Shore crews having to be re-organised due to illness. This didn’t deter our Junior Quads, with the Year 8 Quads recording four 1st place finishes and four 2nd place finishes from their eight starts. There were some amazing performances from the crews in conditions that were deteriorating as the regatta went on. Our reshuffled crew of Henry Tams, Henry Crookes, Jeremy Hughes, Will Hadfield and Henry Moufarrige were in fine form and were able to finish over the top of a previously hard to handle Riverview crew. 

The Year 8 “Livingstone” crew of Tom Amarti, Will Scammell, Lawson Wood, Louis Corcoran and Sam Bull continue their strong form this season and, for the first time this season, raced with Tom Livingstone’s name on the hull. They recorded a fine performance to comfortably finish ahead of the St Joseph’s College and Riverview crews.   

Our Year 9 Crews equally had to overcome some late organisation but were able to go out there and show great maturity to record four 1st place finishes and two 2nd place finishes from their six starts. It has been brilliant to watch this squad go about their work this season, especially the efforts of the “Bowers” crew of Micah Minchin, Xavier Du Vernet, Harry Fuzes, Oli Koch and Seb Cheers, who are going close to notching an undefeated streak in Term 1 racing. 

Our Year 10 VIII’s raced for the final time this season in Hen and Chicken Bay. Competing today were the Third and Fourth combinations, as the First Year 10 crew had to withdraw due to illness, and the Second crew was racing in the combined GPS Regatta on Nepean. Racing over the unfamiliar distance of 1000 metres for reasons unknown, the Fourth Year 10 crew showed a much-improved performance to record a well-fought 2nd place against the Riverview combination. After a solid training session in the morning, the Third Year 10 crew of Joel Hamilford, Will Wykeham-Fines, Lachlan McIntosh, Tom Green, Braeden Macdonald, Toby Crowther, Liam Kennedy, Chris Yun and Eddie Brook took to the race course determined to make up for last weeks defeat at the hands of Riverview and avenge that they did recording a strong win of their rivals from Lane Cove. 

While this regatta was occurring, our Seniors travelled west to the mighty Nepean River. This was the first regatta to be held at this venue since the 1995 Head of the River, the same year that Coolio was singing about a “Gangster’s paradise” and TLC was chasing “waterfalls”. This regatta was one of the first regattas of the Term, where our crews were required to race a heat and a final in the same morning. Our Year 10 Second VIII represented the shed well in their heat row, although they were a little unsure about how much effort should be put into their “heat” row, finishing in 2nd place behind Riverview. In the final and with no misunderstandings of what needed to be done, the Shore crew shot out to the lead to hold a boat length over St Joseph’s and Riverview.   

Due to illness in the shed, the Fourth IV was withdrawn from racing. Our GPS Third IV raced next and recorded a strong performance in their heat, winning through to the A final. In the A final, the crew of Tom Kierse, Kalan Welch, Angus Marshall, Addison Stanberg and Leon Li jumped out of the blocks, and the crew had to settle for 2nd place, a strong performance for what was another new combination due to illness. Our GPS Second IV welcomed back Aiden Macfarlane from illness on Friday and had the one row together before having to hit the furnace that is racing. This crew, whilst starting well, found the pace a little quick and found themselves relegated to a B-Final, which they comprehensively won over Newington. 

The GPS First IV of Sam Wyles, Ethan Nam, Hamish Bergin, Jack Faddy and Callum Zhu enjoyed a great run over their two trips, recording a very strong 7:05 in the heat and then a very solid 7:06 in the final. This crew’s ability to achieve consistency led them to this result. Interestingly, it has been the most constantly boated four combination this season. The crew came away with the A final win in what was a great day for the “Purnell” crew. 

Our GPS VIII’s closed out the day, with the Second VIII finishing in 2nd place behind the Riverview combination. This came about after a furious start to their heat row where they were forced to contend with boat wash and starting a length down of the line for reasons unknown to us. The GPS First VIII finished in third place overall after a much-improved Heat row. The “1” boat is very much taking great strides forward over the past month, and this again marked an improvement in performance. Like many of the crews, they have had to deal with illness, etc., but are now building their own momentum to take into the final weekend. 

Surfing Report

The waves were small on Saturday as the Shore surfers finished off their preparations for the ‘Battle of the Boards’ next week. After a 20-minute warm up surf, the boys were placed in teams of 2 and contested 2 heats. As usual in these heats the surfers have to catch two waves with their second wave score doubled. There was some strong surfing in the small conditions. 

The following results were recorded: 

Results: Heat 1 (20 minutes) 

Results: Heat 2 (16 minutes) 

Surf Lifesaving Report

Week 5 Term 1 2024

Knox Carnival – Whale Beach

The boys in the Shore SLS programme were excited to hear about the return of the Knox Carnival at Whale Beach to the calendar.

The conditions were excellent at Whale Beach, with a light northeasterly wind and clean 2-foot waves. However, successive days of northeasterlies had brought a swarm of bluebottles to the beach. After the Seniors had braved the waters and encountered a number of the stingers, the organisers unfortunately cancelled water events for Juniors and Intermediates.

The Juniors had a handful of Barker Boys and Girls to compete against in beach events and then relocated to the Whale Beach pool for the swim. The boys dominated all events and ended up comfortable winners on the day. Harrison A was crowned Junior Age Champion after some very strong finishes.

The Intermediates also competed against Barker and came out on top. Benjamin Frantz proved himself to be incredibly quick across the sand, and Jai van Hamburg was skilful and athletic in Flags. However, Noah M took out the Intermediate Age Champion with some impressive performances, including a gold medal in the Distance Run.

The Senior boys faced tougher competition from Joeys, Knox and Barker but demonstrated immense skill, determination and athletic ability to be the highest scoring school in six of their seven events. Duncan C, Captain of SLS, was Senior Age Champion after winning gold in both the Surf Swim and Flags.

The following outstanding results were attained during the day:

Junior (Years 7 and 8)

Junior Age Champion: Harrison A – Shore

Intermediate (Years 9 and 10)

Intermediate Age Champion: Noah McLaren – Shore

Seniors (Years 11 and 12)

Senior Age Champion: Duncan C – Shore

Overall Points Scores

Top image: Shore SLS Seniors

Mr G Jones
Acting MIC SLS

Tennis Report

CIS Tennis Trials

Last Tuesday, Oliver W (Year 11) and Felix H (Year 11) represented Shore and the GPS at the highly anticipated CIS trials, engaging in a dynamic competition featuring pool matches and playoffs with a best-of-9 games format. The tournament attracted top tennis talent from the GPS, CAS, and ISA, setting the stage for an intense showcase of skill and determination.

Oliver’s performance in the pool matches was nothing short of dominant, as he displayed strategic brilliance and unwavering determination. His ability to command the court and secure victories in the best-of-9 games format was a testament to his exceptional understanding of the sport. In the face of formidable competition, Felix encountered a challenging pool match against the third-ranked player from McDonald College. The match was a testament to Felix’s resilience and skill, concluding in a narrow defeat that highlighted his tenacity on the court.

The playoffs brought an intriguing showdown between Felix and his fellow Shore player, Oliver. The match was intense, reflecting the competitive spirit that defined the tournament. Oliver’s continued display of dominance and strategic brilliance ultimately secured his victory, earning him a well-deserved place in the 2024 CIS Secondary Boys 18&U Tennis Team. While Felix narrowly missed out on the CIS team selection, his exceptional performance left a lasting impression on spectators and opponents alike. Both Oliver and Felix brought honour to Shore and the GPS through their remarkable contributions to the tournament.

We extend heartfelt congratulations to Oliver and Felix for their outstanding efforts at the CIS trials. Their achievements not only speak volumes about their individual skills but also reflect the vibrant spirit of competitiveness within the Shore tennis community. We applaud their dedication, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence, wishing them continued success in their tennis endeavours.

Tennis Report Round 13

First Report

Last Saturday, the Shore Firsts defeated Newington College 6.5-2.5, securing an unassailable lead in the GPS competition. This means we have officially won the GPS premiership. Due to unpredictable weather, which suspended play for two hours, we were unable to complete all matches. We won all three doubles matches and one singles match, with the remaining 5 points being split 2.5 each. The standouts of the day were Ollie W, Felix H, Zac Little, Harper Cunningham, Josh Powell and Ari Ganassin—the whole team. Our season has been successful mainly due to our teamwork, both in doubles and in supporting each other during singles. The culture we have created within the whole tennis squad is a perfect combination of serious training and fun. Two goals we have for the last week of our season are to expand our lead as much as possible and to support our Seconds squad, who themselves are on the brink of their own premiership.

Zachary Little
First Captain

U16’s Report

The 16’s Tennis saw a close match in the 16C’s and D’s against NC, with the A’s and B’s fixtures unfortunately mostly being rained out. The 16C’s went down in a 4-1 contest that was closer than the scoreline shows, with many close matches going the way of NC. Jaeyun Koh and Conrad Lo (C1 and C2) stood out with an hour-long doubles match, ultimately culminating in a Shore 7-5 tiebreak victory. The D’s won 5-1, continuing their formidable run throughout the season. Special mentions go to Lachlan Tam (D2), who, winning 6-2, continues his unbeaten run in his singles tennis career, in addition to James Cochineas (D4), preventing a cataclysmic collapse to secure a 6-4 win in his singles. The 16A’s and B’s began with a dominant doubles display of Chris Hunter and Lachlan Assheton (A1 and A2) winning 6-1 before the singles fixtures were rained out.

Jayden Pan
U16 player

U14’s Report

All in all, the matches against NC were well fought, and the scoreline does not do justice to the performance of the Shore teams. Hugo Tonks made his return from injury after appearing only in support of his team. He played B4, and he was a welcome participant as we turned up one man short. Shore claimed a convincing 6-3 win in the B1 doubles, and Marcus Craike, B2, followed up with a win in his singles, coming from 3-0 down, winning six straight games to take the set – a notable achievement. Tom Thirwell is to be commended for his effort, playing with an injury in the doubles, reluctantly forfeiting his singles, the result of a knee injury. The A’s all played strong matches, though the consistency of the NC game held the boys back. Zai Chadha was striking the ball cleanly and was fought back from 2-0 down, just missing out on a win at 4-6. The final training sessions this week will hopefully set the Shore 14’s up for their contest against King’s next weekend.

Mr N Daunt Watney
U14’s Coach

U13’s Report

The A’s and B’s teams displayed excellent sportsmanship throughout the morning, particularly when results didn’t go our way. Lucas Fung managed to get to a tiebreak in his single’s game but unfortunately lost 7-4. A special mention must go to Louis Razza, who played his first game for Shore in the D’s and represented us proudly.

Mr B Winters
U13s Coach

Water Polo Match Reports

Week 5 Term 1 20024

Firsts

The Firsts continued their campaign to make the final of the Combined Competition with a must win (semi-final) game against powerhouse Water Polo school, Newington College (NC). The boys had a rocky start, with NC scoring an extra man goal within the first minute of the game. However, this helped re-focus the team, and Anderton Stock scored a great goal to even the score to 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the team ease into the game with three goals; Hamish Walls with a quality top corner extra man goal, Jett Semmens with a 5 metre penalty, and George Kennedy scored the lob of the season to take Shore to 5-4 going into halftime. The team was focused and playing consistently well as a team at this point. Charlie Lewcock was dominating in offence and scored a cracking goal in the third quarter. The score was 5-4 going into the final quarter, and it was anyone’s game. Alex Woolfe was unstoppable in goals, and Koby Smith’s defence on Newington’s best player (the Captain of the U18s Australian Water Polo team) proved to be the X factor that we needed.

The final quarter saw Shore pull away with two dominant goals from Anderton Stock and another goal by Jett Semmens. Newington continued to play their best until the final minutes by scoring two goals in the last few minutes of the game. The end result was a 8-6 win to Shore. This is the first time in Shore’s School history that we have won a competition game against Newington. The win has secured Shore into the grand final of the Combined Competition against Knox this Saturday.

Ms Z Dowdell
Firsts Coach

16B’s

The Shore 16B’s enjoyed the week at training leading into their re-match against NC. Earlier in the season, the score was 7-6 to Shore. The boys had enormous motivation after being victorious in the past 11 games, and with 147 goals for and only 44 goals against, we were quietly confident 12 from 12 was coming our way. 

Shore started strong, and NC missed some early chances. At the other end of the pool, Ethan Ng was busy scoring 2 goals, and Richie Lotz pushed a thundering shot past the goalie to make it 3-0 to Shore at quarter time. In the second quarter, NC hit back first a couple of goals and nearly squared up, but brilliant defence by Ashton Turner-Smith and Hamish Warden, along with Henry Frape in goals, shut down several NC chances.

Ethan Ng and Richie Lotz both scored and added one each to their tally up front to have Shore in front 5-2 at halftime. Our goal here was to close the game out early and make it as hard as possible for NC to stage any sort of comeback. Harry Clough scored a spectacular lob goal, which the crowd agreed was one of the goals of the season and then scored another to ensure the first one was not a fluke. The most impressive display was the overall defence of the team that ensured NC did not score during the third. 8-2 up and one quarter to go, Shore pushed a few more in the back of the net with Ashton Turner-Smith scoring one, and Lachie Hughes finally broke free of his wrestle up front to snag a goal to ensure a 10-3 win. The 16B’s capping off a 12 win undefeated season. 

Mr S O’Kane
16B’s Coach

Results from Saturday 2 March 2024

Top image: Seconds with a huge win over Aloys

Miss Z Dowdell
MIC Water Polo