Humility and Exaltation

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

One of the greatest fears of all of us is that we will be humiliated; the fear of being ridiculed, disparaged and laughed at is a concern of loss of dignity, self-esteem and even hope. This fear amongst young people across the Western World is exacerbated by the worst of social media.

The dread of humiliation was even greater in the ancient world. The preservation of honour was of paramount importance, even to the point of death. The worst fate, certainly of people of significance, was to lose their good name, to be shamed.

Within this context, the notion that God could come to Earth, being born not in a palace but in abject poverty as an ‘outsider’, was so counter-cultural it was difficult for the ancients to grasp. It was, as the Apostle Paul wrote ‘a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles’ (1 Corinthinians 1:23). The Gods of the Greek Pantheon were self-focused, arrogant and dangerous. The idea that a God could be crucified simply did not fit into their world view; it was ‘foolish’. Ironically, from a modern standpoint, the Gentile world (functionally, Greeks and Romans) mocked early Christians as atheists because they only had this one, as they saw it, despicable God, rather than the whole pantheon of majestic Gods of the Greco-Roman world. To the Jews, anyone crucified was, by definition, under the condemnation of God and therefore logically could not be God.

Crucifixion was the most humiliating death the Romans could devise. Its very point was humiliation; hence a Roman citizen could not be crucified. This punishment was reserved for the derided: slaves, insurrectionists and the worst of hardened criminals. Crucifixion began with the victim being stripped naked for public display to the world, humiliation; distilled to its essence. It continued in agony, with nails being driven through the wrists and sometimes feet of the condemned man, who would then writhe in public agony amidst the jeers of the audience. Unable to resist birds pecking at him, his weight hanging on the cross would force the nails to press through his flesh until blocked by bones where the wrist connects to the hand. Part of the ordeal was the gore and loss of blood. Survival for up to three days of public humiliation comprised an agonising, tortuous death. Most of the ancient world could not conceive of God willingly undergoing such a fate for the sake of humanity.

The mode of Jesus’ birth and death was part of the point. So too was his social position in the bottom caste of society (carpenter in the ancient world was very likely those at the bottom of the rung, who chiselled stone from quarries). The point is beautifully captured in Paul’s letter to the Philippians “Jesus… made himself nothing… by taking the very nature of a servant (slave)… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place” (Philippians 2:5-9). This exaltation is contingent upon Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, an extraordinary claim in both the ancient world and our contemporary society. Paul was clear on this; “if there is no resurrection of the dead then not even Christ has been raised and if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is our faith” (1 Corinthians 15:13).

The notion of resurrection has been caught up in the giving of Easter eggs as a symbol of new birth in an age of unbelief (scepticism), as our present cultural moment has been described. The symbol – the egg – has come to be the actual point. Similarly, the notion of crucifixion as captured by the cross on hot cross buns has largely been stripped of spiritual significance.

At Shore we preach the biblical orthodoxy of Christ crucified and raised from the dead. Christians claim there is plausible evidence for the resurrection miracle as the central event in human history. From Jesus’ example we derive our modern celebration of humility, love and concern for others. The events of the Easter week underpin much of our culture, where Christian values remain prized, just as in the ancient world they were despised as contemptuous, fit for a slave. Amidst our feast of hot cross buns and Easter eggs, it is worth contemplating these matters.

Head of the River

The 2024 major regatta was a very good day indeed for Shore on the water. The crews of all of the boats excelled themselves to the extent that Shore achieved second place in most events and first in two: the Year 10 Second VIII and the Fourth IV. The greatest cheer came for the First VIII who, in the last approximately 50 metres, moved from fourth to second place through a mighty effort from our boys, pipping King’s and Riverview at the post. It was heartening to see our rowers so delighted with their efforts. Congratulations to our Master in Charge of Rowing, Mr Glenn Bates, our two Senior Coaches, Mr Jason Baker and Mr Oliver Smith, and all of our coaching staff. Congratulations also to our crews and thank you to all the students, parents and Old Boys for being part of the Shore support contingent at the Olympic Rowing Centre.      

Dr John Collier
Headmaster

Chaplains’ Chat

This week at Shore we have celebrated Harmony Week. Harmony Week celebrates Australian multiculturalism and the successful integration of migrants into our community. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging. Apart from food trucks, reflections in Tutor Groups and hearing of other peoples stories, I was fascinated at Shore to see the many different backgrounds and countries that our teachers have come from. Of course, in a country like Australia, this will always be the case in most workplaces.

As part of Harmony Week, we were reminded in Chapel that the God of the Bible is the God of great inclusion. The last book of the Bible gives us a picture of people from all different backgrounds before God. As Revelation 7:9 says these people were from “every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Ms Domingo helpfully reminded us that this is God’s wonderful plan for His world. All people are precious and valuable in God’s eyes as we are all made ‘in God’s image.’ Here is the basis for wonderful inclusion for everyone. Of course, the outworkings of this is how we relate to people around us. Just as we see God’s love for his world most clearly in the death and resurrection of Jesus, so we are to love all those around us. As we approach another Easter this year, may we marvel at God and his goodness to us all.

Rev. Anthony Benn
Chaplain

CRU Update

At CRU group last Friday, we continued our journey through the Old Testament book of Isaiah as we considered our attitude towards God. Following Isaac Lanham’s reading of Isaiah 38:10-20, Nathanael Robertson guided us through this section of the book with some helpful reflections. Beginning with some context, Nathanael told us about how just before this, God delivered His people through an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrians at once. Following that, King Hezekiah became sick and was close to death.

However, Hezekiah prayed to God, and God promised him another 15 years of life, and it was so. Hezekiah’s prayer in response showed his change in mood from anguish to thankfulness. 

After his recovery though, representatives from Babylon came with gifts and a letter, and Hezekiah showed off his possessions and his palace proudly. When Isaiah found out, he reported to Hezekiah that God promised to give all of Hezekiah’s treasures to Babylon and take away his descendants. Instead of being scared, Hezekiah was selfish, thinking everything would remain okay in his lifetime. Nathanael noted how this should make us reconsider whether Hezekiah really meant what he said in that earlier prayer.

This passage shows us that God keeps his promises. One promise he has made is that Jesus will return to judge. Knowing that God keeps his promises, we could say the two certainties in life are death and judgment. So we should not be like Hezekiah, making promises to God that we will not keep in exchange for His mercy. Our obedience should not be dependent on any particular mercy or reward from God, or any specific act from anyone else. Instead, we should fear His judgement with reverence, and trust and obey Jesus, who has taken the judgement we deserve on Himself for us, so we may have eternal life with God. We look forward to continuing to explore Isaiah next Friday lunchtime in the Christian Studies building.

Shore-Roseville CRU Catch Up

I wonder what you think your greatest need in life is? Maybe you want to make the top sports team or top your class in your next exam. We saw at the Shore-Roseville CRU gathering last Friday what our greatest need really is.

After School on Friday afternoon, Shore hosted Roseville College for our termly Shore-Roseville CRU gathering. We began with some icebreakers and food before studying God’s Word in Mark 2, considering the story of the paralysed man who was lowered through the roof by his friends since there was no other way to take him to Jesus. Reverend Benn challenged us to consider what we thought our greatest need in life was. From the passage, we saw how Jesus, instead of immediately healing the man, demonstrated that He can forgive sins, and that this is a greater need than anything. After forgiving the man’s sins, he told him to rise and walk, and the man was able to walk. This showed us that Jesus is God, so He does have the authority to forgive sins on earth.

While most of the crowds were amazed, the religious leaders were not impressed, considering this to be blasphemy. From what they knew, only God could forgive sins, but they did not realise who Jesus really was. Instead of being hard-hearted like the Jewish leaders, we should have faith like the man’s friends. It is our faith that saves us, because Jesus has died in our place, the death we deserve, so we can also have our sins forgiven.

After this, we briefly heard from both schools about how their CRU group was going, and we had the opportunity to pray for each other in groups. We look forward to our next Shore-Roseville catch up next Term.

Daniel Becker
Year 11

Shore Community Engagement Survey

Dear Parents and Carers

We warmly invite you to take part in our Community Engagement Survey. 

This survey aims to gather your valuable perspectives on various communications channels such as School newsletters, our website, events, and day-to-day interactions with the School.

We are dedicated to understanding both our strengths and areas where we can grow. Your thoughts on our current practices and suggestions for improvement are incredibly important to us.

Rest assured, all responses will be kept strictly confidential.

The survey will be open for two weeks, ending at 12pm on Friday 29 March. We highly encourage your participation!

If you have any questions about the survey, please do not hesitate to contact us at communications@shore.nsw.edu.au. 

Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely

The Community Engagement Team

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,1,2 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.

Referee Rugby!

Have the Best Seat in the House – No prior experience is required.

If you love rugby and want to be closer to the action on a Saturday, why not give rugby refereeing a go? At Shore, we are looking for both schoolboy and community referees to step in and help us out on a Saturday! We can assist you with getting all the necessary qualifications and will help you at every step of your refereeing journey! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr T Brandon-Cooper at tbrandoncooper@shore.nsw.edu.au.

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:

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

2024 Lower North Shore Careers Expo

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

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:

Term Dates 2024

Library Closing Early on Holy Thursday

Please note that the Senior Library will close at the end of the School day (2.50pm) on Thursday 28 March.

Library staff wish everyone a happy and relaxing Easter break.

Harmony Week in the Library

To celebrate Harmony Week, Shore’s Senior Library is this week focusing on books featuring different cultures. Here is a selection of these books.

Thai-riffic! was Oliver Phommavanh’s first book, published in 2010. Oliver is of Thai origin and, in his own words, this book is “for anyone trying to make sense of their own family heritage. Anyone caught between two cultures. Anyone wanting to fit in and be treated for who you really are.” It is an uplifting and refreshing story. (Fiction – Humour).

Songs of a War Boy is by NSW Australian of the Year 2017, Deng Thiak Adut. Deng was taken from his mother as a young child and conscripted into the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, where he was given an AK-47 and sent into battle. The book is ultimately an uplifting story of him being rescued and smuggled into a Kenyan refugee camp by his brother, supported by the UN and resettled in Australia, where he is now a lawyer and a refugee advocate. (Non-Fiction Stories 325.21 ADU).

Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lin tells the story of a brother and sister in Southern China during the period of Mau Zedong’s Great Leap Forward Campaign in the 1950s. After tragedy strikes, they set out to find their father, who left for Australia a decade ago. They encounter obstacles like grief, famine, poverty, racism and danger on the high seas along the way, but nothing can crush their spirits. It is a beautiful story of family, resilience and the Asian-Australian experience. (Fiction – Relationships and Coming of Age)

Daring to Drive by Manal Al-Sharif is a coming-of-age tale of a brave woman in Saudi Arabia who fought for women’s rights, most famously for women’s right to drive. The book is also a celebration of resilience and the power of education. (Non-Fiction Stories 306.0953 SHA).

A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: A Palestine Story by Nathan Thrall is a portrait of daily life in Israel and the West Bank. It has been referred to as the “best book to understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”. It is an illumination of the reality of life in this contested area as it tells stories of Jewish and Palestinian characters whose lives and pasts unexpectedly converge. (Non-Fiction Stories 306.0956 THR).

In the Sea there are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda tells the story of a ten-year-old Afghan boy who finds himself alone on the Afghan-Pakistan border, trying to find a place of safety. Based on a true story, we follow Enaiatollah Akbari on his five-year-long journey that eventually takes him to a new life in Italy. It is a universal tale of courage and hope in the face of fear. (Fiction – Relationships and Coming of Age).

Growing Up Asian in Australia is a collection of stories by Asian Australians about what it is really like to grow up Asian and Australian. The book is edited by Alice Pung and features stories from across Australia by well-known authors and others who invite us to get a glimpse of their experiences. (Non-Fiction Stories 305.895 GRO).

The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do was first published 14 years ago but is still a favourite with Shore boys. It tells Anh’s life story from fleeing Vietnam by boat as a 2-year-old, arriving as a refugee and growing up in Australia, which involved crowded rooms, donated clothes and ruthless landlords. Despite the hardships, there was a loving extended family and Anh’s mother’s sacrifice, and hard work was an inspiration for him to work hard, graduate high school and go to university. (Non-Fiction Stories 792.7028 DOA).

Mrs E White
Head of Library & Information Services

UN Youth Representative Listening Tour at Shore

Last week, 14 students from the Shore Model United Nations Assembly Team and Student Committee participated in a consultation led by Gavin Choong, the 2024 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, as a part of the UN Youth Representative Listening Tour.

During the consultation, the boys actively explored the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and voiced their views on issues that concern them the most, proposing possible resolutions to the issues from their perspectives. The Walton Room was filled with energy.

Gavin represents Australian youth’s views both domestically and internationally. Once the Listening Tour concludes, the findings will be consolidated into a Report, to be shared with the government and leaders from business and civil society, as well as the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

This consultation has raised the boys’ awareness of global issues, encouraged and empowered them to make positive changes in life, as well as preparing them by being one step closer to becoming responsible global citizens and future leaders. I am particularly happy to find that most boys walking out of the session felt positive and inspired to seek ways to contribute more actively to make Australia and the world a better place.

Angus L reflected on his participation in the UN Youth Representative Listening Tour below:

Last Tuesday, Shore was honoured to host Gavin Choong, the 2024 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations. As an individual, it was clear with a bit of research that Gavin was very decorated in his career, being published as “Top 40 under 40 most influential Asian-Australians” and being recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Future Leaders by the Australian Financial Review. 

Gavin came in to speak about his experience and ask for our insight on issues facing young Australians. Like many of the boys in the Walton room listening to Gavin, I had no personal experience talking with diplomats or politicians and my preconceptions were shaped by reality TV and the media. Unsurprisingly, these ideas were shattered as Gavin posed pressing questions and was transparent about the issues with the UN; namely that countries benefit from keeping other countries in poverty. Gavin genuinely cared for our input. 

We did an activity where we looked at the 17 goals of the UN, chose one, and explained why it was important to advocate for and what we could do. Gavin explained that at each UN meeting he gives a speech, detailing the concerns of young Australians and provoking the Australian’s diplomats to uphold these views. So each of our coloured-in butcher sheets had the potential to be an example in a speech to our UN representatives. 

Gavin also explained the issues pressing us. The issues that you and I could see at School each day or at home. The one that I found most pressing was the issue of mental health and wellbeing amongst teenagers. In the past 15 years mental health issues and disorders have surged by 47% amongst people our age and it’s becoming more difficult for young Australians to seek help. 

So what can you do? 

Your thoughts count. Let UN hear what you have to say. Email Gavin directly at youthrep@unyouth.org.au. 

Ms Jingling Hu
MIC MUNA

Top image: UN Youth Representative Listening Tour 1

Careers News

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the UTS Career Practitioner Conference, which was an opportunity to gain up-to-date information on the latest courses. Course changes include:

NEW Degrees

• B. Public Health (previous B. Health Science).
• B. Psychology.
• B. Psychology/Criminology.
• B. Artificial Intelligence.
• B. Education Futures/Master of Teaching Primary Education.

NEW Majors

• B. Business – new second major in Business Data Analytics.
• B. Management – new majors in Sustainability and Social Impact and Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
• B. Advanced Science – Pharmaceutical major with a pathway to M. Pharmacy and Quantum.

Did you know most CEOs have an Accounting Degree?

Accounting is an excellent foundation for business minded students, and the UTS Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc) Scholarship provides the opportunity to get paid and gain experience while you study.

Students can receive a tax-free scholarship worth up to $54,000 as well as two six-month internships with high-profile companies. While students complete a major in Accounting they also have the option of doing a second major, or two sub majors across a range of business subjects including sports management, marketing, international business, digital creative enterprise and much more. Students who are high-achieving and interested in becoming a future business leader are encouraged to apply. Further information is here. Round 1 closes 17 May 2024.

A reminder: All Year 12 students are to book in their Careers Chat via the booking form on the Year 12 Teams Careers Hub. Other students are welcome to make a booking through the Careers Lampada page, where there is also the latest Careers News.

Ms V Shirriff
Head of Careers Education

Progress Meetings

Term 1: Notice To Parents – Year 12 Progress Meetings

Progress Meetings: 4.00pm-7.00pm Tuesday 26 March via Zoom

Term 2: Notice To Parents – Years 7, 9 and 11

• 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

Parent Seminar Series 2024

Holiday Hoops Camp

The Shore Basketball Programme will be hosting a Camp during the upcoming Autumn Holidays. The Camp will be available to all school age students and not just limited to Shore students.

Siblings, friends and all keen hoopers, regardless of school, year group, gender or playing experience are welcome to attend the Shore Holiday Hoops Camp.

This is an opportunity to improve skills, learn from an enthusiastic coaching staff and have lots of fun in an enjoyable and competitive environment.

*As a one-time promotional opportunity – for any Shore Student Camper that refers a friend outside of Shore, both Campers will receive a 40% discount to a future Shore Hoops Camp!

To register for the Holiday Hoops Camp please click on the Trybooking link here

Cover and Contents

The Prison-Industrial Complex

The Lucrative Business of Incarceration is a Scourge on Criminal Justice

M. D. Kwak

THE PRISON-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX is not only the set of institutions and interest groups driving the insatiable momentum for prison construction and mass-incarceration; it’s more than the enterprises that proclaim to be the capitalist ‘panacea’ to inefficiency and overcrowding in the public system. Fundamentally, it’s a state of mind. The lure of large profits has corrupted notions of state obligations and criminal rehabilitation with a commercialisation of the human body. It has reduced crime to a solely criminal issue that requires the so-called moral bankruptcy of its perpetrators to be brutally punished, and it has refused to consider its social, economic, and physiological origins. Privatised prisons are far more ubiquitous than one may think. In the United States, around 10% of inmates are held in for-profit facilities. In Australia, that number is higher at 18%.

So, what exactly does this prison-industrial complex look like? At its core, it’s the confluence of capitalism (‘industrial’) and criminal justice (‘prison’). The most obvious manifestation is in various forms of private prison facilities, which states outsource the construction, operation, and servicing of prisons to. This system is interlocked in mutually reinforcing patterns where special-interest lobby groups such as police unions, private prison contractors and security companies increase in size and influence as incarceration increases. More broadly, it’s the vanguard of tough-on-crime politicians pushing punitive legislation and election-seeking district attorneys. It’s the financial machinations of Wall Street investment banks and rural economic developers deploying private equity into prison construction and lucrative employment packages that seek to make prisons the cornerstone of a rural county’s economy.

1) The prison-industrial complex is morally illegitimate.

The primary reason we permit the state to exercise its monopoly of violence and coercion over us is

because we can hold it to democratic accountability. It is for those reasons, that we trust the state to legislate us, police us and imprison certain members of society when they break our laws. When the prison-industrial complex supplants democracy with the forces of market capitalism, the exercise of violence becomes morally unacceptable, as imprisonment is now in the hands of a private corporation, beholden only to shareholder interests and company profits rather than a democratic mandate. Although some may point to the existence of competition in privatised prison markets, this is limited when the barrier to entry is high and information available to consumers is scarce or nil.

2) The prison-industrial complex increases rates of incarceration and recidivism.

At the point at which crime becomes a political selling point or dollars on a balance sheet, any incentive to rehabilitate inmates evaporates and mass-incarceration becomes a norm. Obviously, if for-profit prisons run their business model on the incarceration of criminals, there remains very little incentive to meaningfully ensure that these inmates don’t return to their facilities. Indeed, the 2008 kids for cash scandal in the US concerned two judges, Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella being bribed to impose harsh sentences in juvenile cases and increase occupancy at a private prison in Pennsylvania operated by PA Childcare. Perhaps more perniciously, the prison-industrial complex in politics manifests itself in punitive campaigns like the War on Drugs which leverages the frenzied craze of crime fearmongering to create a never-ending assembly line of human lives. When the War on Drugs has produced a perpetual cycle of drug-dealing and imprisonment rather than combating addiction, the prison-industrial complex can rely on a guarantee of future inmates to ensure the profitability of prison construction, operation, and political machinations. In the United States, about 66% of prisoners released across 24 states were rearrested within three years, and 82% were rearrested within 10 years (US Bureau of Justice 2021). Recidivism and the justice system’s failure of rehabilitation are the reasons for overcrowding and privatised prisons actively profit off the back of such devastating failures and human victims.

3) The prison-industrial complex worsens the quality of prison management.

One of the standard arguments for privatisation of public utilities is a theoretically-expected increase in efficiency. So, the argument goes, as corporations are motivated by profits unlike the government, they will engage in practices that are the most efficient and therefore bring down unit costs. I find this euphemistic and hollow. ‘Efficiency’ far too often looks like cutting corners in prison servicing: servicing woefully inadequate food and utilities or cutting funding for mental health services or job-training. It looks like exploiting prisoners’ labour in farms and factories and paying them a fraction of minimum wage to reap profits. These prisons may be cost-efficient but, in many cases, this comes at the cost of humane conditions and erring into the side of ruthless exploitation. Perhaps, contrary to what some politicians would like you to believe, I would prefer inefficiency any day.

Our Paradoxical Enjoyment of Film

Exploring This Idea With The Aid Of Christopher Nolan’s Genius

B. N. Dent

Today, the English director Christopher Nolan is most recognisable for his direction of films including The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, and of course Oppenheimer – all excellent films you should definitely watch if you haven’t already. However, whilst Nolan’s neo-noir thriller, “Memento” (2000), is regarded as his breakthrough film, it is less known by today’s viewing audience, probably due to the timing of its release which prevented it from achieving as much commercial success as his later films.

Shot from Memento

Regardless of its differing level of commercial success, there is certainly no disparity in quality in contrast to his more recent films. Through strong performances and innovative storytelling, the film is able to express the complexities of existentialism, identity, and perception that the protagonist, suffering from short-term memory loss, faces every day. The innovative storytelling involved in Memento involves two timelines that run parallel in opposite directions: a black and white subjective timeline, and a colourful objective timeline. As such, whilst brilliant, the film is often difficult to follow. Personally, I was left scratching my head at the end of the film and felt that I needed a break from the break that I was taking by watching the movie. Once my brain had recovered, I watched a video of an interview with Christopher Nolan that took place just after Memento was released where he explains how the story flows. If you could not already tell that Christopher Nolan was a genius just via his masterful ability to portray impossible concepts on screen, then watch this interview. It can be found on YouTube and the title of the video is “18-Minute Analysis By Christopher Nolan On Story & Construction Of Memento.”

Nolan Cooking

In addition to being starstruck by Nolan’s perfect visual illustration of Memento’s plotline, which he draws after stating that he “doesn’t think diagrammatically,” I also was enlightened by some very fascinating ideas surrounding how audiences and the individual perceive films. Although I only clicked on the video with the hopes of finding a solid explanation, I left with an insight which I found far more interesting. Among many, the insight that shone brightest was that: “Most movies present a quite comfortable universe where we are given an objective truth that we don’t get in everyday life. It’s one of the reasons we go to the movies.” I guess that the reason this quotation stood out to me is because I’d never really thought about movies like that. Sure, I had recognised the idea that films can offer us the ability to take a break from our reality, placing us in a completely different one. However, I had never thought about our joy in watching movies stemming from the comfort we find in an objective reality, and yet it makes complete sense. Most of the stress and chaos in our lives stems from the not knowing. Imagine if you could gain vision into all the uncertainties in your life. All of the conversations you cannot hear, all of the signs you miss, all of the tests you cannot foresee. When we watch films, we may not get to make the character’s decisions which would lead to the happy ending, but at least we can find comfort in the objective surrounding.

But where does the paradox of our viewing enjoyment come into play? I think it stems from the fact that whilst we do exhibit a tendency to find solace in objective realities, we also have a great desire for surprise and unexpectedness. Just like in all walks of life, if we find a task becoming too repetitive or predictable a feeling of boredom starts to develop, and we begin to crave for something new. Consequently, I feel that films which struggle to navigate this paradox in being unpredictable whilst still understandable are ultimately less entertaining. Nolan’s films are a testament to this statement. Amidst their chaos, they demonstrate how this paradox can be eloquently navigated and lead to a wonderful experience for the viewer. To finish, I leave you with a quote from Nolan which I think brilliantly sums up his philosophy behind filmmaking and is ultimately emblematic of his unique style: “one of the things I love about directing is the multifaceted nature of the challenge. The idea of a narrative that is a maze or a labyrinth rather than being above that maze and watching the characters make mistakes and wrong turns, you would enter the maze kind of looking over their shoulders and make the wrong turns with them and find the blind alleys with them. There is a feeling of reality, a feeling of being somewhere that matters.”

The GOAT Debate

Messi vs Ronaldo, Jordan vs LeBron

T. G. George

‘SPORT’. AN AGELESS TOPIC OF DISCUSSION that permeates throughout the world, inciting intense arguments with endless means of dissemination. Whether you’re on a talk show, at a family dinner, or even in the barbershop, when sport is mentioned, there is an innate tendency to debate. An inclination derived from the fierce sense of competition that makes sports so tantalising. The most stifling of these sporting conundrums is the eternal endeavour to identify the “GOAT.”

Barbershop debate

A goat. If you are detached from the sporting world, this hoofed mammal seems like a peculiar focus of conversation. Yet it is so much more than a warm-blooded vertebrate. It is a prestigious title acclaimed to the “Greatest of All Time,” a title that evokes one’s illogical biases, and an unfaltering, lifelong dedication to an athlete. A subject matter where your personal belief is irrelevant, as satisfaction is seemingly only achieved when every last soul agrees with you. A case can be made for many athletes in any sport, but I will explore the most contentious debates, igniting further fuel to the fire.

Starting with a classic: Messi vs Ronaldo, the GOAT debate for football. Comically, this article begins with a comparison that hasn’t been a debate for nearly five years, and yet, both parties argue with sheer assertiveness and unrelenting stubbornness. Both players boast monumental achievements, irrefutable accolades, and breathtaking highlights. Ronaldo’s resume is nearly flawless, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, five-time Champions League Winner, 33 overall trophies, and 879 career goals. The list of records is countless, supported by an array of majestic goals and iconic moments. From an outside perspective, when faced with Ronaldo’s legacy, you would think that he is undeniably the greatest. That is, if it weren’t for the little man out of Rosario Argentina. eight-time Ballon d’or winner, 43 trophies, and 825 goals scored. Most importantly – Champion of the World. The undisputed GOAT.

Messi raising the 2022 world cup trophy

Now that the obvious is cleared up, we can delve into a more precarious sporting debate: the GOAT of the NBA. Jordan vs LeBron. Two players that have never stepped foot on the same court, and yet matchup every day. As LeBron’s tenure at top of the NBA continues, his prevalence as the presiding GOAT candidate prospers. He has scored the most points of all time, has the most All-NBA 1st team selections of all time, most playoff games won, as well as 4 MVPs and 4 NBA Championships. 21 years and counting, his longevity is undeniable, as the possibility of playing with his own son looms. His dominance is incomprehensible, with a seemingly never-ending prime, seeing him feature in 8 consecutive NBA finals appearances. And yet that is the glaring point that sows doubt in the minds of NBA fans. He is a serial second place finisher, being 4/10 in NBA finals, even with a Mickey Mouse ring. In comparison, Jordan is six from six in the NBA finals, completing two three-peats, while taking two years off to play baseball in between. Alongside this impressive feat, stands records such as the most Finals MVPs, highest career scoring average and most scoring championships. Yet as a player, Jordan is so much more than his on-paper stats. His demeanour, passion, and competitive spirit, coupled with his mesmerising highlight reel and clutch moments, have completely revolutionised the game of basketball.

LeBron James in 2018

Outside of the comparable statistics, there are even more unique cases that can be made for each player. Many LeBron fans argue that Jordan had a super team, with the likes of Pippen and Rodman to support him throughout his career. Although true, this is quite ironic given that LeBron has shared the court with Dwyane Wade, Anothy Davis, and Kyrie Irving. LeBron fans argue that the level of competition and talent is at its peak, while Jordan fans argue that the 80s and 90s were the most physical and toughest eras of basketball. The list of innocuous rebuttals is extensive and rather futile. They are just often cheap shots aimed at detracting from the greatness of both players. Therefore, my judgement is based upon the significant factors, to which I believe that Jordan is the greatest, because of his perfect finals record, revolutionary effect on basketball, and his per game statistics.

Is AI Conscious? Part 2.

Is Anyone Out There?

C. N. Vunanovic

ASKING AI IF IT IS CONSCIOUS DOES NOT GET YOU FAR. See, just because it says that it is conscious does not mean that it is conscious. We then are left with the question: how do we distinguish between the appearance of consciousness and true consciousness?

Let us consider two possibilities.

1. There is a distinction.

2. There is no distinction.

What is important to note regarding the first is that if there is a distinction between the appearance of consciousness and true consciousness then how do we know that you, yourself, are conscious? Well, based on all our experience, it could be entirely possible that all that exists is you. I could simply be writing to you as a figment of your imagination. Put better, you could simply be writing to yourself. This conclusion, that all you can know exists is yourself, is called solipsism and it falls to criticism by the very fact that when you tell your friend that he does not exist, his experience categorically refutes your statement. Unfortunately you cannot know whether this experience he claims to have is actual experience or solely the appearance of experience.

Your Average Solipsist

Secondly, if there is no distinction, then what distinguishes our experiences or consciousness from that of a gorilla? Take a few steps further and we are posed with the question of what is the distinction between us and a rat. A few more steps and we ask the same question about an ant. Taking this to its logical extreme we end up saying that matter, atoms, energy, everything is and of itself ‘conscious’. Known as panpsychism this theory is increasingly popular in the towers of academia but to you and I, it seems foreign and confusing. How could the clothes you are wearing be conscious? It’s unintuitive – a valid criticism.

A literal depiction of panpsychism.

So let us weigh up both sides. If there is a distinction, we end up with this big word called ‘solipsism’, but if there is not a distinction, we end up with an equally problematic word, ‘panpsychism’. What is more likely: that nothing is conscious, or that everything is conscious? Personally I think neither.

We can certainly argue that it is a false dichotomy by refuting the other options. Given that it is a false dichotomy, we conclude that consciousness is on a spectrum and involves aspects that a simplistic binary fails to capture. The reality of consciousness likely includes elements of both positions and operates on principles we do not fully understand yet. For instance, consciousness could be an emergent property unique to certain complex systems. Alternatively, drawing on Confucian philosophy, our distinction between consciousness and reality may be unmerited and our consciousness is in fact reality – Non-Dualism.

All that exists is our perception.

At the end of this what have we uncovered? You might be thinking to yourself, ‘the question of ‘Is AI conscious?’ has not been answered’. While that is true, this exploration uncovers something deeper. That each question begs two more, ad infinitum: Pandora’s box.

The infinite regress of questions underscores the complexity of consciousness and the limitations of our current understanding.

This journey, while not providing a definitive answer to the question of AI’s consciousness, enriches our understanding of consciousness itself. It has challenged the binary of consciousness versus non-consciousness. It prompts us to reflect on our own experiences and consider the relationship between the real world and our minds.

Considering the question, we realise it is not about providing a definitive answer. Instead it is about expanding our perspective. Challenging our assumptions. And embracing the world’s complexity.

Will you Contribute, or Critique?

It is Not the Critic who Counts

H. A. G. Longstaff

“He should have passed that ball, not kicked it”

“There’s no way he will play 1’s this year”

“That play was just crap”

THE WORLD IS AWASH WITH ADVICE. What could have been done. What should have happened. What would have been better.

This effect is compounded by the scourge of social media. In 15 minutes sitting on a couch one languid Sunday afternoon you can have shared 280 characters of your wisdom on such straight-forward topics as the merits of changing the Stage Three tax cuts, bringing peace to the Gaza and the wisdom of a two state solution, who should win the US election, and whether Australian submarines really need to be nuclear. You can even express opinions on really important questions like your mate’s outfit for a fancy dress party, or where to get the best pizza in Mosman.

When I read such observations I often reflect on the fabulous words of President Theodore Roosevelt:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,

so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt

26th President of the United States

Speech at the Sorbonne Paris, 23 April 1910

President Theodore Roosevelt

What President Roosevelt understood is that most things are more complex and nuanced than they seem. Most decisions balance a myriad of competing considerations, seen and unseen, that drive choice. Learning new skills and achieving progress is hard. He knew that the experience of actually doing things made you stronger, wiser and better.

As my time in the hallowed halls of Shore drawn to a close I have become more pensive and reflective.

I have come to appreciate that it is the journey as well as the destination that counts. The skills you pick up on the way, the relationships you form, the little nuggets of context that one day become useful.

Did you know, for example, that when Apple founder Steve Jobs dropped out of Stanford he spent a semester gate-crashing a university calligraphy class. Jobs said:

“If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college.”

Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple

The point is that you need to participate, to be in the arena, to have a crack. Happily, Shore provides multiple avenues to try new things: debating, drama, music, sport, chess, woodwork. Some aren’t seen as cool. All are valuable.

Maybe I could have done more. What will you do? What will be your arena? My advice … be a contributor, not a critic.

ISDA Debating Report Round 5 vs Cranbrook

M. D. Kwak

Last Friday, Shore was away against Cranbrook debating topics surrounding media, and won four out of six debates in the highschool rounds. There has yet to be a week where Shore has lost more than half its debates. KEEP IT UP!!!

Our Primary As and Bs negated ‘That coding and computer programming should be taught in primary schools each week’ and unfortunately went down in both debates. Shoutout to Joseph at third for his strong thematic rebuttal.

Our Year 7 LND teams both won on the negative side of ‘That all video games should have playable female characters’. Congrats to Alex Baxter for his excellent food-based analogy about familiarity and downsides of rapid change.

Our Year 8 LND team affirmed ‘That we should introduce gender quotas for all government jobs’ and picked up yet another W. The team presented a well thought out model and strong case in what was a decisive win for Shore.

Year 8 SDC with the photogenic Lawson Banks in the background

SDC is going as strong as ever, with teams picking up three wins and three losses and continuing to improve their skills and talents in debating.

All smiles from our Year 7 SDC team

The Year 7 ISDA team negated ‘That we should ban children from making money off social media’. Despite a large amount of under-mechanisation and mischaracterisation by both sides, ultimately it was Shore’s clearer impacting that won them the debate.

Year 8 ISDA unfortunately went down opposing the same topic. The main clash came down to the importance of children having the freedom of choice to make money versus the duty to protect kids. Ultimately, the adjudicator decided that safety concerns outweighed Shore’s points in a tough loss. Shoutout to Fred for his effective rebuttal and well-structured speech!!

On a positive note, the Year 9 ISDA team secured a cheeky dub debating the same topic, putting them in good stead for octos qualifications 🥳🥳. Once again, Shore followed a good structure and clearly outlined their ideas but will work on more in-depth discussion of stakeholders for future.

Our Year 10s and Senior teams all negated the topic ‘That the consumption of news on social media has done more harm than good.’

Any doubts created by Year 10’s earlier losses in the season have been thoroughly cast aside by this team’s recent domination. Enjoy your weekly dose of Will Nicholas’ titillating commentary (I’m not lazy; I’m actually just leveraging metatextual intrusions to create a superb meta-fictive voice):

“Year 10 continued their week-on-week improvement with a fourth consecutive victory and season-best performance which stunned a hitherto undefeated Cranbrook side. Determined to remind their opponents that they would have to fight for a place at the top of the table, Jayden Pan delivered his speech like a well-oiled machine. His faultless structure and meticulous mechanisation brought Shore’s case roaring to life and forced our opponents – the affirmative – onto the defensive. Yukai’s earnest demeanour made him the ideal spokesperson for the vulnerable stakeholders whom Shore ruthlessly leveraged in the insatiable campaign for victory.”

An exuberant Year 10 team. Oh no…Dan Kang’s started a trend with his cringey finger guns.

As usual, we kept our foot pressed firmly on the opposition’s throat. Kevin’s speech was like a rogue machine gun which sprayed bullets wildly in every direction. It eventually hit all its targets, and in the end was also about as persuasive as a machine gun: very.

As always, a huge thanks to Will for his excellent write-up of the debate, showcasing his effortless prowess in English (😩😩 pls write my Mod C/Lit Worlds for me). The war motif and similes were pure 🤤.

Will Nicholas cooking up some heat.

Negating the same motion as Year 10, the Senior Bs ran a strong case about the need for social media to provide news from a variety of different perspectives as well as successfully proving that most Australians had a degree of media literacy in screening the news they received. Shoutout to Gus Leslie for cleverly illustrating the real harms and benefits of the debate in a concrete way. Ms Wolsely was also very pleased with Angus’ disparagement of Murdoch media.

The indifferent Senior Bs after a breezy W (Rizzy Ramon has yet to break his mewing streak)

As I write this report on a train to Central on yet another exhausting Sunday, I’m an utter wreck of tears as I relive Friday night. Your Senior As have finally let a debate slip past their goalposts. Estimated recovery time? Perhaps a week if I’m lucky. All members, from Daddy Liu at first, Deek at second, myself at third and Kax at fourth put up a valiant fight defending the prevalence of news on social media. Despite a heartbreaking loss, congrats to D-LIUUUU for consistently stepping up to the plate as a Year 11 student and doing an excellent job speaking out of position at first!

As I look out at the dreary morning sky and rain-stained windowpanes of my train while Carly Rae Jepsen’s seminal composition “Call Me Maybe” blasts from my airpods, my emotions are perhaps more intense than the post-breakup grief I’m all too familiar with (just joking – I’ve never met the precondition for breakups 😔)

Hours before disaster…The blissfully happy Senior As and Bs in a joint training.

But the sun is coming out lad’s. At the horizon of every heartbreaking loss lies the infinitude of glorious possibilities. Pain and anger. Those are what shape victors. Amidst the depths of a stinging loss, you can bet that Shore will rise again from the ashes, reborn as a blazing phoenix.

Next week, Shore faces St Catherines at Shore. It’s our last home debate, and for most teams the decisive debate for out-round qualifications. From the words of our cheer captain Hamish Longstaff: “Pressure makes diamonds.” I wish all debaters the best of luck. Go forth and get those dubs.

More Than Just A ‘Kid’s Film’

Cars 2: Cinematic Masterpiece

C. D. Michel

DESPITE ALREADY PREACHING MY ADMIRATION FOR John Lasseter’s Cars 2 (2011) in an article last year, it was only a brief note, so I assume you took it with a grain of salt. Before you go off and state how “Cars 2 is a kid’s movie … that’s made for babies … I’m too mature for this” blah, blah, blah. Shush. I’ll ask you what kids’ movies can claim to be a romantic, comedic, adventure, mystery, family film that tackles contemporary political and social issues such as the modern-day corruption in the petroleum industry. While yes, I agree, it may seem like Cars 2’s demographic is little petite human beings, but once you see behind its façade you’ll realise, that the true demographic is for the much wiser, and more logically capable, made for those who can appreciate this film as an art piece.

Before even starting the film, you can already tell it’ll be something special. The casting for Cars 2 is phenomenal. How can you go wrong with Owen Wilson voicing Lightning McQueen, and even better – Michael Caine playing the eloquent and intelligent British spy, Finn McMissile.

The opening scene. Wow. Finn McMissile is stranded in the Ocean, on a mission to uncover the secret plotting of the oil cartel. The music that accompanies this scene (Finn McMissile’s theme) sets the fast-paced tone for the rest of the film, and complements this scene so well, making it one of

the most intense and suspenseful action scenes brought to cinema. If anything, this car chase deserves to be in the Fast and Furious franchise; it has bombs, machine guns, flamethrowers, missiles, torpedoes, fake deaths. I mean how can it get more exciting? Look for yourselves, and watch “Cars 2 – Oil Rig Chase – HD Clip” on YouTube, you won’t regret it.

Not only does this movie take you through fast paced action scenes, with fake deaths, and guns blazing but it also takes you travelling on a cultural journey across the world. The film immediately delves you into Japan’s rich culture; ‘car-sumo wrestlers,’ Japanese pod hotels, cars dressed in kimonos, karaoke, Japanese electronic toilets – what more could you want? Then the film takes you travelling to Italy with its beautiful Italian coastlines, glorious views from Monte-Carlo, Monaco, and even a ‘Pope-car.’ Finally, in the denouement of the film, you travel to London. There’s the famous London architecture: Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and most importantly London’s infamous cloudy weather. Why go on holiday when you could just watch Cars 2?

When a director can successfully pull off a dual storyline, it can elevate it among the greats: Christopher Nolan in Dunkirk, Quentin Tarantino in Inglourious Basterds, and most definitely John Lasseter in Cars 2. The dual storylines perfectly complement each other; the family-friendly car-racing plot, in conjunction with a spy mission to stop the oil industry’s corrupted cartel, perfectly mixes the two worlds. One world is thrilling, balanced by the other which is more light-hearted.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but the ending plot twist is genius. The discovery of the hidden antagonists is so unexpected, that it will leave your jaw dropped. So yeah. This is more than ‘just a kid’s film’. But if you need more evidence, I guess you will just have to watch the full movie to find out.

AAGPS Swimming Carnival 5

Friday 22 March 2024 – SOPAC, Homebush at 6pm

Please see below, the 2024 Swimming Team Selections for the final AAGPS Swimming Carnival taking place tonight, 22 March.

After four AAGPS Swimming Carnivals Shore is presently positioned as follows:

1st Junior Division.
1st Intermediate Division.
4th Senior Premiership.
3rd Open Relay Cup.

Go Shore!

Mr T O’Keeffe
Head of Swimming

Age group: as at 31 December 2024