Message from the Headmaster

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

Accountability and Compliance – The Spirits of the Age

It is often alleged that independent schools are not accountable. In fact, accountability structures dominate much of our time. These structures are for a very good purpose, ensuring integrity and safety, but are very pervasive. Compliance functions require a whole layer of staff in an independent school to undertake what schools within systems are able to cede to their head offices. 

Shore, in combination with other schools of its type, is highly accountable. Entities to which we report on an annual basis include the:

• NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), particularly in terms of teaching the specified curriculum and conducting assessment items in accord with NESA policies. Our Annual Report to NESA is a public document, the 2023 edition of which will shortly be uploaded to our website (required for submission to NESA annually by the end of June in the following year).

• Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), monitored through NESA. One of the main activities of ACARA is the annual National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing. ACARA controls the administration of NAPLAN. ACARA also controls the Australian participation in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where schools are selected at random, except that Shore is always selected!
• Australian Government Department of Education, in terms of the disbursement of federal funding.
• NSW Department of Education, in terms of the appropriate application of state funding. 
• Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), in terms of the appropriate enrolment and education of overseas students with nationality other than Australian, of whom Shore currently has three.
• Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), again in terms of appropriate financial arrangements. 
• Requirements of the third tier of government: we are constrained by local government regulations, such that any major changes on site require approval of development applications.
• Annual Anglican Synod, the “parliament” of the Anglican Church. As a former member of Synod, I can attest to the fact that Synod’s only interest is whether schools are financially viable (Shore is).
• Bank, who require us to maintain various covenants and ratios in terms of our balance sheet.
• Auditors. All our accounts are audited by an independent, top tier school audit specialist.

The federal funding comprises 7% of our budget and state funding represents 2%. 

An increasing consciousness within our society of risk drives all kinds of accountability, both internally and externally. Some of this is not very interesting (!) and, indeed, can be mind numbing, but certainly serves a good purpose. As I am given to remark to staff, very few of us entered teaching in order to fill in forms! The Headmaster of a school, as the Head of Agency, is invariably drawn into issues of accountability reporting and compliance. Perhaps an allusion to Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels is apt, where Gulliver was tied down by the multiple cords of the Lilliputians (possibly the bureaucrats of his time?). The second allusion which occurs is from the English Romantic poet, William Blake, who found his “binding with briars my joys and desires”. Compliance is certainly not joyful and it would be rather good, to understate the case, to invest this time into something student focused. This is not to deny the importance of compliance; whether we need to go to the nth degree is a moot point.

One of the most significant aspects of accountability is the five-year (maximum) cycle of NESA inspection of all independent schools for registration (licence to operate as a school), accreditation (permission to offer the HSC) and CRICOS (authority to enrol overseas nationals). The regime is so cumbersome that it is necessary to commence preparing the required documents up to 18 months before the inspection. The inspection consists of a very thorough desktop audit of documents submitted online in March of the year in which currency of registration ceases. These relate not just to curriculum and assessment but to every potential area of risk and compliance in the operations of a school. The final aspect of the process is a site visit, where the claims of a school are tested by artefacts collected, such as student work samples and, indeed, the eagle eye of the inspectors as they walk around and interview key staff.

The glad tidings of the moment are that last week Shore once again received the maximum available five-year extension of its registration, accreditation and CRICOS authority. Producing the necessary documentary evidence was a collaborative effort across many staff, for which I am very grateful. Shore will next be due for inspection in 2029. 

In short, the level of accountability of independent schools is very substantial indeed. It has been calculated that there are 46 separate pieces of state and federal legislation with which schools must be compliant. Much of this can be termed “the back room” of the School, not really visible to students or parents but essential for the conduct of the School. 

What then do all the non-classroom teaching staff busy themselves with? Essentially, the above and more. They represent units which are responsible for enrolments, financial management, risk identification and mitigation, EAs to those responsible for functional units, human resources, information technology, library services, community engagement with publications and events, educational services, laboratory technicians, buildings and maintenance, landscaping, peripatetic instrument tuition, strength and conditioning, medical centre, counselling, cadets, the Foundation, the Old Boys’ Union (OBU), support to our Music and Drama departments, catering and housekeeping in our Boarding Houses, sports coaching and the uniform shop. Shore is a huge operation! Many of those within these roles have been part of the team of people organising the necessaries for our NESA audit. This is the time to acknowledge them but also to say that all of these roles are essential in maintaining a quality school. The New Testament writer, Paul, captures this interdependence of people brilliantly with his organic image of all parts of the community being necessary for the function of a body. ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”…’ (1 Corinthians 12-21).

I am very appreciative of all the eyes, hands and other components of the staff body of Shore, and appreciate their diligence and commitment to excellence.

Dr John Collier
Headmaster

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

CRU Update

When you think of Jesus, what do you see? Perhaps a more important question to consider is, “Who is Jesus to you”? What is His identity?

Visiting the Christian Studies building last Friday lunchtime for our weekly CRU gathering was Tom Wilson from the CRU organisation. During a quick interview, we heard about how he visits various schools every week and runs camps during the holidays, such as CrossTrain. You can sign up for CrossTrain, a great camp to help you live for Jesus at school, along with many other CRU activities or study camps in this upcoming winter holidays at crucamps.com.au

Tom then spoke to us on a passage from Mark 8. In this story, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and Tom mentioned how this man would likely have been an outcast of society at the time. Jesus then healed the blind man, rather strangely, as he spat on his eyes. However, it seemed that He actually failed the first time, as the man could only see people that looked like trees. After the man’s sight was fully restored, the passage went on to another story, actually reflecting the healing of the blind man. Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah, but He could not accept that Jesus would suffer at the hands of the chief priests and teachers of the law. This reflects the half-blindness of the man, as Peter only half understood Jesus’ identity and mission. Jesus wanted Peter to know that he is the Messiah or God’s King (Peter gets that), but he is the Messiah who will die on a Cross for our forgiveness. Tom also explained that Jesus had to tell both the man and Peter to stay quiet about Him for the time being, so that He would be able to make it to the cross, where He died for us. Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection that followed is what gives us the opportunity for forgiveness and eternal life. So, who is Jesus to you? “

Daniel Becker
Year 11

Shabbots Camp

The June long weekend saw the CRU groups of Shore and Abbotsleigh combine for their annual camp, known as Shabbots. 60 Shore boys and 80 Abbotsleigh girls attended the camp from Friday night through to Sunday afternoon at the Galston CRU site. We had a wonderful weekend away with some insightful talks, reflective group discussion times, great games and a theme night with a dress-up theme of ‘What I want to be when I grow up.’ There were great times of fellowship and the deepening of relationships, as well as a Justin Bieber styled memory verse from Ephesians 2:4-6. One of the strengths of the camp is that it is almost entirely student led. The boys and girls do a fantastic job not only in their preparation but also in the activities on camp. Some of these are up front activities such as leading a big group session, however many of the boys and girls continue to have discussions and reflections with the younger students on camp. It is another demonstration of the power of relationships in our community and students seeking to serve those around them.

Rev Anthony Benn
Chaplain

Confirmation for Years 10, 11 and 12

If you wish to be confirmed in the Shore Chapel in 2024, please apply to Rev Benn via email abenn@shore.nsw.edu.au before Wednesday 26 June, Week 9.

The first meeting will be held in Week 2 of Term 3 at lunchtime in the Christian Studies Centre Room 21-3-3.

Any questions, please email Rev Benn.

American Tea – Call for Donations

American Tea is hugely successful when our community joins forces and contributes. Last year we raised more than $100,000, which was invested back into the School to provide specialty equipment. We’re looking to raise the bar in 2024, and there are many ways you can help out.

We kindly request your support in the form of donations to help make this event a success. We are seeking donations for a variety of different stalls and fundraisers as a part of the American Tea.

Raffle and Silent Auction Donations

This is the largest contributor to the fundraising at American Tea. In previous years, we have received contributions for holidays, a variety of gift vouchers, stays at holiday houses, private chef experiences, wine, perfumes and cosmetics, business services, etc. If you would like to donate, please email the American Tea Convenor at spaamericantea@shore.nsw.edu.au, with details of your item or service. Donors will be acknowledged on the raffle ticket and silent auction website. All donations will be very much appreciated!

Second-Hand Book Donations

We are also calling out for any book donations for our second-hand bookstall. Please note that we are not accepting any outdated textbooks, encyclopedias, diet/nutrition books, or any other books that have been overly loved. The most popular books previously include classic English novels, kids early readers, teen readers and cookbooks. This is a great opportunity to clean out the bookshelf to make way for your new titles to come in.

Crazy Hat and Costume Donations

Here is your chance to clean out your dress-up cupboard! We are seeking donations for crazy hats, wigs, sunglasses, and costumes. Whether it’s old Halloween outfits, quirky accessories, or any imaginative attire, your contributions will help make this stall a fantastic success. The boys get great enjoyment from seeing what they can create for a laugh on this stall at American Tea.

Trash and Treasure Donations

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure – and certainly will be at American Tea. Whether it’s gently used items, toys, electronic games and devices, collectables, sporting goods or handcrafted goods, all contributions will be greatly appreciated.

Second Hand Uniform Donations

If you have gently used School uniforms that your children have outgrown, please consider giving them a second life by donating them to our cause. Your contributions will not only help other families find affordable uniforms but also support our school’s initiatives. Clean out your closets and make a meaningful difference today!

Please do not donate “Firsts Team or Seconds Team” sport jerseys/singlets.

Old Dinnerware and Crockery Donations

The boys love some therapeutic destruction at the stall within ‘Fun Alley’, where they pay to smash old china plates and crockery. We are seeking any chipped, cracked, or unusable crockery you wish to donate as supplies for this stall.

For all the donations, please use the labelled tubs along the brick wall of the loading dock:
William Street Loading Dock (after the Main Gate on the left-hand side).
Access times: 8.00am-12noon, 1.00pm-3.30pm

Thank you for your generosity and support in enriching our students’ educational experiences.

Join in the fun at the All Sports Lunch!

Don’t miss out on the All Sports Lunch in 2024. Book your tickets now for a great day celebrating all the Sports played at Shore.

All parents, past parents and Old Boys, are invited to the Foundation’s All Sports Lunch fundraising event. The All Sports Lunch is only held every two years, so don’t miss out!

Organise a table of 10 or meet new friends, and we can pop you on a table! Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the Shore Spirit, great networking and opportunities to support the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Date:             Friday 9 August 2024
Time:            11.30am – 4.30pm
Venue:          Doltone House, Hyde Park
Cost:             $225.00 per person
Dress:           Lounge Suit

trybooking.com/CSADJ

Term Dates 2024

Year 7 and Year 8 Creative Writing

This Term, Year 7 and Year 8 students have been diving into creative writing units, showcasing their storytelling talents. It has been wonderful to see students shine, impressing teachers with their unique and engaging compositions. From imaginative tales to heartfelt narratives, their ability to craft captivating stories has been remarkable. These units have not only fostered creativity but also developed critical thinking and writing skills. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the creativity they’ve displayed, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth as young writers.

Please enjoy a short extract from Sam Holt’s short story, The Phoenixes, along with William Watson’s short story, The Emperor’s Will.

The Phoenixes – Sam Holt

“A bird born in a cage thinks flying is an illness” – Alejandro Jodorowsky

“Whose side are you on?” His father’s demanding voice reverberated through his head, repeating over and over in his brain.Elden ripped open the mahogany door, desperately trying to silence that all-powerful whisper. You must hate the Phoenixes as I have. His mind was a maze, confused and lost and trapped by the walls that closed in around him. You must hunt the Phoenixes as I have. His heart was torn, ripped in two by the laws of his father and the cries of his will. You must kill the Phoenixes as I have. His soul was in agony, burning, burning to be free from this prison, this jail, this cage.

The Emperor’s Will – William Watson

He was a rather small, exasperated gentleman with a face that spoke many stories, hair bleak like the setting sun on water, and eyes that could melt a soul. He was called Akiko Hayashi (as legend goes) and after serving at high ranks with the emperor, he had returned to his hometown of Hayasha to look after his ailing wife.

His property was one of three grand estates, all built to house imperial royalty. The house had four bedrooms (these were excessive as he now lived alone), a kitchen, living space and a water closet. In the back was a garden, although it was never for show. There was a lake lined with small pebbles next to a small wooden stool, made by his late father. Every night, Akiko would limp to the seat, with candle in hand, and look in the lake’s luminescent reflection. After serving the emperor, Akiko felt purposeless, and day by day watched himself fade.

Ms Z Doutreband
Master Assisting English (Academic Enrichment)

Years 8 and 10 Progress Meetings

Term 3: Notice To Parents – Years 8 and 10

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

Mr S Werakso
Staff Professional Co-ordinator

In Our Italian Restaurant

A Comprehensive Ranking of Billy Joel’s Finest Moments

H. R. Gluskie

IF YOU’RE MUCH LIKE ME, then you could concur with my longing for that perfected list of Top Ten Billy Joel songs, encapsulating an intrinsic conflation of niche gems and fan favourites. On my perilous journey to find such a perfected work of articulated writing (rather than studying for my upcoming assessments), I endured mini heart-attacks once spotting critics actually placing We Didn’t Start The Fire in their Top Ten, or that one pretentious critic claiming that Joel “sounded like a chipmunk” for the entirety of his debut album; Cold Spring Harbor. After multiple gruelling hours of deep contemplation, or heated discussion with fellow Billy Joel enthusiast Matthew George, I believe I have formulated the medicine to cure your Billy Joel deprived illness. 

Weakest Billy Joel enthusiast

Source: Reddit

10. Allentown (The Nylon Curtain)

Edging ahead of its Nylon Curtain (1982) competitor Goodnight Saigon, Allentown dismantles the Romanticism of workers’ unions and factories instantaneously through the poignant steam whistle that opens the album. Whilst an overtly sad song, Joel juxtaposes this with a subtle hint of hope for the workers in Allentown.

9. Piano Man (Piano Man)

Whilst it’s the last song you want someone to play when they see a piano and remark, “I can play a few jingles”, this list would be incomplete without Piano Man making the Top 10. Propelling his career into action, this “limerick” about his time performing as a lounge musician in Los Angeles is welded into everyone’s memory, and complete by his iconic use of the piano and harmonica simultaneously.

8. Vienna (The Stranger)

Undoubtedly, in my opinion, Joel’s prettiest song. Being one of his most profound works of lyricism, the line, “You’ve got your passion, you’ve got your pride / But don’t you know that only fools are satisfied” remains one of my favourites in his discography. Most importantly, however, Gary Winick’s 13 Going On 30 would not be at the level it is without Vienna’s capacity for emotional catharsis. 

7. Zanzibar (52nd Street)

Joel’s most jazz-infused album, Zanzibar’s solid tune adorned by tasteful elements of Eddie Hubbard’s two trumpet solos, embodies the suave, provocative tone of the chic dance clubs that emerged in New York City in the late 1970s. Driven by the pumping keyboard of Chris Mathur, Evacuate Now’s electric performance of this piece only ameliorated its standing on the Top Ten. 

A happy Chris M (2023) playing Zanzibar!

6. Prelude/Angry Young Man (Turnstiles)

The older I get, the more I come to worship Prelude/Angry Young Man. And whilst I don’t count myself as very old, the fiery intro of rapid staccato piano movements and crashing cymbals has become one of my favourite Billy Joel openings. Weaving the ebb and flow of dynamics in Prelude to transition into the sympathetic, upbeat sentiment of Angry Young Man, Joel presents a pastiche of a generation stubbornly clinging onto the waning ideals and notions of the 1960s. 

5. New York State of Mind (Turnstiles)

Not many songs can efficaciously capture the zeitgeist of New York as well as Billy Joel does in his seminal, New York State of Mind. A generation earlier had Sinatra’s New York, New York, and a generation later had Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind; and whilst Tony Bennet was known for his smooth jazz vocals covering Sinatra’s, he always seemed to sing Joel’s more passionately at Madison Square Garden. Amidst a city polluted by crime, drugs, and disaffection, Joel leverages the sultry saxophone in flux with the swell of piano and strings to evoke a sense of intoxicating whimsy for simpler, more grounded times; leaving the splintered city with the potential for patriotic relief as he croons, “It comes down to reality”. 

4. Movin’ Out [Anthony’s Song] (The Stranger)

The opening track to The Stranger (1977), establishes the album’s quintessential Italian sound through the vibrant guitar riff and meandering bass line, accented by organ and piano flourishes. Amidst an impervious, deftly catchy tune that compelled me to break out into a groove in the silent section of the Library last Tuesday, Joel’s lyrics refer to the New York working-class immigrant masculine ethos, in which the proletariats take pride in working long hours to afford the outward signs of having achieved the ‘American Dream’.

3. Sleeping With the Television On (Glass Houses)

As an under-appreciated catchy 80s pop tune, Sleeping With the Television On strikes a natural balance between Joel’s traditional songwriting and his New Wave producer, Phil Ramone. Outwardly, Joel is just trying to score big with a girl, but he elevates the song to expose the fronts we put up to avoid further heartbreak. Through his imposition of the dichotomy between the phony “more of a fool who’s not afraid of rejection”, and later his honest internal dialogue “Your eyes are saying talk to me”, he portrays two wounded hearts that keep the song attractive, truthful, and even a little romantic. 

2. Summer, Highland Falls (Turnstiles)

Joel’s ability to transcend listeners immediately through Summer, Highland Falls opening piano melody could earn it a spot on this list alone. Ostensibly about the give-and-take of life and relationships, Joel suggests this song is more appropriately suited to the undercurrent depression that entrenches itself behind the seemingly ‘ideal’ facades humans put up on display. The rolling arpeggios in his left hand construct a dark, driving bass line, whilst the right is oscillating in a bouncy, yet ‘manic’ manner. Most importantly, this duality reifies the notion that there is no liminal space in between the radicalities of humanity, advocating that life is broken down to “either sadness or euphoria”.

1. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant (The Stranger)

His seven-and-a-half minute epic triptych, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, is a careful and considerate juxtaposition of musical idioms – weaving his legacy of a storyteller and beautiful piano ballads to blossom an examination of life’s nuance and nostalgia. Regarding The Beatles’ Abbey Road, the operetta opens as a wistful romantic ballad as the simple piano accompanied by the sweeping accordion and strings transports us into Joel’s sensorial enchanting world. As the song shifts style, the rock verse titled The Ballad of Brenda and Eddie entails the story of the “popular steadies” navigating the transitional period between adolescence and the impending responsibilities of adulthood. As it is later revealed in the final verse that bookends the simple piano opening, it is the ‘steadies’ Brenda and Eddie reminiscing as divorcees on the simpler times of their unjaded past. Ultimately, Joel’s magnum opus subvertingly presents the underwhelming nostalgia that accompanies reminiscence, leaving listeners with the image of “waving goodbye” to our past lives, and compelling us to appreciate living in the present as extraordinary, ordinary humans. 

Five honourable mentions that could’ve easily made the list: The Stranger (The Stranger), Miami 2017 (Turnstiles), The Longest Time (An Innocent Man), I Don’t Want to Be Alone (Glass Houses), Ballad of Billy The Kid (Piano Man)

Me when the ‘Ballad of Brenda and Eddie’ comes on

From Masterpieces To Misses

Why Modern Movies Miss The Mark

C. Z. C. Zhu

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WATCHED A MOVIE IN A CINEMA, AND WERE TRULY SPEECHLESS?  Now, I’m not talking about some cheap laughs you got from a new comedy, or a skip of the heartbeat from a new horror movie. I’m talking about the Goodfellas, the Shawshank Redemptions, and the Inceptions of the world. So why is it that there hasn’t been a quality movie in ages?

You might argue that movies like Oppenheimer and Barbie, are ‘Modern Day Masterpieces’, but let’s be honest with ourselves. I tried to like Oppenheimer, but at times, it was just boring. This could be because I don’t know all the politics behind the movie, but I still stand firm in my opinion.

After years of rapid technological advancement, you’d expect the movies coming out to be better than those made 10 to 30 years ago. But they just aren’t. The movie crisis is not contingent on the technology, but rather the plot. Somehow. movies made 15 years ago have cinematics that exceed any modern day movies, even with the improvement of CGI and other effects. Look at any Christopher Nolan movie and compare it to any modern movie.

Perhaps we are all just being nostalgic about the old movies, and cynical about the new. Maybe the recent movies aren’t so bad. Maybe it just takes time for modern movies to marinate. I’m sure some of the classic movies we see now were not instant hits at first.

Source: Google

Don’t get me wrong, there are still some good modern franchises, such as Marvel. But I think we all know there was a fall-off after Endgame, where all of our childhood favourite heroes never turned up in another movie. Spiderman is still a W though. At the end of the day, there isn’t much that any of us, as high school students, can do to fix Hollywood’s movie crisis. Unless one of you reading this becomes the next Martin Scorcese. In the slightest chance that one of the people reading this becomes a Movie Director in Hollywood, on behalf of the audience, please bring back the spark that died with modern movies.

Not Just Any Forum

How The ‘Green and Gold Rugby Forum’ Captivated The Entire AAGPS

T. F. C. Kierse

KNOWN AND BELOVED TO ALMOST ALL OF SHORE, The Green and Gold Rugby Forum (G&GR) has managed to grasp the attention of the AAGPS Community unlike any other online website before it. Whether it be on the AAGPS Rugby chat, or the Rowing or Cricket forum, the titans of the G&GR Forum may be the biggest celebrities at Shore right now.

When I was on the bus back from the game against Joeys last Thursday, the first thing that I did was check Green and Gold for the opinions of those who had been posting to the forum. I noticed that I was not alone in this action and that the influence of the forum was not limited to just myself and a few others.

It seems that the once small and unknown rugby forum is now turning into an AAGPS-wide phenomenon.

Probably the two biggest contributors, “Joker” and “The Chairman”, are known by almost all Shore boys, and I would say all that are in Year 11 at the bare minimum.

Profile Photo of “The Chairman”

But what makes this forum so special? So engaging and so popular?

Firstly, it is the first online public website of its kind to have all things AAGPS Rugby on it. Whether it be the old tales and the beloved Tipping Comp of Joker, or the statistics and all kinds of Rowing VIII’s predictions of The Chairman, this mere forum offers a glimpse into the past for many of the curious fans of AAGPS Sport, and overall, just makes for a good read.

Secondly, it allows for most of the boys themselves to contribute. While some of Shore’s most wise have already given their wisdom to the forum in days past, the ability to talk directly with and understand the opinions of some of the elder and more experienced AAGPS Sport goers is always an enticing prospect. This has been seen on multiple occasions, whether it be the complete technical breakdown of the Joeys and Shore First Eights by The Chairman or the tactical breakdowns and the swift but insightful match reports of The Ghost of Raelene.

Profile Photo of “Joker”

Thirdly, being able to gain so much information regarding team news, selection, and injuries so quickly and readily available is incredible. Before G&GR, you would know the line-up you were coming up against when you met them on the field on Saturday. Now, thanks to Forum contributors, all of the selection news in the world from all six AAGPS camps is almost always available.

The quips and remarks on the forum are also incredible. Whether it be the praising of Shore’s delicious meat pies, or the incredible names for grounds that have resulted from the Forum (e.g. Stirling Bridge and Bassingthwaighte Park), it adds to the unique reading experience.

There also seems to be another question gripping the School as a result of the widespread popularity of the Forum. Who is The Chairman? While the famous Joker has made himself to be known as a Joeys Old Boy and teacher, the quest for the identity of The Chairman has come up fruitless. The theories vary drastically from person to person. They have ranged from an Old Rowing Coach to an Old Boy, to a current School Boy, and even to Mr Ticehurst. The reality is most likely, we will never know. But the search for The Chairman will continue.

But until then, I and many others will continue to enjoy the wide range of opinions and controversy that rests on the forum. Whether it be the strict banning of the I-word or the respective Schoolboys talking up their schools’ prospects for the next weekend, it all builds up to make an enjoyable experience that is the Green and Gold Rugby Forum.

Carbon: From Soft to Superhard

The Main Carbon Allotropes and Their Properties

A. J. Li

CARBON IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF ALL. Heralded as essential to all life due to its ability to bond in many different ways, there is a whole branch of chemistry dedicated to the study of carbon chemistry – organic chemistry. However, the purpose of this article is not to explore how carbon bonds to other elements, but how it can bond with itself through allotropy. Allotropes are variations of the same pure chemical element, differing in their structure and bonding. Due to these differences, allotropes of the same element often have very different physical and chemical properties. Some of the most well-known allotropes of carbon are diamond and graphite.

Diamonds:

A symbol of wealth, love, and luxury, diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance (on Earth, at least, but that’s a story for another time). The structure of diamonds fully takes advantage of carbon’s ability to bond to four other atoms, resulting in a crystal lattice of carbons single-bonded to three other carbon atoms.

Diamonds only form under the most extreme conditions to create unique bonding arrangements. They are formed naturally over millions of years 150-200 kilometres underground, under 50,000 times the pressure at the surface of the Earth, and at a temperature of about 1600°C. These extreme conditions happen to match a planet 40 light years away named 55 Cancri e, where one-third of the planet’s mass could potentially be made up of diamonds. Diamonds are commonly used for jewellery and drill bits in mining due to their extreme strength.

Graphite:

Graphite differs from the structure of diamonds in that each carbon is covalently bonded to only three adjacent carbon atoms. This leaves one electron free to move around, which turns into a sea of delocalised electrons when looking at an extended structure of graphite.

The delocalised electrons in graphite make it an excellent conductor of electricity, the opposite of diamond which is an insulator since there are no free electrons. Perhaps the most famous use of graphite is in pencil lead, which also demonstrates another one of its unique properties. As seen from the diagram above, graphite seems to exist in 2D planes, stacked on top of each other. This is due to the carbon atoms bonding only to three other atoms instead of four, and so it is more favourable for the bonds to form in a 2D flat plane. When a pencil is used, the pressure from writing is enough to strip layers off of the graphite lead in the pencil to leave marks on the paper. The same idea leads to graphite being used as a dry lubricant, which is convenient when viscous lubricants like oil and grease cannot be used. The individual layers can easily slide over each other to create a lubricating effect, even being used by string musicians when changing instrument strings. Graphite, through the use of a pencil, is applied to the wooden bridge of the instrument, which would not have been possible with oil or grease. Another application of graphite is in the core of nuclear reactors. Due to the strength of the covalent bonds, graphite has extremely high melting points of above 3600°C. Its ability as a neutron absorber thus makes it suitable in the core of nuclear reactors to stop or slow nuclear reactions that take place due to neutron chain reactions.

Graphene:

Graphene is a single layer from the graphite structure, as close as we can get to 1D.

Retaining many of the properties of graphite, especially its excellent conductivity, graphene has many applications in microtechnological areas such as transparent solar cells, and smart tech such as smart windows, which can control both heat and light transmission, as well as electronic displays. Graphene is also the precursor to the following more exotic allotropes of carbon, which open the door to nanotechnology.

Carbon Nanotubes:

The study of carbon nanotubes is a relatively new area of study, uniting physics and chemistry disciplines in a fast-moving research environment. Essentially, carbon nanotubes are formed from rolling graphene into a tube structure.

This creates a material with remarkable properties: excellent heat and electrical conductivity, among the highest tensile strengths in existing materials, and chemical inertness. Due to their extremely small size and weight, they have wide-ranging applications and enormous potential to revolutionise many industries from all levels of technology to biomedical applications. They can also be spun into fibres to form woven fabrics and textiles, creating extremely efficient transmission cables, and even body and vehicle armour. However, one of its main strengths is also the main issue inhibiting further research on this exciting material: its small size. At such small sizes, it becomes hard to produce in high purities as even the smallest disturbance or contaminant in the creation process can massively impact the final product.

Buckminsterfullerene:

Perhaps the most exotic allotrope of carbon, buckminsterfullerenes have a unique shape resembling that of a football.

Due to this resemblance, they are also known as “BuckyBalls.” The bonding in buckminsterfullerene creates the fused ring structure where each carbon is bonded to three adjacent carbons. However, unlike graphene, the bonding forms a 3D ball shape, with each unit needing 60 carbons to complete the football shape. Buckminsterfullerene is also the only allotrope on this list to exist as individual units (C60), whereas the other allotropes exist in crystalline structures. This leads to the property of buckminsterfullerene being soluble in organic solvents. One of the main applications of buckminsterfullerene is in the medical field. Due to the space inside the “football” structure, atoms and small molecules can be trapped inside, allowing for advanced delivery of medicines and genes to different parts of the body through this carrier. Buckminsterfullerene is also reactive to light and has applications in treating cancer. The buckyballs make their way to cancer cells, where they then react with light radiation to convert molecular oxygen into a more reactive species, which then targets and kills cancer cells. This approach reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissue during treatment compared to more conventional methods using chemotherapy for example.

This is by no means a definitive list of carbon allotropes, there exist many more allotropes with their own unique chemical and physical properties. The plethora of applications and unbridled potential seen with just the four allotropes explored in this article reveal the amazing properties of carbon in an interdisciplinary scientific research area. With every year that passes, carbon nanotubes and other exotic allotropes are closer to enhancing our everyday lives and making the world a better place.

End In Sight?

The Light At The And Of The Tunnel May Finally Be Here.

D. H. Kang

ON MAY THE 31ST, President Biden delivered a speech on the Middle East, in which he revealed a proposal from the Israeli authorities for what he described as “a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages.” This proposal would encompass three stages: 

1. A six-week truce during which Israel would withdraw its forces from the primary urban areas and return the Palestinian prisoners they held, and in exchange, Hamas would release their female, elderly, and wounded hostages.  
2. At the same time, both sides would negotiate through intermediaries for a more prolonged ceasefire, including a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and for Hamas to release the male Israeli soldiers and more of the Palestinian prisoners. 
3. The return of the corpses of presumably dead hostages to Israel and the enaction of an internationally funded program to rebuild the Gaza Strip.

Biden notably leaked this proposal shortly after the beginning of the Sabbath, during which time Israeli cabinet ministers from the religious right (most likely to oppose the proposal) would be disconnected from the internet and unable to make any statements. Later on, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu did officially admit that this plan was of the Israeli government’s own making.

But before anyone gets excited, this is a proposal that has yet to be fulfilled in any measure and is prone to change. Crucially, only the war cabinet, not the Prime Minister’s allies, endorsed it. For the proposal to be put into action, a majority of Mr Netanyahu’s cabinet will need to concur. Mr Netanyahu also proclaimed that Biden’s enthusiastic description of the proposal was “inaccurate” and the primary goal of Israel remained the same: to eradicate the entirety of Hamas. 

(Prime Minister Netanyahu – credits to CNN)

But what caused this proposal to happen in the first place? For Prime Minister Netanyahu, the increasing number of hostages (from Israel) has resulted in a growing number of families putting pressure on him to prioritise retrieving hostages over destroying Hamas. Currently, more than a third of the hostages held by Hamas are presumed to be dead. Moreover, a large part of their goals (to destroy Hamas, get their hostages back, and to prevent any attack in the future) have been achieved – more than 110 000 people in Gaza have been killed or injured according to ABC News, and it seems unlikely that Hamas will have the man-power to retaliate at the end of this war. 

However, Hamas has yet to issue any form of response to Israeli’s proposal. The final word will be held by Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza, who will likely demand that Israeli fully cease their attacks and promise not to attempt to find and kill him, something unlikely to be promised given that he instigated the attacks on October 7th which Israel started a whole war over.   Positive signs are seen, but as with anything as complex as a war, the result will likely be far  closer to the conclusion of The Monkey’s Paw than a clean-cut truce and handshake.

Remembering D-Day

For Tomorrow, they gave their Today.

H. A. G. Longstaff

IT’S A HEAVIER SWELL THAN YOU EXPECTED and the landing craft is pitching and rolling. Perhaps you might vomit with seasickness, but you were too nervous to eat breakfast so there’s nothing to come up. There’s a cracking in the air which you know to be rifle bullets, supplemented by the rapid chattering of German machine-gun fire. Occasionally you are drenched as a German artillery shell lands uncomfortably close in the water. Large calibre shells sound like freight trains as they head from battleships out at sea to German positions. There is smoke, confusion and a cacophony of noise. As the coxswain increases speed to get you up the beach, the change in engine tone indicates that your moment of destiny is seconds away. Then the ramp comes down …

Can you imagine the extraordinary courage needed to be in that first wave? Or to be one of the paratroopers jumping out of C-47 planes into the night sky to be scattered amongst Normandy, disrupting the German response? You would need to be propelled forward by training, a sense of duty and honour, a fear of failure, and a respect for mateship that is almost unimaginable.

Last Thursday 6 June 2024, was the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion ever. The sea landings started at 6.30am, just after dawn, targeting five code-named beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Watchers of movies (Saving Private Ryan’s D-Day landing is regarded as the most realistic combat scene ever) could be forgiven for thinking that this was a wholly American endeavour, and the Americans did make a significant contribution at Utah and Omaha beaches, but the British also landed at Gold and Sword, and the Canadians at Juno. 

Around 11,000 Allied aircraft, 7,000 ships and boats and thousands of other vehicles were involved. More than two million Allied servicemen from a dozen countries served in the overall Operation Overlord, the battle to arrest western France from Nazi control that started on D-Day. 

A total of 4,441 Allied troops were killed on D-Day, with over 5,000 wounded. Exact German casualties aren’t known but are estimated at between 4,000 and 9,000 men killed, wounded or missing. 

I have visited the Allied cemeteries at Normandy and found them extraordinarily moving. Young men, barely older than my Year 12 cohort, who gave their today for our tomorrow.

The 80th Anniversary of D-Day was covered by ceremonies in France attended by President Macron, President Biden and King Charles III. Veterans are scarce … someone who was 20 on the day would now be 100. Most were in wheelchairs. They were called ‘the Greatest Generation’, raised in the Great Depression from parents who fought in the First World War, fighting against Nazism in the Second World War before the period of economic growth, innovation and prosperity marked by the 1950s and 1960s but also by the cloud of the Cold War.

Who now would be in those landing craft? The world now seems so much more fragmented. Do we support Ukraine, or is that for someone else? Would we sign up to serve, or are we too focused on our selfish comforts and ambitions? Is there a global bearing point of what’s right and worth fighting for that seemed so clear then? As evidence of this selfish focus, UK Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak MP attended the formal ceremonies but missed the informal mingling with veterans, vital to honouring their legacy, to return to the UK for a media interview associated with the UK election.

As the RSL says, ‘the price of peace is eternal vigilance’.

Would you stand at the ramparts?

“War”

All Eyes on Rafah

A. W. Awad

IN EIGHT MONTHS, ROUGHLY 36200 PEOPLE HAVE DIED. 1200 Israelis and 35000 Palestinians. As you all know, there has been a raging conflict between Israel and Hamas for the better part of a year. This conflict is emblematic of a deep-rooted dispute between Israel and Palestine that stretches over the past 76 years. The enduring discourse surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict has sparked debate and controversy, yielding a plethora of perspectives. 

You may have seen the image on Instagram, “All eyes on Rafah”, which has been reshared over 50 million times.

Credit: Theconversation.com

Israel first started defending their country by raining bombs on innocent civilians for the actions of Hamas. (Talk about collective punishment, that’s not a war crime at all.) Anyway, Israel declared Rafah a safe zone, allowing Palestinian civilians to seek refuge in safety so that Israel could target the Hamas, who re-kindled this conflict on 7 October, 2023.

On 26 May, Israel decided to attack Rafah, launching missile strikes – not on the city of Rafah – but directly on a make-shift refugee camp just north. At least 45 innocent refugees died in the two strikes on Rafah – the so-called “safe zone” – most of them being women and children. 

The world watched as refugees dug through the rubble, looking for bodies or injured people. Even if they did find them, hospitals aren’t safe, as Israel has struck the city’s two hospitals in the past week. Leaving only six partially functioning hospitals out of the country’s initial 36.

Credit: Al Jazeera

Israeli forces have now destroyed or occupied 24 hospitals in Gaza. The attack on the “safe zone” of Rafah has served as a long-needed wake-up call to the world’s political powers. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) made a ruling on 29 May, stating that “Israel must halt any military offensive in Rafah that could harm civilians”(Chatham House)  Despite the ICJ ruling, the conflict continues. Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues as calls for a ceasefire grow. This situation in Rafah highlights the urgent need for world leaders to work towards a peaceful solution that will preserve the lives and safety of Israelis and Palestinians.

The Limits of Our World

Is there more to life than matter and molecules?

C. N. Vujanovic

IS WHAT WE SEE ALL THAT EXISTS?

Naturalism is a worldview that solely believes in the material. Nothing outside of what we can physically interact with exists. Is this worldview viable though? Does it make sense to the world we interact with and live in?

I honestly don’t think so, and so I will propose one of my favourite arguments against Naturalism to critique Naturalism.

The Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism 

Coined by Alvin Plantinga, a famous American Christian philosopher, this argument demonstrates that if you believe in Naturalism, it is impossible to know anything.

The argument goes something like this: 

Premise 1: Humans, we assume that we can know ‘things’, however, we have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years via natural selection (evolution). 

Premise 2: Those who evolved, evolved because they survived. In other words, evolution selects for survivability. 

Conclusion: When we develop arguments, we assume our brains lead us to truthful conclusions. However, under Naturalism, this is not true because our brains instead form conclusions that help us survive (remember Premise 2, our brains are wired for survivability, not logic). Therefore, the naturalist must either reject naturalism or evolution. Otherwise, any argument you make will not be tenable. Now, I don’t think many people would reject evolution as it is accepted by the whole scientific community, so it appears one must reject Naturalism.

One objection to the Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism is that just because conclusions are based on survivability, that does not mean that the conclusions will not align with the truth. And I mean, sure, but even if there are only a few cases when survivability does not equal truth, then you cannot believe any conclusions as it will be impossible to differentiate between a conclusion from truth and a conclusion from survivability. 

For instance, consider a belief in certain superstitions that may promote group cohesion, enhancing survivability. For instance, early human societies might have developed a superstition that performing a specific ritual dance before hunting might have ensured success. While this belief improved the chances of survival, it did not correspond to the actual truth of what influences hunting success. 

The Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism raises concerns about the reliability of our cognitive faculties when they are shaped by evolutionary processes aimed at enhancing survivability. While it is possible that many beliefs that aid survival also align with the truth, there are notable counter-examples where survival-based beliefs diverge from reality. These instances demonstrate the difficulty in differentiating between beliefs grounded in truth and those rooted in evolutionary advantages. 

Now, this is just one reason I do not hold to Naturalism, but there are many others. I challenge you to consider what you believe. Do not just accept what seems easy, but consider what makes sense in the world. And, for me, Naturalistic evolution does not make sense of the world.

Al Dente Geometric Incarnations

Best and Worst Pasta Configs.

C. D. Michel

IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, the question that has been pondering my mind for the past week is, “What is the best shape of pasta?”. I doubt you’ve ever had the time to even think about the mildly philosophical question, however, recently, while daydreaming in class, I stumbled upon this endless tangent that has truly opened my eyes to the vastness of the ‘pasta realm’. So, I thought I’d share with you some pasta wisdom (I don’t know whether it’s wisdom or brainless thoughts I’ve collated over the past week). 

E-Tier: Rotelle or ‘Wheel pasta’ is the only type of pasta that deserves to be in the pits. This pasta just screams immaturity. Are we babies? Do we need to have multi-coloured pasta in the shape of car wheels? Besides that, Rotelle is too big for a singular pasta and thus clunky to pick up with a fork. If you have any desire to eat quickly, you’re better off eating with a spoon, and even God knows that eating pasta with a spoon is a cardinal sin.

D-Tier: Ziti, Rigatoni, Macaroni, Ditalini, Cavatappi, elbow pasta…This subsection of pasta consists of the ‘mac and cheese’ kinds of pasta. These pasta have little holes in the middle of them to fill with creamy American cheese. In my opinion, these are a definite pass. 

C-Tier: Lasagna, Manicotti, Pacheri, Cannelloni. Despite having a bad shape, they are well delivered. These ‘pastas’ are way too large, and by themselves are lacking. Yes, I understand a good meal can be made from all four of these kinds of pasta; however, if left plain, these pastas are too large to consume succinctly. Moreover, these pastas are not very versatile. It’s the same dish each time; for example, lasagne can be cooked into a lasagne dish, nothing else. These pastas are also lacking due to their inability to be easily transported into a Shore boy’s lunch: Try fitting a lasagne bake into a thermos. How inconsiderate and unthoughtful these pastas are, thus C-Tier. 

B-tier: These are my ‘not-pasta’ pastas. This tier consists of Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Linguine, etc. While these options are classic and delicious, they seem more like Italian ‘noodles’ rather than pasta. Apart from their elongated aspect, these kinds of pasta are solid and satisfying when consumed, especially due to their ability to be curled by a fork.

A-tier: These are the main characters. I’m not sure about you, but if pasta were people, Rotini, Penne, and Farfalle would be like Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, and Hermoine Granger, respectively. They are nice and simple. Everyone enjoys them. They’re easy to pick up with a fork, bite-sizeable, not-too chewy, and they go well with every sauce (for example, Pesto, tomato, tuna, Alfredo, Bolognese, mustard, and chocolate, just to name a few).

S-Tier: Gnocchi, Ravioli, and Orecchiette. While these are not the main characters and they’re no Harry Potter, Hermoine or Ron, I would probably compare them to Nick Crompton, Chance Sutton and Jake Paul. They’re pretty hype (I’m sorry). They can turn something that is quite bland into a masterpiece. In all seriousness, these pasta have unique ways of encapsulating sauce and flavour in every bite. Gnocchi is like little dumplings, flavoursome little potatoes that dissolve in your mouth. Ravioli or ‘Pillow-pasta’ – (Clearly the superior name), are little packets of diverse flavours. It can be filled with pumpkin, meat, cheese, vegetables, you name it. Whatever the dish is, there will be a ravioli variant that will accompany it well. Last but not least, Orecchiette. Their ‘little-ear ’-like shape acts like a net scooping up sauce, making sure each bite is filled with flavour. They’re nice and small, and each bite contains both quantity and quality pasta.

So, if anyone ever asks you your favourite pasta, I think you are now overly-informed to answer this transcending, metaphysical question.

Naomi from Trip Advisor in Italy eating Pasta

Bending Reality

An Introduction to Multiversal Theory

N. Oddone-Bransgrove

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN LYING IN BED AND STARTED TO WONDER, what if there were more versions of you? In the supposed multiverse, there are infinite dimensions with infinite possibilities; there could be a dimension where your cat never died, or you became famous. I’m using the term ‘could’ as the multiverse theory still has not yet been proven, but if it does, anything could happen. You could become a superhero or you could have never been born at all. This is but one of the reasons why scientists are so desperate to find a way to unlock the secret to the multiverse.

Let us look at the TV show Rick and Morty which not only do I think is a splendid TV show on its own, but explores multiversal theory. In the show, Rick’s other versions of himself from other universes build a city in space. Just the thought of that is mind-blowing. Just imagine having one other version of yourself; you could take turns going to school while the other could relax at home. You could make the other version of yourself do your chores. There are endless possibilities and hopefully infinite universes, but as said before we are not sure of that yet.

What if someone had discovered the multiverse and then saw a universe where their life was perfect in every way, and then they saw themselves die in another? They could take their place, live in that area with the perfect life and everyone around them would have no idea and there would be no consequences for their actions. 

Or will there be no consequences? With that version of yourself gone from their original universe without a trace, there would be people looking for them, with signs and posters plastered everywhere, and yet the case would be unsolvable, but of course, the person would not care because they would be lounging back in their penthouse with their few billion dollars. But as some sources suggest, spending too much time in an alternate universe could affect you. They might start to feel weird or sick, and then they would slowly fade away, never to be seen or heard of again. But let us say a government found out the secret to multiversal travel. They could send in some scouts: first into the alternate universe to scope out the place and try to make peace with it or the government could feel threatened by the presence of another universe and instead bomb it to bits – we do not know.

A lot of people confuse the universe that we live in is the Milky Way, but that is simply wrong; the Milky Way is a galaxy and there are approximately 100 billion galaxies in our universe and 51 that are somewhat close to the Milky Way. The top three largest are our Milky Way along with the Andromeda and the Triangulum. All these galaxies hold different living creatures that we do not have enough information about yet and all the galaxies are inside of our universe. All these universes are either far apart or bunched up, but each one has one big difference or many small differences.

CIS Cross Country Championships

Thursday 6 June 2024

International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park

Elite Cross Country runners from Independent Schools descended on the International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park, for the CIS Cross Country Championships, which is now in its second year on this still-new layout. The skies were ominous, yet we dodged (well the Senior School did) the worst of the weather and were treated to some fast Cross Country running across seven age groups. The course is a real Cross Country test, hilly, undulating, muddy, grassy and slippery… Shore had 17 Blue Street Boys selected to represent Shore and the GPS, yet we were reduced to 16 after we lost Archie Watson to a nasty lurgy. We’ve no doubt he’ll be back fighting fit, as he’s even been recruiting Cross Country runners at School. Thanks, Archie! Here’s looking at you, Tom!

The first boys called to the barrier were our Opens runners: Lachy Brown, Ryan Gilmour and Isaac Lanham. These three soon established themselves ‘up front’ and settled into a good rhythm for the 8 kilometre test! Lachy, still getting back to top form, dropped off a little on the second 4 kilometre lap, yet Ryan and Isaac ran well and established themselves comfortably in the Top Ten, Ryan 7th and Isaac 9th. As the finish line loomed, Ryan narrowly lost a spot, and he finished 8th with Isaac not too far adrift in 9th. These two booking themselves a start at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships early next Term, where they are set to impress! Lachy ended up 12th to be the 2nd reserve for the CIS team at All Schools; there is nothing too shabby about that.

We had three stallions in the 17s race, with James Bestic, Daniel B and Mack Haddow all looking twitchy and keen to race at the start. James looked comfortable on course and had a super race. He should be pleased with himself as his 15th is a fine result in such a high quality field. Daniel and Mack remained in touch with one another mid field for the duration and finished, commendably, in 62nd and 63rd, respectively. Daniel had a muddy stack rounding one of the last bends, yet he managed to get back up quickly as he accelerated to the finish! Break out the Napisan!

Tom Gray, in only his second outing at CIS, was our sole runner in the 16s race and he made a fine account of himself as he finished 27th. No doubt the bookmakers will lower his odds next year!

The strength behind our solid weekly results in the Intermediates each Saturday was evident in the 15s race, with Will Bestic, Jonty Jagger, Hugo Stewart and James Warren all saddled up at the start line. I have the feeling that these four and Ben Frantz may combine to bring home our next GPS XC Premiership, as they are all super keen and improving quickly with plenty of track work. You could have easily thrown a blanket over Will, Jonty and Hugo for much of the race as they worked off one another well. Jonty just got the better of his Shore teammates at the finish as he was 29th, with Will 31st and Hugo 32nd. James did well and finished a commendable 51st.

The 14s race was another Shore solo affair with Toby Ward, who raced well, getting out quickly, and ended in a solid 19th. I expect it won’t be long until he progresses through this difficult pathway to All Schools with his desire to train hard, improve and race well!

We were represented by debutants George Harvey and Leon Field in the 13s race. It was a baptism of fire in a strong field. Yet these two ran tenaciously and made a fine account of themselves as they were 54th and 69th, respectively.

The final secondary race of the day was the 12 years boys’ event, and we were watching closely Henry Grieve and Harrison Thomas. Well, they were easy to watch as they were virtually side by side for the duration. Harrison surged to the line in strong fashion to be 11th, with Henry just one position back in 12th. They both ended up as 1st and 2nd reserve for the CIS team to go to All Schools. A fine result, and there is every likelihood of being called upon with the amount of current sickness in the community.

In the wash up, it was a very successful day, with no horsing about, at Horsley Park for the Blue Street Boys, and we look forward to weekly GPS racing resuming tomorrow at Riverview. This is also the selection race to be included in the GPS teams to take on CAS next Term. Giddy up!

Good running,

Mr M Spratt
MIC Cross Country

Rugby Report

St Joseph’s College (Joeys) – Thursday 6 June

Firstly, thank you. To all the boys who came from School in the pouring rain and in ponchos to come and watch Shore take on Joeys at Hunters Hill – we appreciate you. 

The First and Second XV played last Thursday in torrential rain yet again. And both games showed the great courage and skill of our players.

The Second XV started in a clinical fashion and really controlled the first half with disciplined play and fine penalty goal kicking from Ollie Greig. Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration and a well-worked Joeys move saw them cross for a try, however, Shore was in front at half-time. The second half started to see the rain really start to come down and the match turned into an arm wrestle between both sides. Joeys crossed for another try and hit the lead for the first time. Shore was down 12-14 and then picked up the intensity once again. Sustained pressure by Shore did not eventuate into points, and Joeys crossed for a third try. However, Shore’s never-say-die attitude came out, and Duncan Cowan crossed for a try to make the score 19-21. Unfortunately, this was where the game ended – a gutsy display from both sides.

The rain was really coming down now as the First XV took to the field. The Cavalry then started to arrive 10 minutes into the game (the Shore boys who had been bussed from North Sydney), and it was on. Once again, the team started well and took control of the match through well structured play. A penalty goal to Henry Conick and a try to Rex Bassingthwaighte put Shore 8-0 up. Again though, through a lapse in concentration, Joeys was allowed to cross for a try from a simple backline move, and the score was 8-7 to Shore at half-time.

As in the Second XV game, the rest of the First XV match turned into an arm wrestle between two very strong GPS sides. Another Joeys try, and two Shore penalty goals had the score locked at 14-14. Both sides were throwing everyone they could at the game, and Joeys were awarded a penalty attempt with minutes to go. They got it. 17-14 to Joeys. Shore then threw down one last almighty effort and attacked the Joeys half with great skill and discipline. Twenty plus phases later and no penalties being awarded, the ball spilled loose, and Joeys grabbed it to kick it out…but it was blocked, and Marshall Le Maitre got a toe on the ball as it headed to the try line…alas, the ball went dead, and the final whistle blew.

All of the coaching staff who watched these games came away with great admiration for our boys. Players who were not well, played for their friends. Alex Smith played out of position in the Second XV when needed and did this for those around him. And therein lies what we hope is the spirit of all Shore teams, no matter how old you are – playing for those around you is where the joy, satisfaction and ultimately success always comes from.

As we take on Scots tomorrow, let us go once more to our beloved Bridge and defend it with all that we have, playing for our friends and jersey as the ultimate objective.

Go Shore!

Mr D Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby