Message from the Headmaster

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

The Epidemic of Anxiety in Young People

The tsunami of mental health issues that has beset youth in the Western world in the last couple of decades is well-known. At Shore, we dearly want our young people to flourish. The latest in a series of summary reports of major literature in the field has been compiled by, Mr Stuart McCormack, Head of Students. The research is American, by the author of The Coddling of the American Mind, which examined the collapse of resilience in American college and university students. Our default assumption is that what is true in America as a social trend, takes root subsequently in Australia. Haidt argues that parents are too vigilant in minimising physical risk, which inhibits the kind of developmental play needed to future proof a child, and far too liberal, indeed indulgent, in allowing young people extensive access to the virtual world with far too few protective strategies. Mr McCormack’s excellent summary appears below:

The Anxious Generation – How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by American psychologist Jonathan Haidt.

Have we reached a point where we are over-protecting young people in the real world and under-protecting them in the digital, online world?

Haidt’s The Anxious Generation is a challenge and a call to arms to all parents, educators, and policymakers who care deeply about our children and teenagers growing into resilient, confident and capable adults who can develop healthy relationships and a deep sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Haidt’s book explains some of the reasons why the mental health and wellbeing of young people is declining at an alarming rate, specifically among Gen. Z (born 1997-2012). He discovered that declining mental health is common amongst many Western nations and has been synchronised to such an extent that it cannot be ignored and requires collective consideration of positive and constructive solutions to reverse. He also notes the alignment of such trends with the introduction and prolific uptake of screen-based technology, especially smartphones.

Haidt claims that play-based childhood, a critically important experiential and developmental time for children, has been steadily replaced by a phone-based childhood. A steady shift in parental practice has seen children and teens withdrawing from ‘risky’, active and healthy play and devoting significant time, energy and attention to the digital world via their devices. In doing so, they are dangerously neglecting and avoiding many formative and critical real-world experiences that are essential to building positive mental health, strong and secure relationships and the capacity for resilience. Furthermore, The Anxious Generation claims that much of the content and online experiences for young people, e.g. social media, unfiltered and excessively violent viewing, addictive gaming, gambling and pornography, are not only harmful but devastatingly so.

Whilst the trends and statistics make for sobering reading, Haidt offers some helpful and practical remedies that are worthy of our attention. They are:

• No smartphones prior to high school
• No social media prior to 16 years of age
• School bans on smartphones
• Increased active and unsupervised play

At Shore, we recognise the health and wellbeing of our students as core School business. Indeed, it is critically important and linked to their learning progress and academic achievement. We are committed to a rich and vast co-curricular programme that offers the boys abundant opportunities for healthy team-based play, creative pursuits and various outdoor education experiences that all, in many and varying ways, build healthy habits of wellbeing and positive mental health. We are also seeking to review and refine specific areas of our wellbeing programmes that can target the most relevant areas of need for our students; digital nutrition is certainly among them.

The Pastoral Care Team welcomes conversations with any family that would like further information or advice on these issues as we attempt to ensure that the generations from Shore are well, full of hope and optimism and ready to contribute meaningfully to life beyond School.

Review summary prepared by Mr Stuart McCormack, Head of Students

At Shore, we implement a number of protective factors. Exercise, as in vigorous sporting activities, is known to be one such factor. Another is our outdoor education programme, including Cadets and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, as well as year-based camps, sequenced through late Prep School and Senior School years, all designed to develop self-reliance and resilience. Similarly, our House-based Pastoral Care system is designed to enfold students within community, where no child is overlooked. For those who do present with issues of various kinds, our Counselling team is large and well accredited. Our faith perspective is designed to provide an anchor and a sense of meeting and purpose. This is beautifully captured by the New Testament writer, the Apostle Paul

^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7).

Implicit in this material is the need for parents to make decisions about what parenting style is most appropriate for each child in both the real and the virtual worlds.

Dr John Collier
Headmaster

CRU Update

At CRU this week, we continued looking through the letter to the Colossians. After a quick introduction and the Bible reading from Colossians 1:15-20, Charlie Corbett-Jones spoke, beginning with some context. Charlie helpfully explained how Paul was writing a letter to the church in Colossae, a church he had never visited before, but a church that he was still encouraged by. Despite this, he was aware of some false teachers who were speaking a false gospel. In this section of the letter, Charlie presented two main points. The first was that Jesus has power over everything and the second was God’s plan to reconcile all creation to Himself. Charlie emphasised Jesus’ power, pointing to verse 16, where Paul writes that even thrones, powers, rulers and authorities were created by Him and for Him. While all of God’s creation is amazing, this specifically displays that no matter how powerful someone is on earth, Jesus is more powerful, with supremacy over all things. Charlie also spoke about the great plan for salvation, and how God planned to reconcile all things to Himself through Jesus’ death on the cross. Through placing our trust in Jesus, we are promised eternal life because He died the death we deserved, being resurrected on the third day so we may have life with Him. We will be continuing with CRU next week with Juniors (Years 7 to 8) on Thursday and Seniors (Years 9 to 12) on Friday in the Christian Studies area. 

InterCRU

On Friday afternoon, Shore hosted InterCRU, which is a gathering of the CRU Christian groups of schools from all over the North Shore. This Term, we were joined by Arden, Barker, Knox, Ravenswood and St Andrews Cathedral School. Josh Gallant began by leading a Kahoot game followed by a watermelon challenge. Our band then led us in song as we praised God with the song This is Amazing Grace remembering how amazing it is that Jesus laid down His life for us. Kieran Old then boldly shared his testimony and the way God has taught him that Jesus loves him, which was really encouraging for all of us listening. After this Caleb Schmidt brought us the Bible reading from Philippians 3:12-21 before Will from Knox spoke to us. 

Will urged us to encourage one another in our walks with Jesus as we press on towards the prize of heaven, where our citizenship is. He suggested different ways we may be able to do this, like meeting one another to read the Bible, praying for one another or keeping each other accountable. It is so easy to be distracted by the things of this world, but Will pressed us to continue to support one another because living for Jesus will not always be easy. Through continuing to meet, having fellowship, and helping one another, we will know our citizenship is ultimately in heaven. We press on towards the goal of heaven, where Christ will have authority, and we will see God face to face. The great promise of Philippians 1 is that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. Through our struggles, when we encourage one another to keep living for Christ, God reigns over all, shaping us towards maturity in Him. 

One student from each school in attendance shared prayer points for their CRU group, and we prayed in small groups for the various CRU groups there. Following this, we sang Only a Holy God, and the CRU staff wrapped the afternoon up by advertising the Summit programme. We look forward to MegaCRU in Term 4, where CRU groups form across Sydney will gather to encourage one another in Jesus.

Top image: CRU Year 12 leavers

Daniel Becker
Year 11

Shore Fellowship and Prayer Evening

An Invitation from the Chaplain  

A special evening for members of the School community to come together to reflect and rejoice in the School’s Christian purpose and to pray.

We would love to have people from all parts of the School community – Old Boys, Staff, Parents (current and past) – everyone is welcome.

The evening will be an opportunity to share a casual meal, meet one another, hear from various members of the School community regarding the Christian ministries that are happening, and pray for the School as well as our wider world.

Shore Community Fellowship and Prayer Evening

Date: Thursday 5 September, 2024
Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Location: Shore Dining Hall – Parking is available in the School Car Park (entry via Hunter Cres).
Dress code: Smart Casual

RSVP – trybooking.com/CSTKX

A casual dinner will be provided (Boarding meal)

Giving Day 2024

TODAY IS GIVING DAY. Thank you to everyone who has already donated; we are so grateful for your support.

If you haven’t yet, there is still time to make a tax-deductible donation via the following link and have your gift doubled.

charidy.com/shore

$100 will become $200
$250 will become $500
$1000 will become $2000 etc

We appreciate everyone’s contribution on Giving Day, no matter how large or small; last year, we had 300 donors participate – let’s beat that this year!

We invite you to choose which area of the School you would like to support: Future Capital Needs or Means-tested Bursaries.

Thank you for your support.

Mr David Mason-Jones
Executive Director Shore Foundation

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Dear Parents and Carers

Each year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information.

To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.dese.gov.au/about-us/resources/department-education-skills-and-employment-complete-privacy-policy-0 ).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au ).

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact Mrs Deborah Oates (Head of Educational Services) at doates@shore.nsw.edu.au

Sincerely 

Dr John Collier 
Headmaster 

Bakers Needed for the American Tea Cake Stall! 

Every year at the American Tea Cake Stall, we graciously rely on baked goods contributions from the Shore Community to sell on the day. We are currently looking for volunteers to either:

1. Bake an individual cake or dessert to deliver to the stall on the morning of the America Tea (Friday 13 September). If you can contribute, please sign up via the link tinyurl.com/ATBakers

2. Host or attend one of several “baking days” that will be taking place on Thursday 12 September. A “baking day” involves a group of parents getting together at a host’s home to bake several quantities of a selected cake/dessert for the stall. These gatherings are not just about baking – they are also a wonderful way to connect with other parents in your child’s year group! If you would like to participate, please email lmferguson505@gmail.com.

All bakers are required to provide a comprehensive list of ingredients for each item supplied. This measure is imperative to ensure the highest level of care and safety concerning allergies. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Mrs Laura Ferguson
(Henry, Year 6; Ollie, Year 5) 

Scone Dinner Invitation

We are excited to extend a heartfelt invitation to all our esteemed Shore students, families, Boarders, and alumni, to an evening that celebrates the very essence of our School: a close-knit community that stands the test of time.

Date: Friday 16 August 2024
Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Location: The Cottage, 196 Kelly St, Scone NSW 2337

We warmly welcome you to join Director of Boarding, Alistair Roland; Robson House Housemaster, Peter Reid with Fiona Reid; School House Housemaster Werner Pienaar with Tara Pienaar and Barry House Housemaster, Brendan Morris and Sophie Morris for a delightful cocktail dinner that promises to be a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Please RSVP via trybooking.com/1246460

Parent Seminar Series

Bus Changes in the North and North West of Sydney

From 4 August, there will be changes to bus services in anticipation of Sydney Metro

These bus changes aim to improve connectivity to Sydney Metro services and support integration into the broader public transport network, primarily in Sydney’s North West and North Shore.

Some bus routes in Sydney’s North and North West will have more services, longer operating hours and will soon have improved access to Sydney Metro stations.

While we wait for Sydney Metro, some extra bus services will operate from the North West to help you
complete your trip.

The Transport for NSW Trip Planner has been updated and you are encouraged to plan ahead at transportnsw.info/trip before travelling.

To provide feedback on any Transport services, please visit transportnsw.info/contactus/feedback/bus-feedback

Athletics Announcement

Between Winter Sport and Summer Sport, is the Athletics Season.

Athletics training is open for ALL Shore students, as are the Saturday Invitational Carnivals.

Please note that this year, we will be highlighting the start of the season with the “Shore Gift”, a 60m race between students in the same age group representing their Winter Sports. This fun event will be held on School Oval, Wednesday 21 August at lunchtime.

For all details regarding Athletics, please visit the Athletics Lampada homepage or contact Mr Sparks via email (jsparks@shore.nsw.edu.au).

I look forward to seeing many of you at the track.

Mr J Sparks
MIC Athletics

Music Calendar

All dates and events are subject to change, please confirm with the Music Department.

Library Closing Early on 13 August

Please note that the Senior Library will close at 5pm on Tuesday 13 August to give everyone time to travel to Shore’s Gala Concert at Town Hall.  

A reminder about the Library’s normal opening hours:
Monday – Thursday 7.20am – 8pm; Closed at recess and first 15 minutes of lunch.
Friday 7.20am – 5pm; Closed at recess and first 15 minutes of lunch.

Mrs E White
Head of Library & Information Services

US Undergraduate Information Session | Save the Date

Date and Time: Friday 16 August | 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Venue: Playfair Hall

In partnership with Education USA, Shore is delighted to welcome Elisabeth O’Connell, Senior Associate Dean, Director of International Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, to share her extensive experience.

Years 10, 11 and 12 families are invited to gain insights into the US College application process and the opportunities available through a US education.

Please book here:  trybooking.com/CSIZG

Ms V Shirriff
Head of Careers Education

Term Dates 2024

Study Centre

Shore’s Study Centre has now started again. There are subject-specific sessions before and after School to allow the boys to seek individual help and guidance with their schoolwork. Teachers, sometimes assisted by high-achieving Old Boys, are available according to the published timetable. Study Centre operates on a drop-in basis, and there is no charge. The boys are strongly encouraged to attend.

The ‘Focus On’ programme is part of the Study Centre. It is run by staff in the Educational Services Department who support boys in all subjects in Years 7 to 10. They will assist the boys with their executive functioning skills, as well as help with homework and other schoolwork.

Please note that the Study Centre timetable changes occasionally as teachers’ Co-Curricular commitments change. It is always best to check for the most up-to-date version of the timetable on Lampada.

Mrs E White
Head of Library & Information Services

Please view the study timetable on the next page:

NAIDOC Week at Shore

Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud is this year’s theme and honours the enduring strength and vitality of the longest living culture in the world.

Celebrated across the country from 7-14 July, First Nations culture, with fire as a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Shore began with engaging events in the Prep School last week. Our Koori Club joined the younger Shore students in a Smoking Ceremony and Artwork led by the Aunties. This continued into the Senior School this week with Tutor Group sessions and a special individual workshop in Robson Boarding House, led by Mrs Cay Camden and Mr Braydon Mundy (’21).

The Senior School Assembly was led by Jack H (Year 12) in Acknowledgement of Country, and Mr Braydon Mundy spoke to the Assembly about the theme and intricate meaning of NAIDOC Week 2024.

The week culminates in the now annual Indigenous All-Stars vs Staff touch football game on the main oval! And it did not disappoint, with the Indigenous Allstars leading at halftime 4-2 to bring home a resounding defeat of the Staff team 10-4. The School community rallied in support of the boys, and gasps of delight where heard when try-saving dives occurred. Thank you also to Charlie Waugh for a fair and measured reading of the game as referee. Ice baths are calling the Staff team. Bring on next year!

Mrs C Camden
Indigenous Programme Coordinator

Mr B Mundy
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Student Support

Week 3 Cover and Contents

Receiving the Torch

A Ubiquitous Legacy

E. Y. Nam

ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER. That you are the hero to save the child from the burning house, that you are at the centre of the universe, and everyone is merely a subplot to your life. And to some extent, you’re right! You are the protagonist of your own story, your own coming-of-age, and nobody is of more value to you than yourself. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it seems like you are just another being who comes and goes through the passages of life, and time seems to fly by without a drop of concern for the ups, downs, dilemmas, celebrations within your short stay here. These existential tangents are what bring you right to me and my meditation.

With this, it is my greatest pleasure to present to you the 86th edition of the Shore Weekly Record.

You see, becoming a successor to a grand legacy calls for introspection. On one hand, I am brimming with excitement to be appointed Editor of the prestigious SWR. However, with the role comes heavy shoulders and profound pressures to match, even exceed the precedent that has been set by decades of student committees. This same introduction has probably been written 85 times – so who am I, amongst the previous 85 Editors, to take on this role? What will my publication be remembered for? Will it be remembered at all?

Before going anywhere, I want to acknowledge the unfathomable work produced by my predecessors of the 2023-2024 SWR Committee: Editor Michael Kwak and Secretary Braden Dent. As vertically challenged as you two are, the articles you produced and the standards you maintained were nothing short of exceptional. I would also like

to call out Graphics Designers Jamie D’Arcy and Ramon Zhang for the incredibly creative covers they have produced over the past year.

So, what do I want this SWR’s legacy to be? To become ubiquitous.

I came to the realization that I’ve been asking the wrong questions this entire time. Instead of a futile endeavour to make this edition’s publications flashy or starkly different, the better question to ask was “What can I do to keep the authenticity of a student-organised paper… alive?”

In my opinion, the reason the SWR has been so revered and active throughout all these decades is due to the connection it builds with every boy who reads or writes the paper. A publication by a student, for a student. Yes the phrase has been repeated many times, but there’s a reason for that. Every article that has been published from a boy, from any genre and any form, has been open and authentic. Whether it’s a satirical discursive about the transition from Socrates to Sigmas, or witty journalism regarding the HELP needed for college students, each boy wrote about what they were passionate about, exposing the conversation to the wider Shore community and bathing in poetic freedom. That was it. Freedom. Autonomy. The ability to articulate and experiment with their stream of consciousness in a distinguished, written matter for boys who indulged in similar discourses. For the reader, it opened up a world of humour, sarcasm, insight into a topic they might’ve never known they were interested in, until they read the uncensored, authentic article by another peer.

That is why I, alongside my Secretary Callum Zhu and the Senior Committee, am committed to providing a publication that carries on a tradition of distinguished articles as well as daring to let the autonomy and passions of boys be expressed.

We are not reinventing the wheel – this is the same determination induced by many previous committees. However, there is no despair in being mundane, but rather it is a distinct privilege to receive the torch from them – to be ingrained into a movement of setting up future writers for success and maximum expressive capacity. And yes, our office will eventually have a bittersweet end. Maybe this edition is forgotten in the grand scheme of things. But, that’s what passing on is all about. The end is only so great as it comes to an end, and the fact that someone is waiting to carry it on again.

And so, the responsibility now falls onto you all. Anybody can write for the SWR. As avid readers, I persuade any boy to read, take inspiration and open up your own creative space. Feel free to send feedback regarding the SWR publications too. Articles can be of any topic and any medium, simply email or teams them to EN.188623@student.shore.nsw.edu.au or CZ.159545@student.shore.nsw.edu.au.

Hence, I encourage you all to push yourselves, through the thrills of a sporting or co-curricular endeavour and the rock bottom of high-stress exams. The SWR team will guide you, support your journey with some attempted form of humour and insight.

This is only the beginning.

Start of the SWR Journey

It’s Written In The Stars!

Determinism or Free Will

C. Z. C. Zhu

WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE IDEA OF INEVITABLE FATE. In Shakespeare especially, regardless of the characters’ willingness to alter their fate, they all succumb to the inevitable power of a fated future. What about our life? Is our life fundamentally fated and decided for us? The classical argument between Determinism and free will proves to continue regardless of modern interpretation. Are we truly the masters of our own actions, or are our lives predestined, written in the stars?

To those unfamiliar with the concept, Determinism posits that every action in the history of the universe is the inevitable result of preceding causes. Assuming Determinism is true, this means that since the Big Bang took place 13 billion years ago, the entire history of the universe and the future to come, has already been written. Yes, even you reading this article was bound to happen and not an action of individual free will, but rather inevitably fated.

The notion of Free Will says that individuals are solely responsible for their actions. According to this view, our choices and life paths are determined by our personal agency. This perspective assumes the existence of individual autonomy and the inherent capacity for self-determination. Proponents of Free Will argue that human beings possess the unique ability to make conscious choices that shape our destinies. It is this power of volition that endows our decisions with moral significance and render us accountable for our actions.

Determinism suggests that free choice is merely an illusion. We are not free, but rather constricted by the universal plan for us. In this deterministic view, the sense of autonomy and control we experience is an allusion. Our independence is an illusion.

The argument between Free Will and Determinism raises questions about the nature of human freedom and moral responsibility. Why should individuals be punished or rewarded for our actions, if these actions are not created by our own autonomy? How far can Determinism be taken? “Sorry I didn’t do my homework today, it was out of my control,” or perhaps the excuse that “I didn’t skip sports training, the universe made me do it!”

There are essentially two responses of denial towards Determinism. The first being, that it purely does not matter whether it is true. But what matters is that our decisions are predetermined by our own prior events. Neuroscientists have proven that our decisions are subconsciously a product of our previous experiences and prior events. Thus, it was not a decision made dating back to before our birth, but rather from our life experiences.

The second response is more philosophical; it does not matter whether Determinism is true or not, because indeterminism is just as incompatible with Free will. If we decide to deny Determinism exists, and choose to believe in indeterminism, this means that our actions are not inevitably made in the beginning of time, but instead completely arbitrary. In claiming that all actions are randomly occurring and just happen to us, then no action made is truly an action of free will; it is either completely fated or completely random.

Thus, when someone argues in favour of Determinism, they are not engaging in a genuine debate. Instead, they are completely controlled, like a “play” button being pushed. The person begins advocating for something they never had the autonomy to choose. They are essentially a victim of circumstance, a machine operating without genuine thought or free will.

The situation becomes even more absurd when we consider the person on the receiving end of this deterministic argument. According to determinism, the listener also has no choice in whether they pay attention to the argument or not. It purely does not matter if they are listening because their reaction, whether they agree or disagree, is equally deprived of free will.

This brings to mind a famous reference made about an image of two tape machines in a room, each playing their scripted lines without any real engagement or assertion. In this deterministic framework, no genuine thinking or reasoning can occur.

The notion of determinism fundamentally denies consciousness and reduces the process to a farce, devoid of any true intellectual exchange or meaningful thought. If Determinism exists, then free will simply cannot co-exist; we are either completely in control or completely out of control.

Beyond the Infinite

Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey

A. W. Awad

STANLEY KUBRICK IS THE GOAT. 

He is one of my favourite filmmakers with a unique skill to leave his audience buzzing as they leave the cinema. His ability to masterfully create pieces of work that are distinct, unique and continue to remain relevant, still resonating with audiences today. Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, released in 1968, is a masterpiece that remains one of the most influential and visually impressive science fiction films ever produced. It was made a year before man landed on the moon, and it indulges the audience in this world of space travel and in doing so navigates a profound exploration of evolution, artificial intelligence and the transcendent human desire for knowledge.

Kubrick splits the film into three sections.

Section I: The Dawn of Man

The film opens with hominids in a prehistoric African desert landscape. They encounter a mysterious dark monolith. The hominids reach out curiously, all touching the surface of the monolith. Later the leader is sitting near a pile of Ape bones, it picks up one of the ape bones and has a flashback to the monolith. The leader now uses this bone as a weapon; thus, man has tools.

Kubrick creates this atmosphere of curiosity and inquisitiveness within the hominids, communicating this fundamental aspect within humans and how it is the catalyst that drives us not only as a society but as a species.

In a following scene the leader throws his bone in the air, and it cuts to a space missile orbiting Earth.

[Bone (weapon) → Missile (weapon)]

Kubrick intentionally contrasts the initial minimalistic cinematography of the primordial setting to the extravagant colourful shots of the space to emphasise the monumental leap in human advancement establishing the transcendental human quest for knowledge and advancement, an ingenious setup to perpetuate his message throughout the rest of the film.

Section II: Jupiter Mission

Another monolith is found under the surface of the moon. Again the viewer is struck by this mysterious monolith which four million years later humans have again encountered. We feel this burning desire to know what this thing is and its purpose, thus the very premise of the film has been projected onto the viewer. The human desire for knowledge is so ubiquitous it transcends through the movie screen.

The  audience  is  introduced  to  the  spaceship Discovery One on its voyage to Jupiter, with astronauts Dr. Dave Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole. The spaceship is travelling to the last monolith, and we are introduced to the protagonist of this section, a totally psychologically balanced and definitely not murderous AI computer HAL 9000. As the mission begins to progress HAL begins to exhibit unusual behaviour. He eventually turns against the astronauts and shuts off Poole’s oxygen while he is outside the spacecraft killing him.

As Bowman attempts to deactivate HAL, HAL’s voice switches from authoritative and imposing to desperate and pleading, “Will you stop Dave?” HAL’s voice fragments and he shows signs of self-awareness as he reveals his fear of death “I can feel it, my mind is going.” In his final moments, HAL regresses to his earliest programming and sings “Daisy Bell” in a distorted slowing voice, evoking this strong sense of tragic innocence. This relapse to a childlike state, coupled with his plea for life, puts on display the complexity of his character. Kubrick’s formation of this AI as a character was truly the first of its kind, exploring an ethical concept that remains enduringly relevant today.

Section III: Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite

The last section is perhaps the most cryptic, but the most creative, and etches the film into history as a catalyst in the revolution of the visual language of sci-fi films, expanding cultural imagination of intergalactic space. Dave finds the third monolith floating around Jupiter and takes a pod to investigate and he is pulled into an absurd psychedelic dimension. He appears in a sterile, neoclassical bedroom that Kubrick describes as a “Human zoo.” He has been taken in by higher entities who have been placing these monoliths.

Bowman watches himself age until he is on his deathbed, reaching towards the monolith the same way the apes did. He transforms into a “Star child.” Kubrick explains his ending: “In a timeless state, his life passes from middle age to senescence to death. He is reborn, an enhanced being, a star child, an angel, a superman, if you like, and returns to earth prepared for the next leap forward of man’s evolutionary destiny.“

2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the great wonders of cinema. It takes steps beyond that of faux- philosophical titles and doesn’t feel the need to explain what is happening, leaving audiences questioning evolution, consciousness and our place in the universe.

Ignorance is Bliss

Living a Lie: Why Should We Care?

A. W. J. Stock

OFTEN A FACETIOUS THOUGHT, akin to believing in a flat earth, or rather a real existential crisis we’ve all pondered once before, I’m sure it has come to everyone’s attention the (everyday increasing) chance that we are living in a simulation. I mean, why wouldn’t we be worried? Over the past 30 years we’ve watched video games go from 64-bit resolution with two controls, to graphics that are indistinguishable from reality. Less than 20 years ago, the first iPhone was released, and now everyone walks around with more computing power in their pocket than was used to put man on the moon. Even two years ago, ChatGPT was released, the most impressive and innovative AI that humanity has seen to date.

The simulation hypothesis proposes that what sentient beings experience as the world is actually a simulated reality, such as a computer simulation in which humans themselves are constructed.

Depending on where you go, and who you ask, the chances of this theory being a reality vary immensely. Nick Bostrom, the creator of the simulation hypothesis, estimates a 1-in-3 chance that we are simulated. David Chalmers, one of the world’s most famous philosophers, believes it is 25%. Even Elon Musk stated that there is a “one in a billion chance that this is base reality.” In other words, Musk believes that we are almost certainly living in a computer simulation – quite scary coming from the founder of Neuralink and one of the richest men in the world.

But I’m not trying to scare you into an existential crisis. Rather, I’m proposing that perhaps, if we are in a simulation, it wouldn’t be as bad as it seems. In fact, it wouldn’t matter at all.

Ancient Chinese philosopher, Zhuang Zhou, created the parable of the butterfly to serve as an articulation of the challenges toward definitions of reality vs illusion. The story tells that Zhuang Zhou once dreamed he was a butterfly, flitting and fluttering around, happy, and doing as he pleased. As a butterfly, he did not know he was Zhuang Zhou. Suddenly, he awoke and found he was Zhuang Zhou, solid and unmistakably human. But then he did not know whether he was Zhuang Zhou dreaming he was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuang Zhou.

What’s interesting about this parable is the fact that Zhuang Zhou only comes to this abrupt realisation of his true nature when he wakes. Before he wakes, he is steadfastly a butterfly. Everything he experienced as a butterfly seemed real, and until he woke, it practically was real, as he had no idea otherwise.

So, there’s a chance that the pain, the emotion, the relationships we feel every day in our lives could be artificial. It could all be part of some grand narrative that tells how to feel and how to act. But at the end of the day, it is still real to us, whether or not we know if we are real.

Rewire Your Brain

The Mind Guru Who Thinks He Can Change Your Life

J.H. Frape

YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD this guy on Instagram Reels or TikTok talking about how to ‘completely require your brain.’ That guy’s name is Rob Kelly, also known as the Addiction Doctor.

Re-writing your brain, also known as neuroplasticity, involves the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This process allows the brain to adjust to new experiences, learn new information and recover from injuries.

The example he uses, is that the first thing you should do when you wake up in the morning, is go straight to the bathroom, brush your teeth in your opposite hand, look into the mirror (we’re talking to the subconscious brain), eye to eye in the mirror and say I love you, ten times. When you finish that, take 25 exaggerated breaths. It is also recommended you do 25 in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening. He claims it will change your life.

What does this mean? By performing tasks with the non-dominant hand, it can stimulate the brain by creating new neural pathways. It requires more conscious effort and attention, which can improve overall brain function and increase mental alertness – specifically important in the morning as it means you are more likely to be alert for the rest of the day.

By repeating positive affirmations like “I love you” it can activate neural reward pathways. This can enhance self-esteem and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Looking into your own eyes while saying these affirmations creates a strong emotional connection, potentially altering the brain’s response to self-related thoughts and improved emotional wellbeing.

Finally, the exaggerated breaths activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Therefore, improving mood and cognitive function by increasing oxygen flow to the brain. By incorporating these breaths throughout the day, it can establish a habit that promotes calmness and mental clarity, setting a positive tone for the day.

A summary of the potential ‘life changes’:

• Improved cognitive function
• Enhanced emotional well-being
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Formation of positive habits

By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you can leverage the principles of neuroplasticity to create positive changes in your brain and, consequently, in your life.

Maybe TikTok is true…for once.

More Human Than Human?

How ChatGPT is Mirroring Biases in Humanity

R. Jiang

“DELVE” AND “TAPESTRY” HAVE BEEN RUINED FOREVER. Nothing screams ChatGPT more than delving into rich tapestries. But why is this the case and where did this come from? The graph below speaks for itself. We cannot deny the extent to which generative AI models have influenced the way we write, and by extension, talk. Therefore, as the application of large language models (LLMs) grows and broadens in its scope and reach, we must be critical of their output. One must realise that large language models are inherently biased.

What Actually Are LLMs?

LLMs are systems that are used to model and process human language. It is a type of AI algorithm that teaches computers to process data in a way that is inspired by the human brain in order to summarise, generate, and predict new content. The reason why they are ‘large’ is because the model often requires millions or even billions of text data, which is used to train the model and teach it what to say and when. This method of training using a sample or set of data is where the problem begins.

More Than One Type Of Bias?

According to Forbes, there could be as many as five different types of biases in ChatGPT. One type of bias is pretty self-evident, and is inherently obvious. After all, only a subset of the entire English language has been used to train LLMs.

The diversity of the data – or lack thereof – will almost certainly have an impact on the output of an AI, although this issue has been slightly remediated with the introduction of internet access. This is called selection bias. This happens when the data is not representative of what it is meant to model. Incomplete data or biased sampling may be some factors that lead to a biased training dataset.

Therefore, the nature of LLMs means that their performance is limited to the actual dataset used to train such models.

Human Biases?

Since these generative AI models aim to possess a high understanding of the human language and its patterns, they are able to produce natural and human conversations. However, the ultimate limitation is that our existing prejudices are being exacerbated by such models due to the fact that data sets will always be biased. So maybe it is not the model that produces these biases, but rather magnifies the effect of such. Examples include political bias or discriminatory prejudices.

Perhaps ChatGPT will always be biased, however such an innovation has allowed us to realise that cognitive biases are everywhere, and will always be a defining element of humanity.

The Song of the Summer?

The Fiercest (and Most Important) Debate of the Year

T. F. C. Kierse

WHILE WINTER RAGES IN AUSTRALIA, there remains one major question for our American and European friends. What fantastic tune of the finest singers will have the illustrious title of “The Song of the Summer”? While the debate is broad throughout with contenders such as Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy), it seems like the two main competitors are Sabrina Carpenter’s pop hit “Espresso”, or Tommy Richman’s classic “Million Dollar Baby”. So, what is the general consensus, and do these hits live up to the former greats that have been hit with the title?

Image Credit: Google

Well first, what determines a “Song of the Summer”? According to every student’s most trusted friend Wikipedia, the definition verbatim is “an unofficial designation of the song that is dominant both culturally and commercially between the end of May and the beginning of September in a given year, primarily in the United States.”. Right, pretty simple concept. A “Song of the Summer” is the most culturally significant and relevant song in the summertime in the Northern Hemisphere.

Let’s then move on. What are some examples to base these two candidates off? While there is no formal award for a “Song of the Summer”, it is most likely very easy to pick a winner based on popular opinion and common sense. Previous winners include Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” in 2010, Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” in 2013, and Jack Harlow’s “First Class” in 2022. All are popular hits to this day, and most certainly captured the public’s attention during their initial publication.

Sabrina Carpenter, Singer of “Espresso”

So, let’s review the cases for the two main competitors. Firstly, Carpenter’s “Espresso” has spent over four weeks on top of the Global 200 Billboard and has amassed over 970 million streams on different platforms. Although impressive, Carpenter has had previous success in pop music with hits such as “Nonsense” and “Feather”, and being associated with Taylor Swift, as she had performed as an opening act many times, including in Sydney. Nonetheless, an extremely strong case for the up-and-coming Carpenter’s number one hit.

Tommy Richman, Singer of “Million Dollar Baby”

Conversely, Tommy Richman is new to the music scene. Relatively unknown before his hit, this makes his rise to the top of the music industry all the more impressive. While only achieving 670 million streams, it peaked at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and has hit number one in the charts in numerous countries, including Australia, Latvia and New Zealand. Although a bit more niche, it is very catchy and has been praised by critics.

My personal opinion is that Carpenter’s “Espresso” takes the cake in this race. The cultural phenomenon of the newly anointed “Queen of Pop” has been extreme, and there is no debating the quality and catchy nature of her headline hit. Not to understate the cultural relevance of Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby”, which has been Number one on popular social media outlets such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, but its relevance in culture among not only the internet but among people is simply less than that of “Espresso”. For me, that seems to settle the debate.

“The Song of the Summer” is a long fought after title and should continue to be into the future. Stars often base their releases and genres on the ability to achieve the illustrious title, as it brings with it a deeper cultural meaning than just a title. But now a new question arises: will the classical pop musical establishment arise to the new kids on the block, challenging them for their top spots on the Charts? When will we see the next hit from Beyonce? Where is Taylor Swift’s contender?

But for now, the rise of Tommy Richman, and the anointing of Sabrina Carpenter will most likely represent a new generation coming through snatching this title year after year. But until the establishment returns, or new stars emerge, the debate will most certainly continue to rage on.

Why You Should Go to Japan RIGHT NOW and How It Will Help Its Military

Tell Your Parents to Book the Trip to Japan

K. J. Ma

THE YEN HAS CONTINUED TO PLUMMET to a near four-decade low against the US dollar. At the end of 2023, two-quarters of Japan’s economy had shrunk which typically indicates the beginning of a technical recession. However, the recession had been narrowly skimmed through a 0.4% increase in the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) when compared to the previous year. So what does this mean for the nation?

The collapse of the yen completely undermines the country’s plan for its biggest post-war military buildup. Japan had slashed orders for aircraft and the officials warn that further cost-cutting metrics would need to be implemented.

“What we are achieving in terms of actual defence capabilities and our original target — the two are not lined up,” Satoshi Morimoto, a former Japanese defence minister, said in an interview. The value of the defence budget over five years “has effectively been reduced by 30 percent,” Mr Morimoto said.

The yen’s depreciating value is a large headache for Japan, as the worry stems from the country’s ambitious goal of boosting military spending; in hopes of fortifying the defences of Tokyo amidst the possibility of a potential China-Taiwan conflict.

In 2022, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan announced a new national security strategy that would more than double the amount set aside for defence. The budget of 43 trillion yen over five years, equivalent to around $319 billion at the time, would help Japan deter attacks by giving it the ability to target bases in enemy territory.

Source: Shows depreciation of yen in comparison to the dollar

The depreciation of the yen, however, has significantly affected these plans. With the yen’s value plummeting, the cost of importing military equipment and technology from abroad has surged, thereby slashing the effective purchasing power of Japan’s defence budget. This has forced the Japanese government to reconsider its defence procurement strategies, potentially delaying or cancelling key acquisitions.

Additionally, Japan’s domestic arms industry faces challenges as the cost of raw materials and components, often sourced from overseas, has risen. This situation exacerbates the financial strain on the defence budget, making it difficult to maintain the planned scale and pace of the military buildup.

The broader implications of the yen’s depreciation extend beyond only defence. It also affects Japan’s economic stability, consumer purchasing power, and international trade dynamics.

So, what can you do to help?

1. Tell your parents to plan a holiday to Japan
2. Go to Japan and spend money (you will get more out of your dollar!).
3. Tell your friends to also go to Japan and spend money!
4. Rinse and repeat until you have single-handedly boosted Japan’s economy.

GPS Debating Report Round 1 vs Joeys

M. D. Kwak

LAST FRIDAY, Shore was home against Joeys, debating Science and Society in the first round of the GPS Debating competition. Shore cleaned up as expected, notching up 11 wins out of 12 in a dominant fashion to start the season off strongly.

Starting off with the SDC Zoom competition. The 7Ds, 7Es, 8Cs, 8Ds, 8Es, 9Cs and 9Ds all debated the topic, ‘That we prefer year-round schools to traditional schools’ and continued to develop their sophisticated argumentation and rebuttal skills. This was also the topic for the fiercely-contested 10B vs 10C and 3rds vs 4ths internal debates.

In the GPS competition, the Year 7s negated the topic ‘That social media companies should be banned from personalising content’, winning in the 7Bs and narrowly losing in the 7Cs. Shoutout to 7Bs debater Nick for his strong rebuttal! In other news, over the holidays, three members of the Year 7 ISDA team competed in the Asia Pacific Junior Debate Championships, Ryan Kwok, Aaron Zheng and Nicolas Wu. The team finished as octo-finalists in the 13-and-Under Main category, with all members sharing the 6th Best Speaker of Australia, Oceania prize! Nicolas was also the 9th best speaker in the 11-and-Under category! It’s amazing to see boys debating in out-of-school competitions – it’s a great way to have fun and improve your debating skills.

The Year 8s walked away with a clean tripartite victory across all teams, negating the difficult motion ‘That we support the commercialisation of space exploration’ in the As and Bs and ‘That we prefer year-round schools to traditional schools’ in the 8Cs. Congrats to the 8Bs team who laid out a very nuanced and well-argued case; it was a clear win for Shore on all three clashes, and Will Watson at second negative was the standout speaker of the debate. The 8Cs presented a cohesive case down the bench, outlining and explaining the benefits of traditional schooling in creating a better learning experience for students and better family dynamics. Shoutout to Owen for being debater of the week in presenting convincing refutations and strong arguments at first.

The 9As successfully affirmed the topic ‘That we should have a quota of women in STEM university courses.’ In a close debate, the Shore team was able to prove the positive effects of a quota which outweighed any potential harms from the opposition. Congrats to Oliver Dorney for his methodical summarisation of the debate at the end, sealing the debate for the team.

The 10As also crushed their Joeys opponents in a convincing victory, affirming some boring debate about patents…? Regardless, the boys diffed their opponents with their world building and case writing in a debate that showcased their hunger for that coveted Rank 1 spot in the GPS ladder. Special shout out to Yukai ,who was superb as third speaker.

Following their tragic Octo-finals knock-outs in ISDA, the Seconds and Firsts returned to GPS with an insatiable hunger for victory. To train for what will be a gruelling and attritional GPS campaign, the Year 11s took the holidays to sharpen their verbal prowess and intellectual potentialities by staying on their Brawl Stars grind 😈 while the Year 12s locked themselves in their rooms for ‘Trials preparation’ (i.e. reels doomscrolling punctuated by sporadic pangs of existential dread and malaise 😇🤗).

Both teams faced a well-equipped Joeys affirming the topic ‘That prisoners should be able to opt into experimental drug trials in exchange for shorter sentences.’

It should be noted that the following comment from Ms Wolsley is the first glowingly positive one I’ve seen her write in my time at Shore. Usually, she reverts to an exasperated “no one should have won that debate” or her classic grimace + hands holding her head in distress combo. The Seconds must have truly pulled out a banging performance for their opening debate – no doubt due to Ramon’s extensive experience… I mean, knowledge about experimental drug trials and Eric’s diabolically criminal tendencies.

“The Seconds gave their best ever performance affirming the topic about shortening prisoner’s sentences. Their model was coherent and effective in ensuring that there was enough incentive for those who had committed minor crimes to participate in trials while also ensuring the safety of the general population by proving that the outcome would be better medical care.

Sigmas after cleaning up Joeys 😤🗿

Special credit to Eric ‘E-Giant’ Qiao who delivered some excellent rebuttal and analysis.”

Tragically, the Firsts went down in a reasonably close debate against a strong Joeys side. Although the case started off strong with a well-mechanised point about the improvements to drug quality and access, as well as principled pushback on prisoners, the case fundamentally lacked a solid comparative that could be pushed down the bench. Shoutout to Dan Liu for an excellently delivered first speech on a tricky topic! For next week, the Firsts will look to establish a clear characterisation of the comparative and brush up on their rebuttal and prioritisation skills.

L: Jubilant Seconds – R: downtrodden Firsts (having been told to look miserable in the photo by Ms Wolsley) Next week, Shore will be home against Riverview debating on the topic of sports. For any boys wanting to listen in some intense sports debates (e.g. Who is the all-time sporting goat??), I encourage you to get out there on a Friday evening and support the debating lads in the CS rooms.

Aussie Glory

The Possibility of the Paris Olympics

X. W. Aloisio

1896, ATHENS. THE PINNACLE OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE. From the first ever Summer Games, Australia has proven a force to be reckoned with. The Paris Olympics is shaping up to be a rollercoaster ride of upsets, Olympic records and a flurry of Aussie gold.

Australia is a country ridden with athletic pride, often gathering gold over the myriad of summer events. Despite predictions from sports analysts such as ‘SI’ and the ‘New York Times’, predicting Australia at 5th on the medal tally, Australia is prepared to march into Paris with a classic “no worries” attitude, preparing to win both the fans and the trophies… and maybe a few baguettes along the way. Just under two weeks in, Australia is making their statement, ranking 3rd on Gold Medals with 35 pieces of silverware added to the cabinet.

Despite profound success in the beginning, Australia must keep its head in the game, not worrying about the uncomfortability of a cardboard bed, or where to purchase the best local authentic French fondue.

Some near success has been displayed, specifically in the women’s rowing scull. One of our own, attending her early years of education just a walk down the road to Loreto Kirribilli, Tara Rigney, has proven peak performance, smoking her competition in the heats and the quarter finals on the 30/07/24, coming 1st in both. She’s a proven winner, with an impressive 7:30.71 in the heats, completely outdoing Virginia Diaz Rivas, rowing 7 seconds slower. However, she narrowly missed out on a medal in the final in a close call.

potential for gold. He shone through in the heats, beating some of the favourites to cement himself in contention. He edged over John John Florence (USA) achieving an outstanding 13.94 score compared to John John’s 9.07. Furthermore, Jack was able to win against Gabriel Medina (the favorite for gold) in the semis, guaranteeing himself gold or silver.

So the question is… Can Australia keep up their winning streak and bring glory down under? Or will the heavyweights of the USA and China chase them down and leave them in the dust?

AFL Report

Over the course of the season, our First XVIII boys have trained with the North Shore Bombers. The purpose of these sessions is to create an alliance with the club so our Shore boys can build a network while at Shore and when they leave School. Last Tuesday was our third and final session. These have been fantastic for the boys, providing them with experience and exposure to higher, more intense training sessions. We plan to continue this relationship for the foreseeable future.

After nine rounds of competition footy, last Saturday was our most successful, notching up three wins from four matches. The only loss came from the Junior boys, who were, in fact, our most improved side for the week. Having previously played Trinity in Round 3 earlier in the season, they lost by 133 points. This time, they were competing with Trinity and were only a goal behind at half-time. Unfortunately, the fitness and skill level allowed Trinity to race away with it, but well done to our boys for managing to score four goals; thanks to Harrison Aiden Thomas for kicking two goals.

The Intermediate boys are enjoying their time in Division 3, winning all their matches in this Division so far. The boys dominated from start to finish. Well done to defenders keeping Barker goal-less and to Harry Edmunds and Mack Fortune for kicking three goals.

Since the Second XVIII were promoted to Open’s Division 2, they have found the games far more challenging. The increased intensity of the Division got our boys on the back foot early, and they surrendered an early lead. By the time our boys start getting into the contest, it’s all a bit too late. This time, they restricted Riverview early, allowing our boys to finally get some rhythm and grab the momentum their way. The boys could taste victory and finally took the lead and came home strong, scoring 22-1 in the final quarter to win a fantastic game, notching up their first win in Division 2.

The First XVIII played their second match in Opens Division 2 against Newington. Newington are a strong AFL school, so we went into the game knowing their Seconds team would still be very competitive. Our boys got off to a flying start, kicking a couple of early goals. This meant our boys got complacent and allowed Newington to come back into the game. By half-time our boys had regathered themselves and managed to run away with the game, winning quite comfortably in the end. The final game of the season will be St Augustine’s who were also relegated from Division 1. This will be our toughest contest, and hopefully, we will finish the season on a positive note.

Next week is the final round of the Independent Schools Cup. Good luck, and finish the season well.\

Top image: First XVIII

Mr G Tesoriero
MIC of AFL

ISC AFL Round 9 – Saturday 3 August 2024

ISC Round 8: Team of the Week

Cross Country Report

The Shore Cross Country, Northbridge

3 August

Well, it was an experiment that seems to have gone swimmingly well as we hosted the GPS and CAS Cross Country fraternities at Northbridge last Saturday. We were getting frustrated with external venues for a multitude of reasons and felt it prudent to see what we could put together on our splendid Northbridge Shore playing fields. After much planning, we were able to set up a solid 1.8km loop from A Ground and out onto E Ground, etc, running around the perimeter of the site with a ‘loop’, for want of a better word, in the middle. It was flat and fast, and following numerous affirmative comments from staff and parents at brother schools, it was a spectator’s delight! It would be great to have a big hill somewhere in the middle, but you can’t have it all… Hence, it proved to be a fast course, yet lengthy enough to sort out the athletes over approximately 4km, 6km and 8km in the three age groups. Not only were the fields in pristine shape, especially considering this season’s deluges, but the weather was also sublime! A great day out – we were very pleased!

A big shout out to our GPS team members who were selected to take on the CAS: Toby Ward, Hugo Stewart, Jonty Jagger, Will Bestic, Ryan Gilmour and Isaac Lanham. All boys ran well but the CAS Teams were too strong in the Juniors and Intermediates, yet to our delight, the GPS Open Team prevailed over CAS, again! The Opens boy were pleased with their win and representative GPS Pockets! These races were included in the regular Saturday racing in the three age divisions.

The Juniors were the first to test out the Northbridge layout and showed the big boys the way around the course and how to run fast! Toby Ward is running superbly and led the Shore boys in the Juniors. He was an awesome 5th overall and the 2nd member of the GPS to finish. All augurs well for him as the season draws to a close, and we look ahead to the track in Athletics! Henry Grieve had another solid run, coming in 20th, 10th GPS. Archie Watson wasn’t pleased with his 35th, 18th GPS; nonetheless, it was solid. It is great when the boys set high standards for themselves as they look to improve and compete! George Harvey also ran well, and he was 37th, 20th GPS, so we secured a commendable 6th place across both associations in the team’s event and 3rd amongst the GPS teams. Harrison Thomas and Leon Field also ran well andremain athletes to watch, and they are certainly part of our future Shore Cross Country plans!

The Intermediates were all a bit edgy at the Start Line but soon fell into a solid rhythm once racing. Tom Gray blistered around the first lap, and we felt he may have spent too many of his pennies (hmm… is that the right saying?) early; however, he settled into a very pleasing and consistent pace. Hugo Stewart, on the other hand, started a little conservatively and built into the race very well and slid past Tom on the last lap to be our first competitor home in 22nd, 10th GPS. Tom wasn’t far adrift, securing a very pleasing 24th, 11th GPS. Jonty Jagger looks as though he could have done a little more running over the break, yet still hung on tenaciously to be 26th, 12th GPS. Ben Frantz went out a bit harder than usual, backing himself, to the delight of supercoach Mr Friend, who encouraged him to do just that and it paid dividends as he was our 4th runner home in 28th, 14th GPS. James Warren had another solid run, and he was 37th, 20th GPS and will no doubt be chasing his buddy Ben next week! He’s certainly keeping everyone accountable! Will Bestic didn’t have the race we have been getting used to recently. Maybe the conditions were a little too pleasant for him as he seemed to relish the season’s tough adverse conditions in the mud, rain, etc. However, we’ve no doubt that he will soon bounce back as he won’t be overly pleased with his 39th, 21st GPS. His 3rd at Nationals in the pool last week was very cool though!

The Shore Cross Country cognoscenti was super pleased to see Lachy Brown back in action toward the pointy end of the race in the Opens last week, where he belongs, incidentally! He looked to be getting some of his form back from years past and led the Shore Open team home as he was 13th overall, 9th amongst the GPS. Ryan Gilmour sets very high standards for himself and is certainly his own toughest critic, so he wasn’t pleased with his 14th, 10th GPS result. True, it wasn’t as strong as his recent form, but none too shabby! We expect to see him back up towards the front of the pack in coming weeks. Isaac Lanham didn’t quite hit his mark in line with his season performances, yet he was still a solid 19th, 11th GPS. James Bestic also didn’t have his ‘mojo’ last week and was below his own expectations, which are always high, as he was 26th, 18th GPS, completing our Open Team result of 3rd Overall, 2nd amongst the GPS teams. These blokes shouldn’t be too hard on themselves, as we are super pleased with their season long effort! We do know that whatever the result, it was their best on the day, and we can ask for no more!

In the ‘Wash Up’ from the inaugural Northbridge Shore Cross Country, we can be pleased with the course and that we have found a home for the event for many years to come. It’s been said that ‘many hands make light work’, and this was certainly the case last Saturday when numerous helpers rallied around the Shore Cross Country fraternity to lend a hand. As such, it would be remiss of me not to thank a few people following the event. Starting with the Shore Cross Country coaching team for their work and encouragement. Certainly, Mr Sean Marsden and the ground staff at Northbridge, whose setup was fabulous, as were the grounds. Mr David Pickerd and the Shore Maintenance team for their behind the scenes toil and assistance. The Shore IT team for the PA setup. Mrs Gaby Hunter and her team in the canteen who were on point with tasty goodies and drinks. Mrs Nikki Black for her assistance with photos! Lastly, but certainly not least, to those staff and parents who went the extra mile and turned up to help and, of course, Mr Mark Ticehurst for his support, guidance and work. It was great to have the Headmaster join us, and we were delighted with his support.

Shore Cross Country Machine of the Week: It was a difficult decision in separating Hugo Stewart and Ben Frantz as our Machine last Saturday. The nod eventually being given to Ben for his tenacious and ground-breaking run! Love it!

Excitedly, we look toward 2025!

Good running,

Mr M Spratt
MIC Cross Country

Football Report

Match Reports 3 August

After an initial scare on Friday with rain and the Council closing all grounds at Moore Park West and Centennial Park, we were able to play all 28 games of Football through the sunny haze of a Winter Saturday.

First XI vs High 1-0 win

Saturday’s match saw Shore’s First XI face a competitive and in-form Sydney Boys High (High) team. Shore began positively, with Hector Richards finding the back of the net within five minutes. Both schools continued to compete throughout the first-half, but neither could break the deadlock by half-time. Shore started the second-half taking control of the game early on, with Liam MacFarlane almost scoring. However, the rain the previous day prevented the ball from crossing the line. Shore then shifted to a more defensive formation for the remainder of the game, successfully mitigating any attacks from High. With no real opportunities for further goals, Shore finished the game 1-0, putting them in a strong position for the last two rounds.

Second XI vs High 2-0 win

In the 5th Round of GPS football, an eager Shore Second XI team came up against High, seeking to build on their hard work during the week to come away with a win. From the kick-off, Shore maintained a high level of possession in the midfield whilst the defence managed to contain High’s sharp counterattacks. This constant intensity and pressure eventually led to a breakthrough, with Daniel Higgs putting a superb ball into the box after a short corner, which Angus Leslie easily tucked away to make it 1-0. Shore didn’t let up, and this first goal was followed by another just before the break, with Angus Leslie getting his brace after Connor Morgan drove down the wing to whip the ball in, sealing the first-half. In the second-half, Shore remained dominant, managing to both create chances and keep High at bay with some high-quality defensive work, ultimately leaving Shore with a 2-0 win to celebrate as the final whistle blew.

13C’s vs High 2-0 win

The 13C’s played their match of the season to score a deserved win with a goal in each half, producing a solid 2-0 victory with goals from Aaron Zheng and Thomas Devereux. The game plan was to work harder in all areas of the park to match our opponents, be far quicker to the ball and win tackles in midfield. This worked to perfection in the first half, with constant raids down the right wing and Harrison Ge in fine form. Jack Vieusseux was dominant in centre midfield, and his tackling and distribution were tireless for the entire match, even when moved to centre back late in the match. Two crucial saves from Conal Robertson in goals were important in a fight back from High, but Shore held on for the win.

Mr E De Marchi
MIC Football

Results Saturday 3 August 2024

Rugby Report

Newington and Sydney Boys High – Saturday 3 August

Round 8 saw Shore take on Newington at Stanmore and many other teams playing Sydney Boys High.

Nice weather finally greeted all our teams in the morning and afternoon. 

A Focus on the U16s

Our Under 16s age group continued their stellar start to Term 3, winning all their games against Newington and one fixture against Sydney Boys High (16C) and Trinity Grammar (our 16E). In the previous week, each team defeated King’s, with a remarkable for and against over five games of 146 to Shore and 0 to King’s. This week, in the Under 16s, with five wins, it was 146 For (again) to 35 Against. Keep it up men – the toughest task is ahead of you.

Competition Team Update

Our Third XV faced Sydney Boys High First XV at Centennial Park and sought to reinvigorate their Premiership campaign after a narrow loss to King’s the previous week. Shore put in a dominant performance where everything seemed to fall into place and go our way. An 81 – 0 victory was the result, and this puts the team back on track. The Thirds have two tough games ahead of them in Scots (this week) and Grammar (final round), but good performances in both games keeps the Premiership wide open.

The Second XV were looking to bounce back this week after a loss to King’s in the prior weekend. The team started well, but some crucial errors at set piece failed to deliver any momentum for the team, and the side went into half-time at 0-0. As the breeze began to pick up, Newington was running in the best direction and began to make the most of that advantage, running in two tries to make it 14-0. A good response from Shore took the game to 14-7. However, Newington then absorbed the next set of pressure from Shore and scored twice again. Shore will be looking to reverse the two-point loss we had at Joeys in the first round and put it all together at Northbridge.

The First XV were looking to keep their good start to Term 3 going and reverse our first round loss to Newington. With a strong away crowd, Shore was ready. However, Newington had other ideas, and in the first match of the season, Shore was not the first side to score. Newington put on two well worked tries and had the ascendency. Shore struck back quickly through a well finished Hugh Breakwell play and made the score 5-12, but Newington responded well with a third try and took a 17-5 lead into half-time.

Shore was running with more of a breeze in the second-half and sought to play the game in Newington territory. Applied pressure from the Shore forward pack resulted in two yellow cards being presented to Newington and Shore took advantage of this opportunity to get back in the game and get to 17-12. Newington dug deep and took their chance for a penalty goal to take the game to 20-12. Shore bounced back, and Charlie Francis was on the end of some great work, 20-17 to Newington. Time running out. Shore pressed again, and Rex Bassingthwaighte went in! Only to be called back and the try disallowed. What was next? Shore pressed and pressed, and Henry Conick stepped up and weaved his way through the defence to score under the posts. The kick made it 24 -20 to Shore, and there the score remained for the final nerve-wracking minutes.

Saturday sees a huge game at Northbridge against Joeys. Both Shore and Joeys sit on top of the First XV ladder. It is Old Boys Day for Shore and the last home game of the year with the GPS Premiership on the line. 

We are hoping that everyone with blue and white in their veins will be there to support all our teams.

Go Shore!

Mr D Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby

Results

Individual Team of the Week: 16A