Message from the Headmaster

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

What’s Happening at Shore?

One important finding from the recent survey of Shore parents conducted by the Macquarie Marketing Group (MMG) is the desire for greater insight into Shore’s plans for the near and more distant future.  While many of these have been conveyed in a range of communications, there is certainly merit in consolidating them into several editions of the Shore Weekly Record. The following list does not indicate that the School is ceasing undertaking many valuable activities – they are business as usual – the initiatives below are being prioritised from next year to beyond. 

The Master Planning for School building and renovation is well underway. It has distinct phases. Initially, a management company with architectural expertise have been appointed to assist in guiding our thinking. Consultation has occurred with representatives of Shore Parents’ Association (SPA), the Foundation, the Old Boys’ Union (OBU), staff and student leaders. This may be described as setting a vision and determining its practicalities, literally, on the ground. The Assets and Infrastructure Committee of School Council are managing the governance aspects of Master Planning. In order to gain most value from finance, we need an assurance that we are building for the future, not the present. This requires Shore to attempt to predict what schools will be like, what students and parents will need and what teaching methodology will be like in decades to come. This is very difficult but needs to be done in order to avoid the immense difficulty of constructions or renovations which are quickly obsolescent. Accordingly, we are looking at the school design literature, acquainting ourselves with Scandinavian school design which is seen as particularly innovative practice and, perhaps most importantly, visiting other schools of similar type to see what they are building, i.e. what they think will remain relevant. 

This Term, the School has gone out to tender for architects who wish to bid for the design of the School’s Building Master Plan. A shortlisting process occurred with three finalists. Each of these finalists have been invited to submit, initially, a Concept Plan, including drawings and virtual tours. The School has paid for this service, which has the advantage that it now owns the intellectual property and so the School can invite the successful architect to draw on particularly attractive concepts submitted by the other finalists. 

We are now at this stage. Once the architect has an overall design, the School will then go to tender for the actual construction. What may be constructed? What may be renovated? Everyone in the Shore Community has ideas on these matters. The answers will emerge from the interplay of design, finance and urgency. They will embrace both campuses, i.e. Northbridge and North Sydney. Once we have clear building goals and renovation intentions, a capital appeal will be launched. This is a lengthy process and the School has taken the view that it is very important to make good, rather than quick, decisions. These plans are so critical to Shore’s future that they are the subject of much prayer; as the Psalmist writes:  “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain…”(Psalm 127:1)

The search for the next long term Headmaster or Headmistress was commenced by our School Council this Term. This is a protracted process which has its own sequencing and Council hope to be able to make an announcement towards the very end of the year, with a view to that person commencing in January 2026 at the latest. The timing takes account of the lengthy period of notice most schools will require if a current Head is leaving a position to move to another. Naturally, the process is very confidential and so Council are limited in what they can divulge about the various stages of the process but will no doubt share information at the appropriate time.

Further editions of the Shore Weekly Record will provide insights into other developments current and envisaged at Shore. 

Dr John Collier
Headmaster

Chaplains’ Chat

Life will always have its high moments as well as some low points. Sometimes these high moments can last a long time, or they can be fleeting pleasures. A wonderful family holiday can be a great extended period of time of great excitement. The joy of watching a sporting team succeed can be immensely satisfying, but this may last only a short time before weekly routines continue. On the other hand, life can have its low moments. These might last a short time or they could well last for a long time. A sickness or an illness or even a tough time at work that seems to continue for many months

In Chapel this Term, we have been looking at the life of David and at the end of David’s life, he can say in 2 Samuel 22 that “the Lord is my Rock.” There is something stable and solid about the metaphor that is used here. God is the one who is stable and unchanging, the one who is always there for us. And of course, as we think about David’s life, there were so many ups and downs as well as challenges he faced. And yet, through all of this, he can say that God has been his Rock. This provides him with great comfort, knowing that God is there for him. And indeed, the wonderful news of the Bible is that God is the Rock for all of us. As we travel through life with all its ups and downs, we can take comfort in this great truth. As our Year 12 students finish the formal aspects of their schooling this Term before their final HSC exams, we hope that they too can have a similar understanding to David’s in knowing that throughout life, God is their Rock.

Rev Anthony Benn
Chaplain

Student Articles Available on Lampada

In keeping with tradition, printed copies of student articles are handed out at the Senior School gates every Friday. This change lets us honour the Shore Weekly Record’s mission, ‘by the boys, for the boys,’ while making the digital version more concise for parents. A PDF of the student articles is also available each week on Lampada in the publications page.

An Evening With Dr Adam Fraser

Dr Adam Fraser is a peak performance researcher who helps people strive to achieve better performance in everything they do. In his time he has worked with elite athletes and sporting teams, special forces soldiers and business leaders. He is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) with over 20 years of experience as an event and keynote speaker.

Please visit dradamfraser.com for more information.

American Tea – Thank you

What a wonderful American Tea we had last Friday, especially as we had some sunshine for the first time in the last few years. It was a magical day, filled with laughter, some wonderful entertainment, nice food and much-needed coffee.

Thank you to all the parent volunteers for making this year’s American Tea so special. Most importantly, we are incredibly thankful for the efforts and leadership of Mrs Katie Kelly, our American Tea Convenor. Katie had everything so well organised, it meant everyone was able to thoroughly enjoy the day. Supporting Katie with the Silent Auction was Mrs Melissa Trafford-Jones, who did an amazing job, so much so, that this year’s silent auction eclipsed last year’s stella result. Thank you also to Mr Jason Cheers, who oversaw the external stall holders and to Mrs Cathy Nelson for managing the communications in the lead up to the event.

Additionally, we’d like to say thank you to the Community Engagement team, most notably Mrs Lara Krawchuk, who worked tirelessly with Katie to ensure the day ran smoothly.

To the Stall Holders, to those who manned the BBQs, to those who assisted with set up and pack down, we say thank you!

Thank you Parent volunteers, for another great day in the life of Shore for 2024!

Photos and a wrap up video of the event can be found here.

Warm regards,

Mr David Cambridge
SPA Chair

Year 7 Grandparents Morning Tea

The Shore Foundation welcomed the grandparents of Year 7 students to enjoy morning tea with their grandsons as part of the American Tea activities. This event celebrates the significant role grandparents play in the lives of our boys. It is always a pleasure to meet family members, some new to Shore and others who are Old Boys, making the occasion even more meaningful.

It is always heartwarming to see the boys’ excitement as they greet their grandparents and then show them around American Tea. We were fortunate to have good weather, allowing us to enjoy the views from the Lower Terrace while being entertained by the School’s Foreshore Choir.

Photos of the event can be found here.

Mr David Mason-Jones
Executive Director, Shore Foundation

Golden Boots 2024

The Golden Boots is a public speaking competition held within the Boarding Houses to honour the Old Boys of the Riverina. This year’s theme was “No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help others.”

Congratulations to Dominic N, Elliott P, Hamish W, and Fred K, who all delivered heartfelt speeches about their love for Boarding and the support they received from their peers at Shore. A special congratulations to Fred, who spoke with confidence and humility, earning the 2024 award.

Mr Alistair Roland
Director of Boarding

Sony Camp Cocktail Party

Join us for the Sony Camp Cocktail Party to celebrate our Sony Foundation Camp and its incredible impact, bringing our community together to support this wonderful cause. 

The Sony Foundation Camp committee and selected Year 11 students are hosting a Cocktail Party on Friday night, 25 October^, on the Old Boys’ Terrace. We invite you to join us for an evening of good food, drinks, music, and dancing. It’s a perfect opportunity to come together as a community, celebrate the spirit of Sony Camp, and support a cause that makes a real difference to the lives of our campers and their families.

To book your tickets, please use the TryBooking link provided below. If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute to this year’s camp, donations can be made through the same link.

Date: Friday 25 October
Time: 6.00pm-9.00pm
Where: Old Boys’ Terrace, North Sydney Campus

Book Here

Your presence and support mean the world to us and the families and children who benefit from Sony Foundation Camp. Together, we can continue to foster a spirit of service and compassion that enriches our Shore Community.

Mrs Jeri Apter
MIC Sony Camp

Student Withdrawal Notice Date

End of Term 4 2024

The School understands that circumstances can change within families and there may be a need to withdraw your child from the School.

If you do need to withdraw your child, a friendly reminder that Shore’s Conditions of Enrolment (2024) state that one full Term’s notice is required. The due date for that notice is the last day of the Term preceding the withdrawal.

This year that date is Thursday 26 September 2024. As per our Conditions of Enrolment (2024), late withdrawals will incur a penalty of one full Term’s fees in lieu of notice.

Notice should be addressed to the Headmaster, Dr John Collier, and sent to the Enrolments office email address; registrar@shore.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Vickii Scott
Director of Enrolments

Music Calendar

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

AAGPS Athletics – Saturday 21 September 2024

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

All boys in Years 7, 8 and 10 are required to attend the AAGPS Athletics on Saturday 21 September. Boys in Year 12 are welcome to attend.

Buses have been arranged to transport boys to and from Homebush. Boys should arrive at School by 8am, and it is expected that they will return to Shore at approximately 4.45pm.

Boys are expected to wear School winter uniform (including coat) with their yard hat.

Dr Andrew Mansfield
Deputy Head Operations

Term Dates 2024

Year 11 Careers Afternoon

Year 11 students took part in an afternoon of Career Conversations, where they explored a wide range of industries to inspire their future paths. Students had the opportunity to choose three career sessions from 11 diverse areas, including Cybersecurity, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Medicine, Psychology, and more. This event gave students a chance to dive into various professions and learn firsthand from experts about the evolving world of work, helping them make informed decisions about their future careers. Thank you to Ms Vanessa Shirriff and Mrs Belinda Wilde from our Careers Education Team for organising such a successful event.

News from the Library

Holiday Openings

The Library will be open for boys in Year 12 during the upcoming holidays, 30 September – 11 October, except for the public holiday. Opening hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm. The boys are encouraged to come and study in the stimulating environment with easy access to resources and printers and away from potential distractions at home. School uniform is not required.

Last day of Term

The Library will close at 12.30pm on the last day of Term, Thursday 26 September. No books will fall due during the holidays, and everyone is encouraged to borrow some good reading material for the School break.

Audiobooks and E-books

Shore Library offers access to both audio and e-books. They can be enjoyed anywhere, and audiobooks are particularly useful if you are doing a long car trip during the holidays. The books are accessed via the Library catalogue by limiting the search by “Media Type” to “eAudiobook” or “ebook”. To borrow books from the digital platforms, boys log on with their normal Lampada credentials. If they want to access the books on a mobile device, there are apps to be downloaded. The app for the Wheelers platform is “ePlatform by Wheelers” (both audio and e-books). For audiobooks on BorrowBox, they simply download the app “BorrowBox Library”.  Library staff can help with access if there are any problems.

New Books

Here are some recent additions to the Library collection that will make for good holiday reading:

Flight Plan by Eric Walters (Dystopian)
Thirteen-year-old Jamie’s flight suddenly loses power, and all technology worldwide shuts down. Stranded 1,200 miles from home, Jamie teams up with the flight crew, other passengers, and a dog named Godzilla to navigate the chaotic journey back home.

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy)
A man wakes in medieval England with no memory. Chased by a group from his time, he must regain his memories, make local allies, and trust their superstitions. His only help, a guidebook, exploded leaving fragments as clues to his survival.

Catch the Sun by Jennifer Hartmann (Relationships and Coming of Age)
Ella and Max, childhood best friends, reunite in high school after a decade apart. Ella, shadowed by her brother’s crime, and Max, burdened by family duties, rekindle their bond. As their relationship deepens, new tragedies test their resilience and hope for healing.

Return to Sender by Lauren Draper (Crime and Mystery)
Seventeen-year-old Brodie returns to live with her grandmother above the Dead Letter Office. She becomes engrossed in the mystery of unclaimed letters from vanished teens while reconciling with old friends, Elliot and Levi. Together, they uncover that the past can still be righted.

Tiananmen Square by Lai Wen (Historical Fiction)
A deeply moving novel about Lai growing up in 1970s-80s Beijing, navigating family dynamics, friendships, and love. As a student at Peking University, she becomes involved in the Tiananmen Square protests, capturing the hope, idealism, and sacrifices of a generation.

Mawson in Antarctica: To the Ends of the Earth by Joanna Grochowicz (Non-Fiction Stories)
Eighteen young Australians, led by Douglas Mawson, faced adventure, danger, and tragedy in the windiest place on earth. Mawson’s legendary tale is a testament to self-belief, physical endurance, and the triumph of the human spirit against the harshest polar conditions.

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green (Non-Fiction)
John Green’s first non-fiction book features mind-expanding essays on modern life and the human experience. Adapted from his acclaimed podcast, Green reviews facets of our human-centered planet, blending personal memoir with insightful observations.

Library staff wish everyone a great holiday with plenty of reading!

Mrs Eva White
Head of Library and Information Services

From The Music Department

Thank you…

…Charlie Corbett-Jones, Ryan Gilmour, Nicholas Gong, Hugh Gluskie, Max Kim, Isaac Lanham, Alan Li, Zac Little, Thomas Malcolm, Lachlan Martin, Chris Mathur, Nathanael Robertson, Sam Warburton for their continued contribution to co-curricular Music. We wish you all the very best for the rest of your HSC journey at Shore and thank you for all the leadership you provided to the Music programme.

…Mrs Oxley who has been accompanying our students on piano all year. She has given her expertise freely and provided much valued teachings on vocal techniques. We wish her all the best and thank her for all her work. We welcome back Ms McGlynn, who has returned from maternity leave and will be accompanying our students in elective classes.

…Chapel Choir who performed at the Year 12 Family Service last Sunday. The choir sang two works, Psalm 23 by Luke Byrne and Blessing by Katie Moran Bart. A particular thank you to Year 12 students Nathanael Robertson and Charlie Corbett-Jones who sang with the choir during their special service.

Year 7 Exhibition – Tuesday 24 September

All Year 7 students have been composing pieces in their classes as part of their Music coursework. On Tuesday 24 September from 5.30pm – 6.30pm, students will be presenting these compositions to the Shore Community. This is a compulsory event for all of Year 7, and all community members are welcome to attend. The event will be in the War Memorial Hall and all Year 7 students are required from 4.30pm with their laptops charged.

Term 4 Ensembles – Tuesday 15 October

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing break. Ensembles will commence in Term 4 on the first day back, Tuesday 15 October at 7.15am.

Term 3 Music Calendar

Mrs Kim Barber
Head of Music

Athletics Report

Week 4 | Saturday 14 September

Our final invitational was a great opportunity for boys try their very best and post a time or score that would make them eligible to represent their School at the 128th AAGPS Athletics Carnival on Saturday 21 September. Several new faces made their way to ES Marks, where Shore was hosting the track events.

Special mention must go to all the competitors who have attended all four Invitationals, as well as our Year 12 boys who represented their School one last time. Many of these Year 12 students have been a part of the Athletics team for years, gaining much but also giving much to their School and the Athletics programme.

Well done to those who have attended all four carnivals:

Year 7: Orlando Stewart, Oscar Riding, Henry Plowman, Harrison Bradshaw, Leon Pichler

Year 8: Thomas Eaton, Henry Frape, Toby Cay, Billy Sorenson

Year 9: Micha Minchin, Hugo Noe, Hugo Stewart, Harrison Brunker, Ben Frantz, Scott Robson

Year 10: Tom Gray, Julian Harrison

Year 11: Jack Riding, Charlie Mott, James Bestic, Ben Hocking

Year 12: Tom Malcolm, Ed Kenny

We thank our Year 12 boys who have participated in Athletics this year and many previous years: Wiley Hockey, Ed Kenny, Lachy Brown, Ryan Gilmour, Tom Malcolm, Preston Scott, Nick Stacker, Marcus Warner, Charlie Dale, Matt Gill, Isaac Lanham, Jamieson Lyne, and Killian Featherstone.

It takes a whole squad to create an electric atmosphere at these carnivals, each individual doing their best, pushing to make the team that creates a healthy sense of competition, but also mateship that strengthens the bond we have as a squad. Thank you to all the boys who will reserve tomorrow. They may not get the opportunity to start a race or compete in an event but they are a part of the team just as much as the boys who do.

We wish all the Athletes all the best for tomorrow’s GPS Carnival. We wish the crowd all the best as they show their support for the Blue and White Army regardless of their place. We are proud of their efforts and the fact that they are out there competing.

All details for Athletics can be found on Lampada here.

Go Shore!

Mr Jono Sparks
MIC Athletics

Join the Shore Swimming Club

Shore Taekwondo All Schools Tournament

The 2024 Taekwondo season concluded on Saturday 7 September, with the All Schools Tournament that was held at Monte Sant’ Angela Merrcy College. The competition was divided into divisions that allowed the entire squad to cheer and support their fellow Shore fighters as they competed, which did wonders for morale and team building. Opponents were tough, victories were well won, and losses were valiantly braved. 

Shore’s squad was rewarded with an impressive 3rd place rank, following St Aloyisus (2nd) and Sydney Grammar (1st) – the school that had acquired the greatest number of points on the day. The buzzing energy lasted throughout the morning and especially during the group photos – special thanks to all the parents and photographers who helped document another legendary moment for Shore Taekwondo. 

Throughout the entire day, Shore’s squad showed outstanding sportsmanship, sharing words of encouragement and friendly jokes with their opponents regardless of a win or loss. Congratulations to the following boys on their medals:

Prep School:
Bronze Medallists: William Martin, Angus Dunlop, Thomas Vincent and William Johnson Skinner

Senior School:
Gold Medallists: Andrew Gilchrist, Mitch Bowen

Silver Medallists: Joshua Lo, Christian Wong, William Abrahams, Ethan Tong

Bronze Medallists: William Gordan, Ben Pennefather