October 2013
CONTENTS
From the Headmaster
Preparatory School
Anniversary
2
3-6
Global Competence
7
Educational Leadership
7
International Boys’ School
8
Coalition Conference
Ben Tudhope –
Dixon House
8
iPads in the Classroom
8
Slum Survivor Simulation
9
Ausgrid Science &
Engineering Challenge
9
Shore Literature Festival
10
Mathematics Olympiad
10
Geography Olympiad
10
Drama Report
11
Languages
12
ASX Share Market Game 12
Children‘s Book
Council Awards
13
Regional Youth
Parliament
13
2013 Science Week
14
The Shore Association
14
Visual Arts Displayed
15
Cross Country
15
Shore Archives
16
Shore Development and
Community Relations 17-24
AT RIGHT: Cadet Parade 2013.
A Publication of Sydney Church of England Grammar School, North Sydney
from the headmaster
My sabbatical leave gave me the
opportunity to think about the direction
of the School for the next few years. Some
of the time was spent visiting schools
in the United Kingdom: Warwick Boys’,
Winchester College and Eton in England;
Fivemiletown College in Northern Ireland
and St Christopher’s in Richmond Virginia
where the IBSC conference was held.
I also visited academics at the University
of Birmingham and Canterbury Christ
Church University. My final two weeks
spent at Regent College Vancouver
studying two courses was very refreshing
and mentally stimulating.
At the University of Birmingham I met with Professor James Arthur
and Dr Tom Harrison. Professor Arthur is the Head of the School
of Education, but perhaps more significantly for me he leads the
Jubilee Centre for Character and Values. As stated on its website:
The Jubilee Centre is a pioneering interdisciplinary research centre
focussing on character, virtues and values in the interest of human
flourishing. It promotes a moral concept of character in order to
explore the importance of virtue for public and professional life. It
is working in a wide range of British schools and some Australian
schools. Our Building Good Men programme has been referred to
by the Centre as a model of school developed character projects.
There has been a resurgence of interest in this area of education,
and it is seen as underpinning the essential work of a good
school. This is also reflected in the fact that our parent survey
data showed some 50% of parent responses listed the moral tone
of the School as a major reason for choosing Shore. This was the
second most popular response after Academic Standards. I think it
is essential for us to recapture the notion of what it means to live
an engaged and “righteous” life in modern society. The School has
a role to play in this, as does the family. It is difficult for virtues and
values to develop without a social context. Therefore one of the
challenges for us in the next few years is to link House activities,
Service activities and the general life of the School in ways that
enable boys to not only “know the good” but to “do the good” in
such a way as to embed it in their character.
Some of this was given practical expression in the very stimulating
conversation I had with Tony Little, the Headmaster of Eton
and the President of the IBSC. Eton has some very interesting
engagements in the world. The school sponsors a school in
Mvumi in Tanzania and Tony Little is the chairman of the board.
In partnership with some other independent schools, Eton
provides educational input to a Sixth Form college in the East End
of London for students from socio-economic backgrounds that
are often precluded from high quality educational access. The
Head of English at Eton is also the Head of English at the College.
About fifty Eton boys act as literacy mentors in local schools as
well. The School has a highly developed sense of social service.
The highlight presentation for me at the IBSC conference in
Richmond VA was the presentation from Rosalind Wiseman,
famous for her book Queen Bees and Wannabes as well as
her prolific output on bullying, recovery from rape and abuse.
Her talk centred on her new book Masterminds and Wingmen,
which is a study of adolescent male peer groups. The book has
just been published in the USA, but I recommend it to parents of
boys as it will be an excellent insight. Mothers in particular may
find it explains all sorts of mysteries. Rosalind regularly posts on
relationship issues and raises very helpful discussion points.
The last two weeks of the leave were spent at Regent College in
Canada. Although separate to the University of British Columbia,
Regent is an independent Theological College located on the
UBC campus in Vancouver. The two courses I took were Teaching,
Imagination and Christian Practices and Learning from the
Stranger: Christian Faith and Cultural Diversity.
Regent College, Vancouver.
The courses were incredibly stimulating and in particular the first
course was a challenge to engage in deep thinking about what
practices in schools helped to underpin the Christian faith position
in ways that make it easier for young people to relate it to their lives.
It was also helpful to be challenged to think about imaginative
and engaging pedagogy across a range of disciplines. I was
personally challenged by the second course to think about
how Shore could become a more hospitable community and in
what ways we might respectfully engage with others. Parents
in the School community who have an interest in faith issues
may enjoy one of the texts we studied, Exclusion and Embrace
by Miroslav Volf. A challenging but stimulating read.
I wish to thank the School Council and Chairman Mr Stephen
Williams for supporting this leave.
Jubilee Centre for Character and Values, University of Birmingham.
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Dr TA Wright, Headmaster
preparatory school ANNIVERSARY
The Northbridge Campus – 10 Years Old!
Shore Preparatory School, Northbridge campus, encompassing
the Early Learning Centre and K,1,2 buildings turned 10 years old
this year. The buildings were officially opened as the WA Purves
Centre on 4 May 2003 by Reverend RF Bosenquet, a former
Head of Shore Preparatory School (1968-1976). WA Purves was
Headmaster of Shore School from 1910 to 1922 and he is
remembered for purchasing the original Northbridge site in 1917
for the School to use as playing fields.
The building of the classrooms began in 2002 at the same time
as the ‘First Fifteen’ began in a small classroom at North Sydney.
This was a very special group of fifteen boys who became our
first Kindergarten students at the School, under the direction of
Miss Ros Horsfield (later to become Mrs Ros Gee). While these first
Kindy students were being introduced to Shore at North
Sydney, there was much activity at the Northbridge site as an
old maintenance shed, long jump pit and a couple of houses
were demolished to make way for the new buildings. ELC and
K,1,2 students and staff were finally able to move into the new
facility at the start of 2003. The photos included here will
provide an overview of the transformation of the site into a
state-of-the-art learning facility.
Shore
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preparatory school ANNIVERSARY
Shore Old Girls
2013 saw the celebration
of the 10 year anniversary
of girls enrolled at Shore.
To mark the occasion, a
very special Girls Afternoon
was organised, with over
170 “old girls” invited to
join the current group of
girls at Northbridge. When
the big day arrived on
Thursday 5 September,
we had 100 “old girls” in
attendance, to join us in
a circus themed party at
the K,1,2 campus. While
enjoying afternoon tea, the
girls were able to try circus
tricks, including stilt walking, peddle gos, juggling, plate
twirling and hoola hooping. Another activity which was very
popular was the face painting done by staff and the older girls.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the outdoor dress up
photo booth, where old friends could get together for a photo. It
was so wonderful to see so many former staff members return
to reminisce and join in the festivities. To commemorate this
special event, current and old girls were asked to write down their
favourite memory of their time at Shore to include in a photo book.
continued
Some of the responses included:
”I remember I met my first friend at the ELC when I was 3 and when
we were going into Kindergarten for the first time we walked
down the path and were so excited to be going to big school.”
Annie Greeves (2008)
“I remember how I used to have lunch with Mr Watkins and
Kristina. It was always nice to catch up and know that despite
being the only two girls in our year, we were never left
feeling excluded.”
Madison Tong (2005)
“Going to school with my brothers and cousins.”
Arabella Pruscino (2012)
“My best memories of Shore are of when I met all my friends in
Kindy who are still my friends today.”
Georgia Pandit (2012)
“My best Shore memory is when I used to play soccer every single
lunch without fail with the boys. One of the funnest times!”
Isabella Janic (2007)
To conclude the afternoon, every girl was given a teddy bear
that had a t-shirt that read: I’m a Shore girl, for sure! Girls are
such a valuable part of our school and especially the Northbridge
Campus. We always look forward to this special occasion to hear
about the girls’ fond memories of Shore, as well as their interests
and achievements at their new schools.
Jacki Anderson & Rosie Herron
mini prep proms
During Term 3, the Children at K,1,2 were busy preparing for
the Mini Prep Proms which had the special theme of celebrating
10 years of Performing Arts at Northbridge. All the students
worked very hard to learn and perform a grade song, a grade
dance, a combined song and a K-2 Finale with all students
on stage together. It was wonderful to see the students so
engaged in a myriad of styles and genres ranging from Pop,
Hip Hop, Disco to Musical Theatre.
The concert opened with the inaugural performance of the Northbridge Singers who sang “For Good” from the musical “Wicked.”
This beautiful song about
friendship brought out a
tear or two from the
packed audience. Both
the Prep and Senior Boys
Elective Dance Groups
amazed us with their
polished and very entertaining group pieces. It
is amazing to see the
development of the boys’
dance technique and
quality of performance
over the years. This is
due to the popularity of
Dance and the boys’
commitment to Dance
as an activity at Shore.
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In line with the theme the songs and dances where chosen to
represent the students’ joy and love of the Arts at school and
what it means to be a Shore Girl and Boy. Songs such as “Shine”,
“I’ve Got the Music in Me” and “Faith” showed the audience the
respect and positive attitude the students have at the Prep School.
All 144 students came together for the Finale piece “Dancing in
the Street.” There was truly a sense of celebration and happiness
watching the children enjoying themselves so much.
We were thrilled with the results of the Mini Prep Proms and were
so proud to see the students performing with such confidence and
enthusiasm. We hope performing in the 2013 Shore Mini Prep
Proms was an experience they will treasure for a lifetime.
Louisa Brand & Allison Simons
Northbridge Ceramic Mural
As part of our Visual Arts programme at Northbridge each year,
the children in K,1,2 participate in a two day ceramics unit. Each
child works to produce an individual piece, which is eventually
painted and proudly taken home.
This year, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Northbridge
campus, we chose to collaborate with two ceramics artists to
produce something special and lasting on site. It was decided
that sunflowers would make for a positive and sunny subject
matter, and one in keeping with the natural environment at
Northbridge. The plan was to have each class create one largescale ceramic sunflower, which would then be mounted on a
designated wall as part of a ‘community’ mural.
At the start of Term 3, Sue and Kris, our ceramics artists, worked
with each class for an initial lesson to create the main components
of the sunflowers – stem sections, petals, leaves and the centre.
In addition to developing skills in cutting, carving, joining and
manipulating clay, the children had great fun watching as each
sunflower took shape on the floor before them.
After the first lesson, the clay pieces were taken away to be
kiln-fired and it was another two weeks before we saw Sue and
Kris and the sunflowers again. Over the course of this project,
the children began to gain a valuable insight into the process
(and time) involved in creating ceramic artworks, and the distinct
lack of an ‘instant’ result!
During the second lesson, children were taught how to paint the
fired clay with ceramic paints, blending colours and covering the
clay thoroughly. Some of the children seemed a little underwhelmed by our choice of colours, and needed to be reminded
that, at this stage, the paints are somewhat dull and lacking
the shine and lustre that they achieve after being glazed and
fired for a second time.
Having undergone the final firing, the sunflowers are now
finished and the individual pieces look beautiful – bright and
shiny and full of personality! Sue, Kris and I will be installing
the mural in the coming holidays, ready for the children’s return
to school in Term 4. Hopefully they will enjoy being greeted
by a host of very special sunflowers in their playground!
Karen Ashbury, K-2 Visual Arts Teacher
Happy Birthday, ELC and K,1,2!
On Friday 17 May, Shore Preparatory School celebrated its 10th
anniversary at the Northbridge campus. The girls and boys from
the Early Learning Centre and from the Kindergarten, Year 1 and
Year 2 campus marked the occasion by holding a picnic. The
children invited their families for this special occasion, plus some
other special guests, including Mr Steven Bowers, former Head
of the Preparatory School, and Mr David Watkins, former Deputy
Head at Northbridge. Mr Bowers led the design and building
project that created the Northbridge campus, while Mr Watkins,
as the first Deputy Head at Northbridge, helped to establish the
wonderful culture that now exists at the School.
Picnic hampers and picnic rugs were spread out in front of the
grandstand on A Ground and the girls and boys enjoyed eating
a special lunch with their families and friends. The day also
included picnic races and games, a spectacular birthday cake,
complete with replica student hats on top, colouring and guessing
competitions, as well as a special Happy Birthday sing-a-long.
A competition to “Guess the teachers when they were little” was
also very popular. After a very vocal rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’
and the cutting of the magnificent cake, the children each received
a cupcake, a balloon and a lolly bag to take home.
Miss Natasha Mitchell,
Deputy Head of the Preparatory School, Northbridge
Shore
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preparatory school ANNIVERSARY continued
Art Show opening night
Every two years, the Shore Preparatory School boys and girls
from the Early Learning Centre through to Year 6 display two
pieces of Art they have created at the Preparatory School
Art Show. On Tuesday 30 July, the Art Show opening night
took place in the K-2 assembly hall. The collection of works
was truly outstanding and they captured the diverse range
of visual arts experiences that have been offered to the boys
and girls throughout the year to nurture both their imaginations
and creativity. Ms Ashbury, Ms Schlunke and the team at the
Early Learning Centre should be congratulated on their
exceptional work with the students.
Of course, it is not just the end product that is important; central
to creating each piece of art is the process in which each student
was involved. The photographic slide show on the big screen
during opening night captured the students engaged in their
learning as individuals as well as collaborating with peers.
An additional ‘hi-tech’ element that was included in the Art Show
this year was the use of ‘Aurasma’, an application on smartphones
and tablets that enabled users to view video or audio attached
to several of the artworks. Also during the opening night, guests
were treated to musical performances from the Preparatory School
String Quartet as well as individual students from K, 1 and 2.
The Art Show opening night provided a rare opportunity for
children, families and staff throughout the entire Preparatory
School to come together as one community. A warm and friendly
atmosphere was present on the evening and it was very special
reconnecting with children and families who are no longer
at Northbridge campus. The Art Show remained on display
throughout Week 5 and class groups and families were able to
visit and enjoy the works on display.
The ELC morning Tea
On Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 August, the Early Learning
Centre held the annual Grandparents & Special Guest Morning
Teas. With the weather being so changeable through the last
month of winter, the two events ended up being quite different.
On Wednesday, the sun was shining and most of the activity
occurred outdoors in the spectacular garden area, with the
children performing on the amphitheatre steps. On Thursday, the
rain had set in for the morning and forced everyone to remain
indoors where the children performed in the multipurpose room.
On both days, the children shared a few of their favourite songs
with their guests, starting with the ‘Hello’ song from Chapel,
the ‘Purple People Eater’ song and the ever popular ‘Wombat
Wobble’. After singing, the boys and girls joined their guests
for a delicious morning tea of scones with jam and cream.
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With smiles on their faces and full tummies, the boys and girls
excitedly showed their grandparents and special guests around
their learning space. During the tours, children demonstrated
how everything at the ELC works and pointed out their
favourite places to play. Many of the grandparents and other
guests were visiting Shore for the first time and had travelled
great distances by either car or plane to be able to attend. This
made it even more special, as many children were spending
time with significant people in their lives that they hadn’t seen
for a while. There was certainly a strong sense of family and
community throughout both mornings, as people enjoyed
friendly conversations and meeting new members of the wider
Shore ELC community.
The ELC Team
global competEnce
At the recent Future of Learning institute at Harvard, Jeffrey Sachs
asked, “How can we be so closely connected and so culturally
incompetent?” Around the world, our geopolitical and intercultural
misunderstandings are profound and we are often inept at
understanding other people’s perspectives. Educating for global
citizenship has become a pressing need and empathy may well
be the key skill for the 21st century. It is vitally important for us
to engage with people who are very different to ourselves in
order to become aware of the diversity of how people think, to
help us to discern our own cultural assumptions, and to learn
how to work across cultures. Stereotypes, ethnocentrism, and
confirmation bias are significant learning challenges, particularly
in a monolingual country like Australia.
This year a Year 9 class has been involved in piloting the Out
of Eden ‘Walk to Learn’ global project with Harvard’s Project
Zero. In January 2013, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul
Salopek set off on foot from the Rift Valley of Ethiopia to walk
for seven years along the pathways of the first human migration
out of Africa. This journey, called Out of Eden, spans 2,500
generations of human history. Here is one snippet of Paul’s
journalism from the National Geographic website:
“Footwear is a hallmark of modern identity. How best to glimpse
an individual’s core values at the start of the 21st century?
Look down at their feet – not into their eyes. In the affluent
global north, where fashion caters to every whim and vanity,
shoes announce their wearer’s class, hipness, career choice,
sexual availability, even politics (the clog versus the cowboy
boot). It is disorienting, then, to be walking through a place
where human beings – millions upon millions of women, men,
and children – slip on identical-style footwear every morning:
the cheap, democratic, versatile, plastic sandal of Ethiopia.
Poverty drives demand. The only brand is necessity.”
In the Walk to Learn project, students sketched their own
neighbourhoods, analysed photos about globalisation, produced
‘identity maps’ showing how history is connected to their lives,
and responded to online contributions from students in India,
Kenya, England, Canada and the USA. The project tapped into
students’ penchants to ask big questions about their place in
the world, while all the time building their understanding of
the world around them. The project aimed to ignite students’
interest in the wider world and support them to become more
informed, thoughtful, and engaged participants in our unfolding
human story.
One student wrote,
“I have definitely learned a lot about the other countries that
the participants of this project are from. Though the text
and pictures that others have shared, the stereotypes that
I previously had of certain countries were broken. I have also
learned a lot about how the world is all connected. Whether or
not we are aware of it, our actions can affect other people on
the other side of the world. This project really highlights that,
and I have definitely gained new insight on how we are all
part of a global community.”
In Al Gore’s recent book The Future, he claims that, “We are
witnessing the birth of the world’s first truly global civilization.”
Rather than being places where students learn about the world,
schools are now places where students can learn with the world.
In 2014, Shore is hosting a global conference for educators
and students, Australia’s first Flat Classroom conference. The
title of the conference comes from Tom Friedman’s book
The World is Flat (2005) and the concept is for educators and
students from across the globe to come together to learn how
to lower classroom walls and connect with the world. Previous
conferences have been held in China, Japan, and India. This
conference will get students from different countries together to
solve problems, recognise perspectives, think across countries,
and discern cultural assumptions.
Cameron Paterson, Mentor of Learning & Teaching
educational leadership
Areas in which Shore is serving the wider national and
international education community:
■
An Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia
(AHISA) ‘Leading Learning’ documentary crew filmed instructional rounds for an Australian Institute of Teaching and School
Leadership (AITSL) best practice professional learning showcase.
■
Dr Wright is regularly sought for comment on Shore’s well
developed Christian rationale for education.
■
Provision of annual teacher training scholarships for University
of Sydney pre-service teachers.
■
Shore is hosting the 2014 Flat Classroom global conference
for educators and students.
■
Leadership role in the International Boys’ School Coalition.
■
■
National and international school leaders regularly visit
Shore on study tours.
A Shore Student Think Tank has been taking part in staff professional learning, attending Heads of Department meetings,
and producing videos for the AITSL Student Voice showcase.
■
Shore staff have been significant contributors to the Board
of Studies curriculum development.
■
Alex Geersen and Emma Campbell have recently returned
to Shore after their secondment to the Board of Studies.
■
Shore staff regularly present at national and international
conferences, author textbooks, and mentor other educators.
■
■
Educators from thirty schools have taken part in instructional
rounds at Shore.
■
A Year 9 class piloted a global online project for researchers
at Harvard’s Project Zero.
Alex Geersen was awarded an NGS scholarship to research
gender issues in primary education and Heather Bunting
won a Honeywell Educators Scholarship to attend Space
Camp in Huntsville Alabama – an in-depth programme that
looks into the US Space Programme.
Cameron Paterson, Mentor of Learning & Teaching
Shore
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International Boys’ School Coalition Conference
Rod Morrison (Assistant to the Headmaster), Stuart Ryan (Senior
Housemaster) and Cameron Paterson (Mentor of Learning and
Teaching) all presented workshops to the international gathering
of teachers which were very well received. Shore is held in the
highest esteem in the global community of boys’ school education
and many teachers look to Shore for our ideas, programs and
leadership across a number of areas including, academic, pastoral
and co-curricular.
The conference was also attended by the Headmaster Dr Wright,
David Anderson (Senior Boarding Housemaster), Angus Bayliss
representing the Preparatory School, the Chaplain Paul Dudley as
well as Rob Gulson (senior Maths teacher), who was working on
an action research project with teachers from around the world.
Shore Staff and Student Forum representative Tom St John (Year 11)
at the International Boys’ School Conference, St Christopher’s School,
Richmond, Virginia
During the mid-year break, 8 Shore staff attended the International
Boys’ School Coalition Conference in Richmond, Virginia. The theme
of the conference for 2013 was ‘Brother to Brother’, focussing of
the pastoral relationships between boys in the own peer group
and across the year groups within a school.
A new element to the annual IBSC conference was the ‘Student
Forum’ where a nominated student from each of 40 schools
would work on a service project in the 6 month period prior to the
conference and also complete on-line activities during the same
period focussing on global issues and awareness. The student
group gathered before the conference to learn more about
each other’s projects, travel to Washington DC and then make
presentations to the teachers at the conference. Shore was
outstandingly represented by Tom St John (Year 11) who has since
presented his experiences to Shore Staff.
Rod Morrison, Assistant to the Headmaster
BEN TUDHOPE – dixon house
Ben was recently selected to the Paralympic Preparation
Program as a potential international para snowboard athlete
having demonstrated aggressive riding ability and positive
progression in objective situational riding criteria.
As part of Ben’s selection, he has been asked to attend a training
camp in Jindabyne, NSW from 9 September to 13 September 2013.
This is the final training session of the domestic season and an
opportune time for Ben to consolidate his skills under the guidance
of snowboard coach Peter Higgins.
Para snowboard is a new sport and has been growing rapidly
worldwide since its inclusion onto the Sochi 2014 Paralympic
Games program for the first time. We look forward to watching
Ben rise to the challenge of potentially meeting the APC’s Games
qualification criteria in the hope of representing Australia at a
Paralympic Games. He is a promising young athlete.
ipads in the classroom
Year 7 used the new class sets of iPads in class in Term 2.
The boys have been able to access all the 20 Apps pre-loaded
onto their iPads for a variety of classes.
The main focus in Term 2 was Mind-Mapping and creating their
own eBooks for Year 3. The boys have thoroughly enjoyed working
in pairs and creating their stories on the App. Book Creator.
In Term 3 the boys utilised their iPads further in the Movie Making
Unit. Working in groups they created their own movies using
iMovie and YouTube Video Editor and then showed their published
movies using the Apple TV.
Mrs S King, Year 7 ICT Skills Teacher & ICT Integrator
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slum survivor simulation
As part of the Year 11 Philippines trip at the end of the year we
decided to help the boys gain a greater appreciation of the wealth
that we enjoy by simulating the slum lifestyle for 24 hours in the
Hall Quad at School. After class on Friday 13 September, the boys
started to build their own huts to live in for the night. They made
their homes out of simple materials such as wood, cardboard
boxes, rope and a tarpaulin. The boys were broken up into
family units and had to work for the remainder of the simulation
experience in their family groups. This involved collecting their
own water for the family, working for money to pay for food
from the shop, making toys out of rubbish to subsidise their
income, learning about literacy and health problems for those
without an education, as well as the types of jobs that people
might have to resort to, such as making paper bags out of
newspaper for people selling vegetables at the markets.
To shape the whole experience we spoke about the God who
created us and this world. We looked at Psalm 146 which states
in verse 7 that “He (God) upholds the cause of the oppressed and
gives food to the hungry.“ We discussed how God uses people
who have abundance, like us, to support those who go without.
The organisation that we are working with, ICM (International Care
Ministries), is seeking to work with the poorest of the poor in the
Philippines to help make a difference in their life. Hopefully the
boys will enjoy contributing to their work and perhaps the whole
experience will make a difference in their own lives as a result.
At the end of the simulation activity the boys were all looking
forward to enjoying a simple meal, a dry warm bed and left with
a greater appreciation for the life that others lead by living in
a slum, not just for 24 hours, but 24/7.
The boys coped with the different lifestyle extremely well. On
Friday night the rain came down and challenged some of the
structures. Most structures survived the wind and the rain, but no
one could have predicted the school sprinkler system starting at
3am. It is very difficult to protect yourself from a sprinkler that
pops up inside your home! The boys had to make decisions in
relation to what they could afford to eat. Dinner for most was
a simple meal of lentils and spices, with perhaps a vegetable if
they were lucky. Breakfast the following day may have been rice
and an egg. In the Philippines boys will meet families who have
a bowl of rice as their only meal of the day, no meat and maybe
a vegetable or two. It was interesting to see their frustration with
the lack of choice they could make for what they had to eat given
their lack of money. And so is the case for many in the Philippines
who go to bed at night hungry.
Ausgrid Science & Engineering Challenge
On 18 July, Shore’s two top Year 10 Science sets attended the
Ausgrid Science and Engineering Challenge, hosted by Macquarie
University. Shore, along with another eight schools, was well
represented by its students as they participated in practical
mathematical and engineering problems. These activities involved
building bridges, towers and shelters out of limited materials,
whilst being judged on different criteria such as ability to bear
weight, ability to bear dynamic load, the economic efficiency of
(LEFT) The Ausgrid Trophy.
the structure built, weight, height, and some were even exposed
to special conditions such as simulated gale force winds and
earthquakes. Other groups of students were required to make an
efficient suspension system for a new (hypothetical) Mars Rover,
whilst others were given the task of designing a fan to propel
a small car at the highest speed possible. Over all, it made for a
great day, with Shore placed second, narrowly surpassed by
James Ruse placed first.
The group of the Year 10 students who attended.
Shore
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Shore literature festival
“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture.
Just get people to stop reading them.”
Ray Bradbury
The Shore Senior Library has been a routine part of the boys’
educational lives for some years now and the range of reading
material available to them in terms of style and substance
is impressive. Celebrating reading and literature in the wider
community is also part and parcel of an ongoing dialogue with
the world of books and the world in general.
To this end the Library has hosted the CBCA Forum this year
and on the 22 August, Shore conducted its annual Literature
Festival with great success. Three authors; Kate Forsyth, John
Heffernan and Lisa Forrest spoke to students about reading,
writing and passports into the realm of imagination.
Coming from very different literary perspectives all three authors
emphasized the crucial importance of reading widely with a
hunger for variety and worth. Kate Forsyth entertained Year 7
with her take on the adventures of King Charles the Second as
he tried to escape England. It was a demonstration of the power
of historical fiction – where facts are embellished to heighten
literary effect – to captivate an audience.
John Heffernan brought us closer to home with a colourful
description of hunting in country Australia complete with a cast
of larger than life characters.
Lisa Forrest commanded pin-drop-silence in her session as she
recounted her experiences in the 1980 Moscow Olympics as
athletes fought to participate in the games in direct opposition
to the United States boycott of the games. Year 10 was held
in thrall as they heard the story of how Lisa did not succeed in
her chosen sport at the time but used the story to write Boycott
which is a current bestseller. All three authors stressed the
vital role books play in connecting us with each other and
with each other’s stories.
If we fail to read we fail to know the world.
We in the library are encouraged by the enthusiastic response
of students to reading programs and initiatives and continue
to celebrate in different ways to ensure the continuing love of
literature Shore students demonstrate.
Mrs Thurgood, Ms Banerjee & Mrs Zivanovic
Mathematics Olympiad
In February this year, Damon Zhong (Year 11) competed in the
2013 Australian Mathematical Olympiad completing two 4
hour papers. He was one of 96 students in Australia invited by the
Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee (AMOC) to sit this
contest. He was awarded a Silver Certificate which is awarded to
the top 15% of students. In March he sat the Asian Pacific
Mathematics Olympiad (APMO) which is an invitation only
competition to the top 25-30 mathematically elite students in
Australia. From these competitions he was one of 25 students
selected by AMOC to attend the AMOC’s Mathematics Olympiad
Selection School which was held at Macquarie University from
14 April to 23 April. From this group of students, six students
and one reserve were chosen to represent Australia in the
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) to be held in
Colombia this year. Damon was selected as the reserve member
and was presented with the team blazer.
Damon in his Australian Olympiad blazer with the Deputy Headmaster.
Damon has also been successful in other competitions, achieving
a High Distinction and Prize in both the University of NSW
52nd School Mathematics Competition and the Australian
Mathematics Competition.
Geography Olympiad
Jamie Abel (Year 9) who represented Australia at the
International Geography Olympiad in St Petersburg in Russia
achieved 5th place in the world.
Jamie Abel ( LEFT ) pictured here with 2 team members outside the
Winter Palace.
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drama report
This semester has been an exciting and challenging one in
the Drama Department. We have had the Grand Final of the
Theatresports at the Enmore Theatre in Newtown, the Year
11 Group Performance evening, Aussie Men on Stage (Year
10) and last but not least the HSC Drama trials and final Board
of Studies performance. The talent and high level of skill
was appreciated by the large audience at all of these
events. The boys enjoy sharing their drama performances with
the Shore community and the Drama Department would like
to say thank you for your continued support.
During Term 2, the Theatresports competition took place.
Both senior and intermediate teams entered the competition,
with Xander Jackman (captain), Jacko Perryman, Tom St
John and Billy Chapman in the senior team, and Rory Basil
Jones, Matt Brooke, Jake Gram, and Chris Mears in the
intermediate team. Both teams are to be congratulated on
their performance throughout the competition, in particular
the senior team who made it through to the Grand Final at
the beginning of Term 3.
The Greatest Escape – J Alllan, Alex Burrows, Charlie Creer and Max
Berkman. Congratulations to these boys who were nominated for Onstage.
Intermediate Theatresports members, Matt Brooke and Chris Mears.
Nathan Pakes, Dan Longfellow and Baxter Atkins.
There have been a number of excellent performance nights
throughout Term 2 and 3. Year 9 and 10 showcased their
examination performances. The pieces were a combination
of mime, movement and Brechtian drama. Year 11 recently
entertained us with their Group performances. The students
devised and developed their piece using current issues as the
base of their plays. All groups showed great promise for their
HSC performances next year. Year 10 performed their scripts at
Aussie Men OnStage. Six original scripts were chosen with
each writer directing their own play.
The Year 12’s performed both group and individual performances.
The performances were very well received by a large and
appreciative audience who were delighted by the diversity of the
pieces and the skill of the performers. We are very proud of all
the boys and we wish them all the best for their HSC.
Harry Ascroft, Tristan Williamson, Max Bulmer, Oliver Harris and Matt Web
in their group performance Knew News.
Congratulation to the cast of the middle school play, Antigone.
This outstanding cast explored some challenging ideas and
demonstrated high level of acting skills. The play was performed
over three nights and there were some wonderful performance
every night. Well done to Mrs Mellar and her cast and crew.
Shore
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11
languages
In Term III the Year 8 boys studying French enjoyed a ‘French
breakfast” lesson, where they enjoyed eating tartines, croissants,
pains au chocolat and drinking chocolat chaud. During the lesson
they found out about some cultural aspects of French life, and
enjoyed the music of an onsite French accordian player. The boys
had a great time, and particularly enjoyed practising the art of
dunking one’s food into the drink bowl!
The year 9/10 team won the Intermediate division at the Kevin Lee
Latin Quiz competition from about 10 other schools in the Sydney
area. The quiz was in the style of “Sale of the Century ”, with teams
of students using buzzers to answer questions and it was held at
North Sydney Boys’ High. Questions were based on Latin vocabulary,
derivatives, grammar, history, mythology, culture and general
knowledge. The team of Jason Dong, Morgan Chang, Jack Stinson
and Panayioti Xenos were able to answer enough questions to
make it through the heats into the final which they won quite easily.
They had to answer questions like “What German car company’s
name is also a Latin verb in the imperative mood?” OR “quis sum?
sum deus Romanus solis et musicae.”
Year 8 and 10 Japanese classes joined renowned chef, Hideo
Dekura, for a sushi workshop, where they made ‘flower sushi’ and
inside-out rolls. Year 9 ventured into the city to attend a speaking
workshop at the Japan Foundation, and order their own meals
in an authentic Japanese restaurant. Boys across all year groups
assisted in hosting our Nanzan exchange students, and much fun
was had by all.
AsX Share Market gaME
Max Duthie (Year 9) finished 1st in NSW in the recent ASX
Schools ‘Share Market’ game. This is an outstanding achievement
as thousands of students participate across Australia. Max has
won a prize of $500 and a trophy which will be presented at
Citi bank in the near future.
Mr Mark Wells congratulates Max Duthie on his ASX Stockmarket Game.
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Children’s Book Council Awards
On the 29 August 2013 Shore School hosted the Children’s
Book Council Awards (CBCA) Forum held in the Playfair Hall.
This forum gave the opportunity to two students each from
Ravenswood, The Kings School, Killara High School, Roseville
College and Shore to discuss six novels shortlisted for CBCA
Book of the year for Older Readers, 2013.
Students were seated in a panel and had the opportunity to give
their opinion on each of the books nominated. The forum was
chaired by Dr Paul McDonald, a young adult fiction ‘guru’, who
directed the conversation and helped to explain themes and
concepts in the novels.
Attending the forum were students from the respective schools
who made up the audience and were also given the opportunity
to comment. The novels nominated for book of the year were The
Ink Bridge by Neil Grant, Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan, The Shiny
Guys by Doug MacLeod, Creepy and Maud by Dianne Touchell,
The Wrong Boy by Suzy Zail and Friday Brown by Vicki Wakefield.
Neil Grant’s The Ink Bridge was held in mixed opinion by the
panel. Whilst a small portion of the panel found the novel an
inspiring read, the majority found the plot slow and the language
long-winded. The plot is centred on two boys who, for different
reasons, are rendered speechless. Omed, from Afghanistan, has
had his tongue cut out by the Taliban and undergoes a treacherous
journey to Australia by boat. This journey is arguably the most
interesting part of the novel due to its relevance to the current
political debate. The other boy, Hector, is rendered speechless by
an unspeakable trauma which proves to be the crux of the plot
and is revealed only in the climax. Whilst the panel concluded
that the novel was interesting from a cultural perspective,
the plot was slow to get underway.
Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan won Book of the Year and was
held in high regard. The novel is based on the Selkie myths of
the United Kingdom. An outcast ‘witch’ is able to make seals into
beautiful women that marry the men living on Rollrock Island.
The only catch is that the women wish to return to the sea but are
prevented by the men. The novel is episodic; told from a number
of different points of view. The narrative style was seamless but
there were a number of people on the panel who believed that
the novel was good on an art for art’s sake basis but lacked an
obvious plot and in some places was very hard to follow.
The Shiny Guys by Doug Macleod is a humorous look into the
world of psychiatric wards. The novel centres on a 15 year boy
who sees shiny red beings on the edge of his peripheral vision. The
panel concluded that it was an insightful view into the world of the
psychiatric patients; especially when, for them, fantasy becomes
reality. It also concluded that the use of humour throughout
the novel successfully offset the sombre subject matter.
Creepy and Maud, a first time novel by Dianne Touchell, was by
far the most contentious novel of the six. It follows a teenage
voyeur, addicted to the sight of his neighbour pulling her own
hair out. The majority of the panel believed the subject matter
to be outrageous; a few saw the novel to be a well written
exploration of human nature. Dr McDonald quipped that “the
discussion of this novel was the only reason that he turned up.”
Suzy Zail’s, The Wrong Boy follows the story of a teenage
Jewish musician who falls in love with the Nazi concentration
camp director’s son. The story centres on concerns surrounding
the Holocaust and was generally well received by the panel.
Major concerns for the panel were the plausibility of a romance
happening between the two protagonists as well as the title
The Wrong Boy, which was thought to be misleading.
Vicki Wakefield’s Friday Brown was voted best book by the
panel and was a clear favourite overall. Concerning the newly
orphaned Friday Brown who joins a gang of runaway teenagers
the novel was thought to be the most engrossing of all the six.
It was seen to depict an accurate view of teen culture in
Australia in both an urban and country landscape.
On the whole the forum was extremely interesting as well as
enjoyable and we would like to extend a thank-you to all who
setup the day. It was a true discussion of literature in the world
as it relates to us all.
Jack Stinson & Will Mezrani, Year 9
Regional Youth Parliament
Kieran Kresevic has been selected as one of five students in
NSW to attend the Regional Youth Parliament in Honiara,
Solomon Islands during the next school holidays.
This is the first time that Australian students will travel to the
Solomon Islands to discuss issues facing our Asia-Pacific Region.
It should be a very rewarding experience to further enhance
Kieran’s public speaking and leadership skills, and give him
an awareness of ways of life and societal concerns in the
Pacific Islands alongside peers from the Autonomous Region of
Bougainville and the Solomon Islands.
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13
2013 science week
On Wednesday Year 7 students attended the “Liquid Nitrogen
Show”. This was presented by the ‘Surfing Scientist’ – Ruben
Merriman (from ABC TV) and was excitedly received by the boys.
He explained and demonstrated many of the features of liquid
N2 including shrinking a balloon and pouring it into boiling
water. He also spoke about the dangers in incorrect handling
and even ingestion of the substance!
On Wednesday Year 8 participated in the annual ‘Forensic Science
Day’. All boys were shown a very convincing news video of a
crime committed at Shore. The crime scene was set up by the
Drama Studio by Science staff. Small groups of boys were asked
to draw a detailed sketch of the crime scene, collect evidence,
analyse the evidence in the laboratory and present their findings
as to ‘who done it’. Boys thoroughly enjoyed the day especially
those who found that they had correctly identified the murderer
as Nathan Pakes although some groups thought it was Mrs Jooste!
On Thursday Year 10 boys were treated to a special presentation
titled “Beneath Southern Seas”. This was presented by George
Evatt (an Old Boy of Shore) in a very interesting and informative
manner which kept all boys captivated for the entire talk. We hope
that boys may have been inspired by the talk and will consider
studying Biology in their senior years.
On Friday Year 9 students built a device that when dropped
from the 5th floor of Benefactors would prevent a fresh egg
from breaking.
The ‘Smart House Science Competition’ was also happening at
lunchtimes each day in the Playfair Hall. On Friday the Grand
Final was a closely fought contest between Eldershaw House,
School House and Tiley House. The Eldershaw House team
(scoring 80points) consisting of) James Gray (Yr10), Michael Park
(Yr11) and Josiah Carwardine (Yr8) gained a runaway lead and
maintained it with an outstanding performance, winning the
‘Smart House Science Shield’. Second place on 65 points was
Tiley House: Damon Zhong (Yr11), Jamie Abel (Yr9), Karsten
Kinkade (Yr8) and third was School House (25 points): Charlie
Cooke (Yr11), Fergus Bragg (Yr10) and Torun Olsson (Yr7).
An active audience helped Houses along the way and many
students gained “freddo’s” for correct answers to questions. All
finalists were awarded ‘Science’ prizes for representing their House
in the competition.
Thank you to Shore Science staff for their efforts in organising
the week and also to all boys for their enthusiasm, their active
participation and their contributions to activities. We hope you
enjoyed the week and gained something from it.
N van Vliet (HOD Science)
The Shore Association
The Shore Association, representing the parent body of the school,
has had a busy and productive Term 3.
We held a Parent Information evening in May, with guest speaker
Trent Southworth. Trent spoke on “Safe Partying – Helping
Teenagers Celebrate Safely”. This was a very confronting and yet
informative talk about drugs and alcohol and how important
it is for our teenagers to be able to make the right decisions
when placed in these difficult, peer pressure situations.
The Shore Association was delighted to nominate Donna &
John Downes, current Year 12 parents, for the NSW Parents
Council Awards. We were even more delighted when Donna and
John won the award for 2013. They both have put in hours of
volunteering for Shore. When John leaves us as a parent this
year, he will have cooked over 40,000 sausages, steaks, bacon
and eggs and will fondly be remembered as the ultimate BBQ
Master at our Northbridge canteen. Donna has volunteered in
multiple areas of the Shore community including, the Uniform
Shop, Shore Creative Stall, The American Tea and Second Hand
Text Books, to name a few. For the last 3 years Donna has been
an intricate member of the Shore Association Executive, including
last year as Chairman. Our sincere thanks and congratulations
go out to this wonderful Shore couple who have given so much
of their time over the last 11 years.
Our Winter Canteen had another successful season, serving up
hundreds of hungry boys and their parents. Our thanks to our
Northbridge Canteen Manager, Michele Nelson and to all the
parent volunteers that have helped out in this busy, social and
well run canteen and BBQ.
We also hosted other annual events such as Mothers’ and Fathers’
Day Stalls and the Shore Tennis Day.
14 Shore
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Donna & John Downes and family.
Once again in September, our fabulous team of parents hosted
yet another hugely successful American Tea. The Shore
Association would like to thank everybody that participated in
this “event of the year”. We had a myriad of volunteers who
worked tirelessly for the school and the students, and the success
of the day could not have occurred without each of you. In
particular, we need to thank our three American Tea convenors;
at North Sydney, Emma Scambler and Lizzie Windsor and at
Northbridge, Lisa Hills. Their planning, professionalism, guidance
and support were evident in each of the stalls and rides as they
all ran so smoothly and were so successful. Everybody who
attended, parents, grandparents, teachers, staff, and of course
our boys and girls had such a wonderful time.
Please remember to keep reading SAW, The Shore Association
Weekly. The weekly link is sent to all families and this newsletter
will keep you up to date with all The Shore Association events
throughout the year.
Mrs Michelle Bennett, Chairman
visual arts displayed
“Many a rose is born to blush unseen “ from Thomas Gray
“Elegy in a Country Churchyard“ 1751.
Not everyone gets to enjoy the many exhibitions that rotate in
the Visual Arts foyer throughout the year. There are a range of
displays from Years 7 and 8 mandatory classes, Years 9 and 10
elective classes and the Preliminary Year Collections of Work.
The selection of photographs here provide some glimpses into
the creativity of these years. The HSC Bodies of Work will be
featured in the Torch Bearer.
Year 8 response to “Strange Happenings.”
Year 9 self portrait.
Year 10 mixed media exercise “Maritime.“
Year 7 explorations of “Me and My Backyard.“
Year 11 detail from painting exploring “Terrain.”
Cross Country
Edward Trippas ran at NSW All Schools Cross Country
Championships on Thursday 19 July and came third.
He has now been selected to represent Shore on the NSW team at
the Australian Cross Country Championships which is being held
in Launceston on Thursday 29 August – Sunday 1 September.
Edward Trippas winning the 5km MiniMos Race in 16 minutes 11 seconds.
Shore
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15
Shore archives and the bob gowing museum
‘An institution without a record of its heritage is like a building without foundations’
SHORE Archives
Shore School came within a whisker of being a co-educational
school in 1977. To explain further – in preparation for the
Archive’s relocation to Graythwaite, I was sorting through
unlabelled boxes and came across some hand-written notes in
a folder labelled “SCEGGS”. It was in former Headmaster,
BH Travers’, handwriting. Curious, I took a closer look. It was a
thick file. Lists of furniture, a list of girls and their selected subjects
and academic standing, a couple of speeches, a 15 page report,
a few newspaper articles, several pieces of correspondence,
and a few other scraps of paper with notes.
Put it all together the story is revealed: in late 1976 SCEGGS
Darlinghurst faced dire financial difficulty and was one month
away from closing down. After much research and consultation
Headmaster Travers offered to take the Form VI (Year 12) girls for
their final year of education in 1977. Class lists were compiled,
furniture picked out, fees and costs calculated, female school
uniforms chosen. This was a serious offer.
A SCEGGS mother, Noelle Webster, remembers: “We were told
that the girls would have their own area in the playground and
their own common room. I can remember one mother asking
how the boys would be kept out of the girl’s area. Mr Travis
answered that he would expect ‘the young lionesses to keep the
boys out’. It was a very generous offer from Shore.” When
asked what Shore boys thought of girls joining the school,
Headmaster Travers replied “They couldn’t react much because
I told them in Chapel.”
One response to the proposal of Shore accepting SCEGGS
Darlinghurst year 12 girls for 1977.
U15C: The U15C team, circa 1946.This was one of Peter Jenkins’
favourite photographs which was always on his desk in his study.
Archives is seeking the names of those boys – do you recognise
anybody? Does anybody have any memories of Peter as their coach?
The signatures of the SCEGGS girls who would have become the first
Old Girls of Shore.
By Christmas 1977, SCEGGS was saved via other means. But one
cannot help but wonder what could have been, how their presence
would have influenced the culture of the School. The Shore Old
Girls would have celebrated their 36th year reunion this year.
Archives would love to hear from anybody who has any
memories of this story. Phone: 02 9900 4765 or email:
[email protected]
16 Shore
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Thank you to those who supplied names and further information
to the photographs listed in the last issue of Shore Reports.
There was a large response, particularly to the rowing camp
photograph. The names are: Rick Hutchinson (centre), Tom
“Twister” Brewis, coach (bottom left), Steve Swift (front right), back
row: Sam Yeats, Tony James, Jim Marsh. You might be interested
to know that Tom Brewis is currently living in England with his
wife. Together they have raised over 100 teenage foster children.
His emails show that he still has a wicked sense of humour and
enjoys the odd play on words!
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Ms Prue Heath, SCEGGS Darlinghurst
Archivist, for the sharing of information and resources.
K Riseley, Archivist
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
OLD BOYS’ UNION
From the PRESIDENT – Mr ANGUS KENCH
Mr Angus Kench (83).
Since my last report the OBU
Committee has added two people to
its Committee. Geoff Lovell (83) joined
the Committee at our most recent
meeting and in doing so also filled a
casual vacancy on School Council as
one of our 5 OBU representatives.
Geoff replaced Rob Clarke (81) who
due to business commitments in
Melbourne resigned his post in June.
Mike Pennell, parent of Torsten Year 9, joined the Committee
at its meeting in May as an Associate member. An Associate
member is a non-Old Boy whose role can be described as a link
between the parents of the School and the OBU. Both Geoff and
Mike have valuable roles to play on the OBU Committee and
I look forward to working closely with them.
Reunions and Gatherings are a major part of what the
Old Boys’ Union does best. Regularly bringing Old Boys who
share a common bond in having been to Shore is a core part of
our business. I encourage Old Boys to get in touch with Tanya
Hill, OBU Alumni Manager who does such a wonderful job coordinating reunions and gatherings amongst her many activities.
Recently I have had the pleasure of attending a number of
Interstate and local Reunions and Gatherings. In May I attended
the Brisbane lunch along with Rick Clive, the OBU Community
Relations Manager. In June, I attended the Perth reunion which
was staged to coincide with the rugby match between the touring
British and Irish Lions and the Western Force and in August I
attended the Tamworth District Old Boys Sports Day and Dinner.
Rick would love to hear from any Old Boy who might like
some kind of contact and is available at the School on
9956 1482 or by email [email protected]
Prior to the end of Term 3, the OBU held a lunch for Year 12
boys. The lunch, now in its 8th year, is designed to bring Year 12
face to face with the OBU and for individual Committeemen to
sit with a group of young men and to talk to them about what
the OBU can do for them during their life-time.
The boys also hear from a guest speaker before they sit their
final exams on what to expect in the early years after leaving
School. This year Angus Gardner (2002) gave a wonderful
address on his life experiences since leaving School including
working back at Shore as the Major Projects Manager for the
School and as a Super 15 and Test match rugby referee.
It was also an opportunity for me to announce the winner(s)
of the OBU Scholarship for 2013 in front of their peers. Oliver
Friedmann and Tristan Williamson were worthy winners of this
award which has been given by the OBU since 1922. It was
also my privilege to recognise both Oliver and Tristan in front
of the entire School at the final Assembly for the term.
MITRE CLUB REPORT
Adrian Lane (56)
Some 115 members of the Mitre Club, along with their guests
including family members of the man being honoured, attended
the 2013 Legend of Shore Luncheon at Shore School on
Monday 24 June.
Also in August I attended my own year reunion on the evening
of Old Boys Day at Northbridge. I must say that I got a great
thrill out of being able to attend all these events and am grateful
as President to have had the opportunity to mix with a such a
number of fine Old Boys whose lives span many generations.
KG (Ken) Smith (33) made an outstanding contribution to
both the School and the Shore Foundation over a long period of
years and it was appropriate to have as the Guest Speaker a man
who worked closely with Ken in that time, the former Headmaster
of the School, Mr Bob Grant AM, to give the main address.
One of the great things about Shore is that we have a Community
Chaplain, Rev Nick Foord. Nick, a 1980 Old Boy carries out a great
many duties including sitting on the OBU Committee. But it is in
his work in Pastoral care as Chaplain to the Community where he
does such a splendid job. His role includes conducting baptisms,
marriages, marriage guidance, taking funeral and memorial
services as well as a host of other activities such as visiting those
within the School Community who are in hospital or nursing homes.
Mr Grant informed the audience that Ken was ‘a man of outstanding personal quality and professional ability. This was
evident in his War service, in his leadership in McIlwraith
McEacharn, and at Ryde Rehabilitation Centre. But it was
primarily in his work with Thomas Nationwide Transport (TNT)
and in the NSW Dairy industry that I suggest Ken made his
most outstanding contribution to the wider community’.
Since late last year Nick has had the assistance of the OBU
Community Relations Manager Rick Clive (68) to share in a range
of Pastoral Care duties. Rick and Nick work closely together and
meet regularly to discuss issues surrounding this most important
OBU role. Rick in particular is spending a fair bit of time talking
to Old Boys, be it in their homes/Nursing homes/hospitals or
on the phone about such issues as health, family bereavement,
and life difficulties. It is difficult to describe an example of Rick’s
work in this field but it could be found in a recent text message
from an Old Boy who Rick caught up with recently who said:
’You don’t know how much you have lifted my spirits’.
Mr Grant went on to say ‘that Ken was admired for his enthusiasm
and his wisdom and it was no surprise then, when in 1968
BH Travers, having done his homework with his customary
astuteness, approached Ken to Chair the Trident appeal
which was predominantly about creating a new library at Shore.
Having successfully achieved this, Ken was invited in 1972
to become the inaugural President of the Shore Foundation –
a post which he faithfully held until 1988’.
Mr Grant said ‘Ken was in many ways ahead of his time. His
example in endowing an effectively means-tested scholarship at
Shore was profound in its generosity and impact’.
Shore
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17
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
OLD BOYS’ UNION
in the news/reunions
Mr Grant mentioned that he greatly valued his association and
friendship with Ken and finished his speech by saying that
‘from those distant days it has been a remarkable story, and
Shore has been a major beneficiary of the life of Kenneth
Gregory Smith. He is surely a most worthy legend of Shore’.
To end a most enjoyable afternoon the Acting Headmaster
Mr Graham Robertson responded on behalf of the School and
accepted the Tribute Board which he said would hang proudly in
the Ken and Joan Smith Auditorium to which they were major
financial contributors.
The next luncheon on the Mitre Club calendar, the Christmas
Lunch, is scheduled for Tuesday 10 December 2013 at which I will
announce the Legend for 2014. I look forward to seeing you all.
Bishop Davies was overwhelmed and humbled by his appointment
and was chosen over Canon Rick Smith, the Rector of NaremburnCammeray Anglican Church. The Archbishop’s inauguration
took place at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Friday 23 August.
The Old Boys’ Union, together with the Alumni of 1968 and the
School, are very proud of Dr Davies’ achievement.
We congratulate Glenn on his election and wish both him and his
wife Dianne and two daughters well as he moves into his new role
as Head of the Anglican Church throughout the Diocese of Sydney.
Reunions
1953 (60 Year) Reunion
Fifty members of the 1953 Alumni attended their 60 Year Reunion
on Friday 2 August 2013 in the soon to be named Pat Eldershaw
Room within the new Football/Tennis Pavilion at Northbridge.
The Headmaster Dr Wright addressed the group before they
went into lunch. Convener Hon David Brownhill welcomed all
and thanked the many who had made the trip from interstate
as well as NSW Country centres. Apologies were read by Ross
Parker who also read out the names of those sadly deceased.
A toast to absent friends followed.
(LEFT to right) Mr John Studdy, Deputy Headmaster Mr Graham
Robertson, Mrs Carol Hayward, Mr David Nock, Mr Alan Smith,
Mrs Jocelyn Smith and Mr Bunny Hayward.
Ian Perrett said splendidly the Latin Grace, and immediately
following the main meal David called on Paul Caro to Toast the
School. Rick Clive (68) as guest gave an enlightening address
on the year, making comparison with the year of 2012.
ELECTED AS ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY
Following this several members spoke to brief anecdotes of life
at Shore in the early 1950’s before David brought the afternoon
to conclusion by thanking the catering staff for the supplying of
such a fine meal.
The Bishop of North Sydney Dr Glenn Davies was elected in
August as the 12th Anglican Archbishop of Sydney.
1963 (50 Year) Reunion
GLENN DAVIES (68)
Dr Davies, who attended Shore between 1963 and 1968, was
elected by the Church’s Synod, the governing body made up of
800 members from 280 churches around Sydney. The 62 year
old succeeds Peter Jensen who had held the position for the
past 12 years.
Archbishop of Sydney Most Reverend Dr Glenn Davies (68) and
his wife Dianne.
18 Shore
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1963 celebrated their reunion with a dinner on Friday 30 August
2013. With 64 in attendance they started their evening with a
tour of the Northbridge facilities led by Rick Clive (68), OBU
Community Relations Manager. Geoff Hodgkinson welcomed
everyone to the dinner and Cameron Williams gave the Apologies
and the Toast to Absent Friends. Peter Meyer said Grace and
Chris Oxenbould made the Loyal Toast with Steve Pilcher giving
the Toast to the School. Dr Wright attended the dinner and
many of the year were seen the next day at the rugby.
1963 Reunion.
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
OLD BOYS’ UNION
1968 (45 Year) Reunion
Forty five members of the 1968 Alumni attended their 45 Year
Reunion at the Cabana Bar, Northern Suburbs Rugby Club, St
Leonards on Saturday evening 31 August 2013.
Rick Clive and Anthony Hunt as Conveners welcomed all and
gave short addresses throughout the course of the night. Huge
applause was heard when Rick announced that the Anglican
Archbishop of Sydney Dr Glenn Davies was in attendance. Rick
also gave a brief outline of OBU forthcoming events in addition
to reading out a letter from Peter Philpott who sent both his
apologies and his best wishes to all.
Anthony kept everyone amused by asking a series of questions
regarding one’s personal life which had everyone on their toes.
Anthony too also made mention of those sadly no longer with
us in a time of reflection.
For the first time the year held a ‘cocktail party’. This was
enormously popular and may be tried at future reunions. The year
will meet again in 5 years’ time to celebrate its 50 year reunion.
A change of venue is being considered, perhaps at Northbridge.
Ian Gillings welcomed everyone and drew attention to some of
the diverse occupations, professions and past times that the year
had produced. Ian also reported that many members of the year
had made a huge effort and travelled from as far as Italy, USA,
Hong Kong, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and
from every state in Australia. Tim Cormack then went through
the full list of apologies and the extraordinary range of excuses
for failing to attend. He proposed a toast to “missing friends –
whether alive and elsewhere or sadly otherwise”. After dinner,
Dougal Geddes interviewed a diverse cross selection of the
year and Graham Dreverman then entertained and shocked
us all with the results of a survey, which had been distributed
to all members of the year during the course of the year.
Finally, Brad Keeling proposed a toast to “The 1973 Year” (very,
very quickly!) and in keeping with our tradition, those present
repeated out loud our pledge to gather together again in five
(5) years’ time! A thoroughly enjoyable night, which passed
too quickly at the time – but the effects of it did not!
The night was a great success with most having ‘turned in’ before
midnight. For six the night ended a little later when they ran into a
number of the guys from 2003 who had earlier been celebrating
their 10 year reunion at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club.
Earlier in the afternoon many gathered on Old Boys Hill at
Northbridge to cheer on the 1st XV against fellow Anglican rivals
The Kings School.
It is planned from next year for the year to meet casually a couple
of times during the year for either a lunch or a drink after business
hours. Specifics regarding this are currently being worked on and
will be relayed to the year via email/text before the year is out.
1973 Reunion.
1983 (30 YEAr) Reunion
The 1983 Reunion started with watching the rugby at
Northbridge and then a group of 70 enjoyed an evening at the
Northbridge Hotel. Old Boys travelled from far and wide notably
(LEFT to right) Peter Tonkin, Conrad Burge, John Howe, John Foulsham, Rick
Clive, Peter Gray, Frank Harkness, Richard Hill, John Burnell & Des Allerton.
1973 (40 YEAr) Reunion
On a sensationally brilliant autumn evening, the ‘Year of
1973’ gathered and held their reunion at the Cabana Bar at
St Leonards on Saturday 18 May 2013. There were 101 in
attendance, with 30 well-explained apologies.
The organising group were delighted that they had contacted
all but 15 out of a total of 154 in our final year, and 181
during the period 1968-73. We still continue the search for
those who seem to have dropped off the radar.
1983 Reunion.
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19
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
OLD BOYS’ UNION
reunions
Gary McConnell (London), Tim Madgwick (Port Moresby),
Andrew Davis (Mackay), Richard Dowsett (Toowoomba) and
Tim Caro (Brisbane). Several old boys have never been to a
reunion and were shell shocked at first but of course they soon
realised that nobody had changed all that much in 30 years,
which was both comforting and a little disconcerting at the
same time! Judging by the crowd still on deck at closing time,
everyone had a great night mingling and catching up. Thank you
to conveners Richard Berkman and Jon Perry.
A special presentation was made by Rick Clive (68) to Rod
Murchison (58) to thank him for his dedication and commitment to the Tamworth Old Boys’ Group particularly over the
last seven years.
1988 (25 YEAr) Reunion
1988 held their 25 year reunion on Saturday 24 August. Some
started at Northbridge watching the rugby and then moved
onto the Bridgeview Hotel. They had 36 in attendance with a
number coming from interstate to attend. It was a small reunion
and enjoyed by all who attended.
(LEFT to right) Nick Foord (80), Angus McDouall (81), Jock Nivison
(2000), Angus Warden (91), Ross King (72) & Ted Fenwicke (88).
2008 (5 Year) Reunion
Ninety seven old boys attended their 5 Year Reunion on
Saturday 3 August 2013. The Reunion started off with a number
of old boys watching the 1st XV vs Newington at Northbridge
and then moving onto the Cabana Bar in North Sydney to
meet with others from the cohort. The night saw a great turn out
from the 2008 alumni with a broad spectrum of the year in
attendance. Everyone appeared to enjoy catching up on the
last five years, and reflecting on a couple of memories from
their time at Shore. Special thanks to Jeremy Leith and Scott
Taylor for taking the lead and organising this event.
Interstate
Melbourne: The Annual OBU Melbourne dinner was held on
the evening of Monday 24 June at the Athenaeum Club in the
Melbourne CBD. Convened by Steve Pilcher (63) and hosted by
Geoff Pollard (60), 16 Old Boys together with guests Rob Clarke
(81) and Rick Clive (68) enjoyed a most enjoyable evening. Bill
Reynolds (69) gave a Toast to the School, while Rick gave a
speech on behalf of both the School and the Old Boys’ Union.
Rob Clarke who in recent years moved back into the corporate
world after some years in rugby administration with both the
ACT Brumbies and Australian Rugby said that he had answered
a call from the CEO of Australian Rugby Bill Pulver (77) to
take up at first an interim role as CEO of the Rebels with a view
of taking them to new levels. Rob spoke of the School as it is
today compared to the day of most in attendance. He was able
to do so as a parent of an Old Boy Josh (2012) and Alexander
(Year 10) and as an OBU representative on School Council,
a position that he has reluctantly resigned from due to his
commitments with the Rebels.
To mention an often used cliché: ‘A good night was enjoyed
by all.’
(LEFT to right) Ben Nisbet, Chris Copping, Richard Hodgkinson,
Louis Austin & Sam Der Sarkissian.
Regional
Tamworth: The 59th Annual Sports Day was held at Tamworth
on Friday 16 August 2013. This year the golf winner was Angus
McDouall (81); Andrew Winslade (87) won the clay pigeon
shooting and bowls was the winner on the day. The guest
speaker for the dinner was Jock Laurie (76) former president of
the NSW Farmers Association. He spoke of his days at Shore
and of his early post School life. He went on to describe how he
became involved with the both the State and National Farmers
bodies and of his years lobbying on behalf of his constituents both
in the State of NSW and Australia. His was a most informative
address, one which everyone in attendance found most interesting.
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Melbourne Reunion.
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
OLD BOYS’ UNION
reunions/happenings
Perth: A reunion was held in Perth for the first time in a
number of years on Wednesday 5 June. The reunion coincided
with the start of the British and Irish Lions Tour. The Headmaster
Dr Tim Wright was in attendance with Angus Kench (83), OBU
President. Michael Hawker (76), Chairman of the Australian
Rugby Union, addressed the group and then many went on
to the see the first game of tour. Special thanks to Ian Jackson
(83) for convening the event.
Brisbane: The 2013 Queensland Reunion Lunch was held on
Wednesday 29 May at Brisbane’s United Service Club. Some 50
Old Boys were in attendance, described by many as the largest
turnout at a Brisbane lunch for many years.
and wished the School team best wishes for competition in Term
3. The day finished with a Sizzling Sausage BBQ over stories
of the day.
The Old Boys team comprised: 1976: Ian Hargreaves, Doug
Greaves and Steve Douglas. 1977: Tim Skidmore. 1983: Jon Perry.
1994: Sevag Bedrossian. 2004: David Hargreaves, Tom Harvey.
2005: James Wood. 2007: Max Vowell, Alex de Crespigny, Harry
Carter. 2010: James Coward. 2012: Peter Jonas, Max Brewer,
Elliot Girling, Elliot Johnson, Andre Rafe and Matt Meakes.
The Headmaster Dr Tim Wright, OBU President Angus Kench
(83) OBU Community Relations Manager Rick Clive (68) and
Richard Duddy (82), OBU Interstate and Country representative
attended the lunch.
Convener Tony Ritchie (63) welcomed all with some funny
anecdotes of days at Shore in the early 1960’s centred on one
of the teachers and of one of the boys which created lots of
laughter. During the afternoon Tony called on Dr Wright,
Angus and Rick to address the audience. In 2014 the lunch
will be held on Wednesday 28 May.
2013 Old Boys Rifle Shooting Team.
Shore’s Oldest Old Boy
(LEFT to right) Tony Ritchie (63), John Playfair (72), Rick Clive (68),
Ray Powell (72), Bruce Fitzpatrick (74) & David Pfeiffer (73).
OLD BOYS RIFLE SHOOTING
The Annual Old Boys v the Parents and Son Rifle Shooting was
held on Saturday 15 June 2013 at the Hornsby Rifle Range.
A sunny but cool morning greeted the contestants as competition
got under way at 9:00am.
Earlier in the year Rick Clive (68), OBU Community Relations
Manager, accompanied by Nick Foord (80), Chaplain to the
Shore Community and
Andy Cavill (71), Shore
Science
Teacher
and
the School’s Oral Historian,
travelled to the Gold Coast
to visit John Read (28)
who at the age of 104 is
regarded as Shore’s Oldest
Living Old Boy.
John Read was born on 19
May 1909 and attended
Shore from 1920 until 1928. Mr John Read (28).
For the Old Boys Peter Jonas (2012) shot a score of 34.4 (out of
35.7), followed by Steve Douglas 34.1 and Tom Harvey and
David Hargreaves both with a score of 33.3. Scott Skidmore
topped scored for the School team with 34.3 followed by new
full bore shooter Michael Veron with a score of 34.0.
John was: ■ A member of the 1st IV in 1927. ■ A member of the
1st VIII in 1928 coached by the Chief LC Robson, Robson’s 1st
winning VIII. ■ A member of the 2nd XV in 1928. ■ Told initially
by the Navy he was too old to enlist for Service in World War 2.
■ Finally accepted into the Navy but was transferred to the Royal
Navy in Britain. ■ A crew member on HMS Ajax (Motto: “None
but Ajax can overcome Ajax”), a Leander class cruiser that took
part in the Battle of the River Plate, the Battle of Crete, the Battle
of Malta and supported the convoys at the siege of Tobruk.
On D-Day (6 June 1944). Ajax was the first vessel to open fire
on the German defences at Gold Beach prior to the invasion.
John was the Officer on Watch for 36 hours straight.
This year’s School team is young but full of talent. Old Boys team
manager Rick Clive (68) in his speech thanked all who attended
John would like Old Boys to know that he is well and is in
good spirits.
This year the Old Boys were supported by a team of 19, triple
that of 2012. Given the talent available, the Old Boys team
captained by Peter Jonas (2012) ran out comfortable winners,
‘out shooting’ the young School team led by Scotty Skidmore
(Year 12) to win the day with a score of 260.16 to 251.10.
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21
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
the shore foundation
From the PRESIDENT – MR tony young
I am thrilled to write to you as the new
Shore Foundation President as Bill Pulver has
passed on the Torch after stepping down as
President earlier this year. Bill remains on the
Board as a Director and I thank him for his
four and a half years as President. I am
delighted to be leading a great team and look
forward to the future success of the Foundation.
The Foundation is undertaking a major
integrated, multi-channel Capital Appeal
‘Our Heritage Our Future’ to assist with two
Mr Tony Young (77) significant building projects while growing
& current parent.
existing fundraising programmes.
Planning is well underway with the establishment of the Capital
Appeal Steering Committee, appointment of a Capital Appeal
Chairman – Ian Macdonald (79 leaver and current parent) and
the appointment of a Capital Appeal Director – Byron Barns.
The relocation of the these areas to Graythwaite House will
free-up additional valuable learning space within the School.
A significant element of work in Stage 1 is the external
landscaping and grounds rejuvenation which will create
additional open space for students and the greater community.
The completion date of Stage 1 is 29 April 2014 to coincide
with the School’s 125th Birthday on 4 May 2014.
Our Future
PDHPE & SPORTS FACILITY –
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
The BH Travers’ Centre, which currently consists of the Library,
TAJ Playfair Hall and ICT Classrooms moves into Stage 2 with
the replacement of the swimming pool, current sports facilities,
the addition of new learning spaces and a medical centre to
assist both boarders and day boys.
I invite you to join us in investing in our children’s future by
supporting our fundraising initiatives. Once again may I take this
opportunity to say thank you for your generosity and support.
Our Heritage – GRAYTHWAITE
The
School
acquired
Graythwaite in 2009, and
the Planning Assessment
Commission approved a
three-stage concept master
plan with approval for Stage
1 works being given on
9 November 2012.
Stage 1 Conservation and refurbishment of Graythwaite
House, Stables, Coach House, Tom O’Neill Centre and external
landscape works. This work is now well underway.
Following Stage1 the construction of additional classroom,
educational facilities and other essential learning infrastructure
will commence.
Some proposed features of this exciting future project are:
1.Games and Training Facilities
■
A 50m heated indoor/outdoor pool to allow for swimming
meets, team training and water polo.
■
Additional indoor Basketball Courts adjacent to the current
indoor court to replace current outdoor and off-site courts
and to provide a large functions and meeting space.
■
A weight training room that will accommodate the increasing
demand in this area and to incorporate a cardio (spin) room
and rowing ergometer room.
■
A flexible gymnastics floor space for the teaching of
gymnastics classes in the PDHPE curriculum. This will also
provide an area for sprint testing, court games, indoor cricket
and team training sessions.
Graythwaite House will comprise the following spaces:
■
School Administration (Bursar & Registrar offices, Foundation
and Old Boy’s Union)
■
Meeting and function rooms for the School community.
Tom O’Neill Centre:
■
Archives (to maintain and preserve the records and history
of Shore for future generations).
2.Learning Environments
■
An extension of the current Library to accommodate the
growing demand for class, small group and individual study
with reading and research spaces.
■
Modern learning spaces (classroom areas) to provide for the
teaching of PDHPE and another subject area.
Stables:
■
Bob Gowing Museum (one of the major showpieces of the
Stage 1 works, being the oldest building on the site).
Coach House:
■
Caretakers residence – upper floor
■
Meeting and office space – ground floor.
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3.School Medical Centre
■
A new medical centre to provide for the Boarding community
and also for day boys and for injury recovery and rehabilitation.
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
the shore foundation
This exciting project is in the planning stages and will provide
the facilities to take Shore’s games and learning programmes
to an even higher level and provide a significant improvement
in the educational offerings to Shore boys for many years.
I know you will join me in applauding the School Council on both
of these wonderful projects. Your support towards this fundraising
appeal ‘Our Heritage Our Future’ is greatly appreciated.
Should you require further information or would like to discuss
our fundraising appeal or the projects in more detail, please
contact Peter Murphy, Executive Director, Shore Foundation
on 9956 1172.
Shore School USA Events
LOS ANGELES COCKTAIL PARTY
On Tuesday 25 June the Shore Foundation hosted the first Los
Angeles Shore School Community Cocktail Party at the Crowne
Plaza, Beverley Hills. Past students, current and future parents
and friends of Shore living in and around Los Angeles were
in attendance.
New York Dinner.
New York Dinner.
Peter Murphy, Executive Director, Shore Foundation informed
guests of the work the Foundation is engaged in with the School
and how it provides funds for important educational initiatives.
Scholars’ Morning Tea
This year the Scholars’ Morning Tea, hosted by the Shore
Foundation was held on 12 September at the Senior School
campus, North Sydney. The event provided an opportunity for the
President of the Shore Foundation, Tony Young and supporters
of the Foundation’s scholarship and bursary programme to meet
current students who are benefiting from their generosity.
Rod Morrison, Graham Clifford (59) & Jamie Craig (09).
The event was a great opportunity for Peter Murphy, Executive
Director, Shore Foundation and Rod Morrison, Assistant to the
Headmaster to inform these important community members
about recent School developments.
David Anderson, Senior Boarding Housemaster, also spoke
on the School’s involvement on the international stage via the
International Boys Schools Coalition.
(LEFT to right) Charles Cooke, David Whitehouse & David Taylor.
Headmaster, Dr Timothy Wright addressed the Scholars with a
thought provoking message encouraging them to use their gifts,
not just for themselves but to give back to the community, an ideal
sentiment in the presence of the generous scholarship supporters.
NEW YORK DINNER
The School hosted a very successful New York dinner at the Cornell
Club in New York City on Saturday 29 June. Over 50 people
from the School community attended the dinner; guests included
Old Boys, current and future parents and members of staff.
The Headmaster, Dr Timothy Wright, welcomed the opportunity
to engage with the USA based community, informing them
on the recent developments and achievements of the School.
He highlighted the importance of community and was delighted
to see so many at the dinner.
Scholarship Students.
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23
Shore DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
the shore foundation
thank you lunch northbridge
Tony Young, President Shore Foundation and Dr Timothy Wright,
Headmaster hosted the annual Thank You Lunch on Saturday 3
August in the Emery Room, Northbridge. Invited guests were
members of the Shore Community who have provided ongoing
support for recent School developments. Guest Speaker Mr
Nick Farr-Jones AM, Australian Wallaby (1984-1993), Newington
Old Boy and current Shore parent addressed the crowd and
highlighted the need for a well-rounded education and commended
the School on its approach to educating young boys and girls.
Following lunch, guests enjoyed a thrilling game of rugby on ‘A’
Ground as Shore School took on Newington College in a hard
fought game.
The lunch continues to provide a fantastic opportunity for the
Foundation to thank individuals for their support.
Thank You Lunch, Emery Room Northbridge.
Football & Tennis Pavilion
New Football & Tennis Pavilion.
Peter Murphy, Executive Director, Shore Foundation invited
families and current students participating in Football and Tennis
to an informal morning tea at the new Football & Tennis Pavilion,
Northbridge. Held on 10 August, guests were invited to stay post
morning tea, to enjoy Shore 1st XI v’s Sydney Boys High School.
The official opening of this wonderful facility is scheduled for
Saturday 23 November.
Grandparents Morning Tea – American Tea
The Shore Foundation and Shore Association at this year’s American
Tea hosted the Grandparents Morning Tea on Friday 6 September.
The event continues to be extremely successful and important
within the Shore Community. Boys in Year 7 were invited to attend
with their Grandparents, with the morning tea fostering quality time
together. Dr Wright addressed the crowd during the morning tea
stressing the importance of the role grandparents play in the boys
lives and reminding the boys to ‘cherish their Grandparents’.
Grandparents Morning Tea.
We express our ‘thanks’ to Mel McAuley, current parent for the
event’s management. Together with a fantastic group of Shore
mum volunteers, the morning was thoroughly enjoyed by all and
we are grateful for the time these volunteers put into the event.
naming a seat
In the new Football & Tennis Pavilion we continue to offer unique
opportunities for all members of the Shore community to secure their
place in the history of the School.
Seats are $1,000 each and donations for them made payable to the
‘Shore Foundation Building Trust’ are tax-deductable. Donors are given
a permanent record on the Northbridge Donor Board.
To secure your seat or picket, complete an application form which can be down loaded from the website www.shore.nsw.edu.au/community/
shore-foundation. Then simply return your application form to the Shore Foundation office.
Should you require further information or would like to discuss our fundraising progammes in more detail, please contact Peter Murphy
on 9956 1172.
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