SHORE

SCIENCE WEEK Tick Tick Boom!
Science Week started with a bang with Year 8 students enjoying a demonstration of chemical reactions and explosions while exploring thermodynamics, gas dynamics, cryogenics and applied physics.

Did you know Shore Cross Country began in 1985 as an alternative winter sport to rugby and soccer?
What started as a new opportunity for boys to challenge themselves quickly gained momentum. By 1988, Cross Country had been recognised as an official GPS sport, and the inaugural GPS end-of-season event saw the introduction of the NA Emery Trophy, honouring the outstanding service of Shore Sportsmaster Mr Neville Emery (‘41).
The first GPS Cross Country Championship course, held at The King's School, was certainly memorable. As The Torch Bearer noted in December 1988, competitors tackled a course that traversed "grass, rock, sawdust, mud, fill, gravel and a number of rabbit holes!"
Today, the Cross Country season spans 11 events from April to August, with every runner contributing valuable points to their team's success. The spirit of determination and camaraderie remains as strong as ever.
The 2026 season was another impressive chapter, with the Juniors finishing 2nd, the Opens securing 3rd place and the Intermediates placing 6th.
A special highlight each year is the presentation of the Shore Cross Country Machine Award. Named after "the original machine", IRH Cross ('04), the distinctive stainless steel nut and bolt trophy recognises a runner who embodies the qualities at the heart of the sport: tenacity, dedication, energy and enjoyment.
Here's to more miles, more memories and the enduring spirit of Shore Cross Country!

Images: 1. 1988 Mr NA Emery starting the Open Cross Country running race
2. 1988 Cross Country Open GPS Premiers
3. 1989 Sports master Mr NA Emery at his desk
4. 1994 Cross Country Open, U16 and U14 GPS Premiers
5. 1995 Cross Country Open GPS Premiers
6. 2026 The Machine Award for Cross Country running

Congratulations to our talented public speakers, Henry (Stage 2) and Orlando (Stage 3), who represented Shore with confidence, poise and outstanding communication skills at the Bear Pit Public Speaking Competition. This is an annual public speaking event for local students, held in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, colloquially known as the “Bear Pit”, at the Parliament of New South Wales. Both boys delivered impressive speeches and spoke exceptionally well in a highly competitive field.
A special congratulations to Orlando, who was awarded Runner-Up for his engaging and thought-provoking speech, “If I Were Premier, I would...” We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they represented our School community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Family Reconnect Weekend. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together, strengthen relationships and celebrate the families that sit at the heart of Shore’s Indigenous Programme.
Families enjoyed connecting with their sons at Koori Club, participating in a yarning session, walking around campus to see some of the projects the team have been working on this year, meeting with teachers, a relaxed BBQ dinner, and a chance to cheer their sons on at Saturday Sport.
The weekend reflected the respect, belonging and meaningful connections that make our Indigenous Programme so special.
We look forward to welcoming you back again next year.

THROWBACK THURSDAY Today we're celebrating one of the most cherished traditions on the Northbridge calendar, the Shore Girls' Afternoon Tea. Established in 2003 by then Head of Preparatory School, Mr Steven Bowers, this special event brings together current girls and alumnae to celebrate their lasting connection with Shore. Over the years it has grown into a much-anticipated gathering spanning generations of our School community.
From reading, drawing and craft activities to cooking, computer games and dancing, every year has created new memories. This afternoon, girls past and present will come together once again for this year's Silent Disco.
As one former student, Georgia Pandit (2012), reflected: "My best memories of Shore are of when I met all my friends in Kindy who are still my friends today." And Isabella Janic (2007) shared: "My best Shore memory is when I used to play soccer every single lunch without fail with the boys. One of the funnest times!"
Here's to the friendships, memories and sense of belonging that continue to connect generations of Shore girls.


Images: 1. 2024 Shore Girls Afternoon
2-5. 2023 Shore Girls Afternoon
6. 2009 Girls Afternoon in the K,1,2 Hall

OLD BOYS Last week, Old Boy Thomas Graetz (’23) was back on campus, joining Dixon House for a BBQ and sharing his journey from Shore to the Pratt Institute in New York.
Thomas is entering his third year of Industrial Design at Pratt, where he received an academic scholarship and was recruited to the Men’s NCAA Basketball team. He's now Captain of the team, and recently designed their uniforms for the 2025/26 season.
Many will remember Thomas from his time at Shore, both as an ARTEXPRESS exhibitor and as a member of the Firsts Basketball team. It was great to have him back and for our current students to hear firsthand about where his interests in design and basketball have taken him.

LANGUAGES "Je voudrais une crêpe..." was heard more than a few times yesterday morning.
Year 8 students took part in the annual French Breakfast, ordering fresh crêpes in en français (in French) from the onsite crêpe stall.
The Languages team filled the morning with French music and activities, giving students plenty of chances to use the language beyond the classroom. The incursion was once again a tremendous success and remains a favourite event in the Year 8 calendar.
Thank you to Four Frogs Crêperie and the Languages team for bringing the morning together.

BOARDING Northern Beaches families, we're looking forward to spending an evening at Long Reef and talking about Boarding at Shore with you.
Whether you're already part of the Shore community or beginning to explore Boarding for the future, this information evening is an opportunity to meet members of our Boarding team and hear more about life in the Boarding Houses, including both full-time and weekly Boarding options for boys in Years 7 to 11.
Thursday 29 October
6.30pm – 8.00pm
Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club
Pittwater Road, Collaroy
Registrations are now open via the link in bio.