Sydney Church of England Grammar School

Sydney Church of England Grammar School (also known as the Shore School and SCEGS) is an Anglican school for boys in North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The school is a member of the Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales. (AAGPS)

Foundation

The School was founded on 4th May, 1889 and was the initiative of Bishop Alfred Barry of the Sydney Diocese of the Church of England. The site of the School's first building stands on that of the Victorian mansion of the legendary gold prospector BH Holtermann. Holtermann was a German migrant who discovered the famous Holtermann Nugget in the Australian gold fields. He used his new found wealth to build a magnificent home in North Sydney which is now a boarding house of Shore. His sons were amongst the first students enrolled at Shore.

The School's Name

The School officially has two names, Sydney Church of England Grammar School and The Shore School. The school has long been known by the latter, however it was not until the early nineties when the name The Shore School was officially adopted. The name came about at sporting matches where supporters could not chant 'Grammar', as this was already done by the students of Sydney Grammar School. Another reason for the changing of the name was that Sydney Church of England Grammar School was shortened to S.C.E.G.S and there is already a school called this in sydney. The name comes from the school being located in Sydney's North Shore region.

The School Charter

The St James' School Compensation Trust Act (1886) provided for the foundation of "A school of the highest type, including departments of education for all classes of the community, in which the teaching shall be throughout in accordance with the principles of the Church of England, and which shall be placed under the direction of a governing body of clergy and laity to be elected by the Synod, the Bishop of the Diocese being the ex-officio President".

The School Psalm

Psalm 15

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle: or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life: and doeth the thing which is right, and speaketh the truth from his heart.
He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour: and hath not slandered his neighbour.
He that setteth not by himself, but is lowly in his own eyes: and maketh much of them that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not: though it were to his own hindrance.
He that hath not given his money upon usury: nor taken reward against the innocent.
Who so doeth these things: shall never fall.

Amen

The School Song

Music by Julius Langhans Arranged by Tommy Tycho
Words by Robson/Lewarne

Here's to the Shore boy who loves the School,
Be he scholar, or dullard, or wit, or fool,
If he never allows his love to cool,
Tradit Lampada Vitai

Here's to the Shore boy who never says die,
Though his oar may be sprung, or his bowling awry,
Five lengths to make up, or four goals to a try -
Tradit Lampada Vitai

Here's to the Shore boy who manfully fought
In all that he did, at his work, in his sport;
May he cherish the values the School has sought -
Tradit Lampada Vitai

Here's to the Shore boys who follows the lead,
Maintaining tradition in words and in deed;
As they face the wide world we bid Godspeed,
Tradit Lampada Vitai

School Hymn

Ye servants of the Lord,
Each in his office wait,
Observant of his heavenly word,
And watchful at his gate.

Let all your lamps be bright
And trim the golden flame:
Gird up your loins as in his sight,
For aweful is His Name.

Watch; 'tis your Lord's command,
And while we speak, He's near;
Mark the first signal of his hand,
And ready all appear.

O happy servant he,
In such a posture found!
He shall his Lord with rapture see
And be with honour crowned.

Christ shall the banquet spread
With his own royal hand.
And raise that faithful servant's head
Amid the angelic band.
Amen.

Headmasters

The current Headmaster of the School is Tom Wright. He was previously Headmaster of the All Saints' School in Bathurst, New South Wales and holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry. He has been an educator for over twenty years.

LC Robson, the fourth headmaster of Shore School, attended Sydney Grammar School and was the first Headmaster of Shore born in Australia. All previous headmasters had been born in England. Mr Robson was offered the headmasterships of both Shore and Sydney Grammar School, but declined the latter as many of the teachers who had taught him there were still on the teaching staff.

The School is also governed by a council jointly appointed by the Old Boys' Union and the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.

Former Headmasters

* E.I. Robson (1889-1900)
* C.H. Hodges (1900-1910)
* W.A. Purves (1910-1922)
* L.C. Robson (1923-1958)
* B.H. Travers (1959-1984)
* R.A.I. Grant (1984-2002)
* Dr T.A. Wright (2003-)

HSC Performance

In 2005, Shore recorded it's best recorded HSC result since 1994, which was when the new HSC was introduced. Some notable facts:-
* One boy achieved a perfect University Admission Index (UAI) of 100.00
* 16 boys, 15% of year 12 enrolments, accomplished a UAI of over 99.00
* Boys from shore accounted for 14% of the band 6 results of the entirety of the north shore line private boy school colleges
* Several boys achieved "Premier's Awards" for achieving a Band 6 result in 10 units or more.
* Shore's performance was the best overall of the entirety of non-selective boys schools in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

Campuses

* North Sydney (5.5 ha)
* Northbridge (9 ha) - sports grounds

North Sydney

Senior School

In addition to the administrative centres and classroom blocks there are:
*Four Boarding Houses# School House# Robson House# Hodges House# Barry House
* War Memorial Chapel (1915)
* The War Memorial Hall
* Ken & Joan Smith Auditorium (1994)
* BH Travers Centre including the Library and Basketball Courts (2000)
* The Benefactors Building icluding the Bob Gowing Museum incorporating the School Archives
* The Centenary Building including the Art Department
* Sporting facilities including one oval, cricket nets, tennis courts, a 25 m outdoor pool, basketball courts, squash courts and weights rooms.

Preparatory School

* Constructed in 1926 and recently updated

Northbridge

Playing Fields

The School's main sports facility is at Northbridge, on land purchased in 1916. The School was given a choice of either buying the neighbouring Graythwaite property, or land at Northbridge. The School chose to buy the land at Northbridge as playing fields, since the school was desparately in need of more fields. This now has one of the finest ovals (A Ground) in Sydney and five other full-sized ovals, as well as tennis courts, pavilions and dressing rooms. The grounds were opened in 1919 as a memorial to the 880 Old Boys who served and the 122 who died in the Great War. Plans for their redevelopment are currently being reviewed and are expected to be approved by June 2006.

Early Learning Centre

Opened in 2003, it is a K-2 learning facility for boys and girls. With Long Day Care facilities, the ELC is open 48 weeks per year.

Future Developments

Northbridge

Northbridge is currenty under plans for a redevolompent as the current grandstands are becoming old. The new redevolopment will include new grandstands and changeroom facilities.

Gym and Pool centre

The Gym and Pool are currently aged and in need of an upgrade. The new upgrade plans have been made up and are ready. The new proposed plans include an updated gym, Squash courts, Basketball court and an indoor/outdoor 50 m pool (the current pool is 25 m).

Performing Arts

Shore has an immense performing arts program.

Music Ensembles Include:
* Wind Orchestra
* Concert band
* Stage band
* Show band
* Symohony Orchestra
* Senior String Ensemble
* Chapel Choir

Drama Productions (2006)
* Musical - Gershwin's "Crazy For You"
* Junior Play - Robin Hood
* Middle School Play - The Outsiders
* Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet

Previous productions include West Side Story (2002), The Music Man (2003), Les Miserables (2004), Grease (2005), Dead White Males (2003), Alice In Wonderland (2003), The Tempest (2004), Amadeus (2004), A Christmas Carol (2004) The Taming of the Shrew (2005) and The Merchant of Venice (2005), Huckleberry Finn (2005)

However the most notable Shore production of recent times (some would argue in the history of the school) was 2006's 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead'. Directed by the extremely talented Jay Mathieson, it was a triumph in every sense of the word, and was sold out over its lengthy run.

Shore came 4th in the 2006 Theatre Sports Grand Final of Sydney