As one of Australia’s oldest boarding schools, Shore was proud to celebrate National Boarding Week, an opportunity to reflect on the rich history, enduring traditions and strong community that have defined Boarding at Shore for 136 years. Since our foundation, Boarding has provided generations of boys with a home-away-from-home, fostering lifelong friendships, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging.
Throughout the week of May 12 to 18, a series of events and activities brought Boarders, day boys, staff and families together in a shared celebration of Boarding life.
The week began with a special Year 7 and 8 lunch, where each Boarder invited a day boy friend to join them. With the groups usually separated at mealtimes, this gathering offered a chance to strengthen connections over meat pies and other treats! Lunchtime catch-ups continued for other year groups, bringing more students into the Dining Hall to experience a small but meaningful part of Boarding life.
On Tuesday evening, Boarders from Hodges House took part in community outreach at Rough Edges, highlighting the values of service and connection that underpin Shore’s approach to education and care.
Mid-week, a wellbeing initiative saw a sweet surprise delivered to each Boarder’s bed, a small act of kindness, personally coordinated by Ms Zoi Barber, to remind boys of the importance of self-care and looking after one another.
Thursday marked a special Parents Day, particularly in Robson House. As part of the celebration, students recorded heartfelt messages about what they love most about going home, a thoughtful tribute to the support of our Boarding families.
On Friday, the Boarding Captains addressed the School at formal lunch, reflecting on the dedication of Shore’s Boarding staff. In a gesture of thanks, they presented each Housemaster with a box of chocolates for staff to share—a small token of their appreciation.
On Saturday, we acknowledged the Headmaster’s steadfast support and leadership of Shore’s Boarding programme. Dr Collier's continued advocacy and presence in the lives of our Boarders play a vital role in shaping the strong, values-driven culture that defines the Boarding experience at Shore.
To mark the end of National Boarding Week, a Year 12 Boarders’ Dinner was held on Sunday evening, bringing together our Senior Boarders and their families for a memorable night of reflection and celebration. The event provided an opportunity to honour the contributions of our Year 12 students, acknowledge the role of their families in supporting their journey, and celebrate the sense of camaraderie that has grown over their years in the Boarding Houses. It was a fitting conclusion to a week that highlighted the heart and heritage of boarding at Shore.