Building Good Men

We must remember that intelligence is not enough.
Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.
—Martin Luther King Jr.,

What Is Character Education?

Character education fosters ethical, responsible and caring young people by modelling and teaching good character. It provides long-term solutions that address moral, ethical and academic issues of growing concern to our society and key to the safety of our schools.

Good character is not formed automatically; it is developed over time through a sustained process of teaching, example, learning and practice. It is developed through character education. The intentional teaching of good character is particularly important in today’s society since our youth face many opportunities and dangers unknown to earlier generations. They are bombarded with many more negative influences through the media and other external sources prevalent in today’s culture.

Shore is a Christian school and we seek to educate our boys with a clear understanding of the principles and values of the Christian faith.

Shore’s Building Good Men programme promotes the importance of virtue and character based upon the School’s Christian values. Our aim is to build and strengthen character within our boys to influence how they think and act, especially when faced with challenging situations that will confront them as they move through their adolescent years and into manhood. Our hope is that our boys will always consider the needs of others ahead of their own and have the moral courage to stand up for what is right.

Building Good Men is a programme in character education, which challenges boys to consider the type of man that they want to become and the virtues that will guide them through their adult life. It was written by a team of twelve Shore staff (six Housemasters and six Tutors) and is specifically tailored for the ‘Shore boy’.

All Year 11 boys facilitate sessions within Tutor Group, under the guidance and assistance of a Tutor, providing them with opportunities to develop their leadership skills. The Year 11 boys receive training in delivering the programme and leading a small discussion group. They work in teams of 3-4 and meet with a specific Year group from within their House. The programme uses a number of teaching strategies and resources such as film clips to provide clear examples of the virtue being addressed and to motivate and inspire the boys.

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Holistic Education: Collaborating with Girls’ Schools

The significance of a school like Shore offering a holistic education cannot be overstated. The intertwining of authentic interactions with neighbouring girls' schools forms a foundation for a well-rounded education that prepares Good Men for life. This approach transcends mere gender perspectives. It extends to encompass a comprehensive understanding of diverse cultures and social dynamics, to foster open-mindedness, and a spirit of collaboration. Through strategic partnerships with girls' schools, Shore aims to engage boys with an educational model that goes beyond the norm. Shore's Pastoral Care team has thoughtfully partnered with girls’ schools for many years to facilitate essential social and emotional learning experiences for boys.

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The annual Building Connections initiative with Roseville College and Queenwood encourages joint learning about respectful relationships, as well as discussions on critical topics such as consent education, mental health awareness, and cyber safety. Shore’s commitment to fostering connections extends to engaging in various social events with neighbouring girls’ schools. One such example is the participation in school dances, such as the Year 10 Formal, which Shore shares with Pymble Ladies College. This partnership goes beyond the dance floor, as students from both schools connect prior to the event to establish friendships and collaboratively plan the occasion.

Furthermore, this commitment to connection and camaraderie is reflected in the Year 12 students' engagement in a series of friendly sporting contests with neighbouring girls' schools. These contests provide an avenue for students to have fun while engaging in healthy competition.

Our schools share in a unified purpose to nurture young people of character who are respectful, compassionate, and principled. It is foundational to our Christian ethos and guiding virtues. The commitment to providing a complete education, grounded in diverse and challenging experiences, sets the stage for our boys to thrive and embrace the complexities of a global society with an open heart and an eager mind.

Our well-established Senior School Cadet Programme is a significant and vital partnership with neighbouring Wenona. This program transcends traditional boundaries, fostering an environment where young boys and girls come together to test their leadership skills within the framework of an army cadet corp. Additionally, around sixty Shore boys and sixty girls from Abbotsleigh unite annually to create ‘Shabbots,’ a CRU camp held at Galston Gorge. Another significant facet of Shore's CRU group involves Roseville College. On select Fridays, students from both schools convene for an inspiring session of conversation, games, and biblical insights.

Our Service-Learning initiatives also offer numerous opportunities for engagement and collaboration with various girls’ schools. Currently, Shore collaborates with Queenwood for the annual sleepout at Rough Edges,. Furthermore, Queenwood and Shore engage in training for weekly service at Rough Edges Café. A further example is the annual Sony Camp. The Sony Camp's focus on providing children with disabilities with a space for fun and skill development significantly contributes to the Year 11 students' growth by instilling the values of inclusivity and empathy and fostering a positive environment and relationships with children with disabilities.

Participating in a range of co-curricular Drama activities at Shore provides boys with opportunities to develop performance skills, collaborative abilities, communication skills, and confidence. Engaging with theatre and drama exposes them to the intricacies of the human condition, nurturing empathy, and social and emotional intelligence. While this aspect is integral to our programs, both co-curricular and curricular, it's the longstanding partnerships with girls’ schools in numerous productions and experiences over the years that enable boys to grasp the essence of striving to become Good Men. The partnership with girls’ schools extends across Shore's performing arts domain. Students from Roseville College, Wenona, Loreto Kirribilli, Pymble Ladies College, Willoughby Girls’ High School, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and Redlands are welcomed annually for the Shore Musical. Often, they are also part of the Year 8 play, Middle School play, Senior play, and Student-Directed productions. Additionally, opportunities have been created for the Senior Theatre Group to attend productions alongside students from partner girls’ schools.

Building Good Men

What Is Character Education?

Building Good Men

Holistic Education: Collaborating with Girls’ Schools

A holistic approach

Character Education

Service Learning

Co-Curricular Activities