Boarding is a world away from the realities of the farm
Year 11 boarder, Andrew Newton, has been at Shore since Year 7. Home is a seven hour drive away at Gurley, near Moree.
Sixty-five per cent of Shore’s 200 boarders come from regional Australia.
The Newton family’s century-old cropping property has faced a second winter without being able to plant winter crops, but it hasn’t deterred Andrew from one day returning home to the farm.
In the meantime, he’s taking every opportunity on offer at Shore.
Boarding life at Shore
Why did you come to Shore?
My parents wanted me to go to a boarding school. I’m pretty close to my grandfather who told me all the stories about how good boarding school was for him, then when I got here it was pretty scary at the start but now it’s really good fun.
What do you like best about being a boarder?
Friendships. I really look forward to coming back to
What do you do on the weekend?
Lots of sport, playing on Saturdays then in the evenings we generally watch a footy game or a movie, and cook some food. Sunday morning is Chapel, a House activity, like going to the movies or to the beach, as well as doing some work!
When do you get to speak to Mum and Dad?
I generally talk to my parents after dinner at 6pm as Prep starts at 7pm and we have to put our phones away.
How much study do you do outside of school hours?
We have Prep 6 times a week, Monday to Thursday we study from 7pm-9pm, and then we do another hour on Fridays and Sunday. As a year 11 student, I get to study in my room or I can go to the library.
Do you use the additional tutoring?
Old Boys come in and do tutoring in each House. This is very helpful and I use them if I need extra help with getting lesson content explained.
Supporting future farmers
To help future students (and farmers), Shore has raised over half a million dollars for boarding bursaries to help country families struggling with the drought.
Committed to the long-term support of country boarding, the fund is for new students, with the first recipient already in place.
Shore also provides fee relief and postponement “where appropriate” for the families of existing students in drought-hit areas.
For more information about boarding, bursary or fee support contact Shore.
