MR BRIAN ROWE
sh eph erd h ousemaster
S
o …. what does Shepherd do, and provide, for our boys in green? What makes Shepherd so important? And why have a House system at TSS Prep such as we do? No other preparatory school in our country has a House involvement to the extent we do here at TSS Prep. As we hurriedly head to the end of this year, I have indeed reflected upon those exact questions. And to find answers I have gone to the boys. One young man, when he was new to our school in Year 5 stated: You could only imagine how overwhelming TSS was on that first day. So many buildings so many kids - so many things to remember. My first identity at the school came from joining the magnificent Shepherd House - it gave me an instant feeling of belonging. I had an instant group of boys and teachers I depended upon and who could depend on me. Shepherd helped me adapt to the school’s culture. This amazing green House gave me a sense of pride, belonging and support. Shepherd gave me an opportunity to get to know the boys in other year levels also.
race almost everyone of them was Shepherd. Although we weren’t all great runners, all the boys simply gave it a go to achieve points for the House. That’s when I knew what it meant to be a Shepherd boy. To try hard, not give up, and give everything a go. I have learnt a lot in Shepherd - not only its meaning - but the experience to work as a team and a group. In all inter-house competitions I have never seen a Shepherd boy give up. I have only seen improvement, cooperation and hard work. Out of the mouths of babes! And that’s why we have our Prep House system at TSS. It is a microcosm of our band of brothers culture. To all boys at TSS Prep, their House is more than a House to them – it is a family. A sense of belonging. A sense of unconditional acceptance. A supportive environment in which to learn some of life’s more challenging lessons. Yes! That’s why we do what we do. And that’s why Shepherd is Shepherd. That’s why we bleed green! It’s important to us. It’s a part of us! It’s in our DNA!
The athletics carnival made me realise how strong all TSS House spirits were - but wow! Shepherd sure had the loudest war cries I’d ever heard. I couldn’t have said it better! And from another young man who enjoyed the experience here at Prep right from Reception said: Although I knew what Shepherd was in my first few years, I didn’t know what it meant to be a Shepherd boy until my first athletics carnival in Year 3. As we do every year, we had an 800m race that anyone could join into. It was voluntary - but out of all boys in that 130
SOUTHPORTONIAN
In conclusion, I must mention the record amount of money raised at the Shepherd House cake stall for Beyond Blue and Leukaemia Foundation - $6,517. Phenomenal. Also, reclaiming the House music shield. Fantastic. I thank Joe, Kael, Griffen and Phoenix along with the Year 6 cohort for your enthusiasm and leadership. You have set a high bar for the leaders of next year.
To all the boys who wear the green stripe, well done. Shepherd has experienced a grand year. Your commitment to the green machine is appreciated. You get what it is to be Shepherd. To the Shepherd staff of 2018, Mr Tones, Mr Fellowes, Mrs Pemberton, Mrs Yap, Mrs Harris, Mrs Kozned, Mrs Boxall, Mrs Boyd, Mrs Lesko, Ms Mitchell, Mr Scoones, Ms Parkhouse, Mrs Rix and Mrs Quade – a huge thank you. So – tide and time wait for no man and my time has come. After nine years of the most enjoyable task of being Shepherd Housemaster, I pass the green baton to Mr Tones, who already bleeds green and will do a superb job I’m sure. And to those following next year and beyond – two words – never whispered – never uttered without a red face – always shouted at the top of your lungs - GO SHEPHERD!
