TSS House Shield Historic Tie 2008

In the century long history of TSS, there has only been one tie in the House Shield Competition. 2008 saw Biddle and Walker Houses locked together on 70 points with McKinley third on 50 points. Seven different fields of competition could not separate the two Houses and given the circumstances of what was a remarkable contest it was indeed a worthy result. Housemasters, Ms Jo Inglis (Walker) along with myself (Biddle) could not have asked for any more from the boys and the consistency shown in all seven fields of competition was a credit to the leadership group in both Houses. Biddle attained two 1st placings in cross country and the declamations and basketball cluster, while Walker was 1st in swimming, track and field and the touch, tennis and football cluster. Biddle did not finish worse than 5th in all seven events and apart from a blemish in House Drama, Walker did not finish lower than 4th in all seven events. Throughout 2008 both Houses were neck and neck leaving the other 10 Houses in their wake.

With one event (basketball and declamations cluster) to be contested, Walker held a narrow advantage of three points. Biddle won declamations in a tie with Atkinson and basketball would decide the 2008 shield winners. Amazingly, Biddle and Walker contested the final and in an incredible game played in two extra time periods, Walker proved victorious resulting in a historic tied House Shield. The first in the history of TSS. 2008 House Captains, Callum McGilvray (Biddle) and Nick Wilson (Walker) reflected on this amazing achievement in the 2008 Southportonian and said the following:

Callum McGilvray (Biddle) "In the House Shield we tied with Walker in an extraordinary all-round performance." Nick Wilson (Walker) "A tremendous accomplishment. The foundation of which was a strong team effort with a great number of individual standouts".

In the end of year reports Ms Inglis and I both praised the boys for their consistency and strong competitive spirit. Ms Inglis summed up the achievements of both House’s beautifully.

"I cannot help to be drawn back to Walker's finest achievement for 2008. Winning the House Shield in tie with Biddle. Over the years as I attended the House Suppers I always felt the emphasis on the House Shield Competition was perhaps a little over the top. Surely more went on about the place than this competition. Well of course, much more went on. Boys learned things: about subjects, teamwork, leadership, cooperation, rules, boundaries, consequences of choices both good and not so good.

“Clearly the House Shield was an enduring focus at every House Supper I had attended. It seemed to

Mr John Wallace

Humanities / Life and Faith Teacher

drive the place. Having now witnessed the TSS House Shield Competition from a pastoral perspective as Housemaster, I have come to learn that here at TSS the House Competition is so fiercely fought, it is a perfect vehicle for learning much of what it is to be a good man. Winning and losing graciously, honest effort, preparing and working as a team, persistence, resilience, respect for the rules and the referees, fairness, trust in your mates, loyalty in sticking with the team in the face of a challenge, and most importantly having fun".

I also said at the time, “Biddle in 2008 had very few superstars.”

“The House was united as one, particularly after the passing of Year 12 student Nick Peate in early May. To win the cross country one week after his passing was testament to the spirit of the House. On paper at the beginning of the year very few would have given Biddle a chance of being top three let alone win. McGilvray and his Year 12's had other ideas and they led from the front and set up the historic tie. Ms Inglis and Walker House were always a formidable opponent and the talent in their House enviable. They achieved their potential being co-winners of the Shield."

This was a magnificent result from both Houses (one boarding and one day), that after seven fields of competition, they could not be separated by the barest of margins. A truly historic record in the history of TSS.