Bayside Star - Cameras Clicking at the Pier

Cameras clicking at the Pier

Front page news of the children from Shorncliffe State School and their Photos of the Pier

 July 17th, 2012 |  Author: Editor

PHOTOGRAPHS of the Sandgate Pier recently emerged giving an insight into the world from the eyes of children. Shorncliffe State School held a competition and printed a book about the Pier showcasing the talents of their top student and parent photographers. The photos depicted the Pier from different angles from a single close up of a pillar to a rainy day where the light poles were reflected by puddles. Head of curriculum June McCrorie said it was amazing what the students came up with and they hoped to use the Pier again in the not-too-distant future. “We’re Shorncliffe State School and that’s our Pier, so we decided to celebrate it with a photo competition,” she said. “It came as a response to the controversy of the Pier and the idea we could be losing it. “Because the Pier closed down the students really had to think out of the box.” Shorncliffe students frequently go down to the foreshore for media and science classes but have been unable to use the iconic Pier since it was closed down in March because of safety concerns. Year 5 student Erin Christmas said over the past few terms they had been learning about the 130-year-old structure and thinking about why it was important to them. “We wrote persuasive text about why we should or should not keep it,” she said. “I used to go down there with my family and grandparents and we would have a picnic and go down it on our scooters. It was really fun.” Through sponsorship of QUT Caboolture Campus each of the 20 winners was given a copy of the book. The others will be kept at the school and at libraries and historical societies.

Note from Ian;

I had the pleasure of speaking with the Headmaster Cameron Boal this morning. I obtained a copy of the book "Our Pier" and to say I was impressed is an understatement, both with the Photos and the written contributions of the children under each. It is excellent to see the that children of Shorncliffe State School share the passion and love of the Pier that has been a part of the community for over a century.


I was informed that there is a copy of the book at Sandgate Library and the Historical Society in Rainbow Street, we will try and get permission to use the photos in the book, and we shall turn this article into it's own page.


Cameron showed me all of the photos taken by the children in the competition and I am impressed with all of the children's efforts in submitting their photos and thoughts in relation to  The Pier. 


From me to all of the children at Shorncliffe State School congratulations on a job very well done.