From the Principal's Desk

Pittwater House - 53rd Annual Ceremonial Parade and Unit Prizegiving

Monday 25 August 2025 at 1.40pm

Please be seated by 1.30pm

The parade takes place from 1.40pm to 2.15pm (approx.)

Unit Prizegiving will take place in the Hall after the Parade followed by refreshments which will be served on the Hall Balcony

Please Note: If the oval is closed (due to inclement weather) the cadets will proceed directly to the Hall for Prizegiving.

As we mark half way point of the Term, there are increasing memories our Class of 2025 are collating. They have completed their Trials and are now focussed on working collaboratively to ensure the best outcome as a group. I am proud of their resolve and hearing their individual approaches to maximise output in their race to the finish line. History tells us that with the use of our study centre each day with staff on hand to guide and support them, and collective will and collaboration, the weeks between the Trials and the HSC exams can produce significant change. We are all wishing the very best to you, Year 12.

Our community has been heavily engaged in activities in true Pittwater House fashion. The Hall was abuzz for the PHPA Trivia night and the Great Gatsby theme was proudly taken on by the 135 in attendance. Congratulations and sincere thanks to Sheridan Millward and the PHPA Committee for the great night.

With the HICES Music Camp and Town Hall Concert, Years 10 to 12 House Festival and a successful Secondary School Open Morning along with Sunday's Years 3 to 12 Dance Spec competition for the Senior and Junior Dance Companies, our School is a hive of activity. Of course we sadly had to postpone the Pre-K to Year 2 Athletics Carnival, along with cancelled Rugby games. The weather is not being kind.

At this point though I share what some of you know; that I have undergone emergency knee surgery and am now in a period of painful rehabilitation. I am extremely sad to be missing so many events that are the hallmark of the final Term for our Year 12s. I am doing all in my power to gain sufficient mobility to spend time on Campus in due course. Meanwhile I am enormously grateful to the Executive team who are taking on increased responsibilities. All Staff have been called upon to act up as we have been hit by a particularly large number of staff absences in recent time.

Our Cadets have once more provided wonderful support to two events this past week. On Friday, our Catafalque Guard presided at the ceremony commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Pacific at Avalon, and on Monday at the Vietnam Veterans Day parade, held at Manly. Our cadets again showed their community commitment and performed with distinction. My sincere thanks to those fine cades, under the command of Captain Blackwell.

With every good wish to our Pittwater House family.