News from the Junior School

From the Head of Junior School

What a wonderful end to the term, with so many remarkable achievements celebrated at our K-6 Prize Giving Assembly this week. I am incredibly proud of all our students. Whether they received an award or not, each student should take a moment to reflect on the progress they have made this year. Big or small, every achievement matters.

Throughout the term, my message has focused on stepping outside comfort zones, giving things a go, and embracing challenges. That is all we can ever ask of anyone. I hope this spirit carries into the holidays, encouraging students to try new activities, explore new experiences, and build new social connections. I am excited to come back to school and hear all about these new opportunities and experiences.

A heartfelt congratulations to our 2026 School Leaders, who accepted their badges with pride and humility at this week’s Prize Giving Assembly. I know they will represent our School honourably in the wider community and serve as positive role models for all students in the Junior School. They were nominated because they were willing to take a chance, step forward, and try something new. I am genuinely excited to work alongside them as they grow in confidence, develop their leadership skills, and bring fresh ideas to our School.

Congratulations to our 2026 Leaders:

As I shared at our Prize Giving Assembly, I am truly grateful for the warm welcome I have received this term. I now understand exactly what Dr Hillier meant when she described Pittwater House as a strong and special community. I feel privileged to be part of the Pittwater House family and look forward to continuing to grow within it next year.

I am also delighted to share the 2026 class teachers with you below. Please know that a great deal of thought, planning and discussion goes into these decisions. Our teachers are dedicated professionals who prioritise your child’s safety, wellbeing, and academic growth. They too are excited about the possibilities in 2026.

Your 2026 class teachers will contact families at the start of the year through their Welcome to the Year letters. We also undertake a thorough handover process to ensure each teacher receives a comprehensive understanding of their students. Our Parent Information Evening early next year will be a wonderful opportunity to meet your class teacher and learn more about the year ahead.

2026 Class Teachers

As we head toward 2026, there’s lots to look forward to, especially welcoming Dr Middleton as our new Principal. New leadership brings fresh ideas and opportunities, and while change can feel a bit strange at first, it also helps us grow. We’re excited for what’s ahead! We also want to give a big thank you to Mr Walmsley for his wonderful leadership this year. He has supported our students, staff, and me, and we’re very grateful. A huge shoutout, too, to our amazing leadership team; Mrs Loughland, Mr Nunura, Mrs Maloney and especially Mrs Tickle for guiding the Junior School with such care and steadiness this year. We’re sending our warmest wishes to Miss Faassen and Miss McIndoe as they prepare to welcome their babies, to Mrs Achurch as she enjoys a well-earned Term 1 break, and to Mrs Holgersson as she takes a well-deserved break for 2026. We also thank Miss Mahn for all her hard work and wish her the very best in her new role, and we say goodbye to Ella Bullock, who has taken such lovely care of so many children in our afternoon Hub Clubs.

As we reach the end of term, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a restful, joy-filled break. Thank you again for the warm welcome to Pittwater House. I look forward to seeing you all in January.

From the Assistant Head of Junior School

As we reach the end of another vibrant and busy year in the Junior School, it is wonderful to pause and reflect on all that our students have experienced and achieved. From classroom learning and creative projects to sporting events, performances, and the countless moments of curiosity and growth in between, our children have shown remarkable resilience, enthusiasm, and joy in their learning.

These final weeks were full of learning and exciting opportunities to enjoy being a part of a P-12 School.  Our J5 and J6 students enjoyed participating in the Creative Arts Evening and the P5 and P6 boys participated in a service-learning initiative, beach activities at Long Reef Beach and the Amazing Race around Narrabeen Lake.  It is so wonderful to bring students together in this way at the end of the year. 

The holidays are not only a time for celebration but also an important opportunity for rest. School holidays play a vital role in a child’s wellbeing. They offer the chance to slow down, reconnect with family and friends, and enjoy unstructured play which is something that is essential for healthy development. Holidays allow children to reset both mentally and physically, returning to school refreshed and ready for the year ahead.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support throughout the year. We wish all our students and families a safe, joyful, and restorative holiday season, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, energized for the exciting learning that awaits.

From the Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator 

Building on Mrs Amy Tickle’s remarks, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Years 5 and 6 students who participated in the College Performing Arts night. Over three days, I had the privilege of supervising various groups, and it was wonderful to see Stage 3 students engaging with Senior School students. This event truly showcased the importance of the Creative Arts program at Pittwater House, not only for our Year 5 and 6 students but for all students across the College.

The Creative Arts syllabus plays a vital role in the holistic development of students at Pittwater House, particularly in the formative years of Kindergarten to Year 6. Through the study of visual arts, music, drama and dance, students explore their imagination, express ideas and develop confidence in their ability to create and communicate. These experiences foster critical and creative thinking, which are essential skills for lifelong learning and success in an increasingly dynamic world.

In the Junior School, Creative Arts provides opportunities for students to engage in hands-on, experiential learning that complements academic subjects. By experimenting with different media, performing in collaborative settings and responding to artworks and performances, students learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and cultural contexts. This not only nurtures creativity but also builds empathy and resilience, qualities that align with Pittwater House’s commitment to developing well-rounded individuals.

Furthermore, the Creative Arts syllabus supports the development of fine motor skills, auditory discrimination and spatial awareness, while promoting self-expression and emotional wellbeing. For many students, these subjects offer a sense of joy and accomplishment, creating positive associations with learning. At Pittwater House, integrating Creative Arts into the K–6 curriculum ensures that every child has the opportunity to discover and cultivate their unique talents, laying a strong foundation for confidence and creativity in future learning.

In addition to our classroom Creative Arts program, Pittwater House provides an extensive range of co-curricular opportunities. These include performing arts, music ensembles, art clubs and drama productions as well as activities in other areas such as sporting teams, debating and beginning in 2026 an entrepreneurship club. These programs inspire students to pursue their interests, develop new skills and build confidence. Co-curricular involvement also promotes teamwork, leadership and resilience while fostering a strong sense of community that enhances the academic experience. As we look toward 2026, I encourage you to explore the many opportunities available and consider which activities might spark your child’s interest.

From the Junior School Wellbeing Co-ordinator

As we come to the end of another wonderful year, I want to acknowledge the incredible effort, positivity and resilience shown by all our students. It has been a year filled with growth, maturity and countless examples of students stepping up as leaders in both big and small ways. Our fundraising events and mufti days have been a highlight, showcasing our students’ generosity and strong sense of community.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to introduce a slightly refreshed structure to our mornings. Form time will now take place at the very start of the day and will have a strong wellbeing focus. This will include regular goal setting and weekly check-ins to help students develop positive habits, reflect on their progress and celebrate their achievements. We will continue to use the Friendology program by URStrong as our universal wellbeing framework and will be leaning into it even further next year, including a special URStrong launch day in Term 1.

Our small-group targeted programs have continued to make a significant difference for many students this year, and these will remain an important part of our wellbeing support moving forward. Across everything we do, our focus will continue to be on respect, kindness and encouraging every student to be the best version of themselves.

As we head into the holiday break, I encourage our students to stay active, help out at home, spend time away from screens and connect with family and friends. And of course—keep reading! It’s one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support learning over the break.

Wishing all our families a safe, joyful and restful Christmas. See you in the new year!

From the Junior School PDHPE Co-ordinator

Last Monday, our Junior School gathered in the Hall for our annual Sports Awards Assembly, a wonderful celebration of the hard work, dedication and achievements of our students throughout the year. The assembly recognised not only outstanding sporting performances, but also the qualities we value so highly at Pittwater House—effort, resilience, teamwork, sportsmanship and commitment.

Across the year, students have taken part in an enormous range of sporting opportunities, from weekly PE lessons and Friday Sport to carnivals, gala days and HICES competitions. It was wonderful to acknowledge students who have not only excelled in their chosen sports but who consistently demonstrated determination, respect and a willingness to support their peers.

During the assembly, awards were presented for Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, Basketball and a range of other sports. We also recognised students who represented Pittwater House at higher levels of competition, and those whose leadership and sportsmanship set an exceptional example for others.

A special moment in the Assembly was hearing from our guest speaker, Taiaroa in Year 12 who has had a very successful sporting year. His message about perseverance, trying a variety of sports and embracing challenges resonated strongly with our younger students.

Congratulations to all award recipients, and to every student who participated in sport this year—whether in training, carnivals or weekly lessons. Your enthusiasm and willingness to give your best makes our Junior School sporting program so vibrant and successful.

Thank you to our staff, coaches and parents for your ongoing support, encouragement and commitment. We look forward to another exciting year of sport in 2026.

Other Junior School News

Year 6 Fete 

As part of Year 6s History unit on Federation and Democracy earlier this year, students explored how government works by forming their own class parliaments and developing policies to contribute to the wider school community. One of the many creative and innovative ideas to come from this process was the Year 6 Fete; an opportunity to bring joy to younger students and leave a positive legacy as they prepare to graduate from primary school.

With help from class teachers (especially Mrs Roberts!), along with lots of hard work from all Year 6 students, on Friday 21 November the Year 6 Fete came to life! Students from Pre-Kindy to Year 5 visited a wide variety of stalls prepared by Year 6, including slime making, sponge throwing, raffles, guessing competitions and more! The excitement, creativity and teamwork on display made the event a memorable experience for everyone involved. 

Year 6 would like to sincerely thank all students, teachers and parents for their support, generosity and participation. This event would not have been possible without the whole school community. They are extremely excited and proud to share that the final total raised on the day was… $2,000.45! This far exceeded expectations and is a wonderful testament to the community spirit of our School.

Most of the funds raised through the fete will support two causes chosen by the students. The first is Eczema Support Australia, supporting children and adults living with eczema. The second is Fisher Road School, where the funds will be used to purchase resources that support students living with disabilities. The remaining money will be used to gift the school a special bench and plaque from the Year 6 Class of 2025, as a lasting ‘thank you’ for the time they’ve spent learning and growing at Pittwater House.

AOK Social Justice Initiative 

On Monday 1 December, our Year Six students took part in a meaningful hands-on social justice experience through the AOK (Act of Kindness) organisation. Students arrived with a wonderful range of donated food items, which were used to create care packs for members of Sydney’s homeless and rough-sleeping community.

We began the afternoon by hearing from an AOK volunteer, who spoke honestly and compassionately about the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in areas such as Wentworth Park and Woolloomooloo. Students asked thoughtful questions and gained a deeper understanding of how small acts of generosity can make a real impact.

Following this, students worked in teams to prepare long-life food packs, breakfast packs, sandwiches, and snack bags. These were later delivered to areas of need by the AOK team. Our Year Six students approached the task with maturity, empathy, and enthusiasm, taking great pride in the work they produced.

It was a powerful experience that left students feeling a mixture of emotions, sadness at the hardship faced by others, but also a genuine sense of purpose and pride in being able to help. We are extremely proud of their teamwork and compassion.

Code Camp – January Holidays

A reminder that Code Camp will be running at Pittwater House during the holidays Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 January from 9am to 3.45pm. Options include Spark where children will design their own video game, Minecraft Masters and Little Coders designed for children aged 5 to 7. Use this link to book and use the code SCHOOL25 at the checkout to Save $25

2026 Key Dates