From the Acting Principal's Desk

Christmas Tree Appeal

Pittwater House will once again be supporting the Peninsula Senior Toy Recyclers as part of this year’s Christmas Tree Appeal. This local charity refurbishes kids toys and games so that they may be reused by various charities that help families and children in need. In order to contribute to this aspect of the drive, students will need to bring in new or gently used toys, such as: 

• Stuffed animals and dolls 
• Board games and puzzles 
• Musical instruments 
• Sports equipment 
• Electronic games 
• Bicycles 
• Dress up clothes 

The donations should be placed (unwrapped) under the Christmas Tree in the foyer of the Great Hall. Please bring any donations in by Tuesday 9 December. 

If you would like to find out more about the Peninsula Senior Toy Recyclers, please visit: https://peninsulatoys.wixsite.com/my-site2/about-us

This week at Pittwater House has been a wonderful celebration of achievement, creativity, and community as we move closer to the end of the year. From sporting triumphs to musical brilliance and inspiring leadership, our students and staff have truly embodied our HEROIC values of Honesty and Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Care, Origins, Innovation, and Community.

The week began with a great Junior School Assembly where we celebrated the 2025 Sports Awards. It was inspiring to see such a wide range of sports represented and so many students recognised for their dedication and success. A highlight of the Assembly was hearing from our Head Prefect, Taiaroa (CG12), who shared his journey to becoming part of the Australian Under-18 Touch Football Squad. Taiaroa spoke about the importance of trying different sports, keeping options open, and finding the one that ignites passion, all while balancing academic excellence and musical pursuits. His message of perseverance and balance was a powerful example of our HEROIC values in action.

On Tuesday night, we experienced one of the most enjoyable evenings of the year, the Junior and Secondary School Vocal Festival. This event brought together students from Year 4 through to Year 12, performing on the same stage and showcasing incredible talent. From stunning solo performances to captivating group pieces by the Senior Choir and Allegro, the evening was a true celebration of talent and community. The night concluded on a high as all performers, staff, and audience (almost all audience members) joined together in a spirited rendition of Lean on Me. A special acknowledgment goes to the Music Team, under the direction of Mr Hardy, for their dedication and hard work in making this event possible.

We were also privileged to welcome Dr Middleton, our incoming Principal, alongside Dr Hillier, our retiring Principal. Dr Hillier introduced Dr Middleton at both Junior and Secondary School Assemblies, where he shared his vision for 2026. A vision grounded in passion for the transformational nature of education, student learning, and student and staff wellbeing. Dr Middleton quoted John F. Kennedy: “A rising tide lifts all boats.” He explained this as a metaphor for growth, when every member of our community strives to improve and thrive, the entire school benefits. This perfectly aligns with our commitment to fostering a growth mindset and continuing to flourish under his leadership. It is clear Dr Middleton is going to build upon the solid foundations left by Dr Hillier. 

Congratulations to Ella and Tanisha (CG12), whose outstanding HSC Visual Arts works have been selected for ARTEXPRESS. This prestigious annual showcase will exhibit exemplary student works at galleries across NSW throughout 2026, a testament to their creativity and dedication.

We are also incredibly proud of Miles (G10), who is currently serving as Captain of the CommBank Joeys squad competing in the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. The Joeys are set to face Jordan, Bhutan, the Philippines, and Iraq this week, and we eagerly await the results. Miles’ achievement is an inspiration to all Pittwater House students, demonstrating what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.

Finally, we extend our best wishes to our Year 12 students as they commence their Assessment Week today. This is an important milestone, and we know they will approach it with the same determination and commitment that exemplifies our HEROIC values.

Thank you to our entire Pittwater House community for another week of excellence, innovation, and care. Together, we continue to rise, because a rising tide truly lifts all boats.