From the Deputy Principal

I would like to welcome everyone back to Term 2 at Pittwater House. We have welcomed several new students and staff this week, and I extend a warm welcome to them and their families as they join our community. 

I shared the reminders below at the end of last week; however, to ensure they reach as many families as possible, I have included them again here.

Winter Uniforms - Term 2 is a winter uniform term. The school’s Uniform Guidelines are available on the school website in the Uniform Brochure: HERE. They can also be found in the Pittwater House Student Handbook, located in the 'Links' area of TASS. These guidelines include the requirement for students in Years 1–12 to wear the school blazer to and from school.

Please note that the K–12 girls’ uniform was adjusted last year to allow girls to wear either navy shorts or trousers all year round. In addition, girls in Years 3–6 may wear long navy socks as part of their winter uniform instead of tights.

Key Uniform Reminders - Students are reminded of expectations regarding hair length, shaving, and hair colour. We ask for your support in ensuring these expectations are met before the start of term, as this helps avoid disruption to learning time or the need for less-than-positive conversations on the first day. This includes situations where students may need to be sent home due to dyed hair, facial hair, additional piercings, or boys’ hair extending below the shirt collar.

The majority of our students wear the uniform well, and this plays an important role in preparing them for learning. Wearing the uniform correctly promotes equality, reduces competition around brands and clothing styles, and places all students on an equal footing. Wearing the uniform appropriately to and from school also encourages pride in our school and supports positive perceptions within the wider community.

We appreciate your ongoing support in ensuring students wear the correct uniform and meet expectations regarding hair, jewellery, and presentation.

Bikes and E-bikes - We do not discourage students from riding their bikes to school. However, whether riding an e-bike or a standard bike, we will continue to address unsafe behaviours, including riding without helmets or carrying passengers who are not wearing helmets. Student safety is our priority, and we also receive a significant number of concerns from members of the public about student behaviour when travelling to and from school.

As a result, we are exploring opportunities to work with police and other organisations to support student education, ensure e-bikes entering the school grounds are legal, and promote safe riding practices. Students are reminded that bikes are not to be ridden on school grounds at any time and must always be locked in the designated bike racks. We appreciate parents reinforcing these messages with students.

Canteen - Pre-Kindy to Year 4 students are reminded that all canteen orders must be pre-ordered. Students in Years 5–12 are encouraged to pre-order but may also purchase food over the counter during recess and lunch. All students are reminded that mobile phones are not to be carried on campus and therefore cannot be used to pay for canteen purchases.

Kiss and Drop, Carpark and Street Parking - Visitor parking at the school is limited. All students are encouraged to be dropped off and collected from the South Creek Road Kiss and Drop area. Parents should not use the carpark next to the pool for drop-off or pick-up, as this area is particularly busy with school buses in the morning and afternoon.

There were several near-miss incidents last term involving vehicles and students stepping out from between buses in the carpark. To help keep our community safe, we ask that families use the designated Kiss and Drop areas. The limited visitor parking spaces in this carpark are reserved for parents attending meetings at the school or for parents of Pre-Kindy students who are walking their children into school.

We look forward to a positive and productive Term 2.