From the Deputy Principal

This week has been another vibrant and successful one at Pittwater House, with students across both the Junior and Senior Schools embracing a wide range of academic, cultural and co-curricular opportunities.

A particular highlight has been the visit of our international guests from Hai Tong Primary School in Shanghai, China. Our Junior School students and staff have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming the visiting students and sharing the unique experiences that make Pittwater House such a special community. Opportunities such as these provide invaluable cultural exchange experiences and help foster global understanding and friendships that extend well beyond the classroom.

At the same time, our Year 12 students have commenced the first week of their two-week Trial HSC Examination period. This is a significant milestone in their final year of schooling and an important opportunity for students to prepare for the demands of the HSC examinations later this year. We wish all Year 12 students every success over the coming fortnight and commend them on the dedication and commitment they have shown throughout their preparation.

The Trials follow what has been an exceptionally busy and rewarding period across the school. Last week, audiences were treated to the outstanding Year 11 production of 'The 39 Steps'. The performances showcased remarkable talent, creativity and confidence from our students and were a testament to the countless hours of preparation by both students and staff. At the same time, our Junior School celebrated Book Week with a wonderful parade and a range of engaging literacy activities that highlighted the joy of reading and learning.

This Friday, we will hold a special Years 7 to 11 Assembly to recognise student achievement across Semester 1. During the assembly, our highest academic achievers will be presented with Academic Badges and Certificates in recognition of their outstanding results. We will also acknowledge many students who have excelled in sport through the presentation of Semester 1 Sporting Awards. These awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the dedication, perseverance and excellence demonstrated by students who have performed at the highest levels in their respective fields.

As communicated to families earlier this week, we continue to experience a significant increase in the number of students presenting to the Health Centre with cold and flu symptoms. We appreciate the support of our parent community in helping us maintain a healthy learning environment by keeping students at home when they are unwell. While we understand that managing illness can be challenging for families, allowing students time to recover fully not only benefits their own wellbeing but also helps minimise the spread of illness throughout the school. We thank parents for their ongoing cooperation and support in this important area.

This Thursday, students will once again have the opportunity to support a very worthwhile cause through our annual Jeans for Genes Day. Students are encouraged to donate $2 to help raise vital funds for the Children's Medical Research Institute, which is working to develop treatments and cures for serious conditions affecting Australian children. Sadly, 1 in 20 children are born with a birth defect or genetic disease, and many of the more than 6,000 known genetic disorders remain poorly understood with no specific treatment or cure available. We encourage students to wear denim on the day while ensuring they remain appropriately dressed and wear suitable footwear. Every donation will contribute to critical medical research and help bring new treatments and cures to Australian children and their families. We thank our community in advance for supporting this important initiative.

Finally, while much attention is understandably focused on our Year 12 students during the Trial HSC period, we would also like to acknowledge and wish the very best to our Year 11 Accelerated Dance students. This year, seven talented Year 11 students are undertaking the Year 12 HSC Dance course and will sit their HSC Dance Practical Examinations next week. Their willingness to embrace the challenge of completing a Stage 6 course a year early demonstrates exceptional commitment, maturity and passion for their chosen discipline. We are immensely proud of their achievements to date and look forward to seeing them showcase the skills they have developed through many hours of hard work and dedication.

As always, thank you to our students, staff and families for their continued support. The breadth of opportunities and achievements across the school this week is a wonderful reflection of the energy, talent and commitment that defines the Pittwater House community.