Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

Hai Tong Primary Visit

This week, the Junior School was delighted to welcome 32 students and four teachers from Hai Tong Primary School in Shanghai, China, as part of our growing international partnership.

Over four days, our visitors were fully immersed in the life of Pittwater House, joining classes across Years 4, 5 and 6 and participating in everyday school activities alongside their Pittwater House buddies. Through shared lessons, playground games, conversations and classroom experiences, students from both schools had the opportunity to learn from one another and develop meaningful cross-cultural connections.

A highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the Buddy Program. Our Pittwater House students embraced their role with enthusiasm, demonstrating kindness, leadership and inclusivity as they supported their visiting partners throughout the week. It was wonderful to see friendships develop naturally as students worked together in classrooms, shared meals and enjoyed time together during recess and lunch.

International experiences such as these provide valuable opportunities for students to broaden their perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of different cultures, languages and traditions. Equally important, they remind us that friendship, curiosity and a willingness to connect transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.

We were particularly proud of the warm welcome extended by our Junior School community. From our Welcome Assembly on Monday through to the closing celebrations and student performances on Thursday, our visitors were embraced as members of the Pittwater House family.

I would like to thank our students, staff and families for supporting this important program. Special thanks go to our buddy students and teachers, whose care and generosity helped make the week such a memorable experience for our guests.

We hope the friendships formed during this visit continue well beyond the week itself and look forward to strengthening our relationship with Hai Tong Primary School in the years ahead.

Book Week 

What a wonderful celebration of reading, imagination and creativity we enjoyed during this year's Book Week, themed "Symphony of Stories."

Throughout the week, students immersed themselves in the joy of literature, exploring the many ways stories can inspire, entertain and connect us. Classrooms were filled with rich discussions, engaging activities and a shared enthusiasm for books as students celebrated their favourite authors, characters and stories.

One of the highlights of the week was undoubtedly our Book Week Parade. It was a delight to see students arrive in such imaginative and carefully planned costumes, bringing beloved book characters to life. From classic favourites to contemporary heroes, the creativity on display was truly impressive and reflected the excitement our students have for reading.

A sincere thank you to our parents and families for the time, effort and thought that went into helping students prepare their costumes. Your support played a significant role in making the day such a success. We also appreciate the many family members who joined us for the parade and helped create a wonderful atmosphere of celebration and community.

Book Week provides an important opportunity to reinforce the value of reading and storytelling in the lives of our children. Stories help us develop empathy, spark curiosity, build knowledge and inspire imagination. It was wonderful to see our students embrace this year's theme and celebrate the power of books so enthusiastically.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for making Book Week 2026 such a memorable occasion. Together, we truly created our own Symphony of Stories.

Celebrating our Students

Big congratulations to Georgia (J6), for being chosen as one of the finalists in the Northern Beaches Writing Competition. Out of 350 entries, she was in the top 4 for her age group and will be presented an award at a presentation ceremony in August. Well done Georgia!

A big shout out to our Year 6 boys Debating Team as they won their HICES preliminary final division against Rouse Hill Anglican College last Thursday. We now wait to find out who they will debate against for the final.

From the Junior School Wellbeing Co-ordinator

A very warm welcome back to all of our Pittwater House families. I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful and well-deserved Winter break.

Over the past week, I have had the pleasure of hearing so many fantastic holiday stories from our students. Some were fortunate enough to travel overseas and experience different cultures, while many others shared special memories of spending quality time with family and friends here on the beautiful Northern Beaches. Regardless of where the holidays were spent, it has been wonderful to hear how our students recharged, connected and returned to school excited for another term of learning.

This week also gave us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate International Day of Friendship (30 July). Throughout the day, students participated in activities that highlighted the importance of positive relationships, kindness and inclusion. The celebration aligned perfectly with the ongoing work we do through our URSTRONG Friendology program.

One of the key messages we teach our students is that friendships are not always perfect, and that is completely normal. Friendships grow, change and develop over time. Through explicit teaching, we help students understand that not all friendships look the same and that every relationship experiences ups and downs. Rather than fearing these challenges, we teach students the skills and confidence to navigate them successfully.

Perhaps the most important lesson of all is learning to value ourselves. Children often find it easy to recognise the wonderful qualities in others while overlooking the strengths they possess themselves. Helping students develop self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-confidence provides the foundation for healthy relationships throughout their lives.

At Pittwater House, our goal is to nurture young people who are kind, empathetic and compassionate, while also being resilient enough to stand up for themselves, make positive choices and advocate for what is right.

Families may hear students using some of the common language we use across the Junior School. For example, we often refer to the small disagreements and misunderstandings that naturally occur during play as "Friendship Fires." These everyday moments become valuable learning opportunities where students are taught, guided and supported to communicate effectively, solve problems respectfully and repair relationships. By teaching, practising and modelling these skills consistently, we help our students build confidence in managing the complexities of friendships both now and into the future.

As we begin Semester 2, we remain committed to supporting every child on their wellbeing journey. Our aim is to provide each student with the skills, language and confidence to build healthy relationships, embrace challenges and continue growing into the very best version of themselves.

If you ever have questions, concerns or would simply like to learn more about how we are supporting your child's wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact me. I always welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with our families.

We are looking forward to another exciting term filled with learning, growth, friendship and plenty of fun.

From the Junior School PDHPE Co-ordinator

At our School, we love celebrating outstanding achievements, but we are equally proud of the qualities that help students reach their goals: dedication, perseverance, courage and a willingness to challenge themselves. Whether students are competing at the highest level, trying a new activity for the first time, or simply striving to improve each day, these experiences help build confidence and character that will last a lifetime.

We are delighted to recognise several Junior School students who have recently enjoyed remarkable success in their chosen sports.

Elliot (P5), achieved an outstanding result at the School Sport Australia Diving National Championships, finishing 1st in the 10 Years Boys Springboard event. To be crowned a national champion is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects Elliot's hard work, focus and commitment to his sport.

Elliot's sister, Monroe (J6), also represented with distinction in diving. We congratulate Monroe on her efforts and dedication, and we look forward to seeing her continued success in the pool and on the diving board.

In Athletics, Jack (P5) proudly represented at the PSSA State Cross Country Championships in Week 1, competing in the 2km event. An exciting highlight of the day was Jack's CIS Under 10 Boys team winning the gold medal for the overall team result. Cross country demands determination, resilience and teamwork, and Jack should be very proud of his contribution to this outstanding achievement.

We also congratulate Everly (J5), who recently competed at the 2026 IFAA National Championships (Field Archery). We are thrilled to share that Everly was crowned National Champion in the Under 13 Girls division. This incredible accomplishment reflects Everly's concentration, discipline and dedication to mastering her sport.

These achievements remind us that every student's journey is unique. While not every child will compete at a national level, every student can set goals, embrace challenges and celebrate personal growth. Whether on the sporting field, in the classroom, on the stage or in the playground, success comes from consistently doing your best and enjoying the process of learning and improving.

Congratulations to Elliot, Monroe, Jack and Everly on their wonderful achievements. We are incredibly proud of the way they represent our School and inspire others through their commitment, sportsmanship and passion.

Out and About in our Classrooms

Mrs Afshan Valani on behalf of Mrs Ciara Loughland

With Mrs Loughland on maternity leave, Mrs Valani will be sharing what is happening in the Junior School curriculum space. Each week she will be sharing different class stories.

Enjoy!

100 Days of Kindergarten! 

Our Kindergarten students recently celebrated an exciting milestone - 100 days of learning, growing and thriving at Pittwater House.

Led by Ms Sam Neader, the celebration was filled with energy, creativity and meaningful learning as students embraced the theme of 100 across a range of curriculum areas. Dressed in imaginative "100" themed outfits, our young learners enthusiastically took part in activities that celebrated just how much they have accomplished since beginning their Kindergarten journey.

Throughout the day, Ms Neader thoughtfully incorporated the 100-day theme into Handwriting, Phonics, English, Mathematics and Creative Arts, creating engaging learning experiences that captured students' curiosity and excitement. 

A standout moment of the celebration was the display of 100 words that the students have learned throughout the year - a fantastic achievement that reflects the confidence and literacy skills they have developed over their first 100 days of school.

Through the hands-on activities, creativity and celebration, students were able to recognise not only the number 100, but also the friendships, resilience, confidence and knowledge they have gained since their very first day in Kindergarten at Pittwater House.

Congratulations to our incredible Kindergarten learners on reaching this significant milestone, and to class teacher Ms Neader for creating such a memorable and inspiring celebration of learning.

We look forward to seeing our learners continue to flourish throughout the rest of the year.

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