From the Head of Junior School

Years 2 to 5 Camps

Following our Year 6 camp to Canberra to begin the term, our students in Years 2 to 5 also enjoyed their own unique camp experiences. Year 2 revelled in a day outside exploring Clifton Gardens, while Year 3 visited nearby Chowder Bay. Year 4 took part in an overnight camp at Stanwell Tops, and Year 5 travelled down south to Tallong. 

Our camps are designed to offer students a distinct opportunity to learn outside of the classroom, develop their social skills, and explore the world around them. Going on school camp provides students the chance to engage with their peers and teachers in a different environment and promotes personal development as students are often challenged outside of their typical comfort zone in various age-appropriate ways. 

Below, are different summaries of the Years 2 to 5 camp experiences written by students across each grade.

Year 2

Ava (J2)

Yesterday, Year 2 went to a day camp. It was fantastic! I could not believe what we saw. There was a cute seal when we went rafting and we also got to look at a sea urchin. We felt the sea urchin and it tickled my hand! We went swimming and then we had two challenges. It was girls vs boys and the girls won both of them (of course!). We saw three bunnies, one was a baby and the other two were adults. We also got to make a huge sandcastle and we had amazing teachers with us. It was the best and I really wish we could do it again!

Lincoln (P2)

I went on an amazing camp yesterday. First, we went on a bus and it dropped us off at the beach. We went on a beautiful bush walk that took us to Clifton Gardens. Then we got split into groups - one went on a really fun raft while the other group was doing beach challenges involving teamwork. After lunch we swapped. Then, we all got back together and played boys versus girls beach relay games which were great.

Year 3

Emma (J3)

Last Monday morning, we were on our way to school camp.  As soon as we got into our groups, we went to the spot where we did some art and crafts. We made flags, banners and head ties. We then had to wash our hands (we had paint everywhere) and after that we had lunch at Chowder Bay under a big tree.  

After lunch, we played fun games. Then we got changed into our swimming costumes and went to the beach to go on a raft. It was so much fun! We jumped out of the raft and went swimming. After rafting, we did a couple more activities and then we went to our cabin. 

We loved settling into our cabins and spent times making ourselves feel at home before heading to dinner. After this, we had a movie night and then we went to bed.  

The next morning, I got up early with my friends. We did some fun activities and then eventually began the trip back to School. I had a great time away on camp with my friends. When I got back to School, I was so tired and sad because I left my favourite toy at camp. Luckily, they found it and my Dad was able to pick it up for me. 

Elliot and Lucas (P3)

We were all very grateful for the experiences we had on our Year 3 camp at Chowder Bay. Being our first camp, we didn’t know what to expect, but our Land’s Edge leaders were really kind and helped us through the activities and served us our meals.

We had opportunities to go rafting, bush walking, play games like beach relays, and sandcastle building. We had an amazing session with Uncle Shane and Owen who taught us about some Indigenous practices, showed us some hunting implements and let us taste some bush tucker. We would like to thank our parents and teachers who helped us realise that doing chores, like packing bags, keeping an eye on clothes and shoes, and making beds is really hard!

Year 4

 Lila (J4)

On Sunday, the night before camp, I was so excited that I could not get to sleep. On Monday, the whole of Year Four went to Stanwell Tops. It was one of the best and most enjoyable days of my life. When we arrived, I felt excitement rushing through my veins. We did so many amazing activities! We made kites and it was so fun. We got to colour them in and we rushed outside to fly them. I felt so much joy as I could see my kite fly up in the sky. Then we went on the giant swing. I felt a bit nervous, but on the inside, I knew it was going to be awesome and an amazing experience. I went to the top and suddenly I dropped! It felt like I was flying and the view was absolutely amazing and so beautiful. The food was so yummy and there was not one meal I didn’t like. Overall, I would say that I loved camp so much!

Fletcher (P4)

I absolutely loved camp. It was ridiculously fun beyond words, and I think everyone had a great time. The camp instructors were very upbeat and welcoming. The bus ride was really fun because it was great to just talk to everyone. And the food…WOW! I have no words. Probably some of the best food I've had in a while! The cabin groups were sorted perfectly because the teachers know me so well that they worked out the right combination of friends, and people who will let me get sleep. Day 2 was definitely the best because of the giant swing and the breakfast. We also got to make our own group names and design our own flag. My group voted on the group name, "The Preppy Shreks." We also went on a very long bushwalk which was quite fun. The best part was the giant swing as it was so adrenaline-inducing as you just swung of a cliff. I was pretty nervous at first, but went up to the top in the end.

Year 5

Estelle (J5H)

School camp was an epic experience for all of us in Year 5. We drove down to Tallong, where our adventure was just beginning. When we arrived, we made our own custom burgers for lunch, and after that, we headed off with our day groups.

Some groups made damper, a mouthwatering bread that is made from three simple ingredients. Other groups tried to balance on a low ropes course, and some went on bushwalks.

After all our activities we were starving, and can you believe it – we got to choose from four different types of pasta for dinner! And then, if that wasn’t enough, we had chocolate mousse for dessert!

The last, but maybe the best part of the day was the Year 5 Talent Show! Everyone had a go. We had three finalist items; Harper and Sofia, then Olive, Bronte and Chilli, and finally, Vitoria, who ended up winning our grand final when we were back at school.

When the Talent Show ended, it was 9pm and we were so ready for sleep. Or so I thought. It seemed like in my cabin, no one wanted to sleep!

The next morning at 7:15am, we were all assembled and eating our breakfast. We had pancakes, toast, juice, and yoghurt. Next, we all went for some fun down at the oval. The sports games were the perfect way to end our trip, and before we knew it, we were back home with our families.

Harper (J5S)

The bus sped off quickly to Tallong, Southern Highlands for our Year 5 camp! After a short three-hour bus ride we arrived. Year 5 has been excited for camp since the start of the year. As soon as we got there, we found out our day groups and then jumped straight into fun, action-packed activities. My group did a bushwalk and low ropes on day one. For dinner we had delicious pasta, and we all remembered to be polite and thank the chef. After dinner, we had a talent show. There were so many amazing acts from singing and dancing to comedy. Three acts won with a score of 29/30 points. After the talent show we went to sleep. We woke up in the morning, had pancakes for breakfast, and got ready for our last two activities; damper making and teamwork activities. Overall, it was a great camp and an experience that I am very grateful I got to participate in.

Austin (P5J)

As we arrived at the camp, a whirlwind of excitement swayed over us as we saw the great location where we would be staying. Lunch included burgers as good as a holiday and then the activities started. We started with teambuilding activities that gained our motivation as fast as a cheetah. Later on, we went to make dazzling, delectable damper that satisfied our hunger for what felt like years. After enjoying our appetizing dinner, we had a compelling talent show that put us on our toes. After hopping into our cabins that were as comfortable as a pillow, we cleaned up and went to sleep. In the morning, we had mouth-watering pancakes before we then made a natural dream catcher that looked divine in the glittering sunlight. We later went onto some low ropes that sent our minds to a new world. Then, our ‘minute to win it’ challenge got our hearts racing and blood pumping as we tried our all. At the end we were found saying, “That was so much fun!” If I could describe this camp, I would explain that it was like a bubble…it looks hard on the outside, but was actually nice and cozy on the inside.   

Henrik (P5S)

Camp was amazing this year. We did lots of fun things with our friends including low ropes, bushwalks, challenging games and activities and we even made damper! It was a great experience, and I would gladly do it again. It was also very educational learning about stuff and seeing how beautiful nature really is. The worst part about camp was that the people in my cabin kept talking and flashing flashlights at each other. However, the food we had was great. On Monday for lunch we had sandwiches, for dinner we had a selection of delicious pastas (I chose the chicken one) and for dessert we had chocolate mousse. For breakfast we had pancakes and for lunch we had a sausage sizzle. Overall, I think camp was a great experience for us to learn all about the environment and nature.

Following their camp experiences, all students in Years 2 to 6 were given the opportunity to review their time away in order to provide teachers with valuable feedback that can be used to inform future planning. Similarly, parents are also invited to share their thoughts on their child’s camp experience by completing the survey form linked here.

Term 4 Co-Curricular Clubs

This term, our students have a wide variety of co-curricular clubs to choose from and participate in. These have been established to provide them with a unique opportunity to engage in an area of interest that often sits outside of the usual curriculum. Ranging from coding sessions to gardening activities, and almost everything else in between, there truly is something for every student to be involved in! Many of these clubs are also free and simply require students to drop in if they are interested. 

Please refer to the link below to view the complete list of co-curricular club opportunities available to students in Term 4. Please direct any further questions about a specific club to the relevant teacher in charge.

Aspire – Outside School Hours Care

A reminder that Aspire has been handpicked as the Junior School’s provider for student care outside of regular school hours. 

Aspire offers Before School (7am – 8.30am), After School (3pm – 6pm), and Holiday Care (7am – 6pm) services for all students across Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6.

Please refer to the documentation linked below for further information about the student supervision offerings being provided by Aspire:

To learn more about ASPIRE's services, fees, and registration process, please visit their website at https://www.aspire-oshc.com.au/pittwater-house or contact our Service Manager, Aaliyah Paki on: 0498 568 086. 

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email: glenn.stephenson@tphs.nsw.edu.au or phone: 9981 4400 and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.