Principal's Report 

I would like to warmly welcome all our new families and welcome back our returning families to what will be a wonderful year at Huntingtower.

Commencement Address

Our year began with a thoughtful and engaging commencement address from past student, Mr Adrian Cosstick (Class of 2004). Drawing on his experience in Marketing and Advertising, Adrian challenged us to reflect on what he described as “default thinking”. Using the idea of factory settings, he invited us to consider how easily we can accept preset views of the world, of success and of one another, without stopping to ask who determined these settings in the first place, or whether they truly serve us.

Adrian reminded us of the quiet danger in moving through life on automatic, where assumptions replace curiosity and familiarity can limit our willingness to see difference as something valuable rather than problematic. His message was a timely one, particularly in a world that often rewards quick certainty and the comfort of familiar labels.

2026 Theme

This idea connects closely with our School theme for the year, An Understanding Heart.

Special thanks to our Alumni students, Oscar R., Lachlan K. and the Class of 2023

The phrase comes from the Old Testament at a moment when Solomon, newly made King and deeply aware of his own limitations, is asked what he desires most. Rather than power or wealth, Solomon asks for an understanding heart. At its core, this is a request for the capacity to listen, to discern and to respond thoughtfully to the needs of others.

Across the year, we will continue to explore what it means to live with an understanding heart. It calls us to pause rather than react, to be wary of assumptions and to remain open to perspectives that differ from our own. In doing so, it offers a way of freeing ourselves from default thinking, creating space for empathy, wisdom and genuine connection.

As we begin this year together, may this spirit guide our learning, our relationships and our sense of what is possible. I look forward to all that lies ahead and to the many ways our School will continue to grow, learn and thrive together.

Mrs Shan Christensen

Principal