From the Acting Principal's Desk

World Teachers’ Day

This Friday, 31 October, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a special occasion to recognise the dedication, creativity and care shown by teachers every day at Pittwater House. While World Teachers’ Day is officially held on 5 October, this falls during the school holidays, so in New South Wales we celebrate on the last Friday of October each year.

World Teachers’ Day provides an opportunity for our community to pause and acknowledge the incredible work of our teaching staff, those who inspire curiosity, nurture confidence and guide our students to achieve their best. At Pittwater House, we are fortunate to have an exceptional team of educators who go above and beyond, both in and out of the classroom, to make learning engaging and meaningful.

We thank all our teachers for their unwavering commitment and for the positive difference they make in the lives of our students every single day.

A Proud Moment

On Monday of this week, I had the privilege of taking a tour of 17 prospective families around the School. What stood out most was the way our students spoke, with confidence, warmth and maturity. When asked questions by our visitors, they articulated clearly the benefits they have experienced from learning in single gender classes during the middle years of schooling. Several students who had transitioned from co-educational primary schools spoke about the noticeable difference in focus, participation and confidence that the single gender model has provided.

Just as importantly, they also expressed how much they value the opportunity to still interact with the opposite gender during assemblies, in the playground, through clubs and in co-curricular activities. These experiences help them develop balance, empathy and strong social skills.

Our visiting families were equally impressed by how thoughtfully students could explain why most classwork is completed in exercise books with computers closed until needed, and how this approach helps them concentrate and retain information more effectively. They also spoke proudly about the wide range of clubs, teams and co-curricular opportunities they are involved in at Pittwater House.

It is moments like these, walking through classrooms and hearing students speak about their learning journey in such a reflective and articulate way, that truly reinforce how outstanding our young people are and how proud we should be of the School community they represent.

Examinations (Senior School)

As we reach the end of Week 3 this term, it is pleasing to note that the majority of the HSC examinations are now behind us. We extend our full support to the Year 12 students who still have their final examinations ahead next week. It has been encouraging to visit the Senior Study Centre and see so many of our Year 12 students diligently revising and preparing. It has also been heartening to watch our Economics and Business Studies students engaging in focused preparation sessions with their teachers as they approach the finish line.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the staff who supervise the Senior Study Centre until 6.30pm, Monday to Thursday, ensuring our students have the structure and support they need during this demanding period.

Our Year 7 to 10 students are also entering examination mode, with Year 9 and 10 exams taking place next week and Year 7 and 8 following in Week 5. It is wonderful to see so many students making use of the Maths Study Centre, Library and Homework Club to support their revision. This term, the Senior School Homework Club is open to Year 6 to 10 students on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3.30 to 4.30pm. On Tuesdays, Dr Parrett from the Science Department also offers specialised Science help in M117.

To summarise:

• Years 11 and 12 Senior Study Centre: Monday to Thursday, 3.30 to 6.30pm (W12 and W13)
• Years 7 to 10 Maths Study Centre: Monday and Thursday, 3.30 to 4.30pm (Library)
• Years 6 to 10 Homework and Revision Help: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (M117, with extra Science support on Tuesday)
• Library open for quiet study: Monday to Thursday, 3.30 to 5.00pm

School Camps

This term marks one of the busiest and most rewarding periods in our School calendar, the annual camp season. Year 8 completed their camp earlier in the term at Chowder Bay and Cockatoo Island, and as I write this, our Years 3, 4 and 5 students are immersed in their own adventures. Year 2 enjoyed a day at Clifton Gardens, Mosman; Year 3 is exploring the harbour surrounds of Chowder Bay; Year 4 has travelled to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains; and Year 5 is enjoying the coastal challenges of Stanwell Tops. Next week, Year 6 will depart for their long-anticipated Canberra experience, while Year 9 prepares for their camp week later this term.

I would like to sincerely thank all staff for the many hours dedicated to planning and attending these camps, often spending days away from their own families, to ensure every student enjoys a safe, memorable and meaningful experience. I also commend our students for embracing these opportunities with enthusiasm and positivity.

Camps are a cornerstone of our experiential learning program, providing opportunities for teamwork, resilience and independence that cannot be replicated in the classroom. They allow students to connect with one another, test their limits and build the confidence and character that underpin a well-rounded Pittwater House education.