From the Principal's Desk

It is that time of the year when our students in Years 10 and 8 are considering their subject choices for 2026.

Classrooms were alive with students, parents, and our teachers last Tuesday and Wednesday evening, as the subject selection process takes shape. Many students are carefully thinking through the multiple options, others seem determined on a particular course, whilst there are those who are really using the varied opportunities to collect as much information as they can. There was time too when Mrs Finney discussed tertiary pathways with the Year 11 2026 cohort for their decisions are very much future focused. And the process also included a highly valuable time where senior students were in ‘stalls’ in the Hall to respond to queries about all the subjects offered. I thank the Prefect team for arranging this.

Subject selections are due by the end of Week 8, and we look forward to supporting our students as they take this next exciting step in shaping their educational journey. 

On this occasion, as is so often the case at Pittwater House, students were supported by their parents. We always seek a robust home-school partnership and our conversations and varied communication strategies, do, I trust, assure you of our best intent as we continue to build trust and cooperation which only enhances the learning environment. At the same time, we are aware of the challenges parents face in your busy lives of the multitude of asks we make of you. We know you are time poor yet are comforted by the 83% of parents who believe it is extremely or very important for them to be practically involved in their child’s schooling, according to Mark McCrindle, The Future of Education, McCrindle Research, 2025. McCrindle conducted a national survey of 1500 parents, students and staff across government, Catholic and Independent Schools and has provided us with valuable insight across a range of domains as we continue to make decision for our emerging students and the next generation of parents. 

I was recently asked about AI within the Pittwater House context. This continues to be explored, and I am grateful to the work of Mr Demasi and Mrs Jackson who are leading this discussion and engaging with an industry leader. We must ensure that integrating AI whilst enhancing student learning experiences should not undermine the human elements that are so crucial to education. When appropriate we will inform you further of our ongoing work in this area. 

We were delighted to welcome a large group of prospective secondary parents and students, to our School last Monday. The 100 parents were toured in groups by members of the Executive along with Year 11 students on hand to respond to the great questions being asked. As always, we finish these open mornings on the Library balcony for further opportunities to discuss and discover how a Pittwater House education may fit the needs and interests of these families. It followed on nicely from the Schools Expo held at Dee Why RSL a couple of weeks ago.  With a similarly large group of parents of prospective Junior School parents, and another large Secondary Open morning scheduled for Term 3, we are aiming to respond to the high level of enquiries we have experienced to date this year. 

And this edition of HouseNews is one final opportunity for me to wish the cast of Mamma Mia well as they undertake their last-minute preparations for opening night next Wednesday. On this and successive nights, together with the matinee on Saturday 21st, we will be entertained supremely… so please ensure you grab a ticket and support the students and the Staff who have worked for months to give us this exciting moment. The major production is always a highlight for students in their secondary journey, it is a topic of discussion at student leadership interviews or when students are engaged with prospective parents as we tour the School. The great set in nearing completion thanks to our wonderful Facilities team and having the students finalising their parts through the long weekend in addition to this penultimate week, augurs well for opening night.

Tickets to Mamma Mia can be purchasedhere.

I trust that the long weekend allowed families to enjoy time together whilst our Year 12 students were fully focused on their current assessment schedule. 

Let us all be fully committed for the final two weeks of the term. 

With every good wish.