From the Head of Teaching and Learning

It is hard to believe that we have come to the time of year where we set high expectations. High expectations for ending the year well, despite the tiredness and business that is often associated with the Christmas season. It is also the time of year where we look forward to the restoration and peace of the season, in celebration with our most cherished family members and friends. As I write my final edition of ‘House News’ for the year, the authenticity of our HEROIC learning framework is alive and well. Learning thank goodness, has evolved considerably since I was at school, to meet the needs of our contemporary learners whose needs far extend the confines of a textbook or classroom. At Pittwater House our learning is ‘Deep’ to ensure the vital competencies of which there are 6 (6 C’s), to be ‘good at learning and good at life’, are exercised daily.  On the topic of exercise, right now I can hear the bouncing of basketballs, the jolly, and the comradery of the Year 7 Grammar School as they commence the Big Bro Festival today. Applying the key competencies of ‘communication, collaboration and character’ they are embarking on a day of sporting challenges to complement the ‘creativity, critical thinking and citizenship’ being exercised simultaneously by our College Girls, who are preparing in Houses, a response to a stimulus for College Preforming Arts Evening. The boys’ shrieks of encouragement to each other, coupled worth the steely disciplined focus the girls are applying to respond creatively to the stimulus I the Great Hall, is testament to our HEROIC Learning Framework, of which we are so proud. 

Our most Senior students who we tentatively still call ‘Year 11’, are working diligently to finalise their learning in preparation for their final assessments of the academic year - the first of their HSC assessments. With the great support of their dedicated teachers, they are exercising our HEROIC values, strategy and practising good self-care as part of our newly launched ‘HSC Conversations’ – an ‘academic care’ framework, designed to assist our HSC learners to arrive at their personal bests.

In the Junior School, our youngest students are preparing for the end of the academic year by ensuring they give of their best in their learning and in their demeanours, whilst getting very excited about the big man in red visiting all the very good girls and boys of Pittwater House soon. 

Over the term, it has been my pleasure to present each volume of our HEROIC learning framework. I hope that you have enjoyed the series. Please do look at the website for more details at this link here and as we look toward the new academic year, know that NAPLAN results, placement tests, PAT and assessment results form only part of the data that we use to place your children in classes. The other most essential data is derived from our teachers who know your child’s strengths, as you as parents in partnership with us, advocate together for the growth of each child’s learning outcomes. It takes a village to raise a child, and every child needs a champion to be inspired by. At Pittwater House we value above all else, our partnership with you, as we collaborate to nurture and promote your child’s talents at the ‘School for HEROIC learners.’ May the new year bring us even more opportunity to celebrate all that is HEROIC about your child. 

With every good wish for the festive season and I look forward to seeing you all at the commencement of the new academic year.