From the Head of Junior School
Mr Glenn Stephenson
Term 3 Holiday Break
With the holidays soon due to commence on Friday after another eventful 9-week term, the following serves as a timely reminder to parents about the dangers of students spending long periods of time unsupervised online; either gaming, on YouTube or exploring all that the internet has to offer at their fingertips. Even with a high level of security incorporated into the internet and devices in your home, I’ve known many ‘industrious’ children who were capable of working their way around these measures! Furthermore, if your child has a smartphone, then they almost certainly have access to every site the internet has to offer, all within a few taps of their device.
I recently read an article where a parent was aghast at the fact that invitees to a party were being encouraged to ‘bring their own device’. Surely, birthday celebrations, playdates and gatherings of school friends can be device free! Instead of long hours spent online, I would strongly encourage parents to plan playdates for their child/ren with no devices on offer. Time spent playing outdoors, in its many forms, can entertain students during the holidays for hours on end. In fact, for many children, it’s also a great time of year to practise their swimming skills after the winter hiatus, in readiness for what no doubt promises to be another hot summer ahead.
Communication Challenge
Many parents sometimes find communicating with their children, especially if they are pre-adolescent, to be an increasingly uphill battle. The growing desire for independence and freedom during the pre-teenage years can result in students seeking help or advice from their peers or by accessing online forums, rather than from their own parents. With regular advancements in technology and students spending more time on their phones and devices than ever before, it can feel like parents are constantly competing for face-to-face communication. Yet, we know that the power of positive parent-child relationships can have a significant impact on a child’s wellbeing and development. Furthermore, research shows that starting and ending our days with digital influences instead of our real and immediate connections, can alter our perspective and values.
Author and public speaker, David Kobler, outlines a unique ‘face-to-face challenge’ which encourages parents and children to remove devices from their bedrooms, choosing to instead end each day with a face-to-face conversation. I strongly encourage all families to consider adopting this challenge as part of their daily routine, especially during the upcoming holiday period!
I would like to wish all members of our wonderful Junior School community a lovely break from the usual structures associated with the school term over the next three weeks. We have many very tired children (and teachers) who all need a break! If parents can seek to avoid over-scheduling their time during the holiday period, then I’m sure that our students will come back rested and ready to tackle all that lies ahead in Term 4…a short 9-week sprint to the 2024 finish line!
Farewell – Mrs Treloar
After almost 7 years working in the Junior School at Pittwater House, Mrs Treloar and her family will be moving down to Canberra for a new adventure. Having taught across multiple Stage 3 classes during this time, Mrs Treloar has made a significant impact in helping students with their upcoming transition to life in the Senior School, ensuring they are suitably prepared for the new challenges that await. Recently, Mrs Treloar also took on board the role as Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator, in addition to leading the Student Representative Council (SRC). Mrs Treloar is an outstanding educator and much-loved member of staff, so she will be dearly missed at Pittwater House. On behalf of the entire Junior School community, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mrs Treloar for her many contributions to Pittwater House and wish her the very best of luck as she embarks on a new interstate adventure!
Aspire – Outside School Hours Care
A reminder that Aspire has been handpicked as the Junior School’s new 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 Area Manager, Hannah Hornery, on: 0484 386 830.
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.