From the Head of Junior School

Parent Partnership

Our annual ‘Parent Information Evening’ event was held in the different Junior School classrooms last week and I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank those parents who were able to join us for the occasion. As mentioned at the time, the partnership between parents and staff is fundamental to student success, in all its distinct forms.

It has already been demonstrated that when parents and educators work collaboratively, children experience greater academic achievement, a better sense of emotional wellbeing, and improved social development. Research consistently highlights that a strong home and school connection fosters a positive attitude towards learning in students. Parents who engage with their child’s education by attending school events, supporting homework, and communicating with teachers create a more seamless learning environment. As Italian physician and educator, Maria Montessori, famously said, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’” This level of independence and confidence stems from a solid foundation laid by both parents and educators.

Beyond academics, parental involvement strengthens a child’s resilience and self-esteem. Children feel valued when their parents actively participate in school life, whether through volunteering, attending performances, or engaging in school-based discussions. As Benjamin Franklin once wisely noted, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” This quote perfectly highlights the importance of active learning, which can only be truly reinforced when parents and teachers collaborate for the benefit of the individual child.

At Pittwater House, our Junior School thrives on this essential partnership. The school encourages open communication and engagement, ensuring that parents are not just spectators, but active contributors to their child’s educational journey. By working together, we create a supportive and inspiring learning community where every child can flourish. Just as the following famous proverb reminds us, “it takes a village to raise a child”, at Pittwater House, that village begins with strong parent and school partnerships.

In light of this, please note that next week represents the final week of our initial round of parent/teacher meetings to begin 2025. Our classroom teachers have very much enjoyed having these conversations with parents as we collaboratively work towards ensuring each child has the greatest chance of enjoying a positive year ahead, and that all parents feel reassuringly connected to the process throughout.

Term 1 Co-Curricular Clubs

This term, our students have a wide variety of co-curricular clubs to choose from and participate in. These have been established to provide them with a unique opportunity to engage in an area of interest that often sits outside of the usual curriculum. Ranging from coding sessions to creating a graphic novel, and almost everything else in between, there truly is something for every student to be involved in! Many of these clubs are also free and simply require students to drop in if they are interested. 

Please refer to the attachment below to view the complete list of co-curricular club opportunities available to students in Term 1. Please direct any further questions about a specific club to the relevant teacher in charge.

Parent Reminders

All parents are reminded of the following important messages regarding various operations in the Junior School. Your support in following these reminders is greatly appreciated as we seek to maintain a safe environment for all students at Pittwater House by adhering to relevant school policies.

• Car Park and Kiss & Drop – parking in the main car park off South Creek Road is limited and reserved for staff, visitors and the parents of our Pre-Kindergarten students only. Parents of students in all other year groups are asked to please utilise our Kiss & Drop area as this will not only help to ease traffic congestion, but will also assist in promoting student independence. On another note, parents are kindly asked to please remember that the car park is only a ‘short stay’ service as parking spots need to be vacated promptly to allow others to also utilise them, especially during peak times of the day before and after school.

   

• Morning Supervision – the Junior School playground is supervised by staff from 8:00am each morning until the school bell rings to commence the day at 8:30am. Parents are asked to ensure that students are not dropped off at school prior to 8:00am, unless they are involved in a formal before school co-curricular program such as sports training. To assist families who may need care before 8:00am, our registered ‘Before School Care’ program offered by Aspire is available. Please be aware that standard fees charged by Aspire will apply for attendance and any students who arrive at school prior to 8:00am will be asked to attend Aspire’s care program to ensure they are appropriately supervised.

   

• Mobile Phones and Smart Watches – students may only bring mobile phones to school after the appropriate form (available on the Parent Orbit app) has been completed by a parent. Mobile phones are not to be used until the end of the school day, if required. Students may only wear a ‘smart watch’ at school if parental controls have been set to disable texting and calling during school hours. These devices also cannot have the ability to take photographs.

   

• Late Arrivals and Early Departures – any students who arrive late to school must sign in at Reception before heading to class. If it is necessary to collect your child/ren before the end of the school day, please submit a request via the ‘Absences’ tab on the Parent Orbit App. Students leaving early from school must also sign out at Reception and be collected from this location by a parent/guardian.

Aspire

A reminder that Aspire is used as the Junior School’s provider for student care outside of regular school hours. 

Aspire will offer before school (7.00am to 8.30am), after school (3.00pm to 6.00pm), and holiday care (7.00am to 6.00pm) services for all students across Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6.

Please refer to the documentation attached 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 Service Manager, Aaliyah Paki, on 0498 568 086.

Upcoming Calendar Dates:

Term 1 Week 5 -

• Monday 24 February to Friday 28 February:  Junior School Parent/Teacher Interviews 
• Friday 28 February: Junior School assembly (8.40am to 9.20am) 
• Friday 28 February: Round 3 PISA sport (10.40am to 12.40pm) 

Term 1 Week 6 -

• Friday 7 March:  Junior School assembly (8.40am to 9.20am) 
• Friday 7 March: Round 4 PISA sport (10.40am to 12.40pm) 

Parents are reminded to please check the Parent Orbit app or Parent Lounge regularly for updated calendar information as changes to scheduled events may occur throughout the year.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at: glenn.stephenson@tphs.nsw.edu.au) or phone on 9981 4400 and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.