From the Principal's Desk

As we close the door on another academic year, it is important to reflect on all the moments where the Pittwater House family has gathered, engaged, and applauded all that has been achieved. This has been a momentous year in many ways, yet enormously fulfilling and historic, in the major building works undertaken. The academic growth of every student has been directed by a wonderful teaching staff and supported by those members of our Business and Student Services teams who ensure delivery each day on so many fronts.

Our three PrizeGiving assemblies gave students opportunity to reflect on their year and hopefully provide greater meaning for the varied sections of our School. 

Congratulations to all our prize winners and thanks to those who played a role in each of the events. In recent years we have enjoyed a sharper focus on students sharing their stories of the year past, with performances to complement each stage.

With Mrs Achurch stepping down from her role as Head of the Junior Schools, we were able to acknowledge these special years through representatives of each year group, and finally hearing from Nic and Sienna, our Head Prefects who were both proud members of the Junior School from their earliest years. It was a touching part of our farewells.

Junior School PrizeGiving

Senior School PrizeGiving

Years 7 and 8 Deep Learning

Years 7 and 8 undertook a Deep Learning event on Monday. My grateful thanks to Mrs Mano for her organisation, ensuring our students worked until the very last day.

Dance Off

Worthy of particular praise as we end the year, were the boys of the Grammar School, from G10. The boys in each House have been rehearsing a dance in one of their Form periods, all term. This competition was held with C10 as the audience along with a 'secret' audience in the mezzanine; and what an appreciative audience they were. Congratulations Butterworth; you were worthy winners, and Ms Burke must be given a special round of applause for her determination and work not only on this but also in giving along with Ms Brady, and the College 10 students and the boys, opportunities to develop Passion Projects. They were highly varied and included work with Junior School students and to lead focus groups. Congratulations to you all.

The Christmas Tree Appeal

Once again, we were delighted to see the Christmas Tree surrounded by gifts in support of those in need. Christmas can be a very challenging and lonely time and the love of the Pittwater House family shown in this way, is an annual highlight. Thank you to Amaya, our Charity Prefect, for her work along with all members of the Prefect team, who ensured the bags and bags of food and toys were joyfully arranged around the Tree. I know that our Head Prefects Sienna and Nic daily rearranged the gifts and created an engaging TicTok to monitor progress.

My sincere thanks to our community for your superb support. I always feel that in giving we are truly focusing on the meaning of Christmas.

Continuing our series of introduction of our Class of 2023 Student Leaders, the following pieces have been submitted:

Prudence - HEROIC Prefect

 

Hi everyone! My name is Pru and I am the HEROIC Prefect for 2024. I came to Pittwater House in Year 7 and have flourished in the rich opportunities and strong community that is offered at Pittwater House. I believe the Core Values that form the HEROIC learning frameworks, are a critical part of who we are as a community. They're the guiding principles that shape our interactions, influence our decisions, and ultimately define the character of Pittwater House. My mission is to help every student embody these values. I want to make this school year and next, exciting, and enriching. My mission involves introducing fresh and valuable resources that will not only enhance the overall educational experience but also empower each student to become HEROIC in their unique journey. I'm excited about embracing and deepening the student's understanding of our HEROIC learning framework and help make this school year both enjoyable and rewarding for everyone.

Amaya - Charity Prefect

 

Hello! My name is Amaya and I will be your Charity Prefect for the upcoming academic year.

 

I have always loved supporting others, and my passion for helping those who cannot advocate for themselves is something that I strive to exemplify in my actions. For example, I have always had an interest in animal welfare and have thus participated in various volunteering programs that help to support animal and environmental wellbeing. This is something that I would love to raise awareness of during my year in this position.

 

My overarching intention this year is to foster a culture of giving within our school. By highlighting the struggles of the marginalised, I hope to remind my peers that we are very lucky to live the way we do, and that we have the means to help those who do not have these same fortunes.

 

We have already had a hugely successful Christmas appeal and I am so grateful to all of those who generously donated to the cause. I really look forward to a successful year of giving with the help of this community.

Millie - Community Prefect

 

Having been at Pittwater House since the Early Childhood Centre, I have spent 13 years at the School and in this time, I have had the pleasure of partaking in experiences that have allowed me to gain an immense understanding and appreciation for the community spirit here at Pittwater House. I began my journey in 2010 and one of my most fond memories that allowed me to instantly feel at home was the buddy system between Kindergarten and the Year 6 students. The weekly program made me feel like I had an older student to look up to and initially inspired me to want to become a leader myself. 

 

For the last two years I’ve had the opportunity to partake in the NSW Interschool Snowsports race week at Perisher and Thredbo during the Term 2 School holidays. These unforgettable trips not only creating so many amazing memories, but it also exemplified the HEROIC values of the School, particularly highlighting community. These trips allowed me to connect with students, older and younger and displayed the strength of our Pittwater House community outside of the classroom. 

 

The recent College Performing Arts evening displayed the collaboration of the College students from Years 5 to12. The teamwork and dedication of the students over the 3 days in dance, drama and choir really exemplified our collaborative abilities and allowed College students from Years 5 to 12 to form special bonds through House spirit. 

 

As the Community Prefect, I aspire to be someone that is able to build connections here at Pittwater House and showcase the wonderful community spirit we already have. I would love to be able to further enhance the connections between the Junior and Senior School in hopes of creating the most supportive environment at Pittwater House.

Tiana - Performing Arts Prefect

 

Hi everyone, I’m Tiana and your Performing Arts Prefect for 2024. I started here at Pittwater House at the end of 2021 during COVID, and have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to thrive in such a welcoming and supportive school environment. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pittwater House, allowing me to develop a range of skills that I’ll use throughout my whole life. The Performing Arts is something I have been extremely passionate about since the age of 6 when I started piano, fostering my love for music further, through singing and saxophone. Beginning at Pittwater House has allowed me to grow and learn as an individual and musician, with constant support from all my teachers and peers. 

Once School and Performing Art events had been brought back after COVID, I was able to immerse myself in the many opportunities offered, including being able to perform at Assemblies multiple times. One of my fondest memories is my role in the Major Production this year; the experience that I will cherish forever. 

 

In 2024, I aim to foster relationships across the Grammar and College and from the Junior and Senior School, having the opportunity to incorporate the performing arts into all student’s lives, as I believe it is crucial to confidence building, problem-solving, collaboration and getting everyone involved. I am extremely excited for the year ahead and implementing my ideas in the performing arts. 

Hugo - Environmental Prefect

 

My name is Hugo and I am your environmental Prefect for 2023/24. My primary goal for this period will be to improve the School’s sustainability by integrating plastic bottle recycling and by helping with the development of the School veggie patch and the Sustainability Club. Additionally, I also aim to improve the School and classroom environment, which I will be doing by spotlighting excellence with the Give it a Go awards at Assembly every Friday, and by working with our Deputy Prefect David on the Big Bros activities. Along with the leadership, I am also actively planning ways to establish connections between students in different year groups. Ultimately, I aim to improve the sustainability of Pittwater House, and the overall joy that students can get out of a day at school, and I’m looking forward to making a difference over these next 12 months.

My grateful thanks to the PHPA led so successfully by Mrs Sheridan Millward. In a final act for 2023, the Christmas Hamper Raffle was well supported. My congratulations to the 4 successful winners. Enjoy!

With the end of the year come farewells. Some students are leaving us, and I wish them well. My sincere thanks to members of Staff whose lives are taking them elsewhere: interstate, to regional schools, Sydney schools, and for some, a life beyond teaching. Your engagement with our students and community, has continued to develop a unique experience for all who are on Campus daily. Thank you Mr Heath, Mrs Foster, Mrs Murray, Mr de LaFontaine-Clark, Mrs Tobia, Miss T Smith, Mr Powell, Ms King, Ms Burgess, Mrs Mellis, Ms Visser as well as our Co-educators in the ECC, consequent upon the changed class structure in 2024. The following staff are beginning their period of Maternity Leave and we wish them well as they begin an exciting new time: Ms Burke, Ms Brady, Mrs Windsor and Mrs Wan der Heyoten. Staff too have been on contract with us for a defined time and I thank them for their contribution to our School: Mr Edwards, Ms Wilcox and Mr N Smith.

May I wish each of you happiness and success, in the varying pathways you have chosen. 

And now, I wish you all a wondrous Christmas time, shared with your family and loved ones. These are special weeks in our calendar, and I trust that you all gain the rest and refreshment needed after all the year has asked of each one of us. It has been a momentous year and allowed us to enjoy life in the pre-COVID spirit; our School has experienced great advances and undertaken many adventures through the programs brought to your children each day. Activities too where our families could gather, and act in community. We fulfilled our academic program and now look forward to the new year, full of promise and using the completed Verandah project for the amenity of all.

In January over 20 students will be journeying to the United States for our second Basketball Tour. They will be accompanied by our Head Basketball coach Mr Brotherson, along with Mrs Grigg, Mrs Thomas, Mr Nunura and Ms Barnett. Their time includes a wonderful few days at our sister school, Woodward Academy in Atlanta. My best wishes to all students, and grateful thanks to these staff. 

Above all, we had great joy, along with happy and engaged students, and signposts to the wonderful future awaiting us in 2024.

And now a medley of scenes from the past few weeks:

Merry Christmas to you all.