From the Principal's Desk

With this edition of House News, I am reflecting on the many wonderful events that have taken place this past fortnight and are enjoyed each year, yet with the strange perspective of not actually being present! I am grateful to the Staff and families who have shared their experiences with me.

Our graduating cadets were rightfully acknowledged at both the scaled down Ceremonial Parade held in the Hall due to the rain, the awards ceremony, and then at the memorable Mess Dinner, held this year at Victoria Barracks. This is such a poignant moment and is much appreciated by the parents of these cadets who join in the formal evening dinner. Understanding the Army traditions and formalities and having an appreciation of some of the procedures their sons and daughters have taken on through their cadet experience is always significant. I acknowledge too the support from our Reviewing Officer, Colonel Matt Stevens, an Alumnus, and a marvellous supporter of Pittwater House Student Training Unit, over the years. Col Stevens’ current role is Director in the Special Forces Group of the Australian Army, a role he has fulfilled since 2023 after transitioning from more than 37 years in the full time force. Of course our cadets should be proud of the part they took in the Ceremonial Parade, and my congratulations to all Awardees across the many areas of prize giving. The day demonstrated a fine future for the Unit, knowing the strength of the training and the uptake of this key activity for our School. 

I want to place on record my appreciation of Capt. Blackwell for his fine leadership of the Cadet Unit and all the other key members of the Cadet Staff for their support of the students in this program. I continue to see a strong correlation between those in Cadets and those who put themselves forward for roles in Student Leadership each year.

Last week too, the Class of 2025 showcased their Visual Art works in the annual HSC Visual Arts Showcase and their Music pieces in an evening of performance. These two evening events, along with the Secondary Performing and Visual Arts Evening showed continuing strength of these areas. The numbers of students taking on these rich academic areas, along with the depth of engagement in cocurricula music, dance and drama, bode well for our future. I am sure you, as have I, enjoyed the social media postings with the colour and vibrancy so clearly displayed.

This final fortnight for our Class of 2025 continues to be memorable, as I am sure the students will be coming to terms with the fact their shared times as a cohort are rapidly coming to a close. It is always these special events that in 20, 30 or more years’ time, they will discuss and cherish.

On a different note, and given my current challenging circumstances, I do wish to acknowledge with profound gratitude, the wonderful work of our ambulance, medical, nursing, and hospital personnel. With my current experience, I could not have been better cared for by Ambulance NSW, the Northern Beaches Hospital, and my time in Arcadia Private Hospital for rehabilitation. It is not until you are needing these specialists that you stop and pause… the work they do, and the care they provide, often in highly challenging situations, is too frequently under-appreciated. So, to the families in our community, whose life work is in these areas, please know how much you are valued.

It is a time too when we continue to grieve for the loss of life of first responders. The ongoing hunt for the alleged murderer of two Victorian policemen, in the line of duty, is profoundly distressing. Every day the police, the fire service, and so many workers literally put their lives on the line. 

I am sure you will join me in acknowledging and pausing to reflect on all who each day, support us to be a community and society where safety, is paramount.

As this edition of HouseNews is my final in this format, I wish to thank and pay particular tribute to Leah McDonald,  our In-house Design Services specialist. With Leah about to take some well-deserved leave to her native Canada, this marks a very special moment. Leah and I have worked on the production of House News for 15 years, and with her exceptional skill, I am so very proud of all we have shared with our School family.

Thank you, Leah, from us all. And have a wonderful period of leave.

The following has been shared with independent schools NSW:

Independent Schools Save Taxpayers Billions and Boost Economy

Did you know that Independent schools’ contribution to the Australian economy is similar to the entire Gold Coast?

A new national report shows that Independent schools generated $45.7 billion for the economy in 2023-24 and saved governments more than $12.5 billion.

That means families choosing an Independent school aren’t just investing in their child’s future; they’re supporting jobs, regional development, and easing the burden on public education.

In NSW, Independent schools contributed $14.9 billion in economic activity and provided 33,760 full-time equivalent jobs - that’s more than Telstra or Qantas nationally. They also supported a further 43,182 jobs in flow-on employment AND saved taxpayers $4.92 billion in school operating and construction costs.

Pittwater House is proud to be part of a sector that delivers such wide-reaching benefits to our community and our country.

I wish you well for the days ahead.