From the Deputy Principal

Not Everything Counts, but Everything Matters

Over the coming fortnight, there is much to celebrate and reflect upon across our Pittwater House community, particularly in the way our students are approaching challenge, opportunity and responsibility.

Last Friday in the senior school assembly, students were introduced to the Head Above Water 24-hour Swimathon, held annually at Collaroy Rockpool. This year Pittwater House will be involved in this event on Saturday the14th March across two sessions from 9.45am or 10.45am. This outstanding initiative is far more than a fundraising event; it is a health promotion campaign focused on building mentally fit communities and supporting the prevention of mental illness and suicide. Importantly, funds raised support organisations such as Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman, programs with which Pittwater House proudly partners to support our students in Years 9–11. Our students directly benefit from this work, as do many young people across our wider community. I strongly encourage families to engage with this initiative, whether through participation, sponsorship or volunteering, and I thank our Charity Prefects for their leadership in driving this important cause.

As we move through Weeks 5 and 6, I would also like to commend our Year 12 students for the mature and focused manner in which they are approaching their Mid-Year Examinations in the Hall. While these assessments are an important academic milestone, what has been equally impressive is the preparation leading into them: the consistency of effort, the willingness to seek feedback, and the calm, purposeful mindset our students are demonstrating. These habits do not appear overnight; they are built through daily discipline and commitment. The number of Year 11 and 12 students this term, who have been engaging with our teacher led Senior Study Centre every Monday to Thursday, from 3.30-6.30pm is a great reflection of this commitment. 

Similarly, from Wednesday of Week 6, our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will commence NAPLAN. We remind families that NAPLAN is one snapshot of learning, not a definition of it. What matters most is that students approach the experience with confidence, honesty and a willingness to do their best, supported by strong routines and positive encouragement from home and school.

Recently, I’ve found myself contemplating a powerful message from Ivan Cleary’s book, 'Not Everything Counts, but Everything Matters'. While Cleary is best known as a Rugby League coach rather than an academic or philosopher, the wisdom in these words resonates deeply. Cleary invites us to reconsider the belief that only the most significant moments, the “big moments”, define what it means to succeed. In the context of sports, this might refer to grand finals or championship games, but I believe the lesson extends well beyond the field and into our daily lives at school.

Too often, it’s tempting to underestimate the importance of routine tasks, practice exams, homework assignments, or even meeting everyday expectations, dismissing them as things that “don’t really count.” However, it’s these very moments, the seemingly minor choices and actions, that truly shape our learning, habits, and character. Consider, for example, how a student chooses to wear their uniform when no one is watching, their conduct on public transport, their interactions with peers in the playground, or the effort they invest in tasks without the prospect of immediate recognition. Each of these instances, although small on their own, collectively reveal who we are becoming and how we’re equipping ourselves to handle future challenges. In essence, while not everything may officially “count,” everything genuinely matters in the journey of personal growth and preparation.

This message aligns strongly with our HEROIC values. Honesty and Integrity are shown when students do the right thing even when no one is watching. Excellence is built through consistent effort, not last-minute performance. Respect and Care are evident in how we speak to and treat others in all settings. Origins remind us of the proud traditions we represent, Innovation encourages growth through learning, and Community calls us to be positive ambassadors for Pittwater House wherever we are.

In this same spirit, I thank Harry Jones, Director of Sport, for his recent communication to families reinforcing expectations around conduct, presentation and pride in school sport. Whether on the field, on the sidelines or in transit to and from fixtures, how we dress, behave and represent our School always matters. These expectations are not about appearances alone; they are about respect for self, for teammates, and for the Pittwater House community.

At Pittwater House, we strive to develop young people who understand that while not everything may “count” in a formal sense, everything matters in shaping the learners, leaders and citizens they are becoming. I thank our students, staff and families for continuing to uphold these standards with care and commitment.