From the Acting Head of Junior Schools

What an incredible start to the new year! The Junior School has been buzzing with the excitement of new children, the squeaking of new leather shoes, the rumbling of tummies before lunch and the noise of our students engaging with the teachers and classmates.

The start of the new academic year can be thoroughly enjoyable, but it can also bring about a mix of emotions for children.  While most children experience a healthy level of anticipation and excitement about starting back at School, some children may feel more cautious or may experience anxious thoughts and feelings about the year ahead. It is important to communicate each child’s feelings with your class teacher so we can work together to make each transition smooth one. Here is a list of a few helpful tips from our staff:

Encourage Student-Teacher Communication  

Children gain great confidence in talking directly with their teachers. 

Be Excited 

Children pick up (and often mirror) their parents’ emotions.  Expressing enthusiasm and support for starting school (and all the way through the year) will only help your child.

Balance Independence and Support  

Help and support is essential but so is fostering independence. 

Encourage an Appreciation of Learning 

Enjoy the process of learning so students will be inspired to go on to achieve higher levels of life-long learning. 

Establish a Good Routine

Introduce the new routine, before school starts from time to go to bed.

Oliver Cordell aka ‘Mr Oliver’

Any keen tennis players or student who started at Pittwater House in ECC/Kindergarten would have very fond memories of our wonderful tennis coach, Mr Oliver.  Mr Oliver has been a part of the Pittwater House Junior School fabric for many years and truly valued member of our community. We were deeply saddened to hear news of his passing shortly after we broke for the school holidays. Mr Oliver fought a strong and gallant battle and continued to coach tennis (with an enormous smile on his face) right up until the very end. Our thoughts are with his family. 

For those families who will tell their children about the news of his passing and need any advice, our School psychologists will be able to provide support.  Please email  Mr Marcial Nunura Marcial.Nunura@tphs.nsw.edu.au who will put you in touch with one of our School Psychologists. 

Leaders

Congratulations to our 2023 Junior School Leaders who were inducted at the Junior Leader Assembly on Tuesday.  Each year, the leadership team are voted into their positions by students and teachers and every year we have some students in the leadership team who have been at the school from the ECC which is always so lovely to see, some who joined the school in infants, some since early primary and some only started at Pittwater House last year. All leaders have worked hard and should feel very proud that they have been recognised as having the special qualities that are required to be confident and inspiring leaders.

Assembly Leaders

Community Leaders

Strength and Reflections Leaders

Butterworth Leaders

Morgan Leaders

Orrock Leaders

Creative Arts Leaders

New Staff

We welcome some wonderful new staff to the Junior School and are absolutely thrilled with the level of experience and expertise that our new staff will bring to the Junior School. 

Miss Lauren Campling - P3

I grew up on the Northern Beaches and have previously taught Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 3 at Balgowlah Heights Public School. I am looking forward to teaching P3 this year and cultivating a positive, supportive, and stimulating learning environment where students are encouraged to develop a love of learning as they become inquisitive and critical thinkers. 

Ms Victoria James - P5J

I’m Victoria. I will be the P5J teacher. This is my fourth year at Pittwater House. I have previously taught a variety of subjects across both junior and senior school in London, Madrid, and now in Sydney. I have spent the last few years as the Coordinator for High Potential and Gifted students, and my passion is ensuring that ALL students are consistently challenged to think critically.

Miss Molly McIndoe - PK

My name is Molly McIndoe, and I am thrilled to be joining the talented staff at Pittwater House this year. I have been teaching for 7 years and this year I have the pleasure of teaching the beautiful boys in Kindergarten. 

Miss Caoimhe Mellon - J6

My name is Caoimhe Mellon, and I am excited to have recently joined the Pittwater House School team after moving to Sydney from Ireland. I am looking forward to sharing, learning from and expanding my teaching skills in Year 6 this year. 

Mr Isaac Smith - P5S

My name is Isaac Smith, and this is my first-year teaching at Pittwater House. I have come from Balgowlah Heights Public School where I taught K-6 PE for two years. I was fortunate enough to attend Pittwater House myself and I am grateful for the opportunity to impact the students at our School in the same way that my teachers positively impacted me. Outside of school I love to read and stay active with a run, surf or by playing golf. 

Ms Kelli Brennan - J4

My name is Kelli Brennan and I have recently moved to the gorgeous Northern Beaches with my family. I am lucky enough to have been teaching for 25 years, both in the classroom and as a Visual Arts and Drama specialist teacher. I am very excited to be joining such a wonderful school as Pittwater House and sharing the year with the beautiful girls in J4.

After School Care

We are pleased to be able to offer our families an after school care service from Monday to Thursday, on campus, so your child can move safely and easily from school to care. This service is provided by Theircare a provider that has been hand-picked by Pittwater House for their experience and high standard of service, and is available for students in Kindergarten to Year 6.

Kindergarten to Year 2 students who finish School at 3pm will attend Literacy Club and then be chaperoned to after school care by a Junior School teacher.

Thank you for reading House News this week.  If you ever feel as though you have a story that would be appropriate for House News about your child or a member of our Junior School community, please feel free to contact myself or Mrs Achurch when she returns. 

Wishing you all a wonderful week. We hope that your children feel as inspired and enthused about the year ahead as we do.