HouseNews

In this unprecedented time across the world, we have started to witness some unforeseen, though not entirely unwelcome, effects of lockdown on the natural world. The European Space Agency reports decreased nitrous oxide levels of up to 80% over northern Italy. The waters of the Venetian Lagoon are now so clear that fish are once again visible. Deer are wandering through empty streets and subway stations in Nara, Japan, and boar have been strolling through the city of Barcelona! At a school level, I know that some of the tasks given to our younger students require them to go outside and collect elements of nature for their studies; we will become very attuned to our surroundings and I trust, give thanks, for the relatively pristine environment with which we are blessed. The PDHPE Department have provided a HEROIC challenge… making the most of the now, limited facilities to undertake exercise, whilst being alert to the need for mind and body, engagement. This is a time when we are all called upon to be creative, and kind.

The challenges are enormous. We need therefore to find activities in our lives that allow us to be present, mindful and aware, as opposed to feeling distracted, stressed or overwhelmed. I ask you all to think how your own setting allows for such activity. Maybe old-style family activities will come to the fore; I have heard positive comments around cooking as a family, board games, and a return to some of the simpler things in life. I am reminded of my own childhood. Both my parents were born during World War 1 and thus they lived through the Depression and World War 2, with my father serving our nation in the Middle East and New Guinea from 1939-1945. Understandably, my childhood was peppered with stories of coping during these wicked times. As children we were encouraged to ‘make do’ rather than be given the latest toy or distraction; this approach was necessarily ingrained in my parents and I appreciate now more than ever, their desire for simplicity and such a strong sense of family.

I wish the same for you.

And I do hope that when we come through this horrid time, we will be more resilient and a nicer, more appreciative community for all that we have borne. 

Meanwhile, as our students have largely been working remotely, we have been buoyed by their stories, comments and photos… whilst the term social isolation is being used, I prefer the term physical isolation. We must not be socially isolated. What we need is connectivity, sharing our work, our hopes, our dreams… and our fears. Watching as the Staff were engaged with their classes last week, brought me joy. For the students were learning, they were engaging with their teacher and were adapting to all that was being asked of them, and you, as parents.

So, thank you. Thank you to our amazing teachers for the speed of their conversion to remote learning whilst being ever mindful for the challenges they too are experiencing in their personal lives. Thank you to you, our parents and the wider Pittwater House family, for your support. As already shared, we will be putting out a survey to you this week to listen to your stories from the first week in order that we can work on your shared experiences as we move deeper into remote learning. Of course, one size will never fit all. That is why schools as we have known them are such precious communities.

And my final note of thanks goes out to our students. I am so proud of you. I am thrilled at what you have achieved in these early days and the extent to which you are just ‘getting on with it’. You have been inspirational and the comments from your teachers make me confident that when we once more physically together, as a School, at Collaroy, we will be better for the experiences we have all endured.

I shall end this edition of House News with a message from Bob Chapman in The Value of Identifying Values, 2012:

“We measure success by the way we touch the lives of people”.

Please stay safe, and well.

Brigadier Michael Ahleigh of the Australian Army Cadet Corp has issued a cessation order for all cadet units nationally until at least July 1 2020.

On the 28th of February the Year 12 English Studies class completed an important part of their course content by being exposed to real world experiences.  They went to a Public Relations office in the city where they were given a tour of a real workplace setup. They had a informational session with a Public Relations manager who looks after brands such as TimTams, Shapes and Gumtree. She offered the students insight into how an organisation advertises a product through a range of PR strategies. They then presented a pitch about their own businesses to the PR Consultant which will form part of their Assessment. It was such a valuable real world experience as they built confidence and communication skills to articulate their ideas to a specific audience.

The students then travelled to The Grounds of Alexandria where they were met by the Head of Social Media. The business relies on events and art installations for advertising, so they taught the students all about their own strategies for marketing and how social media is becoming an important platform now so they could in turn implement ideas into their own business concepts. The students presented their pitches to a panel of teachers after this excursion as a multimodal presentation. It was a great way to see the workforce, but also gain some practical skills for business, advertising, social media and events coordination. 

On Thursday, the 5th of March, three College Year Nine students visited the RSL Anzac Lifecare Village and volunteered there, they did this to broaden their experiences and improve their interconnections with the community. They interacted with the members of the community living there, and they listened as the residents shared their wartime stories and life journeys. They met a man named Fred who was 95 years old and was a naval officer who travelled all over the world. He told them about his experiences and how he has witnessed how the world has changed over the years. They also met a woman named Dorothy who shared her experiences about living in The Great Depression. They also played games such as quoits and indoor bowling. Quoits was very interesting as none of the girls had ever played before, so they got beaten easily. They thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity and wish to go again after Covid-19 has settled down and the Village is open to visitors again.

School Uniform Shop - Fittings and Purchases
Due to the School’s desire to limit visitors to Campus, we ask that all fittings for winter uniform are by appointment only and that only one family member accompany the student to the appointment.  Please call Mrs Tess Spark on: 9972 5721 or email: school.shop@tphs.nsw.edu.au to book your appointment or for further inquiries. For other purchases we suggest you utilise the online order forms available here. The uniform shop manager will call or email you to let you know when the items are available for collection.  This will significantly reduce the number of people in the uniform shop at any one time.

Blazers: Students in Years 1-6  must have their blazer for the start of Term 2. 

In Stock Now:

• Boys Socks (all sizes)
• Girls Years 5-12 Navy Winter pants (all sizes) to be worn as an option to the uniform skirt.

Uniform Shop - Autumn Recess Hours
The School Uniform Shop will be open during the upcoming Autumn Recess.  Please call Mrs Tess Spark on: 9972 5721 or email: school.shop@tphs.nsw.edu.au to book your appointment.