HouseNews

Our students are certainly winning in the creativity stakes.

With increasing regularity, groups of students are presenting their ideas for a happier, healthier and more engaged future; and I am loving their zest. As a snippet of this, a group from Year 9 are competing in the Community Problem Solving competition and have already created a website, a poster and are about to challenge our community with a native ingredients cooking competition. This is all a forerunner of a state competition and fingers crossed, another chance to get to the national level as we did in 2019.

Another opportunity for Year 9 has been the Gifted and Talented ‘Explorations Class’, where three groups of girls pitched their ideas to me this week. This was the culmination of a program that allowed students to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and encouraged research and problem-solving skills outside of the traditional classroom. These girls tackled a research program focused on environments and how they hope to showcase their solutions to our students, and maybe, even provide an enduring visual solution… watch this space…

Ella, Deputy Head Prefect

Throughout the past few years I’ve made true friendships with people across all year groups and heavily enjoy making and furthering those connections. That is why when I got offered Deputy Head Prefect, alongside Sam, I was thrilled, as through my new role in CUP groups I will be able to build on those connections and have direct influence on the younger students. Alongside my peers and the Year 10 students I aim to create a strong mentor program, allowing the younger students to look to their mentors for support and guidance as I know how tough High School can be.

Before I began at Pittwater House in Year 4, I lived in Amsterdam, South Africa and Perth, and attended many different schools. Through these experiences I am able to see that Pittwater House is the most supportive and cohesive school I have ever been lucky enough to be a part of. The community that the teachers and students have created is unlike any other as the smaller classes allow the teachers to get to know us students and guide us through this challenging time. In addition to the help of the teachers, in my younger years the older students were a big part of my experience and therefore I want to work together with my peers to provide that support to the younger students and create true friendships that can continue until after school.

In my time at Pittwater House I have been a part of many Creative Arts ensembles including the musical which I will always remember as the most enjoyable part of my High School experience as it allowed me to do what I love, while creating and furthering friendships with students of all different years who shared the same interests.

For 2021, I would love to work together with Sam and the rest of the Prefect team to place a major focus on mentor programs such as Big Bros, and CUP groups, to further the supportive and cohesive community we have here at Pittwater House that will be led by the amazing Mali and Nick. 

Samuel, Deputy Head Prefect

It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to be Deputy Head Prefect of the Grammar school for 2020/2021. Firstly, I would like to state how humbled I am at being chosen for this role and would like to give gratitude to those who supported me. In the coming year, I hope to show my commitment to the Pittwater House community through the evolution of the Big Brogram and through acting as a role model for younger year groups to follow.

So, a bit about me. I began my time at Pittwater House in Year 8, after spending five years abroad living in Dubai. I believe my experiences of living and travelling outside of Australia have provided me with a unique outlook when it comes to addressing the possibilities of my Prefect role. Upon returning to Australia in 2017, the Pittwater House community welcomed me with open arms. Over the four years I have spent at Pittwater House, the camaraderie and support exhibited by my teachers and peers has inspired me to strive for the Deputy Head Prefect role I now hold. I look forward to displaying my gratitude through my plan for Big Bros and the positive action I will take throughout the school.

As Deputy Head Prefect, it is my responsibility and pleasure to lead the evolution and natural progression of the Grammar School’s pastoral program, the Big Brogram. This is a senior student led and organized program that occurs on a fortnightly basis, with the purpose of creating and strengthening bonds within the entire Grammar School. Over the next twelve months I plan to utilize the possibilities of the program in order to create a heightened sense of comradery and brotherhood within the Grammar School. To do so, the Brogram will become centralized around more student specific issues, such as transitioning into a new year group, subject selection, effective study techniques etc. Additionally, I plan to tailor the topics discussed to the specific year group being presented to, in order to address issues of age and maturity within differing year groups. Finally, Ella and I intend to strengthen ties between Big Bros and CUP groups with the potential of collaborative sessions between the College and Grammar Schools. We hope that in doing so, the school community as a whole will become more unified.

To conclude, I’d like to thank Ben for his exceptional work in building the current successful and cohesive Big Brogram, that will allow our team to evolve and build upon over the next twelve months. Finally, I’d like to once again display my diligent commitment to my role, the Pittwater House community and future of Pittwater House. Thank you and I hope to show my commitment throughout 2020/2021. 

SRC Prefects Paris and Xavier

We would both like to thank everyone that has made this new position as SRC Captains possible that has given us the opportunity to create and leave such a legacy behind within our role in the Perfect team of 2020/21. We look forward to working alongside not only the Heads of School and the Prefect team, but also across the year groups to continue to strengthen the SRC program and its impact on the wider school community.

We have both been a part of the Pittwater House community since the Junior School, and through our time here have had the chance to look up to a number of past leaders who have played such an important role in shaping the School, and we, over the coming year, aspire to do the same. 

Whilst reflecting on what motivated us to join the leadership program, we thought about a number of the past leaders who exemplified all of the school values creating an environment in which students feel cared for, valued and supported. Over the upcoming year we hope to continue to strengthen this positive environment and encourage other students to be role models to those younger than themselves.

One of the key aspects of the School that we both value is the sense of community and the cross year relationships. We are very lucky to have a campus that allows us to have both junior and senior years all together. Whilst this year has been particularly difficult in building relationships face to face across the year groups, we hope that with the eventual easing of restrictions that we will be able to increase the amount of activities that both seniors and juniors are involved in.

Throughout our time as SRC Captains, with the assistance of the SRC, we hope to implement a number of different mentor programs and activities that help in strengthening cross-year relationships and the wellbeing of many students. We ourselves, would like to be as approachable as possible and ensure that if any student has any suggestions they feel comfortable in sharing these ideas with us and the SRC.

To commence the term, we will start to have regular meetings via zoom in which the SRC will meet and discuss a variety of aspects of school life, and ways in which we are able to continue to strengthen the school community. 

Most importantly we would like to acknowledge the work of both Callum and Duncan, who have worked so hard over the past year to remodel the way that SRC was run, and create a positive collaboration space where students feel comfortable expressing their opinions and thoughts with the rest of the student body. In our time as SRC Captains, we hope to continue this legacy and help it flourish within our School. 

National Finals of the Future Problem-Solving Competition

On Friday 16 October Yarra Jackson (C8), competed in the National Finals of the Future Problem-Solving Competition.

Yarra is to be commended for her positive attitude and dedication to the Future Problem-Solving Course this year. Congratulations to Yarra for becoming our new National Champion in the Future Problem Solving Competition individual category. We wish Yarra the very best of luck as she goes on to compete in the Virtual International Future Problem Solving Competition!

'All our Shimmering Skies' by Trent Dalton

Trent Dalton’s follow up to his critically acclaimed Boy Swallows Universe certainly does not disappoint. Written in a similar narrative style, All Our Shimmering Skies is framed by the perspective of a child—twelve-year-old Molly Hook—and provides a reflection on the profound way in which the past shapes our present. Set against the backdrop of bomb ravaged Darwin in 1942, Molly’s quest to overturn a curse that has plagued her family for generations sends her into the depths of Australia’s bushland. What follows is a phantasmagorical ode to the landscape and to the friendships forged within it. Dalton’s lyrical prose and evocative imagery captures the unrestrained beauty of the natural world, encompassing everything from the magic of the sky and the gifts it sends, to the orange dirt Molly digs with her trusty shovel Bert. It is a story about life, loss, and having the courage to keep looking up at the sky.

Ms Biddolph

About the Author, Jenna Guillaume:

Jenna Guillaume is the editor-at-large for BuzzFeed Australia, where she enjoys writing about pop culture, identity, feminism, social media, and Chris Hemsworth's biceps (Google Books, 2020). Prior to writing “What I Like About Me” (2019) and “You Were Made for Me” (2020), Jenna wrote publication pieces in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Guardian and Girlfriend Magazine.

Rachael’s Review:

Yes! After reading both of these books, I can say I am a true fan of Ms Guillaume.

Being a huge teen romance, comedy, adventure, reader myself, I enjoy any fiction that contains adversities, challenges and a random beauty pageant. However, what really puts these books ahead of others, are the characters. Each character is relatable, quirky, fun, and unique in their own way. This encourages the reader to really embed themselves into the storyline. Comedy is evident throughout the characters journey, easing their adversities, and enables the reader to see the brighter side to their challenges. Her real message throughout each book is, no matter how many adversities you will face, in the end you will have some sort of unexpected heartfelt positive ending… and everyone likes a positive ending in a book!

Similar authors I would recommend include:

-Keira Cass

-Jenny Han

Star Rating: 5/5 

Looking for Players and Coaches for the 2021 Saturday Netball Competition at Curl Curl Netball Courts

Available for all students from Kindy to 12 years (Boys) and Kindy to 18 Years (Girls)

If you would like to play netball for the newly formed Pittwater House Netball Club in 2021 on Saturdays at the Curl Curl Netball Courts, please register your interest on Skoolbag or email the Sports Office at: sportsoffice@tphs.nsw.edu.au. Pittwater House will be entering teams into the Saturday Competition.

• Players aged 5-7 will take part in the Net Set Go Program after school on Wednesdays in the Pittwater House Sports Centre from 3.30pm to 4.30pm starting Term 1, 2021. This is the official starter program for girls and boys. It's a chance to learn the netball basics and for a lot of students, this is the first time they'll pick up a netball or put on a bib. It's a learning experience and lots of fun
• Players aged 8 to 9 (age 7 players considered) will play on Saturday mornings at Curl as part of the Net Set Go Program
• Players aged 10 upwards will play full competition Netball

Uniform Shop - Online Bookings

During Term 4 we are trialling an online booking system for Uniform Shop appointments.

Bookings are Essential For NEW families starting at Pittwater House please allow a 45 minute time slot per child.

For CURRENT families please allow between 15 - 30 minute time slot per child.

To make a booking the link is available on the Uniform Page of the Pittwater House website here:  https://www.pittwaterhouse.com.au/join-us/uniforms

While COVID restrictions are in place, please note that only one family member in addition to the student(s) being fitted may attend.  Please wait until the previous appointment has concluded before entering the shop.  We ask that if you or your child/children are unwell, please reschedule your appointment.

If you have any queries please call Mrs Tess Spark on 9972 5721 during opening hours or email teresa.spark@tphs.nsw.edu.au.