HouseNews

Enrolment of Siblings for Future Years

Please put in your applications for future enrolments quickly, particularly for 2024 as we have already started the interview process for that year.  If you have siblings to enrol for 2023 and you have not yet put in an application, please do so immediately as we already have waiting lists for Year 7, including siblings of current students.  We do prioritise siblings during the offer process, but if applications come in after general offers have been made, siblings may be put on the waiting list for an available place.

If you have any questions regarding the admissions process, please contact our Registrar, Kellie Finlay on 9972 5789 or via email:  enrolments@tphs.nsw.edu.au

Big Buddy Reading Time

A beautiful value-added opportunity for our Junior School students, being part of the E – 12 Campus, is Big Buddy Reading time. Grammar and College 10 students, pair with Year 3 and Year 4 boys and girls, during Senior Lunch 2 and Junior Form time. This selfless generosity of our senior students speaks volumes about their personal character and the combined quality of the Pittwater House students. The Stage 2 students love this time and treasure the bounty of benefits that they receive.

Year 3 Taronga Park Zoo Excursion

Year 3 were thrilled with the opportunity to visit Taronga Park Zoo on Monday. Not only was the weather in their favour, but the animals were also wide awake and full of energy as well. The zoo was the focus of a combined Science and Literature unit of work. The students are studying animal classification in Science, and reading the book, The One and Only Ivan, as their novel study. This excursion offered the students a first-hand opportunity to discuss one of the themes of the novel, by comparing the size of animal enclosures at the zoo as well as answer challenging questions about animal rights and captivity. This is just the tip of the iceberg in relation to the learning that will take place in Year 3 as a result. 

CUP Groups

Ably led by our College Deputy Head prefect and a group of volunteer Year 11 and 12 students, our College Union Program (CUP) is underway for 2022. The vertical groups of students from Years 7 – 9 allow students to get to know others outside of their year groups and connect in a nurturing and safe environment. The older students have the opportunity to lead activities and support younger students.

Students have engaged in a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt, getting to know you activities and team challenges.

Pittwater House is running a chess tournament in Term 2! Students and parents should visit the Pittwater House Chess Tournament 2022 Canvas page to learn more.

Students who would like to participate need to complete the Chess Tournament 2022 Registration Form. Registration closes Monday, April 4 at 3:25pm.

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award’s programs are available to all students 14 years and over.

Each activity is self-organised by the joining participants and the tracking of the progress is monitored by Duke of Ed Award Leader Sarah Fonso sarah.fonso@tphs.nsw.edu.au.

If you wish to find out more information or to register, please visit www.dukeofed.com.au

​Duke of Ed support sessions are held every Thursday Lunch in SG3.

How many pairs of 2-digit numbers multiply to get a 3-digit number with all digits the same?

What to Do: Send your answers in to your Maths teacher (or your childs' Maths teacher if you are a parent!) to see if you get it correct.

Solutions will be posted in HouseUpdate in Week 9!

This week we are fortunate to have Amaya (C10), write an article for us about the character traits which can help us to succeed in life, particularly during the challenging times humanity is facing around the world in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

If any other student would like to write an article for HouseNews then please email our Co-ordinator of High Potential and Gifted Students at: victoria.james@tphs.nsw.edu.au

Character - Amaya (C10)

“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door” - Milton Berle.

In my opinion, this quote exemplifies the way that I view the Deep Learning Progression of “Character”- which is having the means to create your own opportunities using values such as trustworthiness, tenacity and integrity.

In a world shaken and evolving in the wake of the major COVID-19 outbreaks, it has never been more crucial for young adults like me to learn and utilise the values associated with Character, as they encourage the new generation to adapt and thrive under unfamiliar conditions.

A specific change that society is currently experiencing is the influence of COVID-19 on businesses across the globe. Numerous industries have been impacted severely by the pandemic, altering the way in which people work or run their businesses as well as how consumers are able to purchase products from them. According to Bjorn Jarvis, Head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, participation in the workforce dropped by over 330,000 people in the span of three months as a result of extended lockdown periods due to the pandemic.

While this may seem like a major issue in the employment world, it may also be viewed as an opportunity for young Australians like me to put the values of Character to work.

Having the ability to create their own businesses and learning opportunities exposes teens to new experiences, therefore encouraging a growth mindset as well as building their confidence and business profiles for future jobs. It also offers them something meaningful to do with their interests and passions. For example, my cousin, who has a passion for the planet and a love for vintage clothing, now uses the online platforms Depop and Instagram to sell second hand garments.

This experience of entrepreneurship has proven to be extremely rewarding for him, providing him with an additional source of income, allowing him to meet people with similar interests as well as enabling him to uncover a side to work that caters to his passions.

To close, I believe that despite the changes that society is enduring, the importance of the values of Character stand to be some of the most important that one can learn, as they help people withstand adversity as well as adapt to this ever changing world.

To embrace the deep learning progression of character, you must strive to find solutions to problems and think outside the box to solve them. This also means creating opportunities for yourself.

• Create your opportunities
• Advertise yourself
• Demonstrate the character traits of independence, confidence, perseverance, integrity, trustworthiness and honesty
  

Online resources available for families.

In addition to our eLibrary, we also subscribe to Story Box. This is an amazing collection of picture books and short stories read aloud by a range of personalities, such as TV presenters, authors and illustrators. Story Box has also just released an APP which makes navigating these resources and watching on the go even more accessible. You will need the latest software to download and access the APP. Login details are provided on Seesaw and Library Canvas pages.

Story Box link

AFL

CIS U12 Boys AFL Trials

On Friday 4 March, CIS held their AFL Trials for primary aged boys on the synthetic AFL fields in Belrose. We sent three boys from our Junior School to take part in the trials which saw over 65 very talented AFL players from all over NSW striving to gain selection into the 2022 CIS team. Harvey (P6), Fred and Xander (P5), attended the trials which were held in tough condition of steady driving rain last Friday. All of our boys gave a strong account of their AFL talents on the day which saw them play in four twenty-minute matches in a variety of different positions. Fred and Xander are in Year 5 this year, so they were up against mainly Year 6 boys from the other schools. Fred got heavily tackled in his second game and had to leave the field injured for a short period of time.  He then displayed his courage and determination to return to field and score points for his team and defend strongly when required. Xander also played well displaying his high level of fitness with his great coverage of the field and great work off the ball. Harvey was very impressive all day. His speed across the field when in possession clearing away from defenders and his accurate kicking and hand balling were features of his play on the day. At the end of a grueling day of trials the Primary CIS team was announced, and we were delighted to hear Harvey’s name read out. Well done Harvey on your selection and good luck at the NSW PSSA AFL Championships that are being held in Coffs Harbour in May. 

ATHLETICS

ACT Junior State Championships

He is at it again!

On Saturday 19 February Ruann (G9), competed in Canberra in the ACT Junior State Athletics Championships. Ruann won Gold in the Javelin Event with a throw of 53.19 Mts. Then on Saturday 26th Ruann competed at the NSW Junior State Championships at a very wet and windy Sydney Olympic Park Homebush. Ruann once again took out the event winning the Gold medal with another huge throw in the slippery conditions. Next up Ruann will be competing for NSW in the Javelin event at the National Championships on 26th March. Well done Champ and we all wish you good luck at the Nationals

Little Athletics Regional Championships

Congratulations to Harvey (P6), for his recent results at the Regional Little Athletics Championships. Harvey as well as being our Senior Swimming Champion is also a talented sprinter on the track. Harvey recently competed at the Regional Athletics Championships finishing 2nd in the 100 Mts, 2nd in the 400 Mts, 3rd in the 200Mts and 1st in the Junior Boys Relay. Well done Harvey, your hard work at training for both Swimming and Athletics is certainly paying off with your recent great results in both sports!  

BASKETBALL

CDSSA Open Girls Basketball Championships

A huge congratulations to Phileine (C9), Brooke (C10) and Paige (C11) for being selected to represent Pittwater House and CDSSA at the AICES Open Girls Basketball Championships

AICES Open Girls Basketball Championships

Last Tuesday Phileine (C9), Josie (C8) and Paige (C11) represented the CDSSA team at the AICES Open Girls Basketball Championships. The team played five games finishing with three wins and two losses which was a fine effort. Their two losses were against the NASSA and HRIS teams who ended up playing in the grand final. All our girls saw plenty of game time for the CDSSA team. Phileine displayed her strong rebound skills under the ring and great confidence and speed when dribbling up the court as well as solid lay ups from both sides of the ring. Josie despite only being in Y8 was very strong when defending and then had excellent mobility in transition. Paige was often in control under the ring and then converted her possessions into points with some under pressure lay ups. Well played ladies you all contributed to the strong CDSSA team performances on the day.

FOOTBALL

CIS U12 Girls Football Trials

Over 100 talented Primary aged girls attended the trials that were held at Mamre Anglican School at Kemps Creek. These girls came from all parts of NSW from Wagga Wagga to Byron Bay to try and be selected into this year’s U12 Girls CIS Football Team. We had four of our top Football girls attend the event: Maylee (J6), Aaleyah (J6), Reggie and Trinity (J6), all were involved in the day that saw the girls given an extensive warm up before they were placed in one of six 9 a side teams that each played at least three twenty-minute games throughout the day. Our girls played in a variety of positions during the day mainly in the midfield and fullback positions. Both Aaleyah and Maylee spent some time goalkeeping for their teams.

All our girls showed good skills and fitness during the games. After a short lunch break the group was brought together to announce the final squads selected to play in a possible v probable’s final trial game to select this year’s CIS U12 Football team. One of our girls had impressed the selectors enough during her games to be named in that final trial of the top 25 girls and that was Reggie. Reggie had impressed all with her sharp ball skills accurate early passing and great positional awareness. Her speed over the ground was also a feature of play during the day. Reggie played well in the final trial and was very unlucky to miss out on being named in this year’s very talented CIS team. Well played to all our girls for their participation in the trials you all look to have very promising futures in the great game of Football.

HICES U12 Boys Football Selection Trials

On Wednesday 16 March the HICES U12 Football Trials were held at Redlands School. We took six of our most talented Primary Boy Footballers to attend the trials which were held to select this year’s HICES Football team to take part in the CIS Schools Championships. Congratulations to the following boys who trialed on the day. Birthday boy Oskar (P5) (Selected in HICES Team), Caspian (P5), Freddie (P6) (Selected HICES), Samuel (P6), James (P6), (Selected HICES), Ned (P6) (Selected HICES). It was a great day for our boys and school as we had a record number of four boys selected for this year’s HICES Football U12 Team. Well done to all the boys who took part and congratulations to our four selected HICES representatives.

SOFTBALL

Softball Selection

We would like to congratulate Melanie (C7), on her recent selection to play softball for the U14 ACT team in the upcoming National Championships. Melanie has been selected in the U14 while still only 12 years of age a remarkable effort. The Championships will be played during Easter, and Melanie will be displaying her fast and accurate pitches for her team. Good luck Melanie and any unfortunate batter who must try to strike any of her sizzling pitches.

SURF LIFE SAVING

NSW Surf Life Saving Championships  

The NSW Surf Life Saving Championships were held in tough conditions and horrendous weather last weekend at the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club. We had several students from our Junior Schools taking part in the event. Both Jackson (P6) and Emily (J6), took part representing the Dee Why Club and Lachlan (P6), represented Coogee Surf Life Saving club. We would like to congratulate all of the students for their great determination to complete their events in the shocking conditions that existed on the beach at the Championships. Both Jackson and his sister Emily competed in the Surf Swim and Boards events. Emily at the very start of the Swim event dived into the wild surf and struck the sand bank which resulted in her fracturing a finger. This did not stop her completing the race. In the board event, Emily displayed an unprompted display of great sportsmanship when the entire field started walking away after their race, Emily sat down with her board at the finish line and waited for the last competitor to finish standing up to cheer her over the line. Well done Emily, that’s Gold Medal material!

In the Boys Sprint Relay, Lachlan’s team won a Silver Medal for his Coogee Club. Congratulations Lachlan!

We also had a number of our Senior School students taking part at the Championships. One of them was Sadie (C7) who had a very successful event showing her multi water talents off again. Sadie won GOLD Medals in the gruelling Ironwomen and Board events as well as taking a Bronze Medal in the Ocean Swim event that was held in the washing machine conditions. Well done Champ, a sensational effort!

SWIMMING

HICES Swimming Championships

The Pittwater House Junior School HICES Swim Team had an early 6.30am start on Monday 7 March. Our team headed to Homebush Aquatic Centre to compete in this yearly event against 7 other schools. Each of the students were selected on their excellent performance at the Junior School Swimming Carnival 2 weeks prior and were looking forward to competing at this high level.

Although our performance on the day achieved Pittwater House second place in Division 1, the standout was the manner with which the students competed and behaved on the day. Our vocal parent cheer squad, as well as 4 of our Staff, were delighted with the outcome and experience and our students exhausted yet happy with the final result.

Some stand out performances on the day were Harvey (P6), Ria (J6), Connor (P4), our Senior and Junior boy’s relay and the Senior girls relay who were all selected to compete at the next stage known as CIS. We wish these students the best of luck! A special mention to the Junior Boys relay who achieved the loudest crowd support due to their exciting swim, holding on to the very last stroke to win the race.

TENNIS

AICES Open Tennis Championships

Despite being the youngest player there Bede (G8), managed to win a couple of matches, and lost a couple by the thinnest of margins (sudden death format), overall, a good learning experience playing the older and sometimes much larger boys (U18s).

Two of the schools competing in the Championships run tennis academies as part of the school, notably MacDonald College which fielded several top national age group level players, which makes the standard of this zone very high. Congratulations Bede on an outstanding result against some very tough competitors.

CIS U12 Tennis Championships

At the CIS Tennis Championships for Primary level students, we sent Scarlett (J6) to take part in the event which is used to select the top 4 students from the boys’ and girls’ participants to represent CIS Schools at the State Championships. Scarlett was up against some top talent from Independent Schools from all over the state. She played four first to 4 games sets and finished the day after a strong 4 games to nil first round win against a Newcastle opponent with one win and three losses. Scarlett ran into the top Voyager Tennis Academy seed in round 2 and then it didn’t get any easier when her round 3 opponent was the top IPSHA seeded player before her final match was against a Penrith Anglican talented player. We congratulate Scarlett on her effort at the Championships where she did display great sportsmanship and her developing talents for the great game of Tennis.

VOLLEYBALL

NSW Youth Championships

Congratulations to Stella (C8) who last weekend competed in the NSW Youth Championships in Mollymook, she played in terrible conditions with rain and extreme wind however her team came away with a Silver medal. Good luck Stella with the Australian Championships next week on the Gold Coast.

WATER POLO

CIS U17 Girls Water Polo Trials

This week we had two students participate in the CIS U17 Water Polo trials that were once again held at Queenwood School. Both Phileine and Ruby (C9), took part in the trials with over 40 other girls. The trials were conducted with each girl playing in five twenty-minute games to select this year’s CIS Water Polo team. Both Ruby and Phileine were two of the younger triallists with most of the other girls who were competing for spots were from Years 10 ,11 or 12. Phileine was trying out in the Centre Forward position and Ruby in the Driver position. Over the course of the day both girls played strongly, and both scored for their teams. The standard of the trials was extremely high this year and both of our girls looked right at home in the elite company. This sport is a very physical and demanding game with very close marking and lots of contact happening under the water. Both Phileine and Ruby put in their best efforts on the day and although they missed selection this year, they enjoyed the experience and they will have the opportunity to trial again over the next couple of years. Well played girls.

Winter Uniform Reminder

Blazers are compulsory for Years 1-12 in Terms 2 and 3. Please book your appointment on the School Shop online booking service for your child’s winter uniform fitting. Click Here to book your appointment.

In Stock Now!

Raincoats:

• Kids Sizes: 4, 6, 8 and 10
• Adult sizes: small, medium and large 

Tracksuits:

• Sizes 4-18

Girls Navy Pants:

Girls’ Years 7-12 wanting to wear the school navy pant for winter please come to the School Shop to try on and place your order. Orders must be placed by Wednesday 23 March .