HouseNews

Farewell Mr Browning

This is an historic week for our Staff and School as we farewell Mr Browning after 45 years of devoted service, and encouragement, to all students with whom he has had contact. There is no one who deserves a happier and family focused retirement than Mr Browning, and whilst we will all miss his support in all sporting endeavours, I know that his absolute passion for Pittwater House will allow him to be a presence at events in the future. I have known Peter Browning since 2010… and through these years, I have seen the total commitment he brings to each day; ensuring students feel supported and encouraged to give of their best and commended for achieving their personal best. So many days Mr Browning will be off with a contingent of students who seek to progress on sporting pathways; early starts and a full day of competition, with Mr Browning coaching and supporting on the sidelines. He will often send me an email of progress results through the day and then provide a summary and photos for our Facebook page before he signs off for the day! He is renowned for his passion for cricket and really, all sport. So many students in our School today, and through the past 45 years, have started their sporting careers under his guidance. Trying out a new activity will be the start of something that becomes a lifelong passion. These thousands of students, and I, merely say, thank you. Thank you, Pete, for all you have done for our School. May your retirement be blessed in every way, beginning with a safe adventure to the far north… and many more travel plans beyond. 

What a stellar night before a packed Hall!

The Junior Performing Arts Night is always an event not to be missed. Last night was doubly special with us all watching live and soaking up every minute.

The program, which is the outcome of our performing arts curriculum in the Junior School, showed the extraordinary talent we have; both from our students and from our magnificent Staff.

Through music, dance and drama, our community star shone so brightly. We are blessed with magnificent staff under the leadership of Mr Cosentino and Ms Tamatea and with their teams, they bring out the very best in the students.

The unbridled joy on the faces of the students as they performed allowed us all to leave the Hall with an extra spring in our step. Thank you again to our wonderful Performing Arts team for your special gifts you bring to your classes each day.

When the school bell sounds at the end of Semester 1, on Friday, opportunity will occur for 31 of our students who are competing at the NSW Interschools Snow Sports Championships at Perisher between the 11th to the 15th of July. I am indebted to the 6 Staff who are accompanying this large group of students, allowing them competition for the first time in three years. And how fortunate we are to have had such a magnificent start to the ski season! My thanks and every good wish to you all.

We traditionally begin Term 3 with our Foundation Day Assembly and Foundation Day Relay. Therefore Term 3 will begin on Tuesday 19 July with the Junior School Foundation Day Assembly at 9.00am and the Secondary Foundation Day Assembly at 11.30am which will be followed by the Foundation Day Relay for the entire School. For those new to our School in the past two years, this is a spectacular event, cherished by all who have witnessed such an occasion. With COVID cancelling our 60th celebrations last year, I am mindful of the significance of this day, our 61st celebration of our wonderful community. Our Head Prefects, Jared and Olivia have been instrumental in putting together a video to show at the Assemblies in recognition of our School. I thank them for their continuing and outstanding leadership.

This final week of Semester 1 has heralded the involvement of many Netball and Basketball teams playing off in Grand Final matches. What a marvellous end to our Netball season. Congratulations to all the girls and special thanks to the coaches and the great supporters on the sidelines. The strength and depth of Netball at Pittwater House is very significant. 

I remain grateful for all my experiences in life; together they have helped shape my approach to each day. The past four weeks have added to this. And whilst it was far removed from the world of education that I inhabit each day, time away allows for marvellous interactions, sights, sounds and surprise. It is my hope that the coming Semester Recess, will allow you all, time to refresh for all that the new Semester will ask.

My warm wishes to you all.

The Year 12 PDHPE students attended an excursion at Narrabeen’s Sydney Academy of Sport this week. Forming part of their Factors Affecting Performance unit, they were able to gain first-hand experience in a range of Sports Science tests, including VO2 Max, Windgate, and Power tests, as well as learn about different Strength training methods. The day ended with them practising recovering strategies in the pool (hydrotherapy) and in an ice bath/hot spa (contrast water therapy). A highlight of the day was watching the Manly Sea Eagles train, and get our photo taken with their star player, Tom Trbojevic. 

On Tuesday, Kindergarten travelled excitedly to Taronga Zoo for their very first excursion. There were so many highlights from eating recess with the giraffes, to being amazed by the seals’ sensational tricks to meeting a wide range of friendly creatures. In Science, we have been learning about Living Things so it was wonderful to come up close and personal with a lizard, frog, possum and a turtle.  It was a day of many firsts; wearing masks, travelling on the school bus, seeing a pygmy hippo and one of us even had their lunch taken by a hungry ibis!  It was a fantastic day and one we will always remember. 

In our quest to provide options for students on the playground, we are looking to create a place in the School where students can play with Lego.  If any parents have any Lego that would like to donate to the school, please send it in with your child to give to their classroom teachers.  

 'Are you smarter than a Year 8 student?' (see solutions below)

Gift Wrapping (Solutions)

A box in the shape of a rectangular prism is strapped as shown. The length of the straps are 100cm, 60cm and 80cm.

How did you go in finding the possible values of x, y and z?

Congratulations if you had...

x = 30

y = 20

z = 10

On behalf of the Mathematics Department, we would like to thank the students and parents for a great term.

Look out for more problem-solving opportunities in Term 3, as well as exciting news about Problem-Solving Mathematics Clubs.

GREEN LEVEL - PROBLEM OF THE WEEK (see solutions below)

In this 5x5 grid, the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are to be placed so that each number appears only once in each row and once in each column.

QUESTION (Green Level): When completed, what number is the square marked X?

SOLUTION (Green Level): X represents the number 2

RED LEVEL - PROBLEM OF THE WEEK (see solutions below)

PQR is an equilateral triangle with a side length of 2.

S is the midpoint of QR. T and U are points on PQ and PR such that STXU is a square.