HouseNews

Sophie, Deputy Head Prefect

I think, first and foremost it is important that I express my sincere gratitude to Dr Hillier and the community of Pittwater House for my appointment in such a fun and exciting role. It is an honour to end my journey at this school doing something that has the potential to improve the daily lives for many girls, and to even leave a legacy in the future.

Since the start of my journey at Pittwater House in Year 7, I have wanted what I now have the opportunity of bringing to fruition – a program uniting the mentor and the mentee, and a safe space for girls to put a name to the face of their seniors and have someone to talk to. This was the aim when we tried, tested and refined the College Union Program to what it is today.

As Deputy Head Prefect of the College it is my job, duty and pleasure to create and refine the College Union Program. I work closely with coordinators, teachers and students to run weekly sessions in Thursday form times, assigning other Year 12 girls who voluntarily use their form time to bond with a younger form class. I am personally currently assigned to Year 9 Orrock, (who I am very much enjoying the company of) and I aim to keep the girls with their Year 12 leaders next year, in order to keep them familiar and strengthen their ties. Each week, I send talking points to these coordinators, teachers and Year 12s so that everyone is prepared and informed on what they will discuss.

These topics are focalised around being a woman in the modern world: social media, external and internal pressures, self-love, study habits and so on. From the one session we have had so far we have learned that digression from a talking point is natural and even encouraged, and our best bonds form when we simply guide honest discussions. Our jobs as young women are to be the voice of closer mentors, able to relate to our former selves, as we were their age not so long ago. We are relatable and approachable, yet not preaching from an unrealistic image of perfection. We are human and we are learning too, but we now have the pleasure of offering what so many of us wish we had at the age of twelve or fourteen: having one of the ‘big girls’ in your corner.

I am truly excited for this year and beyond, as this daunting yet inspiring idea has already taken us to amazing new heights. This school, its students and the opportunities it has provided me with has made me proud to be a young woman, and one day we will look back and be grateful for the guidance we could both give and receive. Thank you to Pittwater House, and let’s do this. 

Benjamin, Deputy Head Prefect

It is an honour and privilege to have been chosen to be the Deputy Head Prefect of the Grammar School for 2020. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the School as it has served me and to have a positive impact on student life at Pittwater House. I promise to work with the upmost dedication in my role always striving to do what is best for the students through both The Big Brogram and through acting as a role model, setting an example for younger students to follow.

So, a bit about me. I started at Pittwater House in 2006 as a young and timid three-year-old in the ECC. Over my fourteen years here I have progressed to be writing this as the Deputy Head Prefect of the Grammar School in my final Pittwater House year. Over those fourteen years I have been presented with countless opportunities to represent the school in cricket, athletics, swimming, cross-country, soccer, water-polo and debating, all of which I have relished and loved participating in. I am what can only be described as a cricket tragic who loves playing the game and it simply wouldn’t be summer in our house without cricket on the TV.

The Deputy Head Prefect role is a new one for Pittwater House and one that I look forward to working in over the next twelve months. Sophie and I have been charged with the responsibility of coordinating the student led pastoral programs, The Big Brogram in the Grammar School and CUP Groups in the College. The Big Brogram takes place in Form time on Thursdays each week and is facilitated by the senior students in Year 12 who will be joined by the new Year 11s next year. The Brogram has two primary aims. Firstly, to allow for younger students to form relationships with those in the senior years, making the Grammar School a closer and more cohesive environment which promotes communication and interaction in a positive manner. Secondly, to promote thought and discussion on issues that our generation will face in the future, such as mental health, climate change and the rising influence of technology and social media.

I would like to thank Naveen and the 2019 Grammar prefects as their work regarding The Big Brogram has allowed our team to inherit a program with a cohesive structure that we can build upon over the next twelve months. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Lachlan , Matthew , Ethan and Ewan for taking on the roles of year Coordinators of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively. They will play an important role in making the program the best it can be for the students.

To conclude, I’d like to reiterate how honoured I am to receive this role and that I will work with diligence and determination for the benefit of Pittwater House. Thank you all for this incredible opportunity to contribute to my school as Deputy Head Prefect of the Grammar School for 2020. 

Sean and Georgia, House Captains Butterworth
It is our honour to be provided with the opportunity to serve the School as Butterworth House Captains for the duration of our final year of schooling. Butterworth is a house always filled with excitement and opportunity that we aime to continue into the rest of this year and 2020 through carnivals, House events and House meetings. 

Being a Butterworthian is so much more than our emblem and our colour, it represents a community of hard workers that are always striving for the greatest in House competitions, even if we aren’t getting the blue ribbon at the end of the day. We are constantly supporting each other whenever we can in order to promote a community where everyone feels valued. This taking on our School’s motto of Semper Diligens (always hardworking). 

Our aim for this year is to promote healthy competition within the House as well as with the other Houses, grow inter-year relationships and encourage House spirit. To do this we aim to make use of our House meetings that occur every 3 weeks, and with this gain as much feedback in order to make them a memorable part of everyone’s time at Pittwater House.

For the remainder of this term, our house will be focusing on the preparation for College Performing Arts and Brofest. College performing arts a long-standing tradition focusing on the creative performing talents of the girls’ cohort involving a choir, drama and dance item. Brofest a relatively new initiative in which the Grammar School compete in the production of short films ranging from 5-10 minutes. Both of these promote creative thinking with all years, and encouraging competition. 

To conclude we are both so thankful for the positions we hold and are excited to create our own legacy within Butterworth. 

Matthew and Megan, House Captains Morgan
As Morgan House Captains, we have never been more proud to act as representatives for the best House! In the coming year, we hope to create an engaging and fun experience for all Morgan students. Implementing plans to maintain the enjoyment of House meetings by incorporating sports, trivia and other games to ensure the students are always having a great time. As House Captains we also look forward to the cooperation between other House Captains in the coming year, with an aim of competition and comradery between the Houses. We are so happy to be immersed in all the different personalities and interests that comprise the students of Morgan House. Acting as mentors and friends in all students academic and sporting endeavours.

We are excited to boost the team spirit of Morgan House in the Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival, Foundation Day races, Bro-Fest and College Performing Arts. As House Captains we are going to ensure that winning is not our top priority, rather giving it a go, whether that’s participating in lots of races or yelling support for Morgan on the side-lines, we want to ensure students make the most of their House spirit. We intend to prepare our Morganites with chants and inspirational ideas for these upcoming challenges in our House Meetings to ensure success and enjoyment for all. 

This year, with the incorporation of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Big Brogram and CUP Groups we hope to receive active feedback from the student body in an effort to maintain and improve upon Morgans foundations. Furthermore, we are excited to mentor and guide the upcoming Perfect leaders of 2020-2021, giving them a chance to shine as they help to plan Morgan's House Dinner. 

Ultimately, we want to create an environment for all students that survives on teamwork, friendship and respect. Ensuring students throughout the year to realise their full potential.  

Ethan and Alexandra, House Captains Orrock
As Orrock House Captains, we encourage students to say “yes'' to opportunities through driving Orrock house spirit and uniting together to create a dynamic and positive environment. We are both very excited and thankful to have been given the opportunity to be the Orrock House Captains for this upcoming year and assure you that we will continue a positive and uplifting attitude. Our objectives for the upcoming carnivals and the fortnightly meetings is to increase participation and drive School spirit to make this year enjoyable for everyone. By encouraging participation with in House events such as the upcoming Collage Performing Arts and Brofest, will allow students to interact with the other year groups and form bonds which will allow peer support throughout the Secondary years. We hope to achieve this through implementing a caring and nurturing environment within our School. As Orrock House Captains, we value the idea of promoting house spirit and participation at future school events. Currently, we are planning to create an electrifying atmosphere in our future  house events, through continuously expressing the importance of supporting and encouraging fellow peers. Additionally, one of our goals this coming year is to have a more enthusiastic approach to House meetings. The incorporation of more in-depth conversation relating House spirit and a stronger bond between the different year groups will influence a positive approach to house meetings. Therefore, we believe that the more frequent interactions and stronger bonds between year groups, will positively impact relationships at lunch and in the hall-ways. In conclusion, we are both very excited for the future, grateful to possess these roles and are keen to see what unfolds over the following year.