HouseNews

Our large group of new students, together with a group who have enrolled after Day 1, are gradually finding their place, and feel welcomed.

The Opening Assembly of the School year set the scene for our expectations. The word RESPECT is key to who we are. It is one of our Core Values as depicted in the mnemonic HEROIC. We value respect, we focus on respect with your sons and daughters, and in turn, I ask that you respect the Staff in your engagement with them. These are challenging times, and we are doing all we can to support you and your children. A simple please and thank you, are important words to be used by us all.

Importantly too, we delighted in awarding the Dux Medals for the Class of 2021 to Jeremy Southwell and Anfisa Matsak, the respective Duces of the Grammar School and Girls College. As is our custom, both Jeremy and Anfisa responded with an insight to their journey, and what lies ahead. Jeremy, from his workplace in Canada presented a raw account of the challenges he faced prior to his transfer to Pittwater House, and the reset these final three years gave him in turning his life around and finally achieving a superb set of HSC results. Anfisa, who has recently returned to Sydney in preparation for entering Wesley College and a double degree in Law and Economics at the University of Sydney, shared her recipe for success, reminding the students of the need for balance, and the importance of teamwork and the utilisation of Staff support. We congratulate Jeremy and Anfisa, once more. 

Junior School Student Leadership Team

Our Junior School student leaders have been announced and are now taking on their duties and coming to terms with all that these roles require. Congratulations to the group: 

The School Prefects are already continuing with strength from where they finished at the end of 2021. Whether through Big Bros under the leadership of Ewan, or the Sustainability Prefect Luisa, these fine leaders will ensure 2022 sets the benchmark for years to come. Our Head and Deputy Head Prefects were involved in supporting the local charity 'Feed our Medics' prior to the start of School when they collected donated food from 'Pure Wholefoods' café in Manly and delivered this to the front line workers on the COVID ward at the Northern Beaches Hospital. 

Kiss and Drop Zone

We are delighted with the Campus works undertaken in the Holiday Recess. As my Skoolbag note shared, our Kiss and Drop is very much a work in progress, however these early days demonstrate the success of the plans, given how many vehicles we are now pushing through the site. Please continue to abide by the rules we have set to keep your children safe:

• Maximum speed of 5kph at all times
• Observe all directions of Staff on duty
• No student should alight until reaching one of the 5 designated drop-off spaces
• All students must alight from building side of the vehicle
• No student must ever attempt to walk across the flow of traffic
• Parents are to remain in vehicles at all times
• All bags should be in the vehicle for accessibility for Staff to assist with bags
• Please do not attempt to engage in conversation with Staff as this halts the flow
• Please do not enter the Kiss and Drop area until at least 5 minutes after the conclusion of the school day. Your children need to collect their belongings and make their way to the area. Therefore,

            Years K-2:    3.05pm

            Years 3-6:    3.25pm

            Years 7-12:   3.35pm

I stress the timing in particular. The gates will not be opened until the designated time as noted above. I implore you to give additional time to allow your children to gather themselves and farewell their friends. Your waiting for their arrival merely clogs up the smooth process for others.

This week begins our series of Parent Information Evenings, the Zoom details of which, Mr Walmsley has sent through to you. These provide important information for all parents to ensure the key issues for each stage are covered and you are able to meet, albeit virtually,  the main pastoral staff caring for your children.

It is my delight to welcome through this medium, our new Staff for 2022. In the first of these, Head of College, Mrs Katie Thomas, Head of Teaching and Learning, Mrs Jasmin Mano, and Business Manager, Mr Luke Preston have each given an insight to their background and vision. I know you will join me in welcoming them to the Pittwater House family.

We have much to look forward to. Please make sure you contact the relevant member of Staff for any clarifications as your sons and daughters take on all that 2022 offers. The School Directory, provided in the Welcome to 2022 pack, provides a detailed listing of key Staff.

And to those celebrating the Lunar New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Pittwater House is committed to using student images in a safe, dignified and responsible manner. If you Do Not want images or film of your child/children engaging in School activities to be published to promote Pittwater House please ensure you complete and submit the Photo/Film Opt Out form on Skoolbag. You may opt out at any time. No action from you will be taken as implied consent.

Classroom Awards

After so long without continuity in the School environment, 2022 promises opportunities for students to reacquaint themselves with their surroundings, reset themselves with the expectations of our School and review our HEROIC School Core Values.

Our classroom awards this year will remain focused on Character Strengths, ranging from Kindness to Prudence, with each different grade featuring a particular theme, continuing to support the wonderful well-being, pastoral program which has been a crucial part of the students’ personal development at our School. 

Once again students will be afforded the opportunity to be celebrating success from a House perspective, but not just in the sporting arena, as House activities will also include academic challenges, such as debating, public speaking, general knowledge quizzes, times tables, and spelling bees. 

Academic Achievement will of course continue to be encouraged and recognised in the same manner in the classroom and at assemblies.  

Up Coming Events

There are some exciting events taking place over the next couple of weeks, as outlined in my letter in the 2022 Welcome Pack. Your child’s teacher will have communicated with you via their class letter and set up the class Canvas page. There are some important information and dates of events for this term which we would like to draw to your attention. 

The evening ECC Parent Information Zoom session will commence on Wednesday 16 February from 4:45pm until 5:45pm. The Kindergarten to Year 2 Parent Information Zoom session will commence on Wednesday 16 February from 6:00pm until 7:30pm. The Years 3-6 Parent Information Zoom session will take place on Thursday 17 February commencing 6:00 pm and finishing at 7:30pm.

On Monday 21 February, the Years 3-6 Swimming Carnivals will take place in the School pool. Due to reduced numbers allowed in the area there will be 2 carnivals. The Junior Girls College carnival will run from 8:30am to 11:30am with The Preparatory School carnival taking place from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.

Currently, teachers are gathering data about your son or daughter in preparation for your first 1:1 interview which will be held over Weeks 4 and 5 via zoom. Information about booking times for your meetings will be relayed to you shortly.

At our beginning of term assembly Dr Hillier presented badges to the Year 6 Leadership Team, who will no doubt take on this very special role with great pride and enthusiasm. I would like to congratulate these students.

Kiss and Drop Zone

Our wonderful new Kiss and Drop zone is working extremely well and we thank you for your patience as we iron out any wrinkles. Please be reminded that a 5km speed limit exists for the safety of our children.

I look forward to the day we can welcome you back on campus. 

Senior Problem: Paul and Robert are preparing a birthday present for their brother Sam.

If they work together, it will take them 4 hours to complete the present.

However, if Paul makes half the gift, and they complete the remaining half of the present together, it will take them 5 hours in total.

How much time would Robert need if he was working alone?

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 the HouseUpdate in Week 3!

Welcome to Term 1!

Following on from last term’s Creativity Competition, we would like to start the year with a whole school competition focusing on the importance of Communication.

All students across the Junior and Senior school will have the opportunity to harness their written communication skills by writing about their thoughts on how to lead a happy life. The past few years have been difficult on us all, so it is vital to maintain a positive outlook, and to remember what is important in life.

I am very much looking forward to hearing some inspiring and thought-provoking messages from our students.

Please read the following competition task and rules carefully and submit your competition entry to Mrs James in MG18 by the deadline.

Athletics

Congratulations to Leo G9 for achieving a PB by six seconds in the 800m at the All School Athletics Championships in Dec 2021, well done Leo.

At the same championships Ruann G9, competed in the U14 Javelin throwing an amazing distance of 52.52m and winning a Gold Medal, well done Ruann. Ruann has now been selected into the NSW Merit team to compete at the Australian National Championships in April this year in Perth.  

Cricket

Congratulations to Lukas G9, who was selected into one of the four Metropolitan teams that played at the U14 State Challenge in Dubbo in January. Well done Lukas.

Dance

Congratulations to both Alexis C9 and Hanna C11, who competed in November 2021 in the Aascf National Dance Championships. The girls won 5 Dance World bids to compete in Florida 2022! There were over 1000 teams that competed over three days and their Team was awarded the highest scoring routine for Jazz, Lyrical and Pom and are very excited to be representing Australia and their Dance School, Xdream Dance at Worlds. Such a huge achievement for these young ladies after such a challenging year. Well done girls.

Football

Congratulations to Gabriel G7, for being selected into the Northbridge Bulls Football Club and will be playing NPL youth this year. Well done Gabriel.

Softball

Congratulations to Sonia J6, as part of the MWSA U10 and now MWSA U12 Softball team she has now won her third gold medal at the NSW State Championships held in December 2021. Well done Sonia.

Tennis

Amy C7, has started the term off brilliantly, placing runner up in the final of the Canberra 16years Tennis Tournament in January. Playing up two age groups, Amy stayed strong with an awesome battle in the final, just slipping away from her at 7-5, 3-6, 12-10. Well done and congratulations Amy 

School Shop Purchases

Parents and Carers are not allowed on Campus to visit the School Shop unless they have an appointment. 

Students can visit the shop; items will be charged to their school account. Junior School students must have written permission from a Parent or Carer. 

Swimming Carnival

Please ensure your children are orgainsed for the upcoming Swimming Carnivals:

• Junior School Monday 21st of February
• Senior School 22nd and 23rd of February

In Stock Now: Swim Rash Vests

Temporary Closure

The School Uniform Shop will be closed from Monday 14th to Monday 21st February. It will reopen on Tuesday 22nd of February.