HouseNews

Ginger, Prefect
As a Prefect at Pittwater House for 2020, I endeavour to unite and create harmony with the Senior and Junior school and form bonds between the two sections of our School. I believe that it is vital for younger students to be able to interact with older students in the Senior School, as mentors and friends as it enables guidance and support as they have someone to look up to. I aim to do this through a buddy system where once a fortnight, students from Years 11 and 12 will spend time with Junior School students reading, playing games and helping them with their homework, as well as creating joint musical items with the Junior and Senior School students where they are able to practise a musical item together and then have the opportunity to be able to perform at either the Junior School or Senior School assembly. I believe that this will be able to build stronger relationships between both schools and lifelong memories. 

Ewan, SUO
My time in the Pittwater House Army Cadet Unit has shaped how I envision its future development for the coming year and beyond. The thing that attracted me most to Cadets was the opportunities it provided that have allowed me to hone my leadership skills and thus provide others with that same chance. Cadets, for me, is a chance for young people to experience situations outside of their comfort zones which, in turn, leads to growth, discipline and maturity. There aren’t many instances available for ordinary people, like myself, to take command of a situation, apply what they’ve learnt as well as show to others and themselves what they have to offer. In my eyes, Cadets simply allows these instances to occur more frequently through persistent challenges which push the knowledge and skills for the betterment of the individual. I believe an emphasis on a practical approach to learning should be at the core of what we do, especially in regard to the upcoming Year 7s. This is something that is coming into effect even now, through more frequent practical scenarios which combine theory with a field exercise mindset. Cadets is a unique aspect of our school in that it allows individuals to learn something for themselves whilst simultaneously putting back into the community. It is this flexibility that has allowed Cadets to flourish and it is an attitude which I will strive to maintain. The Cadets’ involvement in numerous commemorative services, Bivouacs and Annual Camps encapsulates this view and is something that I am very eager to be further involved with, with the assistance of my fellow Lance Corporals, Corporals, Sergeants and CUOs, it is my pleasure to continue this culture of improvement which has grounded itself through our desire to achieve a well disciplined and maintained unit. 

Duncan, Prefect

I’m very grateful for being given a leadership position for 2020 and I’m sure as a member of the prefect team we will be able to do great things for Pittwater House. There is something about organising things that I just really enjoy. One of my peers, Max has seen an opportunity to utilise the new PA system that is being installed, to start a Pittwater House radio. While it is still in the works, I am helping (along with Matthew) organise the agenda for the radio and taking part during radio broadcasts. Currently, we have looked at going live during Monday and Thursday lunchtimes starting in 2020. The goal of the radio will to improve the house spirit with music and inform students about current affairs. Additionally, the Pittwater House radio will also provide more opportunities for advertising fundraising activities that the Prefect team and other students are running which will improve the profits of these events.

I am also working with Callum in organising and running the Student Representative Council (SRC) for 2020. Through the SRC we hope to give a more prevalent voice to students in all year groups allowing for student led change. Ultimately, I am excited for the organisation opportunities that I will be able to take part in through the course of the time that I am a Prefect. 

Lachlan, Prefect
I would first like to begin by saying what an honour it is to be elected as a member of the 2019/20 Leadership Team and as a result thank Dr Hillier, staff, students and the rest of the Pittwater House community.  Since the beginning of my time here at the School, the ‘family’ that is Pittwater House has been instrumental in my development into the young man that I am today.  As a result, I view my General Prefect position for the upcoming year as a way for me to give back to the School that has given me so much.

Since being appointed into my role, I have taken on the ‘Give it a Grow’ award. This certificate is awarded each week at Friday Assembly and aims to commend students who have made a conscious effort to improve their own personal sustainability efforts and/or assisted in one of the School’s many initiatives; such as the Permaculture Pathway’s Workshop that was run last Tuesday afternoon. Already this Term, I have assisted in the raising of funds, organisation and construction of a School Garden next to the Science Block.  The garden was constructed on the first Saturday of the term and has already begun to supply the canteen with herbs, lettuce and other vegetables. 

This project segues nicely into my vision for the next exciting year.  I strive to continue to work with the Sustainability and Environmental Group and other members of the School community, to further the School’s sustainability efforts.  I plan to extend the yield of our School garden, reducing the amount of produce the Canteen must purchase and improving our Carbon Footprint.  It is also a goal of mine to increase student participation in our Sustainability Group, ensuring the longevity of this program.

It is important that as a School we not only support our own community, but also the wider community, both domestically and internationally.  I see my role as a General Prefect instrumental in the organisation of multiple fundraiser throughout the year, assisting individuals in a position less fortunate than our own.

Once again, I would like to reiterate how grateful I am for being appointed into the role of General Prefect for my HSC year and look forward to what the next year will bring.

Callum, Prefect
I am honoured to have been chosen as prefect. Since Year 7, inspired by fellow-trombonist Jack Collins and subsequent prefects, I hoped to become part of the school’s leadership team; to have the opportunity to give back to the school the same inspiration and enjoyment that I was given. With such a responsibility I would like to share with you my goals for the coming year. But first, a little about myself!

Beginning my adventure through Pittwater House in Year 7, I was met with an array of opportunities – I was a member of three bands at one point, I participate in two debating competitions annually, I have supervised the School’s 'FIRST Robotics Club', and, despite my less-athletic nature, I even participated in the Water Polo team for a couple of years! This multitude of opportunities allowed me to appreciate the incredible diversity at Pittwater House, fostering my love for academics and extra-curricular alike.

Many readers may know me from Cadets. Teaching and inspiring others is an incredible passion of mine, and cadets provides the perfect output for such a role. Whether it be behind a radio, in front of a whiteboard, or out in the field, cadets is one of the primary motivators for my desire to give back to the School community.

This leads me to my primary goal for the next year: The Student Representative Council. The SRC has been trialled previously as an outlet for students to express their ideas about potential changes for the School. Moving forwards, I’d like to extend this forum to the wider body of students, providing a funnel for ideas to reach the Heads of School and encourage constructive discussion between students and staff. My hope is that this will provide an improved experience for both current and future students, fulfilling my desire to make a positive impact on the School.

Our Christmas Tree in the Hall foyer has been decorated by our Prefects and now awaits gifts in abundance; non-perishable foods that are within the use by date, and unwrapped toys.  After the School year has ended, these gifts will be distributed as follows: the food items will be donated to Foodbank for families in need via Jason Falinski’s office, and the gifts will go to the Manly Warringah Women’s Resource Centre.

In addition to this, there will be a collection box available at the Carols Night for any cash donation that you may care to make, raising funds for the Drought Angels Charity.

Please do give.

We know you will want to support this annual appeal with the generosity of spirit we see from Pittwater House families each year.

What a start to Term 4 2019, we have had several students works nominated for Dance, Drama and Visual Art showcases. This is an exceptional achievement and is a testament to the hard work of the Students and Staff throughout 2019.

We have just completed our final stages of Dance Ensemble auditions for 2020 and we are getting excited. 

Performing Arts Tour (September 21st to 25th 2020)

In 2020 Pittwater House are planning a Performing Arts Tour to the Blue Mountains, Bathurst and Orange.

The Performing Arts Tour Ensemble will be based on a Concert Band main ensemble with a Big Band, Dance and Vocal Group as a split off depending on the student that are attending.

Venue and Performances are still to be confirmed.

The Tour will leave Pittwater House and head to the wonderful Blue Mountains. There we will visit the Blue Mountains Scenic World performance in the area. From the Blue Mountains we will head to Bathurst where we will meet up with one of our HICES schools, Scots All Saints College. While in Bathurst we will visit the Mitchell Conservatorium and have a master class with a local musician then perform with Scots All Saints College and other local schools. During our stay in Bathurst we will visit local attractions such as the World Famous Mount Panorama Race Track. The group will then head to Orange to see a performance at the Orange Civic Centre and have a master class with a member of the Orange Conservatorium. After this we will head back to Scots All Saints College for a farewell dinner. Then head home.

What we require is an expression of interest from you at this stage. This is open to all students in Years 5 to 12 (2020) at this stage.

An online form to collate your expressions of interest.

Creative Arts Student Achievements

Throughout the year our very talented Creative Arts students will be performing in numerous Eisteddfods competing in many sections such as: Contemporary Vocal, Solo Dance, Dance Groups, Solo Instrumental and Instrumental Groups. These students will be representing either Pittwater House, themselves or their own private studios. We would like to acknowledge the results of students, please let us know of their Creative Arts success throughout the year by emailing musictutor@tphs.nsw.edu.au and we will publish the results.

Congratulations to Kate (J5), who achieved Grade 3 AMEB piano - A+ High Distinction. 

Year 3 End of Year Concert

Last Tuesday, students of Year 3 gave an end of Year concert to the students of the ECC. This performance was warmly received by the Bilbies and Possums. They had an opportunity to see the variety of instruments in the Year 3 Band programme, and helped to provide some body percussion accompaniment to We Will Rock You. The Year 3 students performed marvellously and showcased some very impressive musical development after only one year's tuition on their instruments. 

Carols Night 2019

On Friday 6 December we hold our School Carols Night. In previous years, parents and alumni have joined with the choir and orchestra to sing and play at this important school event. If you would like to join us, please email Jim Abraham at musictutor@tphs.nsw.edu.au

Instrumental Music  lessons

If you are receiving lessons this year, it is assumed that you will continue next year unless you let us know otherwise. There is no paperwork required for continuing lessons. If you would like to start lessons in one of the many instruments that we offer ($50.50 per half hour) or for any questions about how the program works, please email musictutor@tphs.nsw.edu.au

On the first Saturday of this Term three exceptional young men met at 6:30am to begin raking the dirt of what would eventually become the sustainability garden. It is my view that Lachlan , Alex and Ben epitomise the selflessness and generosity that underpins true leadership, and they are the type of students that I would encourage any member of the Pittwater House community to look up to. These young men took it upon themselves to sacrifice a day of their weekend to make a lasting contribution to Pittwater House, something that will remain many years beyond their graduation. By the middle of the afternoon we had a garden which featured three garden beds, planted with vegetables and herbs which would ultimately feature in meals purchased by staff and students at the School’s canteen. It is also important to recognise Sean and Roman's key role in the garden’s construction, as they built the garden beds from scratch and installed them in the week prior to the working bee. Inigo and Dominic have been instrumental in designing and helping maintain the garden since its inception as well, with Inigo currently maintaining the compost and Dom as head gardener overseeing the growth of the vegetables and herbs. This week a number of College and Grammar students from Years 7, 8 and 9 stayed back after school on Tuesday afternoon to build permaculture paths which have improved the aesthetic beauty of the garden, as well as enhancing the fertility of the garden’s soil. I would like to point out that while Mr Macauley, Ms Leman and I have been supportive of this cause and have helped supervise the group’s activities, at no point have any of us built or planted anything that is in the garden today. The entirety of the garden’s existence is attributable to the efforts of these inspiring students, highlighting the student-led nature of the sustainability group. When Mr Macauley and I decided to start the group, one of our key concerns, if you can forgive the pun, was its sustainability. We knew that if it wasn’t led and run by students it may vanish with the departure of influential staff members. Accordingly, it is thanks to the outstanding commitment of these students that we are seeing real progress. Firstly, the garden’s compost is regularly taking food waste from the canteen and this is subsequently being used as fertiliser for the garden beds. And, as previously mentioned, herbs and lettuce from the garden are now being used in the canteen’s salads and burgers. It is at this point that I would like to appropriate a sentiment originally coined by former US President John F Kennedy which I believe reflects the exceptional initiative of these students: ‘ask not what Pittwater House can do for you - ask what you can you do for Pittwater House.'