This magnificent Hall was constructed in the early 1980's and opened by His Excellency Air Marshal Sir James Rowland, AC, KBE, DFC, KstJ, Governor of NSW on 16 July 1984.
It has a seating capacity of 1250 and it is used extensively for Pittwater House corporate activities such as regular assemblies, services of worship, examinations, performances, social gatherings, seminars, films, gym and dance.
The Hall features a stage area suitable for large-scale dramatic productions, dance and musical performances, with plenty of "off-stage" space in the wings and access underneath for performers. It has a comprehensive stage lighting and recently upgraded sound system, operated from back stage or in the rear gallery.
The acoustic ceiling of the auditorium was designed by Mr Louis Challis, the sound engineer for the Sydney Opera House and Parliament House, Canberra. The Hall is equipped with two grand pianos, one of which is a 9 foot Yamaha Concert Grand. A spectacular addition to the Hall in 1989 was the Grand Organ.
The lower floor includes change rooms, props storage, classrooms and Senior Common Room. The verandah overlooks the James Mooney Oval.
In 2005 a complete refurbishment of the kitchen in the Great Hall was undertaken thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Pittwater House Parents Association. Modelled on commercial kitchen standards, stainless steel finishes were chosen for appliances and working surfaces.
The kitchen houses a commercial sized dishwasher, double sink and double door refrigerator together with microwave heating facilities.
Hospitality Operations pupils use the kitchen facilities as a staging area for serving and gain industry experience by assisting at School functions.
The building is in regular use by all sections of the School but is also available for hire by members of the community groups or corporations for recitals, theatre, dance, exhibitions, seminars and social functions.
Visitors to Pittwater House are usually surprised to find the large pipe organ that dominates the western wall of the Great Hall. The hall was built in 1984 in a utilitarian but pleasant design of red brick and from outside shows no hint of the real gem inside. Installed in 1989, the pipe organ originally resided in the City of Newcastle (a port city only about 2 hrs drive north of Sydney) where it was located in the Central Methodist Mission in King Street from 1903 prior to its removal for restoration and installation at Pittwater House.
The organ fills the hall with music as it is used at least weekly for School chapel services and assemblies and is well used for ceremonial events and as a teaching instrument.
The hard surface courts are situated on land leased by the School from the Department of Defence. The facility consists of a double tennis court which is also marked for netball and basketball and fitted with basketball backboards. The courts are utilised for a range of sports training and competition games. Class groups use the courts during the normal School day during PE lessons (K to 12). During Recess and Lunchtimes the courts are open to secondary pupils for informal games. Before and after School the courts are available through a booking system for professional tennis coaching, basketball and netball training.
Most weekends the courts are used for interschool basketball and tennis.
The Pittwater House Pool is an open air 8 lane short-course pool built to FINA specifications. This outstanding facility was officially opened by Australian Olympic Gold Medallist John Devitt, AM on 3 November 1993. The pool was donated to the School through the fund raising efforts of the Pittwater House Mothers Association. A modern amenities block was added to the site in October 1997 and a full renovation of the swimming pool was completed in 2005.
Pupils use the Pool for PE lessons, training, competitions and a variety of extra curricular water based activities such as water polo. Carlile Swimming run Learn-to-Swim Classes for families of The Pittwater House School. For further information about their programme and to make bookings they can be contacted on 9982 7201 between 2pm and 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The central greenspace of the Pittwater House campus is the James Mooney Oval. This facility is used extensively by the whole School as a play space during recess and lunchtimes and also for competitive matches by the Secondary Schools after school and by the Junior Schools on the weekend.
The Strength and Fitness Centre was opened in 2008 and is located in Room M160. The Centre is used by pupils and staff when an appropriately qualified staff member is supervising. All users of the Centre need to have a signed permission note and written medical clearance before being permitted access to the facility.
The Physical Education Faculty and the Grammar and College Fitness Clubs all make use of the facility. Team coaches and managers from a range of School sports also make use of the facilities before and after School and during lunchtimes.
Pittwater House has been affiliated with NewSouth Global since 1994 enabling it to offer the UNSW University Foundation course on its Collaroy campus.
The University of NSW Foundation precinct at Pittwater House can be found at 56 South Creek Road. Pedestrians can enter at 56 South Creek Road and cars can enter at 70 South Creek Road and park in the main School carpark.
Pupils can travel to and from the School campus on the School's own private buses or on the public/government bus services. For information on transport to and from Campus and the Bus Booking Form go to Enrolment Information
