The Pittwater House Preparatory School for boys was founded late in 1961 by Rex Morgan, AM MBE. It opened in the Thomas Vickers Church Hall in Curl Curl in February 1962 with just six little boys. Pupil numbers quickly grew leading to the purchase of land in Collaroy in 1964 that today houses the extended Pittwater House Schools campus and associated facilities.
To meet popular demand the Junior Girls College was founded in 1977. Small class sizes and commitment to the individual by the dedicated teaching staff are the key factors by which the two Junior Schools are judged to be one of the best environments for Kindergarten to Year 6 education in the State.
The twin school environment allows boys and girls to be taught in their single-gender classes throughout the Junior School whilst socializing on the same campus. When advantageous the classes may come together for grade and stage group activities or for streamed work in literacy and numeracy. The Junior School encompasses the Early Childhood Centre through to Form 4 and is headed by Mrs Ruth Achurch.
Pittwater House support a number of charities each year, in 2010 we have selected the following charities:
Throughout the year we will be raising funds and support for these organizations to assist with the good work they do for sick children and their families.
An essential part of every child’s education is to experience as much success as possible in their school day, and indeed, their school life. At the Pittwater House Schools, every opportunity is provided for this to be the case for each pupil in our care: The spacious physical environment allows the pupils to explore their own space in a social and physical context. The quality educational programmes allow pupils to pursue interests, develop a love of learning, and strive for excellence. The caring and nurturing pastoral programmes allow for pupils to safely express their feelings and opinions comfortably and confidently as well as develop a sense of awareness of the needs of their peers. Of course this is not to say that pupils will not experience some disappointment, this is a fact of life, however, they will be prepared to acknowledge this and through careful guidance, accept, build resilience, and learn to keep trying.
Our aim at is to provide a well-balanced educational experience for all young people. This is also achieved by providing excellent facilities such as the Early Childhood Centre, state of the art technology in all Junior School classrooms, staff who are passionate, and dedicated to educating the children in their care and pupil leaders who set an excellent example for their peers.
Parent support is highly valued and parents are encouraged to visit class events, attend regular activities such as Chapel and School Assembly and participate in the special events scheduled throughout the school year.
Clear communication is essential between home and school. This is achieved through the School Diary Planner, the MyHouse portal, notes and letters to and from home, all of which create a reliable system that both families and the School use for the benefit of pupils’ progress. Individual pupil progress is carefully explained in the School Reports which go home at mid-year and end-of-year for all boys and girls from the ECC to Form 6. Parents are formally interviewed at least twice a year by their child's teacher. The new layer of communication through the portal will play a greater role in school/parent dialogue, however, face-to-face meetings, interviews and attendance at events is still strongly encouraged.
The Junior School reflects the philosophy of small class sizes assisting in the individualisation of teaching programmes so that teachers have the opportunity to design learning experiences to suit the range of needs in their room. Small class sizes have been recognised as important and the School is proud of the fact that Pittwater House adopted this policy across the whole School, K to 12, many years ago thanks to the philosophy of the Founder, Mr Rex Morgan.
Pittwater House has developed a reputation as a centre of educational excellence where pupils consistently achieve outstanding academic and sporting results.
Ruth M Achurch
