Our Staff

There is something special about the way our staff, parents and students engage with one another at Pittwater House.

Our talented and committed teachers nurture and develop each student to help them grow into intelligent, confident and well-rounded adults who are prepared for the challenges of life.

Mr James Walmsley (BEd, MEdLead)

As Acting Principal, Mr Walmsley brings nearly three decades of educational leadership, a deep commitment to student outcomes, and a collaborative approach that fosters growth across the school community.

Mr Walmsley has served Pittwater House with distinction since 1997. As Deputy Principal for 16 years, he has led teaching and learning initiatives across the School, with responsibilities including staff leadership, curriculum design, professional development, and timetable management. His long-standing contribution reflects his deep understanding of educational excellence and his enduring care for students and staff alike.

Mr Walmsley holds a Bachelor of Education (History) from the University of Sydney, a Master of Educational Leadership from Macquarie University, and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration with Southern Cross University.

He is recognised for his expertise in staff development, curriculum innovation, educational leadership and lesson design, and is widely respected for his steady, thoughtful and future-focused leadership.

We believe great teaching begins with great support.

That’s why we place a strong emphasis on staff wellbeing and professional excellence – upholding high standards of practice and nurturing a culture of ongoing growth, goal setting and reflection.

We encourage staff to pursue higher levels of accreditation and postgraduate qualifications.

Our teachers meet fortnightly in dedicated professional learning teams. These collaborative sessions allow staff to share ideas, reflect on outcomes, and learn from each other’s successes to drive continuous improvement across every classroom.

This school-wide commitment to professional excellence raises teaching standards, models lifelong learning and strengthens relationships between staff and students.

Our explicit teaching practices are grounded in evidence. We draw on Cognitive Load Theory, using insights from bran science to craft lessons that support memory and understanding; and Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction, which blend research and real-world results to identify the strategies with the greatest impact on student learning.