It has been an absolute delight to have engaged with many parents over the past few weeks at the start of the 2026 year. As I have shared, the welcome I have received has been so warm and kind.
In the course of many conversations, I have found some similar themes emerging. Colleagues, students and parents have such pride in their school and I am often asked “What do you think of our school so far?” This is a great question and has given me pause for reflection.
I have a strong belief that schools such as Pittwater House are at their best when they appreciate that they play a vital role in the formation of fantastic human beings. In this sense, I have experienced schools where the emphasis has been on building people. I have always found a more apt metaphor to appreciate that great schools seek to grow people, and in this sense may be more like a garden than a factory. To perform at their best, young people and indeed even us older ones, need the right conditions to grow, thrive and flourish. For plants this is an emphasis on watering the roots, rather than the leaves. For young people this is the creation of an environment that is safe, predictable, caring and nurturing. It is a school context and culture where young people appreciate the rituals and norms, where there is consistency, calm and predictability. Young people are aware of the standards, the aspirations and expectations of them.
So what do I think of Pittwater House as I write, completing my 23rd day as the fourth Principal?
Our school is a rich and vibrant place, there is a dynamic energy here that I have never experienced before. Our students are friendly, curious, welcoming and warm. Our staff and families share values and vision that our young people have brilliant futures, underpinned by the strong foundations of an exceptional educational experience at Pittwater House. Having watched the Australian Open Tennis in recent weeks, I would like to think with the pieces of this puzzle in parlance then “we are through to the semis without dropping a set!” Of course there is much for me to learn from listening and observing and no school is perfect, so there are areas that we can and will improve upon as issues and challenges emerge. The hard work is just beginning, but first impressions count. Warmth, energy, aspiration, care, commitment. Strong Foundations, Brilliant Futures.
Semper Diligens.