What makes us different?
With so many excellent schools in our area, it’s only natural to ask – what sets Pittwater House apart?
The answer lies in a unique blend of structure, values, teaching, and environment. We offer staged single-gender learning within a co-ed campus, combining academic focus with balanced social development. Our HEROIC Core Values shape every aspect of school life, while our explicit, research-based teaching builds real understanding and confidence. All on a spacious, green campus designed for every stage of learning.
Our unique structure: the best of both worlds
Our unique structure offers students the best of both worlds – staged single-gender learning with the balance and social benefits of a co-educational campus – so your child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally at every stage of their school journey.
What that means in the classroom
Pre-Kindy – Year 1
Co-educational classes in our purpose-built Discovery Hub foster social development through learning and play.
Years 2 – 8
Single-gender classrooms match students’ natural developmental stages and learning styles from Junior into Senior schooling.
Years 9 – 10
Core classes remain single-gender, while electives are co-ed – supporting a smooth transition to the final stage of schooling.
Years 11 – 12
All classes become co-educational, preparing students for life beyond school.
What that means beyond the classroom
In pastoral programs
Form classes, the cornerstone of our pastoral care programs, are single-gender from Year 2 until Year 10. This ensures a nurturing and safe environment where students feel comfortable raising sensitive issues.
On occasion, if the program is best suited to a mixed audience of boys and girls, students will be brought together.
In Years 11 and 12, form classes become co-ed to prepare our students for life beyond school.
In co-curricular activities
Certain co-curricular activities are co-ed (bands, choirs, drama, cadets, clubs, athletics academy and swim squad); yet many of our sporting teams are single-gender.
Click the links below to read more about our Junior School and Senior School co-curricular opportunities.
In the playground
During breaks, our campus becomes a co-ed environment where students are free to socialise and mix with one another.
Our expansive grounds are big enough to facilitate dedicated playgrounds for students of all ages to run, play and relax.
Our core values – HEROIC in every sense
At Pittwater House, our values are the compass that guides our students and staff every day.
Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, in the community, or on stage – these values shape the way our students learn, lead, and grow.
Our motto
Semper Diligens: ‘Always Hardworking’.
It underpins the attitude to which we apply ourselves each day in all that we do.
Honesty and Integrity
We challenge our community to develop and practise the qualities of kindness, honesty, moral courage and good character.
Excellence
We aspire to excellence in effort, determination and dedication in academics and all our endeavours.
Respect and Care
We nurture and model respect and care in self, others and our environment. We respect and care for individuals for who they are.
Origins
We celebrate the journey of our traditions.
Innovation
We encourage originality, enquiry, risk-taking and critical thinking where students have the courage to imagine.
Community
We connect our students, families, staff and alumni.
Read our Prospectus
Child safety: Our first priority
We are uncompromising in our commitment to child protection and student safety.
Key safeguards include:
- Rigorous child protection policies and clear codes of conduct
- Mandatory Working with Children Checks and training for all staff, contractors and Board members
- Structured screening and onboarding for all volunteers and third-party providers
- A culture of student voice, where children’s views are listened to with respect.
“Our staff work hard to ensure our students feel connected, safe and secure, so they can actively participate in their learning to achieve the best physical, emotional, social and educational outcomes.”
Child safe values and principles
- All children have the right to be safe
- The safety and protection of our students is everyone’s responsibility
- Our students’ welfare and well-being are paramount
- Our various codes of conduct set clear expectations of behaviour for all those working with our students.
- Procedures to screen all employees, volunteers, third party contractors and external stakeholders begins before their engagement.
- Working with children checks and training are a requirement for all employees, third party contractors, and Board members.
- Our Child Protection Policy is robust and well communicated and understood by staff, the accompanying Child Protection Procedure is a clear and simple communication tool.
- Student voice is important to us, students voices, views and opinions are listened to with respect and taken seriously.
Teaching that makes a difference
At Pittwater House, we use clear, structured and evidence-based teaching to help every student succeed. Our lessons are guided by proven research, ensuring students build deep understanding and confidence at every stage.
Our teachers are passionate professionals who personalise learning and foster real-world skills – from critical thinking to collaboration – preparing students not just for exams, but for life.
Our large, green campus
Set across 3.5 hectares of green space, our campus offers modern learning environments, dedicated play areas, and specialist facilities that support every stage of a student’s journey – from Pre-Kindy to Year 12:
- Specialist learning spaces
- Creative and performing arts facilities
- Sports facilities
- Play and leisure areas
- Safe and convenient transport options
- On-site student services.