Introducing our new Head of Junior School
We are delighted to welcome Ms Ainslie Breckenridge as the new Head of Junior School at Pittwater House.
With nearly thirty years of experience in education at schools including Redlands and Barker, Ms Breckenridge brings with her a passion for whole-child development, a deep understanding of student wellbeing, and a commitment to fostering strong partnerships with families and staff.
“It’s a joy to be part of such a vibrant and caring school,” Ms Breckenridge says. “What struck me immediately was the genuine warmth of the community, and the way the HEROIC values are more than just words on a wall – they’re lived every day by staff and students.”
“Children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and truly known by their teachers. That’s when they feel confident enough to take risks, explore new ideas and grow into capable, curious learners.
“My goal is for every student, from Pre-Kindy to Year 6, to feel empowered to step outside their comfort zone, embrace challenge and discover who they are as learners and as people. By the time they transition to Senior School, I want them to do so as confident, happy and well-prepared young individuals.”
We look forward to the next chapter in our Junior School’s journey under Ms Breckenridge’s guidance and welcome her as part of the Pittwater House family.
Our Discovery Hub
A place of wonder for our youngest learners
Our Discovery Hub for Stage 1 students – consisting of Pre-Kindy, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 boys and girls – is located in a safe, purpose-built space on the Pittwater House campus.
Our Pre-Kindy students learn in a large, bright classroom with its own secure outdoor learning area, while our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students have access to a purposefully designed outdoor learning area within the Discovery Hub, in addition to the supervised Junior School playground within the Pittwater House campus.
Access to a broad range of facilities
Conveniently, the Discovery Hub location offers our youngest students easy access to the broader school facilities within our large, green 3.5 hectare campus, including:
- The 25m heated pool, where Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students participate in Learn to Swim lessons
- The Library for weekly lessons and book borrowing
- The Canteen, where our two on-site chefs prepare nutritious lunch orders delivered to the Discovery Hub
- The Great Hall, used for fun events like Book Parade and Junior School Assemblies
- The Performing Arts Centre for weekly Dance, Music and Drama lessons
- The Sports Centre and tennis courts for weekly PDHPE lessons
- The Health Centre, staffed by registered nurses
- After-School-Care, available until 5:30pm for students for Pre-Kindy – Year 6.
A school with a unique structure
Our unique structure offers the best of both worlds – staged single-gender learning with the balance and social benefits of a co-educational campus.
But what happens in Stage 1?
Students in Pre-Kindy, Kindergarten and Year 1 start their educational journey learning in a co-ed environment.
From Year 2 onwards, boys and girls transition into single-gender classes in preparation for their move into the broader Junior School, where all classes from Years 3 to 6 remain single-gender.
Excellence in teaching & learning
Our explicit, evidence-based teaching methods help our little learners develop into students that can understand deeply, think critically, and apply their learning with confidence.
Pre-Kindy curriculum
The Pre-Kindy curriculum centres on foundation skills and knowledge to prepare the students for a successful transition into Kindergarten.
Using a combination of the Early Learning Years Framework and elements of NESA’s Early Stage 1 core Key Learning Areas, the curriculum acknowledges that play is the best vehicle for early learning as it provides the most appropriate stimuli for brain development.
Expert Teaching Staff
The curriculum is delivered by the class teacher, an assistant and a combination of specialist teachers in:
- Sport
- Music
- Library
- Languages
To prepare for their Kindergarten transition, students also participate in a pre-literacy program that develops skills necessary for reading and writing.
This breadth offers a rich and diverse learning environment that nurtures curiosity and growth.
Kindergarten – Year 2 curriculum
For our Junior School students, we develop lessons in line with the NESA syllabus and their six key learning areas:
- Creative Arts
- English
- Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
- Library?
- Mathematics
- Physical Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Science and Technology.
This syllabus is enhanced with subjects taught by specialist teachers in:
- Dance
- Drama
- Language (French and Mandarin)
- Music and Choir
- Physical Education and Health.
These classes are typically delivered in specialty classrooms on the broader Pittwater House campus.