In January, a group of twenty Pittwater House students in Years 8 – 12 embarked on a thrilling 17-day basketball tour across the USA. Spanning three states and multiple experiences, the tour created a lifetime of memories for all involved.

Starting in Texas, students enjoyed VIP tours of iconic landmarks like the Fort Worth Stockyards and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, followed by an electric NBA Mavericks game. The journey continued with visits to the University of Texas, the Capitol Building, and a college basketball game in Houston, including an awe-inspiring experience at the NASA Space Centre.

The students participated in a series of basketball games at four Texan High Schools, which showcased the resilience and spirit of the Pittwater House teams against challenging opponents.

While in the USA, the tour spent four days with Pittwater House’s Sister School of 35 years, the Woodward Academy. The students also explored Atlanta’s Civil Rights Museum and the College Football Hall of Fame, concluding with an exhilarating NBA game.

California was the final stop for the tour with an intense NBA Lakers vs. Clippers game at Crypto Arena, followed by a memorable day at Disneyland and California Adventure Theme Park – the perfect conclusion to this extraordinary USA Basketball Tour.

A contingent of our girls set off for Christchurch late September for our inaugural international Netball Tour. Over the three-day International Netball Festival, our girls played approximately nine games each against teams from Australia, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.

We had teams in each of U13, U15 and U18 groups. The competition was tough; however the girls impressed our coaches and the organisers with their never-say-die attitude.

It was a marvellous learning experience, and we are always so proud of our students’ demeanour and resilience.

The acknowledgements from parents at the conclusion of the trip was much appreciated by the accompanying staff.

Over the Spring Recess, a group of enthusiastic Year 10 and 11 students embarked on a week-long French immersion in Noumea, New Caledonia – a unique opportunity to live the language they’ve been studying in the classroom.

From their first interaction at the airport to conversations with locals in shops and cafés, students embraced the challenge of speaking French in real-world contexts.

The week combined structured language lessons with rich cultural experiences. A standout moment was a visit to the stunning Phare Amédée, where students snorkelled in the world’s second-largest lagoon and encountered New Caledonia’s extraordinary marine life. They also explored the region’s cultural heritage, to learn about the traditions of the Indigenous Kanak people, discovering the national bird (the cagou), and tracing the island’s ties to Australia during World War II.

By the end of the week, every student had grown – not only in their language skills, but in independence, courage and cultural understanding.

As one student put it:
“J’ai adoré le moment où j’ai réussi à commander un sundae aux biscuits en français toute seule.”
“I loved the moment where I managed to order a cookie sundae in French all by myself.” – Elsa, C10.

Another reflected:
“J’adore nager avec les tortues et regarder tous les coraux, j’ai aussi adoré apprendre l’histoire de la culture. C’était aussi très drôle quand nous parlions aux locaux.”
“I loved swimming with turtles and looking at the coral. I also loved learning about the culture. It was very funny when we talked to local people.” – Suzie, CG11.

For these students, Noumea offered far more than a classroom without walls. It was an invitation to live the language – and discover the confidence that comes from simply giving it a go.

In April, 29 students from Years 9 to 11 embarked on a remarkable 14-day European History Tour exploring key sites across Germany and Italy that brought their classroom studies vividly to life.

The tour began in Germany, where students developed a deeper understanding of the social and political forces that shaped the 1930s. Visits to sites such as Dachau Concentration Camp and the Nuremberg Rally Grounds offered powerful, firsthand insights into the rise of Hitler and the impact of totalitarian rule.

The journey continued south into Italy, where ancient civilisations took centre stage. Walking the preserved streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum, students experienced the legacy of the Roman Empire and the profound stories preserved beneath volcanic ash.

The final stop was Rome, and in a truly extraordinary moment in time, the group arrived just as news broke of Pope Francis’ death. The group visited The Vatican the very next morning, and in a poignant coincidence, Ms Maloney’s hotel room overlooked the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis was laid to rest.

Throughout the trip, students demonstrated outstanding maturity, enthusiasm and respect – qualities that made the experience enriching not only for themselves but for the staff who accompanied them.

We extend our sincere thanks to the tour leaders for their commitment and care, especially during the holiday period. Their efforts, and the students’ attitude and engagement, ensured this tour was far more than a sightseeing trip. It was a transformational learning experience that will stay with all involved for years to come.

In June 2024, nine cadet students from Years 8 to 11 undertook an extraordinary 11-day, 138km journey along the historic Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, retracing one of the most challenging and revered military campaigns in Australian history.

Led by experienced Adventure Kokoda trek leader, Major Scott Babington, the group travelled from Kokoda to Imita Ridge, following the path of Australian soldiers who fought against overwhelming odds during World War II. Along the way, Major Babington shared powerful insights into the battles, bravery, and endurance that defined the Kokoda campaign.

The physical demands of the trek were immense. Steep ascents, rugged jungle terrain, and humid conditions tested every student’s limits. But more than a test of stamina, the journey became a lesson in resilience, teamwork and perspective.

Students listened, reflected, and walked in the footsteps of those who served with courage and sacrifice.

The journey concluded with a deeply moving visit to the Bomana War Cemetery, where students honoured the memory of those who never returned home.

Each student knelt before a headstone and made a personal commitment to strive for their best in life – carrying forward the values they encountered along the track: courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice.

The Kokoda Trek offered far more than adventure. It left each student changed: stronger in body, deeper in spirit, and more connected to Australia’s past and their own potential.