PHAA Blog

Hi All,

Normally the incoming president sends their message shortly after taking the helm. Well in my case it's taken a bit longer - but it's worked to my advantage.

Before I go much further, I'd like to thank Cathy Player our outgoing president for all of her hard work over the last few years. Cathy has been tireless in her support and enthusiasm for the Alumni and forging the organisation from a group of interested folks into a fully fledged, incorporated organisation. 

I've taken up the helm with a different focus. In my career, I've found that what I know is just as important as who I know. I'd now like to help those younger members of the Pittwater House Alumni find like-minded people and make something happen whether that be a amateur sports team, the supporters crew of a sports team, group of people with a shared hobby through to o a familiar face in a business meeting. 

With a background in 'nerdy' maths and 'geeky' IT, I appreciated smart technical minds but it took me longer to realise, and then develop, the more interpersonal aspects of how you make your way in the world. I'd like to think I can make that a little easier for our Alumni.

My second focus is to draw the Alumni and school together. The Alumni is now a running concern and whilst we're an independant  organisation, we are still very much interwoven in the fabric of the school. I'd like to make sure that we promote each others causes: the school for setting you up in life, the Alumni for helping to realise your potential.

So to you, the network is open. Even if you don't have fond memories of your school days, the bonds you made are almost indelible - so reach out.

Anthony

Many thanks to Scott Douglas for hosting our first ever business breakfast in his boardroom overlooking Sydney harbour.

At the breakfast we heard a soul searching presentation from Catherine Reynolds Gould about Career Transitions which you can read more about on the PHAA linked in page. 

Anthony Buckton also spoke about social media in business and he too left the attendees with plenty to think about! 

We look forward to making this a regular event on the alumni calendar. 

At the 2015 Mentoring breakfast, we were very happy to present to Mr Peter Browning and Mr Jim Maydo Honorary Life Memberships of the PHAA.

Both have made significant contributions to the school community over the years and it is an honour to count them amoungst our ranks. 

Many thanks to Anthony Buckton, Claudine Cordony and Sebastian Davies Mills for being our Alumni guest speakers at this years Mentoring Breakfast. It's the 3rd year we have put on this event for the soon to be alumni and it continues to prove to be worthwhile. 

Many Thanks to the Rev Butterworth for co-ordinating the event with the school, plus to all the teachers and heads of school who encouraged the students to attend.

Head over to our event page for details about our annual Alumni event being held on Tuesday evening 12th November 2013.

Message from Dr. Nancy Hillier, Principal Pittwater House

Students, past and present, should be the focus of any school. While students are with us every day, it is considerably harder to keep track of graduates.  At Pittwater House we are keen to keep in touch with our Alumni and ensure they still feel part of our wonderful community.

We appreciate that our Alumni help us build our reputation as a great school, through their own success (role models) and through the conversations they have (word of mouth). In a bid to continuously engage with our Alumni and to thank them for their input we are offering graduates a special offer. The Definite Place fee of $1200 has been waived for Alumni. This fee will be waived for each application made i.e. A graduate enrolling three children equals a $3,600 discount on enrollment fees.

As is our motto ‘semper diligens’, Latin for ‘always hardworking’, we continue to work hard to find ways to keep our students (past and present) engaged in the Pittwater House family.

(See what’s happening at the school on the Pittwater House Website… Click here) 

Are you the social glue of your year, volunteer to be the Alumni year coordinator!

To find out more, contact info@pittwaterhousealumni.com with your contact details & your Form 12 leaving year.

Great News! The Year 12 Alumni Breakfast this morning was a total success.

I had a teacher comment to me that it was a “most worthwhile event to attend”– which is exactly what we were hoping for. Judging by the clean plates it appears the Year 12’s also enjoyed their breakfast!

Many thanks to the speakers for sharing their amazing stories:

Scott Douglas, Anthony Buckton, Amy Henderson, Tim Scott, Laura Melrose

And also to the wonderful team who prepared the hall and cooked the breakfast

The Rev, Trish Butterworth, Shane Williamson, Chris & Hamish.

Thanks also to Nancy for supporting the event and extending to us the facilities of the school. Now that we have successfully launched the Alumni Year 12 breakfast, I would like to propose to the PHAA that this becomes an ANNUAL event.

This is a new event being added to the Alumni Calendar and we are very excited by the responses from Alumni and the school.

All Alumni are welcome to attend and it is on from 7.30 to 8.30 am in the school hall.

Come and share your experiences and talk about "what I wish I knew in year 12"