Year 9 Drama – The Grove

Congratulations to our talented Year 9 Drama students on their wonderful production of The Grove. Their creativity, commitment and collaborative spirit were evident throughout the performance, with students demonstrating confidence and impressive theatrical skills on stage. We are very proud of the hard work they put into bringing this production to life and thank the Drama Department and everyone involved in supporting such a successful performance.

Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our students who entered the 2026 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize, a prestigious competition open to Year 9 and Year 10 students across South Australia.

The judging panel, comprising representatives from South Australia’s three education sectors, the History Teachers Association of South Australia, Virtual War Memorial Australia and the Returned and Services League of South Australia (RSL SA), were highly impressed by the quality of submissions received this year.

We are pleased to announce that Adelaide Grosser has been shortlisted for an interview, representing the next stage of the selection process. Being shortlisted is a significant achievement and recognises the quality of her submission. We look forward to hearing the results of the process.

Congratulations also to Jessica Mah, who received a Participation Award for her contribution to the competition.

We congratulate both students on their involvement in this important opportunity to explore and reflect on Australia’s wartime history and the significance of the Anzac legacy.

Music Achievements

We congratulate Skye Aung on her outstanding musical achievements this year.

At the Adelaide Eisteddfod 2026, Skye achieved excellent results across both flute and violin, receiving:

• First Prize in the Flute Solo Grade 5 section
• Second Prize in the 12–13 Years Violin or Viola Solo section

These achievements reflect Skye's dedication, skill and commitment to her musical studies across multiple instruments.

We also congratulate the Wilderness Senior Quartet, of which Skye is a member, on receiving a Highly Commended award at the Adelaide Eisteddfod.

We are proud to celebrate Skye's success and the continued achievements of our student musicians.

SAETA Young Writers Awards

Wilderness School students achieved outstanding success at the SAETA Young Writers Awards on Friday evening, receiving awards, prize money and a copy of the 2026 anthology in recognition of their exceptional writing.

Congratulations to:

• Maryam Cedra Sawad, recipient of the Elizabeth Butler Prize for her poem The Weight of Symmetry.
• Noor Jilaihawi, awarded 1st Place in the Years 7–8 Poetry category for You Call Him Refugee.
• Kaitlyn Tran, who received a Highly Commended award in the Years 7–8 Poetry category for Australia's Velvet Curtain.
• Lulu Jilaihawi, awarded 3rd Place in the Years 4–6 Poetry category for Whole Galaxy.

A special mention goes to Maryam Cedra Sawad. The Elizabeth Butler Prize is traditionally awarded to senior students, making her achievement particularly noteworthy. In their comments, the judges described The Weight of Symmetry as a “stark and confronting poem about the effects of racism in Australia” and praised the “fearlessness” of Cedra’s writing.

The judges also commended Noor Jilaihawi’s winning poem, You Call Him Refugee, describing it as “a deeply moving depiction of the refugee experience in Australia written with a lightness of touch and evocative scene-setting”.

These results are a wonderful recognition of the talent, creativity and insight of our young writers, and we congratulate all four students on their achievements.

The Weight of Symmetry
By Maryam Cedra Sawad

She sits in second row,
hands together,
knees together,
proudly wearing the headscarf
she spent half an hour pinning in place.

The photographer —
ginger bearded,
looks up from the camera,
tilts his head.
Something’s not right.

“Take that thing off – it’s ruining my symmetry.”
Symmetry is sacred.
Faith is sacrilege.
The camera demands compliance,
reverent congruence.

Even eight-year-olds must blend in,
unobtrusively be the same;
mingle in.
Silently
submit
to the melting pot.

Unuttered uniformity
is soundlessly celebrated.
Uniform.

It is the 11th of September:
she doesn’t comprehend
the silent accusations,
the shadowed whispers,
the eyes that weigh her every move.

“I must be doing something very bad.”
The guilt of the guiltless.
Condemned. Vilified. Pilloried.
And yet, she’s only eight.

Blame blooms best in the young,
nourished in the fertile care
of guilt, of hatred.

It's an innocent truth:
In the storm of human condition,
homogeneity is a comforting shelter,
built on the altar of difference.
Alas.

Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Service Learning

As part of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, our Year 9 students have been engaging in meaningful service-learning experiences that allow them to contribute to the community while developing empathy, leadership and a deeper understanding of social responsibility.

Each Form has partnered with a different organisation, providing students with valuable opportunities to learn about community needs and the work of local charities and support services.

Students in 9 Cedar participated in an incursion with the RSPCA, learning about animal welfare and the important role the organisation plays in caring for and advocating for animals.

9 Carob visited Puddle Jumpers, gaining insight into the support provided to children and families experiencing disadvantage and exploring ways they can contribute to positive outcomes for young people.

Through an incursion with KickStart for Kids, 9 Antholiza students discovered how the organisation supports vulnerable children through breakfast programs and other practical initiatives that help students thrive at school.

Finally, 9 Sparaxis welcomed representatives from Anglicare, who shared information about the wide range of services they provide to support individuals, families and communities across South Australia.

These experiences have encouraged students to think critically about the needs of others and the positive impact that service can have on the community. We look forward to seeing our Year 9 students continue to develop their commitment to service as they progress through their Duke of Edinburgh Award journey. Thank you to the Outdoor Education Team and the teachers who made these experiences possible.

Here is a short reflection from the 9 Amaryllis Form Representatives, Millie Duncan and Olivia Hooper, on their experience:

"As part of our Bronze Duke of Ed School Service, Amy Form visited The Village Co to help pack care bags for mothers and their newborn babies who may not be able to afford essential items before giving birth. We packed bags with items such as shampoo, conditioner, nappies and other important baby and personal care products. As a Form, we also wrote cards and collected donations from Middle School students before attending The Village Co. It was a rewarding experience that allowed us to support families who may be going through a hard time. We enjoyed working together and knowing that our time and effort would make a positive difference to others!"

Middle School Social Photos

Social photos are now available. Register via the QR code below to purchase photos from the event.