The start of the 2022 school year has certainly been unusual in our Junior School, with our very smallest girls - Early Learning Centre (ELC), Reception and Year 1 - joining us on site from Wednesday 2 February - and our Years 2 to 6 girls accessing online learning from home for Weeks 1 and 2.

We were immensely proud of the way our girls engaged with their learning, their teachers, and one another during this time, particularly given they had not had the opportunity to function as a class group with their new teachers.

While this period was successful, it is no surprise we were delighted to welcome the Years 2 to 6 girls back to our classrooms on Monday 14 February, making our Junior School feel whole again. The excitement was palpable as the girls arrived and greeted one another. We know that there were fewer play dates during this last break than usual, given the circumstances, so there was extra joy in being together again.

The week has settled quickly, with teachers and girls adapting to new considerations to the ways we are learning - from taking more opportunities to learn outside, following the strong recommendation related to mask wearing for Years 3 to 6 girls, and using our learning materials on a more individual basis, rather than sharing resources as much as we usually would. It has been lovely to see a return to our co-curricular program, with tennis, Musical Theatre Club and Ballet also commencing this week.

Next week we will finally be able to celebrate our Year 6 leaders, as they are presented with their badges and officially commence their leadership roles for 2022.

The girls leading our Junior School this semester are:

With a focus on celebrating and making the most of the things we are able to do as opposed to those we aren’t, I look forward to the coming term for our ELC and Junior School girls with anticipation. The simple ability for us to be together, to welcome our brand new girls in person, to learn and play, connect and build relationships in an environment that is face to face, is something we feel deeply grateful for.

Introducing Ms Jane Grace

I am delighted to introduce to you Jane Grace, our new Personal Assistant to the Head of Junior School.

Ms Grace works from the Junior School front office. She will the person the girls see when they come in, as well as the person you as parents and caregivers will speak with when you phone the Junior School. Jane comes to us with a wealth of experience in Schools and her warmth, kindness, and exceptional organisational skills are already having an impact on our girls, families, and staff.

‘It is with great excitement that I introduce myself to the Wilderness Community. My name is Jane Grace and I have worked in the education sector for 22 years, starting as a ELC Co-Educator at Pulteney Grammar School. A sea change took me to Sydney where I worked at Wenona School as a Teacher’s Assistant with Kindergarten to Year 2. A brief move to Melbourne to work as a Teachers Assistant in the Reception Learning Studio at Melbourne Girls Grammar. Back to Sydney where I was reemployed at Wenona as the Junior School’s Administration Assistant. Missing my family during COVID, I have relocated back to Adelaide where I have been lucky to be employed as the Personal Assistant to Head of Junior School. I am super excited to be able to get to know your girls, along with assisting families and becoming part of the Wilderness Community.’