It is hard to believe we are already halfway through Term 1 and, with restrictions lifting across the state, we have been able to safely manage some of the implications this has had for the School and finally offer some wonderful excursions.

Many of our girls kicked off the week with exciting and, most importantly, adventurous learning opportunities outside of the classroom. This included our Year 7 Camp Day Trips and Year 9 Inspire: Creative Product Design excursion to the JamFactory, both of which have encouraged our girls to step outside their comfort zones and extend their skills and abilities.

Last Friday, we were incredibly proud of Year 12 student Anesha Rahman and Year 11 student Allegra Kleinig who were among 24 students from public, independent and Catholic schools across South Australia taking part in Teen parliament, a new initiative by The Advertiser to ensure young people are heard. The girls’ ability to contribute, explore current social and political issues and confidently develop their advocacy and take action is exceptional.

Throughout each girl’s Wilderness journey and, more broadly, her life, she will think deeply about her interpersonal relationships. Not just the relationship she will have at school and in her community but also with the world – a world that is ever-changing.

Our girls have had to process the challenges and changes of a global pandemic and, unfortunately, are now facing the added uncertainty of conflict in Europe, which dominates the current news cycle.

As parents, we naturally want to protect our children. Still, the reality is they may be exposed to information about the Ukraine conflict or the Queensland floods and may be curious, fearful or have questions.

To support you in having these conversations with your daughter, our School Psychologist, Ms Emma Thompson and School Counsellor, Mrs Julie Blackwell, have put together a support material which you can access here. It offers some tips on dealing with this issue and their contact details if you wish to receive further advice.

Community Engagement

On Monday I had the opportunity to attend the Parents and Friends’ Association (P&F) Annual General Meeting, where I heard President, Jen Guest, speak about the importance of feeling connected and supporting those within our community.

As a truly family orientated school, one of the P&F strategies is to create opportunities for parents in each year level to feel connected outside of the classroom.

To achieve this goal, the P&F is still seeking a number of parents to take on the roles of Co-Class Representative. Together our class representatives are invited to organise non-compulsory social events for both our girls and their parents with the aim to foster current relationships and create new ones.

If you are a parent with a daughter in Annies, Mamies, Years 2 to 5 or Years 7 to 12, the P&F would love to have you on board. If you think this is a role you would enjoy, please complete the Nomination Form, and a P&F representative will be in touch with you shortly.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is almost upon us, with a 2022 theme of #BreakTheBias.

Next Tuesday 8 March, the IWD campaign will call for a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination - a world where difference is valued and celebrated.

To celebrate the occasion, we will have a whole school online IWD Assembly on Monday 7 March. This will be followed by our Student Representative Council joining the Senior Leadership Executive for Breakfast on Friday 11 March as they virtually attend the Adelaide IWD Breakfast Event.

International Women’s Day has always been an important event in the Wilderness School Calendar. It presents an opportunity to celebrate women's achievements and considers our role in striving for a more inclusive world.

Kind regards

Belinda Arnfield
Interim Principal