I often talk to girls and their parents about the importance of giving back to their communities. To embrace opportunities that reinforce our strategic intent to ‘build the capacity of each student to lead and have agency in their personal and professional life’.

Opportunities like last week's SA Teen Parliament, which I watched online with interest as Anesha Rahman (Year 12) and Allegra Kleinig (Year 11) took part, overseen by Dan Cregan, Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly. This arose from the girls participating in The Advertiser’s Big Ideas competition, sharing their thoughts ahead of the state election of building a Bigger, Better South Australia.

Anesha had the honour of starting the sitting by reading the Acknowledgement of Country and sharing her passion for a culturally inclusive future for South Australia.

Allegra shared her idea for a recreation hub alive with art, music and play over the railways adjacent to the Torrens. She stressed her desire for Adelaide to become the number one most liveable city in the world. Both girls were worthy representatives and should be proud of their selection in the final 25 finalists.

I congratulate all girls who took part in this competition for being brave and sharing their ideas to make South Australia a great place to live.

Last weekend it was wonderful to be able to head down to West Lakes to watch our girls row in the SA State Rowing Championships. It was an incredibly successful weekend for the Wilderness Rowing Club, winning eight State Championships. I congratulate all girls and their coaches on their performances and look forward to the Head of the River on Saturday 19 March.

I was thrilled to learn this week of Devika Mukherjee’s (Year 11) selection in the South Australian Schools' Debating Team, which will travel to Canberra in May for the National Championships. This is an impressive achievement that speaks to her well-developed communication and critical thinking skills as well as her broad general knowledge. We look forward to following Devika’s progress over the next few months.

This week a number of Year 12 girls took part in the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) Program. P.A.R.T.Y. aims to help teenagers understand risks, choices and consequences. Teenagers undergo a period of enormous change characterised by physiological, cognitive, psychological, financial and social changes. They are increasingly experiencing more freedom, but also more responsibility, particularly once they obtain their driver’s licence.

While it is wonderful that we are slowly seeing a sense of normality returning to the School's programs, we can not take for granted the commitment by all members of the community to be COVID safe.

This needs to continue so we can enjoy the opportunities highlighted above to ensure all girls can gain the most out of their education at Wilderness.