The Junior School has been a very busy place in the past few weeks and this pace looks to continue as we draw towards the end of Term 1.

We have hosted our ELC to Year 6 Parent Teacher Interviews this week, with parents meeting their daughters’ teachers to discuss their learning and wellbeing thus far and planned next steps. These are always a wonderful opportunity for both parents and teachers to share their thinking and observations about each girl to ensure a strong and valuable partnership between home and school. Thank you to the ELC and Junior School teachers and parents for their preparation for and participation in this process.

Our Year 4 girls participated in a ‘Compost and Living Soil’ show this week, with presenters coming in to facilitate two highly engaging and interactive workshops. This linked with the current Year 4 learning in Science and Humanities, relating to sustainability.

Please be on the lookout in the coming weeks for information coming home about this year’s Oliphant Science Awards. Available to girls in Reception to Year 6, these awards are an opportunity for our girls to engage in independent research, a presentation or to share their skills in showcasing their learning in the Sciences by entering this competition. Information will be shared via email.

Friendology in the Junior School

Our Junior School classes continue to undertake learning in our new friendship curriculum, Friendology. Designed to teach our girls about healthy relationships and how to manage conflict in respectful ways, as well as what to do when conflict continues, Friendology is a program we are deeply invested in as a Junior School community. You should have received a ‘Save the Date’ flyer from your daughter’s class teacher this week, advertising an online workshop for parents and their daughters, coming up on Wednesday 22 May. This is an online workshop which you will be able to engage in from the comfort of your own home.

Next Friday 5 April, we will be celebrating our learning in this area with a ‘Day of Friendship’ in the Junior School. This will involve all year levels participating in a range of activities that explore and celebrate our new and developing skills in navigating friendships. I look forward to sharing photographs after this day with you.

Head of Junior School

Lastly, as per Belinda Arnfield’s communication on Monday, I wish to acknowledge that I will be on leave for Terms 2 and 3. While it feels very much like handing over something incredibly precious during this time, I know that the Junior School girls, staff and families will be in excellent hands with Gina Kadis stepping in as Acting Head of Junior School. Gina is a highly experienced educator and educational leader who truly understands girls’ education. I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to take this special time with my family, all the while knowing that someone wonderful will be taking care of all things Junior School in my absence. I know you will join me in welcoming Gina to Wilderness and our Junior School community.

Wishing each of you a wonderful upcoming Easter break and, beyond that, a restful April holidays. May it include time to rejuvenate with those you love most.