Welcome to 2024. I am delighted to be working with the Senior girls and families in this role. Since commencing at Wilderness two years ago as the Head of English, I have appreciated the warmth, friendliness and sense of community within the School. I am passionate about nurturing and growing the strengths and interests of those in my care and I look forward to supporting the girls further in my new role as Head of Senior School.

Your daughter’s Form teacher and Head of House remain your primary contacts and I welcome open communication should you wish to discuss anything with me. I can be reached via email or phone on (08) 8344 6688.

I look forward to meeting with you at our upcoming events.

Please see below for an overview of key information before the year starts.

Upcoming Events

Monday 29 January
Year 12 Parents’ Information Night
6.00pm – 7.00pm
Gym

We will be discussing SACE requirements, key dates, student support and preparing for a great year ahead.

Friday 2 February
Year 11/12 Formal
6.30pm to 10.30pm
National Wine Centre

We look forward to sharing this much-anticipated event with the Year 11 and 12 girls and their partners.

Monday 5 February
School ID Photographs
Gym

Please ensure girls are dressed in full summer uniform.

Friday 9 February
Parents and Friends Welcome Drinks
6.00pm to 8.30pm
Memorial Lawn

Monday 12 February
Year 12 Dedication Service
8.30am to 10.30am
Gym

All Year 12 parents are invited to this important service and to join us for morning tea afterwards. Please RSVP via TryBooking.

Absentees

If your daughter is absent, please notify the school before 9.00am via SEQTA Engage. This ensures that we can monitor the safety of our students. Attendance at every lesson, including Form, is recorded to ensure the safety of our students. If your daughter is absent without notification, an SMS will be sent. Should your daughter be absent for reasons other than illness, permission should be requested from the relevant Head of School in advance. Further information on absentees can be found on page 22 of the diary.

Assessment Calendars

Assessment calendars are available electronically for all Senior School girls. This is to assist them in managing their study and assessments throughout the term. On page 24 of the diary, the assessment guidelines are explained. It is essential that girls are familiar with these guidelines. Deadlines enable girls to manage their workload, support the teaching and learning cycles and ensure that timely feedback is provided by teachers. Extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances; girls are encouraged to be proactive in discussing any requests with their relevant subject teacher.

Vehicles

Year 12s who have obtained their licence are only permitted to drive to school once their Permission to Drive Form has been lodged with the Senior School Office. Further information can be found about our Student Driver Policy on page 10 in the diary. We ask that girls be mindful of the parking restrictions and local residents in the area; this extends to not parking on Herbert Street and Briar Avenue. Fines are regularly issued by the council and as a community, we wish to work alongside our neighbours.

School ID Photographs

Monday 5 February is School ID photo day. Summer uniform is required. If your daughter is absent on this day, there will be a further opportunity to have her photo taken.