It has been wonderful welcoming our girls back to school for the start of their next academic term. Already, they have enjoyed an array of opportunities. Today has been no exception as Carob hosted their House fundraising day in support of Nepal. Middle and Senior school girls came to school dressed as their favourite fairyland creature and enjoyed sweet treats and a ‘nibbly nacho fairy feast’.

One of the special aspects of a Wilderness education is the sense of belonging that each girl experiences, particularly within her House. Often described as their ‘family at school’, each girl is encouraged to grow and develop outside of the classroom. The positive relationships built, and the connections made across various year levels are central to the growth of each girl’s confidence, as her unique individual talents and interests are not only supported but truly encouraged by her peers. It is during these times that I love watching our girls flourish and shine.

On Tuesday evening, I had an opportunity to speak to our Middle and Senior School parents about the ‘learning that matters’ for students now and into the future. We discussed the initiatives we are implementing to provide girls with a contemporary curriculum that ensures they are industry ready, well-rounded graduates, equipped with the skills they will need to succeed in their personal and professional lives. In developing this curriculum, we are committed to opening opportunities for girls to learn about the potential for women to pursue both traditional and non-traditional career pathways. Many exciting partnerships and connections are being established to give our girls access to some of the emerging industries in South Australia including Cyber and Space.

We were pleased to welcome Stephen Spotts, President and CEO of ProTom International, to the School on Tuesday. Stephen provided our Year 10, 11 and 12 Physics students with invaluable insight into STEM specialties and the applicable degrees. Specific jobs in the medical technology world, such as medical physicists and systems engineers, provide challenging and interesting career trajectories for women both here in Adelaide in the new SAHMRI 2 development and internationally. We look forward to seeing which of our girls explore this area in their tertiary studies.

This week also included our first Wilderness Old Scholars Industry Forum event - A Digital Future: Embracing Change & Opportunity in STEM Industries. It was wonderful to introduce our old scholar panel Kathy Nicholson (1994), Elsinore Mann (1999), Natalie Redmond (2008) and Sarah Damin (2017), who shared their wealth of knowledge as women in STEM through a Q&A session over breakfast. Over the course of the year, the Wilderness Old Scholars’ Association plans to hold more of these events. Focusing on various industries, they will provide an opportunity for our old scholars to connect professionally and current students with the ability to hear and see women in their respective fields.

As the term continues to take shape, I look forward to furthering opportunities to connect with our parents at upcoming school events and sharing your daughters’ learning journey with you.