Term 2 is underway, and it was wonderful to see all the girls return to school last week. Over the last two weeks, I hope you have taken the opportunity to check in with your daughter's teachers at the two Parent Teacher Interview sessions. As always, if you are concerned or have questions, please feel free to contact relevant teachers.

Last Thursday, the girls enjoyed perfect running conditions for the annual Inter-House Cross Country Carnival held at the Parklands. Mia Cardone (Year 10), Sarah Muir (Year 11) and Ella Beinssen (Year 12) are congratulated for winning their respective age groups, as are the girls of Antholiza House for winning the Begg Family Trophy.

While I am sure that everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather over the Anzac Day long weekend, it is important that we acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the service men and women who gave so much to ensure that we have the freedom and lifestyle we have today. Inside the Newman Theatre Foyer, are the names of the Wilderness Old Scholars who served in World War I and II. It is important that we remember them and give thanks for their bravery and service.

At the Middle and Senior School Assembly this week, student leaders of the ‘Girl Up’ Club provided key information about the Club and what they are setting out to achieve this week. ‘Girl Up’ is an initiative founded by the United Nations to enable like-minded people to collaborate and advocate for change. The Club’s focus in 2021 is Gender Equality and stressed the importance of education and employment opportunities for girls. The girls highlighted that female-led countries have suffered half as many COVID-19 deaths on average compared to male-led countries, yet, in 2021, women earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men and the impact of this on the economy.

On Tuesday this week, our Year 11 and 12 Physics classes and other interested girls attended a presentation by Stephen Spotts from ProTom International. He provided the girls with invaluable insight into the world of medical technology and STEM.

Wilderness School and St Peter’s College will again co-host a ‘Sony Foundation Camp’ held in the St Peter’s College Boarding House from Saturday 26 to Tuesday 28 September, 2021. The camp involves hosting 15 primary school-aged students who have a significant disability to provide respite care for their families. 15 girls from Year 11 will be carers and a companion over the three-day camp. Five Year 10 Girls will have the opportunity to be involved in the camp as helpers, setting up activities during the camp. Girls have been provided with the Nomination Form to submit their expression of interest. This needs to be given to Mrs Bess Smith by Friday 14 May.

In line with the aims of the Sony Camp, I was thrilled to witness last week several of the girls who are undertaking the Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh Award involved in ‘Fun in the Wilderness'. This program will run for all of Term 2 on Tuesday evenings, where the girls will provide a range of activities for foster care students, including art and craft, sport and gardening. It is wonderful to see service activities being undertaken and an active form of responsible citizenship taking place.

Spotlight on Science

Science at Year 10 involves students rotating through each field of science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) via a trimester program delivered by specialist teachers. Based on the Australian National Curriculum, this program allows each girl to gain the knowledge, skills, insight and understanding she needs to decide which field excites her, in order to pursue her studies of science in her senior years.

We have access to Stile, which provides the benefits of a science textbook through interactive Science lessons. One such experience that was planned for two Chemistry classes was an Escape Room. Stile’s escape rooms are immersive, hands-on experiences to help engage students in science through trying to solve a series of challenges, drawing on scientific knowledge from a range of different disciplines.

Our girls had 45 minutes to complete a series of challenges 'to prevent a catastrophe in a lab where scientists are trying to synthesise the next new element 119'. This gave the girls an opportunity to learn about the periodic table’s history and organisation using chemical symbols and atomic numbers to unlock codes through problem-solving.

It was very engaging and inclusive.
It made us think outside the box and was a nice/fun way to introduce us to the topic.
Arabella Day, Lily Craig and Imogen Beadman

The Escape Room was a really enjoyable way to end our Chemistry unit. It combined everything we had learnt in the past term, such as the pH levels of different substances, in a fun and collaborative way. The tension was kept high through dramatic music, and everyone had a competitive spirit which made this activity extremely engaging.
Allegra Kleinig

Fun, engaging and made us think.
Amelia Shepard

It was fun and engaging and a good way to expose us to the different parts of Chemistry relating to the periodic table. It was challenging but rewarding.
Millie Gosse and Scarlett Johns

It was an engaging and fun way to start the Chemistry unit.
Liv Roberts, Lauren Seeto and Ella Ji

Maria Criaris
Teacher