At Wilderness, we take great pride in recognising student achievements both individually and collectively. Recent highlights include the inspiring Round Square trip to Oxford, where students engaged in global collaboration and leadership, and the spirited ‘Do It for Dolly Day’ Prefect Showdown, which united our community in support of kindness and inclusion, while raising funds for this cause.
Alongside these shared moments, we also celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of individual students.
Sarah Mah was recognised at the recent University of Adelaide's Awards and Prize Ceremony. She received her Certificate of Piano (2023), AMusA Diploma (2024), and the Prize for Grade 4 Musicianship (2024). This is a testament to her dedication and musical talent.
In a remarkable accomplishment, Athena-Malar Retnaraja has been awarded her first official chess title, Woman Candidate Master, by the world chess governing body, FIDE. She is the first female junior player (under 21) in South Australia to qualify for this title. Alongside her national girls' championship titles in both classical and blitz chess, Athena is a passionate advocate for supporting and encouraging fellow girls in the chess community.
Kate Hanson
Head of Senior School
Prefect Showdown
The topic of mental health has been prominent in social media in the past month with the initiation of the USC Mind Ice Bucket Challenge, which has made conversations about mental wellbeing a priority. As an SRC team, we value these discussions and recognise its importance with young people, and so decided to support ‘Do It for Dolly Day’ which occurs every year on the May 9. The day raises awareness and supports Dolly’s Dream, a charity which focusses on a ‘kinder world, free from bullying’. On May 9, we hosted Prefect Showdown with St Peter’s College, where the two SRC teams competed in a series of minigames including cake decorating, charades and a lip sync battle. As the two schools came together and demonstrated vulnerability and confidence in front of their peers, we hoped to inspire and encourage the students in our schools to be brave in approaching difficult conversations. We are very proud to announce $550.00 dollars for Dolly’s Dream, which is enough funds to support three school visits to rural communities by Dolly’s Dream.
Niya Singhal
SRC President
Round Square
During the Term 1 holidays, five students took part in the Round Square Inspiring Voices: Big Baraza held at Oxford University. This extraordinary event not only deepened our students' global perspectives but also fostered invaluable connections with educators from around the world.
Through Baraza-style debating, students exchanged views on key global issues that matter in an increasingly unpredictable world. Set in iconic venues like the Oxford Union, Oxford Town Hall and Sheldonian Theatre, the conference was more than just an intellectual exercise – it was a chance for young leaders to sharpen their communication and leadership skills, fostering the importance of skills and dispositions surrounding democracy and collaboration.
Throughout the conference, staff also had the privilege of collaborating with inspiring teachers who shared their insights on nurturing global citizenship in students, the importance of cultural exchange, and how we can collectively shape the future of education. These opportunities highlight the importance for our educators and young people to engage with diverse perspectives as a means of fostering empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving – skills essential to navigate and lead in a globalised world. These connections with both students and educators reinforced my belief that collaboration is key to creating environments that empower our students to be active, informed citizens.
On top of the academic experiences, I lead a cultural sightseeing experience in London, where our students connected with history firsthand. Alongside our Head of Senior School Kate Hanson, students engaged with historical landmarks and cultural icons, providing a pertinent reminder of the incredible potential of such experiential learning moments. We also thank the Head of Global Learning, Stephanie Andrews for her commitment in creating these opportunities for staff and students.
The insights and experiences gained during this trip will continue to shape global learning at Wilderness School, ensuring students are inspired and equipped to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Mathew D’Aloisio
Head of English
