At the heart of education lies not just the acquisition of knowledge but the cultivation of curiosity, resilience and independent thought. As educators we are increasingly focussed on nurturing learners who are not only well-informed but also reflective and adaptable, skills essential in a rapidly evolving world. By encouraging critical thinking and fostering a genuine engagement with ideas we aim to support each girl in developing both confidence and a strong sense of purpose in their learning journey. This commitment is evident in the way our students engage with opportunities beyond the classroom. Niya Singhal, for example, recently spoke at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia’s event Reskilling Revolution: Preparing for the Future Workforce Landscape, where she concluded the panel discussion by summarising key insights and offering her perspective as a young adult, an articulate contribution that underscored the value of student voice in shaping conversations about the future world of work. Similarly, Saanvi Khanna and Ada Qian demonstrated intellectual curiosity through their participation in the Australasian Neuroscience Society's Brain Bee Challenge last term and have since been invited to the SA State Final. These examples reflect the richness of learning that occurs when students are encouraged to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Study Skills and Exam Preparation

During Week 6, the Year 11 girls had the opportunity to engage with a range of sessions held by Elevate Education. The optional sessions were held during study periods, focussing on topics such as time management, revising for exams with confidence and study skills.

Year 11 mid-year exams will be held in Week 8. Subject teachers will be providing girls with information about the areas they need to revise. The Year 11 girls will be given a day of SWOT VAC on Friday 13 June. This day should be used to prepare for examinations.

Year 12 Update

As the temperature has started to drop, with Winter now here, the girls enjoyed some time spent together in the Common Room, with a surprise of hot chips delivered for lunch. The Year 12s also celebrated Halfway Day with popcorn, videos of old concerts and a Kahoot.

As we work towards the second half of the year, the longer assignments and external assessments will start to become a focus for the girls. It is essential that the girls plan their time well and work at these large pieces consistently.

The mid-year, Year 12 exams will be held in the first week of Term 3. The girls should be starting to consider their study program for the holidays to ensure they adequately prepare. These exams are an essential part of the curriculum and provide the girls and their teachers with valuable information for future growth and areas that require focus. The grades are also used to help formulate predicted grades for the end of year exams.

Kate Hanson
Head of Senior School


Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Program

Recently, our Year 12 Health and Wellbeing students visited SAHMRI to learn about the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Program. They gained valuable insights into research aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including topics like Aboriginal health, genomics, and the significance of kinship systems and cultural determinants. This visit served as a powerful reminder of the crucial role cultural understanding plays in health and wellbeing.

Andrew Mittiga
Acting Head of House Cedar

Silver Duke of Ed bushwalking Adventure

At the beginning of Term 2, 42 of our Silver Duke of Ed students undertook a 6-day bushwalk in small groups through the beautiful Northern Flinders Ranges. Highlights of the bushwalk included camping under a sky full of stars, experiencing the beautiful landscape by foot, perfect bushwalking weather all week long, and working together as a group to navigate through the diverse terrain that the Heysen Trail has to offer. This experience allowed our students to challenge themselves, physically, mentally and socially, and overcome challenges through collaborative teamwork, and group management strategies.

The Silver Duke of Edinburgh journey was so much more than just a hike. It was a lesson in leadership, patience, problem-solving, and gratitude. I’ll never forget the stillness of the mornings, the sting of sore shoulders, the laughter at camp, or the sense of achievement at the end. This journey has changed me in the best way possible. Year 10 Silver Duke of Ed Student

This rewarding experience allowed our students to develop essential skills for life beyond the four walls of the classroom, which will serve them well in the future. This was a valuable opportunity for our students to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of senior school, and instead foster a deeper connection with each other and the natural environment.

Holli Rawson
Outdoor Education Assistant

Wilderness Students Share Insights at South Australia's AI in Education Conference

In Week 3 of Term 2, Year 12 students Shayla Retnaraja and Chloe Arblaster proudly represented Wilderness School at South Australia’s AI in Education Conference.

The pair participated in a student panel discussion on the use and impact of artificial intelligence in schools, presenting confidently on key issues such as:

• The responsibilities of schools in guiding students to use AI ethically
• How AI can help students overcome learning barriers
• The impact of AI on student creativity
• The bias that exists within AI technologies

With more than 100 educators in attendance from government, independent, and tertiary sectors, Shayla and Chloe spoke with clarity and conviction, offering an insightful student perspective on the role of AI in education.

Shayla and Chloe provided this summary:

Participating in the AI conference as students on a questioning panel, provided us with a very valuable insight into how AI is evolving in education contexts, and how it’s likely to keep changing as we move beyond Year 12. One of the most useful parts of the experience was being able to speak directly to such a relevant audience, as we felt like our voices were actually being heard by the people shaping our education. It was also such a great opportunity to raise some of our concerns around how AI is used in learning, and what support students need to use it ethically and effectively. Being able to have those conversations with teachers means we can help direct our own learning and make sure student perspectives are part of the conversation as AI continues to grow in schools. Overall, it was an incredibly valuable experience, that we were extremely fortunate to take part in.

Shayla and Chloe’s involvement not only highlighted the importance of student voice in shaping educational conversations but also reflected Wilderness School’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people to lead and engage meaningfully with industry and emerging technologies.

Liam Sloan
Head of Technology and Enterprise