Service to others and giving back to the community are invaluable aspects of personal growth and character development for Senior School girls. Engaging in acts of service not only benefits individuals and organisations in need, but also provides students with valuable life skills, a sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Our key value of Responsible Citizenship highlights the importance of giving back to society.

By dedicating time and effort to help others, students cultivate qualities such as empathy, compassion and selflessness. Serving others provides opportunities to step outside one's comfort zone, face challenges and develop resilience and perseverance. These experiences contribute to the holistic development of students, preparing them for future endeavours.

Service to others also plays a vital role in building strong and vibrant communities. When girls actively participate in community service, they contribute to the welfare and betterment of society—be that at a local, national or international level. They become agents of positive change, addressing social issues, supporting marginalised groups and improving the quality of life for community members. These collective efforts foster a sense of belonging and solidarity among individuals, promoting social cohesion and community resilience.

Service gives girls a sense of purpose and fulfilment. Knowing that their actions have a positive impact on the lives of others instils a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Contributing to the wellbeing of their community allows students to recognise their own capacity to make a difference and empowers them to continue engaging in meaningful service throughout their lives. The notion of ‘You cannot be what you cannot see’ is central to the notion of meaningful service. Over the last week, our Senior leaders have had the opportunity to attend Parliament House to meet with The Honourable David Basham MP. While politicians are often criticised for their actions, the hours of service they give for the betterment of society cannot go unrecognised.

Last Friday, the Middle and Senior School SRC Executive leaders attended the Australian of the Year Lunch at the Adelaide Convention Centre. This opportunity provided outstanding examples of leadership and service in action from a range of inspiring speakers, including the 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt. Reports on both these events from girls in attendance are included below.

This week, the Year 11 girls have completed their Semester 1 exams. Mr Matthew Hawkins is thanked for his commitment and dedication to ensure the exam block ran so smoothly. These exams have provided valuable practice and feedback for all girls about how they are traveling with their studies. It is important for girls to reflect and learn from this experience.

As this will be the last newsletter for Term 2, I hope that the mid-year break provides all girls with the opportunity to stop, refresh and ensure that they are on top of their academic workload. A reminder that Year 12 mid-year exams will start on Monday 24 July. This is two days earlier than the rest of the girls, who will return to school on Wednesday 26 July to start Term 3.

Parliament House Visit

On Wednesday 14 June, the SRC had the privilege of attending an unforgettable dinner and tour of Parliament House, hosted by The Honourable David Basham, Member of Parliament. This evening provided us with invaluable insights and a deeper understanding of our democratic system.

David Basham MP shared intriguing anecdotes and historical facts during the tour of the House of Representatives and Senate, enlightening us about the procedures and protocols governing parliamentary proceedings. This experience allowed us to appreciate the vital role these institutions play in shaping our nation's laws and policies. This exclusive opportunity provided us with valuable perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the democratic system that forms the backbone of our nation.

The SRC would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to David Basham MP for this remarkable experience, which will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on our ability to make a difference within our school community and beyond.

Eva Barrett and Brianna Maddison
SRC Leaders

Australian of the Year Lunch

The Australian of the Year lunch was a captivating and meaningful experience for our Middle and Senior School Executive who attended. We were firstly welcomed to Country whilst learning about the significance of each aspect of our Australian flag, followed by a panel session with esteemed guests, Paul Vasileff, Christine Robertson and Sandra Miller. This discussion focused on the stories and experiences that inspired each guest to enact change by beginning platforms, sewing stunning dresses and leading for the underrepresented, whilst remaining true to their personal hopes and aspirations.

Amar Singh then shared his motivations and experiences of starting Turbans 4 Australia. We were initially shocked to hear Amar’s story, beginning his journey as a truckie, and using his skills to enact change by transporting emergency goods to those in need. We were inspired that, despite starting a successful company and gaining a platform, he still manages to use the personal assets he knows best.

Taryn Brumfitt was the final speaker; she shared the harsh realities of our society’s increasing body image issues. She left us with a final message, which we wish to promote, that “you should never comment on anyone’s body, whether it be positive or negative”. We were very grateful to hear such inspiring speakers and will strive to embody their values of compassionate leadership and service.

Allegra Kleinig, Jessica Craig and Georgia Brown
SRC Executive 2023

Period Poverty Drive

The Duke of Edinburgh program offers incredible opportunities to engage in personal development, but also contribute to the broader school community.

In collaboration with the Girl Up committee, Year 10 Antholiza pursued an important project to create greater awareness around Period Poverty; an issue that affects young women on a local, national and global scale. Period poverty describes “the struggle women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products and considers the increased economic vulnerability women and girls face due the financial burden posed by menstrual supplies". With concerns around this issue in the present and future for women, the Year 10 Form decided to run a service where they could collect sanitary products for Kickstart for Kids, a non-for-profit organisation, who are working hard to deal with period poverty in South Australia.

With the support of Ian Steel, founder of Kickstart for Kids and TikTok influencer, Jenna with the Pink, we were able to generate interest amongst the community for period products, and the response was astounding. Tasked with the objective of filling one box, students managed to fill three boxes, which would not have been possible without the generosity of staff and students, and the kindness of Terry White Chemists. A special thank you to the Year 10 Antholiza Form Teacher, Mr Matthew D’Aloisio, the Girl Up team of Mr Andrew Mittiga, Nidhi Karachur (Year 12) and Eva Leathart (Year 12), and our Duke of Edinburgh support from Ms Rosie Smith and Ms Lauren Walker.

Year 10 Antholiza and the Girl Up Committee

One and All Voyage

Earlier this term, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to sail on a tall ship, from Adelaide to Melbourne, on the One and All Youth Voyage as part of our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey. It was one of the best experiences of our lives, despite the unorthodox mode of travel that resulted in plenty of second-hand food for the dolphins! We learned to operate a cohesive team with people we had never met before in an incredibly close environment, that led to the forming of unique connections with people from unfamiliar backgrounds. From scrubbing the toilets to climbing the masts, we made memories that we are sure will last a lifetime.

Sophie Grice and Joanna Robinson
Year 11 Duke of Edinburgh Participants