Semester 2 has commenced with its usual joy at returning from a lengthy winter break and an enthusiastic jump back into learning, both in and out of our classrooms in the Junior School. We celebrated our incoming Year 6 SRC Leadership group at their Badge Presentation assembly last Thursday 3 August, attended by the families of our Junior School leaders; our Principal, Mrs Belinda Arnfield; our Year 12 SRC Executive leaders; and the entire Junior School. The girls were presented with their badges and certificates to signify the commencement of their roles.

Our Semester 2 President, Imogen Dreosti (Year 6) gave an outstanding speech (included below), which highlighted not only her beliefs about leadership and her goals for the coming semester, but also the excellent choice the girls in the Junior School made in voting for her as president. Imogen’s humility, recognition of the need for collaboration and teamwork and acknowledgement of leadership as service were evident in her address and it is with anticipation that we look forward to the coming semester with this exemplary group of girls at the helm.

My name is Imogen Dreosti and I am honoured to be your Junior School Semester 2 President for 2023. I would like to start by thanking a few people for getting me here today. I would like to thank you all for trusting me in leading you this semester. Also, Hazel Newman, your Semester 1 President, who has given me a platform to follow with the way she led the Junior School in the first half of the year. As some of you may remember, when I gave my speech at the end of 2022 to gain this role, I shared that if successful, my theme would be ‘acceptance’. I want to foster a culture where we accept all of our unique qualities and celebrate our achievements. As George Orwell once said, ‘Happiness can exist only in acceptance.’ I am excited to get started in this role and look forward to working with you all. Year 6s, let’s make our last semester in the Junior School a memorable one. As R.S Grey once said, ‘She believed she could, so she did.’ Thank you.

Australian Primary Principals Association Conference

I was privileged last week to attend the Australian Primary Principals Conference in Hobart. With primary principals from across Australia and all three education sectors (Department for Education and Child Development, Catholic and Independent schools), the dialogue regarding the current educational landscape and learning for the future was rich. Wellbeing held a significant focus for the conference, with a range of internationally well-regarded experts in this field giving keynotes. Ensuring a strong balance between the wellbeing and learning for our students – indeed, holding a focus for the development of the whole child – was a resounding theme throughout the gathering and some valuable insights into current research and pedagogies in this area were key takeaways. Ensuring Wilderness School is represented and part of current conversation is an important way in which we hold ourselves at the forefront of learning and prepare our girls for their futures.

We have a number of exciting, special weeks approaching, with Science Week in Week 4 and Book Week in Week 5. Look out both on Seesaw and in the next edition of Life in the Wilderness for how we celebrated these events in the Junior School.

Quiz Night Casual Day

On Tuesday 29 August, there will be a casual day to support the 2023 Community Quiz Night, brought to you by the Wilderness Old Scholars’ Association and Wilderness Parents and Friends Association.

In lieu of a gold coin donation, girls should bring an item to contribute to raffle prizes for the Quiz Night.

Celebrating 100 Days of Reception!

On Thursday 3 August, our RF and RT classes of 2023 celebrated 100 days of Reception! The girls excitedly arrived at school dressed as ‘How I might look when I am 100’. Adorned in pastel colours and hair curlers, accompanied by walking sticks and wheel-along shopping carts, our students looked very different indeed! Learning experiences included exploring the number 100, considering what this amount of money could purchase and engaging in some creative activities. Even our PE teacher, Ms Rebecca Keller joined in the dress-up and conducted the lesson with skills involving the 100 theme. At the end of the day, the girls took home a special cookie with 100 printed in Wildy blue fondant.

Congratulations Receptions!

Melissa Foster
Reception Teacher