We have had a settled beginning to Semester 2 in the Junior School, with little girls and teachers who were all very happy to see one another last Wednesday after the long winter break.

Two very exciting events for our youngest and oldest Junior School girls have occurred in the last fortnight. You will be able to read below about our Reception girls celebrating their very special 100th day of school, marked with treats, wonderful work and such joy at reaching this milestone.

Our Year 6 Semester 2 Leadership Group were welcomed and congratulated at their Badge Presentation Assembly on Friday 5 August. The girls were presented with their leadership badges and certificates by Mrs Arnfield and our three Year 12 SRC Executive members, Amolika Bahtia, Harriet Craig and Eliza Corbin. The girls gave a pledge to the Junior School teachers and girls, stating their promise as leaders and the way they wish to be seen in the coming semester in their roles.

The Year 6 Leadership Pledge is as follows:

As leaders of the Junior School, we agree to uphold the vision of the Misses Brown by working together in support of all girls in our community. We will lead by example, ensuring we demonstrate responsibility in our actions and by maintaining a positive and adventurous attitude towards our learning. As Wilderness girls, we understand the importance of being respectful and demonstrating unlimited kindness in all relationships. We will do our best to show courage and truth in all we do.

I would also like to share with you the speech given by our incoming President, Saskia Kuchta, which I believe embodies the humility, kindness and courage we seek for all of our girls, and most certainly in our leaders.

Good morning Mrs Arnfield, Ms McCarthy, teachers, students and special guests. My name is Saskia Kuchta and I am honoured to be given this great opportunity to be your 2022 Junior School President for Semester 2. I would just like to take this opportunity to congratulate the rest of the Semester 2 leaders on receiving their roles. I have no doubt that together we will all achieve great things. During the length of my role, I will try my best to encourage everyone to achieve their goals. I will also promote collaboration both in classroom time and extracurricular activities. I promise to pronounce your names as best as I can as I read your class nominations each week, and take notice of your requests.

As Brené Brown once said, 'A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential’. Thank you.

Let's Celebrate!

On Wednesday 27 July, the Reception girls excitedly arrived back to school after our mid-year break. Not only was this day the start of Term 3, it was also their 100^th day as a Reception student!

We reflected on all the wonderful experiences we have had together since we started ‘big school’ back in January. We also considered this very big number: 100.

We thought about what we could buy if we had $100 dollars, with some of us deciding that we might buy a mansion or a carriage.

We wondered what we might be able to do 100 times—perhaps star jumps and backflips?

We also wondered what we might be doing when we are 100. As Lily suggested,

“probably knitting, because that’s what old people do”.

We thought hard about something their teacher said 100 times—things like,

“Waterfall! Shhhhh …”

We took great delight in creating a picture of how we imagined ourselves looking at aged 100!

At the end of the day we left, 100 days smarter, with a special cookie made by Demi Moutos in Year 10. These delicious chocolate chip cookies had 100 piped-in chocolate.

Congratulations Reception girls of 2022!

Melissa Foster
Reception Teacher