I am very pleased to be Acting Head of Middle School while Belinda Arnfield is Acting Principal. So far, it has been a wonderful experience to get to know the Middle School students on a more familiar basis and support girls with their academic and pastoral needs.

It is an exciting time for girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 as they choose their subjects for 2022. The Wilderness School Strategic Plan (2020-2022) highlights the need to “cultivate capabilities and dispositions to support each girl to emerge as a connected and engaged learner, prepared to succeed in and contribute to a complex, rapidly changing world”.

Our learning entitlement for students across the Middle School is designed to provide a breadth of learning. In 2021, we introduced new subjects to provide our girls with engaging experiences relevant to their future possibilities. This included:

• Design, Technology and Engineering in Years 7 and 8
• Artemis, Years 7, 8 and 9
• Cyber and Artificial Intelligence, Year 9
• Space and Robotics, Year 9
• Film and Animation Year 9
• Creative Product Design, Year 9

Within our Middle School curriculum, girls have the opportunity to work closely with South Australian businesses and within relevant South Australian industries to ensure they receive real-world industry exposure. These include SAAB, the space industry, Jam Factory and Media and Animation.

Please note each girl needs to return her subject selection form to her Form teacher by the start of Week 5. If you wish to discuss your daughter/s subject selections, please feel free to contact me. As a recent SACE coordinator, I can bring valuable insight into this area and am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Australian Maths Competition

This week, it was very impressive to see the number of students who elected to sit the Australian Maths Competition. Thank you to our Head of Mathematics, Mr Gavin Haydn, and the Mathematics Department for supporting our girls with this fantastic opportunity.

Year 8 Camp

The Year 8 students had a camp training session this week in anticipation of their Week 8 camp on the Fleurieu. Girls were given a presentation of what to expect during their time away and discussed the required items on the packing list. A practical lesson was also given on erecting a tent, packing and wearing a rucksack, and working a Trangia. A reminder to return any Year 8 camp medical/consent and Venture Waiver forms if you have not already done so.

Sport

Inspired by our recent Olympic triumphs, Interhouse athletics trials were held on Monday 9 August at the Parklands in preparation for Athletics Day as well as trials for Year 7 SAPSASA Athletics.

The Winter Intercollegiate Competition between Wilderness School and Seymour College commenced this week, and although we couldn't have the roaring of cheer squads from both students and parents, our girls did our school proud.

Thank you to Mr Jon Trovas and the PE and Sport Departments for their support and leadership of these events.

School Photos

Class, House and Year Level photos were taken on Wednesday 11 August. A reminder that Co-Curricular photos will be taken on Thursday 19 August.