As a self-professed sporting tragic, I enjoyed watching the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham recently. It was fantastic to watch so many Australian athletes do so well in their chosen disciplines, but I have to say it was wonderful to see spectators back supporting and enjoying the spectacle after the Olympic Games were held last year without a live audience due to COVID-19. While we are still not free from the pandemic, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel and there is some sense of normality returning to society. Watching South Australian marathon runner Jessica Stenson (nee Trengove) run through the spectator-lined streets of Birmingham to win the Commonwealth Games Marathon will be a memory that sticks with me for a long time. What a role model Jessica is for all girls. I often use the analogy of a marathon run with girls in the Senior School, highlighting the importance that it is not a sprint race and that consistency and persistence is important. This is a timely reminder of how they should approach their studies throughout the year, particularly in Term 3 when persistence and determination are key traits that are required when the going gets challenging.

Over the next couple of weeks, the Year 11s will head into the 2023 SRC election process. It seems like only yesterday that we welcomed the current SRC into their new roles with their Survivor-based theme of ‘Triple A’ for 2022 (Adventure, Ambition and Appreciation). The current Year 11 girls who have nominated for roles are reminded that leadership is not all about winning and to remember the importance of leading by example and surrounding themselves with the right people who will support them to make the School a better place. After all, we are all custodians of Wilderness, and it is important that we do everything to build on the legacy of the Brown sisters and all those who have gone before us. Good luck to all Year 11 girls who have put their hand up to be a School Leader in 2023. Whether you are successful or not, be brave and proud of putting yourself forward.

Next week we will compete against Seymour College in the annual Winter Intercol games. Good luck to all girls as we challenge Seymour in debating, soccer, netball, Australian rules football, badminton and hockey. Like the Commonwealth Games, I hope that many girls who are not competing will return as spectators to support the Wilderness teams and I wish all girls the best in their respective competitions.

Finally, a reminder that Subject Selections for 2023 need to be entered online by Monday 22 August for Year 10 girls moving into Year 11 in 2023. Girls need to print their online forms and have them signed by their parents/caregivers before returning them to the Senior School Office.

Year 12 Class Representative Event - Reminder to RSVP

The Year 12 Parent Reflection Party is only one week away!

Join us in celebrating raising courageous young women, and reflect on our time at Wilderness as parents of the 2022 student cohort.

Saturday 27 August
7.00pm – 11.00pm
National Wine Centre

$100 per person
Ticket price includes a range of hot and cold canapes for all food preference types and a glass of wine/beer upon arrival. Additional drinks can be purchased on the night from an extensive wine list.

The dress theme for the evening is: SPARKLE

Click here to purchase your tickets.