As we race towards the end of Term 3, I discussed with the Senior School girls at Assembly about three vital ingredients for success in their academic journeys—these being persistence, grit and the importance of strong relationships with their teachers as the assessment workload increases. For me, this is where our school value of True and Courageous Self comes to the fore.

At this time in the term, the academic challenges can be quite daunting, but it is at this time that persistence is their steadfast companion. It is about refusing to give up, even when the going gets tough. When faced with a number of assessments, girls need to remember that every step they take, no matter how small, is a step closer to their completing their tasks. Persistence is the driving force that will keep them moving forward and ensure they meet deadlines and achieve their desired results.

Linked closely to persistence is grit. Grit is the resilient mindset that propels them through difficulties, setbacks and failures. It is about having the determination and resilience to bounce back, learn from their mistakes and continue striving for excellence. As the assessment workload increases, their ability to endure and maintain focus will lay the foundation for success now and into the future.

Finally, I highlighted that their teachers are not just educators; they are mentors and guides in their academic journey. Building strong relationships with them can be a game-changer. Teachers are there to support each girl, to offer guidance and to provide additional assistance when needed. That said, open communication and a respectful relationship with their teachers is vital for success.

Service to others through Responsible Citizenship is a key value that underpins Wilderness School. While academic success is important to provide girls with options, what is just as important is what the girls do beyond the gates of Wilderness. I am interested in what girls give back to their community, whether that be at a local, state or national level. Engaging in community service provides girls with the opportunity to become active members of their community and has a lasting, positive impact on society at large.

Each Tuesday afternoon, I love watching the interactions between Year 11 girls and young students as a part of the ‘Fun in the Wilderness Foster Care program’ from my office window. The Year 11 girls each week provide a two-hour session of different activities for foster children with Anglicare.

The Year 11 girls selected to be involved in the SONY Camp in the Term 3 holidays met recently at St Peter’s College to undertake training for this program. The camp provides respite care for 16 students with special needs for three days to give their families a break from the rigors of 24-hour care. Experiences like the SONY Camp are life changing for all students and staff involved. It is these opportunities that reinforce the importance of service and a willingness to help those less fortunate.

The newly elected SRC spent last Monday with Mrs Belinda Arnfield, myself and their staff mentors planning for 2024. The day focused on their personal leadership journeys and the planning of key events for the year ahead. The opportunity to spend time with the outgoing SRC is an important part of this program, to ensure that the girls are ready to take over the reins at the start of Term 4 this year. What was stressed to the girls is the importance of service and taking others on the journey with them to make a difference and leave the Wilderness community better because of their actions and endeavours.

Australian Mathematics Competition

At the start of the term, many of our girls sat the Australian Mathematics Competition. This is a nationwide event that challenges their problem-solving abilities. An impressive 13 Senior School girls achieved a distinction, placing them within the top 20% of all participants. Special mention should be given to Sophia Cheng (Year 12), Janudi Premadasa (Year 11) and Sherri Shi (Year 10), who received the highest marks in their respective year groups.

Congratulations to all girls who took part.