As we move towards the end of Term 3, students enter a significant assessment block, the importance of all girls looking after their personal wellbeing is vital.

Girls have access to the online assessment calendars, so they are aware of upcoming tests and assignments. Planning is critical, as is not leaving assessment pieces to the last minute to complete. Girls must make sacrifices. Their social calendars must take a back seat for the remainder of this term to ensure that they are not burning the candle at both ends or they will run the risk of sickness and considerable pressure and stress.

At this time, the importance of perseverance cannot be underestimated. Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience, endurance. It is being able to bear difficulties calmly, without complaint and never giving up. At times, I think we all lack the drive to persevere when things become difficult. This is a skill that I would hope that all our students develop during their time at Wilderness. The following quote from Dale Carnegie is one that I would encourage girls to adopt in every aspect of their daily lives.

“Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.”

Sometimes when we look at the big picture, it is all too easy to become overwhelmed and give up. If we break it up into smaller chunks, things become considerably easier to achieve.

Winter Intercollegiate Competition

I was impressed last week at the perseverance that all Intercol teams displayed. To win the Senior A debating, soccer, football, hockey and badminton was an exceptional achievement against Seymour College. To watch our football team fight back and kick the winning goal in the last 10 seconds of the game was inspirational.

2022 Student Representative Council

This week we have elected the 2022 Student Representative Council. The quality of the girls’ applications and speeches were outstanding. Congratulations to those girls who were successful in gaining a position. We look forward to their leadership in 2022 and what they will bring to enhance the Wilderness community.

Unfortunately, this process will always leave some girls disappointed as their nomination requires them to be brave and offer themselves for election. These experiences are a part of life, whether it be applying for a job or been selected in a team, there will always be times when we are successful and other times when we are not. True leadership is so much more than a title, badge or tie and I hope that those girls who were not successful understand that they can still be a leader in Year 12 regardless of holding a formal position.

Today we held the Interhouse Athletics Carnival at the South Australian Athletics Stadium. The carnival is always a fantastic day with the true spirit of Wilderness shining through as the Year 12 girls experience their last school competition.

Silver Duke of Edinburgh

Our Year 10 girls, who are striving for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, returned last week from the Northern Flinders Ranges.

The girls had a wonderful week bushwalking along the Heysen Trail in the sunshine. They demonstrated admirable perseverance and appreciation for the environment and those around them.

2021 South Australian Young Writers Awards

I would like to congratulate Olivia Kyriacou (Year 11) took out 3^rd place in the Year 11/12 Prose category at the 2021 South Australian Young Writers Awards. This is very exciting given she was up against Year 12 students. Well done, Olivia!

To read Olivia's poignant piece, A Seed in Time, click here.