It is difficult to believe we have reached the end of yet another term in our Junior School and what an enormously busy, focused and enjoyable 10 weeks we have had.

Junior School Debating

Our Year 6 ‘Wilderness 1’ debating team competed in the semi-finals of the SADA Junior A division at St Peter’s College on Tuesday this week. Debating against Prince Alfred College and arguing the negative for the topic, ‘That we regret the use of participation awards’, the girls did an outstanding job in both their preparation and on the day. Coached and ably supported by Mr Matt Webster and our Year 9 debaters Emily Nguyen, Niya Singhal and Diya Anup Kumar, the team presented an outstanding negative argument and rebuttal.

The girls debating on the day were Asha Dan, Evangeline Lee and Devy Singhal with other team members Sirui Tang, Selin Cinar and Jasmine Lu debating across the season. With a split panel of adjudicators indicating how close the result was, our girls lost their debate, which now concludes their debating season for 2022. We look forward to a bright future ahead for Wilderness debating as the girls progress and grow in this valuable and highly skilled co-curricular area.

Bike Education

Our Year 6 students participated in their Bike Education lessons last Monday and Tuesday, in preparation for their Outdoor Education camp at the end of Term 4. Supported by Wilderness Physical Education and delivered by Bike SA instructors, the sessions aimed to increase students’ confidence and bike skill competence by:

· building their knowledge and understanding of the road laws and traffic environments

· developing bike handling and maintenance skills

· developing decision making skills for off- and on-road bike riding.

The skill sessions have helped to prepare the girls for the Year 6 Outdoor Education ‘Sea to Summit’ biking experience, presenting personal challenges and exciting outdoor experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Students shared their thoughts on the program:

‘It was a great social experience as we got to talk as we rode around.’ – Sacha Feeny

‘During the lessons I built more confidence while riding and I learned how to check my bike to make sure that it is safe to ride.’ – Devy Singhal

‘It was fun and I liked going out onto the road to learn about the different road rules.’ – Jasmine Lu

‘I learned how to signal when you are turning left and right to let the cars behind you know that you are going to turn.’ – Naheer Ahmad

Thank you to Mr Travis Henderson for his outstanding organisation and to Mr Kieran Jackson, Ms Laura Sieradzki and the Bike SA instructors for their support of the program.

Citizenship Casual Clothes Day

On Wednesday 21 September, our ELC and Junior School participated in a casual clothes day, organised by our Junior School SRC Citizenship committee. Girls were invited to wear their team colours, either for a sporting team they play for or one they support, in exchange for a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the Bhadure School in Nepal. Once again, our community did a wonderful job, raising more than $450.00 for this very important cause. Well done, girls.

Swimming Carnival

We are very much looking forward to our annual Junior School Swimming Carnival, to be held on Friday 4 November at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre. Detailed information will be shared with families in the coming days.

Camp Australia Out of Hours School Care

As you would be aware, Camp Australia run an Out of Hours School Care program for our girls from four years of age through to Year 6. As communicated with families earlier this term, they have ceased offering Before School Care at this time due to a lack of bookings across the majority of this year. If you are likely to require a regular and consistent Before School Care in the future, I ask that you contact Camp Australia or the Junior School Front Office to let them know this is a matter of priority. They will require regular bookings of approximately seven or eight students to resume a viable service.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful, restful break in the coming weeks. I hope you have an opportunity to spend some time recharging as a family before we welcome the girls back to commence Term 4 on Monday 17 October.