Mastering the art of group performance and teamwork is highly prized in Australian society and globally. This is just as important as working with each girl individually, setting their personal SMART Goals. In Australian schools, there continues to be a growing emphasis on the development of student capabilities.

How do we help our girls develop these? How do we strengthen student agency in daily learning initiatives? In this
newsletter, I share with you such learning experiences undertaken in Term 2 - strategically planned Wilderness activities that our students design and take part in actively as learners – either as a whole Junior School, or as a Year group.

“Market Day” involves the whole Junior School - Reception to Year 6 students; Year 2 Strings program is for all the
year level; Year 4 Band program is for all the year level. Please join me in celebrating these accomplishments of our students and staff. Further, I continue to be proud of the personal best achievements of our girls as well, as outlined below.

Market Day
On Friday 21 June the Year 6 students and their teachers Mrs Laura Sieradzki and Mr Kieran Jackson had converted Hender Hall into an exciting “Experiences Market” this year. The Year 6 girls had spent hours of learning time in this cross-curriculum project – linking work from their Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences and Digital Design and Technology subjects.

They worked in teams of 3-4 students. They creatively planned, priced and delivered stalls ready to entice customers to part with their money to buy “Experiences”. No stone was left unturned. They had thought of profitability, customer behaviour, business innovation. Their customers were the Junior School students who each were allocated a 40 minute timeslot to visit and engage in this valuable financial literacy activity.

Each year this Year 6 student agency project keeps getting bigger and better - a testament to the quality learning our younger students experience when they visit “Market Day”. A big thank you to all the staff who carefully prepared our younger girls.

We were thrilled to teach the girls about money and applying the numerous general capability skills needed to be independent participants on this day. I was so proud to witness the quality learning of our girls at this event. Thank you everyone, and a special thanks to Mrs Carolyn Tasker for organising money floats and our Maintenance staff for helping move heavy furniture for this event.

Year 2 Strings Concert
On Monday 17 June at 5pm our families joined our Year 2 girls to listen to their outstanding Strings performance. All our Year 2 girls undertake a compulsory semester program learning a String instrument and getting to know a range of passion for music education.

They get to experience putting on a team performance. The Wilderness Junior and Intermediate String Ensembles also performed on this evening. Research findings demonstrate learning to play a musical instrument at this pivotal age,
can strengthen transferable skills that support student academic improvement and a stronger sense of wellbeing.

We encourage our girls to continue with the instrumental music program. Places are still available for Term 3. Contact the school on 8344 6688 for enrolment, instrumental hire and tuition forms and other information regarding our
programs.

Ruth Shrimpton
Junior School Music Coordinator

Anna Lenartowicz
Head of Music.

Year 4 Band Concert
On Tuesday 18 June at 5pm our families joined our Year 4 girls to listen to their fine Band performance. All Year 4 girls undertake a compulsory semester program learning a Band instrument. They get to experience putting on a team performance – learning to work as a team and experience the joy of performing in front of an audience in a professional
theatre.

We were delighted that the Wilderness Junior Band Ensemble also performed on
the night, inspiring our younger girls to consider continuing with these exciting musical opportunities. We encourage our girls to continue with the instrumental music program.

Places are still available for Term 3. Contact the school on 8344 6688 for enrolment, instrumental hire and tuition forms and other information regarding our programs.

Ruth Shrimpton
Junior School Music Coordinator

Anna Lenartowicz
Head of Music

IPSHA Poetry Recital Competition – Finals – Wednesday 12 June 2024 – held at St
Peter’s College
The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia Ltd run this prestigious event for
students from SA member schools. This program aims to develop love and appreciation of poetry, memory skills, self-confidence, clear speech, and performance experience.

In Week 2 of Term 2 we were delighted to have a record number of girls interested in
auditioning. The audition panel, enjoyed the poetry choices and presentations of our Wilderness girls. There were 8 girls who auditioned from Year 6; 9 girls from Year 5 and 10 girls from Year 4. Only one girl was able to be selected from each level.

I am delighted to announce the year level finalists 2024 were:

Alice Gao (Year 6)
Evangeline Carter (Year 5)
Sophie Malinauskas (Year 4)

I thank everyone involved in our 2024 auditions and finals. I wish to congratulate Evangeline Carter on winning 2nd prize for the Year 5 Division.

General Junior School News

BEFORE SCHOOL CARE
A second shorter option, offering breakfast and classroom drop-off commences this term. See details below in the Out of Hours Care section of this newsletter. We have noticed that many more of our girls are arriving at the gate early. This is why we have put on this extra service for our families at a reduced rate. Given how cold it is and that we don't want our girls get sick and miss school classes, I urge you to consider this service if it can work for you and your family.

FULL WINTER UNIFORM AND FULL PE UNIFORM IS COMPULSORY EVERY DAY
Please be reminded that students must wear their full uniform every day – not part of the uniform. This is especially essential now that it is so cold. On non-PE days it must be FULL WINTER UNIFORM including Blazer (Years 3-6) and Brown Coat (Years R – 2), on their non-PE days. On their PE day – full PE Uniform must be worn. I have noticed that many girls are arriving otherwise. It is really cold now. I urge you to ensure your daughter comes to school ready for this chilly winter that has now set in.

SICK STUDENTS
Please be reminded that students who are ill should not be at school.
Sick students will be asked to go to the School Nurse at the Health Centre and families will be called to collect sick children. We need to ensure we keep all children and staff safe and healthy throughout this winter season. Thank you for your support.

PLAYGROUNDS ARE ALWAYS OUT OF BOUNDS AFTER SCHOOL
Please be reminded that no children are allowed access to school play equipment in the Junior School upon dismissal. It is not adequate that parents supervise their own children on school equipment after school hours.

Families are encouraged to use the After School Out of Hours Care Service that we kindly offer families whilst they wait for other children to finish activities, or go off-campus if catching up with friends. Once again, we thank you for your
support.

As always, a reminder to be extra mindful of road safety as we return to campus to keep all of us safe.

Gina Kadis
Acting Head of Junior School

Please note, there will be an early closure of the Uniform Shop on Wednesday 31 July (Term 3 Week 2), closing at 4:30pm.