As we edge into November, there is always a sense of ‘time speeding up’. With three weeks of our eight-week final school term for 2023 having passed, our Junior School teachers are making the most of every moment available, both in and outside of the classroom.

Teachers are preparing to write their students’ Semester 2 reports, with assessments and reflection upon the growth of each girl in their care being a high priority. They are also still finding time to plan many exciting learning opportunities outside of the classroom, with our Year 2s visiting the Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum, our Year 5s attending Once Upon a Festival at Immanuel Junior School, our Year 2 girls hosting a visit for the Year 2 boys from Prince Alfred College and our Years 3–6 Swimming Carnival all occurring during this week alone!

Given the busy nature of the coming weeks, I felt it would be worthwhile to draw your attention to some important Junior School dates:

• Thursday 2 November: ELC and Reception Parent Information Evenings
• Friday 3 November: Junior School Swimming Carnival
• Wednesday 8 November – Thursday 9 November: Year 6 Musical
• Monday 13 November – Thursday 16 November: Year 5 Ballarat Educational Tour
• Wednesday 15 November – Friday 17 November: Year 3 Outdoor Education Camp
• Tuesday 21 November: Junior School New Girls’ Day
• Wednesday 22 November – Friday 24 November: Year 6 Outdoor Education Bike Camp
• Thursday 23 November: Annie House Graduation and ELC Christmas Concert
• Tuesday 28 November: Musical Theatre Club End of Year Concert/Presentation
• Thursday 30 November: Ballet at Wilderness End of Year Concert/Presentation
• Monday 4 December: Junior School Prize Giving Assembly and Year 6 Graduation
• Friday 8 December: Final Day of School and JS Christmas Concert.

There will also be some class- and year level-specific excursions coming up, which the relevant teachers will communicate with you as needed.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Year 5 student, Lila Nassery, whose artwork was selected out of more than 500 submissions as the winner of the 2023 Science Alive/SA Power Networks Stobie Pole Art Challenge.

Having designed an artwork that told a story about renewable energy in her local community, Lila now has the job of selecting a stobie pole in her local suburb to paint with her design. We look forward to seeing Lila’s artwork once it is completed!

Oliphant Science Awards

As always, Wilderness School was well represented in this year’s Oliphant Science Awards, with entrants across the broad range of categories. Congratulations to the following girls for their achievements in this highly regarded competition for 2023.

Prize Winners:

• 1st Place: Lila Nassery and Elizabeth Le (Year 5) – Year 5/6 Games
• 2nd Place: Lara Nassery (Year 2) – Reception to Year 2 Posters
• 3rd Place: Lara Nassery and Isabel Wilson (Year 2) – Reception to Year 2 Models and Inventions.

Highly Commended:

• Ariana Ng (Year 6) – Year 5/6 Models and Inventions
• Isha Wechalekar, Maryam Cedra Sawad and Sharanya Reddy (Year 5) – Year 5/6 Models and Inventions
• Adeline Wilson and Lila Nassery (Year 5) – Year 5/6 Models and Inventions
• Amelia Davis (Year 4) – Year 3/4 Posters
• Josie Richter (Year 4) – Year 3/4 Posters
• Lara Nassery (Year 2) – Reception to Year 2 Photography.

I look forward to seeing you at the many wonderful upcoming celebrations that will culminate our year together.