Spring has finally arrived and the Wilderness grounds have come to life with blossoming trees and beautiful greenery covering Browns’ House.

Similarly, our Year 12 girls have flourished, preparing themselves for their final lessons and Leaver celebrations over the past two weeks

It has been a joy to watch the 2021 cohort grow and learn, face challenges, and rise to them with grace and humility.

They have left a lasting imprint on our school and have brought spirit, humour, generosity and kindness during their time at Wilderness.

Tonight, we will celebrate each girls’ journey at the 2021 Valedictory Dinner. It is a chance to acknowledge the girls’ achievements and their significant contributions to our school.

Finishing Year 12 can come with trepidation. For some, Wilderness has been their home for the past 13 years.

They will miss their friends, their teachers, and the family they have built here at School.

However, there are so many exciting opportunities waiting beyond the Hawkers Road gates.

At Wilderness, we aim to equip each girl with the skills she needs to be a creative, connected, engaged and kind learner for life.

We encourage our girls to develop their interests and seek new opportunities.

We have prepared them for this moment, and now they have blossomed into strong, independent young women capable of anything they put their minds to.

The 2021 cohort have been authentic leaders of our school, and their belief in our motto ‘Always True’ has shone through.

I know that they will personify the values we hold dear as they move through their life beyond school. They will be respectful in their relationships, act with integrity as responsible citizens, be true and courageous in their decisions and be adventurous in their learning.

Wherever their path takes them, they will always have a home at Wilderness. They join a community of over 6000 old scholars who all know that ‘once a Wilderness girl, always a Wilderness girl’.

Wilderness is so proud of our 2021 graduates, and I look forward to following their journey over the coming weeks and beyond.