Subs in Schools Mentor Breakfast

Recently, the Subs in Schools students hosted a breakfast at the Chrysalis to express our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and mentors for their unwavering support. This event provided a wonderful opportunity to thank and connect with those who have shown continual interest in our journey. We were particularly excited to showcase our Trade Displays, featuring merchandise and promotional materials initially prepared for the Royal Adelaide Show. These displays symbolised the hard work and dedication that went into our projects, and we were proud to share them with our supporters.

The morning was both enjoyable and inspiring, as we built meaningful connections with industry professionals who shared our passion for innovation. Their insights offered valuable perspectives on the workforce and our potential career paths. It was a truly rewarding experience, and all the students appreciated the chance to reflect on our achievements and envision our futures.

Zara Armitage

Tournament of Minds International Final
After celebrating an exhilarating victory at the Tournament of Minds State Final in September this year, our team of seven flew to Sydney to represent South Australia in the TOM International Final. We joined 73 other winning teams, representing Australian states and territories – ACT, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Queensland – and international teams from the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

Our trip was jam-packed with unforgettable experiences, from exploring the vibrant and busy streets of central Sydney, to meeting other teams and facing the challenges on competition day. Every moment was packed with excitement and discovery.

The competition commenced on Friday with an opening ceremony and gathering of teams. The atmosphere was electric as we gathered in our red South Australia shirts as each country and state took it in turn to roar their chants. We cheered as they announced our Wilderness team, competing in the Language Literature category of the competition. Tournament of Minds fosters the ideals of teamwork, collaboration, courage, leadership and caring for the world we live in. Having the opportunity to meet other competing teams and swap badges with them, we fostered friendships that crossed borders, growing a sense of global community and understanding.

From there, we were led on a scavenger hunt all around the Sydney Harbour Precinct, and we had to use our teamwork and critical thinking skills to lead us to our next location. That day, we visited and explored numerous places, such as the Susannah Place Museum, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Tower. We developed a richer knowledge of Australia’s history and the world around us.

Competition day arrived and our team was transported to the Law Faculty of UNSW to begin the challenge. Given a small box of materials, a room, and 3 hours, we were tasked to make a 10-minute solution in response to a complex challenge question. The stakes were high, but we thrived under the pressure, pushing the boundaries of our teamwork and resourcefulness, and strengthening our bonds and communication. Time was ticking – but we worked together, seamlessly building ideas together and developing our time management and creativity. Then came the Spontaneous Challenge, a thrilling twist that put our skills to the test. Only given three minutes to piece together the most creative answers we could, our decision making, and improvisational skills were pushed to new heights.

Each competing team took it in turn to present their responses and we loudly cheered them on with unrestrained enthusiasm, celebrating each and every team’s unique presentation. Despite competing against one another, we were united by a shared drive to innovate and create.

The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and curiosity at the closing ceremony. Although our team did not come back with a medal, our journey felt like a victory in itself. We still believed in the meaning of what we had achieved and took pride in our work and growth over the past few days. The unforgettable experience at Tournament of Minds and representing South Australia has strengthened our confidence and reaffirmed our belief that we can do anything if we put our minds to it.

We travelled to Sydney, with a fire for discovery and enrichment, and returned with a head filled with new knowledge, and a heart filled with joy from the days passed. We cannot wait for our new challenge in 2025!

Seraphina Sun

New Girls Day
Last Friday we welcomed all the 2025 Year 7 girls to the Middle School with a morning of activities, House meetings and a very valuable Q&A session run by the Middle School SRC. On Monday we welcomed the remainder of the new Year 8 and 9 Middle School Girls for the start of their transition into Middle School life at Wilderness. We hope that all our new students are looking forward to joining the Wilderness Community next year and had a wonderful time meeting their buddies, other students and staff.

This week we held a very successful Parent Information Evening for the parents of Year 7 students in 2025. Parent were able to meet with their daughter’s Head of House and spent some time with the 2024 Form Teachers to discuss the process of transition and what to expect as the parent of a Middle School girl.

Middle School 2025 SRC
The process for electing the next Middle School SRC is well underway. The current Middle School SRC spoke to the Year 8 students about each of the positions available and the responsibilities and initiatives they have been a part of this year. It is hoped that this will assist the girls in determining whether they would like to nominate for positions and have any questions about the process answered. Applications have now been submitted and next week the girls who have nominated themselves will have a chance to give a speech before voting occurs during Form.

We look forward to announcing the names of the successful candidates to the girls and the presentation of their badges at the first Middle School Assembly next year.

REALISE
Many girls spend much of their Wilderness journeys anticipating REALISE – a camp in Year 9 which lasts for three weeks. For most of us, this is the longest time we have spent away from our families and is a big step in our path to independence.

REALISE is filled with fun and friendship and creates memories that will last a lifetime. On each day, we participate in unique and interesting experiences. These range from rock climbing in Victoria to driving a tractor, from kayaking in the Coorong to shopping in Meningie (and Kingston), and from surfing in Robe to cleaning a cabin.

This incredible experience provides girls with the opportunity to live in cabins with some of their closest friends and peers, and to cook, clean and live independently (with some ground rules). Many girls struggle to adapt to the slower paced world at Crawford. The instructors shared a common mantra ‘don’t count the days make the days count’. The girls are encouraged to ‘live in the moment’ and appreciate the exceptional experiences provided on this special camp.

Memories made on this camp are unforgettable and treasured for a lifetime. We hope next year’s Year 9 students enjoy an incredible experience on REALISE, just as we did.

Written by Mihika Kanhere and Alexandra Pringle

“Take each day as it comes. Don’t look too far ahead into the future otherwise you won’t be able to appreciate the present.” – Lily Allison

“Realise was an extraordinary experience and I will forever cherish the memories I made. I am so grateful to have been able to experience these opportunities and I will reminisce on my time here.” – Siena Rogers

It is so important to live in the present and not solely focus on the future.”

“Realise is an experience that pushed me outside of my comfort zone in ways that I may never be able to experience again.” – Akira Manolev

“Something that I carried with me throughout this experience was the Latin saying ‘Carpe Diem’ which translates to seize the day.” – Alexandra Gross

Changes to Camp Preferences
Thank you to the families who completed the online form to inform the school of potential clashes with their commitments, the Year 8 Camp and 9 REALISE experiences.

Please email me at rgiles@wilderness.com.au over the Christmas holidays if there are any changes that need to be made to earlier preferences. Changes to Core Groups at the beginning of the year will be very challenging, so it is best that any changes are made before timetables are distributed at the start of the 2025 academic year.

Rhiannon Giles
Head of Middle School