As we farewell the 2021 academic year, the Middle School has been filled with events to celebrate the achievements of the girls and the efforts of our student leaders. A particularly fun event was the Christmas celebrations in House groups for Middle School girls last week as the Year 7, 8 and 9 girls had the School mostly to themselves due to Senior School exams.

Last week also, we were able to congratulate the Year 7 girls who competed in the Ethics Olympiad against teams that were much older. Well done to our Bronze Medalist’s Tam Do, Lily Harper, Iris Newman and Lainie Reu.

A special mention must go to our Blue team Ava Snel, Chelsea Trinh, Isabelle Weng, Felicia Xing and Anna Evans, who received very positive feedback from the judges.

In an extraordinary final week, some of our key staff organised incredible learning opportunities for our girls. With the support of the Middle School staff, Mr Aldo Longobardi and Ms Jessica Foster arranged a Year 7 experience with some brilliant local indigenous artists coming to work with the girls to explore cultural arts traditions and expressions.

Mr Hal Bruce and Miss Laura Franklin enabled a 24-hour film festival, complete with costumes, sets, mentors, and guest presenters.

In Year 9, our English teachers Ms Georgia Fisher, Mr Matthew D’Aloisio, Ms Billie Newton and Ms Bella Drioli-Phillips supported the girls in a ‘Story Slam’ after being inspired by the stories of our very own Wildy staff members.

Finally, it has been lovely to celebrate this week with some of our families at the Advent Service, Speech Night, the Middle School Prize Giving Assembly and even the Junior Christmas Concert. Hopefully next year, we will all be able to gather without restrictions and celebrate alongside all of our community.

I hope that you all stay safe over the summer break and enjoy spending some quality time together.

As we move toward the 2022 academic year there are many things to look forward to. I am sure that the girls are excited to start the year with Dr Rhiannon Giles as their Acting Head of Middle School.

I leave you with some lovely quotes that next year’s student leaders included in their speeches this year.

I believe a leader should be compassionate, decisive, confident in herself and abilities and have the desire to lead for the reason of improving her environment and community.

Diya Anup Kumar

I will also support and motivate the middle school girls to be courageous and brave in their actions. Your work will always be appreciated and won’t go unnoticed. I will take the extra effort to comfort you and give you advice and guidance in all situations. Being here since year 1, I know that sometimes school and friendships can be tricky, and I am here to support you if you need someone to chat to.

Indie Heywood-Smith

If I am lucky enough to be chosen as sports rep my aim is to lift the enthusiasm and spirit around the Wildy community. I want all girls of all ages to always bring their best to the sports community and try something new. You might not have tried it before, but remember, none of us could run, catch, pass, or kick instantly, we had to keep working. We may not always get the results we aim for, but this pushes us to return to training motivated and passionate to get back out there, which is something I believe I can do and inspire in others.

Bella Browning

I will be accountable for this leadership role and I know the importance of being responsible for what I’ve committed. I tell myself if you do it, do your best. If I become an art representative, I will try my best to be an eligible leader and increases the fun of art in Wildy. I’m not perfect, but I’ll try my best and improve myself through the way.

Lucy Gu