It does not seem that long ago that we were starting 2022. While the year has flown, I am sure the girls and staff are looking forward to a well earned break after a busy year.

This week featured our end of year celebrations for 2022. These events present us with the opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our girls and to recognise the start of the Christmas season.

It was wonderful to return to St Peter's Cathedral after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 for our annual Advent Service. This is a special service that marks the start of the festive season for the School. Thank you to Mrs Anna Lenartowicz and all the Music staff for their coordination of the choirs for this special service.

We farewelled our Year 12s on Tuesday night at Speech Night—their final official school event. As we send them on their way, I look forward to hearing about their individual journeys in the years ahead. I also congratulate all Senior School prize winners acknowledged at this event. The girls’ dedication and commitment do not go unnoticed, and it was wonderful to highlight the extraordinary efforts of girls in various areas this year, whether they be academic or in the co-curricular arena.

This week, Year 10 and 11 girls participated in minimesters to conclude the academic year. They also met with their 2023 subject teachers in preparation for next year. A reminder that all book orders through Box of Books need to be completed by Friday 9 December (today) to ensure that your daughters have all the necessary texts for the start of next year.

The Year 11 girls participated in a range of sessions that focussed on life skills they will need for life after school. This included study skills, car maintenance, preparing for interviews, healthy eating, financial literacy, the future of work and personal care. I thank Mrs Caroline Palmer for her assistance with planning this program and all staff involved in the running of these sessions.

Year 10 girls participated in Off the Grid, a two-day science practical where girls were split into groups, given a country and allocated a budget to suit their country's economy, which they used to finance themselves in each challenge. Creatively thinking outside the square, the girls tackled the challenges head-on. A big thank you to our Science staff, particularly our Head of Science, Ms Simone Burzacott Gorman, for developing opportunities like Off The Grid, which supports our girls to be Adventurous Learners.

As we head into the Christmas break, I thank you for your support again this year and hope that you and your family have a joyous and safe holiday season spent with your loved ones.

Muriel Matters Award

We are very proud of Year 12 student Anesha Rahman, who received her Muriel Matters Award last Tuesday night at Parliament House. Hosted by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, The Honourable Dan Cregan, Anesha was one of five students selected to speak on her work to revive the Badimia indigenous language, which is now extinct.

The award profiles and recognises the work and life of Muriel Matters (1877 to 1969), a South-Australian born suffragist, educator and social reformer who made a difference in the early 20th century through her work and activism to further the rights and freedoms of women, promote universal access to education and have careers open to talent.

In recognition of the change role Muriel played in societies around the world, the Muriel Matters Award aims to identify and recognise young people in our schools who show the qualities of self-initiative, determination to make a difference despite personal challenges and a commitment to make the world a better place for all. Congratulations Anesha.