WANDERING SPIRIT

from Ammonite Semester 2 2022

by St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls

MATERIALS AND DESIGN FASHION SHOW

WANDERING SPIRIT

Now in its second year, Wandering Spirit continues to develop and grow as more students take part in the program.

What is Wandering Spirit?

Wandering Spirit is a year-long Year 9 program that provides opportunities for students to learn more about who they are, how they connect with the people and natural world around them, and who they would like to be, moving forward into their adult life.

Wandering Spirit Intentions

• Develop stronger and deeper connections with peers and significant adults.

• Increase independence.

• Improve understanding of personal strengths, sense of self and vision of self, moving forward into adult life.

• Deconstruct schedules and provide opportunities to enjoy technology free time.

• Evolve tool kit to self-care, supported by their natural environment.

How we achieve these intentions?

PASTORAL CARE

Students engage in a year-long Pastoral program supported by their Head of Year, Homeroom teachers and the Wandering Spirit Program Leaders.

CURRICULUM

Students are exposed to topics and material across different learning areas that will support their Wandering Spirit journey.

WANDERING SPIRIT/ ON QUEENSLEA DRIVE PROGRAM

A series of activities that provide an opportunity for students from St Hilda’s and Christ Church Grammar School to collaborate and develop a healthy understanding of respectful relationships.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

During the year there is opportunity for each parent/guardian/significant adult in a Year 9 student’s life, to participate in an activity hosted at St Hilda’s.

YEAGARUP RETREAT

Nestled between forests and farmland, the retreat is held at our Yeagarup campus in Pemberton.

Without the distraction of technology, girls are provided the opportunity to ‘digitally detox’ while exploring themes such as:

• Community values • Personal identity • Personal strengths • Respectful relationships • The natural world

• A woman’s journey • Goal setting and future vision • Honouring yourself and others

Year 9 students Eva Carlberg and Claudia McIntosh reflect on their experience on the Yeagarup Retreat this year:

“We went into the program with an open mind, prepared, but still not really knowing what to expect. Over the course of the nine days within our House, we all developed stronger and deeper connections to one another. We completed many activities based on teamwork and got to know our peers. As a result of this we came back as a tighter knit community with an appreciation of each other. During the program we all observed our House mates in a different setting and watched them express themselves outside of the school environment. As we got closer through the experience many people began to open up, allowing their peers to learn new things about who they are. During our time at Wandering Spirit, we did not have any access to technology which encouraged us to spend our time playing board games, journalling, painting and trying new things. Throughout Wandering Spirit, we had many opportunities to develop independence through community living, cooking, washing up and cleaning after each meal. We had to look after ourselves without parents reminding us of what we should be doing and where we should be! Wandering Spirit gave us a greater appreciation of nature and the environment around us. It provided a time we could really think deeply about ourselves, our relationships, who we are and who we want to be in the future. We had fun learning different ways to care for our wellbeing such as yoga, exercise and the benefits of spending time in nature. We had many opportunities to share our opinions and thoughts within groups, a favourite was sharing our stories around the campfire.”