FROM THE FOUNDATION

FROM THE FOUNDATION

As I finish my third year as Foundation President, I continue to be impressed by how the St Hilda’s community continues to evolve. This year, the Foundation has worked closely with the School to support a number of impressive initiatives.

The ESSTEAM Studio is widely regarded throughout the education sector as a world-leading program that promotes entrepreneurial thinking. As a Foundation, we believed we needed to take a leadership position in supporting an education program and learning space of this calibre and as a result, we offered to dollar-match the community’s contribution up to the value of $2 million. I am delighted that the community also recognised the program’s significance and this fundraising goal was reached in November this year. Being able to support the School to create long-term meaningful educational outcomes is exactly what the Foundation is designed to facilitate.

The Foundation has also been instrumental in assisting the School to establish its first Heritage Centre. The fundraising campaign was launched in our 125th year, and with the generous assistance of the Parents’ and Friends’ Association, it is now able to start construction. The Foundation’s $400,000 contribution will ensure that the building is fully renovated and restored in preparation for the exhibition to be installed in 2023. Our aim is to grow the Foundation’s investment portfolio to allow us to provide financial support to ensure that the School can access funds for capital works, scholarships and other special projects that cannot be funded via cashflow. The Foundation continues to prudently manage the School’s Investment Portfolio through what have been volatile investment conditions. Together with expert advice, the Foundation Board continues to adapt the investment strategy to balance the ever changing financial environment with the long-term strategic needs of the School.

I’d like to thank the community for its continued generosity and shared vision for a positive future for our girls. Thanks also to my fellow directors for their professionalism and commitment to the Foundation and its purpose and I look forward to increasing the profile and activities of the Foundation in 2023 and beyond.

Sherif Andrawes Foundation President