From the Principal

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

What a joy it has been to lead St Hilda’s throughout the past four years! It has been a privilege and an honour to see over 500 young women graduate from our wonderful school during this time. It has also been a pleasure to connect with many Old Scholars at local, national and international reunions. I have really enjoyed getting to know past students, whether it be through occasions like the annual 70+ morning tea in the School Hall or at one of the reunions hosted in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Albany, Esperance, Geraldton, Margaret River, Hong Kong, Singapore and Jakarta. St Hilda’s girls are interesting people who collectively make a diverse contribution to society and I am always fascinated to learn about their post school journey at alumni events.

It is also important to acknowledge the St Hilda’s staff for their commitment to achieve the Vision that we determined in 2015. Our Vision of preparing girls for the future by developing tenacity, confidence and compassion has been enacted in practice, as measured by our key clients – our students. On reflection, based on the measures of student and parent feedback, academic results, our extensive and varied cocurricular programs, in conjunction with the achievements of our Old Scholars, St Hilda’s is working successfully in achieving its purpose to provide a vibrant school community that educates and inspires girls for life.

Recent forays into crafting the School’s Master Plan through consultation with architects, the Building and Grounds Committee and other key stakeholders means that planned development over the next 25 years will revitalise and upgrade existing facilities to provide an advanced educational environment for St Hilda’s students long into the future. In our planning, it has been essential to create an Educational Plan that has influenced the design of innovative, flexible and collaborative facilities that will provide for both current and future St Hilda’s learners of tomorrow’s generation.

Our boarding house celebrates its 18th birthday this year, and it is timely that resources are directed towards refurbishment of our boarders’ home at St Hilda’s. The project team has progressed the design concepts and I am excited to share the planned Stage 1 refurbishment works with you.

• The creation of a new reception area including a family retreat with end-ofjourney facilities and small kitchenette

• Refurbishment of bathrooms in Durack, Balla Balla and Molloy

• Increase natural light to each room in Balla Balla

• Creation of enclosed gym in the west facing courtyard

• Larger communal spaces in Durack and Molloy

• Refurbishment of current activity room into a multi-purpose flexible recreation space.

The works are planned to commence early December, with the majority of the project planned for completion prior to the commencement of Term 1, 2019, with works in Balla Balla continuing until the end of Term 1. Stage 2 of the project is set down for December 2019/ January 2020, with refurbishment planned for Upper Margaret and the Year 12 area.

Our Junior School students are enjoying their newly created Nature Playground areas, which have been officially named “Mamong Neernt Kulungah Waabiny” which translates as “Whale Tail Children Playing” and “Koombah Boodiah Kulungah Waabiny” translated as “Large Land Children Playing”. These playgrounds will be affectionately known as “Mamong” and “Waabiny”. I am delighted to see the children enjoying these spaces and thank the generous sponsorship by many parents for the funding to make this possible.

Whilst in our renovation mode, we have recently begun refurbishing a new space for our Year 12 Class of 2019, by creating a new Common Room for them. The Common Room is on the ground floor of Catherine House, adjacent to the Student Wellbeing Centre. As a Senior’s privilege, I know the girls will appreciate using this 21st century collaborative space, designed for both relaxation and working together.

Our wonderfully dedicated and professional teachers and support staff have not been forgotten in the makeover of facilities. With newly renovated staffrooms for Maths and English and Humanities staff, plus the complete makeover of the Bay View Staffroom, it has resembled a season of The Block television series. The Chidley Staffroom is in for the same treatment over the course of the summer break. It has brought me personal joy to see our students and staff learning in the educational and using the recreational spaces that so many people have worked hard to provide for them.

There are many people to acknowledge at the closing of this academic year and as my time as Principal at St Hilda’s comes to an end. I extend my true gratitude and thanks to everyone who has been inspirational and encouraging of me during my Headship. Special thanks are extended to past Principals, Joy Shepherd and June Jones, OAM. I also recognise the St Hilda’s executive leadership team, teaching staff, support staff, the School Council and members of the wider school community. Unreserved admiration is extended to each and every student, who are the reason why teachers enjoy teaching so much.

We all share a great love for St Hilda’s, and I know in passing the leadership onto Mrs Fiona Johnston, that the School will be in very good hands with her energetic leadership style. I also wish a successful final year to our Class of 2019 and all the joys that leading brings to our student leaders and Head Girl Chloe Fretwell.

In closing, I extend to all members of the St Hilda’s community my very best wishes for a happy and relaxing festive season and many good wishes for the future.

“St Hilda’s is working successfully in achieving its purpose to provide a vibrant school community that educates and inspires girls for life”.

Warm regards Kim Kiepe