Our Anglican Faith

As one of the oldest girls’ schools in Western Australia, St Hilda’s has helped shape the future of over 10,000 students. St Hilda’s strives to offer each student the opportunity to grow in their understanding of the Christian faith through the Anglican tradition. St Hilda’s warmly welcomes students from a range of Christian denominations as well as students from other faith traditions and those of none.

In our rapidly changing culture, we believe Anglican schools should be places where students can openly explore, question and engage with the truths of the Christian faith in a safe and supportive environment.

Our educational philosophy is grounded in the teachings of the Christian gospel, and Christian values underpin all that we do. The School hopes that parents, whether or not they share the Christian faith, will support their daughters in approaching Christian teaching with openness and respect, and will join with the School in significant acts of worship and community life.

About the Chaplain

The School Chaplain, Fr Philip, plays a central role in inspiring our community through the Bible, Anglican worship and guiding students to explore God’s purpose for their lives. This is reflected not only in life’s big questions, but also in the details of how we learn, serve, lead, create and grow throughout the journey of school life and beyond.

Through Chapel services, our bespoke Belonging programme, Wandering Spirit programme, small groups and informal gatherings, the Fr Philip seeks to make faith accessible, thoughtful and relevant for all students. These offer opportunities to reflect on wellbeing, values and faith.

Fr Philip, an Anglican priest and teacher, brings many years of ordained ministry, pastoral experience, school senior leadership and teaching across three continents, to life at St Hilda’s. With a warm and approachable presence, he helps connect St Hilda’s to the wider Anglican tradition, local parishes, and the Cathedral, fostering a strong sense of belonging and spiritual growth. He is also available to the wider school community for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. Please reach out to him. He provides pastoral support to students, staff and families, and are available to discuss personal matters as they arise. The Fr Philip can be contacted via chaplain@sthildas.wa.edu.au

Student Faith Groups and Sacristans

Student groups provide opportunities for girls to gather in friendship, explore the Christian faith, Biblical teaching, pray together and support one another. These groups foster community across year levels and encourage leadership and service.

Sacristans at St Hilda’s play a vital role in preparing the chapel for worship, ensuring everything is set with care and reverence. They assist the Chaplain during services, at school and in other locations, supporting the smooth and meaningful flow of the liturgical worship. Sacristans develop a deep sense of responsibility, service, and connection to the spiritual life of the community.

Involvement in worship outside of St Hilda’s

St Hilda’s is actively engaged in the life of the Church across local, cathedral, and diocesan contexts, maintaining close relationships with nearby parishes through participation in Sunday worship, special services, and pastoral initiatives, where students and staff contribute through music, readings, hospitality, and occasional leadership roles.

The School also plays a visible role in Cathedral worship by attending major liturgical celebrations such as feast days, confirmations, and diocesan gatherings, often supporting these through choir and ceremonial involvement.

St Hilda’s sustains a strong connection with diocesan Bishops, who regularly visit for worship, teaching, and pastoral engagement, while students and leaders participate in wider diocesan events and initiatives, together expressing the community’s role as a bridge between education, worship, and the broader life and leadership of the Church.

Archbishop Le Fanu instrumental in St Hilda’s history

Originally named Girls High School, it was taken over by the Council for Church of England Schools in 1930 at the urging of Archbishop Le Fanu, who wanted to maintain a school for girls that had a Church of England Allegiance.

Archbishop Le Fanu was instrumental in the decision to buy the land at the present site in Mosman Park and re-establish the school under its own control with new direction and a new name.

On Sunday, 22 March 1931, the Governor of Western Australia, Sir William Campion, officially opened the School and Archbishop Le Fanu, renamed it St Hilda’s Church of England School for Girls. He selected the name St Hilda’s to reflect St Hilda, the Patron Saint of Learning and Culture and the School Motto “Domine dirige nos” meaning “Lord direct us.”

Archbishop Le Fanu was a constant support to St Hilda’s and in 1946, Miss Small, the first Principal of St Hilda’s said, “St Hilda’s exists only because of Archbishop Le Fanu’s conviction that girls need the best schools as much as boys.”

Archbishop Le Fanu died on September 9th, 1946.

In September 1994, his children presented St Hildas Anglican School for Girls with their father’s Archbishop’s Cross, Ring and Chalice. They now form part of St Hilda’s Museum.

As St Hilda’s journey continues to unfold, we go on praying for God’s guidance and strength, confident in God’s love.