ST HILDA'S NEWS

You are welcome to join us at the St Hilda’s Christmas Carol Services

Senior School Service
Monday 1 December, 12.20pm (amended time)
Joy Shepherd Performing Arts Centre, Bay View campus

OSA and Community Service
Monday 1 December, 6.00pm
Chapel, Bay View campus

Boarders Service
Tuesday 2 December, 5.40pm
Chapel, Bay View campus

Junior School Service
Thursday 4 December, 8.35am
Cortile, Chidley campus

Christmas Eve Service
Wednesday 24 December, 3.30pm
Chapel, Bay View campus

Dear Families, 

Week 5 – Swimming, Camps, and Celebrating Achievement!

This week has been full of growth, excitement, and celebration across the Junior School. Our Kindergarten to Year 2 students began their swimming lessons, diving into new skills and building water confidence in a safe and supportive environment. Swimming is not only an essential life skill but also a fun way for the girls to develop coordination, resilience, and a sense of achievement as they progress week by week. We look forward to celebrating their swimming at the Aqua Fun Day next week.

Meanwhile, our Year 6 students embarked on an unforgettable camp experience on our beautiful Yeagarup campus. From team-building challenges to exploring the outdoors, the girls embraced every opportunity to develop independence, collaboration, and practical skills. Camp experiences like this are invaluable for fostering confidence, resilience, and strong friendships, creating memories that will last long after the tents are packed away.

On Tuesday, we held a Remembrance Day Service to recognise those who fought in war and to show gratitude for the wonderful country we live in. As our Year 6s were on camp, it was a wonderful opportunity for our Year 5 students to lead the service. We welcomed representatives from the Senior School Cadets unit who joined the service. A special thank you to Samantha Martin who created our wreaths. Made with native flowers, they were a beautiful tribute.

In the midst of all this activity, our Year 5 students were recognised for their dedication and achievement at the Ignite Awards Ceremony at Scotch College. It was inspiring to see the girls celebrated for their efforts, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Awards ceremonies like this highlight the importance of recognising hard work and encourage students to continue striving for their personal best in all areas of school life.

This week has been a wonderful reminder of the diverse opportunities available to our students, from developing physical skills in swimming, to exploring independence at camp, to celebrating achievements in leadership and learning. It has been a joy to see our girls grow in confidence, resilience, and enthusiasm throughout these experiences.

Best wishes,

Nicole Adams
Director of Junior School

Dear St Hilda’s Community,

Week 5 has been a relatively calm and focused time on campus. Our Year 12 students are now on their final stretch of their final written ATAR examinations, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. Meanwhile, our Year 11 students have commenced their Semester Two exams, demonstrating their commitment and preparation.

On Tuesday, our school community gathered in the Joy Shepherd Performing Arts Centre for a poignant Remembrance Day service, thoughtfully led by the Humanities Department. Students shared the history and significance of Remembrance Day, reminding us of its enduring importance to Australians. At 11.00 am, St Hilda’s observed a minute of silence to honour those who have lost their lives or been impacted by war and armed conflict.

We were privileged to hear from current parent, Dr Mairead Heaney, who addressed students and staff with great sincerity. Dr Heaney spoke about the initiative she co-founded with four fellow medical professionals, Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine. What began around her kitchen table has grown into a network of over 90 Perth doctors, raising more than $600,000 to support medical and humanitarian aid for children and families in Gaza. Their work provides critical food, education, and healthcare in collaboration with charities operating on the ground.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Humanities Department and our students for leading such a respectful and moving service.

In addition, our Cadet Unit proudly represented St Hilda’s at services held at Chidley and the Mosman Park RSL.

This week, we also welcome Paul Litherland as part of our ongoing commitment to digital wellbeing. Paul is the founder of Surf Online Safe and one of Australia’s leading advocates for online safety.

During his visit, Paul delivered student sessions across Years 7–10, engaging our girls in practical conversations regarding the upcoming social media ban, about staying safe online, managing privacy, and making informed choices in the digital space. His sessions were interactive and thought-provoking, empowering students to understand the risks and responsibilities that come with technology use.

In the evening, Paul met with our parent community, both in person and via live stream to explore key topics including:

• Navigating mobile phone use at home
• Supporting healthy digital habits
• Understanding the social media ban and its implications
• AI, privacy, and online safety

Through these discussions, Paul provided practical strategies and insights to help families create safe and balanced digital environments at home.

We extend our sincere thanks to Paul for his expertise and to our parents for their active participation. Together, we continue to strengthen our shared commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our students in an increasingly connected world.

As we approach the end of the academic year, please note that the 2026 Booklists are now available. You can access them via the links below. The closing date for online orders is Friday 5 December.

Year 7 2026
Year 8 2026
Year 9 2026
Year 10 2026
Year 11 2026
Year 12 2026

Both the Statement of Achievement Report and the Semester Two Academic Report will be uploaded to SEQTA on Tuesday 9 December.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Warm regards,

Andrea McNally
Deputy Principal / Director of Senior School

We have introduced a new platform to support the management of St Hilda’s extensive cocurricular programs. Clipboard is currently being trialled in Term 4 for Senior Sport and fully integrates with the existing St Hilda’s App.

You will now notice two new pages under the Sport section — Schedule and Teams, which are tailored specifically to each individual child. These will provide access to the training and game schedules, as well as their respective teams. This will provide a clearer and more streamlined view of her commitments, making it easier for families to stay informed throughout the year.

Should the trial go well, we will continue to roll this out for sport and other cocurricular throughout 2026.

Last Friday, we held the 2026 Year 12 Induction Assembly, marking the official beginning of the senior journey for our incoming Year 12 cohort. This special occasion featured an address from guest speaker Cate Leedman, who offered thoughtful insights and encouragement.

Congratulations to the below award recipients:

​Athletics Awards Years 7 – 11
​Basketball Awards Years 7 – 11
Drama Awards Year 7 – 10
Music Awards Year 7
Music Awards Year 8
Music Awards Year 9
Music Awards Year 10
Soccer Awards Years 7 – 11

Once again, the Outdoor Education Department at St Hilda’s will be offering an extensive program in 2026.

Optional outdoor education experiences run during selected school holidays and include:

Year 8 – Coral Bay Marine program
Year 9 – Coral Bay Marine program
Year 10 – Coral Bay Dive program
Year 11 – Coral Bay Dive program and Japan Snow Tour (Year 12 2027)
Year 12 – Coral Bay Dive program

Click on the links above for more information and to register your interest.

Expressions of interest close Monday 17 November 2025

We believe that educational experiences can offer valuable personal growth and learning opportunities for students. From time to time, we may share information about third-party programs that could be of interest.

Please note:

• These opportunities are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or organised by the school.
• The school has not reviewed or vetted the organisations or experiences being offered.
• Families are solely responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence to ensure the safety, suitability, and legitimacy of any program they choose to pursue.

Sharing this information does not imply any recommendation or approval by the School. Participation is entirely voluntary and at the discretion of students and their families.

14-day Residential or Attendance, at The University of Sydney St Paul’s College (or online)

This immersive, 14-day residential program is designed for high school students who want to explore their academic passions under the guidance of world-class educators and professionals. In 2026, students can choose from the following streams:

• Medicine
• Veterinary Studies
• Engineering
• Psychology
• Law
• Business Management
• Creative Writing
• AI & Software Management

For more information, Click Here

Academic Task Force – Click here to learn more

Mastermind Tuition – Click here to learn more

Oxford Royale is the most experienced summer school in the UK. Courses are also offered in the USA.

Their 2-week courses cater for the 13–15-year-old and the 16–18-year-old categories, and include:

• Law and Politics
• Medicine
• Engineering and Technology
• Mathematics

See the full list of courses available here.

To access cocurricular notices, please access the St Hilda’s App on your device.

Please ensure you subscribe to your daughter’s year level and all cocurricular activities to ensure you receive all communications.

For details on downloading the School App and setting up subscriptions and notifications, click here.