Susan Grylls (1990)

Susan Grylls’ (1990) journey exemplifies the profound impact scholarships can have on an individual’s life. She had long wished to attend St Hilda’s, but could not due to her family’s financial circumstances. The opportunity to become a ‘St Hilda’s girl’ arose and was made possible through the Year 8 Council of Management Scholarship, which funded Susan’s tuition throughout Secondary School. For Susan and her parents, it was a dream come true. 

Despite the daily commute of an hour’s bus ride each way, Susan embraced the opportunities that St Hilda’s provided. She immediately settled into Gayscoyne House- a good sign she felt, given the region is where Susan is from originally. Engaging in cocurricular activities such as Debating honed Susan’s public speaking skills, but also nurtured her intellectual curiosity. Throughout her time at the School, Susan explored music in depth. While she laughingly admits that her musical ability is not the greatest, Susan is passionate about music and its benefits, something she attributes to St Hilda’s. In fact, when she speaks about the School, it is with gratitude for the exposure to so many aspects of academia, sport and music that she was offered. 

Reflecting on her journey, Susan acknowledges the pivotal role of the Scholarship in charting her future. It was more than just financial assistance; it was a catalyst for academic and personal growth. As she states, ‘there was no such thing as ‘no’ at St Hilda’s’. 

Upon graduation, Susan studied Law and Environmental Science at Murdoch, going on to complete a Master of Laws at UWA. After many years working as a corporate lawyer, Susan is now the CEO of Pilbara Kimberley University Centres, based in Karratha. She and her husband have three boys and instill in them a community focused mindset, that we are all in a position to give back and positively influence others. Susan believes strongly that her time at St Hilda’s was a gift and will always be grateful for the support she received. 

‘St Hilda’s completely changed the course of my life’. 

Erika Dizon (2014)

Scholarships at St Hilda’s hold immense importance in providing opportunities for students, especially for Erika Dizon (2014), originally from Kalgoorlie. Erika’s journey exemplifies how scholarships can transform lives.  

‘St Hilda’s gave me the motivation and belief that I could excel in any aspect of life’. 

Coming from a large family of nine children, Erika’s parents supported and encouraged her to apply for a scholarship at the School. The pride her parents felt upon her acceptance underscores the significance of scholarships in alleviating the financial burden of education. Transitioning to St Hilda’s was initially overwhelming for Erika, given its stark differences from her previous life. However, she found solace in the care of her teachers, friends, and the school’s extensive library, which granted her access to a wealth of information. The emphasis on female empowerment that Erika felt, and the presence of a strong academic cohort further enriched her experience.  

‘St Hilda’s set the expectations high’.

Erika’s enduring friendships with some of her schoolmates, even a decade after graduating, attest to the lasting impact of her scholarship experience. Her journey didn’t end at St Hilda’s; Erika graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Edith Cowan University and now works for the Aurora Education Foundation as a regional coordinator, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at secondary level. In her role, Erika encourages Indigenous students to set high standards and expectations for themselves, echoing the opportunities St Hilda’s provided for personal and academic growth. She advocates for the importance of scholarships, recognising them as incredible opportunities for students who wouldn’t otherwise access schools like St Hilda’s.  

Erika’s gratitude extends to donors who generously contribute to scholarships, lessening the financial burden on families and exposing students to exceptional educational experiences. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of scholarships, inspiring young people to seize such opportunities and recognise the value of education in shaping their futures. 

Jayde Hope-Blyth (2015)

‘Receiving a scholarship to study at St Hilda’s allowed me to experience a quality education and how it can be delivered.’  

Jayde’s family is from a town 250 kilometres southeast of Perth, mostly surrounded by farmland in the Wheatbelt. Jayde was attending a local high school, taking part in the gifted and talented program in conjunction with Perth Modern School. Whilst it was academically stimulating, it was also socially isolating. Jayde and her family travelled up to Perth numerous weekends in a row and sat exams with the hope of securing a scholarship. Jayde felt very fortunate to be invited to an interview at St Hilda’s with Joy Shepherd, who was the Principal at the time. She had received offers from three other schools but when it came to the interview with Mrs Shepherd, Jayde’s parents just loved her.   

Jayde notes that the opportunity to attend a school like St Hilda’s gave her an academic extension that was different to what she received in the country. She felt an immediate excitement around the dynamic of the classrooms; the respect that the students showed their teachers was at another level. Jayde’s experience of St Hilda’s students was that they wanted to learn and she was keen to jump on in and make the most of her educational opportunities. 

Deliberating on what she should study after school, Jayde thought about what her strengths were and sport became the primary focus. This in turn helped her decide to study a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education at Notre Dame. Jayde realised that her passion had always been in that field, and her hope was to work in a community where she could help tackle some of the health issues in schools. Adapting the curriculum to suit the needs of the population. Jayde believes that in a rural area, if we want to make an impact, the curriculum needs to be tailored more specifically to that region. Jayde now works in what she regards as her dream job as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Hedland Senior High School.  

Reflecting on her time at St Hilda’s, Jayde has a newfound respect for her teachers and the meaning behind their efforts in the classroom. This gave Jayde an insight into how she could implement that at a school with a different background.  

For donors considering supporting a scholarship student, Jayde would encourage them to do so because she has lived experience of the positive impact it has had on her life.  

‘Please do what you can to help because the impact is greater than you think.’ 

Ammbi Muir (2017)

‘A St Hilda’s education gave me a wider perspective’.

Ammbi Muir is an inspirational Old Scholar who shared her journey as a scholarship recipient, and the positive impact that a St Hilda’s education has had on her life. She grew up in Leonora amongst a close-knit family and spent a wonderful childhood outdoors, immersed in the beauty of the bush. Ammbi felt passionately about continuing her grandmother’s legacy, which was rooted in knowledge and education. She feels fortunate that her St Hilda’s education was complemented by her grandmother’s traditional knowledge and a deep understanding of the stories that she left behind. The mix of a Goldfields-based childhood and a city-based education gave Ammbi a true cross-cultural reference.  

Both Ammbi’s mother and grandmother valued giving back to the community and were delighted that she was the recipient of the BHP Scholarship, which allowed her to access future life opportunities at St Hilda’s. Ammbi thrived at St Hilda’s, and attributes much of her success and happiness at school to the relationships she formed in Boarding and on campus with her teachers. She is incredibly grateful to these positive role models, which motivated her to enter a community focussed career upon graduation. Since leaving St Hilda’s, Ammbi moved to Sydney and completed her studies in Education. She has worked as an Education Assistant in Leonora, supporting Indigenous students, and more recently in Perth.  

Ammbi has continued her work with mainly Aboriginal students in the areas of trauma, behavioural management and learning disabilities/difficulties. Through this, she has been inspired to further her training in the hopes to bridge cultural misunderstandings.  

The power of educational support and scholarships for Indigenous students is an area that she feels passionately about. Ammbi believes that St Hilda’s gives students a ‘taste of what it’s like to aim high and achieve high’. She is motivated by the thought that there is nothing too big that you can dream of, and that attending St Hilda’s enabled her to put into action those dreams in her own life. Ammbi is a wonderful role model to younger students and generations of girls to come, and we are proud to have been part of her life story. 

‘I think scholarships definitely open up doors of opportunities’.

Sofia Martinez-Sanchez (2023)

St Hilda’s scholarships illuminate pathways to success for determined students like Sofia Martinez-Sanchez (2023). Originally from Venezuela, Sofia arrived in Perth at a young age, with limited English. The family held onto their values of drive and determination, instilling in Sofia the resilience to overcome any obstacle in her path. 

It was through her mother’s inspirational journey, securing a scholarship to study accounting at university, that Sofia witnessed firsthand the life-altering impact of educational support. Determined to carve her own path, Sofia set her sights on St Hilda’s, a school that she felt was synonymous with academic excellence and unparalleled opportunities. Sofia had visited the campus when she was performing in the Australian Girls Choir and understood that whilst her family were not in the financial position to afford the fees, she would love to attend as a student. 

‘Without the generous support of my donor I wouldn’t have been able to attend this amazing school and have the opportunities that I’ve had’.

Opting for St Hilda’s over other offers, Sofia was drawn not only to its esteemed reputation but also to the supportive environment and myriads of extracurricular activities that fueled her passions, particularly her love for jazz ensembles. 

‘St Hilda’s gave me the resources to help achieve my goals. It helped focus my path for the future’.

At St Hilda’s, Sofia found herself enveloped in a nurturing community of peers and teachers who championed her ambitions. The state-of-the-art facilities and diverse learning opportunities provided her with the tools to excel academically and explore her interests. Encouraged by this support, Sofia is now pursuing her dreams at the University of Western Australia, starting her study in pre-medicine with an interest in in paediatrics and oncology. 

Reflecting on her journey, Sofia acknowledges the pivotal role scholarships have played in shaping her trajectory. Grateful for the generosity of her donor, she is determined to pay it forward, aspiring to uplift future generations through mentorship and educational support. For Sofia, and countless others like her, scholarships are not merely financial aid but catalysts for transformation, igniting potential and propelling girls towards brighter futures. 

As Sofia aptly states, ‘The impact of scholarships cannot be understated. It changes people’s lives for the better’. Indeed, they are not just investments in education but investments in humanity, fostering a legacy of empowerment and opportunity that reverberates far beyond the confines of a classroom.