The influence of girls-only education reaches beyond the classroom at St Hilda’s

At St Hilda’s, we believe in laying the groundwork for our young women to excel as leaders and positively impact their communities and the world. Single-sex education has become a significant factor in supporting the next generation of female leaders, providing them with the necessary tools to lead, inspire, and initiate positive change. 

By removing distractions and biases related to gender, our single-sex education focuses on developing leadership qualities, confidence, and self-esteem in our girls. In a constantly changing world, fostering strong leadership skills is essential for building a more equitable and inclusive society.

The advantages of single-sex education 

Substantial research indicates the beneficial impacts of an education exclusive to girls across several key areas. This includes the following –

Engagement and enjoyment

Whether in science or sports, girls feel less inhibited and have a greater sense of belonging in an all-girls school. This is evident in girls’ higher involvement in STEM subjects and career aspirations than in co-ed schools. Girls in single-sex schools also exhibit more positive and favourable attitudes toward mathematics. Graduates of girls’ schools are more likely to pursue careers in high-paying, male-dominated fields such as engineering and construction.

Confidence, self-image, and expressing herself.

In an all-girls school, there is no room for inequality or sexism. Such an environment equips our students with the necessary knowledge and skills to challenge social and cultural gender biases.

Research consistently reveals that single-sex environments foster confidence and self-esteem in women and girls, which has a remarkable influence on their educational success. Girls in all girls’ schools are encouraged to participate actively in class and take constructive risks in their learning, including enrolling in traditionally ‘male-dominated’ subjects, asking questions, and expressing their opinions.

Wellbeing and safety

Multiple studies have indicated that girls experience greater comfort, confidence, and support in an all-girl environment compared to mixed-gender educational settings.

Research has shown that there is significantly less bullying and a reduced occurrence of aggressive behaviours in girls’ schools, as well as fewer instances of disruptive classrooms that make it hard to concentrate or work effectively.

Educational achievement and future ambitions

Research unequivocally shows that girls educated in all girls’ schools have higher ambitions and superior academic results, approximately ten percentage points higher, even after considering their socio-economic background. This advantage is evident across the board, including higher scores in tertiary entrance exams and other examinations such as NAPLAN.