Imagining What Comes Next: Celebrating the Class of 2025
As I reflect on the Class of 2025 and all they have achieved, I am reminded of the moment during their graduation ceremony when I asked them to close their eyes and imagine themselves one year from now, then ten years from now. I wanted them to picture the lives they might be living, the dreams they might be pursuing, and the impact they might be making.
For me, imagination is not a whimsical concept. It is one of St Hilda’s core values and a vital part of the education we offer. It is the spark that turns possibility into action, the quiet courage that helps young women move towards futures not yet visible. It empowers them to ask what if? and to follow that question with purpose.
Why Imagination Matters
Imagination has a long history at St Hilda’s. It was one of our School values in the 1970s and 1980s before fading from view. Perhaps at the time it seemed too light-hearted, too unconventional, for a school with high academic aspirations.
But today’s world demands something different. It demands new thinkers, creators, problem-solvers, and leaders who can see beyond the present. That is why imagination returned as a core value in 2020, just as this cohort entered Year 7. It followed them throughout their secondary years and shaped the way they learned, connected, and ultimately led.
The “What Ifs” That Defined Their Year
This year, I watched imagination in action every day. It appeared in their small moments and in their significant milestones. It was present when they pictured their Year 12 formal long before the night arrived. It was there during exam preparation when they imagined life on the other side of pressure and deadlines. It was there when they visualised success behind the wheel, passing their driving tests, or stepping onto the stage for a performance.
And it showed itself in their collective triumphs:
What if we won IGSSA Swimming for the fifth year in a row?
They did.
What if we set a new School record for The World’s Greatest Shave?
They did.
What if we danced like no one was watching at mother–daughter celebrations, or convinced our dads to bring back 80s moves at the dinner dance?
They did.
What if we invested deeply in friendships, coached younger students, or finally found the confidence to perform a solo?
They did.
These moments were not just highlights. They were proof that imagination leads to action, and action leads to growth.
Following in the Footsteps of Women Who Imagined First
I also think often about the St Hilda’s women who came before them. Leaders like Miss Patman and Mrs Jones, who championed imagination decades ago, and alumnae who turned bold ideas into remarkable careers. Women like Sybil Greenway, Fiona Stanley, Jo Horgan, Adelaide Kane, and so many others whose journeys began with a simple what if.
This year, the Class of 2025 joined that lineage. They added their own accomplishments to our School’s history and strengthened the legacy of imagination for those who will follow.
What I Imagine for Them Now
As I look ahead, I imagine these graduates stepping into careers not yet invented, guided by excellence and a commitment to lifelong learning. I imagine them building communities where everyone feels valued, using their voices with authenticity and courage, and lifting others as they rise.
Most of all, I imagine them carrying the spirit of St Hilda’s with them wherever they go—the spirit that knows imagination is not a luxury, but a necessity for shaping the future.
