THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
2024 Impact Report


2024 Impact Report
Since I commenced the role of President of St Hilda’s Foundation, I have seen first-hand the deep impact that giving has on a School. The Foundation is committed to realising a desire from the community to leave a positive legacy.
Our donors understand that their contributions today will sow the seeds for a great education for our girls which will help set them up for life post St Hilda’s.
Over the past two years, the Foundation has been in a position to assist the School with two significant capital projects. We are pleased to see both the Heritage Centre and the ESSTEAM Studio used to their full potential and continue to make an impact in furthering the progress of St Hilda’s.
We were particularly pleased to see that the ESSTEAM program has allowed our students to experience the impact of philanthropy directly. In April we opened the ‘People Pods,’ a purpose-built garden and meeting space adjacent to the ESSTEAM Studio. This project was initiated by three Year 10 students in their ESSTEAM class, who saw the opportunity for an unused space to come to life. Working with Empire Home and supported by an anonymous donor, the garden is a joyous addition and now in everyday use. It was their ‘pitch’ to the donor that allowed this project to take life. Today it is being used by girls throughout the day to connect.
The School Foundation is also committed to supporting both needs-based and
Indigenous bursaries, and we as a community are richer for the experience.
St Hilda’s celebrates all students from a variety of backgrounds and are proud to support young women of potential to attend a school like ours. Erika Dizon (2014), an Old Scholar and progressive thinker in her field, shares her experiences at St Hilda’s as a needsbased bursary recipient. Erika’s story illustrates the transformational power and impact that a bursary can have on recipients, their families and their communities.
The School is incredibly grateful to those who support our mission of philanthropy. We would like to thank our donors for their generosity and spirit of giving. St Hilda’s students have directly benefitted from every donation, no matter the amount.
A collective effort is required when it comes to ensuring the School has the essential financial support and structures in place for future generations. This is the role that St Hilda’s Foundation is committed to, and I thank you for the opportunity to lead this group forward.
Warm regards,
Damian Collins President of St
Hilda’s Foundation.
GK CHESTERTON
When I reflect on philanthropy at St Hilda’s, one of the first people I think about is Shirley Offer. While I never met this significant member of our community, her legacy continues to guide our philosophy and approach.
Shirley was an Old Scholar first and foremost, a pioneering lawyer, a Council member and a Foundation member. She used her skills and expertise to guide the School through a period of great growth and ambition. She then, posthumously, delivered her greatest gift; a transformational bequest.
Named after Shirley, the Offer Society continues to honour those who value education, particularly one offered at St Hilda’s. These are people who understand that investing in our capital projects allows us to offer educational experiences that are contemporary and visionary. They are people who understand that supporting needsbased bursaries can transform not only individual’s lives but entire families and communities. They are people who have the vision to see beyond their own lives and make a bequest that allows the School to utilise the funds in the best way possible at the time.
Five years into this role, I am in the fortunate position of seeing how every donation impacts the students and improves their experience on campus. We have generous donors who are committed to the betterment of the School and how our girls experience their educational journey. Hosting our Offer Society event this year allowed us to
thank these people personally.
It is heartwarming to see how the St Hilda’s community comes together with purpose, aimed at creating extraordinary futures for our girls. It is through acts of generosity, such as that of Lyn Purser (Cornish), a past staff member from the 1950s, who left a generous gift to the School just prior to her passing. She kept St Hilda’s in her heart for over 70 years and was a regular donor to the Annual Giving Campaign. It is donors like Lyn, together with those who also give of their time and expertise, that we all benefit. The collective is where our strength lies, and a sense of community develops and thrives.
Introduced this year as a new initiative, the Athlete Development Program continues to thrive. Spearheaded by Kobie McGurk (Head of Sport), the program was generously funded by Geoff Goldsmith as a tribute to his mother and Old Scholar, Jill Goldsmith (Maxwell, 1952). It is wonderful to see the benefits of this program and how a legacy of sporting achievement lives on at St Hilda’s.
Regards,
Kellie Hasluck Director of School Development and Philanthropy
St Hilda’s Foundation hosted a gala cocktail party as an event to celebrate the St Hilda’s community in late March - and what a night it was!
The Great Court came alive under the twinkling stars as hundreds of alumni, parents and staff danced the night away. A very special thanks to Westbridge Funds Management as the major sponsor, and to Vasse Felix and Dingo Brewing for kindly supplying the drinks.
Keiko Uno (1991) was most generous, as always, with a beautiful jewellery door prize.
Damian Collins, President of St Hilda’s Foundation, spoke about the commitment that the Foundation has towards protecting the longevity and prosperity of the School. Their efforts have supported and funded numerous recent works including the ESSTEAM Studio and involvement in supporting the refurbishment of the Heritage Centre. If you would like to support the Foundation and their efforts, please get in touch.
Entrepreneurship continues to take centre stage at St Hilda’s. Mid-way through our third year offering ESSTEAM, we have some exciting updates for our donors.
Recently, St Hilda’s was shortlisted in the ‘Innovation in Learning Environment Design’ category in the Australian Education Awards. The award ceremony was held in Sydney and while we didn’t win, we are absolutely thrilled to have been selected among the top five finalists for this category. This public acknowledgement is testament to the unique learning environment that was designed by our architects, Christou Design Group in partnership with our academic staff.
Last year, the Year 6 ESSTEAM students at St Hilda’s were given a challenge to leave a lasting impact on their campus; a project inspiring the girls to ‘Leave it Better’. This initiative sparked a wave of creativity and entrepreneurship as they formed businesses and pitched innovative ideas to enhance their school environment for future generations. Each group had a unique vision, from proposing shade for the basketball courts to advocating for lockers in the bag rooms. However, the AFL Gals captured the judges’ hearts with their passionate pitch to install AFL posts on the Junior School oval. Driven by their love for AFL footy, the AFL Gals aimed to create a space that would not only cater to the growing number of St Hilda’s football players but also nurture the potential of future AFL stars. Their proposal was not just about playing at school but about laying the groundwork for young athletes, aligning with the inclusion of AFL in the IGSSA Senior School competition.
After months of hard work, consultations, and planning, the AFL posts were installed at the Junior School this year. The unveiling was a momentous occasion, made even more special by the presence of past students Tilly Banfield (2023) and Bridie Garlick (2022), who had represented St Hilda’s in IGSSA and played in the inaugural IGSSA Allstars AFL team.
The installation of the AFL posts was made possible by the Parents’ and Friends’ Association gift of $5000.
It’s a shining example of what can be achieved when students are encouraged to identify opportunities and pitch their ideas with passion. With the new footy posts, we eagerly anticipate a vibrant AFL community on our Chidley Campus, leaving a legacy that will inspire future generations of St Hilda’s students.
Students will be testing their entrepreneurship skills as they battle each other in an online marketing simulation challenge. In small groups, they will head up the marketing division of a carbon fibre bicycle company as they enter a global market. They have six decision periods of time allocated to build a successful and profitable business.
Students will be given scores from Headquarters based on customer and store feedback, ranking each group on the success of their marketing decisions. Groups receive weekly feedback through data to analyse and effect future decisions including advertising investment, product pricing, brand development and simple profit analysis. The most profitable business will be declared the winner.
The Year 9 Microbusiness Unit has been testing their wares at lunchtime over the last month. This year the range of products has expanded to include a wide range of drinks and iced products.
Old Scholar Raquel Rebelo (2015), who has built a successful nutrition brand online, spoke with the girls about how to build a social media presence and following. Under her guidance, and with support from their ESSTEAM teacher Lisa Young, the students are diving into the world of branding and marketing.
Term 2 saw the opening of the People Pods, a garden and meeting place adjacent to the ESSTEAM Studio in the Senior School. The project itself was conceived by three Year 10 students in the first year of the ESSTEAM Program, who saw a need for the space to be transformed.
Mentoring and design production of the garden was provided by Empire Home, as well as some beautiful outdoor ‘pod’ furniture. The garden itself was kindly funded by a private donor and will be enjoyed for years to come by students and community members alike, as a peaceful space to gather and relax.
A huge amount of work and effort by the School Facilities Team meant the garden came to life. A variety of rocks were donated to the School from a boarding family and are dotted throughout, as well as water wise plants and drought resistant trees.
A recent article was published by The Conversation, revealing why entrepreneurship is important in a girls-only educational setting. Research has shown that women often face a barrier to becoming a successful entrepreneur because these natural traits are not encouraged. This report articulates the power of mindset and how young girls who are championed at school become women who succeed in this industry.
This year Principal Fiona Johnston spoke at the International Coalition for Girls’ Schools Symposium in New Zealand. There was a strong innovation agenda in girls’ schools and an appetite to share leading practices and new educational initiatives. Fiona presented at this symposium and shared the journey of how St Hilda’s built Australia’s largest entrepreneurship program with ESSTEAM.
Thank you again for being partners with us in our entrepreneurial journey. Without your financial support and vision, we simply would not be able to reach our goal.
The Offer Society, named after Shirley Offer, recognises and celebrates the contributions of donors and those who have made a bequest at St Hilda’s.
Shirley was an Old Scholar and went on to become a Council member for many years. Upon her passing Shirley left her estate to the School, a transformational gift from an individual. A thank you event was held in the Heritage Centre to celebrate our current members. The School commissioned the design of a commemorative pin for the evening, which was presented to those who have indicated they will leave a bequest as well as our Legacy Donor members. The evening also highlighted the positive impact of needs-based bursaries and
how students have already benefited from the generous donations of others in this way. Guests were introduced to Stella, a Year 12 boarder from Esperance, who is the recipient of the Kitching Family Scholarship. Through a heartwarming video that shared Stella’s story, both the donor and recipient perspectives shine, showing the profound impact of educational support. Fiona Johnston had the opportunity to interview Stella and her mother, Ainslie, about the positive impact that a St Hilda’s education has had on their family. St Hilda’s is very fortunate to have several needs-based bursaries funded by generous individuals. If you would like to know more about bursaries, please contact the Philanthropy Department.
St Hilda’s is delighted to partner with local artists to showcase their work. All artworks are for sale, and 20% of all sales are donated to the St Hilda’s Art Fund.
In 2024, we featured the work of two artists, one each semester, which brightened Senior School reception. Semester One highlighted the stunning work of Hana Fry, who’s bright botanical pieces lit up the space.
In Semester Two, the community was introduced to the work of Rebecca Koerting. Rebecca’s paintings are strongly influenced by her childhood and early adolescence. As a child she was forever daydreaming about different worlds, especially worlds beneath the ocean’s surface.
The School is very grateful to Samantha Newall (Hamersley, 1993) who works with the School Development Team to secure the artists and promote Artists on Show in the community.
Last year St Hilda’s opened its Heritage Centre, a stunning exhibition of the School’s history and story. The Heritage Centre has since become a hub that welcomes our whole community to reconnect with the School.
Over the past twelve months we have hosted several events including classes, reunions, tours and visits by Old Scholars. It has been a wonderful space in which to welcome friends old and new, and to watch people reminisce and stroll down memory lane has brought us much joy.
We were overjoyed that the Centre was recognised in our industry awards for Best Alumni Engagement Project. The judges stated that the Centre demonstrated excellence in engaging alumni and celebrating their important contributions to the School’s history.
We continue to expand and develop the ancestor drawers, which feature the personal stories of some of the families who have long-standing and deep connections with St Hilda’s. If you would like to find out more, please contact philanthropy@sthildas.wa.edu.au.
While financial donations are always welcome so that we can continue to update and improve the exhibitions, we were also delighted to receive a variety of items from 12 donors. Some notable items include:
• Miss Una Mitchell’s (Headmistress, 1947-1967) silver crucifix
• Complete school uniform from 2005- 2019
• School program and letters from 1946
• Various school badges and vintage coins.
If you have any items that you would like to donate, please contact Sandra Naude, Guardian of the St Hilda’s Legacy: sandra.naude@sthildas.wa.edu.au
Being an elite athlete while still at school can create many challenges. Finding the balance between schoolwork and the demands of a highlevel training program can leave many students depleted emotionally and physically.
St Hilda’s Head of Sport recognised this challenge and sought to address it through a new program designed for students who are on a pathway to elite level sport. The Athlete Development Program (ADP) is designed to support students to thrive and develop habits that will support their engagement in elite level sport, whilst maintaining their academic studies at St Hilda’s. The purpose is to build resilient and future ready athletes who can apply the skills taught into all aspects of their life.
Arabella Bowie (Year 9) is an elite swimmer and part of the ADP, a new initiative in 2024 that was made possible through a very generous donation by Geoff Goldsmith, in honour of his mother and Old Scholar, Jill Goldsmith (Maxwell, 1952).
Arabella currently competes in swimming at state and national level and can train up to 15 hours per week on top of a busy academic program. The ADP provides her with a comprehensive and holistic approach to managing this, and upskills students in areas such as leadership, performance management, goal setting, nutrition, injury prevention and wellbeing. The program aims to uncover personal meaning in elite sport or redefine and reimagine elite sport in personally meaningful ways. Arabella has found workshops on nutrition particularly helpful, with advice coming directly from visiting sports dieticians. She has taken tips from lessons and guest speakers and applied them to her own training regime. Arabella strongly believes this will be beneficial in the future, particularly when moving into Year 11 and 12.
Kobie McGurk (Head of Sport) designed the ADP and is hopeful about its growth and the potential to make a significant difference to the development of elite athletes at St Hilda’s. As Arabella herself says about Kobie, ‘Ms McGurk has put so much time and effort into helping the athletes of St Hildas get everything they need. As an athlete herself, she knows how it can be difficult to juggle school and sporting life. She is working to help us with whatever we need, whether it is a study or rest period, or an overloading strength and conditioning session, if we just need to have a chat with her. She is always super helpful and there for us.’
Arabella’s parents have seen a huge leap in her self-confidence since starting ADP and note the positive difference in her attitude towards both swimming and schoolwork. In fact, there has been
a noted improvement in Arabella’s academic focus, which the Bowie family attribute in part to the skills she has applied from the program.
They believe ADP has had a hugely positive affect on how Arabella views herself and they are grateful for its inclusion in the curriculum.
It is through generous donations, such as Geoff Goldsmith’s, that ideas like the Athlete Development Program can come to life. The School is indebted to the Goldsmith Family for the legacy they have created in Jill’s name and the positive influence the program may have on future generations of sportswomen at St Hilda’s. No doubt that Jill would be very proud!
At St Hilda’s, we pride ourselves on our commitment to the community beyond the school gates. An active community service focus allows students and families to express their generosity and commitment to the broader community and find their passion in helping others.
Our students have reached outstanding heights in their pursuit of fundraising with over $125,000 raised this year alone. Stand out events include the Greatest Shave where our Year 12s raised over $77,000, the Year 7 Lap-a-Thon, which contributed over $20,000 to Anglicare WA and the Year 9 fundraiser who contributed $16,000 to Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation. Each year group contributed to the overall total with fundraisers planned and run by the Community Service Committee. This year St Hilda’s has also seen incredible charitable work from the Indigenous, Boarders and the Wellbeing Committees showing just how universal the passion for generosity is.
Students have also contributed their time to the community. St Hilda’s provided over 750 meals to the homeless through a partnership with Homelessness We
Care. Students have also visited nursing homes, volunteered at beach clean ups, and assisted at park runs. The Community Craft Club has been busy crocheting blankets for the homeless while the Community Service Committee has been busy at work organising the fundraisers.
The School has worked alongside and raised funds for the following causes in 2024:
• Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Anglicare WA
• Australian Red Cross
• Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation
• Starlight Foundation
• Teach Learn Grow
• Homelessness We Care
• Leukaemia Foundation
• Dress for Success
• Mosman Park Primary Breakfast Club
• St Christopher’s Home (Fiji)
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.
Coming from a large family of nine children, Erika’s parents supported and encouraged her to apply for a scholarship at St Hilda’s. 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.
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.
28 May 1931- 29 July 2024
In the 1950s, when women were expected to tend the house, young Lyn Cornish had very different ideas. Lyn was born in Carnarvon and then moved to Perth with her family as a young girl. She attended Perth College as a boarding student while her parents managed the Civic Hotel just up the road. Upon graduating, Lyn bravely moved to Sydney to study at the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) such was her love of sports and movement.
Newly graduated and armed with ideas, Lyn returned to Perth and secured a job at St Hilda’s. Her role as Sportsmistress
and teacher of Physical Education saw her inspire a generation of young women to enjoy sports and not let their gender limit their expectations.
Miss Cornish, as she was known back then, taught Physical Education, which allowed her to introduce one of her passion sports, fencing, to very willing students. During her training, Lyn had been a member of The Swords Club in Sydney, which was part of the ACPE. She was ahead of her time as a female fencer and enthusiastically coached various teams. Students often quoted her excellent tuition skills and sense of humour when being ‘assassinated’ in the ring by her opponents. Miss Cornish encouraged everyone to participate in some form of sporting activity and was
tireless in giving her time and energy to students. There are many fond mentions of Miss Cornish in the 1955 Chronicle and the high regard that the girls held for her.
In an era when excellence in sports and leadership were not necessarily attributed to women, Lyn encapsulated both these characteristics. And was a shining example to her students and peers.
Lyn initially left St Hilda’s to travel to Europe and work in London. She later returned to the School for a year before marrying David Purser, a sheep farmer from Mogumber. They had three children, and their daughter Romola was named after Old Scholar and acclaimed artist Romola Clifton (1952), whom Lyn taught.
Lyn always looked back fondly on her time and found the School to be a wonderful place for girls to achieve their potential. Her loyalty to St Hilda’s ran deep. In 2023 Lyn attended the Head of the River rowing regatta at Champion Lakes, and while she was there to watch another team, was found to be barracking loudly for St Hilda’s! Lyn herself was a progressive and gentle supporter of Women’s Rights and even in the days prior to her passing was speaking passionately about women in sport and politics.
Lyn was a generous philanthropist, and often donated to the Annual Giving Campaign as well as contributing
towards the refurbishment of the Heritage Centre. One of Lyn’s final acts of kindness was a generous gift to St Hilda’s. She believed in giving back, and her connection to St Hilda’s remained strong throughout the years as did her vocation as a teacher. The School is indebted to past staff like Lyn, who give not only their time, but leave a tangible legacy to future generations. Lyn’s spirit lives on at St Hilda’s.
She leaves behind wonderful traits of leadership, sports excellence and generosity, and the School is forever grateful to her for these gifts.
For more than 128 years St Hilda’s has been educating women destined to make their mark on society. We produce extraordinary young women who lead organisations, industries, communities and families.
Every year we put a spotlight on our Needs-based Bursary Program in our Annual Giving Campaign. Needs-based bursaries enable students, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend St Hilda’s benefit from a world class education.
Named bursaries include:
Mrs JB ‘Pete’ Craig Bursary
JCR and Denby Roberts Bursary
Jill Clarke Bursary
June Johnston Memorial Boarding Scholarship
Kitching Family Scholarship
Leavers’ Bursary
MADALAH Scholarships
Malka Foundation Bursary
Women in Leadership Bursary
Anonymous Named Bursaries 1
The School is proud to be associated with MADALAH, a notfor-profit organisation that provides scholarships and opportunities for Indigenous students. Since 2009, MADALAH has supported Indigenous young people from remote and regional communities the opportunity of a quality education. The organisation is governed by a Perthbased board and staff who manage the programs and provide support to students and their families across the state.
10 St Hilda’s students currently receive MADALAH Scholarships.
‘I just wanted to thank you for your incredible generosity in donating this scholarship. Your support has opened many new doors for me, and I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been able to pursue.’
- Extract from a current scholarship recipient’s letter to her donor
For at least the last two decades the Year 12 Leavers chose to give a gift to the School in recognition of their time at St Hilda’s. In the last two years, the Year 12 Leavers have elected to donate money for a needs-based bursary to support a girl with future potential to benefit from the opportunities available at St Hilda’s.
The last two years have raised more than $12,000.
In 2025, by combining these donations with donations from our Annual Giving Campaigns, we are awarding our first Year 12 Leavers’ Bursary. To help us reach this goal, we have been fortunate to have our current Year 12 cohort continue to support the cause. It’s a wonderful way to pay it forward and pass on a legacy of education.
St Hilda’s has held a special place in the hearts of many people. Friendships are made and retained through the common bond of the Ammonite. The Whitby Society is an association designed to bring together all those who have been connected with the School, but do not have the ongoing ties of an Old Scholar. Its goal is to connect people with past associations to St Hilda’s who are deeply committed to its ongoing success.
In November, a series of Whitby Society light lunches were held in the newly refurbished Heritage Centre. These occasions are a chance to reconnect with friends, share memories from the School’s archives and learn about how St Hilda’s continues to evolve.
Backshall Family
Penghong Bai
Bellinge Family
Angela Burvill
Anna Casellas
Cassey Family
Shane Chesson & Li Choo Tay
Jill Clarke
Damian Collins
Tom Cottee
Cox Family
Craig Family
Douglas Craig
de Vries Family
Dingo Brewing
Jan Drake-Brockman
Eastough Family
Eggleston Family
Empire Home
Rong Fang
Finlayson Family
Michael & Leanne Franco
Gibbons Family
Geoff Goldsmith
Gregg Family
Susan Grylls
Hain Family
Halabi & Montenegro Family
Brendan & Jade Harris
Hewitt Family
Ho & Khoo Family
Hughes Millard Family Bursary
Michael Hughes
Kim Jackson & Jing Kan
Fiona & Matthew Johnston
Barbara-Dene Jones
Keating Family
Kevin & Carolyn Kerr
Kitching Family Scholarship
Lai Family
Stephen Lee
Liston Family
MADALAH
Malka Foundation
Nymann Family
Parents’ & Friends’ Association
Peppermint Grove Jewellers
Ruth Phelps
Pollard Family
Mark & Carmen Pozzi
Lyn Purser
Jennifer Rankin
Angela Roberts
Denby Roberts
Romero Family
Nathan & Eileen Roost
Heather Rowell
Russell Family
Shallard Family
Lady Marigold Southey
Thompson Family
Keiko Uno
Keiko Uno Jewellery
Judith Uren
Vasse Felix
Webster Family
Westbridge Funds Management
Women in Leadership Scholarship
Wylie Family
Nancy York
12 anonymous donors
Telephone: 08 9285 4100
Email: philanthropy@sthildas.we.edu.au