“People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.”
What a glorious term it has been, and a significant one in the history of St Hilda’s School. Our students have continued to grow, explore and contribute to a rich and diverse array of activities this term and I thank and acknowledge our girls and the dedicated staff for supporting them in living and learning in the St Hilda’s Way, with love, compassion, forgiveness, hope and grace.
On Friday, 31 May, it was with great joy that we celebrated four special occasions: the Official Re-Opening and Dedication of the Bourne Fittock and Granowski Buildings by The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves KCSJ Archbishop of Brisbane, followed by the annual Sherilee Ramsey Memorial Basketball Game and the Ignite Performing Arts Showcase in the new Granowski Auditorium.
I extend my sincere gratitude to not only Archbishop Jeremy and the students and staff who joined us to commemorate these events, but additionally the Acting Executive Director of the Anglican Schools Commission, Ms Catherine O’Sullivan, past and present members of our St Hilda’s School Council and St Hilda’s Foundation Board, Federal Member for Moncrieff, Ms Angie Bell MP, Federal Member for Fadden, Mr Cameron Caldwell MP and the talented contractors who helped to bring the School’s vision for the new buildings to life.
These significant projects were made possible through the vision of many and I would like to acknowledge the past Principals and Council members, as well as Mrs Amanda Shuttlewood, Deputy Principal - Head of Junior School and Mr Paul Salter, Director of Operations, for their stewardship and service which has led us to where we are today.
As Mr Paul Salter is soon to retire, I would especially like to acknowledge him and his work in imagining and building contemporary learning spaces across the campus that place students and student learning at the centre of all decisions and support our girls to flourish. The buildings across the grounds sit beautifully in an aesthetic that acknowledges our rich history and celebrates the future of St Hilda’s School. On behalf of our School community, past and present, I extend my sincere gratitude to Mr Salter for his 14 years of dedicated service to St Hilda’s School.
In reflecting on our new buildings, it is fitting to revisit the legacies of Principals for which they are named. We honour Ms Catherine Bourne, Ms Winifred Fittock and Rev Dr Helen Granowski for their vision, determination, and loving service, and give thanks for all of the provisions that have enabled us to have the modern learning spaces that enable our girls and their learning to be extended and that support the very best teaching and learning practices.
Ms Catherine Bourne (Principal 1912 – 1923) arrived to what was then known as Goyte-Lea as an experienced leader and officially named our beloved school St Hilda’s. She secured a loan for 1800 pounds and with determination and diligence oversaw the laying of the first bricks and mortar. Ms Bourne also established our school motto, Non Nobis Solum - not for ourselves alone – and the culture that continues to support our girls to flourish today.
Miss Winifred Fittock (Principal 1924 – 1951) succeeded Ms Bourne and took on the task of leading St Hilda’s School through seasons of great challenge and struggle due to events beyond the School’s control, including the Great Depression and World War. Miss Fittock shouldered the responsibilities, with stoicism, wisdom, resourcefulness and faithful service. Miss Fittock and her fellow staff took pay cuts in response to increasingly financial challenges for boarding families during the Depression years of the late 20s and early 30s to allow families to keep their daughters here.
A young and visionary Principal full of ideas for St Hilda’s School, Rev Dr Helen Granowski (Principal 1965 – 1974) brought a new perspective to St Hilda’s from the start of her tenure. She set about new initiatives to amplify student voice and opportunities for girls to have a greater say in how things were run. An advocate for a broad education and diverse learning experiences, throughout her time as Principal Dr Granowski’s contributions laid strong foundations for the innovative, curious and inclusive learning environment we cherish today. Dr Granowski championed the Performing Arts as an integral part of a St Hilda’s education. The first school pockets for Music, Drama, Debating and Art were awarded in 1966 the year after she arrived.
It was fitting, then, that our day of celebration culminated in the Ignite Performing Arts Showcase held in the new Granowski Auditorium. With a remarkable program featuring performances from Year 12 Students and Staff, St Hilda’s Old Girls, Opera Queensland’s Katie Stenzel and Mark Connors. Ignite showcased the talents of our diverse community and was a moving night of awe inspired performances that truly reflected the igniting of the spark of creativity and sharing of excellence in the Arts. My sincere thanks to Mrs Belinda Gravel, Head of Faculty – Drama and Miss Janette Kelly, Head of Faculty – Music, for their passion and dedication in bringing this extraordinary event to life.
It is with pride that I look back on the many and varied experiences and opportunities that our students have participated in this term. From our Junior School students striving for points for their Houses at the Inter-House Athletics, competing against other schools in the Da Vinci Decathlon and marching in ANZAC Day services to Senior School students participating in outdoor education camps, the Model United Nations Conference and Mooting competitions and giving of their time to service and charity organisations such as RizeUp and St Jude’s.
For over a century, guided by the visions of our remarkable Principals, St Hilda’s has been a school where everyone has a sense of belonging and service and where together we aspire and achieve excellence in girls’ education, always striving to ensure our journey leads each of our girls into a prosperous future where they feel confident, capable and articulate in sharing their thinking, their gifts and their dreams with the world. As I shared with the community last week, today we continue to plant the seeds of possibility that support excellence in girls' education today and those that in 10, 50, 100 years, will continue to bear fruit through promoting academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, cultural and sporting exploration and service pursuits.
I look forward to celebrating the special occasion of the Year 12 Formal next Friday. I pray that all our girls and their families take time to reflect on the learning and growth that has taken place across Semester One and enjoy a safe and restful term break.
We look forward to all that lies ahead for St Hilda’s in Term 3.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Mrs Virginia Warner
Principal
