Looking back over the year, it is noticeable that we seem to have returned to ‘business as usual’ with our events and fundraising after a few years of ups and downs in this space. Although Covid still casts a shadow at times, it has been nice to have more certainty around event planning. With the Chapel and Whitby projects now complete, it is exciting to look ahead to the different types of events and fundraisers we will be able to hold in our beautiful new buildings. Watch this space for 2024!

Fundraising for these projects continues, and it was wonderful to see the support for our ‘Celebrate our Chapel’ Appeal held in August. Current families and Old Girls supported this fundraiser, utilising our online fundraising platform, to raise a total of $16,000. The plaques from this fundraiser will be manufactured over the summer break and installed in the new year. Thank you to all who contributed to this fundraiser – your support is greatly appreciated.

The GPS Symposium, also held in August, was a wonderful opportunity to invite specialists and experts in all topics relevant to parents of teenagers into our school to inform, inspire and educate our guests. Stacey Morrison opened the Symposium with an inspirational talk about language and Māori culture, sharing her own personal experiences with humour and wit. Katherine Rich opened the Saturday programme with her experience of raising teenagers, and reflecting on her own teen years, most of which were spent at St Hilda’s. Then we heard from a number of experts, academics and those with hands-on experience working with teenagers on several topics including nutrition, neurodiversity, sexual relationships, pornography, alcohol, drugs, anxiety, self harm, body image and more. The feedback from this event was overwhelmingingly positive and the parents who attended went away with valuable knowledge, advice and much food for thought.

Other fundraising, including applying for grants, has continued for further projects. We have been fortunate to have been supported by the Alexander McMillan Trust, The Grassroots Trust and The Lion Foundation this year.

St Hilda’s Old Girls’ Association

The Old Girls’ Association has been active this year with events in Dunedin and Auckland. We are always looking for ways to connect with our alumni, and we do this through our events and regular newsletters. We welcomed the newest Old Girls, the Class of 2023, to the Old Girls’ Association at the Leavers’ Service in December held in our Chapel, which was a lovely occasion.

On October 26th we held our annual St Hilda’s Day service at St Paul’s Cathedral. We recognised our Distinguished Alumni Award recipients for 2023 – Lesley Rumball (nee Nicol) and Vanessa van Uden. Lesley captained the Silver Ferns in 2003 when they won the World Netballl Championships in Jamaica and received an ONZM for services to netball in 2004. Vanessa served two terms as the Mayor of Queenstown Lakes, and received an ONZM for services to local government in 2017. It was wonderful to have both Lesley and Vanessa and their families join us for the service.

In 2024 we are planning some new events with our Old Girls at St Hilda’s, and we are excited to announce more about these in the new year. We wish you all a very happy and safe festive season and a relaxing holiday break.

Amanda Burke
Director of Development
St Hilda’s Old Girls’ Association President