Annabel Bilkey - Liaison Prefect (Community)

Hello from Annabel! I have lived in Dunedin for most of my life, attending Maori Hill Primary from Year 1 through to Year 6. I moved directly to St Hilda's, choosing to start in Year 7 rather than going to an Intermediate School.

Whilst growing up I have had the privilege to travel overseas, through my Dad’s involvement with Otago University. These segments of time created some of my most rich memories. I developed my love for culture, diversity as well as a yearning for adventure and discovery. In Year 8 our family lived in the south of Germany (Frieburg) for half a year. I attended a unisex German speaking High School, which needless to say was extremely challenging. Try learning Chemistry and Physics in another language - I struggle with those in English! Thankfully my sister Madeline and I were in the same classes together, so we could struggle together! I feel incredibly lucky to have had this experience, even more so now given the current circumstances, with adventures like this and travel being stopped for the moment.

This experience enlightened me on how much more creative the New Zealand education system is compared to the German system. I feel lucky that in New Zealand we have the innovation of technology present and the opportunity to learn kinesthetically. I learnt not to take this for granted. We are also privileged to have so many incredible schools available in Dunedin with around 5 great schools, all with many strengths, and all within walking distance from one another. St Hilda’s is particularly unique given its relatively small size invoking a stronger sense of comfort. I have found this special.

I have loved that my Community Prefect role has given me an opportunity to take my volunteering and service to a new level. I have discovered that our communities not only thrive but need the thousands and thousands of voluntary hours gifted by individuals and groups all over. I have been able to meet amazing people and organisations outside of school. It has been so special seeing girls at St Hilda’s come together, step out of their comfort zones and put in hard work to ensure that our community stays vibrant. I have learnt that service can be done from anywhere and that we can do big things or small things, right here in Dunedin. Even the absolute smallest deed can go a long way.

We are encouraged to have a go and get involved in as much as we can manage, when we start St Hilda’s. Taking that on board and looking back, I have been involved in so many cool things; I have been part of the first XI Football Team for 5 years which, in addition to the actual football, has been great for getting to know a different group of girls within the school. I have taken part in lots of other sports also. Including some adventure racing, involving a 12 hour bike/run/kayak race which was way out of my comfort zone! Inter-school competitions such as quizzes and science projects have been fun. I have hosted International students and billets on sports exchanges. I have been involved in Climate Change marches which are now becoming synonymous with young people standing up for what they believe in. In some ways, these experiences are almost more important than my academic work. Such a patchwork of experiences, and along with a range of Prefect duties this year, unexpectedly, I feel a huge sense of pride and satisfaction that I really have grabbed the many great opportunities provided by SHCS as well as creating a few more.

Next year I am still somewhat unsure of what I am going to study. I plan to go to Otago University and am lucky enough to have been offered a spot to stay at Arana Residential College. At the moment I am registered for a Bachelor of Arts and Science, majoring in Global Studies and Geography. However, if you ask me again in a month it probably will have changed! I am however going to use the first year or two, to feel relaxed about finding subjects that I am passionate about and resist following a particular path for convenience.

I would like to say a huge thank you to my peers who have been with me over the past 7 years at St Hilda’s. I have spent such a huge amount of time with you all. You’re such an amazing group of people and I have loved getting to know each and every one of you.