What a truly wonderful occasion our annual Prize Giving ceremony was!

It was an evening that brought our whole community together to joyfully celebrate the success and achievements of our ākonga throughout the year. The atmosphere was vibrant, reflecting the pride we have in our students and the collective effort that supports them.

We were incredibly honoured to welcome Dame Farah Palmer as our guest speaker. Dame Farah has a long and valued connection with St Hilda's, having coached our 1st XV team back in the 1990's alongside our very own John Bradfield. Dame Farah shared an inspiring and profoundly relevant message with our young wāhine: the importance of being brave and saying 'yes' to new things. She spoke powerfully about how taking a chance on an opportunity, even one that seems daunting, can set you on a path you never imagined, urging our students to embrace curiosity and courage as they navigate their futures.

A huge thank you must go to our talented students and staff who provided the beautiful performances that enriched the evening. We extend our sincere gratitude to Ngā Manu o Hira Tapu, Sings Hilda, the St Hilda's Orchestra, and Sylvie Harper & Olive Fulton for sharing their gifts and making the occasion so memorable.

Prize Giving is not only about acknowledging outstanding individual success but also about recognizing the foundational support that makes it all possible. We wish to acknowledge and celebrate all of our ākonga for their huge efforts this year. Whether it was achieving personal bests in the classroom, demonstrating commitment in extra-curricular activities, or simply showing resilience and kindness every day, your hard work has been exemplary.

A special round of applause must go to Richards House, who were awarded The Mumford Cup. The joy was palpable, particularly for Mrs. Barron, as this marks Richards House's first Mumford Cup win in all of her years at St Hilda's!

A massive thank you must also go to the dedicated individuals who make St Hilda's the thriving place it is: the huge efforts of our teachers and support staff for their commitment, passion, and tireless dedication to our students; the essential governance and support provided by our School Board and the Board of Proprietors; the tireless work of our PFA; and the entire St Hilda's community - our parents, whānau, and wider supporters. We deeply appreciate your unwavering support and contributions, which enable us to create an environment where these young wāhine can truly succeed and flourish.

A special congratulations must go to our Top Honour Award recipients. We proudly acknowledge the following students:

• Alexandra Barkman was presented with The Eugenie Avent-Hunter Memorial Award for All-Round Service

• Lucy Reilly was the recipient of both The St Hilda’s Collegiate Cup for All-Round Achievement and The Sophie Elliott Memorial Award for Proxime Accessit.

• Our highest academic honour, the title of Dux for 2025, was awarded to Megha Senthilkumar.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year's Prize Giving such a memorable and inspiring event.

We are pleased to share a video of our 2025 Prize Giving here: Link