Molly Marsh by Isla Huffadine

Molly Marsh

Head Girl's Prize giving speech 2020

As an 8 year old, no doubt like many of you, I was obsessed with pink, ballerinas and fairies! I fell in love with a book series called ‘Felicity Wishes’.

Felicity Wishes is a cute wee humble fairy who attends the ‘School of Nine Wishes”and friendship is the most important thing to her.

10 years later; still pink obsessed, I realised that this book was full of valuable messages about friendship. I feel these are useful when reflecting on high school experiences.

I also realised that the ‘School of Nine Wishes’ is similar to our very own St Hilda’s. We too have a school full of fairies, we just happen to be blue ones. Both schools offer training and learning for different career paths, both schools have a fairy godmother, both schools value the importance of friendship and both produce a special group of graduates each year.

I am so proud to be one of the blue fairies fluttering around St Hilda’s but I am also proud of all the things that have been achieved and conquered by others, this year especially. Tonight we get to celebrate the fairies that have worked especially hard over what has been a topsy turvy year. Congratulations if you got to flutter across the stage tonight, but if you didn’t, but still achieved your personal best you should also feel proud.

The ‘School of Nine Wishes’ offers careers as tooth, blossom, christmas and friendship fairies.

These exact career pathways aren't available at St Hilda’s, however, we do have access to an excellent education that spreads in many directions. We have the chance to try so many new things which helps us to discover our strengths and passions, all in what I think is a stunning location.

Just like the ’School of Nine Wishes’, St Hilda’s also has a fairy godmother who is not only wise but cares immensely about her students. Because there are so many of us, our fairy godmother needs an extremely dedicated team of staff to help her.

Mrs Barron and all the staff at St Hilda’s are so passionate about supporting us to discover our ‘vibe’, grow our talents and truly be the best versions of ourselves. We really do have a lot of teachers, parents, family and the wider shcs community looking over, and looking out, for all of us. On behalf of the girls thank you for every single little thing you have done for us all.

As much as both schools are about achievements and learning, a very big part is also about relationships. Felicity wasn’t sure what she was good at and had no idea what type of fairy she wanted to graduate as.

In fairy flying class she tried a triple twist take-off and sprained her wing.

In science, her sparkle dust mixture had the class sparkling for a whole entire week!

And in History she spent more time admiring her pink handwriting than finishing her project.

During all this time she showed care, respect and honesty and for that she was awarded the “Friendship Fairy” at her prize giving.

St Hilda’s strongly encourages these same values and they are reflected in the special character of our school.

It is some of Felicity’s wise words that I would like to share, directly from inside her book.

  1. Have each other backs. Giggle and cheer in the good but also hug and support in the not so good. Loyalty and consistency is key.


  1. Keep your friends' secrets close to your heart. It is so simple, yet way easier said than done.


  1. Treat your friends and others as you would like to be treated yourself...So true


  1. Everyone has little hiccups, even fairies.


  1. And true friends are special and rare and should be treasured always.


A very special group of fairies to me is Emma Christie and the prefect team. Together we set goals, planned and delivered. You are such a talented and capable group. Thank you for your energy and commitment to your roles in the school.

Another special group of fairies is the Class of 2020. It's been a privilege to eat lunch with, walk to class with, have cuddles in the common room with, stand in the canteen line with, you all; a bunch of classy young ladies.

Finally on behalf of my fellow year 13 fairies, we are very grateful to St Hilda’s but also very ready to graduate with all we have learnt and experienced. We are ready to fly with our wings and truly sparkle!

In true Felicity Wishes style, I would like everyone to make a wish and to do so; Close your eyes, count to five, wiggle your nose, whisper your wish, and maybe, one day your wish just may come true.