Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 1.          Why an Independent School?

Independent Schools have Principals who are empowered to employ excellent teachers. St Hilda’s School’s Principal employs outstanding teachers who best suit the needs of our girls.

Independent Schools enjoy close knit, loyal communities. Our St Hilda’s School families come from a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. St Hilda’s School has a diverse and caring community where Christian values underpin the school.

2.          Why a Girls’ School?

Girls learn best at an all girls school. Respected national ACER research repeatedly supports this. St Hilda’s School’s teaching is customised to girls’ learning. For more information and access to research, please visit the Alliance of Girls’ Schools website at www.agsa.org.au

3.          Why St Hilda’s School?

At St Hilda’s School we aspire to be a world leader in primary and secondary education. It is our intention to achieve this by employing staff who understand the needs of the modern world. At St Hilda’s School we have staff who are passionate about the learning of our girls and who are committed to the creation of an ambiance in the School where the authentic character and leadership of the girls can develop.

St Hilda’s is a school that has a wonderful tradition of educating girls in an environment that surrounds them with fine values. These values are based on the Anglican tradition, and open opportunities which develop the girls’ personalities and characters. Our education is modern and challenging of spirit and intellect.

The students are provided with leadership opportunities that will develop their confidence. These challenges will take them outside of the school, interstate and for many they will travel overseas as they expand their vision and aspirations. St Hilda’s is a globally connected school and our graduates are making a contribution in many places and roles that are critical in building an innovative and interdependent world community. Our goals are achieved as staff work closely with the girls and together they have developed a superb atmosphere in which to pursue education and the development of character.

This School has an exciting program at all levels and our Year 12 graduates are confident, modern young women who participate positively in life and they are looking enthusiastically towards their future lives. Our graduates are energetic, capable and have an engaging style that is affirming of the education they have received.

4.          Does every student have the opportunity to attend St Hilda’s School?

St Hilda’s School is an open-entry, non-selective school, and all girls are welcome to attend. After commencement, every student will be assessed, but this is not a requirement for enrolment. This assessment provides us with important up-to-date information which we can use to meet your daughter's individual learning needs.

5.          What are your intake years?

St Hilda’s School accepts students at all Year levels where places are available. The major intake years, however, are Pre-Prep (Junior School), Year 7 (Middle School), Year 10 (Senior School).

6.          Are places available now?

For the latest information on the availability of places at St Hilda’s School, please contact the Admissions Office on 07 55 777232.  

Please be aware that places at St Hilda’s School are highly sought after and availability is limited. For this reason, we urge you to act promptly during the enrolment process. 

7.          Why do we need to have an enrolment Interview?

The interview will give us the opportunity to build a relationship with your family, discuss your daughter’s learning style, her favourite subjects and co-curricular interests, answer any questions you may have about St Hilda’s School. 

8.          Should I bring my daughter to the interview?

Yes, absolutely! We are interviewing your daughter for enrolment, and not her parents!

9.          Where will my enrolment interview be held?

All interviews are held in James Administration Building. 

Parking is available through Gate 2 from Cougal Street, Southport. Please note these gates are locked between 8am-9am and 3pm-4pm for student safety. James Administration is the two storey building adjacent to the carpark.

10.       How long will my enrolment interview take?

You should allow approximately half an hour for your interview. Appointments are made in quick succession, so please let us know if you are delayed on the day or need to re-schedule your interview time.

A tour of either the Junior or Senior campus (and Boarding House if required) is offered following the interview.

11.       What should my daughter bring to the interview?

If you have a more recent school report or NAPLAN result than those which you supplied with your application, please bring them with you.

12.       What if I am still uncertain of my daughter’s Year of Entry or our family plans?

The interview is a perfect time to learn more about St Hilda’s School and continue research about which school is right for your daughter. You are under no obligation to make a decision on interview day.

13.       Does the interview guarantee an offer of a position?

No. 

The interview is one step in the enrolment process and gives us the chance to meet your family and learn more about your daughter. It is from this information that we are able to ensure that your daughter’s transition to St Hilda’s School is smooth.

14.       What should my daughter wear to the interview?

Your daughter should wear clothes in which she is comfortable. Her current school uniform is quite acceptable.

15.       My daughter is anxious about the interview, how can I assist her?

To be anxious is a very normal feeling, but please assure your daughter that we are excited to be meeting her and hearing more about her current school and her interests. Encourage her to use this interview time to tell us all she can about herself, especially if she has a special interest or hobby. She may like to tell us about what type of friend she is or her role in the family.

16.       How do your waiting lists work at St Hilda’s School?

When a prospective student applies for enrolment to St Hilda’s School, her details are entered on our waitlist. During Term 1 of the year prior to commencement, our Admissions Office contacts the family to confirm interest in a place at St Hilda’s School for the following year and invites them to supply a copy of the student’s latest school report and attend an interview with the Head of Junior, Middle or Senior School. Offers of a place at the School are usually made after this interview.

17.       Do you accept International Students on a Student Visa?

Yes we do. We currently have approximately 55 international students from Pre-Prep through to Year 12. Some of the older international students live in our Boarding House. Please see International Students under Admissions on our website.

18.       St Hilda’s School is a large school - will my daughter get lost?

Care of students is a top priority at St Hilda’s School and underpins all of the teaching and learning programs. The School is divided into three separate Schools, each managed by a Head of School. All students have access to a wide support network which includes Heads of Year and Heads of House, Learning Support staff, Chaplains and Counsellors, who work together to ensure each student develops confidence, self-esteem and a sense of belonging.

19.       What programs do you offer for talented students?

LEAP English, Mathematics and Science alternatives are offered to students who have proven academic achievement in these areas and are keen to meet the challenge of an accelerated course.

20.       Do you have an Exchange Program?

St Hilda’s offers an Exchange Program for Year 10 students in conjunction with a number of other schools around the world such as:

·         Atlanta Girls School, Atlanta Georgia USA,

·         Branksome Hall, Toronto, Canada,

·         Bryn Mawr School, Baltimore, USA,

·         Burgess Hill School for Girls, West Sussex,

·         Herschel Girls’ School Claremont, Sth Africa,

·         Millfield School, Somerset, England,

·         Neerja Modi School, Jaipur, Rajasthan India,

·         Nga Tawa (Wellington Diocesan School) Marton, New Zealand,

·         The Maynard School, Exeter, England,

·         Hakata Girls’ School, Fukuoka, Japan,

·         Mukogawa Women’s University and Senior High School

21.       Do you offer scholarships?

As part of the School's commitment to nurturing the talents of individual students, we offer a large number of academic and music/excellence scholarships for students with special talents. These scholarships are offered for entry in Years 7, 9, 10 and 11. Registration for testing in March of each year is available through our website between the preceding December up to the week prior to the testing date.

22.       Do you have boarding facilities?

St Hilda’s School's Boarding House, is home to up to 170 boarders from around Australia and the world. Boarding is available to students from Year 6-12, and students are accommodated in private cubicles in a dormitory environment (Years 6-10), twin share motel-like rooms (Year 11) and single rooms (Year 12).   Please see the further information available on this website.

23.       What languages do you offer?

From Prep through to Year 12, St Hilda’s students have the opportunity to learn French, with Japanese as an alternative language from Year 7.  Students may also choose to study another language through distance education, with support from the school.

24.       What sports do you offer?

At St Hilda’s School, specialist staff provide coaching for the many St Hilda’s School teams. St Hilda’s School is a member of the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA) which offers competition for girls from Years 8 to 12. Other member schools are Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Brisbane State High School, Clayfield College, Ipswich Girl's Grammar School, Moreton Bay College, Somerville House, St Aidan's Anglican Girls School, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School and St Peters Lutheran College. The QGSSSA was formed in 1908 and St Hilda's School became a member in 1911.

Girls compete in inter-school competitions during the week and after school in following sports: Artistic Gymnastics, Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Cross-Country, Hockey, Netball, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Touch and Volleyball. Golf, Karate, Equestrian and Rowing are also available.

St Hilda’s School's outstanding Sports Centre includes an Olympic size swimming pool, an indoor gymnasium and netball facilities.

25.       What music opportunities are available?

Music is an integral part of the curriculum at St Hilda’s School, and all students have the opportunity to participate in performance groups including choirs and orchestras. Individual tuition in a wide range of instruments and voice is also available at the school. St Hilda’s School's Music Department provides superb practice venues, as well as individual tuition suites and studios. Please see our website under Co-Curricular for more information.  Please see the further information available on this website.

26.       What co-curricular opportunities do you offer?

Apart from sport, we have a number of co-curricular activities and clubs which students can join –Readers Cub Challenge, Sculpt It, Amnesty International, Science Club, Dance, Life Drawing, United Nations Assembly, Mooting, Debating. Please see our website under Co-Curricular for more information. Please see the further information available on this website.

27.       Do you have a relationship with a boys' school?

St Hilda’s School has an excellent relationship with The Southport School (TSS). Although the two schools are separate entities, many siblings attend the two schools. There are a number of co-curricular activities which are shared between the two schools as well as social events which occur in the Middle and Senior School between the two schools. 

Where a family has boys at The Southport School and girls at St Hilda’s, the Schools have agreed that a 15% discount applies for the third and subsequent child.

28.       Do you have a private bus service?

There are two private bus companies that service St Hilda’s in the local area as well as commercial (public) bus services which operate near the school.  Information about local bus services is available here.

A weekend bus service to the Northern Rivers of NSW is also provided to boarders wishing to travel home for the weekend. The bus departs at 4.30 pm on a Friday afternoon and returns the boarders to the Boarding House on a Sunday evening at 8 pm.

29.       Do you have an Open Day?

Our Open Day this year will be held on Friday, 5 August, 2011 between 9am and 2 pm and you are very welcome to join us !