Mum’s the word for boss
St Hilda’s welcomes new principal Virginia Warner
The new principal of St Hilda’s School has encouraged students to pursue learning and scholarship and champion others, citing the achievements of her mother as an example.
Mrs Virginia Warner was on Friday officially welcomed as the 12th principal of St Hilda’s at a Commissioning Service at the school’s Southport campus.
Mrs Warner, whose appointment was announced on January 2, told a hall packed with students, staff, alumni and dignitaries that since arriving at the school she had been “deeply moved” by the “positive influence” that “permeates every corner of St Hilda’s”.
“It is with profound humility and gratitude that I stand before you today entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of serving this community as principal,” Mrs Warner said.
“… As we embark on a new chapter in the storied history of our school and move confidently into the years ahead, I am acutely aware of the incredible legacy of leadership and excellence in girls’ education that precedes me.”
Among those in attendance at the service were School Council Chair Ms Catherine O’sullivan, Member for Moncrieff Angie Bell, State member for Southport Rob Molhoek, Division 6 councillor Brooke Patterson and past principal Wendy Lauman.
The service was led by The Right Reverend John Roundhill, Bishop for the Southern Region of the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland.
Also present was Mrs Warner’s mother, to whom she paid tribute.
“As St Hilda’s girls, my encouragement is that you commit yourself to the things that matter most, to community, to family, to work that gives you meaning and purpose,” Mrs Warner told students.
“To scholarship, and to celebrate your achievements and the achievements of others, facing the world with an open heart and a strong heart.
“Perhaps more than anyone, Emeritus Professor Dr Anne Mcmurray AM, or as I call her, my mum, is a living example of such things.
“She’s embodied that drive of authenticity in the pursuit of learning and scholarship.”
Mrs Warner arrives at St Hilda’s with almost 30 years of experience as an educator.
She has served as principal at St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg, and as a deputy principal at both Coomera Anglican College and St Andrew’s Lutheran College in Tallebudgera.
She said educators were entrusted with the “noble task” of “weaving a tapestry of learning and beauty and flourishing across all of the experiences within and beyond the classroom”.
“St Hilda’s continues to be a place where minds are ignited, character is shaped and each person is supported as they reach their full potential,” Mrs Warner said.
“The legacy of St Hilda’s school is a strong fabric that’s been woven by the collective of women of profound intelligence, of humour and wit, of generosity of service and spirit, and of living and learning.
“So those who have come before us call on us to be bold in our approach to innovation, courageous and adaptable in preparing our girls for the ever evolving challenges of today, and the future.
“It’s been an intergenerational ambition.”
Mrs Warner replaces Mrs Wendy Lauman, who stepped down in January last year.