BLUEPRINT FINAL FOR PRINT 2025_

Our focus at St Aidan’s is to develop and promote

and CREATIVE women who value reason, imagination, truth, compassion and responsibility.

From the Principal

2024 was certainly a year to celebrate!

In our 95th year, we honoured the past, celebrated the present and looked to the future, especially to the near future that is just five years away. In 2029, we will mark St Aidan’s Centenary, and we look forward to the leadership of our current Year 7 students who will have the honour of stewarding the student body through this milestone in our School’s history.

Since 1929, St Aidan’s has unashamedly held to our Christian values and heritage as the source of purpose in educating the whole girl, for the whole of life. We expect everyone to reach their potential and we provide the opportunity to pursue personal aspirations so that they may truly flourish. Whether in the realms of science, art, sports, leadership, or community service, students of St Aidan’s chart their own courses, embrace challenges, and embark on personal adventures that take them to new heights.

It is in this spirit of curiosity, courage, and boundless ambition that we celebrate our 95th year.

Just like an architect’s plans, this edition of the Blueprint contains the record of knowledge that is needed to continue to build on what has come before us. When we build from a strong foundation, we are positioned to face the future with confidence. 2024 saw significant investment in our facilities development. The second stage of development at Ambiwerra, our Sports Performance Centre, was opened in April. The Centre offers two indoor courts, along with a flexible learning space for health and fitness testing, PE lessons and for other subject areas which make exciting curriculum connections to our natural surrounds at Ambiwerra.

And beyond physical spaces, this year, we have further developed our educational programs. With a whole-school focus, aligning Junior and Senior School sport, music and activities, our Head of Sport and Director of Extracurricular Programs complements our Head of Music Performance, along with a dedicated team of staff and parent volunteers committed to delivering educational excellence.

St Aidan’s focus is to develop and promote authentic, caring, confident, creative and connected women who value reason, imagination, truth, compassion and responsibility. The values of the Society of the Sacred Advent; humility, courage, compassion, resilience, faithfulness and whole-heartedness inform our daily school life.

Each year we witness these values and qualities very much alive and flourishing at St Aidan’s. We acknowledge our hard-working and resilient senior cohort of students who have steadfastly met the demands of the QCE system, completed external examinations in their General Subjects, while demonstrating inspiring leadership. St Aidan’s is a non-selective school, so we are incredibly proud of our senior students’ academic outcomes, as they continue to place in the top three schools in Queensland.

I hope you enjoy this year’s Blueprint. It is not just a retrospective; it is a vivid testament to St Aidan’s commitment to growing strong and courageous future leaders and thinkers, who will become the architects of tomorrow’s successes.

Ms Toni Riordan Principal BEd, MEd (Leadership), FACEL, MACE, GAICD, FIML

Ethos

The Ethos of St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School is the product of our Anglican Identity and our identity as a school of the Society of the Sacred Advent. The combination of these two identities sets us apart as a unique school, confident in who we are and from where we have come.

The Christian ethos of the SSA is distilled through its values: humility, compassion, courage, resilience, faithfulness and wholeheartedness. These values are experienced in small moments, everyday occurrences. They shape our behaviour in the classroom and the playing field; they drive our big decisions and our mundane choices. We ask, “What would the Sisters do?” because we know this is the grounding of the way we do things here, and that seeking genuine answers to that question will always guide us towards life-affirming options.

Our Anglican Identity tells us that our school is a place where faith is central and works alongside reason not in opposition. The worship life of the school is key, and we mark all our significant moments by giving thanks to God and celebrating the community into which God calls us. We are inclusive, celebrating differences for the richness they bring to our common life. This means we welcome and delight in our members from other faith backgrounds, other countries and cultures, other ideas and beliefs. In working together, we hope to combine the best of all of us. And lastly, our school is a place where service and character development are at the heart of who we are. We are not in the business of generating academic outcomes, but of developing the whole person of each student, instilling in them a desire to benefit the world through their contributions.

When we are confident in our ethos, when we know who we are, St Aidan’s finds its flow. The school works. I am confident that this year we have experienced that flow and the joy that comes with it, knowing we are where we need to be, doing work that matters, contributing to the whole in a meaningful way. It makes St Aidan’s a very special place in which to work, to study, to grow and to flourish.

Reverend Gillian Moses Chaplain BA, LLB (Hons), BTh (Hons)

From the Chair of Council

Reflecting on 2024, our 95th birthday year, I am immensely proud of the accomplishments and progress made by our students and staff and the support of the broader school community.

Our Council is composed of a committed group of current and former parents, alumni, staff, and other key individuals who bring a wealth of expertise and perspective. Together, we collaborate to support the school’s operations and long-term strategic planning.

Our prime objective is to help safeguard the school’s assets and ensure the ongoing success of St Aidan’s, protecting the interests of our students, staff, and the institution. The Trust and Council work hand in hand to preserve and enhance the legacy of St Aidan’s, ensuring its continued growth and thriving future, by caring for the land on which the school is situated, protecting the assets on it, and maintaining the buildings where our students work, learn, and grow.

In April, we proudly opened the second stage of our Ambiwerra Sports Precinct, featuring the exceptional Sports Performance Centre. We are the only girls’ school in Brisbane that can host four QGSSSA sports simultaneously in one venue, a point of difference that helps enhance the students’ athletic talent, learning, teamwork and growth.

Looking ahead to our Centenary, we are excited to be finalising our Master Plan including a facelift of Le Fanu and Ruthven Street entrance, Year 12 study centre and the Aquatic Centre at Ambiwerra. Planning and organising works, as well as ensuring correct governance for the delivery of the Master Plan has played a large part of the Council’s work during 2024, a task which we will gladly continue in 2025.

St Aidan’s was founded on the core values of the Society of the Sacred Advent, and today, I believe we still embody these values, particularly adaptation to new challenges, courageous hard work and holistic education. By experiencing the scaffolding that their St Aidan’s years provide in the form of dedicated staff, modern buildings and facilities and strong community, we are equipping our girls to head into the wide world, confident, strong and emotionally intelligent. In every way – “Born to Fly”.

I wish to express my gratitude to the whole St Aidan’s community for joining us on our mission to develop caring, connected, confident and creative women.

Mr Stephen Green Chair of Council

BE Civil (Uni NSW)

Junior School

Nurturing Potential: Celebrating Excellence and Individuality

This year in the Junior School at St Aidan’s, we remained committed to academic excellence and holistic development, fostering an enriching environment for individual growth and collective success.

Academic excellence was cultivated through our implementation of version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics, Science, and HaSS, guided by our pedagogical framework. Curiosity and student engagement were prioritised through activities like Tinkercad, an online 3D design program, where students explored line and rotational symmetry by crafting shapes inspired by nature, such as flowers and snowflakes.

The Science Laboratory, Library, and Art Room served as hubs for experimentation and creativity, showcased during the Junior School Art Exhibition. Collaboration with the Senior School Science Department enriched learning through hands-on experiences, including the Scanning Electron Microscope and participation in the QUT Engineering Spaghetti Bridge competition.

Creating a nurturing environment was paramount. Our educators adopted a student-centred approach to meet each child’s individual needs. The UR Strong program was introduced across our Junior School, equipping students with essential tools to navigate friendship challenges and foster positive relationships, ensuring they thrived academically, socially, and emotionally.

We provided leadership opportunities beginning with our Prep to Year 4 classes through the Early Years Leadership Toolbox and continuing into Years 5 and 6 with our Character Builders Leadership Development Program, promoting a distributed leadership model.

Our curriculum emphasised real-world experiences, including the Year 2 trip to IndigiScapes, where students explored connections to place, observed native plants and wildlife and identified threatened species.

Recognising that every child is unique, we focused on holistic development beyond academics. Our extensive extracurricular offerings included arts, sports, music, and community service programs. New clubs launched this year included the Skipping Club, Little Thespians Drama Club, and the Junior School Football program, which culminated in an A Grade trophy win at the Andrews Cup competition.

Junior School

Our music program thrived, with growth in the Year 2 String Immersion Program, Year 4 Beginner Band and Junior Singers, among other ensembles, achieving excellent results at Music Fest including Platinum, Silver, and Gold awards.

All Junior School students participated in first aid training, and we celebrated National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. Collaborations with First Nations artist Ambrose Killian and Aunty Sharon Mirri Bell enriched students’ learning through creative workshops and interactive concerts.

Our Earth Angels Environmental Club and the Student Representative Council led impactful sustainability initiatives, including tree planting at Sherwood Arboretum on National Tree Day and campaigns like “Wrapper Free Wednesday”. Participation in Brisbane City Council’s Active Travel program earned our Program the Golden Boot Trophy for most improved results, with public transport usage increasing from 20% to 46%.

In the Junior School, our dedicated staff fostered a nurturing environment where we celebrated individuality and prioritised academic excellence, allowing every child to thrive.

Dr Jenny Crome Head of Junior School

BA, MEd (Leadership & Mgt), Grad DipEd (Primary), Grad DipEd (Early Childhood), Cert IV (Business)

2024 Senior Outcomes

The Senior Outcomes of 2024 are, once again, outstanding. St Aidan’s continues to cement its strong reputation as one of the top performing independent schools in Queensland through the hard work and dedication of this cohort. These girls are characterised by their bravery. Their bravery at trying things outside of their comfort zone; battling through COVID learning, getting up when they have been knocked down and aiming high and putting in the hard work required to get there.

The 2024 theme for Aidan’s Celebrates was ‘Adventures beyond the Stars’ and this encapsulates the desire of this cohort to aim for the highest heights, but to do so with compassion and care for each other. Their desire for reaching for the stars and striving to attain their individual potential has been admirable.

2024 has certainly been an adventure, and every great adventure comes with trials and tribulations. Indeed, what defines an adventure is the risk and adrenaline of pushing outside one’s comfort zone and trying something challenging. The best adventures are not tackled alone. The support of peers, families and teachers were like compasses in assisting students navigate those inevitable challenges and the strength of connection in our community allowed risks to be navigated in a safe and supportive environment. The breadth of our teacher experience in formal QCAA roles allowed students to have steady hands guiding them on their journey.

This cohort displayed strong success with internal assessments, and this was evident by St Aidan’s having the highest ever number of students receiving the Australian Institute of Physics and Chemistry certificates for exceptional Internal Assessment results.

Our seniors responded positively and proactively to feedback from mock block testing opportunities and were active in seeking guidance and support from their teachers as they prepared themselves for the final peak of their adventure: external assessments. Watching their connection and support of each other in the Charma on the morning of their first exam highlighted the uniqueness of this cohort and their willingness to lift each other up.

The age-old advice to “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground” rings true for this group, who despite aiming high, did not lose sight of what was important. Active participation in extra-curricular and sporting activities, alongside balancing informal and formal leadership roles was a hallmark of the class of 2024.

Astronomers estimate there are 200 billion trillion stars in the observable universe, each with its own path. Similarly, our graduating cohort has many unique journeys ahead. While their ATAR numbers are impressive, it’s how they use them and embrace their next adventure that truly matters. With the support of their families, they are equipped to take this next step. We can’t wait to see them reach for the stars.

Mrs Laura Cooke, Dean of Studies MA (Hons), PGDE, CELTA

St Aidan’s continues to be one of the top performing independent schools in Queensland.

Data Consent

Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATAR) are calculated and released by Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). The decision for students to share their ATAR result with their school is optional and St Aidan’s only has access to the individual ATARs (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) of our Year 12 students where consent has been granted by those students when registering in the ATAR Portal. 91% of the cohort has provided consent to the School. Of the 94 graduating students in the St Aidan’s class of 2024, 90 were ATAR eligible.

+ 99 18% OF STUDENTS ATAR OF 48% OF STUDENTS ATAR OF + 95 + 98 24% OF STUDENTS ATAR OF 66% OF STUDENTS ATAR OF + 90

OF ALL STUDENTS ACHIEVED A QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education)

Language is one of the most incredible inventions in the history of the universe. English has an alphabet of twenty-six letters, which make up a vocabulary of around 170,000 words, which, when combined according to the rules of English grammar, allow for a literally infinite number of possible combinations. Teaching English is about embracing this dual nature of language: balancing its rules and conventions with its boundless potential for creativity and discovery.

This tendency for language to produce ever new texts and ideas means English curriculum is evolving and dynamic. In 2024, we were thrilled to welcome new Curriculum Leaders—Nicola Seddon for Years 7-9 and Ysabella Chambers-Dawson for Years 10-12—who have been instrumental in enhancing our curriculum to better serve our students this year and in the future.

In our junior secondary English space, we introduced a number of new exciting resources and units for our students this year. In Year 7 and Year 8, we extended our selection of short stories and poetry in our program, and in Year 9, we introduced units on Greta Gerwig’s 2018 production of Little Women, and on Lewis Carroll’s strange and wonderful novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Year 10 now includes a contemporary film unit, in which students critically analysed the 2023 Barbie movie, exploring how a single text can spark a range of audience responses and learning to articulate and justify their own, unique interpretations.

In Year 11, our students engaged in a unit exploring the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Australians, studying The Seven Stages of Grieving by Wesley Enoch

and Deborah Mailman, and the Adam Goodes documentary The Australian Dream. Our Year 12 English students again enjoyed engaging with Hanna Kent’s Burial Rites, exploring issues relating to justice, truth, and identity. Our Year 12 Literature produced some impressive and original imaginative writing this year, some of which has featured in the first issue of our school’s literary journal, The Advent. They also enjoyed engaging with Emily Bronte’s classic text, Wuthering Heights, and considering Bronte’s radically original vision of the relationship between nature and human civilization.

In 2024, we reintroduced the English and Literature Extension course. The students in our first class of ten have achieved impressive results in this rigorous academic subject and have very much enjoyed the challenge of grasping the intricacies of literary theory and completing assessment on literary works of their own choice. The subject has since grown in popularity, with our class size doubling for 2025.

We are also very excited to introduce our Year 10 Amplify English course in 2025. We have written a course that will extend our students’ critical and creative thinking, exploring poetry, coming-of-age novels, short stories, and gothic fiction.

Just as language opens infinite possibilities for creativity, the future holds endless opportunities for learning and growth. We eagerly anticipate all that 2025 will bring and the new horizons it will open for our students.

Dr Christopher Boerdam

Learning Area Leader BA,

BEd, MA, PhD

Encouraging girls to study science is crucial for fostering a diverse and innovative future. Science education at St Aidan’s equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, essential for navigating and understanding the world. Classroom experiences in science play a significant role in improving individual students by fostering curiosity, resilience, and teamwork. The multitude of hands-on experiments and collaborative projects available to our students help develop practical skills and confidence in their own abilities. These experiences not only enhance our student’s academic performances but also prepare them for real-world challenges

2024 highlights included:

• A record fifty students successfully progressed to the Australian Space Design Competition finals. Twelve students will now compete for a chance to attend the International Space Settlement Design Competition at the Kennedy Space Centre, USA.

• Science in Practice students produced their own Camembert cheeses and won Grand Champion in the Mould Ripened Cheese – White category at the Royal Queensland Show (EKKA).

• Twenty-four teams (junior and senior) competed in the spaghetti bridge competition through Engineering Link. Three teams placed in the top thirty tested.

• The Marie Curie club continues to provide enriching science activities. Members attempted the Big Science Competition and the Chemistry and Biology International Science Olympiads. Weekly ‘sciency’ fun included lava lamps, squishy circuits, and optical illusions.

Mrs Yvonne Crowley

Curriculum Leader – Science (7-9)

BSc GDES

• Science Week brought many lunchtime and after school activities relating to the theme Species Survival. This included an engaging afternoon session on Faith and Science. The elephant toothpaste demonstration was truly epic (about 4m high).

• The scanning electron microscope returned twice during 2024 to reveal weird details of microscopic flora and fauna.

• Thirty four Chemistry and 19 Physics Year 12 students achieved 90% and higher overall internal grades and were awarded Certificates of Excellence by the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute and the Australian Institute of Physics.

• As part of DNA Detectives: ‘What Wildlife Visits My School’ project (University of Queensland) it was revealed that the school grounds are visited by an endangered species - Limnodynastes Peroni- the Striped Marsh Frog.

• Year 9 STEAM students designed and manufactured audio speakers and Year 10 Amplify students engineered balsa wood bridges.

• Year 9 STEM and Robotics Club students entered the RoboCup Junior Australian Championships as an Open OnStage team, advanced to the finals and achieved an outstanding 3rd place.

2025 will be an exciting year as we implement both the Australian Curriculum Version 9 within our Year 7-10 science classes as well as syllabus updates across all Year 11 Senior General Sciences.

Dr Wendy Mercer

Curriculum Leader – Chemistry

BSc PHD

Mathematics

It has been a busy and industrious year for Mathematics students and teachers alike.

In 2024, Years 7 – 10 students laid the foundations necessary for the shift to the senior space. 127 Year 7 students happily participated in a visit from World of Maths where they had the opportunity to use a variety of skills to solve real-life problems in a fun environment. A highlight was using statistics to investigate the similarities and differences between teacher and student usage of Aidan’s Place. Our Year 8 students followed in the footsteps of Backyard Blitz contestants and redesigned a backyard using their measurement skills and spatial awareness. And, as always, teams battled it out in the classroom as they attempted some random mathematics trivia.

As the ‘owners’ of a new Mexican restaurant in Graceville, the Year 9 students launched an advertising campaign to attract more customers and secure financial success. Students used a problem-solving approach along with their knowledge of statistics to evaluate whether the advertising campaign was effective. Meanwhile, Year 10 Amplify students created their own version of a powerline with string, and used the collected data to model a curve. In the Year 10 Mathematics class, bivariate data was being used to investigate the relationship between time and temperature, predicting how long it would take for a cup of coffee to reach 29°C.

Of course, all year levels also endured the rigour associated with multiple examinations across the course of the year as they displayed their understanding of many new, and sometimes abstract, mathematical processes.

Year 11 students honed their problem-solving and modelling tasks, and the Year 12 students dedicated themselves to their external mathematics examinations. We particularly commend our seniors on their earnest preparation, attention to detail, and due diligence as their St Aidan’s mathematics journey comes to an end.

It takes a village to raise a child.

This old African proverb conveys the message that it takes many people to create an environment where children can flourish and realise their potential. In fact, here at St Aidan’s, I liken the mathematics learning area to this old African proverb. It takes a formidable team of fourteen mathematics teachers alongside the St Aidan’s parent body and community, to guide, nurture and teach children to achieve their best.

No matter what changes are occurring, the aim of the learning area remains the same – to develop confident communicators of mathematics who can understand key concepts and use processes fluently whilst appreciating mathematics as an accessible and enjoyable discipline to study.

Mrs Linda Gothard Learning Area Leader DipT (Secondary)

Business,

The Business, Economics and Social Sciences (BESS) Learning Area encompasses a diverse array of subjects aimed at developing student understanding of people, places and systems within the world at large. At the heart of the Learning Area are skills fostered and applicable across disciplines and beyond the classroom.

Civics and Citizenship, a designated subject in both Year 7 and 8, continued to evolve and encourage students to consider the implications of our political system at federal, state and local levels, particularly poignant given this year’s elections. Students also developed insight into the parliamentary processes around laws, and the way our legal system supports our society.

Our History classrooms were again filled with inquiry regarding the Ancient and Medieval worlds, with Year 7 students creating museum exhibits and Year 8 investigating aspects of the Black Death and Renaissance. The Industrial Revolution and World War One provided fertile ground for our budding Year 9 modern historians, who sought additional help in the mines and textile factories through creative advertisements, before embarking on an exploration of Australian experiences of the Great War. Year 10 scrutinised the Pacific theatre of war and the role of Australian foreign policy in diplomatic relationships. Our Senior School historians took a deep dive into the role of revolutions in the development of the Modern World, identifying the ideologies of communism and fascism and how they shape experiences in different contexts. Students also participated in The Southport School’s Model United Nations, representing different countries to discuss the geopolitical issues of refugees and cyberwarfare.

Our Geography programs continue to provide rich, hands-on experiences for students across all year levels, including the introduction of excursions in Year 9 and 10. Year 7’s targeted the liveability of Corinda, including the surveying of members of the community. Year 8 investigated landforms and the way that nations changed in response to geographical aspects, while Year 9 took on the challenge of sustainability, visiting urban farms and the South Bank community garden in a bid to meet issues of food insecurity. Coastal change on the Gold Coast was a focus for our Year 10 cohort, resulting in comprehensive field reports, and Year 11 recommended sustainable planning for Fortitude Valley. Geography continues to grow in popularity and reflects the keen interest of our student body in the world around them.

Economics and Business continued to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Year 7 and 8 students explored resource allocation and economic decision making, with Year 9 showcasing a wide variety of business ideas and prowess in the annual Christmas Market business ventures, raising some $2000 for chosen charities. Senior Economics students analysed and evaluated current trends and models in decision making, becoming adept at identifying and explaining Australian responses to international trade. Accounting students continued to hone their problem-solving abilities, readying themselves for any and every accounting circumstance.

Ms Melissa Alexander Learning Area Leader LLB, GradDipEd (Sec) and MEd (Ldshp)

Arts

At St Aidan’s the Arts Faculty stands as a beacon of creativity, with dedicated educators fostering imagination and empowering students through diverse artistic disciplines. The faculty nurtures individual talents while encouraging free creative expression.

The music program offers comprehensive experiences in listening, composing, performing, writing, improvising, evaluating and responding to music from various cultures and periods. Years 7 and 8 focused on folk, Australian, and art music repertoires, while Years 9 and 10 explored protest music, musical theatre, and jazz. Senior students engaged in advanced repertoire study, developing their unique artistic voices while enhancing critical thinking and emotional intelligence.

Visual Art continues to build on the philosophy that art processes are just as important as the products produced, with experimentation and research being fundamental across all year levels. Year 12 students created meaningful works rooted in personal and contemporary contexts, leading to diverse career paths including film, animation, museum studies, and architecture. Three students received Commendation Awards at the state Creative Generation Awards.

The art rooms provide safe spaces for creative risk-taking, with students drawing inspiration

Mrs Sue Figliano

from artists and designers who demonstrate real-world engagement with arts.

A drama education challenges students to explore, create, perform, and analyse drama in diverse contexts. In 2024, Year 7 students performed scenes from Jessica Bellamy’s Compass, while Year 8 explored Alison Carr’s Tuesday and created Contemporary Melodrama pieces. Years 9-12 students viewed Wisdom by Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe, with Year 9 transforming mythology into contemporary performances and presenting adaptations of The Rabbits to Junior School audiences.

Year 10 students worked on scenes from Impending Everyone, participated in Queensland Theatre’s The Scene Project, and performed Talking to Brick Walls. Year 11 students studied The Arrival by Red Leap Theatre Company, explored Australian Gothic Theatre through The Shot, and analysed Black Diggers. They also performed excerpts from 600 Ways to Filter a Sunset in Brechtian style. Year 12 students responded to Wisdom, created original concepts, transformed Macbeth, and analysed Black Diggers for their external exam.

The supportive environment at St Aidan’s empowers students to find their voice and contribute meaningfully to the arts community.

Learning Area Leader – Arts | Curriculum Leader – Music and Music Extension

B Mus (Hons 1), A Mus, GradDipEd (Secondary), M Mus St.

French

Our French students experienced an enriching year exploring French culture, with a special emphasis on cuisine and interactive events. Year 8 students relished a mouthwatering French breakfast crafted by our expert chef, featuring delectable crêpe suzette accompanied by decadent hot chocolate. Students in Years 9 and 10 experienced a delightful picnic, enjoying Madeleines while participating in traditional French games. The senior students in Years 11 and 12 visited the local French restaurant, Boucher, where they experienced authentic dishes including cheese soufflé, lamb, and crème au caramel. Junior School pupils demonstrated their language skills through French theatrical performances during assembly. A new addition this year was our French-themed celebration for Bastille Day, highlighted by the entertaining French waiters’ race and complementary activities. We’re also delighted to share that two of our Year 12 students claimed top honours in the online French speaking competition.

Chinese

Our Chinese program saw Year 8 students attend the annual Buddha Birthday festivities at Chung Tian Temple. This experience enhanced their understanding of Buddhism, meditation techniques, traditional tea ceremonies, and Chinese calligraphy. Year 11 students experienced authentic Chinese dining culture through a hotpot dinner, learning proper eating customs. Years 5 and 6 explored the Dragon Boat Festival, studying related Chinese legends, participating in celebrations, and sampling traditional rice dumplings. Students across all levels engaged in the yearly Education Perfect competition, making their learning journey both entertaining and educational.

Japanese

Japanese studies begun incorporating Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. Students explored practical communication scenarios including restaurant visits, medical consultations, convenience store shopping, fashion styling, and Japanese travel planning. The year provided numerous opportunities for native speaker interactions through hosting exchange students from sister schools and welcoming Japanese trainee teachers who enhanced our learning environment. Students participated in the MLTAQ online speech competitions, maintaining their tradition of exceptional performance.

Mrs Nat Dawes

Learning Area Leader

BA (Geography), Master (Geography), GrapDipEd (French/Geography), MLTAQ French

Extra-curricular Activities

At St Aidan’s we value participation and excellence in equal measure; we aim to pursue each without detriment to the other. In addition to our thriving sporting and music programs, we offer a diverse range of clubs and activities that cater to the interests and talents of all students.

This year, students have enthusiastically embraced new opportunities. In the Senior School, eSports, Chess Club, and Earth Guardians have seen strong participation, while in the Junior School, new initiatives such as Mini Moves Dance, Skipping Club, Tiny Thespians, and Table Tennis have quickly become popular.

The Interact Club made a significant impact with its inaugural participation in the Melanoma March, where it became Brisbane’s largest fundraising team. Meanwhile, the Advent literary journal—a student-led editing and publishing project—successfully launched, showcasing the creativity and initiative of our students.

Our Australian Space Design team once again excelled, qualifying for the Australian Finals. Similarly, our Stage Dancers achieved remarkable results in an outstanding eisteddfod season, earning places in the Dance X Stage Finals for Lyrical, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. They are especially to be commended for their 4th place in Musical Theatre at this prestigious competition.

The Robotics and STEM Competition Club continued its growth and success at regional, state, and national levels. Highlights include the Year 6 Panic at the Picnic team placing 3rd in the Novice Division, the Year 9 Fairytale Fablers earning 3rd place in the Open Division, and Aidan’s Apollo winning the Open Division at the State Championships and securing 3rd place at the National Championships.

These achievements reflect the breadth of opportunities available to our students and their ability to excel while pursuing their passions.

Mrs Kate Atkin Director of Extra-curricular Programs

BComm, BSc (Mathematics), Grad Dip Ed (Secondary), MEd (Leadership & Mgmt), JP(Qual), MACEL

Extra-curricular Music

2024 has been a remarkable year of growth for the St Aidan’s music program, showcased by the impressive involvement of one-third of the school in the Gala Concert held in Term 3. This participation figure does not include the full immersion programs in Years 2, 3, and 4, which represent an additional segment of our vibrant music community.

This year, a new concert venue, Riverlife Baptist Church, provided a professional setting with ample backstage facilities, lighting, recording capabilities, and a spacious stage. This venue allowed all ensembles to perform together in one concert, raising the profile of music throughout the school and providing an inspiring showcase for beginners and advanced groups alike.

Music students have continued to excel, with increasing numbers participating in solo performances, small ensembles, competitions, and advanced events beyond the school. These include prestigious opportunities such as the National and State Honours Programs hosted by the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Young Conservatorium of Music, Queensland Youth Orchestra Ensembles, Australian Youth Orchestra Ensembles, and various external eisteddfods and competitions. In particular we recognise the Da Capo String Quartet who placed 3rd in the Redlands Eisteddfod and shortlisted for prizes in the prestigious Strike A Chord national competition.

St. Aidan’s also achieved strong results in the Music Fest competition, with 10 ensembles competing across various categories. As part of this competition, each ensemble benefited from a workshop with an adjudicator, allowing for immediate adjustments and feedback. Our ensembles performed exceptionally well, with the following results:

• Silver Award: Charma Band and Dolce Strings

• Gold Award: Back Beat Band, Con Brio Band, Ensemble Volar, and Junior Singers

• Platinum Award: Children Crossing Choir, Paganini Strings, Symphonic Winds, and Vivaldi Strings

These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our students and the continued growth and excellence of the music program at St Aidan’s.

Ms Shannon Tobin Head of Performance

BMus, MMus (Res), MMus(Perf), Grad Dip Teaching

Extra-curricular Sport

2024 has been a successful year for sport at St Aidan’s, with achievements across both the Senior and Junior Schools, demonstrating the hard work and commitment of our athletes in not only the Andrews Cup and QGSSSA Competitions, but also in Club and Representative pathways.

From the start of the year, our Senior School teams showed dedication and teamwork across a range of sports. Their efforts led to strong results, including premiership wins for D Division Badminton and our 7A, 8A, 10A, and Open Touch Football teams with the Open team securing a third consecutive title. Outstanding results were again achieved at the Queensland All Schools Touch Football competition with the U18 team winning this prestigious competition for the fourth consecutive year. The Athletics team also had a standout season, culminating in winning the Del Mellefont percentage cup, with many athletes achieving personal bests and contributing to an excellent team outcome.

In the Junior School, students embraced the Olympic motto—”Faster, Higher, Stronger –Together”— and took on new opportunities in various sports. A highlight was the Senior A team’s debut season in Andrews Cup Football, where they achieved a premiership in their inaugural year. The 12-year-old age group excelled in Cross Country and Athletics, winning their division, while the C Grade Basketball, B Grade AFL, A Grade Cricket and Junior A Touch Football team also achieved premiership titles.

2024 also marked the opening of our new Sports Performance Centre at Ambiwerra. These state-of-the-art facilities have provided additional support for training and performance across sports and have been well-utilised by our teams. We look forward to seeing the new opportunities and growth this will bring to the St Aidan’s sport program in years to come.

Ms Cherie Andersen Head of Sport BEd

Governance and Leadership

SCHOOL FOUNDERS

Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Mr Stephen Green, (Chair), BEng.Civil (Uni NSW)

Mr Reece Walker, (Deputy Chair), LLB, GradDipAppFin, FFin, GAICD

Ms Rachael Cronin, BCom, LLB, MBA

Mr Scott Douglas, BUrbDev(ProEc), BEcon, GAICD

The Rev. Canon Dr Marian Free, BA, Dip.Ed, PhD

Dr Chelsea Ho, MD, BMedSci

Ms Anne-Maree Keane, BBus(Dist), GradDipAppFin&Inv, FCA, SFFin, MAICD

Mr Simon Petie, BArts(Politics), Grad.Dip (Strat.Leadership), FAIM

Dr Anne Kruger, PhD, MA Research

Dr Shaneen Leishman, Bsc(Hons), PhD

Ex Officio

Ms Toni Riordan, BEd, MEd (Leadership), GAICD, FACEL Qld, MACE, FIML

Mrs Geraldine Ebbrell, BEd (Secondary), MEd (Leadership and Management)

Ms Toni Williams (Company Secretary), BBus (Accounting), BBus (Information Systems), GAICD, GIA Affiliated

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ms Toni Riordan, BEd, MEd (Leadership), GAICD, FACEL Qld, MACE, FIML

Reverend Gillian Moses, BA, LLB (Hons), BTh (Hons)

Mrs Geraldine Ebbrell, BEd (Secondary), MEd (Leadership and Management)

Mrs Laura Cooke, MA (Hons), MEd (Leadership and Management), PGDE, CELTA

Mrs Meg Bishop, BEd (Science), MEnv (Hons)

Dr Jenny Crome, PhD, BA, MEd (Leadership & Management), GradDipEd (Primary), GradDipEd (Early Childhood), Cert IV (Business)

Mr Joel Glazebrook, BEd (Political Science), BJourn(Hons),DipEd, DipA (Philosophy)

ST AIDAN’S FOUNDATION

Dr Anne Kruger (Chair), PhD, MA Research

Mr Christopher Johnstone, BA(Hons) LLB, LLM, Graduate Diploma Mil Law

Mr Craig Lennon, BBus, CAANZ, AICD, AGIA, Graduate Diploma Applied Finance, Graduate Diploma Applied Corporate Governance

Mr Patrick O’Connor, BA, LLB, Chartered Institute of Secretaries, JP

Mr Hamish Bonifant, B.Econ, Graduate Diploma Applied Finance Professional Diploma Stockbroking. Master Practitioner member Stockbrokers & Investment Advisers Association, MSIAA

Mr Scott Douglas, B.UrbDev(PropEc), B.Econ, GAICD

Ms Toni Riordan (Principal), BEd, MEd (Leadership), GAICD, FACEL Qld, MACE, FIML

Ms Fiona Richardson, BA, GradDip. Applied Finance

Ms Fiona Himstedt, BBusMgmt HR

Ms Lucy Hirst, BHITM, Dip.Project Mgmt

Mr Ryan Stevens, (Secretary), CA, Bcom (Hons), BCompt

P&F ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES

Mr Reuben Saayman (President), B Com, B Com (Hons), CA

Mr Kris Whitehead (Vice President), B. Bus (International Business), B. Bus (Management) Chartered Banker

Ms Kate Thomas (Vice President), BEd (Secondary)

Ms Emma Bristow (Treasurer), BCom, BEc, CA

Mr Carl Quarterman (Secretary), BSc, Dip Leadership & Management, Cert IV Engineering, GAICD, JP

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School

11 Ruthven St, Corinda Qld 4075 Australia

P +61 7 3373 5999

E reception@staidans.qld.edu.au

www.staidans.qld.edu.au

A School of the Society of the Sacred Advent

ABN 31 074 999 527

CRICOS Provider Number 01194k