ABOUT US
The SGHS Foundation’s purpose is the promotion of equal access and inclusion at Sydney Girls High School through financial support to students and families as well as initiating projects to benefit the school.
Through events and activities, the SGHS Foundation will work with the school, the Old Girls Union, and the SGHS P&C Association to secure new facilities and learning opportunities at Sydney Girls High School. It will ensure that all students are supported to participate fully in school life.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES
Scholarships and bursaries form an important part of the Foundation’s purpose in ensuring equal opportunity for students across the school.
The SGHS Foundation will provide financial support for students who would otherwise be unable to fully participate in the community.
Music Scholarships are available to students across Years 7-11 to continue their Music education with a new instrument, from the range of identified instruments by the Music Department. There is the potential for students to access music tuition and the hire of the instrument through the scholarship, with the commitment to undertake the scholarship for a minimum of two years and be a member of a school Music Ensemble.
Students whose families are experiencing hardship can apply for a music Scholarship to allow them to continue tuition in their chosen instrument and become a member of an SGHS music ensemble.
Years 7 and 8 Transition to Secondary School
SGHS Foundation scholarships are available to students commencing secondary school to assist with the expenses and resources that are required. Families experiencing financial hardship are eligible to apply. Applications are made to the Principal to support students in a variety of ways which are determined by individual circumstances. The scholarships are for the first two years, prior to students becoming eligible for the Public Education Foundation and Harding Miller scholarships for female students progressing to Year 9. The Year Advisor of Year 8 will identify students who would qualify for the Harding Miller scholarship and assist with the student application.
Grants for state and national representation
Students at Sydney Girls HS are often successful in many fields and are part of representative teams, ensembles, and projects. Grants are available to support the costs of these as individuals and teams/groups through the SGHS Foundation. Teaching staff with knowledge of the projects can assist students in applying for a grant to subsidize costs, commencing the process through a discussion with the Principal.
Grants for Stage 6 Students
Support for senior students living out of home or facing hardship to complete their HSC is also available from the Foundation. Year Advisers play a vital role in liaising with the Principal and the Foundation. Also, final-year students who are undertaking projects and coursework who would like to pursue research or access memberships that require additional financial resourcing can apply to the Foundation where their applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
*Further information about how to apply is available by contacting the school.
WHO WE ARE
Fiona McDonald
Fiona (Chair), following her graduation from SGHS in 1991, studied Metallurgical Engineering at UNSW. While she found engineering to be full of interesting challenges, she also realised that her real passion lay in understanding why people do the things they do, and so she began studying psychology at University of Tasmania, before completing honours and her PhD at UNSW. Since then she has worked with the not-for-profit Canteen, which provides support to adolescents and young adults impacted by cancer. Fiona has been the president and treasurer of the OGU for the last 10 years.
Selina Hiew
Selina (Treasurer) is an Old Girl with over 20 years of experience in financial services across banking, superannuation, and investment. She has a deep understanding and expertise in capital, funding, risk management, data, and IT project delivery. During her executive career, Selina served on numerous committees, including the Macquarie Bank Mortgages leadership team, Banking & Financial Services Data Governance Committee and Risk Management Committee, and IT project delivery steering committees.
Andrea Connell
As an experienced educational leader and the Principal of Sydney Girls High School from 2009 to 2024, Andrea has previously held leadership positions at Fort Street High School, Sydney Secondary College, and the NSW Education Standards Authority. She has been a member of the board of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company, UNSW Maths and Statistics community member as well as the Planning Committee for the Inner West Council. Her commitment to public education was recognised in 2023 with a Service Award from the NSW Department of Education.
Mark Grosser
Mark has over 25 years’ experience in the health technology industry working across Engineering, Management and R&D at firms such as Cochlear, Micromedical and the Henry Schein group. He is currently CEO at 23 Strands. Mark has been involved at SGHS as a supportive parent.
Bianca Shah
Bianca is currently Head of Strategy & Growth for the APAC region at Oppenheimer. She began her career in PwC Deals, specialising in transaction services, before moving to Strategy & as a management consultant. She was an M&A Investment Banker Associate from 2021 - 2024 at Allier Capital (in affiliation with Chicago-based bank, William Blair). Bianca holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws from the University of Sydney and is an admitted solicitor and chartered accountant (CA ANZ). Bianca graduated from Sydney Girls High in 2012.
Jessica Carroll Smith
Jessica Carroll Smith is the current P&C Representative on the Foundation. Jess is both an Old Girl (graduating in 1995) and a current SGHS parent. Jess brings her experience in overseeing projects, managing budgets, coordinating teams, synthesising data and turning ideas into action through her years working as an Operations Director in numerous organisations. She holds an honours degree from the University of Sydney and is a co-founder of the Christian justice not-for-profit Common Grace. Currently, she works as a development coach and operations consultant, providing advice and staff coaching to individuals and NFPs.
DONATE
SGHS Foundation Bequests
Throughout the history of the school many families and alumnae have provided support in diverse and significant ways, building the reputation of the school as a lighthouse for girls and young women.
At the present time the SGHS Foundation is the custodian of endowments and bequests which have been gifted to the school with the aim of contributing to the school’s resources and supporting students to reach their potential and pursue their interests and talents. A common thread in the bequests is the desire to especially support students whose circumstances are not optimal, in that families are unable to provide financially to access the opportunities offered by the school.
The Foundation extends thanks to all past donors and those who have made pledges in their will, to leave funds for the school. A shining example of the benefits that can flow is the bequest of the late Gloria Hill, Class of 1941, whose estate directed a very generous donation to the school in support of the new building, The Governors Centre. This generosity of spirit had already been established when Gloria Hill provided funds for the purchase of the school’s baby grand piano.
The school is able to accept and manage funds or commitments of bequests through the formal entity of the SGHS Foundation which is administered by a Board of Directors from the school community including the principal, alumnae, representatives of the Old Girls Union and P&C, parents both former and current.
In recent years the Foundation has established two avenues for student scholarships: Years 7and 8 Transition Bursaries and Music Scholarships for talented and committed music students. Additionally, the Foundation can and currently does, support senior students who are living out of home or experiencing financial constraints in completing their schooling.
If you would like to know more about contributing to the school, please email the school: foundation@sghs.nsw.edu.au
Donations
The Foundation relies on the goodwill and support of donors who can make financial contributions either as an annual amount or a one-off donation to support the scholarships. Donations to the school are tax-deductible, as well as for the school’s Building Fund and Library Fund.
Donations to the SGHS Foundation can be made by contacting Dr Fiona McDonald, Director of the Foundation.
Email: foundation@sghs.nsw.edu.au or phone: 0417 431 677.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE SGHS FOUNDATION:
c/o Sydney Girls High School,
Anzac Parade, Surry Hills NSW 2010
P: 02 9331 2336
E: foundation@sghs.nsw.edu.au or administration@sghs.nsw.edu.au