Walford has a long legacy of academic excellence and of educating girls for a principled life of contribution. Our school was founded in 1893 with the aim of providing an outstanding and forward-thinking education for girls and young women that prepares them for a range of pathways through life, including those traditionally dominated by men. Walford has always been a school that takes girls seriously, ensuring that they receive an education that drives them to be courageous and considered citizens who unapologetically lead in their chosen field.

With automation, AI, wearable technologies and agentic entities reshaping the future of life and work, today’s world is a far cry from 1893. The world increasingly requires a diverse and evolving skillset, a global mindset, technical prowess and uniquely human attributes. Generations Z and Alpha are prioritising wellbeing, community, authenticity, autonomy and flexibility over certainty, ownership and material things. They are predicted to work in multiple jobs across multiple careers, and to live in many homes throughout their lives.

The world into which our girls enter remains, however, one of gender inequity. The 2024 Global Gender Gap Index places Australia at 24th in the world overall in gender equity, and at 28th for Political Empowerment, 42nd for Economic Participation and Opportunity, 84th for Educational Attainment, and 88th for Health and Survival. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the national gender pay gap is 11.5%, in favour of men, as of August 2024, with women earning on average 89 cents for every dollar a man earns.

Walford continues to lead the way in showing how the world can be for girls and women. 2024 Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) data shows once again that Walford is the school in South Australia with the largest gender pay gap in favour of women, at -3.6%. Walford is the only girls’ school in South Australia to offer a STEM and Space Tour to the USA, prioritising STEM education and nurturing passions in STEM fields. Walford old scholars continue to lead and inspire, such as Madeleine Bardy who, at just 19, is on track this year to be the first female to graduate with an aerospace engineering degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Madeleine recently visited Walford to share her experiences with current students.

Walford’s SACE Class of 2024 achieved outstanding academic results, including in subjects where Walford students outperformed the State average by leaps and bounds. These include Design, Technology and Engineering (in which 40.4% more Walford students achieved A+ grades than the state average) and Mathematical Methods (in which 20% more Walford students achieved A+ grades than the state average). 32% of the Class of 2024 entered post-secondary pathways in Medicine and Health (such as medicine, paramedicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy). Others entered law, engineering, business, biotechnology, computer science, finance, the arts, and more.

Walford was recently featured in The Australian and The Advertiser in articles about young women aspiring to STEM careers in defence. Year 12 student Ellen was among those, whose passion for mathematics and physics are leading her towards an engineering pathway. “I like challenging my thinking and being creative in new ways to solve problems about the universe itself,” she said. “An engineering career path is ideal for this as I can challenge my thinking whilst applying my skills to make, design and improve things to benefit society.”

Year 11 student Constance is eager to pursue a career in aviation, which was cemented after attending Walford's STEM and Space Tour. “Being surrounded by different space shuttles and rockets, as well as attending lectures and learning about the science behind aviation cleared any confusion I had about career paths,” she said. “It became obvious this was my passion.” Young Walford women like Ellen and Constance exemplify curiosity, innovation and dedication to STEM fields essential for the future.

In the face of technological advancements and global change, Walford’s continued commitment to educational excellence, gender equity, and future-focused education for girls and young women, remains as relevant as it was in 1893. The legacy that began over a century ago continues through students who continue to become women who question assumptions, tackle complex challenges, and create the world they want to see.

Dr Deborah Netolicky
Principal