St Andrew’s School for Girls new Head Girl Team Announced for 2026. In a proud and uplifting moment for the school community, the 2026 Head Girl and Deputy Head Girls were officially announced on Tuesday, 30 September. Congratulations to our new Head Girl, Caitlin Ho, and Deputy Head Girls, Jade Burnand and Olivia Wiggill, who have been selected to lead the student body into the upcoming year. The girls were chosen following a thoughtful and student-driven voting process that involved Senior School students from Grades 8 to 12.

“The election of the Head Girl team is a highly anticipated event on the school calendar, not only for its significance to the girls but also for the values it promotes. Students cast their votes based on merit, character, and leadership potential—they vote for individuals who demonstrate grace, humility, and a genuine passion for service,” stated Ms Caterina Cacchioni, Head of Marketing & Admissions.

Mr Andrew Bishop, Deputy Head of the Senior School explained, “Candidates are only eligible to run for leadership positions if they complete minimum Level 3 of the school’s Skilled for Life programme. The programme encourages the students to take responsibility for self, for others, for tasks, and for the community. Students are guided through the programme to participate in an array of co-curricular activities, community service, and servant leadership. The qualifying candidates then apply for their preferred leadership position, and voting is opened to the students.”

St Andrew’s follows Robert Greenleaf’s model of Servant Leadership, in that all members of our Senior School are called upon to serve the community. School leadership is developed through a personal development programme, Skilled for Life, which comprises four levels that a student needs to work through. It is recommended that a student works on one level a year, thereby reaching level 4 in grade 11.

1.        Level 1:  Development and mastery of self and personal responsibilities

2.        Level 2:  Level 1 requirements, plus interactions with others, relationships, personal letter of reflection and a letter of motivation from a peer

3.        Level 3:  Level 1 and 2 requirements, plus responsibility for a task or activity

4.        Level 4:  Level 1, 2, and 3 requirements, plus responsibility or leadership over others

All levels require hours of community service as well as involvement in school life in both the sporting and cultural arenas.Our Executive and Senior School Head, Mrs Gill Jeffrey, adds a personal touch to the process, and asks that voters submit written motivations for their choices. “This year’s process once again highlighted the depth of leadership talent within the school. The voters motivation comments offered heartfelt insight into the personal qualities of each candidate,” expressed Jeffrey. Comments submitted by students included:

“Caitlin is strong minded and kind, uplifts those around her, is confident, and makes all those around her feel heard. She is an upstander and leads with grace and accountability, she is always smiling and is a constant support to the people around her. Caitlin is true to herself and loved by her peers. She is organised and positive and is a very good representative for all of the school’s values.”

“Jade is very organised and fully involved in the school; she is humble, accountable and conducts herself with grace. She steps up when needed and is considerate of everyone. She has the best interest of the school and our community in mind. A good problem solver and quick thinker. She is helpful and caring and a servant leader who will lead our school with integrity and grace.

“Olivia shows resilience in everything that she chooses to do, she has an unwavering commitment and dedication in her co-curricular activities. She is passionate and confident. She is kind and a dedicated person who has great communication skills and shows wonderful qualities of being a leader. Olivia embodies all the values of an Andrean.”

The school expressed its pride not only in the leaders selected, but also in the maturity and sincerity of the student body’s engagement in the voting process.

“As a school, we are incredibly proud of how our students take ownership of this process,” stated Bishop.As the school celebrates the incoming leadership team, it also takes a moment to express deep gratitude to the outgoing 2025 Head Girl and Deputies: Zandile Chabane, Imani Tumasang, and Danica Pritchard. Their commitment, resilience, and dedication over the past year have left a lasting legacy. “We thank Zandile, Imani, and Danica for their exceptional service,” added Jeffrey, “They have led with integrity and have been role models to all.”As Caitlin, Jade, and Olivia prepare to take on their new roles, the school community stands behind them in support, looking forward to the year ahead with optimism and pride.