WILA: Empowering our girls to lead

For more than 140 years, Abbotsleigh has been committed to empowering young women – encouraging them to be brave, to speak up for themselves and for others and to step confidently into leadership. In 2026, we are proud to take that commitment to a new level as we launch a groundbreaking initiative that will shape the future of leadership education for girls.

In a milestone moment in our school’s history, Abbotsleigh proudly introduces the Abbotsleigh Women in Leadership Academy – the first of its kind in an all-girls’ school. This Academy represents a bold and intentional investment in the courage, intellect and potential of every Abbotsleigh girl. It is designed to open doors, amplify student voice and strengthen the leadership capacity within our community and beyond

As Mrs Krimmer noted at the beginning of the year, 2026 will be a new chapter in Abbotsleigh’s history that we are writing together. The Women in Leadership Academy is a significant part of that new chapter – one that celebrates curiosity, resilience, purpose and joy.

Why a Leadership Academy?

The answer lies in the profound truth we see lived out every day at Abbotsleigh: when girls are given opportunities, skills and confidence, they lead with integrity, compassion, courage and vision. The world urgently needs that kind of leadership – leadership that reflects the depth, insight and moral strength of young women.

Our belief is unwavering: every Abbotsleigh girl is a leader. Not someday, not only when she receives a badge or title – but now. Leadership begins with character, with values, with the small decisions made every day. The Academy exists because we believe deeply in the potential within every student who walks through our gates.

The Women in Leadership Academy will offer the girls access to rich and varied opportunities designed to support their growth, broaden their experience and strengthen their capacity to lead confidently.

These include:

• Leadership classes designed to build core skills and deepen self-awareness
• Mentoring programs with inspiring leaders across business, science, law, the arts and public service
• Opportunities to lead within Houses, clubs, committees and service initiatives
• Authentic, real-world leadership experiences that encourage students to think critically and act ethically
• Specialised Academy projects that empower students to apply their learning in practical ways
• Representation at external leadership forums, youth summits and conferences

These experiences ensure that leadership learning extends well beyond the classroom. Girls will practise everyday leadership –collaboration, initiative, communication and influence – while making a meaningful impact in our school community.

As the inaugural cohort, the girls also carry a unique privilege: they will shape the traditions and direction of the Academy for future generations. Their ideas, contributions and voice will help lay the foundations for a program that will endure long into the school’s future.

Looking ahead, the Abbotsleigh Women in Leadership Academy stands not only as a program, but as a promise – a promise that the courage, voice and potential of every girl will be recognised, nurtured and celebrated. It is an invitation to lead with purpose, to act with integrity and to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities that leadership brings.