St Cuthbert’s College is proud to welcome Charlotte Avery as our new Principal, beginning Term 3, 2024. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades in girls’ education, Charlotte brings a wealth of international experience and visionary leadership to our community.
Charlotte Avery joined St Cuthbert’s in August 2024, after 17 years as Headmistress of St Mary’s School, a prestigious independent girls’ school in Cambridge, England, renowned for its outstanding academic achievements.
I am delighted to join this remarkable community as Principal. I believe that every girl who walks through our green gates has the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the world, and it’s my privilege to work in partnership with our students, parents and outstanding teachers to support them to realise their potential.
Charlotte brings a strong focus on developing confident communicators who can authentically articulate ideas, think critically, and navigate complexity with resilience. Under Charlotte’s leadership, our students embrace challenges, build meaningful connections, and discover their voices – skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
“The future belongs to those who can adapt, communicate powerfully, and think critically. At St Cuthbert’s, we’re preparing girls not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but to create opportunities that don’t yet exist”
Charlotte Avery, Principal
Charlotte Avery’s Philosophy
01. Developing Powerful Communicators
When girls can articulate their ideas confidently and engage in meaningful dialogue, they become natural leaders. We intentionally create opportunities for every student to find and refine her voice, whether in the classroom, on stage, or in student-led initiatives.
02. Creating Connection and Belonging
Strong friendships and a sense of belonging are fundamental to thriving. I’m committed to building multiple layers of connection – within year groups, across age levels, and through our House structure. When girls feel truly known and supported, they take risks, embrace challenges, and support one another.
03. Embracing Failure as Growth
Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey toward it. The future demands resilience and adaptability; creating a culture where taking risks is celebrated, where making mistakes is seen as learning, and where perseverance is valued over perfection, prepares students well for life.
04. Preparing for Tomorrow’s World
The world our students will graduate into looks vastly different from the one we knew as parents. With AI reshaping careers and industries evolving rapidly, I’m focused on ensuring our curriculum challenges girls to question, analyse, and create – not just consume information.
I invite you to explore what makes St Cuthbert’s Special. Whether you’re considering joining our community or you’re already part of it, know that we are committed to providing an un-paralleled educational experience that prepares young women to be formidable forces for good on local, national and international stages.
Next Steps
2027 places are filling fast – please contact Admissions to find out more. Applications for 2028 and beyond are now open.