Ravenswood’s 11th Principal

On Tuesday 24 February, Mrs Suzanne Floro was commissioned as the 11th Principal of Ravenswood School for Girls.

The Commissioning Service, led by Ravenswood’s Pastor Anna White-Atkins and the Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT Revered Faaimata (Mata) Havea Hiliau, welcomed students, staff, School Council, dignitaries and various members of the Ravenswood community inside the Gymnasium to witness the milestone occasion.

Also in attendance were Mrs Floro’s two immediate predecessors at Ravenswood, Principals Mrs Vicki Steer (2005-2015) and Dr Anne Johnstone (2016-2025).

Ravenswood’s Chair of Council, Mr Peter Roach OAM, reflected on the attributes which led to her being selected as the School’s new Principal. ‘She is a consultative and collaborative leader,’ he said. ‘She will shine light on those around her; not only the students, but the staff and Senior Leadership Team as well.’

Welcome messages were delivered by two members of the student body, Anna Hattersley (Year 6) and School Captain Abby McCutcheon (Year 12). Anna acknowledged that Ravenswood was ‘the most wonderful place to be’, while Abby shared her excitement for Mrs Floro to experience ‘all that makes Ravenswood special to the Ravenswood sisterhood.’

The Commissioning involved student leaders and members of the School Council and the Senior Leadership Team. Mrs Floro spoke to the community, expressing her commitment to, ‘valuing all people who are, and have been, a part of our Ravenswood community, and the legacy that has been gifted to us; to lead with respect, integrity, discernment, honesty, transparency and hopefulness, and to ensure that all of you – from our youngest Prep student to our eldest Alumni – are able to connect with our collective responsibility for making our world here, and far beyond, a better place, focusing on courage over comfort.’

She said she draws inspiration from Ravenswood’s founder, Miss Mabel Fidler, who kindled the original flame in 1901, and the nine subsequent Principals who ‘courageously fanned that flame.’ She concluded her address by asking the entire Ravenswood community to work together – ‘always towards better things.’

The spirited occasion was coloured by beautiful performances by RAVO Voices and the Year 5 Choir.

‘What a privilege it is to be commissioned as the 11th Principal of this special place!’ says Mrs Floro. ‘Ravenswood has been shaped by generations of courageous, visionary women and I feel deeply honoured to continue their legacy of stewardship. I am humbled by the warm welcome I have received from all members our community, and I am proud to be entrusted with the responsibility of progressing an educational offering built on the pursuit of excellence with integrity, transparency and a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference to the world.’

The Commissioning Service of Mrs Suzanne Floro coincided with Ravenswood School for Girls’ 125^th anniversary celebrations.

Principals of Ravenswood School for Girls

Mabel Fidler (founder), 1901–1925
Ethelwyn Potts, 1926
Clarice Ashworth, 1927–1928
Frances Craig, 1928–1931
Kathleen Crago, 1932–1961
Phyllis Evans, 1962–1986
Coral Dixon, 1987–1992
Lorraine Smith, 1993–2004
Vicki Steer, 2005–2015
Anne Johnstone, 2016–2025
Suzanne Floro, 2026–