Died 1986 | ||
Fifi Hawthorne (1899-1986) was Principal of the Kambala School. During her tenure as Principal, 1933 to 1966, the school grew from 100 pupils to more than 660, and buildings and facilities expanded accordingly. In addition to her duties as Principal, she taught scripture in the junior high school and prepared the students for confirmation.
She was president of the Association of Headmistresses of the Independent Schools of New South Wales in 1939 and 1956. She was also a member of the council of the Teachers’ Guild of New South Wales from 1940-65, and was later made an honorary life member. From 1941-64 she served on the committee of the Teachers’ Central Registry. From 1950-52 she was honorary secretary of the Headmistresses’ Association of Australia. In 1972 she was appointed MBE. That year also saw the publication of a history of the Kambala School that she compiled for the Old Girls’ Union.
The Hawthorne Garden, made in her honor, was opened at the Kambala School on May 6, 1967.