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These surveys are conducted regularly by an independent body (MMG) and is part of our commitment to listen to the views and expectations of key stakeholders. The feedback from these surveys greatly assists the school with both its operational and strategic planning and its determination to continually improve the educational experience offered to the students.

Parents

A selection of the parents' top-level findings is detailed below, ranked in order of the importance the parents placed on a school for their daughters.

The top five areas are noted below:

1. 92% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the Quality of teaching
2. 90% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the Focus on student wellbeing, providing a safe and caring environment
3. 97% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to a balanced education
4. 93% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the school leadership
5. 95% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the Academic standards

Parents were asked to provide open responses to the most valued aspects of St Margaret’s. The most frequently nominated aspects were:    

Parent Quotes on what they value about St Margaret’s:

The school is focused on each individual student and helping them achieve the goals and aspirations they have. It is well rounded in all aspects of academic, sporting, cultural and musical opportunities and offerings.

We chose St Margaret's over other schools we visited for its community, grounds/facilities, balanced focus (beyond academics), presence of a boarding school, and friends and family experiences through the school.

A real sense of community and a vested interest in the arts. It has a high-quality boarding house with wonderful experiences and opportunities offered for girls and delivered by high school quality staff. It has been lovely to watch my daughter grow as a Maggie's girl.

All round differential curriculum education. A great balance of academic, sporting, cultural, social. Fantastic community lasting lifelong bonds. Caring staff, teachers and leadership.

Our daughters are viewed as individuals and their specific needs/strengths are considered. All girls can continue to participate in regular exercise and team sports, regardless of skill level. There is a strong community at St Margaret's and many other parents who are also actively engaged in their children's lives. This means there are many opportunities to meet and learn more about our children's friends and their families.

The boarding community.  I enjoy the smaller boarding environment among a large secondary setting. I also value the approach St Margaret's takes in growing well balanced, caring and compassionate girls/young women.

For our daughters it is that it provides a very rounded experience, sport and education go hand in hand. We have learning difficulties with our girls, and they are beautifully supported and recognised for their achievements.

Ros Curtis

Term 1 is moving along quickly. As students find their rhythm in the classroom, they are approaching the weeks leading up to and into assessment time. During a professional learning opportunity this week, I was reminded of a timely saying: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” I was reminded that, in life there are many ups and downs, and this is especially true when it comes to assessment periods. It is wonderful to see many of the girls managing the ups and downs of the term, and ‘surfing the waves’ as they head towards the next few weeks.

Schools are natural environments for helping students cultivate the resilience that resides within them. Academic resilience or ‘grit’, is about students who bounce back, hang in there and those who never stop trying when they are working on developing the areas of learning that challenge them. It is important for your child to enjoy school, however, sometimes they are going to encounter failure and frustration at school.

The staff at St Margaret’s are the best ‘surfing’ teachers I know. They strive to provide support and encouragement to develop skills in all the students to enable them to ‘ride the waves’ of learning. They are also there to support all students to enjoy the celebrations and year level events that bring joy to our school community.

Nicole Devlin

He wrote: “42,000 years ago, a cataclysmic climatic event wiped out four of the five species of humans that had been roaming Earth for the previous 2-300,000 years.

Why was homo sapiens the only one to survive?

According to a group of British and German archaeologists, it was because we were the only species to have formed ourselves into mutually supportive communities and made ourselves emotionally vulnerable to each other. Archaeologists now talk of ‘survival of the kindest’” (Mackay, 2023).

It is in our nature to be collaborative and kind. Obviously, humans are not always kind, nor cooperative. Sometimes we are individualistic, mean and exclusive, yet, knowing that kindness is our natural response means that in these moments we are erring from our natural state. This research gives me hope that if we lean into our humanity, we will be more likely to opt for kindness and compassion rather than the opposite.

We see evidence of this natural disposition toward kindness every day in our school and community when people spontaneously help others, smile at one another, show empathy, and notice how others are feeling in community.

In the week ahead, lets lean into our inherent capacity for kindness as we celebrate connection and community at St Margaret’s.

Source:

Rev’d Jazz Dow

For many of our boarders, having a sister in the house adds an extra layer of security and connection. One student shared, “My sister is my best friend. The feeling of waking up every morning and knowing I have a family member here makes me feel safe and gives me the confidence to be myself.” Another reflected on the small but meaningful moments that make a difference, saying, “Every night she comes and says goodnight to me, so it feels like my family is saying goodnight.” Others admit that while having a sister in boarding is special, it comes with its own set of challenges. “Having a sister in boarding is great—until it’s not! The endless questions: ‘Can I borrow this? Can I use that? Can you take me to this appointment?’ But in all seriousness, I couldn’t do it without her,” one boarder confessed. From swapping uniforms in a last-minute wardrobe crisis to sharing inside jokes over dinner, the presence of a sister brings a sense of familiarity and warmth to boarding life.

Beyond the emotional support, sisters in boarding create lasting memories together—whether it’s offering words of encouragement before an exam, finding each other for a chat when feeling homesick, or simply having fun during free time. “It’s great because you can go to her when you are upset or scared,” one student shared. Another added, “It’s helpful having my sister here. If something is wrong or I have a question I’m too nervous to ask anyone else, I know she’s there to help me.” Of course, siblings also enjoy the more light-hearted moments of boarding life. “She is fun to visit when I’m bored, and they have so much good food that I can steal,” one younger sister admitted with a laugh. Another simply put it as, “Fun, kind, and supportive—but they eat all my snacks!” These small, everyday moments highlight the irreplaceable connection between sisters and how they shape each other’s boarding experience.

As the year unfolds, it is always heartwarming to witness the special role that sisters play in the boarding community. While all our boarders form strong friendships and find support among their peers, having a sister in the house adds an extra layer of reassurance. The presence of family, even in a school setting, helps ease homesickness, build confidence, and create a sense of belonging that enriches the overall boarding experience. Sisters not only share a home but also support each other’s personal growth, celebrating achievements together and helping one another navigate challenges.

The relationships built in boarding school are lasting, and for sisters, these years together become an irreplaceable chapter in their lives. Whether it’s guiding a younger sibling through her first year or simply sharing a familiar smile across the dining hall, the bond of sisterhood is something truly special. As one student perfectly summed it up, “We might argue over silly things, but at the end of the day, she’s my best friend.”

As we celebrate the unique connections within our boarding family, we are reminded that while boarding school shapes strong, independent young women, it also nurtures the unbreakable ties of family—ties that will remain long after their boarding days are over.

Kelli Boucaut

Starting to prepare assessments as early as possible can help manage this as well. Sometimes, students may feel a bit overwhelmed and be unsure where to start. This is totally normal, and a few things can help:

1. Make a list, then pick the top four things to focus on.
2. Have a quick, productive break. It might be to do some exercise or eat some brain food and have a chat.
3. Put your phone away and turn the music off – you are not as good at multitasking as you think you are!
4. Pick an assignment and break it down into more manageable tasks. Try to tick just one of these off, rather than looking at the big picture.

Exam Block Timetables

Students in Year 12 have already received their Exam Block timetables and Year 11 will receive theirs early next week. This will help to inform their study schedule in the coming weeks. All students should already be factoring ongoing revision and study into their weekly schedule. As can be seen on the Assessment Planners, these block periods are quite full so it is possible that your daughter will have more than one exam on any given day. Adequate lead in time will assist her in feeling prepared for this.

“You don’t rise to the expectation, you fall to the standards of your practice” – Amy Clark ‘24

Caitlin McCluskey

Further details about how to book interviews can be found in the letter, however, below is a reminder of key dates for parent bookings:

• Parent Bookings Open: Friday 21 February 9:00am
• Parent Bookings Close: Friday 7 March 9:00am

Kelly Alford

Stymie allows students to confidentially report incidents of bullying, harassment, or any behaviour that makes them or others feel unsafe. These reports are directed to trained staff members who can provide timely and appropriate support. By giving students a safe and anonymous way to speak out, we aim to foster a community where kindness, respect, and inclusion are valued.

To introduce Stymie effectively, we will be holding a 45-minute launch presentation for all secondary students on Monday 24 February. This engaging session will explain how the Stymie platform works, demonstrate how to submit a report, and highlight the importance of standing up for oneself and others. The presentation will also cover the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy, reinforcing the message that bullying of any kind will not be tolerated and that every student has a right to feel safe and supported.

We encourage all students to participate actively in this launch event and embrace the tools and values that help us maintain a caring and inclusive school community.

Nikki Townsend

Our students have embraced the start of Term 1 sports, coming together for training sessions that not only build skills but also strengthen friendships and teamwork. It was particularly wonderful to see their connection with students from other schools at the recent swim meet at Somerville House. I watched our girls supporting each other and engaging with peers from different schools, a great reflection of our community spirit beyond the school gates.

Our younger students, from Prep to Year 2 also had the opportunity to step beyond the classroom, to see a classic Australian picture book, Magic Beach come alive on the movie screen.

Closer to home, our after-school activities are now well underway providing students with further opportunities to explore their interests and strengthen bonds with their peers. Whether through music, sport, or special interest clubs, these activities play an important role in deepening connections within the school.

A significant moment in our calendar this week was Leadership Induction Service, where our student leaders were officially recognised. Leadership is an important milestone in a St Margaret’s girl’s journey, and this service was a testament to the strong values of service to others, responsibility, and connection that our leaders embody. It was inspiring to witness the pride and commitment of our Year 6 students as they step into their leadership role, ready to support and guide their peers throughout the year.

This year has seen the introduction of Prep to Year 3 mini assembly, which serves not only as an opportunity to teach our younger students the expectations of a formal assembly but also as a way to celebrate achievements, share updates, and bring these year levels together. This initiative reinforces our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging from the very start of our students’ school journey.

In addition, today we are holding our Parent Teacher Interviews, an essential part of strengthening the connection between home and school. These conversations ensure that parents and teachers are aligned in supporting each child’s development and wellbeing—another key pillar of our strong and supportive community.

Open Day on Saturday 8 March will not only showcase our school but will also help members of our school community create meaningful connections with families who may soon become part of our community. We look forward to engaging with parents, students, and visitors, highlighting the many ways St Margaret’s supports and inspires every girl on her learning journey.

Community and connection are what make St Margaret’s such a special place, and as we celebrate 130 years, we look forward to many more moments that strengthen our bonds and enrich the experience of every student.

Angela Drysdale

Pick Up and Wet Weather

Toiletries and Cosmetics

We have been noticing of late the appearance of lip gloss products in the possession of students of all ages, many of which come at a high price point. The girls have been advised that they are able to have lip balms to moisturise and protect their lips, but these should be a chemist brand such as Chapstick, Blistex or Paw Paw Ointment. Your daughters have been asked not to bring any Mecca (or similar) products to school as they are creating a distraction for the girls in class and when they are inevitably misplaced, the girls have become easily distressed. The use of any products which are considered make up more than skin protection is not allowed as per our uniform policy. As far as deodorant is concerned, while we do encourage good hygiene practices, it should be used sparingly, remain in the school bag during the day and not be shared with other students. Please remind your daughters of the importance of not spraying aerosols in common areas or out in the open as they can cause harm or set off smoke alarms.

The Tuckshop and M's Café

Thank you for your continued support of your daughters and their journey through the primary school.

Annette Box

Valentine's Day Open Mic Performances

Congratulations to all students who performed at the Open Mic session that was held as part of the Valentine’s Day celebrations last Friday. The performances contributed to the festive atmosphere and we thank all students for their fantastic musical contributions!

Stravidari Strings/Jackson Wind Ensemble Rehearsal

On Saturday 22 February, the Music Department will be holding rehearsals for students involved in Stradivari Strings and Jackson Wind Ensemble. The focus of the rehearsal is two-fold; it will be an opportunity for students to spend time rehearsing new repertoire in the lead up to Open Day, and it will also allow students to further build friendships with others in their respective ensembles. The day will run from 9:00am – 12:30pm. We understand that Mary Poppins rehearsals will also be occurring during the morning. For students who are involved in both, Mary Poppins rehearsals will take priority. Ms Bracken will provide a schedule in advance so that students can check if there may be an opportunity to attend some of the Stradivari Strings/Jackson Wind Ensemble rehearsals. A letter with further information is attached. (PDF 452.5KB)

Open Day Times

The St Margaret’s Music Department is very much looking forward to presenting music performances at the upcoming Open Day to be held on Saturday 8 March. Performance times are listed below (to be confirmed soon):

Circular Drive Stage

9:30am             Sculthorpe String Quartet                                

9:45am             Amati Strings                           

10:00am           Stradivari Strings                                              

10:15am           Chamber Strings                      

10:30am           Exultate                                                           

10:45am           Mary Poppins Preview                                                               

11:45am           Stage Band

12:00pm           Highly Strung                                       

12:10pm           Tuesday Rock Band                                          

12:20pm           Monday Rock Band

Eton Hall

9:30am             Chaseley Concert Band                                               

9:45am             Sister Helen Wind Symphony                                       

10:00am           Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble                                

10:15am           Jackson Wind Ensemble                                    

10:30am           Belle Voci                                                        

10:45am           Primary Chorale                                              

11:45am           Speech & Drama Performances                                                

12:00pm           Serenata

12:15pm           Volare 

Toorak Courtyard

11:00am           Brass Ensemble                                                           

11:10am           Flute Ensemble

11:20am           Clarinet Ensemble                               

11:30am           Saxophone Ensemble

11:40am           Beath String Quartet    

Primary Atrium

10:00am           Tutti Strings

Performance Uniforms

Students are required to wear a performance uniform for some senior auditioned music ensembles. Students are encouraged to purchase the uniform as soon as possible at the School Supply Shop in preparation for Open Day (8 March). Music ensemble uniform requirements are as follows:

Choral Ensembles:

Serenata, Belle Voci, Chorale, Encorah: School middy

Volare, Exultate: Black performance uniform with white ribbon and black shoes (ballet flats).

Band Ensembles:

Chaseley Concert Band, Jackson Wind Ensemble: School middy

Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Brass/Elayne Jones Percussion Ensembles and Stage Band: School middy

Sister Helen Wind Symphony: Black performance uniform with black shoes (ballet flats). (Sister Helen Wind Symphony students may remain in their black performance uniform when performing in Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Brass/Elayne Jones Percussion Ensembles and Stage Band).   

String Ensembles:

Tutti Strings, Amati Strings, Beath String Quartet, Stradivari Strings:  School middy

Chamber Strings, Sculthorpe String Quartet: Black performance uniform with white ribbon and black shoes (ballet flats). (Chamber Strings students may remain in their black performance uniform when performing in Stradivari Strings.)

Rock Bands:

Highly Strung: School middy

Secondary Rock Bands: Smart blue jeans, sneakers and ‘M Factor’ polo shirt, and hair tied back with school ribbon.

Music Support Group

The St Margaret’s Music Support Group is a committee of dedicated parents who meet regularly to support the girls who participate in the school’s Music Program. The Music Support Group fundraises to purchase a range of instruments/equipment to enhance the department’s resources and organises and assists with refreshments at school concerts. The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 March 2025 at 5:00pm in the Circular Drive Classroom 01 (in front of the Arts Centre Foyer). We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

Queensland Representative School Sport facilitates competitive pathways in 21 sports for students between the ages of 12–19 years. Students from affiliated schools across all sectors of education can compete at district, regional, state and national levels of competition. The Department of Education facilitates these events in combination with Regional Committees (Metropolitan North) and affiliate schools.

If interested, students will need to follow the process listed below.

1. General Information:

• Aspiring student-athletes seeking to participate in the Representative Sport Pathway should join the .

2. Expression of Interest

• St Margaret’s will post an expression of interest form on the Representative School Sport (Secondary) POD page, for the district/regional sport trial taking place.

3. School endorsement:

• St Margaret’s will review all EOI nominations, ensuring student's competency achieves the standard set for their nominated sport.
• St Margaret’s will review student’s competency based on the participation and performance achieved within the school’s program or may request further information regarding external sport involvement.
• It should be noted that St Margaret’s is regulated on the number of students we can nominate, and the competency standard required to participate in a District/Regional trial.

4. QRSS Trial Registration:

• St Margaret’s endorsed students will then receive an email, containing a QR Code requesting their registration with QRSS to trial. This QR Code Registration will include all information related to the District or Region trial and include all consent forms.
• It is the responsibility of students’ parent or guardian to complete this external QRSS registration to trial.

5. Principal Approval:

• Upon QRSS registration, St Margaret’s will be notified of student registration, with appropriate Principal approvals sought internally.

6. Attendance at trial:

• On the designated trial date, participating students attend the trial session. No paperwork is required to be taken.
• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of the student to transport their daughter to/from these trials.
• Students who have not completed the QRSS registration will NOT be permitted to take part in the trial.

7. Trial Conduct:

• It is the responsibility of the convening district or region school to facilitate the trial.

8. Notification of Selection:

• Successfully selected students will be notified by the convening district or regional school (this information will not come from St Margaret’s).
• All further information will be provided by QRSS, with similar processes of registration required.

For further information regarding the Queensland Representative School Sport pathway please contact Ms Rebecca Wilkinson via email activities@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or phone 07 3862 0802.

Additional information can be found on the following links:

Please don’t forget to keep any eye on the POD for the latest updates on trials and trainings for all our sports offered here at St Margarets.

Anne Louise Williams

Join us to gain strategic insights to navigate the changing economic landscape, network with industry leaders, and enjoy a gourmet breakfast.

Time:              6:45am arrival for 7:00am-8:45am 
Venue:            Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
Format:          Sit down breakfast with grab and go barista coffee on arrival 
Tickets:          $85 adults, $40 students (Years 10 to 12/tertiary)

Corporate tables: $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event. 

To purchase tickets:, or call the Development and Community Office to book your Corporate Table on (07) 3862 0768.

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners. Supporting Sponsors: Wolff Coffee Roasters, Downer, Clear Insurance, Move Recruitment Solutions.

St Margaret’s 2025 Online Business Directory is now live!

Now more than ever it’s important to get behind business owners within our community and support those who support the school.

If you are looking for services such as accommodation, accounting, automobile, healthcare or legal, looking to buy or sell property or make home improvements take a look at the St Margaret’s Online Business Directory. 

The 2025 Directory can be viewed via this link: /community/business-directory

Wanting to get your business or service in front of the St Margaret’s community?

Contact the Development and Community Office at developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or phone (07) 3862 0768.

Parents & Friends Association AGM

NOTICE is given that the Annual General Meeting of the St Margaret’s P&F Association Inc. will be held on the following date and time:

Date: Monday 17 March 2025
Time: 6.30pm to 8.00pm (followed by light refreshments)
Location: Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's 

RSVP:

There is also an option to join this meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend the meeting in person.

The P&F warmly welcomes new volunteers to join the committee. If you would like to formally join the P&F please complete a  by Monday 3 March.

Mother Daughter Soiree Raffle

Thanks to the generosity of donors and our community, we have an amazing prize pool in our P&F Mother Daughter Rooftop Soiree Raffle.

Fantastic prizes are on offer including a New Farm Seafood and Champagne voucher, an Edito Boutique voucher, a Move Pilates prize and more. You do not need to attend the event to enter.

Please click on the link below to purchase raffle tickets and to see all of the amazing items on offer:

Thank you to our Major Sponsor: Elisa McMahon, , and all of the businesses in our community who have supported the raffle: New Farm Seafood, Edito Boutique James Street, Move Pilates, The Goodnight Co., The Shingle Inn, Flowers from Moray and the St Margaret’s P&F Association. Thank you also to Fullerton Farms who have donated pineapples to be used as decorations. 

Wine tree raffle – can you help?

The wine tree is back for the 2025 Fathers’ Dinner and the P&F need your help!

Do you have a nice bottle of wine sitting at home looking for a great cause to be donated to? Don’t have a bottle to donate but would like to help with a gift voucher? If so, the P&F Association would love to hear from you.

You can choose to donate anonymously or have your name displayed with your contribution. On the night of the Fathers’ Dinner, all the wine will be offered via a live auction.

Donations can be delivered to the Development and Community Office by a parent or guardian between the hours of 9am and 4pm during the school week. Please note that students are not permitted to deliver wine tree donations.

If you would like to support the wine tree, please contact the P&F Association via p&f@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or (07) 3862 0825.

Lara Pickering