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Just another reminder about our Past Student Awards dinner on 25 March. Tickets are available at this link: . This is a wonderful opportunity for both students and parents to be inspired by the achievements of our past students.

It is close to that time of year again, when members of the school community can submit nominations for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) for Inspirational Educators. Nominations are open from 30 March to 30 June This is an opportunity for our school community to publicly recognise and encourage our great teachers. By nominating them, you are not just showing your appreciation for exceptional teaching, you are also giving them the opportunity to receive a professional development grant up to $10,000 to further their educational impact.

The National Excellence in Teaching Awards program was established in 1994 to honour exemplary teaching throughout Australia and New Zealand.

We know that parents value the efforts of our teachers and there are very few opportunities for a public expression of this appreciation and support. One way of doing this is by nominating a teacher for this award. Nominated teachers receive a congratulatory NEiTA Certificate of Nomination and become eligible for NEiTA State and National Awards.

Nominations are quite straightforward and confidential. If you wish to nominate, please access this link  from 30 March

Thank you for considering nominating a member of the St Margaret’s teaching staff. It is always a delight for a staff member to receive feedback that they were nominated.

Ros Curtis

Sabrina (South Africa): During our second week here in Australia, all the exchange students went on an amazing adventure to Sydney. It was full of new experiences, learning, laughter and fun.

Firstly, we visited wonderful, famous landmarks such as Bondi Beach, getting to meet the popular lifeguards. We went on a tour of the beautiful Sydney Opera House, walked around the harbor and explored the city. The second day of our trip began bright and early, walking to the harbor and catching a ferry to Taronga Zoo. We got to see all the indigenous animals like koalas and kangaroos for the first time. After a full day of walking and fun we went for a shopping expedition at Pitt St Mall. After a history tour and souvenir shopping, on the third day, we returned home to Brisbane and back to school the following day.

Sydney was frankly an amazing city and experiencing it with an extraordinary group of girls was a true privilege. It was a unique experience that we were all extremely lucky to have shared.

Cami (South Africa): The Sydney trip was definitely one of the highlights of my exchange. We were exposed to so many amazing aspects of Australia through the Opera House tour and the walking history tour, this really gave me deep understanding of the history of Australia which I found very interesting. Going into the opera house was so beautiful and I had to make a promise to myself that I would come back and watch a performance there. Something as small as going across the harbor in a ferry meant a lot to me and I spent the whole ferry ride just admiring the beauty of the city, bridge and Opera House. The zoo was also incredible as I was able to see not only Australian animals but animals from all over the world which I have never seen before. I'm so lucky I was able to get this experience and hope that I’ll be able to come back one day.

Rania (Canada): The Sydney trip is an experience that I will never forget. From the beautiful sights to the connections that I made, all of it is unforgettable. I loved visiting the city by walking. Even though we walked twenty thousand steps a day it was worth it because it was the best way to see the city. The opera house was super impressive as well as Taronga Zoo. Over there I learned a lot about Sydney’s history thanks to the walking history tour of the rocks. Besides the beautiful city, I also made amazing friends. We bonded over our love for Yo-chi and even though we live on different continents I will never forget them. Overall, the Sydney trip was more than just some tourism, it was a unique experience full of laughter and joy, and I will forever cherish these memories.

Josie (South Africa): This week the exchange girls from St Margaret's went to Sydney for two nights, and what a time we had! In just two short days we managed to go to Bondi Beach, the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Pitt Street shopping, China Town and a walking history tour at The Rocks. 

My favourite part of the trip was the beautiful harbor. Being able to experience such a beautiful city is such a privilege. I am so grateful for this opportunity provided by St Margaret's, and I will never forget the memories I have made. Being in Australia at St Margaret's is developing my character immensely and I am beginning to see personal growth every day, step by step becoming a better version of myself.

Emma (South Africa): The Sydney trip was such an amazing experience as I got to see all of the ways that Sydney is different and similar to South Africa. It was such a great experience as we got to learn about Sydney and Australia's rich history and see how the people go about their daily lives. We got the opportunity to see the incredible buildings as well as the Sydney Opera House, which was unbelievable. Going to Taronga Zoo was definitely a highlight of the trip. I had so much fun seeing and learning about the unique Australian animals. I am so grateful to have experienced this with my friends, not only from my home country, but from other parts of the world, and it is something that I will cherish forever.  

Minny (South Africa): Sydney was amazing!! The moment we got there I felt the atmosphere of the city. It was busy but beautiful. We walked to all the sites, moments of mystic and calm. Everyone had their own places to be, rushing to get there. 

It all hit when we arrived at the beach though – at Bondi beach. The view was breathtaking. The sea was clear and teal blue. The sand was soft and clean. Which was unusual for me because the beach sand in South Africa is grainier and shellier. The best part though, we got to take a photo with the Bondi Lifeguards like the ones from the show!  

My favourite part was the Sydney Opera House. It was gorgeous. From afar it was smaller than I expected but once we got there... It. Was. Huge. The structure of it was sophisticated and shiny. The tiles radiating underneath the sun. Though the main hall took it all away. The two different woods blending to carry the sound and the hints of purple with the stage lights. It felt regal-like. 

All in all, Sydney was lots of fun, and I had an awesome time there.

Ruth (South Africa): I absolutely loved the Sydney tour. It was an amazing experience for me as I have never been there before. It was a great time to just relax and take my mind off the busy rush of everyday life. My favorite part of the trip was Bondi beach and meeting the lifeguards. I would have loved to spend a bit more time there as it was so beautiful. 

I also loved the zoo and seeing all the different animals that we don't usually see in South Africa. The boat ride there was amazing. Looking back at the Opera House, the bridge, the Harbour and the city was truly spectacular.

I loved the time with my friends and meeting the girls from other countries.

It was so amazing and beautiful to see.

Gabrielle (Canada): The trip to Sydney was really unforgettable. We learned about the history of the Opera House and The Rocks. It was really interesting to be able to make links with what we already knew but also learn new information and stories that the guides told us about. Seeing animals that I'd never seen before was so impressive. Coming from Canada, tigers, giraffes and rhinos aren't the most common animals to see so it was nice to learn a bit about them and see them for the first time.  

The trip also brought me many new friendships. I got a lot closer to the girls from Vancouver who I had already talked to but hadn't built a friendship with them yet. Seeing each other outside of school and really being able to talk and learn about each other really brought us closer. We were also able to learn about the South African girls who just arrived. Sharing our different lifestyles and learning about each others culture was so interesting and made us become friends. In the end, everyone was so lovely and it was so nice to be a big group sharing this experience together. 

Sarah (South Africa): I had the best time in Sydney, this week all of the St Margaret's exchange girls went on a trip to Sydney. As soon as we arrived we got on a bus and went to Bondi Beach, it was such an amazing experience and we even met the lifeguards and got a photo! I loved going to the Opera House and seeing the beautiful main hall, that was truly a once in a lifetime experience!! 

Taronga Zoo was definitely a highlight. It was so cool to see the koala, kangaroo and all of the other animals that I had never seen before. The Italian restaurant we went to that night had the best pizza I have ever tasted!! The Sydney trip was truly a magical experience and it helped me make so many memories that I will treasure forever!

Sienna (South Africa): The Sydney trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life and will definitely remain a memory that will stick with me forever. I had so much fun and really enjoyed all the activities such as going to Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo, and my personal favorite, seeing the Opera House. It was so stunning that it felt unreal; the architecture was insane, so unique and definitely something you would not get to see anywhere else, making it a truly special experience. 

I was very excited when I saw a koala for the first time at the Taranga Zoo, It was one of the cutest animals I have ever seen. The food in Sydney was also absolutely delicious! Overall, it was unforgettable. I am so grateful I was able to go.  

Clara (Canada): The Sydney trip was truly an unforgettable experience. From touring the Opera House and relaxing at Bondi Beach to seeing Australian wildlife up close at the zoo, and so much more, there was always something to look forward to. These adventures have definitely become core memories for me.

I met so many friends on this trip from different countries, and I can’t wait to stay in touch with them over the years. Sydney is a beautiful city, and we had the opportunity to experience the culture and learn about the city’s history during our walking tour of The Rocks. The food was incredible, and our teachers were so welcoming and kind throughout the trip. I’m so grateful that I had the chance to go on this trip. It is certainly an experience I will never forget.

 

Nicole Devlin

Mother Emma succeeded founding Mother, Mother Caroline and led the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent (SSA) for 33 years. “In his book on the SSA The Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent and their Contribution to Educating Girls since 1895, author Raymond Geise notes that Mother Emma was renowned for her love of children and her gentle nature, and was considered a bastion of calmness and serenity, although underneath that exterior, or perhaps alongside it, was a strength and determination to face challenges and expand the Society of the Sacred Advent and its reach.”

(cf. )

At Monday’s service Sr Jan and Sr Gillian reflected on the paths that Mother Emma and the Sisters have paved through history, how the SSA has made space for God, and for women and children to have access to health care and education. In this week that we celebrate International Women’s Day, I give thanks for the Sisters and the courageous hard work they put into founding our school. I am inspired by Mother Emma’s gentle strength and calm wisdom.

Collect for the Day - Mother Emma

O God,
whose blessed Son became poor
so that we through his poverty might become rich:
deliver us from an inordinate love of this world,
so that, inspired by the devotion of your servant Sister Emma,
we may serve you with singleness of heart,
and attain to the riches of the age to come;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

It’s so important for our boarders to see Old Girls who, like themselves, once called the boarding house home, thriving and succeeding in their chosen career. When the girls see role models such as Ellie, they can see what their own future may look like, the endless opportunities for what their future could entail, and dare to dream bigger. 

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day closely aligns with what we strive to teach in the boarding house. Balance the Scales is a call to action for all of us to fight for the things we care about, stand up against injustice and strive to create a world that is more equitable. Giving our boarders the confidence, compassion and conviction to walk into the world knowing that they belong is what our community is all about. Boarders are encouraged to feel empowered about where they come from and enter the world ready to stand for our school values: integrity, passion, respect, inclusivity, courage and spirit. The boarding house is the perfect place for these values to be upheld and create lifelong beliefs. 

Lesa Craven

1. The Australian Tertiary ¸£ÀûÐÂÇøÒ»Çø¶þÇø Rank (ATAR) pathway will provide students with an ATAR to seek entrance to tertiary study in Australian Universities. Students selecting this pathway must select five General subjects (six subjects may be studied upon recommendation or application). All students must select at least one subject from the English discipline. The calculation of an ATAR will be based on a student’s best five General subject results. Results in General subjects also contribute to the award of a QCE.
2. The Portfolio Pathway gives students qualifications that allow access to work, apprenticeship and study options. Students selecting this pathway are not eligible for an ATAR and will instead receive an equivalent rank that can be used for admission to university. All students must select three General subjects, including one subject from the English discipline. Students selecting the Portfolio pathway will be eligible for a QCE.

Talia, Kelly Alford and I are looking forward to working with the Year 10 girls throughout this year to help them plan for Years 11 and 12.

Year 11 Academic Progress Meetings

Next term, I will be meeting with all Year 11 students to discuss their academic progress to date. Students will be able to book in times and parents are welcome to attend. In Term 4, all ATAR-eligible students will receive an ATAR indication based on their Unit 1 and 2 results. In calculating these, we do not use the many ATAR calculation sites that are available online. We use an external organisation who provide estimations based on collected data from the current Year 11 cohort. It is important to be aware that ATAR calculation sites are NOT official nor is their accuracy guaranteed. Students are not recommended to use these sites as a means of determining subject selections.

Caitlin McCluskey

“Make sure to put in effort from the beginning as it will pay off later in the year” – Claire Packer, ’25.

Finally, a reminder that any requests for early End of Term Leave should be submitted to studentleave@stmargarets.qld.edu.au for approval.

Medical Information on Parent Lounge

A friendly reminder to new parents completing medical details for their daughters in Parent Lounge: If your daughter has a medical diagnosis or condition that may impact her learning (for example, if she requires special assessment arrangements or a tailored learning plan), please also forward this information to our Learning Enhancement Department.

The best people to contact are:

• Ms Margot Johnston (Head of Learning Enhancement & Case Manager Years 11 and 12 – mjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Ms Lucy Hulme (Learning Enhancement Case Manager Year 10 – lhulme@stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Ms Monique Mendham (Learning Enhancement Case Manager Years 8 and 9 – mmendham@stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Mrs Kylie Briggs (Learning Enhancement Case Manager Year 7 – kbriggs@stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Chris Dunn

Daniel Goleman, a leading researcher in this field, reminds us:

“If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.” (Goleman, 2007, p. 318).

Research supports this view, showing that EI predicts success beyond IQ and contributes to resilience and positive social interactions (Parker et al., 2009). Students with strong EI are better equipped to handle stress, resolve conflicts, and build meaningful relationships—skills that are essential for thriving in school and beyond.

At St Margaret’s, we foster EI through reflective practices, peer collaboration, and mindfulness activities. These strategies help students develop self-awareness and empathy, creating a supportive environment where every girl feels valued and understood.

By prioritising emotional intelligence, we empower our students not only to excel academically but to lead with compassion and confidence in an ever-changing world.

References

Goleman, D. (2007). Emotional Intelligence (10th ed.). Bantam Books.

Parker, J. D. A., Saklofske, D. H., Wood, L. M., & Collin, T. (2009). The role of emotional intelligence in education. In C. Stough et al. (Eds.), Assessing emotional intelligence (pp. 239–255). Springer.

As the host school of this event, many staff contributed to ensure the day ran successfully. Thank you to Terry Humphreys for his organisation of the day with the support of Director of Sport, Anne Louise Williams, and the many other staff.  

Each Andrews Cup competition provides opportunity for students to develop not only their physical skills but also social skills. These include:

1. School Spirit and Pride
   When students participate in sporting competitions, they feel a sense of pride in representing their school. Wearing school colours, cheering on classmates, and celebrating victories together builds a sense of belonging and school spirit.
2. Teamwork and Collaboration
   Sports teach students how to work together as a team. Whether they are on a basketball, soccer, or netball team, students learn to communicate, trust, and support each other to achieve a common goal.
3. Building Friendships
   Sporting events bring students together from different year levels and schools. Whether they win or lose, the shared experience of competition helps students form lasting friendships. They bond over the excitement of the game, the challenges they face, and the lessons they learn along the way. This connection strengthens the community both in and outside the classroom.
4. Respect and Fair Play
   In sports, students learn to respect their opponents, the rules of the game, and the decisions of referees. These values extend beyond the field and help students to interact respectfully with others. Learning to be a good sport teaches students about fairness, honesty, and how to handle both success and setbacks graciously.
5. Health and Wellbeing
   Being part of a sporting competition encourages students to stay active and healthy, both physically and mentally. Regular participation in sports can boost confidence, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing. A healthy student is more likely to feel positive, optimistic about their role in the school community, contributing to a vibrant, happy atmosphere.

Sporting competitions are much more than just games, they play an essential role in life, through teamwork, mutual respect, and shared experiences, students build friendships, foster school spirit, and learn valuable life skills that extend far beyond the playing field.

I look forward to witnessing these skills when the girls participate in the many Andrews Cup events throughout the year.

Angela Drysdale

Our students have been working hard in preparation for the tests. If you'd like to view the platform or see some of the types of questions and tools available in the online NAPLAN assessments, they can be viewed

Year 3 Update: We are pleased to share that the Year 3 writing test went ahead uninterrupted on Wednesday and their testing schedule remains the same.

Year 5 Update: Regrettably, a nationwide outage affecting the NAP Lockdown Browser Server has resulted in the postponement of the Year 5 writing test. We are incredibly proud of how our girls handled the situation, they showed tremendous resilience and adaptability in the face of an unexpected disruption, and we have no doubt they will bring that same spirit to their rescheduled tests. The revised testing schedule for Year 5 is as follows:

• Thursday, 12 March – Writing Test (beginning at 11:00am)
• Friday, 13 March – Reading Test (beginning at 11:00am)
• Monday, 16 March – Conventions of Language Test (beginning at 11:00am)
• Tuesday, 17 March – Numeracy Test (beginning at 8:30am)

We wish our Years 3 and 5 students all the best for their testing.

Kate Frewin

  

   

   

Mother Emma Service

Congratulations to the Year 4 cohort who provided a beautiful musical contribution at the recent service held at St John’s Cathedral to honour and celebrate the life of Mother Emma, the former Mother Superior of the Society of the Sacred Advent. The girls sang a reflective piece entitled ‘My Sister’s Hands’ during communion which was appreciated by all in attendance. Thank you to all Year 4 students for their wonderful singing and to Ms Brennan for preparing the performance.

Music Support Group

Thank you to the Music Support Group for your support at the Open Day Music Stand – your involvement was very much appreciated! The next three meeting dates for Term 1 and Term 2 are listed below.  All primary and secondary parents are welcome. Meetings will be held in the Canopy Café at 5:00pm.

Term 1, Week 8 - Tuesday 17 March
Term 2, Week 2 - Tuesday 28 April
Term 2, Week 7 - Tuesday 2 June

Become a friend of St Margaret’s Music

Parent support is pivotal to the success of the St Margaret’s Music Program. Become a Friend of St Margaret's Music, to further expand opportunities for music excellence at St Margaret’s with Gold and Silver Memberships available. Your donation includes priority seating at Classics in the Cathedral and your name will be added to the Friends of St Margaret's Music Honour Board displayed in the Sister Helen Orchestra Room. To find out more, click here: 

Brad King

On Wednesday 4 March, our QG Swimmers swam at Chandler at the 91^st QGSSSA Swimming Championships. Congratulations the entire team who performed well on the night with a final finish of 4^th place in the aggregate and 2^nd place in the percentage cup. There were some outstanding performances over the course of the Championships which included 2^nd place in both the Junior and Senior Brockway Cups, 2^nd in the 15 years age group, 1^st in the 16 years age group, 1 x QGSSSA record for Ivy L, 6 individual 1^st places and 4 x relay 1^st places. Congratulations to Head of Swimming Sarah Caithness, who has worked tirelessly with our students over this season and is fostering a striving, positive community of swimmers here at St Margaret’s whom I am confident will continue to progress over the next few years. Watch this space.

On Monday 9 March, our Andrews Cup swimmers successfully came in 2^nd for the aggregate cup, with this year’s event hosted by St Margaret’s. Congratulations to the whole team who competed on the day as well as the reserves cheering in the stand at Chandler.

This week is the last round for the AFL Senior fixtures for 2026. Our three teams have played well all season with our Opens team currently undefeated. This Saturday, at Springwood State High School, our Opens team will play Brisbane Girls Grammar School at 7.30am and then Brisbane State High School at 9.30am, who also remain undefeated. I am sure that the Opens would welcome as much support as possible as well as our Seniors A and B teams at Somerfields.

Thank you to all our Sports Captains who attended and assisted with the sport displays at last weekend's Open Day. Although a little damp and very humid, our Captains were outstanding representatives supporting our programs.

Don’t forget to support the Swimming Support group Beach raffle with two fantastic prize packs available to win. These packs include items for the whole family to use whilst holidaying at the beach and recovering from the hustle and bustle of Term 1. Tickets are $10 each and winners will be drawn on Friday 20 March 2026. Buy tickets here:

The pasta drive is still open for orders. The following sports will benefit from the drive, Cross Country, Touch Football, Athletics, Hockey, Dance, Tennis, Volleyball as well as Artistic Gymnastics and Rhythmic Gymnastics. On ordering you can direct which sport you would like your order to benefit. Place your order here: . Orders Close on Monday 16 March.

Congratulations to the following St Margaret’s students who have been selected in the 2026 Water Polo Queensland Performance Pathway Program Development Squads

- Beatrice B (13&U)

- Isla B (13&U)

- Edie J (13&U)

- Frankie R (13&U)

- Arabella B (14&U)

- Molly D (14&U)

- Alice S (15&U)

- Lucy B (16&U)

- Clementine C (16&U)

- Annabelle S (16&U)

- Adelaide B (16&U & 17&U)

- Ruby C (16&U & 17&U)

- Bless D (18&U)

- Lucy S (18&U)

The sport team is happy to recognise the outstanding achievements and representation of students participating at a national level, outside of the school sport pathway. I look forward to continuing to hear from our community regarding such outstanding achievement. Please directly contact Ms Williams via awilliams@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

For the latest sport news and information please check out the following Secondary School Sport POD Pages:

• Basketball (Autumn Sport) - (
• Soccer (Autumn Sport) - (
• Touch Football (Autumn Sport) - (
• Cross Country -
• Artistic Gymnastic –
• Cricket -
• AFL (Yr 10,11&12)) -
• Club Water Polo -
• Club Netball -

Anne Louise Williams

Peta Bistany (nee Dee ’86), Sports Consultant and former Executive Director of the Premier League, brings a rare behind‑the‑scenes perspective on this shift. During a period of rapid growth and intense scrutiny, she worked at the centre of global sport as it evolved into a high‑stakes enterprise, where decisions were made under constant public and commercial visibility and scrutiny.

Drawing on senior executive roles with the UK Premier League, The English Football Association and the England & Wales Cricket Board, Peta will share practical insights into governance under pressure, leadership in moments of crisis, and the strategic choices that shape culture and performance.

Date:                    Thursday 14 May
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:                 $90 adults, $55 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 a corporate table: 

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners. Supporting Sponsors: Wolff Coffee Roasters, Clear Insurance, Resource Innovations, and The Bathhouse Albion.

Last chance to secure your ticket to the 2026 Past Student Awards Dinner

You and your daughter (s) are invited to join us for an inspirational evening to hear the journeys of this year's Past Student Award winners - and discover where a St Margaret’s education can lead.

This special event offers students a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from past students working at the forefront of academia, sport management, and music therapy, as they share their experiences, challenges, and successes since leaving St Margaret’s.

2026 Past Student Award recipients

Distinguished Past Student

Catherine's research provides tools, such as new formulae and algorithms, that shed light on fundamental mathematical objects such as networks

Young Past Student of Distinction

Natalie has been recognised for her leadership in sports management across grassroots sports, major events, professional team management, and international events.

Spirit of Service Past Student Award

Maggie supports babies, children, and young people who are critically unwell or receiving palliative care, using music to aid neurological engagement, activate neural pathways, and promote developmental recovery. 

Event Details

Date:                    Wednesday 25 March 2026
Time:                    Pre-dinner drinks and canapes at 6.30pm
                             Dinner at 7.00pm (including Awards presentation)
Venue:                  Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's AGS
Price:                   $99 adult, $69 student.
Tickets:                Please purchase your tickets .

For enquiries please contact the Development and Community Office on (07) 3862 0768 or email developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Parents & Friends Association AGM and Welcome Evening

You are invited to the Parents and Friends' Association Annual General Meeting and Welcome Evening on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

 This evening is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents over light refreshments, hear about the year ahead, and take part in the election of the P&F Executive and Committee. Principal Ros Curtis AM will provide an update on the St Margaret's Strategic and Master Plans. 

Date: Tuesday 17 March 2026
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.

Lara Pickering