The culture of philanthropy at St Margaret’s continues to develop with the intent to inspire the girls to begin a life-long commitment to giving through activities that have a positive impact on the communities in which they live and will, one day, work. Through the many philanthropic endeavours in which the school is involved, it is intended that students will improve their understanding of current community issues and, in doing so, build important relationships between the school and the community. Philanthropy at St Margaret’s is driven by selected senior students who form the Philanthropy Group. These girls collaborate with other groups throughout the school to raise awareness and funds for many causes and organisations within the broader community.
Toc H
Toc H is a community based organisation in which many students at St Margaret’s participate. Toc H first started during the First World War, when the Reverend P.B. (Tubby) Gayton opened a centre called Talbot House in a Belgian town of Poperinghe. This house was a peaceful retreat for thousands of young men on their way to and from the front lines where they could try to forget the war, enjoy each other’s company and find spiritual help. After the war, the men who had visited Talbot House sought to continue ‘Toc H’, the signaller’s code word for Talbot House. Toc H now operates in many countries and at St Margaret’s is concerned with putting Christian values into practice and has four simple aims. These aims are:
- Friendship: to welcome all in friendship
- Service: to give personal service
- Fair-mindedness: to listen always to the views of others
- The Kingdom: to acknowledge God: spiritual nature of all people.
Student philanthropy in the primary school
The service component of Body, Heart, Mind and Soul is diverse and benefits the local, national and international communities. This community engagement is embedded as part of the school ethos and learning. It aims to develop a sense of social responsibility in our students. Our service program is addressed through Cornerstone Project, House Charity and Year Level Service Learning Projects. The cornerstone project is conducted in Year 6 and the aim of the project is for students to plan and conduct a fundraising venture. Each House raises money to contribute to a school charity. Each year level is involved in a project that is reflective of their understanding and is used as a tool to enhance and enrich classroom learning.
Ponytail Project
The Ponytail Project is movement that started at St Margaret's in 2015. When a member of the school parent community was diagnosed with breast cancer, students Beth Flint, Meg Fraser, Maria Cobain and Annabelle Crossley were moved to help and launched a student-led fundraising initiative they called 'The Ponytail Project', believing that chopping off their ponytails was a small price to pay to support those impacted by cancer.
Sadly, in 2016, St Margaret’s students had even more reason to support the cause after the loss of one of their beloved teachers, who was also a past student, to cancer.
The groundswell of support in its first two years ensured the Ponytail Project became an annual campaign for the St Margaret’s community and, in 2019, the movement was encouraged in schools state-wide after being adopted by Cancer Council Queensland.
Both primary and secondary students support the initiative each year. While the primary students wait for their turn in their secondary years to cut their hair, they show their support by donning crazy hairstyles.
Since the first Ponytail Project, St Margaret's students have raised more than half a million dollars towards the Cancer Council and the Minotti Trust (established to support the young family of the St Margaret's teacher who lost her life to cancer).