eNews Archive Issue 19 - 18 June 2026

Throughout the term, we have seen students embrace both the opportunities and responsibilities of being part of a strong and connected school community. At St Margaret’s, learning extends beyond the classroom, as students develop their sense of belonging, character and purpose through their daily interactions and experiences.

A consistent theme throughout the term has been the importance of curiosity and reflection in learning. Encouraging students to ask “why” deepens their understanding, builds resilience, and supports them to take ownership of their growth. Similarly, providing space for students to feel heard – whether through subject selection conversations, co-curricular involvement, or opportunities such as the upcoming Fiji service trip – strengthens their confidence and sense of agency.

Our commitment to continuous improvement has also been evident in the professional learning undertaken by our staff. These opportunities ensure that teaching and learning remain responsive, engaging and aligned to the evolving needs of our students, reinforcing our belief that high-quality learning for students begins with high-quality learning for teachers.

In addition, the strength of our school community continues to be built through meaningful partnerships with families. Your involvement – whether through volunteering, supporting co-curricular activities, or engaging in school initiatives – plays a vital role in enriching the experiences of our students and strengthening our shared sense of purpose.

As we move into the holiday break, we wish our students and staff involved in the rowing camps and the Fiji service trip safe travels. These experiences provide wonderful opportunities for growth, connection and perspective, and we look forward to hearing about their journeys when they return.

We also wish to secondary teacher Jack Mercer all the very best in his next role, as he departs St Margaret's at the end of this term.  

Finally, the holiday period offers an important opportunity for rest and renewal. In the busyness of school life, it is essential that students and families make time to pause, recharge and reconnect. Taking this time supports wellbeing, strengthens relationships, and ensures that students return next term ready to engage fully in their learning.

Thank you again for your continued partnership this term. I wish all members of our community a safe, restful and enjoyable break, and I look forward to welcoming students and families back for Term 3.

Nicole Devlin

Global Exchange News

Two weeks ago, three exchange students from South Africa and two exchange students from France went on a trip to Sydney to explore the iconic landmarks and experience more of the culture of Australia. Please enjoy some of their reflections on this trip.

Omphile (South Africa):

Going to Sydney was honestly such a lovely experience. Even though it was just one night, it somehow turned into one of those memories I know I’ll never forget. One of the funniest parts was when we all bought those “I ❤️ Sydney” tops and decided to wear them together like a little tourist squad. Walking around matching just made everything feel even more fun. Bonding with the French girls was such an unexpected highlight. We clicked so quickly that even the language barrier disappeared. It felt like we’d known each other way longer than the couple of weeks we overlapped. No matter where I go or what I do, nothing is ever going to compare to that trip!

Mackenzie (South Africa): Wow! Sydney for me was such an incredible experience that I really did enjoy. The places that we explorde were sensational. I feel as though everyone in their lifetime should be given the opportunity to go. It was a very good experience especially coming from South Africa as we do not have an enormous Opera House or a Taronga Zoo. But it wasn’t just about the places we went to; it was also about the people that I got to experience it with because I made stronger and deeper connections with the amazing girls that came with me on the trip. Sydney will definitely be a core memory of my Australian exchange; I would go back right now if I could.

Leila (South Africa): My experience in Sydney was one I will never forget, so I would describe my experience in one word definitely as memorable! The moment we arrived we were immersed in the lifestyle of Bondi Beach, walking up to the iconic Icebergs and being able to see everything from a different point of view was just incredible. Being able to enjoy my time walking around in the sun and getting to see the Bondi area was very enriching.

The city was all in all so much fun, from just learning the history of the Sydney Opera House and getting to walk around and see the Harbour Bridge was something that let me enjoy my independency even more; this was such a highlight for me.

We also enjoyed our time at Taronga Zoo, where I saw animals that are foreign to me but also very close to my heart and reminded me of home. This taught me a lot about the diversity Australia has to offer.

Coming from South Africa, Sydney was definitely a change of scenery that allowed me to understand more about Australia itself and broadened my experience even more.

I would like to thank Ms Shauna Crabbe and Ms Veronica McMurtrie for providing such a wonderful educational experience for our overseas exchange students.

Nikki Townsend

Each year, as part of our St Margaret’s Day celebrations, we proudly support Anglicare through a donation drive for those in need. This year, we are proud to support Anglicare Southern Queensland's Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project (YHAP), which has been selected as the school's charity.

In just a few months, the service will open its doors to young people and young families who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness. Located in Beenleigh, the purpose-built accommodation will provide safe housing and wrap around support to help young people build stability, independence, and a brighter future.

As Anglicare prepares to welcome its first residents to the service, the St Margaret's community has an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution by donating items to create Welcome Home Hampers for the young people and families moving into the accommodation.

Information on what to donate is available on the POD. For more information, please don’t hesitate to email me, jdow@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Thank you in advance for your care and generosity.

I hope you all have a great winter holiday.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

From academic endeavours to extracurricular successes, weekdays full of fun and enriching activities, and our many special events, including formal dinners, year level socials, PWN and AYWN breakfasts, there has certainly never been a dull moment. Our broader school calendar has been bursting with opportunities, and our boarders have embraced each one with enthusiasm and spirit.

This term also brought a strong focus on pastoral care. We recognised Earth Day, Do It for Dolly Day, Mental Health Week, Diversity Day, and ANZAC Day, each offering meaningful moments to reflect, learn, and show compassion. One of the standout experiences was the Day Girl/Boarder Weekend, where students opened their homes and hearts to one another. Boarders proudly shared their home roots, giving friends a glimpse into their families, communities, and daily lives. These exchanges deepened understanding and strengthened the bonds that make our boarding and day school community so special.

We also kicked off the term with vibrant celebrations for National Boarding Week, a highlight filled with fun, gratitude, and appreciation for everything that makes boarding at St Margaret’s unique. Students and staff alike took time to acknowledge the friendships, routines, and support systems that shape our home away from home.

Our weekend activities continued to showcase just how enjoyable boarding can be. This term’s adventures included cosy bonfire nights with hot chocolate and s’mores on the terraces, cheering at NRL games at Suncorp Stadium, exploring markets, visiting Eat Street, ice skating, bubble soccer, lawn bowls, socials with other boarding schools, and countless other exciting activities. Each activity brought laughter, connection, and memories that will last long after the term ends.

As we wrap up, I want to express heartfelt gratitude to our students, parents, and staff. Thank you for your energy, your kindness, and your commitment to making our boarding house a supportive and joyful place to live. Every contribution, big or small, helps create the warm, inclusive environment we are so proud of.

I look forward to seeing everyone next term for another successful, eventful, and exciting chapter in our boarding journey.

Kelli Boucaut

Term 3 is a busy term and one of transition in the senior secondary school. Year 12 students are finishing their last internal pieces of assessment. They have their last Chapel Service, the Knot Service, and move into mock exams. Year 11 students are going through the process to become leaders of the school, as well as finishing up their last formative pieces of assessment. I will hold a Parent Information Evening in Term 3 to explain what school will look like for Year 11 students moving forward.

Year 10 students have their final semester before they start their selected senior subjects. Sometimes this can be challenging as they may be studying a subject they know they will not continue with. I encourage parents to have a conversation with their daughter(s) about how to manage this change in motivation. While not all students will continue with their current subjects, they still have another semester to continue developing skills that will be relevant for future endeavours. A student’s role in school is to be an engaged and proactive learner, which means committing to the end of the year regardless of what next year looks like.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the other side of the June/July holidays, relaxed and refreshed!

Make time for things that recharge you, getting enough sleep, spending time with friends and family, and doing exercise with sports or even just a walk. – Ella McCready, ’25.

Caitlin McCluskey

For each subject, there is a list of the course content, marks for the criteria assessed, a table showing the distribution of achievement levels within the subject, and an assessment of your daughter’s attitude to her learning. The academic ratings are based on the assessment completed throughout Semester 1.

As girls from Years 7 to 12 have been part of the Continuous Reporting process, there are no comments for each subject. For specific comments, please refer back to Continuous Reporting via the Learning Analytics Parent Portal. Girls in all year levels are encouraged to read their comments carefully. These comments contain advice designed to assist the girls to develop their skills and improve their future outcomes. Ideally, students should review their reports with their parents just prior to beginning Semester 2. In this way, they can use them to set some specific learning goals.

The GPA graph contains a number which is rounded down to the nearest 0.2 increment. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that curriculum becomes more demanding from year to year and that a decline in outcomes in Semester 1 can be quite usual. This is particularly the case from Year 10 to Year 11. The most significant information about a student’s learning progress can be gained by comparing outcomes from Semester 1 to Semester 2, within a calendar year.

Should you have any questions regarding your daughter’s report, please contact the Dean of Studies’ office on 3862 0703 when school resumes in Term 3.

Chris Dunn

For our Year 11 students, this term has included an important step in their leadership journey through their two-day Y Lead program. This experience encouraged students to reflect on their strengths, develop their confidence, and consider the ways in which leadership is built through service, responsibility and positive influence. Leadership is not simply about holding a title; it is about the daily choices students make to support others, contribute to their community, and persevere when challenges arise.

This same perseverance is equally important in academic life. There is no substitute for hard work, and success rarely comes without setbacks. Across the semester, students have been encouraged to set goals, remain focused, and develop the resilience needed to keep moving forward when things do not go exactly to plan. As Semester 1 reports become available over the holidays, I encourage families to take the time to sit down together and discuss them thoughtfully. These conversations are most valuable when they focus not only on results, but also on effort, habits, progress and future goals. Academic goal setting is most effective when students can identify what they are working towards and the practical steps they need to take to get there.

The holidays also provide an important opportunity to rest and recharge. After a busy and demanding term, students need time to recover, spend quality time with family and friends, and enjoy activities that restore their energy and wellbeing. These breaks are essential in helping students return to school with renewed focus, motivation and enthusiasm.

I hope all families enjoy a refreshing winter break. We look forward to welcoming students back in Term 3, ready for the opportunities, challenges and growth that the next semester will bring.

Kelly Alford

The Interhouse Verse Speaking Competition was a highlight, with our staff and students embracing the challenge of interpreting, memorising, and performing poetry in unison. This unique learning opportunity pushes both students and teachers beyond the usual classroom experience. Congratulations to Lawson House, who won first place. Special thanks to Ms Rose Isbell, who adjudicated this event. Thank you to Serenata for their fabulous performance under the guidance of Mrs Brennan.

Thank you also to everyone who stayed to enjoy the spirited Interhouse Ball Games. Congratulations to Milton House, and thank you to Mrs Mace for presenting the Mace Cup to the winning team. We also acknowledge the organisation by our HPE staff who brought this event to life.

This week we’ve continued celebrating with a range of activities as part of our special Community, Camp, and Care Week. This year, Year 4 camp was included in the week. While these year levels were away, Pre-Prep to Year 2 participated in a day of activities to celebrate 70 Years of Under Eights Week. Each of these camps have a different purpose: Year 4 – stepping outside the comfort zone; Year 5 – leadership preparation; and Year 6 – curriculum in context. I witnessed first hand the Year 5 students as they stepped up in leadership. Underpinning each of these camps is the aim of building resilience. Next term I will share more details. Thank you to all staff involved in making this week a success, particularly the Years 4, 5 and 6 teachers who supported the girls on a chilly, wintry camp. The teachers care and commitment in this week is just a snapshot of the dedication our staff show every day.

End of Semester 1 report cards will be available over the break. As you read through your child’s report, we encourage you to reflect together on her learning journey. At school, students are supported to regularly consider:

• what they are learning
• how they are learning
• what they are achieving
• how they see themselves as learners.

This process of reflection builds ownership, engagement, and self-regulation. It’s also a valuable way for your child’s teacher to gain insight into her thinking. When reading the report, consider starting a conversation around these questions; it can be a powerful way to celebrate growth and set goals together.

As we head into the holidays, we hope your break includes time to enjoy reading the books, play board games, visit the library or a gallery, take in a movie, and most importantly, enjoy time together without the pressures of routine.

Wishing all families a safe, restful and joy-filled holiday. I look forward to sharing Term 3 with you all.

Kids want to know they matter – you communicate that through the gift of time and attention.
– Julie Morgenstern

Angela Drysdale

At our school, in Prep to Year 6, we take a photo album approach to assessment, building a rich, ongoing collection of evidence that captures each student’s learning journey. Rather than relying solely on one summative assessment, we use a range of assessments to identify what students know and what they are ready to learn next. This broader, more holistic view of student progress informs our planning for teaching and learning in Term 3.

Explanation of the Report

Prep to Year 2: Progress is indicated using five levels of achievement:

•            Extending: Extending with depth beyond the achievement standard

•            Advancing: Working beyond the achievement standard

•            Demonstrating: Demonstrating the achievement standard

•            Developing: Working toward the achievement standard

•            Emerging: Beginning to work towards the achievement standard

Years 3 to 6: Progress is indicated using five levels of achievement A-E.

No Result (NR): Insufficient evidence to make a judgment due to absence or another reason.

Attitude to Learning

The Primary Attitude to Learning - Effort is graded on a four-point scale

•            Excellent

•            Good

•            Satisfactory

•            Needs Improvement

Accessing Your Daughter’s Semester Report

To access the report, please follow these steps:

1.           Go to The POD

2.           Select Parent Lounge

3.           Click on Student Details

4.           Choose Academic Report

While we take utmost care with data entry and report checking, if you have any questions about the results, please contact the classroom teacher or me.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in your daughter’s academic journey.

Kate Frewin

Mayo Arts Festival

The Music Department is very excited to be involved in the Mayo Festival on Saturday 1 August.  This event is a day filled with musical entertainment along with the opportunity to explore artisan stalls, food trucks, rides and other fun activities. Students in the following ensembles will be performing:

STRINGS:                    Tutti Strings, Amati Strings, Stradivari Strings, Chamber Strings

CHORAL:                    Belle Voci, Chorale, Encorah, Volare, Exultate

CONCERT BANDS:    Chaseley Concert Band, Jackson Wind Ensemble, Sister Helen Wind Symphony

ROCK BANDS:            Stage Band, Highly Strung, Rock Bands

SMALL ENSEMBLES: Beath String Quartet, Sculthorpe String Quartet, Brass Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble,

Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble            

The draft performance schedule for the event is below (small ensemble performance times still to be confirmed).

We are looking forward to the MAYO Arts Festival being a wonderful experience for our school community. Thank you in advance for your support of the event!

Mayo Arts Festival 2026 Draft Performance Times

DRAFT PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (Circular Drive Stage):

11:00am            Sculthorpe String Quartet

12:00pm           Tutti Strings

12:15pm           Belle Voci

12:30pm           Chorale

12:45pm           Solo Performances

1:30pm             Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble

2:00pm             Chaseley Concert Band

2:15pm             Jackson Wind Ensemble

2:30pm             Sister Helen Wind Symphony

3:00pm             Amati Strings

3:15pm             Stradivari Strings

3:30pm             Chamber Strings

3:45pm             Encorah

4:15pm             Ballare

4:30pm             Volare

4:45pm             Exultate

5:00pm             Boarder Island Dance Group

5:30pm             Stage Band

5:55pm             GAP Performance

6:05pm             Highly Strung

6:20pm             Monday Rock Band

6:40pm             Tuesday Rock Band      

Music Support Group

Upcoming meetings for the Music Support Group are as follows:

• Term 3, Week 3 - Tuesday 28 July
• Term 3, Week 8 - Tuesday 1 Sept
• Term 4, Week 1 - Tuesday 6 October
• Term 4, Week 4 - Tuesday 27 October (AGM)

Parents from both the primary and secondary schools are welcome to attend. Please join the Music Parents Support Group POD page to stay updated on all things Music Support: https://pod.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/homepage/8562

Brad King

Playing at AFLQ headquarters at Yeronga, our Youth team (mainly Years 9/10 students) won four out of four matches convincingly, finishing with a win the grand final. The team will move onto the regional finals to be played in early Term 3. These results are a great confidence builder not only for the team but also for the work that our coaches have been doing overall in our St Margaret’s AFL program.

Whilst the academic term wraps up this week, over the holidays, many of our St Margaret’s students will be involved across several activities being organised by the sports office.

The St Margaret's athletics camp begins on Friday 19 June with three days of activities culminating in a practice meet at UQ on Sunday 21 June. Led by Brenton Thiele and our experienced group of coaches, the aim of the camp is providing valuable lead-in training to the athletics season and looking to the building strong connections within the St Margaret's athletics community. 

Throughout the holiday break, St Margaret’s rowing will host several rowing camps for rowing students. During the holidays, many of our Years 9, 10 and senior rowers will be heading to Maclean in NSW for intensive sessions on the Clarence River as well as continuing to build and strengthen crew relationships on and off the water. Year 8 rowers will also have a camp style opportunity towards the end of the holiday break just before the start of Term 3. A big thank you in advance to Jack Armitage and Jo K, coaches, supervising staff and parent volunteers in the preparation and operation of these opportunities to our St Margaret’s rowers.

St Margaret’s will be represented in the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN) tournament being held at Nissan Arena from 28 June to 3 July. In 2026, the competition will involve 100 teams from 81 schools. Our QISSN team in 2026 is as follows:

• Aaliyah P
• Annabel C
• Charlie P
• Chloe C
• Emma H
• Hannah P
• Jade F
• Makayla W
• Mia M
• Vivienne F

Coming off the back a nail-biting win in 2025, we are looking forward to another great showing by this team. Best of luck to our team! Thank you to Gayle Coutts, Riley Dallas and Camille Poupardin who have been organising and preparing the team for this event. You can see live scoring and check ladders on the Netball Connect app!

Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe holiday break. It’s been another successful term for St Margaret’s sports students, and we look forward to welcoming you back in Term 3 for our busiest term of sport for the year, starting with the Interhouse Athletics Carnival on the first day, Tuesday 14 July.

The sports office would also like to wish the very best to our students travelling and competing over the holidays in their respective sports. Please keep the sports office up to date with your competitions and results.

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

• The POD - Club Netball
• The POD - Secondary Hockey
• The POD - Secondary Netball
• The POD - Secondary Tennis
• The POD - Secondary Volleyball
• The POD - Secondary Athletics
• The POD - Secondary Rowing
• The POD - Secondary Rhythmic Gymnastics

Anne Louise Williams

• Cans of soft drink
• Wine
• Juice boxes/poppers

Donations can be dropped to the Primary Office or Marketing Office (just off the Barley Sugar Garden).  

Thank you for your support!

Workshops now on sale

We have an exciting workshop program running at this year’s festival, design for children and teens who love creativity and hands-on fun.

Whether your child loves painting, designing, science or making, there’s something inspiring waiting for them at this year’s festival.

Discover more and make your booking here: https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist/mayoartsfestival

Places are limited so be sure to make your booking soon so as not to miss out.

Ride Wristbands now on sale

Ride armbands are now on sale. St Margaret’s students and friends can ride all day with an armband. Pre purchase for $40 or purchase on the day from the Merchandise Stall for $45. Individual ride tickets will also be available. The rides will kick off at 11am and finish at 5pm while the animal farm will operate between 11am and 3pm.

For our younger St Margaret’s students and perhaps younger siblings or family members, please note there are age/height restrictions on some rides which are listed on the Trybooking page. Individual ride tickets might be a better value option for smaller children.

Discover more and make your booking here: https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist/mayoartsfestival

Thank you to our 2026 festival sponsors

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors including Major Sponsor - Oliver Jonker - Coronis Ascot; Supporting Sponsor - Village Voice Brisbane and Mayo Supporters - CMBM, Belbaker Bus Charter, Anytime Traffic Control, Allclear Print & Signs, FVS Services Group and Comiskey Group, as well as the many businesses that have sponsored a stall.

Years 7–12 – Training Jumper

To support students during cooler early morning and late afternoon training sessions, the new ¼ zip training jacket is now available for purchase. As a reminder, this jacket is not included in the HPE uniform and should not be worn during regular school hours.

New Rowing Thermal 

The new rowing thermal/under shirts are in! They’re warm, lightweight, and perfect for winter sessions.

Stock is limited, so please get in early if you’d like one.

Trading Hours (Term Time)

Monday             8am – 2pm
Tuesday      8am – 2pm
Wednesday      10am – 5pm
Thursday        8am – 2pm
Friday         8am – 2pm

Public Holidays & School Holidays Closed

We acknowledge and thank the wonderful prize donors within our community who have contributed.

Ticket sales close on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at 5:00 PM. Purchase your raffle tickets online via this link.

Only 3 tickets remaining to PWN: Urban transformation and business opportunities ahead of 2032

As Queensland accelerates toward 2032, our region is being transformed. Infrastructure priorities are shifting, urban precincts are being reimagined, and capital, demand and opportunity are moving ahead of the public narrative.

Join us on Wednesday 26 August for a panel discussion on Urban transformation and business opportunities ahead of 2032.

Hear from leaders with direct line-of-sight to the decisions shaping Brisbane's future: Simonne Bailey (Major Projects Director, Egis), Hon Kate Jones (Vice President, Paralympics Australia, Founder & MD, Linebreak), and Karuna Mazzocchi (CEO, Coronis), in conversation with Cr Julia Dixon (Brisbane City Council).

The panel will unpack infrastructure delivery, emerging precincts, market dynamics and how organisations can position themselves to take advantage of this once‑in‑a‑generation investment cycle.

Date:         Wednesday 26 August 2026
Time:         6.45am arrival for 7.00am - 8.45am
Location:   Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot
Format:     Sit down breakfast with barista coffee on arrival.  
Tickets:     $90 Adult, $55 Student (Years 10-12/Tertiary)
Corporate tables: $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event. 

Tickets are available here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1488773  (until Wednesday 19 August, unless sold out prior).

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

P&F General Meeting

The P&F invites all parents and caregivers to attend the next P&F General Meeting on Monday 20 July 2026.

P&F General meetings provide a valuable opportunity to connect with your school community, hear updates from the P&F and Support Groups, and help shape what’s planned for 2027.  Parents will also hear from Principal Ros Curtis AM, who will provide a school update and welcome questions from the floor.

 All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend in person or via Microsoft Teams.

Date: Monday 20 July 2026
Time: 6.30pm to 8.00pm
Location: Arts Centre Foyer St Margaret's Anglican Girls School

To assist the P&F in preparing meeting papers and sharing the Teams link ahead of time, please RSVP to P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

 We hope to see you there. Wishing you and your families a restful and enjoyable mid-year break.

Lara Pickering