eNews Archive Issue 18 - 12 June 2025

Three and half years or so ago the Master Planning Subcommittee of the School Council embarked on developing an ambitious amendment to the St Margaret’s Master Plan. In this process, it identified no fewer than 19 projects to improve the facilities and resources of St Margaret’s. No 4 on the list was completion of the Forest and Canopy Café – Tick- and No. 2 was the conversion of Community House into the Student Wellbeing Centre. - Tick.

Now I have got you thinking of the remaining 17…. But that is for another day.

2025, with our theme of Community and Connection is a great year to be formally opening these two very student focussed resources.

Do not be surprised when I tell you that I put the school theme Community and Connection through AI to see what it would say about its meaning. Copilot said it really well; I could not say it better. AI (and me) tells you that there is little doubt that a thriving school community is built on strong connections. Community and connection are intertwined, fostering a sense of belonging, support, and shared purpose, ultimately enriching our lives, and strengthening the bonds that hold us together.

Through a dedication and a blessing, we are acknowledging two very important contributors to strengthening our school - where community and connection are at their very heart.

These are not just geographical locations on a school campus but areas where networks of people bound by shared interests, values, or experiences gather and meet. Community House, with its precious link to our founding Sisters, for example, is a place where individuals find support, belonging, reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is a place of Social Support where strong connections among staff and students offer a network of support during times of need, both emotionally and practically.

A united community, with the provision of this Café, is also an outcome of this space. Built for both the primary and secondary schools and visitors to our campus this area will become the focus of student, staff and parent interaction and connection.

In terms of connection to the past, as you are all aware the old Tuckshop stood on this site and it was made possible through a bequest in 1999 from Kathleen Campbell-Brown, a French teacher at St Margaret’s from 1933-1945. The original plaque commemorating this is on the wall between the servery area and the café.

Funds raised from previous Giving Days contributed to both Community House and the Café and we all thank the community for your support.

Ros Curtis

This semester has been filled with moments that reflect the strength and warmth of our community. Whether it’s the enthusiastic participation in school events, the tireless efforts of our volunteers, or the everyday kindness shown in classrooms and corridors, each contribution helps shape the inclusive and empowering environment we are proud to call St Margaret’s.

Our students continue to thrive not only academically, but also through co-curricular pursuits in sport, the arts, and service. These achievements are made possible by the encouragement and involvement of families, staff, and peers who champion each girl’s journey.

We also acknowledge the vital role of our Parents and Friends Association, whose support and initiatives foster a sense of belonging and school spirit. Their work behind the scenes—from organising events to enhancing school resources—enriches the experience for every student.

Thank you to every member of the St Margaret’s community for your continued support, energy, and heart. Together, we create a school where every girl can flourish.

Bus Management System Update

We are pleased to advise that St Margaret’s is preparing to transition to a new school bus management system, RollCall, for our daily bus services to and from school from The Gap and Bulimba.

RollCall is a cloud-based platform designed to enhance student safety and improve bus service efficiency. It provides real-time tracking of students and buses, allowing staff and families to know exactly when and where students board and disembark. Through the RollCall mobile app (iOS and Android), parents can receive live notifications and enjoy greater peace of mind throughout each school day.

Key benefits include:

• Improved safety through RFID (Student Card) scanning and live GPS tracking
• Parent visibility of student journeys via the RollCall app
• Enhanced route planning and bus utilisation
• Clear and convenient payment options, allowing parents to manage transport expenses independently through the RollCall platform

Implementation will begin shortly, and we will provide further details and support materials to assist families in using the new system prior to launch.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve student transport services.

Safety at Windsor Park and the Rowing Shed

Windsor Park and the Rowing Sheds are great sporting facilities and with the winter months now upon us these venues are busy places with morning and afternoon trainings often starting or finishing as the sun rises or sets.  Both venues are public places and therefore can I ask that in the interest of safety that when you drop your daughter to Windsor Park or the Rowing Shed in the morning that you sight a staff member before leaving your daughter. Likewise, in the afternoon can you please arrange to pick up your daughter on time so staff can leave on time.

Nicole Devlin

The Archbishop dedicated The Forest and the Canopy Café and then we moved to the Phillip Harris Gym for a service of celebration, at the end of this service we then moved to Community House for a blessing. It was a wonderful morning of celebration and reminded us of the strong community spirit we share at St Margaret’s.

As we approach the final week of term, we prepare for primary Camp, Community and Care week (and Under 8s week). During this week, Year 6 will travel to Canberra, Year 5 will go on camp, and the younger years will partake in activities that foster community and connection. May the final week of term be one of care, connection, and wellbeing.

A prayer of gratitude for our community spaces:
God, we thank you for the founders of our school, and for all who have governed and cared our school into the community it is today. We thank you for the facilities, community spaces, and education resources we have at St Margaret’s. Foster in us a spirit of gratitude for the gift of education and the people who have worked tirelessly to enable the vision of the Sisters into what it is today. Keep us ever mindful of those who do not have access to education and the empowerment to which it leads. Strengthen us to work for equality and justice in our world.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

At first, the structure and support in the boarding house provide the necessary scaffolding. Set routines help the girls manage their time — from waking up on their own, getting organised for school, attending prep, and planning around co-curricular activities. Over time, what starts as guided becomes instinctive. Girls begin to take ownership of their responsibilities, learning how to balance their commitments, prioritise tasks, and ask for help when needed.

More than just practical independence, boarding life gently encourages emotional resilience. With staff always nearby to offer support, girls are encouraged to work through challenges — whether it’s a tough day at school, a disagreement with a friend, or missing home. These moments, while sometimes difficult, are the very experiences that build strength, self-awareness, and the ability to bounce back.

What’s beautiful about the boarding environment is that this growth doesn’t happen in isolation. The girls are surrounded by peers going through the same experiences. Friendships formed here often become a key source of encouragement and comfort. The boarding house becomes a space where girls learn not only to look after themselves, but to look out for each other.

As the term progresses, it’s always a joy for us as boarding staff to witness the small but meaningful milestones — the Year 7 student who learns to manage her laundry for the first time, the girl who finally nails her weekly routine, the quiet student who begins to speak up with confidence, or the senior boarder who mentors a younger peer while juggling her final-year pressures with calm and clarity.

These are the skills that last far beyond the school years. They are the foundation for confident, capable young women, ready to step into the world with growing independence, emotional strength, and the resilience to face life’s challenges.

Kelli Boucaut

Each term, we also run a TeachMeet session where St Margaret’s teachers present to their colleagues on effective practices they embed in their planning and classroom processes. We have so many different tools in our teaching toolboxes, and not all will work for every student or every situation. However, there is a thread that is common across all these tools and pedagogies: the necessity of difficulty and challenge when learning.

At St Margaret’s, we provide a safe space for learning, but we do not remove risk from the learning process. Throughout your daughter’s schooling, she will be faced with obstacles such as challenging assessment or a disappointing result on a piece of assessment. There will be times when she has a teacher with whom she has difficulty building rapport. Sometimes, your daughter may not enjoy the subjects she is studying and may find it difficult to motivate herself. We recognise these hurdles as important learning experiences and opportunities for risk. While it is difficult to see your child struggle and tempting to step in to remove the obstacle, I encourage you to pause and consider whether it is possible to support her through the struggle rather than remove it completely.

School is not just a time to learn content we may or may not use in the future and it is not only about the result on the page at the end of the term. Arguably the most important learnings we give our students are the social and emotional skills to go out in the world and be successful, no matter what comes their way.

“The difficulty is the point” – Arabella Harris, ’24.

Caitlin McCluskey

At these interviews, parents will be able to book in to see their daughters’ subject teachers at either of the following sessions:

• Session #1 – 10:00am to 3:00pm (online – Microsoft Teams)
• Session #2 – 3:30pm to 8:00pm (face-to-face – Eton Hall / Arts Centre Foyer)

Please note, that face-to-face interviews will be occurring in the Arts Centre Foyer as well as in Eton Hall during Session #2. Further details about staff locations for this session will be sent to parents closer to the date.

Below is a summary of the important dates for parents:

• Parent Bookings Open: Wednesday 18 June 9:00am
• Parent Bookings Close: Friday 4 July 5:00pm

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Megan Farnsworth at mfarnsworth@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Chris Dunn

1. Increased Conflict and Emotional Intensity

During adolescence, girls experience significant brain development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system, which affects emotional regulation and decision-making (Blakemore, 2018). As a result, teenage girls may become more reactive, leading to increased arguments and tension with their mothers. Studies indicate that while conflicts may rise, they are often about minor issues such as household rules and personal freedom (Laursen & Collins, 2009).

2. Seeking Independence While Needing Support

Teenage girls naturally strive for autonomy, sometimes distancing themselves emotionally from their mothers. However, research suggests that despite this push for independence, maternal support remains crucial. Adolescents who maintain a strong bond with their mothers report higher self-esteem and better emotional regulation (Allen & Tan, 2016).

3. Shifting from Authority Figure to Mentor

As daughters mature, their relationships with their mothers often evolve from a parent-child dynamic into one based on mutual respect and guidance. Mothers who adopt a supportive and understanding approach rather than controlling behaviours tend to maintain stronger relationships with their teenage daughters (Neumann, 2017).

While adolescence may bring challenges, maintaining open communication, respect, and emotional support helps strengthen the mother-daughter bond, leading to a more positive and enduring relationship into adulthood.

References

• Allen, S., & Tan, J. (2016). The role of parental support in adolescent self-esteem and emotional well-being. Journal of Youth Studies, 19(4), 552-567.
• Blakemore, S. J. (2018). Inventing Ourselves: The Secret Life of the Teenage Brain. PublicAffairs.
• Laursen, B., & Collins, W. A. (2009). Parent-child relationships during adolescence. Handbook of Adolescent Psychology, 3, 3-42.
• Neumann, A. (2017). Mother-daughter relationships in adolescence: A shift from control to guidance. Family Psychology Review, 21(1), 85-102.
• Steinberg, L. (2014). Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Nikki Townsend

This week is a culmination of the term and is a designed initiative developed in response to student wellbeing needs, with a focus on the value of respect and the life skill of responsibility. Across all year levels, activities will highlight the importance of caring for oneself, others, and the environment, while fostering learning and personal growth.

Students from Pre-Prep to Year 6 will engage in a wide range of enriching experiences.
Pre-Prep to Year 2 will celebrate Under 8’s Week, this year themed “Unleashing Scientific Thinking through Play.” Activities will include science incursions and a visit from a dental nurse, reinforcing the importance of health and inquiry-based learning. Pre-Prep students will also attend two theatre productions at QPAC as part of the Out of the Box festival.

Years 2 and 3 students will take part in creative writing and illustration workshops with acclaimed author Megan Forward, bringing together visual literacy as a culmination of their term’s cluster program.  In addition, Year 2 will explore the wonders of science during their visit to Spark-Lab at the Queensland Museum.

Our connection with Churchie continues, with Prep students participating in body science activities alongside the boys, and Year 3 girls joining in a shared choral experience. Year 3 students will also enjoy a school-based camp experience, with games at Windsor Park, a parent-hosted barbecue, and a full-day excursion to Australia Zoo.

Year 4 students will strengthen community ties through more workshops with Megan Forward and hear firsthand from parents about various career pathways—thank you to Melanie Kirkhope (Frankie K) Jewelry Business Ex Aust Netballer; Carly Miers (Georgia S) Project Manager; Taryn Reddy (Anya M) Radiologist and Melissa Manahan (Victoria J) Dermatologist who generously volunteered. Mindfulness and wellbeing sessions will also help equip both Years 3 and 4 students with lifelong skills and support the Year 4 girls in preparing for their Term 4 camp.

Alongside all these incursions and visitor activities, the Pre Prep to Year 4 girls will also participate in thoughtfully planned year level activities.

Years 5 and 6 will round out the week with their much-anticipated camps. Year 5 students will attend a leadership-focused camp at Mt Tamborine, and Year 6 will head to Canberra for a curriculum-rich experience that brings their classroom learning to life. Special thanks to all staff involved throughout the week and to those supporting the overnight camps. We are especially grateful to Annette Box for her oversight and coordination of these two camps.

This week is a vibrant celebration of our community and the values we hold dear. Through hands-on learning, collaboration, creativity, and connection, students will grow in confidence and resilience, develop a greater understanding of themselves and others, and strengthen the foundations of wellbeing that will support them far beyond the classroom.

Angela Drysdale

These opportunities require our students to be ambassadors for the school in new contexts and to demonstrate the St Margaret’s values through their embodiment of the ‘St Margaret’s Way’. Upon returning from these journeys and as you embark upon family vacations or extended periods at home together, it may be useful for you to lean on the questions that underpin the St Margaret’s Way, trading the context of school for holidays: “How do I want to feel every day when I am [on holidays]” and “What am I doing to ensure others can feel this way?” These questions help to place accountability and responsibility for your daughter’s experiences over the break in her hands as well as illuminating how she can contribute to not only her own experiences, but also those of others.

A continuity of focus on the values we espouse at school in the home context will provide familiarity and a common foundation for the girls while ensuring that their transition and return to school after the three-week break is as seamless as possible for all parties. This partnership between home and school will also hopefully ensure that all members of your family enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding break.

Annette Box

We have had some interest but are hoping that perhaps there may be some more students willing to become involved. For the trip to go ahead, it is important that we can put together balanced ensembles that allow us to present the best performances possible. These kinds of opportunities where students can both travel and perform together are very special, providing numerous benefits. Students grow significantly as musicians whilst developing both independence and connectedness with others in the school music community.

The Rhapsody Festival has been running since 2001 and is a well-established program offering performance, cultural and other fun experiences. This is a brief overview of the festival (please refer to the attached pdf for further details (PDF 285.4KB)).

Day 1  Travel to Rotorua via Auckland

Day 2  Hobbiton guided visit, local school performance, adjudications/workshops, Agrodome visit, Gala Dinner and dance party

Day 3  Local school performances, adjudications/workshop, first public concert, first Honours Band and festival specialist groups rehearsal, Maori cultural experience and hangi feast

Day 4  Skyline Rotorua (gondola and luge rides), local school performances, adjudications/workshop, second honours band and festival specialist groups rehearsal, second public concert

Day 5  Clinics with specialist conductors, third honours band and festival specialist groups rehearsal, third public concert

Day 6  Velocity valley visit, geothermal reserve guided visit, presentation night at Skyline Rotorua

Day 7  Return to Brisbane via Auckland

If you are interested in having your daughter participate (and did not complete the recent expression of interest form), can you please let us know at music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au prior to the end of term. A decision will be made early in Term 3 as to the whether this opportunity can go ahead or not.

Canopy Café Opening

Thank you to the Sculthorpe String Quartet who provided musical entertainment at the recent Canopy Café opening event. It was wonderful to fill the new space with such beautiful music. Thank you also to Belle Voci for their musical contribution at the service held in the Phillip Harris Gym. They provided a special rendition of Bruno Mars’ ‘Count on Me’ which fitted beautifully with the school’s 2025 theme of community and connection.

Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast

Thank you to Tammy (Year 12) who gave a wonderful performance of Liszt’s Un Sospiro on the piano at the recent Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast. The performance was filled with emotion and appreciated by everyone in attendance. Thank you also to the Sculthorpe String Quartet who entertained guests as they arrived and networked prior to the breakfast.

Soloists Recital #2

Congratulations to all students who performed at the second Soloists Recital for the year on Wednesday afternoon. It was a lovely afternoon of music with a wide range of styles performed on a variety of different instruments. All girls should be exceptionally proud of their performances!

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 22 July 2025 at 5:00pm in the Circular Drive Classroom 01 (in front of the Arts Centre Foyer). Parents from both the primary and secondary school are welcome to attend.

Brad King

Club Netball

It’s already the halfway mark of the Club Netball season for our 39 teams and their coaches, team managers and family support crews with a mix of challenges and successes. Head of Netball Gayle Coutts said: “It’s during this time of the season that I am reminded of how strong and resilient the Maggie spirit is. Our players and umpires turn up every week, rain or shine, and do their job as wonderful competitors, teammates and representatives of our school. I am amazed how this community of players and families come together to support each other and keep this 400-player strong wheel churning along”.

QGSSSA Netball

With the trials process currently halfway through for the upcoming QG Netball season, many girls will add two extra training sessions and an extra game to their weekly netball schedule. Our teams will also be boosted with many new and returning faces in readiness for the Term 3 Competition.

Representative Netball

In May, our two selected Vicki Wilson teams competed at the Met North qualification tournament and both teams had an amazing day finishing third. Congratulations to Gayle and her coaching team and players on this great performance.

Our QISSN team is in the final stages of their preparation for the tournament in Bundaberg starting on 29 June where they will compete in the top division against the best netball schools in Queensland. The team had a great trial game this week against St Rita’s where the combinations and overall game play could be further refined. Thank you to Gayle Coutts and Camille Poupardin who will travel and manage the team for this tournament.

Netball Camp

It should be noted that St Margaret’s will not be hosting a netball camp before the QG season this year. Instead, we are currently developing a more complete netball camp concept catering to both primary and secondary players. The camp will be open to all interested Club and QG Netballers and held at the end of the April school holidays each year.

We are 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 email me at awilliams@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Latest Sport News and Information

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

• Hockey The POD - Secondary Hockey
• Tennis The POD - Secondary Tennis
• Volleyball The POD - Secondary Volleyball
• Club Netball - The POD - Club Netball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• The POD - Secondary Netball
• Rhythmic Gymnastics – The POD - Secondary Rhythmic Gymnastics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Rowing - The POD - Secondary Rowing (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Anne Louise Williams

Student Free Day - 20 June

We wish to advise that the Supplies Shop will be closed on the Student Free Day on Friday 20 June, as we will be partaking in compulsory staff training on this day.

Winter items

Winter stock has now arrived so please call in to avoid missing out on your preferred sizes. 

• Formal jumper – both poly/cotton and wool/nylon
• Pre-Prep/Prep fleecy tracksuit
• School tracksuit jacket and pants
• School scarf
• Winter tights – St Margaret’s Brown

Blazer Pocket Embroidery

Blazers that require pocket embroidery must be submitted by morning tea on a Thursday. Pocket embroidery takes approximately two to three weeks prior to be returned to the Supplies Shop from collection. 

Student Card Purchases - Flexischools daily limit

Please ensure the daily limit is set high enough to cover the cost of the uniform items being purchased. We will not be able to complete the purchase if there are insufficient funds available on the Student Card.

Please refer to the attached Information Guide (PDF 510.1KB) for full booking terms and conditions. We are unable to accept bookings via email or text message. Please read the information guide carefully as some information has changed. OSHC Registration and Debitsuccess can be completed via the My Family Lounge.

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR VACATION CARE BOOKING VIA THE MY FAMILY LOUNGE CASUAL BOOKING CALENDAR

How do I make a booking?

Please navigate to the link below and either sign in with your existing My Family Lounge account or Register for an account, if you do not already have one. Please note that all enrolment forms and payment methods must be completed before making a booking. 

When making a Vacation Care booking, please select the Casual bookings calendar, not Permanent.

https://www.qkenhanced.com.au/Account/Embeddable/?databaseId=9385

What is the cost?*

Fees: $75 per day*

Bookings close: 13^TH June 2025

*Incursions and excursions incur additional costs. These are compulsory for all students and therefore you are able to claim CCS.

What are the hours of operation?

The service is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm.

How can I obtain more information?

If you would like further information regarding our OSHC Program or if you would like to make a booking, feel free to contact me on 0423 547 653 or email: oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Further Information

Please note changes to your booking will still need to be made in writing. All enquiries should be directed to Palu Ingram, OSHC Coordinator on 0423 547 653 or oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Palu Ingram

Tickets are available online here: https://www.raffletix.com.au?ref=t8uzz

We extend our sincere thanks to our prize donors: Data3, Hoppy’s Car Wash, Cr Julia Dixon, and the St Margaret’s P&F Association for their generous support.

If you haven’t yet secured your ticket to the Father Daughter Breakfast, please note ticket sales close today, Thursday 12 June — and we still have a few spots left!

Book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/DARAC

St Margaret’s Mothers' Luncheon - Tickets on sale next week

This year, our much-loved St Margaret’s Mothers’ Luncheon embraces a vibrant Greek theme!

Save the date for a wonderful celebration inspired by the rich culture, flavours, and spirit of Greece. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect, unwind, and enjoy time with our incredible community.

Tickets go on sale via Try Booking on Tuesday 17 June, with an exclusive presale for Year 12 families and boarders on Monday 16 June.

Prepare for an afternoon filled with Greek charm, delicious food, and great company. We expect tickets to sell quickly, so be sure to secure yours early.

Event Details
Date:                    Friday 12 September 2025

Time:                    11.30am – 2.30pm

Location:             Grand Ballroom, The Greek Club, 29 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane

Price:                    $199 per person and include a two-course lunch paired with a three-hour deluxe drinks package featuring Australian sparkling wine.

Tables:                 Maximum table capacity is 10 people. Seating requests can be made by nominating a Table Captain or Year Group at the time of booking. Best efforts will be made to meet any requests.

Enquiries:           Please contact: P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Tickets:                https://www.trybooking.com/DBECB

Lara Pickering