eNews Archive Issue 23 - 7 August 2025

The Ponytail Project was celebrated throughout both the primary and secondary schools. It was great to see the ‘crazy hair’ of the primary students, whose hair styles were only limited by imagination and hairspray. The Prefect Assembly was exciting and educative, informing students of the worthiness of this cause but also illustrating the joy in doing something together to support others.

The Soaring Upwards Festival on Saturday was also a wonderful opportunity for the music department to display the talent of the students who were performing to a happy audience, enjoying beautiful music and weather on ‘the green’ – the school’s Circular Drive. It was lovely to see so many grandparents proudly listening to their grandchildren perform. Thank you to the parents in the Music Support Group who provided sustenance throughout the afternoon and who are faithfully raising funds for the new Performing Arts centre one cupcake and sausage at a time.

Both Soaring Upwards and the Ponytail Project are two very different and wonderful opportunities for our community members to connect. Our NAIDOC celebrations during the week also add to the richness of our students experience and the details about these can be found in the Head of Boarding section of this newsletter.

Several members of the teaching staff have been nominated by the community for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA).

Congratulations to the following teachers in the primary school: Karen Andrews-Close, Regina Brennan; Brooke Calcutt; Jon Cox; Suzi Edwards; Clayton Howard; Belinda Knowles; Sarah Singleton and Georgina Stevenson.

Congratulations also to the following teachers in the secondary school who have been nominated: Kelly Alford; Erin Buckingham; Rowena Bracken; Ciara Cescotto; Jake Compton; Katie Flanagan; George Higgins; Brad King; Alina Layton; Rebecca Neveu-Wirth; Georgia O’Brien; Tom Smithers; Nicole Walker.

These awards are designed to encourage and support educators through recognising those who are examples of excellence in their profession. It is a wonderful way to recognise the fantastic and important work of our teachers and is a great reflection on the quality of the whole school teaching and learning community.

Ros Curtis

These events are more than just dates on a calendar—they are opportunities for connection, contribution, and celebration. Watching older students dance with younger ones, cheering on peers during the St Margaret’s Run, and seeing families and staff unite to raise over $164,000 for cancer research through the Ponytail Project, reminds us of the strength and warmth of our community.

Research continues to affirm what we see every day: students who feel a strong sense of belonging perform better academically and experience greater wellbeing. Belonging means feeling valued, respected, and cared for, while also knowing you have something meaningful to contribute. At St Margaret’s, we strive to create an environment where every student feels supported, safe, and connected.

Our community thrives because of the many ways students and families get involved—through extracurricular activities, parent support groups, the P&F Association, and the many events we host throughout the year. These shared experiences foster relationships, build resilience, and create lasting memories.

As we move through Term 3, we encourage all families to stay engaged. Check the school calendar on the POD, read our weekly eNews, and look out for opportunities to connect. Whether it’s attending a performance, volunteering, or simply cheering from the sidelines, your presence matters.

Nicole Devlin

Next week we begin Confirmation classes - it is not too late if you would like your daughter to be a part of the cohort being confirmed on 3 September at 6pm with Old Girl, Bishop Sarah Plowman (‘90). Please sign up here.

With all that is happening, it is understandable that you may be feeling overwhelmed or the pressure of assessment and exams. As you travel these middle weeks of term, know that there is a community here to support you. Our wellbeing centre, Community House, is a place that you can find peace in the midst of the busyness.

Today the Anglican Schools Australia conference begins. School leaders from across Australia will gather in Brisbane to explore Anglican identity and what makes our school communities unique. Dr Beth-Sarah will be present at the conference continuing to unpack her DIGNITY lens for building community and connection.

Inspired by her work on dignity, I share this prayer with you:

Loving God, You have created each of us in Your image, bestowing upon us an inherent dignity that cannot be diminished. Help us, Lord, to recognise and honour this sacred gift in every person we encounter. Grant us the courage to uphold the vision of human dignity in our daily lives. Inspire our hearts to tend to the needs of others, especially those who are marginalised, oppressed, and suffering. Empower us with Your Spirit to respond to injustice with compassion and resolve. May our actions reflect Your love and mercy, bringing comfort and hope to those in need. Amen.

(Sourced from Caritas Scotland).

Rev’d Jazz Dow

The boarding house reception was decorated with various cultural objects and materials, all with information cards for our students, visiting parents and staff to learn about each item. It is important to us in the boarding house that we continually educate ourselves and those around us and respect the cultures that live in our community. We welcomed many boarding families to the school who made the journey to Brisbane to celebrate with their daughters and join us for the Kai Kai, leading the cooking and preparation of traditional dishes for St Margaret’s staff and students to enjoy.

Our girls from the Torres Strait performed a dance under the guidance of the Neguams Dance Troupe on our NAIDOC Week Assembly. We were proud to have boarders Cheyanne Y and Frances D share reflections on the meaning of NAIDOC Week to them and their families and are proud to share that Frances D will continue to be Student Co-Chair of the RAP Committee in 2026, with Tina P-N joining her. Congratulations to Frances and Tina – I know that they will lead the RAP Committee with strength and conviction, as well as bring their leadership to the boarding house to ensure our commitment to cultural diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning.

NAIDOC Week is always a very important week on our boarding calendar, but what I am most proud of is how we are always and consistently celebrating the diverse cultures that coexist in our boarding community and the learning opportunities we can afford to students and staff alike to learn about these cultures.

Lesa Fowler

This week, it was wonderful to see the community come together to raise money for the Cancer Council through the Ponytail Project. All of these events are so important in building our community and they also play an integral role in developing St Margaret’s girls to be compassionate, well-rounded young women.

Year 12 2026 Parent Information Evening

Thanks to all those who attended the online Year 12 2026 Parent Information Evening. This has been recorded and is available via the Year 11 POD page for those who were unable to attend. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or Tom Smithers.

Exam Blocks

Year 11 and 12 Exam Blocks for this term have been released on the POD for a few weeks now. These are big sessions and girls should plan accordingly to be prepared for these. A reminder that when students attend school during exam block, they are required to wear their full school uniform.

“Getting enough sleep is very important to ensure you can make the most out of every day with your teachers and your individual study” – Ally Gladman, ’24.

Caitlin McCluskey

The tests will take place on the following dates:

Students must report to CD01/2 at 7:00am. All students must bring their school-issued laptop and ensure that it is fully charged. All enrolled students will also receive an email with further information on what they need to do to prepare for the tests.

Chris Dunn

In a heartwarming display of solidarity, students and staff cut off their ponytails to support two vital causes that make a real difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

The donated hair will go directly to Sustainable Salons, an organisation who sends ponytails directly to wigmakers and charitable organisations to be made into charitable wigs or to fund life-changing programs. These wigs provide practical support while helping restore confidence and dignity during challenging times.

Meanwhile, funds raised through the project will benefit both the Cancer Council Queensland, which funds crucial research and provides support services for cancer patients and their families, and the Minotti Trust.

The overwhelming participation from across the school community speaks volumes about the values instilled at St Margaret's. The involvement of two staff members alongside students demonstrates true leadership and solidarity, showing that this cause touches hearts at every level of the school.

This initiative exemplifies how our students can make a tangible impact in their community while learning valuable lessons about empathy, generosity, and collective action. The Ponytail Project serves as an inspiring reminder that sometimes the most meaningful gifts come from what we're willing to give of ourselves.

Nikki Townsend

In the physical arena there has been something for everyone as many girls participated in our interschool sporting competitions, Andrews Cup. Andrews Cup soccer was held recently with the teams achieving great results especially Senior C White and Junior White placing first and Senior A third.

On the creative side, the girls had three opportunities to share their talents with the wider community. Choirs and musical groups performed at the Winter Wonders Concert on Friday and the Soaring Upwards Festival on Saturday and, at the Ponytail Project on Tuesday.  It was wonderful to watch the girls at each of these events, and to see them rise proudly in this area of development. Thank you to the many staff for their direction and support of each of the girls.

One aspect of our social and emotional development was addressed this week when the girls in Years 3 - 5 participated in our personal growth and sex education program with renowned expert, Mrs Judith Krause. Each of the classes in these year levels participated in lessons which are sequential and age appropriate. The program addresses a range of physical and emotional changes the girls will experience as they grow into young women. Judith had some very strong messages for the girls about the relevance of relationships with your own self and others.

This aligns with the Daniel Morcombe Prep – Year 6 program used in the primary school. The key elements of this program are Recognise, React and Report. When children recognise that they are in an unsafe situation, we encourage them to think about what they could do to be safe again. They are encouraged to think about ways to react using real-life scenarios. Our students will also learn that breaking the rules (eg saying no to an adult who is behaving inappropriately) is sometimes necessary so that they can become safe again and that Report means telling an adult in their life who cares about their safety, when there is a problem. It’s adults who can keep them safe from harm and who can make a situation safe again for them.

Please take the time to talk with your children about what they have been learning about safety and the ways they could react if they are unsafe, to make themselves safe again. Click on the link below or use the many books available in our library, to discuss with your child ways to stay safe and to also help them develop life-long safety skills.

Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum Fact sheet for parents

Angela Drysdale

The quote which framed the speeches explored the notion that to lead by example; through actions and by doing, is not just but the best way, but in fact, the only way to lead. Of the students who spoke, two began their journey at St Margaret’s in the primary school. Their inclusion in the final six candidates for School Captain for 2026 is an excellent endorsement of not only the influence and impact that the school has and continues to have on the girls but also creates some wonderful role models for our students, especially the Year 5s who have embarked on their own leadership selection process.

The shortlisted girls referenced approaches to leadership they had modelled for them on school camps dating back to Year 5, a testament to the strength of the messages that the girls value even now, over six years later for them.

Next Monday the School Captains for 2026 will be announced and this provides another opportunity for you to engage with your daughters about leadership. The girls might reflect on the speeches given by the selected students or qualities they observed in these girls as they cultivate and carve out a sense of what leadership might mean at St Margaret’s. In the coming weeks, the Year 5 girls will further unpack their leadership journey and be provided with the timeline for their leadership selection process and the associated tasks for those girls interested in the position of Primary Captain.

All Year 6 students at St Margaret’s take on leadership in the form of House Leaders and are given the opportunity to demonstrate their capacity as leaders of the primary school and to develop as future leaders of the school. We look forward to hearing our Primary Captain candidates address the students next term and welcoming a new group of St Margaret’s leaders in the primary school for 2026.

Annette Box

Soaring Upwards Festival  

Congratulations to all music ensembles who performed at the Soaring Upwards Festival last weekend. Fifteen different ensembles along with several combined ensembles performed throughout the day, providing four hours’ worth of entertainment. All performances assisted in creating a special atmosphere at this wonderful community event on Circular Drive. Well done to the students on their performances and thank you to our music staff for their efforts in preparing the girls for the event. Special thanks also to the Music Support Group for their efforts throughout the event providing food, drinks and selling raffle tickets! Please check the Music Cocurricular POD page over coming weeks for more photos.

Ponytail Project Performances

The Ponytail Project is always a very special event in our school calendar. To celebrate the remarkable efforts of everyone involved, a number of music ensembles and dance groups performed to the whole school community on Circular Drive following the official proceedings. Congratulations to the Stage Band, Pacific Island Dance Group, Highly Strung, Tuesday Rock Band and Monday Rock Band for their amazing performances. It is always so special to experience the excitement and energy at this event. Special thanks to our conductors for facilitating these performances.

New Zealand Festival – Information Night

Thank you to parents who have expressed interest for their daughter regarding the opportunity to travel to New Zealand in 2026 to participate in the Rotorua Rhapsody Music Festival, from Monday 29 June to Sunday 5 July. We are pleased to announce we have received sufficient potential interest for students to participate as part of Exultate and/or Chamber Strings. Whilst we did not receive as much interest for Sister Helen Wind Symphony, we would like to encourage those interested students to still consider joining the tour, either as part of Exultate or as support crew. All students will be able to participate in music workshops provided by the Festival, along with other cultural and tour activities. There will be an information session on Thursday 21 August in The Loft at 6pm to provide further details. We invite all interested parents and students from Exultate, Chamber Strings and Sister Helen Wind Symphony, and potential students for 2026 for these ensembles, to attend. This will be an opportunity for parents and students to ask questions and find out more specifics as to how the tour will operate, along with the proposed payment schedule. If parents cannot attend this session but would like to receive additional information, please email music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au and we can forward the presentation post meeting.

Student Congratulations

Congratulations to Yuna (Year 7) who was awarded 1st Place at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod last weekend in the Junior Brass and Woodwind Championship 13 years and under section. Yuna also recently was awarded her Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA), a performance diploma that requires an extremely high level of musical expertise. Well done to Yuna on this outstanding achievement!

Practice-a-thon

The Music Support Group has put together a wonderful fundraiser to assist in building funds for a new Steinway piano that will be housed in our new St Margaret’s Arts Precinct. The Practice-a-thon is open to students in the Primary school who are undertaking private music lessons, involved in co-curricular music ensembles or are a parts of the Years 3 and 4 Strings Program/Year 5 Band program. Practice-a-thon forms have been delivered to all students this week (and is also attached). (PDF 292KB) Students (with the help of parents) are able to sign up via the QR code and seek sponsorship from friends and family to raise money based on the level of practice achieved during the period 17-30 August. There will be prizes for the students who have raised the most money, shown the most practice as well as two random draws. Each prize will be a hamper that will consist of an Owala water bottle, a Jelly Cat toy, Wonderboom speaker and music note necklace, along with music themed stationery. This is a wonderful initiative provided by the Music Support Group that will both assist in raising funds, as well as encouraging students to develop to healthy, consistent practice routine. We look forward to having many students signing up!

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 2 September 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

Also happening this weekend, our Dance troupe, Ballare, will be competing for the first time in the Dance X competition at Moreton Bay College. This is the first competition that our students have competed in with St Margaret’s. Best of luck to our dancers – ‘break a leg’ and thank you to Ms Carly Kirkwood for coordinating our dance program.

Thank you to the supporters and players who participated in our first home round for QG on Saturday. It was another round of good results and hard-fought battles across all sports. This weekend, our players in Hockey, Tennis, Netball and Volleyball will play at Ambiwerra versus St Aidan’s. Please check the POD for all fixture details for this upcoming round.

A reminder to make sure that if you are absent from trainings or matches, parents and/or students need to complete the absentee register. This is to ensure that our Sports team has an accurate account of attendances as well as explained or unexplained absences during the season.

The sport team 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

Secondary Students

We are excited to announce that a new ¼ Zip Training Jumper has arrived and is now available for purchase from the Supplies Shop.

This new item has been designed as an optional layering piece for before and after school sports training sessions for Years 7 to 12. The jumper may be worn on its own during training or under the school tracksuit but does NOT form part of the official PE uniform and must NOT be worn during school hours. We only have a small supply of jumpers available across a size range, but if there is sufficient interest from our Secondary Students, we will place another order for 2026. 

¼ Zip Training Jumper – $70.00

• Custom-made for St Margaret’s
• Stretch fabric, lined with polar fleece
• Can be worn under the school track jacket or on its own for training sessions ONLY

St Margaret’s Merchandise

The Supplies Shop now stocks the following new merchandise items – folding chair, scented candles in two sizes, St Margaret’s Crest and Panama keychains, Panama croc jibbitz, vacuum drink flask and a crested fine bone china coffee mug.

Student Card Purchases

Flexischools daily limit – Just a reminder to ensure that the daily limit is set high enough to cover the cost of the uniform items being purchased, otherwise we will not be able to complete the transaction.

Blazer Pocket Embroidery

Blazers are collected every Thursday after morning tea and take between 2 to 3 weeks to be embroidered. 

Fathers’ Dinner Wine tree raffle – can you help?

P&F need your help to grow the wine tree for the 2025 Fathers’ Dinner!

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 Dan Murphys 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. Please drop off your bottle (or bottles) by Tuesday 19 August.

Final tickets remaining - Professional Women’s Network - Featuring Jane Palfreyman ('94), Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, SBS

As SBS celebrates its 50th anniversary, the national broadcaster stands as a case study in strategic reinvention, demonstrating how bold leadership, digital innovation and deep consumer insights, can future proof an organisation by setting, rather than following the rules.

Join us as Jane Palfreyman (‘94), Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at SBS, shares how the company has defied the odds to maintain commercial success and cultural relevance while boldly redefining what it means to be a public broadcaster.

From the rise of SBS On Demand to award-winning advertising campaigns, Jane will explore the strategic decisions that helped transform SBS into one of Australia’s most trusted and distinctive media brands.

Drawing on her own journey from St Margaret’s to today, Jane’s presentation will offer valuable insights for leaders focused on navigating change in a rapidly shifting landscape

Date:         Thursday 28 August 2025

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:     $85 Adult, $45 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/CUSFP

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

Mothers' Luncheon – Tickets selling fast!

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

Book now 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.

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.

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 are available here:  https://www.trybooking.com/DBECB

We thank St Margaret’s P&F Mothers’ Lunch sponsors, Maggies Supporter: Hundt Law.

Lara Pickering