eNews Archive Issue 25 - 21 August 2025

I would like to encourage all Year 12 families to complete the survey. Your feedback is invaluable and will assist the St Margaret’s School Council and Senior Leadership Team to review the school’s operations and plans for the future.

All responses will be treated by MMG Education in strict confidence and no parent will be identified to the school by MMG Education.

If you have not received an email from MMG Education with a link to the survey, please contact our Director of Marketing and Communications, Ms Wendy Johnston, who will follow up with MMG Education. Email wjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or phone (07) 3862 0837. Thank you in advance for your participation in this important project.

Just prior to us surveying our current Year 12 parents, Independent School Queensland also provided schools with their key findings from their ‘What Parents Want’ survey. This survey delves into the decision-making processes of independent school parents, and they have been conducting this survey every three years over the last 19 years. There are interesting findings in the report published in August 2025 which help us in our admissions processes.

Of those surveyed

• 44% of parents entering a new school from Years 1–12 only considered independent schools; this means 56% of parents were prepared to also consider Catholic or State schools.
• The most influential information sources parents rely on in their decision-making are:

1. Family, Friends, and colleagues (19%)
2. School Open Days/Formal visits (16%)
3. Other parents with children at the school (16%)
4. School website and social media (16%)

• Parents value the opportunity to meet school staff – particularly classroom teachers and the Principal. Boarding parents, not surprisingly, want to also meet the Head of Boarding.
• 73% of parents said their choice of school was highly influenced by the look of the school and facilities on offer.
• Children (54%) are having increasingly a greater say in their future school.

Ros Curtis

During our first weekend in South Africa, we were privileged to spend the entire weekend at Nambiti Game Reserve along with some of our exchange partners and our fellow exchange students at St Anne’s (from Kinross in Orange, New South Wales and Charlotte Latin School in North Carolina, USA). On this trip we went on four drives, two of these being morning and two being in the evening. During the drives we saw a herd of elephants, a crash of rhinos, cheetahs, a tower of Giraffes, wildebeests, springbok, lions, lots of Zebras and the American exchange students also got to see hippopotamus. At the end of each drive, we would make a stop to have a snack and drink, and we would take many photos while enjoying the scenic views. We made cherished memories at meals times, filled with laughter and discussion. The food was amazing and on our last night we had a ‘Braai’ (prounced ‘bry’) which is a South African barbeque, having once again another delicious meal together. There was a final drive early the next morning to conclude our trip. Nambiti was definitely a highlight of our exchange experience which we will remember forever.

On 6 September, our group of St Margarets exchange girls, along with two American exchange students and one from Orange in Australia, headed to the Drakensberg — an amazing mountain range stretching over 1,000 kilometres with some of the highest peaks in South Africa, over 3,400 metres! The exchange boys from Hilton College and Michaelhouse, picked us up, and after about an hour and a half, we arrived at the Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre. The bird show was incredible — eagles, hawks, vultures, and owls flew right above us, showing off their amazing speed and skills. It was really cool to learn how Falcon Ridge helps injured birds recover and trains them for these flights. For lunch, we stopped at Mac’s Café where we tried a delicious tramezzini filled with veggies and halloumi, with homemade chips on the side. We also enjoyed Bar One milkshakes — a South African Mars bar in shake form — which were so good! After lunch, we explored the nearby shops full of beautiful souvenirs and local artwork. Next, we visited The Chocolate Factory, where we tasted six different kinds of chocolate. The rich, creamy flavours were amazing, and of course, we had to buy some to take home. The shops around the factory were filled with wooden carvings, traditional fabrics, and unique South African gifts. Our last stop was the Drakensberg Boys Choir. The school is surrounded by the stunning mountain range, and the theatre was amazing. The choir performed traditional South African songs as well as familiar tunes from The Lion King and Gladiator. The gumboot dancing was seriously impressive — they sang, danced, and stayed perfectly in time. By the end of the day, we were tired but happy, having enjoyed great food, fun experiences, and unforgettable memories with the exchange students. It was a day we’ll always remember.

Last week, we drove to Karkloof to participate in the Karkloof Canopy Zipline Tour based in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. We began the tour with a detailed safety briefing and then ‘kitted up’ before driving to our destination. We made our way from platform to platform, experiencing 10 ziplines which made their way through surrounding forests, waterfalls and valleys.

While our time at St Anne’s has only just passed week three, we’ve already been introduced to, and immersed ourselves in sports we might not usually play. Soccer is one of the many popular sports on offer, along with tennis. In our very first week, we were placed in the U16 soccer team and started training straight away, learning new skills and adjusting to unfamiliar rules and game plays. The St Anne’s girls have been incredibly supportive, offering advice that’s helped us improve and play to our full potential. In our two games so far, we’ve drawn both matches. Overcoming challenges hasn’t been easy, but the warm atmosphere from both students and teachers has really boosted our confidence and helped us fully embrace the programs the school has so kindly offered.

At St Anne’s, the boarding system is quite different from what we’re used to at St Margaret’s. Instead of one large boarding house, there are six separate houses, each with around 70 girls, making up a total of about 400 boarders. Each house is supported by two house mums, but what really stands out is the level of responsibility given to the Year 12s. They take on important roles such as doing room checks three times a week, ensuring everyone is settled at lights out, and managing various other duties. Adjusting to the hierarchy and rules has been a challenge, but we’re slowly getting the hang of it. One of the interesting aspects of having multiple houses is that it naturally mixes up the year groups. This gives us the chance to build friendships with girls we might not have gotten to know otherwise. However, we aren’t as close with the people in the other houses, but we are slowly making new friends. Personally, I think having different houses helps create a stronger, more connected community. It encourages us to branch out, make new friends, and learn from one another. The girls here have been incredibly welcoming, and they’ve made it feel like a home away from home.

 Annabelle, Sarah, Hayley, Bella and Madeleine

“The Anglican Church in its long history has come to value diversity as a positive good and our schools know the gifts that diversity brings to any community. The only precondition for membership in our schools (outside fees) is respect, respect for our ethos and the Gospel at its heart.” - Archbishop Jeremy Greaves.

In 2024, as a response to the rapid evolution of generative AI, St Margaret’s began to rebrand our religion and values education program as “On Being Human” (OBH). This move is not a step away from faith and spirituality but an immersion deeper into it, looking at how being spiritual is an inherent part of being human, and that our Anglican (Christian) values shape who we are as a community and the ethics and values we are called to live by.

The OBH/RVE classroom is a place where we work to build a culture that we expect in the wider school – a place of open communication, respecting different opinions and points of view, and examining our own values and how they align with school values.

At home, you can support your daughter in their On Being Human program by discussing values, ethics, faith and spirituality at home, and talking with them about the ways in which you live out your own values in daily life. Exploring faith and the big questions of life, and how to live ethically, is not about having all the answers but being willing to have the discussion and share your own journey.

Some discussion starters for the dinner table:

• Tell me about a time you felt especially grateful…
• What brings you joy?

Rev’d Jazz Dow

The Dining Room became a scene straight from the wizarding world, with floating candles, house banners, and Hogwarts-inspired décor. Long tables set for feasting encouraged lively conversations, and students proudly wore their House colours: Gryffindor’s fiery red and gold, Slytherin’s sleek green and silver, Hufflepuff’s earthy yellow and black, and Ravenclaw’s airy blue and bronze.

Housemothers added extra sparkle by stepping into the roles of beloved professors, while staff portraits were cleverly reimagined as favourites such as Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, and Mrs Weasley. The whimsical result gave the girls plenty of smiles and laughter.

Book Week is always about sparking imagination and celebrating the joy of storytelling. This year in boarding, it also highlighted something deeper: the way the core elements of a book mirror the fabric of boarding life itself.

Every story begins with characters – and boarding has them in abundance. From the wise “mentors” in staff to the loyal “sidekicks” found in friends down the hall, personalities bring the pages of daily life to life. Then comes the setting: a home away from home, where common rooms, dining halls, and study spaces are as central to the story as Hogwarts’ Great Hall. Plot and conflict emerge too – whether it’s solving a tricky riddle in Book Week challenges or navigating the ups and downs of teenage life, each chapter adds to the journey. And, of course, the unifying themes of friendship, resilience, and belonging run strongly through both books and boarding.

Each day of the week, students were invited to step into a new story. Robes and wands appeared from Monday to Thursday, Wednesday saw an array of superheroes and book characters, and Tuesday’s challenge was simply to wear the funkiest socks possible. Costumes brought the boarding story to life, with Boarder Captains and Prefects rewarding the Houses who showed the most spirit.

No Book Week would be complete without a challenge – and this year’s magical tasks certainly tested wits. As students entered the Dining Hall, Houses were set riddles, puzzles, and games requiring teamwork, creativity, and quick thinking. Only those who collaborated closely could “escape” with victory for their House.

While the week brimmed with laughter, costumes, and Hogwarts charm, at its heart it celebrated something greater. Book Week is to nurture the love of reading and to honour the joy of children’s literature. At its simplest, it is about stories – and encouraging every child to discover the delight of opening a book.

In boarding, that message rang true. Because, just like in a great story, boarding is about characters who grow, settings that inspire, conflicts that teach, and themes that stay with you long after the final page is turned.

This Book Week in boarding was about more than costumes and riddles – it was a celebration of the magic of reading, and the shared story the girls are writing together.

Kelli Boucaut

If your daughter is in Year 10 and is unwell and unable to attend school on the day of an exam, please ensure that she fills out the appropriate form (found via the Extension Form button on the Year Level POD pages) and sends the form, along with relevant evidence such as a medical certificate, to the Head of Faculty.

For students in Years 11 and 12, they should also contact me to ensure they have the appropriate documentation and we will organise a time for them to resit their exam.

Year 12 students

This is a reminder for all students to register for the QTAC Portal. Those wishing to be considered for Early Offers will need to put their preferences in this term.

“Make the decision every day to give it the best you’ve got. Wake up and be better than you were yesterday, even if that’s something as simple as making your bed or doing that extra study session” – Lucy Smith, ’24.

Caitlin McCluskey

Both of these forms and the procedures can be found via the Extension Form button on each Year Level POD page. A reminder that in Years 7-9, a parent note or email will suffice for evidence; however, in Years 10-12 a Medical Certificate is required.

If a student knows that they will require an extension due to a foreseen event, they should speak with their teacher or the appropriate Head of Faculty as soon as they can.

Resit of Exams due to Absence on the day

Any student in Years 7 to 10 who is absent on the day of an exam, will be required to sit this exam on the first day they return to school. Students should report directly to the Senior Library at the start of Lesson 2A with their correct equipment, and will complete the exam under supervision in Lessons 2A/B.

Chris Dunn

Our pastoral care program takes a sequential, year-level approach to address these challenges before they become entrenched patterns. Beginning with sleep hygiene and basic nutrition education, we progressively build students' knowledge and skills. Early secondary students explore the importance of physical activity and learn about food, while older secondary students engage with harm reduction strategies and comprehensive sexual health education.

The sleep crisis among students is particularly concerning, with many averaging fewer than six hours nightly due to academic pressure and screen time. This impacts concentration, emotional regulation, and physical health. Our program teaches practical sleep strategies alongside time management skills.

Across Australia, physical inactivity has tripled among young people in the past decade. Our approach with Health & Physical Education and our extracurricular sporting program provides opportunities for all students to remain active. 

In our Pastoral Care program, we're continuing to assist in building resilient, health-literate students equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their physical wellbeing throughout their lives.

Nikki Townsend

Book Week was established in 1954 by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and presents annual awards to books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australia’s children’s literature. The Australian Book Council encourages us to think why we love books when it chooses a theme which becomes central to Book Week celebrations. They select this theme to encourage readers to think about, search for and find books that fit the theme. This year we celebrate - Book an Adventure. This theme reminds us that books can take us on journeys to unknown places, different worlds, and different times. Books take you into people’s homes and even into people’s hearts. All that people have ever thought, done or dreamed lies waiting to be discovered in a book. Books transport the reader to imaginary places that can bring much joy. Mostly you can escape with books and go everywhere. In the words of renowned children’s author, Roal Dahl in his equally famous book Matilda he shares the power of the book for Matilda: ‘the book transported her into new worlds and introduced her to crazy people who lived exciting lives. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.’

I pose the question, why do we love books? Could it be that feeling of anticipation as you open the cover of a book for the first time to see what lies within? Is it the characters you meet in the book?

Characters can help the reader learn about life, the world around and how these characters work through their problems.

As the reader learns more about the characters, they also learn about themselves. The characters offer another person’s perspective, what they are going through, their thoughts, their emotions, their advice and how people in the world react to their circumstances and experiences. All that they learn from the characters, the reader can bring back to the world the reader lives in.  The characters found in books are like friends waiting any time we want them, just open a book to find them.

We encourage the girls to use this week as a reminder that books will always take the reader on an adventure opening the doors to new places and introducing them to new friends.   

Angela Drysdale

On Tuesday 26 August the annual Book Week Parade will take place on Circular Drive. Here, our Pre-Prep to Year 4 students will grace us with their creative and innovative costumes inspired by their favourite book characters. The 2025 theme is ‘Book an Adventure’, and this year’s parade will no doubt have us reminded of the unexpected and fascinating adventures that we have been taken on thanks to our favourite tales. The parade will also feature the highly anticipated debut of this year’s Piccolo Choir, our Prep and Year 1 vocal ensemble who commence in Semester 2. Please see the Book Week Parade invite on The POD for all event details.

After we have had the chance to adventure with our Prep to Year 4 students it will be time to see the older primary girls take over the journey onstage on Circular Drive in the Primary Arts Spectacular on Friday 29 August.

This year’s title builds on the theme of Book Week; ‘Every Book is an Adventure’. The students will spring from the pages of our most beloved books and across place and time thanks to a parade of student-made wearable art, song, dance and creative storytelling. The girls work towards this event over many months and this year they have had the privilege of creating alongside Ms Free, Mrs Grieve, Ms Brennan, a range of choreographers and many other staff who have helped bring this event to life. It is always an evening of adventure, and we look forward to welcoming the Years 5 and 6 parents to the performances set on the picturesque backdrop of Circular Drive. All event details including timings, food and beverages can be found on the invite on The POD as well as through information from your Class Parent Ambassadors.

We look forward to sharing this wonderful week with you all.

Annette Box

Music Dinner – Theme to be announced 22 August!

The theme for this year’s Music Dinner will be announced this coming Friday 22 August via the Music Cocurricular POD page so stay tuned! The Music Dinner will be held in Term 4 on 10 October and is a wonderful event where we can celebrate the achievements of our music students throughout the year and also acknowledge our outgoing music seniors. Students (and parents) are encouraged to come along dressed according to the theme. Further information regarding the purchase of tickets will be made available very soon.

Boarder Musicians' Recital

Congratulations to all our boarders who performed last Thursday night at the annual Boarder Musicians’ Recital. All boarders who are undertaking private music lessons were invited to present a musical performance. Students overcame their nerves and showed lots of courage as they presented a wide range of musical genres on many different instruments. All students who performed are to be congratulated on their fantastic efforts!

Interhouse Music Week - Maggies Idol

Congratulations to all students who performed this week in the Secondary Interhouse Music Competition, Maggies Idol! It was so exciting to hear so many students performing across all the year levels. Stay tuned for the announcement of winners at the Week 8 assembly! Thank you also to all our secondary small ensembles – Clarinet/Flute/Saxophone/Brass/Percussion Ensembles and Sculthorpe/Beath String Quartets for their wonderful morning tea performances in the Canopy Café through the week!

Open Morning

Congratulations to all the music ensembles that performed at the Open Morning held last Thursday. Wonderful performances were given by the Clarinet, Saxophone, Brass and Percussion Ensembles as well as Exultate, Sister Helen Wind Symphony, Tutti Strings, Chamber String, Beath and Sculthorpe String Quartets. All ensembles were able to contribute to the wonderful atmosphere on the day!

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

During this week’s Whole School Assembly, the winners of the Interhouse Athletics Carnival were announced. Congratulations to the following winning houses

Junior Cup - Spenser

Intermediate Cup - Milton

Senior Cup - Lawson

Overall Winning House Results:

Congratulations also to the winner of the St Margaret’s 100m Handicap race. This year’s winner was one of our School Captains, Ebony O.

This week students will start receiving Pocket Awards for sporting achievements from Semester 1. These awards are being presented during Year Level Assemblies. Congratulations to students receiving these pockets. Pockets at St Margaret’s are awarded to students for not only performing and achieving on the sporting field but also consideration is made on attendance at trainings and meets in that sport.

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

Year 11 Term 4 2025 (Year 12 2026) Booklist

The Booklists for Year 11 Term 4 2025 (Year 12 2026) are now available and parents are able to order online at www.campion.com.au.  

Orders placed by 29 August will receive free delivery and will be delivered prior to the commencement of Term 4. Orders received after the cut off date will be packed ASAP, however Campion Education cannot guarantee delivery of these orders prior to commencement of Term 4. A delivery fee will be applied to all late orders.

Please Note: Families who created an account in 2024/2025 are not required to enter the Resource code below. For new families, you will need to create an account by clicking on the "Parents Order Here" button located top right hand corner of the Campion website. A four-character code is required to access the 2026 resource lists; the code for St Margaret's is 89YV.

Booklists for Pre-Prep to Year 11 will follow in early Term 4.

Blazer Fittings – current Year 9 Cohort 2025

Students entering Year 10 in 2026 should consider visiting the Supplies Shop to be fitted for their blazer prior to the end of Term 4, 2025. All orders will need to be placed by 14 November 2025 for a March 2026 delivery. Students can visit the Supplies Shop during opening hours (no appointment required). A blazer fitting takes around 15 minutes. The cost of the blazer is $275 and is payable at the time of ordering.

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. There is only a small supply of jumpers available across a size range, but if there is sufficient interest from 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

Merchandise

The Supplies Shop now stocks – St Margaret’s folding chair, scented candles in two sizes, St Margaret’s dog lead, St Margaret’s Crest and Panama keychains, Panama croc jibbitz, vacuum drink flask and a crested Fine bone China coffee mug.

Student Card Purchases

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. 

We have fun-filled and exciting activities planned. Further details of the 5 September program can be found here (PDF 238.3KB) and of the September Vacation Care program can be found here. (PDF 458.4KB)

Please refer to the attached Information Guide for full booking terms and conditions. We are unable to accept bookings via email or text message. The OSHC registration and Debitsuccess form must be completed, signed and sent back to us to finalise your booking. 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 FORM VIA THE MY FAMILY LOUNGE APP

We are very excited to inform you that St Margaret’s OSHC has subscribed to a fantastic online Booking and Waitlist management program called QK Enrol. This program will give you access to manage your own account information, where you will have the ability to make bookings requests and allows you to complete and submit an online enrolment form for your child. You can do this and much, much more all within a parent portal called ’My Family Lounge’.

How do I log in?

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 all families who have previously submitted an enrolment form will have an account already set up; all you will need to do is click ‘forgotten password’ and use the email address you used to receive this form.

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

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

What is the cost?*

Student Free Day - 5 September

Fees: $75 per day*

Bookings close: 29 August 2025

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

September Vacation Care Program

Early Bird Fees: $68

Early Bird Bookings close: 5 September 2025

Fees: $75 per day*

Bookings close: 12 September 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.

Palu Ingram

This comprehensive 2 hour session will equip parents with evidence-based strategies to foster their child’s confidence, resilience, and self-regulation throughout their academic journey while preserving family harmony during the teenage transition. Drawing from the latest research and clinical insights, Dr Locke will provide practical, positive approaches to monitoring your child’s progress and supporting them through the developmental complexities of these formative years.

Key focus areas include effective screen time management, behaviour guidance and routine establishment, their integration with academic responsibilities, and strategies for collaborative partnerships with your child’s school. Parents will leave with actionable tools to navigate this transformative period successfully, ensuring strong family relationships endure alongside academic and personal growth.

Date: Monday 1 September

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Location: Philip Harris Gym, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School

Tickets: Free event

RSVP: Friday 22 August

Registration is essential. Please click here to RSVP

Download more information here. (PDF 225KB)

From the classrooms of St Margaret’s to the boardrooms of London, Georgina McManus has built a remarkable legal career that spans continents, industries and cultures. A proud St Margaret’s Old Girl, she is now the Chief Legal Officer for luxury footwear brand Manolo Blahnik, where she combines her legal expertise with a love of fashion, international transactions and business management.

We look forward to her insightful perspectives into a legal career spanning various continents, cultures and industries.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1445324

We thank St Margaret’s Aspiring Young Women’s Breakfast Sponsors, St Margaret’s Old Girls’ Association.

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 Supporters: Hundt Law, UMS and Shingle Inn.

Lara Pickering