eNews Archive Issue 30 - 9 October 2025

I have reproduced here for you the introduction and purpose of the policy.

‘They say it takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School (the school) cannot provide the best education for a child or help equip that child with the skills required for a fulfilling adult life, without cooperation and support from that child’s family. The school places great emphasis on working in positive partnership and collaboration with parents and other members of the school community to ensure that students’ learning experiences are fully supported and optimised. To ensure such cooperation and support, this Community Code of Conduct (the Code) outlines the school’s expectations for a student’s parents, stepparents, guardians, grandparents, extended family members and carers (collectively, parents).

These are the five general expectations of the school community which are detailed in the policy.

1. Support the educational ethos and values of the school.

2. Behave respectfully towards members of our community

3. Use technology and social media appropriately

4. Be a responsible visitor and participant

5. Raise grievances appropriately and productively

The school promotes values that are in keeping with the Christian ethos and the school’s mission in accordance with The Philosophy of the Society of the Sacred Advent.

In developing this Code, the School recognises that parents want the best for their children. However, the School also expects parents to recognise that it must ultimately balance the interests of all the school’s stakeholders (including not only students and parents, but also the school’s staff and their right to a safe working environment). In this regard, it is important to emphasise that the school’s commitment to a positive, respectful, and safe learning environment applies to staff and students alike; and the school’s duty of care to staff extends to managing the risk of psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

This Code does not attempt to provide a detailed and exhaustive list of what to do in every aspect of interactions with the school and the school community. Instead, it sets out general expectations. As such, this Code is intended to be practical, non-adversarial and non-legal.

Ros Curtis

For Speech Night prize recipient families, tickets for Speech Night will again be booked online via the QPAC booking system.

General bookings opened at 5pm on Tuesday 7 October. Please use this link to access the booking site: https://qpac.com.au/whats-on/2025/st-margarets-anglican-girls-school-speech-night-2025

Please note:

• Students will receive their tickets at school and will not be seated with parents, so there is no need to book seats for them, and a maximum of 2 tickets can be ordered per family.
• If you have booked tickets and you no longer require them, can you please email Ms Shauna Crabbe scrabbe@stmargarets.qld.edu.au so they can be reallocated if needed.

Please note, non-prize winners in Years 5-10 are not required to attend Speech Night. However, please be advised that we will livestream our event and we encourage these students and their families to watch the event online. A viewing link will be sent to all families on 14 October.

We look forward to celebrating with our school community at our Annual Speech Night and Prize Giving Ceremony next week.

Nicole Devlin

The beginning of Term 4, and the Advent/Christmas season, despite their busyness, are always a reminder to me of the power of noticing, slowing down and gaining perspective. This seems counter intuitive in such a busy season of school and community life; however, the essence of this season is about receiving the gift of God’s love, and noticing it in, and sharing it with the world around us. It is a rich time of connection and community and is a reminder of the many gifts and opportunities that we have access to. So, as we move into the final sprint of the school year, somehow, we are called to balance the busyness with the gift of community, connection and care.

One way to nurture this balance is to foster gratitude. When things are overwhelming, gratitude gifts us perspective, allowing us an overview effect whereby we are able to zoom out and view our lives from the perspective of gift rather than the current to do list.

The Overview Effect -

"The term for the psychological impact of flying into space and viewing the Earth as a simple dot is called the “Overview Effect”, and it was coined by author Frank White in his book of the same name in 1987. White defined it as “a profound reaction to viewing the Earth from outside its atmosphere”.

The Overview Effect turns astronauts into “evangelists, preaching the gospel of orbit” as they return from space with a renewed faith or on a quest for wisdom. For some it’s a kind of lingering euphoria that results in a permanent change of perspective.”

 Baird, J. (2020, April 1). Awe, wonder and the overview effect: How feeling small gives us much-needed perspective. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/01/awe-wonder-and-the-overview-effect-how-feeling-small-gives-us-much-needed-perspective

As we venture this term together, I give thanks for you – our St Margaret’s Community.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

Our girls were the winners of the Senex Outstanding Conduct and Sportsmanship Award, reflective of their very smart St Margaret’s merchandise – pristine shirts, St Margaret’s saddle blankets and their overall mature and respectful conduct. This is also a testament to the huge efforts of all the boarding parents involved, who travelled with their girls and horses to the campdraft, with all the necessary snacks – for both their daughters and horses – required.

Congratulations to one of next year’s Boarder Captains, Bridget S, who was the recipient of the Encouragement Award. We placed 8^th out of 39 schools, with only 3 points between the top ten schools. To all the Boarders who competed – we are so proud of all your efforts. Thank you to the parents for also organising a training day for the girls prior to the event.

The Campdraft has quickly become a favourite event on the boarding house calendar. It is always an exciting showcase of the girls’ talents and hard work, and I know that myself, and of course the girls, are already looking forward to next year’s competition.

Lesa Fowler

Prize Reading Assembly

This week we acknowledged students at the Prize Reading Assembly. As part of this assembly, we announced academic awards for 2025. Please find below details of how awards are determined.

Determination of Honours Awards

Honours awards are given for excellent academic achievement based on results from Terms 1, 2 and 3 of a given year. In Years 5-10, students who achieve a Grade Point Average of 13 or above with no overall result lower than a B-, will receive an Honours award. The GPA is calculated by weighting assessed subjects relative to the number of curriculum hours allocated in the week. In Years 11 and 12, Honours awards are based on the grades awarded using the provisional subject results for the internal summative assessments in each subject. The Years 11 and 12 Honours are calculated using the results of the students’ top 5 subjects.

Determination of Commendation Awards

In Years 5 to 12, Commendation Awards are given in recognition of excellent engagement in learning. They are based on the level of application demonstrated in class and at home, as well as the attitude displayed in all subjects. The ‘Attitude to Learning’ result is recorded on the report card as a four-point scale that provides evidence for engagement in learning. To receive a Commendation Award, a student (from Years 5 to 12) must achieve an average ‘Attitude to Learning’ score of 3.9 or higher across Terms 1, 2 and 3. The average ‘Attitude to Learning’ score is calculated by weighting subjects relative to the number of curriculum hours allocated in the week. Students who receive an Honours Award are not eligible for a Commendation Award.

Determination of Year 10 Subject Prizes

A subject prize is awarded to a Year 10 student who receives the highest subject result based on three terms of work. If more than one student receives the highest subject result, the decision is made by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the year level teachers, to review the collection of assessment and make a judgement based on the quality of the assessment folio to deem who should receive the prize. To receive a subject prize all applicable assessments must be completed. In the case of school-approved absences causing missed assessment, the Dean of Academics will make a final decision. Students who attend the Global Exchange Program will be eligible for all academic prizes regardless of missing assessments due to their exchange.

Determination of Internal Year 12 Subject Prizes

A Year 12 Internal Assessment Subject Prize is awarded at Speech Night to the student who receives the highest provisional subject result based on the internal assessments. Note that percentage results are used in determining these awards for the Maths and Science Subjects. If more than one student receives the highest internal subject result from Unit 3 and 4, the cumulative result from Unit 1 and 2 in that subject will be used to determine the prize winner. To receive a subject prize all internal assessments must be completed.

Determination of the Internal Assessment Dux of the School and the Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School

The Internal Assessment Dux of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School will be awarded at Speech Night. This award is presented to the student in Year 12 who has attained the highest internal assessment subject results across 5 subjects. The Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School is awarded to the student who has attained the next highest internal assessment subject results in that Year 12 cohort. The determination of these awards is based on students’ subject results at the completion of the summative internal assessment period for Unit 3 and 4. This subject result will be calculated by adding together the three internal assessment results for 5 subject results. To be considered for the awards, students must complete all three assessments for five subjects. Subjects are not weighted. In order to distinguish candidates for the final award results from Unit 1 and 2 may be considered. If it is not possible to distinguish between two students both shall be awarded the Internal Assessment Dux or Proxime Accessit to the Dux prize. The decision as to the Internal Assessment Dux and the Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School shall remain confidential until the presentation at Speech Night.

Caitlin McCluskey

A reminder that SSS operates on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Parents do have the option of purchasing dinner ($12.50) for their daughters from the boarding house at the time of booking. Bookings close at 9:00am on the day, unless the maximum number (25) is reached prior to this point, so I do recommend parents book in early to avoid missing out.

The purpose of these sessions is to provide girls with a quiet and well-resourced space that is conducive to productive homework and study time. Each SSS will be staffed by up to two tutors, who offer advice and guidance on how to plan effectively for upcoming assessments. The SSS tutor group is made up of ten young women who are currently studying at university and have much to offer our girls in the way of study skills.

For students attending SSS after an afternoon of sport, transport is available to and from Windsor Park. For those staying on after school to attend SSS, the Eunice Centre is open until 5pm prior to the commencement of the study sessions.

Chris Dunn

Sony Camp

On the first weekend of the September holidays, Year 11 St Margaret’s and Years 11/12 Churchie students amalgamated to prepare for the annual Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp. The camp saw 27 St Margaret’s students wholeheartedly dedicate their time to become the primary carers (companions) for approximately thirteen female intellectually and physically impaired children. The school also provided eight helpers who prepared and served food and cleaned up and one media student who took photos over the three days for over 100 people.

Since 1999, the Camp Program has given Years 11 and 12 students the opportunity to care for a child with special needs over a four-day period in what is a unique and life-changing experience for all involved. Each camp is provided free of charge for the participants and the majority of the camps run in the September and December school holidays.

The students, supported by a team of dedicated teaching and medical staff, are responsible for the care of these children twenty-four hours a day over the course of the Camp. They quickly learn about the challenges and demands involved in caring for a child with special needs. Not only do the students have an enriching experience, but the children are treated to a weekend full of activities and interactions they would not normally have the opportunity to experience. The Camps also provide much needed respite for parents, siblings and primary carers in what may be their only break of the year.

The eager guests arrived on Saturday morning and their grateful families handed a challenging responsibility over to the students. In return, the parents received beautiful gift packs, which were donated and prepared by the generous St Margaret’s community. A range of activities were available throughout the camp, including swimming, art activities, a disco and a trip to Sea World.

Through great acts of devotion, persistence and responsibility, each companion and helper ensured that their guest’s experience was one that they would never forget. When the students relinquished the responsibility of their guest back to the parents, it was clear that the students’ contribution to the camp had made a significant impact on not only the children, but their inspirational parents, many of whom were able to take a well-deserved break. The camp deeply broadens students’ understanding of the realities and complexities of life as they carefully consider the lives of those living with a disability and the impacts this can have on their families. It must also be noted that our St Margaret’s Year 11 students attended lunch time workshops prior to the camp learning how to assist high needs children under the guidance of staff members. A big thank you to Nikki Anderson Tom Smithers and Katie Flanagan who assisted with coordination of this camp.

Nikki Townsend

In addition to Speech Night, each year level will be involved in a celebration. Each celebration is an acknowledgement of the significant learning that occurs for each particular year level and provides an opportunity for the students to share their talents with the audience. Families and friends are invited to each of these celebrations. So, open your diaries and pencil in the dates relevant to your family.

Year 3 – Celebration of Learning – 18 November 9.30am

Students share their key learning experiences and perform with their string instrument. The students are presented with their Key to Success Certificate that identifies their learning achievements.

Year 4 – Celebration of Learning – 18 November 11.30am

Students share their key learning experiences and perform with their string instrument. The students are presented with their Key to Success Certificate that identifies their learning achievements.

Year 5 – Celebration of Learning – 19 November 9.30am

Each class shares their significant learning experience and musical skills as part of the Year 5 band.

Prep – Year 2 Nativity Play and Book Presentation – 21 November 12.00pm

Prep students retell the birth of Christ through performance and song. The Years 1 and 2 students provide an angelic choir. Each student will cross the stage and receive a book as acknowledgement of their school year.

Year 6 – Final Chapel Service and Morning Tea – 24 November 9.30am

This service celebrates the journey of our Year 6 students so far, as they move to the secondary school. Parents are invited to attend the Service with the girls, followed by morning tea. Students will present a performance highlighting their primary years at St Margaret’s.

Prep – Year 6 - Acknowledgement Assembly – 25 November 11.00am

We present special prizes to Years 5 and 6 students and acknowledge the successes achieved throughout the year. We share with all members of the primary school community.

Pre Prep Chapel Service – 26 November 9.30am

Chapel service to celebrate this significant year of learning.

I look forward to joining parents and families at these upcoming celebratory events.

Year 5 Scholarship Application for Year 7 (2027)

‘Per Volar Sunata’ Academic Scholarship application is now open for Year 6 students 2026. The ‘Per Volar Sunata’ Academic Scholarship is an academic scholarship awarded to a Year 6 St Margaret’s student moving into Year 7. Students in Year 6 2026 must sit the ACER exam (28 February 2026) and complete the application form which is available on the school's website. 

Indigenous Games

At the end of Term 3, 17 Year 5 students participated in the Primary Indigenous Games held at All Saints Anglican School. The day brought together approximately 150 students from six independent schools across Brisbane and the Gold Coast to test their skills and celebrate through a traditional First Nations team game called Marngrook. One of our teams was awarded the ‘Fair Play’ trophy. Congratulations to all girls on their involvement and on representing St Margaret’s.

Angela Drysdale

Congratulations to the following students who have achieved High Distinction (top 1%) and Distinction (next 10%) results. These awards will be presented at the Acknowledgment Assembly in Week 8 in the Primary School. Credit certificates (awarded to the next 25% of participants), Merit certificates (awarded to the next 10%), and Participation certificates (remaining participants) will be presented in classrooms.

We commend all students who took part in the ICAS assessments for their commitment and excellent results across each subject area.

English
Year 3: Paloma C – High Distinction
Year 4: Chloe D – Distinction, Isabella Z – Distinction
Year 5: Penelope W – High Distinction , Jemima P – Distinction, Elsa G – Distinction, Maxine L – Distinction, Sofia F – Distinction, Helena W – Distinction,
Year 6: Alice S – Madeleine J – High Distinction , Distinction, Alina S – Distinction

Writing
Year 4: Chloe D – Distinction
Year 5: Helena W – Distinction
Year 6: Alice S – High Distinction, Alina S – Distinction, Evangeline S – Distinction, Lilian W – Distinction, Zimeng M – Distinction

Mathematics
Year 4: Isabella Z – Distinction
Year 5: Antoinette W – Distinction, Elsa G – Distinction, Helena W – Distinction
Year 6: Lilian W – Distinction, Zimeng M – Distinction

Science
Year 3: Margot A – Distinction
Year 4: Isabella Z – Distinction
Year 5: Penelope W – High Distinction, Maxine L - High Distinction, Antoinette W – Distinction, Jemima P – Distinction, Paris F – Distinction, Helena W - Distinction

Year 6: Lilian W – Distinction, Zimeng M– Distinction

These results reflect the dedication and academic achievement of our students in a rigorous international competition. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding efforts and success.

Kate Frewin

These programs are wonderful opportunities for our music students to further develop their musical capacity whilst also developing friendships with other young musicians from around the country. Congratulations to Yuna (Year 7), Min (Year 7) and Emily (Year 10) who participated in AHEP, and congratulations to Piper (Year 9), Greer (Year 9), Asher (Year 9), Emma (Year 9), Isobel (Year 9), Lily (Year 9), Emily (Year 9), Astrid (Year 10), Ellie (Year 10), Francesca (Year 11), Gemma (Year 11), Jessica (Year 11), Milana (Year 11), Kate (Year 12), Kelly (Year 12) and Addison (Year 12) who participated in SHEP. It was wonderful to have so many representatives from St Margaret’s involved.

Speech Night

The Music Department is looking forward to presenting several music performances next week at our upcoming Speech Night. Please see the attached letter with details regarding the event. (PDF 449KB) A reminder to students also that we will be conducting a rehearsal on the Monday afternoon next week for those students who are available. Details are posted on respective POD pages.

Auditions for 2026 Ensembles

Auditions for 2026 Secondary Music Ensembles will be held in Week 3 of Term 4 with audition excerpts available via the respective POD pages. Details regarding audition times are also available on the POD.

Music Support Group Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be the AGM and will be held on Tuesday 11 November 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

Over the first weekend of the school holidays, students competed in the Water Polo All Schools tournament as well as the QLD State Rowing Championships. With a water polo team in each of the three divisions, our Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams competed well throughout the three-day tournament with the Seniors coming away with the Silver medal after a hard fought battle in the final game.

Water Polo season officially commences this weekend with 20 teams competing. Please note, when teams are playing at St Margaret’s on Saturdays, the Canopy Café will be open for coffee and snacks! And of course, the BBQ will be running throughout the season thanks to the Water Polo Parent Support Group.

Over the next two weekends, St Margaret’s Badminton players will compete in the Junior and Senior Badminton Championships which will be held in school venues across Brisbane and we look forward to seeing some great results.

Like many areas of St Margaret’s, Term 4 in the sports office starts like a starters gun with a bang as we race on till the end of the year. On Thursday night we celebrated excellence on and off the field at the Annual Sports Awards Evening. 

Students who competed during the Summer, Autumn and Winter seasons, as well as core sports and representative award winners, received recognition during the Awards evening. Thank you to all families, friends, staff and coaches for a great year of sport at St Margaret's. 

We are compiling details of a number of students who competed and played representative sports over the recent end of term holidays and will be providing updates on these students over the next few weeks.

Latest Sport News and Information

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

• Badminton The POD - Secondary Badminton
• AFL Jnr The POD - Secondary AFL
• Water Polo The POD - Club Water Polo
• Swimming The POD - Club Swimming

Anne Louise Williams

If you’re serious about leading through transformation, this is the room you want to be in.

Date:         Thursday 30 October 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 grab-and-go 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.

Calling all Old Girls! Are you interested in joining the Old Girls' Association Committee? Join us for our 2025 AGM and Volunteer Thank You Celebration!

We are pleased to extend an invitation to you to attend the Old Girls' Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Volunteer Thank You Celebration on Tuesday 4 November 2025.

At our final meeting of the year, you will have an opportunity to hear updates from the OGA and join our dynamic OGA Committee. After the meeting, join us in saying thank you to our volunteers over light refreshments.

Please find meeting details below:

OGA AGM and Volunteer Thank You Celebration
Date:     Tuesday 4 November 2025
Time:     7.00pm – 8.00pm - AGM
              8.00pm - 9.00pm - Light Refreshments  
Venue:  Arts Centre Foyer (ACF)
             St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
              11 Petrie Street, Ascot QLD 4007

RSVP:     Friday 31 October 2025 via this link. 

We understand that many of our Old Girls are not based in Brisbane. Old Girls' who live outside of Brisbane are encouraged to attend the meeting and volunteer through the OGA. If you are based outside of Brisbane you can join the meeting remotely.

Being a member of the OGA Committee involves attendance at four meetings a year (online or in person), assisting with events including Reunion Weekend, Old Girls' Day and the Past Student Awards, and contributing articles for the OGA Newsletter. If you are interested in joining the Committee, please complete and return this nomination form prior to or at the meeting.

Parents are warmly invited to the P&F Association General Meeting and End of Year Celebration

Would you like to know what we’ve been up to this year? Are you interested in finding out what’s being planned for 2026?

Our final meeting of 2025 is an informal evening where we welcome new people (including those new to the school in 2026) and where we can all share our thoughts over some light refreshments.

Come and hear from the school leadership, the Parents and Friends committee, Support Groups (including music, boarders and extra-curricular sports) and find out how to get involved in upcoming events. There is also an option to join this meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend the meeting in person.

Date:              Monday 10 November 2025
Time:              6.30pm to 7.30pm (followed by light refreshments)
Location:        Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School

Please click here to register

Online Business Directory

St Margaret's is known for being a strong, connected and supportive community. As a community we are stronger together and we encourage you to support those who support our school.

If you are looking for an experienced property service provider, healthcare professional, legal advice or property service - check out St Margaret’s Online Business Directory for all of these service providers and much more.

Find our business directory here.

Lara Pickering