eNews Issue 3 - 12 February 2026

The Brisbane City Council has advised us that St Margaret's is included in the Brisbane City Council (Council) Safer Schools Program for Term 1 2026. This program aims to promote safe parking practices and ensure compliance with local traffic regulations around schools as child safety is paramount, and illegal parking within school zones is always a significant concern.

While we understand the challenges parents face in navigating school zone drop-off and pick up, it is crucial to prioritise safety. Over the coming term, council officers will be conducting regular patrols around the school to monitor parking compliance.

Their enforcement approach will use a combination of foot patrols as well as highly visible Community Safety and Regulation vehicles that can identify alleged offences using Automatic Number Plate Recognition and GPS software. Compliance action will be taken on any observed breaches. We kindly request that parents, guardians, and visitors adhere to all parking regulations in the vicinity of the school.

On a final good news note - we will commence the construction of the new Primary Playground on 16 February. It should be completed by the end of Term 1.

Ros Curtis

Research suggests that meaningful learning occurs when academic challenge is woven together with warm relationships, responsive interactions, and opportunities for exploration, problem‑solving, and collaboration. When student’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs are addressed together, they learn more deeply and are better prepared for future success.

In fact, whole‑child education leads to richer learning outcomes by creating relationship‑centred environments, integrating social‑emotional learning, and providing opportunities for deeper learning for children to reach their full potential.

In addition, fostering non‑cognitive skills such as resilience, perseverance, empathy, and problem‑solving strongly predicts success later in life - sometimes even more than cognitive skills alone.

What This Means for Us

As parents and teachers, it can be tempting to step in and smooth the road for our children—especially when they encounter frustration or difficulty. But research shows that allowing children to engage in productive struggle is one of the most powerful ways to develop resilience, confidence, and independent problem‑solving.

When we “rescue” too quickly, we unintentionally take away the very experiences that build perseverance and self-efficacy. Instead, we can support our children by guiding them to think through challenges, encouraging them to try different strategies, and reminding them that mistakes are part of learning.

By approaching education through a whole‑child lens—and by letting children do the hard work of learning—we help them become well‑rounded, capable individuals prepared not only for success at school but for the challenges and opportunities of life and the workforce.

Nicole Devlin

Members of the school community (secondary students, staff, or family members) can be confirmed during this service.

As we progress through our teenage years, we take on more responsibility for our actions and become adult members of society. At this time, we are often moved to stand up for what we believe. Within the contemporary Anglican Christian tradition, this progression is marked by the sacrament of Confirmation. In this rite, adults and young adults confirm for themselves the promises which their parents and godparents made for them at their baptism. It is a more "public" declaration that they belong to the Church and a sign that they are taking personal responsibility for their faith.

The group of people to be confirmed make a formal statement of their faith before the Bishop, who serves as a representative of the universal Church. The Bishop then confirms each person individually. For those who have not been baptised and want to be confirmed, baptism can take place during the same service (prior to Confirmation).

If you wish to participate in Confirmation, please complete this form. A letter will be distributed later in the term, this will include details of confirmation preparation classes. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me - jdow@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

At the heart of our boarding community is a strong spirit of leadership, initiative, and care. Our Year 11 boarders have embraced the chance to mentor younger students through these clubs, creating meaningful experiences that go far beyond the classroom. Each club has been thoughtfully shaped by the seniors to reflect the diverse interests of our boarders, and they provide an important space for creativity, wellbeing, connection, and fun.

Here’s a closer look at the vibrant clubs you’ll see returning to boarding soon:

Arts and Craft Club

Perfect for the creatives, this club offers everything from painting and beading to jewellery‑making and seasonal craft projects. It’s a calm, welcoming environment where younger boarders can express themselves, develop new skills, and form quiet, meaningful connections.

Run Club

For girls who love a positive, energetic start to their day, Run Club offers a motivating and supportive routine. The girls enjoy weekend scenic runs along the river, through New Farm Park, and even sunset jogs at South Bank. It’s as much about mental clarity and friendship as it is about fitness.

Keep Up to Date with the World Club

In a world where news moves quickly, this student‑led club encourages awareness, curiosity, and thoughtful discussion. Meeting fortnightly, the leaders guide the group through current events, global issues, and fun facts. Often sharing their discoveries with the wider boarding house.

Book Club

Cosy and reflective, Book Club is a haven for budding readers and deep thinkers. It’s more than reading, our seniors organise visits to beautiful libraries around Brisbane and host an annual “Book Week” for the boarding house, making it one of the most beloved and enjoyable clubs.

Baking Club

Nothing brings people together like the smell of fresh baking. Guided by our senior boarders, the girls create everything from cupcakes to cultural dishes. It’s always a warm and laughter-filled space where delicious treats and teamwork go hand in hand.

Movie Club

A weekend favourite, Movie Club gives students a chance to unwind with a themed movie night, complete with snacks, fun extras, and casual chats afterwards. Whether it’s a classic comfort film or something new, Movie Club always creates a cosy memory.

Wellness Club

Focused on nurturing both body and mind, Wellness Club champions holistic wellbeing. The seniors lead yoga, breathing sessions, sunrise stretching on Circular Drive, and share healthy lifestyle tips. It’s a safe and calming space dedicated to grounding, balance, and looking after oneself.

Our student‑run clubs are so much more than activities, they’re platforms for leadership, creativity, wellbeing, and community. They allow our senior boarders to shine as role models and give younger students a place to belong, grow, and feel supported.

We’re excited to see these clubs come back to life in the coming weeks - stay tuned!

Kelli Boucaut

To set realistic goals, I encourage your daughters to read their Continuous Reporting comments from last year, think about their own study habits and consider the range of activities in their life they need to balance. It is also helpful to have regular check-ins on goal progress, rather than them being “set and forget” goals. Having them displayed on the wall in a study area is a great way to keep them front of mind throughout the term.

Year 12 Portfolio Pathway Meetings

Year 12 Portfolio Pathway students will have received an appointment to meet with me to discuss their progress and track QCE points. It is important that all students attend these scheduled meetings or let me know in advance if they are unable to make it. Parents are also welcomed to attend these meetings with your daughter.

“Always ask teachers questions. They will be there to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask” – Alyssa Hunt (’25)

Caitlin McCluskey

Below is a table to show the three Parent Teacher Interview events and some details:

Further information about the upcoming Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews will be sent out to parents next week.

Assessment Calendars

Last week, the Assessment Calendars for Years 7 to 11 were published on the respective year level POD pages.

We aim to provide students with their Assessment Calendars early in the year to give them the opportunity to practice and hone effective time management and organisational skills. Students can see from the outset that there will be some weeks that are more demanding than others. In turn, the girls can use this information to develop clear strategies to prepare for these times.

To identify and plan effectively for these busier weeks, I encourage all girls to reflect on the following advice to start this semester:

1. Firstly, over the next few days, input all assessment, extracurricular and out-of-school commitments into your diaries for the semester.
2. Identify your busier weeks of the term early.
3. Devise a study/homework timetable that provides you with realistic and sufficient times in the week to devote to schoolwork. This step could be done in consultation with your Academic Advisor or Form Teacher.
4. Discuss with your Academic Advisor or Form Teacher about how you can best plan your approach to the busier weeks of the term. Consider:
   • What other events or commitments are in close proximity to these weeks?
   • Are there aspects of some assessments that could be completed earlier in the term?
   • Can you chunk the assessment into mini-deadlines or checkpoints to ensure you are making continual progress?
   • For exam-based assessments, how much prior study (in hours) should you be factoring into your weekly routine to ensure you are adequately prepared?
5. Reflect on your progress regularly to ensure you fulfil all your obligations and deadlines.

I wish all students the very best as they navigate the demands of the upcoming semester.

Chris Dunn

Research consistently shows that positive relationships at school enhance engagement and motivation (Wentzel, 2010). At St Margaret’s, we encourage students to reach out, join activities, and support one another. These small steps create a culture of care and collaboration that benefits everyone.

Parents play an essential role in fostering these connections. Simple conversations—asking about new friendships, encouraging participation in co-curricular activities, and modelling empathy—help girls feel supported. As Dorothy H. Cohen wisely said, “No school can work well for children if parents and teachers do not act in partnership on behalf of the children’s best interests” (Cohen, n.d.).

This week, let’s celebrate the friendships forming and the confidence growing. Together, we can ensure every student feels seen, valued, and ready to thrive.

References

• Brown, B. (2010). The gifts of imperfection. Center City, MN: Hazelden Publishing.
• Cohen, D. H. (n.d.). No school can work well for children if parents and teachers do not act in partnership on behalf of the children’s best interests.
• Wentzel, K. R. (2010). Students’ relationships with teachers as motivational contexts. In J. L. Meece & J. S. Eccles (Eds.), Handbook of research on schools, schooling, and human development (pp. 75–91). Routledge.

Nikki Townsend

Resilience is shaped by our behaviours, thoughts, and actions. It develops when we face challenges, step into the unknown, and learn to sit with discomfort - something many of us may be experiencing as we settle into a new school year. The encouraging news is that resilience can be taught, practiced and learned. The Year 6 girls certainly demonstrated resilience this week, when they had to step outside their comfort zone to participate with the boys at Churchie for leadership day.  I was so impressed by the way they ‘stepped up’ during each activity showing genuine confidence and teamwork. It was wonderful to see both the girls and boys openly share positive ideas and encouragement of each other.

One powerful way to build resilience is through the practice of gratitude. Research shows that people who practise gratitude are better equipped to handle problems and setbacks with a resilient mindset. They are more likely to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. Gratitude offers physical, psychological, and social benefits. It is also woven into many spiritual traditions, and emerging research suggests that gratitude can help bridge academic performance and social wellbeing. Studies have found that young people who cultivate gratitude tend to achieve higher results, experience more positive emotions, and ultimately lead more meaningful lives.

I am grateful to be part of a community that works together and supports one another.

As a parent, you might like to help your child begin a simple evening routine of recording thoughts in a gratitude journal. This small daily practice nurtures gratitude and, in turn, strengthens resilience.

A Simple Evening Practice

1. Daily Tasks
Record the tasks for your day and tick them off when completed. This helps your child:

• feel grounded and in control
• build self‑regulation (“I have achieved something today; I can manage what comes next”)

2. Appreciation
Encourage your child to note something they appreciate about themselves. This supports self‑worth and confidence.

3. Gratitude
Write down three things that went well during the day or three things they feel grateful for.

4. Looking Ahead
Finish by answering: What are you looking forward to most about tomorrow?

If you’d like to explore this topic further, a wonderful and accessible read is The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness by Hugh Van Cuylenburg.

Angela Drysdale

Following the sessions, The POD contains presentations from Ms Curtis and Mrs Devlin, the P&F, the Foundation, and boarding where you will find information about our school theme and other helpful information for a smooth 2026. The primary section also includes presentations from Mrs Drysdale, Ms Box, and myself, information about our Music Programs in Years 3–6, and copies of the classroom presentations shared by teachers. We encourage families to visit The POD - Parent Information 2026 or via the link on the Primary POD homepage.

Over the first two weeks of school, our teachers have been busily getting to know your daughters both academically and socially. This understanding, alongside assessment information, helps us form important groupings across the primary school. In learning areas such as Mathematics, Spelling, and English, these groupings support targeted instruction and ensure each student is appropriately challenged. Careful analysis of data allows teachers to create purposeful groupings and tailor instruction to support steady and meaningful progress for all learners.

We value our partnership with families and look forward to working together to support your daughter’s learning and development throughout the year. The first round of Parent–Teacher Interviews for Prep to Year 6 will be held on Wednesday and Thursday next week, providing an opportunity to connect with teachers, share insights, and establish strong home–school partnerships for the year ahead.

Kate Frewin

Open Day Performance Times

The St Margaret’s Music Department is very much looking forward to presenting music performances at the upcoming Open Day to be held on Saturday 7 March. Draft performance times are listed below (to be confirmed soon):

Circular Drive Stage

9:30am             Sculthorpe String Quartet                                

9:45am             Amati Strings                           

10:00am           Chamber Strings                                              

10:15am           Stradivari Strings                      

10:30am           Exultate                                                           

10:45am           Chorale                                                                       

11:45am           Stage Band

12:00pm           Highly Strung                                       

12:10pm           Tuesday Rock Band                                          

12:20pm           Monday Rock Band

Eton Hall

9:30am             Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble                    

9:45am             Sister Helen Wind Symphony                                       

10:00am           Jackson Wind Ensemble                                    

10:15am           Chaseley Concert Band                       

10:30am           Belle Voci                                                        

10:45am           Encorah                                              

11:45am           Speech & Drama Performances                                                

12:00pm           Serenata

12:15pm           Volare 

Canopy Café

11:00am           Brass Ensemble                                                           

11:10am           Flute Ensemble

11:20am           Saxophone Ensemble                           

11:30am           Clarinet Ensemble

11:40am           Beath String Quartet    

Primary Atrium

10:00am           Tutti Strings

Performance Uniforms

Students are required to wear a performance uniform for some senior auditioned music ensembles. Students are encouraged to purchase the uniform as soon as possible from the School Supply Shop in preparation for Open Day (7 March). Music ensemble uniform requirements are as follows:

Choral Ensembles:

Serenata, Belle Voci, Chorale, Encorah: School middy

Volare, Exultate: Black performance uniform with white ribbon and black shoes (ballet flats).

Band Ensembles:

Chaseley Concert Band, Jackson Wind Ensemble: School middy

Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Brass/Elayne Jones Percussion Ensembles and Stage Band: School middy

Sister Helen Wind Symphony: Black performance uniform with black shoes (ballet flats). (Sister Helen Wind Symphony students may remain in their black performance uniform when performing in Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Brass/Elayne Jones Percussion Ensembles and Stage Band).   

String Ensembles:

Tutti Strings, Amati Strings, Beath String Quartet, Stradivari Strings:  School middy

Chamber Strings, Sculthorpe String Quartet: Black performance uniform with white ribbon and black shoes (ballet flats). (Chamber Strings students may remain in their black performance uniform when performing in Stradivari Strings.)

Rock Bands:

Highly Strung: School middy

Secondary Rock Bands: Smart blue jeans, sneakers and ‘M Factor’ polo shirt, and hair tied back with school ribbon.

Music Support Group

The St Margaret’s Music Support Group is a committee of dedicated parents who meet regularly to support the girls who participate in the school’s Music Program. The Music Support Group fundraises to purchase a range of instruments/equipment to enhance the department’s resources and organises and assists with refreshments at school concerts. The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 5:00pm in the Canopy Café. We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

The sport office is in full swing with trials, trainings and fixtures happening across several sports and activities. Our AFL Senior teams have been trialling and training hard with the AFL Season kicking off this Saturday, 14 February. In 2026, teams will again play across two venues, Opens to play at Springwood State High School and other divisions at Somerfields. All fixtures are posted before match days on the POD. Please take note that teams will play one to two games each Saturday.

Our QG Autumn Sports, Touch Football, Basketball and Soccer, are now in the midst of trials across all year levels. All girls who have signed up, please ensure you attend all trials with times and dates all available on the respective POD pages.

This week we will have Round 2 for our cricketers. Only Division 1 is up against St Aidan’s as our Opens team has a scheduled bye round. Last week, our students faced some tough competition against Brisbane State High School and Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School but they put in a great effort and the Captains were pleased with the level of enthusiasm and effort. For any students bringing their equipment, we would ask that all helmets are fitted with neck guards. This is highly recommended and checked by the umpires. Please note that all helmets provided by St Margaret’s are compliant.

A reminder that our Secondary Interhouse Swimming carnival takes place next Thursday, 19 February at The Valley Pool in Fortitude Valley. Students will take buses to and from the pool for the carnival within normal school hours. All girls should meet down at the Philip Harris Gym by 8.20am. It will be a full schedule of events, and we would encourage all girls to participate, particularly in the Splash and Dash 50m Freestyle for each year group.

Please also note that St Margaret’s will cohost with Clayfield College on the afternoon of Friday, 20 February for the QG Swimming Practice meet at The Valley Pool. We are looking forward to a great turn out from our swimmers and supporters for this event as we prepare for the upcoming QG Swimming Championships. A shout out to our Swimming Captains, Lucy S, Ruby G and Samara H, who continue to lead our swimmers with enthusiasm and spirit.

This week, a number of parent support groups launched a pasta drive. If you are looking to stock your freezers for when the weather begins to cool…please support our students. These groups include Cross Country, Touch Football, Athletics, Hockey, Dance, Tennis, Volleyball as well as Artistic Gymnastics and Rhythmic Gymnastics.

To order, please click here: https://www.trybooking.com/DHREE

Orders Close on Monday, 16 March.

The St Margaret’s 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 directly contact Ms Williams via awilliams@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Anne Louise Williams

For any students who have not yet received their 2025 The Link, copies are available in the Marketing Office for collection, Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm.

The Link is allocated to the youngest in the family – but a sibling may collect it if it has not already been collected.

Event Details

Date:                    Wednesday 25 March 2026
Time:                    Pre-dinner drinks and canapes at 6.30pm
                              Dinner at 7.00pm (including Awards presentation)
Venue:                  Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's AGS
Tickets:                 $99 adult, $69 student

Please purchase your tickets here.

For enquiries please contact the Development and Community Office on (07) 3862 0767 or email developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Join us for a PWN Breakfast with Clare Stewart, CEO, Youngcare – final tickets remaining

Real progress rarely comes from consensus. It happens when someone is prepared to challenge the status quo and build something better.

 Clare Stewart understands this instinctively. At 23, following a catastrophic accident, she was told she would never walk again. She defied her prognosis, and went on to practice as a barrister, become the first female Mayor of Noosa, and today leads Youngcare as CEO with authenticity and lived experience. Youngcare was founded on the same principal, where four friends refused to accept a system that placed young Australians with high care needs into aged care. Twenty years on, Youngcare has delivered 20 purpose-built homes across Queensland and New South Wales, distributed $12.3 million in grants, and supported more than 73,000 people - a scalable model in one of the country’s most highly regulated sectors.

Today, one in six Australians lives with disability - directly impacting talent pipelines, procurement, ESG strategy and community expectations. As Queensland accelerates toward 2032 with a bold inclusion agenda, early adopters will hold the competitive edge.

Join us as Clare shares insights into Youngcare’s growth and learn how your organisation can embed practical inclusive practices into your operations to strengthen performance and stay competitive. 

Time:                    6:45am arrival for 7:00am-8:45am 
Date:                     Friday 27 March
Venue:                  Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
Format:                Sit down breakfast with grab and go barista coffee on arrival 
Tickets:                 $90 adults, $55 students (Years 10 to 12/tertiary)
Corporate tables: $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event. 

To purchase tickets or a corporate table:  Click Here

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners. Supporting Sponsors: Wolff Coffee Roasters, Clear Insurance.

Can’t join us for PWN 1?

We look forward to hosting several exceptional leaders as guest speakers and panellists in 2026. You can secure tickets for one these events by clicking here.

• PWN 2: Thursday 14 May with guest speaker, Peta Bistany (née Dee) (’86), Specialist Advisor, International Sports Expansion (London); Board Member, Great Ormond Street Hospital
• PWN 3: Wednesday 26 August, Panel - Urban Transformation ahead of 2032
• PWN 4: Thursday 29 October with guest speaker, Chelsey Drake, Chair, Allens | Member, Australian Government Takeovers Panel

St Margaret’s Fathers’ Dinner – ticket sales close soon

The St Margaret’s P&F Association invites all fathers and father figures to the St Margaret’s Fathers’ Dinner, featuring guest speaker, Wally Lewis AM.

Date:     Friday 13 March 2026
Time:    6:30pm arrival for 7:00pm start
Venue:  Rivershed at Howard Smith Wharves  
Cost:     $229 per person - includes a meal and drinks package for the evening.
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.

Tickets are available here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1459800 (until Wednesday 25 February 2026, unless sold out prior).

This event is proudly supported by Supporting Sponsor: Morgans.

Wine tree raffle – can you help?

The wine tree is back for the 2026 Fathers’ Dinner and the P&F need your help!

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.

If you can help us grow the tree and donate a bottle (or two), please email p&f@stmargarets.qld.edu.au with details of the wine so we can update the tree.

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 additional information, please contact the P&F Association via p&f@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or (07) 3862 0825.

Lara Pickering