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As each term ends there are the inevitable departures. Ms Cassandra Pincott, Ms Emily Labinsky and Ms Grace Shepherd are taking leave from Term 2. We welcome to Ms Pincott’s teaching role, Mrs Joanna Belich and in her role of Acting Head of Faculty - English, Ms Helen Philp. We welcome Ms Carly Kirkwood to take on Ms Shepherd’s teaching role. Thank you to Ms Kelly Alford who acted in the role of Dean of Studies while Mr Chris Dunn has been on leave. When Mr Dunn returns at the beginning of Term 2, Ms Alford returns to her role as Head of Faculty - Student Pathways and Futures and as Mrs Emily Labinsky is also going on leave, Ms Alford will be ably supported in Careers Counselling by Mr Jake Compton. Thank you also to Ms Margot Johnson who acted in Ms Alford's role as Head of Faculty - Student Pathways and Futures and Ms Monique Mendham who acted as Assistant Head of Faculty - Student Pathways and Futures and Learning Enhancement for Margot. This will result in some necessary changes to students timetables and they will be able to check their timetable for these changes on the POD.

With Term 2 almost here, I will alert you to just a few events which are in Weeks 1 and 2.

• Secondary Interhouse Cross Country in the afternoon of the first day of school – 22 April.
• The First Stroke – for parents of rowers – will be held at 5.30pm on 24 April.
• The School’s Anzac Day Service will be held in the Philip Harris Gym on Thursday April 24 at 9.40am. Parents are very welcome to attend.
• The Boarders Support Group meeting will be held online at 6.00pm on 28 April.

Also, I remind you that the scheduled student free day on Tuesday 6 May is cancelled, and it is a normal school day. A shorter Day Boarder weekend, from 3 to 5 May is still going ahead.

I wish you all a holy Easter and a safe holiday break. I am looking forward to welcoming the students back for the start of the term on Tuesday 22 April.

Ros Curtis

Reflections on Term 1 by Year 10 Global Exchange Students Mara, Noemi, Sarah and Virginie  

Salut everyone! We are the global exchange students from PSNM, and our term at St Margaret's has been truly incredible. From the moment we arrived, we felt extremely welcome, and the kindness of everyone here made us feel right at home. 

This term at St Margaret's has been marked by the friendships we have made and the memories we have created. Whether taking part in new sports, taking part in classes or showcasing our talents in the Musical, we enjoyed every moment.  

During our exchange here, we have also worked on some more personal things. We have developed resilience, learned new words in English, worked on articulation and many other things. For almost three months now, we have had the chance to be in a completely new culture, meeting totally different people and learning to adapt to a new environment. Living abroad has helped us develop new skills such as independence, autonomy, problem-solving, open mindedness and flexibility.

We have gained a deeper understanding of the world around us and have become more accepting and empathetic toward others. The friendships we have made during our exchange journey are what fill our hearts the most with joy.

At first, it took a while to understand the Australian accent, but we can now say that we understand almost everyone, with the occasional exception of course! But what we adored the most was the typical Aussie lifestyle. 

From spreading Vegemite on toast in the mornings to walking around the Opera House, visiting beaches, holding a koala, watching kangaroos hop and quokkas nap, and hiking in mounts surrounding Brisbane, we have got to know Australian culture and got attached to it!

The Sydney trip was really fun, especially when we went to the Opera House to watch the sunset over the landmark, where we took way too many photos! The whole trip was honestly perfect, from Taronga Zoo and the Sealife aquarium to the supper spent at a lovely restaurant in The Rocks, and everything in between.

One of the challenges of the exchange was to be away from friends and family for almost three months but we would still do the exchange a hundred times if we could! It is one of the most incredible experiences of our lives and we will never forget it.

Thank you to our host families and exchange partners, who were the best that we could have gotten, and we will forever be grateful for that. They were welcoming, inclusive, made us feel at home and showed us so many wonderful things. We couldn’t have asked for better.

To finish, we love the wonderful city of Brisbane, the city, the river, Chermside shopping centre, they are just wonderful. Everyone is lovely, we cannot describe our experience without saying that our favourite thing here was to get to know so many people and make life-lasting friendships. We thank our host partners and families - we will never forget them! Thank you too, to the other exchange girls from Shawnigan Lake, Crofton House and Toyo, and to our teachers and friends from St Margaret’s that have been so supportive, welcoming and fun to be around.

We are more than excited for our host partners to come to Montreal!

As we conclude this term, I reflect on the wonderful moments and achievements we've shared as a school community. From academic successes to extracurricular triumphs, each student's dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all families for their unwavering support and involvement.

As we head into the Easter break, I wish everyone a joyful, restful, and safe holiday. May this time be filled with happiness, relaxation, and cherished moments with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for Term 2. Happy Easter! 🐰🌸

Nicole Devlin

This morning, at the Whole School Easter Service, we celebrated the Easter story. Telling the events from Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday to Easter Sunday. Our focus was on the call to be the resurrection light. Primary Chorale sang a beautiful piece called, “Be A Light.” It was a reminder to us of God’s call to each of us to do what we can to bring the light of peace, hope and love into our communities and the world at large.

As we move into the School Holidays, may it be a time to connect with the things that recharge your light, the things that make your light brighter. I look forward to seeing you in Term 2.

A prayer In time of flood – A Prayerbook for Australia

All things look to you, O Lord,
to give them their food in due season:
Look in mercy on your people,
and hear our prayer for those whose lives and possessions are threatened, or have been destroyed, by flood.
in your mercy restore your creation and heal our land.
So guide and bless your people,
that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth
and give you thanks,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SSA Events – All Welcome

Sunday 4 April – 4pm – Society of the Sacred Advent Eucharist
St Colomb’s Clayfield

Good Friday, 18 April - 6pm - Stations of the Cross
St Colomb’s, Clayfield
Led by the Rev’d Sr Gillian Moses SSA

Rev’d Jazz Dow

While boarders and day students share classes and extracurricular activities, their daily routines differ significantly. Boarders live on campus, managing structured routines, communal living, and independence away from home, while day students return to their families each evening. This weekend tradition provides an opportunity for day girls to immerse themselves in the boarding lifestyle, fostering empathy and appreciation for the experiences of their boarding peers who live many kilometres away.

For day students, a weekend at a boarder’s home can be an eye-opening experience. St Margaret’s boarding community is home to students from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural and regional areas, international students, and First Nations students. This weekend exchange provides a meaningful opportunity for day girls to learn more about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, enriching their own worldviews.

The Boarder Day Girl Long Weekend is a testament to St Margaret’s commitment to inclusivity, friendship, and community spirit. It highlights the importance of shared experiences and the value of stepping into each other’s worlds. By participating in this tradition, day girls and boarders alike walk away with cherished memories, strengthened friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the unique boarding experience.

We encourage all day students to embrace this wonderful opportunity and spend the weekend with a boarder. It’s a chance to experience something new and become part of a tradition that continues to make St Margaret’s a truly special place for all students.

Gracemere Mataia

The holidays are also an important time to relax and recharge. Recharging is crucial for building resilience as it allows us to replenish our physical, emotional and mental resources after a period of stress or depletion. Just like a battery needs to be recharged to continue functioning optimally, we also need to recharge to maintain our overall wellbeing and function at our best. Recharging can take many forms, such as engaging in activities that bring joy, practicing self-care, getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and taking breaks to relax and recharge. When we prioritise recharging, we can enhance our resilience, improve our ability to cope with challenges, and reduce the risk of burnout.

These holidays, you will find me spending time with family, reading books and exercising outside. I hope that you are able to find time for the activities that will recharge you.

Caitlin McCluskey

“No matter how little or how much you’ve focused on school in your younger grades, it’s never too late to start building good habits. If you want to do well in Year 12, you will have to work hard.” – Anna Jerdan, ’24.

Research highlights that unstructured time is essential for a child's cognitive, emotional, and social development. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasises the importance of downtime in fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. Additionally, studies suggest that having space away from structured schedules allows adolescents to develop autonomy, practice decision-making, and engage in self-directed learning—key skills for success in both academic and personal growth.

Holidays provide students with the opportunity to step away from routines, deadlines, and academic expectations, allowing them to process their learning and experiences. When given time for personal choice, solitude, reading for pleasure, and informal activities, students can reflect on their school experiences and their evolving sense of self. Dr Peter Gray, a research professor at Boston College, argues that independent, unstructured time is crucial for young people to develop confidence, independence, and the ability to navigate the complexities of adolescence.

If you are fortunate to have time with your daughter during the holidays, I encourage you to embrace periods of unstructured time. Allowing moments for rest, relaxation, and open-ended activities—whether it be a walk in nature, creative pursuits, or simply quiet reflection—can help her return to school feeling refreshed and more engaged in her learning.

Wishing all St Margaret’s families a safe, happy, and holy Easter.

Kelly Alford

As Socrates wisely stated, "An unexamined life is not worth living." By engaging in self-reflection, students can better understand their strengths and identify strategies for overcoming obstacles. This practice not only enhances their learning experience but also fosters resilience and adaptability—qualities essential for lifelong success.

The holidays also provide a chance to reconnect with family, friends, and personal interests. Balancing reflection with relaxation can help students recharge mentally and emotionally. Encouraging young people to express gratitude for their support networks and appreciate the experiences that shape them contributes to their overall wellbeing.

As we approach the Easter season, let us remember the importance of renewal and growth. May this Holy Easter be a time of joy, reflection, and connection for all families. Wishing you a blessed and happy Easter filled with peace and happiness.

Nikki Townsend

At the Pre-Prep to Year 2 Twilight Service and Picnic, the girls were excited to arrive at school in their pyjamas and share a picnic with family and friends. They participated in a service led by Rev’d Jazz Dow, and the girls contributed to the theme by coming together as a year level to sing under the direction of Regina Brennan. A big thank you to both Rev’d Jazz and Regina for their contributions.

Last week, the Years 3 and 4 Dance brought the girls together, as they donned their best dance outfits to return to school after hours. They had the chance to learn a dance, share their skills, and perform for their parents. This event also allowed parents to connect with one another before enjoying the girls' choreographed performance.

A special thank you to Annette Box, who organised both events, and to the staff of each year level who helped ensure the success of these social gatherings.

Each of these events plays a significant role in building relationships and friendships, offering valuable opportunities for parents to share advice and experiences. These social gatherings provide a space for parents to bond and exchange ideas while strengthening the school community. When parents are connected, everyone benefits—especially the students and their families. Thank you to the parents who attended and helped make these events such a success.

The term has concluded with another busy week, culminating in the exciting Interhouse Swimming Carnival, where the entire primary school came together in spirited competition. It was truly inspiring to watch the girls not only showcase their swimming skills but also demonstrate their character. They strived for their personal bests, gracefully bounced back from disappointment, celebrated each other's successes, and proudly supported their house teams. The Pre-Prep and Prep students also had a fantastic time, both watching the event and participating in their special Wet Day Fun Day. Thank you to Morgan Rowe for her meticulous preparation of the Interhouse Swimming Carnival, and to the staff for their unwavering dedication throughout the day and to the many parents who cheered on the sidelines. Congratulations to the following houses:

1^st – Bede

2^nd - Milton

3^rd – Spenser

A big congratulations also to the top three houses on their places in the Surtees Cup relay:

1^st – Milton

2^nd – Spenser

3^rd – Chaucer

At the beginning of the term, Year 6 girls were inducted as leaders of the primary school. This week they were given the opportunity to put their leadership skills into practice in a dynamic and challenging setting when they undertook a leadership day with the Year 6 boys from Churchie. This day allowed the girls to further develop and enhance their leadership skills; collaboration and teamwork, confidence building, communication and public speaking and importantly building relationships. By building relationships with others, the girls develop empathy and understanding—two important qualities for effective leadership.

  

Thank you to Annette Box for planning and coordinating the day and to the many parents who assisted with feeding the hungry boys and girls. 

As we head into holidays this week for Easter, this period provides a wonderful chance to spend time as a family although this is not always the case for everyone. Thanks to primary families and their overwhelming donations of Easter eggs, children in Foster Care will experience the generosity of our community. This simple act of giving speaks volumes for those receiving and sends an important message to your child.

A heartfelt thank you to the primary staff for their dedication and commitment throughout a successful term. The girls are truly fortunate to have such supportive and inspiring adults in their lives. Together, with all the enriching experiences offered this term, the staff have provided each child with valuable opportunities to develop attributes that will support them on their journey through life.

I wish everyone a safe and holy Easter break.

Angela Drysdale

Once the school day finishes, the girls can access their phones, but as long as they are on school grounds, in school uniform or engaged in school activities, our policies still apply; students should not take or post any images or footage of themselves or peers in uniform, the school’s location is not to be tagged and their devices should remain in their bags while they are engaged in any training or extracurricular activities. As is the case during the school day, these sessions should be spent immersed in the activities run by our staff and external providers, making the most of the social benefits of such pursuits as team sports and clubs. The presence of phones only serves to detract from the potential to establish and strengthen friendships and social connections.

The more challenging aspect of phone use is when the girls are at home. To strengthen the home-school partnership, the more aligned with school policies that the approaches adopted at home are, the better. Please encourage your daughters to consider their face-to-face interactions with their friends when they use their devices at home, especially over extended holiday periods. While many of the apps available may be considered ‘social media’, as we know all too well, they are often the catalyst for socially unacceptable behaviours.

We engage in eSafety programs and education about the appropriate use of digital platforms and technology is part of our pastoral care program with the help of providers such as Safe on Social, but we need families on board to assist with encouraging prosocial behaviours, especially as many of your daughters navigate their way through social media and online sites for the first time. Together, we can enhance and improve the social aspects of your daughter’s education by promoting the benefits of authentic, in person interaction and engagement as the most meaningful way to take their friendships into secondary school and beyond. For further information on our policies surrounding mobile phone use and technology, please see the Primary Parent Information Guide on The POD. We wish you and your daughters a socially safe and fulfilling holiday.

Annette Box

Encorah

We are very excited to announce that Encorah, our secondary all-comers choir, will recommence rehearsals in Term 2. Encorah is open to all students in Years 7-12 who enjoy singing. All are welcome to attend with no audition required. The choir will sing a wide range of repertoire from a variety of genres including music theatre, pop, jazz and folk styles. The choir will rehearse with Ms Langford from 3:30-4:30pm every Thursday afternoon in the Drama Room (V101)/Arts Centre with the first rehearsal to commence on Thursday in Week 3 (8 May). There is no need to sign up – students are asked to just come along to the first rehearsal where their details will be taken down for future rolls. (Please note it is an expectation that all students in Exultate and Volare will attend Encorah rehearsals).

Student Performances

Thank you to students who performed at recent school functions. Thank you to the Sculthorpe String Quartet (Yuna, Min, Charlotte and Tram) who provided wonderful entertainment at both the Past Students’ Awards Dinner and the Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast. Thank you also to our soloists Tammy who performed on the piano and Ha Yeun who performed on the Tenor Saxophone at these events. These musical contributions were very much appreciated.

  

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 April 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

The girls should be very proud of the outstanding results they achieved. Of particular note, our A grade division were awarded 1^st Place, and our Open division and C grade each placed 3^rd.

St Margaret’s was also represented in B grade (6^th Place), D grade (5^th Place), Year 7 i (6^th Place) and Year 7 ii (5^th Place)

A Grade 1^st Place

Tabitha E
Ivy L
Kaleija T
Adison W
Daisy Y

Opens 3^rd Place

Erin B
Chloe D
Neve McB
Nicole McN

C Grade 3^rd Place

Annika B
Sophie B
Georgia I
Lauren J
Astrid S

A special congratulations to Year 12 students Daisy Y and Kaleija T who both scored a perfect 10 on the vault.

Water Polo Gold Medal results

On Saturday 29 March, in torrential rain, two St Margaret’s teams played for the Gold Medals in the final weekend of the Water Polo Queensland season 2024/2025.

15 White played in the Division 4 final and lost to Brisbane Girls Grammar School, bringing home the Silver Medal while 15 Blue played in the Division 3 final and came out winners over All Hallows’ School.

Congratulations to both teams for a great season and special mention to Coach Emma, 15 White, who received her first Gold Medal in coaching.

Interhouse Cross Country Carnival

The annual Interhouse Cross Country Carnival will take place on the first day back of Term 2 on Tuesday, 22 April. This 2km event will take place at Crosby Park. Our students will walk to and from the park during the school day and will wear House Uniform for the event.

We are looking forward to seeing all the secondary students in full cheer supporting each other as per the St Margaret’s Way. In addition to Cross Country races for each year level, students will also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Ball Games and Tug of War. We can’t wait to see which House comes out on top!

Finally, we wish all our students participating in representative sports over the upcoming school holidays the very best and look forward to hearing about your experiences on your return to school in Term 2.

We would like to continue 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.

Anne Louise Williams

We will be open to assist with any uniform requirements on Friday 4 April (Student Free Day), between the hours of 8:00am and 2:00pm. 

Winter Items

The School Supplies Shop now has the following winter uniform items in preparation for the cooler months. We would encourage all families to call into the Supplies Shop as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your preferred size.

• Formal jumper – both Poly/Cotton and Wool/Nylon
• School Scarf
• Pre-Prep to Year 1 Fleecy Tracksuit top and pants
• Winter Tights – St Margaret’s Brown

The school tracksuit for Years 2 to 12 will be available for purchase from the commencement of Term 2.

Student Card Purchases

Flexischools daily limit - Please ensure the daily limit is set high enough to cover the cost of the uniform items being purchased, otherwise we will not be able to complete the transaction.

All funds raised will be donated directly to Farm Angels to distribute financial aid, essential recovery relief and allied health support. You can find out more about their flood appeal here: Flooded Farmer Appeal

Tickets to the Rising Together charity ball include a three course meal, live auction and entertainment and can be purchased here: Rising Together Charity Ball Tickets, Brisbane City Hall , Brisbane City | TryBooking Australia

Our first event of the year made the most of this opportunity, analysing the federal budget and its implications for St Margaret’s families and their businesses. We thank our guest speakers: Heidi Cooper, CEO of Business Chamber Queensland; Fran Becker (’02), Partner, Hamilton Locke; Heidi Breen, RACQ General Manager, Home Solutions; and Debbie McNamara, CEO of Economic Development Queensland.

If you were unable to join us for this sold-out event, an audio recording of the panel session is also available online: https://tinyurl.com/mrx327nf

St Margaret’s School Partner and PWN Major Sponsor, Pitcher Partners, has also released a detailed analysis of the Federal Budget 2025-26 and it’s specific impact on individuals and middle market businesses, available here: https://www.pitcher.com.au/federal-budget-expert-analysis/.

We look forward to hosting several exceptional leaders as guest speakers and panellists for the remaining 2025 events and warmly invite all members of the St Margaret’s community to attend.

• Wednesday 11 June, 6.45am – 8.45am
  Keynote: Amanda Lacaze (‘76), CEO and Managing Director, Lynas Rare Earths
• Thursday 28 August, 6.45am – 8.45am
  Keynote: Jane Palfreyman (’94), Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer, SBS
• Thursday 30 October, 6.45am – 8.45am
  Panel session: The Transformative Impact of Technology and AI

Tickets for PWN events are available here: https://www.trybooking.com/CUSFP

The Development and Community Office welcomes your enquiries regarding Corporate Tables partnership opportunities. Please contact Georgia Mitchell via (07) 3862 0822 or developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au for more information. 

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

Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfast - with guest speaker, Elise Gane (’04)

Is your daughter considering a career in allied health or academia, or contemplating her subject selections for Years 11 and 12?

We invite parents and senior students to join us at the first Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfast event of 2025 to hear from Elise Gane (’04), a physiotherapist with 16 years of clinical experience.

Elise will share her journey, from completing a PhD in cancer rehabilitation to her current role as a Principal Project Officer at Queensland Health where she works in digital health projects.

Elise’s experience across the public health service as a clinician, researcher, and project officer, give her a unique insight into the current challenges facing the public health system in Queensland and the critical role allied health professionals play in the delivery of quality healthcare services to Queenslanders.

Date:                    Thursday 29 May 2025

Time:                    6.45am arrival for 7.00am - 8.45am

Location:             Eton Hall, St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot
Format:                Continental style breakfast  

Tickets:                $38 Adults/Student

To purchase tickets please click here

We thank our series sponsors Pitcher Partners and the St Margaret’s Old Girls’ Association

Lara Pickering