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After school had ended in 2024, Katie Lewis (primary teacher) advised that she needed to return to Melbourne. We wish her well.

Several new teaching staff joined us this year. I formally welcome them to the St Margaret’s community. Their names and the areas in which they teach are listed below:

Secondary Teachers:

Leigh Cordell – Chinese/Humanities/ Geography

Jordan Duffy – Accounting/Mathematics/Business

Jake Compton - Humanities/History

Erin Buckingham - English/Humanities/Gifted and Talented

Emma Gubb - English

Geraldine Budd - Chemistry/Biology/Science

Patrick Bruck - Mathematics

Joanna Karathanasopoulos - Mathematics

Kristen Juel - Primary/Secondary French

Karen Kirk - Biology/Science

Primary Teachers:

Bernadette Rees - Prep

Adriana Garret  - Year 5

Georgia Button - Year 5

Some refurbishment work occurred over the holidays, including the extension and renovation of the Year 11 boarders’ bathroom; the renovation of Community House; the creation of a new secondary classroom in Avoca, as well as the normal maintenance and scheduled painting. Work is continuing on the development of the Forest and the Canopy Café, with its opening in Term 2.

After the success of the online secondary parent information presentations in 2024, the senior staff have yet again put together short videos or narrated PowerPoints to provide you with the information you need about the school year ahead. I encourage you to take the time in the next couple of weeks to view the ones relevant to you.

I look forward to seeing you and presenting some of the plans for 2025 at the P&F Annual General Meeting and Welcome drinks on Monday 17 March in the Arts Centre Foyer at 6.30pm. The P&F welcomes all parents to attend and to become involved at whatever level they can manage given work and family constraints.

Happy New Year to your all!

Ros Curtis

Our school is one that is built on the foundations of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent. These foundations guide us to ensure that all those in our care feel connected and safe. Below is a copy of the Statement of Commitment that guides us to create a safe environment for all in our care and a list of Student Protection Officers who are available to staff, students and parents who may be concerned about the safety of a student in our community.

Statement of Commitment

Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ AGS supports the rights of children and young people and is committed to ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students. Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ is therefore committed to responding to allegations of student harm resulting from the conduct or actions of any person including that of employees.

This commitment includes the provision of a safe and supportive living and learning environment for all students and requires all employees, visitors and volunteers to model and encourage behaviour that upholds the dignity and protection of students from harm.

In support of this commitment, Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ AGS is dedicated to our Child and Youth Risk Management strategy which includes having relevant policies, procedures and training in place to effectively address the safety and well-being of students in our care. 

The Child and Youth Risk Management strategy can be found on our school website.

Student Protection Officers:

Student Protection Officers are persons designated as liaison people to whom students may refer if they are not feeling safe; or to whom they make complaints of harm, inappropriate behaviour or physical/sexual abuse.

The Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ Student Protection Officers are:

- Deputy Principal – Nicole Devlin

- Head of Boarding - Lesa Fowler

- Dean of Academics – Caitlin McCluskey

- Head of Primary School - Angela Drysdale

- Assistant Head of Primary – Curriculum (PP-6) – Kate Frewin

- Dean of Students - Nikki Townsend

- Head of Year – Nicole Walker

- Senior Psychologist – Michelle Alexander

- Psychologist – Emma Greensill

I am looking forward to a year filled with learning, laughter and growth for all in our school community.

Nicole Devlin

We are proudly an Anglican school with our traditions being built upon the ethos and philosophy of the Society of the Sacred Advent (SSA). The SSA began in Australia in 1892 as a small group of women who stood up for what they believed in, living out their faith and values - caring for, educating, and improving the lives of women and children who faced significant hardship and injustice. Their work of building community and connection continued and now we gather as the community of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School. The Society of the Sacred Advent allows space for every person to achieve their best and flourish in all areas of their lives. As we embark on the 2025 school year, we travel the path the sisters have paved for us; a way of humility, compassion, courage, resilience, faithfulness, and whole-heartedness.

We have a beautiful chapel - St Margaret’s Chapel, within our school grounds. Throughout the year there are regular chapel services that students will attend. There are opportunities for families to attend special services throughout the year, including Admission to Holy Communion and the opportunity for baptism and confirmation. Some important dates for Term 1 are in the table below. Letters will be sent to families in due course regarding the respective services. Please be assured of my prayers and support as we begin this new school year together.

The School Prayer

God of all being, look with favour on this school dedicated to your servant, St Margaret of Antioch. Bless those who teach and those who learn and those who work to support and maintain this school. Grant wisdom and courage in our lives, gentleness of heart and compassion for all. May each seek to know and love the truth and in humility of heart, ever look to you, the source of all wisdom and understanding.
We ask these things through your Son’s name, Amen.

Important Dates for Term One:

Rev’d Jazz Dow

As per my letter to boarding parents and guardians at the beginning of January, there are some very exciting and necessary changes occurring in the boarding house this year, most particularly in cohort locations. Due to increasing numbers of boarders across year levels, a reshuffling of our dormitories to align with the demands of each cohort was necessary. This process has been done to ensure that the wellbeing of each girl, and each overall cohort, can be best supported and maximised, and to ensure that there is enough space for students and staff alike to live and work comfortably, safely, and surrounded by their peers. It is important to keep cohorts together within the boarding house, and this has been the main priority in the reorganisation of year level areas.

Year 7 boarders will now live in Sutherland, while Year 8 will move to Macarthur. This change keeps all Year 7 students together and gives Year 8 their own dedicated space, ensuring both cohorts remain unified.  

Year 9 boarders will be in Mackillop. Year 10 boarders will be moved to Longman, with some additional privileges to compensate for the move. Eight Year 10 boarders will rotate between Longman and O’Neill for one term each. Years 11 and 12 boarders will remain where they have always been.

As cohorts grow, and as we welcome exchange students, any overflow from Years 8, 9 and 10 will be designated to O’Neill. As Junior House continues to grow, we will have two additional Housemothers on shift in Junior House from 4:30pm – 9:30pm Sunday to Thursday. This is to provide extra support for Years 7, 8 and 9, with extra staff on the floor to help students with routine, schoolwork, homesickness and anything they need.

These changes allow for both Junior and Senior House to remain all together, which is an integral part of boarding life. The changes in layout reflect the growing numbers of our boarding community, and we intend to implement said changes with the wellbeing of each boarder at the forefront of our thinking. Our top priority is ensuring boarders receive the highest standard of care, and we will support you and your daughters through this transition with the utmost dedication. 

I understand that your daughters may feel confused or curious about these changes. Please know that Angela Crowe, Gracemere Mataia, Kelli Boucaut and I are here to answer any and all questions you or your daughter may have.

I would also like to formally congratulate and introduce our 2025 Boarder Captains – Matilda Charlton and Isabella Gordon. I am confident that they will lead the boarding with excellence, serving as outstanding role models and fostering an environment that is friendly, welcoming, and supportive. I look forward to working with them, and the Boarder Prefects, to guide the boarding house through 2025.

Lesa Fowler

As students settle back into their school routine, it’s a good time to remember some of the positive habits that have been developed over previous years. All students are encouraged to have a dedicated study space that is free from clutter and distraction. Planning out time helps to avoid procrastination and also makes the most of the time you do have available, especially if you have lots of non-academic commitments.

In Academic Advising, Years 11 and 12 students who have ILOs (Independent Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ Options) will be spending the next few weeks working on strategies and schedules to make the most of these.

At school, the Year 12 students are reminded that they have access to the Senior Study Centre until 5pm only. If students wish to stay at school beyond 5pm they may sign up to Supervised Study which occurs in the library from 5pm – 7:30pm. Supervised study will begin in Week 2 of each term. In addition, all day students are reminded that no tutors are permitted to work on St Margaret’s school grounds.

Congratulations to all students who received awards at the Academic Assembly on Tuesday and I am looking forward to celebrating the 2024 cohort’s successes at the Scholars’ Assembly next week.

Caitlin McCluskey

Supervised Study Sessions

Supervised Study Sessions (SSS) will recommence in Week 2 of this term. It will operate out of the Eunice Resource Centre (Senior Library) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Each session runs from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, with students having the option of purchasing dinner from the boarding house for $12.50.

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.

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.

Parents who book their daughters in via Flexischools can feel comfortable knowing that their daughters are receiving academic support but are also interacting with peers in a physically and emotionally safe environment.

Dates for the sessions and when bookings open are below:

2025 Supervised Study Sessions

Please note the following conditions:

1. The booking cut off through Flexischools is 9:00am on the day. This enables us to plan and advise the kitchen on the number of meals that will need to be catered for in the evening. Please note, that we can only accept a maximum of 25 students, so therefore, we recommend you book well in advance to avoid missing out.
2. For bookings that miss the cut off, no dinner can be provided but students are welcome to attend SSS provided the maximum number of students has not been reached. An email notifying the school of their attendance is necessary, and this will be noted on the supervisor’s roll.
3. Dinner will be provided at the set time of 6:00pm to allow for the boarders’ dinner sittings to be finalised.
4. SSS students will occupy the first two tables located on the right-hand side upon entering the Dining Hall.

Kelly Alford

A strong school community is built on shared values, mutual respect, and collaboration. As Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." When students feel a sense of belonging, they become more engaged, confident, and motivated to achieve their best. Parents and caregivers are vital partners in this process, working alongside educators to support student growth and wellbeing. Together, we can foster a culture of kindness, resilience, and inclusion that empowers everyone to succeed.

Throughout the year, there will be numerous opportunities to connect and contribute—from school events and volunteer programs to year-level activities and parent gatherings. As John C. Maxwell reminds us, "Teamwork makes the dream work." I encourage everyone to get involved and help nurture the spirit of unity that defines our school.

Let us make this year one of growth, achievement, and lasting memories. Here’s to a wonderful year ahead, filled with learning, friendship, and a strong sense of community!

Nikki Townsend

We welcome new staff members, Mrs Bernadette Rees as our new Prep teacher, Mrs Adriana Garrett and Miss Georgia Button (Year 5) and Mrs Kylie Briggs who has moved to Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ Enhancement. The teachers have worked tirelessly to create stunning learning environments and programs that will help uncover all aspects of each child’s personality and development (social, emotional, academic, spiritual, physical).

Two useful sources of information are the Primary Information Guide (PDF 4.5MB) (Primary POD page) and the whole school Parent Handbook which can be found on the main St Margaret’s POD page.

I would encourage parents to use the POD constantly as a source of information and ensure that you set notifications for the primary school class and any groups that your daughter is involved in. Please refer to the POD Parent Guide (PDF 512.9KB)as a guide to using the POD and the Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ APP set-up instructions (PDF 381.9KB) to assist you in setting up the App. The two communication systems work together, and we recommend you have both accessible on your device. Importantly, to receive information regarding the activities and extracurricular groups your child is involved in, you will need to request to “join” those groups. Instructions on how to do this are included in the attached POD guide.

I look forward to meeting parents at our Classroom Parent Information Night on Wednesday 12 February, commencing at 5.30pm in your daughter’s classroom. If you have more than one child, you will be able to access the information and PowerPoint presentation for your other child’s class the following day on the POD.

In the upcoming weeks, I will also meet with the new students at morning teas. This is an opportunity for each of us to get to know each other. I also look forward to meeting new parents along with our Class Parent Ambassadors on 26 February. Information for these events will be sent out in the coming weeks.

Thank you to the many parents who ensured the ‘before and after school’ arrangements went smoothly this week. Students will wait in the Atrium under teacher supervision and move to their classes at 8.15am. As a school, we encourage the children to be independent throughout their school day. Therefore, we request that parents do not accompany their child to the classroom so that each child is responsible for organising herself for the school day.

In the afternoons, a teacher is on gate duty in Butler Street, (Monday to Thursday until 3.40pm, Friday until 3:30pm as school concludes at 3.00pm). Please note that this area is a 2-Minute Zone and is a set down and collection point only.   There is to be no parking in the drop off zone. These arrangements are in place to help reduce the congestion at the school crossing and in the Atrium. For safety purposes, we request that children and adults do not go to the rear of the vehicle to load bags, bags must be placed inside the car.

I thank parents in anticipation of their support and contribution throughout the year. I look forward to working in partnership with you.

Angela Drysdale

As part of our ongoing home learning program, I’d like to remind families about The Big Talk, an important activity that supports language development, vocabulary growth, and writing skills. This has been an integral part of our program for several years, and we continue to see the positive impact it has on our students’ ability to express themselves and engage with new ideas.

Here’s how The Big Talk works: Each week or fortnight, your daughter will bring home a topic or theme to discuss with your family. The topic may include a picture or a thought-provoking idea, providing a starting point for conversation. We encourage you to set aside time to talk together, where your daughter can share her thoughts and opinions on the topic.

This time of discussion is key to developing her thinking, vocabulary, and communication skills. There’s no need to write anything down unless your daughter wants to jot down a few notes to help her with her writing. The goal is to have a rich, quality conversation that prepares her for her upcoming Big Write session at school.

Once the Big Talk is complete, your daughter will use the ideas discussed at home to write independently during the Big Write session at school. In this creative environment, she will have the opportunity to develop her writing skills, drawing from the thoughts and insights shared during The Big Talk.

Thank you for your continued support in making The Big Talk a meaningful part of your daughter’s learning experience. For more details about the home learning program and recommended time allocations, please refer to the Primary Information Guide.

We look forward to another great year of learning and growth with your daughter.

Kate Frewin

Information updates will be provided via the St Margaret’s Music POD page. All parents who have daughters involved in the St Margaret’s Music Program are encouraged to join this page, along with Strings, Band and Choral pages, dependent upon your daughter’s involvement. You are welcome to contact the Music Department via phone: 3862 0705 or email: Music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Congratulations to SHEP students

Congratulations to the 2025 students who participated in the Primary State Honours Ensemble Program at the end of Term 4 last year. SHEP brings together talented students from around Queensland to work with specialist conductors in a variety of ensembles at the Griffith Conservatorium of Music. It is always a wonderful opportunity for students to further develop their musical capacity and great to see such fantastic representation from St Margaret’s. Congratulations to the following students: Ruby (Yr 5, Violin), Anika (Yr 6, Voice), Madeleine (Yr 6, Voice), Vivienne (Yr 6, Voice), Jessia (Yr 6, Flute), Zohal (Yr 6, Violin), Arielle (Yr 6, Voice), Alice (Yr 6, Voice), Ava (Yr 6, Voice), Dora (Yr 6, Violin), Anastasia (Yr 7, Voice), Quinn (Yr 7, Viola), Charlotte (Yr 7, Voice), Sofia (Yr 7, Violin), Amara (Yr 7, Voice), Audrey (Yr 7, Cello), Charlotte (Yr 7, Cello) and Hattie (Yr 7, Voice).

Staff News

Over the holidays Ms Joanna King resigned from the role of Music Department Admin Assistant. We thank Ms King for all her hard work and for the wonderful contribution she made to the St Margaret’s Music Program. We welcome Ms Joanne O'Connor as the new Music Department Admin Assistant. Ms O’Connor has had significant experience in accounting, administration roles, and event management, and we look forward to her becoming an integral part of the St Margaret’s music community.

Mr Jason Tong has also resigned from his teaching position as Violin/Viola Teacher at Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ over the holidays. We thank Mr Tong for all that he has contributed to the Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ Music Program over the past two years. We are currently in the process of recruiting another violin/viola teacher and look forward to having a new teacher in place soon.

Private Music Lessons will start Week 2

Private music lessons will commence in Week 2. On Friday 31 January during lunchtime, students from Years 4 -12 are asked to come to the Sister Helen Orchestra Room (SHOR) to meet their private music teacher and arrange a lesson time for Week 2. If a student is in a younger grade, or is unable to attend that day, the music teacher will contact parents/students directly to arrange a lesson time. Please note it is not too late to enrol your daughter in private music lessons. Please click here for the enrolment form:

There have been many requests from parents for lesson times to occur outside of school time. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate these requests, it may not always be possible. Older students in the Secondary School will be given first preference for these time slots. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Music Ensemble Rehearsals will start Week 2

Rehearsals for String and Band ensembles will commence from Week 2 and we are looking forward to having many girls involved! Ensemble lists and timetable have been placed on the relevant Strings, Band and Choral POD pages. If students are interested in participating and have not yet auditioned, please contact the Music Department to arrange an audition time.

Please note there are some changes to Choir rehearsal times in Term 1 due to the ongoing rehearsals for our upcoming musical production of Mary Poppins. There will be no Encorah rehearsals in Term 1: rehearsals will recommence in Term 2. Exultate will continue to rehearse on Thursdays in SHOR but from 3:30-4:30pm, and Volare will rehearse in the ACF from 3:30-4:15pm. Normal rehearsal times will resume in Term 2.

Return of Hire Instruments

Please ensure that all instruments that were hired over the Christmas holidays are returned to the Music Department by the end of Week 1.

2025 Dates

Please note important music dates for 2025.

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 4 February 2025 at 5:00pm in the Circular Drive Classroom 01 (in front of the Arts Centre Foyer). We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

As St Margaret’s new Director of Sport, I am looking forward to a fantastic year ahead. It has been a wonderful first week meeting many students and with the commencement of trials and trainings. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the Year 7 students and share the many sporting opportunities in which they can become involved. St Margaret’s offers a holistic extra-curricular program, complete with 21 different sport programs with each aiming to provide an enriching experience, developing a student’s sense of competence, confidence, connection and character.

Please see below our sports program schedule for 2025.

Participation Guidelines

As a reminder, St Margaret’s recommends students participate in 1-2 sports at any given time within the school years.

Students should not participate any more than three sports at any given time within the school year without sought permission from the Director of Sport.

• Students can only participate in one (1) seasonal sport in the Autumn and Winter seasons:
  • Autumn Season must choose between Basketball, Soccer or Touch Football.
  • Winter Season must choose between Hockey, Netball, Tennis or Volleyball.
• Students can only participate in one of either Netball (QGSSSA and/or Club) or Rowing.
• Students who participate in Rowing cannot participate in Winter Season Sport.

Program Communication

The St Margaret’s sport program information is accessible on the POD. Students and parents are encouraged to join the to stay up to date with the latest information. Students who sign up for a particular sport will be automatically added to the respective sports POD Page. The POD is accessible through the School App and notifications can be received via smart phone.

Sport Expectations

We are always striving to do things at Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ in a way in which we seek to treat people throughout our community; and a way in which we aim to serve others. Underpinned by our school values, our St Margaret’s way extends itself to the way in which we behave and perform in sport.

It is expected all students selected within St Margaret’s representative teams will attend all required trainings and fixtured matches. If unable to do so, for legitimate reason, communication with Sport Coordinator is expected.

Secondary Sport Year in Review 2024

This graphic has been a great reference for me as I begin my own journey here at St Margarets and should provide parents and students with some great insight into how our students and staff view participation and performance in our sports program.

• Participation: 89% of students participated in 21 non-compulsory sports, with Year 8 leading the way at the highest participation level.
• Boarder Involvement: An impressive 95% of boarders engaged in sport in 2024
• Diverse Engagement: Year 7 students sampled an average of four different sports each, setting the foundation for lifelong participation.
• Community Spirit: Participation in St Margaret’s Community Club Sport programs (Netball and Water Polo) grew by 20%, highlighting the importance of these programs in providing inclusive opportunities for students of all abilities, while fostering a sense of connection through the invaluable volunteering efforts of our wider community.
• Biggest Sport: 35% of the school played Netball with 336 students participating
• Achievements: 18 Premierships & Pennants, including QLD Water Polo Champs + QGSSSA 10A Touch Premiers. 41 State Reps + 6 National Reps.

As we start the year, I am genuinely excited to be working with all students participating in our programs as they continue or begin a journey of participating and enjoying sport as a form of connection and community here at school. I also look forward to supporting our more established athletes in our Flyers program and those on a high-performance athlete journey.

If you require any further information regarding the Sports and Activities program at St Margaret’s please do not hesitate to get in contact. Please contact activities@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.

Anne Louise Williams

This year promises to be another exciting year for St Margaret’s and this wonderful community - stay tuned. I look forward to catching up with you all at upcoming events and meeting those of you who have joined the school over the last 12 months.

Secondary Mother Daughter Rooftop Soiree – limited tickets remaining

The St Margaret’s P&F Association invites all girls in Years 7 to 12 and their mothers or significant women in their lives to the Secondary Mother Daughter Rooftop Soiree.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of fun, laughter, and bonding at a premier Brisbane rooftop destination! Enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and fabulous entertainment, including a live DJ spinning your favourite tunes!

Date                 Sunday 23 February 2025
Time                11:00am - 3:00pm
Venue              Lina Rooftop Bar, 74/80 Tribune St, South Brisbane

Cost                 $140 Adult (includes a Lina Spritz on arrival)

                        $110 Student (includes 4-hour soft drink package)

Dress               Summer Chic

RSVP               5:00pm Thursday 13 February, unless sold out prior. 
Tickets            

We realise that it is not possible for all girls to invite their mothers, and we would encourage them to invite a significant woman in their life - a relative or family friend.

This event is proudly supported by Major Sponsor,

St Margaret’s Fathers’ Dinner

It's not too late to secure your ticket to the Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ Fathers’ Dinner. Join us to hear from Guest Speaker, funny man Luke Heggie, while enjoying a meal and beverage package at the Rivershed at Howard Smith Wharves.

Date                 Friday 7 March 2025

Time                 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start

Venue               Rivershed at Howard Smith Wharves

Cost                 $219 per person - includes a meal and drinks package for the evening.

RSVP                5.00pm Friday 21 February, unless sold out prior

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            

This event is proudly supported by Supporting Sponsors: and , and Maggies Supporter .

Wine tree raffle – can you help?

The wine tree is back for the 2025 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? If so, the P&F Association would love to hear from you.

You can choose to donate anonymously or have your name displayed with your contribution. On the night of the Fathers’ Dinner, all the wine will be offered via a live auction.

Donations can be delivered to the Development and Community Office by a parent or guardian between the hours of 9am and 4pm during the school week. Please note that students are not permitted to deliver wine tree donations.

If you would like to support the wine tree, or 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