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Congratulations to our primary captains for 2025, Vivienne Lyons and Alice Sutherland. It was a pleasure to announce their names at the Year 6 Acknowledgement Assembly this week. The final newsletter of the year is an opportunity also to express gratitude for the contributions to St Margaret’s of a whole community. The commitment to a productive and welcoming community by our parents, students, past students, and staff makes St Margaret’s a very special place. Thank you for all your contributions this year.

St Margaret’s will be a hive of activity this holiday break as work continues on Community House, with a view to opening in January 2025 and the Canopy Café, opening in March 2025.

Below is a list of some of the other works but does not include all the compliance checking, programmed painting, carpet replacing, cleaning, upgrades and maintenance.

• The Boarding House lift is currently being replaced.
• The Year 11 bathroom in boarding and Pre-Prep bathroom are being upgraded.
• A new classroom in Avoca is being created – A300
• Private Music Rooms in 12 Petrie Street will be created.
• An extra 17 Carparks will be created on site.

There is lots to do even though the school closes over Christmas/New Year from 3pm, Friday 20 December 2024 to 8am Monday 6 January 2025.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a restful holiday and a Happy New Year and I look forward to welcoming you all back here at school for the start of Term 1, 2025 on Tuesday 28 January 2025.

Ros Curtis

This week I was fortunate to attend the Year 6 Acknowledgement ceremony and be able to watch these wonderful girls finish their primary school journey. It was lovely that the whole primary school was there to watch and share this special ceremony with the girls. The Year 6s have been well prepared and are all ready to enter the secondary school as Year 7 students, and we wish them well on their journey.

I encourage all students to reflect on the year that has been, celebrate where they have been successful in reaching their goals and make new goals or revisions to current goals if necessary. It is strange to think now that in less than two months they will all be in the next year level at school, and as they progress through the year levels, they will have more experiences but also continue to build on their skills.

Holidays are a time to rest, recalibrate, and get ready for the next school year ahead. It is a time for spending time with family and friends. We are fortunate as a community to be grateful for so much, and it is lovely to reflect about this and find ways to give back to those less fortunate.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the St Margaret’s community for making me feel so welcome for the past eight years. I’ve been able to learn so much from my colleagues, students and families, and will miss the strong community at St Margaret’s. I’d particularly like to thank Ros Curtis AM for her guidance and support of my professional journey. I have loved coming to school each day and wish you all the best.

Karen Gorrie

On Monday, we gathered for the Year 6 Chapel service, celebrating the graduating Year 6 cohort. At this service we reflected on what it means to be illuminators.

In his most recent book, David Brooks claims that ‘Human Beings need recognition as much as they need food and water. No crueller punishment can be devised than to not see someone, to render them unimportant or invisible.’

Here, Brooks is not speaking about the recognition that one receives on TikTok or social media, but the recognition that you see another person’s unique humanity, their gifts and talents, as well as their very ordinary selves.

Brook’s goes on to talk about there being two types of people: Diminishers and Illuminators. As you might guess, ‘diminishers make people feel small and unseen.’ Whereas illuminators are those who light up, who are curious about others, accept that everyone bears unique gifts… they shine a light wherever they go and call out that light in others.

As we approach Christmas, Jesus, the light of the world, illuminates our humanity and calls us to shine that same light to the world around us.

SSA services and Local Christmas Services:
SSA Celebration

1 December, 4pm – Sisters’ Chapel – St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

St Mark’s Anglican Church - Clayfield

Christmas Eve Family Service – 6:00pm – 24 December

Christmas Day – 8:30 am

St Alban’s Anglican Church – Wilston

Christmas Eve Family Service – 5pm – 24 December

Midnight Mass – 11:30pm – 24 December

Christmas Day – 8:00am

Rev’d Jazz Dow

The holidays are the perfect time to rest and recharge. We encourage everyone to focus on their wellbeing by maintaining a balance between relaxation, activity, and quality time with loved ones. Whether it’s through reading, pursuing a hobby, or spending time outdoors, taking time for yourself will help ensure a smooth and refreshed start to school life in 2025. 

Building on Gracemere’s heartfelt acknowledgement of the St Margaret’s community last week, I would like to extend my own gratitude to our incredible whole-school staff. Their care and dedication make the boarding house a true home away from home. From managing daily routines to organising memorable activities and supporting the girls in their academic pursuits, their unwavering efforts are deeply appreciated. A special thank you also goes to our amazing students for their enthusiasm, resilience, and contributions throughout the term, as well as to their parents for their ongoing trust and support. Together, you create the vibrant and supportive community that makes boarding so rewarding. 

The Year 6 girls have had an incredibly busy and exciting few weeks celebrating their graduation from primary school. At school, they participated in a series of memorable events, including their final chapel as primary students, a celebratory dance, and a heartfelt trip down memory lane. One standout activity involved writing letters to their future selves, which they will open in 2030 when they graduate from Year 12. 

Another highlight was their Cornerstone Project, where they donated their pre-loved teddy bears to sell, raising funds for the Malala Fund. This incredible organisation works to provide digital and alternative learning programs for girls in Afghanistan, advocates for gender apartheid to be recognised as a crime under international law and supports safe learning spaces for girls in Pakistan and northern Nigeria. 

The current Year 6 students also played a key role in welcoming the new Year 7 boarders joining us in 2025. They guided the incoming students through the boarding house, participated in various activities, and shared stories that helped spark new friendships and bonds for the year ahead. It has been a monumental week for our Year 6 girls, marking the transition from primary school to senior school with enthusiasm and grace. 

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to kick off the new year with our action-packed closed weekend. This much-anticipated event will include a trip to Wet’n’Wild, ensuring a fun and energetic start to the term. Beyond that, we have an exciting line-up of beach trips planned in collaboration with other boarding schools and grade-based socials with Nudgee College. Following the success of the Year 11 dinner this term, we are expanding the initiative to include activities like dinners, driving range outings, and other fun events for all grades throughout the year. 

On behalf of the boarding house, I wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday. We look forward to welcoming our students back for another fantastic term filled with connection, laughter, and unforgettable memories. 

Kelli Boucaut – Boarding

Thank you to the students who fill our classrooms and hallways, for your enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication to our school community. Thank you to our teachers for their dedication to their profession and the countless hours they spend preparing lessons, reflecting on lessons, supervising extracurricular activities, and caring for our students. Thank you to our support staff without whom the day-to-day school events (not to mention all the big events) simply would not happen. Thank you to the parents for your support of your child and of us.

The extended break over the summer is such an important time as it provides an opportunity to rest both our bodies and our brains. I know that these holidays, I will be prioritising time spent outdoors and with friends and family as well as some downtime working through my ever-growing reading list. I wish you all a restful and rejuvenating break.

Caitlin McCluskey

In Term 1, 2025, I will be on long-service leave and Mrs Kelly Alford will be Acting Dean of Studies during this term. I look forward to seeing you all at the commencement of Term 2.

End of the Year Reporting Process (Years 7-11)

End of Semester Reports will be available to be accessed through Parent Lounge on Friday 29 November after 3:00pm. Please note also that all Continuous Reporting Information will be available from this date as well.

Each student’s report will consist of a comment from her Head of Year, as well as a summary for each subject. The final page of the report is the Grade Point Average (GPA) graph which records the student’s overall level of achievement and tracks this from semester to semester.

For each subject, there is a list of the course content, marks for the criteria assessed, a table showing the distribution of achievement levels within the subject, and an assessment of your daughter’s attitude to her learning. The academic results reflected in this report are based on the assessment completed throughout Semester 2.

Please note that Year 12 students do not receive an End of Semester 2 report from the school as final results will be recorded on their Queensland Certificate of Education that is sent from QCAA.

Chris Dunn

For our students, I encourage you to use this time to cherish the moments with your family and friends. Celebrate the joy of being together, the love that surrounds you, and the gift of each other’s presence. Remember to reflect on the year that has passed, the lessons you’ve learned, and the achievements you’ve accomplished—no matter how big or small.

To our families, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Your care and encouragement play such a vital role in your child’s education and wellbeing. We are truly grateful for the trust you place in us to guide and nurture your children.

Let us also take a moment to express gratitude for the dedicated teachers and staff who inspire and support us daily, and for the gift of education, which helps us grow in knowledge, faith, and character.

May your Christmas be filled with peace and joy!

Nikki Townsend

The true spirit of Christmas isn’t just about receiving and giving gifts. Instead of focusing on class Secret Santa or giving gifts to everyone in class, we encourage our students, with the support of their families, to think about others in need. For the past twenty years, we have chosen not to have these activities at school, as we believe Christmas is a time to focus on kindness, compassion, and giving back.

Throughout the year, we’ve had many opportunities to raise awareness and funds for those in need. As a primary school, we proudly support three charities each year, working together to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Zephyr is a Brisbane based charity which helps children affected by domestic violence get back to school. We will donate $2,000 raised from the purchase of students’ artwork gifts. Thankyou to everyone who supported this initiative.

For several years, we’ve been supporting a school in Nairobi, Kenya through the charity One Horizon. This year, we received a heartfelt email from the founder, asking for our help: “Is it possible for you to consider a small donation that would enable us to purchase food for families. As we buy fresh produce from local farmers, a dollar goes a long way”.

Our class ambassadors were moved by this call and decided to act. They organized and ran a second-hand uniform stall last week, with the help of our dedicated parents who worked tirelessly throughout the week. Thanks to their hard work and the generosity of our school community, they raised $2,800 and in addition to Free Dress day money ($1,700) we will donate $4,500 to support this important cause. If you would like to personally donate to this charity, you can do so here: 

We also support a child in need through the Smith Family sponsorship. Our sponsor child is Campbell who is in Year 5. He loves working in the school garden and his dream job is to become a firefighter.

One final and meaningful learning experience for our Year 6 students is raising money for a charity, and this year, they supported Malala Fund. Throughout the process, the girls have developed greater empathy as they’ve thought about those less fortunate than themselves. They also gained valuable skills in responsibility, collaboration, and organisation as they worked together to plan and execute different stages of the project.

In addition, the project helped support the circular economy, as the students rejuvenated and repurposed stuffed toys to give them a new life with a new owner. A big thank you to our Year 6 teachers and students for their hard work and dedication, and to all the other students who purchased toys, helping give them a new home and purpose. Your support has made a real difference!

In addition to these projects, it is a tradition for our primary school to support children in foster care during the Christmas season. A heartfelt thank you to the many parents who generously donated, bringing a little extra joy and warmth to these children on Christmas Day. Your kindness has made a meaningful impact, reminding us of the true spirit of giving.

Another cherished tradition is the Prep students sharing the story of the very first Christmas through their nativity play. On Friday, the Prep girls truly brought the story to life with their enthusiasm and heartfelt performances with the Years 1 and 2 girls adding angelic voices and dance items. Thank you to the Prep teachers, Mary Komselis, Katie Lewis and Years 1 and 2 teachers. Thank you to Regina Brennan for conducting the beautiful voices of this event and the Year 5 girls. Thank you to Annette Box for her dedication to ensure all the events held over the past two weeks were successful. Thank you also to Morgan Rowe and Nicole Weinert for supporting behind the scenes. 

This week, Chapel services for students at either end of the primary school were held. Pre-Prep students shared their learning, and we farewelled the Year 6 girls. I will miss the Year 6 girls’ confidence, humour and enthusiasm and I know, as they move to the next stage of their life, they will take many primary school memories with them. 

Our last formal Assembly (Acknowledgement Assembly) was held this week at which we acknowledged girls by presenting special Sporting, Music and academic achievements. I also presented Head of Primary certificates to an exemplary Year 6 girl from each class. Congratulations to the following girls: 

Amelia W – for approaching all aspects of school life with enthusiasm, diligence and commitment.

Annabelle T – for consistently being kind, cooperative and a conscientious class member who always demonstrates the values of respect and integrity.

Charlotte M – for her determination and commitment to learning and always demonstrating the school values.

Kiara D – for consistently displaying enthusiasm and positivity during class to significantly improve her learning in all areas.

As you prepare for the long summer break, it is important for learning to continue in a fun way.  Studies show that during the summer break, students tend to lose some of the important academic gains made during the school year and this is regarded as “summer loss”. On the primary POD page, I have listed ways to encourage reading, writing and other ideas for holiday learning. 

Thank you to the staff for all they have done this year. To the departing teachers, they go with our gratitude and best wishes. Thank you also to parents for allowing us to be part of each child’s educational journey. I know the children appreciate their teachers and parents. 

I wish everyone a safe, happy and holy holiday and thank you for a great year.

    Angela Drysdale

This announcement comes at the end of an extensive selection process which includes an interview, emcee duties at the Prep to Year 2 Nativity Play and delivering a speech written within a limited timeframe and based on a given stimulus, which this year was a quote from Taylor Swift, on the back of her hugely successful Eras World Tour. Taylor stated that “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” The girls spoke with creativity, confidence and authenticity. I have included some extracts from their speeches below to give you an idea of some of the wonderful messages we got to hear from our shortlisted candidates.

“I promise to be approachable, kind and show the Maggies’ values. I will listen to you, no matter what it is about, whether it’s about your pet, school or anything else, I will listen and be kind and friendly.”

“Leadership to me is being inclusive, setting an example for others and bringing everyone together to achieve great things. As a leader it is important to be kind, but it is also more than that, it is having the courage and the confidence to stand up for what you believe in.”

“Being a part of St Margaret’s has made an impact on me and I hope to leave a legacy on the school. I hope to be an inspiration to present and future St Margaret’s girls.”

“The world is a very busy, fast-paced place to be. It can be joyful, stressful and so many other things. Sometimes we can get so caught up moving on from one thing to another that we forget to slow down and be kind to one another. I want to make sure that school is a safe space for everybody to learn, grow, inspire and most importantly, be kind.”

“Leadership to me is showing integrity, being inclusive, having respect, spirit, passion and putting others before yourself. It doesn’t matter how different you are as long as you show the school values consistently.”

The future is certainly in safe hands! Have a safe and renewing holiday and we look forward to sharing 2025 with you.

Annette Box

2025 Private Music Tuition

If your daughter is currently undertaking private music tuition, she will automatically be placed on her current teachers’ roll for 2025. Parents do not need to fill in a new application form. However, if your daughter wishes to discontinue lessons in 2025, we ask that you please email directly the Music Department at music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au prior to the end of the school year.

Instrument Hire Over Holidays

A reminder that students hiring an instrument over the holidays will be able to collect their instrument on Thursday 21 November (last day of term). Please ensure a Holiday Instrument Hire Form has been completed (which may be found on the Music Cocurricular POD page).

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be the AGM and 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.

Thank you and Merry Christmas

A very big thank you to all in the St Margaret’s Music Community for another wonderful year. It has been filled with many musical experiences and I believe that the girls will end the school year with many special memories of their involvement in the St Margaret’s Music Program. I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas break and look forward to seeing everyone in 2025, refreshed and ready for another year of music making!

Brad King

At St Margaret’s, we buck the national trend of declining sports participation, thanks to the encouragement and support of our entire community, parents, teachers, and friends, who inspire our students to engage meaningfully in sport.

2024 Secondary School Sport in Review

The highlights of this year’s sporting achievements and participation include:

• Participation Growth: 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 this year.
• 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.

Most Popular Sports by Year Level

Students across different year levels embraced their favourite sports:

• Year 7: Club Netball
• Year 8: Rowing
• Year 9: Touch Football
• Year 10: Cross Country
• Year 11: Cross Country
• Year 12: Club Water Polo

Netball continues to be the school’s most popular sport, with 35% of students participating, followed by Touch Football, Cross Country, Rowing, Swimming, and Water Polo.

Sporting Achievements

St Margaret’s athletes and teams excelled at all levels, with significant achievements, including:

• Summer Team of the Year: Middle Years All School Water Polo Team (Queensland Premiers).
• Autumn Team of the Year: Year 10A QGSSSA Touch Football Team (QGSSSA Equal Premiers).
• Winter Team of the Year: QISSN Netball Team (Queensland Divisional Premiers).
• 18 Sport Team or Age Group Pennants won across association and club sports programs.
• 41 State Sport Representatives and 6 National Sport Representatives.

This year’s success reflects not just the talent of our student-athletes but also the dedication of our coaches, coordinators, and the wider St Margaret’s community. Thank you for being a vital part of this exceptional year in sport!

As I conclude my time as Director of Sport at St Margaret’s, I reflect with immense gratitude on the privilege of leading such a proud and vibrant sporting community. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Principal Ros Curtis for entrusting me with this opportunity and to the students and wider community whose energy and enthusiasm make Maggies sport truly special.

This year’s success would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of so many including: our Coaches, Teacher Assists, and Sport Coordinators who have worked tirelessly to create environments where students can thrive and enjoy their sporting journeys and the proactive support and encouragement from the school’s Leadership Team who play a vital role in championing sport at St Margaret’s. Finally, the Sport & Activities Department—Brad, Gayle, Jack, Flynn, Matt, Josh, Hannah, and Bec—deserve special recognition for their unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring every program runs smoothly and to the highest standard. Your combined efforts are what make Maggies sport such a vibrant and rewarding experience for all involved.

I wish our students and school all the very best for the future. I am confident that the spirit, engagement, and aspiration that define Maggies sport will continue to thrive for many years to come.

Thank you.

Mr Lloyd Knight

Latest Sport News and Information

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

• Club Water Polo –
• QGSSSA Swimming –
• Strength & Conditioning -

We have categorised the items into keep and return. If we keep them, this means we will alter them in some way. If listed ‘Return’, we will ensure they are labelled clearly, your number or email collected and the items will be returned to you at the completion of the musical (end of Term 1, 2025).

If you or a family member has one of the following items that you would like to donate to the musical, please email Mrs Lucy Hulme: lhulme@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Please note: the musical is set in 1910 London, in a middle-class home.

The items needed are:

Keep

• Large Victorian style carpet bag

• Hat stand
• A rag doll we will make in the likeness of the character Valentine
• Hats worn by women or men, (caps, bowler, bonnets, sun hats, colourful ornate hats that might have been worn to a wedding or the races)
• Black/ brown/ grey/ waistcoats (vests)
• Pillowcase (bonus: initials M P embroidered)
• Black trousers: women’s sizes 4-14
• Black Coats to fit sizes 8 -10

  Return

• Hat stand (not the one that is pulled out of the bag)
• Umbrella stand
• Telescope (for Michael, the young boy)
• 20 x Black/dark coloured shawls warn in winter
• A dark wooden park bench (Able to sit, stand and lean on)
• Ornate mirror size of A4 paper
• Pocket watch on chain
• Ink pot
• 2 x Ornate spoons
• Old looking toys, teddy bear, dolls, toy soldiers, jack in the box
• Bedding for single beds, patchwork if possible or suitable for a girl and boy’s bed.
• A large pram 1910 – 1930s style
• Basket
• 2 x Briefcases
• Make-up Compact

• Monical 

Congratulations to Madeleine J who is the recipient of the 2024 Noyes Encouragement Award. Each year, this Award is presented to a Year 5 student who the adjudicator believes demonstrates note-worthy potential through their Eisteddfod performances.

The Award honours Jacqueline Noyes and her daughter Allana who both made a significant contribution to the life of Speech and Drama at St Margaret’s.

Jacqui taught Speech and Drama here from 1980 to 2001 and Allana from 1988 to 2002. While teaching at St Margaret’s, Jacqui and Allana inspired students with their love of literature and passion for performing and both women continued to provide warm encouragement and constructive feedback for many years after - Jacqui as an adjudicator of the St Margaret’s Speech and Drama Eisteddfods from 2009 to 2015 and Allana as a visiting AMEB examiner.

Sadly, Jacqui passed away in 2016 and Allana in 2023. We are pleased to remember and honour them through the Noyes Encouragement Award.

Maria Chamberlain - Private Speech & Drama Coordinator

Booklists 2025

Booklists for Pre-Prep to Year 11 2025 are now available online. To access the Campion Education Online Booklists please click on this link and follow the instructions. 

Please Note: Families are required to create an account by clicking on the "Parents Order Here" button located top right-hand corner of the Campion website.  A four-character code is needed to access the 2025 resource lists; the code for Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ is VKTP.

Orders are required to be submitted by December 11 to receive free delivery.  Orders received after the cut-off date will be packed ASAP, however Campion Education cannot guarantee delivery of these orders prior to the commencement of Term 1, 2025.

Uniform Fitting Appointments – Online booking system

Outfitting appointments for November and December 2024 and January 2025 are available online and are filling fast. Book your appointment online via the school website

Extended Trading Hours

The School Supply Shop will close to the school community on 22 November 2024. The Supply Shop will be open for Appointments ONLY between 25 November to 6 December 2024. 

The Supply Shop will re-open on 15 January for appointments and for families without an appointment. Families without an appointment will need to take a number on arrival and will be served as soon as a staff member is available. Our back to school waiting area will be situated in the classrooms next to Circular Drive, with access via Gate 1 on Petrie Street.

2024

25 Nov to 29 Nov                  Appointments only

2 Dec to 6 Dec                       Appointments only

2025

Trading Hours (Term Time)

Thank you to everyone who made a donation to the Building Fund to support the transformation of Community House into a student wellbeing centre. This project is progressing well, with students expected to use the space from Term 1 next year. With our new Masterplan set to be completed by the end of this year, we look forward to sharing exciting plans for 2025, including a new Performing Arts Precinct.

We also extend our gratitude to those who supported our bursary program, which has grown significantly. Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Panama Fund, 18 students received financial support to access or complete their St Margaret’s education in 2024.

Our Professional Women’s Network (PWN) once again delivered four inspirational female leaders in their corporate fields, as guest speakers, and provided a forum for our corporate community to come together and connect. Each year, the profits made from PWN through the support of our sponsors and ticket sales are donated to St Margaret’s Foundation, enabling a donation of around $41,000 to the Endowment Fund in 2024. Through the Endowment Fund, we are working to build up a corpus of funds to be used for financial needs-based bursaries for regional/rural and Indigenous students, ensuring that young women, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, can access a St Margaret’s education. If you would like to support PWN, the Sponsorship Prospectus and further information can be accessed via the webpage: /community/professional-womens-network.

Lastly, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has generously given their time. In a time when volunteering is on the decline across Australia, we are incredibly grateful for our strong community of volunteers who support St Margaret’s. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered – whether you have served on boards or committees, provided career opportunities for our students, volunteered at events, or if you have supported our community in times of need – thank you.  Your contributions are deeply appreciated.

We look forward to welcoming Lara Pickering back to the Development and Community Office as she returns from maternity leave in January 2025. I know that Lara is very much looking forward to her return and all that 2025 has in store.

On behalf of the Development and Community team, I wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas.

Georgia Mitchell