St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School

History

In 1895, The Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent opened a boarding School for girls at Nundah, in a former boys’ school, Eton High School. The school was on land bounded by Bishop Street, Buckland Road, Wand Street and Olive Street. Sister Emma was the Sister-in-Charge and Miss Isabelle Caine was the Headmistress. In 1907, the School moved to Toorak House in Hamilton, Miss Juliet Lyon (1907–1917) replaced Miss Caine and the School roll had grown to 35 pupils.

As well as the usual lessons, students participated in tennis, rowing, basketball and swimming. Three years later the School moved again to Albion Heights. Its new home was Donatello, built in the 1880s for Patrick Durack. It was renamed St Margaret’s House and the School’s name changed to the Church of England High School. Two years later the School became known as St Margaret’s Church of England Girls’ School and has remained on this site ever since. Donatello is still in use today as Community House for the Sisters.

By 1910 there were 47 boarders and when The University of Queensland opened in 1911, two St Margaret’s girls were among its first students. Miss Lyon resigned in 1917 and was the last lay Headmistress until 1978. It was during Miss Lyon’s time that the School motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), came into being and the distinctive middy uniform was introduced.

Under the leadership of Sister Teresa (1918–25) the School grew rapidly and the adjoining property, Avoca, was acquired in 1918 to provide extra accommodation. It was originally named Mooloomburram when it was built in 1886 by Andrew Petrie. By 1925, Sister Teresa had made St Margaret’s a leading school in Brisbane, with a good record of academic achievement. She introduced the House System, a student representative School Council and the innovative Dalton method of education. Sister Elisabeth (1925–1936) embarked on a building program which saw the construction of many of the buildings still standing today – West Wing with classrooms, dormitories and dining room; the Darnell Art and Music buildings and the swimming pool. These additions were made despite the difficult conditions of the Depression and exemplify the Sisters’ faith in the St Margaret’s of the future. Sister Bernadine (1937–1939) led the School through the difficult and unsettled pre-war years. Sister Mary (1940–1964) guided the School through the years of World War II and the profound changes to School life – closures, reduced enrolments, rationing and shortages.

After the War, her vision resulted in further expansion – a new assembly hall (Eton Hall), extra classrooms and dormitories in East Wing; a gymnasium; the School Chapel; Dalhousie classrooms and a boarders’ recreation block and library. The School continued to grow under the leadership of both Sister Jean-Marie (1965–1970) and Sister Helen (1971–1977), maintaining the SSA’s traditional high standards of education and spiritual growth. The School celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1970 with the opening of Toorak and its library, staff room and science laboratories. In 1977 the Sisters took the decision to appoint a lay Headmistress, while still retaining ownership and guidance of the School. Mrs Margaret Kugleman (1978–1982) was followed by Miss Evelyn Heath (1982–1993), Mrs Mary Hutchings (1993–1995) and Mrs Judith Hill(1995–1996). To accommodate the growing number of students and the diversity in curricular and extra-curricular activities during this time, the Avoca and Jackson Wings were built, providing both general and specialist classrooms.

A separate Primary School building, Chaseley Wing, opened in 1992, to accommodate growing Primary enrolments. Its name is an enduring reminder of the influence of Sister Chaseley Anne who was in charge of the Boarding House from 1979 to 1990.

In 1995, the School's centenary year, the Philip Harris Sports Centre was built to support an extensive range of sporting activities. It is supplemented by outdoor facilities at Windsor Park and a rowing centre at Breakfast Creek, enabling students to participate in a wide range of sporting activities. Cultural pursuits have always been an integral part of life at St Margaret’s. An art room and music block were among the first buildings constructed in the 1930s, thanks to a bequest from the estate of John Darnell, and in 2003 a new Arts Centre was built to further foster students’ creative talents in the visual and performing arts. This Arts Centre supports the school's visual and performing arts program with facilities including three art studios, pottery area, and a display gallery.

Mrs Vicki Waters (1997–2006), Dr Sue Simon (2007–2010) and Mrs Karen Spiller (Acting Principal – 2010) have continued to support the School’s stated values of spirit, faith, integrity, courage, respect and passion. Under their management, and with the guidance of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, the School has maintained its high academic standards. Ms Ros Curtis, appointed as Principal in 2011, provides the leadership as St Margaret’s pursues a second century of excellence in education based on Christian principles. The School motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), inspires St Margaret’s students to achieve the best in all they do.

Curriculum

The Junior Secondary curriculum (Years 7, 8 and 9) is designed to encourage students to discover their personal interests before entering specialised courses in senior years. All students study a Key Learning Area Program of English, Mathematics, The Arts, Science, Technology, Humanities, Health and Physical Education, Modern Languages and Religious and Values Education.

The Modern Languages offered are Chinese, French, German, and Japanese.

Students in Year 10 choose from a large number of electives to aid their transition into senior studies. Four electives supplement the compulsory subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education and Religious and Values Education.

In Years 11 and 12 Students select five subjects from eight Key Learning Areas in addition to English, which is studied as a requisite Queensland Studies Authority (QSA). Senior students continue their studies in Religious and Values Education and Health and Physical Education and in addition undertake a course in thinking skills and preparation for the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test. Students are also offered vocational subjects through the School's Vocational Education and Training (VET) option.

Students in Years 11 and 12 have the option to undertake private study or attend learning support sessions and tutorial sessions one afternoon a week. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world skills by undertaking part-time employment or work experience placements within different industries.

Global Exchange Program

Students are offered the opportunity to study for a term at one of the overseas schools partnering with St Margaret's. Schools currently participating in the Global Exchange Program:

Recent results

In 2013, the St Margaret's Year 12 cohort had 18.4% of students achieving an OP 1-3 (Queensland state average: 10.45%). 40.2% of St Margaret's students achieved an OP 1-6, as compared with 25.28% in the state. 95.4% of St Margaret's students received an OP of 1-15, as compared with 79.2% in the state. 100% of Year 12 boarders received an OP between 1 and 15.

In regards to the Queensland Core Skills Test - 65.4% of St Margaret's students were awarded an A or B.

2013 OP Results OP 1-3 18.4% (State - 10.45%) OP 1-6 40.2% (State - 25.28%) OP 1-15 95.4% (State - 79.2%)

2013 QCS Results A 31.1% B 33.3%

2014 OP Results OP1-3 Carey Cooper, Maddie Brannelly, Bella Shen

Cultural activities

St Margaret’s offers students a broad range of cultural ventures, including debating, art workshops, musicals and theatrical events. Activities include: Debating, Duke of Edinburgh, Opti-MINDS, Mooting, smART Club, Sharemarket Game, Theatresports and Public Speaking. These activities are intended to develop organisational skills, independence and personal pride in a fun and creative environment.

Music

The Co-Curricular Music Program offers students a broad range of opportunities through which they can experience music at a variety of levels. Students involve themselves in a number of music ensembles, including Choirs, String Orchestras, Concert Band, Rock Band, Jazz Ensemble, Stage Band, Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble and Highly Strung as well as many other smaller ensembles. Other music opportunities include performing at school events and at outside community functions, recording music, performing in the school musical, performing in eisteddfods and at festivals, and participating in school music tours, both domestic and international.

Sport

Physical development is an important aspect of life at St Margaret’s. Students are offered the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sporting activities through the interschool sporting competitions, Andrews Cup in Primary and QGSSSA (Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sporting Association) in Secondary.

Sports include: Artistic Gymnastics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Hockey, Lifesaving, Netball, Rowing, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball and Water Polo.

Students who excel in their competitive sports are encouraged and supported to pursue their talent at local, state and national competitions.

Recent sporting achievements

School Crest

The St Margaret’s crest or badge of blue and silver reflects school tradition. Blue represents devotion; silver, purity. In the top right corner of the badge is the Guild Cross, which reinforces the links with The Society of the Sacred Advent. The Anglican faith, on which the School is founded, is reflected in the Bishop's mitre in the lower left corner. A band, symbolising strength and stability supports the initials of the school.

Notable alumnae