St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
Encyclopedia
St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School is an independent
, Anglican
, day
and boarding school
for girls, located in Ascot
, an inner-northern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
.
Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent
, the school
has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 900 students from Pre-Prep
to Year 12, including 160 boarders from Years 8 to 12.
St Margarets has eight sport houses: Chaucer, Bede, Herrick, Kendall, Tennyson, Milton, Spenser and Lawson.
St Margaret's is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), the Junior School Heads Association of Australia
(JSHAA), the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA), the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA), and is a founding member of the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association
(QGSSSA).
, in a former boys’ school, Eton High School. 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. It’s 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 had 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 1979-1990.
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. Our School motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), inspires St Margaret’s students to achieve the best in all they do.
Ms Ros Curtis now provides the leadership at St Margaret's, as the School continues to pursue Christian principles and excellence in all areas of education.
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 the opportunity to study vocational subjects within our 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.
In regards to the Queensland Core Skills Test - 53% of St Margaret's students were awarded an A or B (state average: 43.5%).
OP Results
OP 1-5 28.4% (State - 19.0%)
OP 1-10 61.4% (State - 46.0%)
OP 1-15 88.6% (State - 74.9%)
QCS Results
A 21.2% (State - 17.57%)
B 31.8% (State - 30.85%)
C 36.5% (State - 35.75%)
D 10.6% (State - 15.69%)
E 0.00 (State - 0.14%)
These activities are intended to develop organisational skills, independence and personal pride in a fun and creative environment.
Students involve themselves in a number of music ensembles, including Choirs, String Orchestras, Concert Band, Rock Band, Jazz Ensemble 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.
Sports include: Artistic Gymnastics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Hockey, Lifesaving, Netball, Rowing, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Sailing, 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.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
, Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
, day
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
and boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
for girls, located in Ascot
Ascot, Queensland
Ascot is a predominantly affluent residential suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, characterised by large Queenslander homes. Located from Brisbane, the suburb is well catered for in terms of public transport with many bus and train services departing from Ascot railway station...
, an inner-northern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent
Society of the Sacred Advent
The Society of the Sacred Advent is an Anglican religious order founded at Brisbane, Australia, in 1892 by Caroline Grace Millicent Short , and still active in that city.-History:...
, the school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 900 students from Pre-Prep
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
to Year 12, including 160 boarders from Years 8 to 12.
St Margarets has eight sport houses: Chaucer, Bede, Herrick, Kendall, Tennyson, Milton, Spenser and Lawson.
St Margaret's is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), the Junior School Heads Association of Australia
Junior School Heads Association of Australia
The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia formerly Junior School Heads Association of Australia , is an incorporated body representing the heads of independent primary schools in Australia....
(JSHAA), the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA), the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA), and is a founding member of the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association
Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association
The Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association Inc is a sporting association for girls from eight private girls' schools, one co-educational private school, and one co-educational public school, based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia....
(QGSSSA).
History
In 1895 The Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent opened a boarding School for girls at NundahNundah, Queensland
Nundah is an inner suburb in the city of Brisbane, Australia, located approximately 8 kilometers north-east of the Brisbane central business district, in the local government area of the City of Brisbane....
, in a former boys’ school, Eton High School. 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. It’s 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 had 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
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, staff room and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
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 1979-1990.
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
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
program with facilities including three art studios, pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
area, and a display gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
.
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. Our School motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), inspires St Margaret’s students to achieve the best in all they do.
Ms Ros Curtis now provides the leadership at St Margaret's, as the School continues to pursue Christian principles and excellence in all areas of education.
Curriculum
The Junior Secondary curriculum (Years 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.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 the opportunity to study vocational subjects within our 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.
Recent results
In 2010 the St Margaret's Year 12 cohort had 16% of students receiving an OP 1-3 (state average: 10.07%). 28.4% of St Margaret's students achieved an OP in the 1-5 range as compared with 19% of students in the state. 89% of St Margaret's students received an OP of 1-15, as compared with 74.88% in the state. These results are particularly noteworthy as 98% of the total cohort of graduating St Margaret's students were OP-eligible.In regards to the Queensland Core Skills Test - 53% of St Margaret's students were awarded an A or B (state average: 43.5%).
OP Results
OP 1-5 28.4% (State - 19.0%)
OP 1-10 61.4% (State - 46.0%)
OP 1-15 88.6% (State - 74.9%)
QCS Results
A 21.2% (State - 17.57%)
B 31.8% (State - 30.85%)
C 36.5% (State - 35.75%)
D 10.6% (State - 15.69%)
E 0.00 (State - 0.14%)
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, Future Problem Solving, Mooting, smART, Sharemarket Game, Theatre Sports and X-plore.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 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, Sailing, 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 achievements
- Secondary Lifesaving team in 2011 successfully defending the title they've held since 2004 at the State Lifesaving Championships.
- The Cross Country team in 2011 retained the Percentage Cup for QGSSSA cross country for the tenth year in a row.
- In 2009, Year 12 student Maddie Edmunds won a national title at the 2009 Australian National Championships in the final for the Schoolgirl Single Scull.
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
- Bronte BarrattBronte BarrattBronte Amelia Arnold Barratt OAM is a competitive swimmer from Australia. At the World Short Course Championships held in Shanghai in 2006, Barratt won the gold medal in women's 4x200m freestyle relay and an individual silver medal in the 400m freestyle.In 2007, she broke the oldest record in...
– Commonwealth and World Record Holder in Swimming - Annabelle Chaplain – Chairman of the South East Queensland Water Corporation Limited; Director of Downer EDi Ltd; Director of Coal and Allied Industries Ltd
- Keri Craig-Lee – Fashion Designer and Retailer for the Keri Craig Label
- Emily Seebohm; swimmer
- Paula Spencer – Commissioner of the Australian Industrial Relations CommissionAustralian Industrial Relations CommissionThe Australian Industrial Relations Commission, or AIRC , was a tribunal with powers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. It was the central institution of Australian labour law...
- Professor Doune Macdonald; University of Queensland, Head of the School of Human Movements
- Dr Rosemond Siemon; Author of bestseller 'The Mayne Inheritance'
- Justice Michelle May; Family Court of Australia
- Una Prentice; first woman to graduate from the Faculty of Law at the University of Queensland
- Daphne Mayo; sculptor
- Dr Deborah Mills; doctor, author and businesswoman
- Dr Ros Taplin; Head of the Department of Sustainable Science, Bond University
- Fiona Ferguson; News Editor and news presenter, PRIME News
- Amanda McLeay; Channel 10 Brisbane
- Sally Bain; author, television personality
- Rhyll Gardner; General Manager Queensland, St George Bank Ltd
- Geraldine Turner; actor
- Dame Patricia Mackinnon, DBE, CBE; musician; appointed a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for distinguised service in hospital administration
- Marjorie Johnstone (nee Mant); co-founder of the Johnstone Art Gallery
- Mel Buttle; radio host and columnist