Legacy and Leadership

Since its founding in 1895, the school has been governed by sixteen distinct leaders, a lineage that reflects the changing socioeconomic landscape of Queensland and the evolving pedagogical philosophies of the Society of the Sacred Advent (SSA). Below, we exam these sixteen women, detailing their biographical backgrounds and their specific contributions to the school's physical and intellectual landscape.

The school was not merely a secular business venture but a response to a perceived social and spiritual crisis in colonial Brisbane. In 1892, the Reverend Montagu Stone-Wigg, then Vicar of St John’s Pro-Cathedral, identified a desperate need for a religious order dedicated to the welfare and education of women and children in what was then a "wild colonial town" plagued by alcohol abuse and family breakdown. The response to this plea was the arrival of Sister Caroline Amy Balguy and Deaconess Minnie from England in December 1892.

The SSA’s journey into education began in 1894 with a day school attached to the Cathedral, but it was the opening of Eton High School in Nundah in 1895 that marked the formal beginning of what would become St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School. The school’s mission was characterised by a commitment to high educational standards alongside rigorous religious formation, a philosophy that ensured that even in its earliest days, students were prepared for examinations through the University of Sydney.

The Lay Pioneers: Building the Foundations, 1895–1917

The first twenty-two years of the school’s existence were overseen by two lay headmistresses. This period established the academic rigor and institutional identity that the Sisters would later continue and refine.

Miss Isabella Moreton Caine (1895–1907)

Isabella Moreton Caine, the founding headmistress, was a figure of significant academic pedigree. Born in 1866 on the ship S.S. Great Victoria in Moreton Bay, she was the daughter of educators and a graduate of Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Her appointment signalled the SSA’s intention to provide a curriculum that rivalled the best secular institutions of the era.

Under Miss Caine’s stewardship, the curriculum at Eton High School was remarkably broad, encompassing English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Geology, Botany, French, German, Latin, Music, Divinity, Drawing, and Drill. The inclusion of Geology and Botany is particularly noteworthy, suggesting an early commitment to the natural sciences at a time when female education often prioritised decorative accomplishments over scientific inquiry. Miss Caine oversaw the school’s initial years at Nundah, where the enrolment remained small, but the academic foundations were laid, preparing the first class of girls for university entrance examinations.

Miss Juliet Lyon (1907–1917)

The transition to Miss Juliet Lyon’s leadership in 1907 coincided with a physical move to Toorak House on Hamilton Hill. Miss Lyon, educated at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and the University of Oxford, brought an international perspective to the school. Her tenure was perhaps the most influential in terms of establishing the school’s enduring symbols and traditions.

Miss Lyon was responsible for the introduction of the school motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), a phrase derived from Dante’s Purgatorio. This motto articulated a vision of female aspiration that transcended domesticity. Furthermore, she introduced the "Middy" uniform, which became a hallmark of the St Margaret's identity. Miss Lyon’s commitment to "whole person" education was evidenced by her introduction of competitive sports, including rowing, tennis, swimming, and basketball. In 1908, under her leadership, the school became a founding member of the Queensland Girls Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA). She was president of the association in 1911.To provide girls with a path toward financial independence, she also introduced vocational subjects such as typewriting, shorthand, and bookkeeping. She herself was an avid rower and coached our first rowers in 1907. In 1910, our school moved to Community House. In 1911, when The University of Queensland opened its doors, two St Margaret’s Old Girls were among its first students. Under her steady hand, the school was guided through the early years of the First World War in which Miss Lyon lost her own brother.

The Reign of the Sisters, 1918–1977

In 1917, the resignation of Juliet Lyon marked the beginning of a sixty-year period in which the direct leadership of the school was held by members of the SSA. This era was characterised by a fusion of monastic discipline, social service, and progressive educational theory.

Sister Teresa (1918–1925)

Sister Teresa, born Nora Winifred Collison in England and educated in Tasmania, became the first Sister to serve as headmistress. Her appointment coincided with the end of World War I and the onset of the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919. The school’s resilience during this period was documented in the 1919 Link, which noted that students were required to wear masks and maintain a distance of five feet from one another – a striking historical parallel to modern pandemic protocols.

Sister Teresa’s primary legacy was the introduction of the House system and the Student School Council, both designed to foster community and leadership among the students. Most significantly, in 1922, she introduced a modified version of the Dalton Plan. This pedagogical innovation, which replaced the traditional teacher-centred teaching with individual assignments and student responsibility, reflected a remarkably modern understanding of differentiated learning and student agency. Under her leadership, the school acquired the Avoca property (Mooloomburram) to accommodate rapid growth.

Sister Elisabeth (1926–1936)

Sister Elisabeth held a Master’s degree with Honours in Classics from the University of Cambridge, an extraordinary achievement for a woman of her time. Her tenure was defined by a massive building program undertaken during the Great Depression. This program saw the construction of the West Wing (housing classrooms, dormitories, and the dining room), the Darnell Art and Music buildings, and the school’s first 25-yard swimming pool.

The fact that Sister Elisabeth commissioned these buildings during a period of global economic collapse exemplifies the SSA’s deep faith in the future of the school. Beyond her administrative duties, she was known for her intellectual depth, famously engaging in Latin conversations with patients at St Martin’s War Memorial Hospital during her later service as a housekeeper there. She remains the only woman to have served as both Principal of St Margaret's and Mother Superior of the SSA.

Sister Bernadine (1937-1939)

Little is known about Sister Bernadine. She oversaw the school during a dramatic time – the onset of World War II. The school was steadily expanding in the 1930s and the purchase of an extra house was necessary to provide accommodation for staff. She saw the need for an assembly hall which could house the expanding school, and a fund was begun in 1939. Sadly, World War II intervened and all building plans were suspended for the duration

Sister Mary (1940–1964)

Sister Mary’s 24-year tenure remains the longest in the school’s history. She led the school through the acute crises of World War II, managing school closures, rationing, and reduced enrolments. In the post-war period, she oversaw a significant expansion of the campus to accommodate the "baby boom" generation, including the construction of Eton Hall, the East Wing, the school gymnasium, and the School Chapel. Her leadership was characterised by a vision of spiritual growth and physical expansion, ensuring the school emerged from the war years as a leading educational institution in Queensland.

Sister Jean-Marie (1965-70)

The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the school experience one of its greatest growth periods under Sister Jean-Marie (Jean May Myers). The final wing of Dalhousie was completed and Eton Hall was extended. Sister Jean-Marie, who was later awarded an MBE for her services to education, oversaw the opening of Brisbane’s first Olympic-size school pool in 1969 and initiated the school’s first overseas tours to Europe. Two new houses, Herrick and Lawson, were introduced, and in 1970, Toorak was opened during the school’s 75th anniversary. St Margaret’s was the first school in Australia to have closed circuit television installed. She left the SSA in 1971 and took up other teaching, administration and research positions throughout Australia and overseas.

Sister Helen (1971-1977)

Sister Helen was a talented musician whose tenure focused on the integration of the arts and the maintenance of high academic standards. She was known to be shy and retiring but her gentleness, sensitivity and perception were noted and appreciated by many. Under her leadership, Avoca replaced Middle Block, new tennis courts appeared in Butler Street and extensive renovations in boarding and the tuckshop were completed. She was an accomplished musician and often taught various instruments to students in her care.

In 1977, the SSA took the strategic decision to appoint a lay headmistress, a move necessitated by the increasing complexity of school administration and the desire to integrate the school more fully into the contemporary educational landscape while retaining SSA ownership.

Mrs Margaret Kugelman (1978–1982)

Mrs Margaret Kugelman was the first lay principal since 1917, marking a shift toward a more modern administrative model. Mrs Kugelman had taught in other SSA schools. This was a period of consolidation, accepting change and maintaining the SSA values. Club activities were compulsory for all girls in Years 8-10, and Home Economics was introduced as a subject. She retired in June 1982.

Miss Evelyn Heath (1982-1993)

Miss Evelyn Heath followed. She was an Old Girl whose tenure was marked by both physical expansion and a deep reverence for school traditions. Under Miss Heath, the Avoca and Jackson Wings were constructed, providing the school with modern specialist classrooms. Miss Heath was also a skilled embroiderer, personally creating the school banner that was used in the Chapel for over two decades.

The Centennial Transitions: Mrs Hutchings (1993–1995) and Mrs Hill (1995–1996)

The mid-1990s were characterised by shorter tenures as the school navigated its centenary. Mary Hutchings and Judith Hill led the school through its 100^th anniversary celebrations, including the construction of the Philip Harris Sports Centre.

Mrs Vicki Waters (1997–2006)

Mrs Vicki Waters initiated a period of leadership that fundamentally changed the school’s financial and global footprint. She established the St Margaret’s Foundation to encourage philanthropy and launched the Global Exchange Program, which became a cornerstone of the Year 10 experience. Mrs Waters also secured the Windsor Park sporting venue and completed the rowing shed at Breakfast Creek, reinforcing the school’s historical commitment to sporting activities. Events such as St Margaret’s Day, the St Margaret’s Run, Classics in the Cathedral, and Race Day were all introduced during her time. As well, she introduced the recognised school values and implemented Key Learning Areas.

Dr Sue Simon (2007–2010)

Dr Sue Simon brought a research-intensive focus to the school. Her leadership emphasised "self-efficacy" – the belief in one’s capability to master difficult tasks – and focused on staff professional standards and the introduction of arts-related learning experiences. During her tenure, the school’s strategic vision was overhauled to focus on school culture and staff cohesion.

Mrs Karen Spiller OAM (2010)

Mrs Karen Spiller OAM stepped in as caretaker principal at the end of Semester 1, 2010. She was a highly experienced educator and greatly respected leader and under her stewardship, the school continued to espouse its values and goals.

Ms Ros Curtis AM (2011-present)

The appointment of Ms Ros Curtis AM in 2011 ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and technological transformation. Ms Curtis, a former History and Drama teacher who has held senior roles across six schools, has overseen an 80% increase in enrolments, a staggering figure for a high-fee independent school.

Ms Curtis’ leadership has been defined by a bold master plan that extends beyond the next decade. Key developments include:

• The Sports Precinct (2020): A multimillion-dollar facility designed to modernise the school’s sports offerings.
• The Barley Sugar Garden and M's Café: Campus "sanctuaries" designed to foster social connection and wellbeing.
• The Jackson Wing Collaborative Lecture Theatre (The Loft): Opened in 2018, this facility reflects the shift toward collaborative, tertiary-style learning.
• Performing Arts Centre (2025–2026): Construction on this major facility will begin in 2026. It will include a 160-seat Music Recital Hall and a 96-seat Black Box Theatre.

Ms Curtis has positioned St Margaret’s at the forefront of the "AI Epoch." In 2025, the school launched an AI usage policy and curriculum designed to prepare students for an AI-enabled future while maintaining a focus on human attributes such as empathy and curiosity. For this strategic focus, the school was recognized as a 5-Star Innovative School by The Educator.

Ms Curtis's impact has been recognised internationally. In 2024, she was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and in 2025 received the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools Founders’ Leadership Award. Her tenure has also seen the development of the "St Margaret’s Plus" program, the Academic Advising program and the "Gidhal" project, cementing the school's reputation for academic and pastoral innovation. In 2020, St Margaret’s launched an original publication titled Gidhal: A collection of stories from our First Nations’ people, authored by the school’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, followed by two more: Mulu Maguydan: A Collection of stories from our Elders (2022) and Yumu KaiKai, Yumi Stories (2024) and meaning “Our Feasts, Our Stories”.

The history of St Margaret’s suggests that the transition from religious to lay leadership did not represent a rupture, but rather a professionalisation of the SSA’s original spirit.

As the school commences 2026, it stands as a testament to the enduring influence of the Society of the Sacred Advent. With only two Professed Sisters remaining, the promotion of the SSA legacy now rests with the lay leadership and the Vowed Members of the Society.

Under Ms Curtis’ leadership, the school has successfully transitioned from a traditional independent school to a global educational innovator. The focus on ‘Optimism and Gratitude’ – the theme of the 2026 academic year – ensures that the school continues to produce "confident, compassionate, and capable" women who are prepared to contribute to a global community. The history of the headmistresses of St Margaret’s is, ultimately, a history of female aspiration and the belief that every girl is born to fly upwards.

Per Volar Sunata

Mary Surtees

Archivist