From the Principal - OGA eNews Issue 3, 2025

In a year themed around Community and Connection, St Margaret’s proudly dedicated and blessed two transformative additions to its campus: the Canopy Café and the Student Wellbeing Centre. These spaces are more than just architectural achievements – they are vibrant hubs designed to foster relationships, support, and a sense of belonging.

The Canopy Café, nestled between the primary and secondary schools, is a physical and symbolic bridge. It’s a place where students, staff, parents, and visitors can gather, share, and connect. Inspired by the idea that “if you build it, they will come”, the café is already becoming a focal point for interaction and celebration. This new space stands on the legacy of the original tuckshop, made possible by a generous bequest from Kathleen Campbell-Brown, a beloved French teacher at St Margaret’s from 1933 to 1945. Her dedication to education and community lives on in the café’s spirit of hospitality and connection.

Alongside the Canopy Café, the newly converted Community House now serves as the Student Wellbeing Centre – a sanctuary of support and belonging. With its deep ties to the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, it offers emotional and practical support, helping reduce isolation and strengthen the bonds among students and staff. These additions are a testament to the school’s commitment to enriching student life and fostering a thriving community, reinforcing our belief that by strengthening our connections with others, we can create a more vibrant, resilient, and fulfilling student experience.

The restoration of Community House and the café’s creation was supported by a collective of generous individual donors, including members of the School Council, Foundation, Trust, P&F Association, and the Old Girls’ Association. Thank you to our Past Students who are so willing to donate; your investment in St Margaret’s is not only acknowledgment of how you benefitted as a student from the generosity of others, but it is recognition of your belief in the power of community, connection, and care at St Margaret’s.

You may have seen the social media posts advising that at the recent International Coalition of Girls Schools (ICGS) Ceremony of Recognition in Philadelphia, I was honoured to receive the Founders Leadership Award and to be asked to speak briefly to the audience of 600 delegates. Within that address, I spoke about how girls’ schools are uniquely positioned to foster environments free from gender stereotypes – that they are places where:

• girls see themselves reflected in every leadership role
• risk-taking is encouraged, and failure is reframed as learning
• collaboration is valued alongside competition
• every voice matters, and every perspective is heard.

While it is not always easy – girls don’t always push boundaries as we hope – I remind myself that we are not just educating the child in front of us, but the 28-year-old she will become. The success of our graduates speaks volumes and affirms this thought.

I firmly believe that regardless of context or tuition fees, educating a girl well changes lives, families, communities, and generations. Great girls’ schools go beyond academic excellence. They cultivate civility, resilience, and confidence. They discourage learned helplessness and the need to please. They empower girls to raise their hands, take intellectual risks, and pursue their passions unapologetically.

As schools, we face complex challenges – from the ethical use of technology and artificial intelligence to rising anxiety levels and the pressures of social media. Issues like consent, respectful relationships, and domestic violence must be addressed with courage. Equity and accessibility remain critical concerns, especially for girls from underserved communities. We must continue to bridge these gaps through scholarships, partnerships, and innovative programs.

We are at a pivotal moment in the education of girls, and while we celebrate achievements, we must recognise the work ahead. When I accepted the award, I acknowledged that I accepted surrounded by fellow leaders who are equally committed to this cause. Together, we champion the transformative power of girls’ schools – one girl at a time.

Per Volar Sunata

Ros Curtis AM
Principal