Back to school marks a century long legacy for one St Margaret's family

Year 5 student Isla Won’s family connection to the school spans around 130 years, dating back to the late 1890s and the school’s early years, when her great great grandmother Annie Bullock (nee Tanswell) attended what was then Eton High School in Nundah.

For over a century, her family members have walked through the gates of St Margaret’s including great grandmother Joan Bowman (‘47), grandmother Jenny Stevens (nee Bowman, ’73), and mum Dr Rebecca Won (nee Stevens, ‘99). Isla’s aunt Hannah Hall-Brown (nee Stevens,’06) Maternal Great Aunts Joanne Bowman (’75) and Elizabeth Storey (nee Bowman, ’78), and Paternal Great Aunt Michele Stevens (’74), also attended the school and it is planned that Isla’s cousin Ella Hall-Brown (now two) will start her journey at some point in the future.

As Isla walked through the school gates for the first time, Rebecca said she felt proud, excited and emotional.

“I’m excited because I had such a wonderful experience here, made lifelong friends, and looking forward, I can see what the future holds for her.”

“It’s also knowing that the school will provide so many opportunities, and that along the way, she will find what she likes and is good at,” Rebecca said.

Principal Ros Curtis AM said to see a fifth-generation student start her school journey was a wonderful testament to the deep trust families place in the school and the enduring strength of girls’ education across generations.

“Their story reflects more than a century of belief in the value of an all-girls education. It’s remarkable that the same educational philosophy that guided Isla’s great great grandmother over a century ago continues to shape our students today.”

While family tradition certainly played a role in selecting St Margaret’s for Isla, Rebecca says there were many other attributes that influenced her decision.

“St Margaret’s instilled in me the importance of kindness, strong values, a willingness to try new things and, importantly, the notion that girls can do anything.”

Rebecca acknowledges that her St Margaret’s education and participation in rowing gave her the self-confidence, resilience and perseverance to pursue a career as a Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand surgeon in a field where gender disparity is highly prevalent.

Her mum Jenny recollects the same message of female empowerment being distilled during her own school days, which led her to a successful career as CEO and Clinical Director at Attune Hearing. A talented athlete at school, Jenny recalls one occasion where she learnt ‘girls can do anything’.

“I remember going to Miss Dyason and saying to her I don’t want to do the scissors kick for high jump, I want to try the Frosbury flop because I think I can get higher.”

Miss Dyason supported Jenny in her sporting aspirations, arranging for her to attend training at Churchie where they were doing the flop.

“And I won it!” Jenny said.

Rebecca, Hannah and Jenny each have fond memories of times spent with their boarding friends.

“The boarding community certainly set the character and the fabric of the school,” Jenny said. “Some of my best friends today were boarders when we were at school.”

Hannah said: “The boarders provided such a beautiful balance of diversity of backgrounds and upbringings.”

Isla may not realise it yet, but she is about to embark on her own journey making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. She also will have the opportunity to develop the confidence, capability and compassion to make her mark on the world, just as the incredible female role models in her family have done before her.

We would love to hear more multi-generational stories like that of Isla. If your family is a multi-generational St Margaret’s family, please contact our Archivist, Mary Surtees, to share your story: msurtees@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or phone (07) 3862 0816.