Teacher Feature: Mr Ray Geise OAM

These awards were established to honour excellence in leadership, teaching and innovation in the Anglican education sector.

St Margaret’s nominated Ray for this award to honour not only the incredible impact he had as an educator and initiator of Toc H at the school but in recognition of his impact on the wider community.

Ray’s association with Anglican Schools began in 1969, at The Hutchins School in Hobart, St Paul’s School at Bald Hills, and later at St Margaret’s, where he served for 23 years (1993–2016). His teaching portfolio (History, French, Indonesian, RVE and Accounting) reflected an extraordinary pedagogical depth and subject expertise. For 25 years, Ray was state panel chair for foreign languages on the Board of Senior Secondary School Studies.

Ray’s most profound legacy at St Margaret’s was his revitalisation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and establishment of the Toc H club, both of which continue to enrich the school’s service culture today. His stewardship of RVE was marked by exceptional commitment, pastoral insight, and his ability to deeply connect with young people.

In 2012, Ray’s significant impact on the St Margaret’s community was evident through his research and writing of a 314 page book documenting the history and impact of the school’s founders – the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent – an historical gem preserving the stories of the many SSA schools for future generations.

Ray’s influence extends far beyond St Margaret’s or any single institution. He served as private secretary to the founder of Toc H in London, and later as Warden of Talbot House (1962–64). For more than 20 years, he has chaired the management committee of the Toc H Centre on Bribie Island, a wellbeing facility supporting people in need and those living with disabilities. Even today, he is planning a multi-disciplinary wellbeing event for senior students and the wider northern Brisbane community, evidence of a lifelong commitment to service leadership.

In 1996, Ray was the recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for service to Toc H and the community. Additionally, he received the Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal, the Centenary of Federation Medal (2002), and was appointed as a Knight of Honour of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (2010). In 2010 he was named Patron of St Margaret’s School (2010/2011) – an honour reserved for the most committed servants of the school who leave an enduring legacy. 

He continues to support St Margaret’s today, presenting an annual English prize in honour of his late wife (past student and staff member of St Margaret’s), participating in ANZAC Day ceremonies, and mentoring Toc H students.

Ray’s legacy is visible in the countless students who completed programs he championed, the communities he strengthened, and the values he modelled daily. His life’s work stands as a powerful inspiration for current and future educators and students.

Ray’s honour was one of the eight St Margaret’s staff/programs shortlisted across ten categories.

Congratulations to finalists, Dean of Academics Caitlin McCluskey for Contribution to Learning for Senior Leaders, Secondary Teacher Cassandra Pincott for Contribution to Learning for Middle and Senior School Teachers, and Primary Teacher Karen Andrews-Close for Contribution to Learning for Primary and Early Childhood Career Teachers and Primary Teacher Nikita Uscinski for Early Career Teacher (First 5 Years).

We are proud to share St Margaret’s programs won in three categories, including our First Nations Publications Gidhal, Mulu Maguydan and Yumi Kaikai, Yumi Stories for Best Reconciliation Initiative, On Being Human for the Archbishop’s Award for Most Engaging Religious and Values Education Initiative, and the Ponytail Project for the Archbishop’s Award for High Impact Service-Learning Initiative.