From the Principal - OGA eNews Issue 4, 2026

Over the past 16 years, I have told my Principal colleagues that one of St Margaret’s strengths is its relationship with the Old Girls who graciously and generously give their time and expertise. We have an incredibly special past student group – one which is very engaged and interested, and ready to assist when needed. This does set St Margaret’s apart from many other schools. My role as Vice Patron of the OGA ends in December as it is dependent on holding the Principal position. It has been an enjoyable and valued role for me to have. Thank you to all the past students who I have met, for your support, warmth, and ongoing contribution to the future of St Margaret’s.

The 2026 academic year at St Margaret’s has gone very quickly. Each year we decide a theme and this year it was Optimism and Gratitude. This theme was referred to often – at assemblies, Chapel services and in classrooms throughout the year and was promoted by the School Captains and Prefects. There were many examples of optimism and gratitude over a wide variety of activities this year and further information about key stories can be found on our website. However, in this final edition of the Old Girls’ Newsletter, I have chosen to highlight a few key achievements. It is difficult to choose from so many; however, the below list speaks to the variety and breadth of the student experiences. They are in no particular order.

1. Enrolments in both the primary and secondary departments are strong with 1,454 students.
2. Our 2025 graduates achieved outstanding results. 68.3% percent of seniors earned an ATAR 90 and above and 8.1% received 99 or above. Our median ATAR was 93.05. In the portfolio pathway, 21 diplomas were awarded, and 36 certificate courses were completed.
3. St Margaret’s introduced a new strategic plan – ‘Every Girl, Every Opportunity’ – at the beginning of the year.
4. In 2026, 50 Year 12 students chose to actively participate in the Mentoring Program with Past Student Mentors.
5. Our Senior students led the whole student body and broader community to raise $135,000 in the Ponytail Project. These funds support the Queensland Cancer Council and the Minotti Trust. In 2025, 140 students and three staff members participated in this event. Our philanthropy student leaders raised over $13,000 for their chosen charity which became the school charity for the year, Anglicare Youth Homelessness Project.
6. 50 of our Year 10 students participated in our Global Exchange Program this year, and we welcomed to our school community a corresponding number of overseas visitors.
7. The St Margaret’s ski trip was to Japan in January and our secondary students participated in a service-learning trip to Fiji in the June/July holidays.
8. St Margaret’s continues to shine in eSports, having the reputation as a leading school for girls in gaming. For the first time this year, QGSSSA held eSports competitions. St Margaret’s had many successes in other sports. Just a few highlights include rowing, where we came second in both the Percentage and Aggregate Cups. We placed second in both the QGSSA Swimming and Cross Country Championships Percentage Cups. Nine club water polo teams made it to the medal matches, with five securing podium places including two gold medals. In Andrews Cup to date, St Margaret’s has placed first in the cross country, second in the swimming, and earned six podium places in the netball. Two club netball teams also secured gold and the QGSSA 7B netball team also placed first. Our lifesavers brought home the Sheena Dyason Shield for Champion School – Female for the 25th consecutive year and also brought home the Judith Beal Shield as overall champions. Touch football boasted three premierships this year.
9. At this year’s Giving Day, we raised $700,000 thanks to the generous donations of so many in the community, including a growing number of Old Girls. These funds were directed to financial needs-based bursaries and to the Building Fund, specifically to assist in the Performing Arts Precinct build. It was exciting to hold the turning of the sod ceremony in May this year and to subsequently see earthworks finally commence. The Performing Arts Precinct will serve many purposes, none more so than to provide a fitting home for our music program which was brilliantly showcased at this year’s Mayo Arts Festival – a wonderful community event embraced and enjoyed by all.
10. Over the year the school and its staff were recognised in industry-based awards: In The Educator Magazine Awards Jessica Braham (Acting Assistant Head of Faculty – Sociocultural Studies) was acknowledged as a Rising Star and Belinda Knowles as a Most Influential Educator. In the inaugural Queensland ASCENT Anglican School Awards, St Margaret’s winners were: High Impact Service Learning – Ponytail Project; Hall of Fame Award – Ray Geise OAM; Best Reconciliation Initiative – Natalie Grant and Margot Shave; Most Engaging Religious Education Initiative – Louise Brown and Reverend Jazz Dow. St Margaret’s was named by The Educator as a 5-Star Best School and Employer of Choice (for the sixth consecutive year). 27 members of teaching staff were recognised in the National Excellence in Teaching Awards. The school also received two Excellence Awards in the prestigious Australian Education Awards for Primary School of the Year – Non-government and Best Professional Learning Program.

It has been another busy and productive year in the history of St Margaret’s and, of course, there were more achievements or celebrations that could have been highlighted. However, it was also a year marked by significant loss. In April we farewelled Sister Sandra at a moving service at St Columbs, and very recently were all shocked by the sudden loss of Sister Gillian. We have all felt this keenly but, due to the Sisters’ vision championing a change to the Society of the Sacred Advent Constitution, led by Sister Gillian, the SSA continues under the leadership of Reverend Sister Jan Crombie and Reverend Sister Gillian Moses and the school under the direction of the SSA Trust, ensuring the philosophy and ethos of the Sisters continues to pervade everything we do at St Margarets.

As I write this, we are about to graduate another 164 Old Girls! Thank you to the OGA for its sponsorship of the Aspiring Young Women’s Network and for the support throughout the year.

Finally, thank you to everyone for all your support and engagement. It has been a privilege and an honour to be part of the St Margaret’s community. I wish the incoming Principal, Mrs Nicole Devlin, my very best in her new role. Farewell.

Per Volar Sunata

Ros Curtis AM
Principal