From the Principal - OGA eNews 2, 2023

One always hopes that when a student leaves a school and becomes a past student that they and their parents have the view that, on balance, St Margaret’s was a great school and one that met their needs and expectations. Rather than be left wondering, each year, St Margaret’s commissions an independent survey of past parents and students to provide performance feedback on a wide range of school performance topics.

The feedback from these surveys greatly assists the school with both its operational and strategic planning, particularly in pursuing one of our important strategic goals ‘Strengthening the St Margaret’s Experience’.

In 2022, 76 parents and 120 students from Year 12 participated in surveys and provided views on areas such as academic performance, student wellbeing, sports, extra-curricular music, club and activities, communications, and reputation.

Parents

Some of the parents' top ten findings are detailed below, ranked in order of the importance the parents placed on reasons for choosing a school for their daughter.

1. 91% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the quality of teaching
2. 99% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the focus on student wellbeing, providing a safe and caring environment
3. 99% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to a balanced education
4. 99% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the academic standards
5. 97% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the school leadership
6. 96% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the school values
7. 100% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the facilities and resources.
8. 99% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the sense of community
9. 100% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the school’s reputation and tradition
10. 97% of parents noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the social and cultural diversity

Students

Some of the students' top-level findings are detailed below, ranked in order of the importance the parents placed on reasons for choosing a school.

1. 98% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the quality of teaching
2. 86% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the focus on student wellbeing, providing a safe and caring environment
3. 93% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to a balanced education
4. 98% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the academic standards
5. 94% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the school leadership
6. 99% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the school’s values
7. 97% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the facilities and resources
8. 97% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the sense of community
9. 99% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the school’s reputation and tradition
10. 82% of students noted their expectations were met or exceeded in relation to the social and cultural leadership

Anything over 80% is considered to be in the high category. These are really affirming statistics and can be best summed up by the following survey comment made by one of our graduating parents: ‘I think St Margaret’s walk the talk so to speak with their mantra "Local school with a global outlook".  The school has an amazing community spirit where my daughter feels extremely safe and comfortable. I love that St Margaret’s are educating young women to be the best they can at whatever they choose without limits.’

I hope you all felt the same upon graduating from St Margaret’s.

Per Volar Sunata

Ros Curtis
Principal