I always think that Old Girls of St Margaret’s will be heartened by evidence that the school that had an important formative role in their early lives is still providing wonderful experiences for the current students. Enrolments are very strong, and the school has waitlists in eight out of the fourteen year levels from Prep to Year 12 for 2024. So far this year, the school has been recognised in the areas of Indigenous education, as an Employer of Choice, and for staff and programs in both the primary and secondary schools.

Recently, St Margaret’s received a Queensland Reconciliation Award from the Queensland Government, winning the education section for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We are incredibly proud of the work that goes into our RAP and equally proud of our community who have embraced the positive actions that have arisen from it. The awards evening was held during Reconciliation Week. During this week at school, our students participated in activities that provided education and insight into the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

One of the highlights of our RAP has been the production of two First Nations authored anthologies, spearheaded by secondary English Teacher Margot Shave. At a recent conference in Hobart, Margot was on hand to accept the 2023 Roslyn Otzen Award for Exceptional Teaching from the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia for her work in this area.

In other award news, St Margaret’s was named Employer of Choice for the third consecutive year by The Educator Australia. This award recognises the commitment to growing our staff and establishing a respectful and inclusive culture of community. Our annual survey of staff provides evidence that despite the long-term disruption caused by the pandemic staff morale is very high as is satisfaction with St Margaret’s as an employer. This is an area where we direct a lot of energy and time, assisting staff with their professional growth and nurturing their wellbeing.

We are thrilled that St Margaret’s was a finalist in three categories at the prestigious 2023 Australian Education Awards in August.Excellence Awards are automatically given to those schools who are finalists and we have been awarded Excellence Awards in three categories: Mrs Sarah Singleton – Primary School Teacher of the Year – Non-Government; Ms Georgi Eadie – Education Rising Star of the Year; and the St Margaret’s Secondary School (Secondary School of the Year - Non-Government). This is wonderful recognition for our primary and secondary schools.

In addition to this, 23 teachers in both the primary and secondary schools have been nominated for a National Excellence in Teaching Award (NEiTA). As we continue to strive to always be an outstanding day and boarding school for girls, our students are the true beneficiaries of the excellent work that sees the school recognised each year for their outstanding staff and programs education industry-based awards.

Per Volar Sunata

Ros Curtis
Principal