From the Principal - OGA eNews Issue 1 2024

Each year, the school adopts a theme. This year it is ‘Striving.’ Inspired by a book by Adam Fraser, Strive – Embracing the Gift of Struggle, this seemed a great theme for our school and students. Fraser defines striving as ‘taking deliberate action towards a meaningful goal, aspiration, or vision. However, it is not just any type of action. The action must require people to evolve and exhibit courage in the face of struggle.’

Congratulations to our graduates of 2023 and our newest Old Girls. Only 34 students across the State received the top ATAR of 99.95. One student from St Margaret’s was among them. Just under 62% of ATAR eligible students received an ATAR of 90 or above, which places them in the top 10% in the state. Our median ATAR was 91.05. Our Pathways students graduated with a rich array of diplomas, certificates, and school-based traineeships. One hundred per cent of our students graduated with a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

In 2023, St Margaret’s cemented its reputation across Australia as a leading school receiving no fewer than nine awards or recognition from industry related bodies. All  these awards listed below are competitive, and are awarded after a comprehensive application process, followed by short listing by panels of education experts across all sectors – government, catholic and independent schools.

• 5 Star Employer of Choice Award - The Educator
• Louise Brown - Most Influential Educator - The Educator 
• 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Award Winner - Education category - for St Margaret's Reconciliation Action Plan
• Excellence in Marketing and Communications Award Winner for the Imagine Your Future campaign - Educate Plus, Queensland Summit Awards
• Margot Shave - 2023 Roslyn Otzen Award for Exceptional Teaching - Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia
• Secondary School of the Year - Non-government Excellence Awardee - Australian Education Awards
• Sarah Singleton - Primary School Teacher of the Year Excellence Awardee - Non-government - Australian Education Awards
• Georgi Eadie - Rising Star - The Educator
• Georgi Eadie - Rising Star of the Year Excellence Awardee - Non-government - Australian Education Awards

The building work to improve the amenities on campus, which began towards the end of 2023, continues into 2024. The Forest and new Canopy Cafe are currently under construction and will be a very highly valued space for the students when complete. Below is a photo of the demolition of the old tuckshop to make way for a more functional Canopy Café. Preliminary work will continue on creating a Wellness Centre in Community House and the master plan, outlining the plans for future development, will be published early this year.

Raising funds for these projects, which benefit all students, will be the focus of our Giving Day, which will be held on Wednesday May 22nd this year.

2024 will be the 10th anniversary of the Ponytail Project and we have ambitiously set a target to raise $300K for the Queensland Cancer Council. Please take the time to consider being involved in this worthy event. More detailed information can be found within this newsletter. We need the support of our Old Girls to achieve this goal.

2024 promises to be another exciting year, and I hope it is one where all members of the community are striving towards their goals, overcoming challenges, and celebrating the joys of achievement. Happy 2024!

Per Volar Sunata

Ros Curtis
Principal