LEADING FROM A STRONGER PLACE
St Margaret’s celebrates 110 years in 2020, and still, there is such an incredible vibrancy at the college. Diana Patchett, Executive Principal, feels the energy the girls bring each day is palpable.
“One of the things we do well is balance. The girls are led to focus on future goals with purposeful engagement in academic pursuits, but at the same time, we have a lovely sense of fun. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and as a result, the girls build strong relationships and are happy as they walk through those school gates every day.
“The staff focus on each girl’s individuality which in turn amplifies our incredible diversity.
The aim is to honour, uplift and celebrate everybody’s gifts and abilities.
“There’s a saying ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’. We see that everybody gets swept up in that along the way. It’s an encouraging environment – and that brings out the best in everyone.”
The Middle School Years 7-10 structure fosters a positive growth mindset and confidence with smaller tutor groups, specialist teachers and facilities and a varied curriculum that pays respect to this critical stage of their lives. This then sets them up well for Year 11 onwards, for NCEA and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
There is a 100 per cent pass rate across multiple domains, which Diana attributes to the atmosphere of encouragement and aspiration of excellence, and the professionalism of the teachers.
In the past 12 months, the College community has adopted a sustainability charter featuring four key pillars; environmental, economic, cultural, and social. This framework guides decision making throughout the school and becomes a true north for the girls.
“We are paying respect to the foundation that has been laid for us; we need to demonstrate good stewardship under all four of those pillars. We make sure we’re leading from a stronger place for the girls who come after. Having this guiding document with strong collaborative input has meant the momentum gained in the last year’s initiatives far exceeded ‘anything dreamed possible’.
“We want to set the girls up for success, whatever success looks like for them. This rapidly changing landscape of tertiary studies and careers can cause anxiety and apprehension. By enabling a strong foundation, we hope to create a tailwind for these young people, so that they are excited about what is in store in their future.”