Looking to sell or know someone who is? As a St Margarets College old girl, I would like to offer a $500 gift voucher to you and $500 to the school for any referral business that results in a sale.
Laura Hitchon 021 224 4849 | laura.hitchon@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
Residential / Commercial / Rural / Lifestyle
Contents
16
5
3
12
248
Opening Remarks Current Leaders – Georgia Lassen Foundation – For the love of art Coast to Coast – Sophie Beaumont Five Minutes With... Out & About – Welcome Family BBQ Out & About – Father Daughter Breakfast, Cranmer Assembly 2021 Strategic Priorities The Arts Sport Boarding Pre-School Junior School Middle School Senior School Senior School Foundation Diploma Old Girls’ Association Old Girl News, Golf Results Old Girls’ Calendar, Sad Farewells Reunion Weekend, Leavers’ Ball Alumni Profile – Kate Murray Alumni Profile – Bet Godfrey Remembering Marie Ellis / Rosita Holenbergh From the Archives In Closing
WE’RE YOUR LOCAL... For all your signage, packaging & print media!
Call Lorene for more information on 03 366 8516 or Email lorene@caxton.co.nz 32 Lodestar Ave, Wigram
I www.caxton.co.nz
PROUD PRINTERS OF EVERGREEN MAGAZINE!
2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32
Opening Remarks DIANA PATCHETT
The Class of 2021 theme, ‘It’s Your Masterpiece’, encourages us all to embrace the opportunities of a new year and to delight in the co-creation of a metaphorical artwork for our girls. Attending St Margaret’s College and experiencing both the excellence and diversity of our programmes will surely realise a masterpiece that every girl can be proud of. The benefits of choosing an independent education have been reinforced this year in ongoing media reports. New Zealand primary and intermediate principals are incredibly frustrated with the Government for falling standards in maths and science but their hands are tied. The mandated national curriculum and crowded ‘modern learning’ environments make it very difficult for them to address the obvious challenges of their students in realising their potential. Independent schools, however, are inherently flexible. We can choose our own curriculum and tailor this to better meet the needs of our students. Our small class sizes and additional teacher resources allow us to offer an appropriate and challenging programme for each girl, stretching them to achieve their potential. Two years ago we recognised the limitations of the national maths curriculum, especially for our Junior and Middle School students, so we developed a programme that better prepares our girls for success.
2
Our girls benefit from a specialist science curriculum that provides a developmental programme across the Junior, Middle and Senior schools, including units that introduce the younger girls to our world-class science teachers and facilities. Included in this edition of Evergreen is the exciting announcement of the SMC Senior School Foundation Diploma that will replace Level 1 NCEA for girls in Year 11 from 2022. This is another example of how flexible teaching and learning at St Margaret’s College provides an advantage for our students. Maintaining specialist course offerings, strengthening academic rigour and developing the skills and attributes that will better prepare the girls for success in their choice of senior pathway, NCEA or International Baccalaureate, are key positive outcomes from this undertaking. As an independent school, St Margaret’s College is proud of our exemplary record in providing tailored education services and innovative curriculum, enabling our girls to pursue their post-school aspirations with confidence. More importantly, they are empowered to learn, live and lead, with the support and encouragement to create their own masterpiece. Diana Patchett – Executive Principal
Current Leaders GEORGIA LASSEN Georgia Lassen barely stops to draw breath. She’s full of ideas, bursting with energy and always keen to try new things. And if the 2021 Head Girl could give younger students some advice, it would be just that. “Always be open to new opportunities because you might just find something you love or enjoying doing where you least expect it." “Everyone has strengths and weaknesses; I think recognising this is what gives you the power to succeed and prosper. The wonderful thing about this school is there’s so much on offer, so many opportunities to challenge yourself and to grow. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without taking advantage of this. The experiences I’ve gained have really helped shape me and they continue to support me in my leadership role this year. “When I was younger, I wasn’t really a school kind of a person, but once I started at St Margaret’s College, the amazing opportunities I had really opened my eyes to learning. SMC has taught me to strive for excellence and has emphasised the importance of hard work, persistence and dedication.” Georgia applies determination, combined with a generous dose of enthusiasm, to everything she does. Being Head Girl is something she has aspired to since starting at St Margaret’s in Year 9.
“I have a genuine passion for service. For me, that means a lot of things; giving your time, your energy, and your skills to help others. Most especially it’s being a voice for those who need one – I want to help raise other people up.” In their respective roles as Head Girl and Deputy, Georgia and Maya Laws are striving to nurture a collaborative environment where everyone feels included. “We want to be really genuine, approachable, loyal and relatable.” This year Georgia is studying an interesting mix of scholarship english, statistics, economics, business and drama ahead of potentially embarking on a double degree of law and commerce next year. Drama, though, is one of her big loves so it’s not surprising to see her as Head of Drama at St Margaret’s College. “My Mum works in theatre, so I’ve grown up being surrounded by the industry and the people in it. I’m a Court Youth Jester at The Court Theatre and this year I’m working towards my advanced ASB teaching diploma in speech and drama. There’s something about going out on stage. It gives you a little buzz, it’s like electricity.” Living on the family farm at Greenpark near Lake Ellesmere, Georgia is the first in her family to attend St Margaret’s College although sister Claudia is in Year 8 while her brother, Henry, is in Year 11 at Christ’s College.
3
Foundation
FOR THE LOVE OF ART The SMC Foundation Art Exhibition and Sculpture Garden 2020 was held towards the end of last term. This was a huge relief for everyone, considering the current climate of level changes where events have had to be cancelled at the drop of a hat. Once again hailed as a huge success, the event brought together current and past parents, Old Girls and the wider community to enjoy all things art. This was the third art exhibition held by the St Margaret’s College Foundation with over 1000 visitors passing through the doors, confirming this three-day event has become an anticipated fixture in the Christchurch art-scene calendar. Over 100 well-respected artists were showcased from across New Zealand. And there was something for everyone with over $165,000 worth of art and sculpture sold.
4
Raising over $40,000 to empower girls to learn, live and lead, this event was a wonderful opportunity for the SMC Foundation to support the school. Not only to raise funds
for supporting future generations but also engaging with the wider school community and showcasing all St Margaret’s College has to offer. Our heartfelt thanks must go to the presenting partner, Irelands – expert property managers and everyone who enjoyed the exhibition. A special mention and thank you to the wonderful PFA members and school staff who so generously volunteered their time to help. An event of this size simply would not be possible without such a generous hearted community to support it. And now as we rush through 2021, it is with great excitement the Foundation looks forward to supporting the upcoming Senior and Y1-Y10 productions. Both have amazing partnership opportunities on offer, so please contact Claire Robb at claire.robb@stmargarets.school.nz for further details. Claire Robb – Philanthropy Development Manager
Coast to Coast SOPHIE BEAUMONT
Sophie Beaumont has that irrepressible enthusiasm and energy you want to bottle. The english and social science teacher, who’s in her fifth year at St Margaret’s College, is always on the go but is probably never happier than in the outdoors. “I often talk about 'Type Two Fun' – that's when you didn't realise something was fun until after you've finished doing it. I'm a huge fan of ‘Type Two Fun’, so while the stuff I get up to might not sound enjoyable, I can promise that it is; just sometimes not until the next day!” That includes being particularly fond of tramping and more recently, trail running. Sophie recently did the mountain run section of the Coast to Coast and loved it so much that she’s planning to do the full event next year. “I think that being in the outdoors really helps us to put our own lives in perspective. For me, the scale of the mountains helps me to appreciate that my own problems aren't so bad after all. I think that challenging ourselves in the outdoors can help us to feel energised and appreciate how much we can achieve when we push ourselves. “I've always loved the outdoors and being in nature makes me feel very at peace. At the weekends I can often be found biking in the port hills, tramping throughout the Canterbury region, or running up some kind of mountain. “ Sophie was fortunate to grow up in a family of very outdoorsy people. As a kid, her parents took her brothers and her tramping, sailing, biking and skiing; all things which she’s continued into her adult life.
This year, she’s is working with Miss McLaughlin to get the SMC Tramping Club up and running, which she’s super excited about. Sophie is passionate about the environment. Anyone who’s been in her classroom will know it frequently becomes a think tank for solving the world's problems. “I'm very conscious of the impact that my lifestyle has on the environment so I try to balance out the long driving distances to the mountains by riding a bike around town and to and from school. I've cut most animal products from my diet and I do my best to eat in-season produce so that it doesn't have a huge carbon footprint from being imported. I do my best to support local businesses that practise sustainable and ethical business models. Longer-term, I'm hoping to swap my petrol car for an EV but that might take a while.” • Sophie and her partner are on the look-out for a puppy, so if anyone in the SMC community knows of a spoodle puppy looking for a home, let her know!
5
5 Minutes With... JENNIE NAIRN
Associate Principal If you could invite any two people in the world to dinner, who would they be? Why? Imagine how wonderful it would be as long as there was someone else to cook! Nelson Mandela has always been one of my inspiring leaders. His presence, I understand from those who have met him was incredible, and his faith and patience to manage all those years in prison, and then to make such a positive contribution, is a strong lesson in forgiveness. The other person would be Jacinda Ardern. She is such a role model for our girls; she demonstrates they do not need to be ‘old and wise’ to be fantastic leaders. Imagine the conversation between her and Nelson – not sure I would be doing anything other than listening. What’s the best book you read last year? How tricky to list one – so I won’t but they are varied. ‘Girl, Women, Other’ by Bernadine Evaristo is about the lives of 12 women living in different times, learning about themselves and the constraints life places on them. ‘I am Jazz’ by Jazz Jennings is a courageous account of the life of a young transgender teen as she and her family have navigated her life challenges. ‘Jerningham’ was written by a good friend who took the brave step of doing what she always wanted to do, to be an author. This is a well research-based historical novel. A great read!
6
Do you have time for any hobbies? What are they? Skiing is definitely number one. I love the power, serenity and exhilaration of the mountains. Mountain biking. I’ve always been around mountain bikes as my boys were those crazy downhill racers, but I now have my own bike and love the more sedate, but scenic tracks. What’s your favourite holiday destination? Why? Beach v mountains, it’s a hard one! One very memorable day when I lived in Hawkes Bay was the four hours skiing at Turoa and time in the surf at Waimarama at the end of the day. While I love to travel and have been to many fabulous places in other countries, I feel grateful each day that New Zealand is my home. What is the best piece of advice you could give a young woman? ‘Strong back, soft front, wild heart’ is one of my favourite quotes from Brene Brown. For our young women, I would change to ‘Strong back, soft front, curious heart’. I would love for our girls to be on-going learners and challenge ways of thinking so they arrive at the best decision. Done with the empathy of a soft heart will ensure people are always at the centre of decision making and the strong back will give them the strength and courage for those tough decisions.
5 Minutes With... SIAN EVANS
Head of Senior School What are the three top things on your bucket list and why? I love studying and learning, and have always wanted to complete a PhD in english literature, so if I won Lotto I’d definitely go back to university. I’d also love to go back and do more undergraduate courses in a range of subjects. I’d also definitely like to do more travelling one day. I find the experience of visiting new countries and cultures mesmerising. I grew up in South Africa, and I’ve travelled a bit across the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, but I’d really like to do more of Africa. As for the third, I have about a million books on my to-read list! I remember once in Year 3 my teacher asking the class what we were most afraid of, and I said I was afraid that I would die before I’d had a chance to read all the books I want to read! I’d love to do some writing as well. What’s the best film you saw last year and why? Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’. I’m a huge Nolan fan, and this one came out just as my Year 13 english class last year was studying one of Nolan’s earlier films, Memento, so we went on a class trip to the cinema to watch it, which was heaps of fun. It’s definitely one of those films that you need to spend a bit of time thinking and talking about, and maybe watch more than once to get your head around it, but beautifully
crafted and thoroughly enjoyable. My favourite director of all time is Stanley Kubrick though. His films are all so very different. When you can travel again, where are you heading to first? And why? Visiting friends (and shopping) in Sydney, definitely. I lived there for six years after the Christchurch earthquakes and part of me will always consider it home. I’m really glad we came home to Christchurch when we did, and were in New Zealand and close to family when the borders closed last year, but I have definitely had Sydney withdrawal symptoms since then. My five-year-old daughter, Sissy, started at SMC with me this year as a Year 1 student, and she’s obsessed with Disney movies. A year or so ago my sister, who lives in America, told her about Disneyland as a place where the real Disney princesses live, and ever since then a trip to Disneyland has been a continuous talking point in our household. If you hadn’t been involved in education, what would you have done? I probably hold some sort of record for the number of times I switched degree courses at university – at various points I planned to be a journalist, psychologist, lawyer and archaeologist.
7
Out & About Welcome Family BBQ
Inspiring Women’s Lunch Join us to hear inspirational entrepreneur and philanthropist, Theresa Gattung, share her remarkable story and how she works to make a profound difference in the lives of women and girls in New Zealand and around the world. Friday 28 May at 12:00pm – 2:00pm The George Hotel, 50 Park Terrace, Christchurch Tickets: $45 Book at: www.trybooking.co.nz/GTU (Limited availability)
8
Out & About Year 12/13 Father Daughter Breakfast
Cranmer Assembly
9
2021 Strategic Priorities Each year the Leadership Team assess our strategic priorities to make sure they represent the core culture of the school while ensuring continued success for students, staff and
families alike. If you have any questions regarding our 2021 Strategic Priorities, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Executive Principal, Diana Patchett.
RELATIONSHIPS & CONNECTEDNESS Creating Relationships • Effectively orientate and support new staff, students and whanau to embed an understanding of SMC culture and identity • Foster business connections across the SMC community • Enhance Old Girl networks to support lifelong connections and enable the empowerment of our students and alumni
Nurturing Relationships • Enhance tutor group practice to improve student self-efficacy, wellbeing, academic mentoring and community engagement • Foster intrinsic pride in St Margaret’s College, evident through high standards of presentation and behaviour • Enhance networking opportunities to connect parents across the year groups
Celebrating Relationships • • •
Promote our founding virtues, heritage, culture and Anglican character Encourage and celebrate the diversity of the SMC community Maintain and improve our bicultural competencies and strengthen our relationships with our local rūnanga, and Ngai Tahu and Te Waipounamu
EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL growth Professional Learning • Promote professional experiences and practice, through collegial sharing of best practice and knowledge, to develop and enhance the skills and abilities of our staff • Enhance the professional development of our teaching staff through the Professional Growth Cycle to ensure best practice • Actively explore opportunities for staff to improve and demonstrate their bicultural awareness and commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING Informing Learning • Develop high levels of self-efficacy and independence in our students and staff to ensure confident adaptability to change • Recognise and adapt programmes and pedagogy in response to student needs, including appropriate extension and enrichment • Maintain and improve meaningful communication of student progress and achievement
Leading Learning • Enrich and promote cohesive wellbeing programmes across SMC • Develop contemporary informed and responsive programmes to increase flexibility of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on the Year 11 programme, Middle School cross-curricular opportunities and localised curriculum in the Junior and Pre-schools • Further develop online resources to ensure high-quality remote teaching and learning programmes and experiences • Reflect our commitment to the SMC Sustainability Charter throughout teaching and learning programmes
10
ORGANISATIONAL EXCELLENCE Serving the Community • Maintain reputation as an employer of choice through fairness, opportunity, challenge, wellbeing and professional generosity • Realise opportunities to enhance the social conscience and service culture of the College and community • Continue strong charitable relationships to enhance a philanthropic culture, empathy and social awareness, especially within New Zealand
Upholding Reputation • Customer experiences consistently affirm St Margaret’s College as the girls’ school of choice • Promote our modern campus with leading-edge facilities and programmes, with an emphasis on our IB and NCEA senior pathways and our specialised Middle School offering • Staff demonstrate a high level of empathetic professionalism across all areas of the school • Uphold standards of boarding excellence across all three boarding houses
Operating Sustainably • Ensure responsible and efficient fiscal management • Optimise the roll and campus assets to sustain a high level of service and maximise return on investment • Establish ICT governance to protect our digital capabilities and resources • Recognise the challenges of climate change and adopt mitigating practices
Save the Date for Our Christchurch Parents’ Drinks 2021 A great way to catch up with other parents and chat with key members of staff. 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Aikmans Bar, Merivale
Junior School – 17 June Year 7/8 – 2 September Year 9 – 29 April Year 10 – 29 July Year 11 – 10 June Year 12 – 5 August (Please note Year 13s have a special parent function on 17 October at SMC)
We look forward to seeing you there!
11
The Arts
IT’S YOUR MASTERPIECE
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” van Gogh
The theme for 2021 at SMC is “It’s Your Masterpiece” – this got me thinking – what makes a masterpiece? Not quite knowing where to start I asked Google! This opened up a pandora’s box of answers, searching “what makes a masterpiece” produced 87,600,000 results! I have read a lot and thought at length about this and here’s what I have concluded – a masterpiece is something that is so original that it overwhelms us with its power, there is something intrinsic that captures our imagination and challenges the way we think about what we are seeing or hearing. I am blessed to get to see many masterpieces at SMC from the very beginning where it may be a group of students in a music class discussing ideas and themes for a song that then becomes a stunningly original piece of music, an artist applying the first stroke of paint to a canvas or the creative team bouncing ideas around for a unique and truly different school production. Each one truly is a masterpiece!
2021 will see two school productions – a Senior production “A Shakespearean Banquet” that will see us transform the Transitional Cathedral into a dinner/theatre space. The Y1-10 girls will be sure to delight in their presentation of the musical Annie. The IB Visual Art students are creating portfolios of work that is sure to impress, challenge and capture our imaginations… The photographs on these pages show masterpieces in all of their forms – from works presented at the end of the two year IB art programme, the first promotional photos for “A Shakespearean Banquet” to our students taking the stage at the Christchurch Town Hall. I hope you enjoy the masterpieces that 2021 will bring… Gill Blackler – Arts Facilitator Photos by Petra Mingneau and Jemima Helmore
100 Fendalton Road Christchurch (03) 351 7980 jennyburtt.florist@xtra.co.nz www.jennyburtt.co.nz
12
Piwakawaka – Zelle Logan Interference – Sophia Lawrence
13
Sport High performers in sport – there are three great myths of developing and identifying high performers that research has exposed. We decided to ask three of our high performing SMC Old Girls their thoughts on these three myths. Helen Belcher – Head of Sport
AMELIA GIBSON – hockey 1. Early specialisation is good ...If driven by the child. As a child I played multiple sports as well as dancing and music. My parents gave me many opportunities but followed the choices I made. Even at the age of eleven I knew I wanted to be a Black Stick, not for any glory but because I loved playing hockey and if I was a Black Stick that meant I could play hockey all the time. I was the one that pestered Mum and Dad to take me down to the turf and to take me to watch any hockey games so that I could learn. Naturally this meant that my drive to play hockey took up much time and pushed other sports out the window but this was my choice. I just loved hockey and no matter what obstacles were put in my way I found a way to overcome them. 2. Childhood success leads to adult success I don’t believe childhood success leads to adult success. Many children can be pushed by others to succeed but as children get older, adults have to relinquish the control. As a child ages, I believe it is their desire that then pushes them to adult success. Many children can be good at a young age but this does not mean they will have the desire to want to pursue a career in a sport or maybe not possess the top two inches that is needed to be an elite athlete. 3. Successful athletes focus on winning Winning does not just happen, it is a process. Although the end goal is to win, we wouldn’t bother competing if it wasn’t, we have to ensure we are taking the steps to be able to win. It can take days, weeks, or even years to master even one specific skill in a given sport. I was taught from my parents that for someone to win someone has to lose. In reality this is the inevitable. Experiencing politics, and losing, taught me how to master my emotions, how to focus on the process of being able to win. I had to ask myself what can I do to be better? What can I do to win? So, although the end result is winning, the focus is how we approach winning and the processes we have.
14
Amelia Gibson TIANA PLACID – basketball, netball, water polo 1. Early specialisation is good I have learnt over the years diversity is key, reason being is I wouldn't be where I am without my other sports. In New Zealand and in Christchurch we have the blessing of being able to try new sports and they complement each other. In Year 7 I wanted to play netball all year round! Despite the sprained ankles and shin splints mum told me I had to play or do something completely different. That opened up doors for water polo and surf life saving to come into my life. How did this compliment me you ask? I came into the netball season refreshed and excited every year. I wasn't burnt out and felt I gave more effort as I was always so excited for trainings and the season. A one-handed throw wasn't very common in netball however that was my specialty! If it wasn't for water polo I would not have had that tool. 2. Childhood success leads to adult success Define success? I am on the fence with this one... having the talent to make rep teams/ tournaments I had doors open to opportunities I never would have had if it wasn't for the potential they saw in me. I had mental skills coaching, strength and conditioning coaching, went overseas, had nutritionists etc, however I was going off natural talent. Looking back, I never fought to be in those positions. However, at the age I am at now that has moulded me to where I am now and to use those learnings as an adult. I train harder, I fight harder, I do things with purpose, I am
Tiana Placid
Lily Marshall
better for it. So, define success? If I wasn't talented, would I have slipped through the cracks or worked harder to get those opportunities... in the short term, I don't feel like it helped me as I wasn't ready to hear it. Now, I am so grateful for the opportunities given to me as a child and I feel like I have taken it on board and don't take it for granted anymore.
with lots of people. Although sport, especially netball and rowing, is a significant part of my life, it is not the only part.
3. Successful athletes focus on winning Especially as a kid, winning was one of the reasons I got up in the morning to train. Later on, in life your priorities change, however winning is up there. When you win, you have the risk of losing. Either way you get some amazing learnings from it – how to process those feelings of winning/losing, how do you want to show it? What could I have done better? How does this impact me and my team? We all have a competitiveness in us, it's a thrill trying to get the win.
LILY MARSHALL – netball, rowing 1. Early specialisation is good Growing up I was always encouraged to play as many different sports as I possibly could. Even in my final year of high school when netball was clearly my priority, I was still rowing for the school. I see this as fundamental for athlete development in terms of the different skills you gain from different sports, which allows for them to become better all-round athletes whilst also preventing injuries from overuse of single muscle groups. For me, playing multiple sports meant I was involved in lots of different sports teams
2. Childhood success leads to adult success Since leaving high school I have realised the success I had at school is in no way determinative of my success as an adult. When I was at school, I always thought my pathway to success would be linear. I thought that it was essential to make representative teams and that each year was just a stepping-stone to reaching my ultimate goal. I always knew it would be tough and heard many stories from athletes who experienced various setbacks over their sporting careers, yet I thought I could be the exception. I now know that is just not the reality. Adulthood brings with it so many changes in priorities and challenges that I could never imagine, all of which can shape your future. 3. Successful athletes focus on winning I strongly disagree with this. For me, success isn't just about winning, it's about whether you achieve your goals or not. If I only focus on winning, it takes away the ability to recognise the smaller improvements that often lead to bigger successes. If all I focus on is whether I win or make a team and I don't, I find I don't enjoy myself as much, as these goals are far more out of my control and more difficult to achieve. To me this isn't me aiming low, it's about setting realistic achievable goals that aren't impossible or out of my control and in turn allow me to achieve more success which makes being an athlete far more enjoyable.
15
Boarding
‘It’s Your Masterpiece’ is the theme for 2021 and we have had the privilege of watching our boarding girls over the last few weeks start to fill their blank canvases as they create their masterpiece for the year. Last week one of the girls said, “this is the year of no regrets, I’m taking up new challenges and putting myself out there”. These challenges will be the focus of her masterpiece and we look forward to watching her and the other girls grow with their masterpieces during the year. We were delighted to welcome a big intake of new boarders this year over all the age groups and it is lovely to see all the girls having fun, making friends and settling in well to boarding life. We kicked off the beginning of the year with Boarders Day In and started the day with an ‘Amazing Race’ from the boarding house, finishing up at the Botanical Gardens for some games and activities. The girls were set challenges along the way and once completed were given clues for the next location. The streets were awash with colour and noise as the girls raced about in their house colours. After a BBQ lunch back at the boarding house we spent the afternoon at Waimari Beach for games and a visit from Mr Whippy. In
16
the evening it was off to ice skating and on Sunday to the Colour Fun Run where you get doused from head to toe in coloured powder! It was a fun weekend enjoyed by all! The highlight of our weekend activities for the girls was a visit to the New Brighton hot pools which was a real treat. The learn to surf day in Sumner was also enjoyed and popular for all age groups. Other weekend activities have included the Lyttelton ferry to Diamond Harbour, the Adventure Park, going to the rugby and kayaking on the Avon. Our Year 10 girls are enjoying the first stages of their Rite Journey. Our Year 7’s had a great camp at Waipara and our Year 9’s enjoyed Glentui Meadows. We had a fun sleepover experience for girls who will be joining us next year, this was run in conjunction with a very successful Open Day. We have lots of great upcoming events planned for the girls: a quiz night with St Andrew’s for our younger girls, dinner swap with Christ's College, themed dinners, a buddy dinner where our Year 13’s mentor and support a Year 9 and we are also looking forward to a boarding mothers' lunch. We look forward to being part of the girl’s journey and watch as their grand masterpiece for 2021 is created. The SMC Boarding Team
Pre-School
Our inquiry this term has been based on exploration. The children have had many opportunities to explore a variety of activities that allow them to discover what they can and can’t yet do. These experiences encourage the children to build relationships while developing a sense of belonging within the Pre-School.
a treaty for how to look after the new plants and garden. We often hear the older children explaining to their peers about how to care for the garden – by watering the plants and to only look at them so they can grow. We hear how proud the children are for their part in building and maintaining a beautiful garden space.
We have welcomed a younger group of children to the Pre-School this term and the teachers have noticed the strong empathy and care that the older children are showing them as they settle into our daily routines.
The inquiry has also allowed the children to show their expertise in other areas. The children showed their learning from classes such as ballet, jazz and art and the pre-school environment is a wonderful space for all of our children to learn and work together.
When children start at a new pre-school, there is so much to learn, and experience and we are lucky to have a wonderful group of children who are ready and willing to offer support and kindness to them. A new specialist class this term has provided the children with many opportunities to role model and scaffold their learning to our younger tamariki. Emily-Kate has set up the Pre-school’s very own enviro-club. After planting and creating a new garden space, the children helped to develop
Vygotsky, a phycologist in child development believed ‘working in collaboration with a skilled instructor or more knowledgeable peers help students make connections between concepts. He maintained that learning occurs through purposeful, meaningful interactions with others.’ (https://educationaltechnology.net/vygotskys-zone-ofproximal-development-and-scaffolding/). Sarah Bradley – Pre-School Staff
17
Junior School
Balanced Foundations, Bright Futures, Bountiful Learning
Our Junior School has embarked on a journey of rich learning experiences by entering in the GROW ŌTAUTAHI 2021 festival. We were thrilled to have received the gold award for our garden design. Our garden was a collaborative effort between all of our girls and families in the Junior School. Each girl has participated, nurtured, learned, and contributed to this garden through learning, growing, and caring. The garden fully reflected who we are as a Junior School community, showing our rich history, bringing our school sustainability charter to life, celebrating our community, and becoming a vehicle for in-depth teaching of Kaitiaki to reinforce our REDS values (Responsible Citizen, Effective Communicator, Dynamic Thinker, and Self-manager). We purposefully chose a plentiful biodiversity of plants, which reflected the diversity within our school. The rainbow of colour plantings showed our close relationship with our
18
families. Our Big Sister – Little Sister relationships with the Senior members of our school were our scarecrows, and the red chair, which is our friendship chair, we use at school. Each class had a specific learning task to contribute • Year 1 and 2 learned about our school’s established worm farm. • Year 3 designed the planting table, which we use for seed harvesting and propagation and created our scarecrows. • Year 4 created labels in different languages. • Year 5 and 6 investigated bug hotels. One of the main highlights was seeing our Junior School ambassadors throughout the weekend! All of the girls were confident at being able to converse with a variety of people, explain the garden in detail and be proud to be a St Margaret’s College girl. Julie Calder – Head of Junior School
Middle School
Creating your masterpiece One of my favourite quotes often used to describe middle schoolers is they are both a masterpiece and a work in progress. The school theme for the year is about creating one’s own masterpiece and so Rosa Davidson and Piper Eder as our Student Heads of Middle School have introduced a palette of values to the girls. This palette is to encourage the students to consider where and how they can create their masterpiece. Each piece on the pallette is a value to aspire to. The girls use this as a theme for each of our Middle School assemblies. The first value was about passion and finding what you are truly passionate about. Rosa and Piper talked about their respective passions, volleyball and guitar. Rosa hadn’t even touched a volleyball until coming to St Margaret’s and is now in the New Zealand under 19 beach volleyball squad. Piper can play any song she likes on the guitar! Ms Williams, the Deputy Head of Middle School spoke about her experiences walking the Camino de Santiago – 742 km of walking! She spoke of the challenges and the
achievements of the day to day grind but how her passion for travel and how such opportunities allow her to see things from other people’s perspectives. A good challenge to us all that our passions may not always be easy but they bring us joy and create great memories. My wish is for all our students to find something they are passionate about this year. As William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” Kathryn Gray – Head of Middle School
Make your event an occasion For over 30 years we’ve combined our passion for food with the finest local ingredients to turn events into deliciously memorable occasions. Make your next event all it can be, with catering that surpasses every expectation. 03 355 6468 admin@lizziescuisine.co.nz lizziescuisine.co.nz
19
Senior School
This year has brought with it many changes and opportunities for the Senior School. Our Senior girls have had opportunities to shine at house swimming and athletics sports days, to compete at regional and national level in a range of sporting codes after the disappointment of cancellations last year, and of course to make a good start on their academic programmes of NCEA or IB. As the first Head of Senior School, I have really enjoyed being a part of more formally recognising the unique and important position that Year 11-13 students and teachers occupy at St Margaret’s College. I have always found working with students in this age group to be particularly rewarding and being in a position to guide the culture and strategy across Senior School teaching, learning and student care is incredibly exciting. A major focus for our teaching staff this year is the development of the Senior School Foundation Diploma, which will be implemented in Year 11 next year as a tailored course of learning and assessment to best prepare girls for NCEA or IB study in Years 12 and 13, and set them up as successful life-long learners thereafter. Some of the key benefits I look forward to in the Foundation Diploma are the wide range of specialist subjects we will be able to maintain in Year 11, the fact that students will no longer be able to opt out of assessments when they feel they have gained enough credits, and the longer period of time that girls will be in classes for teaching and learning during Term 4. More information on the Foundation Diploma can be found on the next page, and I encourage you to come along to our parent information evenings or contact me directly if you would like to discuss it in further detail. In the meantime, our current Year 11s have been working tirelessly to train for and complete a duathlon as part of their
20
physical activity course. I have been impressed watching them running and swimming, ably supported and encouraged by their peers. This is a daunting undertaking for many, and they have shown their grit and determination to succeed. Year 12 have had the opportunity recently to engage in a full day course called "Loves Me Not" run by our life skills teachers, the Police and representatives from Aviva. One key message is that every girl is lovable, capable and deserving of respect in any relationship she enters. We have looked at all the positives of healthy relationships and the hope that we all have when entering a new relationship. The day also touched on warning signs of unhealthy relationships, consent, help agencies, and what to do if we see abuse in relationships. This is an important part of our life skills programme and follow-up lessons continue through the year around these topics. The Year 13s have been taking the opportunity to mentor and support their Year 9 buddies through our peer support programme, and managed to put some of their own life skills learning to good use in writing a successful application to the St Margaret’s PFA requesting funding for new common room furniture, which we hope to have in place next term. This will coincide with the implementation of a higher trust model around study periods from Term 2, allowing Year 13s to leave the campus during these periods. And speaking of looking ahead, each of Year 13 girls has been invited to an individual career counselling interview with our amazing careers specialist, Jenni McLaughlin, over the course of Terms 1 and 2. We hope that they will find this an instructive and useful opportunity. Sian Evans – Head of Senior School
IB
International Baccalaureate
Senior School Foundation Diploma 13 YEAR R 12 YEA
NCEA
National Certificate of Educational Achievement
YEA YEA R 13 R 12
More teaching time
YEAR 11 SENIOR SCHOOL FOUNDATION DIPLOMA
E
S T C
Core set assessments
H O L I ST
Maintaining subject choice diversity
Global competency and service
IC
Narrowing the gap from Year 11 to Year 12
PERATION PRE EA ED D NC NC B AN HA R I EN FO
INCREA ACADEMI SED C RI GO R
SH A FOUNDATIO I L B A N EST FOR SUCCESS
SP E C IA L IST S U B J
ENT SSM SE AS YEAR 10
21
ST MARGARET’S COLLEGE
Parent Speaker Series
Monday 1 March • 7:00pm
JOHN PARSONS – “Cyber Safety” Keeping teenagers safe online
Monday 10 May • 7:00pm
MADONNA KING – “Ten-Ager” Understanding your daughters’ transition to the teenage years
Thursday 1 July • 7:00pm
PAUL DILLON Drugs, alcohol and your teenage daughter
Tuesday 10 Aug • 7:00pm
JUSTIN COULSON – “Miss-Connection” Helping connect with your teenage daughter the way she needs you to
22
BOOKINGS: www.stmargarets.school.nz
SMC Old Girls’ Association MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT We are now well into the year and the weather has definitely changed. A quick review of our end of 2020 events saw another successful Reunion Weekend. We invited all Old Girls to attend the cocktail function to help celebrate the 110th anniversary of the school and it was great to see so many across the year groups represented. The Leavers’ Dinner/Ball, always a highlight on the calendar, attracted nearly 300 leavers, partners, parents and caregivers and, as always, was a great night. I think the parents enjoy the dancing as much as the girls! The significant time contribution the Old Girls’ committee members make to the running of this event must be acknowledged. Without the committee volunteering their time after a full day’s work this event would be very difficult to host. Looking at the year ahead, our calendar is once again packed with events that we encourage you to attend. Keep an eye on the website under the Old Girls’ calendar link to see if there’s an opportunity in your region to come and meet up with others. These events cater for all age groups – for our younger members the Margarita events combined with Christ’s College are increasingly popular, the regional events in conjunction with the school and Christ’s College that
everyone is welcome to and of course our ever popular Cranmer events for anyone 70 years and over. We are keen to keep in contact with you and Emma Bradley, our Old Girls’ Co-ordinator is constantly working to keep our database up to date. If you have an email address, please supply this to Emma, especially if it’s new or recently changed. This way of communication is increasingly becoming our preferred method of contact as not only does it reduce our impact on the environment, but yes on costs too! In past years the Evergreen magazine was always a great source of interesting information about old girls – just a paragraph or so. Tell us what you’ve been up to – we’d like to include more Old Girls’ news in the magazine in the future. May is a particularly eventful month so we look forward to seeing many of you soon – fingers crossed for no alert level changes! Susan Mohammed – SMCOGA President
Thinking of selling? If you need real estate advice or you’re interested in finding out the value of your home in the current market, call the industry professionals who are also members and supporters of your St Margaret’s community.
Reliable, Professional, Proactive and Approachable Right from my first contact with the Bayleys team of Urszula Bedggood, Tim Dyer and Haley Smith their professionalism, proactive approach and attention to detail shone through. I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending Urszula and her team to everybody buying or selling a property.
Urszula Bedggood 027 338 7889 Tim Dyer 027 495 0979 Haley Smith 027 341 3846 ubteam@bayleys.co.nz
WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
23
Old Girls’ News CLASS OF '51 Meet Rachael and Dorothy – coordinators for the year of 1951 ‘ 70 year on reunion’ to be held on the last weekend of October 2021 on 29 and 30 October. Details will be sent to girls who started in the 3rd form of 1951 very soon. We are trying to gather up addresses for this and would be grateful if girls could contact either Rachael or Dorothy with their contact addresses. We would like to have as many Old Girls as possible to join us in this special celebration. This group of Old Girls meet twice a year on the last Friday of April and October at the Black and White Café (formally the Euro Café) in Avonhead, Christchurch at 11am. All welcome.
Rachael Milner (nee MacGibbon) Ph: 021 1790105 • E: rmmilner@xtra.co.nz Dorothy Adams (nee Wilson) Ph: 021 1178440 • E: dendotnz@outlook.co.nz
JANE REESE My love affair with the hotel industry began in the brand new Christchurch Parkroyal many, many years ago. Beginning as concierge (straight out of university with a Japanese degree), progressing to restaurant manager for Yamagen, I continued my hotel and tourism journey for the next 30 years ending up in global sales with one of the largest hotel chains in the world. What an incredible journey and I felt so privileged
to get to see so much of the world with my job and make the most wonderful and lifelong friends through the travel industry. In late 2019, I decided to take my first break from a corporate job and after COVID hit, it was time to reinvent myself. So I decided to combine my love of travel and tourism with my passion for golf and created Kiss My Putt – an on-course golf mentoring business now based in Queenstown.
Golf Tournament 2021 Our combined schools golf tournament was played at Coringa Golf Club on March 19. Participating schools for this year’s tournament included Rangi Ruru, Craighead and Columba. A beautiful clear day dawned for the 56 players to get out on the course, with the majority electing to play the full 18 holes. The banter and chat continued after play had finished, with a light lunch served upstairs overlooking the course. Superb raffle prizes were offered to the players
GOLF RESULTS Best Gross (Old Girl’s Jug) Best Stableford Parents (Cranmer Cup) Best Gross Bronze (Nancy Simpson Bowl) Best Net (Perkins Scott Trophy) Best Stableford (Partridge Cup) 9 Hole Best Stableford (St Margaret’s Salver)
24
by our generous sponsors. We are grateful to these businesses for their continued support of St Margaret’s College. Golf prizes were awarded, with some returning trophy holders taking out the competition for another year running. This is an annual event played in the first quarter of the year, providing a wonderful opportunity for players to enjoy friendly competition amongst returning players and welcome newcomers.
1. Di Kay 1. Jo Emson 1. Wendy Timbs 1. Anne Wright 1. MaryAnn Sidey 1. Josie Yeates
2. Taff (Kathryn) Maloney 2. Anne Ott 2. Emma MacFarlane 2. Christine McDermott 2. Chris Pitcaithly 2. Margaret McPherson
SMCOGA Upcoming Events MAY
Saturday 8 Tuesday 11 Wednesday 12 Wednesday 19 Tuesday 25
Cranmer Lunch Auckland Margarita Event Auckland Regional Event Wellington Regional Event Bridge Tournament
JULY
Thursday 29
Wellington Margarita Event
AUGUST
Thursday 26
Cranmer Chapel
OCTOBER
Friday 29 – Saturday 30
Reunion Weekend
NOVEMBER
Tuesday 2 Wednesday 3 Friday 19 Thursday 25
AGM Sports Awards Margarita Graduation / Time Capsule Opening (2011 Leavers) Christmas Margaritas Event
DECEMBER
Wednesday 1
Leavers’ Ball
A Sad Farewell to... 894
Ailsa Gallagher (Crompton)
101 years
2304
Gabrielle Kinley (Moor)
87 years
907
Mary Loughnan (Maling)
104 years
2309
Lenzie Sherriff (Norman)
86 years
1092
Margaret Pairman
97 years
2405
Janet Johnson (Whitehead)
85 years
1228
Pamela Howarth (Williams)
98 years
2528
Janet Drury (Williamson)
84 years
1371
Robert Collins
90 years
2561
Kathleen Ravenscroft (Chivers)
75 years
1432
Iris Brown (Johnston)
98 years
2568
Janet Clapcott (Croft)
84 years
1466
Margaret Alleway (Lockwood)
96 years
2763
Judith Little (Fairbairn)
81 years
1504
June Kitchin (Adamson)
94 years
2796
Rosemary Taylor (Jarvis)
82 years
1515
Irene Hodgson (Ennis)
96 years
2799
Diana MacMillan (Thorpe)
82 years
1583
Colleen Bray (Bongard)
95 years
2833
Alison Murray (Croft)
81 years
1606
Rhonda Rowney (Hoy)
87 years
2908
Marie Ellis
81 years
1634
Valerie Bettle (Wilson)
93 years
3150
Avenal McKinnon (Gough)
71 years
1701
Lois Newton (Luney)
89 years
3304
Rosalie McHugh (Welsford)
77 years
1704
Diana Weir (McKenzie)
92 years
3312
Barbara Langer (Blunden)
76 years
1900
Shirley Hoyle (Miller)
88 years
3471
Sarah Whiten (Glasson)
66 years
2009
June Moore (Rice)
91 years
3852
Sally Spencer (Thomas)
71 years
2129
Dr Rosita Gibson (Holenbergh)
83 years
4445
Felicity Spiller (Kerr)
64 years
2146A
Margaret Welsh (Carter)
87 years
4884
Joan Hayman (Hueston)
64 years
2152
Judith Timpany (Ellis)
87 years
5425
Jeanine Anderson (Creighton)
60 years
2197
Penelope Watts (Turner)
79 years
5499
Victoria Templeton
52 years
2205
Anne Carr (Hulse)
88 years
2297
Pamela King (King)
86 years
2303
Rosemary Gordon-Smith (Maling)
79 years
25
St Margaret’s College Senior School with Christ’s College Presents A Dinner Theatre Experience
23 – 25 June 2021 Transitional Cathedral From 6:30pm Tickets: eventfinda.co.nz 26
Reunion Weekend 2020
Leavers’ Ball 2020
27
Alumni Profile KATE MURRAY Wanaka Community Networks manager, foodbank coordinator and SMC Old Girl, Kate Murray, is a wonderful example of the power of service and giving. A student at SMC during the 1980s, Kate came from a farm on the banks of Lake Tekapo. Growing up using the correspondence school service until Year 5, she then moved to boarding school in Christchurch to continue her education. Now living in Wanaka, Kate acknowledges that many people don’t think there is a need for a foodbank service in her community, however with the fallout from COVID she sees a lot of people struggling to survive fortnight to fortnight with the threat of simple needs such as food often tipping families over the edge. Kate started her journey by studying a Bachelor of Science specialising in nutrition at Otago University incorporating psychology, a combination that was unheard of at the time but retrospectively makes a lot of sense. This led to dietetics and a roundabout few years of studying and working for DoC and on ski fields in Wanaka led to a clinical position at Invercargill’s Kew Hospital. Kate says, “I had never been to Invercargill in my life, but it was a great opportunity because it was small and I got to work in lots of different wards but I particularly remember there was a man who had had a heart attack on the ward. I turned up in my lab coat and talked with him and his wife – a few months later they came back but they hadn’t remembered anything I’d said. I mean you’ve just had this massive life changing event and some prim little dietician comes along and starts telling you what you should be eating.” The experience changed Kate’s direction from health prevention to promotion, “I decided the hospital setting wasn’t really me and ended up spending many years in health promotion. I’ve worked with teachers, Plunket and public health nurses promoting healthy lifestyles. In schools and sports centres looking at what food they have available for sale as well as for the Southland DHB in Invercargill and Queenstown with the public health unit alongside Smokefree.” Then with another change on the horizon after the birth of her daughter Millie, Kate branched into private practice as a dietician which prompted her move to Wanaka, eventually working at the Wanaka Community Hub for the Alpine Community Development Trust, “We have two
28
operating arms one which is community networks social wellbeing and the other is community development.“ Kate manages the social wellbeing services, including the food bank which post COVID has grown through funding from the Ministry of Social Development and a lot of support from local businesses and trusts. At the same time she sees the need for continuing help and support around other issues. “We look at what’s happening in the community and we ask -can we set up a service or is there another organisation that’s better placed to help? One of the future gaps we’re seeing at the moment is around mental health and the support available for young people around stress-related issues. There is a provider here but at the end of 2020 they had a 14-week waiting list. In the life of a young person that’s a huge amount of time.” Luckily for the hub, Kate’s strong family connections will keep her in Wanaka, helping her community for the time being. Her sister Pip, (also an Old Girl) and husband Hamish farm behind the Clay Cliffs in Omarama, brother Will is on the family farm in Tekapo and their parents, after time in Wanaka, are now residing in Timaru. “Yep, none of us have moved far!”
Alumni Profile BET GODFREY Joining St Margaret’s College from Fendalton School, Bet Godfrey née Iles considered herself ‘a bit rough’ compared to the girls who had come through the Junior School. Joining along with her friends Enid Hardie née Hurst and Sandra Dowland (now Jocelyn Ott), Bet describes feeling slightly shocked but pleased to have made the move. Bet’s family lived on Matai Street and later moved to Heaton Street in Merivale. Her mother had emigrated to New Zealand as a child and been educated by Bet’s grandfather until she started at teacher training college, teaching up until she was married. After leaving school at age 14 or 15, Bet’s Father went on to become the General Manager of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company. Education was important to the Iles family with her brother also attending Christ’s College Bet is quick to point out the sacrifices her family made to provide that education. Bet’s years at school were also war years and she remembers trenches in the park and doing air raid practices. She also remembers enjoying history and geography and having a wonderful science teacher who inspired her. However, her days weren’t all about learning. Bet says “We were not really allowed into the town but there was a milk bar, if you went to the Square and turned left - it was very exciting to sneak in there especially if there were any College boys around!” In the end it was a Christchurch Boy’s High boy who caught her eye. “My husband was at Boy’s High and I lived in Heaton Street. There were two or three of us who would bike to school that way but where we really met boys in those days was at the parish dances – St Mary’s and St Barnabas were
the most popular as well as St Matthew’s in Edgeware, they held them in these big halls and we took a plate.” After marrying, Bet and her husband welcomed four daughters and after living in Balclutha for a time the family moved back to Christchurch where all four daughters attended St Margaret’s College. Now with many grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, she keeps herself busy sewing, “When I left school I did a course in dressmaking and I’m still sewing; but these days it’s only for the family.”
15% off the Daily Rate
Special Offer for Evergreen Magazine Readers: Mention St Margaret’s when booking and receive 15% off the Daily Rate*.
P 0800 400 026 E: reservations@ashfordmotorlodge.co.nz www.ashfordmotorlodge.co.nz 35 Papanui Rd, Christchurch *Conditions Apply
29
Remembering MARIE ELLIS 25 April 1939 – 27 December 2020 Marie was born in Newcastle NSW in 1939 so technically she was an Australian. At three months, she travelled to the UK with her parents via New Zealand. Her war years were spent in Chatham and Crewe. During the frequent bombing raids, Marie would proceed into the anderson shelter with a pillow and Billy, her favourite teddy bear. She never forgot the sound of the air raid sirens. With family, she moved to New Zealand in 1953 and attended St Margaret’s College in Christchurch (#2908) and then undertook teacher training, gaining a Teacher’s Certificate with special qualification in speech therapy. Marie’s first postings were in Motueka and Nelson which included working for the Education Board, visiting a multitude of schools in the Nelson region. She moved to Melbourne and gained the Australian Diploma in speech and language therapy (L.A.C.S.T.). She returned as speech and language therapist at Christchurch Hospital in 1970. Then, after 10 years returned to the Nelson Hospital Board
for the next 19 years, retiring in 1999. Marie’s life revolved around her work, the church and caring for people, including her mother. She was a deeply committed christian and her whole life of dedicated service reflected her beliefs. Described as an engaging colleague with a delicious sense of humour.
ROSITA HOLENBERGH Dr Rosita Gibson (#2129), passed away on 22 September 2020 at Sydney after a short illness. Rosita was a student at St Margaret’s College in the 1940's and 1950’s under her maiden name of Rosita Holenbergh. After school, she undertook a Bachelor of Science (Hons) at University of Canterbury and married, Terry Young. They emigrated to the Netherlands for Terry’s work and her son and daughter were born there. In 1967 they migrated to Australia where she pursued a career as an educator. Rosita initially taught high school biology at Pymble Ladies College Sydney while studying for her Masters of Education at Macquarie University. She was subsequently appointed a senior lecturer in the Department of Education at the university and a visiting scholar at Harvard University. She taught and conducted research for many years including completing a PhD in education. She was particularly interested in the Australia-China education relationship. Over the years she sponsored many Chinese doctoral
30
students in Australia and visited China regularly. She retired as an Adjunct Professor and continued to be actively engaged as a leading participant in the Australia-China education centre at the University of Sydney and as the editor of the Oriental Society of Australia. In addition to her devotion to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her other interests were many and varied but included being a trustee of the Sydney Opera House, the arts, reading, travel and as an active chorister at the Danish Church Pennant Hills, NSW and St Swithun’s Anglican Church Pymble, NSW. She had very fond memories of her time at St Margaret’s and maintained contact with a number of her classmates over the years. Rosita’s funeral service was held at St Swithun’s Anglican Church, Pymble, NSW at 10 am on 8 October 2020 for a group of 65 mourners, consistent with the COVID restrictions at the time.
From the Archives
Open Day 2021 finally saw the photo display showing several stories about St Margaret’s College, some of the parallels and the absolute opposites that can be seen with some of the photos in the archive collection put on display. On the sports board you can see a 1910 photo of girls playing tennis in Armagh St, compared directly to the photo of a girl playing tennis in 2020. The difference in clothing and footwear is one thing, however, the racquet from 1910, (I have one in my office), compared to the racquet used today is so heavy and unwieldy! There are three images of spectators at sporting events – 1940’s, 1970’s and 2019. The absolute riot of colour in 2019 is in stark contrast to the very formal uniform of the previous images. The remaining image is of a group of girls during a hurdles race, there are at least two girls running in bare feet with just one girl wearing spiked shoes. There is a pair of spiked athletic shoes in the archives office, just recently donated by Mary Cullen and Annabel Walmisley, whose mother, Gwen Clarke (nee Watkinson), attended SMC from 1919. They are leather with no cushioning at all and look very uncomfortable to wear, let alone run in. The next board has a variety of classroom shots that show differences between science classes, the equipment and safety gear worn (or not) through the years. Different poses in front of similar classrooms and a very austere entry to a 1918 classroom.
Our pool has been a significant feature of St Margaret’s College since it was first opened in 1939. Mānuka was introduced and baptised as a house in 1973 during the school swimming sports. Our current girls are always fascinated to see photos of the pool with diving boards and ask why they are not there now. Peg blessed the new pool in 2012 and our swimming sports days are just filled with the six colours of the houses. A sense of celebration and fun fills the fourth board. There are girls dancing with Synod in 1931, boarders singing Auld Lang Syne after packing their gear and before heading off to final prize giving and then our beautiful juniors dancing around a maypole in 2019. Girls hamming it up in the quad shows that while the uniform might change, friendship and a sense of fun never do. And finally, our buildings with some beautiful aerial shots taken four years apart highlighting the changes in campus between 1958 and 1962. Two areas of the school that anyone who has spent any amount of time on campus will recognise are the view over the back of Kilburn toward the gym and the view that looks back toward Winchester Street. Photos taken 50 years apart illustrate the familiar yet different views and how the campus has changed so much since the earthquakes of 10 years ago. St Margaret’s College is over 110 years old and epitomises at least one of the characteristics of an SMC graduate – resilience. Vickie Ward – Archivist
31
In Closing Sometimes I find it difficult to start – to come up with the opening words for an article or a sermon. Trying to find the words that might capture your attention and keep you with me while I share my thoughts. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God... THAT is a great first line in the Gospel of John. Those words grab my attention! They were read at my ordination service to the priesthood in 1989. Sometimes I feel as though I have been at St Margaret’s College from the beginning
32
– or maybe it’s my habit I have of saying ‘I’m so old’. It has been a while, 22 years. Can I claim I’ve been part of the glorious Masterpiece that is our College community? I believe I have some part in encouraging people to believe that they are loved, by me and by God. That the essence of our school is belonging to the whole. I not only feel like I belong, I believe that I do, and I will continue to be a part of this beautiful masterpiece, visioned by our Anglican founders and made in the image of God. Peg Riley – Chaplain
St Margaret’s College
Empowering girls to learn, live and lead
lover your hai
Northlands
Westfield Riccarton
The Palms
Hornby Hub
P 354 4494 P 385 5525
P 348 8837
P 344 3129
@synergyhairnz
/synergyhairnz
www.synergyhair.co.nz
24/7 purchasing online, free shipping with orders over $50 CHRISTCHURCH
WELLINGTON
TAURANGA HAMILTON AUCKLAND