Evergreen Autumn 2017 online

JUNIOR, MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL

OPEN DAY
WELCOME!
OUR DOOR IS OPEN
Monday 8 May, 10.30am – 1.00pm
The Principal’s address will be at 11.45am
stmargarets.school.nz
JUNIOR, MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL

Contents
Opening Remarks / Current Leaders 2
Academic Achievements 4
Centre for Innovation 5
EGG 6
St Margaret’s College Foundation 8
Empowering Girls 9
Boarding Life 10
Five Minutes With... 11
A Day in the Life of St Margaret’s College 12
PFA 13
Out & About 14
Arts 16
Sports 18
Middle School 20
Junior School 21
Pre-School 22
SMCOGA Welcome 23
Old Girl News 24
Reunions 26
Alumni Leaders 28
Leaver’s Ball 29
Old Girl Events 30
From the Archives 32
In Closing 33

Opening Remarks
Gillian Simpson – Executive Principal
Educating Young Women to Live and Lead in the age of “disruptive” innovation – capturing the moment!
The St Margaret’s Year 13 leaders have chosen ‘Capture the moment’ as their theme for 2017. This takes many
of us to memories of messages around Carpe Diem!
We welcomed new staff and students into the College in an emotional and rousing Pōwhiri with the
whaikōrero from honoured Old Girl and CEO of Ngai Tahu, Arihia Bennet.
We spoke of the theme for 2017 and “capturing” this year as a significant “moment” in the 107 – year history
of our beloved College. Here, now, in this moment, our young leaders will make their mark, weaving their
magic into the lives of the students and staff of the College and leaving their legacy in the young women
who they pull up behind them.
We value the importance of being mindful at all times, of the needs of others and being in the “moment”
rather than always looking to the next best thing. An ability to be mindful of others and mindful of our own
state of being at any time is key to positive growth and mental health. How often do we lose the moment,
lose that opportunity and only realize it, when it has gone?
This theme is appropriate in guiding our strategic planning for the College.
We are a forward focused, nimble and an adaptive organization with the best interests of the girls in all we do.
We are asking ourselves at this time:
• What opportunities and moments will we “seize”
and run with in 2017?
• In the ‘velocity era’ of exponential technological
change there is limited time to adapt and innovate
before we are left behind.
• How will we adapt and embrace the “disruption”
facing education?
• How well are we preparing and equipping our young
women for their futures?
In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the hard
conversations we didn’t have, the relationships we were afraid
to have and the decisions we waited too long to make.
2. EVERGREEN
Photograph of a painting on the outside wall of the
Lady Isaac Theatre during the earthquakes.

Current Leaders
Ella Wells – Head Girl
I am honoured to have been named Head Girl at St Margaret’s
College for 2017. I have been part of this school community
since Year 7. It is very special to be part of such a positive and
inclusive community such as St Margaret’s, and even more
special to have the privilege to help lead it. I strongly believe
that the family feel of St Margaret’s, provides every girl with
the opportunity to feel like they are part of something that
is bigger than themselves.
When going through the planning process at the end of last
year, with the whole year group, we were required to chose
a theme that would represent our visions for the year, as well
as encompass the school’s values. The theme we came up
with was ‘Capture the Moment’. This theme encourages girls
to capture the numerous opportunities they are given here
at St Margaret’s and make that opportunity their moment
to shine. It also reminds us to stay grounded and be grateful
for the moment we are in at present. Another big aspect
of the theme, is the concept of making memories. While
classes and grades are important, taking the time to make
memorable moments is also important. We encourage girls
to get involved in school events and try new things, as this
will make their school years filled with amazing moments
made with amazing people.
This year we are aiming to build on the family feel St Margaret’s
has. We want to create stronger connections between year
groups so every girl can ‘capture their moment’ and find
success and achievement in her opportunities
in 2017. We all look forward to another
amazing year.
AUTUMN 2017 3.

Academic Achievements
Top NCEA & International Baccalaureate Results
The St Margaret's community is proud of the 2016 examination
results for both NCEA and the International Baccalaureate
Diploma. Those with excellence endorsed NCEA and Distinction
in IB are to be congratulated and celebrated. Equally the high
percentage of girls of all abilities should celebrate achieving
their personal academic goals through hard work, perseverance
and the huge support from teachers and parents.
We are committed as educators to empower every girl
to achieve her academic goals. Our commitment to working
towards a current and relevant graduate profile gives each
girl the best start possible in her journey beyond school
where she faces an exponentially changing world of work
in a global society. We educate young women to live
and lead.
NCEA Results 2016 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13
Excellence 51.0% 49.5% 36.0%
Other Decile 8-10 Schools 28.3% 23.0% 18.8%
Merit 43.3% 39.8% 40.7%
Other Decile 8-10 Schools 41.3% 34.1% 34.8%
Overall Achievement 100% 98.9% 96.6%
Other Decile 8-10 Schools 91.4% 93.1% 88.1%
UE 95.5%
Other Decile 8-10 Schools UE 75.5%
St Margaret’s College academic success was not just limited
to NCEA. Students also excelled in the International
Baccalaureate Diploma with a 100% pass rate. In addition,
four students, Grace Sullivan, Madeleine Tilley, Gabriela
Coates, and Emma Clucas achieved distinction, with 40
marks or higher (out of a possible 45) - putting them in the
top 3% of students in the world.
The students’ academic success has set them in good stead for
their tertiary education, with four girls receiving an Academic
Excellence Scholarship from the University of Otago –
Islay Fowler, Grace Sullivan, Millie Boren and Georgia Bell.
Millie Boren also received a significant scholarship offer
from the prestigious Princeton University in the USA.
A further four, Aryn Azlan, Izzy Goddard, Madeline Tilley
and Dinuki Karunasekera, were awarded University
of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarships. Isabella Fanselow
and Lily Marshall received the Emerging Leaders Scholarship
at the University of Canterbury. In addition, over 30 other
university scholarships were awarded to the class of 2016
from St Margaret’s College.
We
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JUNIOR, MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL
4. EVERGREEN

Centre for Innovation
Sharing the Power of Technology
In December 2016, St Margaret’s College was extremely proud to partner with Tait
Communication to provide children of Christchurch an opportunity to experience a range
of projects that would inspire them to participate in technology. The power of students delivering
programmes to other students was phenomenal. SMC had students from year 6 - 10 supporting and
facilitating workshops. Children from other local schools were able to share our facilities and resources
as well as gain knowledge from our girls who were developing their personal growth, by enabling other
children to positively experience and extend their thinking.
All participants were challenged in their problem-solving, teamwork, communication and creativity.
These are skills we have identified as essential for future learning and employment. The workshops
provided projects that required the children to work on their perseverance and mental focus.
Too often we scaffold activities for instant student success; seldom do we get to be an expert
on our first attempt. The process of planning, creating, testing and re-creating is repeated throughout
the robotics, 3D printing, makerspace and coding workshops. These workshops built on the concept
of giving children permission to fail, and through feedback, learn what and how to improve so that
their next attempt is an improvement on the one before.
St Margaret’s College acknowledges the mutual benefit of working with our wider community. We welcome
challenges to foster closer relationships with others and we look forward to collaborating and providing
further opportunities for students and adults in future initiatives and co-curricular programmes.
Linda Chong – Head of Centre for Innovation
AUTUMN 2017 5.

EGG – Educating Girls Globally
Gussie Cohen & Lucy Tothill
Our organisation, Educating Girls Globally (EGG), was established in our final year at St Margaret’s College
in 2013. Our aim that year was to increase the standard of, and access to, girls’ education globally. By uniting
a global network of young leaders with a common passion for social justice, we have completed a number
of construction projects at girls schools in Malawi.
At these schools the girls face many challenges in just going to school. Traditional gender roles and cultural
beliefs mean that education is not within reach for many girls in Malawi. Multiple factors are at play such
as early marriage, the dangers of commuting to school, as well as the expectations and responsibilities
of girls within the household. Furthermore, a lack of adequate infrastructure and funding for teaching and
learning resources results in a poor standard of education for girls.
After four years, we decided it was time to fly over and see the projects that have been funded, as well
as identify future construction opportunities. It was heart-warming to visit Lilongwe Girls’ School, where
EGG has funded a number of projects. The girls and staff were extremely grateful for the improvements
that have been made to their school, including a new security wall and bathroom facilities. Previously, the
students had been missing valuable class time while waiting for the one useable toilet on site, and vendors
on the street posed a huge threat to the girls’ wellbeing. With these basic necessities now provided for,
we look forward to funding classroom facilities at Lilongwe Girls’ in the future.
The girls we spoke to told us they want to break cultural barriers
and become doctors, teachers and bank managers. With the support that many
of you continue to give to EGG, their dreams can be realised.
6. EVERGREEN

in Action in Malawi
We also visited Kabuthu Secondary School, where EGG is funding the construction of a girls’ boarding house for more than
60 pupils. While at the school, we were shown the girls’ current living conditions. It is hard to put into words how appalling
the state of their accommodation is. We walked into rooms no bigger than a hen house, where as many as five girls slept
cramped on the floor. The huts were leaky, dishevelled and had no privacy or security. Furthermore, the girls live in close
quarters with animals, and they feel unsafe using the inadequate bathroom facilities at night, as they are positioned off school
grounds. While it was heart-breaking to see first hand the true struggle that girls face in order to receive an education,
it was uplifting to visit the construction site where the new hostel is almost complete. The girls will soon be moving into
safer, more hygienic and more comfortable living conditions. We spoke to the principal who explained how much this project
means to the community. Since construction began, enrolment for girls at this school has already greatly increased.
One of the most confronting experiences of our trip to Malawi was our visit to Dzaleka Refugee Camp, which houses over
32,000 displaced people. It is easy to feel disconnected from the refugee crisis, but we met many people who like us, had been
educated and were excited about the opportunities of the world – only to have had no choice but to run from true horrors
and seek refuge in a crowded camp. Worse still, there was nowhere for the thousands of young children to go to school. The
experience was eye-opening and we see great potential for EGG to build classrooms at Dzaleka in the years to come.
We often forget how privileged our lives are in New Zealand. Our time in Malawi was a real reminder of why we started EGG
and the importance of girls’ education. We have come to better understand the many cultural, social and economic barriers
preventing girls from attending school and are now more motivated than ever to fight for girls’ education. We cannot thank
the St Margaret’s College community enough for continuing to actively support Educating Girls Globally and allowing us
to empower girls through education.
AUTUMN 2017 7.

News from the Foundation
Brett Gamble – Chairman
Welcome once again to our Evergreen readers. The St
Margaret’s College Foundation has appointed Nicky Averill as
their new Fundraiser. Together with the Trustees, Nicky
is already in planning mode for a number of exciting events,
as well as exploring sponsorship opportunities for the school.
We are thrilled to announce that the Foundation will be hosting
an evening with Steve Hansen on Thursday 21st September
in the school gymnasium. Save this date and keep an eye out
for ticketing information.
The principal purpose of the Foundation is to provide support
to the school, to support our students to learn, to live and
to lead. This is primarily achieved through the St Margaret’s
College Community; current and old girls, current and past
parents, and teachers. This community continues to support
scholarship opportunities and contributeto the rebuild costs
of our wonderful new campus.
A special thank you must go to the incredible support we
received in 2016. The first ever Annual Appeal was a great
success; the PFA ran
a wonderful Art Exhibition
for the Foundation; and the
farming community continues
to support the school through
the Stock Scheme.
Support given to the Foundation to enable girls to attend the
school has enormous impact on their lives, not just while
at St Margaret’s, but well into their future.
Many opportunities to support the Foundation and the wider
SMC community are available. There is a chance to make
a real impact through Foundation Trustee membership,
scholarship donation, sponsorship and naming rights for major
donations, the Stock Scheme and Business Club membership.
For further information on any of the Foundation activities,
please contact Nicky Averill on (03) 353 2560 x 8412 or
0274 185 266.
Though the initial decision to change schools in Y12 was
one she didn’t take lightly, Amelia Persson says moving
to St Margaret’s on a sporting scholarship has given her
so much more than just helping her to achieve her sporting
goals, “My eyes have been opened to academic and career
possibilities that before St Margaret’s had never featured
on my radar. While sport and triathlons are still the ideal
career path, I’m now excited at the concept of pursuing
my interests in biology and chemistry and seeing what
my future might look like following my sporting career.”
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8. EVERGREEN

Empowering Girls
The Rite Journey
The start of the school year marks a unique opportunity for girls entering year 10
at St Margaret’s College. As they come of age and move from adolescence to adulthood
they are guided through this often challenging journey with the help of a programme
that was adopted by St Margaret’s six years ago.
The Rite Journey is a year long programme that provides unique life skills that support
the development of self-aware, responsible and resilient young women.
Lisa Cahine (Y11) won The Rite Journey Girls’ Guidebook Cover Design Challenge for
2016 and her design features on over 2,500 guidebooks distributed to schools for 2017.
“The reason I chose to base my design around a silver fern is because a fern leaf
is a ‘grown up’ Koru. The Koru is the symbol for growing, as it grows into the leaf,
it matures and its colour also deepens into a deeper green. To me, the Rite Journey
programme is all about maturing and looking at things at a much deeper level than
before. I chose to substitute the different elements of the leaf with people. Furthermore,
because the Rite Journey programme is about growing, for women especially, I chose
to do the walking silhouette of a woman. I also chose this because in the programme
we are encouraged to keep going and keep fighting, no matter what the issue is. The
walking women/girls in the photo symbolise that. The background colour also has
a significant meaning to it. As the colour becomes darker, the bigger the girls become.
This is because I wanted to include an element of getting older and maturing. The darker
pink shows this because, in the case of the Koru, darker colours show maturity.”
AUTUMN 2017 9.

Boarding Life
The Big Weekend In
The school theme this year is ‘Capture the Moment’ and that is certainly what our boarding
community did this year to celebrate ‘The Big Weekend In’.
A top priority in term one is to settle our new girls in. Commencing boarding is a huge
adjustment. New routines, expectations, and relationships can all provide a steep learning
curve for our newest boarders. ‘The Big Weekend In’ is all about inclusion. This time together,
encourages the girls to have fun, to strengthen bonds, and for our new girls to get to know
the staff and their peers in a relaxed, enjoyable environment.
Organised by our Year 13 leaders, Lucy Green and Sophia Neill, this year ‘The Big Weekend
In’ was held on March 3 rd and 4 th . Friday night we began the festivities with dinner, chapel, and
a slumber party movie to finish the night off. Saturday was spent at ‘The Groynes'. Kayaking,
paddle boating, tug of war, egg and spoon races, three legged races, tee-ball, and a lovely BBQ
lunch helped us to capture many joyous moments of laughter, energy, and enthusiasm as we
embark on our 2017 boarding journey together.
Nicky Langley – Head of Boarding
10. EVERGREEN

Five minutes with...
The Rite Journey
The start of the school year marks a unique opportunity for
the girls entering Year 10 at St Margaret’s College. As they
come
Nicky
of age and
Averill
move from adolescence to adulthood, they are
guided through this often challenging journey with the help of
a St programme Margaret’s that was adopted by St Margaret’s five years ago.
College Foundation
The Rite Journey, a year long programme created by a South
Australian Fundraiser physical education teacher, provides unique life
skills that support the development of self-aware, responsible
What does your role at St Margaret’s involve?
and resilient young women. “The programme has the ability to
As the Foundation fundraiser I am looking at finding ways
adapt the teaching around the specific needs of the students.
to ensure the school environment and the girls within
They are given opportunities to discuss topics that are
it have a secure future.
most relevant to their lives at this time”, says Lisa Williams,
Year What 10 did Dean. you do before St Margaret’s?
I looked after marketing and health and safety in our family
For business, the 152 Ashton Year 10 Garage girls attending Doors. Prior St Margaret’s to that I worked College, their
Rite
in a Tauranga
Journey began
art gallery.
as their parents gave their blessing and
promise If you could of support travel anywhere, to work with where their would daughter it be and throughout why? the
year. I’d love The to girls travel took their Canada first from steps one to farewelling side to the other their childhood – the
by ultimate thanking roadie, their preferably parents in and a classic caregivers convertible! and acknowledging
all
What
those
teacher
that had
in school
supported
made
them
the most
and
impact
those that
on you
will
and
continue
why?
to Mrs support Gould, them my art as history they embark teacher, on for their instilling journey; in me, their my rite of
passage love of art. into adulthood.
Following
What are your
this
top
moving
three favourite
ceremony,
books?
the ‘calling’ took place at
• ‘All the Light I Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr
Taylor’s Mistake where the girls ventured to Godley Head, an
– it looks from the perspective of both sides at the
inspiriting location for the beginning of a special journey. For
hopelessness of war.
Molly Leckie, a current Year 10 student, “The Rite Journey is
• ‘Bad Jelly the Witch’ by Spike Milligan
all about preparing us for the years ahead, letting go of our
– this was a big part of my growing up and it’s one
childhood, but still keeping it in our hearts. Also, I think it is
I’ve read to my children, many times.
about pushing the boat out and stepping out of our comfort
• ‘The Language of Flowers’ by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
zone
–
and
a beautiful
doing things
but complicated
we usually
love
wouldn’t
story.
do”.
Why do you enjoy what you do?
1. Rite Journey 2016.
I really enjoy the personal interaction of meeting with people
2. Year 10 girls venturing to Godley Head.
both from within the school community and out. And I really
3. Marking the beginning of a special journey.
enjoy producing events. People + events = perfect job!
Free
dental
care*
Sophie
Beaumont
English Teacher
Sarah Platt | Community Relations Assistant
What does your role at St Margaret’s involve?
I teach Year 11, 12 and 13 English, Year 9 ENSS (English and
Social Studies) and I am a Middle School tutor teacher!
What 1 did you do before St Margaret’s?
Last year was my first year teaching, and I taught Year 9, 10
and 12 History and Social Studies at Darfield High School.
Before Darfield, I studied at the University of Canterbury
where I completed my Bachelor of Arts with a major
in History, and minors in English and Sociology. I then went
on to study at Grad School to complete my teacher's training.
Who do you most admire in life?
Lots of people! Especially authors. If I had to pick one, probably
J.K. Rowling. She overcame a challenging childhood and not
only wrote some of the most recognised and loved books but
is 2also a huge advocate for women’s rights and equality.
How do you spend your free time?
I love sport! All sports! Touch, hockey, skiing, tramping.
If you could witness any event of the past, present or future,
what would it be and why?
A future event. The day we see a female President of the
United States because I can’t wait to see what that will mean
for one of the most powerful countries, and for the world.
Why do you enjoy what you do?
I love the feeling when the girls succeed. The feeling, when
I see a student accomplish something they didn’t think they
could do, seeing them succeed and feel amazing about
themselves, is the most rewarding experience.
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12 EVERGREEN VOLUME 23
AUTUMN 2017 11.

A Day in the Life...
of St Margaret’s College
12. EVERGREEN

Who are the PFA?
In 2014 I returned to Christchurch after six years away; finding myself in a new
community, I wanted to meet new people. I remember Paula Sheldon (Head of the Junior
School at the time) asking me to join her at the next Parents' and Friends' Association
meeting, this is where it all started and I haven’t looked back! A year later I became the
President and over the past three years I have came to know a fantastic group of people
who are always willing to help out at the many functions the school holds.
Our main focus is to support the St Margaret’s community, mainly by providing
manpower where it’s needed, helping at fundraising events and social functions –
there’s never a dull moment!
We are always looking for new members and if you would like to meet new people,
love helping out at functions and would like to be part of a fantastic group, come and
join us. We meet twice a term on a Tuesday and all information can be found on the
school website.
Tania Burden – St Margarget’s College PFA President
AUTUMN 2017 13.

Out & About
Pōwhiri
Ella Wells
From left:
Tigerlily Perry
Meg Fulton
Isabelle Cadman
Peg Riley
Beth Rouse
Meg Fulton
IB Graduation
Lauren Tyler-Harwood
From left:
Gillian Simpson
Isabella Taylor
Arihia Bennett
From left:
Ce Xi (Clara) Gan
Gillian Simpson
14. EVERGREEN
From left:
Millie Borren
Gillian Simpson
From left:
Madeleine Tilley
Gillian Simpson
From left, back row: Millie Borren, Saskia Klinkenberg, Sierra Bayley, Margot Allais,
Dinuki Karunasekera, Hoieng (Crystal) Li, Clara Newbound, Grace Sullivan
Front row: Emma McClean, Madeleine Tilley, Isabella Fanselow, Ce Xi (Clara) Gan

Out & About
House Warming Event
From left:
Paul Belcher
Louisa Belcher
From left:
Ivan Iafeta
Gillian Simpson
From left:
Darren Armstrong
Amber Armstrong
Naomi Faga
From left:
Janelle Knowles
Sara Wiseby
From left:
Paul Wiseby
Juanita Thorpe
AUTUMN 2017 15.

The Arts
Moments to be captured
Haere mai to our new St Margaret’s whanau and welcome back to returning families! We have
a wonderful year in store for you, with many events where 'Capturing the Moment' will be easy.
Plans for this year include the creation of a Middle School Student Arts Committee to promote
and support arts in Year 7-10, regular evening “Cushion Cabarets” in our Ngaio Marsh Theatre
with participation from all age-groups, and the senior Christ’s College-St Margaret’s school
musical 'Singing in the Rain', to be directed by our own Elayne Buckler.
Our student Arts Council, lead by double trouble dream team Nina Hogg and Sammy McDonnell,
are well under way with scheming for Arts Week, to be celebrated in the last week of this term.
They will be drawing on this year’s theme for arty actions in the classroom and around the campus.
SMC talent has already been snapped up with Sammy McDonnell, Abida Denny, Sujean In and
Amy Chung selected for this year’s NZ Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, Alice Taylor
joining the 2017 Court Youth Company and Tigerlily Perry performing with last year’s company
in Robin Hood at Riccarton House.
Arts co-curricular sign up day went off with a bang in the first week of term, with hundreds
of girls and many family members filling our Old Girls Atrium. With over 40 different groups
on offer in Music, Dance, Drama, Visual Art, Wordsmiths, Innovation & Technology, there
is something to capture everybody’s interest!
Mary Davison – Arts Facilitator
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16. EVERGREEN

Sports
Carpe Dìem
• To 'seize the day' and/or capture a certain moment in time.
• To put aside all differences, all fears, all worries, and just go for it.
• To make the most out of that part of time.
'Capture the Moment' more often, or you will miss out on life and never truly be happy.
St Margaret’s College sport offers a magnitude of opportunities at all year levels and
for all abilities.
We encourage all girls to ask why they play sport and to consider what they want from
sport at SMC. Do they want to participate with their friends in a team environment?
Do they want to pursue sport to the highest level?
At the heart of it all, is learning. We encourage our girls to take ownership of their
learning with a growth mindset. Effort is the key to success. We need to embrace
our mistakes and confront our shortcomings.
Athletes need to consider whether they are prepared to strive towards reaching their
goals. They must make a conscious decision about how determined and dedicated they
are, how hard they are willing to work and what help they need. They must decide what
success means to them and remember that this is different for each individual.
We encourage our students to:
• Answer these questions for themselves. Whatever the answers – and there
is no right or wrong – they should seize the day and make the most of what there
is on offer.
• Be inspired by the staff who all so willingly give their time, knowledge and enthusiasm
to ensure everyone has the best experience possible.
• Make lots and lots of friends, but only let a select few influence your decisions.
• Ask questions, train hard and have fun.
“I’d rather regret
the things
I’ve done than
regret the things
I haven’t done.”
– Lucille Ball
Helen Belcher – Director of Sport
100 Fendalton Road
Christchurch
(03) 351 7980
jennyburtt.florist@xtra.co.nz
www.jennyburtt.co.nz
18. EVERGREEN

“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others
to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem,
and smarter than you think”
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
AUTUMN 2017 19.

Middle School
The best years of my life!
I always encourage people not to Google ‘Middle School’,
as more often than not the results that come back are negative.
In fact in 2016 a movie entitled 'Middle School - the Worst
Years of my Life' was released. As Head of the Middle School
at St Margaret’s - I believe we have turned this on its head,
'St Margaret’s College Middle School - the Best Years
of my life!'
Our Middle School spans across Years 7-10. It is a vibrant,
exciting place to be. We offer a broad curriculum that covers
the Arts, Sciences, Languages, Creative Technologies, Social
Sciences, English, Health and Physical Education and
Mathematics. Alongside that we offer over 20 Performing
Arts groups and over 30 sports. New to the opportunities
over the last few years have been clubs such as Coding, The
Internet of Things and Makerspace.
To walk into a classroom now is very different as the girls discuss
'thinglinks', 'saving to the cloud', creating QR codes, pic
collages or going to the Google Classroom. It really is amazing
to see the innovation in classroom teaching and learning.
Things are always changing and we want to create the best
possible opportunities for our girls. This year we trialled
a new camp programme where some girls were involved
in day trips and some were
away over night. Year 7 did
a range of day visits, Year 8 camped
at Glenroy for two nights and Year 9 learned
in and around the city. One of the highlights for me was the
Year 9 Amazing Race Day - the girls headed off in teams
around town to complete a range of challenges. One of their
challenges being to purchase a coffee for someone, another
to pick up rubbish and another to busk to raise money for
charity - one of the groups raised $11 - not bad for 10 minutes
busking! The girls completed as many tasks as they could
during the day to get 200 points. I think they will remember
this day for a long time.
As a Middle School it is exciting to see our youngest students
come in and develop and grow through their time with us.
What emerges is an independent, unique young woman ready
to take on the Senior School.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit
the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty”
(Maya Angelou). In our Middle School we are lucky to
be able to be a part of their journey and witness these changes.
Kathryn Gray – Head of Middle School
20. EVERGREEN

Junior School
Providing leadership
opportunities for students
Being part of a larger school community has many benefits
for our Junior School. Having older students of SMC
work in partnership with our Junior School students allows
our girls to learn, respect and look up to their 'older sisters'.
It helps give them direction, aspiration and inspiration. Our
senior students at SMC are simply wonderful role models
to our Junior School girls.
Even though our Senior School provides our school with
student leaders, we think that it is important to provide
our Year 5 and 6 students with leadership opportunities.
As such, we call our Year 6 students “Junior Seniors”! The
benefits of developing leadership capabilities at a young age
allows various social, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills,
all of which are becoming more essential to members
of a community.
Benefits include giving students
a voice or a way to learn how to express
ideas or goals in a productive and constructive way; allowing
students to communicate with adults and other peers which
teaches them negotiation, communication and team work;
developing a strong self-identity and confidence; teaching
students how important it is to contribute to a community;
beginning to develop team building skills by setting goals,
planning and delegating tasks.
All these are prevalent in varying degrees when students are
encouraged in any way to be leaders of any age. In the Junior
School it may be through committing to be a librarian, or IT
leader, a lunch time monitor to the Junior Juniors, a sports shed
monitor or part of our Junior School Executive.
Julie Calder – Head of Junior School
“Leadership responsibility, whether it be big or small, all contribute
to the development of teaching our girls to 'Live and Lead'.”
AUTUMN 2017 21.

Pre-school
We have kicked off the year with a new addition to our
programme and the children love the ‘Dance and Move’
class that Stacy runs for us in the Dance Studio. Our younger
children enjoy learning new ways to move to familiar songs,
whereas the older children are good at creating their own
movements and expression.
The children are also enjoying the new whare that was
delivered over the holidays. The ware's open-ended structure
offers lots of different options
for play. It can be a quiet place
to sit, listen and watch, or a home
corner or a magical palace. As we develop
this term’s inquiry around family identity and culture, the
‘pre-school house’ has been a great conversation starter for
children to talk about their family home and those that live
within it.
Sue Gleeson – Director of Pre-school
22. EVERGREEN

SMCOGA Welcome
President’s report
This year we are fortunate to have all age groups represented around the St Margaret’s Old
Girls’ Association committee table. The enthusiasm to develop and build on our strategic
plan is fabulous. We will develop a three-year plan which will reflect our commitment
to retain, maintain and reconnect relationships with all our old girls, internationally,
nationally and locally. Utilising social media will make this so much easier for us.
Please be an active part of our community! Even just liking and sharing our Facebook
page (www.facebook.com/St-Margarets-College-Old-Girls-Association) and
acknowledging invites will assist us greatly in achieving our vision of connecting
and reconnecting Old Girls around the world.
Also, don’t forget to send us information of what you’re doing – we’d love to share
your news. Please keep us updated when you or your friends’ contact details
change by emailing wendy.g@stmargarets.school.nz so we can keep in touch with you.
Thanks and we look forward to hearing all your news!
Margaritas
What a fun night was had by the Margaritas who gathered in the Old Girls’ Atrium
in November for a catch up and margaritas made by David Simpson.
This event happens annually, near the end of the year, for everyone who has left school
in the last 10 years.
Alex Hazlett (2008) and a team of helpers will be gathering you this year. They will
be in touch via Facebook. If you would like to become involved with this event please
contact Alex on alexkatehazlett@gmail.com.
Connections Dinner
The second extremely successful Connections Business Dinner was held in September 2016.
This continues to be a wonderful evening for connecting members of our community
together – old girls, past parents, current parents, friends of the school – to listen to
an old girl speak. Juliet Blair, Global Marketing Manager at Linden Leaves and Director
at Kognito was our entertaining guest speaker. There was lots of chatter and hilarity over
drinks and a delicious dinner.
Old girls had the opportunity to promote their business through sponsorship and raffle
prizes with the profit going towards the Old Girls’ Scholarship Fund.
Business drinks for old girls will be introduced in Christchurch this year. If you are an old
girl in business and would like to become involved, please contact Annabel Shand:
annabel.shand@craigsip.com.
This is a model we would like to replicate around the country and overseas. Watch this space!
Anne Zwart – President - SMCOGA
AUTUMN 2017 23.

Old Girl News
Our SMC Old Girls' Association co-ordinator, Wendy Groves, has given a number
of tours recently to old girls and their friends and family, wanting to take a trip down
memory lane!
Angela Edgington (Macfarlane) 1958
Thank you very much for taking us on the wonderful tour of St Margaret’s and
organising with Vickie for us to see my family christening gown and my aunt’s
information that is in the archives. It was very much appreciated. I know everyone
enjoyed your tour very much. It was special. We were most impressed with the
facilities for the year 13 boarders and the healthy food in the boarders’ dining room.
Again, thank you. It was something I will always remember.
Angela Edginton
Eunice Chan 1983
Eunice was St Margaret’s first international student from Malaysia and since leaving
has risen through the ranks of Malaysian banking to become Head of Private Banking.
She is pictured here with daughter Tiffany (19) and husband Thiong Chai, after they
visited the college during their three-week holiday to New Zealand.
Eunice Chan
Julie Seymour (Dawson) 1984
Former Silver Fern and now a member of the St Margaret’s sports department, Julie
Seymour, received a well deserved Service Award from Netball New Zealand earlier
this year for her significant contribution to netball.
Islay Fowler 2012
Mrs Simpson received this updated from Islay Fowler as she prepared for her first
year at Otago. “After initially being awarded the Leaders of Tomorrow and Vice
Chancellors Scholarship, I was put on a waitlist for the Academic Excellence
Entrance Scholarship. I didn’t think much of it as it’s a super competitive $45k
award, but checking my emails last week I saw I’d been lucky enough to be awarded
this scholarship, I guess Level 3 results got me over the line! This is thrilling and
was made even more special when my dear friend Grace Sullivan found out only
yesterday good news of the same nature. So again I thank you for giving me the
opportunity to attend St Margaret’s, from which many doors have opened up for me.
Julie Seymour
On a sporting note while representing Canterbury Women at the National 7’s rugby
tournament in mid January, I was selected in the New Zealand Development
programme. Olympic dream one step closer maybe?”
Islay Fowler
24. EVERGREEN

Coming Events
2017
May Tuesday 9 Cranmer Chapel Service & Morning Tea
Saturday 13
Cranmer Lunch
Tuesday 30
Annual SMC/RR Bridge Tournament
June Friday 9 Connections Dinner
Friday 16
Mother Daughter Breakfast
August Friday 4 Mother Daughter Breakfast
Thursday 17
Cranmer Assembly & Morning Tea
September Friday 1 Descendants Breakfast
October Friday 27 & Saturday 28 Reunion Weekend
November Thursday 23 Margaritas
December Wednesday 6 Leavers Ball
Deceased
1490 Margrita Scott (McKenzie)
1717 Audrey Harrison (Pilbeam)
1779 Beverley Lee (Burrowes)
2546 Cynthia Perkins (Scott)
2589 Melia Archer (Lawry)
1946 Joan Elder (Chapman)
0784 Marion Oliver (Smail)
2016 Year Book
There was a mix up in the 2017 Year Book with Madeline Story
and Bella Storer. Their correct photos are below. We hope they’re
enjoying their respective careers at Otago and Canterbury.
Bella Storer
Madeleine Story
AUTUMN 2017 25.

Old Girl News
Reunion Weekend
The Reunion Weekend is the highlight in the Old Girls’ calendar each year and 2016
was no exception. Just under 150 old girls attended the events which started with
a cocktail party on the Friday evening. It was wonderful to hear the laughter and
shrieks of delight when people arrived and found their year group and renewed
friendships. The chapel service on Saturday morning and a fashion parade of the
school uniform through the ages brought back many memories. Morning tea
followed, along with lots of chatter and tours of the school which were ably led
by current students.
Everyone agreed the facilities are outstanding and the opportunities the students
have now are so exciting and varied. Lunch was in the dining room and it was very
special to have 11 ladies from the 70 years plus group attend the luncheon hosted
by Gillian Simpson. The year group convenors did a wonderful job in organising
dinners and other events to make the weekend memorable for everyone.
If this is your year for a reunion contact Wendy Groves in the Old Girls' Office
for details – you don’t want to miss out!
Susan Mohammed – SMCOGA Reunion Convenor
20 Years On
Back Row: Katrina Armstrong (Begg),
Charlotte Rutherford (Gardner), Libby Osborn (Crawford),
Garbrielle Simpson (Sparrow), Natalie Perret
Middle Row: Victoria Morrow (Anderson), Gemma Guild (Grigg),
Hannah Davison (Ritchie), Tania Riddington, Samantha Sellars (Sii)
Front Row: Rebecca Hyde, Rebecca Yule, Anna Vavasour (Hedley),
Rebecca Sewell, Charlotte Rietveld (Nell), Gemma Zust
30 Years On
Back Row: Susan Mowatt (Pickering), Anna Macauley,
Anna Phipps, Pip Sutton, Lucy Hunt (Thompson),
Anna Hare (Savill), Dee Parahini (King), Bronwyn Harding (Taylor)
Middle Row: Amy Robens, Mandy Steel, Sarah Burtscher (White),
Bridget Dean (Doody), Bridgit Underwood (Scott),
Shelly Jackson (Cridge), Sue Cochrane (Jamison), Caroline Speight
Front Row: Amanda Dybdahl (Dodwell), Kirsten Gray,
Laura Bainbridge (Martin), Anna Musson (Smith), Juliet Lill,
Victoria Taylor (Macdonald), Jane Parker, Sally Houston (Pemberton)
26. EVERGREEN

40 Years On
Back Row: Kathryn Wigley (Hunt), Sarah Roberts (Donaldson),
Penelope Day, Susan Cantrell (Metcalfe)
Middle Row: Claire Baker, Nicola Power, Pip Townshend,
Kate Rattray, Mary-Jane Powell
Front Row: Karen Mullaly, Rosemary Sinclair (Goodwin),
Jennifer Brookes (Rivers), Jacqui Mohammed (Steward),
Mandy Pettit (Vryenhoek), Kate Robins
50 Years On
Back Row: Ruth Ferguson, Sally Lovell-Smith (Henderson),
Sandra Webb (Oates), Margaret Foster (Patterson),
Jayne Abbott (Laurenson), Pip Gerard
Middle Row: Wendy Tomlin (Grice), Shirley Mercer (Ruske),
Sarah Hoban (Lawence), Pam Watson (Hammett), Jenny Reeve (Doak),
Liz Calder (Paton), Ruth Winter (Bain), Christine McDermott (MacKenzie),
Cheryl Sheddan (Copland)
Front Row: Diana Watson, Anne Williams (Mercer),
Sandy McCrostie (Watkinson), Louise Glubb (Gibbon), Sally Poole (Taylor),
Lynn Woodyard (MacKenzie), Janet Todd-Molineaux, Chris Wilcox (Shadbolt)
60 Years On
Back Row: Pam Rundle (Stone), Fay Frizzell (Wilson), Alex Isherwood (Marriner),
Rosemary Allan (Spicer), Ginny Gardiner (Norris), Sandra Pascoe (Laine),
Christine Bradley (Percival), Sandra Simmers (Urquhart), Gendie Nobbs (Peate)
Middle Row: Gillian Parr (Blunden), Ros Lambrechtsen (Fulton),
Janice Smith (Wilson), Marian Dixon (McLaughlin), Amber Gazzard,
Sue Somerville (Owen), Erewon Read (Coop), Ann Sidey (Mason),
Jenny Abrahamson (Clark)
Front Row: Diane Cranfield (Parr), Alison Robertson (Straubel),
Caroline Gough (Harty), Jan Henderson (Sutherland), Jantje Brosnan (Henderson),
Patricia Alsop (Downing), June Sinclair (White), Juliet Banks (Courage)
70 Years On
Back Row: Mary Stapylton-Smith (Pretsch), Judy Hower (Mardow),
Anne Lucas (Hudson)
Front Row: Judy Timpany (Ellis), Robin Willis (Stevens),
Ann Booth (Acton-Adams), Helen Walker (Watson),
Elizabeth (Bunty) Seque (Wilson)
AUTUMN 2017 27.

Alumni Leaders
Arihia Bennett
Arihia Bennett recently performed a karakia and on behalf of mana whenua, welcomed our
full school community to the new school year at the St Margaret’s Pōwhiri. She was astounded
by what she saw.
Arihia, the first female Chief Executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, attended St Margaret’s
in the 70’s; a time when recognition of iwi and Māori culture was almost nil. She recalls only
one teacher pronouncing her name correctly during her four years at St Margaret’s and remembers
attending elocution lessons to develop the ‘St Margaret’s girl plum posh accent’, during lunch
while her friends enjoyed custard squares from the tuck shop.
The Pōwhiri, she says, was over whelming and a far cry from days gone by; seeing the whole
school - parents, girls, teachers - coming together and welcoming cultural diversity with such
poise and respect was an experience she admits, left her speechless.
Reflecting on her journey after St Margaret’s, she confesses she is fiercely independent but
looking back and talking to a younger Arihia, she says, if she could, she’d encourage herself
to find coaches, supporters and mentors who believed in her enough to see the good, bad
and the ugly and still stand by her.
She encourages our young women to build their sense of courage and confidence as early
as possible. The professional world can be highly male dominated and one of the potential
setbacks she has experienced is the fear and anxiety of being surrounded by a number of males.
‘If you are well equipped with knowledge and information – you are competent – all you need
is the confidence and courage to expound and articulate that information.’
However, these three ‘C’s’ are nothing without compassion and character. No matter how difficult
or how great the situation, Arihia talks of knowing how to stand in another person’s shoes and not
lose yourself along the way.
‘As you move into leadership positions or into a challenge, happiness really matters – it reduces
the fear and brings a sense of calmness. In a highly judgemental society it is imperative
to surround yourself with people who care and no matter the context remember to have character,
be confident, courageous, competent and compassionate and enjoy yourself.’
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28. EVERGREEN

Leavers Ball 2016
Back Row: Gabby McDonald Ashy Batchelor Georgia Voice Sophie Tunstall Madeline Bradley Jessica Wiles Sophie Westenra
Annabelle Turnbull Grace Lamont Evie Pitt Natasha Thomas Annabel Black Kate McVicar Daisy Hemmingson-White
Georgia Turner Harriet Ireland Livvy Norton Issy Randall
Sixth Row: Molly Robinson Star Davidson Amelia Perkins Emma Trafford Maddy Fleming Laura Muckle Georgina Macfarlane Gabriella Woodman
Anna Macfarlane Jorja MacRae Sophie Adams Lucy Fulton Madison Orange Makayla Montgomery Islay Fowler Emma McClean Isabella Fanselow
Fifth Row: Piera Neill Brittany White Alice Murray Clara Gan Margot Allais Ami Ockey Sophie Carwood Saskia Klinkenberg
Sierra Bayley Millie Borren Dinuki Karunasekera Ye Jin Cho Tayla Duff Bella Storer Maddi Flannery Sarah McKeegan
Fourth Row: Eva Dallison Millie Calder Kerri-Ann Sinclair Libby Morris Georgia White Bridget Jaggar Laura Dalgety
Graccin Plunkett Lucy Brownie Maggie Morris Faith Gunn Brooke Pope-McCaw Cecilia Foster Anna Macdonald Sophie Grigg
Third Row: Georgia Doyle Madeleine Story Emily Wildy Grace Sullivan Sophia Chen Julie Briden Nicole Connolly
Ella Holland Sarah Duncan Maria van Kuijk Melissa Kennett Victoria Levey Charlotte Jones Grace Davies
Second Row: Merryn Solloway Laura Smith Bree Thomson Georgia Bell Melissa Romeril Izzy Goddard Mackenzie Figgitt
Lauren Bennett Grace Cocks Lydia Clarke Daphne Chiang Molly Crossland Enya Engelbrecht
Front Row: Toni McKee Lily Marshall Daisy O’Connor Medeleine Tilley (Deputy Head Girl)
Mrs Samantha MacGibbon (SMCOGA Senior Vice President) Aryn Azlan (Head Girl) Mrs Gillian Simpson (Executive Principal)
Mrs Paula Vesty (Year 13 Dean) Mrs Chris Wyeth (Associate Principal) Samantha Morris Holly McLeish Molly Maclean
AUTUMN 2017 29.

Old Girl Events
Margaritas
From Left:
Ella Kotlowski
Poppy Varley-Clapp
Anna Hood
Natalie Bocock
From Left:
Rebecca White
Emma Green
Frances Redmond
Margot Gibson
From Left:
Gillian Simpson
Margot Gibson
Chris Wyeth
From Left:
Lara Harris
Ruby Hauschild
Alex Hazlett
From Left:
Anne Zwart
Natalie Bocock
Rose Robinson
Bindy Todd
From Left:
Ruby Hauschild
Alex Hazlett
Natalie Bocock
Julia Chamberlain
Back, from Left:
Bella Forbes
Julia Newsome-White
Julia Chamberlain
Francesca Silverster
Prue Murdoch
Beatrice Rogers
Kate Butt
Rose Robinson
Front, from Left:
Poppy Varley-Clapp
Anna Hood
Natalie Bocock
Ella Kotlowski
2017 connections dinner
Friday 9 June at 6.00pm
St Margaret’s College Dining Room, Winchester Street, Merivale
St Margaret’s College Old Girl, Chessie Henry, author, will be sharing stories
of her writing career and life experiences to date.
BOOK ONLINE NOW!
stmargarets.school.nz
For enquiries please contact Wendy Groves: 03 963 2645
30. EVERGREEN

Old Girl Events
2016 Connections Dinner
Anne Zwart speaking
Gillian Simpson
speaking
From Left:
Susan Mohammed
Kate Pearson
From Left:
Cindy Mendonca
Gillian Simpson
AUTUMN 2017 31.

From the Archives
Vickie Ward – Archivist
Do you know any of the people in this photo? We believe
it is from the 1940’s, maybe just the boarders...
A look back in time
Not many know the current Community Relations office
at 18 Winchester Street used to be one of the boarding houses.
In 1971 there were four bedrooms/ dorms decked out with
bunks, with around six girls to a room. Anne Zwart, the
current SMCOGA President, has fantastic memories from
her time there, although there is only one that we’re allowed
to share here! Anne recalls Miss Nathaniel, who through Molly
Mullan came over from Africa. Miss Nathaniel taught maths
and was the teacher in charge of the house. Anne has memories
of making ‘illegal’ toast with girls (tuck boxes were only
opened Wednesdays and Saturdays) and seeing Miss Nathaniel
walking, quite slowly, toward the house. The girls had time
to finish cooking, eating and airing out the house before Miss
Nathaniel made it back to them, none the wiser about the
girls’ cooking up trouble which apparently they did frequently!
We are looking for more stories about 18 Winchester Street.
The first memories of it being a boarding house and some
of the printable high jinks you all use to get up to! Any
interesting information that you have is welcomed.
'Capturing the Moment'
In the library, next to the IT helpdesk window is a display about
a beautiful young lady whose life was tragically cut short.
Nicola Dodwell was a student here at SMC from 1986-1990 with
her twin Amanda. Nicola was Deputy Head Prefect in 1990 and
Amanda was a prefect. Both girls achieved colours in their chosen
sports. In October 1992, Nicola was sadly killed in a car accident
on the Lindis Pass. There is more information about both of these
girls in the display. Please come on in and have a look, this is a very
poignant reminder to 'Capture the Moment'.
The last Dodwell
family photo taken.
Judy, Tony with their
sons Christopher
and Kingsley and
their daughters
Amanda and Nicola.
32. EVERGREEN

In Closing
Peg Riley – Chaplain
At the start of the year, our Head of Chapel,
Hannah Langley, shared with the school
her goals for the Chapel Committee.
This is part of her message:
“I want our main goal this year, as a team,
as a school, to be that we connect each and
every one of you to the wifi. I’m talking about
God’s wifi; faith. Because I believe that faith is like
wifi. It’s invisible but has the power to connect you
to anything and everything from anywhere. The Chapel
Committee will support and encourage you all throughout
the year as you find ways to connect to the wifi, and develop
your faith further. The moment I want to capture this year
is the one where I look out at all of you and see that in one
moment we are all connected to the same wifi.
Most people are never fully present in the now because,
unconsciously, they believe that the next moment must
be more important than this one. But then you miss your
whole life, waiting for the next moment. So live in the
moment happening now, and connect with it, connect
with the people around you, connect with the greater
power that surrounds you, that supports you and pushes
you up and over those ever moving mountains.
Life is happening now, don’t wait, capture those moments
and hold them tightly within your hearts.”
AUTUMN 2017 33.

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