Style: May 04, 2018

STYLE | promotion 51
A GUIDE TO
OPEN DAYS
Lizzie Dyer, the St Margaret’s College registrar, is the first person most families meet
when they visit the school as she helps guide them through the process of choosing,
enrolling and settling into the school. Here she provides her expert tips on getting the
most from school Open Days.
What ‘homework’ should parents do before attending an
Open Day?
The best thing you can do is talk to students and parents
who are already at the schools you are considering. Find
out what they like and why they chose the school. And, of
course, take a look at the website.
What is this experience designed to show?
All schools are at their best on Open Day and will have
academic, performing arts and sporting displays. It is when
we open our gates to the world to come and have a look.
Generally you will come away from an Open Day knowing
whether or not you want to take the next step. I liken it to
buying a house, you just know when it feels like home and
it should be the same with a school.
How should we prepare our children?
Encourage them to ask the student guides questions, and
get them to talk to friends who already attend the school.
Is this the same time boarders get their chance to
experience the school?
Absolutely, going away to school can be daunting for any
age. We run a sleepover at the same time as our Open Day,
which gives girls a taste of life as a boarder. Later in the year,
we run another sleepover for girls who are confirmed so
they can get to know other girls in their year who will also
be boarding.
Why are such days only once a year?
A huge amount of preparation goes into an Open Day and
most schools will want to keep disruption to learning to a
minimum for the rest of the year. However, schools will also
have info evenings or run private tours in addition to the
Open Day.
What if we can’t make the scheduled days, but still wish to
have an introduction to the school?
If you can’t make the Open Day, you can often book in
private tours throughout the year. This is one of the best
parts of my job, I love meeting the families and watching
the gorgeous girls go from slightly overwhelmed newbies to
become strong, confident young women during their time at
St Margaret’s.
The St Margaret’s College Open Day is on Friday 11 May,
10.30am–1.00pm. The Principal’s Address at 11.45am will feature
current Executive Principal, Gillian Simpson, as well as Diana
Patchett, who will take over the role from Term 3. To pre-register,
visit www.stmargarets.school.nz/open-day-2018/
The SMC Sleepover takes place from 4.30pm on Friday 11 May
until 10.00am on Saturday 12 May. Pre-booking is essential at
www.stmargarets.school.nz/smc-sleepover-registration/