our Girls’ report Head of School’s Year in Review 2017 | 2018
St. Margaret’s School (SMS) is an all-girls independent day and boarding school located in the city of Victoria, on the scenic west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1908, SMS is an international centre for girls with a focus on leadership and experiential learning, for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (Boarding: Grades 7–12).
What makes a great school? message from the head of school When you ask people what they are looking for in a school, they generally will focus first on academic excellence, opportunities for their child to be challenged, an abundance of extracurricular offerings, and most importantly, a safe, nurturing environment that will allow their children to thrive and strive. They will search for information about the school—its demographics, academic profile, programming, leadership opportunities, and global experiences. Parents will also look at graduation rates, postsecondary/scholarship opportunities, course offerings, and a school’s mission/vision proposition that aligns with their own values, hopes, and dreams. A consequence, however, of relying on only those things that can be quantified is not realizing the importance of an engaged community as can be found at St. Margaret’s—one that is inclusive of parents, staff, and students, and the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusion. These factors can be appreciated only by experiencing first-hand the confidence and competence our girls here at SMS exude in all facets of school life. The strength of our girls’ voices is displayed in the school, at home, and in the community. During my years as an educator, I have learned that a great education is not a passive experience but rather an active one that encourages students to take advantage of all the opportunities a school has to offer. Probably the most important measure of a school’s success is its ability to engage its students: healthy engagement is indicated by the extent to which students immerse themselves in the intellectual and social life of the school, by the way students accept failure to test their current limits, and by how easily students are willing to develop a growth mindset that welcomes challenges as opportunities.
cathy thornicroft head of St. Margaret’s school
When I visit a great school, I always look for examples that reflect the values the school espouses. When I am here at St. Margaret’s, I am always heartened by the things I will see over the days, weeks, and months, such as:
• An active Parents’ Auxiliary whose primary role is to welcome families and provide a multitude of activities to build community across the whole school
• T wo students, arms around each other, demonstrating the power of our Big Sister/ Little Sister program
• Residence staff connecting with parents to celebrate the successes of their children in myriad ways
• A student and teacher sharing an experience at Outweek, where both were pushed outside their comfort level and were able to celebrate each other’s accomplishments
• Students taking part in every aspect of school life and encouraging others to join them regardless of ability • Principals welcoming students at the start of each school day at the entrance of the school
• Our student leaders who give up their summer vacations to welcome our new students and families as they transition to life at SMS
• The presence of a Board that has strategic oversight of the sustainability of an organization over a long period of time (in SMS’s case, 110 years of service!)
• Parents, staff, and students joining in a day of service to enhance the school campus or to recognize those less fortunate
All of these are prime examples of a school that cares, a place where expectations are high, where excellence is celebrated but personal growth even more so, and finally, a place where the criteria for success are diverse, transparent, and co-created with students and families.
st. margaret’s is a great school. Its history is rich with numerous examples of resiliency, consistency in its mission of Servite in Caritate, and its commitment to girls’ education for 110 years. There is an abundance of personal success stories of alumnae and current students that reflect our vision of Confident Girls. Inspiring Women. I look forward to the chapters that will be written this year and invite all of you, current and interested families, to become an integral part of what makes St. Margaret’s so much more than the facts listed in this report. Come with confidence and prepare to be inspired . . . or to be inspiring!
why St. margaret’s school? message from the chair, board of governors When I first was nominated to the Board of Governors, beyond the usual vetting and paperwork submissions, I was asked for a written answer to, “Why St. Margaret’s?” For me, the answer was easy because our daughter chose it for herself. At the time my husband and I were working overseas in an area where there was no appropriate high school. When the time came to make a choice for Grade 10 we toured three independent boarding schools on the Island. Our daughter was accepted at all three, and she chose St. Margaret’s. “It feels right,” she said. “I know it is the best place for me.” Her subsequent experience proved correct. While at SMS she received exceptional care, an exemplary education, and exciting opportunities, from participating in volunteer endeavors, to learning to scuba dive. St. Margaret’s was the right choice. Not only experience, but research also backs up what our daughter knew instinctively to be true. An April 2016 report from the National Coalition of Girls Schools shared the following: Over 88% of girls’ school students report they are comfortable being themselves at school, which means they are free to focus their energies on their learning. —Dr. Richard A. Holmgren, Allegheny College, Steeped in Learning: The Student Experience at All-Girls Schools 93% of girls’ school grads are very or extremely satisfied with their school’s ability to provide individualized attention, and 80% strongly feel encouragement to develop their own interests. —Goodman Research Group, The Girls’ School Experience: A Survey of Young Alumnae of Single-Sex Schools
Single-sex programs…create an institutional and classroom climate in which female students can express themselves freely and frequently, and develop higher order thinking skills. —Dr. Rosemary C. Salomone, St. John’s University, Public Single-Sex Schools: What Oprah Knew All-girls settings provide girls with a certain comfort level that helps them develop greater selfconfidence and broader interests, especially as they approach adolescence. —Dr. Rosemary C. Salomone, St. John’s University, Same, Difference, Equal: Rethinking Single-Sex Schooling Students at all-girls schools have higher aspirations and greater motivation than their female peers at coed independent and public schools. More than 2/3 expect to earn a graduate or professional degree. —Dr. Richard A. Holmgren, Allegheny College, Steeped in Learning: The Student Experience at All-Girls Schools At St. Margaret’s School girls are engaged, challenged, inspired and prepared to pursue their dreams. No matter what her aspirations, from astronaut to zoologist, she will know that nothing can stand in her way. We live that message every day, reflected in our vision statement— Confident girls. Inspiring women. The following report will give you a glimpse of our empowering education, I hope it inspires you!
Carmen Campbell-Hewitt Chair, Board of Governors
girl-centred:
small school, big family For 110 years we have been providing a personalized learning experience in an environment where girls gain confidence and discover their passions. Our programs equip girls with the knowledge, attitudes, and courage to thrive—in their studies, in their careers, and in life. This is a school where girls who want to change the world become women who do. Our committed staff, beautiful campus, and innovative curriculum create a nurturing environment that challenges students to achieve their leadership potential.
10 Board of governors
Parents’ Auxiliary: 13 active members
Carmen Campbell-Hewitt, Chair Julie Akeroyd, Nolan Beise, Deanna Chan, Cristen DeCarolis Dallas, Olga Gould, Christian Mattenley, Anthony Minniti, Bernard Tonks, Joan Yates.
Community events: Orientation, New Parent Wine and Cheese, Welcome Back BBQ, Alumnae Luncheon/ Spring Reunion, Bubbles and Chocolate, Anniversary Tea, Closing Ceremony, Parent Lecture Series, Book Sales, Coffee Mornings, Terry Fox Run, Halloween Carnival, Carol Service, Spring Fair, JY Carnival, Goddess Run.
girl-centred: SMS has an outstanding academic program in our Foundation Years (ECE–Grade 4), Middle Years (Grades 5–8), and Senior Years (Grades 9–12). Our teachers design experiences that teach students to investigate, ask questions, seek out possibilities, and take ownership in the learning process. They collaborate to create projects and activities that allow students to make connections between subjects and apply knowledge across disciplines.
SMS by the numbers
1908 SMS founded
ece-12 grades
16
students average class size
We equip our students with the skills, attitudes, and confidence to become nimble learners who are not afraid to take risks and who will be able to adapt to the changing world around them.
8:1
students
350
teacher
total students
220 DAY
130 boarding
students FROM
23
countries around the world
SMS grads
39 100% 149 $423,000 60 graduates in the class of 2018
offers of university admission
of grads accepted to post-secondary
in scholarships and awards offered
scholarships offered
SMS focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and we are proud that more than 30% of our grads are going into pure and applied sciences in their post-secondary studies. At SMS we believe strongly in the Art/Science connection and see the value in communication and investigation. Whatever path our students pursue, we are confident they will be successful.
Girls Gone Strong: Girls’ sports do not take a back seat at SMS. Girls are our star athletes and our most valuable players. They captain every team, they access the best equipment, they win all the trophies, and they get all the glory. We believe the independent pursuit and involvement in sport outside of class is key to developing girls who will be active for life. Our athletic programs provide a diverse collection of opportunities for our girls to be challenged athletically and socially. Our coaches work to ensure our school values are upheld and strong relationships are forged. Participation is equally celebrated with winning.
Athletics at SMS
12
22
different sports offered at sms
basketball
teams participate in interscholastic competition
rugby
triathlon
swimming
2
20+
teams are club interscholastic (golf, tennis)
volleyball
x country
Opportunities for girls’ leadership within sport
track & field
rowing
sm tennis
badminton
soccer
s
cheer
golf
Highlights: Two-time City Champions in rowing (novice quad) 1st and 2nd place Grade 10 City Badminton Championship Host: VISAA cross-country meet; ISAA Junior Girls B Basketball Tournament Provincially/Nationally identified athletes in: triathlon, rowing, rugby, skating
Girls of the world: boarding at sms
boarding by the numbers:
25 116 10 16+ residence staff
boarding students
different countries
activities and trips
count less Opportunities for girl’s leadership
boarding provides a unique opportunity to live and study in an urbanrural setting. Located on 22 beautiful acres, our campus is in a safe residential neighbourhood at the border of a rural greenbelt with access to walking and cycling trails. The school is also just minutes from the downtown of Victoria, Canada’s most beautiful city and the vibrant capital of British Columbia. Boarding fosters independent thinking and provides a breadth of experience that equates to preparation for life. Our girls gain critical-thinking skills and self-awareness that prepares them for post-secondary and beyond, all while creating lifelong friendships and networks across the world. Clubs and lessons: art club, boxing, culinary arts and cooking, dance, golf, horseback riding, knitting, running, song writing, squash, swimming, tennis, yoga
Activities: hikes, hockey games, kayaking, laser tag, local events, mini golf, movie nights, outdoor activities, rock climbing, theatre, whale watching, zip lining as well as trips to Tofino, Whistler, Vancouver Montreal, Edmonton.
Girls of the world:
10
Japanese students from Shizuoka EIWA Jogakuin Girls’ School
the countries that our students are from: Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam
4
4 students from St. Margaret’s British School for Girls from Chile
7
Japanese students from EIWA for one week in March
Girls thrive: clubs at SMS
drama
tech
council
π
band
writing
outreach
scholars
È choir model un
muticultural
gsa
triathlon
+
homework
math
green peer tutor
art
lego
Total extracurricular involvement:
18 89% 80% 40+
clubs offered
Middle Years
senior Years
Opportunities for girl’s leadership within clubs
fun fact: Model UN conferences provide SMS delegates with the opportunity to engage with their peers from around the globe, broaden their perspectives, and improve their ability to communicate their ideas, understand others, and catalyze their contributions to positive change in the world. These conferences enable students to learn about global issues, participate in consensus-building and problem-solving simulations, develop a better understanding of the UN, and enjoy long, demanding days and nights with a variety of students from other schools around the world as they develop their public speaking and critical-thinking skills. Highlights: Model UN: 25 students from Grades 9–12 Three major events attended including the Vancouver Model UN with over 1,400 participants from around the world.
Girls in the wild:
100% 25+ participation in Outdoor Education
Outdoor activities
beyond the classroom Our academic programs are supported by a variety of experiential programs designed to engage students in learning beyond the classroom and provide them with opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-life situations. These programs offer meaningful, hands-on experiences that allow for trial and error and empower students to tackle new challenges. Through these experiences, our students gain awareness of other cultures; develop leadership and teamwork skills; learn to care for others, their community, and their environment; and become open to new experiences. Opportunities:
Fun fact: Statistics show that students who are regularly involved in outdoor education have marked improvements in all areas of STEM, basic skills, and reading. Standardized test scores also improve with the use of environmental education.
Benefits of Outdoor Education:
• Archery
• Kinesthetic learning
• Beach clean-up
• Improved concentration
• Bee keeping
• Teamwork
• Camping
• Leadership
• Canoeing & kayaking
• Courage
• Caving
• Critical thinking
• Hiking, orienteering
• Two-week European adventure allows girls to apply learning in a global setting.
• Problem solving
• Rock climbing
• Social development
• Sailing
•O pportunities to volunteer abroad are offered on a school service trip in a developing country to take part in community service projects.
• Community stewardship
• Scuba diving
• Risk taking
• surfing, swimming
• Improved academic performance
• Whitewater kayaking
•O utweek encourages students to challenge themselves in a range of outdoor activities and adventures. Students explore the natural environment, learn to work cooperatively, and gain confidence in their own abilities. • I ntercultural exchanges are organized with schools worldwide to immerse themselves in other cultures.
activities:
Girls of the future: STEM at SMS Beyond being an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM is an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary educational philosophy centred on questioning, observation, reflection, and communication. STEM learning is supported at all levels and across all disciplines. Graduates of SMS will be imaginative thinkers possessing the skills, abilities, and confidence to work collaboratively with others in developing innovative responses to complex problems. STEM-related staff positions:
Benefits of STEM:
In 2017–18, SMS introduced two helping teachers to support STEM in the classroom.
•P repares students for upcoming technological innovations and jobs
STEM clubs:
• Enhances problem-solving skills
Grades 4–8 Robotics Club – FIRST LEGO League
• Generates deeper thinking
Grades 7–12 Robotics Club – FIRST Tech Challenge
• Instills creativity and innovation
Classes that participate in STEM activities:
• Teaches teamwork, collaboration, and communication
•A ll grades: SMS hosts 20-plus STEM-related workshops, events, and field trips. • Grade 3: robotics is included in a weekly class. •M iddle Years: Applied Design Skills and Technology is taught. • SY: AP Computer Science
• Encourages risk taking • Teaches students to research, plan, gather data, design and draw conclusions • Builds perseverance and determination • Fosters a love of learning
St. Margaret’s is proud to be the first and only all-girl day/boarding STEM school in Canada.
STEM-related events at SMS: • Maker Day • 2 “Teachers Learning Code” workshops • Robotics workshop in partnership with Ocean Networks Canada •A rduino workshop in partnership with MediaNet • STEM conference (biannual)
8+
nurturing creativity:
arts awards for middle and senior year students
The Arts Program at SMS offers outlets for self-expression and the development of creative interests. It also encourages appreciation for art and builds awareness of art in everyday life. There is an intimacy of knowledge that comes through the study of art: students learn how to observe, listen, and become more thoughtful and reflective. A variety of courses and extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to explore, develop their competency, and gain confidence in a variety of art forms, including visual arts, media arts, dramatic arts, and music.
5
100%
annual productions
total participation in arts courses
Arts at sms
90
9
students participating in band
arts courses offered
Arts extracurricular activities: art club, choir, dance, music, speech arts, theatre, Trashion show
Girls giving back: service with love
100% 12 Total participation in service activities
students have achieved the duke of edinburgh's award
25
students travel to Vancouver to participate in WE Day annually.
5
Service with Love Alumnae Awards given out in 2018
Since the founding of the school in 1908, the school motto— Servite in Caritate ~ Service with Love—has been central to an SMS education, teaching our students to express heartfelt gratitude by giving back to the community and serving others throughout their lives. The first Service Day was held in April 2013. It was introduced to ensure that everyone (students, staff, and interested families) could spend time giving back in a myriad of ways. Service Day is an opportunity for the entire school, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, to give back to our local community and live our school motto, Service with Love. With the support of the entire staff and administration, a day is dedicated to helping serve the community. For the past couple of years, SMS has focused on the Me to We five pillars of sustainable communities as a foundation: water and sanitation, food security, education, opportunity, and health.
Alumnae with love
one
annual service trip Past trips include: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Dominican Republic
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award: 12 students who have achieved bronze, silver, or gold medals. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an internationally recognized program for young people, building their skills to equip them for life and work. By creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure, the award can play a critical role in their development.
SMS Outreach Committee: The SMS Outreach Committee supports two organizations as part of our directive to impact the lives of women and children locally and globally: the Africa Health and Community Program, and Free the Children. Free the Children has designed many different campaigns that change the lives of everyone from the homeless in our hometowns to families in Africa.
SMS alumnaE are passionate, dedicated and inspired leaders who have helped shape the cultural, political, economic, and academic landscapes of our country. SMS has nurtured the careers of women in nearly every field and many of our alumnae are pioneers of the modern world; such as notable alumna Frances Oldham Kelsey, a pharmacologist and physician. Our alumnae network consists of many interesting and inspiring women. Their studies, careers and other adventures have taken them around the globe, but their journeys all started right here at St. Margaret’s School. In 2017 SMS commemorated our commitment to “Service with Love” by launching a new Alumnae Award.
The inaugural award winners: Vicky Husband ’58, Lynda Brown-Ganzert ’85, Karen Clark Cole ’85, Elizabeth Rogers ’98, Pamela Allan ’41
a safe space for girls:
Creating Special Places on campus: New Junior Playground
one outdoor classroom
22
LEED-certified Junior School building
acres
22 acres LEED-certified Junior School building 2 tennis courts 4 modern residence houses 1 athletic centre 2 gymnasiums 1 dance studio 1-km chip trail
1km chip trail
two
adventure playground
tennis courts
1 playing field 1 adventure playground 1 dining hall
one
1 grad Lounge
1 culinary arts centre
1 outdoor classroom
Newest safe place on campus: JK Playground culinary arts
centre
4
modern residence houses
one Dining hall
Mission: Empowering her to set her own course and shape her own dreams. Vision: Confident girls. Inspiring Women. Motto: Servite in Caritate ~ Service with Love.
1080 Lucas Ave, Victoria, BC, V8X 3P7, Canada Phone: +1 250 479 7171 | Fax: +1 250 479 8976 info@stmarg.ca | www.stmarg.ca
accredited by
BC Inspector of Independent Schools
member of