The Chronicle 2025
OUR FAMILY OF LOCAL VENUES Discover a trio of family-owned & operated venues in Aberdeen and Royal Deeside — each specialising in delicious dishes, refreshing drinks, relaxing stays and warm welcomes for all.
THEALBYN.CO.UK
~
THECULTSHOTEL.CO.UK
~
THEBIELDSIDEINN.CO.UK
THE CHRONICLE 2025 CONTENTS
Welcome to The Chronicle 2025 Contents From the Head.....................o4 Long Service Awards........06 In Memoriam.........................08 Retirements.............................10 Speech Day...............................12 Reports - Nursery.....................................14 - Junior School.......................17 - Junior Residential.............21 - After School Care and Holiday Club........................ 23 Charity Events........................25 Careers........................................26 In The News.............................29
Rights Respecting Schools Award..........................................42 Whole School Events.......44 Senior Trips...............................51 Music Department.............58 Drama Performances.......65 Sports Review........................68 MegArt Exhibition...............70 Art Gallery.................................72 Extra-Curricular Youth Philanthropy............79 Silver Awards..........................80 PTA................................................82 Development Office..........83
Page 3
THE CHRONICLE 2025 FROM THE HEAD
From the Head Session 2024-25 began with a proud acknowledgement of the 150th Anniversary of the Girls' Schools Association (GSA), whose research reaffirmed that girls in all-girls’ schools consistently outperform their peers academically, a fact reflected in our own superb examination results, which remain clearly above the national independent school average. Our leavers' diverse destinations are a reflection of our genuine commitment to encourage every girl to pursue her chosen path, free from preconceived limits. As you will read in the following pages, at St Margaret’s, we are purposefully developing the blend of human and digital skills essential for the workforce of tomorrow: critical thinking, complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and digital literacy. Our focus is firmly on the future, as demonstrated by our pupils’ impressive achievements. This year saw our VI Senior team win the prestigious Stem in the Pipeline competition, impressing judges with their innovative approaches to sustainability and teamwork. Passion for STEM starts early: this year our 7 Junior pupils relished the Stemovator Challenge, in which they designed a sustainable school and earned a prize of STEM resources. At St Margaret’s girls are developing life-long skills. The ongoing Daffodil DNA project is teaching perseverance and resilience, while the mathematics department has celebrated exceptional success, not least when one of our sixth year girls was crowned Best in Scotland in the Maths Olympiad for Girls.
Page 4
THE CHRONICLE 2025 FROM THE HEAD
Achievement extends into the community, with pupils from nursery through to senior school actively involved in volunteering, developing empathy and compassion through initiatives such as the Youth Philanthropy Initiative and in designing a sensory room at Linn Moor School. Our holistic approach to education is further enhanced by our involvement in the Rights Respecting School Award. Debating and Model United Nations also continue to be popular, with a recent trip to the real United Nations in Geneva inspiring future careers in international relations. Creativity is celebrated in this publication. From the kimono exhibition to the annual MegArt exhibition, our art and design department enriches the whole school. The music report tells of wonderful performances in and out of school and the drama department recalls hit productions, including the senior school's Beauty and the Beast and junior school's Moana, which takes pride of place on the front cover! True to the aforementioned GSA research, St Margaret’s girls participate enthusiastically in ‘sport for life’. Our athletes achieved great success this year, notably the 1st XI hockey team reaching the Scottish Cup Final. You will see from the stunning photographs that all age groups showed fierce house spirit at Sports Day! The strength of the St Margaret’s community is evident every day of the year and I thank our parents, former pupils and the wider community for all they do to support the school’s work and ethos. I do hope that as you read this edition of The Chronicle you will be as inspired as I am by the creativity, compassion and achievements of our children and young people. Tenez ferme!
Anna Tomlinson Head
Page 5
THE CHRONICLE 2025 LONG SERVICE AWARDS
Long Service Awards Mr Brian Henderson - Brian joined St Margaret's as janitor in November 2004. A joiner to trade, he had worked for 15 years before that as a maintenance joiner at John Lewis in Aberdeen. In the reference which they provided to St Margaret's, John Lewis described Brian as reliable, loyal and conscientious with a 100% attendance rate. Over 20 years, he has demonstrated exactly these same attributes at St Margaret's. Day in day out, Brian provides a high level of support to the whole school community through his careful and thorough approach to his duties. He has supported major changes to the school site, not least the building of the new science block and new drama and art studios. Brian is highly regarded by the many contractors with whom he works and the school simply would not function without him. Colleagues are so grateful for his practical support and willingness to step in when unexpected things happen. We thank Brian most warmly for his loyal and effective service to St Margaret's. Mrs Abby Miller - Abby joined St Margaret's in August 2004 as a teacher of biology and was soon promoted to Head of Biology. A graduate of St Andrews University, Abby has brought passion for her subject and dedication to her pupils and the wider school community. Uptake of biology is high and results are very strong. Under Abby's leadership generations of St Margaret's pupils have been nurtured to have greater curiosity in and responsibility for the world around them. Given Abby's personal interest in and commitment to sustainability, it was a natural next step for her to take on the leadership of Learning for Sustainability across the school.
Page 6
THE CHRONICLE 2025 LONG SERVICE AWARDS
In this role Abby is building impressive partnerships both locally and globally and providing inspiration to her fellow teachers to support their pupils to be global citizens. Over the years, Abby has supported many extra-curricular and community events at St Margaret's and she is highly regarded by all as a kind and supportive colleague and skilled practitioner. We are so grateful to Abby for all that she does and thank her for her 20 years of service. Mrs Karen Norval Karen Norval joined the PE department in 2004 as a part time teacher and by 2005 she was full time. Her promotion to Head of PE came in 2011. Karen brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she does and her love of sport and physical activity is experienced by the whole school. Something of a superstar to the nursery children, a huge supporter of the juniors and a steady source of inspiration to the senior girls, Karen knows every pupil and is driven to make sure that there is a sport for everyone. She and her team provide an impressive array of extra-curricular activities alongside the core PE and games provision and Karen seeks to provide leadership opportunities for pupils at every level. Always ready to learn and consider something new, Karen's leadership of wellbeing days in the pandemic and our virtual sports day will live on in the digital archive for ever. Karen is a friend to so many in our community and a colleague on whom people can rely wholeheartedly. We honour her twenty years of service to St Margaret's and thank her for all that she does.
Page 7
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN MEMORIAM
In Memoriam
Alison Graham Alison, who died in August 2025, was Head Girl of St Margaret’s in 1973-74. Born in 1956, Alison was a true all-rounder, gifted both academically and athletically. In fifth year she captained the school badminton, hockey and tennis teams. She was capped in hockey for Scottish Schoolgirls, travelling to Holland to compete and, when at university, toured Canada with the full Scotland squad. An outstanding tennis player, she reached the heights of Junior Wimbledon, eventually only being outplayed by a girl called Sue Barker. On leaving school Alison went on to gain an MA (Hons) in Psychology from St Andrews University, graduating in 1979. She then undertook a secretarial course, and in 1980 started working for Shell in Aberdeen. Shell soon recognised her abilities, and her temporary job evolved to an entire career in HR. Alison worked for a number of years in Aberdeen before seizing an opportunity to transfer to Shell Europe, where she worked for many years in Austria, Hungary, Germany and Holland. She made the most of this adventure, making many friends and becoming an accomplished skier. She then returned to Shell in Aberdeen in the early 2000’s to finish her career, taking early retirement several years later. Her sporting prowess had not deserted her, and she became a much valued member of Deeside Golf Club, serving as Lady Captain from 2016-18. Alison possessed a delightful personality and manner, always showing great consideration for others. Whilst essentially a private person, her charm and quiet warmth won her good friends far and wide. She had a lifelong love of cars, but was never happier than when enjoying sports and outdoor activities. Her sweet tooth was renowned, and memories abound of searches for the nearest baklava on sailing holidays in the Mediterranean and the generous sharing of traybakes with golfing companions. Alison was close and dedicated to all her family and she enjoyed memorable times with her cousins and their many children and grandchildren. She is survived by her younger brother Kenneth.
Obituary courtesy of Margaret Parkinson (Gray) and Joy Crockart (Stephen) Class of 1974
Page 8
In Memoriam
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN MEMORIAM
Betty Dalziell Craig Gilchrist Betty died peacefully, at The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Beloved wife of 63 years to the late Bill, mother to Sarah and the late Julie, cherished grandmother to Marcus, Kevin, Maxwell, Alexander and Scott and great-grandmother to Veronica, Ailie, Wild, Marion and Myra Julie. Betty would have met her sixth great-grandchild in the January.
Betty was born in 1935 in Aberdeen, where she attended St Margaret's School for Girls on a scholarship and later Aberdeen University. She trained as a teacher, riding her moped to and from teacher training college and taught at Clober Primary School in Milngavie for 29 years. Betty was a force of nature, intelligent and strong willed. She was articulate, perceptive, often strict and had a very sharp wit. Betty's family was her pride and joy. She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren, travelling to Canada whenever she could to visit them and offering cherished care to Max and Scott after Julie's passing. Her husband Bill was her best friend and they were admired amongst their community for their affection for one other. Betty’s family gave special thanks to the wonderful staff at Milngavie Manor for their kindness and for making Betty's last years safe, fun and memorable!
Page 9
THE CHRONICLE 2025 RETIREMENTS
Retirements Jenny Strang joined St Margaret's as our science technician in August 2023. While her time with us has been relatively short, she has made a very positive impact. Incredibly well organised and meticulous in her approach to everything, she quickly proved herself to be truly invaluable to our science departments. A graduate of both Heriot-Watt and Aberdeen universities, Jenny brought a great deal of knowledge, experience, and wisdom to her role. As a mum of three daughters herself, she was also a fantastic source of support and guidance for our senior pupils as they prepared for their own university science degrees.
Lorna Hawthorn retired from St Margaret's after nine years of dedicated and skilled service as Head of Support for Learning. Lorna brought an incredible depth of knowledge to her role. Her Postgraduate Qualifications in Counselling and Inclusive Practice, coupled with her active engagement with organizations such as Dyslexia Scotland, Autism Scotland and CALL Scotland, meant she arrived with an unparalleled understanding of support for learning. Very hardworking, Lorna continued to develop her own knowledge and skills to meet the needs of our pupils at any given time; whether that be to support a refugee, a child with hearing loss, a girl reeling from trauma or someone with a physical disability, Lorna always put in the time and effort to meet children’s needs and to help us all play our part in that. Much of Lorna's work was unseen, yet its impact has been considerable. As one parent said, “Ms Hawthorn has been instrumental in getting our daughter this far and supporting her in school. A year ago I felt there was very little chance of her sitting any Nat 5s, let alone 6. We will miss her support and understanding of the challenges that our daughter faces.”
Page 10
Page 11
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SPEECH DAY
Speech Day
Our annual Speech Day is a celebration of the school year and a cherished tradition. Once again, the Beach Ballroom was our venue for the day and the perfect place for the school community to celebrate the successes of our students, enjoy musical performances and listen to our guest speaker. Our speaker this year was a former pupil of St Margaret’s School and successful businesswoman, Laura Mearns. Hoping to inspire more girls to consider a career in the traditionally male-dominated worlds of property and finance, she delivered a powerful talk drawing on her own journey in two industries where women remain underrepresented. Laura said that success “isn’t just about talent, it’s about showing up, putting in the effort and staying excited about the journey.” Laura’s story is a reminder to students that finance can be a foundation for many different futures, not just traditional roles. While she began her professional journey as a Chartered Accountant, her path eventually led her in a new direction towards entrepreneurship.
Page 12
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SPEECH DAY
Speech Day Continued During her inspirational speech, Laura talked about being a woman in property and the unique set of challenges that brings with it. She described it as “an industry that’s still catching up when it comes to gender balance”, and how that means women have to work harder to be heard, seen, and taken seriously. Laura reflected on the experiences that have pushed her to grow and to lead with confidence such as walking into a meeting room and being the only woman there. “Coming back to St Margaret’s for Speech Day has been a truly special experience. Standing in front of the students, in the very place where my own journey began, brought back so many memories. It’s a real privilege to be able to share my story and, I hope, show that success takes many forms and often unfolds in unexpected ways. If even one pupil leaves feeling more confident about following their own path, then it has been a day well spent.”
Page 13
THE CHRONICLE 2025 NURSERY REPORT
Nursery
We returned to nursery in August with the same staffing as the previous year. Miss Minett extended her maternity leave and Mrs Stephen stayed on in her role as Acting Nursery Manager. We welcomed back a number of returning and new children and were excited to get back to learning in our nursery. Early in the term, there was a visit from the Glitterbugs team, who helped the children understand the importance of handwashing and used their magic machine to help the children look for germs and how to ensure they are washed away to keep us healthy. The nursery children are encouraged to be inquisitive from the very beginning and have a variety of activities and resources available to encourage and develop their early learning skills. Gross and fine motor skills are a vital part of pre-writing for our young learners and they have enjoyed a variety of experiences throughout the year to develop this. Painting with brushes, rollers, dabbers and paint sticks were firm favourites. The learning also continued outdoors with mark making, early maths skills, communication and problems solving skills all being explored and extended through child led learning activities. The nursery children enjoyed taking part in music lessons and did so well in their first public performance and the Harvest Celebration in October. Their knowledge and performing skills were extended further throughout the Christmas and Summer performances where our young learners did an excellent job of sharing their learning with their audience.
Page 14
Nursery
THE CHRONICLE 2025 NURSERY REPORT
The children also took part in PE lessons and performed really well in the whole school sports day in June. The pre-school children took part in weekly dance lessons with Miss Gillian - this was so much fun and supported the children’s physical and mental wellbeing. As members of the St Margaret’s Community, our nursery children enjoyed taking part in Paired Reading with the 3 Junior girls. Each week a group of nursery children would go through to the 3 Junior classroom where the girls would read stories and have craft activities and games ready for them. The sense of community was further developed through outings to the Children’s Library. The nursery children took time to observe and get to know their local environment on their walk there and back. The children participated in Book Bug sessions, scavenger hunts and selected books to take back to the nursery.
Page 15
THE CHRONICLE 2025 NURSERY REPORT
Nursery We worked with Rubislaw Park Care Home, and a group of children regularly caught the bus to go and visit some of the residents. Both the children and the residents had a lovely time playing games together and chatting to each other. We also worked with Bright Horizon’s nursery in Rubislaw and Queens Terrace Gardens on outdoor learning. Working together the children planted herbs and plants in planters, made bird feeders and investigated this beautiful area so close to their nurseries. To celebrate World Book Day, we invited parents and children in for a reading breakfast. This was such a special learning time for all concerned. Our nursery families sat together to read stories while enjoying some delicious breakfast treats. In the last term of the school year, our older children enjoyed their school transitions, with our girls being able to go along from nursery to visit their new 1 Junior classroom.
Page 16
All of our children took part in an end of term trip to Easter Anguston Farm, where the children had time to explore the woods, learn about the animals and enjoy playing in the park.
THE CHRONICLE 2025 JUNIOR SCHOOL REPORT
Junior Report
A Year of Growth, Discovery, and Joy in the Junior School It is remarkable how quickly a year passes and how much can be achieved in that time. The junior school continues to be a vibrant and dynamic environment, where staff work tirelessly to provide fun, engaging, and enriching learning experiences for our girls. This year has been no exception. What has become “the norm” for us is something truly special, and certainly not commonplace in every school. It brings great joy to see the breadth of opportunities the girls have had, helping them to discover new interests and start thinking about where their passions lie. As they prepare for their transition to senior school, they already have a strong sense of the hobbies, subjects, and interests they wish to pursue further. Classroom Highlights Our 1 Junior class settled in beautifully and have blossomed into enthusiastic and imaginative writers. They particularly enjoyed welcoming visitors to learn about people who help us, exploring various roles in the community and even meeting a guide dog, which inspired them to raise money for charity. Meanwhile, 5 Junior had a delicious learning experience when local chocolatier Helen Arkwright visited to explain the journey of the cocoa bean. The highlight? Creating their very own chocolate lollipops! Performing Arts Excellence This year has once again showcased the girls’ impressive talents in the performing arts. 1 to 3 Junior lit up the stage with a delightful Christmas production, while 4 to 6 Junior shone in their dynamic performance of Moana at The Lemon Tree. 7 Junior delivered a powerful and memorable interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, earning well-deserved praise for their maturity and stage presence.
Page 17
THE CHRONICLE 2025 JUNIOR SCHOOL REPORT
Junior Report
Buddies and Community Spirit 3 Junior students have thoroughly enjoyed their role as buddies to our nursery children. Each week, they welcomed them into their classroom to read stories and share in fun activities—a lovely tradition that continues as those nursery pupils move into 1 Junior, already familiar with their new 4 Junior buddies. Learning Beyond the Classroom Our fortunate location continues to offer countless opportunities for learning outside the classroom. 5 and 6 Junior enjoyed a fascinating day at the Aberdeen Science Centre and took part in the Offshore Wind 4 Kids event, where they built and tested their own floating wind turbines. 4 Junior deepened their understanding of Judaism with a visit to the local synagogue, followed by an in-school Shabbat celebration led by Ms Orit Adam. They even baked and shared their own Challah bread! Duthie Park has been a favourite learning destination throughout the year. From studying mini beasts with the ranger (2 Junior), joining in the Duthie Sing (4 Junior), exploring Victorian monuments (6 Junior), to learning about tree classification during their sustainability project (7 Junior), each visit brought the curriculum to life.
Page 18
Junior Report
THE CHRONICLE 2025 JUNIOR SCHOOL REPORT
Playground Projects and Gardening Goals This year we welcomed Mrs Ritchie as a classroom assistant, who, with our Big Sisters Club, took on the mission of transforming our playground. From planting colourful flowers and vegetables to caring for the space throughout the seasons, their efforts have made a visible difference. Their plans for next year are already in motion, so watch this space!
Celebrating Reading and Writing Reading has taken centre stage this year, with a focus on fostering a lifelong love of books. World Book Day was a particular highlight, packed with creative activities including a book swap and a "junk modelling book character" competition. We were proud to host the regional Rotary Quiz, and 6 Junior impressed once again in the Rotary Club of Aberdeen’s Young Writers Competition. Congratulations to Anderson for winning with her poem ‘Wonderful Water’. During Health Week, 5 to 7 Junior combined mindfulness and fun by decorating sunglasses, playing charades, enjoying ice lollies, and unwinding with a good book.
Page 19
THE CHRONICLE 2025 JUNIOR SCHOOL REPORT
Junior Report
Inspiring a Love of Science and Innovation March brought our exciting Science Week, where every class explored scientific challenges designed to build problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills. From 1 Junior’s creative rescue devices for Rapunzel and 2 Junior’s fizzing monster experiments, to 3 Junior’s investigations into adaptation, the learning was hands-on and meaningful. 4 Junior explored invisible ink and wrote with macaw feathers, while 5 Junior became budding electrical engineers. 6 Junior’s chemical reactions came to life with their exploding volcanoes, and 7 Junior showcased their innovation in the STEMovators challenge. In this exciting project, 7 Junior teams designed sustainable schools of the future and presented their models to visiting judges and parents. Two teams advanced to the Regional Finals at Aberdeen University, where the "Eco Frogs" were awarded runners-up, a fantastic achievement. The judges praised the girls’ presentation skills and the creativity behind their eco-conscious designs.
A Celebration of the Year It’s impossible to capture everything that happens in a school year, but this snapshot offers a glimpse into the depth, variety, and quality of experiences our girls enjoy in the junior school. As they grow, explore, and thrive in this nurturing environment, one thing remains constant: their joy in learning and their eagerness to discover more.
Page 20
THE CHRONICLE 2025 JUNIOR SCHOOL
7 Junior Residential Trip to Crieff For their residential trip 7 Junior visited SAS also known as the Scottish Adventure School, which is located in Crieff. “We went away for 5 days and 4 nights. We had all been looking forward to this trip for a long time and we were very excited.” (Naureen) “Over the course of the week we did 11 different activities ranging from gorge walking to archery. One of my personal favourites was white water rafting which we did on the River Tay. It was one of my favourites because we all had to work together and we had a blast doing it. We sang songs, we jumped in and we got to go down over rapids, which were over a metre high. One of my other favourites was the air rifle activity, but it was quite complicated. Once I got the hang of it, it was really fun and I ended up getting 2 sixes. I was very happy about that!I The point of this trip was to have fun, try new things and get out of our comfort zone. We all managed to fulfil these; we learned so many new things, we accomplished things by being brave and we definitely had fun.” (Anna)
Page 21
THE CHRONICLE 2025 JUNIOR SCHOOL
7 Junior Residential Trip to Crieff “Nearly everyone's favourite activity was white water rafting in the River Tay. Dani says “It was my favourite because it felt like a roller coaster ride and because we worked together to go faster on the raft, whilst singing a tune we made up, so that we would stay in sync when paddling.” There was one activity that some people did not really like and it was gorge walking because the water was really cold. Fern says “The water was probably colder than an ice bath!” (Bonnie) “Overall, I think this trip gave me the chance to do things I would have never pictured me doing such as jumping off cliffs that are 20 ft high or using an air rifle. This trip really pushed my limits and pushed me out of my comfort zone. This is probably one of the best trips I’ve ever gone on and what makes it even better is sharing all of my memories with my friends. “ (Anisha)
Page 22
THE CHRONICLE 2025 ASC
After School Care and Holiday Club At St Margarets we have a thriving After School Care, which offers many experiences and opportunities to support children’s development. Children’s voice is so important in deciding the activities, and experiences on offer each day. Children do this by communicating daily about what they would like to explore and are encouraged to share their opinions through termly mind maps. This promotes decision making, problem solving and communication skills. The craft table is a popular area with children creating designs, posters, kites, bracelets, hama beads and much more! This develops their self-esteem, creativity and confidence. The outdoor environment is also popular with children exploring the playground equipment, creating dens, playing hide and seek and practising what they learn in PE classes. The children have opened the St Margaret’s Cafe in the mud kitchen catering for all needs and designing their own menu!
Page 23
THE CHRONICLE 2025 ASC
After School Care and Holiday Club Each day there is a snack on offer for the children including fruit and vegetables. This year we held a Christmas Craft Sale in the dining room to raise money for Cash for Kids, to help other young people in the local community have a gift to open for Christmas. We raised £95 and decided as a group what gifts we would purchase and donate. All the children showed their enthusiasm and kindness through the making, selling and buying process. The school Holiday Club runs in Easter, Summer and October holidays where the children have so much fun! This year we had the famous Big Slide that even Miss Tomlinson our head teacher took a turn on! We also had a Hawaiian day where we made hula skirts and participated in a limbo competition! We had local visitors join us on days including a magician, face painter and a lovely therapet called Nelson. There were also experiences for lots of crafts, role play, relaxation and much more!
Page 24
Charities Report
THE CHRONICLE 2025 CHARITY EVENTS
St Margaret of Scotland was renowned for her charitable work and at St Margaret’s School for Girls we try to uphold a sense of this charity. This year was no exception. We had a number of successful form class and junior school charity events raising money for various organisations including: Guide Dogs, Age Scotland, Befriend a Child, Action Aid, Friends of Anchor, Calico, Northsound Cash for Kids, Mrs Murray’s Cat and Dog Home and Aberdeen Foyer. As part of our St Margaret’s Day celebrations, we asked for donations of preloved clothing and footwear, for local charity Abernecessities. We also asked for food donations, for our March own clothes day, instead of the monetary donations that we collected in previous years. This food was donated to local foodbank charity CFINE, with over 90 bags of mixed groceries donated by staff and pupils. Donations have also been collected throughout the year to help fund a sensory room at the Linn Moor School outside Drumoak. Donations included those from the VIS Winter Wonderland and the Christmas Carol Service. A panel of pupils were involved in helping to design the room and £946 was raised that will go towards equipment for the room. The III Senior pupils were also involved in their usual Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) this year, raising funds for the ForgetMe-Not Club. We would like to thank you for your continued support of those worthwhile causes.
Page 25
THE CHRONICLE 2025 CAREERS
Careers
This term, IIS, IVS and VS each enjoyed a programme of inspiring careers events, with visiting speakers offering insight into the world of work, higher education and life beyond school. IIS – Sustainability workshop On 23rd May, IIS held a Careers Day themed around Sustainability. Pupils learned from Dr Mariel Reitsma (HRH Geology) and Mrs Lois Greenfield (University of Aberdeen) about the carbon cycle, climate change and the role of Carbon Capture and Storage in achieving net zero. A hands-on experiment demonstrated how CO₂ can be stored underground, before pupils worked in groups on presentations covering topics such as sustainable fashion, food choices, technology, and sports. The day combined science, skills and teamwork in an engaging way. IVS – Exploring Pathways On 4th June, IVS Careers Day featured a wide variety of visitors. Colin McKay (Thorpe Malloy McCulloch) gave practical advice on CVs and interviews, while Dr Christine Noble (SEGS) showed how human geography can lead to careers in rural development and food systems. Mrs Shelley Wang, Software Engineer, explained the skills needed for computing and the software development cycle. Further sessions included Rob Harwood on U.S. sports scholarships, Molly Hyson on the New York Film Academy, and Ian Birbeck (Projects Abroad) on volunteering abroad.
Professor Bain (University of Aberdeen) introduced the value of social sciences, while Mrs Victoria Duncan (Worley) shared her career as a Quantity Surveyor, highlighting the range of opportunities in global engineering firms.
Page 26
THE CHRONICLE 2025 CAREERS VS – UCAS Day For UCAS Day, VS focused on preparing for life after school. Anna Johnstone (University of Aberdeen) explained the new personal statement format, while Louisa Stratton introduced opportunities to study and work abroad. Daisy Lewis shared her experience of student life at Edinburgh University, particularly housing. Beyond higher education, Callum Coull and Staci Carr (First Mortgage) explained how mortgages work, Sarah Morrison (Projects Trust) inspired pupils with her gap year volunteering stories, and Joe Nealon (Deloitte) gave expert advice on CVs and interviews.
A Memorable Term Across all year groups, pupils gained invaluable skills, insights and inspiration. From sustainability science to student life, global opportunities and career pathways, these events highlighted the breadth of possibilities open to our students as they prepare for the future. Susan Brown, Head of Careers
Page 27
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
Record Breaking Exam Success for St Margaret’s Students Celebrations all round for pupils and teachers after 2024-2025 exam results reach a historic milestone and recordbreaking National 5 results. An exceptional 99.6% National 5 pass rate (A-C) was achieved by pupils in IVS with 95.4% of those grades at A or B level. Looking back over the years since National 5 was introduced, this has set a new record for St Margaret’s. The pass rate for AC at Higher level among VS pupils was 96.7% with 85.8% of grades at A or B, while pupils sitting Advanced Highers secured a 95.3% pass rate, including 84.9% at grades A or B.
With one third of girls in sixth year choosing to study medicine and 4 in 5 pupils choosing a STEM subject at university, the results underline the school's success in preparing young women for future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics where women have traditionally been under-represented.
Page 29
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
ST MARGARET’S CELEBRATES EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES St Margaret’s School for Girls marked European Day of Languages on Thursday 26th September following new data which revealed the dwindling number of Scottish students opting to study languages at Higher level. Head of Modern Languages, Karen Williamson hosted an interactive taster session giving learners and parents the opportunity to gain insight into the EPI (Extensive Processing Instruction) approach; a technique designed to help students learn more effectively by reducing cognitive overload. Whilst modern language qualifications are seeing falling numbers of students taking on this subject nationally, uptake and success by girls in languages has always been strong at St Margaret’s. This year, the school reported a 100 percent pass rate (A-C) in French, German, Spanish and Latin at all levels. By exploring ways to make the language curriculum more engaging, staff hope to encourage its students to continue studying a language at Higher. Karen Williamson, Head of Modern Languages at St Margaret’s School for Girls, said: “The European Day of Languages promotes the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our world and encourages lifelong language learning in and out of school. We live in a linguistically diverse world, so it’s important our students are aware of the many different languages spoken across the world. This year's success at National 5 and Higher level is brilliant to see.
Page 30
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
Equestrian Success On Sunday 16th March, two students from St Margaret’s School for Girls, Emily and Tamsin, competed in the Strathallan Scottish Schools Competition. The event, held at Howe Equestrian Centre in Fife, featured a range of competitive classes, including dressage and showjumping.
Tamsin delivered an impressive performance in the metre showjumping class, securing a wellearned 6th place. Congratulations to Emily and Tamsin for their efforts and success in this competition!
Page 31
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
Talented Young Musician takes to the stage with Superstar Pianist A talented young pianist is celebrating a dream come true after her extraordinary skills led to her earning a place to perform alongside virtuoso pianist, Lang Lang, at the Xi’an Olympic Sports Centre in China. 6 Junior student, Joanna Goff, won first place in the 7-9 year old category and performed alongside the superstar classical pianist and other winning students in front of a crowd of over 10,000 people. Joanna had to enter two competitions with over 1,000 participants aged between 5 and 26 in order to be selected. The winning students took part in a three hour group rehearsal with Lang Lang before taking to the stage to perform alongside the leading figure in classical music. As a pianist, educator and philanthropist Lang Lang has become one of the world’s most influential and committed ambassadors for the arts in the 21st century. He is widely known for judging contestants on the first two seasons of Channel 4’s The Piano in which amateur players take their pianistic talents to some of the UK’s busiest train stations. Joanna performed ‘Celebrating the Turnaround’ which is a traditional Chinese song celebrating the Chinese Revolution of 1949. She also experienced the city’s culture by paying a visit to the Terracotta Army Display which Xi’an is famous for. Speaking of her once-in-a-lifetime experience, Joanna said: “It was fun getting to perform with Lang Lang and I really enjoyed meeting other students who love playing the piano as much as I do. I had to play in front of a large audience, but I didn’t feel nervous because I worked hard to be there and wanted to enjoy every second. I’ve listened to Lang Lang’s music since I started playing the piano so it felt like a dream come true getting to perform with him.”
Page 32
ST MARGARET’S BUILDS ON STRONG READING CULTURE WITH 12 DAYS OF BOOKMAS INITIATIVE
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
A group of book enthusiasts from St Margaret’s School launched a new initiative to encourage more students to read over the festive season. Members of the school’s Library Club created 12 Days of Bookmas, an Advent Calendar of book recommendations inspired by the festive spirit of Christmas and the tradition of giving, but with a literary twist. Whilst reading for pleasure amongst children and young people aged 8-18 is at its lowest in the UK since 2005, with just 35% reporting they enjoy reading in their free time, St Margaret’s has always focused on finding new and interesting ways to build on its strong reading culture. The Library Club worked tirelessly to capture pupil voice, taking recommendations from throughout the senior school to establish the Christmas Advent Calendar of book recommendations across different genres ranging from fantasy to murder mystery. Abigail (VS), who is part of the school’s Library Club and a Library Prefect, said: “I really enjoyed working with my peers and staff on 12 Days of Bookmas and hope that the initiative will encourage others to step away from their screens and pick up a book during the holidays. Diving into a book can be a great way to escape, relax and disconnect – my personal favourite is ‘The Watchmaker of Filigree Street’ by Natasha Pulley.” St Margaret’s focuses on giving pupils as many opportunities as possible to learn about different authors, genres, books and book series. The school recently celebrated Book Week Scotland by introducing Book Breaks, Breakfast with a Book and Book Tasting – three interactive initiatives that encourage reading for pleasure.
Page 33
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
Students Lead Design of New Sensory Room to Mark World Autism Awareness Day To mark World Autism Awareness Day in April, a group of talented students from St Margaret’s took a meaningful step to support individuals with autism. The girls collaborated with Voluntary Service Aberdeen (VSA) to design and fundraise for a brand-new sensory room at Linn Moor Residential School, a specialist education service offered by the social care charity.
VSA will assist in securing funding for the sensory room by working alongside the students of St Margaret's. Through integrating the pupils’ creative ideas into the project and helping them bring ideas to life, the Aberdeen charity will partner with the St Margaret's community to generate the resources needed for the project. Linn Moor provides specialist education and transitioning care for children and young people living with complex and additional support needs. St Margaret’s students paid a visit to the school where Head of Education at Linn Moor, Rhia O'Kane, gave a comprehensive overview of the sensory room and explained the specific needs of the children. As part of their visit, the students engaged in discussions about the design and layout of the new sensory room and considered how best to integrate elements that would meet the sensory needs of Linn Moor’s students, drawing inspiration from the school's current equipment and the preferences of their pupils. Rhia O'Kane, Head at Linn Moor, said: “The girls approached this project with professionalism, working closely with our Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist to ensure the design truly met the needs of our learners. We are truly grateful for their efforts, which will have a lasting impact on our students.”
Page 34
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
BRAINPOWER WEBINAR WITH TV DOCTOR
Just as exams season wrapped up for students across Scotland, it was time for younger pupils to get a head start with an inspiring learning opportunity. In June, St Margaret’s School for Girls welcomed Dr Tharaka - better known as ‘Dr T’ - to deliver a live, interactive ‘Superlearner’ webinar focused on boosting brainpower for better learning and exam success. Aimed at children aged 9-14 and their parents, the webinar will introduce practical techniques to boost memory, focus, brain health, study habits, and overall wellbeing - helping students build the skills they need to thrive in today’s challenging academic landscape.
Based in Aberdeen, Dr Tharaka draws from over 20 years of medical experience and a passion for helping young people succeed. The psychiatrist, international speaker and TV personality, who is a familiar face to millions as a mind expert on BBC’s Morning Live, is set to host an informative and fun session which involves an interactive quiz. This marks the second time the school has welcomed the three-times TEDx speaker, who previously delivered a webinar on building resilience in 2021. Dr T, said: “With the right tools, children can unlock incredible focus, memory, and motivation - not just for exams, but for life. This session is about equipping families with practical, sciencebacked techniques that make learning fun, energising, and effective. “We’re giving them the tools to turn stress into success – helping young minds perform better while protecting their mental wellbeing.”
Page 35
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
Outstanding Mathematical Success A group of talented young mathematicians from St Margaret’s celebrated outstanding success in this year’s Junior UKMT Mathematical Challenge. 46 girls from first and second year chose to participate and a total of 27 students were recognised with awards, a testament to both their exceptional ability and the school’s strong emphasis on STEM education. The Junior UKMT Mathematical Challenge is a nationally recognised competition that aims to stimulate mathematical problem-solving and logical reasoning among students in S2 and below. Among the award winners, 6 students earned the prestigious Gold Award, placing them among the top scorers nationally. 13 students were awarded Silver, while 8 earned Bronze, reflecting not only their dedication and mathematical flair but also the consistently high standard of mathematical ability nurtured at the school. In a particularly impressive result, 4 students have been invited to participate in the Junior Kangaroo, the next stage of the competition which involves a 60-minute, 25 multiple choice challenge. This invitation is extended only to the top performers across the country, a clear indication of their potential. Senior student, Hana Park, was named Best in Scotland at the prestigious Mathematical Olympiad for Girls competition - an initiative organised by the UK Maths Trust to challenge and inspire young women in mathematics. Hana successfully solved five complex problems to achieve this accolade and secured a qualifying place in the British Maths Olympiad. Head of Mathematics, Alexandra Bryce, said: “Whilst recent reports highlight a worrying drop in pass rates for maths at National 5 level nationally, I’m delighted that at St Margaret’s we are continuing to see exceptional results in all levels.
Page 36
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
North East Students Empowered For Future Energy Careers Through Industry Mentorship and Skills Development Aberdeen charity TechFest announced the winning team of its ‘STEM in the Pipeline’ competition, which was set up to ignite secondary students' interest in developing their STEM skills through hands-on experience in the energy sector. TechFest is a charity focused on making STEM education more engaging and inclusive in schools throughout the country whilst helping to connect STEM to various sectors and delivering a new generation of talent for the industry. Martha Gavan, Deputy Managing Director of TechFest, said: "STEM in the Pipeline provides an opportunity for students across Aberdeenshire to learn lifelong STEM skills and engage with international energy organisations through meaningful mentorships.” Students participating in STEM in the Pipeline were introduced to industry experts from a number of international energy organisations, who provided mentoring and guidance to them throughout the competition. A team of VIS students from St Margaret’s School for Girls were crowned winners of the prestigious competition in December 2024 after presenting their ‘Field Development Plan’ at BP’s North Sea HQ. The competition enabled the girls to showcase their mathematical abilities in a real-life context. Head of St Margaret's School for Girls, Miss Anna Tomlinson, said: “We are incredibly proud of our team’s achievement and look forward to their continued success in the future."
Page 37
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
Blooming Brilliant: Aberdeen pupils spring into action with Daffodil Project update Senior pupils participated in a project, run by The University of Dundee, from March 2024. They were tasked with extracting daffodil DNA, carrying out DNA library preparation and using software tools to assemble and analyse the DNA sequence. The girls made significant strides in understanding the genetic components that contribute to different daffodil flower colours, shapes and sizes. Head of Biology and Sustainability at St Margaret’s School for Girls, Abby Miller, said: “We are thrilled with the progress our students have made over the past year. This project not only enhances our understanding of DNA and phylogenetics but also the potential for pupils to engage with cutting edge technology that will hopefully inspire them to start thinking about their own futures and the opportunities that are available to them if they pursue a career in science. "Participating in the Daffodil DNA Project has been an amazing experience. I learned so much about the DNA of different daffodil varieties and their phenotypes. It really opened my eyes, as I had never considered the genetic makeup of daffodils before, and now I find it fascinating. Throughout the project, we gained hands-on experience with various scientific techniques, such as micropipetting and using a centrifuge, which I found very interesting. We also conducted experiments like thin-layer chromatography to separate chlorophyll pigments and electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments. I hope I can continue to learn more about the daffodil and do more experiments next year.” - Isha Kishore "Being part of the Daffodil DNA project has been such a wonderful experience. Personally, I’ve always been interested in the field of genomics, so for me it was super interesting to learn and do multiple DNA extractions from the leaves of the daffodil plant.” Clarissa Iluore
Page 38
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
RAISING ASPIRATIONS IN THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY The next generation of cybersecurity specialists at St Margaret’s were encouraged to raise their aspirations in the technology field following an inspirational guest speaker talk from the CEO of Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland. Jude McCorry spoke to students about the fascinating field of cybersecurity and the need to improve the diversity landscape in the industry following recent statistics that show women make up just 17% of cybersecurity roles. With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Jude McCorry started her career with Dell and held the position of Director of Business Development at The Data Lab before being appointed as chief executive of Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland in 2020. During the talk, Jude discussed the importance of seizing opportunities and how schools should think about how they can use their network to encourage more girls to get involved in tech. She also shared some examples of training received by ethical hacking students at Abertay University’s cyberQuarter, which Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland is a founding partner of, and touched on various data science roles across many industries, from finance to healthcare. Jude McCorry, CEO of Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland, said: “One of the best ways to inspire young women to pursue STEM fields is to give them role models, and the more women in STEM, the more role models there will be. When I began my career there were very few female role models in the field of technology and I hope that by talking to students about my experiences, and encouraging them to take every opportunity, I can encourage them to challenge stereotypes and break the glass ceiling in the field of tech and cyber.”
Page 39
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
ST MARGARET’S WAY 60 MILE FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE
Over the course of the 2024/25 school year, Head, Anna Tomlinson, and chemistry teacher, Judith Robson, together with alumnae, families, and friends of St Margaret’s School for Girls, undertook the St Margaret’s Way Challenge - a walk along the ancient pilgrim route in Fife named after Queen Margaret of Scotland, the school’s namesake. The route, which is the only Scottish pilgrimage named after a woman, was completed in stages, with members of the school community invited to join each leg of the journey. The challenge provided a meaningful opportunity for families, alumnae and friends to come together in support of the school while celebrating its historic connection to Queen Margaret. Led by Miss Tomlinson, the initiative successfully raised £10,000 in support of the school’s Bursary Programme and Hardship Fund. These funds provide essential assistance to families facing unexpected challenges and enable talented pupils, who might otherwise be unable to do so, to benefit fully from the opportunities offered by St Margaret’s. Participation in the challenge reflected the school’s enduring commitment to social mobility and educational access, ensuring that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of a St Margaret’s education. The walk resonated deeply with the wider community, with many expressing interest in taking part in future events of a similar nature.
Page 40
THE CHRONICLE 2025 IN THE NEWS
ST MARGARET’S WAY 60 MILE FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE
The St Margaret’s Way Challenge Reflecting on the experience, Miss Tomlinson commented: “At St Margaret's, we encourage our pupils to stretch themselves. Day after day, I am so impressed by the way in which girls rise to new challenges both in their academic studies and extra-curricular interests. Being a headteacher certainly brings with it many challenges but not so many of the physical variety! Walking the St Margaret's Way was an opportunity for me to challenge myself physically throughout the year while going on a special journey with members of our school community.” The St Margaret’s Way Challenge served as both a celebration of the school’s heritage and a testament to the strength of its community. Its success not only raised vital funds but also inspired enthusiasm and unity across the wider St Margaret’s community.
Page 41
THE CHRONICLE 2025 RRSA
Rights Respecting Schools Award From assemblies galore to displays and presentations, the Rights Respecting Committee have been as active as ever throughout this school year. A Rights Respecting Ambassador is a voluntary position, but what we can achieve goes way past the summit of volunteering. Too many children in today's society are unaware of their rights, both in developed and developing nations. Understanding your rights is essential for knowing when you are being mistreated and enables you not only to seek guidance but to challenge injustices, giving you the power to advocate for yourself and for others. Today, we understand how important it is to uplift every child, regardless of background or status. All children deserve to grow up in a world that respects their ideas, nurtures their well being and gives them the tools to shape a better tomorrow. Human rights were created after the atrocities of World War II and the holocaust, with the aims of ensuring such horrors would never again occur. For a while, these rights applied to everyone, but there came a time when some started to question whether or not these rights did indeed suit everyone. The idea that children deserve special rights began gaining recognition in the 20th century. It was the United Nations who came together in 1989 and adopted the UNCRC The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This landmark agreement outlined the fundamentals every child should have access to such as, education, suitable healthcare, protection from harm and the freedom to express themselves and since then, over 190 countries have signed the convention, showing a global promise to put children first. All over the globe amazing progress is being made. More children than ever are attending school, child labour has been decreased in many nations, and laws have been strengthened to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Organisations like UNICEF, WHO and Save the Children are working tirelessly to provide cleaner water, healthcare and safe environments for children in need. At times, this line of work can be dangerous, sometimes even life threatening due to the circumstances in particular environments, but nonetheless, people everywhere are putting a hand out to service those in need of it most. Challenges do remain, but the world is becoming a better place for children to grow, learn and thrive. At St Margaret’s, children’s rights are taken very seriously and have been at the forefront of a lot of our principles and decisions. The Rights Respecting Committee meet every second Tuesday, sometimes alongside the Sustainability Reps, to discuss what needs to be done around the school.
Page 42
THE CHRONICLE 2025 RRSA
Rights Respecting Schools Award
Together, we managed to create a bright and engaging wall display outside of the hall, showing us how the Global Goals and Children’s Rights go hand in hand. These ideas were brought to life during whole school assemblies, including our special ones for World Children’s Day and Anti-Bullying Week, where we reflected on kindness, fairness and respect. Two of our very enthusiastic ambassadors created a rap titled, “Rights are as Easy as ABC”, one which reminds us that all children have rights and that those rights cannot be taken away, but in a lighthearted way that’s fun and easy for everyone to understand. A big part of our work has been led by our Junior Rights Respecting Ambassadors, who have been busy helping each class develop their own class charter. They also helped develop that same sense of community by passing around our mascot, Karly the Kraken, who reminds us to celebrate our rights and the rights of others. Beyond the classroom we continued to raise awareness and involve families with our weekly newsletter article that highlighted numerous aspects of children’s rights and how we can support them together. We also celebrated the right to education with a special reading at our St Margaret’s Day service, one which allowed us to further understand just how fortunate we are to learn in a safe and supportive environment. Meanwhile, all of our senior school pupils take part in charity events each year, many of which focus on supporting struggling children both locally and globally. In February 2025, all of these efforts came together in a huge achievement when we were awarded the Silver Rights Respecting School Award. This recognition means a lot to our whole school community and celebrates the passion, hard work and commitment shown by pupils and staff in making children’s rights a living, breathing part of our school. This is only a snapshot of the dedication that has gone into making rights a real part of our school community. Children’s rights are not just words on paper but promises of love, care and aid. By understanding and upholding these rights we create a world where all children can flourish and achieve. On behalf of our Rights Respecting Committee, I would like to especially thank Mrs Reid, Miss Smart, Mrs Miller and Miss Tomlinson for supplying us with the resources, guidance and opportunities to take charge and make a difference, but I also want to thank everyone who's extended their support to our endeavours and made all of this possible. I look forward to continuing my work with this committee and I hope you do too. Children may be small in size, but their rights are vast - and our responsibility to defend them, even greater. Nandi Dasar IIIS
Page 43
THE CHRONICLE 2025 WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
Culture Week Once again, Culture Week at St Margaret’s School for girls was an enormous success, organised and led by our pupils. The culture week committee planned and devised a plethora of activities to reflect and celebrate the cultural diversity of our school.
Page 44
Pupils signed up for anything from hair braiding to henna painting, games from around the world and competitions during an array of lunchtime sessions. The energy was buzzing as pupils proudly displayed their beautifully painted hands with designs inspired by Indian culture.
THE CHRONICLE 2025 WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
Culture Week
The colourful finale of the week was surely the fabulous fashion catwalk show in which girls had the opportunity to wear traditional attire for the audience of pupils and teachers to appreciate their fantastic outfits.
Page 45
THE CHRONICLE 2025 WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
St Margaret’s Day It was a bright November morning as the staff and pupils arrived at St Machar’s Cathedral for the annual St Margaret’s Day celebrations. The atmosphere was welcoming with the sound of the bagpipes played by Emily Marston from 7 Junior. Rights Respecting Schools ambassador, Nandi Dasar spoke eloquently about the right of access to education and article 28 of the UNCRC, which was put in place so that all children know and understand that they have the right to learn and be taught. Nandi drew attention to the fact that millions of children all over the world today are not in school and how many of these are girls, being denied an education merely because of their gender. Nandi went on to say: “we are taught here at St Margaret's that girls can pave the way to a better future and no matter which route they are going down, we can be a shining example of how girls contribute to communities, societies and the world.”
Page 46
THE CHRONICLE 2025 WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
St Margaret’s Day Our school community gave donations of pre-loved clothing and footwear, for local charity Abernecessities.
As always, music played a pivotal role in the St Margaret’s Day service. There were wonderful performances from the senior and chamber choirs, as well as the whole junior school, which filled the beautiful cathedral with the equally beautiful sound of our girls singing accompanied by our very talented musicians.
Page 47
THE CHRONICLE 2025 WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
Page 48
Sports Day
Sports Day
THE CHRONICLE 2025 WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
Page 49
Betty - our wonderful log cabin in the playground at St Margaret’s. She provides the perfect place for girls to play shelter and find some shade on sunny days.
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS
Trip to Hadrian’s Wall
The Classics department’s trip to Hadrian’s Wall took place in September. Twenty-seven pupils from IS, IIS and IIIS and three members of staff left Aberdeen on Thursday 19th. Our first stop was at Walltown quarry where we walked up to the Wall before visiting the Roman Army museum in Carvoran. On Friday, we learnt about the main defensive features along the 74 mile long north-west frontier of the Roman Empire. We saw milecastles, the broad ditch called vallum and two forts. The main challenge of the day was the walk up to Housesteads or Vercovicium with its commanding views over the Northumberland countryside. We viewed the barracks, headquarters, commander’s house, granaries and latrines before heading to our last site for the day, the fort of Chesters and its famous bath house. After a very full day of visits, we had a busy evening of training. Our valiant pupils were trained to become auxiliary soldiers in the Roman army. Rufus Aelius Victor, alias Roy, trained them as his new recruits after he had shown them the typical weapons and armour Roman soldiers would have had. Our excited troops showed they were capable of discipline when marching as a unit.
On Saturday, we visited the fort of Vindolanda and the extensive civilian settlement outside its walls. In the museum, we had the chance to look at the large collection of leather goods, coins and photographic exhibition of the scripts of the writing tablets which had been discovered in a rubbish heap in the fort. Those tablets give us an insight into the everyday life of the soldiers and their families who lived along the Wall. It was fascinating to read the content of an invitation to a birthday party and to learn that it is the earliest known example of writing in Latin by a woman. The pupils participated with great enthusiasm in the various activities organised and learnt a lot about the Wall and the life of soldiers posted along this northern frontier optime! Véronique Oldham, Head of Classics
Page 51
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS
Northern Ireland hockey tour In June a number of I - VI Senior girls embarked on a five day hockey tour of Northern Ireland. After an early start we travelled by coach to the ferry at Cairnryan then across the Irish Sea. On day two we travelled to the North Coast and a seaside town called Portrush where we had an obligatory Maud’s ice-cream and a walk on the beach before moving on to the Giant’s Causeway, where the girls were able to see the volcanic rock formations. Later on the girls went to training with Suzanne Evans who is the Ulster U18’s coach, and they picked up some useful training tips. Day three began with a visit to the Titanic museum where we experienced the interactive exhibitions and the Titanic ride! We headed to Larne Grammar school in the afternoon for our first set of matches. The U14’s won 2-1 and the U17’s lost 1-3. In the evening we had another training session with Suzanne who was very impressed with how engaged the girls were and how they wanted to improve their skills.
Page 52
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS
Northern Ireland hockey tour continued On day four we visited the Abbey centre with local shops before travelling to Ballymena Academy. The girls played two very hot matches with a 1-0 win for the U14’s, whilst the U17’s lost 1-0. Later we had a further set of fixtures against Mossley ladies hockey club. The U14’s lost 7-0 and the U17’s lost 7-1 but they still enjoyed the challenge. On our final day we had one more training session at Ulster University and a quick few rounds of Mrs Stone’s fantastic quiz before a long journey back up to Aberdeen on the ferry. The girls had a fantastic trip away, they enjoyed the scenery of Northern Ireland and some very competitive hockey matches and coaching. Stephanie Stirton, Teacher of History
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS
Trip to London
Our trip to London was a brilliant mix of activities, giving I-V Senior students the chance to explore the city and try new things. From high-up views at Horizon 22 to a relaxed cruise along the Thames, we saw the city from every angle. A visit to Harry Potter Studios gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how the films were made: a definite highlight for many! Theatre played a big part in the week. I–II Senior saw Clueless, Matilda, and The Devil Wears Prada, while III–V Senior enjoyed Hamilton, Romeo and Juliet at the Globe, and The Devil Wears Prada too. Each performance offered something different. We also took part in workshops. I–II Senior took part in a high-energy Matilda-themed dance session, while III–V Senior learned the basics of stage combat, discovering how actors make fight scenes look real (and safe!). We also had time to explore the Natural History Museum and squeeze in some shopping at Westfield before heading home. It was a busy and rewarding week, full of variety, good company and sunshine. Kirsty McGovern, Head of Drama
Page 54
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS
A Whirlwind of Discovery: Our Activities Week Trip to Geneva
This year’s Europe trip took us to the stunning city of Geneva for four days of exploration, education, and fun. It was an unforgettable adventure, filled with something for everyone - science, culture, shopping, chocolate (lots of chocolate), and breathtaking Alpine scenery. Monday: Our adventure began with a slight hiccup: a delayed flight. This gave the girls a chance to enjoy some unexpected shopping at Centre Commercial Balexert, one of Geneva’s largest shopping centres, boasting over 110 stores. No hardship there! After settling into our hotel and dinner, we ventured down to the Jardin Anglais, Geneva’s beautifully kept English-style park on the shores of Lake Léman, hoping to see the iconic Jet d’Eau fountain lit up. Unfortunately, it was too windy for the fountain to be running, but spirits remained high as we rode the lakeside Ferris wheel. It offered spectacular nighttime views of the city and the towering spire of St Pierre Cathedral, our challenge for later in the week.
Page 55
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS Tuesday: We were up bright and early to cross the French border and ascend Mont Salève by cable car. This thrilling ride climbs around 665 m vertically over just 1,172 m horizontally with no supporting pylons, creating a dramatic near-vertical ascent. From the summit, we enjoyed sweeping views over Geneva, Lake Léman, and the distant Mont Blanc massif, the highest mountain in Western Europe. The afternoon brought us back to Geneva and to the cutting edge of science at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. There, the girls took part in a Lego robotics workshop, sparking creativity in the very shadow of the famous CERN Globe of Science and Innovation. Dinner that evening was a true Swiss experience: classic fondue at Restaurant Edelweiss, accompanied by live traditional music.
Wednesday: Perhaps our busiest day, we began with a guided tour of CERN. Led by particle physicists, we explored exhibits explaining the world’s largest machine, the Large Hadron Collider, a 27kilometre ring buried beneath the French-Swiss border, where protons are smashed together at nearly the speed of light to unlock secrets of the universe. We even glimpsed the bustling CERN Control Centre. The whole area is gated and operates almost like its own international zone, with staff from over 100 nationalities.
Page 56
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS Lunch was a treat, dining in the CERN restaurant alongside scientists and engineers from across the globe. Next stop was a colourful outdoor market for another shopping opportunity, before walking to St Pierre Cathedral in Geneva’s Old Town. We climbed 157 spiral steps of the north tower for spectacular panoramic views over Geneva and the Alps. Beneath the cathedral, we explored archaeological excavations that revealed layers of history, from a Roman sanctuary to medieval crypts. Then it was on to the Quai du Mont-Blanc, where we boarded a CGN boat for a one-hour cruise on Lake Geneva, enjoying views of the city’s elegant lakeside villas, the Jura mountains, and the distant Alps. This cruise had originally been scheduled for Monday, making the day especially full. Jet D’Eau from the boat Finally, we braved Geneva’s rush hour trams (with our group briefly split up!) to Du Rhône Chocolatier. There we ended our day by crafting our own Swiss chocolate bars and tasting a vast array of confections, possibly too many! We returned to the hotel for a very late meal, though few had much appetite after the chocolate feast. Thursday: Our final day was equally inspiring. We visited the United Nations Building at Geneva, housed in the grand Palais des Nations. We were privileged to observe two committees in action, witnessing firsthand how diplomacy and global cooperation work. Across the road, we explored the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, which movingly showcases the organisation’s humanitarian work and history of protecting the vulnerable in conflicts and disasters around the world. From there, we headed to the airport for our evening flight, arriving home utterly exhausted but filled with new knowledge, friendships, and memories. It was a packed four days that offered our girls a vivid glimpse of international science, diplomacy, and culture, all set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. We returned not only tired, but inspired. Linden Tapper, Teacher of Mathematics
Page 57
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The Music Department This year has, once again, been a busy and productive one for the Music Department, filled with concerts, services, productions and community events. From large-scale performances to smaller, more intimate recitals, our pupils have showcased their talents with energy and dedication. Alongside a busy calendar of school events, many girls also contributed to charity fundraisers and achieved individual success in external competitions and examinations. Here is a snapshot of some of the highlights from St Margaret’s musical year.
Beauty and the Beast November saw pupils from I–VIS take to the stage in a spectacular production of Beauty and the Beast. The cast shone in their roles, bringing the much-loved story to life, while the St Margaret’s show band, made up mainly of girls from IIIS–VIS, rose to the challenge of accompanying the production live. Performing two hours of demanding music required focus, adaptability and resilience, and the experience was an invaluable one for the girls involved.
Page 58
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT St Margaret’s Day As always, music played a central role in our St Margaret’s Day service, held in November at the beautiful St Machar’s Cathedral. This year, performances came from the senior and chamber choirs, as well as the whole junior school, filling the cathedral with song.
Evening Express Christmas Concert On 8th December, the Junior Choir (5–7 Junior) performed at the Evening Express Christmas Concert at the P&J Live. They delighted the packed audience with their performances of A Light of Hope and Sparklejollytwinklejingley from Elf, earning enthusiastic applause.
Maggie’s Charity Christmas Concert On 10th December, our chamber and senior choirs, together with instrumental ensembles, joined forces with the Granite City Chorus and AlbaMix for a charity concert at Midstocket Church in aid of Maggie’s. The event sold out, raising an impressive £3,962 to support those living with cancer in the North East. The evening ended with all four choirs, plus the audience, joining together in a lively rendition of A la Media Noche, complete with body percussion. It was a joyful conclusion to a wonderful evening.
Page 59
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT Carol Service The winter term concluded with the annual Carol Service in the Beach Ballroom on 19th December. Featuring all three choirs, orchestral ensembles and whole-school singing, it was a memorable celebration of festive music before the holidays. Spring Concert The Spring Concert took place on 27th March at the Fountainhall Church at the Cross. The evening showcased a wide range of musical talent, from solo performances by VIS pupils to choral and instrumental works. The concert ended on a high note with a rousing performance of Benny Goodman’s Sing, Sing, Sing by the combined choirs and swing band.
Summer Concert On 29th May, the gym was transformed into a concert hall for our Summer Concert, which brought together pupils from 2 Junior through to IIIS. The varied programme featured performances from the orchestra, choirs, Jolly Rockers, Corelli, percussion and brass ensembles, alongside solos and duets. The finale, a stirring performance of Hero by the combined choirs and orchestra, was a fitting conclusion to the year.
Page 60
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Informal Concerts Several informal concerts were held throughout the year, giving many girls, some for the first time, the opportunity to perform for a live audience. These concerts also provided valuable preparation for those sitting music exams. Performances ranged widely in style and included a wide variety of vocal and instrumental repertoire.
ABRSM, Trinity and LCM Successes Congratulations to all pupils who sat ABRSM, Trinity and LCM exams this year, with many achieving merits and distinctions. Special mention goes to Hannah Brown and Ellie Ong for passing Grade 8 cello, and to Hannah Magill, who achieved a distinction in her ARSM diploma on oboe. NYO of Great Britain, National Youth Choir of Scotland, British Youth Theatre We were thrilled to see pupils gaining places with prestigious national organisations. Isla MacFadyen joined the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain on double bass, performing at world-class venues including the Barbican, Roundhouse and Royal Albert Hall. Yasmin Wiseman and Evangeline Uwuijaren secured places in the National Youth Choir of Scotland, while Tobechi Legunsen successfully auditioned for the British Youth Musical Theatre Company.
Page 61
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT NESMS Scholarships This year, scholarships from the North East of Scotland Music School (NESMS) were awarded to Penny Campbell (voice), Emily Littlejohn (voice), Hannah Magill (oboe), Phoebe Rose (saxophone) and Evangeline Uwuijaren (voice). As winner of the Dorothy Hately scholarship, Hannah Magill represented NESMS at the Cowdray Hall lunchtime concert in February and also performed at the annual scholarship concert in June.
Music Festival Success The 100th anniversary of the North East Annual Music Festival of Performing Arts was a milestone event, and we were proud that many St Margaret’s girls took part in this special centenary year.
Page 62
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT Rosebowl, Murray and Lamont Competitions The Betty Wyness Rosebowl Piano Competition, as well as the Murray and Lamont competitions, showcased outstanding talent once again. Judges were impressed by both the quality and variety of the programmes performed. Congratulations to Chloe Sekulin, winner of the Murray, and Hannah Brown, who won both the Rosebowl and the Lamont competitions.
Performance at Alzheimer’s Centre
In June, three VIS girls gave a moving performance for Alzheimer Scotland during Dementia Awareness Week. Their programme combined instrumental and vocal items with community singing of well-loved songs from film, television and tradition. The event was warmly received by all who attended.
Shirley Magill Director of Music
Page 63
Beauty and the Beast
THE CHRONICLE 2025 DRAMA
In November, girls from I–VI Senior brought the beloved Disney classic Beauty and the Beast to life on the stage of The Aberdeen Arts Centre. Over three nights, our pupils performed to sold-out audiences who were captivated by the remarkable talent on display. This ambitious production featured intricate costumes and spectacular musical and dance numbers that lit up the stage.
Adding to the magic, our school band delivered a flawless performance of the show’s iconic score, enhancing the atmosphere with skill and sensitivity. As always, our pupils rose to the challenge, both on stage and behind the scenes, making this year’s senior school production a truly outstanding success.
Page 65
THE CHRONICLE 2025 DRAMA
Romeo and Juliet/Myths and Heroes March marked our annual One Act Festival at The Lemon Tree, where audiences were treated to a captivating double bill of performances. 7 Junior took to the stage with a powerful adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, demonstrating their growing skills in ensemble performance and physical storytelling. Their confident handling of Shakespearean language and expressive movement brought the timeless tragedy to life in a way which really engaged their audience. Meanwhile, I and II Senior presented Myths and Heroes, a dynamic piece that used the Greek chorus convention to retell a series of ancient myths and legends. The production was inventive, energetic, and showcased the group’s ability to entertain while honouring classical storytelling traditions. Both performances were met with enthusiastic applause and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. This evening was another proud moment for St Margaret’s in celebrating the creativity and talent of our pupils.
Page 66
THE CHRONICLE 2025 DRAMA
Moana
In May, our Junior Show Club took to the stage with their vibrant production of Moana JR. Girls from 4–6 Junior were thrilled to bring this much-loved Disney adventure to life, complete with lively musical numbers and energetic choreography. Performed at The Lemon Tree the performance was completely sold-out on both nights and audiences were dazzled by the wonderful performing skills of our pupils.
The cast poured incredible effort into rehearsals, and their hard work truly shone through in every moment of the performance. It was a joyful and uplifting celebration of teamwork and creativity. The following week, the cast had the special opportunity to perform a selection of songs for our nursery pupils and visiting local nurseries in the school hall. The younger children were enchanted. Many even joined in by singing and dancing along, making it a magical experience for performers and audience alike. Kirsty McGovern, Head of Drama
Page 67
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SPORTS REVIEW
Sports Review Where Girls Thrive: Sport at St Margaret’s This year, we focus on the power of girls in sport: how they grow, lead, and thrive. At St Margaret’s, sport is more than playing; it’s about confidence, resilience, and shaping futures.
Stepping Into Sport At St Margaret’s, every girl is encouraged to take the first step onto the pitch, court, or pool, discovering not just a new sport, but a new part of herself. This year, students across all ages embraced challenges with enthusiasm: from first-time participants trying netball or gymnastics to experienced players leading their teams with confidence. Sport is a platform where students can showcase ambition, grow through hard work, celebrate equality, strengthen their community, and demonstrate respect for themselves and others, all rooted in our school values. These first steps set the stage for the determination and resilience our girls displayed throughout the year. Rising to the Challenge Competition develops resilience and determination, and our girls have shown both in abundance. Hockey teams, including the Junior team and 1st XI, competed in the Scottish Hockey Challenge Cups, with the 1st XI reaching the final. Netball squads trained consistently, displaying persistence, teamwork, and ambition at every level, with our senior team coming runners-up in the Senior Shield league. Our cross-country runners demonstrated endurance and grit, proving that sport teaches the value of perseverance, adaptability, and mental strength.
Page 68
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SPORTS REVIEW Discovering New Strengths Opportunities such as gymnastics, dance, swimming, and badminton gave girls the chance to develop new skills and confidence. Some also tried skiing for the first time, with a few going on to compete in the Junior Dryslope Championships. These experiences encouraged students to test their limits, achieve personal goals, and recognise that sport is as much about growth as it is about results. Along the way, they also discovered the value of working and achieving together. Stronger Together Teamwork lies at the heart of sport, and this year’s competitions highlighted the importance of collaboration, encouragement, and shared goals. From cheering teammates in cross-country to coordinating strategies in netball and hockey, girls learned that leadership comes in many forms and that supporting others builds confidence in themselves and those around them. These experiences strengthen relationships and foster a sense of responsibility and empathy that extends beyond the field. Celebrating Every Effort Sports Day and our extensive extracurricular clubs, from athletics and volleyball to martial arts, street dance, and pickleball, showcased that participation is just as important as performance. Every girl was encouraged to try, to play, and to enjoy the process. This inclusive approach ensures that sport is a place for all girls, whether discovering a new talent, gaining fitness, or simply enjoying the social and emotional benefits of being active. Shaping Leaders of Tomorrow At St Margaret’s, sport is more than a game: it’s a platform where girls discover strength, challenge limits, and shape their futures. With the right opportunities, encouragement, and support, girls don’t just play, they lead, inspire, and thrive, on and off the field. Abby Miller, Teacher of Physical Education
Page 69
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
MEGArt
Our annual art exhibition took place in June with an array of colourful work on display to showcase what our pupils have been creating from 5 Junior up to VI Senior. We took over the drama studio with our junior installation pieces, created using recycled paper.
Also on show were junior creations linking to their social studies including the Ancient Greeks, weather and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Page 70
Our artworks of the month were proudly displayed on easels alongside the installation pieces.
MEGArt
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
In the main art studio were artworks from junior and senior school. Pupils, staff and parents were able to visit the exhibition across two afternoons and evenings and junior groups came along during the school day. It was lovely to see the younger pupils getting excited about the work and hear them talking about what they liked.
Page 71
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
Advanced Higher Art & Design Laura Thorn
Page 72
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
Higher Art & Design Sarah Reynolds
Grace Barker
Amy Braisby
Amy Braisby
Hannah Gordon
Romy Bryce
Gwen MacDonald
Page 73
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
National 5 Art & Design
Freya Campbell Charlotte Holroyd
Libby Butler
Ogo Nwakozor Libby Butler
Magdalena Van Niekerk
Page 74
Mary Kate Kennedy
Magdalena Van Niekerk
Sylvie Muir Sophie Moir
III Senior Art & Design
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
Chaan Fei He Aditi Krishna
Ana Barens Rico
Elodie Tennant
Sophia Zubi-Emele
Helia Garfami
Safiya Rahman
Amelia Blythe
Page 75
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
Anna Stark
l & ll Senior
Tamsin Petrie
Lily Topp Ava Scott
Zoe Eke
Bhodhini Kumar
Penny Fraser
Emily Dillon
Nicole Fong
Tasneem Asraf
Annabelle Williamson
Emmanuella Nkemnacho
Page 76
Effie Aitken
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
5, 6 & 7 Junior
6J Birds
Anisha Kumari
Arianna Guli
Abigail Grant
Danielle McAdam Fern Hawkins 7J Peppers
Hollie Smith
Xi Ning Chen
Amelia Kane
Megan Dale
Julia Bamford
6J Monsters
Alice Topp
Page 77
THE CHRONICLE 2025 THE ART GALLERY
Taylor Swift Club Bracelet Making
Junior Wildlife Photography
Junior Visit to the MEGArt Exhibition
5 Junior Ancient Greece Ceramics
Page 78
III Senior Textiles
I Senior Seedpod Ceramics
Youth Philanthropy Initiative
THE CHRONICLE 2025 YPI
In December, III Senior took part in the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) final presentation evening. It was an event full of creativity, both on stage and digitally, highlighting the wonderful work our six groups had completed in the hope of being awarded the £3000 grant for their chosen local charity. The first prize of £2500 is donated by The Wood Foundation who invest in education throughout Scotland. The girls themselves had to raise an additional £500 to put towards this first prize. There could, of course, only be one winner and our congratulations go to the group representing Forget-Me-Not Club: Mia McIntosh, Aya Zahmuwl, Millie Leighton, Phoebe Rose and Aditi Kavi. Tillydrone Community Flat - Ana Barens Rico, Samaira Noor, Teninla Ashaye, QiQi He, Chaan Fei He and Faye Brown. The Archie Foundation Sophie O’Neill, Rhona Nesbitt, Sophia ZubiEmele, Narmin Nawroj and Karma Khalil
Instant Neighbour Bukayomi Adejuwon, Saathvika Devadas, Melody McKenzie, Jewel Jobin, Semele Ghosh, Theia Sarab and Lily Jamieson
Aberdeen in Recovery Diana Hubar, Sobechi Onyekwere, Amelia Blythe, Samara Rahman and Nandi Dasar
Kayleigh’s Wee Stars - Mays Alahmad, Aditi Krishna, Elodie Tennant, Lucy Cherrie, Safiya Rahman and Camille Irving
Page 79
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SILVER AWARDS
Silver
A W A R D S
This year we had four girls who received the Silver Award for their continual attendance at St Margaret’s from 1 Junior through to VI Senior, namely Oluwabukunmi Adejuwon, Hannah Brown, Keanna Harris and Alina Imran. Oluwabukunmi has written about her time at St Margaret’s. My time at St Margaret’s School for Girls has given me some of the most cherished memories of my life. From the beloved annual Christmas Carol Service, the Spring Concerts, Speech Day and all the events in between, the school’s traditions have always brought the St Margaret’s community together in a way that felt warm, and inspiring and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of our community for 14 years of my life. One of my favourite parts during my time at St Margaret’s was the wide range of sports in which I particpated. The school has always and continues to offer countless opportunities to stay active and during my time, challenge myself past my limits. Whether it was hockey, badminton, cross country, ice skating, or my personal favourite, basketball, each sport taught me something new about dedication and teamwork. Furthermore, another of favourite part of my time was being in chamber choir, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Singing beautiful and meaningful songs with my peers on themes of friendship and peace has been one of the highlights of my school years.
Page 80
THE CHRONICLE 2025 SILVER AWARDS
I believe what truly makes St Margaret’s special goes beyond the events and activities; it is the sense of community which fills the school. There is something magical about how pupils and teachers come together not just academically but as a support system that allowed me to thrive and be successful outside the walls of St Margaret's. The community that St Margaret’s harbours is not just a product of the school’s history or traditions, but a reflection of the passion and commitment shown daily by pupils and teachers alike. St Margaret’s School for Girls, to me, has always been more than a place of education: it’s a place that nurtures confidence, ambition and compassion and I’m sure that it will continue to flourish and inspire girls just as it inspired me. Oluwabukunmi Adejuwon Class of 2025
THE CHRONICLE 2025 PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
Parent Teacher Association
Events The annual Fish and Chips Quiz was a great success, bringing together parents and staff for a lively evening of trivia. Festive events also proved popular with the school community, including the Festive Family Disco and the annual Festive Prize Draw, which featured luxury hampers and gift vouchers. The disco stalls raised a significant amount of money, contributing to the PTA’s fundraising efforts. This year’s Summer Fair and Uniform Sale went ahead successfully despite the weather. Parents appreciated the opportunity to purchase second-hand uniforms for the upcoming school year, and the fair featured a variety of attractions, including a bouncy castle, tombolas, and numerous stalls. Fundraising Uniform sales continue to be the PTA’s most important and consistent source of income, offering a sustainable way for parents to recycle uniforms. The Bag2School collection also supported the circular economy while helping families declutter for a good cause. Easy fundraising remains a simple method for raising funds during online shopping, with many parents already making use of the app or browser extension. Other successful initiatives included a handbag raffle with a prize valued at £1,000, with tickets still available into the new school year, and personalised Lego keychains, which raised £180 for the PTA during the Spring Term. Support for the School The PTA has funded several exciting projects this year. Improvements to the Junior Library included new lighting, seating, and a wall mural designed and painted by senior pupils. A Clevertouch board was provided for ICT1, and ice creams were offered to all pupils at the Sports Day BBQ, adding to the enjoyment of the event. Thanks A huge thank you was extended to all volunteers for their time, energy, and commitment. Without their support, these events would not be possible.
Page 82
THE CHRONICLE 2025 DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Update from the Development Office The Development Office plays a central role in keeping the St Margaret’s community connected. From building relationships with alumnae and hosting events, to raising funds that directly support our Bursary Programme and Hardship Fund, we work to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive at St Margaret’s. We are always delighted to welcome former pupils and friends back to school, whether it’s for a special Songs of the Season event or simply a visit to the city. This year's first Songs of the Season event was a celebration of community and holiday spirit! Held in the school hall in December, the gathering brought together pupils, staff, families and friends for carol singing led by Miss Tomlinson, Mrs Magill and senior pupils. The festive atmosphere was complemented by mince pies and hot drinks. A highlight was senior pupil, Hannah, who has been learning sign language, teaching the audience to sign Silent Night.
Page 83
Former Pupil Day On Saturday 31st May, we were pleased to welcome former pupils, staff and friends back to St Margaret's for our Former Pupil Day. The event was a chance to reconnect with classmates, staff and take a trip down memory lane. With 100 guests, this year's gathering included a number of anniversary year groups and "special birthday" year groups. Our oldest former pupil attending was from the class of 1958, and several guests had travelled considerable distances to be with us, including from the USA, Newfoundland and Australia. We were particularly pleased to be joined by former members of staff, many of whom continue to encourage and support the school and our pupils. Their presence reflects the long-standing relationships that begin in the classroom and continue for decades. On arrival, guests enjoyed refreshments with homemade shortbread (courtesy of former pupil, Fiona Littlejohn - thank you!) and the opportunity to catch up. Miss Tomlinson formally welcomed guests back to school and shared an update on the St Margaret's Way Challenge. Guests then enjoyed tours of the school with current pupils, followed by lunch. To end the event we sang the two school songs, accompanied on piano by former Head of Music, Mr Drew Tulloch. Thank you to all our guests and our amazing volunteers who made this event such a success!
Page 84
THE CHRONICLE 2025 DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Preserving St Margaret’s History This summer, the school archive received some attention and care thanks to Head Girl, Céline Muir, who spent time integrating new items and updating the inventory. Supported by the generosity of a dedicated donor, the archive, filled with photographs, documents and memorabilia spanning generations, is a living record of St Margaret’s story. By tending to these historic items, she helped ensure that the school’s rich heritage remains alive - celebrating past achievements, traditions and memories for current pupils, staff and alumnae alike. Fundraising to support the school Our Bursary Programme exists to ensure that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of a St Margaret’s education, offering means-tested support that contributes towards a pupil’s fees. The demand for bursary support continues to grow each year, and unlike many independent schools, St Margaret’s does not have a large endowment fund to draw upon. Instead, we rely on careful financial management and the generosity of our community - parents, alumnae, former staff and friends - whose donations directly support girls’ education. Over the past year, many chose to give in response to the introduction of VAT on school fees, while others continued their long-standing commitment through regular donations. A highlight of the year was The St Margaret’s Way Challenge, which brought together alumnae, families and staff in a wonderful display of community spirit, raising both funds and awareness for the Bursary Programme and Hardship Fund.
Page 85
THE CHRONICLE 2025 DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Fundraising continued Every gift, no matter its size, is deeply valued and makes a tangible difference to a girl’s education and future. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who supported the school during the past year - your generosity continues to shape opportunities for the next generation of St Margaret’s girls. Keeping in touch Keep up to date with the latest news from school through St Margaret’s Connect, our online community. Get in touch at development@st-margaret.uk to register or update your details. A gift in your Will For almost 180 years, St Margaret’s has shaped the lives of girls who go on to make a difference in the world. By remembering the school in your Will, you can help ensure that opportunity continues for generations to come. Whether it’s 1% of your estate or a specific sum, every gift helps us support bursaries, enrich learning, and sustain the values that make St Margaret’s special. To include St Margaret’s in your Will, your solicitor will need: St Margaret’s School for Girls Charity Number: SC016265 For a confidential conversation, please contact: development@st-margaret.uk
Page 86
Rachel Paterson-Davies, Head of Development
An engineering consultancy focused on providing valued engineering services and solutions to define, support and safeguard the integrity of your assets and equipment over their entire life cycle. Based in Scotland, we work with customers around the world and across a range of industries to help you manage your assets. INDUSTRY LEADING INTEGRITY SERVICES
INTEGRITY
REMEDIATION
ENGINEERING
EQUIPMENT DESIGN/MANUFACTURE
OPUSINTEGRITY.COM
3ROilfieldEquipment.com
Discover the Magic
The Chronicle 2025 17 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1RU T: +44 (0)1224 584466 E: info@st-margaret.uk St Margaret’s School is a registered charity OSCR Reg. No. SC016265
www.st-margaret.aberdeen.sch.uk