From the Head

FOR THE PURPOSES OF SCHOOL HISTORY, I SHALL BEGIN BY EXPLAINING THAT SESSION 2021-22 WAS THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR TO BE PROFOUNDLY AFFECTED BY THE COVID PANDEMIC. NEVERTHELESS, HAPPILY, WHEN PUPILS RETURNED TO SCHOOL IN AUGUST, WE WERE ALL BACK TOGETHER IN 15-17 ALBYN PLACE, HAVING CONCLUDED OUR LEASE OF THE ADDITIONAL SPACE AT NEARBY 3-5.

As the school settled into new routines influenced by the latest public health advice, the nursery continued to benefit from their additional classroom space which had been vacated by Support for Learning the previous year. Meanwhile, Support for Learning moved into their new home in a former ICT suite which had been transformed over the summer holiday to a bespoke design which meets the needs of both junior and senior pupils. This development of our use of space was possible because this particular ICT suite was surplus to requirements now that each girl from 1 Junior upwards has access to her own Chromebook. I highlight this because it was one of a number of unexpectedly positive outcomes of the pandemic. Over the course of session 2021-22, the whole school community responded to a number of Scottish Government changes to Covid guidance for schools, with colleagues and pupils demonstrating again and again their capacity to be flexible, creative and resilient. It was during this school year that we saw the highest number of positive cases in all age groups, and, in order to cope with what were unprecedentedly high levels of staff absence, we were pleased to recruit seven supply teachers who played a crucial role in ensuring that the normal timetable of learning and teaching continued. Technology was also a great help in that it became the norm in most lessons in the senior school for several pupils to be learning remotely via Google Meet and their Chromebook while self-isolating. The previous year’s

investment in a new WiFi system for the whole school proved invaluable!

Although this was the year when the virus had the most impact on the health of the school community, I am pleased to reflect that it was also the year when activities and events which we have long held dear began in person again. Over the course of the session, extra-curricular activities were rebuilt, helped by the relaxation of restrictions of the different age groups mixing. It was no doubt that the normal programme of clubs had been sorely missed by pupils and staff alike and, although the ongoing requirements for mask wearing and enhanced hygiene had to be worked into the pattern of the week, such opportunities were grasped with enthusiasm.

Whenever we could, albeit that we could not do things in the ‘normal’ way, we took the opportunity to celebrate the milestones in the school year. St Margaret’s Day was no exception with an individual birthday cake for every pupil before the customary half day and yet more cake at a special afternoon tea hosted by the Lord Provost at the Town House to celebrate the school’s 175th Anniversary. We may not have been able to celebrate Christmas with an in-person Carol Service, but we did welcome some unexpected visitors in the form of donkeys to a surprise nativity tableau for the nursery and junior children in the playground. I was quickly asked if this could become a new tradition!

Introducing today’s pupils to ‘inspirational women’ and other role models from all walks of life is an important aspect of St Margaret’s life and throughout the year we benefited from a range of events which did just that. Amongst other things, over the coming pages you will read about a visit from Judy Murray, a Women in Business event, innovative careers sessions and a virtual assembly with former pupil Professor Sinead Farrington to celebrate Women in Science Day in February. The Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen in June 2022 also shone a light on the value of service to others, an approach which is often talked about in the context of our whole school charity programme.

We continued to use a digital or blended approach in the first two terms for concerts, drama performances and parents’ events but by the summer term the national guidance allowed us to get back into the theatre once more for ‘Matilda Jr’, and it was not long before we were celebrating the talents of our young musicians at the Rosebowl Piano Competition and the Murray and Lamont Competitions. Sports Day in June 2022 was such a happy occasion with pupils from nursery to VI Senior coming together with staff and parents at Summerhill in what was thankfully good weather. The PTA’s catering on this occasion was a triumph as was their Summer Fair in the playground. After such a challenging period in all of our lives, there was a profound joy in ending the school year with our normal in-person events, not least a wonderful Speech Day in the Beach Ballroom.

Over the course of session 2021-22, it has continued to be a great privilege to work alongside all of the groups which make up our St Margaret’s community. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated staff, supportive parents and wonderful children and young people, whose enthusiasm for learning and whose desire to make the world a better place shine through in their leadership of projects to promote sustainability and celebrate diversity.

This edition of The Chronicle is a colourful record of the life of our school and I am sure that you will feel just as proud of all that St Margaret’s pupils have achieved as I do.

Introducing today’s pupils to ‘inspirational women’ and other role models from all walks of life is an important aspect of St Margaret’s life and throughout the year we benefited from a range of events which did just that.

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