Opening Remarks It is in times of challenge and uncertainty that we naturally discover our tūāpapa, what is important in
rowing. Our offerings in creative technologies have also
our lives, and we find comfort and reassurance there.
increased this year with more girls taking up robotics
For many of us that will be family and friends, perhaps
and coding, and oversubscribing our popular Stitches
the sanctuary of the garden or the wildness of nature.
Club. And as this publication will attest, our House
At St Margaret’s College, when faced with a new year of
Spirit has most certainly not been Covid-affected, with
continued disruption and unpredictability, we did the
the college awash with colour and smiles (even under
same. We concentrated our attention on our girls, so
masks) for special events.
that they might find their tūrangawaewae here with us.
What has been more challenging to nurture in these
With the Covid-19 outbreak cloud threatening our
first few months of 2022 are the connections and sense
skies, it was a case of ‘making hay while the sun shines’.
of community that is such an important part of the
Teachers put in the mahi to ensure that our online
fabric of SMC. Our Year 13s have been amazing buddies
platforms were loaded with resources and time was
for the Year 9s, and our Middle School students have all
spent guaranteeing that students were well prepared to
enjoyed Connection Days off-campus as a way to build
pivot to remote teaching and learning should the storm
invaluable friendships that we know will last a lifetime.
break. Our academic results of 2020 and 2021 were
Our Old Girls continue to be a taonga to SMC, with
testament to the extraordinary programmes and
many returning again this year to be coaches, mentors,
instruction at SMC, holding our place as one of the top
speech, drama and musical tutors. We are truly blessed
schools in New Zealand. So, there was a calm sense of
to have so many wāhine mākoha willing to empower
purpose across the College, especially among our senior
the next generation of SMC Old Girls. It is our parent
students, knowing that the school would support them
community that has been affected most by the current
to achieve academic success and that they would be
Covid settings, and we look forward to welcoming them
well-prepared to pursue their preferred post-school
back as soon as possible.
ambitions.
All things considered, SMC is in good heart and good
But we know that school life is not just about what
health. Long may it last.
happens in the classroom, especially at SMC. It is
Diana Patchett, Executive Principal
about growing well rounded individuals, providing
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opportunities to nurture each girl’s unique strengths,
Glossary
in an environment that promotes hauora, physical,
Hauora: in good spirits
spiritual and emotional wellness. With a terrific sense
Mahi: work
of optimism for the year ahead, we saw record numbers
Taonga: treasure
of girls sign up for our co-curricular pursuits. There is
Tūāpapa: foundation, platform
continued growth in cricket, rock band, tennis,
Tūrangawaewae: a place to stand and belonging
volleyball and debating numbers, alongside our
Wāhine mākoha: kind, compassionate, considerate
traditional strengths in dance, netball, hockey and
women
