Opening Remarks

It is in times of challenge and uncertainty that we naturally discover our tūāpapa, what is important in our lives, and we find comfort and reassurance there. For many of us that will be family and friends, perhaps the sanctuary of the garden or the wildness of nature. At St Margaret’s College, when faced with a new year of continued disruption and unpredictability, we did the same. We concentrated our attention on our girls, so that they might find their tūrangawaewae here with us.

With the Covid-19 outbreak cloud threatening our skies, it was a case of ‘making hay while the sun shines’. Teachers put in the mahi to ensure that our online platforms were loaded with resources and time was spent guaranteeing that students were well prepared to pivot to remote teaching and learning should the storm break. Our academic results of 2020 and 2021 were testament to the extraordinary programmes and instruction at SMC, holding our place as one of the top schools in New Zealand. So, there was a calm sense of purpose across the College, especially among our senior students, knowing that the school would support them to achieve academic success and that they would be well-prepared to pursue their preferred post-school ambitions.

But we know that school life is not just about what happens in the classroom, especially at SMC. It is about growing well rounded individuals, providing opportunities to nurture each girl’s unique strengths, in an environment that promotes hauora, physical, spiritual and emotional wellness. With a terrific sense of optimism for the year ahead, we saw record numbers of girls sign up for our co-curricular pursuits. There is continued growth in cricket, rock band, tennis, volleyball and debating numbers, alongside our traditional strengths in dance, netball, hockey and rowing. Our offerings in creative technologies have also increased this year with more girls taking up robotics and coding, and oversubscribing our popular Stitches Club. And as this publication will attest, our House Spirit has most certainly not been Covid-affected, with the college awash with colour and smiles (even under masks) for special events.

What has been more challenging to nurture in these first few months of 2022 are the connections and sense of community that is such an important part of the fabric of SMC. Our Year 13s have been amazing buddies for the Year 9s, and our Middle School students have all enjoyed Connection Days off-campus as a way to build invaluable friendships that we know will last a lifetime. Our Old Girls continue to be a taonga to SMC, with many returning again this year to be coaches, mentors, speech, drama and musical tutors. We are truly blessed to have so many wāhine mākoha willing to empower the next generation of SMC Old Girls. It is our parent community that has been affected most by the current Covid settings, and we look forward to welcoming them back as soon as possible.

All things considered, SMC is in good heart and good health. Long may it last.

Diana Patchett, Executive Principal

Glossary Hauora: in good spirits Mahi: work Taonga: treasure Tūāpapa: foundation, platform Tūrangawaewae: a place to stand and belonging Wāhine mākoha: kind, compassionate, considerate women