Foundation

A culture of generosity

The St Margaret’s College Foundation contributes to the life of the school in a variety of ways. Thanks to your generosity, we are able to create real impact and to make a sustainable difference by supporting the enrichment of student experience, including facilitating capital projects and enabling special initiatives.

Soph Kingi is one student who benefitted from an academic scholarship which allowed her to access all that SMC had to offer.

Securing a scholarship at SMC is one of Soph’s proudest achievements to date. She shares how it has changed the course of her life. “I always planned on staying at my local high school growing up and it wasn’t until I performed for SMC in 2016 that I realised that this was the school I wanted to go to.”

“I had put a lot of effort into my scholarship application and I know that it meant a lot for my parents as it took pressure off of them. I am really grateful that SMC supported me when I decided to take my dancing further, enabling me to travel up and down the country and overseas while still engaging in schoolwork and remaining a part of life on campus. SMC made what seemed impossible very possible.”

Soph is attending The University of Otago and studying Health Sciences, with the hope of carrying on to study Medicine or BioMedical Sciences. Soph says, “Without attending St Margaret’s I would not have had the confidence, self belief and education to enrol in such a highly competitive and time consuming degree.”

The Foundation relies on the generosity of our valued donor community. Our supporters come from a wide range of backgrounds and connections to the school. Endowment donors, current and past parents, Old Girls, business partners and community charities – each contributor has their own unique motivation for wanting to give back and leave a legacy.

Lesley Nesbit, Old Girl

“Since I started my contributions to The Foundation, I have been very impressed with the girls that have benefitted from my scholarship. I feel that what I've given so far has made a big difference. The girls make a huge commitment to both the school curriculum as well as taking full advantage of the many additional opportunities SMC provides. I don't know how they fit it all in!

“I feel honoured to have met the girls who I’ve supported and it has given me great pleasure to be able to help them in some small way. It is lovely to have personal contact with them and I can see that the money is going to a very good cause. I look forward to continuing my support in the future.”