spring 2024
Five ways to wellbeing
At St Margaret’s College, we believe nurturing wellbeing is as important as academic achievement. In a world that sometimes feels overwhelming, it is essential to have tools that help us mentally and emotionally thrive.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing provides a simple yet powerful framework that supports our girls in leading balanced and fulfilling lives. These five principles—Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give—are at the heart of our approach to student wellbeing. By encouraging our girls to embed these practices into their daily routines, we create a community where every girl feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach her potential.
These Five Ways to Wellbeing are especially important for girls, particularly in today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, where the pressures and expectations placed on young women can be overpowering.
Connect: In an age where social media often replaces face-to-face interactions, genuine connections are more vital than ever. For girls, building strong, supportive relationships helps to counteract the pressures of online comparison and provides a sense of belonging and acceptance. House Day, camps and student exchanges all provide rich opportunities for our girls to build relationships with others.
Be Active: With the rise of sedentary lifestyles, especially among teenagers, physical activity is crucial. Engaging in regular exercise can boost self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and promote a positive body image - particularly important for girls navigating the challenges of adolescence. Our Winter sports season saw another record number of teams across the College and while we celebrate their extraordinary results, we are most proud of realising ‘more girls, more active, more often’, through tree planting, performing arts and social activities.
Take Notice: The constant barrage of information and the pace of modern life can lead to stress and anxiety. Mindfulness and being present in the moment help our girls to develop resilience, manage stress, and appreciate the world around them. Our weekly chapel services provide welcome respite for our girls to practise self awareness and gratitude.
Keep Learning: Lifelong learning encourages curiosity, creativity, and a growth mindset, essential for personal and academic success. For girls, who may sometimes face societal pressures to conform, embracing new challenges and learning opportunities in an encouraging girls’ school environment empowers them to pursue their passions confidently.
Give: In a world that often emphasises self-promotion and individual achievement, fostering a sense of generosity and community is crucial. Giving back, whether through small acts of kindness or community service, helps girls to develop empathy, build character, and find purpose beyond themselves. Through our Educating Girls Globally (EGG) charity, our girls have the opportunity to learn more about the work of charitable organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. This dedication to a higher purpose ensures our girls go on to make a positive difference in the world.
As we continue to embrace the Five Ways to Wellbeing and their practical, evidence-based strategies, let’s remember that wellbeing is a journey, not a destination. It’s about making small, intentional choices every day that contribute to our overall happiness and resilience. Together, as a school community, by focusing on these five simple actions, we not only enhance our individual wellbeing but also strengthen the bonds that make our College a vibrant and supportive place for all.
Diana Patchett, Executive Principal
St Margaret’s College Old Girls’ Association
If you are a regular visitor to SMC Connect, or you follow the Old Girls’ Association on social media, you will know just how deeply St Margaret’s College’s founding principle of Higher Purpose runs through our alumnae community.
In recent months, we’ve celebrated two recipients of the King’s Birthday Honours - Arihia Bennett - appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori, governance and the community, and Jane Cartwright - appointed Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health governance.
We’ve caught up with Aryn Azlan, now a first-year doctor in the UK; with optometrist Ella Hawthorne and operating room nurse Alexandra Gordon bringing healthcare to the world’s poorest aboard Mercy Ships; and Caitlin Earlya member of Royal New Zealand Air Force No.6 Squadron with responsibility for Seasprite helicopters.
We’ve profiled Julie Seymour - inducted as a Sporting Legend of Canterbury for her influence on young female athletes, and Kate Baird - Asset Manager Officer at Westland District Council, who has received the Priyani de Silva-Currie Emerging Asset Management Professional Scholarship for her work supporting her West Coast community.
These are just some of the stories we have shared recently, and the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our Old Girls contributing to positive change, giving back to their community, and serving others with grace and gratitude.
Our alumnae are a source of inspiration to our current
students, with many of us giving our time to return to the College and connect with our younger sisters.
This is the ongoing influence of the values St Margaret’s teaches us, and the power of our community. We encourage you to keep sharing your stories, come along to our Old Girls’ Association events around New Zealand and internationally, and stay up to date by visiting our social media and SMC Connect.
I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming reunion weekend, and hope you will join us for a busy programme of events for the remainder of the year.
Bella Forbes, Old Girls’ Association President
facebook.com/SMCOldGirlsAssoc
instagram.com/smcoga
smcconnect.school.nz/pages/old-girls-association
Old Girls in the wild
Claire Cardew (Chambers)
I was sitting at the airport in Kathmandu waiting to board my flight to Lukla when I got chatting with a Kiwi father-and-daughter duo. Naturally, the question of what school they went to came up.
It turns out that the young woman was Rose Robinson, the Head Prefect of 2014 and her Dad, Hugh. We followed each other up and down the trek to Everest Base Camp.
Here is a photo of us at the Hillary Bridge, named for our own Sir Ed.
Treasuring Te Reo
Māori Language week
St Margaret’s College supports many of our teaching staff as they gradually progress along their pathways to learning Te Reo Māori. We spoke with two of our kaiako (teachers) about their own personal reasons for learning Te Reo, and their approach to it.
Helen Moran
Kaiako Māori, and Drama Teacher
Self-talk can be a powerful motivator. When Helen Moran decided it was time, back in 2015, to take her first Māori language steps, she simply told herself to “Just get on with it”. Now, she has progressed a long way towards her goal of being fluent, with a Level 7 qualification from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa under her belt.
She speaks of her immersive experience in the Hōaka Pounamu programme at the University of Canterbury as being transformative.
“It was life-changing,” she reflects. “I learned about how the language was systematically suppressed during colonisation, and viewed it against my own heritage, drawing parallels with how the Welsh and Irish experienced the pain of being separated from their indigenous languages - it was a shared story of resilience.”
Helen brings this understanding into her teaching practice at St Margaret’s. “I can share the richness of Te Ao Māori with empathy and humility, as someone who didn’t previously know Māori culture, and knowing that we’re all on this journey together,” she explains.
A monthly staff language session is a way for Helen to share her learning with other teachers across the College, and many now integrate Te Reo into their daily teaching as well.
Helen recalls a recent Year 7 marae trip, where one student’s grandfather and another’s great-grandmother - both respected elders - joined the group, strengthening the school’s connections to the local Māori community.
“These are the moments that truly matter,” she says. “When we can come together, across cultures, and celebrate the beauty and complexity of Te Reo and tikanga Māori.”
“Learning Te Reo Māori enriches us and strengthens us as New Zealanders. It makes us better bicultural citizens. Ko te reo tēnei, o ngā maunga, o ngā awa, o te whenua - This is the language of the mountains, of the rivers, of the land.”
Andrea Drayton Curriculum Leader for Business and Economics
Andrea began learning Te Reo Māori because she felt that it was an important part of being a New Zealander, but it was travelling to Canada and witnessing the decline of indigenous languages there that reinforced her appreciation of the language.
“In many of those areas, they’ve got down to single figures in the number of people who can actually speak the language,” she explains. “That made me really proud to be from a country where we have actively taken steps over the last few decades to preserve and promote the Māori language.”
“I don’t whakapapa Māori myself. I’m fortunate to be from this place, this is my tūrangawaewae, my home, and I want to celebrate all the aspects of bicultural New Zealand that make us all unique.”
As Andrea has progressed through her Te Reo learning, from beginner to her current Level 4 full immersion study, she has seen a profound impact on her teaching approach.
“Te Reo is taught using interactive, story-based methods that help students engage with the language in a meaningful way. When you go to the classes, you’re not doing any work online, you’re collaborating with others, in groups. This physical approach is a great way of learning and has been really useful in my own classroom.”
St Margaret’s is grateful for the work of our kaiako, who are leading by example and fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for all of our students. Together, they are playing an important part in allowing the taonga (treasure) of Te Reo Māori to thrive in our community.
Celebrating excellence
St Margaret’s College students can gain awards for excellence in Academia, Arts, and Sports. The achievements for each level of awards are based on their year group – Middle School Badges and Colours (Year 7-10) and Senior School Honours (Year 11-13).
Middle School Colours
Students display braid on their right sleeve:
• Red for sport
• White for arts
Senior School Colours (Honours)
Students display braid on their left sleeve:
• Silver for academic
• Green for sport
• Gold for arts
Red Blazer
A Red Blazer is awarded when students have achieved Middle School and Senior School colours in academia, sports or the arts and meet the criteria for each step, including attendance, behaviour, values and service. Ties
A silver tie is awarded for academic achievement in the Foundation Programme, NCEA and International Baccalaureate. It must be earned before an academic red blazer.
Braiding
Prefects have blue braiding around the edge of their blazer and on both sleeves.
Pockets
Students can obtain Pockets in Arts and Sports by accruing achievement, participation, and service points. A pocket is a prerequisite for the awarding of Honours. A Pocket is a small green or blue square with a letter. This is sewn onto the blazer pocket.
All of the award criteria are available for viewing on School Bridge.
Year 1-12 tie Silver tie
Year 13 tie Colours tie
Blazer with Prefect braiding
Pockets – Sports (green), Arts (blue)
Red blazer with Senior Colours
Blazer with Middle School Colours
Ready… Set… School!
The transition from Preschool to school
Did you know that our St Margaret’s College community includes forty bouncing, bubbly preschoolers?
St Margaret’s Preschool offers the warm, nurturing environment of a preschool, with the resources and opportunities of one of New Zealand’s leading primary and secondary schools.
Established in 2015, our Preschool children enjoy a particular head start for their school years, with access to the College’s incredible facilities and a structured transition to school programme. Preschoolers regularly visit the library for story time, join in stretchy yoga classes and take part in lively dance lessons. They even perform at College assemblies, which gives them an early sense of belonging to the broader College environment.
“Being part of the school community is a huge benefit,” explains Preschool Director Sarah Bradley. “The children get to tap into the knowledge and expertise of teachers across the school, which really enriches their learning.”
“I’m a school kid now!”
In the term before they turn five, preschoolers join a dedicated ‘School Group’ programme, spending time in the primary classrooms and getting to know the new entrant teachers.
“The School Group compliments the transition to school programmes that schools offer. These extra visits and familiarity with the school environment means the children feel confident and comfortable when they officially start,” says Sarah. “Regardless of where they are going on to school, they know the routines, the teachers,
and often even some of the other students, which makes for a seamless transition.”
Importantly, the Preschool’s teaching team includes two primary-trained educators, who bring a deep understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the school setting. They also work closely with surrounding schools, so that the children are familiar with the environment they will be going into.
“Paige and Louise have invaluable insight into what primary teachers expect from new entrants, ensuring our preschoolers are developing the right mix of academic and independent skills to be successful. New entrant teachers always comment on how school-ready the children are,” says Sarah.
This focus on school readiness is evident in the preschool’s curriculum, which incorporates structured literacy and numeracy programmes alongside an inquiry-based, playfocused approach.
A reciprocal Tuakana/Teina (Big Sister/Little Sister) mentoring and learning relationship is nurtured between Year 5 children and the preschoolers. The St Margaret’s Junior School children enjoy ‘buddy class’ time, joining the group to read a story or play with the little ones, further nurturing the preschoolers’ involvement in the College community.
Sarah says that families with school age children enjoy the flexibility the preschool offers. “Although we are open all year, other than the three weeks over Christmas, parents have the option of taking their under-fives out during the state and independent school holidays. A full, nutritious lunch is another option, which is one less thing for parents to think about in the morning,” she says.
Building a sense of belonging
The Junior School, with its unique role in shaping the character of St Margaret’s College, is a vital part of our school. The students, with their joy and optimism, contribute significantly to our College’s special character.
Globally, children are experiencing increased anxiety at a younger age. Numerous studies have demonstrated that a sense of belonging can alleviate anxiety, leading to better mental health outcomes. Feeling valued and integral to a community boosts self-esteem and purpose. Interestingly, a sense of belonging also has a positive impact on physical health. Children with strong social connections generally enjoy better overall health and wellbeing.
St Margaret’s College has many ways in which we endeavour to foster a sense of belonging for all of our students, sending them a very clear message that they are an important part of our community. In the Junior School, we build strong connections through:
• transition programmes for new students, developing their familiarity with our school and our community
• a Buddy Class programme, where the classes of our older girls in our Junior School are paired with the classes of our younger girls, or the Preschool, cultivating a strong sense of community.
• House events, like House Day and House Singing, where we join with our big sisters in the Middle and Senior Schools and learn the value of a healthy, supportive, competitive spirit
• regular events that represent a rite of passage for the girls such as the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Junior School Disco, Year 4 Sleepover and Year 5 and 6 Camp.
• our Friendship Curriculum, Friendology, where our girls learn the skill of friendship and how to manage their friendships.
Our girls’ whānau are also a valued part of our Junior School community, and are welcomed on to our campus
for the Family Picnic, Parents’ and Friends’ Association events, Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day, and invited to be part of class WhatsApp groups and communities - all created to be warm, positive, supportive spaces that strengthen our connection to one another.
We are fortunate to have a strong sense of community running throughout our College, encompassing our students, their families, our staff and our alumnae, from our youngest learners in the Preschool to our most senior Old Girls.
Bridget Compton-Moen, Head of Junior School
Senior School’s unique dual pathway
We are proud that our Senior School girls attain the highest academic results in Christchurch year after year, in both the International Baccalaureate and National Certificate for Education Achievement (NCEA).
As the sole girls’ school in the South Island to offer the unique combination of the globally recognised International Baccalaureate programme and New Zealand’s NCEA in Years 12-13, we firmly believe individuality is key at this pivotal stage in a student’s education journey.
Both programmes build on our bespoke Year 11 curriculum, the St Margaret’s College Senior School Foundation Diploma.
Zoë is studying NCEA Level 2. She enjoys music, drama and Kapa Haka, participates in multiple committees, including Chapel and Bi-Cultural, and is a member of the Arts Council. “I did consider the IB, particularly as the Foundation Diploma helped to inform me about how the IB works. Ultimately, I chose NCEA Level 2-3 because it allowed me to study Te Reo Māori, which I am aiming to become fluent in.”
Our Senior School curriculum, which is an extension of our Middle School programme, is designed to provide students with a strong academic foundation, foster their leadership skills, promote their well-being, and encourage them to make meaningful contributions to their community.
Our dedicated teaching staff is committed to guiding our students in selecting the most suitable educational pathway in close collaboration with their families.
The Senior School leadership team and teaching staff can answer parents’ and caregivers’ questions and there are a number of opportunities for whānau to learn more about the dual pathway as their daughters progress through Middle School and Year 11.
Sian Evans, Head of Senior School
Bella is a boarder who studied the Middle Years Programme of the IB at her previous school in Singapore. She opted to study in New Zealand to pursue rugby and selected St Margaret’s College to study the IB Diploma. “The IB helps you connect knowledge and open your mind, and it’s geared toward making you love learning. It’s allowed me to delve deeper into my passions and given me an awareness of how my actions affect my community.”
Zoë Bella
A day in the life of a Middle Schooler
Cordelia Jones, Year 7, starts each morning at St Margaret’s College in her tutor class. For five minutes each morning, her tutor checks in with the class of 15 Year 7 to 10 girls. This vertical tutor system, where students of different age groups and year levels are grouped under one tutor, offers opportunities for mentorship, role models, and an enhanced sense of community. Tutor groups also meet twice a week for a longer period to participate in projects such as goal setting and House activities.
Class time starts at 8.30am with seven 50-minute classes.
Cordelia’s favourite subjects are maths and performing arts. Year 7 and 8 girls also have 10 ENSS classes per week; ENSS stands for Social Sciences and English. “In ENSS, we learn lots about vocabulary and new adjectives to make stories more exciting and realistic. We are currently doing Pitch Your Product, where in pairs, we get to create our own business, create a prototype and learn new things about marketing.”
Cordelia and her classmate, Xanthe, created a pencil case that wraps around a drink bottle and has a shoulder strap so it can be easily taken to different classes.
During morning break and at lunchtime, Cordelia fills her time with co-curricular activities. On Monday lunchtimes, she spends 45 minutes practising Musical Theatre, “I love all of the excitement and nerves before walking onto the stage in front of the huge audience and wearing costumes.”
Cordelia also takes classes at Theatre Dance Academy on campus after school and takes itinerant speech and drama lessons.
Wednesday afternoons are for sports. In Terms 1 and 4, Coredlia plays volleyball, and in the Winter Terms, she plays netball.
Then it’s home to Mum, Dad, sister Lavinia, who’s in Year 8 at SMC and two-year-old black and white Cavoodle, Eve.
“I came to SMC because my mum, my aunty, my granny and my granny’s sister all loved it, and I do too.”
Cordelia Jones
“Remember, anything can happen if you let it.”
Mary Poppins
Reflecting on our whole school production
Mary Poppins was a beautiful production that captured the wonder of childhood, celebrated the power of the imagination and explored what it means to be a family. Tackling this musical, with the whole school involved, was a labour of love and a true team effort. As a new staff member at St Margaret’s College, it was a wonderful way to get to know the students and staff members across the school as we worked together to bring our collective vision to life. It brought me immense joy to see our juniors working hard in their class time, characters developing in rehearsal, and how students challenged themselves in all areas: singing, acting, and the incredible choreography.
A production of this scale, involving the entire school, required a large team of dedicated individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes. Each staff member involved in publicity, backstage, costume, make-up, lighting, sound, props, and front of house contributed countless hours and creative energy to the process. Looking back, I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you for your willingness to be part of the magic that was Mary Poppins.
My sincere thanks to Amanda Woods, who met the musical challenges of the score and amplified the cast’s beautiful voices. She was also a stalwart in getting the production on stage, especially in the final weeks together with Megan Herd, who shared my vision for the show as Assistant Director and stewarded it to its standing ovation-worthy season. Rylie MacGibbon, an Old Girl of St Margaret’s and teacher at Theatre Dance Academy, created wonderful choreographic works that showcased our students’ skill and talent. Stacy Goldsworthy and Rachel Wilford worked hard throughout Term 1 and Term 2 with our Junior and Year 7 and 8 students to weave them into the show and
allow them their moments in the spotlight. Stacy was especially instrumental behind the scenes. Thank you to Ali Rossiter, Director of Theatre Dance Academy, for her guest choreography with “Playing the Game.” Many thanks to Laura Hewetson, who was responsible for the backstage elements and administration throughout the rehearsal and production process. What a team effort across a range of teaching spaces across the College and within the performing arts at St Margaret’s.
My final brava goes out to our wonderful cast and crew of students who showed dedication, energy and joy throughout the process. Many hours of rehearsal, learning a big show with complicated music and choreography is no mean feat. The students of SMC and our wonderful contributing schools, Christ’s College, Hillmorton and Burnside, demonstrated all that it means to be caring, thoughtful, creative, and to ‘take the floor.’
Anna Turner, Director of Co-Curricular Arts
History of the Quad Tournament
The history of the Quadrangular ‘Quad’ Tournament is long and varied. Several different schools participated until the modern Quad was established. Quad has become a treasured tradition at St Margaret’s College, offering girls the experience of competing with teams across the South Island and the opportunity to connect with friends old and new.
Winter Quad
The first attempt at holding a tournament amongst South Island girls’ schools was in 1936. Held for hockey, the tournament was between St Margaret’s, Timaru Girls’ High, Otago Girls’ High, and Craighead Diocesan School. However, St Margaret’s participation was ultimately derailed by an outbreak of mumps. The following year, in 1937, a netball (formerly called basketball) tournament was held, but St Margaret’s did not participate.
In the late 1930s, multi-school tournaments were halted by the continuation of The Great Depression and the build-up to World War II. However, the one-day, twoschool exchanges between South Island boarding schools, including St Margaret’s, continued.
In 1948, Craighead, St Hilda’s Collegiate School, and Columba College played a triangular netball and hockey tournament. Craighead hosted a summer tournament in 1949, then hosted St Margaret’s and Rangi Ruru for a hockey tournament in the same winter. This marked the
start of an annual winter triangular hockey tournament between those schools that continued throughout the 1950s. Winter 1959 saw the first winter quadrangular tournament, with St Hilda’s joining for a hockey and netball tournament. The same tournament was set up in 1960, although this was the last year that Rangi Ruru participated in Winter Quad for six decades. From 1962, the tournament reverted back to the Winter Triangular Tournament until 1969, when Columba joined, and has since been known as the Winter Quad Tournament. When Rangi Ruru rejoined in 2023, bringing the total to five schools, the Quad name continued with four sporting codes contested at each tournament.
Summer Quad
After several winter tournaments in previous years, 1949 saw the first summer sports tournament, a tennis and swimming tournament held at Craighead, with St Hilda’s and Columba attending. From 1950, a summer triangular tournament in swimming and tennis was held between Craighead, St Margaret’s, and Rangi Ruru.
The first Summer Quad Tournament was held in 1959, when St Hilda’s rejoined Craighead, St Margaret’s and Rangi Ruru. The Summer Quad has been held continually since 1959 (COVID-19 years excluded), as Rangi Ruru remained in the summer iteration of the tournament. Columba rejoined in 2023, but the Quad name remained despite the five schools participating.
Present Day
The Winter Quad sports have expanded over the years, with badminton, basketball, hockey, and netball currently included. For the Summer Quad, tennis, volleyball, touch rugby, and cricket (introduced in 2023) are the current sports. Debating was previously included in both Winter and Summer Quads (but has since been removed).
St Margaret’s has a winning Quad history, having won Summer 14 times and Winter Quad 13 times since 2000; although some years were tied with other schools, this is still an excellent record. SMC has held the trophy for more than half of the tournaments since the start of the 21st Century.
Helen Belcher, Director of Sport
When home is away from home
Julius House offers an enriching boarding experience for Middle School girls, providing a vibrant community and a wealth of opportunities for students outside the classroom.
Julie Stewart is the new Boarding Manager at Julius House, joining the College this year from Clarice Johnstone House at Nelson College for Girls. As an experienced primary teacher, Julie has been impressed by the diverse activities programme and the inclusive nature of the boarding community.
“The girls love it,” she says. “The boarding activities are designed to enrich their lives, helping them build friendships, try new things, and enjoy every moment.”
Each term, the boarding team sets out a comprehensive schedule of activities for the girls.
“Some, who live closer, might go home at the weekends, but many of the girls stay, and we focus on curating activities for them just as they might do with their own families,” she says.
Weekend activities often include use of the school facilities such as the pool and gym. Regular trips to local attractions, such as ice skating, mini golf, and indoor rock climbing, offer a mix of fun and physical activity, tailored to engage the Year 7-10 boarders.
“One of our girls’ favourite ways to unwind is through our regular spa nights. These evenings provide a chance for relaxation and self-care, complete with facials, manicures, and calming music. It’s the perfect opportunity to recharge after a busy week,” says Julie.
Particularly noteworthy is the involvement of the older Year 11-12 students from neighbouring Kilburn House and Year 13 students from Cranmer House in the younger girls’ lives, enabling the girls to form friendships and enjoy shared experiences.
“It’s like a big sister relationship,” explains Julie. “The older girls will often take the younger ones out, whether to Hagley Park for a walk or the Merivale Mall.”
This sense of community extends beyond the boarding students, with day girls invited to join the activities and spend time with their boarding peers. One of the highlights of the year is National Boarding Week, when a special tradition involves inviting Year 8 day school friends to stay overnight, giving them a taste of boarding life for 24 hours.
“Our purpose at Julius House is to create a vibrant blend of fun, friendship, and unforgettable experiences, creating a genuinely warm and welcoming home away from home,” says Julie.
Parents’ speaker series
How can my teenager enjoy parties and spending time with friends without falling into underage drinking and vaping? How can I help my pre-teen manage fears and worries typical for their age and stage?
These are common concerns for parents as their children grow. Sharing experiences with a trusted friend who is also on this journey, or who has already trodden this path, coupled with professional advice, is invaluable.
This was the driving force behind the Parents and Friends Association’s support for a parent education series organised by the College this year. The series featured experts in their field who, drawing on years’ of experience and research, support families through the thorniest of issues, and brought our parent community together.
An empowering and hard hitting workshop with clinical psychologists Dr Judith Locke and Dr Danielle Einstein for parents with daughters in Year 5-8 encouraged parents to resist the urge to sweep in and protect their child from every setback, challenge, and obstacle, and instead guide them to build the resilience we all need to develop in order to thrive in life. The parent sessions dovetailed with sessions held for St Margaret’s staff and for girls in Year 5-8, with the objective of helping our girls live their lives unhindered by fears or self-imposed limits.
For the parents and caregivers of our older students, leading educator Paul Dillon returned to Christchurch to talk to students and parents about the impact of the misuse of alcohol and other drugs. Paul’s sessions are known for their lasting impact on teenagers, with almunae reflecting back on his advice long after graduation. Paul’s parent sessions provide parents with valuable tools to have open, honest conversations with their children.
SMC Family Picnic
Wednesday 5 February 5:00pm – 7:00pm On the field
The PFA’s mission is to support our parent community in navigating their daughter’s school years, and to build connections within an inclusive community. We would love to hear feedback from parents and caregivers on the development of the 2025 parent education series. Please be in touch if there are themes on which you would welcome advice, or topics you would like to learn more about in order to better support your daughter.
We also invite families to join our regular PFA meetings. These take place twice per term and parents can join in person or via Zoom, in a supportive and friendly environment.
Cheryl Cordier, PFA President
Learn more about the PFA and join our next meeting by visiting SMC Connect.
Springing into a new era
Creating a Legacy for the Future
As we look forward to longer days and the joys of spring, we are inspired about our future and the next stage of our vision and goals coming to fruition.
The last few years have been a time of sowing seeds for the St Margaret’s College Foundation – ideas, connections and partnerships are now beginning to blossom. We have continued to see incredible support from our community, with contributions that have strengthened our mission and facilitated exceptional opportunities for our girls.
One of the most exciting developments has been the groundwork laid for our upcoming capital campaign, aptly titled “Creating a Legacy for the Future.” This campaign represents a new chapter for St Margaret’s College, one that promises to secure the future for generations to come.
Launching in October, “Creating a Legacy for the Future” is about building financial sustainability in order to support the aspirations of our girls, to nurture their talents, and empower them to thrive now and into the future. This campaign is a call to action for our entire community to come together and make an enduring impact.
As we prepare for this significant milestone, we are filled with anticipation and excitement. The support we have already received is testament to the shared belief in the importance of providing ongoing support to St Margaret’s
in partnership with our community. It is a reminder that, much like the delicate blooms of spring, great things grow from the collective efforts of many.
In the coming months we will be sharing more about how you can be part of this journey. Together we can create something truly extraordinary–a legacy that will inspire and sustain future generations of St Margaret’s students.
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey with us so far. As we look forward to the official launch of our campaign in October, we do so with hearts full of hope and a strong vision for the future that you too can be a part of.
Erin Reeve, Foundation Manager
Festival of Christmas
Community is at the heart of our College. Christmas provides a wonderful opportunity to come together and continue these special intergenerational connections.
Join us as we celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with family and friends of St Margaret’s College.
Thursday 12 December 6:00pm – 7:30pm
The Chapel
Followed by Christmas mince pies and bubbles, Old Girls’ Atrium
Please book online at by 3 December: smcconnect.school. nz/event/foundation-festival-of-christmas-2024
For further queries please contact: foundation@ stmargarets.school.nz
Investigative journalism from Christchurch to New York
Alumnae profile: Olivia Carville
Olivia Carville’s (2002-2006) name might not be familiar, but one image will be to those of us in Christchurch on 22 February 2011. Olivia was a journalism cadet at The Press building on that day, just east of Cathedral Square, right in the middle of the chaos, smoke, and sirens. She ran towards the danger, and her image supporting a seriously injured family friend is an iconic one.
Spending the next five years reporting on the disaster, Olivia was the ‘go-to’ Christchurch Earthquake specialist— she knew every one of the dead and injured, their families, and their stories. There, she began her investigative journalism career, using her empathy and curious nature to tell real people’s stories, shedding light into some of the darkest places.
A stint at The Toronto Star followed The Press, and some time back home at The New Zealand Herald led her back to school to learn financial reporting, “I studied my master’s in financial reporting at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. This helped open doors I didn’t even know existed. But it also made me a better reporter. It taught me how to read financial statements, how to report on businesses and why corporate accountability matters.”
Holding corporations to account is a passion of Olivia’s, and she does it daily in her job as an investigative reporter for Bloomberg in New York. Some memorable moments from her current and past assignments stick fast: “I remember trekking across China, chasing the supply
chain of human hair extensions, reporting about the suicide of a homecoming king in small-town America, and investigating domestic sex trafficking in Canadian motels.”
Each story leaves an indelible mark, in particular Olivia’s recent reporting on the rising crime of sextortion. “I believe online child safety is one of the biggest social issues we face today. An entire generation of kids is growing up online — playgrounds are now inside smartphones, and tech platforms are populated by millions of children every hour of every day. This giant social experiment has turned these platforms into the biggest companies in the world and their CEOs into some of the richest men in the world. We don’t know what the long-term consequences are going to be.”
Olivia enjoys the daily hustle of New York and shares her knowledge and experience by teaching investigative journalism at Columbia University as an adjunct professor. From time spent back in New Zealand with old school friends to getting married in Queenstown in March, she has recently spent the American Independence Day holiday at her husband’s family lake house, eating lobster and watching fireworks. New York’s diverse concrete jungle with endless opportunities, Broadway shows, dive bars, rooftop cocktail spots, comedy cellars, and jazz clubs is home for Olivia and her continued efforts to write stories with real-world impact. Covering harrowing issues and reporting on systems and corporations that harm everyday people will continue to be her ‘North Star’.
Seizing every opportunity
Alumnae profile: Alice Mew
From chemistry graduate to senior investment professional, Alice Mew’s (1989-1993) journey from St Margaret’s College has taken her across the world and to the epicentre of several economic crises.
Her experiences include extensive travel throughout Central America, the US, and Europe – and a front-row seat for the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC).
A keen and capable science student at SMC, Alice (nēe Keegan) embarked on a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Otago.
Realising laboratory life was not for her, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics with Honours, which she completed at Victoria University.
An internship with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand convinced Alice she’d made the right choice. She stayed for a further two years as an economist and then Secretary of the Monetary Policy Committee.
Her next stop was London, then the centre of global finance. By 2008, she was working for Barclays Global Investors, investing in Structured Finance.
Alice says that it was “pretty fascinating” when the GFC hit.
“It felt like the world as we knew it was ending; the extreme stress scenarios we’d modelled were coming to bear. We would come into the office every day, and there would be fewer desks than the previous day.”
In 2009, Barclays sold Barclays Global Investors to BlackRock, and Alice became the European Sovereign Credit Analyst just as the European Sovereign crisis unfolded.
“My role was to assess the creditworthiness of European countries to determine whether we should buy their debt –essentially, analysing the likelihood of us being paid back,” says Alice.
Before returning to New Zealand, Alice and her family spent a year travelling the world. Starting in Panama, they went as far north as Alaska, through 18 US states, several Central American countries and national parks including Yosemite, Zion and Joshua Tree before finishing with a van tour in Europe.
Alice then accepted a role at the New Zealand Super Fund. Initially, in the Direct investments team, Alice was tasked with finding big New Zealand infrastructure projects to invest in, such as Auckland Light Rail.
She now leads the team that invests in private markets globally and was also Chair of the Fund’s Investment Committee for two and a half years.
Thinking about how her industry is changing, Alice says that coding skills and a sound understanding of data and technology are becoming vital.
She has completed several half- and full-marathons, most recently on Motutapu and Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Alice also loves art and books and highly recommends Tara Westover’s Educate for those looking for an engaging read.
Alice believes in the importance of education, continuing to learn, and not being afraid to take up new opportunities. “Often women only go for something when we are 100% certain, but being willing to take risks and push yourself to seize opportunities when they arise can lead to an exciting and fulfilling ride.”
Keeping us safe online
Alumnae profile: Caroline Flora
The digital age has brought with it many opportunities to learn and connect. However, the challenges of keeping ourselves safe online are real. As New Zealand’s Chief Censor, Old Girl Caroline Flora (1997-2001) faces these issues on a daily basis.
After leaving St Margaret’s College, Caroline studied law and psychology at the University of Otago where she found she was particularly interested in children’s rights. This interest led to her completing her Masters in Law (LLM) focusing on the 2007 law change, the Parental Control Defence in Crimes Act, better known as the ‘smacking legislation’. Since then, she has predominantly worked in the public service, spending 14 years at the Ministry of Health and New Zealand Police in operational and policy roles, with a couple of years’ break in Norway for an overseas experience. She has been the Chief Censor for two years now, a position she describes as “the best job in the world.”
Working for the Classification Office, Caroline’s purpose is to prevent exposure to harmful content while upholding the right to freedom of expression and empowering New Zealanders to make informed choices about what they, and their rangatahi and tamariki, watch.
Caroline says, “We provide information and tools to support families in making the choices that are right for them. For example, our ‘Find a Ratings’ page has detailed information about popular films and shows that parents can read before pushing play. We also have a
comprehensive Parental Controls guide for those wanting all the settings for streaming services, devices, and games in one place.”
From the work Caroline and her team do, they are fully aware that many New Zealanders find it hard to avoid seeing harmful or offensive content online themselves, and 65% of people surveyed by the Classification Office said they found it hard to protect children from inappropriate or harmful online content.
Involving young people in this process is crucial as they are the leaders of the information battle, “Our Youth Advisory Panel is made up of 15-19 year-olds, and they guide our work in everything from film classification to campaign design. Recently they gave frank (brutal) feedback on our social media approach and helped shape updates to our classification guidance. They’ve submitted on legislation to Select Committees and sat alongside me to speak at conferences about terrorist and violent extremist content. We couldn’t do our work without them.”
Caroline’s downtime is spent with her husband and two huge dogs, a Golden Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog and a massive Maine Coon cat. She volunteers for Youthline as a phone counsellor and is studying part-time. The role of the Chief Censor is a statutory appointment on a fixed term, so at some point, Caroline will hand on the baton. As a career public servant, she looks forward to taking the next steps to continue to serve the community in an interesting and impactful role.
Advocating for health and wellbeing
Alumnae profile: Jane Cartwright
Meeting Jane Cartwright (1975-79) at NZ Breastfeeding Alliance NZBA, where she is spending part of her busy day undertaking, in her words, a small governance role, you are struck by her quiet, measured demeanour behind which is a huge heart full of compassion and the impression she would battle fiercely for her cause. Jane’s recent appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health governance is a testament to these traits, as she has spent years advocating for those less fortunate.
From a family that would engage in lively banter on healthrelated matters, Jane’s father was a GP, and her mother a medical lab technologist. Working in rest homes as a teenager led to a degree in dietetics and travelling the world to run big institutional kitchens. On her return to Christchurch, Jane stepped into the mental health community, working in both Templeton and Sunnyside hospitals.
The opportunity to complete an MBA at Otago set her up for a life of service.
As is often the case, health reforms were underway, and with her management skills, Jane took over as General Manager of Sunnyside Hospital for six years. “Managing Sunnyside exposed me to people less fortunate, and I was given the opportunity to be part of a lot of research during this time.”
Planning roles followed, working for Christchurch City Council. “I learnt a lot more than I needed to know about drains, but it also reinforced to me that the health system has about twenty per cent control over our lives; how we choose to live, eat, and educate is much more meaningful in terms of how people access health and how they stay well.”
Jane’s governance roles have grown and evolved over the years since establishing Brackenridge, a community of initially 86 individuals who could not be deinstitutionalised from Templeton Hospital, thinking this would be a diminishing number. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, and Jane’s OK with that, “It’s totally right; I have seen some not necessarily violent but quite dehumanising behaviour, and some people are just not adept at living in the mainstream.”
Now embarking on another arm of community health as Chair of Nurse Maude Association, Jane once again feels privileged to lead because she strongly advocates for people receiving their healthcare in the community. Jane quickly credits strong leaders for their influence and impact on her, “I was in the era of Molly Mullen, and St Margaret’s was going through significant change in the types of traditional roles available to women. Overseas, I worked with people with strong visions and ethics, and back in New Zealand, there were wonderful kaumatua who were good to me.”
She describes the moment she learnt of her King’s Honour as ‘The definition of to sit bolt upright, followed by a huge surge of adrenaline and surprise.’ Her Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (NZM) was presented by the Governor General on 24 September.
The honour also means she has heard from a couple of her teachers and people she has not heard from for a long time. When she recalls her time at St Margaret’s College, Jane remembers Mrs Yeabsley, Miss Corder, Dr Mann, Miss Teebay, and Mr Summerlee, among many others. She is still friends with many, including Julie and Jo (current teachers at school), and has been known to pop in to forage under the walnut tree.
As we finish our talk in time for Jane to complete her emails and phone calls for NZBA, head to a meeting with some nurses later in the day, and go home for dinner and wander around her beloved garden, Jane, once again, in her humble way, credits others, “I keep grounded in my work with great teams of people. I’m naturally nosy, and I say what I think. I learned early on that everything has its time, so I never say no. If you can’t say yes, say wait. Put people first, have patience and stay the course.”
Our days in bottle green
Alumnae profile: Rosemary Francis (née Pearson)
“Every time we sing Blessed are the Pure in Heart in Church; I enjoy poignant memories of the ‘bottle green brigade’ filing silently into the hall for our morning chapel service.
How different school was 65 years ago. Our entire playground had only one concrete basketball court.
The only male present at school was Horace, the skeleton in the closet. Finding him hanging in a cupboard in the sick bay certainly didn’t help our recovery.
After the Term 2 break in 1959, we moved into the new school, a large bright concrete block building between the Boarding House on Papanui Road and the Junior School.
Each student had a metal locker to keep our sports gear, lunch and science overalls. We had a swimming pool (which I used several times a day), a wonderful big hall and library, and a grassy field for sports. What luxury! Boarders were delighted to be spared their crocodile walk between Cranmer Square and Papanui Road.
Swimming was my passion, and I gained the Distinction Award in Lifesaving. Every morning at Chapel in the grand hall, my hair would be dripping, and my collar soaked.
In the Fifth Form, I was selected for a Church Mission Society conference in Fiji, one of two representing New Zealand, with other delegates coming from various Pacific Islands. This was a wonderful experience, and my account of those two weeks was published in our school magazine that year. A nasty foot injury on coral meant treatment at the Vatucola Hospital.
I read voraciously and enjoyed writing stories. The Star Sun newspaper ran a competition that I entered, and my story came second. There were generous cash prizes, and the presentation ceremony was held at a celebratory lunch at the Carlton Mill Hotel Beer Garden. I popped down there to collect my prize, but the following day, a large photo of the winners was printed in the newspaper, with me in school uniform, while behind me was a large sign for the beer garden! That caused me some trouble, even though I donated the prize money. This kick-started my career in journalism, which has seen me editing for the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organisation, writing and PR consultant for several large hotels, teaching medical English to groups of doctors, and columnist for a vast Asian newspaper.
My brother Kent and I went through Teachers’ College together and took the same degree units at the old Stone University building. I earned money by skinning and stuffing birds from the Antarctic for US universities. My poor mother had to endure the skin rubbed with boracic acid, drying with our laundry on the clothesline.
A decade later, I was a volunteer teacher at a school for deaf preschoolers in Singapore. This was held in the rear of St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral, and one day, hearing the organist practising, I hummed along to the melody of ‘Blessed are the Pure in Heart.’ Several other volunteers joined in, and we realised that it was our old school hymn at the Diocesan Girls’ Schools in Hong Kong, England, and New Zealand. We were living our Christian faith and helping those in need far away from our home countries.
That is our legacy: a privileged upbringing that emphasised Christian values. The pure in heart are truly blessed, and some of us are still working on that.
I thoroughly enjoyed my four years at St Margaret’s. Singing in the choir, arguing on the debating team, swimming, lifesaving, rock ‘n roll in the hall during wet lunch hours, serving as a senior librarian, and forging life-long friendships are threads of happy memories I have in the fabric of our days in bottle green.
Now in my eightieth year, I still write and edit, rescue and rehabilitate injured birds, and serve God in my Anglican Church here in Blenheim. My sister Robyn was also a St Margaret’s girl and my daughter Tamara. I am grateful that we can still contribute to society and share the blessings of being ‘trained up in the ways that we should go so that when we are old, we shall not depart from them’. From those who have much, is much expected.”
Bridging generations
The confidence and friendships Amanda Marchant gained during her time at St Margaret’s College have shaped her journey, and she is now bringing her experiences as an Old Girl to her role as Alumnae Manager.
Since returning to the College in June, Amanda has particularly enjoyed reconnecting with our alumnae throughout New Zealand and internationally. “The most rewarding part of my role is hearing our Old Girls’ incredible stories about their time at the College and what they have since achieved in their careers and family lives. As St Margaret’s alumnae, we share a common thread and feel an instant bond of shared history, even if we attended school decades apart,” she says.
As a third-generation Old Girl, Amanda holds a special connection to our community. Amanda’s ties to the College extend into the future of the College as well - her elder daughter, Georgia, is in her final year, and her younger daughter, Ella, is set to join SMC in 2026.
Amanda says, “I’m looking forward to convening my first Reunion Weekend on behalf of our Old Girls’ Association this November. It’s a significant event for me personally as it’s my mother’s and my aunt’s reunion year. The Reunion Weekend is an opportunity to bring people together, to share memories of school days, experience the College as it is today, and explore the possibilities of the future.”
After graduating from SMC in 1993, Amanda earned a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing from the University of Otago, followed by a Bachelor in Consumer and Applied Science with a major in Food Science. Before rejoining the College, Amanda founded and owned several hospitality businesses in Christchurch, including at Riccarton House. A seasoned host, she brings extensive experience in managing a wide range of events.
“My education taught me that hard work achieves results, and gave me the confidence to think creatively and pursue a varied career path. The friendships I made here have been invaluable in supporting me and helping to open up opportunities, particularly when I lived in London.”
‘My goal is to help the Old Girls’ Association and the College to expand our platform of events to serve our alumnae community, and to create opportunities for our Old Girls and our current students to connect,” Amanda says.
To contact Amanda, email smcoga@stmargarets.school.nz or phone 03 963 2645.
Remembering Mary Swafford
Mary Helen Swafford (Jecks), 1946-1950, passed away on 23 July 2024.
Mary’s personal life was just as rich as her professional one. She married Alan Swafford at the picturesque ‘Sign of the Takahe’ on 15 June, 1957. Their love story began while camping in adjacent campsites at Pohara in the summer of 1952-53. Mary studied at the Home Economics School in Christchurch and Alan at Lincoln University. After gaining their diplomas, Alan’s father assisted them in starting a small dairy farm at Ligar Bay, a perfect location for a young family. After converting to cattle farming in 1972, the Swaffords were badly affected when the cattle market collapsed in 1974. Mary decided to head back to teaching Home Economics and took a position in Golden Bay.
Our sad farewells
Mrs Swafford’s introduction of boys’ cooking classes caused rumblings but proved a huge success. Mary was recognised for her efforts and given the position of inspector to Home Economics teachers in the Nelson, Marlborough region.
She was known for a couple of easy party pieces: cut the lid of a pumpkin, scoop out the seeds, and fill it with green peas and sour cream. For dessert, do the same with a watermelon—only use a melon ball scoop. Put the watermelon back in, cover with gin, and serve with whipped cream.
Mary is survived by Alan and two of her children; at her request, her body has been donated to the Department of Anatomy, University of Otago.
Remembering Amber Gazzard
On 16 July, 2024, Amber Gazzard (1955-57) died peacefully at Chatswood Retirement Village, Opawa, aged 82.
Amber’s parents owned and operated a plant nursery and market garden in Opawa. She enjoyed her time at St Margaret’s College but didn’t like sports. Teachers who made an impression on her were her commercial teacher, Miss Robinson, and Mrs Penney, who taught history.
When Amber left school, she attended Burroughs Commercial College to learn how to use a bookkeeping machine. Her first position was at Duckworth Turners, where she worked in the office for six years. She then took a position at an accountant and sharebroker firm and worked on the tote at Addington for over ten years. She was working on the stock exchange when it crashed in 1986.
Amber had some health setbacks, including breast cancer, cancer of the mouth, and being fitted with a titanium jaw. In her retirement, she volunteered, became involved with the Friends of the Theatre Royal for 20 years, took on the role of Treasurer for ten of those years, and worked at the annual book fair. She was a member of the Victoria League and Treasurer of that, too, and a member of the Commonwealth Society. Her love of gardening led her to join the Friends of Edmonds Factory Gardens gardening group and to help with the annual Garden Party and Heritage Week musical event. She started the local branch of the New Zealand Lily Society. In 2006, following a trip to England with her friend Ted Alexander, she was honoured to be presented with a Community Service Award.
Upcoming events
Thursday 17 October
Wednesday 23 October
Thursday 24 October
Amber had a strong connection to the St Margaret’s community; before COVID-19, she volunteered at least once a week in the Archives and was most upset when losing her driver’s licence meant she couldn’t visit the College as regularly. As a connected Old Girl, Amber attended all her reunions and was a regular at her year group catch-ups and Cranmer events. She will be missed by many.
Connect in the Courtyard
Timaru Community Event
Ashburton Community Event
Friday 25 October Foundation Golf Tournament
Friday 1 – Sunday 3 November Reunion Weekend
Tuesday 5 November
Wednesday 6 November
Tuesday 19 November
Wednesday 27 November
Friday 29 November
Nelson Community Event
Blenheim Community Event
Southern Lakes Community Event
Margaritas – Christchurch
Leavers 2014 Time Capsule Opening
Thursday 12 December Foundation Festival of Christmas
To stay up to date and register for our events, visit smcconnect.school.nz/events
In closing
Ko wai au? Who am I in the grand tapestry of leadership and love?
Three of our wahine toa and I have just returned from a national Anglican conference for youth leaders and young adults across the motu. Seeing all those passionate emerging leaders was inspiring and hopeful. Yet, as I reflect on this, I recognise that the journey of love and leadership is not without its challenges. We see this woven throughout the stories of the Bible.
Love, in its truest form, comes with a cost—sacrifice, vulnerability, and the courage to face difficult truths. But it is through embracing this cost that we grow stronger, more connected, and more committed to the future we hope to build. The conference finished with the host sharing these lyrics which I now gift to you.
Blessings and aroha, Rev. Steph Clay, Chaplain
Anyway
By Martina McBride
You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothin’
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway
You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not never come your way
Dream it anyway
God is great
But sometimes life ain’t good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway
This world’s gone crazy
It’s hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway
You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love ‘em anyway
God is great
But sometimes life ain’t good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway
You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah, sing it anyway
I sing
I dream
I love
Anyway
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We invite Old Girls, families past and present and friends to keep in touch, share news, register for events and connect with old friends. Join us at smcconnect.school.nz