St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School

In 1895, The Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent opened a boarding School for girls at Nundah, in a former boys’ school, Eton High School.[8][9] The school was on land bounded by Bishop Street, Buckland Road, Wand Street and Olive Street.[10] Sister Emma was the Sister-in-Charge and Isabelle Caine was the Headmistress. In 1907, the School moved to Toorak House in Hamilton, Juliet Lyon (1907–1917) replaced Caine and the School roll had grown to 35 pupils.

As well as the usual lessons, students participated in tennis, rowing, basketball and swimming. Three years later the School moved again to Albion Heights. Its new home was Donatello, built in the 1880s for Patrick Durack. It was renamed St Margaret’s House and the School’s name changed to the Church of England High School. Two years later the School became known as St Margaret’s Church of England Girls’ School and has remained on this site ever since. Donatello is still in use today as Community House for the Sisters.

By 1910 there were 47 boarders and when The University of Queensland opened in 1911, two St Margaret’s girls were among its first students. Lyon resigned in 1917 and was the last lay Headmistress until 1978. It was during Lyon’s time that the School motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), came into being and the distinctive middy uniform was introduced.

Under the leadership of Sister Teresa (1918–25) the School grew rapidly and the adjoining property, Avoca, was acquired in 1918 to provide extra accommodation. It was originally named Mooloomburram when it was built in 1886 by Andrew Petrie. By 1925, Sister Teresa had made St Margaret’s a leading school in Brisbane, with a good record of academic achievement. She introduced the House System, a student representative School Council and the innovative Dalton method of education. Sister Elisabeth (1925–1936) embarked on a building program which saw the construction of many of the buildings still standing today – West Wing with classrooms, dormitories and dining room; the Darnell Art and Music buildings and the swimming pool. These additions were made despite the difficult conditions of the Depression and exemplify the Sisters’ faith in the St Margaret’s of the future. Sister Bernadine (1937–1939) led the School through the difficult and unsettled pre-war years. Sister Mary (1940–1964) guided the School through the years of World War II and the profound changes to School life – closures, reduced enrolments, rationing and shortages.

After the War, her vision resulted in further expansion – a new assembly hall (Eton Hall), extra classrooms and dormitories in East Wing; a gymnasium; the School Chapel; Dalhousie classrooms and a boarders’ recreation block and library. The School continued to grow under the leadership of both Sister Jean-Marie (1965–1970) and Sister Helen (1971–1977), maintaining the SSA’s traditional high standards of education and spiritual growth. The School celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1970 with the opening of Toorak and its library, staff room and science laboratories. In 1977 the Sisters took the decision to appoint a lay Headmistress, while still retaining ownership and guidance of the School. Margaret Kugleman (1978–1982) was followed by Evelyn Heath (1982–1993), Mary Hutchings (1993–1995) and Judith Hill(1995–1996). To accommodate the growing number of students and the diversity in curricular and extra-curricular activities during this time, the Avoca and Jackson Wings were built, providing both general and specialist classrooms.

A separate Primary School building, Chaseley Wing, opened in 1992, to accommodate growing Primary enrolments. Its name is an enduring reminder of the influence of Sister Chaseley Anne who was in charge of the Boarding House from 1979 to 1990.

In 1995, the School's centenary year, the Philip Harris Sports Centre was built to support an extensive range of sporting activities. It is supplemented by outdoor facilities at Windsor Park and a rowing centre at Breakfast Creek, enabling students to participate in a wide range of sporting activities. Cultural pursuits have always been an integral part of life at St Margaret’s. An art room and music block were among the first buildings constructed in the 1930s, thanks to a bequest from the estate of John Darnell, and in 2003 a new Arts Centre was built to further foster students’ creative talents in the visual and performing arts. This Arts Centre supports the school's visual and performing arts program with facilities including three art studios, pottery area, and a display gallery.

Vicki Waters (1997–2006), Sue Simon (2007–2010) and Karen Spiller (Acting Principal – 2010) have continued to support the School’s stated values of spirit, faith, integrity, courage, respect and passion. Under their management, and with the guidance of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, the School has maintained its high academic standards. Ros Curtis, appointed as Principal in 2011, provides the leadership as St Margaret’s pursues a second century of excellence in education based on Christian principles. The School motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), inspires St Margaret’s students to achieve the best in all they do.

The St Margaret’s crest or badge of blue and silver reflects school tradition. Blue represents devotion; silver, purity. In the top right corner of the badge is the Guild Cross, which reinforces the links with The Society of the Sacred Advent. The Anglican faith, on which the School is founded, is reflected in the Bishop's mitre in the lower left corner. A band, symbolising strength and stability supports the initials of the school.

• Sally Bain – author, television personality
• Bronte Barratt – Commonwealth and World Record Holder in Swimming[11]
• Mel Buttle – Radio Host and Columnist
• Jennifer Byrne – cancer research scientist
• Keri Craig-Lee – Fashion Designer and Retailer for the Keri Craig Label[12]
• Annabelle Chaplain – Chairman of the South East Queensland Water Corporation Limited; Director of Downer EDi Ltd; Director of Coal and Allied Industries Ltd[13]
• Desley Deacon – historian, biographer and academic
• Brittany Elmslie – Olympic gold medalist in swimming
• Fiona Ferguson – news editor and news presenter, PRIME News
• Rhyll Gardner – General Manager Queensland, St George Bank Ltd
• Jasmine Garnsworthy - founder itsthebuff.com
• Marjorie Johnstone (née Mant)– co-founder of the Johnstone Art Gallery
• Sally Kehoe – Olympic finalist in rowing
• Professor Doune Macdonald – The University of Queensland, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)
• Dame Patricia Mackinnon, DBE, CBE – musician; appointed a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for distinguished service in hospital administration
• Amanda McLeay – Channel 10 Brisbane
• Michelle May – a justice of the Family Court of Australia
• Daphne Mayo – Sculptor
• Deborah Mills – doctor, author and businesswoman
• Una Prentice; first woman to graduate from the Faculty of Law at the University of Queensland
• Vanessa Ratten, Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, LaTrobe University
• Emily Seebohm – Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder in swimming
• Paula Spencer – Commissioner of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission[14]
• Ella Sheehan – founder of The Global Smile Project Charity
• Rosemond Siemon – author of best-seller, The Mayne Inheritance
• Ros Taplin – Head of the Department of Sustainable Science, Bond University
• Geraldine Turner – actress
• Emma Jackson (triathlete)[15]
• Isobel Roe- ABC journalist[16]

• List of schools in Queensland
• List of boarding schools

Wikimedia Commons has media related to St Margaret's Anglican Girls School.

• Official website
• Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent
• St. Joseph's Website