St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School
It’s never just the classroom that readies young people to make their mark on the world. At St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane, it’s a personalised focus on social development and emotional support – alongside the exceptional ATAR scores that place the school within the top five per cent in Queensland – that makes the institution stand out. “While we strive for each child to achieve the best possible results, it’s equally important to us that they’re learning about themselves and we’re equipping them with tools to help them succeed in all aspects of life,” says principal Ros Curtis. Set on a hill in northern Brisbane’s leafy Ascot, the day and boarding school enrols 1175 students from Pre-Prep to Year 12, including boys in Pre-Prep and Prep. “We educate the whole child while recognising that every child is different,” says Curtis. For primary students, that means the broad, flexible curriculum is delivered in groups formed according to both “age” and “stage”. For years 9 to 12, it means meeting with an academic adviser twice a week to discuss results, wellbeing and goals for the days ahead. PASSION MEETS OPPORTUNITY Extracurriculars at St Margaret’s are designed to build students’ confidence by tapping into natural talents, sparking new interests and developing passions. Outside the classroom, students can choose from 18 sports and 23 music ensembles, explore philanthropic opportunities and find likeminded friends while sharpening their skills in clubs dedicated to astronomy, digital art and robotics. A sports precinct sprawls across one-third of the campus, incorporating a heated pool, tennis courts, a gym, climbing wall and ergometer room. A PLACE TO CALL HOME For two years running, St Margaret’s has been named Australia’s Boarding School of the Year in the Australian Education Awards. Light-filled dormitories – located in the heart of the campus, with views of the city to the south and mountain ranges to the west – are home to 185 girls from years 5 to 12, including international students. In the evenings, day girls staying for supervised study sessions in the library can elect to enjoy a delicious meal in the boarders’ dining room.