Evergreen Spring 2017 online

JUNIOR, MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL



Contents

Opening Remarks 2 Junior School 16

Current Leaders 3 Pre-School 17

Leading the Way 4 Arts 18

Foundation 5 Sports 20

Singin' in the Rain 6 SMCOGA 22

Boarding Life 8 The Way it Was 23

A Day in the Life Of 9 Old Girls' News 24

Middle School 10 Old Girls' Events 26

Senior School 12 From the Archives 28

Out & About 14 In Closing 29

Opening Remarks
Gillian Simpson – Executive Principal

Spring brings light and hope with each day as we watch bulbs emerge from winter sleep.
Blossom and leaf buds promise new life. Children and lambs frolic in warming sunshine
and we look to spring clean our homes. Perhaps we need to spring clean our minds and
bodies too!

Everywhere we are bombarded with messages about wellbeing and mental health as major
issues for the Western world. Post earthquake Christchurch has its own issues around
Post Traumatic Stress and we are still seeing evidence of this in our SMC community.

We appear to be in search of a hedonistic "happiness" which is often material, superficial
and fleeting. There is much current research that indicates that true "happiness", which
is deep and sustained and leads to lifelong well being, can be attained only through living
a life in gratitude and compassion for others. We worry for the wellbeing of our young
women in a world where they look for instant gratification, constant reassurance and
affirmation in their search for perfection.

Social media has contributed to the rising anxiety and feelings of inadequacy for many
vulnerable teenagers. Social media has provided another vehicle for unkind and negative
behaviours to damage our young women's self esteem. As a society we are facing
unpredictable and disturbing emotional impact on human beings who are striving for
"happiness" and mental wellness in an exponentially changing digital world.

Pastoral care and wellbeing programmes are challenged in all sectors and St Margaret's
is constantly reviewing and adapting practices and programmes to best support our
students, parents and staff to live well and to thrive. We are currently undergoing a full
review of our Wellbeing systems and programmes. We keep teachers abreast of latest
trends, research and best educational practice and the new SMC website has a link
to a Parent Resource page where we share helpful and supportive links and ideas with parents.

The SMC Graduate Profile attributes have been developed by the staff and the Trust
Board and identified as important to wellbeing and success, empowering our young
women to "live and lead".

A message for our young women ........just try these simple things: SMC GRADUATE PROFILE
"Take time to breathe and feel your life-giving breath.
Take time to grieve and feel the pain - that's OK. In order for each girl to have a deep sense
Take time to heal and regain your strength. of well-being and happiness hauora/eudaimonia
Take time to listen to your heart and to others.
Take time to think and reflect and learn. we must support her to be:
Take time to be brave and stand for what you believe. • Compassionate / empathetic
Take time to give and to serve others as it is in giving that we receive.
Take time to love as it is in loving that we are loved. • Confident
Take time to be thankful for true gratitude brings peace and happiness. • A lifelong learner
Take time to find the positive and the beauty in this world. • A self manager
Take time to just "be" the beautiful girl you are. • An effective communicator
You make this world a better place for your being in it.
Love yourself unconditionally." • Resilient
• Collaborative
2. EVERGREEN • A flexible critical thinker
• A responsible citizen
• Demonstrating holistic personal growth
• Academically successful

Current Leaders
Georgia Lund – Deputy Head Girl

This year’s theme “Capture the Moment” has given us all the opportunity to reflect on the
numerous, colourful and fulfilling opportunities that surround us, both within our St Margaret’s
community and beyond. Who we are and what makes us healthy, happy and successful is made
up of many components. We are required to be balanced individuals yet encouraged and
tempted with so many phenomenal opportunities especially at the school we are privileged
enough to attend.
What I have learnt throughout my time at St Margaret’s and especially this year, is the importance
of wellbeing and taking time to look after yourself. Without feeling physically and mentally
content we are ultimately unable to achieve or perform.
The most important aspect of wellbeing and one that St Margaret’s girls can struggle with is the
concept of balance. It is so vital to maintain a healthy balance between all aspects of our lives
including academic, sporting and social involvements. Involving yourself is important but
knowing when something is stopping you from being able to maintain that balance is crucial.
While school work can be overwhelming, to maintain a healthy wellbeing you need to take time
for yourself, learn when to say no and have some fun!
As responsible citizens, if we are not able to maintain our own personal and physical wellbeing
we will not be able to capture our moment.

SPRING 2017 3.

Leading the Way
Community Survey Results

Every two years, parents, students and staff participate in a comprehensive survey
to review the effectiveness of our current strategies and to gain feedback on our
performance from all areas of our community.

We’re happy to report that we scored over 80% satisfaction from students, parents
and staff alike; but what was even more valuable was the feedback we received to
help us increase this level of satisfaction in future years.

We’ve put together a snapshot of the findings below:

• Parents overwhelmingly (88%) stated that SMC has a welcoming and supportive
culture and that each child is encouraged to achieve to the best of their ability.
Similarly, the girls stated that they are proud to be students at SMC (92%) and
staff are proud (90%) to work here. Our goal of staff, parents and students feeling
connected and part of a family has been achieved, and we continue to work hard
to maintain this.

• Wellbeing continues to be a priority within St Margaret’s and this is reflected
in the feedback from both parents and students. 81% of parents are confident
their daughter is receiving the emotional and pastoral support they need. Since
the Community Survey, we have also undertaken a Wellbeing Survey. This will
be reported on in the next issue of Evergreen and the results of the survey are
already being acted on.

• We can communicate better! This was highlighted in all areas and we have
already put steps in place to resolve this including a new web site and the
introduction of Linc-Ed to all three schools – Junior, Middle and Senior. We are
continuing to work on the reporting system and have plans for a new improved
newsletter and calendar system. New social functions for parents have also been
introduced, including the successful start-of-year “House Warming”.

• Another area highlighted for attention was the provision of careers advice.
We have appointed a new Careers Advisor, Jenni McLaughlin, at the start of this
year who has since implemented a new careers web page at:
stmargarets.careerwise.nz. She has also connected with Old Girls through Linked
In, inviting them to talk to the students about their career pathways and how
to negotiate the university process. There are also plans in place to extend the
careers advice teaching programme to younger year groups.

• Finally, academic excellence is the main reason school parents choose
St Margaret’s. We have high expectations from our students and staff which
delivers outstanding results. However, the community also sees our all-round
ethos as our strength with many opportunities for co-curricular sports and arts
involvement and personal developing sitting alongside academic excellence.

We’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who completed the survey.
Your feedback is well received and the resulting learnings invaluable.

4. EVERGREEN

Foundation
Katie Hinsen – The Power of Giving

Katie Hinsen, a St Margaret’s Old Girl who has worked with Peter Jackson and has “Careers are
been on Academy, Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy award winning production teams, has not ladders. It’s
experienced first-hand the power of giving and is doing her part to pay it forward. rock climbing.
It’s hard. It’s not
After receiving a scholarship to St Margaret’s, the harsh reality that that scholarship straight up. You
would still not be enough to enable her to attend St Margaret’s was not something Katie have to make
was prepared to accept. She fundraised and worked several part time jobs to cover the your own path."
excess costs her family could not afford. That was, until part way through her 6th Form
year; Katie’s teachers, unaware of her predicament, suggested she stop working and focus
on her school work.

Though determined and committed to staying a St Margaret’s girl, Katie was left with little
choice and recalls the day she walked into principal Claudia Wysocki’s office to tell her she
would be leaving St Margaret’s. It was then that Claudia, who had previously been unaware
of Katie’s situation, offered to pay Katie’s St Margaret’s fees. This act of generosity allowed
Katie to stop working multiple jobs, focus on her school work and most importantly stay
at St Margaret’s College.

Since leaving school Katie has become an international recognised finishing artist with
credits on over 80 major productions. She has worked as an engineer, editor, VFX artist,
Stereoscopic 3D artist and colourist on commercials, documentaries, television, music
videos and feature films.

Katie is incredible passionate about her industry and has worked tirelessly to get to where
she is today but she is the first to admit there have been occasions where she has just been
lucky enough to be in the right place and the right time.

Reflecting on the many opportunities she has taken advantages of and has been fortunate
enough to receive, Katie wanted to find a way to give back to her community and provide
opportunities for others in her industry. With this in mind she established The Blue Collar
Post Collective - an accessible and focused grassroots initiative that supports the younger
generation of post-production professionals.

It hasn’t always been easy going and as Katie returns to New Zealand after seven years
in New York, the future is perhaps more unknown than ever. Driven by her passion and
her desire to provide opportunities for others, she is, like always, up for the challenge.

And for the times when it doesn’t go to plan? Katie reflects on a quote that has helped guide
her career; a quote from the book ‘Lean Out’ by Dom Deguzman:

“Careers are not ladders. It’s rock climbing. It’s hard. It’s not straight up. You have to make
your own path. You have to have a great support system. You have to trust yourself – there
are a lot of risky moves. Sometimes you have to go a couple of steps backwards in order
to find a better route. The point; there is no one way up but there is a way to the top.”

SPRING 2017 5.

Singin' in the Rain
A musical and visual extravaganza of a production
in partnership with Christ's College

6. EVERGREEN

SPRING 2017 7.

Boarding Life
Community Giving

The Boarding Community embraces our 2017 theme of ‘Capturing the Moment’
with the wonderful care and commitment they are providing to the wider
Christchurch community.
This year the girls have baked for the emergency workers involved in fighting the Port
Hills fires. They certainly enjoyed and appreciated the delivery of some homemade
cookies and muffins.
Our Year 11 and 12 girls have continued our ‘Cooking with College’ programme but
we have given this a new flair. Instead of the groups having shared cooking lessons and
then eating the goodies they produce they now have two sessions where they learn
to make a sweet and a savoury dish. From each session students then deliver lasagne
or bacon and egg pie with cookies or muffins to the very appreciative recipients
at the Christchurch City Mission, Ronald McDonald house and Daffodil House.
The ‘Community Cooking with College’ has been a great success and a positive
and rewarding change to this shared program.
The Year 13 Boarders have continued the tradition started last year with our Rowley/
SMC partnership. Our girls capture many wonderful moments with the delightful
children at Rowley School. Each term we make some special food items and share
a lunch or morning tea at Rowley school. Greeted with songs and smiles the children
eat and then share playtime with our girls. The Year 13s fundraise during the year
to be able to provide something special each term for these children they have
become so fond of.
A very simple act has developed a truly special bonded friendship. The Rowley outing
each term is a popular date on the boarding calendar and one the girls take a great
deal of pride at being involved with. They have designed and produced the special
badges pictured here that they wear on their uniform and will be gifting one to each
Rowley School child later this term.
Nicky Langley – Head of Boarding

8. EVERGREEN

A Day in the Life Of
Victoria Murray–Orr –
Director of Community Relations

What does your role at SMC involve? and you want to do all of
As the Director of Community Relations, I oversee the them but I have to remind
school’s external communications including the PR, myself that there are only so many hours
marketing, advertising and the publications for the school. in the day and sometimes you just can’t do everything.
I also oversee the Foundation and the Old Girls’ Association. Learning to prioritise is essential – as with many jobs.
All the fun stuff!
How do you spend your free time?
What did you do before coming to SMC? Running and shopping! And of course spending time with
I was the Global Marketing and Communication Director my husband and daughter and crazy boxer dog!
for Challenge Family – a German company that organises
long distance triathlon festivals in 28 countries across the If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?
globe. I also ran Challenge Wanaka Triathlon and was lucky France. It is my absolute favourite country; from the mountains,
enough to be awarded "New Zealand Event Professional of to the beaches to the cities – you can’t beat it. I love the language,
the Year" last year for my work in the industry. the food, the culture – I speak French too so that helps!

What do you love most about your job and about working Do you have a role model?
at St Margaret’s? I was lucky enough to work with an amazing man, Arthur
I love that my job is so varied – I never get stuck doing the Klap – a Kiwi who runs Winter Games NZ, among other
same thing for too long, I get to work with so many amazing things. He taught me a great deal about working with
people and there is a great mix of working with staff, students people, how to get the best out of people and how to lead.
and the wider community. It’s a very rewarding job and it is He is an incredible man who is very kind and fair, hugely
such a privilege to be part of the St Margaret’s community. dedicated and was a dream to work for. He leads by example
Working at St Margaret’s you really are working towards a and demonstrated not just how to succeed as an individual
purpose and it is incredibly special to be part of educating the but how to succeed as a team.
next generation. Being a part of these girls’ lives, even if only
a small part, is a real honour. It really is an amazingly warm If you could only give one piece of advice to your daughter,
environment, with such a talented team of people who are what would it be?
focused on one thing – the education and wellbeing of the Make the most of the opportunities you are given and learn
girls. I love it and I feel very lucky to work here! to follow your gut feeling. Really learn to listen to your gut,
if something feels wrong it often is. Equally if something
What is the most challenging aspect of your job? feels really right, it usually is. But if it feels right and there
Having enough time to do everything I want to do! When are barriers or roadblocks in the way, try and find a way to
you get really involved in a job you have so many ideas overcome these and make it happen because there is every
possibility it could turn into something remarkable!

We love it, you will too

BOOK YOUR PERSONAL
TOUR NOW

Please contact Lizzie Dyer
T: 03 353 2563 E: [email protected]

stmargarets.school.nz

JUNIOR, MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL

SPRING 2017 9.

Middle School
The Importance of Service

Service; the act of doing something for someone else without expecting anything back
is something we value at St Margaret's College. This year in the Rite Journey our Year 10
students knitted over 500 baby beanies for children in Africa.
We also actively support a charity called "Special Friends" created by former pupil Anneke
van Heyningen. This charity that provides activity packages for children in hospital. Last
year 100 bags were provided with activities such as design a t-shirt and make a scrapbook.
The Year 7 group raised over $700 for the SPCA by making and selling cupcakes and the
Year 8 students each completed 20 hours of service during their William Pike Challenge
Award.
Research suggests that by being involved in selfless acts of giving one's sense of purpose
and one's own wellbeing is enhanced. As the famous Anne Frank once said, “How wonderful
it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
How wonderful that our Middle School students are improving the world one beanie,
one cupcake or one hour of giving at a time.
Kathryn Gray – Head of Middle School

10. EVERGREEN

To create a sense of belonging
to a community that has shaped our lives.

Classic Memories Jewellery brings you the
first ever St Margaret’s College necklace

made from quality sterling silver.

Available online at
https://classic-memories-jewellery.mystorbie.com/

or from Maggie’s Shop for $85.

CMJ are five St Margaret’s Young Enterprise Scheme students.
We have chosen to donate $2 of every necklace purchased
to the Educating Girls Globally charity to with hold our values

of helping the wider community.

SPRING 2017 11.

Senior School
Antipodeans Abroad – A Journey of Discovery

During the April school holidays a group of 16 Year 11 and onto Chiang Rai where they visited tourist sites such as the
12 students, together with their teachers Kathryn Gray and Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and
Lisa Williams, travelled to Thailand and Laos for team building, Myanmar all meet.
trekking, charity work and of course lots of fun! As the girls
travelled through bustling cities and tiny remote village, they A two-day boat down the famous Mekong River led to
also learned the skills of smart travelling and living on the Luang Prabang, Laos and the girls’ community project, two
go from the Antipodeans Abroad leader. hours away from the city. In this small village, the girls were
greeted with flowers and singing and spent the nights in
The trip was divided into three sections, trekking, community local homestays. It was an eye opener for everyone to see
project and exploration, all created by a student-led how these people live such a simple life yet are so happy
itinerary. First stop was Bangkok with its iconic sights such and kind to each other. It was a challenge to live in a home
as the Royal Palace and Reclining Buddha. Then it was time where people don’t speak your language. The purpose of
to leave the hectic city and head for northern Thailand for the community project was to build a water tank to supply
a bamboo rafting experience through the jungle. The girls clean, running water to the village which was struggling with
experienced sleeping in local village homes and were taught the water demand. The girls worked alongside the locals to
by locals how to cook the local cuisine. They bathed in the make this happen, as well as playing with the children and
river with the village buffalos, met the community spirit attending local home cooking lessons.
man and learnt local tribe languages. This section of the trip
wasn’t without it’s drama when Ms Williams took a tumble The last part of trip was spent relaxing in the beautiful
and got a broken leg for her trouble – not that it stopped her tho! Luang Prabang - stunning sunsets over the distant mountains,
a bustling night life in the night markets, local temples, as well
Heading back into civilisation and the bustling city of as the famous Kuang Si Falls were a great end to the trip.
Chiang Mai, the group encountered water, water and more
water, with the Thai New Year celebrations of Sakram where “It was an amazing experience for all of us, and we speak on
the whole city has one big water fight. It was a highlight behalf of everyone that we will remember it forever, and have
of the trip for all. Feeding and bathing mama and baby learnt important life and travel skills which we will use for the
elephants was another exciting experience before moving rest of our lives" said Maddi Dalgety & Kate Marfell (Y11).

12. EVERGREEN

SPRING 2017 13.

Out & About
Descendants' High Tea

Business Club Launch

14. EVERGREEN

Out & About
House Day
Senior Ball
SPRING 2017 15.

Junior School
Curiosity

Curiosity in learning is everything! Creating that curiosity explore, or provided
is key. This year, every student in our Junior School has equipment and places
experienced many curious moments in their learning. More to visit to help with learning.
often than not, this is not experienced behind a desk or a
computer screen but provided by rich learning experiences It does take a village to raise a family.
and generous experts that give us their time and expertise At SMC, the Junior School has many avenues to call
and opportunities. on when needed, from older students, to parents of the
whole community, grandparents, friends and work
If we look at how we generate these curious moments, we colleagues. Next term, we are looking forward to presenting
have a lot to be thankful for in our community. Parents a Junior School production. For many of our new students,
and whanau have played a major role in providing fabulous this will allow another curious moment and experience!
learning whether that be through their subject areas, careers This production is written and produced by a very dedicated
or passions and hobbies. We are extremely grateful to the group of teachers and supported by our community. We are
many parents who have helped give our girls a curious very fortunate to have such a wonderful village.
moment or two. These include parents and whanau who
have taken lessons, sports teams, given their time to allow Julie Calder – Head of Junior School
classes to go out into the wider community to learn and

Poems and Sparkles for Maggie Bear

Illustrations by SMC Years 3 and 4
Poems by Julie Hutton

An interactive poetry book with recordings
$14.95 – online at www.stmargarets.school.nz/store/ or at Maggie's Shop

Proceeds to EGG and the SMC Foundation

16. EVERGREEN

Pre-School
Storytelling

This term we are encouraging the children to become more creative and expressive
in their storytelling. To achieve this, the teachers are providing lots of different props
for the children to experiment with, and opportunities to listen to other people’s stories.
The teachers have shared stories of their own childhood experiences, favourite toys
and special things. This has given some of our children the confidence to bring in their
own special items and tell their own story.
Others have been narrating their own stories, which we have published so they can revisit,
share and revise if they wish. And some are happy to find a comfy spot, away from others
and relax with a good book.
Sue Gleeson – Director of Pre-School

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SPRING 2017 17.

The Arts "Art is to the
The Art of Community Spirit community
what the
We are just back from Auckland and the National Finale of The Big Sing, New Zealand’s dream is to the
very prestigious secondary school choral competition. Our Chamber Choir are to be individual"
congratulated both for their Silver award and for their impeccable behavior as ambassadors Thomas Mann
for their school. It is a privilege and a joy to accompany them on a trip such as this and
reaffirms our belief in our girls.

SMC girls are representatives in national choirs, orchestras, debating teams, dance and
theatre companies, and are winning awards in all areas of the arts. At the end of this term
we will be presenting some of our Seniors with Honours and Pocket Awards in recognition
of their skill and service and it is worth remembering that not only do we honour their
incredible achievements but also their leadership initiatives, teamwork and dedication
to supporting others.

Each term we take part in a plethora of arts events in and out of school. While some
of these are competitions, so many others are events that are held to celebrate and enjoy
the talents of our students with the community, and often used as platforms to raise
funds for those in need. The mufti day from a fun-filled Arts Week, organized by our
senior Arts Council, provided funds for St Johns and our Twilight Concert, showcasing
all school performing arts groups, raised money for our charity EGG (Educating Girls
Globally) while the Middle School Cushion Cabaret, put together by the Year 8-10
Arts Committee, helped support Year 9’s Maddie Collins, fighting kidney disease.

Our Eggsfactor concert this term has been the most successful of such events, raising
thousands for EGG but successful for other reasons as well. This kind of show, where
students and staff work together for a greater good, where staff are the nervous
performers and students the encouraging mentors, where the auditorium is packed
to the rafters and standing ovations are the norm, where morale is boosted and
problems are forgotten, this kind of gig is the kind to be truly proud of.

Mary Davison – Arts Facilitator

100 Fendalton Road
Christchurch
(03) 351 7980
[email protected]
www.jennyburtt.co.nz

18. EVERGREEN

SPRING 2017 19.

Sports

We’ve had a busy winter embracing the joy of sport in our lives with some fantastic
success from teams and individuals at all levels.

Hockey players enthusiastically wrapped themselves in cool, sometimes wet weekday
nights demanding that hard white ball do what it was told. Netballers, no more likely
to be warm, fought the frost or braced themselves against the southerly for a chance to display
their prowess with the ball, bringing cheer and camaraderie to Hagley. Basketballers
bounced into gyms across the city and leapt at a chance to get that elusive three-point shot.
At the badminton, shuttlecocks flew, sent on their way by a sharp flick of the wrist and out
on fields footballers had their feet work their magic.

And all this exhaustion happens essentially because we want to have our lives enriched “Happiness is
with the fun that comes from being with friends. Friends who share the same ambitions not something
and can help us realise ours. They entertain us, challenge us, support us, commiserate and ready-made. It
celebrate with us. We win and lose together and we tell stories that defy belief just to make comes from your
it all the more enjoyable. own actions.”
Dalai Lama XIV
As both individuals and as teams the better we become at what we do, the more fun
we have and the more meaningful is our success, irrespective of what the scoreboard
says. With this success comes a strong sense of wellbeing that gives us the confidence
to make each day our own.

Helen Belcher – Director of Sport

Key Winter Sports Results
• 1st XI Hockey - retain Pat Barwick Shield and finished third in the AON Federation Cup
• 2nd XI Hockey - runners up in the Chris Arthur Trophy. In the 10 years of the Chris
Arthur Trophy's history, SMC has been in the final eight times
• Senior A Netball - finished third in the SISS and qualified for Nationals. They received the
highest goal average of the tournament for the fourth year in a row
• SMC was the only school to have teams in both the Netball Supernet Final and
Connectics Secondary School Hockey Premier League Finals
• Netball 11A won the Patsy Tainui Trophy for U17 Division 1
• Netball 13A won U19 Division 2
• SMC Climbing Team came second in SISS

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20. EVERGREEN

SPRING 2017 21.

SMCOGA
Message from the President

It is a challenge to ensure that all members of the St Margaret’s College community both
locally and globally are valued and that relationships are created and nurtured.

We have so many exciting initiatives planned both in New Zealand and globally and quite
simply we can’t connect and nurture relationships if we don’t know where you are!
To be successful in this task, we have launched the “Where Are You?” campaign, and
we are ecstatic with the response. To date we have had over 1,000 Old Girls update their
details. However, let’s not stop there!

It’s easy to update your details. Just go to www.stmargarets.school.nz/where-are-you/
I look forward to being able to keep you in the SMC loop.

With Reunion Weekend fast approaching, we’d like to invite all Old Girls, regardless
of their year, to the Chapel Service, held in the school chapel, on Saturday 28 October,
at 9:30am. Gillian Simpson, our Executive Principal will be sharing as part of this
service, her presentation of the journey St Margaret’s has been through post-earthquake.

As this will be Gillian’s last chapel service with us as Old Girls, all old girls are invited and
very welcome to attend.

Anne Zwart – President - SMCOGA

OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

ST MARGARET’S COLLEGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION
NOTICE OF MEETING – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

St Margaret’s College Chapel, 12 Winchester Street
Saturday 29 October 2017
12.30pm

OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

Catch up and reconnect with other “Margaritas”
who left between 2006 – 2016

Thursday 30 November 2017 • Old Girls’ Atrium • 6.00pm – 8pm
RSVP: Wendy Groves by Friday 24 November
T: 963 2645 • E: [email protected]

22. EVERGREEN

The Way it Was

Ruth Leslie (nee Collins) was just 12 when her father told her she would be going
to boarding school in Christchurch; nothing too out of the ordinary for a young girl
today but this was 1940 – the world was at war, Ruth was living on the Chatham
Islands with her family, Christchurch was almost a four-day boat ride away and St
Margaret’s College could not have been further from the world she knew.

As the daughter of an Anglican vicar her family lived a simple life. At that time,
there was no power on the island, no indoor toilet in their home, no cars. They
rode horses to get from ‘a-to-b’ and had no shops to speak of. They cooked on
a coal range and Ruth recalls her mother ordering enough food to last them 12
months at a time as she never knew when the boat would return. Within a matter
of weeks Ruth’s whole world would be turned upside down.

She travelled with her Father to Christchurch and when they arrived he took her
to Ballantynes to be fitted for her school uniform. He then took her to St Michael’s
Church where he broke the news that they had adopted her at birth, a few days
later he travelled back to the Chathams – Ruth would not see her mother or father
again for four years.

“I was a very scared and naive 12-year-old – completely out of my depth. Not that
anyone was ever unkind to me it was just that I really didn’t fit in. There was a lot
of wealth and privilege – a completely alien world to me.”

After her father left, Ruth created a ‘new normal’ for herself, but she always found
it hard, particularly during the holidays when the other girls would head home. She
recalls how they would return to school with home baking from their mothers and
tales of ski trips, beach-house holidays and family time.

“When I wasn’t in class I was at the boarding house; there were rules, the house
mistresses were strict, we weren’t allowed to walk on the grass, we wore our
uniforms every day (Saturday and Sunday included) and we cleaned the brass in
the school chapel in the weekends – that’s just the way it was” Ruth says. “It was
a different time – we didn’t have fire drills instead we practised for air raids there
were even trenches behind the boarding house in case of a Japanese invasion.”

Together with her husband of 66 years she has lived through unimaginable change
and progress from cooking over a fire, to hiring a TV to watch the Commonwealth
Games…in black and white, seeing the first man land on the moon to the internet.
Ruth has two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The shy
quiet girl who started at St Margaret’s in 1940 is nowhere to be seen. She is vivacious
and energetic, she has an infectious laugh and a wicked sense of humour. Ruth has
lived an amazing life and she’s certainly isn’t finished yet!

Ruth, pictured at the bottom

SPRING 2017 23.

Old Girls' News

2017 Friday 27 & Saturday 28 Reunion Weekend
Saturday 28 AGM
October
Thursday 30 Margaritas

Wednesday 6 Leavers' Ball
November
Saturday 12 Cranmer Lunch
December Tuesday 22 Bridge Tournament – Christchurch Bridge Club

2018

May



Deceased

2021 Audrey Paton (Thacker) 5355 Biddy Kelland (Stapleton-Smith)
2606 Judith Wood (Peddie) 2364 Joan Freeman (D'Arcy)
2072 Kathleen Moris (Hawkins) 2087 Margaret Blandford (Penrose)
1637 Pamela Hammond (Wreaks) 2044 Judith Walker
1349 Ruth Young (Falkinder) 1563 Dorothy Sim (Virtue)
3069 Kay Ballentine (Scott) 1574 Beverley Preston (Amyes)
4140 Daphne Pierce (Hinks)

24. EVERGREEN

Old Girls' News

Rebecca Christeller – 2009 Rebecca Christeller
Rebecca was recently awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America Caroline Coates
2017. This will allow Rebecca to take up an internship opportunity in Medellin,
exploring how technology can be used to provide social value and banking Catherine Drayton
opportunities for Colombia’s emerging economy. Rebecca is very grateful to
everyone who has supported her on her journey and in her words, “my success
is a complete reflection of the endless love and encouragement you give.
Aqui vamos!”

Caroline Coates – 2009
Caroline has started her PMSLA (Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin
America). She is very proud to be promoting her country and university
in Chile and to promote Latin America to everyone back in New Zealand.

Catherine Drayton – 1973
Catherine was recently announced as the first Chairwoman of Christchurch
International Airport. Catherine is a professional director for companies and
organisations including Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation, University of
Canterbury Council, Beca Group, Southern Cross and PowerbyProxi. She
previously had overseas management experience as a senior partner at
PricewaterhouseCoopers, leading the assurance and advisory practice for
central and eastern Europe from 2001 to 2004.

Jan Corfield – 1963 and Olivia Waken – 2004
Jan was recently guest speaker at the New Zealand Women's Association
in London. Coincidently, another Old Girl, Olivia was demonstrating flower
arrangement at the event. Olivia is the manager of an exclusive London flower
show, 'Scarlet & Violet'. According to Jan, "Olivia was a delight, so informative
and amusing with her tales of becoming a florist in London!".

Olivia Waken

SPRING 2017 25.

Old Girls' Events
Connections Dinner

Old Girls, past and present parents gathered for a fabulous Girl, Chessie is a very talented emerging author. The evening
Connections Dinner last term with inspirational speaker, was a great opportunity for our female business community
Chessie Henry who received a standing ovation. An Old to network, renew friendships and create new ones.

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26. EVERGREEN

Old Girls' Events
Cranmer Lunch

Words: Our three Cranmer Square events for the year all
had great turn-outs. The Cranmer Chapel and Cranmer
Assembly were both followed by morning tea. At the
Cranmer Lunch, guests were entertained by Julie
Cunningham speaking of her time as one of the first women
in New Zealand broadcasting. Jenna Borthwick (Y9), who
is the recipient of the Jean Crosher Scholarship, also spoke
and there wasn't a dry eye in the house as she spoke of what
the scholarship means to her.

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SPRING 2017 27.

From the Archives

A journey into one of the many boxes in the archives office yielded an almost perfect
run of prefect photographs from 1921 to 1960. We are missing original photos for
1910 to 1920, 1923, 1943 and 1944. If you have any of the above years and would
be happy to part with your copy, we would love to take care of it for you. If you
have a copy but would like to hold on to it, we would happily arrange to scan the
photo and return it to you when done.

This kind of visual history is a very important part of St Margaret’s College history.
It gives us an opportunity to show today’s students that in a lot of ways they are
not so different from past students. Also how times have changed, not only in
uniform and style, but in technology, photographic processes and simple things
like including names and years on the photos making another archivist’s job in
another 100 years’ time a whole heap easier!

With new buildings around us, sometimes it is very hard to remember the
wonderful history that is associated with our school. Being able to find these
photos, get them scanned and ultimately printed onto a medium that can be
displayed in high traffic areas of the school means that we can bring our rich
history to the forefront of our current students’ minds. It may even start a
conversation or two about the “olden days” and the moment that was captured
all those years ago. A huge thank you must go to Amber Gazzard, an Old Girl
who has spent hours with me in the archives office sorting through dusty boxes
of photos.

Another project underway is the restoration of the brass plaques that were made
for the seats of the 1959 chapel. This has been a project supported by SMCOGA,
Amber Gazzard and Janice Smith. Through their kind donations we have been able
to rescue the plaques from storage and have them restored. The next step is to have
them mounted in protective frames above the altar from the old chapel in the Old
Girls’ Atrium. Again, a wonderful visual cue for our current students to think about
and appreciate the extensive history of their school. Some of the names on the
plaques will be instantly recognisable, others may not, but all names may spark
an interest in those who have gone before our current girls.

Vickie Ward – Digital Archivist

Before digital restoration After digital restoration

28. EVERGREEN

In Closing "Kia noho te
Peg Riley – Chaplain Wairua o te
Runga Rawa
Standing peacefully in the sun, out of the cool spring wind, a gang of galloping girls goes ki a tatou.
by laughing with joy. I am astonished by the image of wellbeing as both individual and The divine
relational. This flows on beautifully in our community Chapel life. Spirit dwells

When we seek to improve the wellbeing of individuals, we must create opportunities for in us."
the wellbeing of the community to strengthen, to build positive relationships within the
community. The six Houses are an important element in the tradition of St Margaret’s
College. Within the House system, we have groupings of students from Year 1 - 13
involved in many different aspects of community life throughout the year. In the pursuit
of creating closer, stronger relationships within the school, we look to have meaningful
and positive events.

At the beginning of the year, we introduced House Warming evenings, where staff,
parents and students of each House came together in the Gym to meet new staff and
families, reacquaint ourselves with each other in a less formal setting. It is revealing
to see all the preparation that goes into creating positive, informal events!

In appreciation of the success of those House Warming events, we held House Services
with all students from Year 1 - 13 included and their families, followed by supper. This
is to provide time again for people to connect.

SPRING 2017 29.

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