ABOUT THE SCHOOL

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, situated high on a hill in beautiful leafy Ascot, in Brisbane northern suburbs, is an independent day and boarding school for girls from Pre-Prep to Year 12. In Pre-Prep we also welcome boys.  There are approximately 1315 students in the school, with around 430 primary students and 885 girls in the secondary school.

St Margaret’s has a long and proud boarding history and around 185 boarders from Years 5 to 12 are accommodated in the boarding house, which is in the very heart of the Ascot campus.

St Margaret’s is well known for its focus on academic excellence, quality teaching and learning, and its commitment to pastoral care. Its smaller size is its greatest strength, with a true focus on each individual child and personalised learning.

St Margaret’s girls are engaged, enthusiastic and energetic in all they do. They embrace the many extracurricular opportunities available, which make for very vibrant sports, music, and visual and performing arts programs. Additional clubs and activities also allow girls to explore a range of interests.

St Margaret’s is a local school with a global outlook, offering students a variety of international learning opportunities through an extensive global exchange program in Year 10 and touring options. St Margaret’s is also a registered provider of education to international students.

The staff at St Margaret’s are highly qualified and committed to the learning and the wellbeing of the students in their care. The school’s six core values – Spirit, Inclusivity, Integrity, Courage, Respect and Passion – and the school’s motto, Per Volar Sunata (Born to Fly Upwards), inspires St Margaret’s students to grow and achieve their personal best in all endeavours.

As a school of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, worship and spiritual development stand at the centre of St Margaret’s. In addition to weekly religious and values education classes, students participate in regular prayer, reflection and formal worship. Age-appropriate liturgies are supported by regular chapel services and whole school celebrations of major Christian festivals occur throughout the year.

Our History

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School was founded in 1895, by the Anglican religious community, the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent. The school originally opened in a former boys’ school, Eton High School, at Nundah, but eventually moved to Ascot, its current location. Sister Emma was in charge of the school, and the Headmistress was Miss Caine. By 1902, there were twenty-three boarders and four day pupils.

In 1907, the school moved to Toorak House, but three years later moved again to Albion Heights. Two years later it became known as St Margaret’s. The school celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1970 with the opening of Toorak with its library, staff room and science laboratories. The Middle Block and the Commercial Room made way for Avoca and the Jackson Wing to accommodate the growing number of students in the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1995, the school’s centenary year, the Philip Harris Sport Centre was built to provide new sporting facilities. In May 2003, then Minister for Education, Ms Anna Bligh, opened The Arts Centre. The Arts Centre supports the school’s visual and performing arts program with facilities including three art studios, pottery area, and a display gallery. In 2012, the Eunice Science and Resource Centre opened, encompassing modern science labs and a library, and in 2020, the new sports precinct, with a pool, gymnasium, outdoor courts and strength and conditioning gym was opened.

Our Mission Statement

In a supportive Christian environment, reflecting the philosophy of the Sisters of The Society of the Sacred Advent, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School aims to provide excellence in teaching and learning within a broad, balanced and flexible curriculum complemented by other school activities, preparing confident, compassionate, capable women able to contribute in a global community.

Our Vision

St Margaret’s vision is to always be an outstanding day and boarding school for girls.

Our School Values

The school’s six core values are born from our Christian faith through our Anglican tradition - spirit, inclusivity, integrity, courage, respect and passion. These are embedded in every endeavour that the students undertake.

Spirit: A St Margaret’s girl will value and demonstrate an enthusiasm for the school, our faith tradition, and our environment. The St Margaret’s spirit is in all students and is there for life. It is a thread that connects St Margaret’s girls with each other.

Inclusivity: A St Margaret’s girl knows that every single person reflects the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity. She demonstrates inclusivity by acting with compassion and charity, celebrating the gifts of every individual. 

Integrity: A St Margaret’s girl is known for her ethical behaviour. She is honest and reliable and acts with integrity.

Courage: A St Margaret’s girl has strength of character and confidence in doing what is right. She is a part of a long line of women of faith who have had the courage to embrace challenge and change.

Respect: A St Margaret’s girl has respect for herself and others. She understands that she is a member of a diverse community, and she takes responsibility as a team member to care, support and cooperate with others.

Passion: A St Margaret’s girl expresses gratitude for the gift of life. She has a positive outlook on life that drives the commitment and persistence necessary for learning and achievement.

 The St Margaret’s Way

There’s a way in which we strive to do things at St Margaret’s; a way in which we seek to treat people throughout our community; and a way in which we aim to serve others. Underpinned by our school values, St Margaret’s has developed a document which expresses the St Margaret’s Way.

CLICK HERE to download the St Margaret's International Student Prospectus

CLICK HERE to download the St Margaret's International Student Handbook.

CLICK HERE to take a virtual tour of our school.