The Chronicle 2021 Peace Coaches offer a wide range of coaches to suit most requirements. We also offer wheelchair facilities on our larger coaches. 01330 860542 info@peacecoaches.co.uk 16 - 70 Seater Coaches Seat Belts On-board Toilets Wheelchair Side Lift Coffee Facilities www.peacecoaches.co.uk Welcome to The Chronicle 2021 CONTENTS From the Head .....................................................................................2 Activities & Extra-curricular From the Staffroom...........................................................................4 Junior....................................................................................64 Retirements.............................................................................................6 Senior................................................................................... 76 In Memoriam........................................................................................10 Summer Activities...........................................................................84 Reports Art Gallery Nursery ...............................................................................12 Junior ...................................................................................92 Junior ....................................................................................16 Senior ..................................................................................96 After School Care & Holiday Club..................18 Senior ..................................................................................20 Drama......................................................................................................110 Silver Awards.....................................................................................112 Charity Events....................................................................................22 Awards & Certificates.................................................................114 Careers & Work Experience...................................................26 Parent Teacher Association...................................................115 In The News.........................................................................................30 Former Pupils’ Club......................................................................116 Whole School Events....................................................................44 Development Office......................................................................118 The Music Department...............................................................56 Former Pupils’ Reply Slip........................................................120 Sports Review....................................................................................60 The Chronicle 2021 2 From the Head From The Head The re-opening of school to pupils in August 2020 after lockdown was a joyous occasion! After weeks of careful planning and risk assessment over the summer holiday, it was wonderful to see the corridors and classrooms of St Margaret’s alive again with children and young people learning and playing together. T here were, of course, changes to the way in which school girls of all ages that they willingly complied with the necessary could run, with the nursery, junior school and senior school rules and were clearly so pleased just to be able to attend operating entirely separately. Sanitising, desk wiping, mask school in person once more! wearing and one way systems were just some of the mitigations Throughout the session, as Government guidance changed which quickly became commonplace. The temporary addition of and procedures were updated, we were grateful to our parents, 3-5 Albyn Place, fondly known as ‘the Annexe’, was well received staff and pupils for their ongoing support and forbearance. by pupils and staff alike. The appointment of the first St Margaret’s school nurse ahead Over the summer holiday the school wi-fi had been replaced of the pandemic proved to be very fortuitous and, although and on the first day of term each pupil in the senior school was Miss Rodger’s start date was delayed until preparations for the issued with her own Chromebook, which matched the devices new school session were underway, the presence of a medical issued to the staff just ahead of school closure in March 2020. professional on the staff during this time was invaluable. New devices were also in place in the junior school for day to As we had done during lockdown, we were determined to day use and in the event of further home learning. continue to draw our school community together virtually when One of the hardest things for pupils was the limit put on social it was not possible in person and the innovation which had interaction beyond their immediate class. It was to the credit of begun at our kitchen tables continued. I was humbled by the The Chronicle 2021 From the Head 3 For me the fact that St Margaret’s has reached this milestone of 175 years is not in and of itself the reason for celebration. What we celebrate is the way in which the school has evolved to provide a rich and varied experience to successive generations of pupils. Anna Tomlinson efforts of staff to seek alternative ways to provide a whole host years is not in and of itself the reason for celebration. What we of events, such as clubs, concerts and careers talks, to name celebrate is the way in which the school has evolved to provide but a few. Yet again it was necessary to pivot quickly and my a rich and varied experience to successive generations of pupils. colleagues once more rose to the challenge with gusto. Girls’ schools were founded to address inequality in education The sudden announcement of a further school closure in for women and we still live in a world where women are under- January 2021 was disappointing for us all. Of course, the represented in many professions. The pandemic continues to cancellation of exams sent shock waves round the senior school offer challenges but the St Margaret’s of today is firmly focused and the development of the Alternative Certification Model on the future. As St Margaret’s staff, we are privileged to work was an intensive process for staff and pupils alike. I challenge with a pupil body who rightly challenge us to work for a more the readers of this Chronicle to find a school in the country sustainable future and to build a school community where there where the teachers took the process more seriously than the is greater understanding, respect and celebration of diversity in St Margaret’s staff: their professionalism was second to none. all its forms. For the girls, continued uncertainty was unwelcome, but they That focus on a vibrant future is only possible because of the worked hard and performed very well in their assessments. support and involvement of our wider community to whom we As you will see from the colourful pages which follow, the are indebted: our School Council, the PTA, the Parent Forum summer term brought brighter days and more fun in the and Former Pupils’ Association all cherish the history of the form of some local school trips, an outdoor cinema festival at school but support us on a daily basis to continue to develop in Summerhill, sports days, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and the order that we meet the needs of our pupils in 2021 and beyond. surprise arrival of an ice cream van into the playground on the We thank you all! last day of term! Unable to have our usual end of term events, we had a succession of end of year assemblies after which pupils and staff enjoyed their ‘99s’. Even for a school as old as ours there is room for a new tradition! 2021 marks the 175th Anniversary of St Margaret’s and has given us reason to delve into past editions of The Chronicle to learn more about earlier periods in the school’s long history. For me the fact that St Margaret’s has reached this milestone of 175 The Chronicle 2021 4 From the Staffroom From the Staffroom The start of session 2020-21 was like no other; although this article is entitled “from the Staffroom”, the concept of the staffroom as we know it did not exist as we returned to new daily routines and practices shaped by government guidelines, Covid-secure measures and 2m distancing. However, this did not prevent us being able to extend a very hearty welcome to the new colleagues joining us in August, namely Miss Sarah Wood who succeeded Mrs Scott as head of Art and Design; and Mr Terry Ward who joined the history department to cover the maternity leave of Mrs Stirton, whose baby girl was also born in August – great news to herald the new school year. W e were exceptionally pleased that even despite all the restrictions around travel, girls in the French and German in her field of expertise knew no bounds, and over the years she inspired so many girls in both the junior and senior school classrooms were still able to benefit from their weekly sessions with her interesting and engaging lessons. We wish Jane good with our French and German assistant, Amelie Reyser, who - health and every happiness as she embarks on her thoroughly by virtue of being completely bi-lingual - was able to fulfil the well-deserved retirement. roles normally occupied by two assistants. We were grateful to By the start of January, the country was in lockdown again and Amelie for the interesting and engaging activities she devised therefore for much of the spring term, learning and teaching for pupils at all levels, and delivering these either in person or were conducted once more on a now-familiar online platform. remotely (during the spring term from her home in Germany!) It was unfortunate that we had to bid a virtual rather than a as circumstances dictated. We wish her every success as she personal welcome to our new colleague of art and design, Mrs continues her studies. Susan Bedford, who, despite the unusual circumstances of In October, Miss Joan Aitken retired from her post as a part- her first weeks at St Margaret’s, settled into the routines of her time teacher of PE; a stalwart and highly respected member classes very quickly and easily. We also welcomed Miss Grace of that busy department, we thank Joan for all of her work Gray who returned from maternity leave to her position as a in all weathers over the years and are delighted that she will classroom assistant in the junior school and we were thrilled to retain her position as our Summerhill Facilities Manager. We hear of the safe arrival of baby Sophie Reid, second child to Mrs were equally delighted to welcome Miss Amanda Pirie as a Jen Reid and her husband. member of the teaching staff in the PE department and to see Around the time of the February half-term, we were sorry to her embrace her new role with such enthusiasm. In November have to say goodbye to Mrs Elaine Gibb who resigned from we were sorry to have to say goodbye to Miss Ashley Fulton, her position as teacher of 5 Junior to pursue a new opportunity teacher of modern studies, who left us to take up a position elsewhere; we thank her for her work in the junior school since much closer to her home area; we thank her for all of her work she joined us in 2017 and wish her every success in her new during the time she was with us since the start of the previous post. In her place, we were pleased to appoint Mrs Vanessa sessions and wish her well in her future career. In her place, we Gerbrandy who was already familiar to the girls in the junior were very pleased to appoint Mrs Becky Milne, who slotted very department and who was still able to combine her role as a easily into her role in our social sciences team and brought with junior classroom teacher with her part-time food technology her a wealth of experience as a subject specialist in modern commitments in the senior school. studies. In November we were thrilled also to be able to As a school year draws to a close, it is almost inevitable that congratulate Ms Victoria Ellis on the birth of her baby girl. we will be bidding farewell to colleagues who are either retiring At the end of the autumn term, we were sorry to say goodbye to or moving on to pursue new ventures. Session 2020-21 was Mrs Jane Richardson who retired after sixteen years as a part- no exception: Mr Anthony Mountain left his office as Bursar at time teacher of art and design. Jane’s talents and creativity the end of the session in June 2021. Tony has held office since The Chronicle 2021 From the Staffroom 5 October 2013 and the Board of Governors extended thanks to 2004-2018. Sue is a true professional: a subject specialist him for his contributions to school life and development of the second to none who instilled her own love of mathematics in so school’s administration and estate over that period, including many St Margaret’s girls and inspired them to pursue STEM- the Science Building Project and the arrangements to support related pathways. As our school timetabler, Sue had immense continuity during COVID 19 restrictions. We wish Tony well for capacity for seeing the bigger picture whilst also being a stickler the future. for detail, qualities that were so much admired by those of us who had the pleasure and privilege of working closely with her. Mrs Rachel Appleton concluded her maternity cover in modern We wish Sue all the very best as she moves into her retirement, languages and headed off to her family to their new home in with time to spend as she pleases with her husband and family, Oxfordshire. Rachel’s earlier career in marketing proved to be and hope that she will spend many relaxing and enjoyable days very useful as she led the school’s charity work for the year in on her beloved west coast of Scotland. addition to her teaching commitment. As I write this, my final “from the Staffroom” article for this Two members of our junior school team, Mrs Gail Wyatt and publication, it is with very mixed emotions that I approach Miss Kirstie Maddison left us for new adventures at the end of the summer term. One of Mrs Wyatt’s major contributions my retirement after 29 years at St Margaret’s. However, any across the junior school was her role in Conservation Club and sadness I may feel is also tempered with the joy I have derived under her guidance the junior girls thrived and many wonderful in having spent my entire teaching career in this wonderful initiatives were introduced and are now embedded into the life establishment; it has truly been a privilege to have been of the school. Miss Kirstie Maddison’s 4 Junior classes benefitted associated with the name of St Margaret’s and to have played from the wonderful teaching she provided and the kind, caring a part in the formative years of so many young women in the and positive environment she created for the girls. We thank last three decades. It has also been a pleasure also to have both of these staff members for all they contributed to the life worked with so many dedicated and committed staff over the of St Margaret’s and wish them every success in their future years, both in teaching and in support roles, and I feel honoured adventures. to be able to call them my colleagues and friends. I joined St Margaret’s in August 1992 as a probationer teacher of French The end of session also marked the end of a long teaching and German; I was fortunate to be appointed to a variety of career for three of the longest-serving members of staff, who, promoted posts over my career at the school, culminating in my together had been employed at St Margaret’s for a combined appointment as deputy head in 2010, but I am a linguist first and total of 74 years. Mrs June Slater retired from her post as Head of foremost with a genuine love of being in the classroom, and I Guidance and teacher of business management after 27 years at thank all St Margaret’s girls, past and present, who have been St Margaret’s: June will be so fondly remembered by countless part of my journey at the school. The time is right now, for me girls who have benefitted from her patience, her encouragement, to bid “au revoir” and “auf Wiedersehen” to my career as a full- her words of wisdom and her kindness over the years, in both time member of the teaching profession, but I am certain that her guidance and teaching roles. June’s camaraderie and good I will continue to have a long association with the school in the humour will be missed in the staffroom, but her retirement is years to come. well-deserved and we wish her every happiness as she embarks on this next chapter of her life, with more time to spend with her family As session 2020-21 ends, we thank all colleagues throughout and to realise her dreams of travel. the school who have worked tirelessly throughout the last twelve difficult months, and wish continued good health, Also retiring after a distinguished teaching career both in the UK happiness and success to everyone in the new academic year. and overseas was Mrs Sue Smith, my colleague on the Senior Leadership team since 2018 and formerly Head of Maths from Susan Lynch The Chronicle 2021 6 Retirements Retirements SUSAN LYNCH, SUE SMITH JUNE SLATER Susan Lynch, June Slater and Sue Smith The academic year 2020 – 2021 was not just a difficult year due to the pandemic, but also because it was the year that we knew we would have to say goodbye to three of our longest serving members of staff: Mrs Susan Lynch, Mrs Sue Smith, and Mrs June Slater. Susan Lynch A graduate of Aberdeen University, Susan Lynch joined Few teachers manage to achieve the balance between St Margaret’s in August 1992 and has given an incredible 29 academic and pastoral strengths that Susan Lynch epitomised years of devoted service to St Margaret’s; her entire teaching throughout her career. As Deputy Head since 2010, she career has been given to this school. Miss Ogilvie was the continued to lead by example: calm and dignified, she is the head who appointed Mrs Lynch and she remembers that she consummate professional who can navigate any situation came into the staffroom like a breath of fresh air; from the with discretion and compassion, and always to the highest of outset she demonstrated her intelligence and commitment standards. Her relationships with colleagues, parents and pupils to St Margaret’s and its pupils. Mrs Lynch’s career at St are characterised by charm, kindness and a willingness to listen. Margaret’s began as a teacher of German and French, but While none of us could have predicted the level of volatility it was not long before she enthusiastically took on other which the world has experienced during the pandemic, we responsibilities. Her warmth and empathy made her a natural could have predicted that Susan Lynch would give her all to choice as one of the new Heads of House and Guidance, and making sure that school continued as smoothly as possible for she later became Head of Modern Languages. Mrs Lynch St Margaret’s pupils and staff. We have been incredibly fortunate was the first Head of Sixth Year and this was a role that she to have Mrs Lynch as a champion of St Margaret’s for so long, enjoyed very much. Her ability to write fluently and lucidly and thousands of girls owe her a debt of gratitude for all that she was an asset in this role as in so many others, not least in her has done to support them. We wish Mrs Lynch much happiness preparation of UCAS references. and good health for her retirement in the years ahead. The Chronicle 2021 Retirements 7 Sue Smith A talented maths teacher, Head of Department and latterly a Deputy Head, Mrs Sue Smith’s intelligent and insightful approach has undoubtedly benefited hundreds of St Margaret’s girls. Sue attended a girls’ school herself before studying mathematics at Oxford and she joined St Margaret’s in 2003 as an experienced teacher who had taught in a number of prestigious schools both in the UK and overseas. Mrs Smith’s considerable abilities as a mathematician meant that she inspired confidence in the most able pupils, whilst a genuine Joan Aitken interest in the subject and enthusiasm for it at every level made Miss Aitken is hanging up her trainers as she retires from lessons rewarding for all of her students. Mrs Smith demonstrated teaching at St Margaret’s. Since starting with us in 2009 she endless patience and creativity in her teaching of those pupils for has been a hard working, highly organised and motivating whom maths was a real challenge. teacher to the girls, as well as a wonderful colleague to work with. Miss Aitken took over the responsibility of promoting Mrs Smith also dedicated much of herself to learning beyond the cross-country running and has encouraged many girls to curriculum, supporting pupils with the The Duke of Edinburgh’s challenge themselves and succeed in a variety of school, Award and countless competitions, trips and extra-curricular club and national competitions over the years. She has opportunities. She has also been a wise counsellor to girls about also been hockey coach to many different age groups, their day to day challenges and in their choices of subjects and determined in her aim to inspire and develop the potential courses both in and beyond school. of players to club, district and national level. Although she Mrs Smith’s patience and attention to detail and desire to meet is leaving teaching, Miss Aitken will continue in her role the needs of all have been a feature of her timetabling. Of course as facilities manager at Summerhill. We wish her a long those timetabling skills have never been tested so much as during and happy retirement enjoying hobbies such as golf and the pandemic; but, every time a new scenario was presented she photography to name but a few. was steadfast in her willingness to reflect, adapt and put in the Karen Norval hours to make things work for the school. It was with heartfelt thanks that we bade Mrs Smith farewell, to embark upon a long and enjoyable retirement. June Slater Mrs Slater was appointed in 1994 at St Margaret’s as teacher of office and information studies and word processing. It was not long before she became Head of Department with the introduction of Higher Business Management a few years later. It was clear from the start of her career that Mrs Slater was interested in the pastoral care of her pupils, becoming a dedicated form tutor, and in 2005, Mrs Slater was appointed as Head of Jane Richardson Guidance, a role in which she was also responsible for the content and teaching of the Personal and Social Education curriculum. This year we said thank you and goodbye to Mrs Jane Richardson, teacher of art and design who retired from St Empathy was a word often associated with Mrs Slater, and she Margaret’s after 15 years. Jane’s talents and creativity in provided her students with sound advice, guidance and support her field of expertise knew no bounds, and over the years over the years. Generous with her time, there are generations she inspired so many girls in both the junior and senior of girls and their parents who will remember Mrs Slater with school with her interesting and engaging lessons. Having fondness and gratitude for the pastoral care given over the years. postponed her retirement, I particularly appreciated Jane’s Mrs Slater was also involved in many other aspects of school support during my first term at St Margaret’s. During life – from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to school shows, trips that last term’s teaching she still had the enthusiasm of near and far, she has always been a willing participant and has a teacher new to the profession, embracing new ideas embraced every opportunity to get to know her pupils. A highlight and techniques and generating exciting projects. Her for many girls has been the Youth Philanthropy Initiative and Mrs commitment to the girls, the school and wider school Slater led this project at school since it began. community will be greatly missed. We wish Jane good health and every happiness as she embarks on her It was with much fondness and affection that we said goodbye to thoroughly well-deserved retirement. Mrs Slater, to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling retirement. Sarah Wood Anna Tomlinson The Chronicle 2021 8 Retirements ‘Susan Lynch is a consummate professional and it has been a privilege to work with her for the last seven years. She combines outstanding skills in administration and organisation with a genuine commitment to and care of all pupils and staff at St Margaret’s. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Susan: she embodies all that is good about St Margaret’s and has had a positive impact on thousands of young women over her twenty-nine years of service to the school.’ Miss Tomlinson The Chronicle 2021 Retirements 9 III SENIOR INTERVIEW MRS LYNCH Mrs Lynch has been working at St Margaret’s for twenty-nine years and first arrived in August 1992. This was her first and only teaching position as a teacher of French and German. She came to the school for a job interview straight after her teacher training and immediately felt at home. “Very soon after arriving here, there was just something tangible about being in this building. You could feel the warmth and a sense of community” said Mrs Lynch. Over the years the school has seen many physical changes such as new buildings, however the family-like atmosphere to St Margaret’s has remained unchanged. Q: What is your favourite event Q: What was your greatest challenge to go there again in the not-too-distant during the school year? during your time at the school? future when Covid restrictions have A: That’s a difficult one to pinpoint A: I think the greatest challenge without eased. I do love to travel, especially because I have a few that I could a doubt has been this past year and to German speaking countries. I love probably name. I think what is most that has been a challenge for everybody walking, especially in the hills and in the special to me are the events where the because we all had to adapt to new mountains. I also play golf; I definitely whole school comes together, so that ways of working and adapt to operating love being outside in the fresh air. I very would be St Margaret’s day, the carol in circumstances that we are really not much enjoy gardening, reading, listening service and speech day. used to. There have been all sorts of to music, playing the piano and the complicated logistics to bear in mind at clarinet, although I have not had as many Q: What will you miss most about every point this year and I think it has opportunities to play clarinet in recent our school? been a challenge to come to terms with years. I also enjoy cooking very much the fact that for a whole calendar year and I hope to do all of these things a lot A: I don’t think there is one single many aspects of the St Margaret’s that more when I retire. answer; I am going to miss so many we know have not been able to happen things. Probably most of all I am going within the restrictions. Q: What’s the naughtiest thing to miss this contact with you, the girls anyone has ever done? even though I am not in the teaching classroom all day everyday now. One Q: Would you have any advice for any A: What would be the naughtiest thing? of the things about my job as deputy girls coming up through the school I do remember someone once putting head is that every day is different A: That’s a tricky one! I would say: be a dead bird in one of the lockers which and every day is so varied and busy; true to yourself, be true to your values, be wasn’t a very pleasant find for the person I am going to miss being able to be the best version of yourself that you can who discovered it. involved with so many different aspects be, always, and aim high. To know that There is no doubt, we will all miss of school life; being able to speak you are doing your best is all that can Mrs Lynch very much, but we are very to girls of all ages; still being able to be asked of you; this will mean different grateful for her service to St Margaret’s teach in the German classroom, not things for every individual, as everyone for the past 29 years. We all wish her a just dealing with administration and has strengths in different areas. I would happy and healthy retirement. management. First and foremost, I also advise that you should never be will miss the contact with the pupils, afraid to ask for help. If you do your Interview by Rebecca, with my colleagues and I’m going to best, ask for help if you need it, and take Rachael, Divinewill and Joy miss my busy day-to-day routine. advantage of all the opportunities that III Senior, June 2021 come your way, then you will have a bright future ahead of you. Q: What are you most proud of from your time at St Margaret’s? A: Probably just having played a part in shaping the lives of so many pupils over the years; I think that has been the most rewarding aspect of my career. Q: What are your hobbies? A: Visiting Switzerland is one of my major hobbies! I hope that I will be able The Chronicle 2021 10 In Memoriam In Memoriam Anna Bibby It is with great sadness that we share the news that Anna Bibby, Castle Douglas, where she taught for 1 year before deciding that former junior school teacher at St Margaret’s, passed away in Aberdeen had more to offer, both socially and professionally. December 2020. Anna joined St Margaret’s School for Girls in 1975 and for the Anna Bibby - or Miss Bibby as she was known to her pupils – next 39 years became an important and highly-respected began her career in teaching at Crossmichael Primary School, member of the junior department team. Anna Bibby (centre) “Anna graduated from Aberdeen College of Education in 1972. wonderful origami creations. She was also an expert in the Apart from a year at a school in the Borders her entire teaching art of calligraphy. Her hobbies included classes in jewellery career was spent at St Margaret’s. She taught 5 Junior for making and photography. Her other interests were lapidary, many years and her science experiments were legendary. On bird watching, plants and much more. She loved animals and Friday afternoons the 5 -7 junior classes had craft and Anna her poodle, Sophie, was a constant companion. She enjoyed made gorgeous rag dolls with the girls. In the summer term travelling especially with the caravan to the north of Scotland. she did cycling proficiency up at Summerhill. She was talented Sadly Anna’s health deteriorated in her last 2 years but she will at art and her classes produced fantastic work including be remembered as a dear friend and colleague”. Edna Findlay Former Teacher at St Margaret’s The Chronicle 2021 In Memoriam 11 Dr Lori Houlihan Lori Houlihan (nee Manders) sadly passed away in April 2021. intelligently and effectively. She missed no opportunity to raise the profile of our school whenever she could. Lori Manders was a governing Council Member of St Margaret’s School during the whole period of my headship there, from She had just offered to nominate me as a Burgess of the City of 2007 to 2010. She was there when I was interviewed for the Aberdeen when I dropped the bombshell that I was moving on post in 2006 and made an immediate impression: she was busy, to another headship, this time in Edinburgh. While some were vibrant, full of energy and relentlessly positive. She sent her unimpressed by this news, Lori turned the whole thing on its daughter, Poppy, to St Margaret’s and she was always a great head and announced to Council how thrilled they should be for advocate for the school. me and that it was “a feather in the cap of St Margaret’s” that I had been appointed to lead a bigger school elsewhere. Working full-time at the University of Aberdeen in a leadership post, she still, miraculously, found time to devote to St I shall never forget that generosity of spirit, which was so typical Margaret’s, and was an energetic supporter of new ideas. If of Lori. If she could help someone, she would. The world was a her own ideas did not find acceptance, she moved on, bearing better and sunnier place for having her in it, and I shall always no grudge and ready to work on the next new thing that might remember the dash she cut as she rushed along the school emerge to the school’s advantage. As chair of the marketing corridor. And the warmth of her smile. committee, she encouraged the school to punch above its Anne Everest weight and, with a vast experience of fund-raising and with Former St Margaret’s Head contacts throughout Aberdeen, she was able to advise us The Chronicle 2021 12 Nursery Report nursery REPORT We were delighted to be back in nursery in person in August, ready to start a new school year, even if things were a little bit different. Despite how abnormal the world outside has been, we were keen for nursery to be a place of familiarity, routine and somewhere the children knew they could explore and be creative whilst continuing to promote hand washing practices and good hygiene. The Chronicle 2021 Nursery Report 13 Whilst the staff remained consistent, the nursery had use of of ways, sometimes they are a counting tool, at other times an adjacent classroom to aid social distancing. Having the extra they are being cooked up in the kitchen. Autumnal vegetables room enabled the children and staff to spread out and engage in were also a great tool to facilitate learning as the children a variety of activities measured, weighed, sorted, smelled, chopped and hammered them. This was a great opportunity for the children to develop Adapting their hand-eye coordination as well as learning about safety for themselves and others when using tools. Although there was The children adapted well to the drop-off and pick-up not the traditional Harvest Service, the children enjoyed learning arrangements and quickly became accustomed to the new about Harvest and about how farms play an important part in routines, where, for example, additional handwashing was an providing us with the food we eat. The children embraced the integral part of nursery life. opportunity to explore some barley and to use it in their play. The children started having packed lunch in the nursery, soon Autumn and the dark days naturally lead on to some Bonfire demonstrating how independent they could be, especially at Night celebrations with the children really engaging in some opening their own tubs and flasks and how well they sat for colourful and fun firework art and craft. mealtimes. As well as helping the children settle in and adjust to routines, Nativity there was a focus on kindness, with staff sharing social stories The traditional Nativity was presented to the children and about kindness and the children being made aware of the many parents in a different way this year, with the children recording kind things that happen in a day. The children engaged well and their parts individually or in groups. In preparation for this made a kindness tree to demonstrate all the acts of kindness there was lots of storytelling, songs and crafts taking place in they do. the nursery. There were costumes for everyone and once the recording was completed the children really enjoyed watching Rhymes themselves and their friends in the Nativity on the ‘big screen’. To support early literacy, there were plenty of opportunities to work on rhyme, with the children finding rhyming words and New Year rhyming objects as well as playing rhyming games. Although we We were disappointed not to be returning to in-person nursery touched on this early in the nursery year, it was a theme we kept after the Christmas holiday but the children (and parents) returning to and the children even looked for rhyming objects embraced online learning once again. We celebrated Burns when they went out for walks. Night with a week of Scottish crafts, poems, dancing and recipes. The children had fun weighing and mixing ingredients Autumn as well as tasting some new foods. This moved swiftly on to The children were very interested in the changes in the celebrating Chinese New Year, with yet more cooking and crafts environment as autumn approached and had fun out in the as well as some Chinese writing. Although the children were school grounds playing with and collecting leaves. This led set specific activities each day, we were so impressed with the on to early maths, sorting through colour, shape and size as effort and variations of work that the children took part in. well as imaginative and sensory play with the leaves. Conkers As well as these special events, we engaged the children with are a popular ‘loose part’ that the children utilise in all sorts nursery rhymes and activities to go along with them. The Chronicle 2021 14 Nursery Report Feelings developing their early literacy and numeracy skills along the When the children returned to nursery in-person towards the way. Looking in shop windows and identifying the different end of February, we embarked on some work related to ‘The work places and items for sale also supported the children to be Colour Monster’ to help the children identify and name their aware of the world around them. feelings. This led to some great discussions, teamwork and When at Bon Accord Terrace Gardens, the children are craft opportunities. The children enjoyed acting out some of the encouraged to be adventurous and investigate the environment. emotions and talking about ways to support themselves and Before they set off, they are involved in safety chats and learn others when their emotions became a bit overwhelming. to set their own ‘boundaries’ for the time there. The children are encouraged to challenge themselves and are supported Outdoor Learning to go up and down steep hills - rolling, sliding and running are Throughout the year, outdoor learning remained a key focus popular ways to come down. Much fun is had when using the for the children. Being outdoors allowed the children to explore swing and the bothy bag. The children embrace opportunities their environment, move their bodies, develop communication, to develop their gross motor skills, balance and coordination cooperation, maths, problem-solving and science skills. By when walking along walls, negotiating obstacles and climbing, providing the children with loose parts, child-led learning all the while supporting their friends. The children are experts was facilitated and supported. Building obstacle courses was at washing their hands outdoors and this is done before snack. a favoured activity. There was a great deal of trial and error Even when out and about they enjoy sitting together and eating. involved in creating these courses, with each child having their Despite this year being far from normal and not without its own opinion on what was ‘too easy’ or ‘too hard’. It was always challenges, it has been an incredibly productive and rewarding a pleasure to watch the children support and encourage each time in nursery which was only possible due to our wonderful other to have a go at the courses. children, parents and staff. We thank them for their hard work There was a lot of interest in mini-beasts and the children had a and enthusiasm to keep things running so smoothly and for great time using tools to chip at a large piece of wood and go mini- carrying on in such spectacular style. One is not possible beast hunting, as well as looking under logs and in the flowers. without the other and that is what makes St Margaret’s such a special place. We were delighted to restart Wee Green Spaces, during which the children are encouraged to be as independent as possible. Jennifer Minett Laura Simpson They packed their own bags and put on their own waterproofs Nursery Manager Nursery Teacher before each outing. The walk to Bon Accord Terrace Gardens is quite lengthy for little legs and the children are encouraged to use this time to take in the environment around them. Looking for letters, numbers, shop signs and rhyming objects, the children are The Chronicle 2021 Nursery Report 15 Junior The Chronicle 2021 16 Junior Report SCHOOL REPORT As I share with you a review of the last school year I begin by reflecting on the previous year, which I described as a year of two halves. This year, with Covid 19 very much affecting all of our lives, I feel the fraction motif can be revisited and used to good effect again. Looking at the year itself, it splits into thirds. We started the year junior school events out of doors. The nursery children and all of in our school building, went back to online learning for most of the the junior pupils came together and clapped our celebration of spring term and then in the summer term were once again in our harvest. Each group had also prepared a harvest craft and we school building. The three thirds made for a very successful year - were able to display these in the gym and each class visited to albeit another unusual one. see the wonderful creations of everyone else. It was a fabulous feeling to be working together and sharing even when we were When we returned to school in August, it was fortunate that unable to meet together in the usual way. Our food collection for within the junior school classes the pupils did not need to the Cyrenians was also displayed in the gym and I was humbled distance from each other. Staff were able to maintain 2 metre by the generosity of all of our families as we collected more food distancing from pupils and other staff and with some rearranging items than ever before. The Cyrenians collected the parcels and of our classrooms we were able to teach all of the girls in their were really pleased to have so much to share with those who usual rooms. There were additional measure in place to reduce were in real need at this time. We were also able to come together the effects of the virus and we all very quickly became used to in the playground to observe Remembrance and the images of sanitising our hands regularly, adopting one way systems moving the poppy created by all of the girls will stay with me for a very around school and the slight timetable changes necessary to keep long time. It was a moving and reflective way to mark the event us safe. The girls also adapted well to having their own area in the and I am proud we were able to do this in such a special way playground and this is where another fraction came into play as when we were unable to meet together indoors. For the first time, we split our playground area into quarters so each class had their we placed the junior school Christmas tree in the playground own space and there was no mixing among classes. The colourful rather than indoors and it was such fun seeing each class add bunting was a reminder of where the girls could play and a cheery their decorations to the tree and I can see this event becoming a addition to our playground. regular in the school calendar - especially when we can gather We are indeed fortunate to have such a great outdoor green space together and sing around the tree. Covid mitigations made some within our grounds and throughout this unusual session we used aspects of life a challenge but it was good to see new ideas spring it to even greater effect than normal, holding a number of whole from the restrictions and adding to the life of the school. The Chronicle 2021 Junior Report 17 This was certainly the case for our St Margaret’s Day celebration. Unable to go to St Machar’s and celebrate together, Mrs Twigg and Mrs Smith, our 7 Junior teachers, came up with a fabulous way for the junior pupils to mark the event. We had recently received all of the textbooks for our new maths scheme and inside each was an A4 piece of card. Mrs Twigg had the amazing idea of using these to create a giant jigsaw of the stained glass window image of St Margaret. Each girl was given one piece to paint and then the image was created - all without the girls knowing what they were creating. The girls were delighted when, during the St Margaret’s Day video service, they were able to see the finished amazing image. This was testimony to Mrs Smith’s scale drawing techniques and it was a great way to recycle the packaging from the new books. We left school for Christmas all expecting to be back in January, but, as we all know, there were changes afoot and January construction, games club and book club. Mrs Wyatt and the 6 inservice day saw the class teachers organising resources for Junior Conservation club raised funds to continue the support of a online learning once again. This time we sent home ‘school in dolphin, through the Whale and Dolphin Conservation group. The a box’, making use of the large boxes the girls usually use at girls raised seedlings and plants which all of the other year groups school to hold their bags . These corridor boxes were sent home, purchased and enough money was raised to finance the support containing textbooks, jotters and also each girl’s Chromebook and of our dolphin for the next three years. It was sad that we were everyone was able to begin online learning at the start of the term. not able to invite parents into school to support our charity events We were all experts now and having learnt from the experience and girls were not able to mix in the usual way but at Christmas of the previous session, teachers and pupils quickly settled back we were able to donate food items to Instant Neighbour, toiletries into the usual online routines using the Google classrooms to to the Cyrenians and through class events raise money for the access their work and live lessons via Googlemeets became the Aberdeen Air Ambulance charity and Cancer Research. norm. Teachers and pupils were in regular communication with each other throughout each school day and I am pleased to say During the summer term we were once again really pleased that learning progressed well and our pupils enjoyed the learning we were able to use our own green space to good effect and many opportunities created by their teachers. We also provided a hub of our lessons during this term took place outside. The playground school for key workers in the building and Mrs Gregory and Mrs was often a very busy place, full of different learning experiences Duncan, two of our classroom assistants, provided excellent and with a buzz of real excitement - no more so than on the final support to our in school pupils so they could continue their day when, as a great surprise to the pupils, an ice cream van drove learning in school, joining their teachers and peers online. into school and every pupil and member of staff was treated to an ice cream. I have it on good authority from numerous sources that During our time of online learning we were sad to say goodbye it really was the best icecream ever and I for one think we should to Mrs Gibb, our 5 Junior teacher but pleased to welcome Mrs consider making this a new tradition which should remain in place Gerbrandy onto the junior staff as she took over the teaching long after all of the Covid mitigations have been removed. It was a of that class. Online learning was a great success and the wonderful ending to another unusual year. Chromebooks were a big help in delivering the teaching effectively, but we were all delighted when in March we were So to return to our fractions theme. This year we have had thirds able to welcome all of the junior pupils back into school and and quarters to consider and all we can hope going forward is that begin to work together in person once again. Many of the usual the next session is a whole one with no need for any fractions. I school events were obviously put on hold but we were pleased do not know if that will be the case, but I do know for certain that that during the summer term, with some alterations, we were still whatever we all experience next session I can rely on wonderful able to take part in sports days, small music events, mini junior colleagues to do their best to make the learning experiences celebrations and end of year assemblies as well as trips to the the very best for our pupils. My experience of this last session beach. Our 7 Junior pupils were also able to enjoy the usual World also confirms for me that I will be able to rely on the support and War II workshops, delivered remotely by Mr Paterson from the encouragement of our parents as we work together to support Urban Studies Centre, and take part in the street trail as well as the learning of all of our girls and lastly, I know that all of our girls enjoying the workshops delivered by the Royal Navy. Everyone will continue to bring enthusiasm and eagerness to all that they enjoyed the outdoor cinema events up at Summerhill and the do. It has been a real privilege to be part of the St Margaret’s other junior classes also enjoyed their trip to the beach. It was community during these very unusual times and I would like good to be out of doors, enjoying the local environment once to use this opportunity to say a very big thank you to all staff, more and in the sunshine. The weather is the one thing you can’t parents and pupils for their resilience, enthusiasm and hard work plan for but once again the sun shone on us all as we went to the throughout the last session. There were no fractions involved in beach on three separate days and all enjoyed good weather. all of your efforts - you always all gave it your whole attention and effort and I thank you all very much for that. During the summer term we were able to run limited extra curricular activities, limited to one year at each group and Norma Murray the girls enjoyed a variety of clubs, including drawing club, Head of Junior School The Chronicle 2021 18 After School Care & Holiday Club Our ASC has been getting busier so Mrs Moleda joined our team. She is a parent in the school and has been a huge asset to the team. A variety of activities are offered to the children at ASC using We haven’t been able to do our usual activities of holding their ideas, such as playing outside, going to the ICT suite, a Pupil Conference and charity sale because of the Covid taking part in craft projects, role play and board games. The restrictions but we are hoping that these can recommence favourite activities indoors are crafts, role-play kitchen and next year. dressing up. Outdoors, ‘loose parts’ are very popular and the The school holiday clubs run in the October, Easter and children come up with wonderful ideas on how to use items summer holidays and the children have lots of fun. Covid that would otherwise be considered as junk. Leftover plastic restrictions meant we couldn’t run all clubs but we were piping was used to make a horse jumping arena, and various delighted to run one in the summer holidays of 2021. We had dens were built using tarpaulin and the tyres. external visitors running events such as a Slime Fest, foam In the darker months, the children enjoy playing outside with party, Nerf Wars and a dinosaur day. We went on trips to torches and light up batons. Sometimes we tidy up early Hazlehead and Crathes Castle. Everyone had a lot of fun and inside so we can turn the dining room into a light show. we all look forward to planning the next club. The children who attend ASC receive a healthy snack which Sandra Thomson includes either fruit or vegetables every day. The favourite After School Care Manager snacks at the moment are toasted bagels and popcorn. The Chronicle 2021 After School Care & Holiday Club 19 Everyone had a lot of fun and we all look forward to planning the next club. Sandra Thomson The Chronicle 2021 20 Senior Report SCHOOL REPORT Due to Covid-19, it was clear at the beginning of session 2020 – 2021 that we needed to operate the school as three physically distinct entities of nursery, junior and senior school, keeping year groups separate. The necessary acquisition of premises at 3 – 5 Albyn Place in time for the start of the new school year proved to be a very welcome addition; we had not imagined spaces so generous for our senior pupils and staff. It was a tentative and uncertain start to session 2020 – 2021, however, our senior girls were able to embark upon their autumn term in a comfortable and secure learning environment. D espite the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions last session, senior devised the ‘Colour the World with Kindness’ Competition’. The school was as busy as ever. Girls found new ways to retain and competition encouraged girls across the school to design a build upon the community spirit which they hold so precious. poster to celebrate and spread kindness; a reminder to look out Circumstances meant that our older and younger year groups for and be kind to one another, despite distance and separation. were not able to interact in person as they would normally do in Senior girls had sorely missed the usual variety of extra-curricular school, so our prefect body in V and VI Senior were determined clubs which we usually enjoy, so it was with much delight that that they would still be able to build a relationship with, and many sporting clubs resumed at the beginning of the autumn support younger girls who are just setting out on their senior term with athletics, cross-country and tennis clubs on offer. school journey in I Senior. The prefects set up a Buddy scheme September saw us once again running a full programme of with our I Senior girls just before the October holiday, writing a instrumental and singing lessons and the re-introduction of music personal letter by hand to their nominated Buddy. The delight on ensembles and choirs was another return to ‘normality’ much the part of the IS girls upon receipt of their letters was tangible. welcomed by our senior girls, later the same month. Later in the term the I Senior girls met with their buddies in the playground during form time, when they had the chance to chat Our commitment to charity and community continued despite to each other about their experiences in the Senior School and the pandemic. Some of our fifth and sixth year girls volunteered their extra-curricular interests. They all really enjoyed the chance virtually at Rosewell House Care Home during lockdown for to meet with each other. Later in the term, the Head Girl team their work experience, shared pictures of art work, and filmed The Chronicle 2021 Senior Report 21 themselves singing and playing instruments for the elderly European Day residents. The girls were also delighted to have live chats over of Languages Skype and this continued throughout the autumn term and - Design a stone beyond! IVM supported ‘The Lighthouse’, a local charity based in competition Tillydrone, by asking the wider St Margaret’s community to gather entries food supplies to ensure that ‘The Lighthouse’ could help provide local families with nutritious meals during the difficult festive season, and the girls were most glad to be able to provide the charity with a generous donation. Our ‘Movember’ initiative raised money for charities Plan International and Mental Health Aberdeen. As a thank you to the girls and to tie in with our New Year focus on Winter Wellbeing, Mental Health Aberdeen created a set of 10 tips to help raise morale in the cold winter months. With PTA support, we were able to make these into a set of 10 cards, for distribution to all our senior girls. The simple, yet effective tips on these cards, hopefully provided the girls with another useful resource to help remain resilient during the year’s challenges. Events taking place in the wider world inspired our senior pupils to lead a celebration of Black History Month through assemblies and projects for junior and senior pupils. The girls’ work inspired us to run a series of ‘Inspirational Women Talks’, through which we aimed to celebrate and promote understanding of diversity throughout the school year. We were delighted that during November, Professor Olivette Otele, the UK’s first black female professor of history, launched this series. International themes were celebrated during the autumn term during the European Day of Languages which saw IVS and VS Language Ambassadors Design in the 2020 MiSAC Annual Competition ‘VaccAid: fighting preparing assemblies for both Junior and Senior School. Creativity infections’. We congratulated our IIIS teams who took part in the was on a high, and the term saw us celebrating the success of final of the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI). The final was a pupil in VS who won a partial scholarship for the Immerse held virtually with six teams representing different charities. The English programme at Cambridge University during summer 2021. group representing Home-Start Aberdeen successfully managed Prospective English students had to write an essay on the question to secure £3,000 for the charity. ‘Is Literature Elitist?’ and Emily Barker’s winning essay certainly March saw our senior pupils invited to enter a competition to offered much food for thought! Maths success also featured this redesign the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) logo, and in April term when we finally received the results for the Scottish Maths a team comprising of IIS pupils represented Scotland in the UK challenge from 2019 – 2020 which were released later than Grand Final of the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) planned due to the pandemic. CyberFirst Girls code-breaking competition. After beating 6,500 During November we were delighted to have Professor Rebecca girls in the qualifying stages, the second year pupils secured Wallace give our potential law students mock interviews, and third place in the Grand Final, placing them as the top aspiring later in the month, all girls applying for medicine, vet medicine or codebreakers of their age group in the country. dentistry had their mock MMI’s (Multiple Mini Interviews), and we The summer term did not see a slowing down of the girls’ were most grateful to so many in our community for giving up their endeavours; we were delighted to learn that Iona Adams in VI time to give our potential medics, dentists and vets this wonderful Senior achieved a coveted Bronze Award in the British Biology opportunity. December saw our Higher and Advanced Higher Olympiad. II and IIIS girls enjoyed team building events and Biology pupils participating in the virtual University of Aberdeen’s dance resilience programmes, and geographers were once again Annual Microbiology Lecture, with a talk by Professor Robin May able to embark on field and day trips. We were delighted that who spoke about how microbiology relates to evolution and how girls in senior school could once again embark upon a fun-filled our microorganisms can affect the impact that COVID-19 could and busy activities week at the end of term. Our annual music have on us; quite a thought to end the term on. competitions, the Murray and Lamont prizes and the Betty The spring term started with the uncertainties of the winter term, Wyness Rosebowl Competition took place online, and we were with stringent Covid-19 restrictions still in place, but the beginning treated to exceptional performances from all competing, as we of the spring term also saw us look forward to many of the annual have been over so many years previous. competitions and events we enjoy so much at St Margaret’s. Set in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a most Wellbeing initiatives continued, and girls enjoyed ‘Transform your difficult year for many people, but particularly our senior girls, and Thursday’ where they and took part in lots of creative activities we commend them for all that they have accomplished and the to express themselves including photography, art, cooking, way in which they have adapted to changing circumstances. improvisation, dance and outdoor fun in aid of children’s mental health charity Place2Be. We also enjoyed biology success, with Karen Schmitz four of our IIIS girls being awarded a High Commendation for PA to the Head The Chronicle 2021 22 Charity Events Rose, Arabella and Yasmin in 5J organised a ‘name the bear’ competition to raise money for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. The Chronicle 2021 Charity Events 23 Charity Events 2020-21 Charitable giving is central to the St Margaret’s ethos. The girls are passionate about raising money for different charities, both international and causes closer to home. The year 2020/2021 has been a year like no other, and although the pandemic had a huge influence on what we were able to do, the pupils and staff have still thrown themselves into a wide range of fundraising events with the dedication and imagination of any year. T he safety measures in place, around year groups mixing and no large gatherings, meant that some of our most successful annual events like the Winter Wonderland, St Margaret’s Day IVM organised a foodbank collection for the Lighthouse Support Centre in Tillydrone, which provides practical help and emotional support to people coping with daily living challenges. service and the Carol Service were not able to take place. However, this just meant we had to be more creative in our fundraising. The impact of lockdown on our local community also encouraged the girls to think more about how they can help people closer to home and many of the form charity events that took place during the autumn term, focused on donations of time, help, food or gifts instead of direct fundraising. Senior School Both the events run by the IV Senior girls this term concentrated on helping out the local North East community. As part of the English department’s Letters of Kindness Project, IVA delivered a sackful of toys and Christmas gifts to I-III Senior wrote to relatives, friends, residents of local care Northsound 1’s Mission Christmas appeal. homes, patients in Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and NHS staff. The Chronicle 2021 24 Charity Events Little Princess Trust Donations Well done to Yasmin in 5J and Libby in 7J who donated a huge amount of their hair to the Little Princess Trust Charity this session. The girls raised an amazing amount of money for During full national lockdown earlier in the year, Amy in IV the charity, who rely on donations of real hair to Senior realised that charities such as Guide Dogs UK would not make wigs for children and young people who be able to fundraise like they usually do. Amy came up with the have lost their hair through cancer treatment idea to make washable face-covering masks in a wide variety and other illnesses. of patterns and asked local businesses, Refillosophy, Decidedly Dogs, and Parx Café to help sell them. These dog-loving businesses were hugely supportive in helping Amy’s fundraising and Guide Dogs UK were also very grateful for the impressive £685 raised. As well as raising vital funds for Guide Dogs UK, Amy’s efforts will also contributed towards the volunteering section of her Duke of Edinburgh Award. Junior School The Junior School supported a range of charities this year. The Conservation Club held their annual ‘Plant for a Pound’ sale and raised an impressive £170; which will ensure that the Club can continue to adopt their dolphin Indigo for the next 3 years. Arabella, Yasmin and Rose in 5 Junior organised a ‘name the bear’ competition to raise money for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. The girls raised an impressive £132.25 which was gratefully received by the SCAA, which, as the country’s only charity-funded air ambulance, relies entirely on public donations to deliver expert paramedic care to the scene of time-critical emergencies, in every corner of Scotland, 365 days a year. Whole School Despite the restrictions, we managed to support a range of 4 Junior used their enterprise project to raise money for Cancer national and local charities through our whole school events. Research. They created a range of products around sunflowers Our Non-Uniform Day in October raised £381 for Home-Start and raised over £255 by selling them to family and friends. and its work with local families. Products available for sale were home grown sunflowers in beautifully decorated terracotta pots, home baked sunflower Our Poppy Scotland appeal raised £164 to help provide support seed biscuits, packaged up with brightly coloured ribbons and for current and former members of the Armed Forces as well as sunflower seed bird feeders. their families. Their focus this year was particularly pertinent to The Chronicle 2021 Charity Events 25 St Margaret’s, as they were looking to remember military, NHS Our hopes of a return to normality in 2021 did not happen, so and Scottish women medics across history. (4J poppy images) again our fundraising moved online. February saw the launch of our Winter Wellbeing Week: Express Yourself. The girls were November was the month for our Movember Millions initiative, which raised an amazing £800 for our two chosen charities; encouraged to use the Mental Health Cards from our Movember Plan International, which helps girls worldwide combat initiative to try a new, positive, activity to express their feelings. inequality and MHA, which helps young people closer to home Alongside this we managed to raise over £700 for Place2Be, a facing mental health challenges. Movember was all about charity who work in schools to promote and support positive getting up and about with a whole school target of 30 million mental health. steps. As well as focusing on our physical health we also The summer term saw the launch of our 175 Challenge to worked with MHA to create some mental health tip cards for the coincide with our celebration of 175 years of educating and senior girls. inspiring women. We wanted to use our last charity event of the year to help those outside of our St Margaret’s community in an inspiring way. Pupils and staff were asked to take on their own 175 Challenge, anything they wanted to complete, and the challenges ranged from learning 175 new jokes to riding 175m on a unicycle to making 175 cupcakes for neighbours, picking up 175 pieces of litter at the beach, to writing a story of 175 lines and telling 175 jokes. The pupils chose two charities to support in this final fundraising of the year (a local one - Befriend a Child and a global one - UNICEF’s Vaccinaid). In total we raised over £600. The final event of 2020, our Christmas Jumper Day, supported Barnado’s and their work with young people in the North East Rachel Appleton and raised just under £300. Charities Coordinator Thank You Befriend a Child Plan International My name is Tara and I work for Befriend a Child, I’m getting in touch To the students and staff of St Margaret’s School for Girls, today to say thank you so much for choosing to fundraise for us with We think you’re amazing! your 175 challenge! On behalf of everyone at Plan International UK, I would like to say a big thank you for fundraising for us with your Movember Millions event. £345 is Place2Be a fantastic amount to have raised – enough to help girls avoid exploitation Firstly, I wanted to personally get in touch to say a huge thank you for taking & gain the skills they need to earn a living safely! We hope you feel really part in this years’ Children’s Mental Health Week and for raising vital funds proud of the positive impact your hard work will have on the lives of children to support children’s mental health. We’re thrilled to say we’ve raised over worldwide. £80,000 in total – we can’t thank you enough for being a part of this. Best wishes, Jade MHA (Mental Health Aberdeen) Firstly, thank you and the school so much for the monies raised which is Home-Start a fabulous result for all concerned. It’s great that you will be carrying on We are delighted your Committee have chosen Home-Start Aberdeen as your with the winter wellbeing programme, everyone can take part and the chosen charity to receive the funds from your non-uniform day. This amount will benefits are many including helping to build individual resilience, which is certainly help to support our local families. so important, especially at the moment. Best Regards, Graeme Thank you for your donation. Best regards, Nicola The Chronicle 2021 26 Careers & Work Experience CAREERS SUSAN BROWN HEAD OF CAREERS Rosewell House Care Home VS UCAS Days Some of our fifth and sixth year pupils volunteered virtually at On Wednesday 9th and the morning of Thursday 10th June, Rosewell House Care Home during lockdown for their work the current VS girls had UCAS Days. During this time all of the experience. The girls shared pictures of art work and filmed girls learned about the resources and help that is available to themselves singing and playing instruments for the elderly them to allow them to make well informed career choices. Their residents. The girls and residents have also been delighted to first virtual guest speaker, Georgina Guest from RGU, taught have live chats over Skype and all are keen for this to continue them how to choose a university and how to write a personal throughout this term and beyond! Many thanks to Pamela at statement. After break they learnt all about apprenticeships Rosewell House Care Home for her help in setting up this from Michelle Goldpenny, and then Lauren MacAskill from joint venture. North East Scotland College gave them a talk about HND and HNC courses as well as 2+2 degrees. In the afternoon the girls II and IIIS Team Building Event took part in a workshop run by the British Army about money On Monday 21st June, IIS and some IIIS girls embarked on a matters and to round off the first of our two careers days, Emma jewellery making/enterprise day. The day began with Miss Hunter from Thorpe Malloy gave them some top tips on CV Wood and Mrs Bedford from the art department giving a writing and interview skills. demonstration of six different techniques that the girls could After a jam-packed Wednesday, on Thursday the day started use to make different types of jewellery. They showed us how with another workshop, this time from Careers Sense which to work with different materials such as wood, stones, glass and was run by employees of NatWest bank. This allowed the girls even fabric to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches. to try and solve different financial problems given to them by The sky was the limit after this informative introduction! After experts in three different fields. After this, three of our current this the girls then had the morning to create a fictional company VIS girls, Iona Adams, Konyinsola Abari and Jewel Jacob came and create a business plan to sell their creative produce as and chatted to them about their experiences of UCAS and well as the opportunity to design and create stunning jewellery the university application process. After break the girls then that they could potentially sell. The girls were asked to give got themselves registered on UCAS and began to explore the consideration to how their company could benefit others vast array of resources available to them on the St Margaret’s and this could be anything from a school driven initiative, to Careers website and their UCAS Google Classroom. This something in the wider community, or even a global cause. The contains recorded talks from previous guests and former girls were able to choose a theme for their jewellery design and pupils, details about how to gather work experience, links to each of the groups came up with wonderful ideas. useful websites, and much more. To round off UCAS Days, Mrs After much creating and designing, the girls came together Goodwin came and talked to the girls about the procedure for again at the end of the day and we were joined by our judges, their references and our Early Bird club. Mrs Torrie, our Head of English, and Mrs Slater, our Head of It was a very busy day but I am sure that our V Senior girls will Guidance, who were both impressed by the high standard of feel even more confident to carve out whatever career path is jewellery and each group’s business pitch. In the end there right for them, knowing that their teachers will be right behind could be only one winner and after so much deliberation, our them offering support and advice. judges declared the company “Save the 70’s” as the winners - congratulations to Hiba, Noemi, Maisie, Olivia and Iris in IIA. Thank you to the art department, judges and to all the girls who took part. It really was a very enjoyable day. The Chronicle 2021 Careers & Work Experience 27 Law and Medic Talks After break the girls in IVS and VS who are interested in On Thursday 10th June we were delighted to welcome three pursuing a career in medicine were given the chance to attend lawyers to chat to our aspiring lawyers in IV and VS. First we our mini medic event. We were delighted to be joined virtually welcomed former pupil Kate Bradbury onto the screen. She by two current medical students at Aberdeen University and spoke of her experiences as a housing solicitor at Brodies and former pupil Sam White. how she now currently works as a family lawyer. The girls found We started off with second year Aberdeen University students it extremely interesting to learn about these two, quite different Tara Robbie and Abby McCabe. They had created a very aspects of law. informative presentation for the girls to show and speak After this we were joined on screen by Mrs Susan Dickson. about all the things that need to be prepared for the medical Mrs Dickson works in the Government's Foreign and application process. This included UCAS deadlines, the UCAT Commonwealth Office and she had a wealth of information test, test dates, costs, the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) and to share about her personal career journey and the work and personal statements. They also talked about a day in the life of projects she is currently involved in. a medical student and gave good insight to the girls of what it is really like to be a medical student - the highs and the lows! We Finally, to conclude our law event, we were joined on screen by are very grateful to Tara and Abby for giving up their time to talk Anna Strong who works for Stronachs. Mrs Strong started her to the girls. law career in employment law and, after starting a family, moved After this we were joined by former pupil, Sam White. Sam has into the area of recruitment and human resource law. just graduated with a first class honours degree in Biomedical It has been so interesting learning about each of these career Science and is due to start her medical degree this September, paths and I have no doubt that the girls are in a much stronger also at Aberdeen University. Sam was able to tell the girls position to make a decision about pursuing a law degree and about this alternative route into medicine and shared lots of also what areas they think they might be interested in. information about her biomedical degree, including the modules The Chronicle 2021 28 Careers & Work Experience Doctors at Work On Thursday the 10th of June, aspiring medics from IVS and that she studied and career prospects. For Sam, however, her VS were joined virtually by medical students, Tara Robbie ambition has always been to be a doctor and so we wish her and Abby McCabe, who had given up their limited free time every success with her medical degree and thank her very to share their experiences and advice for our application to much for sharing her experiences and knowledge with us. medicine. The girls first discussed the UCAT exam in great detail with us. Their personal hints and tips about each IVS Careers Days individual section of the exam from Verbal Reasoning to On Friday 11th June it was the IV Senior girls turn as they Situational Judgement were very well received and allowed embarked on their careers day. The day began with my us to tailor our revision effectively. What many of us also introduction to the support available to them via the St found to be very helpful was the students’ emphasis on the Margaret’s Careers Website and their new careers’ Google common pitfalls associated with each section of the exam Classroom. Both are extremely useful places to start when and how to avoid them. looking for reliable websites and information. After this we The girls then moved on to inform us about open days were joined virtually by Mr Ian Carry from IC Executive for university and highlighted their importance in helping Coaching. He conducted a workshop about teamwork. The us to become more familiar with the campus and its girls had to analyse how to work in teams and to discover if individual approach to the medical curriculum. The students the number of people in their group made a difference to their discussed the most important qualities of a doctor and decision-making and the group dynamic and how they would advised us to research more about them and discuss how deal with it. we demonstrate those qualities in our personal statements After break we were joined virtually by Lee Mair from RGU as well as in our interviews. What we thought was very who talked about how to choose a university. It made the girls interesting was their detailed insight into life as a medical think about not just the course they want to apply to, but the student and the impact COVID-19 has had on access to facilities and resources in the campus and also in the city that resources and curriculum; for example, the girls mentioned they might consider moving to. After this Craig Peoples from that they were unable to use the anatomy rooms and go Skills Development Scotland gave the girls a talk about the on ward rounds which impacted their ability to learn some different apprenticeship routes available to them. necessary aspects of the course. They also reassured us about medical students being able to have part-time jobs In the afternoon IVS had two workshops to participate in. and be members of societies despite the high workload The first was from Careers Sense run by NatWest Bank staff. and pressure they face. All in all, It was a really good The girls were given different financial problems and had to opportunity for us to ask questions about the daunting choose the best way to solve them. This also made the girls application process from successful candidates. Abby and think about different roles within finance such as Sustainability Tara were very informative and their eagerness to answer Officer, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst and a Relationship all of our questions was greatly appreciated. Manager. To round off the day the British Army gave a virtual workshop about money matters and the girls had to complete Katie and Maria, VS various tasks, one of which was to work out how much it would cost to deploy a platoon on an overseas exercise! The girls had Sam White to consider the cost of flights, rooms, rations and ammunition On the 10th of June aspiring medics received a talk from for the 3-week exercise. (And in case you are wondering, the Sam White who was a former pupil at St. Margaret’s. She answer was £1,148,700 for 1050 troops!) studied at Robert Gordon University (RGU) and now has I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest a first class honours in Biomedical Sciences. She spoke thanks to all of our virtual visiting speakers, current pupils, about her journey to university and how she pursued former pupils and staff for coming together to inform the girls alternate pathways in order to fulfil her dream of studying about their personal career paths and showing the numerous medicine. Initially she spoke about how there are other possibilities that lie before them. I do hope the girls in IV and ways to get into medicine, even if you don’t get the grades VS enjoyed their careers days and managed to learn more as well as the support she received from the staff of St. about the support that is available to them in school as well as Margaret's throughout her journey. She then continued to the wider community. I also hope that they learnt more about discuss her time at RGU as a Biomedical Sciences student. themselves and their own transferable skills, strengths and Additionally, she discussed how the course developed weaknesses, which will allow them to reflect on their careers her understanding of the human body and allowed her journey so far and think of ways to proceed with confidence in to conduct medical research. She gave the students the the future to be the best they can be. opportunity to pose any questions they had and thus relieved them of the anxieties they were struggling with regarding their career choices and provided clarity on their potential medical futures. Ana, Meriam and Marria, VS Parents -You’ve got enough on your plate! We help you get in shape without the angst. FULLY COACHED SESSIONS So you don’t need to think about what to do or if you’re doing it right. FLEXIBLE BOOKING So you can get it done when it suits you best. FUN ENVIRONMENT So you can enjoy a little time in the day just for you. Book your free Strategy Session today Energising Life, Together. The Chronicle 2021 30 In The News PITCH PERFECT PUPILS TUNE IN FOR P upils at St Margaret’s School for Girls in Aberdeen fine- She said: “We are absolutely delighted that St Margaret’s tuned their singing voices for the annual Barnardo’s Christmas agreed to take part in our Kidsmas Live event. Concert on Tuesday, 1st December. “With many fundraising events cancelled this year, we rely on Traditionally, the charity hosts an annual concert at the Royal virtual alternatives to generate much-needed funds, which will Albert Hall in London; however due to the pandemic this year’s allow us to continue our vital work with children, young people concert was held virtually and was broadcast live to audiences and their families across Aberdeen and the Shire, as well as the across the UK. rest of the country. St Margaret’s was the only Scottish school to take part in the “For many people, Christmas is a time for family, fun and musical extravaganza, with a performance of Away in a Manger presents, but for vulnerable children across the country this by the girls in the junior school. The singers were accompanied time of year is just as challenging as any other. This is why we by musicians from both the junior and senior schools. need to come together, spread a little sparkle and raise as much money as we can to support those who need us most.” Headteacher Anna Tomlinson said the event was ‘joyful and uplifting’. She said: “The past few months have been exceptionally hard for everyone, not least the children and their families supported by Barnardo’s. “Everyone at St Margaret’s was delighted to take part in one of the charity’s biggest fundraising events, and helping to spread some Christmas cheer across the country.” Barnardo’s Event Manager for Scotland Jordyn Armstrong is responsible for fundraising for the work the charity does with children and young adults in Aberdeen. The Chronicle 2021 In The News 31 ST MARGARET’S LAUNCHES Innovative Partnership TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH DURING PANDEMIC St. Margaret’s School for Girls in Aberdeen teamed up with a local charity, Mental Health Aberdeen, to boost pupils’ mental health and wellbeing as part of Children’s Mental Health Week (1st - 7th February). In what has been recognised as a massive challenge in the wake hoping these would give the girls a much needed daily boost. of the pandemic, the Scottish Government released evidence that It was been co-designed by Mental Health Aberdeen and the there is a “fairly consistent finding in Scottish surveys that the school’s wellbeing committee, following on from a successful mental wellbeing of girls, particularly older girls has fared worse Movember Millions campaign, which saw pupils, parents, staff than that of boys during the pandemic.” and former pupils from St. Margaret’s work together to complete one million steps a day in November. A total of 2165 entries were St. Margaret’s have proactively offered a range of wellbeing recorded, with a total of 37,729,746 steps throughout November. activities and support for girls at the school since the start of the The Movember campaign also raised £800 for Mental Health pandemic to support mental health as well as attainment. This Aberdeen and Plan International. latest wellbeing initiative was designed to support girls through ten challenges that helped to improve resilience and mental Head of PE, Karen Norval, who led the Winter Wellbeing wellbeing through a series of flashcards distributed to pupils initiative said: across the senior school which provided hints and tips about “Even outside of a pandemic, January and February are often how to maintain and improve mental wellbeing, especially referred to as ‘blue months, so we knew we had to do something during lockdown. creative and fun that the girls could get involved with to Pupils were able to access challenges, maintain and improve their wellbeing and resilience. support and dedicated wellbeing assemblies “Throughout the last year we have gone the extra through their newly launched wellbeing hub mile to ensure wellbeing is at the forefront of all online. Each week young people were set of our learning activities at St. Margaret’s - and two challenges to complete, with teachers Children’s Mental Health Week provides an important focus to ensure every young person has access to the support they need to navigate such unprecedented times. “It has been great to work with Mental Health Aberdeen, not only to support our girls’ wellbeing and education, but to also help raise funds for the charity’s important work.” Sophie Cordiner, senior prefect at St. Margaret’s, said: “During lockdown when we are away from friends and our normal routine, it is more important than ever to look after our mental health. The St Margaret’s wellbeing website offers an accessible resource for pupils with easy to understand tips and fun challenges to help us look after ourselves.” Graeme Kinghorn, Trustee & Treasurer at Mental Health Aberdeen said: “The restrictions over the past months have further highlighted the importance of maintaining good mental health and wellbeing. We already know that we all have different ways of coping through challenging times and were delighted to help and provide handy tips and hints for the girls. MHA are very grateful for the support from the pupils and staff at St. Margaret’s” The Chronicle 2021 32 In The News Aberdeen’s independent schools join forces to deliver a series of wellbeing seminars in a city first initiative Aberdeen’s four independent schools have come together to deliver a series of free online seminars focused on mental health and wellbeing. The virtual Wellbeing in Difficult Times series was the first of its kind in the city and saw St Margaret’s School for Girls, along Dr Tharaka with International School Aberdeen (ISA), Robert Gordon’s Gunarathne College and Albyn School – collectively known as Aberdeen Independent Schools (AIS) – come together to deliver four online conferences featuring a variety of expert speakers. The first seminar was hosted by ISA and welcomed Dr Bruce Lawrie, Consultant Psychologist, whose focus was on the importance of physical activity for mental health and wellbeing. in the area, he spoke about the benefits of scheduling your The virtual session was entitled “The ‘Power of Mind’ to Enhance sleep and shared useful tips to help improve sleeping patterns. Your Mental & Physical Wellbeing”. Further thought-provoking insights were discussed including keeping hydrated and how important it is to ‘drink before you Robert Gordon’s College welcomed guest speakers Jane feel thirsty’. Staying active and looking after your nutrition were Lunnon, Lena Carter and Graham Goulden, on Tuesday, March other key areas discussed and how these small steps can 2nd, who delivered an online seminar focused on ‘Impact and positively impact your general wellbeing and health. Opportunity relating to the Covid-19 pandemic’. Anna Tomlinson said “Thank you to everyone who joined the St Margaret’s School for Girls welcomed Dr Tharaka webinar last night. We have received some wonderful feedback Gunarathne, known as ‘Dr T’, on Wednesday, March 17th, in a following the event. Dr T’s honest and fun approach to such an webinar entitled ‘Look after your SWANS: Dr T’s 5 Key Areas to important topic has been refreshing. The audience was engaged Better Resilience.’ Dr T joined Anna Tomlinson for a fascinating throughout and we enjoyed their active participation through and engaging discussion on wellbeing and resilience. Dr T questions and comments. We hope his practical advice has shared his insights into how to develop greater resilience, a been invaluable to many.” topic which we know resonates with so many, one year into this pandemic. Albyn School hosted the last in the series of seminars on Tuesday, March 30th, where they welcomed Astrid Whyte, CEO, Dr T talked passionately about the importance of sleep and Mental Health Aberdeen, who will discussed the important topic how making simple changes to your routine can have a positive of ‘Family Wellbeing’. impact on your mental health. With his extensive background “At a time when the teachers “St Margaret’s gave me “We are so grateful that our and pupils have gone the so much, both in terms of daughter has received so extra mile to maintain the education and community, many amazing opportunities high standards of education and I am happy to donate through St Margaret’s. and inclusiveness during in the hope that I can We have been delighted the pandemic the least we play a part in providing to watch her grow up in a former pupils can do is that experience for secure, enriching school support it with whatever someone else.” environment, in which she we can afford.” has flourished.” Sarah Kershaw Donor, (Bibby), donor, Parents of bursary December 2020 Class of 1992 recipient, 2021 Donate Support St Margaret’s today Donate via your bank Donate online Donate by post Transfer your donation to us using your Visit St Margaret’s Connect at Post a cheque made payable to bank’s phone or online service stmargaretsconnect.com/donate ‘St Margaret’s School for Girls’ The Chronicle 2021 34 In The News Save the Children ART COMPETITION T o celebrate the founding of the charity Save The Children in 1919, the Aberdeen shop on Union Street arranged an Art Competition for local primary schools. We were delighted to learn that three of our pupils were successful. Congratulations to Jessica Gunn (1st prize), Abigail Onyeakazi (2nd prize) and Evelyn Siju (3rd prize). These girls are now in I Senior but took part while they were still in 7 Junior. The girls have all won individual art kits Kits and £100 for the art department to spend in Gray’s Art Shop. All the work was displayed in the Save the Children shop window on Union Street. Evelyn Siju Jessica Gunn Abigail Onyeakazi The Chronicle 2021 In The News 35 NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND ART COMPETITION Many congratulations to Jewel Ifezulike in IIM who has won All entries will be added to their online gallery too. We really Special Merit in Category D, age group S1-3. hope that the winners and their families will be able to visit. This is a well-established competition which had over 1500 The exhibition may also tour to other venues across Scotland. entries from all over Scotland, so to be amongst the winners is A selection of works will feature on postcards which will be for a major achievement. sale in the National Galleries of Scotland shops. The winning entries will be displayed at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art – Modern ONE, this autumn/spring. The Chronicle 2021 36 In The News Success AT MISAC 2020 Annual Competition Congratulations to our III Senior team of Marcy Bryce, Jane Curry, Shaneka Microbiology competition success Hapuarachchi and Rebecca Jennings who have been awarded a High Commendation for Design in the Key Stage 3, Secondary 1/2 group in We were delighted to learn that Iona Adams the 32nd MiSAC Annual Competition ‘VaccAid: fighting infections’ which in VI Senior achieved a coveted Bronze was sponsored by MiSAC. We would like to celebrate the girls’ success in Award in the British Biology Olympiad. achieving a High Commendation in such a prestigious competition. Iona chose to enter the Olympiad, despite this year’s competition occurring during This year’s competition attracted 330 entries and involved participation lockdown, and achieved within the top 25% by 583 students. Pupils involved enjoyed the experience as well as of entries from 622 schools. This is no learning more about vaccination. mean feat, and we share our hearty congratulations with her. PLEASE VIEW ENTRY TO THE RIGHT Scottish Maths Challenge Success St Margaret’s senior pupils excel at Scottish Maths Challenge Competition. The results for last year’s (2019-20) and IVS. They had to submit answers to Scottish Maths Challenge were very 10 mathematical problems. Samaira Jena late in being released due to the current and Weronika Rukat gained silver awards COVID-19 crisis but we are delighted and Sekemi Adenuga, Samly Koshy, to share the success of our pupils who Folami Olawuyi and Joanne Sharples gained bronze awards. The girls are undertook the challenge. pictured here with their certificates on the Middle Division: steps of 3-5 Albyn Place. They have done The girls competed in the middle especially well to gain these awards as division of the Scottish Maths Challenge they were the younger year group in the competition which is for pupils from IIIS division. All Results of Scottish Maths Challenge 2019-2020 Congratulations to all the girls who took part in the competition. Linden Tapper Junior Division Middle Division IVS - Session 2019 - 2020 Liberty Mountain - Gold Award IS - Session 2019-2020 IIIS - Session 2019 - 2020 Kasia Bain - Silver Award Sophia Vincely-Paul - Gold Award Samaira Jena - Silver Award Emma Simpson - Silver Award Alina Imran - Bronze Award Weronika Rukat - Silver Award Marria Jobi - Silver Award Ellie Ong - Bronze Award Sekemi Adenuga - Bronze Award Samly Koshy - Bronze Award Senior Division IIS - Session 2019 - 2020 Folami Olawuyi - Bronze Award Marcy Bryce - Gold Award VIS Session 2019 - 2020 Joanne Sharples - Bronze Award Laura Duringer - Bronze Award Katyayeni Singh - Silver Award Marion Ikuenobe - Bronze Award The Chronicle 2021 In The News 37 The Chronicle 2021 38 In The News Write Up From the Girls: The 2021 CyberFirst competition was a great learning opportunity for 6,500 girls all across the UK and our whole team was excited to have a project to focus on over the online learning period. The ST MARGARET’S GIRLS first stage of the competition lasted 10 days and was filled with puzzling challenges to test our knowledge of cybersecurity, logic REPRESENT SCOTLAND and coding, networking and cryptography. After a nerve-racking wait we were delighted to hear that we were within the 8% of IN UK CYBERFIRST girls who qualified for the semi-finals which would take place on March 19th 2021. The semi-finals ran from 9:40am until 3:30pm GRAND FINAL and then we had a day filled with challenges that we worked as a team to solve. After a wait of two days we found out that we would represent Scotland in the grand finals on April 26th. On Monday 26th April, a team of pupils from St Margaret’s School for Girls represented Scotland in the UK Grand Final of These are the various categories we each worked on the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) CyberFirst Girls and enjoyed the most: code-breaking competition. After beating 6,500 girls in the Cryptography: The cryptography category was about using qualifying stages, the second year pupils secured third place in problem-solving to decipher text to discover hidden messages. the Grand Final, placing them as the top aspiring codebreakers It included a variety of different techniques and required the use of their age group in the country. of a site called Cyberchef on many questions. A large aspect of Pupils Ellie Ong, Rachel Murray, Celine Muir, and Iris Emembolu, cryptography is problem-solving to identify the method used were among nine other teams who put their cyber security and then to find a way to reverse it. I learnt a large variety of know-how to the test in the CyberFirst Girls final, a competition ways to solve and recreate encrypted messages. Rachel IIA run by the NCSC to inspire the next generation of young women Logic and Coding: The logic and coding category was about to consider a career in cyber security. figuring out what to do with the information you were faced The final competition saw ten teams simultaneously take on with, and finding ways to reveal the answer and problem-solve. a series of cyber security challenges covering cryptography, It included different software programming languages such as logic and networking. Now in its fifth year, the CyberFirst Girls Java, Python and Linux to crack various problems, binary logic Competition aims to inspire girls to pursue their interests in to extract data, decoding hashes and much more. Each question technology and consider a career in cyber security – a field was unique and required its own approach to find the key, where women are still under-represented in the UK, making up improving my logical thinking skills and knowledge on various an estimated 15% of the sector workforce. techniques, tricks and tactics along the way. Ellie IIA
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