Exploring life through faith

Many a Friday afternoon, the joyous strains of little voices singing their favourite hymn will ring out from the school chapel, bringing a smile to the face of any fortunate passer-by.

School Chaplain Reverend Jazz Dow, who presides over the regular house and whole primary chapel services, says the primary children just love chapel.

‘It is a highlight of my week to hear the authenticity and passion of children singing and leading chapel.’

The primary school also joins the secondary school to celebrate the larger religious observations, including Ash Wednesday, Easter, Advent and Christmas, as well the school’s special days such as St Margaret’s Day.

‘As a school of the Society of the Sacred Advent, we are inspired by the Sisters’ vision of compassionate and wholistic education and the example they set through their lives of faith and service to the community and commitment to educating the WHOLE child. ‘As such, worship and spiritual development are integral to the educational journey at St Margaret’s,’ Rev’d Jazz says.

‘Our values are driven by our Christian faith through our Anglican tradition and are intentionally embedded in all of our chapel programs.’

Importantly, while the school practises the Anglican faith, it is welcoming of all faiths from the diverse communities and walks of life from which our students, staff and parents are drawn.

Religion and Values Education at the school offers a spiralling curriculum from Prep through to Year 12. In the primary school, RVE is delivered by class teachers, while in the secondary school it comes under the umbrella of the Sociocultural Studies Faculty. Content is drawn from the Anglican Schools Commission Religious Education curriculum and helps students explore their own values and beliefs by learning how others see the world. Students learn about Christianity and other world religions and how people of faith respond to the challenges, joys and questions of everyday life.

In Years 11 and 12, RVE is not part of the regular weekly curriculum; rather, students enjoy a masterclass once a term which explores such topics as body positivity, the value of relationships, the way we use our voices for the common good, and their vocations and preparing for the next stage in their journeys.

The opportunity to explore faith at St Margaret’s is not limited to religious services and RVE lessons.

Each term, themed Prayer Spaces in the chapel invite both primary and secondary students to explore spirituality and life’s big questions in a safe, creative and interactive way.

Within a Prayer Space session there are several interactive stations, which provide an invitational space for students to decide how they wish to explore the theme.

Rev’d Jazz says the themes are chosen to be tangible and accessible, rather than global or abstract.

‘This allows students to reflect on how the theme impacts their daily lives. They can explore the spaces with purpose and meaning but freely and without required outcomes.

‘Busy lives sometimes leave little space for reflection, and the feedback from students always includes the valuing of silence and space, and that after a visit, they feel much calmer.’

In 2022, the Prayer Space themes included the school values, Easter and Lent, Reconciliation and Hope.

In addition to offering baptism and confirmation to our students, many in our wider community – Old Girls, parents and staff, and others closely connected to the school – choose the school chapel for baptisms, weddings, and funerals, such is their fond and enduring connection to the school.

Rev’d Jazz is also available to offer pastoral care to students, staff, and their families.

The Future Of The Ssa

Times are changing for the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, with just two professed Sisters remaining in the Order – Sisters Gillian and Sandra. However, the SSA will endure, with suitable amendments made to the SSA constitution which allow women who feel called to a life of commitment and service to become vowed members of the SSA while continuing with their current lifestyles.

The first two women to commence this journey –The Rev’d Gillian Moses (the chaplain of St Aidan’s) and The Rev’d Jan Crombie (who is Rector of Kenmore Anglican parish and co-deputy chair of St Margaret’s School Council) – just happen to be ordained ministers, although this is by no means a prerequisite.

As vowed members of the SSA, women commit themselves to certain patterns of daily prayer and to being involved in other pastoral activities and ministering to people in need.

The SSA this year celebrates 131 years since its inception. It is comforting to know the Society which has achieved so much for so many women and girls will prevail.

Typically, these students make the transition to St Margaret’s in Year 7, coinciding with their move to high school. This means not only are they coping with living away from family and the contrast from wide open spaces to urban living, but they are also navigating the transition to high school and an increased academic load. In the St Margaret’s boarding house, a large network of experienced staff cares for our boarders, and an intentional transition program supports our country students in their move to living and studying in the city. Each new Year 7 boarder participates in a transition program that commences the year before they start at St Margaret’s and continues until the end of their first year in boarding. The program starts with a care package delivered to each new