The benefits of a girls’ school

An all-girls’ educational environment is dedicated to how girls learn. In the absence of boys, girls are also more inclined to participate freely in discussions and to take risks with their learning.

Stem Participation

Participation in STEM subjects is higher at girls’ schools, with girls more confident to pursue these studies when boys are not in the classroom. The Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia found ‘that girls were more likely to study STEM subjects to a higher level and continue with STEM into Years 11 and 12 when there is no implicit expectation of competing with boys’. Although women are still underrepresented in STEM tertiary studies and careers, St Margaret’s is committed to nurturing students’ confidence and self-belief to challenge this gender bias. Since 2018, there has seen a significant increase in St Margaret’s students taking up Senior Science and Technology subjects: Biology (increase of 33%); Chemistry (increase of 51%); Physics (increase of 176%); Digital Solutions (increase of 91%).

The annual Science Week is enthusiastically celebrated to develop our girls’ curiosity and confidence in STEM subjects, while the school’s own Women in Science Lecture series brings real-world inspiration and aspiration to our students, highlighting the career opportunities STEM offers and paving the way for students to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology. Students are also connected with STEM learning experiences outside of the classroom through Robotics, STEM Club, the F1 in Schools competition and QUT STEM workshops and programs.

An Aspirational Environment

Generally, students from girls’ schools have higher aspirations and ambitions. One of the ways St Margaret’s fosters these aspirations is through a considered focus on careers education. From the primary years, students are exposed to careers education and to strong female role models across a broad range of careers and industries. Research shows that gender stereotyping around career choices starts in early primary school and St Margaret’s primary careers education aims to address this, breaking down barriers and gender biases for our girls.

The careers education program continues in Year 7 and is punctuated by the Broadening Horizons Conference and Careers Expo in Year 10. More recently, the introduction of the Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfast series profiles female role models within the school’s Old Girl community across a range of industries, exemplifying what women can achieve beyond school. The award-winning Mentoring Program continues the career preparation for our students in Years 11 and 12, matching them with appropriate alumni mentors who are working in the field they are aspiring to study or enter into when they graduate.

In keeping with the Sisters’ holistic approach to education, students are also engaged in a broad range of workshops, activities and development programs aimed at preparing them for life beyond the school gates. These include the Beyond the Panama program which focuses on arming students with a range of practical knowledge and life skills such as applying for a tax file number, financial literacy, tips on renting and how to vote.

Participation In Sport

In a girls’ only environment, girls are less self-conscious and feel freer to be themselves resulting in higher participation in sport and physical activity. They are not restricted in their choices on the playing field either, enabling them to broaden their interests and play traditionally maledominated sports, including AFL, touch football, cricket and esports.

Leadership

Girls’ schools empower students to become bold leaders. Students are exposed to strong female leadership in an all-girls’ environment and there are greater opportunities to experience leadership. Every leadership position is held by a girl, from AFL Captains to School Captains, and these opportunities build students’ team-work skills, their confidence and their self-belief.

Wellbeing

Students in girls’ schools are generally happier and feel a greater sense of belonging. Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that at girls’ schools, student wellbeing comes first and wellbeing programs are specifically designed to cater to girls at their specific developmental stages. Also, a contributing factor is the belonging to a community of likeminded individuals, each sharing in the same experiences.

Best Of Both Worlds

While the factors that distinguish girls’ education from single-sex schooling allude to overwhelming opportunities for girls to have the confidence, conviction and self-belief to achieve to their full potential, St Margaret’s recognises there are benefits to providing opportunities to develop social skills within mixed gender contexts. Throughout the year, St Margaret’s girls gather together with Churchie boys to develop their social skills and camaraderie with the opposite sex. These events and activities include Sony Foundation Camp, boarding social events, Netball Challenges, Year 6 Activities Day and the Prep Activities Day.

Within St Margaret’s all-girls’ environment, our girls are inspired to become confident, compassionate and capable women wellprepared to make a significant contribution in a global community.