Developing citizens of the world

Crofton House School

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Shawnigan Lake School

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie

Montreal, Canada

St Margaret’s is focused on ensuring every girl is prepared to resiliently and responsibly engage in a multicultural and globalising world. One of the ways in which students develop this global citizenship is through the school’s signature Global Exchange Program.

A window to the world, the program offers students in Year 10 the chance to experience life and education in a different country through attending one of eleven affiliate schools located in all four corners of the globe. While taking part in this unique program, students immerse themselves in another culture, often learn new language skills, and discover the way of life of the student communities they join.

Last year saw the first Global Exchange students jet off internationally after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic and border closures.

Georgia Price and Grace Marchant spent Term 3 at St Anne’s Diocesan College in South Africa, and both students said they returned with a newfound sense of independence and lifelong friendships with students on the other side of the world.

Boarding student Georgia said she was a little nervous but mostly excited in the lead up to her departure.

‘It was my first time out of the country, and I was looking forward to a different experience, an opportunity I knew I wouldn’t get to experience again, because even travelling overseas in the future, you wouldn’t get to experience going to a different school or really immersing yourself in the local culture.

‘I developed a greater sense of independence. Obviously, as a boarder, I was already quite independent, but I feel that I have developed another level of independence now which really hit home when I was on the plane travelling to the other side of the world.

‘The highlights of the whole exchange experience for me were shark diving and a four-day game drive, as well as making new connections and friendships,’ Georgia said.

Grace, who has attended St Margaret’s since Pre-Prep, was looking forward to expanding her horizons and stepping outside of her comfort zone while on exchange.

‘I went from being a day student at the same school my whole life and always with my family to a different country, a different school and living in boarding! I definitely became more independent while I was away.

Chatham, Virginia, USA

Augusta Preparatory Day School

Martinez, Georgia, USA

‘One of the main things I learnt is to look at the bigger picture. If I was having one tough day, missing home, I just took the opportunity to stand back and think, actually you don’t want to go home because of this one tough moment in time.

‘The highlight for me was the culture at St Anne’s, which I think is very similar to St Margaret’s – it feels like a big family. While I was there, I made a great lifelong friend with a weekly boarder who invited me out a lot with her family on weekends. I was very lucky because her family was very similar to my family, so it was like having a second family. We still keep in touch and maybe I will get to visit her again one day,’ Grace said.

During Term 4, an additional 21 students set off on their exchange attending schools in Germany, the US and Canada, while at the same time we welcomed reciprocal students from St Anne’s to St Margaret’s. For Lucy Piggott, attending the French speaking Saint-Nom-de-Marie in Montreal, Canada, helped her develop her language skills.

‘I’ve been studying French at St Margaret’s since Year 3, which helped me when I arrived in Montreal. I was able to pick up conversations and follow and understand everything at school. I even got 100% in a maths test!

Ursulinenschule Hersel

Bornheim, Germany

Germany

‘My homestay family was bilingual so I could choose whether to speak English or practise my French communication. We decided to have “French” days on Wednesdays and Sundays, which gave me the opportunity to practise, and since being back at St Margaret’s, I’ve noticed that my French skills have definitely improved,’ Lucy said.

Aside from becoming adaptable, Lucy said she also gained greater independence and confidence while on exchange.

For Arabella Harris, attending Ursulinenschule Hersel in Germany, took her out of her comfort zone in more ways than one.

‘I did not know any German, so I quickly had to learn to speak some common phrases and develop my skills in communicating in another cultural environment. After being completely immersed in the language, I started to pick it up though.

South Africa

St Anne’s Diocesan College

Hilton, South Africa

St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls

Kloof, South Africa

Arabella said it was an amazing experience that gave her the chance to reflect on different cultures, different values and the fact there are many commonalities that connect people globally.

In 2022, Independent Schools Queensland CEO Chris Mountford said: ‘Global Citizenship Education is a crucial component of the Australian Curriculum, and students can only benefit further from understanding the importance of our place in the world, in Asia and the Pacific, about sustainability and the perspectives, history and cultures of our First Nations People.’

At St Margaret’s, developing our students as citizens of the world through international exchange has been a key focus, with 2022 marking the 22nd year the school has offered international exchange.

Japan

Konan Girls High School Kobe, Japan

New Zealand

The affiliate schools each have a very similar ethos and values to those at St Margaret’s, and together, all schools are committed to developing and inspiring citizens of the world through global exchange.

While on exchange, students live like a local, immersed in another culture and interacting with others from diverse backgrounds, all of which helps build their cross-cultural understanding. The reciprocal nature of our exchange program also benefits students at St Margaret’s with students all over the world bringing their unique cultural perspectives to the school community.

It’s also while students are discovering new and exciting environments that they develop important life skills including independence, confidence and improved communication and practical skills.

Ten independent schools compete in the Andrews Cup primary schools sports competition.