Vol. 12, No. 1 Tappahannock, Virginia, August 2009

Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,

Is there a moment more universally anticipated than the first day of a new school year? I have always loved the possibilities this new beginning holds, both for the newest members of our community and for those who have made their lives here on the banks of the Rappahannock River. Anchored by traditions, inspired by opportunities, each of us will plot our course for the year, knowing we will be enriched, supported, challenged, and rewarded.

How blessed we are to be St. Margaret’s School! From the outside we may look like a small school tucked away in a quiet corner of Virginia, but step across the threshold and you will quickly see that we have looked forward and outward. Here, over time, we have taken our original mission - an education just for girls with commitments to the values of honor, faith, service, personal growth, and leadership – and given form to our beliefs in integrated programs that carry our students from arrival day through the rest of their lives. So many elements that research has recently substantiated have always been part of the St. Margaret’s experience:

The benefits of girls’ only education evidenced by the federal approval for single sex classes in public schools and the establishment of girls’ leadership academies around the world; Teamwork as a life skill, learned in athletics, leadership, and service, valued by today’s employers in every field and used by young entrepreneurs to change our thinking about how we can make a positive impact on our world; The central importance of honesty and trust at the very deepest level of each individual’s soul, so lacking in the lives of those whose decisions have had such a devastating economic impact around the world;

The significant advantages enjoyed by girls from girls’ schools as they make the high school to college transition documented in UCLA’s peer reviewed study;

Long before Thomas Friedman declared, The World is Flat, we reached out to gather a globally diverse group of girls here in this corner of Virginia, knowing that in stretching to understand those whose lives have been different from our own we learn more about ourselves. We also created minimester programs with a global reach and formal links to other St. Margaret’s Schools around the world. We are thrilled that this year’s School President will bring what she learned at Queen Margaret College in New Zealand to her leadership this year.

And, yes, I’ve saved the best for last – this wonderful faculty, all with a passion for this mission, a wealth of experience, and a deep commitment to all that it means to live and work in our close community. Together, we look forward to creating an education for life for today’s students and to sharing this year with them and with you.

Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School


 

Building the St. Margaret’s Community:
A Well Planned Approach......

After School Activities:
Musical Ensemble Added to After School Activity Offerings......

Building Our Teams:
Scotties in Sports......

My River Views:
features Kendra Ganser in Malawi......

Alumnae:
Alumnae Association Upcoming Events........

Did you know That 9,099.7 miles separate the homes of the student who lives the furthest from campus from the student who lives the closest? The student who traveled the furthest to St. Margaret’s this year came over 9,100 miles from Can Tho, Vietnam while the student with the shortest commute comes from just up the road, 0.3 miles away! Regardless of distance traveled, all St. Margaret’s students find a “home” here on the Rappahannock. Welcome home, Scotties!

Alumnae Association Upcoming Events Your event calendar is at www.sms.org/alumcalendar
Tuesday, September 15: Alumnae Board meets in Richmond Friday October 16: Fall Family Weekend Crafts Festival Saturday, October 17: River Run 8 am - Pre-Registration online $15 On the day registration $20 between 7:00 and 7:45 am Wednesday, October 28: Golden Thistle Luncheon: Westminster Canterbury, 1600 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond VA - noon	Sunday, November 15: Invited to St. Margaret’s Day Tuesday, November 17: Alumnae Council Meeting and Gathering Wednesday, January 6: Young Alumnae Day at St. Margaret’s Saturday, February 20: Alumnae Association Meeting and Luncheon in Richmond, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Alumnae Association Upcoming Events
	The Craft Festival is held on Friday, October 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in front of Brockenbrough House on the St. Margaret’s School campus.
The 3 mile River Run takes place on Saturday, October 17 at 8:00 a.m. Race-day registration $20 from 7:00 to 7:45 a.m. in front of SMS Hall Pre-register for $15 at www.sms.org/run