Vol. 12, No. 4 Tappahannock, Virginia, November 2009

Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,

November: the end of the longest number of uninterrupted weeks in the entire school year, the beginning of first trimester exams, the conclusion of sports seasons, art projects, and long-term assignments. Doesn’t this sound like cause for celebration? We thought so and what lovely celebrations we’ve enjoyed!

Fall Athletic Awards Breakfast - Spirit Week – Fine Arts’ Night - St. Margaret’s Day

Traditions have their own energy. They allow us to honor individual gifts as they unite us around shared goals. They remind us of how much more we achieve together. They are doing, they refocus our thoughts and lead us beyond our community to share our gifts. Together we can feed the hungry by joining our efforts to those of our parish church. Together we honor athletes who have learned to be teams. Together we clean our river for future generations to enjoy. Traditions also have a way of drawing us out of ourselves and keeping us from taking ourselves too seriously! Can you take yourself seriously when your face is painted blue and you are surrounded by deafening cheers during blue-grey games? Or when you are wearing pajamas to class during spirit week?

This perfect fall morning, as I walked from St. Margaret’s Hall to St. John’s Church behind the bagpiper, the school banner, and our school president, I could look back over the long line of students behind me and think of all the girls I’ve led in two decades of processions, all joined by this tradition that stretches even further back to tie us to Queen Margaret of Scotland. And, yes, I could also remember their faces painted, their kilts swinging, their voices cheering.

At lunch today in our riverfront dining room, looking out at what could have been a sparkling Scottish loch, we shared another tradition, Thanksgiving lunch. But, today’s event was far more than a very good meal. Today, our chaplain, Dr. J surprised us with a beautiful cake honoring the 20th anniversary of my installation as head of St. Margaret’s School. In the words inscribed on the cake, we saw our calling – We grow in grace. I was grateful to be seated with my husband, dear friends, a board member, and two students, and surrounded by our community – faculty, staff, students, and friends. Leading St. Margaret’s is an honor and a daily joy. In this season of Thanksgiving, I give thanks for this privilege and for each of you.

Thank you for our years together. I look forward to many more!

Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School



 

First trimester artists:
Fall Fine Arts Show......

Spanish classes host special chapel:
Day of the Dead Chapel......

Refelctions at Thanksgiving:
I am Thankful to St. Margaret’s For......

The Feast of St. Margaret's:
SMS Celebrates St. Margaret’s Day......

My River Views:
Features SMS Parents Troy and Greer Silliman......

Did you know! • The Feast of St. Margaret is celebrated on Nov 16, the anniversary of her death. She died three days after her husband, some say of a broken heart. • Queen Margaret was probably born in Hungary c. 1045 • Queen Margaret was canonized by Pope Innocent IV in 1251 • All eight of Margaret’s children were given Anglo-Saxon rather than Gaelic names. • Three of Queen Margaret’s sons—Edgar, Alexander I, and David I—became King of Scotland. David I, the youngest, ruled Scotland for nearly thirty years. Her daughter, Matilda became Queen of England as the wife of King Stephen. Her other daughter, Mary, married the Count of Boulogne.

Alumnae Association Upcoming Events Your event calendar is at www.sms.org/alumcalendar