We aspire to empower girls, for them to become women of influence who go on to make a positive difference to New Zealand, and the world.

It was a pleasure this week to attend the Women of Influence New Zealand (WOINZ) Speaker Series with four of our senior students. The WOINZ programme recognises and celebrates women from all walks of life who make a difference in the lives of everyday New Zealanders. The awards showcase the amazing work women are doing across the country, highlighting the important contribution they are making in creating a bold and diverse future for New Zealand.

Hilary Barry, Brodie Kane, Anna Wilcox and Jo Morgan all shared stories of grit, passion, and challenge that offered inspiration for all women present. The car on the way back to school was abuzz with takeaway messages that we could share with others.

There are thousands of stories of our St Margaret’s College alumni who have gone on to influence the world.

One of these women of influence who continues to have an impact on the creative world is Dame Edith Ngaio Marsh, #68 on the St Margaret’s College roll.

As her student number attests, Ngaio attended SMC in our very early days. From that early age, she was extremely active in theatrical and literary pursuits and in 1913, her final year at St Margaret’s, one of the plays she had written, ‘The Moon Princess’, was performed by her peers. I imagine this as an early version of our House Plays, with young women of the time in their gloves and tussores, supporting and encouraging one another.

Ngaio went on to study towards an Arts degree at the Canterbury College School of Art (now the University of Canterbury) and though the College was predominantly academically focused at that time, Ngaio’s creative mind shone through. Alongside her studies she continued writing articles, poems and stories – many of which were published in the Christchurch Sun.

After completing her first detective novel, ‘A man lay dead’, she gave a draft to Agatha Christie’s literary agent which resulted in the publication of her first novel. Between 1934 and 1982 Ngaio went on to write 32 detective stories.

She is the namesake of our own Ngaio Marsh Theatre here at SMC as well as the Ngaio Marsh Theatre in the University of Canterbury Students’ Association’s building. and.

Ngaio challenged the norm, was prepared to stand out from the crowd and inspired many to follow their passions.

I am confident we continue to empower exceptional women who will commit time and energy to create real change in their industry and communities, and will use their influence to achieve great things.