Last Friday we recognised fifteen Year 13 students achieving one of the highest awards at St Margaret’s, Honours in Arts, Sport or Academic. This award requires a great deal of work, consistent effort, the highest achievement in their given area and service to the school community from Year 9 onwards.

The girls are awarded their ‘Red Blazer’ and the different areas are identified by the braid sewn on the sleeve - silver for academic, green for sport and gold for arts.

Sport, Arts and Academic each have their own criteria although the common factors for all are the incredibly high standards of achievement and service. SMC places significant value in giving back to others and the inclusion of many hours of service in these awards is a testament to this importance. In the academic area, the girls need to earn points which are gained from a wide range of areas, for instance, getting a silver tie, Gold Bars for achievement, High Distinctions in ICAS and similar exams, or national awards in writing, Brain Bee and Math Olympiad for example. It is not however, an award in one of these, but four, so this can take several years for a student to reach this outcome. Sport is an accumulation of high-level achievements along with service to SMC Sport. Criteria can include but are not limited to, gaining a national title, Canterbury representation at the highest level available to secondary school students along with significant results at national or international tournaments. Consideration is given to the different codes who all have very different participation numbers, competitions and pathways.

The Arts are recognised in the areas of music, dance, oratory, drama, visual art and technical. Regional and national achievements are a requirement, and qualifications gained through examinations such as ATCL or equivalent from the NZ Speech Board, Trinity College and the Royal Schools of Music, Royal Academy of Dance, British Ballet Organisation or similar, or placings in national competitions or groups along with commitment to the arts from Year 9 through participation in co-curricular groups, school events and leadership initiatives, all contribute. Once again, as with the other two areas, service to others is a key aspect of this recognition.

All award applications go through a strict assessment process and are approved for final recommendation by a group of people in the school invested in the area, before final acceptance from the Executive Principal.

On Friday, I used Margaret Thatcher’s quote ‘One only gets to the top rung of the ladder by steadily climbing up one at a time, and suddenly all sorts of powers, all sorts of abilities become within your own possibility’. This exemplifies the time, effort and energy that has gone into these girls’ achievements. These role models have taken one step at a time and over an extended period and achieved great heights, which initially may have seemed out of reach. They are a small group of Honours recipients currently at school but the tradition and their values have earned them a place in a small group in the School’s history, and the respect of those many still to earn this award in the future.

As with such awards, success is not theirs alone. Families, many who attended the awards were recognized for their support. The same thanks were shared with the teachers for their tireless support, inspiration and flexibility is support these girls’ individual needs. The girls’ peers were also recognised; we are so lucky at SMC that outstanding achievement is both supported and encouraged by the student body, a key enabler for such accolades.

The Combined Honours Assembly is always held near the start of Term 2 for Year 13 students. Each area has its own subsequent awards assembly for other year groups as well as Year 13s. We look forward to welcoming more of our SMC girls who are currently working hard, to this group recognised for outstanding achievement. 

(NB: More detailed information is available on Insite/Students/Awards Criteria and Information)