EXCELLENCE AWARDEE: Primary School of the Year - Non Government

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

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St Margaret’s holistic education supports primary students to flourish academically, physically, spiritually, socially and emotionally through evidence-based teaching programs, a wide range of extracurricular activities and student wellbeing programs. Differentiated teaching ensures all students experience challenges, success and improved learning. The Core Plus Cluster program sees students taught in their year level (Core) and within vertical groups, across year levels, based on like abilities and needs (Cluster). Data informs teaching and learning, with primary students’ achievements and abilities profiled and tracked through MAP Growth and CoGAT testing and triangulated with teachers’ results to ensure every student experiences growth and progress in their learning. Students enjoy access to specialist subject teachers (visual art, drama, HPE, Chinese, French, STEM) and facilities, including a state-of-the-art sports precinct and a dedicated Student Wellbeing Centre. They also enjoy access to 11 sports, interschool competitions and a wide range of clubs and activities where they can find their passions. Staff regularly engage in evidence-based professional learning opportunities to enhance their practice and impact student learning outcomes. NAPLAN results are reflective of St Margaret’s primary school’s high standards of teaching and learning, with students’ results consistently well above state and national averages against all measures.

As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls. At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish. Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability. We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.

Angela Drysdale has over 30 years’ experience in education and is St Margaret’s longest-serving Head of Primary, having spent over 22 years in this role. She leads the strategic direction of the primary school from Pre-Prep (Kindergarten), as its nominated supervisor, to Year 6, and is responsible for shaping the curriculum, student wellbeing and operations, and the overall delivery of educational programs. Angela is passionate about primary education, with a deep interest in early childhood education as it lays the foundation for future learning.

Head of Primary

Angela Drysdale

Kate Frewin has over 20 years’ experience in education. Since joining St Margaret’s in 2020, she has played an active role in enhancing teaching and learning across the primary school. Kate brings to her work a strong understanding of curriculum, pedagogy and contemporary learning practices, and is passionate about creating flexible, engaging learning opportunities that empower girls to develop the knowledge, skills, mindset and agency to thrive in our changing world.

Assistant Head of Primary – Curriculum

Kate Frewin

Angela Drysdale

Head of Primary

Kate Frewin

Assistant Head of Primary – Curriculum

Annette Box

Assistant Head of Primary – Wellbeing and Operations

Annette Box has over 20 years of experience as an educator teaching drama, dance, visual art, Japanese and English across primary and secondary contexts. She is a recent past president of Drama Queensland, the professional association of drama teachers, and in 2020 she was awarded a Women in Leadership Bursary by the National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ). Having taught in girls’ schools for 15 years, Annette is passionate about educating girls and helping them realise their full potential as engaged citizens and leaders of the future.

Assistant Head of Primary – Wellbeing and Operations

Annette Box