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A Monthly News Update From the St. Margaret's Campus
Vol. 6, No. 1 Tappahannock, Virginia, August 2003
CAPTAIN'S CORNER
Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,
As we put the final touches on our buildings and plans, many who spent the summer working, learning, and traveling are gathering on campus to exchange insights and ideas. We can't wait to add our students and families to these conversations! In a community as small and diverse as ours, where it is possible for everyone to be known and to know each other, opportunities for learning surround us. I am particularly proud of the range of life experiences and interests our faculty and staff bring to their positions. Here, each student can find mentors and role models. Perhaps it will be her advisor or her crew coach or her history teacher. Making connections through shared activities is an essential component of new learning.
As you read our newsletters, handbooks, and e-mails, it is clear that all of our programs begin with our mission: Educating Young Women for Life. Years ago, we defined the qualities, skills, and knowledge we value in our graduates and worked through every aspect of our program to be sure we provide opportunities for this essential learning. Each year, we look again at our programs as well as at the ever-changing world in which our students will live and work and use these investigations to refine how we live and learn together.
This summer, I traveled to Scotland (the photo above is me in St. Margaret's Chapel at Edinburgh Castle). I was fascinated to see our beliefs mirrored in "Five Competencies for the 21st Century," a presentation by Professor Louise Stoll of the University of London at The Sixth World Convention of the International Confederation of Principals. These competencies are:
 Learning
Citizenship
Relating to people
Managing situations and time
Managing information (making, managing, and sharing knowledge)
Consider the world events of the last two years and you will see that these competencies will certainly not replace reading, writing, and arithmetic. But without this next layer, the essential academic skills may never be effectively applied or appreciated. The closing sentence of our mission challenges our graduates to use what they know to make a better world. We want them to be ready to do just that!
This year, I encourage you to join us at every opportunity as we use our knowledge and skills to develop those of our students. This is an exciting life adventure and all of you-parents, graduates, friends, and neighbors-are valued partners. Welcome to the new school year!
Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School
COMPASS POINTS
Countdown to Success -
A Great School Year Starts Now
Prepare now for a great year...........
Weekend Wow! -
Weekend Program Takes On New Look
There's always something to do at St. Margaret's............
Learning for Life -
SMS Co-Curriculum "Educates for Life"
New co-curriculum tackles teen issues......
Parental Preview -
The First Month: What to Expect, How to Cope
Here's what to expect in the first month......
From the development Office -
Thank You for your Support!
Annual Fund exceeds goals..........
THE CURRENT
The lowest faculty turnover rate in years means that St. Margaret's students will be learning from adults they already know and trust in 2003-2004. At the same time, they'll benefit from the energy and enthusiasm of a few new teachers and staff.
Alexis Beattie, a 2003 graduate of Bryn Mawr College with a B.A. in mathematics, is teaching math and serving as a dorm parent in Anderton House.
Leslie McBride '95, a 2000 graduate of the College of Charleston with a B.A. in Spanish, will be teaching Spanish and working as a Latané Hall dorm parent.
In addition, recent Middlebury College graduate Harmony Button will serve as teaching intern and assistant crew coach. Ms. Button spent the summer teaching at Phillips Exeter Academy.
The St. Margaret's staff also has welcomed several new employees. Director of Annual Giving Jennifer Robertson comes to SMS from the Buckley School in New York City, where she was assistant to the headmaster. Ms. Robertson is a 1996 graduate of the College of Charleston. Assistant Director of Admission Kelli Austin is a 2003 graduate of Washington and Lee University, where she chaired the student admission society.
In addition, JoAnne Lee joined the Development Office in July as database and office manager. Water Lane neighbor Cookie Evans is the new morning receptionist.
THE FORECAST
Important Dates:
August
22-24 - Student leader retreat
24 - Day family event
25 - Invited athletes return
28 - New international students arrive
30 - Opening Day: all boarders arrive
31 - Orientation for boarding & day students
September
1 - Labor Day - classes begin
5 - River Day
5-7 - Closed weekend
12-14 - Closed weekend
Mark Your Calendar
You'll want to know about these special times in the life of St. Margaret's School.
River Run & Festival Fall Family Weekend
October 3-4, 2003
Atlanta Area Visits
October 2003
"First Steps" Luncheon
Learn how a boarding school benefits day students
October 14, 2003
DC Area Gathering - Charlotte Gathering
November 2003
St. Margaret's Day
November 16, 2003
Thanksgiving Break
November 22-December 1, 2003
Young Alumnae Luncheon
December 18, 2003
Christmas Break
December 20, 2003-January 6, 2004
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