CAPTAIN'S CORNER

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 drama productions. Doesn’t this sound like a formula for high anxiety? And just as we are each tempted to pull away and place our personal priorities ahead of any responsibilities we might have to each other or our community, that other magic formula we call tradition kicks in and draws us back together again.

Fall Athletic Awards Luncheon. Spirit Week. Fine Arts Night. St. Margaret’s Day.

Traditions have their own energy. They remind us that we are stronger together than we are apart. Without ever telling us what they are doing, they refocus our thoughts and lead us toward loftier goals. 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 the deafening cheers of Blue-Grey games? Or when you are wearing pajamas to class during spirit week?

This morning, as I walked from St. Margaret’s Hall to St. John’s Church behind the bagpiper, the school banner, and our senior leaders, I could look back over the long line of students behind me and remember other years, other processions, other girls, 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 shining in the morning light, their kilts swinging as they walked, their voices rising and falling.

At lunch today in our riverfront dining room, looking out at what could have been a misty Scottish afternoon, we shared another tradition, Thanksgiving lunch. But today’s event was far more than a very good meal. I was grateful to be seated with my husband and parents, our school president, and our Foundation Board Chair, and surrounded by our community–faculty, staff, students, and friends–when Konst and Konstantina Konstantinov, our artists-in-residence, presented their gift to the school, my official portrait. Leading St. Margaret’s is an honor and a daily joy, and I’m thrilled to know that even when away from school I’ll be able to look out from my portrait and smile encouragement to the students as they go through St. Margaret’s Hall to class, so they’ll know that they are the reason for this school, our mission, and the traditions that unite us in community.

Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School

COMPASS POINTS

1 - Boarders return by 7 p.m.

6 - SATs

8-12 - Senior Bazaar

17 - Latin Chapel

18 - Advent Lessons & Carols, Young Alumnae Lunch

19 - Christmas Break begins at 2 p.m.

5 - Boarders return by 7 p.m.

9-11 - Closed weekend, Snow Ball

Honor your daughter or remember someone dear to you this holiday season with a gift to the SMS Annual Fund.

An ornament bearing your special person’s name will be displayed on the school Christmas tree in St. Margaret’s Hall throughout December.

Contact the Development Office at (804) 443-3357 or jroberts@sms.org for more information.