Standing here at St Margaret’s School, can you imagine the echoes of laughter and learning that have filled these halls since 1926? St Margaret’s School is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place where young minds blossom.
St Margaret’s School began as an affiliate of the Presbyterian Church. It started in the manse of the Toorak Presbyterian Church. With only 18 pupils it was a humble beginning. In 1927 St Margaret’s School moved to Mayfield Avenue in Malvern. Then, in 1931, it leased the former Governor’s residence, Stonington. By the 1930s, the school had grown to 330 pupils.
Let’s jump ahead a few years. In 1929, the Berwick Presbyterian Girls’ School was purchased. This became a branch of St Margaret’s School in 1930. It even had a purpose-built boarding house called Campbell House.
Did you know St Margaret’s School was once owned by its principal? Dora Gipson sold it to the parents and Old Girls in 1947. She needed to retire due to illness. The school was incorporated in 1948. The first Council was established then too. For many years it operated as a rural boarding school until 1978.
Now let’s fast forward to the 21st century. In 2006, St Margaret’s School Council decided to create a brother school. This school opened in 2009 and was named Berwick Grammar School. It was for boys in Years 7 to 12. The two schools, St Margaret’s and Berwick Grammar School, formally joined together in 2021. They became known as St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar.
St Margaret’s School campus is here in Berwick. The boys’ campus is in Officer. The school has a non-selective enrollment policy. There are many students here. As of December 2024, there were 876 students from Pre-Prep to Year 12. St Margaret’s School has 535 girls and 341 boys. A large percentage of students come from diverse backgrounds. Around 69 percent of the student body speaks a language other than English at home.
St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar is known for its sports achievements. The school is a member of Girls Sport Victoria and Southern Independent Schools. St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar has won several GSV premierships. These include cricket in 2013 and netball in 2001. They also won softball in 2014, 2018 and 2019. The school won tennis in 2014. They also won volleyball in 2018. The school has also won SIS senior premierships. These include basketball in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. They also won soccer in 2016.
Many notable people attended St Margaret’s School. Jennifer Byrne is a journalist, broadcaster, and TV presenter. Rosalie Ham is a novelist. She wrote The Dressmaker. Alison Lester is an author and illustrator of children’s books. Sue Maslin produced the film The Dressmaker. Breann Moody and Celine Moody both play AFLW for the Carlton Football Club. Janette Robyn Heather McMaster was the Executive Director of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. Laetisha Scanlan is an athlete. She won a gold medal in sport shooting at the Commonwealth Games.
As you stand here, remember the journey of St Margaret’s School. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a leading educational institution, the school has a rich history. St Margaret’s School continues to inspire and empower students. It prepares them to make their mark on the world.