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History and values
Our namesake
St Margaret, Patroness of Scotland
The College is named after St Margaret, Queen of Scotland. Born c.1047, she was the daughter of a Hungarian princess and an English prince. In 1070, Margaret married Malcolm III, King of Scotland.
Under the guidance of Lanfranc, a Benedictine monk who was Archbishop of Canterbury, Margaret reformed the church in Scotland and was known for her charity and work for the poor.
Margaret died in 1093 and was canonised by Pope Innocent IV in 1251. Pope Clement X made her patroness of Scotland. As charitable people of Scottish ancestry founded the College, it is easy to see why they named it after St Margaret.
Our history
Over 100 years of St Margaret's College
St Margaret's has a long and proud history as one of the oldest residential colleges in New Zealand. By 1911, the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches had established several colleges for male students at the University of Otago, but no accommodation was available for women. Identifying this need, a group of Presbyterian women established St Margaret’s College "for the glory of God and the promotion of His Kingdom, the advancement of sound learning, and the care and protection of women students."
The College housed some of the first New Zealand women university students. In 1981, the College became co-educational. Since these early beginnings, the College has kept abreast of educational and social needs and developed its facilities accordingly. Many of the College’s former members hold important positions in many locations around the world.
Altiora in votis
Set your heart on higher things
Our values
The four C's
In keeping with the principles that exist in most homes, we expect College members to moderate their behaviour per our four core values (the four Cs):
- Care: look after your own wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of those around you
- Courtesy: treat others respectfully like you would like to be treated
- Consideration: be aware of how your behaviour will affect others in the community
- Common sense: only do things that feel sensible, logical, and right
Our experience is that the regular exercise of the above four Cs helps to ensure the happiness, safety, and security of all members.