1875

Miss Johanne Lohse begins teaching in Christchurch and establishes her first school, Matlock Bank, on Middleton Road, Riccarton. In 1880, Miss Lohse purchases 265, later 28, Armagh Street, named Oldenburg House.

1890

Oldenburg House is sold to Miss Annette Croasdaile Bowen, widow of Archdeacon Bowen. Her school becomes known throughout New Zealand for its high standard of teaching of languages.  

1896

Sister Etheleen travels to New Zealand with Sister Geraldine to establish their first New Zealand School, St Hilda’s in Dunedin. She remains the Provincial Head of both St Hilda’s in Dunedin and St Margaret’s until 1930.

1906

Bishop Churchill Julius speaks at the Anglican Synod of the need for a Diocesan school for girls in Christchurch, with most girls at that time being sent to either the Convent or schools outside the province, notably St Hilda’s.

1909

Bishop Julius reports at the Synod that the Mother Superior in London has advised that her Sisters are to leave London on 15 October. Sister Winifred arrives in New Zealand on 7 December. She is to become the Headmistress of St Margaret’s for the next 18 years. 

1910

On 8 February, the Kilburn Sisters open St Margaret’s College at 28 Armagh Street. Sister Blanche is the first Sister in Charge. Bishop Julius addresses the girls at the opening service of the school declaring that “without education you may as well be cabbages in the back garden”.

1912

Sister Blanche departs St Margaret’s and Sister Annie arrives to replace Sister Blanche as Sister-in-Charge.  

1913

On 16 October, the foundation stone is laid for a new school at Cranmer Square. 

1914

On 10 June, St Margaret’s opens at Cranmer Square. The school motto appears above the front door of the school: “Beate Mundo Corde” (Blessed are the pure in heart).

1916

On 25 October, at a dance given by the present girls for the Old Girls, a meeting is called and an official Old Girls’ Association is formed. Rules are drawn up, functions arranged, including tennis parties, and a games committee is formed.

1918

Sister Catherine organises a soup kitchen during the influenza epidemic.

1919

A new boarding house opens at 82 Bealey Avenue, referred to as both Bealey House and St Catherine’s.

1920

The Armagh Street school is sold, and becomes Dunelm, a boys' preparatory school.

1921

St Margaret’s is registered as a Primary and Secondary School under Section 133 of the Education Act 1914. 

1921

On 10 March, Mrs Elworthy’s property at 71 Papanui Road is acquired by the Diocesan Synod and a lease is arranged with the Sisters for five years, to establish a boarding house.

1921

The School House system is established - Rātā, Rimu, Kōwhai, Konini and Matipo - named after New Zealand native trees.  

1927

Little St Margaret’s Preparatory School opens at 89 Papanui Road.

1930

Having decided that the Sisters can no longer be spared for work in New Zealand, the Mother Church in England recalls them to England. The Diocesan Board of Education takes over the school from the Sisters, and Mrs. M C Tolley is appointed Acting Headmistress.

1931

Mrs Stephanie Young is appointed Headmistress.

1933

Red sports blazers are introduced for games colours, and record scrolls are introduced for sports, handed to each girl who places first or second in athletics.

1935

The Synod entrusts the educational activities of the Diocesan Board to separate boards and the Board of Governors is established, chaired by Bishop West-Watson, with Dean Julius as Vice-Chairman. 

1935

The St Margaret’s uniform changes to green and silver to distinguish itself from the many other schools that had red and blue as their colours.  

1937

The School Council is formed comprising prefects, house captains, form ordelies, and a special representative elected from each form.

1939

On 28 March, the swimming pool is opened. 

1939

The Old Girls’ annual golf match is launched at Russley Golf Club.

1940

On 14 August, Parents’ Day, the St Margaret’s College Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) is formed.

1941

71 Papanui Road is named Kilburn House. Rolleston Hospital is acquired and converted to Julius House for boarders.

1941

Junior students move to open-air classrooms on Papanui Road.

1942

The Old Girls’ Association establishes an Endowment Fund whereby a substantial sum comes to the College every six years.

1943

A candle-lighting service becomes part of St Margaret’s Day celebrations.

1945

Galwey House, 5 Cranmer Square, is acquired as a boarding house. 

1947

The Old Girls’ Association Scholarship is created, to to be awarded to the daughter of a member of the Association.

1947

St Margaret’s combines with Christ’s College for the first time for a performance of the Anthem, And the Glory of the Lord from Handel’s Messiah.

1949

Miss Jean Crosher is appointed Headmistress, serving as Headmistress for 15 years.

1951

The Myers’ Cup for Public Speaking is held for the first time.

1955

The foundation stone for a new school is laid in Shrewsbury Street, before Governor-General Sir Willoughby Norrie.

1956

The St Margaret’s College Trust Board is established.

1956

The Trust Board purchases Kilburn House.

1959

The new school is opened by His Excellency, the Governor-General Viscount Cobham.

1959

Winter Quadrangular Tournaments begin between St Margaret’s, St Hilda’s, Craighead and Rangi-Ruru. 

1960

St Margaret’s Golden Jubilee is celebrated. 

1960

Summer Quadrangular Tournaments begin between St Margaret’s, St Hilda’s, Craighead and Rangi-Ruru.

1963

A St Margaret’s College Endowment Fund is established with the signing of the Trust Deed.

1964

Miss Molly Mullan is appointed Headmistress.

1965

61 Papanui Road is acquired and becomes known as Warren House. On 4 September the house is blessed by Bishop Warren.

1966

The Stephanie Young Wing opens. 

1967

The Winchester Street gates are donated by the Old Girls’ Association. 

1968

Victory Memorial School in Springfield Road is taken over St Margaret’s and becomes the new Primary School. 

1970

Paterson Lodge is acquired from Balmoral Forest and relocated in the Waimakariri Basin. It is opened on 29 November and named after the Chairman of the Board, C.L. Paterson.

1973

By 1973 the Debutante Ball is being phased out and an informal ball is held for school leavers, their parents and friends.

1973

A sixth School House is introduced - Mānuka - with the house colour of white.

1973

Cranmer Square is formed, comprising of Old Girls who spent their school days at Cranmer Square.

1974

Julius House is renovated. 

1975

The major Jubilee Project of a School Chapel is launched.

1976

The Old Girls’ Association’s Noleine Vale Scholarship Fund is established.

1977

Doctor Vernon Griffiths presents the College with a setting of the Holy Communion Service he had written several years before. He also wrote Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis which he also presented to the school.

1978

On 24 February, the Molly Mullan Wing opens.

1979

A J Emmerson is appointed Headmistress.

1980

The First Classroom Block is renamed the Jean Crosher Wing. 

1981

Miss Cynthia H Blair is appointed Headmistress.