Queen Margaret's School

10/09/2026

10/07/2026

It’s our week to be grateful! 🙏🥰

10/06/2026

What does it take to launch a successful business? For students in QMS’s brand-new Entrepreneurship Café course, the answer came through a hands-on experience that brought business and marketing concepts to life.

As part of the course, student teams took part in their own version of Dragon’s Den, pitching ideas for the name, branding and business model of the new student café. Students had the opportunity to think creatively, research their ideas, develop a brand and then present their vision to a panel of judges.

For Olivia W. (’27), the experience offered a valuable glimpse into the world she hopes to pursue after graduation. Olivia plans to study marketing in her post-secondary education, making the opportunity to put business and marketing concepts into practice particularly meaningful.

“It definitely gave me first-hand experience standing in front of powerful people judging my ideas,” Olivia says. “I have done plenty of public speaking before, but this is different from that, knowing they are directly paying attention to me and my proposal. Knowing I will probably need to do this a lot more during my post-secondary studies, it is surely an experience I can learn from.”

The experience also taught Olivia an important lesson about adaptability.

While her team faced the same challenges that can come with any group project, Olivia found that having a solid understanding of the material gave her the confidence to adapt when their presentation did not go exactly as planned.

“Being unprepared honestly taught me that sometimes, as long as you know what you’re talking about, the information just spills out,” she says. “Winging it can work if you at least know the content you are presenting.”

For Olivia, one of the most interesting parts of the project was exploring the role of marketing and branding in building a business. She deliberately focused her efforts on this aspect of the project, knowing it connected closely with her future interests.

“While researching, I actually found that even small things I didn’t think were marketing strategies were specific tactics used to target consumers,” Olivia says.

That discovery is exactly the kind of learning Entrepreneurship Café was designed to encourage: taking concepts beyond the classroom and giving students the opportunity to explore how they work in the real world.

Through the Dragon’s Den experience, Olivia gained more than a chance to pitch an idea. She developed greater confidence presenting her thinking, learned to adapt under pressure and gained a deeper understanding of the marketing strategies that influence how businesses connect with their customers.

For a student considering a future in marketing, it was a valuable opportunity to start building that experience now.

10/06/2026

This Week of Gratitude at QMS, we are celebrating the people who help make a difference in the lives of our students. Today, we are grateful for donors like Andrea, whose reason for giving comes from her own experience as a QMS parent.

“My name is Andrea, and I am a mum of an amazing girl who was fortunate enough to receive an incredible education here at QMS. It provided her with a tremendous, studious work ethic that she is successfully applying towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Science.”

Andrea worked hard as an Early Childhood Educator and also gave her time to the QMS community by volunteering at the school.

“I volunteered at the school to give thanks and become more involved in the school community. And it is with humble gratitude that I give thanks for the support and generosity from other community donors that ensured my daughter’s success to thrive and become a lifelong learner.”

Today, Andrea chooses to give monthly, helping create opportunities for another student to experience the same sense of support and possibility.

“This is why I choose to give what I can monthly; so that another deserving child can feel special and supported in their educational journey.”

During this Week of Gratitude, we are thankful for Andrea and for every donor who chooses to give back to QMS. Your generosity helps students feel supported, discover their potential and thrive on their own unique journey.

Thank you for helping grow a culture of generosity at QMS.

10/01/2026

Dear QMS Community,

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Dean Schneider.

Affectionately known to many in our community as Padre, French teacher, and occasional mischief maker, Dean was a cherished member of the QMS community for more than 20 years. His presence, humour, kindness, and unmistakable personality touched generations of students, colleagues, and families.

Following a debilitating stroke two years ago, Dean courageously navigated many challenges with remarkable strength. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening at Cairnsmore Place, surrounded by care and comfort.

When we were last able to speak with Dean, he asked about his colleagues and friends at QMS, wanting to know how everyone was doing. Even after all these years, his warmth and affection for the people who had been part of his QMS journey remained clear.

We were incredibly fortunate to have Dean as part of our community for so long. His legacy lives on in the many students he taught, the colleagues and friends who knew him, and the countless stories and memories he leaves behind.

A celebration of life for our friend Dean will be held later this fall, giving our community an opportunity to come together to remember, share stories, and celebrate the remarkable person he was. Details will be shared when they become available.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Dean’s family, friends, former colleagues, and all those in the QMS community who knew and loved him.

Dean will be deeply missed, and fondly remembered.

10/01/2026

What happens when one person’s idea inspires a whole community? This week at QMS, we saw just how much is possible through Tour de Rock.

Prefects, Olivia W. (’27) and Madison W. (’27), reflected on the Tour de Rock initiative and how incredible it is to see one person’s dream grow when others choose to join in.

From Civvies Day, Sundae sales and the Primary Book Sale to our 24-hour Cycle-A-Thon, students, families and staff found so many ways to support Tour de Rock.

On Tuesday, the Tour de Rock team rode onto campus, giving us the chance to celebrate what we accomplished together: more than $10,000 raised for Cops for Cancer and Camp Goodtimes.

Every donation, book purchased, sundae enjoyed and minute cycled helped make a difference.

Thank you, QMS, for coming together to support this incredible initiative.

09/30/2026

We stand united with the Indigenous peoples of Canada as we continue our shared journey toward truth and reconciliation.

Today, we pause to reflect, to listen, to learn, and to take meaningful action toward equality and understanding.

We are deeply grateful to our friends and neighbours of the Halalt First Nation for sharing their stories, songs, and dances with us. Your generosity, teachings, and traditions remind us of the importance of listening, learning, and walking together.

With respect, gratitude, and a commitment to reconciliation. 🧡