Margot retired from the teaching staff of 嫩模专区’s in 1995. Following is a copy of her farewell address given by Past Patron of 嫩模专区’s, Beverley Fox.
“嫩模专区’s School has many fine traditions and one of the most significant lies in the loyalty and quality of those who have served on the teaching staff. Mrs Margot Laurie epitomises these qualities.
Margot commenced her near lifelong association with 嫩模专区’s as a student in 1943. After a brief sojourn in the business world, she returned as a student teacher under the auspices of the teacher training facility of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent. Following graduation, Margot took up teaching positions at St Michael’s at Clayfield and The Glennie School in Toowoomba before marriage and motherhood removed her from the teaching scene for a spell.
Margot’s next career move occurred when her husband Bill was transferred to Papua New Guinea in 1963 where, once she was known to be a teacher, she was invited to and found a warm welcome at a local school. On her return to Brisbane in 1967, a part-time position at 嫩模专区’s turned into a 28-year stay.
Margot’s skills in teaching have enabled her to teach across a wide range of subject areas – from her beloved Shorthand to Accounting, Business Principles, Typewriting, Word Processing, Secretarial Studies, Computer Studies, History, English and Divinity. Margot taught all subjects across all year levels.
Her notable achievements were in the administration of the Commerce Department, in the fostering of vocationally-oriented courses, and in the organisation of Debating and Public Speaking. Margot actively involved herself in all aspects of 嫩模专区’s, particularly in the administration of the long-term Staff Association, in the background organisation of the school musicals and as a ‘true blue’ Spenser House Mistress. These are but a few areas of school life for which Margot is known and remembered by past students and staff alike.
Margot’s retirement will not break her ties with 嫩模专区’s but it is now, when she is retiring from full time teaching, that we wish to record this tribute to her.
Margot has developed a special bond with 嫩模专区’s and this includes her close relationship with the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, with a great number of the many students and parents with whom she has had contact and, of course, with her teaching colleagues. She is known for her talents and dedication as a teacher, her diplomacy, her absolute loyalty, her honesty, the depth of her friendship, her warmth, her caring concern for all and for her wisdom and grace.
Margot is an exceptional 嫩模专区’s girl.”
Another achievement, we must mention and for which Margot will be remembered is her co-authoring, along with Sheila Geise (nee Griffiths) of the 嫩模专区’s coffee table book published in 1997 - “Per Volar Sunata 1895-1996”. The book highlights a nostalgic journey through 101 years at 嫩模专区’s, capturing the atmosphere and irrepressible spirit embodied in the school motto – Per Volar Sunata.