Educating Girls Globally

Educating Girls Globally (EGG) is St Margaret’s College’s own charity, dedicated to increasing the standard of, and access to, girls’ education worldwide.

EGG's Mission

Established in 2013 in the spirit of St Margaret’s founding value of Dedication to a Higher Purpose, EGG is led by our students. For more than a decade, EGG has helped thousands of girls to access education, both directly and indirectly, locally and globally.

EGG's Vision

EGG is rooted in the belief that education has the power to transform lives. Since its founding in 2013, by the College’s then Head and Deputy Head Prefects Gussie Cohen and Lucy Tothill, EGG has united students to raise vital funding and make a tangible impact on girls and young women.

When girls receive education, the benefits ripple through their communities, improving health outcomes, reducing domestic and sexual violence, fostering socio-economic growth, and breaking the cycle of poverty. The vision of EGG is to empower young women through education, granting them independence and the agency to shape their own futures.

EGG's Impact

Since its inception, successive EGG committees have achieved the following:

$130,000+ raised for a range of local and global charities
Completed infrastructure projects at girls’ schools in Malawi, including the construction of security walls, bathroom facilities, and a boarding house accommodating over 60 girls, thereby ensuring a safer and more accessible learning environment
Fundraising for Dzaleka and Palestine Refugee Camps, ensuring that girls in the most vulnerable circumstances can access education
Throughout the year, students bake and sell treats in support of Full Bellies, as well as helping to prepare lunch bags for distribution
Handcrafting and selling bracelets during lunchtime workshops, with proceeds going to the charities selected by the EGG Committee.

Leadership and Governance

Students in Year 11-13 are invited to join the EGG Committee. Led by our current Head and Deputy Head Prefect, the committee is responsible for organising fundraising events and initiatives, including a biannual EGGstravaganza where our staff bravely take to the stage, mentored by our students. The Committee also plan school and community events, and act as ambassadors for the charity, encouraging students throughout our College to advocate for all girls to have access to education.

The committee is mentored by Executive Principal Diana Patchett and supported by staff members throughout the College.

Founders Gussie Cohen and Lucy Tothill remained actively connected to the charity as Trustees for a decade before transferring governance back to St Margaret’s. Diana Patchett, Director of Community Relations Jane Lougher, and Foundation Manager Erin Reeve currently serve as the Trustees of EGG.

The 2025 EGG Committee

The 2026 Committee is continuing EGG’s mission to advocate for girls’ education and raise funds for important causes. through initiatives such as the movie nights and baking drives.

This year, the EGG Committee has chosen to support Child Cancer Foundation NZ, Christchurch Aunties, and Girl Rising, as well as DignityNZ and Tepesua.

Child Cancer Foundation NZ

Child Cancer Foundation is a New Zealand based charity that helps to support the families and children that have been affected by cancer at a young age. The charity helps families at a time where treatments is the highest priority, allowing these families in giving love and support to their children. In many cases, cancer has the ability to affect not just the individual, but also their wider support system.

Child Cancer works into our EGG mission statement as it supports children in providing educational opportunities, when often school may come second to immediate health needs.

Christchurch Aunties

Christchurch Aunties is a New Zealand-based network that supports women and children who have experienced domestic violence. By providing essential items and support, the organisation helps create a safe and nurturing environment for affected families.

Christchurch Aunties is a network of over 6,500 individuals supporting women and children in Christchurch, Ashburton, and the Waimakariri and Selwyn districts who have experienced family violence or displacement. While its primary focus is on immediate needs, its support indirectly contributes to girls’ education by stabilising their home environment, allowing girls to attend and focus on school.

Girl Rising

Girl Rising is a non profit organisation which supports girls education across the world. Through the use of storytelling they spread awareness about girls lacking education. Girl Rising supports children, teachers and families to widen their opportunities that other girls receive in different countries.

Girl Rising’s mission is to educate young girls and boys about gender equity so they can reach their full potential. They believe through using storytelling, they can educate young people to help them overcome their challenges such as poverty, climate change and gender equality.

DignityNZ

Dignity’s mission is to make period products accessible to everyone who needs them, ensuring young women do not miss out on work, education, sport, or life in general. Dignity partners with businesses to help set up their workplaces with period products. It then gifts the equivalent number of free products to youth and community groups, education providers, and food banks to ensure those who cannot afford these essential items receive the support they deserve.

Tepesua

Tepesua Community Based Organization was founded in 2015 by Ms. Hellen Nkuraiya in Kenya. It was formed with the aim of promoting education, empowering women, and supporting community development. It operates educational institutions including Tepesua School and Enkiteng Lepa School, Tepesua Cultural Eco Camp, and a village for widows and vulnerable women.

Women and girls are empowered through beadwork, crocheting, sewing, permaculture farming, and livestock ownership.

Currently, a third of the pupils at Enkiteng Lepa School are sponsored by the charity’s partners, two thirds by Ms. Hellen Nkuraiya, and the remainder supported by their own families.

Find out more about how our students are making a positive difference.

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