This selection has been made after receiving feedback from teaching colleagues, students and parents and careful consideration from the selection committee.

We know the critical role that excellent teaching has on the educational outcomes of our students and Margaret exemplifies the characteristics of an excellent practitioner. She is an excellent communicator, displays empathy, inspires her students, collaborates well with her colleagues and is culturally aware.

Margaret joined the Scots College staff in 2016 as our Head of Science. She is a committed and passionate Chemistry teacher who encourages students to study Science to the highest level through her scholarship tutorials. She is seen by her department as an excellent role model and thus it is no surprise that the Science department operates at a very high level.
Margaret is also responsible for our Able and Ambitious academic extension programme throughout the Middle and Senior Schools and this year also was acting Assistant Principal in the Middle School when a colleague was on sabbatical.

The following are a selection of the comments made in her nominations:

Ms Sutton is the best teacher I have this year and probably one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. I love her passion for science and she is an inspiration for young women in science, showing us that we can understand and enjoy the subject and it can take us places outside of school. Ms Sutton’s teaching style works so well for me and helps me understand and retain the information she teaches as she always tells us what is the most important things to know and how we can remember.

Miss Sutton is passionate, and pursues extension opportunities for students to engage with Chemistry outside of the class - Extremely well regarded by students.

Consistently teaches and leads other staff at the highest end of professionalism and has done repeatedly year after year for her tenure at Scots College.

She is one of the most quick-witted people I know, she can comprehend a situation, request or need and respond in a very constructive way. Others’ progress and finding their needs met are always at the forefront of her decision-making.

She is extremely nice and friendly.

Margaret is a wonderful example to our entire community and thoroughly deserves this accolade, thus it is our pleasure to present her with the Korowai and pounamu that accompany this award.