Two years ago, Emily C-S watched her older sister step onto the Cloisters Lawn to receive her ribbon at our beloved Year 11 Red Ribbon and Year 7 Badges Ceremony. “I remember thinking, ‘I can’t wait for that to happen for me, as it’s such a nice moment to signify moving into the senior years’,” the now-Year 11 student shared.

Today, the moment she had been waiting for finally arrived as Emily joined her classmates in receiving their red ribbons. The Year 11 Red Ribbon and Year 7 Badges Ceremony is a cherished and evolving tradition that marks both the beginning of our Year 11 students’ final two years of school and the official welcome of our Year 7s into the Senior School.

Looking back to when we were in Year 7, we’re so much closer now. I think we can say we’re all friends, so doing this together was really special.”

Georgia B (Year 11)

The red ribbon, worn by all Year 11 and 12 students, is an important rite of passage that symbolises leadership within our school community, while the St Catherine’s pin sits proudly at the centre of every Senior School uniform.

The ceremony is always a meaningful occasion for our girls, each for their own reasons. For Jamie M (Year 11), receiving her ribbon was the moment she truly felt like “a leader of the school” who could guide and support younger students, while for Maeve J and Audrey H (Year 11), it felt like a great opportunity to join with the Year 7 students and welcome them to Senior School. 

In true St Cath’s fashion, the event also highlighted the many connections already woven between our Year 11 and Year 7 cohorts. This year, four sibling pairs took part in the ceremony together.

“It was surreal to give my little sister, who is in Year 7, her badge,” Georgia B said. “It was also amazing to do this with my whole year group. Looking back to when we were in Year 7, we’re so much closer now. I think we can say we’re all friends, so doing this together was really special.”

Another special pairing was Edie M (Year 11) and Esther L (Year 7), who first met through Dance lessons. Both felt lucky to share this milestone. “We’ve known each other for years,” Edie said. “Now Esther’s here in the Senior School, and we got to take part in this together: it’s pretty special. It was surreal.”

Esther added that having Edie looking out for her has eased some of the nerves that come with starting Year 7. “It felt good to have someone I could go to for help and advice,” she said. Taking part in the Red Ribbon and Badges Ceremony made her even more excited to join the Senior School. “I feel excited to have the opportunity to be in Edie’s position in a few years and receive my red ribbon.”