The Red Ribbon Ceremony is a much-loved St Cath’s tradition that marks the start of our Year 11 students’ final two years of school.

The red ribbon is worn by our Years 11 and 12 students and is an important right of passage in establishing the girls as leaders of our school community. This year, we invited our Year 7 students to present the Year 11s with their ribbons alongside P&F representative, Mrs Catherine Hufton.

As a K-12 school, we are always looking for ways for our students to experience our traditions at different points in their schooling with us. In four years, as our current Year 7s prepare for their own Red Ribbon Ceremony, they will remember standing on tiptoe on the Cloisters Lawn, tying ribbons into the hair of the impossibly tall senior girls.

It feels really good knowing that the younger girls can now look up to us and we can guide them. — Jazlyn M (Year 11)

One such student was Bella T (Year 7), who was lucky enough to present her sister Eva with her red ribbon. The sisters were overjoyed to be experiencing this wonderful milestone together, sharing playful banter about how to tie a bow. Eva T (Year 11) added that she was thrilled to step “into the responsibility of being a senior” with her sister by her side.

Others in Year 11 were surprised to have reached this milestone so soon. “We’re proper seniors now. It’s a bit scary,” Gina K revealed. But she was quick to add that she is looking forward to “stepping into a leadership role” and becoming a role model for the younger girls. With a bright future ahead, we can’t wait to see our Year 11 students shine in their final two years with us.