2022 Founders' Commemoration Day

On Friday 18 November 2022, staff, students, alumnae, and parents marked the founding of our school with a tradition that dates back to the 1790s.

Led by the Head Girls Emma and Poppy, over 700 students aged 7 to 18 processed from the Welsh Back to Bristol Cathedral for a special service celebrating the founders of The Red Maids' School and Redland High School, John Whitson and Reverends T G Rose and Urijah Thomas.

The service was led by The Rev’d Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol and included readings from The Legend of Good Women by Geoffrey Chaucer, Proverbs 4, verses 5 to 13, James 3 verses 13 to 18, and 1 Corinthians 13 verses 1 to 13 ‘The Way of Love.’

Accompanied by musicians and the Senior School Chamber Choir, the whole school community stood to sing God is our Strength and Refuge, the Te Deum, And did those feet (Jerusalem) and How Shall I Sing that Majesty.

The service finished with the sunlight pouring through the magnificent stained-glass windows as the congregation stood once more to sing the school song.

Founders’ Commemoration Day is an important event for current and previous students and attracts many people including alumnae, parents, and members of the public each year who line the route to watch this historic occasion. It is a day that allows us to reflect on the vision of our Founders' and their passion for girls education and presents an opportunity to come together as a community. 

To find out more about Redmaids' High and how our distinguished history has shaped what we stand for today, come and visit us.