< Back to Blog

Founders' Commemoration Day 2023

image00011-3Last Friday, 17 November, staff, students, alumnae, parents and friends came together to mark the founding of our school with a tradition that dates back centuries.image00008-Nov-17-2023-07-38-29-4625-PM

Led by our two Head Girls Maddie and Muznah, over 700 students aged 7 to 18, including eight students dressed in traditional attire, processed from the Welsh Back to Bristol Cathedral for a special service. 

The day was originally called Founders’ Day; a Red Maids' School tradition to celebrate its founder, John Whitson. His crypt is in St Nicholas Church and every year our Head Girls lay a wreath on his tomb before proceeding through the city centre to the Cathedral.  

Students in the first few rows of the Senior School procession are dressed in traditional Red Maids’ boarder attire, a red cape and bonnet, which is a nod to Whitson, who as a merchant imported red dye to the city and on founding the school, said that the students should be 'apparelled in red'. 

In 2016 following the school’s merger with Redland High, Founder's Day became Founders' Commemoration Day, and the important occasion now recognises the founders of both our schools; Whitson, Reverends T G Rose and Urijah Thomas. 

 

It is always a wonderful occasion commemorating our pioneering founders. We are proud that hundreds of years on, we continue to celebrate them and realise their vision of offering an outstanding and forward-thinking education for girls.

A big thank you to all our parents, alumnae and friends who came to support us with our march; it was wonderful to have you join us for such a special morning.

To find out more about our school and how our distinguished history has shaped what we stand for today, please click HERE.

 
Date Posted: 22 November, 2023

Articles for: Junior Senior Sixth Form, Sixth Form, Senior, Junior

Proudly Celebrating 390 years at our Founders' Commemoration Day 2024

Proudly Celebrating 390 years at our Founders' Commemoration Day 2024

Date Posted: 19 November, 2024
On Friday 15 November 2024, we proudly marked our 390th anniversary, celebrating nearly four centuries as the oldest...
READ MORE
Erin pursues her interest in cyber technology  | Redmaids' High School

Erin pursues her interest in cyber technology | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 19 October, 2020
READ MORE
Year 5 Robotics Day | Redmaids' High School

Year 5 Robotics Day | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 27 November, 2019
READ MORE
Reading for charity  | Redmaids' High School

Reading for charity | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 22 April, 2021
READ MORE
The lower school take to the stage!

The lower school take to the stage!

Date Posted: 12 July, 2022
In June, audiences of staff, students and their families were treated to two nights of captivating performances in our...
READ MORE
National Children's Orchestra success for Elodie and Emilia

National Children's Orchestra success for Elodie and Emilia

Date Posted: 21 October, 2022
Congratulations to Emilia in Year 9 and Elodie in Year 6, who have just been awarded places on the National Children’s...
READ MORE
Rotary Young Musician Competition | Redmaids' High School

Rotary Young Musician Competition | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 10 February, 2020
READ MORE
National Success for the Chamber Choir  | Redmaids' High School

National Success for the Chamber Choir | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 10 May, 2018
READ MORE
National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain Success

National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain Success

Date Posted: 13 November, 2024
Elodie, in Year 8, has recently secured a position in the prestigious National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain....
READ MORE
Close Encounters reach final of the GSA Choir of the Year competition

Close Encounters reach final of the GSA Choir of the Year competition

Date Posted: 24 February, 2023
Fantastic success for our Close Encounters choir who recently found out that they have reached the final of the GSA...
READ MORE
A Weekend of Choral Success

A Weekend of Choral Success

Date Posted: 15 March, 2023
We had an absolutely phenomenal weekend of choral success and celebration.
READ MORE
Sporting success at the Lawns!

Sporting success at the Lawns!

Date Posted: 24 June, 2022
Students, staff and guests all enjoyed a wonderfully sunny, exciting and competitive first Sports Day at The Lawns on...
READ MORE
Running for heads and hearts  | Redmaids' High School

Running for heads and hearts | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 25 October, 2019
READ MORE
Our annual Culture Week

Our annual Culture Week

Date Posted: 28 November, 2024
This week, our school came alive with the vibrant colours, sounds and stories of Culture Week - our annual tradition...
READ MORE
Talented actress returns to school

Talented actress returns to school

Date Posted: 7 July, 2021
This week we welcomed alumna and actress Stephanie Houtman back to school.
READ MORE
Redmaids' High Chamber Choir crowned runners up in the GSA Choir of the Year competition.

Redmaids' High Chamber Choir crowned runners up in the GSA Choir of the Year competition.

Date Posted: 30 April, 2024
On Sunday, 28 April, our Chamber Choir travelled to Wimbledon High School to compete in the GSA Choir of the Year...
READ MORE
The class of 2020 rise to the challenge  | Redmaids' High School

The class of 2020 rise to the challenge | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 13 August, 2020
READ MORE
Celebrating creativity: Private View Exhibition & BS9 Arts Trail Event

Celebrating creativity: Private View Exhibition & BS9 Arts Trail Event

Date Posted: 27 May, 2022
This June we are celebrating creativity. On 16 June, our GCSE and A-Level students will be showcasing their work in a...
READ MORE
Singing Children of Africa Choir

Singing Children of Africa Choir

Date Posted: 13 October, 2023
We have had the most joyful and uplifting time with our new friends from the Singing Children of Africa choir today!...
READ MORE
Year 8 musician selected for National Children's Orchestra for second year in a row

Year 8 musician selected for National Children's Orchestra for second year in a row

Date Posted: 21 November, 2021
We wish Emilia in Year 8 a huge congratulations after she was successful in her application to join the National...
READ MORE
Click here to view all news articles