For the past week, I have been thinking about the traditions we have as a school and how the chapel often plays a significant role

in them. Two traditions that come to mind are the administration of sacraments, such as Baptism and Confirmation, and Eucharist Services, including Old Girls’ Day, which begins with a celebration of the Eucharist. Last week, we included a Baptism in the Senior Primary half-term Eucharist service with two families joining us for the service.

We are a school that values celebration. When we celebrate, we create traditions.

The Baptism made me think about how school and family traditions often meet in St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association (SMOGS). A fun part of Old Girls’ Day celebrations is meeting families who are all Old Girls or have a daughter currently enrolled at St Mary’s. In some families there are three or more generations of Old Girls, most of whom have marked important life events, such as Confirmation or First Holy Communion, at school. There is also a sense of continuity. We have teachers who remember teaching the mothers of current pupils in the school.

The administration of sacraments reminds us of the basics of our Christian faith as a school. SMOGS has a way of keeping us true to ourselves - a school that values community. I think we can all agree that when we speak of tradition, we are not advocating for the worship of ashes but the preservation of fire.