Foundation Day Service

Our Foundation Day Service is a key event that unites the Girton community to reflect on our origins, uphold our values and foster a strong sense of belonging, and is compulsory for students in Years 3–12.

Date: Friday 15 May 2026

Time: 5:30pm arrival for students, concluding at 7:00pm

Venue: Sacred Heart Cathedral

In exceptional circumstances, families may apply for a student exemption:

• Please submit the Exemption Request Form by Friday 8 May
• Submission does not guarantee approval
• Requests will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis and notified of the outcome by Head of Junior School, Mr Don Thompson or Head of Character and Culture (Senior School), Mr Marcus Smalley.

Parents and Carers are invited to attend

For parents and carers, seating at the Cathedral is limited due to safety regulations. Tickets are first‑come, first‑served with a maximum of two tickets per family available free via TryBooking.

If you missed out on the first ticket release, second tickets will be released on Monday 11 May at 4:00pm. On the day, tickets are often released from families who cannot attend. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your tickets via TryBooking so another family can attend. Students do not require tickets.

Parents and carers are asked to be seated by 5:50pm for a 6:00pm start.

Live-streaming available for remote viewing

The service will be live‑streamed for families to watch remotely. Click here to watch: Girton Grammar Foundation Day 2026

School uniform requirements

Students must wear items from the Formal Uniform Suite and should be presented immaculately.

• Years 6–12: Blazers required.
• Junior School: Burgundy jumper required.

After‑school supervision 

After-school supervision is available for Senior School students remaining on campus.

• Registration required via the Registration Form by Friday 8 May.
• Supervision details:
  • 3:30pm: Students report to the Naunton Family Building Lecture Theatre
  • A movie will be shown with staff supervision
  • Approx. 5:00pm: Students will be escorted to the Cathedral by a staff member.

Student arrival and departure guidance

Junior School (Years 3–6)

Arrival

• Students will be advised of their drop-off point following choir rehearsal on the day of the service. 
• Students to arrive by 5:30pm so that they are seated by 5:40pm

Departure

• Parents and carers must sign students out with a Junior School staff member inside the Cathedral at 7:00pm

Senior School (Years 7–12)

Arrival – Student Musicians

• Arrive by 5:20pm and report to House Assembly area for roll marking (see map below)
• Proceed to designated area inside

Arrival – All Other Students

• Arrive by 5:30pm and report to House Assembly area for roll marking (see map below)
• Students will enter the Cathedral and proceed to designated seating with their Head of House

Departure - all students

• Parents and carers are asked to collect students promptly at 7:00pm with students permitted to depart the cathedral to meet their families.
• As it will be busy outside the Cathedral at this time, please remind children to take care when crossing the road - students must use the traffic lights when crossing High Street. 

We look forward to welcoming students, parents and carers to this important occasion as we gather in the magnificent Sacred Heart Cathedral to honour our School’s rich history and the enduring values that continue to shape our community.