Foundation Day 

The Girton Grammar School community came together at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Friday 3 May to celebrate a momentous occasion, the 140th anniversary of Girton College's foundation. The Foundation Day service provided an opportunity to reflect on the school's rich history and honour the founders who laid the groundwork for the school we know today.

In her speech, our Principal, Dr Emma O'Rielly, touched on the incredible journey of Girton College. She highlighted the progressive aims of its founders, Mrs Marian Aherne and Miss Alice Hill (later Mrs Millward), who established the school in 1884 with the bold aim of providing girls in the region with access to a university-level education. Despite the various obstacles faced by the school in its early years, Girton College flourished thanks to the school community's resilience, collaboration and shared vision of excellence.

We would like to express our gratitude to our School Chaplain, Reverend Karen Reid, for leading us in prayer during the Foundation Day service, and to the Music Department for providing the beautiful music that added to the atmosphere of the event. We are grateful to all the students and staff who performed as part of the school's orchestras and choirs for helping to make the evening so memorable.

The Foundation Day Service was a poignant reminder of the rich history and enduring legacy of Girton College, which the founders of Girton Grammar thankfully preserved for a new generation of students and educators. As we reflect on the past and look towards the future, we continue to be inspired by the spirit of our founders and the values that have shaped Girton for 140 years. 

Per Aspera Ad Astra

A recording of the 2024 Foundation Day service is available on YouTube.