SMC Leavers' Ring Legacy

In 1941, the tradition of the Annual Ball began, with graduating old girls being presented as debutantes to the Bishop. In 1973, this transformed into the slightly less formal Leaver’s Ball, which the Year 13 leavers will celebrate this coming December.

The Leavers ring is a reasonably new addition to these traditions. In 1996, then Old Girls’ Committee President (1996-99) Rosemary Branthwaite(Woods) became aware of our sister school, St Hilda’s Collegiate in Dunedin, offering a leavers ring. Rosemary recalls, “I really liked this concept as a beautiful reminder for the girls of their time at St Margaret’s College and a way for them to keep connected.” 

Christchurch company Curtis Jewellers was approached, and SMC had a leavers ring, initially in silver; now, a gold option is available. Rosemary says, “They proved very popular with the girls and parents, and they felt it was a way to commemorate their final academic year.  It also can represent the accomplishments and memories of a student’s education.” 

The leavers' ring has become an important part of the alumnae connection, “A friend messaged me recently and said she saw one on a girl up at the cafe at the Cardrona Ski field and ended up having a lovely chat with her, finding out she had taught her years ago.“

In 2011, the rules were changed so the girls could wear their rings during their last year after the formal presentation on September 3. Among the recipients this year will be Rosemary’s granddaughter, Georgia Marchant, “I am proud to have been a part of the leaver’s ring legacy from the initial stages, of something that will remain forever as part of the school. We are now in the second and sometimes third generation of girls who can receive rings.”