During the first full school Chapel of the year, Principal Nicole Billante and Rev Simon McLeay welcomed our newest students to Iona College with the formal blessing and presentation of their Celtic Cross school badges.

The tradition of presenting each girl with her school badge upon beginning her journey at Iona is significant and dates back to the College’s foundation in 1914.

The silver Celtic Cross badge is a symbol of welcome and belonging—an embrace of each Iona Girl into the ‘Iona family.’ It serves as a connection to the College’s rich history and the generations of students who have gone before, as well as a link to those who will come in the future. Engraved with the year of arrival, the badge not only identifies each student as an Iona Girl but also as a member of the ‘Class of 2025,’ cementing connections with others in their year group.

Girls, treasure your badges, wear them on your uniforms with pride, and may you be blessed with love, joy, and peace.

Special Character is at the heart of life at Iona College, and we love seeing our students engage in Special Character events. In 2025, we will hold two full school chapel services each week, ensuring all students can participate. These services will take place in The Blyth Performing Arts Centre. Junior Chapels will then be held in the College Chapel on Thursdays, while Senior Chapels will take place there on Fridays. We hope to bring a more contemporary feel to The Blyth Chapel services while maintaining a more traditional service in St Martin’s College Chapel.

Article added: Wednesday 12 February 2025