Objects of Substance- The Year 12 Badge

models. At this point in time, the Sixth Form were also often responsible for coaching, held office- bearing positions in clubs such as the Sports Club, and supervision of younger students. In 1978, naming of Year levels shifted from forms to years with the term Year 12 replacing Sixth Form. The Roman numeral VI badge remained for another three years and shifted to the current XII badge in 1981. Today, identification of the Year 12 student continues to be equally difficult but necessary. In a school with a population of more than 1400 students, recognising the Year 12 cohort can be a challenge. However, the responsibilities of a Year 12 student continue to reflect those who have gone before them. In 2015, as the Dean of School, I suggested to the Head Girls, Natalia Gulbransen-Diaz (2015) and Jacinta MacGinley (2015), that the responsibilities of Year 12 were significant and should not be taken lightly. Simply pinning on a badge was not enough. It seemed appropriate that, on receiving the Year 12 badge, each student should be required to make a conscious commitment to their leadership role by enunciating a solemn pledge to the School emphasising that every senior student has a responsible role. The Head Girls thought it was a worthy inclusion and with Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler’s, approval, the Student Council created the wording for such a pledge. The Year 12 badge, over the years, has become a gift given to each Year 12 student from the Parents and Friends Association and is presented by the P&F President at the first School assembly each year. As part of this presentation, the Year 12 cohort commit to the School by stating together:

With this badge, I accept the responsibility of being a school leader. With this responsibility, I will strive to be the best Grammar girl I can be.

Thus, by making this public statement to their fellow students and accepting and wearing the badge, each student elects to shoulder the responsibilities of a Grammar leader. This badge, so simple in design, is worn with pride and an understanding that it is a privilege to be embraced and not simply a right.

Mrs Pauline Harvey-Short (1971) Manager, School History and Culture