To most, the Blue Bell at Meriden is just a landmark. It is the centrepiece of our Bell Garden or a link to the Bluebell Café. To visitors, it’s a novelty to be rung out of curiosity. As any Meriden girl knows, our daily routine doesn’t require bells.

The historic bell that features in our garden symbolises far more than its original purpose intended. While visitors might ring it casually, if you look closely enough when its sound unexpectedly echoes across campus, you will notice the students’ ears perk up and staff body language stiffen slightly. This is because it is not a bell for casual ringing.

What makes that sound so significant?

Its modern significance dates back to 2010. Our triumphant Tildesley Tennis team had just returned to the Senior School campus after winning the championship for the very first time. Driven by sheer celebration and wanting to capture the attention of a school deep in the final lesson of the day, the team, led by coach Ross Anton, did what no other Meriden students had done in a very long time.

They rang the bell.

That single moment redefined a tradition. Today, when our girls work tirelessly and humbly to achieve the unthinkable, whether in Sport, Performing Arts, or any other cocurricular space, we ring the bell.

We ring it to acknowledge greatness.

We ring it to celebrate our students in front of their community.

We don’t do it to boast, but to take genuine pride in the sheer enormity of the hard work that goes into such achievements.

Next Monday after assembly, we look forward to ringing the bell once more to celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of this Term.

Key Reminders

• Return to School: Students return to School on Tuesday, 21 July (Week 1A). Term 3 cocurricular will begin in week 1 and registrations will roll over, unless it is a Term-based program.
• Uniform Shop – Holiday Trading Hours:
  • Friday 26 June: Last day of trading for Term 2
  • Wednesday 15 July: Shop reopens for regular trading (Monday to Friday, 7.45am- 5.15pm)
• Blazer Pocket Submission for all year groups: Pockets will be announced on Monday 22 June. Before submitting your daughter’s blazer, please ensure:
  • The blazer is clean and freshly presented (orders cannot be processed otherwise)
  • The completed Pocket order form is placed inside the internal blazer pocket
  • All pockets are emptied of personal items
  • All badges have been removed
• Blazer Pocket Submission dates: Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24 June, outside the Recital Room at recess and lunch. No late submissions will be able to be processed. Please note that families may choose to defer pocket embroidery and arrange for this to be completed at a later time. Please send all pocket enquiries directly to Mr Richard Hughes (Dean of Student Involvement) rhughes@meriden.nsw.edu.au who would be happy to assist.

I wish all our families a restful holiday break. We look forward to seeing the students return refreshed and ready for Term 3.