Walking through the Marble Corridor as the morning light pours in, or when gazing up in awe at the St George’s Archway, you know that Cheltenham Ladies’ College is more than a school - it is a living, breathing landscape of history and community. Since joining, I have carried these scenes with me, and in 2023, I decided it was time we could all carry a piece of them with us.
I was thrilled to finally share this initiative that has been a true labour of love: a new line of CLC merchandise built around an original drawing that celebrated the architectural soul of our school. The design, which I sketched and refined, brings together the iconic Princess Hall, our majestic Marble Corridor, the historic St George’s Archway and the esteemed Council Room. I wanted to create something timeless that captured not just stone and glass, but the spirit alive within them.
This was not just an art project, it was a mission driven by three core beliefs:
First, to ignite our school spirit and strengthen our community. Wearing CLC quietly says we belong. Seeing a classmate with a CLC tote bag or a teacher with a CLC bottle is a small but powerful reminder that we are part of something special. It is from these small signals that we build pride and friendships that reach beyond lessons.
Second, to become ambassadors for our school. Every time a thermal bottle or a tote is carried through town, it tells a story about our community. It is even a gentle, constant advert for our culture and reputation. Even years from now, as members of Guild, I hope these pieces spark the same pride and keep us faithfully tethered to the halls where we grew.
Third, to give back. From day one, this initiative was about funding our future. I am pleased to confirm that all proceeds from the tote bags and bottles go directly to the CLC Bursary fund, and every purchase becomes a tangible investment in our ever-growing community.
Bringing this vision to life was humbling and formative in the best ways. I learned through action - researching and sourcing manufacturers, negotiating costs, and carefully funding a first run of click-to-open bottles and sturdy totes. With support from the Vice Principal, I discovered what it takes to shepherd a sketch into something real; attention to detail, quality control, and the immense patience are required to keep trying until you get a physical product you can hold in your hands.
There were moments of doubt, but the overwhelming support from our community kept me going. This project taught me more about entrepreneurship, resilience, and project management than I ever could have imagined.
When the first batch of boxes arrived, I saw the smiles that followed. This was never simply about bottles or bags. It was about belonging and carrying a shared CLC story into our ordinary days. Each piece is a small promise and my personal love letter to CLC: that what we learn here, the courage we gain here, and the friendships we forge here will always travel with us.
So as these designs leave the corridors that inspired them, I am so proud to share this with all of you and see our school spirit, quite literally, carried forward.
Kaitlyn, Marketing Prefect
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