Each year, on the last Friday of November, students and staff enjoy a well-earned pause in the busy autumn term. This one-day holiday, unique to St Gabriel’s, offers everyone the chance to rest, reset and find a moment of calm before the countdown to Christmas begins.

The tradition is rooted in the life and legacy of Dame Betty Ridley, an extraordinary woman whose influence touched both the Church of England and St Gabriel’s itself. A lifelong advocate for the ordination of women, Dame Betty spent nearly five decades working—often quietly but tenaciously—for greater equality within the church. Born into a family steeped in faith, she grew into a pioneering leader, taking on significant roles within church governance and frequently becoming the first woman to do so. Her commitment was recognised in 1975 when she was awarded the title of Dame of the British Empire.

Her connection to St Gabriel’s was equally impactful. As a devoted school governor, she championed the wellbeing of our community and believed deeply in the importance of maintaining balance in life. To support this value, she left the school an endowment with a single, thoughtful stipulation: that St Gabriel’s should close for one day each year—the final Friday of November—to give students and staff the gift of time. A day to rest, to enjoy family, to prepare for the festive season, or simply to breathe.

Dame Betty Day remains a celebration not only of a much-loved tradition, but of the enduring values Dame Betty embodied: resilience, humility, generosity and the importance of stepping back to recharge. We are proud to honour her legacy again this year.

Dame Betty Ridley