Miss Andrews, the Lady Warden at the time, explained that the red girdle would be awarded to “all girls who reach a sufficiently good standard of deportment. This includes smartness at drill, quietness when moving around the house, personal neatness, and general good conduct.” By the 21 st century, there was a growing belief that neatness, courtesy, and a well-presented appearance should be standard expectations rather than rewarded. The award was also criticised for being subjective, as its criteria were not easily measurable. The matter was discussed at all levels, including the College Board and Old Girls, and the red girdle was abolished in May 2017.
