Matriculants Celebrate Their Final Goodbye with Shirt-Signing Ceremony
On this day, you’ll see matriculants in ink-stained white shirts, laughing, hugging, and writing messages to one another before heading into their last exams.
Matric final exams have kicked off across South Africa, and for many students, it’s the start of the end — the last stretch before life opens up beyond the school gates. But before they go, there’s the shirt-signing ritual to enjoy.
On the last day of school, white shirts turn into memory boards. Classmates grab permanent markers and start writing their names, goodbyes, and words of encouragement. It’s the closest thing we have to a yearbook.
For teachers, signing those shirts means something too. It’s a way to say, you’ve done well — now go on. They’ve watched these pupils walk in wide-eyed, and now they’re watching them leave, ready to face a world that’s bigger and harder but also full of promise.
By the end of the day, the shirt looks like a colourful mess — but to the student wearing it, it’s priceless.
For many, that signed shirt becomes a reminder of the people and memories that defined their school days. It’s the kind of keepsake that sits in a cupboard for years, pulled out occasionally to smile at how far you’ve come.
Not every student takes part. Some families prefer to pass the shirt on to younger siblings or donate it, understanding the value of clothing and the meaning of giving it a second life. This choice doesn’t lessen the tradition — it highlights another form of thoughtfulness in the final days of school.
What Can I Write On My Friends’ Shirts On The Last Day Of Exams?
Here’s some advice for what to write on your friends’ shirts on the last day of exams:
- Keep it personal: Include inside jokes or references that only your group would get. It makes the shirt feel meaningful.
- Highlight achievements: Celebrate surviving the exams, the year, or particular challenges you all overcame together.
- Use humour wisely: Funny or playful messages land well, but avoid anything that could embarrass or offend someone.
- Be positive: Focus on celebration, freedom, and looking forward rather than stress or complaining.
- Play with creativity: Try puns, rhymes, or clever wordplay that stands out visually.
- Include dates or class identifiers: This makes the shirt a keepsake of that moment in time.
- Make it readable: Short, bold, or simple designs are easier to see and remember.
- Show personality: Let the message reflect your group’s vibe—funny, silly, or clever.
Creative Ideas for Shirt-Signing Day
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