Christmas in July: Celebrating Faith and Friendship with Aquinas

August 1, 2024

Santa Maria College is delighted to share the heartwarming experience of our recent Christmas in July Liturgy and dinner with our brother school, Aquinas. This event, held across the two campuses, showcased the strong bond between our schools and was a celebration of faith, friendship, and festive cheer.

A Festive Evening of Faith

On Sunday evening, our Years 7 – 9 boarders hosted the Aquinas boys at Santa Maria, while our Years 10 – 12 students joined the festivities at Aquinas. The theme was Christmas in July, and the joy of seeing everyone dressed in Christmas-themed costumes added a unique touch to the evening. Head Boarder Annie remarked on the festive atmosphere, noting, “The Christmas in July liturgy and dinner was held for the first time this year. It was a great initiative from the Aquinas catering team, with delicious Christmas-themed dinner and desserts to finish off the evening.”

Strengthening Bonds Through Shared Traditions

The evening was a testament to the close-knit relationship that has developed between Santa Maria and Aquinas over the years. Our Year 9s led a beautiful liturgy in our Chapel, while the senior boarding leaders from both schools led the Liturgy at Aquinas. Deputy Head Boarder, Maya highlighted the importance of these shared experiences, saying, “Sharing Liturgies and dinners together over the years has meant we have all become a very close-knit group of friends with the Aquinas boys. We all look forward to occasions like these, catching up with our friends.

Special Moments for Year 12s

For our Year 12 students, this event held special significance as it marked their final Mass and dinner together with Aquinas. Maya reflected on the occasion, saying, “Christmas in July was particularly special as it is our last Mass and dinner together as Year 12s. I particularly enjoyed dressing up with the Aquinas boys. We have many themed dinners at Santa Maria, but it’s something that the Aquinas boys don’t get to do as often.”

A Feast to Remember

The culinary delights of the evening were a highlight, thanks to the efforts of the Aquinas and Santa Maria catering staff. At Santa Maria, the boarders enjoyed a traditional Christmas feast of roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, and roast vegetables, followed by a choice of steamed pudding and custard or pavlova and ice cream.

This Christmas in July event beautifully encapsulated the spirit of community and belonging that is at the heart of Santa Maria College. It was an evening of celebration, connection, and cherished memories, reinforcing the strong ties between our schools and the values we hold dear.

Aquinas College, Boarding, Boarding School Life, Faith, Featured

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.