From the President – August 2026
Welcome to my August report.
Having written a longer report last month, inclusive of a piece on community and values, and also having spent considerable time today on what I call “behind the scenes” SMC work, this report will be brief.
We are facing an unusually full calendar for the rest of the year.
Our next Old Girls’ Association Committee meeting will be held on Monday 3 August. Our agenda will include discussion of the following:-
The Pleiades Gathering will be held at SMC on 19 August 2026. I fully described this event in my last report, but it will centre on showcasing the new Cultural Centre to representatives from other independent Perth schools, and allow all attendees to discuss aspects of strengthening and sustaining alumni relationships.
The inaugural joint Santa Maria and Aquinas social event is scheduled to be held on 18 September 2026. Work to finalise the details of this event can now progress, given that the Cultural Centre opening is behind us. Please do earmark the date of the Aquinas/SMC event in your diaries, and support it by registering once registration opens.
The annual Golden Girls’ lunch is scheduled to be held on Saturday 31 October 2026. This event has proven to be a favourite annual event for those who have left the school at least 50 years ago. The Class of 1976 will be welcomed for the first time.
Given all the above, there will be no movie night organised this year.
That’s it for August!
Warm regards
Mary Heavens | President, Old Girls’ Association
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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.
Coming Home – Alumni Celebrate the Cultural Centre
Santa Maria College alumni gathered to celebrate the opening of the College’s new Cultural Centre, reconnecting with classmates and celebrating the role of the arts in the community. The evening featured performances by current students and a 42-member Alumni Choir, highlighting the lifelong connections and shared experiences that continue to bring Old Girls back to the College.
From the President – August 2026
The August 2026 Old Girls’ Association President’s Report provides an update on upcoming meetings and alumni activities at Santa Maria College. President Mary Heavens outlines plans for the Pleiades Gathering, the inaugural Santa Maria College and Aquinas social event, and the Golden Girls’ lunch welcoming the Class of 1976.
Sophia, Building Beauty, Confidence and a Business
Santa Maria past student Sophia Whimp (2022) has built a successful home beauty business by combining creativity, resilience and a commitment to authentic client relationships. In this Q&A, she reflects on the lessons she learned at school, the challenges of starting a business at a young age, and the advice she has for students hoping to turn their passion into a career.
