Remembering Our Santa Maria College Alumni
We extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the following members of our Santa Maria alumni community who have recently passed away. May they rest in peace, and may their loved ones find comfort in the memories they shared.
Rae Cooper (Carroll, Class of 1943)
Rae passed away on 25 May.
Judith McLachlan (Schmidt, Class of 1946)
Judith passed away on 24 June.
June Shenton Turner (Shenton, Class of 1943)
Passed away late 2025
Please note: We have acknowledged the passing of alumni we have been notified about and recognise that there may be other members of our Santa Maria community whose passing has not come to our attention. If you know of the passing of a fellow past student, please let us know so we can honour their memory and extend our condolences to loved ones in future editions.
- alumni community, alumni memorial, Class of 1943, Class of 1946, in memoriam, Mercy community, remembering past students, Santa Maria College alumni, Santa Maria Community
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.
