Where Memories Are Made – The Year 12 Alfresco Area

November 21, 2024

This week marked the much-anticipated opening of the alfresco area, an annual tradition that holds a special place in the hearts of our Year 12 students. For the graduating class of 2025, this moment symbolises the beginning of their final year at Santa Maria College, a year filled with growth, milestones, and cherished memories.

The alfresco area has been thoughtfully designed as a dedicated space for our Year 12s, providing them with a comfortable and vibrant environment to connect, relax, and study. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are strengthened, and countless moments of laughter and reflection are shared.

The 2025 Student Executive Team shared their thoughts on this space.

What are some ways you plan to use the alfresco area to unwind, recharge, or collaborate?

The alfresco area is an open outdoor space for us to unwind and recharge. By sitting with our peers, making cups of tea or microwave popcorn, we can take a little time for ourselves in a space with amazing facilities and plenty of space to sit and relax. Personally, I plan to use it as a space to eat and relax my mind about anything school-related. Similarly, this shared space offers many opportunities to collaborate with people across the entire year group. Joining new groups to sit and chat and make new memories in the alfresco area is how I hope to collaborate with the other girls in the year group. Annika, Head Girl

How does having access to this space help balance the challenges of being in your final year of school?

“The alfresco area is an incredible space that brings us all together, breaking down the barriers of our separate groups. It is the perfect spot for our entire cohort to unite during the day, creating opportunities to connect and strengthen our bonds. This space reminds us to fully embrace our final year at school, celebrate our friendships, and make the most of every moment with our peers.” Scarlett, Deputy Head Girl

What kind of atmosphere do you hope to create for your peers in the alfresco area?

We hope to create a fun, vibrant atmosphere where all our Year 12 peers feel welcome and comfortable. We hope that the alfresco area is a space that encourages connection, relaxation, and laughter and a place where everyone feels included and valued. Addison, Head Boarder

What does the alfresco area mean to you as Year 12 students, and why is it such a special privilege?

The alfresco area is a special privilege for Year 12s. It symbolises the hard work we have put in throughout high school and provides a unique place to bond, create memories, and celebrate our achievements as we prepare for the future. Clancy, Deputy Head Boarder

Lisa Taylor, Dean of Year 11, shared, “By providing our Year 12s with their own space, we are acknowledging the importance of their final year and their role as the leaders of our College. We respect them as emerging young adults, and thus, this space provides an area for them to unwind, socialise and be together as a year group.”

We hope this space becomes a sanctuary for the 2025 cohort, supporting them through both the challenges and celebrations that lie ahead in their senior year.

AlfrescoArea, ClassOf2025, SantaMariaCollege, SchoolTraditions, studentwellbeing, Year12, Year12Traditions

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.