Months of planning, weeks of anticipation, hours of beautifying. One night, but a memory of a lifetime.
Friday 16th February 2018 saw the arrival of one of the most incredible nights of a Year 12 student’s School career, the Year 12 Ball. With the hour drawing near the transformations began, as students and their dates ditched School dresses for beautiful ball gowns and the boys, their School shirts for suave suits. It was amazing to see the assortment of different styles and how each outfit perfectly complimented their individual personalities. It was incredible to see every face, with a smile from ear to ear.
This year’s Ball was again, held at the Joondalup Resort. A generously sized venue with absolutely breathtaking sunset views. As students and their dates began to arrive and after numerous photos were taken we descended from the resort’s courtyard and into the foyer. It was here we were greeted by delicious mocktails, but more importantly by our teachers, who had also ‘dressed to the nines’ for the special occasion. We took this opportunity to mingle, gushing over each other’s outfits, giddy as we knew the night was only just beginning.
As the teachers began to line the entrance to the function room, creating an honour guard, a great wave of eagerness washed over the room. For many, it was to be the first time they lay eyes on the finished product, the culmination of the months of planning undertaken by the Ball Committee, expertly led by Ms Marwick and Mrs Barber. As the students moved along the line leading into the room, shaking the hands of their teachers they were transported, from Joondalup Resort into ‘The Secret Garden’.
Through the grand entrance, an archway interwoven with greenery, the venue, originally a blank canvas lay before us, now, a dreamscape of flowers and fairy lights. A large light box sat front and centre of the room, ‘2018’ spelt out in large floral numbers, an incredible focal point and a photo opportunity not to be missed. The beauty was truly in the subtle details of the night a large floral chandelier in the centre of the room, hand-made place cards elegantly stamped and succulents, a small memento of the night offering all who attended a small part of the secret garden which they could treasure for the years to come. To the Ball Committee, Mrs Barber and Ms Marwick; your dedication to the night was incredible and we appreciate it more than you can imagine.
I know personally, one of the reasons I enjoyed the night so thoroughly was because I was surrounded by some of my favourite people in the whole world; my cherished friends and mentors. It was a night I will never forget and one I will be forever thankful for.
Written by Chloe Saunders