St Catherine’s College celebrated 35 departing residents across its UWA and Curtin campuses in Perth, recognising their achievements, leadership and contributions to College life as they joined the alumni community.
“Because I think the ordinary days are what I’ll miss most.”
For UWA valedictorian Alexis Mark, some of the best moments of College life were the spontaneous conversations with friends just down the hallway.
Alexis Mark delivers the valedictorian address at the 2026 St Catherine’s College UWA Valedictory Dinner.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at UWA
A Midsummer Night’s Dream set the theme for our UWA Valedictory Dinner, with the courtyard dressed in greenery and candlelight as we celebrated 21 departing residents and recognised this year’s major award recipients.
Delivering the valedictorian address, Alexis Mark reflected on arriving from Mount Barker in 2024, navigating a new city and learning to live away from home.
St Catherine’s College UWA courtyard decorated with lush greenery, hanging florals and candlelit tables for the 2026 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Valedictory Dinner.
Between formal halls, inter-college sport and conversations in the hallways, Alexis gradually found her feet. By her second year, she was helping new residents settle in as a Resident Assistant.
After two years as an RA, she was also completing her time as Vice President of the Residential Students’ Department (RSD). Her highlights included organising the RSD Ball, seeing residents enjoy events she had helped plan and a Battle of the Bands result she joked she was still processing.
“I’m leaving much more confident than when I arrived, and so many people here tonight have played a part in that.”
Alexis acknowledged the College staff and fellow residents who had supported her, including the RA teams of 2025 and 2026. For those continuing their time at College, she offered some advice, “…stay a little longer at dinner. Go along to the event. Knock on someone’s door and say yes to things.”
Celebrating beneath a shower of fireworks and confetti at the conclusion of St Catherine’s College’s 2026 Valedictory Dinner.
Our 2026 Valedicts
2026 UWA valedicts wearing academic gowns and sashes at St Catherine’s College’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Valedictory Dinner in Perth.
Alexis Mark, Anna Clayton, Arthur Dieusaert, Catherine Zhou, Christian Harris, Eva Matyear, Farnam Namvar, Kassidy Anderson, Kirttna Buvanesvaran, Leon Xu, Lily Adams, Lochlan Allan, Mia McClements, Nine Luijendijk, Orlando Jameson, Samuel Seah, Sarah Ngeow, Sharika Seneviratne, Tavisha Mohindra, Tegan Espinos and Thomas Lenette.
The dinners also recognised recipients of our College, academic and sporting awards.
UWA Major Award Recipients
Head of College Ashleigh Benadretti with the 2026 UWA College and Academic Award recipients.
College Awards
Fresher: Tilly McNulty
Citizen: Lily Adams
Collegian: Ethan Hancock
Academic Awards
First Year: Colin Ferreira
Second Year: Kai Xin Cheong
Third Year: Elena Latchem
Fourth Year: Josh Snow
Congratulations to all our UWA award recipients.
The Roaring Twenties at Curtin
At our Curtin campus, the glamour of the Roaring Twenties set the scene as we celebrated 14 valedicts and farewelled three exchange residents.
Resident Assistant Jacqueline Chu delivered the valedictorian speech, reflecting on life at St Catherine’s with humour, gratitude and a few memorable stories.
Curtin valedictorian and Resident Assistant Jacqueline Chu at St Catherine’s College’s 2026 Roaring Twenties Valedictory Dinner in Perth.
Having grown up in Hong Kong and completed her undergraduate studies in England, Jacqueline was familiar with adapting to different countries and cultures. Moving to Perth, however, brought some experiences she hadn't anticipated, from the quirks of communal living to making friends from around the world.
She opened her speech with Kaya, a Noongar greeting she had learned during her time in Western Australia.
“Through college events, I learned about Noongar culture, perspectives and the land we live on, and it changed how I saw this place.”
Jacqueline also spoke about her time as a Resident Assistant, the people she had worked alongside and the friendships she would take with her.
She encouraged her fellow valedicts to carry forward “curiosity, kindness and a willingness to give things a go.”
She ended with a wish that wherever life took them next, they would always have people they could call on when they needed help.
Our 2026 Curtin Valedicts
2026 Curtin valedicts and St Catherine’s College staff at the Roaring Twenties Valedictory Dinner in Perth.
Alexander Kuncoro, Andres Ignacio Armijo Cardemil, Antonio Morais, Benedict Sutjiatmadja, Beverly Wong Zhi Wei, Billy Drew, Faithe Poh Jia Xin, Jack Truglio, Jacqueline Chu, Kunal Puttappajaiah Brahmapal, Matthew Marston, Max Forbes, Nishil Alex and Phumulo Elias Mpofu.
We also extend our best wishes to Curtin exchange residents Ava Herbert, Lara Seidenabel and Matteo Schmitt.
Curtin Major Award Recipients
Major Award recipients at Valedictory Dinner.
College Awards
Fresher: Alicia Odgers
Citizen: Charli Windberg
Collegian: Jessica Collier
Sports Awards
Sportswoman: Laura Donachie
Sportsman: Angus Gibb
Congratulations to all our Curtin award recipients.
The evening also marked a farewell to Dean Rebecca Wood, with thanks for her dedication to the College and the residents she has supported.
Curtin Dean Rebecca Wood holding a bouquet of flowers alongside the 2026 Co-Presidents at St Catherine’s College Curtin Valedictory Dinner.
The evening also marked a farewell to Dean Rebecca Wood, with thanks for her dedication to the College and the residents she has supported.
Recognising our 2026 Award Recipients
The dinners also recognised recipients of our College, academic and sporting awards.
UWA Major Awards
College Awards
Fresher: Tilly McNulty
Citizen: Lily Adams
Collegian: Ethan Hancock
Academic Awards
First Year: Colin Ferreira
Second Year: Kai Xin Cheong
Third Year: Elena Latchem
Fourth Year: Josh Snow
Curtin Major Awards
College Awards
Fresher: Alicia Odgers
Citizen: Charli Windberg
Collegian: Jessica Collier
Sports Awards
Sportswoman: Laura Donachie
Sportsman: Angus Gibb
Congratulations to all our 2026 award recipients.
Congratulations to our 2026 Valedicts
St Catherine’s College UWA
Alexis Mark, Anna Clayton, Arthur Dieusaert, Catherine Zhou, Christian Harris, Eva Matyear, Farnam Namvar, Kassidy Anderson, Kirttna Buvanesvaran, Leon Xu, Lily Adams, Lochlan Allan, Mia McClements, Nine Luijendijk, Orlando Jameson, Samuel Seah, Sarah Ngeow, Sharika Seneviratne, Tavisha Mohindra, Tegan Espinos and Thomas Lenette.
St Catherine’s College Curtin
Alexander Kuncoro, Andres Ignacio Armijo Cardemil, Antonio Morais, Benedict Sutjiatmadja, Beverly Wong Zhi Wei, Billy Drew, Faithe Poh Jia Xin, Jack Truglio, Jacqueline Chu, Kunal Puttappajaiah Brahmapal, Matthew Marston, Max Forbes, Nishil Alex and Phumulo Elias Mpofu.
We also extend our best wishes to Curtin exchange residents Ava Herbert, Lara Seidenabel and Matteo Schmitt.
Staying Connected as Alumni
Valedictory marks the end of residential College life, but not the connection to St Catherine’s.
Our departing residents join generations of alumni who maintain friendships, return for reunions and remain involved in the College community.
To our 2026 valedicts, congratulations and thank you for everything you've brought to St Cat’s. We look forward to following your achievements and welcoming you back to College as alumni.
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