This year's ball theme for Western Heights High School senior students summoned up images of elegance and romance which set the tone for the evening.
With this year being the 50th jubilee for the school, the ball committee worked extremely hard to make the event another highlight for a special year.
Thecommittee began planning, working and fundraising in April and were busy right up until the night of the ball, which was held July 31 at the Energy Events Centre.
Planning a ball is done mainly by students under the direction of a couple of teachers. Although there was a ball committee, as many students as possible were encouraged to get involved.
One of the night's highlights was the superb Arc de Triomphe, which was built as the main entry to the venue by students Caitlyn Fielder, Robbie Whyte and Phillip Clarke.
Guests entered the ball through the arch and were greeted with chocolate from the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and then met by Year 9 students dressed as French mime performers who showed them to their tables. Inside the venue, a large Eiffel Towerthat extended to the ceiling was covered in fairy lights while a video showed Paris by night.
The placemats, menu cards and other dinner settings were designed by Hannah Lyons to reflect the monuments of Paris at night. Reed Fleming organised a great display of lighting and did a live broadcast of the arrivals. More than 400 students attended the ball.
There were many awards given on the evening thanks to the generosity of local businesses.
Michael Kippax was awarded King of the Ball and Queen went to Marna Claasen. Ihaia Ryan was awarded Prince and Alayna Powely won Princess.
Best Entry went to Olivia Boos who arrived on a white horse.
Other amazing entries included a horse and carriage and a huge truck decorated with an Eiffel Tower. All of the students were stunning in their formal suits and exquisite dresses and it was great to have so many parents there to watch the students arrive.
Although it took a huge amount of organisation, the night made it all worthwhile.