Year 5 Semester 2 SMP Leaders

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We would like to thank and acknowledge our Semester 2 Junior School Year 5 Student Mentoring Programme Leaders: Sam Ronan, Ella Childs, Alex Goldsworthy, Sienna Peters,Jemimah Trott, Marco Rayner and Ben Chisholm.

Their contribution and friendly smiles each morning throughout terms 3 and 4 has been invaluable to the efficient daily workings of our programme. Thank you for assisting us and displaying initiative and wonderful leadership skill throughout your time in SMP.

Nadia Berezansky and I would personally like to thank and wish all our SMP students, mentors and families within our Mercedes College community a Blessed and Merry Christmas. We are incredibly grateful for the support and love shown to us throughout this year.

Cathy Cronin
SMP Coordinator

Strings Attached

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One necessity on the path to becoming a proficient musician is to devote oneself to practise. The rewards and joy that music can bring rely on this important step.

Robin Pratt hosted a guitar recital for his students in the Drama Centre on Friday 1 December 2017. Students from across the Junior School, Middle School, and Senior School demonstrated their talents on a range of guitars, and the audience was treated to rock, pop, and traditional tunes.

It was evident how much the students had improved over a year of practice and many were brimming with confidence and in their element, standing before the audience. It is delightful to watch a young musician so engrossed in musical performance that they seem almost unaware of their surroundings.

Robin Pratt is one of many dedicated Instrumental Tutors at Mercedes College. If your child is considering taking up an instrument in 2018, or joining an ensemble, more information can be found on the College website.

In other string news, the Year 2 students were measured for their orchestral string instruments this term. The current Year 3 cohort gave presentations and a brief performance on their instrument to entice the Year 2 students to nominate their preferred instrument. Thank you to Emma Woolcock (Violin Tutor), Joseph Freer (Cello Tutor), and Robin Pratt (Guitar Tutor) for leading these presentations.

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Congratulations Ada Parker-Minniecon

Congratulations to Ada Parker-Minniecon who has successfully auditioned for Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide. She has been accepted into a performance degree, and we look forward to hearing great things about her music career in the future.

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A Message about the Certificate II Music Industry Course

Daniel Young in Year 10 has just completed his Certificate II course while also juggling his school commitments. He had this to say about his experience:

As a person who loves all things music, I felt this year that I needed to venture out further into the industry to start getting an idea of where my passion for music can take me in the future. I was lucky enough to come across an enrolment form for Certificate 2 Music Industry Technology. This was to be a yearlong course that explains the ins and outs of music production, recording, performance set up, and more.

The highlight of this course for me was learning to become more confident in my abilities because what I have learned from this course is that if you can’t trust yourself, you will not get anywhere. Performing various tasks such as setting up for gigs and band performances has helped to reinforce that confidence, allowing me to be able to rely on my own abilities to get what I want done. This, coupled with a great sense of group unity and awesome music-making, was what I most enjoyed about my course.

Daniel Young

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Junior School Musicians

Year 5 students finished their PYP on a high note. Last Wednesday 29 November, Rebecca Pfitzner led an ensemble of singers, guitarists, and percussionists through an epic graduation song in Gleeson Hall. Rebecca had this to say about the event:

Year 5 students performed Another one Graduates to the well-known tune, Another one bites the dust by Queen. Their performance was a culmination of the skills they have learned throughout the year and during their time in the Junior School. Students performed on bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drum kit, marimba, vocals, and also assisted in writing some of the song lyrics. It was an engaging and enthusiastic performance to celebrate their time in the Junior School and progression into the Middle school, and a fitting ending to the Graduation service.

Rebecca Pfitzner
PYP Music Teacher

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Preparing for 2018

Enrolments for instrumental lessons and music ensembles were due on 27 November 2017. You will be contacted by one of our friendly instrumental tutors during January 2018 to inform you about your child’s lesson time and you may liaise directly with that tutor to clarify any requirements prior to the start of lessons.

If you have any specific enquiries about your music account or the music ensembles please do not hesitate to contact the Coordinator of Instrumental Music, Samantha Taylor by email.

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Finale

As I write the final article for the year, I reflect upon the many wonderful experiences I have had with the students and staff over the past twelve months. The end of any chapter brings with it a mixture of emotions, and the conclusion of this year is particularly emotional for me.

I am at the end of my tenure as Coordinator of Music and Performance. In order to keep giving my best to my students, I have opted for some time away from the classroom to invest in my creativity and professional development. Therefore, I am taking twelve months’ leave to pursue creative endeavours in 2018. I thank Peter Daw for supporting my request, allowing me to balance being a performing arts practitioner and a teacher.

Few understand the pressures that teachers face, and I work with very dedicated people who give a lot to their roles. So this is farewell, for now, to the Mercedes College community. I thank the families who have supported the music programmes and attended the many performances over the years. I have had many memorable years here and it has been a privilege to be a part of so many students’ lives, and witness their development.

Jennifer Trijo
Coordinator of Music and Performance R – 12

See You in 2018

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support during this year. I am definitely noticing a special culture developing amongst the Mercedes College girls in regards to their enthusiasm in getting involved in College sport.

I wish you and your families a safe and relaxing Christmas break and I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year – 2018!

Please note that there were no play offs In Term 4 due to the short season. Therefore the premiership table displays how the teams performed during the term. A reminder that Premiership tables for Term 4 can be found here. 

Summer Sport nominations should have been completed on the online nomination form that was emailed to you. If you did not complete this, please email me as soon as possible letting me know what sport your daughter is interested in (water polo, volleyball, basketball, swimming, touch, softball, and tennis). Knockout sports will also go ahead next year, and more information will be provided in 2018. Football trials will occur in the final weeks of Term 1.

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Individual Sporting Achievements

Zoe Venning (Year 8), Isobel Dyson (Year 9), and Sarah Stewart (Year 10) travelled to Queensland to represent South Australia in the National Indoor Netball Championships. Zoe was in the 14 and under team and made the semi finals. Isobel and Sarah were in the 16 and under team and were successful in taking out the Championship, defeating Queensland in the Grand Final in the 7-a-side competition.

They came runners up in the 6-a-side competition.

Please continue to inform me of individual and team sporting achievements. The College community would love to celebrate these success stories.

Jessica Fanto 
8 - 12 Girls' Sports Coordinator 

Last Reunions of 2018

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On Saturday 18 November old scholars from The Class of 1987 celebrated their 30 Year Reunion with a school tour followed by cocktail food and drinks at The Robin Hood Hotel.

A number of old scholars travelled from interstate for the reunion and we were also delighted to welcome past principal Chris McCabe and past staff members John Fanning and Lyn Martin.

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1950s and 60s Old Scholar Christmas Lunch

On Monday 4 December old scholars from the 1950s and 60s held a Christmas lunch at Scuzzi Restaurant in North Adelaide. The ladies had a wonderful time and were very appreciative of the attendance of Principal Peter Daw and Director of Marketing and Development Kim Delaney.

Anne Morse
MOSA Executive Officer

National Athletics Championships

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On Saturday 2 through to Tuesday 5 of December Clementine Miller, Hannah Gardiner, Noah Chlanda and Harry Silvestri from the Year 4-7 Athletics Squad represented the school at the National Athletics Championships in Adelaide at SA Athletics Stadium.

Making the national stage in their respective events was an outstanding achievement by all four students, as they represented not only the College but South Australia with terrific distinction.

Results included: 

• Clementine Miller (11 y.o. girls) – 7th in Shot Put Final (PB throw) ;10th in Discus Final
• Hannah Gardiner (11 y.o. girls) – Heats in 100m and 200m
• Noah Chlanda (11 y.o. boys) – 4th in 800m Final ; 5th in 1500m Final
• Harry Silvestri (10 y.o. boys) – 8th in 800m Final ; 8th in 1500m Final

We are very proud of these four students and we look forward to more Mercedes College students striving to follow in these athletes footsteps next year. Years 4 - 7 Athletics training will recommence in Term 1.  

Logan Hill
4 - 7 Athletics Coordinator 

Jacaranda Tree

By Debbie Goss

Sitting in my backyard underneath our glorious Jacaranda tree with a divine cuppa in hand and a cat on my lap I begin the task at hand, reflecting on our year in OSHC, the year that has gone even faster than the last.

There is not a great deal in this world that we can be sure of but we are totally sure of our privileged position as educators in the OSHC programme. Our room is the place where your children land at the end of the school day and we do our very best to provide them with a home away from home environment. Each child brings with them varied experiences of their day and we may have up to thirty bundles of energy buzzing as we sit down to share a home-made snack and a chat. There is clamouring from all corners of the room to be awarded the job of choosing a question or two from our ‘conversation jar’. The children love to be in charge of the microphone as they ask children about their favourite games to play with their family or something nice that they did for someone that day.

Art and craft activities are always on the menu, some more challenging for the older students. We offer a homework club to enable students to get a start on their homework, hopefully freeing them up for some down time once they get home. Time is always made for some fun and games on the computers.

Mornings are fairly quiet in comparison to our afternoon sessions although the noise levels can almost reach a similar decibel level. Once breakfast is finished we move to our games table where our little band of Receptions challenge educators to a very competitive game of Uno. So much fun and laughter, they get such a thrill out of winning but I must say they have learned to be gracious whether they win or lose.

They also love to set up a shop, pulling books, puzzles and games off the shelves to sell. They recognise the notes and coins (all pretend of course) and many are getting very clever at adding up items, no-one has asked for a calculator yet!

With holidays drawing near, we have a great Vacation Care programme planned for December and January and we hope that you will join us as we head off to Latitude, the Zoo and the Aquatic Centre. On days that we are at home we will look forward to lots of fun and games with art and craft and we are particularly excited about meeting a magician – Mickster the Trickster who will keep every single one of us on the edge of our seats! Much more on the agenda, please check out our programmes on the College website here.

We hope that you take heart from the Christmas scene that adorns our OSHC window. It was inspired by the delightful Australian Christmas anthem - “Christmas where the gum trees grow”.

The lyrics were written by Lesley Sabogal/Davies (who taught at the College some years ago). It reminds us that “when the bloom of the Jacaranda tree is here Christmas time is near.”

For most of us this heralds a chance to slow down (a bit like Father Christmas in the painting) and to do some of the things that we love…spending time with family and friends, relaxing and taking time to just breathe. We wish you plenty of that!!

Have a very happy Christmas and a wonderful beginning to 2018 from everyone in OSHC.

Debbie Goss
Director of OSHC

College Leadership

Final Words for 2017

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Dear Parents, Staff and Students of the Mercedes College Community,
On Friday 24 November we held the Graduation Ball for our 2017 Year 12 students and their families. It is always a wonderful occasion as freed from the pressures of the year these fine young women and men blossom.

In their finery they go from school children to confident young adults excitedly preparing for a future of untold possibilities.

There was a wonderful sense of community in the room and it was a pleasure to be able to share this joyous occasion with our newest old scholars and their families. Thank you to Karen Walpole, the other members of the Marketing and Development Office, Year 12 Coordinator Ms Jessica Zotti, Head of Senior School Mr Michael Francis and the Ground Staff and all who worked so hard in the preparation of the evening.

Congratulations to Ada Parker-Minniecon (pictured above performing with her father) who has successfully auditioned for Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide. She has been accepted into a performance degree, and we look forward to hearing great things about her music career in the future.

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Thank You to all Volunteers

This College could not do all it does without the support of many volunteers. Members of this very generous community volunteer to help in many ways including; the College Council, the MPFA, MOSA, the Mercurean Association, the Student Mentoring Programme, the Inclusive Education Programme, the Sporting Programme, the Resource Centre, the Performing Arts Programme, the Mimili Trek and other trips and excursions, as hosts of morning teas and class parties, the Second-Hand Uniform Store and in many other ways. 

Quite simply the College could not function without the work of our volunteers and I sincerely thank you all for your commitment and the passion that you bring, it is greatly appreciated. 

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Some Farewells and Welcomes in our Staff

At the end of the year we are farewelling a number of our staff. As a College we recognise the professional expertise, talent and contribution that each of these people have made to our community. For a vale for each of these staff I refer you to the 2017 College Annual.

I farewell Miss Charlotte Winters, Mr Daniel Micklem and Mrs Andrea Bishop. Charlotte is returning to Belgium to get married and continue her life there and Andrea has been successful in gaining the Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM) and Leader of Learning position at Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary School (OLQP). Daniel will be leaving us to teach Indonesian at Concordia College.

Andrea Bishop taught at Mercedes College for 20 years before she left in Term 4 2016 to take on the acting APRIM role at OLQP. She continued in that acting position throughout 2017 and has just recently been successful in gaining the permanent position at the school. Throughout Andrea’s tenure at Mercedes College she made significant contributions to the Science and Religious Education programmes. The students Andrea taught were left with no doubt of her desire to assist them to gain the best results possible.

Charlotte joined the College in Term 3, 2016 in a replacement position teaching French. Charlotte is a dedicated teacher who has not only been able to share language expertise with the children but also first hand cultural understandings. I wish Charlotte every happiness as she enters an exciting new phase in her life. 
    
In 2017 Daniel Micklem has been working in our Mercedes Language Centre and previously in the Indonesian faculty. This year Daniel has been working closely with our newly arrived students in our International Student Programme and we wish him well as he takes up a new position next year at Concordia College.

I also farewell Ms Jennifer Trijo who is taking leave to pursue her personal artistic passions, Mr Eoin McEvoy who is taking leave in Semester 1, Mrs Tori Beers who will be on maternity leave, Melanie Harrison who is moving to Sydney and David Knott who has resigned due to health concerns.

We welcome the following staff who will be joining us in 2018;

• Kate Schinckel – (0.7 FTE replacement French Teacher)
• Holly Hershman (FT replacement 1 Semester English and History Teacher)
• Julia Mander (Year 4 Teacher 0.8 FTE)
• Nathan Holdinghausen (FT Mathematics/Science Teacher)

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Christmas is Coming

The end of the year is coming far too rapidly! There is still much for all of us to do at work before we can take a well-earned break, there are end of year functions to attend, there are gifts to be purchased and there are Christmas Day dinners to be organised. During this busy time it is often easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. It is a time for us to gather with our families to give thanks for the life of Jesus. After all it is the message that Jesus left with us that guides our lives and challenges us to be the best people that we can be.

So in all the busyness of the weeks ahead my challenge will be to find some time to reflect upon what Christmas really means and I suspect many of you will feel the same.

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A Christmas Prayer

Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel's song, for an infant's cry in a lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory, and are bathed in its radiance.
Amen

This is our last Mercy Vine for 2017 and I extend my thanks to you all for allowing us to have the privilege of working with you in the education of your children. May you experience every blessing at Christmas and have a joyous New Year. I look forward to working with you all again in 2018. 

Yours sincerely

Peter Daw
Principal

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Term Dates 2018

Term 1
Thursday 1 February – Friday 13 April
Term 2
Tuesday 1 May – Wednesday 4 July
Term 3               
Monday 23 July – Friday 28 September
Term 4              
Monday 15 October – Friday 7 December

Junior Journeys

Year 5 Graduation Ceremony

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We were proud to see our Year 5 students graduate from the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) at a formal ceremony last Wednesday night. Isabel Walkley and Arion Berri were outstanding comperes, while Kiara Pierce and James Snel shared recollections of their time in the Junior School on behalf of the Year 5 cohort.

It is always an emotional time, one of sadness to leave the Junior School and one of excitement with what lies ahead; new experiences, teachers and peers, while having the wonderful foundation of the PYP which is strongly linked to the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Students were welcomed to the Middle School and the IB MYP by Mr Jarrad McCabe and Mr Ashley Coates.

Shane and Amanda Chisholm spoke on behalf of the parent community, as their third child Ben finishes in the Junior School this year. They expressed their gratitude for the many opportunities provided, for the wonderful Mercedes College community and for the rich resource of our Junior School staff. Like the Chisholm family, there are a number of families who will no longer be part of the Junior School. We are grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with you, and wish your children rich blessings as they move to the Middle School. 

Seeing photos of the students from Reception until now evoked some cherished memories and a few tears from parents, how quickly the years pass by! The finale with all students playing an instrument or singing together to a song they had rewritten was fabulous. Thank you to Mrs Rebecca Pfitzner for all her work in making this happen. A special thank you also to the Year 5 team, Mrs Irena Hollis, Mr Simon Munn, Mr Ryan Stor and Mr Shane Murphy for their work with the students over the year.

We have loved the opportunity to work with this wonderful group of students and to witness their learning and development over the years. Change is an important part of life. We believe the students are well prepared for their transition into the Middle School and encourage them to embrace the many opportunities that will be provided.

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Junior School End of Year Mass

It was a joyous occasion as we gathered for our final mass for the year. Our theme, Let’s Celebrate, provided a focus for us as we expressed our gratitude for the countless blessings we have received this year, and asked God to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas time.

Father James Valladares and Deacon Andrew Kirkbride celebrated mass and engaged us in reflecting upon important messages to aspire to. I would like to express my gratitude to Sister Duyen for preparing a beautiful mass and to Mrs Rebecca Pfitzner and Mrs Loretta Bowshall for preparing our students as part of the Music programme.

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Semester 2 Student Representative Council (SRC) Leaders

I would like to acknowledge the Semester 2 SRC Leaders for their role and responsibility in supporting improvements in the Junior School and for their problem-solving abilities in ensuring safe and respectful solutions to issues as part of class meetings and also as part of the council.

Taps bordering the Rose Garden and Maryvale Oval have recently been installed which will enable students to keep hydrated during the breaks and PE lessons. Ideas for supporting lunch time play activities for our youngest students, toilet etiquette, improving environmental aspects and suggestions for additional equipment for older students were worked upon this semester.

Students will be acknowledged for their enthusiasm and efforts at our final assembly and will enjoy a thank you pizza lunch on Thursday.

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Final Farewell

On behalf of the community I would like to acknowledge the following staff for their work with us, and in particular, for their dedication to our students.

• We wish Tori Beers all the very best with the birth of her third child.
• Thank you to Felicity Koeroessy for her outstanding work in the Visual Arts programme this term.
• Thank you to Caroline Guirguis for supporting our PE programme this term.

To students and families who are leaving the Junior School, thank you for your support and contributions. We have enjoyed the opportunity to work in partnership with you. For families setting off to new pastures, I hope you take many fond memories of the Mercedes College community and I wish you well.

I feel blessed to work with such a committed, professional and enthusiastic staff and thank them for their support of our Junior School children and families. Our students are provided with so many opportunities in a broad range of areas, and while this makes life busy, we wouldn’t have it any other way!

On behalf of the Junior School staff, I hope you have a joyous and holy Christmas, and a happy and safe holiday with your families.

Julie Hann
Assistant Principal
Head of Junior School

Middle Moments

Transitioning into the Middle School

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I was privileged to attend the recent Year 5 Graduation on Wednesday 29 November 2017. During the Graduation Ceremony, I had the opportunity to speak briefly with a number of students, with each displaying a strong desire and excitement around transitioning into the Middle School in 2018.

On behalf of all the Middle School staff and students, I would like to congratulate the Year 5 students on their graduation from the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, and we look forward to supporting them and working alongside them in the Middle School next year.

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Year 8 Musical

In the last edition of the Mercy Vine I mentioned the Year 8 Musical Bazza in Boots showcased the performing arts of our Year 8 students. It was fantastic to see our Year 8 students performing passionately for their audience and enjoying themselves in the process. We have since received some fantastic photos we would like to share. 

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End of Year

During the week, Middle School students have been involved in various “End of Year” celebrations. On Monday, the Year 6s visited the Burnside Pool, on Tuesday the Year 8s went Ten Pin Bowling and enjoyed a picnic lunch, and on Wednesday the Year 7s participated in some beach activities and had a picnic at Somerton Park. Year 9 students also visited the beach on Wednesday, where they undertook a range of Aquatics activities at the Port Noarlunga Aquatics Centre. These enjoyable activities help mark the end of another successful academic year for staff and students in the Middle School.

I would like to thank the parents of the College for their support this year, as well as the students for their enthusiastic and successful involvement in the academic, spiritual, sporting and artistic pursuits in which they have been involved. 

Thank you also to the committed and passionate staff members who have tirelessly supported their students during 2017.

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Advent

In the Catholic Church, Advent is the liturgical season that precedes and prepares for Christmas. It is a season of opportunity – of hope, of quiet reflection, and of joyful expectation. On behalf of the Middle School, I would like to wish you all a safe, happy and meaningful Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all again at the beginning of the new school year.

Jarrad McCabe
Head of Middle School - Pastoral

Senior Stories

2018 Transition Opportunities

By Michael Francis

As discussed in the recent issues of the Mercy Vine, the students moving into new year levels in the Senior School have had some opportunities to get a taste of what lies ahead in 2018.

Our new Year 10s have had the chance to learn a little about the structure of the Senior School and how this differs from their previous experiences. A theme of ‘stepping up’ has been explored and we will be asking the 2018 Year 10s to grow and develop again in the new year. As they have shown through their time in the Middle School, this cohort is adaptable and will thrive on the new challenges ahead.

The 2018 Year 11s were able to experience a whole day of transition as this is the year that commences the IB Diploma or SACE studies in earnest. The additional opportunities for transition have been helpful in ensuring students understand the choices they have made and what they may need to prepare to be ready for Year 11. They have been well prepared by Mr James Burdon who takes on the role of Year 11 Coordinator in 2018.

Students entering Year 12 next year have had the most extensive transition that Mercedes College has seen, with students engaging in a whole week of lessons readying them for the upcoming academic year. As a result, students should feel certain of their subject choices, have an idea of their path through Year 12 and be aware of schedules and timelines for their assessment in the year ahead.

I would like to thank all students and staff involved in these transition programmes as they have enabled us all to be prepared for 2018.

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Cambodia Service Trip

On Sunday 10 December, the 16 students and staff involved in the 2017 trip will depart from Adelaide to visit Siem Reap, Stung Treng and Phnom Penh for a period of service and cultural immersion. Over the course of the year, calls for fundraising to support the work of Sr Denise Coghlan and her team has been generously responded to. At the time of writing, the Mercedes College community will be contributing in excess of USD$9,500 (approximately AUD$12,600) to the work of Sr Denise as she and her team build homes and amenities for victims of land mines and also support the education of young Cambodian students in remote areas.

On behalf of those attending this year’s trip, I sincerely thank you all for your generous support. Keep your eyes out for an early edition of the Mercy Vine in 2018 for a report of the activities of the volunteers.

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Graduating Students – Stepping Out!

A final congratulation to the Graduating Class of 2017 as they celebrated their achievements with their families and staff at the Graduation Ball on Friday 24 November 2017. Students were certainly relieved and happy that the year of hard work was behind them and the pride in their efforts was evident in both students and families.

It is absolutely a ‘Mercedes’ event, with students, staff and families interacting so positively and with a great sense of community. Well done to the students and we wish them every success in their futures – not long to wait for results now!

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Signing off for 2017…

A sincere sense of gratitude is extended to you all for the support of Senior School students and staff throughout the year. It can be a long and winding road, but at this time of the year, with students transitioning into their next year level with excitement and enthusiasm, and the graduating students leaving with a sense of accomplishment and purpose, I think that the year has been a successful adventure.

May you all experience joy and peace in the coming weeks and be able to share wonderful times with your very special families.

Michael Francis 
Head of Senior School

Director of Mission

Spirit of Advent

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As our school year comes to a close, we are entering into the second week of Advent.  Advent, like the season of Lent, is a time for personal reflection and for preparing for the birthday of a Child who was born in a manger over two thousand years ago and who changed the relationship of humans with their God forever.

God’s incarnation lifted all of humanity into the state of royalty, bridging heaven and earth, and thus assuring us of God’s redeeming love for all time. The Christ-child is at the heart of our lives: in our homes, our schools, our work, and in our interactions with friends and community. The message of Christmas is a message of simple truths, about our connection with God, about home and family, about love and human relationships, about what to value in our lives and what to discard, and about true peace. Let us pray that this message of peace will remain with us all and that this holy peace will become the imperative in a world where discord and unrest seem to have become the norm.

On Sunday, a group of 12 Year 11 students will make their way to Cambodia having raised over $11,000 to cover the cost of building materials on what has become an annual working pilgrimage to a country still recovering from the devastation left by the Pol Pot regime.

The group will be hosted by Mercy Sister, Denise Coghlan, at the Jesuit Refugee Centre. The trip is not a ‘poverty tour’ but a ‘roll up your sleeves’ and authentic outreach; true mercy in action. We pray for God’s blessings upon Alexandra Lewis, Emily Akins, Maya Sherpa, Sophie Waters, Lilli Minutella, Georgia Sutton, Claire Noack, Gabriel Henry, Declan Hoare, James Gomersall, Henry Cameron and Tom Evans along with staff Ms Jessica Fanto, Mr Michael Francis, Ms Ilinca Bocse and Mr Bill Deegan. 

In the words of St Francis of Assisi ‘It is in giving that we receive’ and we believe that the pilgrims will return to Adelaide having received many blessings and much joy, the true joy experienced at Christmas.

Wishing you all a happy and holy Christmas Season and a safe holiday period.
God Bless.

Pat Terminello KHS
Director of Mission

Wellbeing

Support for the Holidays

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After a busy term to end the school year, many of us are looking forward to a more relaxed pace over the summer holidays and to sharing good times with our families and friends.

However, for some families, this time of year can be a source of significant stress for various reasons. A timely blog post on this topic has been published by Bower Place, an Adelaide family therapy clinic known for working with oftentimes complex and challenging issues. Please see article here for more information.

This time of year can also be a tough time for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one at Christmas, or who may be dealing with physical illnesses or mental health difficulties, amongst other of life’s challenges. These families may feel distanced from joy and peace which are usually associated with Christmas, and they may feel alone in their pain.

If this is your family, or one known to you, it is vital to remember there is support available. Your family GP is often the best first line of contact and can make a referral to a Psychologist (only needed if requiring a Mental Health Care Plan to access a Medicare rebate) or Psychiatrist, if needed. Alternatively, there are some useful phone numbers and websites which offer information, resources and support, such as:

Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Headspace
1800 650 890
Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.

Lifeline
13 11 14
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services for adolescents and adults.

MensLine Australia
1300 78 99 78

A telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.

Carers Australia
1800 242 636

Short-term counselling and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.

Both Anne Way and I wish the Mercedes College community a safe and peaceful Christmas and we look forward to reconnecting with you in the new school year.

Niamh O’Brien
College Psychologist R-5

Artwork by old scholar Alexis Souvertjis (Class of 2010).