College Leadership

An active start to Term 2

By Andrew Balkwill Email this article

Term 2 has a great energy about it, with NAPLAN testing complete, families engaged in learning progress reviews, and students involved in activities beyond the classroom.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 concluded last week with fantastic participation rates across the cohorts. While NAPLAN has its challenges, participation helps us support and track learning over the years on a number of levels. Every student in Year 3 and Year 5 completed the Writing and Reading tasks, and we had solid 90+ per cent participation rates across Numeracy, and Conventions of Language in all years.

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Year 6 – Year 12 Learning Reviews

Our Year 6 to Year 12 Learning Reviews this month facilitated three-way conversations between our class and specialist teachers, students and their parents/caregivers. The value of these sessions, and the opportunity for open discussion about academic and personal progress, cannot be overstated.

These conversations can also identify pathways to the learning enrichment options across the College. By providing an array of experiences, as well as support for students with specific needs or requiring individual attention, we develop the potential of each student.

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Council of International Schools (CIS) Accreditation

Complementing these engagements, is our five-yearly audit by the Council of International Schools (CIS). This provides rigour and independent assessment of how we’re delivering the Australian curriculum through the IB framework for student benefit. In short, it’s your assurance that we are delivering to a high standard.

Mercedes College was the first school in Australia to become an Associate Member, with the CIS Accreditation process driving our continuous improvement further, ensuring we continue demonstrating delivery of a high quality international education.

The wide-ranging assessment covers our governance, leadership and financial practices, as well as student wellbeing programs, co-curricular activities, staff professional support, and risk control practices, and synchronises with the IB Program whole-school evaluation and accreditation process.

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Co-curricular activities

Through these processes, we are reminded of the many opportunities available for students of all ages at Mercedes College. Co-curricular activities from the performing arts and music, to sport, clubs and societies, help students develop new skills and build confidence while developing the ability to work as part of a team and independently. There’s something for everyone – so chat with your children about their interests and encourage them to join in.

So many of our students are getting outside and enjoying coming together in their Winter Sport teams and heading off on camps for adventure. Our Year 10 Outdoor Education Camps provided great opportunities for students to pursue their interests by selecting from a range of activities – surfing, snorkelling, mountain biking or hiking – during the day and then camping at night.

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Student wellbeing

By venturing beyond the classroom, student wellbeing is nurtured. Open space and time spent outdoors is so good for physical and mental health. It improves sleep, reduces stress, increases happiness and reduces negative emotions. Importantly, it also promotes positive social interactions, and we see the benefit of this for our student groups time and again.

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Providing valuable life lessons

True to our approach of developing well rounded people, our sports programme enables to students to acquire new skills, grow their capability, compete, and test themselves as well as gain valuable life lessons.

A grass-roots approach, our Sport Directors’ support coaches by fostering a culture of maximum participation, engagement, enjoyment and success and providing opportunities for students to be their best.

I am delighted by our recent appointment of Jodie Hamilton-Melhuish as our new Director of Netball and Nathan Bassett as Director for Football.

Jodie’s an Educational Support Officer with our Learning Enrichment Team with more than 20 years of coaching experience, including State League Reserves Netball Coach for Cheerio, Cougars and Matrics and State U19 Netball Assistant Coach.

She holds a Level 2 Intermediate Coach qualification (NSA) and as our Director will positively influence players’ holistic development, providing great opportunities for students with a passion for the game.

A veteran of 210 AFL games for the Crows, Nathan’s been head coach at Norwood Football Club, assistant coach at Essendon and now Port Adelaide as well run private coaching clinics/ He’s excited about positioning our program to enhance the talent within each individual player and coach.

As Director of Netball and Football, Jodie and Nathan will drive student engagement and progression by mentoring and developing our coaches – many of whom are old scholars and parents, many with their own impressive experiences to draw upon. They’ll also work with our Sport Coordinators to develop, document, and implement coaching frameworks and programmes.

They are welcome additions to our team with our Directors of Cricket and Tennis.

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Arts and Sports precinct

Artistic and sporting pursuits have also been firmly on my agenda, with the assessment of submissions for our new precinct building partner. It is our expectation that we’ll have a contract in place before the end of financial year.

I look forward to construction of our new Arts and Sports precinct getting underway, and there’s no doubt the investment in state of the art facilities marks a really exciting time in the College’s history.

Through our Annual Giving Program in June, you’ll have the opportunity to invest in the future learning experiences of students for decades to come by making tax free donations to the Mercedes College Building Fund and furthering the aspirations of our founding Mercy Sisters.

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Andrew Balkwill
Principal