Junior Journeys

Learning with students

Another incredible Term of learning and growth.

Learning, like life, is a journey, and though we're each motivated by different things, we must never lose sight of the value, significance and importance of the journey itself.

This is a philosophy I return to time and again, and I am delighted when I see, hear and experience things that validate it. There is not a day that goes by where I do not learn something new about myself, a student, a teacher or the world in general, often through interactions with our insightful, curious, knowledgeable, clever and innately inquisitive students.

In Term 3 every student has made a leap in some capacity, furthering their personal journey. At Mercedes College we prepare our students ‘for life’ and so the education we deliver is a set of skills to take them forward. It is not without its challenges or adversity, yet by taking risk, however large or small, we reap the rewards... just ask any of our students.

During Term 3 we have seen all of our students revelling in an increased sense of independence and maturity. Our Mid-Year Reception class, who began with Miss M only 10 short weeks ago, have positively and enthusiastically embraced the start of their school journey, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, our Year 5 students are working both collaboratively and independently to take positive action and find solutions to global issues.

Through their willingness to jump in and participate in music, sports, the arts, or social justice, our students instill in us an immense sense of admiration for their bravery, risk taking, passion, enthusiasm, and care for others. All of the steps taken, big or small, are signs of students embracing opportunities to take control of their learning - packing up their parachutes and jumping, not just this week, but daily.

Let’s all enjoy the holidays, reflect on what we've learned, and brace ourselves for an exciting end to the year.

Kellie Osborn
Head of Junior School

Middle Moments

Shared experiences

Bonds formed by challenging comfort zones and embracing risk.

Term 3 has been an enriching experience for Middle School students, providing them with well-rounded learning and a sense of personal growth. Our Growth and Personal Skills programs have seen our Year 6 students preparing for their Canberra experience, Year 7 students focusing on emotional literacy, Year 8 students exploring life skills and Year 9 students collaborating with group dynamics tasks, culminating in the Piston Cup.

Blessed with warmer weather, our Year 8 students took off to their Aquatics Camp at Murray Bridge where they were challenged by sailing, waterskiing, canoeing and, most importantly, out in the elements and out of their comfort zones.

This Term also saw the completion of Year 9 programs Break Free and Being Boys. Feedback about these programs continues to be positive, with participation numbers growing each year. The camps in Week 9 were the culmination of the collaboration between staff and students, diligently working together on complex issues of adolescence including resilience, mental health and taking personal responsibility.

Thank you to everyone who invested in these camp experiences.

Term 3 has once more seen some fantastic Middle School Assemblies, Reflection Days, excursions contributing to the holistic development of our students. This week we celebrated Mercy Week, concluding today with Mercy Day and our Lady of Mercy Mass. This is a significant event in our College calendar as it is the one occasion when the entire school staff and student body comes together to remember our Mercy heritage, celebrate our Mercy ethos, and rejoice in the wonderful community we all belong to.

We wish all students and families a safe and relaxing break, and we look forward to seeing you on your return.

Ben Dray
​​​​​​​Head of Middle School

Senior Stories

Enhanced by community

Engagement with old collegians and current parents is adding to the rich learning of our senior students.

Examinations, Intercollegiate events, work experience, drama productions, Mimili Trek, career guidance and mentoring, art exhibitions, 2024 leadership elections, Converge performances and Retreats…Senior Students (and their families) have certainly been busy!

These experiences all contribute to the diverse learning environment that is a hallmark of our community.

Perhaps this is best evidenced by the desire of former graduates and current parents wanting to engage with our Senior Students in a range of ways. By way of example, in recent celebrations at the conclusion of the winter sport season, our career mentoring opportunity for Year 11 and Year 12 students, and also in the Arts, our community supports and guides our students toward success. I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of them all to thank you for your commitment to their growth and development, wellbeing and success.

During this break from learning, support your child so they return in Term 4 ready for more and ready for with summer, with their uniforms set to meet our expectations. This might involve updating items after those inevitable growth spurts, or replacing or repairing items that are damaged, and considering changes to hair and piercings. We look forward to starting Term 4 with our uniform expectations successfully met by all.

​​​​​​​Next Term, the Senior School will be led by Matthew Andrigo as I take leave to travel with my family. I wish Matthew, and each of you, well as the transition period toward 2024 begins.

Michael Francis
Head of Senior School

Director of Mission

Living our founders spirit

We are witness to the Mercy Keys daily.

Filled with Liturgies and Masses, Year 11 Retreat, Year 9 and Year 6 Reflection Days, Vinnies Winter Sleepout and more, Term 3 has shown me that our College lives the Mercy Keys and acts with the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy daily.

We are open to social justice initiatives such as Beanie Day, show generosity in giving emergency relief food supplies to the Beacon Project, and the incredible fundraising this week for Mercy Works - in excess of $7,000 in 3 days! These results are a testament to our commitment to social justice and being a voice for those who need our support. In Term 3 we have certainly lived out Catherine McAuley's belief that "we must strive to do ordinary things extraodinarily well".

Our Term has wrapped up today with our Lady of Mercy Mass and St Francis Xavier's Cathedral with our entire College community. It is such a joy to see our students and faculty join together in song and in prayer, and a beautiful way to farewell each other for the Term break.

Now at the end of Term, we farewell our own Sister of Mercy, Sister Duyen Nguyen, and wish blessings upon her next journey. Sister Duyen has been elected to the Institute Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea for a term of 4 years. They are very fortunate to work with her.

Mercy blessings

Deborah Lubatti
Director of Mission

with Teresa Pepicelli, Sister Duyen, Therese Wilson and Helen Ayliffe

Good Sports

Winter Sports Awards

The full list of Most Valuable Player and Coaches Award recipients from the Winter Sports season.

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Good Sports

Outstanding Sportsmanship

A perfect demonstration of Mutual Respect.

Rather than tally scores during the winter sports season, the SANFL Schools Football competition hands out just one award: the Sportsmanship Award.

Recognising the behaviour and approach of players, coaches, and spectators, this award is a reflection of living the Mercy Key of Mutual Respect on the sports field.

So, we are very proud to announce that our Year 5/6 Football team, coached by Andrew Khabbaz, this week received the 2023 Sportsmanship Award from the SANFL.

Congratulations, you have done yourselves and your College community very proud.

Jeff Wray
​​​​​​​Primary Sports Coordinator

Enriching Experiences

Thanks Year 12 Mentors

...until next time!

This week we wished our Year 12 mentors well as they focus on finishing their studies and preparing for examinations ahead of graduation.

More than 40 Year 12 students put their hand up to mentor a younger student this year, taking time out of their schedules to connect with and nurture them.

At their thank you lunch, students got a glimpse of the amazing impact of their collective efforts, as clip after clip showed the gratitude of the students mentored since Term 1. Each thank you and favourite memory from those students is a demonstration of the power of mentoring, and the power of a 'safe space' in the whirl of school life.

This year's mentors are invited to return in 2024, and if you are inspired by to make a difference, consider volunteering with us too!

Wellbeing

Wellbeing support

Farewell for now...

There are many challenges that some students face while studying, and I am very thankful for the many successful learning stories we have seen during my 3 years at Mercedes College. The trust that our families place in the Wellbeing Team to support their children is humbling, thank you.

As Term 3 comes to a close, I will start my maternity leave, with Rhianne Bacon joining as College Psychologist through to the end of 2024.

Rhianne comes to Mercedes College with a wealth of experience working with students in the public school sector and is looking forward to joining our community. 

Rhianne will work closely with Anne Way, Director of Wellbeing and College Psychologist R-12. Together they will provide comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support across our College community.

Best wishes for good mental health during the school holidays and as you all prepare for the final Term of 2023.

Andrea Fernandez
​​​​​​​College Psychologist R-12

College News

Charter for Parents

Supporting each child to flourish.

Together with each Mercedes College family, we have a shared responsibility to work in partnership with you, supporting each child to flourish.

Approved by South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools is this Charter for Parents has been developed to recognise the importance of the partnership between home and school.

If at any time you would like to know more about how you can best support your child, contact your class/homegroup teacher – in the first instance – or Head of School.

Student Leadership

Helping out Variety

Variety SA's Picnic at the Zoo

A fabulous bunch of Year 11 student leaders supported the annual Variety SA Picnic at the Adelaide Zoo this week.

This annual event provides a fun day out, connecting thousands of children who are living with disability, or are sick or disadvantaged.

Guests were treated to exclusive access to the exhibits, roving animal encounters, interactions with costumed characters, and picnic treats.

As stated by the Variety in Action Committee in their letter of thanks, you were "great Ambassadors for Mercedes College".

Thank you Asia Colombi, Elise Quinton, Jordan Moulding, Angelle Miles, William Hanner, Nishanth Sivakumar, Nathan Cross, Sara Elleway, Quisha Branajaya, Chloe Dowd, Thomas Hartley, and Jazmin Baker.