Term 4, Issue No. 4 - 9 December 2016
A Future of Untold Possibilities
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students,
On Friday 25 November we held the Graduation Ball for our 2016 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 when they go from school children to confident young adults excitedly preparing for a future of untold possibilities.
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Training Tops
We encourage all students to purchase one of the Mercedes College singlets, shirts or long sleeve tops to be worn for training in either summer or winter.
Back to the Future
The Mercedes Parents and Friends and Old Scholars' Association are pleased to present Cinema in the Rose Garden. Click 'read more' to secure your spot on the grass.
A Positive Year
This final newsletter article is a chance to reflect on the year we have had in the Student Mentoring Programme. I believe it has been such a positive year guiding, supporting and caring for the wellbeing of our students and their mentors. We were supported so capably by our Year 12 and Year 5 Student Mentoring Leaders and we thank them for their loyalty and support.
Wellbeing
The Mixed Blessings of Christmas Time
After an action packed Term 4, we now find ourselves planning for Christmas only a matter of days away. As always the close of the 2016 school year gives us pause to reflect on and celebrate individual and collective progress, success, and achievement across a diverse array of academic, extra and co-curricular events and experiences. It is also appropriate that we reflect on the challenges, sadness and losses that have been experienced along the way this year.
Junior Journeys
Year 5 IBPYP Graduation Ceremony
Our Year 5 students were congratulated on graduating from the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) at a formal ceremony on Wednesday 30 November, 2016. With recollections from students of their years in the Junior School, a parent speech reflecting on the changes over the years, and a fabulous photo slideshow of the students, it was a fitting celebration of an end in the Junior School. The students were also welcomed to the Middle School and the IB Middle Years Programme by Mr Jarrad McCabe and Mr Ashley Coats.
Director of Mission
So it is Christmas…….
At times, one gets the impression that we have become rather blasé about the event. Another Christmas party to attend, limited budgets yet eagerly anticipated gifts, a Christmas Day lunch ravished by family and friends, carols softly playing in the background. Is there something missing here? A closer attention to the words of Christmas Carols can realign us to the ‘reason for the season, Jesus’.
Senior Stories
Transition Days for 2017
It has been the Senior School’s turn over the past week to engage in the transition of students into their year levels for 2017. The current Year 10 students experienced a morning of information about Year 11 and all that it holds last week, culminating in a challenging and memorable presentation on Road Safety Awareness from the Metropolitan Fire Service.
Middle Moments
Preparation for 2017
The past few weeks have seen the Middle School move into preparation for 2017. Some changes have been made in the role of Year Level Coordinators for next year, and I would like to welcome Mr Daniel Jones (Year 7 Coordinator) and Ms Holly Potter (Year 9 Coordinator) to their new positions in the Middle School.
Chinese Cultural Sharing
The Mercedes Language Centre (MLC) students put their English language skills to the test this week by inviting Mr Fernando Farrugia’s Year 6 class to share in some Chinese cultural activities. These included Chinese Calligraphy, Origami and Paper Cutting, String games and a Chinese Tea Ceremony.
Farwell and Thank You
2016 has been a fantastic year for Boys' Sport with many individual and team highlights. We once again dominated in the Cross Country and Athletics events and won a staggering 8 out of 9 events at the Intercol in the boys' sports.
Sport in 2017
Sport has concluded for another year at Mercedes College and already I have students asking about sport in 2017 which, I am very excited about! Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support this year. It has been such a pleasure working with the students, staff and parents of the College. I am looking forward to 2017.
Old Scholars Return to Mercedes College
The SA Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Road Safety Peter Malinauskas (Class of 1998) returned to Mercedes on Friday 2 December and addressed the Year 11 students at the conclusion of their Road Safety Awareness Programme run by the Metro Fire Service.
Celebration of Instrumental Recitals
Weeks 6 to 8 saw a celebration of instrumental recitals in the music department. I would like to congratulate the following instrumental tutors for hosting entertaining recitals for their students: Emma Woolcock (violin); Emma Rowe (voice/piano); Robin Pratt (guitar); and Levi Butler (piano). Across the last weeks of Term 4, we celebrated the diversity of talent among the Mercedes College student body and finished 2016 on a literal high note!
In this issue
Important Dates
Thursday 2 February
Start of Term 1
Welcome Morning Tea
Friday 10 February
6-12 Swimming Carnival
Marion Swimming Centre
Saturday 11 February
Back to the Future
Cinema in The Rose Garden
Click here to book your seat on the grass.
Monday 13 February
Middle School Parent Infomation Evening
Wednesday 15 February
Junior School Parent Information Evening
Friday 17 February
Laureate Assembly
Gleeson Hall
12:00pm
2017 Term Dates
Term 1
Thursday 2 February – Thursday 13 April
Term 2
Tuesday 2 May – Wednesday 5 July
Term 3
Monday 24 July – Friday 29 September
Term 4
Monday 16 October – Friday 8 December
Community News
and Events
Strathspey Closure
Please note that Strathspey Reception will be closed for maintenance from Tuesday 13 December to Monday 30 January, 2017. All enquiries will be taken at the McAuley Office during this period. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Please click here to to view Second Hand Uniform Shop opening details over the holiday break.
Musical Theatre Camp 2016 | Everlasting
Some of our Mercedes College students are performing in the upcoming Pelican Productions performance Everlasting. Click here for more details or here to buy tickets.
Thank You
On behalf of the Brother Michael Christmas Hamper Appeal Committee I wish to thank you and the teachers, children and parents of Mercedes College for the support given to the 2016 Hamper Appeal. Read more>
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