College Leadership

Welcome to our New Students

By Email this article

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students of the Mercedes College Community,
Each year it is my pleasure to welcome our new students and their families to our community. The cycle of a school is fascinating; not long ago we farewelled our Year 12 Graduates, some of whom had commenced in Reception at the College in 2004. At that stage they were feeling the same excitement that our new Reception class is feeling.

Thirteen years later they are young adults ready to face whatever confronts them in their future. Much will happen for our new Receptions over the next 13 years but one thing is for certain, Mercedes will do all they can to make sure that each student has every opportunity to become the best they can be in all they do.

Of course we have also been joined by a number of new students at other levels of the College and hopefully all have settled well and are enjoying the new opportunities that come with new beginnings.

My prayer for all of our students, whether new or continuing, is that each will feel safe, cared for and challenged throughout their time at the College and be educated in an environment where they can confidently strive to reach their full potential in all aspects of their humanity.

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Enrolments

Our total student enrolment number at the College continues to remain in the range that we classify as full enrolment with 2017 seeing a small increase. This does not mean however, that there are not vacancies in some year levels.

If you know of anyone interested in a Mercedes College education in the future, please encourage them to contact our Registrar, Mrs Rita Micale as early as possible as this will definitely improve their chances of gaining entry.  

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New Staff Members

Each year I am also pleased to welcome new staff members to our College. The new staff members joining us this year are:

• Ms Noelia Carvajal Balbin, Senior Spanish Teacher.
• Ms Laura Bartholomew, Mathematics Teacher.
• Ms Jennifer Chan, Biology/Chemistry and General Science Teacher.
• Mr Lachlan Jones, Physical Education/Humanities Teacher.
• Ms Sarah Rance, Business and Enterprise Teacher.
• Ms Stephanie Bordignon, English Teacher.
• Ms Jade Lauer, Biology/General Science Teacher.
• Ms Tanya Bahnisch, Middle School Teacher.
• Ms Suzanne Zhao, Maths Teacher.
• Mr Jack Carter, JS Physical Education Teacher (Term 1).
• Mr Andrew Khabbaz, JS Teacher.

We also welcome back Ms Teresa Pepicelli and Ms Jodie Papadopoulos who both return to us from Maternity Leave and Ms Niamh O’Brien who returns to us after illness.

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The Tuck Shop

The new Tuck Shop is now in operation. Some change has already occurred with better flow through the servery and checkouts and some improved food offerings. Change will continue throughout this term and we should be in full service by the beginning of Term 2.

Thank you for your support when the Tuck Shop was closed on the first two days of school, we will give ample prior notice should any future disruptions to service occur through this term. 

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Wonderful Results

We were very pleased with results achieved by our 2016 Year 12 Class.

The highlights included one student, Lucas Di Ubaldo achieving the highest possible ATAR score of 99.95. Overall 35% of our students gained an ATAR above 90. We were also delighted that 95% of our Year 12 students received a first round tertiary offer with most being able to study their first choice course.

Congratulations to all our students who achieved to the best of their abilities in 2016. Year 12 can offer all sorts of challenges and it is a pleasure to see the staff and students work so hard together to ensure that each student is provided with the best possible opportunity for success.

As pleasing as these ATAR results are it is even more important that our Mercedes College Graduates graduate as young men and women of fine character with a commitment to the service of others and the confidence to make a positive difference in the future world in which they will find themselves. 

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Use of Email

A Commitment to Quality Communication but not 24/7

Email is a very valuable communication tool and a very efficient way for teachers and parents to keep each other informed. One factor that makes emailing so effective is its ease, however this is also one of its greatest problems. Email makes communication possible 24/7 but it is unreasonable that anyone work 24/7.

Even though our teachers are committed to working in partnership with parents and students they must be able to enjoy some ‘out of work’ family time. Unless it has been previously arranged please do not expect an instant response to an email.

Emails sent outside of the hours of 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday will be responded to as soon as possible the following work day.

I thank you for your consideration of this matter.

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Safety Issues

Yard Supervision
Please note that the College grounds are formally supervised between 8.20am and 3.50pm.

• Students in Reception to Year 7 who need to be dropped off at school before 8.20am, and are not part of an organised College activity, must attend Out of Hours School Care (OHSC).
• Students in Years 8 to 12 who are not involved in an organised College activity, should not arrive until after 8.20am.
• Students in Years 6 to 12 who are leaving the school grounds between 3.50pm and 5.00pm, and are not part of an organised College activity, can study in the Library until 5.00pm.
• Students in Reception to Year 5 must attend OHSC from 3.30pm until collected by a parent or caregiver.
• Students in Year 6 and 7 who are not able to leave the College by 5.00pm must attend OHSC from 3.40pm.

If you have any further queries regarding this matter please contact your child’s Head of School:

Mrs Julie Hann
Reception to Year 5

Mr Jarrad McCabe
Years 6 to 9

Mr Michael Francis
Years 10 to 12  

Driving in the Vicinity of the College
I ask that all drivers in the vicinity of the College show the utmost care. Too often speed limits are not respected and cars are parked in unsafe locations. Both these choices cause safety risks for our students.

Please keep the safety of all students, and indeed all members of our community in mind when driving and parking in the surrounds of the College.

Driving on College Grounds
Please follow all speed limits and parking restrictions when driving on College grounds. The grounds are first and foremost for the students and not cars and the students are potentially present on the school grounds at all times.

Vehicular entry (except for staff members) to the College grounds at the Carrick Hill Drive entrance is barred from 8.20am to 8.45am in the morning and from 3.15pm to 3.35pm in the afternoon.

Another Parking Responsibility
Please respect the neighbours of the College and ensure that you park in the allocated parking spaces and do not restrict access to their driveways. 

I ask for your support with all these very important issues.

I wish everyone a happy and successful 2017.

Yours sincerely

Peter Daw
Principal