College Leadership

A Valuable Experience

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Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students of the Mercedes College Community,
I hope that everyone had a wonderful break and has returned eager to take on the new challenges that this term will bring. Already our Year 12 students have attended their annual retreat and returned with stories of how valuable the experience has been.

The retreat programme is a wonderful opportunity for our students to explore and deepen their personal faith, as well as a time out to develop stronger relationships with their peers, their teachers and their God. Every year most of the Year 12 students return to the College with a sense that they have participated in something of real worth and often express that the retreat was one of the highlights of their time at the College.

Last week the Year 10 students also attended their camp. The camp programme from Years 6 - 10 is based around the concept of developing resilience and self-reliance through outdoor education activities. The camps are coordinated across the College and culminate in Year 10 with students being offered a number of choice activities including bush walking, rock climbing, canoeing, bike riding, fishing and surfing. This requires a great deal of organisation and I thank the staff who plan and supervise the camps in ways that enable our students to have such rewarding experiences.

This term we welcome a number of new families who join us. We also welcome back Mrs Melissa Buske from long service leave and wish Mrs Frances O’Connor every joy as she takes long service leave this term.

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CIS/IBO Joint Visit

At the time of writing we are about to welcome 13 educators from across the globe who will be visiting the College from the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). These visitors will be reviewing all aspects of the College’s operations. They will analyse our self-study and the results of the community surveys that were held last year. After their visit we will receive a report that will comprise a number of commendations and a number of recommendations that will assist our future planning.

As I have stated before, we are one of very few schools in Adelaide that hold themselves open to such scrutiny. We do this because we are committed to improving all aspects of the school life that your son or daughter experiences at the College.

I will share the results of the final report when we receive it later in the year.

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Coffee at Café MC

The final renovations of the Tuck Shop have now been completed and I hope the changes that occur throughout this term will further enhance the facility. One innovation I would like to highlight is the introduction of a barista who is present in Café MC each school morning.

Excellent quality coffee will be available to parents from 8.00am up until 10.30am. For those of you with drop off duties, we welcome you to get your early morning coffee from us.

See the Café MC Coffee Menu. 

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Winter Uniform

Term 2 and 3 are the winter uniform terms. Please check the website to ensure your son or daughter is wearing the correct uniform. We keep a close eye on the wearing of the uniform however, rely on your support. Generally our students are extremely well dressed and groomed, but some like to push the limits.  

Our Uniform Policy allows for some individuality, but we do expect all students to follow the uniform code. Untidy hair, unshaven faces, make up and non-designated jewellery are not accepted.

Every Mercedes College student has a responsibility to present themselves in a way that demonstrates pride in themselves, their family and their school.

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Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all our mums and carers. I hope you have a great day where your children show you the appreciation that is always in their hearts but sometimes not expressed.

Thank you to all the mums who attended our Mother's Day Coffee Morning last Friday, it was great to see you all. 

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National Volunteer Week

This week is National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers across the nation.

On behalf of the Mercedes College community, I would like to thank everyone who volunteers their time to support the College. Your generous contributions are greatly appreciated. 

Yours sincerely

Peter Daw
Principal