STEP-ping up for success

Our Study Thinking Extension Programme (STEP) introduces students to life skills and personal development opportunities that support them in ways that go beyond traditional academic curriculum. STEP was introduced at our College over 25 years ago, and was innovative and beyond what other schools offered students, in terms of real life experiences and 'hands on' learning.

Aimed at Year 9 and Year 10 students, STEP’s core themes include physical, mental, and social wellbeing, resilience, service and responsibility, human psychology, and practical life skills.

At the heart of the programme is the idea that learning is best achieved through real-world situations, which involve group work and explore vulnerability, risk-taking, and human connection. These help our students navigate life with confidence, resilience, compassion and an open mind.

Recently, our Year 10 students learnt about activities related to driving a vehicle. This included exploring basic car maintenance including changing a flat tyre, through to learning about the safety features of different cars. They also explored the concept of ego, and how desire for external validation, especially from peers, can lead to high-risk behaviour and poor decision making.

This week, students got a chance to experience what it feels like to be responsible for the operation of a vehicle by getting 'behind the wheel' of a go kart. A great day out - but they all came away with relevant and important information about cars that they will carry with them for years to come.

Swimming Champions

Last week, our Middle and Senior School students took their turn in the pool, showing a colourful force of House spirit and friendly competition at their Swimming Carnival. At the end of the day, it was McAuley who took home the top prize, with Fitzpatrick coming second and also taking out the Spirit Shield!

A highlight was the Year 12 Costume Parade, as well as the teacher vs student race in the freestyle relay!

A special congratulations to our Age Group Champions for their outstanding personal achievements:

• Zoe (McAuley) and Hugo (Fitzpatrick) -Year 6
• Charlotte (Dalton) and Harry (Fitzpatrick) - Year 7
• Claire (McAuley) and William (McAuley) - Year 8
• Isobel (McAuley) and Sebastian (Barry) - Year 9
• Charlotte (McAuley) and Hardy (Dalton) -Year 10
• Else (McAuley) and Elliott (Fitzpatrick) - Year 11
• Lotta (Fitzpatrick House Leader) and Kobe (Barry) - Year 12!

Getting Ready for Caritas Day

Next Friday 11 April, we will wrap up our fundraising efforts for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion with our annual Caritas Day.

A day filled with creative and ingenious ways to raise money during a fun extended lunch break, families are reminded of the following:

• Students are welcome to wear neat casual clothing and hats - please bring a gold coin donation.
• Year 7 classes will be running a delicious sausage sizzle, with a snag in bread costing $3 each (vegetarian and gluten free options available)
  • Junior School students only may pre-order their sausages on the Qkr! app by 9am Monday 7 April.
  • Middle and Senior School students can purchase their sausages on the day (there is no pre-ordering)
• Students selling home-made treats at their stall must not use any nut-related products (such as peanut butter and Nutella),as we are a
  nut free College and we ask that sweets are kept to a minimum.
• Please have cash available to support the students' fundraising efforts as there will be no EFTPOS facilities available.

This is the last day of Term 1, with regular dismissal at 3.20pm.

French Film Festival delights

As part of deepening their understanding of the French language, our Year 5 students recently visited the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival in the city.

Students used subtitles to navigate the story, which explored themes of environmentalism, with a young girl from Borneo rescuing a baby orangutan displaced by deforestation.

Next week, our Year 11 French students will see le Comte de Monte Cristo, using the listening, reading, and cultural linguistic opportunity as preparation for their assessments.

Year 8s take time to Reflect

On Monday, our Year 8 students gathered at The Monastery for their 2025 Reflection Day, where they explored the themes of identity and independence.

Reflection Days are an important element of the Catholic ethos of the College. They provide opportunities for our students to strengthen friendships and take dedicated time for reflection and connection.

For the Year 8 cohort, this began with an panel of the Year 8 teaching team, who shared their memories of their time in Year 8 and plans for the future, and a discussion to better understand their sense of belonging within Mercedes College and our Mercy community.

An exploration of the 14 Stations of the Cross in the Monastery's beautiful Sacred Garden was well timed as we approach Easter, and group games, problem solving tasks, and a round or two of archery tag rounded out this important day.

Serious message at Year 11 P.A.R.T.Y.

Last week, our Year 11 Health and Wellbeing students visited the Royal Adelaide Hospital to engage in their intensive P.A.R.T.Y. Programme.

The Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth  (P.A.R.T.Y.)  Programme invites students into the Emergency Room to get a first hand look at the results of accidents and traumas resulting from risky behaviours.

Working alongside medical professionals, students experienced the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit from the perspective of trauma nurses and physicians, as well as hearing directly from a trauma survivor about how one choice changed their life forever.

In reflecting on their experiences, students said:

“it became clear to me after visiting the intensive care unit and the rehabilitation centre, that these are actual people whose lives have been permanently affected, not simply a made-up story”

“(P.A.R.T.Y.) made me realise how important it is to make the right decisions in life, even if you think they’re so ‘small’, and how these could impact your life and all those around you, forever,” 

It was a day of harsh realities and one that will stay with these students for a long time to come.

Middle School Running the Show

Each Term, our students convene in their sub-schools to share an assembly. This is a chance to present awards, share reflections about recent experiences and celebrate achievements. It is also a time when students can show their creativity and leadership, as they run the assembly from start to finish.

Students share the role of hosting between Home Groups and this week it was 8DC and 8LT's turn to present the Middle School assembly.

Students prepared the agenda, created and managed a slideshow, and wrote the script.

They also challenged their teachers to compete in 'blind karaoke', to sing the next line of a song.

Honourable mentions go to Ms Guirguis, Ms Trenorden, and 'Dancing Queen' Mr Archer, but it was Mr Nathan who brought the house down, getting the whole School involved in his rendition of Sweet Caroline!

Move to the Beat

Our Music Team is on the lookout for students with an interest in trying percussion, with a plan to form a Percussion Ensemble as part of our CEA offerings, with 'Come and Try Percussion' sessions.

Percussion brings the rhythm to any performance, whether that be drums, cymbals, xylophone, marimba or the tamborine!

You don't need to have any experience with any of these instruments -  just an interest in bringing the energy and the beat to live music performances.

Come and Try Percussion
P101 (behind the Junior School Office)
Middle and Senior School students | Tuesday lunchtime
Junior School students | Wednesday lunchtime

Instrumental Tuition | Term 2

Submit your expression of interest for private instrumental tuition to start in Term 2.

Secure a time slot and instrument hire (if needed) so you're ready to get started in Week 1!

Coming up...

• Friday 4 April | Year 10 STEP  Team Machine Excursion | Primary SAPSASA State Swimming Championship | Year 11 Cambodia Service Experience Applications due to Mr Michael Francis
• Monday 7 April | Community Prayer and R-12 College Carnival Results (8.40am, Terraces) | Primary SAPSASA District Track and Field | Year 12 Learning Reviews (night one)
• Tuesday 8 April | Winter Sport Launch for parents and coaches
• Wednesday 9 April | Year 11-12 Drama/Theatre students Dictionary of Lost Words Excursion | Year 11 French Film Excursion | Year 12 Learning Reviews (night two) | Year 10-12 Medicine Information Session for students and parents
• Thursday 10 April | Secondary SSSSA Athletics Carnival | Whole of College Holy Week Gospel Reflection
• Friday 11 April | Caritas Day | Last day Term 1 (regular dismissal, 3.20pm)
   
• Monday 14 to Monday 28 April | Autumn Vacation Care
   
• Monday 28 April | Pupil Free Day
• Tuesday 29 April | First day Term 2 | Resurrection Prayer Gathering (8.30am, Terraces) | Year 8 Kaurna Games
• Wednesday 30 April to Friday 2 May | Year 10 Camps | Year 12 Retreat
• Friday 2 May | Year 8 Kaurna Games
• Friday 2 to Sunday 4 May | Generations in Jazz, Mt Gambier
   
• Friday 9 May | Mother's Day Lunch (nearly sold out!)

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.