The Hedge
Week 2, Term 3 | Thursday 1 August 2024 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

Sprouting Young Cooks

Our Year 8 students have taken their learning into a classroom of a different kind this week, cooking up a storm with Sprout Cooking School.

Working in small groups, teams learned about various cooking techniques and food safety, as well as the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet.

Students worked in small groups to create a delicious three-course meal.

On the menu was pumpkin, pearl barley and Haloumi salad, chicken, bacon and broccoli pesto pasta, with cheesecake mousse with orange and pepita crumble to finish.

We weave cooking, nutrition, and food preparation into many aspects of our students learning, from lessons at Sprout to our outdoor camps, excursions, classroom activities and international celebrations.

A Truly Global School

This Term, we are delighted to be hosting international students from 13 different countries!

Students across the Campus are represented here by Eleonor (Austria), Charlie (China), Max (France), Eliah (Germany), Parsa (Iran), Lorenzo (Italy), Caton (Hong Kong), Sofia (South Korea), Imandee (Sri Lanka), Chuck (Taiwan), Akaruch (Thailand), and Jessie (Vietnam), with apologies from Esme, all the way from Switzerland!

Having students from so many different nations and cultures adds to the diversity of our cohort and supports our commitment to teaching our students to be truly global thinkers and learners.

The College celebrates 56 years of our International Student Programme, and in our 70th year, it’s wonderful to see that our engagement with students around the world continues to thrive.

An Illuminating Excursion

Patch Theatre delighted our Reception students this week, at their Superluminal performance at the South Australian Museum.

Children took part in the show that explored light and nature, using colour-changing lanterns to interact with the installation.

Their guide helped them journey through spaces with hidden animal tracks to discover animals through the ages.

What a colourful, creative and illuminating experience for our youngest learners!

Bowling them over

Congratulations to Zara (Year 10, Fitzpatrick), who has been selected to represent School Sport SA at the School Sport Australia 15 Years and Under Girls Cricket Championship!

This selection will see Zara heading to Mackay, Queensland, at the end of the month. What a great achievement!

Vinnies Sleep Out

Our brave Year 12 students are preparing for a chilly night next week, as they take part in the Vinnies School Sleepout!

Whilst they are braving the elements, you can still support this initiative, as we head into National Homeless Week next week.

We are also in the final days of collecting non-perishable donations to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Please drop your donations in the Vinnies collection bins at our Reception areas or in your Home Groups, by Wednesday next week 7 August. Thank you again for your support.

Legally Blonde JR

This wonderful story, which Reese Witherspoon made her own, celebrates being true to yourself, following your passion, and carving your own path in life – great lessons for us all!

We are delighted to introduce some of our Cast to you…

Benji Hughes (Year 12, Dalton)
Playing Professor Callahan
Favourite experience so far: "The real sense of community spirit amongst students from various year levels"
Describe Legally Blonde Jr in one word: "Fun"

Chloe Dowd (Year 12, Barry)
Playing Elle Woods
Favourite experience so far: "Working in our brand new performance space"
Describe Legally Blonde Jr in one word: "Inspiring"

Suleiman Hussain (Year 12, Dalton)
Playing Dewey / Grandmaster Chad
Favourite experience so far: "Getting to know and inspire younger students who have the same passion for performing"
Describe Legally Blonde Jr in one word: "Ecstatic"

There are five performances of the show – so make sure you book your tickets and come along to support our Year 7 to Year 12 students as they take to the stage... get your tickets today!

Year 5s Visit Hahndorf

This week, our Year 5 students spent a day in historic Hahndorf learning about the plight of the Prussian pioneers, who resettled on Australian Peramangk land to avoid persecution in Europe.

Students experienced an 1800s classroom, writing in old script and language on slate.

They also learnt about farm living conditions that settlers endured, looking at walls that were built using natural materials as well as animal bones. Learning that the children were relegated to sleeping in the barn with the cows, left many students feeling very grateful to return to their warm, comfortable homes at the end of the day!

Social Justice with MP

At the end of last week, three of our Year 10 Social Justice Leaders stepped up to assist Member for Waite, Ms Catherine Hutchesson, with some local community work.

The session was aimed at helping older residents understand what to expect if they needed emergency assistance, and was also a great opportunity to make connections with other people in their neighbourhood.

Annabelle, Jeanine and Cara received wonderful feedback from those who attended, who remarked on their maturity, ability to take initiative, warm hospitality, and integrity.

Three excellent advocates for our Mercy Keys in action.

A Moment of Mercy

This week we captured a lovely Rainbow lorikeet taking a moment to rest in the palm of Catherine McAuley.

We hope that this is a sign of a joyful spring right around the corner…

Coming up...

  • Thursday 1 - Friday 2 August | Year 11 Retreat
  • Friday 2 August | CESA STEM MAD Showcase | Quiz Night, 7pm
  • Tuesday 6 August | Junior School Student-led Learning Conferences | Uni SA visit for Year 12
  • Wednesday 7 August | Year 3-6 Cross Country | Year 2-12 Cross Country Relays | AMC Maths Competition Year 9-10 | Uni SA visit for Year 10
  • Thursday 8 August | AMC Maths Competition Year 3-5
  • Friday 9 August | Career Insights Breakfast (Year 11-12) | Vinnies School Sleepout
  • Monday 12 August | School Photos, non-sport co-curricular teams | Year 6-12 Learning Reviews
  • Tuesday 13 August | Year 10 Vaccinations | Year 11 Subject Counselling
  • Wednesday 14 August | School Photos, sport co-curricular teams | University of Adelaide visit for Year 10 | MASA Maths Quiz Night
  • Thursday 15 August | Assumption of Mary
  • Thursday 15 August - Saturday 17 August | Legally Blonde JR, the Musical
  • Friday 16 August | 2025 College Captain Presentations and Voting
  • Monday 19 - Saturday 24 August | Book Week | Intercol vs. St Ignatius' College