The Hedge

Week 4, Term 2 | Thursday 22 May 2025 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

Thank You to our Volunteers

This National Volunteer Week, we send our thanks out to all the members of our community who share their time with our students.

Our volunteers show up for us in various ways, including as guest speakers, career mentors, classroom readers, excursion chaperones, event champions, arts lovers, sports coaches, and bake sale donors.

More than 100 volunteers also support our Student Mentoring Programme, helping students of all ages to build confidence through one-on-one companionship.

We have an amazing volunteer community of parents, grandparents, Old Scholars, university students, and former staff members, who all give their time to be part of our rich and engaging College life.

If you are interested in volunteering with the College - we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with our People and Culture team on volunteering@mercedes.catholic.edu.au for more information.

Ready, Set, Quiz!

It’s a night of trivia, games, laughter, and incredible creativity, and this year our Quiz Night is brought to you by the letter M!

Think magicians, musicians, models, or maids… or perhaps you’d rather represent the Collingwood Magpies, celebrate Mickey Mouse, eat nothing but Magnums… you get the point…

We will be running extra games this year - which your ticket price covers.

Last year was a sell out - so get your table booking in early!

Friday 1 August
6.30pm to 10.30pm
Gleeson Theatre
$120 + BF per table of 10
Price includes automatic entry into games

We'll award prizes for the highest points scored, best dressed team, and best dressed table, plus hold a raffle on the night for people feeling lucky!

Plus! Guess how many M&Ms (of course) in the jar.

Book your table today .

In the name of Mercy

Over the weekend, four of our students and our APRIM, Helen Ayliffe, represented Mercedes College at the 76th Marian Procession, in honour of Mary, Mother of Mercy. Jeanine (Year 11, Fitzpatrick), Annabelle (Year 11, Fitzpatrick), Gina (Year 12, Fitzpatrick), Lexi (Year 11, McAuley), and Helen read the five Gospel Scriptures in front of a huge crowd in Victoria Square.

These spirited young women drew praise from Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, and many members of the public, who made a point of congratulating them on being articulate, purposeful speakers. Well done to you all for representing our Mercy community so briliantly!

Sing for Term 2 House Spirit

This year, we’re turning up House Spirit across the entire College!

Each term will see a dedicated House activity, designed to strengthen community ties and foster those wonderful vertical connections that come with being part of a House.

Throughout the year, students will have the chance to get involved in a variety of House events spanning Sport, the Arts, Academia, and Social Justice. It’s a great opportunity for every student to shine in their area of strength, try something new, take a few risks, and most importantly — have fun while building House Spirit.

Dalton took out the top spot in Term 1 after demonstrating their sporting proweress in our Primary and Senior Swimming and Athletics Carnivals, and this term we're challenging students and staff in the Arts, with... a House Singing Competition!

Students are driving the song choice for each House, with votes to close on Monday. Middle and Senior School students can review their selection and vote here, whilst families can help Junior School students with their vote here.

We look forward to getting rehearsals underway soon - and hope everyone is ready to 'Sing their House out!'

It's the word that you've heard...

College Musical, Grease begins in just three weeks, and the cast and crew are excited to share this popular classic with everyone. But the excitement went up another notch when Mr Balkwill loaned his car for the official photoshoot yesterday!

Apart from photo calls, students are working on getting all the props needed to make sure our talented cast shine on stage.

They’ve put together a list of things that still elude them – such as 50s era bar stools, radio, and dressing screen – can you help?

If you think you can provide an item on the list, please contact Director of Performing Arts, Jayan Mace, by SEQTA Direqt Message.

Year 9s RISE to the Occasion

This week, our Year 9 students are traversing the Flinders Ranges on a self-directed bushwalking camp. Pushing themselves mentally, socially and physically, our students are developing a greater sense of self-awareness and strengthening positive relationships, which is complements their year-long resilience programme, RISE.

This time spent in nature, being challenged and invigorated, will be a great experience that will have them ready to face the second half of the Term when they return to Campus on Monday.

Reading Cats and Dogs!

Yesterday our Junior School participated in the annual National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS), which has been run by the Australian Library and Information Association for 25 years.

With more than two million participants, our students were in great company as they read The Truck Cat, by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell, at the same time as other people did in schools, libraries, and homes around the country. Our Library Coordinator, Anne-Marie Flaherty, even had a big cardboard semi-trailer set up for the occasion!

In other NSS activities, our Reception students completed a morning Story Walk inspired by Dog's Colourful Day by Emma Dodd. As a group, they followed the adventures of a playful pup, and collected colourful spots for their dog at each station. Students made connections to their own daily routines, laughing at the idea that the dog needed a bath at the end of its day — just like they do!

Staying Safe

Paul Dillon has been visiting our Senior students at Mercedes College for more than 10 years, speaking to more than 1,500 students over that time.

With key messages unique to Year 10, 11, and 12, Paul presents important information about keeping students and their friends safe around drugs and alcohol. Covering how to manage their risks, legal responsibilities, and current trends such as drink and needle spiking, students are also provided access to resources to help them navigate their safety and manage emergencies in the future, including a set of digital guides that can be downloaded onto their phone.

Parents are encouraged to also review these resources, available at Paul's website for Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA).

Dogs for the Win!

Our Year 5 Debating teams both returned a win after their first round of the season last week. The topic was “Cats are better than Dogs”. Our teams strongly argued against the topic (because dogs are the best!), and were deemed the most persuasive on the night!

A special congratulations to Zoey (Barry) and Annie (Dalton) for also winning Speaker of the Night awards. We look forward to hearing more about your ongoing debating adventures!

Horsing Around...

Earlier this month, international student Chloe (Year 9, Barry) represented Mercedes College at the Trinity College Interschool Gymkhana – a competition showcasing equestrian control and agility across multiple disciplines.

Chloe, on her horse Apollo, navigated timed races, skill-based challenges, and show jumping rounds. She demonstrated consistently strong technique and good sportsmanship, reflective of her dedication and growth as a rider.

Congratulations Chloe on your ribbons for this competition (two 2nd place, one 3rd place, and one fourth).

Wild Encounters

In Science news, our Year 7s received a visit from The Nature Education Centre this week to study animal habitat, adaptations, and lifecycles in support of their units on introduced species and the classification of living and non-living things.

This hands-on experience introduced them to a range of native animals, including stick insects, a bettong, python, and three very curious sugar gliders, and students were eager to participate in this unique lesson format.

River Adventures

This week, our Year 12 Outdoor Education students are enjoying the great outdoors, and are hitting the water on a four day, three night student-led expedition.

Under the supervision of qualified instructors, students are putting their extensive preparations to use, paddling along the Murray River, Ral Ral Creek, and Bulyon Creek, and looking after their own campsites, meals, and daily time management.

This experience is designed for the development of practical outdoor skills, risk management, and the exploration of human impacts on our waterways and wider environment.

Parenting in a Digital World

Catholic Schools Parents SA (CSPSA) invites parents and caregivers to their latest free presentation, ‘Parenting in a Digital World. Safe. Smart. Empowered’.

The seminar will feature two compelling speakers: founder of Ctrl+Shft, Kirra Prendergast, and founder of SmackTalk, Wayne Holdsworth. Warning: Wayne shares his personal journey after losing his 17 year old son, Mac, to cyberbullying and youth suicide.

Parents can register to stream the presentation, or attend in person at Nazareth Catholic Community, in Kidman Park.

Wednesday 4 June, 6.00pm – 7.30pm.

Carter’s On The Ball

A big congratulations to Carter (Year 11, Barry) on recently being named in the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championship U16 squad representing South Australia.

Carter will join his teammates in June, starting in Western Australia, before heading to Queensland for their final games.

Coming up...

Tuesday 27 May | Community Prayer (8.35am), Reconciliation Week
Thursday 29 May | Year 10 vaccinations | Playgroup
Friday 30 May | Year 7 Reflection Day
Tuesday 3 June | Year 5 Science for Real Light workshops
Wednesday 4 June | Year 6 Reflection Day | Year 12 visit with Junior School Buddies | Modern Icons workshop two
Thursday 5 June | Playgroup | Year 11 Snow Trip Parent Information Evening
Monday 9 June | King's Birthday Public Holiday
Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 June | College Musical, Grease