The Hedge
Week 7, Term 2 | Thursday 13 June 2024 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

Record-breaking Programme

Our International Student Programme (ISP) has become the first school in the world to be recognised for excellence by global Education Agents for the fourth time in a row.

With a record number of votes received this year, more than 1,000 Agents voted for partner schools that they believe provide the best service for attracting and transitioning international students from the enrolment process right through to their arrival at the school.

This is a wonderful demonstration of our ongoing commitment for excellence in this area, and many others across the College, and a well-deserved recognition of our ISP Team.

Vacation Care Bookings Now Open

With the mid-term break around the corner, now is the time to book your child in for some holiday fun at our Vacation Care.

From creating Christmas in July, to enjoying a day of jumping on an inflatable funhouse, and even making your own movies, we’ve got options galore to keep your young ones entertained! See the full programme online, and book your places now.

Judo success

Congratulations to Isaac (Year 8, Barry) on his recent bronze medal, won at the 2024 National Judo Championship while representing South Australia!

Competing in the under 15 Senior Boys -55kg division, Isaac is officially the third best Judo competitor in the country. A great achievement.

Helping the Homeless

Our annual appeal to support St Vincent de Paul in their efforts to keep Adelaide’s homeless population safe and warm this season begins next week.

We encourage donations of non-perishable goods, blankets, and second-hand warm clothing, which will all be handed over to the Vinnies Winter Appeal at the end of Term.

Share your Experience

At the end of this Term, our Year 11 SACE students will spend three days undertaking work experience in order to further their understanding of career pathways and life after school.

If you are in a position to offer a student experience in your professional field or business from Monday 1 July to Wednesday 3 July, we’d love to hear from you!

All professions are welcomed – we already have a request for engineering – so please let us know and we will match your business with a student. Work experience can often be the thing that cements a career path for our students!

If you can help, contact Student Pathways Coordinator, Bill Deegan on bdeegan@mercedes.catholic.edu.au.

Colour Your World

On these gloomy winter days, we recommend you take a detour through Baggot Lane where you'll see a riot of colour to brighten your day!

Named in honour of Baggot Street, Dublin, where you'll find Catherine's House (the original House of Mercy), Baggot Lane is filled with a variety of artworks by our Junior and Middle School students. Their hard work has resulted in some stunning prints, sculptures, paintings, and more, so make sure you take a look.

Shake it like you mean it!

Recently our Year 12 Chemistry students combined a little bit of Taylor with a lot of learning! Whilst shaking up glass bottles to enable a chemical reaction that culminated in mirrored surfaces, the most appropriate song was, of course, ‘Shake it off’

And the results were very shiny!

Keep Dry in Style!

Our white M baseball caps have been a great hit with families – and it is fantastic to see them around the Campus and on the sidelines.

Our Winter Sport season is well underway – and given so many games are played outdoors, the next item in our Supporter range, is an umbrella – perfect for soccer, netball and footy spectators!

They are large, premium, high-strength golf umbrellas that keep off the rain and withstand the wind.  We’d love you to show your true colours (green and white!) and keep dry as you get out each weekend and support our teams.

Available from Jenny at Strathspey House for just $50, they are the perfect accessory for winter sport, or pick-up time at school!

Safety First

Yesterday, our Year 6 students participated in the Sticks ‘n’ Stones Programme, an initiative of Brainstorm Productions. The high-energy, engaging live performance shared valuable lessons about cyber-safety and also how to manage bullying safely.

This educational theatre production promotes resilience and reinforces positive relationships to support confidence. Helping to build social and emotional skills… with a few laughs thrown in, this was a valuable and interactive way for our new Middle School students to learn important life lessons in our digital world.

Get Those Beanies Ready!

Our Middle School Student Representative Council invites all students, staff, and community members to join Beanie Day 2024 next Friday 21 June (Week 8).

Beanie-wearers are asked to drop a gold coin donation to their Home Group or Class Teacher in support of the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We look forward to seeing the colour and variety of beanies on show across the Campus next week!

Coming up...

  • Tuesday 18 June | Mercedes College hosts Debating | Arts and Sports Precinct Official Opening with the Most Reverend Archbishop Patrick O’Regan (staff, students and invited guests only)
  • Friday 21 June | Beanie Day (gold coin donation)
  • Monday 24 to Friday 28 June | Year 11 Semester 1 Assessments/Exams
  • Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 June | Break Free and Being You Camps
  • Monday 1 to Wednesday 3 July | Year 11 SACE Work Experience
  • Wednesday 3 July | Year 12 SATAC Presentation | Last Day Term 2 (regular dismissal)
  • Thursday 4 July | Winter Vacation Care begins
  • Tuesday 23 July | First Day Term 3
  • Friday 26 July | Term 3 Parent Engagement Group (PEG) Meeting
  • Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August | Year 8 Sprout Cooking School excursions
  • Friday 2 August | Mercedes College Quiz Night - more details coming soon!

PLUS! The College Shop has received its shipment of navy socks and these are now available for purchase.