Pétanque Contenders

The top four teams to emerge from the Mercedes College Junior School Pétanque Championship recently represented Mercedes College against other French-teaching schools in the state at the SAFTA Schools’ Pétanque Championship.

Forming two teams, Sienna (Year 3, McAuley), Gigi (Year 3, McAuley), Ariel (Year 4, Dalton), William (Year 4, Barry), Greta (Year 4, McAuley), Ayana (Year 4, Fitzpatrick), Paige (Year 5, Fitzpatrick), and Caitlyn (Year 5, Fitzpatrick), Mercedes A finished top of their pool, but were pipped by a single point in a valiantly-played quarter final.

We look forward to playing again next year... Allez Mercedes!

Training our next Chess Champions

Future Primary 'Grand Masters' have started their chess training in the Carmel Bourke Library at lunchtime on Mondays. Working in specialised chess workbooks and then on their chess boards, students are excited to hone their skills ready for the interschool competition.

With spaces still available, students in Year 4 to Year 6 are encouraged to join the fun - pop along to the library on Monday lunch time and learn about one of the world's best 'mind' games.

Chess is also one of our Intercol competitions each year and we love that students are learning the game early... we see Intercol Shields in their future!

Living in Harmony

This week we acknowledge Harmony Week, recognising the diversity of our College community, our international learning network, and the wider Australian public, in a celebration of inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging.

Today, students were asked to show their support by adding a touch of orange to their summer uniforms. Students also took part in College-wide activities that demonstrate our commitment to showing that Everyone Belongs - the theme for Harmony Week this year.

Classes read books about diversity, and shared the many countries of the world that make up our community's cultural backgrounds.

Good Sports

Director of Co-Curricular Sport, Mr Brodie Atkinson, invites coaches, parents and caregivers to join the launch of our Winter Sport season.

Tuesday 8 April (Week 11)
6.00pm – 7.00pm - followed by refreshments
Yitpi Centre

Brodie will share his vision for the 2025 Sport Programme, and our Directors of Netball, Football, and Basketball will also share their plans for a successful season.

Old Scholar and 2024 SANFL Magarey Medal Winner, Will Snelling (Class of 2015, Barry), is our special guest, and will talk about his time in sport at Mercedes College and its influence on his successful football career beyond the hedge.

If your children are involved in Winter Sports, please join us at this important event, to learn more about the College's plans and expectations for all our students and families. You can register your attendance here.
 

Students are not expected to attend this session, however are welcome if after-school supervision impacts your ability to attend.

Bikes, Bushwalking and Bridge Building

This week, Year 7 students are testing their outdoor and teamwork skills at their 2025 Camps. Orienteering, hiking, bike maintenance and using a camping stove are just some of the challenges they are mastering while they bond as a group, and use time in solitude to practise reflection and mindfulness.

7BG and 7JA returned home yesterday, trading places with 7AU, 7IO, and 7AN, who are currently challenging themselves before a return tomorrow. The feedback from families? They returned home tired, but happy!

Performing Arts Information Evening

Families are invited to come along to Gleeson Theatre to a showcase of the range of Performing Arts that are available to or students, as part of their Curriculum Extension Activities (CEAs)

You'll get the chance to see our choirs, ensembles, bands and dancers perform, and hear directly from our students about what the Arts mean to them, as part of their education at the College.

Our new Director of Performing Arts, Jayan Mace will share her vision for 2025, and introduce the whole team.

This is a great opportunity to come and learn more about all of the Performing Arts opportunities that are available to our students, and how music, dance and live performance adds a rich and engaging experience to students' lives. 

Monday 31 March
6.30pm – 7.30pm
Gleeson Theatre

Everyone is welcome, register your attendance here.

Lessons of Friendship

This week, our Year 5s attended the first class Mass of the year with Father John Shanahan in our Ursula Frayne Chapel in Strathspey House.

With the theme of Jesus showing us “how to be a friend to others”, Fr John shared the importance of caring for and loving neighbours and friends through the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37 and his homily, while students shared reflections on the qualities they believe make a good friend.

School Photos

Group, portrait and sibling photos will be taken in Week 10:

• Year 6 to Year 11, Tuesday 1 April
• Reception to Year 5, plus all pre-ordered sibling photos, Thursday 3 April

Please click here to access the advancedlife website and order online using code ZMK HD5 QQB.

Class and portrait photos can be ordered any time, however orders for sibling photos must close on Tuesday 1 April.

Students are required to wear their formal summer uniform, including blazers (Year 3 to Year 11), and bring their PE uniform to change into if relevant (noting that this is standard for Senior School students).

School photos are delivered direct to the College, and are expected approximately six weeks after the photos are taken.
 

advancedlife offers a 100% money back guarantee on their products to ensure peace of mind. Any questions or feedback about ordering school photos should go direct to advancedlife at advancedlife.com.au/contact

Coming up...

• Friday 21 March | Junior School Swimming Carnival
• Monday 24 March | Year 3-6 SACPSSA Swimming | Year 12 Seminar Day
• Tuesday 25 March | Catholic Co-Ed Secondary Athletics Carnival | Year 8 French Film Festival Excursion | Year 9 Brownhill Creek Excursion | MYP Parent Information Evening
• Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 March | Junior School Learning Reviews
• Wednesday 26 March | Year 11-12 Art and Design 2025 SACE Art Show and AGSA Excursion
• Thursday 27 March | Year 11 P.A.R.T.Y. Programme Excursion | Year 10 STEP 1 Team Machine Excursion | Year 5 French Film Festival Excursion
• Friday 28 March | Year 7-12 Swimming Carnival
• Monday 31 March | Year 8 Retreat | Year 10 STEP 3 Team Machine Excursion | Performing Arts Information Evening | Generations in Jazz Information Evening
• Tuesday 1 April | Year 6-11 Class and Portrait Photo Day | Last day to order Sibling Photos (code ZMK HD5 QQB)
• Thursday 3 April | Reception to Year 5 Class and Portrait Photo Day, Sibling Photo Day
• 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 | Primary SAPSASA District Track and Field | Year 12 Learning Reviews (night one)
• Tuesday 8 April | Winter Sport Launch
• Wednesday 9 April | Community Prayer and R-12 College Carnival Results (8.40am, Terraces) | 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
• Thursday 10 April | Secondary SSSSA Athletics Carnival | Year 11 French Film Festival Excursion
• Friday 11 April | Caritas Day | Last day Term 1

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.