Our rich College life includes annual camps and off-Campus activities, as well as a curated series of special experiences that take a deeper dive into building compassion, respect, and resilience.
We have always looked to develop students academically, socially, personally and emotionally.
We believe that educating the whole person, looking beyond our gates to the wider world, having a positive impact, and building resilience and young people of character, are the defining characteristics of a Mercedes College education.
An integral part of this process, is offering students experiences that take them away from the day-to-day of learning, and into other worlds to discover more about themselves.
Mercedes College has been taking students to visit the Mimili community in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands for 30 years. This Trek is a cornerstone of our STEP Programme, and delivers a powerful experience for our students.
Open to students in Years 9 and 10, this seven-day Trek is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for Anangu culture and the value of diversity in Australia.
A truly immersive experience, students and the Mimili community engage in a variety of experiences together, living out the Anangu concept of ‘Ngapartji Ngapatji’ – the two-way giving and care for one another.
At Mercedes, French is taught as a standard subject from Reception. To capitalise on this depth of learning and strengthen students’ comprehension skills in the French language, Year 10 and Year 11 students are invited to join a three-week tour of France.
Beginning and ending in France’s capital, Paris, with visits to its iconic monuments, the tour also takes in the history of Joan of Arc in Rouen, explores the landscapes of the Loire Valley and observes the opulence of the Chateau de Versailles.
It is an immersive experience that deepens students’ understanding of both the French language, its people, history and culture.
During the mid-year school holidays, our Year 11 students have the option to join the annual Snow Trip to New Zealand.
Whether avid skiers and snowboarders, or complete novices on the slopes, students support one another in pushing their comfort zones and building confidence in unfamiliar surroundings.
This is another defining experience for our Senior students, forging new bonds and strengthening new relationships before their final year of school.
For more than a decade, Mercedes College has maintained a relationship with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia. Part of this relationship is an optional service tour made by Year 11 students at the end of the academic year.
The Jesuit Refugee Service provides relief to Cambodian families impacted by disadvantage, disability, and displacement. This Service helps to provide housing, wheelchairs, education support, and resources to support income generation.
The Cambodia Service Tour is one steeped in our Mercy values, with students participating in hands-on action that supports the work the Service does for its local communities.
