Old Scholars thriving, connecting, and giving back

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Successes on the local and global stage

Congratulations Commonwealth Games athlete Bree Hargrave

Old Scholar Bree Hargrave (Class of 2000) is currently representing Australia in Birmingham in Women’s Sprint Cycling and has performed extremely well, narrowly missing out on a medal in the Women’s Track Sprint final.

We are very proud of Bree, who has out-performed cyclists half her age and been an inspiration to so many of our young cyclists who aspire to represent their country.

Main image: ABC News, Che Chorley

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Class of 1991, 30 (+1) Year Reunion | Saturday 30 July 2022

On Saturday 30 July Old Scholars from the Class of 1991 celebrated their 30 Year (+1) Reunion with drinks and a College tour followed by a celebration at The Torrens Arms Hotel. It was the first time since the arrival of COVID that we have been able to have a reunion on-site, and some Old Scholars had not been back to the campus for many years.

We were also delighted to welcome back former teachers Tony O’Doherty and Josh Roach, and old yearbooks provided many great memories of Mercedes College 30 years ago.

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MOSA Career Mentoring

More than 35 Old Scholars will return to Mercedes College on Friday 19 August to participate in our Year 11 Career Mentoring Programme. Students will have the opportunity to hear from former students currently undergoing tertiary study, along with those now qualified and working in their chosen field.

In a show of the positive impact our Career Mentoring Programme has on our students, we are seeing fabulous interest from our Class of 2021 in joining the Programme to share their experiences in teriary study and further training after graduation. We're excited to welcome them back to Mercedes College, and to learn from them.

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Anne Morse
MOSA Executive Officer

Music department making noise in Term 3

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Big musical events on the horizon

As we set our sights to the second half of the year, the Music Department is gearing up for a busy season of performances and events.  

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Converge Music Showcase

We welcome families and friends to our annual music showcase: CONVERGE, an entertaining night of music and song that celebrates the hard work and talent of our students.

Featuring students from Year 2 to Year 12, CONVERGE showcases the diversity of our music department, bringing together different bands, choirs and soloists from across the College to perform a variety of musical genres. The performance is conducted in a cabaret style, with pre-purchased platters available and two cash bars. Friends of the Arts will also being running a raffle on the night with fantastic prizes on offer.

Tickets are limited, so book early!

We hope to see many of you in attendance for what is always a great night. 

CONVERGE Music Showcase
Thursday 1 September. 7pm
Arkaba Hotel
All tickets $15
Book here

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Catholic Schools Music Festival

Mercedes College has been involved with the Catholic Schools Music Festival for a number of years and, like CONVERGE, this is a highly anticipated event on our calendar. This event takes place of four nights at the end of Term 3 on the beautiful stage of the Festival Theatre. Performers audition to participate and we are thrilled to feature students on two of these nights.

Our Festival Choir, comprised of Year 5 and 6 students, will perform as part of the Primary Schools Choir on Tuesday 27 September. On the same evening, our immensly talented Vocal Jazz Ensemble will join them as a support act. On the Monday prior, Year 12 student Katarina Samaras will perform as a piano soloist. 

Congratulations to all of these students for their hard work and successful auditions. Tickets for this event will be open to the public later this Term.

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Well deserved recognition

We are delighted to share that piano teacher Mrs Sue Peters has been awarded the Don Burrows Award for Recognition of Long Service for Music Tutors in Independent Schools. This award, bestowed by the Association of Heads of Music in Non Government Schools, recognises Sue’s extraordinary contribution to piano teaching over forty years, with particular acknowledgement of her “consistent, passionate and far-reaching influence on generations of musicians”.

Sue has taught piano at Mercedes College for 15 years and we're sure that our colleagues, College families, and over 200 instrumental students, would agree that this award is well-deserved. Congratulations Sue!

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Lauren Vilanova
CEA Music Coordinator R-12

and

Nicole Moxham
Instrumental Music Programme Coordinator R-12
 

Winter warmers at Vacation Care

By Debbie Goss

New friends and fun times

We have enjoyed a happy start to Term 3, officially welcoming some new friends who we met during the winter Vacation Care programme. Spending time with us during the holidays made all the difference to their confidence and it's lovely to see them blossom, making friends and feeling comfortable with the College surrounds.

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One of our favourite activities during Vacation Care was the creation of lava lamps, based on the iconic décor item popular in the 1960s due to its mesmerising motion of colourful liquid. We also extend our thanks to Ann from It's Not Garbage for putting together an inviting array of bits and pieces for our creative pursuits that would have otherwise have ended up in landfill.

The roller disco was certainly a hit, with the upbeat music softening the inevitable spills, and we had fantastic feedback about our gymnastics workshop. We hope to repeat these new activities to future programmes.

In fact, we have already done some very productive brainstorming for the spring Vacation Care programme and have enough ideas to keep us going until 2023!

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Term 3 Out of School Hours Care

This Term our activities will be based on the 'curiouser and curiouser' adventures of Alice in Wonderland. Many of us have read the book, and we have now watched the delightful Disney animated version (not for the last time, I'm certain).

We love Alice for being a magical, brave little girl, and have had fun decorating our room in preparation for a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Week 5 - stay tuned!

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Debbie Goss
OSHC Director

Mentors helping students flourish

By Stephen Heuzenroeder

New faces and great interactions

We are well and truly into the swing of things in our Student Mentoring Programme SMP for 2022.

Main image: Zedekiah (Year 9) with Old Scholar Seamus

It has been fantastic to welcome many new Community Mentors into the programme, and into our Mercedes Community, this year. They join Year 12 students, Old Scholars, and parents (past and present) who are in mentoring roles around the College.

Pictured (L-R): Caden (Year 7) with past parent Wendy-Anne, and Lucas (Year 7) with Year 12 student Isaac

We're also casting the net wider in the search for new Mentors, connecting with students from Flinders University and the Univeristy of SA studying Education or Psychology, and inviting them to join our programme.

Our new Community Mentors with no prior experience, attend our Mentor Training Workshops, where we provide insights and develop the skills needed for working with young people. Participant feedback has been positive.

Pictured (L-R): Mattis (Year 7) with Education student Daniel, and Orte (Year 6) with Old Scholar Tia

It's been wonderful to see the great relationships between students and their Mentors flourish. The opportunity for students to build one-on-one connections with their Mentors is so important, and vital in nurturing their self-esteem, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

With more students eager to participate, you too can become a Community Mentor. If you're interested in volunteering as a Mentor please contact me via email or through SEQTA direqt message.

Stephen Heuzenroeder
Student Mentoring Programme Coordinator

COVID reminders for all

By Mercedes College

Easy ways to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

We're encouraging staff and students (Year 3 and up) to wear a mask inside, as well as for adult visitors to our campus.

Mask wearing is an effective way to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Masks must be worn

• on public transport
• at school by close contacts (those who have someone in their household who is COVID-19 positive) who are over 12 years of age and who do not have a mask exemption. Schools need not police this, however please continue to remind families of this requirement through your regular communications, and
• across a whole school site for 14 days by adults and secondary students when an outbreak reaches a certain threshold (10 or more cases in one homeroom over 7 days / 5 or more cases in 5 homerooms over 7 days).

It is also important that we don't become complacent about handwashing/sanitising and wiping down surfaces to help stop the spread.

Mission Australia | NDIS Partner

By Catholic Education SA

Delivering Local Area Coordination Services

Mission Australia is the NDIS Partner delivering Local Area Coordination Services in our area.

They are visiting Mercedes College to provide families with information about:

• Mission Australia and the services they offer.
• Services available for people with disability.
• Understanding the NDIS and eligibility.
• Accessing support and services for those not eligible for the NDIS, or for people who do not wish to access the Scheme.

Family Information Session
Wednesday 14 September 2022
1:30pm to 3pm
Mercy Lecture Theatre
Mercedes College

Reserve your place here

College Leadership

Exciting milestones ahead

By Andrew Balkwill

Term 3 is jam-packed with things for your diary

Building high performance

Kennett Builders have excavation work well underway across our campus, with crews working to increase carparking capacity in our north-eastern and south-eastern corners, and setting new levels where our outdoor courts were, ahead of constructing our new sport and community spaces.

In preparing the southern area for construction, vegetation has been removed. Once building works are finished, landscapers will beautify the street scape with vegetation that complements our open spaces and beautiful garden grounds.

Our $25 million high performance Arts and Sports Precinct project will also deliver new spaces where students will be able to socialise as well as sit peacefully to enjoy the outdoors.

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Safe learning opportunities

With various construction areas fenced off, access to the campus is different this Term and car parking on campus is at a premium. Thank you for adjusting your morning and afternoon routines to accommodate this.

The Kiss and Drop zone at our Delamere Avenue entrance provides a safe and swift set-down each morning from 8am to 9am for Reception to Year 3 students. In the afternoons, this area is used for school buses leaving our campus. It’s also terrific to see so many happy students chatting with each other and their families as they head home.

Particularly for our Junior School students, the temporary changes provide a great opportunity to practice safely getting in and out of a parked car (passenger side entrance/egress) and crossing the road (always stop, look, listen and think before crossing a road, and use pedestrian crossings wherever possible). You can find more pedestrian and road safety tips for kids here.

Just by watching you, your child will learn about pedestrian safety, so show them safe behaviours around cars, roads, footpaths, driveways and car parks. Please observe no standing or parking areas and be mindful of our neighbours by not stopping across driveways, even temporarily.

Our Carrick Hill Drive and Delamere Avenue pedestrian entrance areas are supervised each morning and afternoon, as is the Emu Crossing. These areas are supervised until 3.45pm each afternoon, providing plenty of time to safely collect children following dismissal at 3.25pm.

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CIS accreditation

Mercedes College has begun the process of renewing our membership with the Council of International Schools (CIS). Our CIS community includes more than 1,300 schools and universities, representing 123 countries. Membership is a rigorous process and can give the community confidence that we hold ourselves accountable to an external quality assurance process to enhance student learning, maintain a commitment to high quality international education and good governance. The first signpost will be reached in mid-September with a progress evaluation.

Mercedes College is the only Catholic School in South Australia to hold a Council of International Schools (CIS) accredited status, and one of only three nationally. First accredited in 2005, our five yearly review is now underway.

This is a rigorous process that drives continuous improvement, ensuring we continue demonstrating delivery of a high quality international education. It also synchronises the IB Programme evaluation process of whole-school evaluation and accreditation. Accreditation provides confidence to current and prospective families, educational leaders and teachers, and so on, that we do what we say we do, and to a high standard.

The CIS Accreditation process includes assessment against internationally recognised standards, particularly governance, leadership, financial practices, commitment to internationalism, human relations, student wellbeing programmes, co-curricular activities and professional support.

Another performance assessment is underway, and we’d love you to have your say on how well Mercedes College is Living Learning Leading to ensure students develop knowledge, skills and attributes to flourish, by completing a three minute survey.

By participating you’ll be providing feedback that informs long term site planning, including the allocation of resources.

All of our families, plus students, teachers, education support officers and admin personnel are being asked to participate, so that we capture a community snapshot about how we can make our best even better.

If you have not yet completed the survey, please do so online, entering access code LLLPMC to provide a rating for each statement. The survey closes next Friday, 12 August 2022.

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#salafestival exhibition

While you’re online, visit our #salafestival exhibition. Each year during August, SALA takes place in galleries and non-traditional arts spaces across South Australia, providing everyone the opportunity to connect with thousands of emerging, mid-career, and established South Australian artists.

This year, more than 500 venues across the state are hosting exhibitions that will reach more than 850,000 people. Our exhibition features the work of our emerging artists from Year 1 to Year 10. Simply click to visit our #sala festival exhibition and enjoy! You can also see a number of these works when you're next on campus.

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CONVERGE 2022 | Our Music Showcase

Later this month you can also join us for an entertaining night of music and song, celebrating the talent of our students from Year 2 to Year 12. CONVERGE showcases the diversity of our music department, bringing together different bands, choirs and soloists from across the College to perform a variety of genres.

Tickets to COVERGE, hosted at The Arkaba Hotel on Glen Osmond Road at Fullarton, are just $15, with cabaret seating and the option to pre-purchase platters for your table. You’ll also have the chance to win some great prizes, with our Friends of The Arts committee running a raffle. Book your tickets now.

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Intercol

There are many long-standing traditions at Mercedes College and one of these is Intercol – our Intercollegiate competition with Saint Ignatius College.

Across the span of a week, we go head-to-head in nine different disciplines, with senior teams competing for a total of 21 shields. The College with the highest number of shields at the close of competition wins Intercol for that year.

After 17 years the competition tally stands at Mercedes 11 to Saint Ignatius’ 5 and 1 draw.

If you have attended an Intercol event previously you’ll know the passion our students bring to the competition as they support one another to achieve their best.

The school spirit shown by students is something we can all be proud of – they take pride in competing and wearing their formal uniform as supporters and cheering on their peers, plus they make posters, create chants and embrace our Camel mascot.

This year, to foster this fabulous spirit across our campus, we’re introducing a pre-Intercol event for the first time. This special event will provide students from all Year levels how special and important the Intercol competition is to Mercedes College.

On Friday 19 August, at lunch time, we’ll be hosting some friendly Junior School versus Senior School soccer matches to build excitement for the upcoming Intercol competition, with handicaps in place to make things fair, equitable and fun. At the end of these ‘friendly matches’ we’ll present Intercol athletes with playing guernseys for the week ahead.

As school pride and spirit resides in us all, you’re invited to join us in the festivities of the day. Feel free to pop into the College between 1:20pm and 2pm on Friday 19 August 2022 to catch a glimpse of all the action.

For the full Intercol program see From the Sports Desk.

Go Camels!

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Andrew Balkwill
Principal

Junior Journeys

Reflecting on learning and the coming Term

By Kellie Osborn

Looking ahead to an inspiring, powerful, challenging and engaging Term 3

Thank you to our students, families and staff for a positive and successful start to Term 3. We trust you have enjoyed a relaxing and much-needed break from the routine and expectations that school days can involve. Term 3 is always busy and productive, and we look forward to the breadth of opportunities students will have to develop their knowledge, skills and relationships.

The College continues to monitor health advice regarding COVID measures and we will continue with our strong and responsive management plans. Our priority is your child’s education, with consistency of teaching and learning.

We warmly welcome Ms Lydia Mc Carron, who is teaching our Year 3 students. This is going to be a wonderful Term filled with powerful, challenging and creative learning experiences. I am excited to see where this will take us as a learning community!

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Student-led Learning Conferences in Week 3

At the halfway point of the year it makes sense to pause and reflect on our learners’ progress and successes. Sharing with parents and caregivers allows students to build ownership and demonstrate their understanding of learning situations. With the support of our teachers, students have the opportunity to select and share evidence of learning that captures their strengths, progress, and next steps, including the IB PYP Learner Profile, knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and ways they have taken action.

What you will observe at the Conferences in Week 3 is our students being true PYP learners; taking the driver's seat to lead and present the conference, reflecting on their learning journey so far. It is a special opportunity for us to reflect on just how much our students have progressed in their learning since the beginning of the year. I have no doubt that there will be many smiles and special moments as they share with you next week.

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Staying safe online during the winter months and all year round

Families often communicate to us that they see an increase in children accessing social media during winter and the school holidays as they connect with friends and family. At the College we have our ICT Acceptable Use Policy and ICT Acceptable Use Student Agreement to support safe, respectful, and appropriate device use and internet access and monitor student use closely in the Junior School. Whilst we have clear expectations around students’ use of their devices at school, we know that for families at home that this can be a challenging space to navigate. Earlier in the year we shared our family online safety contracts to help set up appropriate measures at home.

We will continue to educate and inform students, and through the Mercy Vine and Seesaw we will continue to provide guidance to families as we move into the second semester.

The government's esafety website provides useful information from the eSafety Commissioner in support of families and educators, and includes a regularly updated section for parents.

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Kellie Osborn
Head of Junior School

Middle Moments

Busy bees in Middle School

By Ben Dray

There's a jam-packed Term ahead

Welcome back to Term 3, I hope our students and families enjoyed a relaxed and enjoyable break. Students have come back looking invigorated and excited for a jam packed Term 3, especially for two upcoming Middle School Camps (Year 7 and Year 8).

I would also like to formally welcome seven new students to our Middle School. We wish you and your families well as you settle into Mercedes College, and we look forward to your long and active participation within our community.

Year 6 | Lily James

Year 7 | Sienna Hormazabal, Matisse Elliott, and Taras Kholodenko

Year 8 | Marco Hormazabal, and Chloe Hanel

Year 9 | Lila Pye

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Year 9 Reflection Day
Pictured, above: students engaging in meditation

The Year 9 Reflection Day offered students different ways to think about spiritual/religious perspectives and experiences, and was an opportunity to gather in a different way. Being off-campus, and with the altered tone that comes with that, students spoke with someone they may not commonly interact with to develop stronger relationships as a cohort.

Below are some reflections from our Year 9 students.

• "I enjoyed the meaningful conversations and connecting with peers"
• "After today’s session I will think a little more about how my behaviours may negatively impact others"
• "I learnt more about what a respectful relationship looks like"
• "I found it good as a boy to have a space to feel comfortable talking about the problems that men face"
• "I liked how we collaborated in groups and talked about issues that we are faced with in our adolescence"

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Education on Vaping

Through our Growth and Personal Skills Programme, part of our ongoing commitment to the education of wellbeing among our young people, the College will continue prioritising knowledge of the effects vaping and vandalism has in our community. Below are some important resources, including from Paul Dillon, who visited our Senior School students earlier this year, to support students and their families to better understanind the use of vapes.

Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia | Vaping, Parent Resources

Quit | E-cigarettes and teens

SA Health | Quitting smoking

smokefree.gov | How to quit vaping

Cancer Council SA | Electronic cigarettes and vaping

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Attendance

As we continue to navigate the uncertainties of 2022, we certainly know that the best learning takes place face-to-face. As our Middle School students build the foundations for a strong Senior School experience, we want to make sure they are achieving their best outcomes. Being in a classroom is the best way to do this.

Home Group teachers and Year Level Leaders will continue to monitor student attendance and check in with students who are absent from school for three consecutive days or more. Where extended absences are occurring, Home Group and subject teachers can be contacted for additional support as needed.

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Academics and Learning Reviews

I hope families were able to use the term break to reflect on the Semester 1 report and gain further understanding of the learning journey undertaken so far this year. I would like to acknowledge all students who experienced success (in one way or another) during Terms 1 and 2.  I continue to encourage all Middle School students to work hard towards personal goals, ask questions during lessons, and accept and reflect on mistakes along the way.  

Learning Reviews will be held on Monday 15 August (Week 4) and represent another opportunity for students, parents and teachers to discuss the learning journey of students. These reviews are aimed especially for those students who are experiencing some difficulties in particular subjects, as well as those who may not be reaching their potential.  Learning reviews can be requested by teachers or parents.

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Ben Dray
Head of Middle School

Senior Stories

Amazing achievements

By Michael Francis

Students rise up to meet a range of experiences

Snow Trip 2022

What an experience! The 2022 Snow Trip took place in the first week of the recent Term break and, from all reports, the Year 11 participants enjoyed learning new skills, developing new relationships, and enjoying ‘mountain life’ for a week. Conditions were very good for both skiers and snowboarders.

As the first trip of its kind since 2019, it has been great to hear that it's been just the kind of experience students were looking for to take on new challenges and flourish!

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Trial examinations

Well done to our Year 12 students who recently completed trial examinations in preparation for the final examinations beginning in October. The opportunity to develop examination techniques, strategies for revision and time management under pressure will no doubt hold them in good stead for this challenge. Considering that some of our IB Diploma students completed up to 12 examinations across five days, I think they have earned well deserved congratulations.

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College Captain process

The approach of examinations means that we begin to turn our heads toward the process of electing our 2023 College Captains. Our Year 11 students are in the middle of this process, with nominations complete. Interviews and presentations to the student body by candidates will take place in the coming weeks.

I have no doubt that our 2023 College Captains will continue the long tradition of fine young people representing our College community with grace and dignity. Good luck to the Year 11 students investing in this process. Further opportunities for leadership in the community will be explored through Terms 3 and 4.

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Retreat

It is with great joy that we have celebrated the 2022 Year 12 Retreat. After being unable to hold it as scheduled in early Term 2, our Year 12 cohort has just this week journeyed to Mylor Adventure Camp to build on their relationships together, reflect on their faith and spiritual development, and enjoy some fun together. In 2022 we have been able to conduct this experience on a single site, which has been something Year 12 students have been keen on, and the highlight of the experience being the greatly anticipated Candle-lit Reconciliation Ceremony.

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Outstanding student achievement

Laura Fitzgerald (10WG) was an outstanding competitor at the recent National Junior Elite Diving competition held in Sydney in early July. In fact, Laura performed so well that she qualified to compete at the World Junior Championships Trials in Brisbane in October, which may lead to qualification to represent Australia at the world Championships in Canada in November. We are right behind Laura as she competes at this elite level in this amazing sport. Good Luck Laura!

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Michael Francis
Head of Senior School

Director of Mission

Sacred Symbols

By

Exploring Sacraments and Sacramentality

As part of our Religious Program, Reception students have been exploring sacred symbols and why they are special. Students were asked to bring in sacred symbols to share with the class and those who did were very proud, sharing why they are special and whether it belonged to a grandparent or a parent. There were so many different symbols from our Christian tradition and from other faiths. The students thoroughly enjoyed sharing their importance and how these help us to be close to God.

Knowledge strand: Sacrements and Sacramentality
Enduring understanding: Sacred Symbols are special and important

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Elo, Matthew, Mila, and Angus. Thank you for sharing your Sacred Symbols.

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We would like to congratulate Lelia, Alexis, Maya, Scarlett, Isabella, and Ortensia and their families, who celebrated their First Holy Communion at St Paul of the Cross Parish last month. We also have students celebrating their First Holy Communion on 14 August at the Emmaus Parish; we wish Elessia, Matteo, Amelia, Lincoln, Elijah, Isabella, Olivia, and Isobel and their families the very best as they celebrate this special occasion and look forward to congratulating all of these students at an assembly later this Term.

If you would like to enrol your child into the Sacrament Program for 2022-23 please collect and complete the enrolment form from Strathspey House reception. Alternatively you may email Teresa Pepcielli on tpepicelli@mercedes.catholi.edu.au for further information.

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Teresa Pepicelli
Religious Education Coordinator R-5

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Our spiritual journey

Our RE team have been particularly busy this Term, with Junior School students celebrating their sacraments, Year 9 Reflection Days, Year 12 Retreat, and  the continuation of our weekly masses and liturgies.

We welcome parents back into the College to attend Friday morning Masses with students (Years 3 to 9). These Masses or liturgies are typically held in the Ursula Frayne Chapel in Strathspey House, but if we have a larger group we will communicate the alternate location to parents.

Year 7 students recently celebrated Mass in the Carmel Bourke Library and Technology Centre, with Fr John Shanahan giving modern interpretations of Luke’s Gospel (Luke 10:38-42), referring to the way we respond to situations: are we like Mary who knew true hospitality and sat with Jesus when he visited, warmly welcoming him into the home while Martha anxiously ran around fussing about? We are so blessed to have Fr John and Deacon Andrew, who always pitch their homilies and stories in ways that connect with our students and community.

We are now planning Mercy Week and the Mercy Day Mass, held at the end of Term 3.

Blessings to all

Therese Wilson
Director of Mission

Good Sports

Forging ahead to Intercol 2022

By Jeffrey Wray

The full schedule for this year's competition

Our annual Intercollegiate competition with Saint Ignatius College will be held this Term in Week 5, from Wednesday 17 August to Saturday 27 August 2022.

Students will compete for 21 shields across Senior divisions, with the College community showing up in force to cheer on our teams.

This year we're also introducing a College Spirit Event at lunch on Friday of Week 4, with a friendly soccer match between schools, stirring tunes, banners, colour, and more. Families are welcome to join the fun from 1:20pm to 2pm on this day.

Intercol Programme 2022

Wednesday 17 August
Cross country	MS Boys | Girls	4:15pm-5:15pm	Waite Reserve
Cross country	Open Boys	4:15pm-5:15pm	Waite Reserve
Cross country	Open Girls	4:15pm-5:15pm	Waite Reserve
Monday 22 August
Debating	Open B	5:45pm-6:30pm	Mercy Lecture Theatre
Chess	Open (A + B)	5pm-7pm	Mercedes College, Library
Debating	Open A	7pm-8pm	Mercy Lecture Theatre
Wednesday 24 August
Hockey	Open A	2pm-3:15pm	Adelaide Hockey Club
Soccer	Girls A	4:45pm-6pm	Marden Sports Centre
Soccer	Boys A	6:30pm-8pm	Marden Sports Centre
Thursday 25 August
Basketball	MS Boys	4pm-5pm	St Ignatius' College (Dennett Centre)
Basketball	Open C	5pm-6pm	St Ignatius' College (Dennett Centre)
Basketball	Open B	6pm-7pm	St Ignatius' College (Dennett Centre)
Basketball	Open A	7pm-8pm	St Ignatius' College (Dennett Centre)
Table Tennis	Open A	4pm-5:30pm	St Ignatius' College (Kranewitter Hall)
Table Tennis	MS A	5:30pm-6:30pm	St Ignatius' College (Kranewitter Hall)
Friday 26 August
Netball	10A	4:15pm-5:15pm	St Aloysius' College, Gym Court 1
Netball	Open C	4:45pm-5:45pm	St Aloysius' College, Gym Court 2
Netball	9A	5:15pm-6:15pm	St Aloysius' College, Gym Court 1
Netball	Open B	5:45pm-6:45pm	St Aloysius' College, Gym Court 2
Netball	8A	6:15pm-7:15pm	St Aloysius' College, Gym Court 1
Netball	Open A	6:45pm-7:45pm	St Aloysius' College, Gym Court 2
Saturday 27 August
Soccer	Open Boys B	8am-9:30am	Mercedes College, Main Oval
Football	MS Girls	8:30am-9:45am	Kingswood Oval
Soccer	Open Girls B	9:30am-10:30am	Mercedes College, Main Oval
Football	MS Boys	9:45am-11am	Kingswood Oval
Soccer	Open Boys C	10:30am-11:45am	Mercedes College, Main Oval
Football	Second XVIII	11am-12:45pm	Kingswood Oval
Soccer	MS Boys	11:45am-1pm	Mercedes College, Main Oval
Football	Open Girls	12:45pm-2pm	Kingswood Oval
Football	First XVIII	2:15pm-4:45pm	Kingswood Oval
Presentations		4:45pm-5:15pm	Kingswood Oval

Good Sports

Sporting successes

By Mercedes College

Team achievements, debutants, and a National champion

First XI Boys Soccer through to Semi-Finals

In our first year competing in Division 1 our boys have played against the biggest and strongest soccer schools in the state, including Rostrevor College, Christian Brothers College and our Intercol rivals Saint Ignatius College. Conceding only four goals across seven games, and winning all but one match, the team has qualified to play in the Semi-Finals - a huge achievement!

Special mentions to Jah Arnold (Year 11) for scoring a whopping four goals, and to Joseph Ianniello (Year 11), who was awarded Best Team Man after the game.

We look forward to hearing how the boys go in the finals, and can't wait for our Intercol match up on Wednesday 24 August where we are looking to win a shield that has eluded us for many years.

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Australian Mini Max Champion 2022

Jensen Marold (Year 6) has blown his competition away in the Rotax Pro Tour for karting, winning Round 4 in Griffith and accumulating enough points to be unbeatable with one round to go.

After he completes Round 5 in Coffs Harbour, he will be named Australian Mini Max Champion for 2022, and will have the opportunity to represent Australia at the Rotax World Championship Final in Portugal in November. This event will attract 400 drivers from around the world and is a phenomonal achievement for a young man - or, as his father says, "not bad for a boy that gave up karting 20 months ago to race bikes instead"!

We couldn't agree more. Congratulations Jensen!

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Premier League Debutant

A congratulations to Year 12 student Jack Dawson for making his debut with Sturt Lions in the South Australian Premier League last week! Despite a valiant effort from Jack and his team, they went down to Adelaide City 4-1, but we are delighted to boast a Premier League player on our Mercedes College soccer team, especially with Intercol on the horizon!

ARTStanding

Connecting to the arts industry

By

Real world arts experiences

Outstanding experience

At Mercedes College we strive to make genuine connections with arts industry to further enhance learning opportunities for our students. This mindset has resulted in valuable work experience for Year 11 student Matthew Frost.

Working with Nexstage, Matthew contributed to the set up of the Pavilion for major event Illuminate, aligning projectors, slinging trusses, and installing hand railing and banners. As a result of this experience, Matthew was invited back for a paid opportunity during the second week of the holidays to assist with the set up of Spin Off at the Adelaide Showground where he was part of the team responsible for the stage installation prior to the addition of lights and sound.

A fantastic result for Matthew, and a great example of how connections in the arts industry can further our students' passions. Well done, Matthew!

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#salafestival

SALA is Australia's largest and most inclusive visual arts festival, and Mercedes College is a part of it.

Exhibitions are held across the state in galleries and non-traditional arts spaces, as well as online - which is where you will find our students' work.

Browse our virtual gallery,  displaying artworks from Year 1 through to Year 10.

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Dr Loretta Bowshall-Freeman
Learning Area Leader Arts R-12

Wellbeing

Promoting Positive Parenting

By

Helping our children flourish

Parenting is a lifelong vocation filled with challenges you have never previously experienced. Managing friendship conflicts, helping children navigate tough situations, and feeling confident in your own abilities are some of the many skills parents need to support their children.

The Federal Government has recognised that parenting has increasing challenges, particularly since COVID-19, so they have fully funded the Triple P Online Program (for parents of children aged 0-11 years) and the Fear Less Triple P Online course (for parents of children aged 6-14 years with anxiety) to be freely available to all Australian parents.

These courses are divided up into self-paced modules and allow families to develop a toolbox of skills to manage the parenting challenges, whilst also building confidence and enjoying your role as a parent.

The Triple P Parenting Programs are evidence-based, with ongoing research into their effectiveness. After completing the online programs, parents have been found to have many positive outcomes, including less ineffective or dysfunctional parenting strategies, increased parental confidence, less frequent child behaviour problems, greater parental self-efficacy, reduced parental anger, and decreased risk of child maltreatment.

I encourage you to log on to the Triple P Parenting website and sign up for these free programs. Please contact me if you have any questions about the program, or if you are interested in the College offering a face-to-face session to accompany the program. Don’t forget, we also have SchoolTV available to all Mercedes parents with many resources to help you to support your child’s wellbeing, including this module about Positive Parenting.

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Andrea Fernandez
College Psychologist R-12