Junior Journeys

Life long learners

Finding inspiration from each other.

Anh Doh author talk
Anh Do is one of Australia’s best-loved storytellers. His junior fiction series Wolf Girl, WeirDo, Hotdog! and Ninja Kid are adored by millions of kids around the country, having sold in excess of 5 million books, and they are certainly extremely popular with our students too.

Many students listened intently to Anh talk about his creativity and inspirations for his work, his career, his popular and new titles, and answers to student questions from around the country as part of the Sydney Opera House presents Digital Schools Talk.

Reading is without doubt one of the most important skills that we foster in our children, and Anh’s energy, passion and delivery certainly sparked excitement.

Reading entertains, inspires, provokes, captivates and motivates. It provides us with the opportunity to escape, explore, and inquire; discover different countries, worlds, lives, and more. It is the single most powerful skill that we have, and delivering a passion and joy for reading is undoubtedly one of the most important jobs we have as teachers or parents.

Acknowledging our amazing mothers
Being a mother is both incredibly rewarding and phenomenally challenging, and I know every Mercedes mother and mother-figure works at being the best they can be. I also know that our students are very grateful for their mothers and saw their gratitude in spades as they prepared to celebrate Mother’s Day. We hope you all enjoyed the fun 'chatterboxes' that went home in backpacks, too.

For those members of our community who are missing their mothers due to distance, or whose mothers have passed, please know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers during this period.

Thinking, and the ongoing process of  our learning
"Curiosity and an open mind are surely amongst the most powerful and important dispositions to nurture not only in our learners but in ourselves." Kath Murdoch

It is always a pleasure to observe the learning that is happening within each class in the Junior School, and a privilege to observe the skills and knowledge students acquire each day, but observing is about more than watching from afar. Observation is asking questions, engaging in conversations and, most importantly, reflecting. The Primary Years Programme is rooted in child-centred education, and inquiry-based learning is one part of this. Our Units of Inquiry, through their transdisciplinary nature, offer inquiries from across the curriculum and link them into class lessons.

Every student is on their own learning journey, and we as educators pride ourselves on being lifelong learners. Our teachers are role models for learning, and we endeavour to embody the IB Learner Profile attributes each day. Observations help us to learn, be principled within our practice, and reflective on methods. Through regular planning sessions we share good practice in teaching, learning and assessment, plan events, learn about new research and documentation, as well as many other areas of professional development. It is truly an honour to be part of the innovative, creative and reflective teaching staff in the Junior School.

When we hear, "I'm finished!" or "I'm done!", we remind our students that learning is an ongoing process. Teachers - just as much as students - continue to learn every day and we are grateful to our young students for teaching us new ways of thinking.

Kellie Osborn
Head of Junior School

Middle Moments

Building resilience and compassion

In true Mercedes College fashion, this Term has been exciting for our Middle School students.

Guest Speaker | Dr Dan Pronk 
Resilience is an important life skill that helps children to manage challenges and setbacks, and our Middle School teachers regularly offer strategies to build resilience and coping skills. Building on this, our Year 9s hosted Dr Dan Pronk for a presentation on resilience, its importance, and how to strengthen it.

Dan is an ex-Special Ops Doctor with more than 100 military missions, and was the resident medic on the hit TV Show SAS Australia. He's also a bestselling author.

"The Dan Pronk presentation taught us about the importance of resilience and overcoming challenges, and this was especially important in the lead up to our Year 9 Camp. Dan spoke to us about his time in the SAS programme, in the military as a doctor, and about the stressful situations that he encountered during this time. He explained how the right amount of stress is not bad for you, but instead optimises your experience."

"He also covered topics such as how you shouldn’t doubt your abilities, how you are capable of so much more than you think, the importance of sleep, and the importance of a positive mindset. The presentation encouraged me to think about our upcoming camp with a more positive outlook and to embrace the stress that comes along with it."
Ava Barton, Year 9 Student Leader.

Brainstorm Productions
Our Year 8 and Year 9 students recently engaged with Brainstorm Productions, one of Australia’s most experienced and respected educational theatre companies, to explore cyberbullying and mental health. As well as their thought-provoking presentations, Brainstorm provided strategies for resilience, guidance on seeking help, and discussed how to build and maintain positive relationships. 

"The performance from Brainstorm Productions about cyberbullying and other issues that come up during adolescence was widely enjoyed by the cohort, and it was not only a fun performance to watch, but was relatable to a lot of people in the room. The performance taught us how to deal with cyberbullying and inspired us to help others if they are struggling."
Sam Doan, Middle School Leader

Uniform 
Uniform expectations are a focus for us this year as we believe they promote a sense of community, and demonstrate pride in our College. It is important that students arrive at school each day dressed appropriately in full uniform, and so we're asking everyone to ensure they are meeting the uniform expectations and to communicate with us if this presents any challenges or concerns.

As always, our goal is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment where students can flourish. We appreciate the support of our families in helping us achieve. Thank you for your ongoing support and participation.

Ben Dray
Head of Middle School

Senior Stories

Powerful learning inside and out

Deepening learning with unique experiences.

Infrastructure changes
In addition to educational opportunities our students have experienced recently that support positive, heathy choices, we have added an additional layer of protection at a structural level, with vape detectors now installed across our toilets and changerooms.

Thank you to those students and families who hav talked with us about concerns, appreciating that is a shared commitment we all have to provide an environment reflective of our values and expectations.

Students have received information about this from us, and I encourage conversations about this to continue at home.

Quality learning in outdoor environments
Our Year 10 Camp and Year 12 Retreat gave students experiences in demonstrating Responsibility and Loyalty.

Whether supporting peers by sharing cooking responsibilities, encouraging friends to take on new challenges, or building stronger connections through reflection and vulnerability, we are immensely proud of the approach our students took to these activities.

Staff supported students conducting these activities, and this effort certainly plays a large part in their success. Thank you to our families also for your support.

No doubt the learning that occurred in Week 1 will enable richer connections to curriculum in the classroom, and deeper relationships between students.

Mobile phones and technology at school
We continue to collaborate to provide learning environments that are distraction-free. As a reminder of our expectations on the use of technology, all Senior Students are reminded to keep mobile phones locked in their locker, have laptops fully charged for their studies, and use headphones or ear pods only under the direction of their teachers.

Staff are talkign with students about these expectations. With phones off while school is on, students will not be able to respond to family communications via mobile during the school day. If you need to message your child, please contact us by calling 8372 3200 and we will get it delivered from there.

Thanks for your support in helping us maintain positive learning environments.

Michael Francis
Head of Senior School

Director of Mission

Spirituality in action

Celebrating connection, our founders, and mothers of all kinds.

Year 12 Retreat
Term 2 began with our Year 12 students, and 14 staff, attending a 3 day Retreat to explore the theme of Faith, Hope and Love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us: “...now these 3 remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.“

We combined this theme with a mindset of all having a responsibility to support each other to grow, belong and flourish in our world. 

We were amazed and delighted at the open, collaborative way that the Class of 2023 embraced their Retreat and all its sessions. I am personally very grateful to the incredible team who helped facilitate the experiences at El Shaddai, Wellington and Adare, Victor Harbor.

Sisters of Mercy Foundation Day | South Australia
As a College we acknowledged the Sisters of Mercy Foundation Day on 3 May, marking the arrival of 24 Sisters to South Australia in 1880, at the invitation of Bishop Reynolds.

As we prepare to celebrate 70 years of Mercedes College in 2024, we take this opportunity to recgonise these women and their trailblazing of the Mercy Story and Tradition in South Australia, as well as their commitment to growing and continuing the Mercy Story in South Australia.

We are grateful for their ongoing, important, and inclusive work that enables for the voice of all to be heard.  

Catholic Identity and Mission occasions and events
It is always lovely to celebrate class Masses in our Strathspey Chapel, which we have done recently with 7LH, 7EM, 8LT, and 9BS.

Next week we will conduct class Mass with our Year 5 students. A fortnight before these small services, Sister Duyen will send SEQTA Direqt Messages to families invitatinig you to attend. We'd love to see you there if you're available.

For Mother's Day, our Year 2 students celebrated Mary, the mother of Mercy, and all mother figures and women in our lives.

Upcoming Catholic Identity and Mission events include Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week, Beanie Day, Vinnies Sleepout, Student Mercy Conference, and Year 9 Reflection Day...just to name a few! 

Deborah Lubatti
Director of Mission

together with the Catholic Identity and Mission Team | Sister Duyen, Teresa Pepicelli, Therese Wilson and Helen Ayliffe

Good Sports

Winter warming achievements

Success on the court, the field and in the pool.

Winter Sport is in full swing, and it's wonderful to see so many teams competing for Mercedes College. Our students, and their supportive families on the sidelines, truly represent the Mercy Keys when playing.

With more than 200 Year 7-12 boys across 18 teams in winter sport this year, and a whopping 260 girls across 23 teams, our level of participation is fantastic. They are competing weekly in sports including basketball, cross country, football, netball, soccer and table tennis, as well as activities such as debating and chess, and these will all culminate in a huge competition with St Ignatius' College for Intercollegiate 2023.

Terrific to see our players attending all training and games on time and in uniform, and communicating absences with coaches iwell ahead. We look forward to watching you all grow and improve across this season.

Student Achievements

Congratulations Harry Manolopoulos (Year 12), for selection in the 2023-34 State Flippers Squad for swimming. The tailored programme, delivered at state and national level, is designed to prepare and nurture athletes with potential for excellence with the aim to have them ready to represent Australia within the next 4-6 years. Exciting things to come - keep a close eye on Harry!

It was history-making cricket late last Term, with Jedd Ward (Year 12) making the highest First XI score in Mercedes College ever: 102 not out off of 73 balls. An amazing outcome - congratulations Jedd!

Molly Chapman (Year 10) will be travelling to Western Australia in July to represent South Australia in the 15 years and under School Sport SA State Netball team. She has also been selected for the Junior Thunderbirds Academy - a huge effort and plenty to celebrate for Molly!

Another Year 10 achiever, Gabriel Patterson made his First XVIII debut early this month against Prince Alfred College, and is now going on to represent South Australia at the Under 15 Australian Football Championships in Ballarat in July. We wish Gabriel all the best!

Congratulations Zara Downes, Poppy Lea, and Rosie O'Neill (Year 9), who have been selected in the Under 15 Girls SAPSASA State Football team after a 2 week trial with more than 160 hopefuls. The team of 30 girls will train for 6 weeks before competing in Ballarat in July. Good luck girls!

Sam Keane (Year 7) is off to Darwin this August after being selected to represent South Australia at the School Sport Australia Under 12 Touch Football Championship. We wish Sam all the best with this wonderful opportunity!

Finally, congratulations Isobel Fitzgerald (Year 7) for being selected to represent South Australia at the School Sport Australia 10-19 Years Diving Championship in Sydney in August. Best wishes Isobel!

Tamae Ninos and Josh Archer
Girls' and Boys' 7-12 Sports Coordinators

Share student achievements in their chosen sport by sending a some details and a photo to Tamae or Josh via SEQTA Direqt Message. Our community love to hear about it!

ARTStanding

Taking to the stage in leaps and bounds

SACE dance and drama workshops.

Mercedes College SACE Dance and Drama students were delighted with the opportunity to attend specialist workshops at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Stage 2 Dance students worked with a diverse range of independent dance makers and choreographers in Leaps and Bounds, a programme designed especially for SACE.

Across 3 workshops, students developed their skills in dance composition and technique with with Ben-Hur Winter, Tanya Voges and, from the Australian Dance Theatre, Adrianne Semmens.

Our Mercedes College dancers are congratulated on their professionalism and commitment, and for representing the first Mercedes SACE Dance cohort with pride.

Similarly, Stage 2 Drama students took up the challenge to develop their skills in theatre devising and direction through the Take the Stage program. Independent theatre makers Jamie Hornsby and Valerie Berry, as well as director Nescha Jelk, worked with students on the importance of collaboration and risk taking. Students also enjoyed the chance to meet and experiement creatively with students from different schools.

Well done to everyone involved for your courage and determination.

Natalie Goodair
Dance and Drama Key Teacher

ARTStanding

Stringing together new skills

Year 3 String Programme

As part of weekly music lessons, Year 3 students are participating in the String Immersion Programme, playing violin, viola or cello. This programme enables students to learn the fundamentals of their instrument and develop skills in note reading, and aural and rhythmic skills.

Further to this, students learn to work together in a supportive environment, ahead of performing at the end of the Semester.

Playing a string instrument at a young age targets fine and gross motor skills, providing deep sensory input, and strengthening the communication pathways between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Our talented Year 3 students will feature at the Winter Concert on Thursday, 29 June at Our Lady of Dolours Church, Kingswood. Look forward to seeing you there!

Lauren Vilanova
Peforming Arts Leader

Surprising STEM

3D printing brings imagination to life

Year 5 students are out of this world.

In Year 5, students are using the design thinking process plus 3D printing sofware to bring their imaginations to life.

Design thinking, an iterative problem-solving approach, encourages students to think critically, identify challenges, and come up with innovative solutions. There are 5 stages of design thinking:

1. Empathise
2. Define
3. Ideate
4. Prototype
5. Test

By following these stages, students are equipped with the tools to tackle real-world problems and create meaningful solutions. For this project, students are heading to outer space.

With the help of software program Makers Empire, students will transform their ideas into actual prototypes. They will use design tools to experiment with shapes, dimensions, and details before sending their prototype to print.

We look forward to seeing their creative solutions!

Melissa Buske
Digital Learning Support

Fabulous at 55

Lifelong connections

Homestay family experiences.

After hosting our first international student in 2022 (Benedetta from Italy), we welcomed Luisa, from Germany, in January of this year.

We have really enjoyed welcoming international students into our family and showing them around our beautiful state. It is a very rewarding experience to watch the students' confidence grow, making lifelong friends and increasing their English language skills.

The Mercedes College Homestay Programme is a fantastic opportunity for families and students, and I highly recommend it.

We have made life long connections with our students and are already planning Christmas in Germany in 2024!

Sarah McAlister
Mercedes College Homestay Host

The Mercedes College International Student Programme is celebrating 55 years in 2022.

Enriching Experiences

Giving back

The history of Student Mentoring and service.

In assisting Year 12 students with an upcoming task about community, justice and diversity, we recently discussed the history of the Mercedes College Student Mentoring Programme and the motivation for participating.

Looking through photos and items from its origins as the Learning Assistance Programme, and discussing its universal reach and relevance, I shared my own connections as a former student and then community mentor after graduation.

Students shared their own reasons for volunteering, many having been involved in the Programme in Junior and Middle Schools and wishing to 'give back' now that they are in a position to do so.

One student stated that "if I can help 1 kid for just a small part of the week, it makes me feel good knowing that I've done something for someone else."

We are very proud of our Year 12 Mentors, and hearing them speak so highly of their involvement in this programme affirms for me the strength and compassion of our community of volunteers.

Stephen Heuzenroeder
Student Mentoring Programme Coordinator

Become a Community Mentor by contacting Stephen via SEQTA Direqt Message or sheuzen@mercedes.catholic.edu.au.

Wellbeing

A timely visit

Topical presentations from Paul Dillon.

“If the drug is in you, it’s a health matter, if it is on you, it is a legal matter."

“You’re a mate, not a Doctor."

“I’m not here to give you a 'don’t do it' talk, but to provide you with the facts so that you can make your own decisions and keep yourself safe."

“I am not about spoiling your fun, but ensuring your safety - and to make sure that you never say, ‘nobody told me’ if something bad happens to you or a friend.”

These are some of the recurring messages delivered by Paul Dillon, nationally and internationally recognised drug and alcohol educator, when he spoke to our Senior School students.

Students were engaged, educated and entertained as Paul skilfully, honestly and explicitly outlined the facts, unpacked the myths, detailed the physiological, cultural, and gender differences in tolerance, the psychological and legal implications of drug and alcohol use, including police procedures for roadside drug and alcohol testing.

Through real-life scenarios, and with reference to a strong body of contemporary evidence, Paul outlined that the greater majority of young people are not using drugs and alcohol, however knowing the dangers for the minority who are, helps everyone make informed decisions to stay safe.

Paul encouraged students to download the free Emergency+ app, which enables them to contact emergency services with their accurate location in the event of a medical emergency, and both students and families can find more helpful information at the DARTA website.

Anne Way
Director of Wellbeing
College Psychologist R-12

Out of School Hours Care

Autumn activities impress

School holiday fun.

Thank you to all of our friends for helping to make the autumn school holidays such a happy time!

We loved catering for children ranging in age from 5 to 12, and seeing some of the delightful interactions between them is nothing short of magic. It really reinforces the strengths of sharing experiences across Year levels, which is so readily possible in our Reception to Year 12 setting.

The clear favouite of the holidays was our visit to The Beachouse in Glenelg, which we'll repeat when the weather warms up, followed closely by an energetic day at AFL MAX.

Opportunities to interact with technology also generated a lot of excitement, with a day of claymation inspiring children's creativity and connection, with many of them joining forces to create wonderful short animations. Similarly, Wheels Day sparked friendly competition that built upon these bonds.

We are now planning a fun selection of activities for the winter break!

Debbie Goss
OSHC Director

College News

Team update

Some upcoming temporary team changes.

With a number of people in our teaching team taking leave later this year, we have 5 temproary appointments to share with you. They are:

• Murray Head | Learning Area Leader – Science, Term 2 to Term 4, 2023
• Erin McPheat | Year Level Leader – Year 7, Term 4, 2023
• Bill Deegan | Year Level Leader – Year 11, Semester 2, 2023
• James Burdon | Year Level Leader – Year 12, Semester 2, 2023
• Matt Andrigo | Head of Senior School Term 4, 2023

Events

Be inspired

Hear from Dr Gill Hicks AM MBE.

An evening not to be missed - presented by Catholic School Parents SA -  an inspirational evening with Dr Gill Hicks AM MBE.

Gill Hicks survived the London terrorist bombings in July 2005, with severe and permanent injuries. She lost both legs from just below the knee. Now a published author, musician, award winning artist and performer, Gill’s appreciation and gratitude for life is present throughout all her creative works.

In this presentation about Resilience – she will share a raw discussion on her life experience, gratitude for life and how it relates to families.

You will leave the event feeling empowered, inspired and grateful to continue to your parenting and education journey.

Register your attendance here.

Events

Paella Party

A Circle of Friends Wayville 111 event.

Local charity Circle of Friends Wayville 111 invites the Mercedes College community to their Paella Party fundraiser.

Paella Party
Sunday 28 May
12:30pm - 3pm
Mercy Centre
4 Victoria Street
Mile End

$50 per person, includes paella, sangria, and a dessert, plus the opportunity to bid in the silent auction.

Click here to book your place.

Enquiries to Pauline Kenny, 0408 802 291 or jpkenny8@bigpond.com

Circle of Friends raise funds to support refugee and asylum seeker families with rent and utility costs.

Volunteering

Happy National Volunteer Week

Celebrating all of our volunteers.

This National Volunteers Week, we thank more than 140 members of our community who volunteer with Mercedes College.

Whether as an excursion chaperone, sporting coach, student mentor, career mentor, or Year Level Representative (many pictured here last Friday), we'd like to thank you for your time and commitment to help our students flourish is an invaluable resource.

Thank you!

Click here to find out how you can volunteer with us.

Student Successes

Mercedes College Kidtrepreneur

Dionne is Dreaming Big!

Year 6 student, Dionne Hnoudis, has been successful in her bid to feature at the DreamBig Children's Festival's Kidtrepreneur Markets with her homemade candles.

Starting with $100 of savings, Dionne has built her small business over the past 6 months, offering an environmentally friendly, non-toxic and vegan candle range to her local community. She will now present her popular products to the crowds of DreamBig Children's Festival, the largest children's festival in Australia, at the Adelaide Festival Centre on Saturday 20 May, 10am to 3:30pm.

Get along and support Dionne at this great South Australian event!

Community

Think! road safety

Community

School Community Rewards

Support Mercedes College through Credit Union SA

As part of our partnership with Credit Union SA’s School Community Rewards program, you can help raise funds for Mercedes College.

Through the School Community Rewards program, we gain a regular financial benefit without you having to donate any time or money!

How it works

• Simply take out a Credit Union SA competitive Home Loans, Car Loans or Personal Loans.
• Nominate Mercedes College as your School Community Rewards beneficiary.
• Credit Union SA will then calculate 0.20% of your loan amount/s and Mercedes College will receive the valuable funds.

It’s win-win! 

Our community gets the benefits of great rates and products from Credit Union SA, whilst delivering an ongoing financial benefit to the College.

If you have any questions about this program, please visit Credit Union SA, or reach out to Eliza on 0499 772 966.

Our friends at Credit Union SA have also created a blog for our community. As part of our ongoing partnership with the School Community Rewards program, we would like to share this article about 'micro-saving'. Micro-saving is great way to regularly build your savings and do more with your money. How could you use micro-savings to reach your goals?

 If you would like to know more about how Credit Union SA can assist your family, please reach out to Eliza on 0499 772 966 or visit Credit Union SA.