A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College…
Over the break, a group of Yr 10 and 11 students and staff spent 16 days travelling across France in a fully engaging experience of language, history, culture and food!
Students adapted to the busy life of Paris, attending language immersion classes in the morning followed by visits to the many iconic sites of the country’s capital. Students quickly developed confidence speaking French and enjoyed some time at Jules Ferry – a local high school.
After six days in Paris, the group toured the regions of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley. They learnt about the life and times of Joan of Arc, the D Day Beaches of WWII and the French Revolution. Visits to Monet’s Garden, Mont Saint Michel, Leonardo DaVinci’s Castle and the Chateau de Versailles were highlights – especially the early morning run through the stunning Gardens of Versailles.
This extensive trip offered students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience French culture and take their learning out into the world. Our international visits complement our classroom studies and bring other cultures and languages to life for our students.
One of our most popular events – our Quiz Night – is being held on Friday 19 June. The good news is, there are no local AFL games on that night – so we hope to have another ‘sell out’ event.
This year’s theme is ‘It’s Easy Being Green’!
It is a nod to our College colour and also to encourage our very creative community to ‘think Green’ for their costumes/table decorations.
Think Shrek, Ninja Turtles, sport (cricket, golf, snooker), our Irish heritage, Wicked (the Good Witch will be allowed entry!) and just think of all those green vegetables! After last year’s brilliant array of dress ups, we are pretty confident we will see some spectacular outfits!
There are prizes for Best Dressed Team and Best Decorated Table – so make sure you are not ‘green with envy’ when we announce the winners!
Tables of 10 are encouraged to book early – just nominate a Table Captain and Team Name.
You can book your table of 10 here.
Friday 19 June 2026
6.30pm – 10.30pm
Gleeson Theatre
BYO food and drinks
When Cam was on site earlier this week to welcome students back for Term 2, he took a moment to glance through our 2025 Yearbook – and he was delighted, especially with the front cover!
Our Yearbooks are a wonderful summary of each year, on and off Campus. Looking back over the past 12 months brings back so many memories and highlights – from learning, sports, performing arts, excursions, camps, Intercol and much more.
Yearbooks will be coming home with the youngest child in each family over the next week – so keep an eye out.
If any family would like to purchase an additional copy of the Yearbook, you can pick one up from Jenny at Strathspey Reception.
We hope you love reading it as much as we did putting it together!
Our students returned for Term 2 on Tuesday and started the morning with Community Prayer – to honour and commemorate ANZAC Day. It was a fitting way to bring everyone together after the break, to remember and acknowledge all those who have served and continue to serve for Australia, both in conflict and peacekeeping operations.
Our students led the occasion, highlighting that ANZAC Day is not just about loss, but about unity, courage, mateship and the enduring spirit of the ANZACs.
They reinforced the importance of looking out for each other, just like the ANZACs did. Their message was – if we all do small things each day, like being kind, including others and putting in effort, our Mercedes community will continue to grow in connection and compassion.
Mercedes is always looking for engaging ways to share information with our families (and students and staff) about topics that are relevant and important for a healthy and happy life – both on and off Campus.
As part of our Guest Speaker programme, we have invited renowned presenter and founder of Positive Minds Australia, Madhavi Nawana Parker, to come to the College to share ideas, strategies and insights about building resilience, positive discipline and emotional regulation in our children.
It is well known that when children are in a positive mindset, more engaged learning and overall happiness follows. Student wellbeing is at the heart of all we do at Mercedes, and we want to share strategies with our families, to support their parenting journey.
We’d love you to take advantage of this important presentation. Please let us know if you can attend by sending your RSVP.
All families welcome (parents only please)
Tuesday 19 May
6.15pm – 8.30pm
Gleeson Theatre
During the holiday break, two of our Year 12 students volunteered to help at an Annual Quiz Night held to raise funds for the ‘Rebuild Schools Ukraine’ (RSU) campaign.
Pallas and Alice supported RSU Founder Diane Howarth at the Quiz, scoring the rounds, selling raffle tickets and helping with the silent auction.
This is an extension of other activities the College has supported RUS with, and reinforces one of our Mercy Keys – Social Justice.
We ended the last day of Term 1, with Caritas Day.
All students worked on their stalls and activities to have some fun and raise funds for Project Compassion. It was a wonderful day of colour, fun, food and fundraising. Everyone wore white and denim as a show of solidarity and enjoyed everything on offer – including the ever-popular sausage sizzle!
Our community raised just over $12,000 for Project Compassion, which is an amazing effort!
This Term, the College is looking forward to our production of one of the classics – Little Women.
The piece is based on Louisa May Allcott’s famous story about four sisters in the midst of the civil war in America.
The story portrays the life of a family struggling through difficult times and also challenges the expected norms in society, which still resonates strongly today.
Rehearsals are well under way – and we look forward to sharing this heartwarming story with you all later this Term.
There will be three shows – so book early and get your tickets here.
Friday 29 May, 7pm – 9pm
Saturday 30 May, 2pm – 4pm
Saturday 30 May, 7pm – 9pm
Yesterday, Year 8 students took part in an incursion ‘Walking Together with Kaurna’ to understand more about Indigenous Australian traditions and physical activity.
Students learnt the importance of teamwork and communication, drawing on skills originally used in hunting to engage in a variety of games and activities. Several stations were set up to allow small groups of students to practice these skills, which included testing their agility in jumping, dodging and bowling games.
Another important out-of-classroom, hands-on experience for our students to complement their learning and add to their understanding of our culture.
House Spirit is alive and well at Mercedes College! Every Term, we allocate House points for various activities and Term 1 was all about our swimming and athletics carnivals.
In a close fought battle, McAuley emerged victorious – taking the title for Term 1. Congratulations!
In Term 2, we are changing up the pace a bit – as we dedicate points in the Performing Arts arena. Each House will take part in our ‘Sing your House Out’ competition which is held on the last day of this term.
Each House has been allocated a song to perform and students will be rehearsing over the coming weeks. Points will be allocated on participation, energy, organisation, X-Factor and House spirit. This is a great event that brings together R – Yr 12 students to share some joy and support each other through song!
Last week, our Year 11 Legal Studies class enjoyed a visit to our Courts and Parliament House. The court visit highlighted the various aspects of our criminal justice system, with one of the Magistrates taking time out of their day to answer questions from our students.
After a quick stop at the Central Market, the class went to Parliament House where they were taken on a tour of the Upper and Lower Houses. They got the opportunity to act out the passing of a Bill through the Lower House – which was a unique and special experience.
There are many ‘moments’ that are celebrated by our Year 12s, as they travel through their final year of schooling. There are retreats, Senior Formal, half-way day dress ups, Graduation ceremonies and special assemblies … but one of the most anticipated days, is when the Senior Jumpers arrive on Campus!
Designed with student input, these tops are a lasting memory of their final year of school together. They feature student names, a Mercy Key, College logo, House allocation and of course, a Camel as a nod to Cam, our mascot. Our Year 12s are away for the rest of this week on their Retreat, and we suspect these jumpers will be a popular wardrobe choice.
A reminder we have switched to Clipboard for all Co-curricular Extension Activities (CEAs) communications – this includes Sport, Performing Arts and Clubs and Societies.
Clipboard will replace StackTeam App – which has primarily been used as a Co-curricular sport communication platform.
You will need to register for Clipboard to be able to access all information – please register this week so you have all the details you need. You should have received an email invitation directly form Clipboard – please check your inbox.
If you have not received an email from Clipboard or are having trouble logging in, please email our ICT Team and they will be happy to help. ictapplication@mercedes.catholic.edu.au
More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.
