Today, we will officially Commission our 2026 Student Leaders from our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, but our Year 12 Leaders were already stepping up to their new roles late last week, undertaking the AFL MAX Four-Quarter Leadership Programme.
Through actve learning and collaborative experiences, our Year 12 Leaders tested their combined problem solving skills, teamwork dynamics, and ability to view scenarios from different perspectives.
There were four modules completed:
It was a great opportunity for our Senior Leaders to learn more about the art of leadership and put their skills to the test. We look forward to hearing more about their leadership journeys this year.
Next week our three sub-Schools will be holding information sessions for all of our parents and caregivers.
This is a great opportunity for you to get to know your child’s Home Group Teacher and Year Level Leader, and what the 2026 academic year will look like for your family.
We will outline how we can best work together to enhance student learning and wellbeing, including expectations, policies and procedures, and the support available to your child.
Please note: these information sessions are for parents only.
Year 6 from Carmel Bourke Library
Year 7 from Gleeson Theatre
Year 8 from Coolock Atrium
Year 9 from Mercy Lecture Theatre
6.00pm – 7.00pm, meet Home Group Teachers and Year Level Leaders, then see your child’s Home Room, and hear about what to expect this academic year.
7.00pm – 8.00pm, share refreshments with other parents and speak with Leadership and staff.
RSVP your attendance here.
Classrooms (Year 5 in Junior School Hall)
6.00pm – 6.45pm, parents from Reception to Year 2
7.00pm – 7.45pm, parents from Year 3 to Year 5
Parents will hear from Teachers about learning outcomes, specialist subjects, and opportunities coming throughout the year.
From 6.45pm, refreshments will be available under the Junior School Marquee.
RSVP your attendance here.
Year 10 from Gleeson Theatre
Year 11 from Carmel Bourke Library
Year 12 from Senior Study (GA305)
6.00pm – 7.00pm, meet Home Group Teachers and Year Level Leaders, then see your child’s Home Room, and hear about what to expect this academic year.
7.00pm – 8.00pm, share refreshments in Coolock Atrium with other parents, Leadership and staff.
RSVP your attendance here.
Tomorrow, our Year 6 to Year 12 students will be heading off Campus for their 2026 Swimming Carnival.
Our Senior Sport and House Leaders have been leading the charge for mass participation and maximum House Spirit. This year, we have introduced synchronised swimming for each House, and look forward to the final performances, after some enthusiastic, albeit unorthodox training methods…
Students are reminded that enclosed shoes are required for the journey to and from the Aquatic Centre, but thongs, slides or crocs can be worn inside the venue.
Females are required to wear one-piece suits, and males to wear swim shorts at least mid-thigh in length. Although the venue prohibits coloured zinc, hairspray, and face paint, we are looking forward to seeing a sea of yellow, red, blue and green as you cheer on your House from the stands.
Students from Year 5 to Year 12 are invited to join the inaugural Mercedes College Orchestra in 2026.
As well as establishing a repertoire together, this group will also have opportunities to break into smaller bands and ensembles for more performance experience at College and community events. Groups available include:
Rehearsals are held from 3.30pm to 5.00pm each Wednesday during Term, in MD201 and MD301 (the John McDonald Performing Arts Centre).
For more information please contact our Director of Performing Arts, Jayan Mace, or simply come along next week and learn more!
It’s time to place your nominations for co-curricular opportunities in the Performing Arts, and Clubs and Societies.
Whether your child is a toe-tapping dancer, Chess-officianado, robotics whizz, or dramatic thespian, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Doing a co-curricular activity is a great way to follow a passion, learn different skills and meet students from other year levels – and it adds so much fun outside regular classroom lessons.
Click here to view the full range of options available, or get your family’s unique log in link by entering your email address here.
Winter Sport nominations will open in the coming weeks – but if you’d like to join any of our Summer Sports in Term 1, contact Director of Co-curricular Sport, Brodie Atkinson.
One of our Clubs and Societies is Debating – open to students from Year 5. This year this Club will be led by one of our new teachers, Jacqui McCann.
There are many benefits to learning the art of Debating, including improved critical thinking, increased self-confidence, more efficient research and inquiry techniques, and strong teamwork, as well as public speaking – one of life’s great skills.
Mercedes College has a great reputation in Debating, with students being named State champions in different year levels in recent years. Debating is also one of our Intercol competitions, and as we are hosting this Carnival this year, it would be brilliant to have a strong line up of debators ready for Intercol XXII.
We welcome Jacqui to Mercedes and look forward to her guidance of our Debating Teams in 2026!
Our first Parent Engagement Group (PEG) Meeting will be held on Thursday 12 February, at 8.40am in the Staff Room.
Every community member is a part of PEG, and are invited to open discussion meetings once per Term.
It is a great opportunity to meet other parents, and to share ideas, insights and feedback.
Our Deputy Principal, Narelle Sandercock attends each meeting and is keen to engage with families in this forum.
if you’d like to register to attend Term 1’s meeting next Thursday, please do so below.
Click here to register your attendance in person, or via Zoom link.
Have you secured your family’s spot at the 2026 Garden Party yet?
We have two Food Trucks who will be onsite, making fresh Yiros, burgers, chicken nuggets and crispy hot chips, plus we’ll have free sno cones, live music, and more.
As the first community event of 2026, this is the perfect change for families to make new connections and meet other families in their year levels.
Check out the full details now and pre-order your meals to guarantee first preference on the night.
Our Year 11 and Year 12 students are abuzz with discussions about their upcoming Formal, on Saturday 21 February at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
A fun way to kick off the last couple of years at Mercedes College, the Formal is a special evening where sophistication meets spontaneity, all wrapped up in beautiful dresses and sleek suits.
Please book tickets now – as these close on Friday 13 February.
Seating arrangements will be coordinated with Year Level Leaders in consultation with student preferences soon.
The Mercedes College Student Mentoring Programme (SMP) helps build student agency, self-confidence, and community connections with more than 100 students each year.
Open to students at all year levels, it is part of our Support and Wellbeing framework that has been enriching College life for decades.
We love to hear from new members of the College community who are interested in coming on board as a Mentor – to spend 40 minutes a week at the College, with a student matched to your interests and skills.
Register your interest now to be matched with a student, or join us at our Welcome Morning Tea on Friday 20 February, 9.00am to 11.00am for an in depth discussion with the Programme’s Coordinator, Stephen Heuzenroeder.
Thank you to all those parents who have already volunteered to be a Year Level Representative (YLR) for their year level. We have had a great response – but still have a few gaps – and we’d love to fill them all as soon as possible so we can start connecting our families.
We still need YLRs for Years 5, 6, 8 and 11.
We would also love a few more parents to join Years 1, 2, 3 and 9, as it’s always preferred to have a couple of representative per year level who can support one another.
Please email Jennie Bell if you’d like to join this merry band of volunteers!
A big congratulations to Saul (Year 7, Dalton), who recently represented South Australia for the first time in the 2026 National Futsal Championships on the Gold Coast.
Joining the Football SA U12 Boys Blue team, Saul helped steer his team to fifth place in their pool, including two decisive victories with 6-point and 9-point leads!
We look forward to seeing Saul continue to shine… and wonder if a shot at Mercedes College Soccer at Intercol could be in his future…
More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.
