A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College…
Last week, our whole College community came together for the first time for our Welcome Mass, celebrated by Father John Shanahan.
Focusing on our 2026 Year of Integrity, we were encouraged to be lights for one another. Students and staff shared what Integrity means to them and the common theme was being true to yourself, doing what you know is right, and valuing everyone’s point of view.
We look forward seeing this in action this year! We also invite families to our Shrove Tuesday Community Prayer next week, taking place straight after the first school bell, in front of the grassed Terraces in the middle of our Campus.
Our Year 6-12 Swimming Carnival went off with a splash last Friday, with McAuley taking home the Overall Cup, for a second year in a row. The energy and cheers were high and the Spirit Shield went to Fitzpatrick.
McAuley – 1,661
Dalton – 1,605
Fitzpatrick – 1,350
Barry – 1,340
We saw some great talent in the competitive races, and brilliant enthusiasm for the novelty races, but some of the highlights were on show for our inaugural “synchronised swimming” events. As always, it was the Year 12 Parade that brought the biggest smiles and cheers from staff and students alike.
Well done to all of our students for taking part and getting into the spirit of the day – next on the schedule is the Year 7-12 Athletics Carnival on Friday 27 February (Week 5) – which House will you be cheering for?
It is a tradition that as part of their transition into Middle School, our Year 6 students take on the responsibility of Crossing Monitor duties on Delamere Avenue.
In Week 1, students had training sessions from SA Police to ensure they all knew their roles. Everything from how to use the Crossing Monitor equipment safely, through to when it would be potentially dangerous to stop traffic. They also learnt what their individual roles were for each Crossing Team.
If you’re heading to or from the College via the Emu crossing on Delamere Avenue, don’t forget to take a moment and thank our Year 6 students, who will be on duty all year long, come rain or shine!
Over the Summer break, our Team has been hard at work giving our website a bit of a facelift, to make it easier for our current families to find the information they need, whilst also making sure the right information is available for families looking to join Mercedes College.
A key feature is our new Parent Hub, which contains all those day-to-day details our families might be seeking out.
Need a reminder of Term dates? Parent Hub.
Information about OSHC? Parent Hub.
Café menu? Parent Hub.
Take a look around and let us know what you think – we hope you like it as much as we do!
This week, our 116 Year 12 Spiritualities, Religion and Meaning students visited the newly refurbished Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Andrew Steiner Education Centre in Wakefield Street.
Through interactive activities with presenters, and a very special Q&A with Museum founder and Holocaust survivor, Andrew Steiner OAM, students took on information to help them in their studies for their ‘Evil and Sufferings’ unit.
Students are seeking to understand how communities, individuals, and whole faith groups support each other during intense periods of adversity and suffering.
Perhaps the most poignant learning was the encouragement from Andrew Steiner that our students be an ‘upstander’, not a ‘bystander’, reminding them that “little actions can make a big difference”.
The forecast for next Friday’s Garden Party is looking like a perfectly mild, sunny day – ideal for relaxing with friends over a meal in our Rose Garden.
This is our first community event of the year – for all families and students, so it’s a great opportunity to come along and catch up with everyone.
Friday 20 February 2026
4pm to 7pm
The Rose Garden
We’ll have food truck favourites – Daisy Burger and Greek Palace – serving up delicious burgers, Yiros, chicken nuggets, and AB packs, plus free snow cones and a selection of drinks including a Wine Bar from Small Gully Wines – one of our College families.
Pre-order your meal, so that’s all taken care of and you can just arrive and enjoy the evening.
Book your tickets now – we’d love to see you!
This year, Mercedes College will have a student representative speaking at the exclusive Teen Parliament event at Parliament House this weekend.
One of only 30 students from around the State who were selected, Hunter (Year 12, Barry), will represent his peers by debating the value of upskilling trades-based employees with digital and artificial intelligence training.
Hunter argues that retraining individuals to collaborate with emerging technologies will make it possible to meet industry demands without replacing real people, suggesting that practical digital and AI fundamentals should rapidly be incorporated into TAFE, workplace training, and schools.
No matter how Hunter goes in this unique experience, we know he will use his Mercedes College education and values to make big changes in the world one way or another.
Good luck!
Families can now access their 2026 Annual Fee Statements on the CESA Community Portal.
If you have not yet activated your account in the Portal, you will be sent an invitation to do so today (Thursday 12 February) from ‘noreply@civicacloud.com.au’ – please check your Junk or Spam folder if you don’t see this in your inbox.
The activation link will be valid for only seven days.
Full payment made by COB 15 March will receive a 3% discount, or can be made by weekly, fortnightly, or monthly instalments until 30 November.
Please download our Payment Authority Form here, and send any questions to our Finance Team at accountqueries@mercedes.catholic.edu.au
Our littlest students still have the opportunity to join College partner, Kelly Sports, and learn new skills in Athletics and Ultimate Frisbee this term.
We’re seeking more Reception and Year 1 students to join this weekly programme, which gives children skills and confidence in a fun environment, and encourages enthusiasm for sport that they’ll carry into the future.
The seven-week programme is eligible for the $100 SA Government Sports Vouchers, meaning you could be paying just $25 for the term’s activities.
Learn more and register your child direct with Kelly Sports today!
We are seeking six students, from Year 5 and up, who are passionate about music to benefit from complimentary instrumental lessons and instrument hire in flute, clarinet, and saxophone.
Students with some musical experience, and a basic understanding of sheet music, who are committed to joining either our Stage Band or Concert Band, are welcome to apply.
If this sounds like something your child would like to apply for, please complete this expression of interest and our Performing Arts Team will be in touch!
We are seeking members of the College community interested in sharing their talents with our Performing Arts students. If you have a passion for performing, and would be interested in learning more about how you could support our co-curricular programmes, please contact Director of Performing Arts, Jayan Mace.
• Friday 13 February | Class of 2025 Laureate Ceremony
• Monday 16 to Thursday 19 February | Junior School Swim Safety Lessons
• Tuesday 17 February | Shrove Tuesday
• Wednesday 18 February | Ash Wednesday Liturgy
• Friday 20 February | Student Mentoring Programme Morning Tea | Mercedes College Garden Party
• Saturday 21 February | Year 11-12 Formal
• Wednesday 25 February | Year 9 RISE Programme Launch
• Friday 27 February | Year 7-12 Athletics Carnival | SAPSASA District Swimming
• Friday 6 March | Year 3-6 Athletics Day
• Monday 9 March | Adelaide Cup Public Holiday
• Wednesday 18 March | Performing Arts Launch Event
• Friday 20 March | Junior School Swimming Carnival | Year 8 Reflection Day
More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.
