A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College.
This winter, more than ever, is a time to think about people in our community who may be homeless.
Each year, our community comes together at this time to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Your donations help to provide healthy meals, accommodation assistance and long-term support that helps people find a safe, secure place to live.
This Friday, we officially launch our campaign with Beanie and Scarf Day!
Students are encouraged to wear a colourful beanie and/or winter scarf and donate a gold coin, or canned goods that will go towards the Vinnies Appeal.
We will be collecting items over a seven-week period, and families are encouraged to drop off donations into blue Vinnies Bins located in our reception areas, and the Library, or students can leave them in their Home Groups.
You can also show your support by donating to our Year 12s, who will be taking part in a Vinnies Winter School ‘Sleep Out’ in the coming weeks.
A reminder to our families that the next session in our Guest Speaker Programme is happening in the first week of Term 3.
Dr Williams will be spending time with our students from Year 6 to Year 11, as well as staff, before giving a presentation to families.
In line with our recent presentations by Dr Judith Locke and Madhavi Nawana Parker, we have engaged Dr Williams to share his learnings in this key area of brain health.
Mark is an internationally renowned neuroscientist, who will share insights about the true potential of the brain. He has worked with students, teachers and health professionals to help them understand how the brain works and how to perform optimally and maintain a healthy brain.
We encourage you to come along and not miss out on this important presentation.
Dr Mark Williams
Tuesday 21 July
7.00pm – 8.30pm
Gleeson Theatre
Register your attendance today to let us know to expect you.
Students from Year 9 to Year 12 and their families are asked to put Tuesday 28 July in their diaries (Term 3, Week 2) for this year’s Career Expo.
With more than 40 organisations already confirmed to attend, students will have the opportunity to speak with industry professionals, tertiary institutions and Registered Training Organisations about the various pathways to different careers.
Learning Area Leaders from the College will also be available to discuss subject selections and requirements for student planning, whilst in Gleeson Theatre, students and families will attend presentations relevant to their stage of studies.
We will also have an Old Scholar’s Lounge area, where students can chat to members of our Old Scholar community about their chosen paths – and get some relevant ‘on the ground’ career advice.
It’s a fantastic evening filled with exhibits, information and discussions that will help our students as they start to make decisions about Senior learning pathways.
Year 12 students studying Nutrition and Modern History recently went on an excursion to Renmark, to catch up with the students from St Francis of Assisi College, who regularly join our classes as virtual learners.
Throughout the day, students took part in activities designed to build relationships and enhance their regular learning, including a quiz, ‘walk and talk’ session, hands-on baking and a friendly game of netball.
All students gained a lot from the day, both socially and academically, making it a memorable experience beyond the virtual classroom.
Each year, we offer our students an opportunity to participate in the ICAS Competition, a national contest that challenges their thinking, motivates them to excel and celebrates their academic skills. With a basis in critical thinking and problem-solving skills, our IB Learners are well-placed to take up this challenge.
Students from Year 2 to Year 12 are welcome to participate, with a comprehensive range of subjects to choose from. Each subject costs $21.95 per student (except Writing, which is $25.95) and the competition will take place across August.
Parents and caregivers should keep an eye on SEQTA Engage early next week, for all the information about how to register to take part!
Mercedes College recently took part in the Year 5/6 Knockout Soccer Carnival, fielding 22 students in girls’ and boys’ teams.
Our students had a great experience, and by the end, our boys came in third place and our girls came second!
As World Cup fever takes hold, this is a great result for our students – well done on such a fantastic outcome!
Recently our Year 7 students took inspiration from South Australian artist Catherine Truman and her works about “life concealed under the surface” to create clay sea creatures, to act as symbols of personality traits, emotions and personal experiences.
Students developed their observational drawing skills and explored the element of ‘form’ to design imaginative sculptures that represent aspects of themselves that may not always be visible to others.
The end result is an ocean’s worth of richly glazed sea creatures that celebrate individuality, imagination and the creative ways art can express identity.
Our students’ work is on display in our Strathspey House Foyer area, if you’d like to drop by and have a look – they are all magnificent!
As part of their service learning, our Year 4 students work closely with Green Adelaide to support the maintenance of good water quality of our local Brownhill Creek.
Last week, students learned more about aquatic macro invertebrates and even spotted some Stone Fly Nymphs – which only thrive in excellent water conditions!
Ishtar (Year 4, McAuley) was even lucky enough to discover a happy little yabby… before releasing it back into its healthy home.
A great outdoor adventure for all!
Year 8 basketball star Sienna (Barry) recently competed with the Sturt U14 Div 1 Basketball Team in the State Championship Basketball Tournament here in Adelaide, successfully qualifying for two national events.
Most recently, Sienna and her team represented Sturt at the Nationals Classic in Melbourne and, although plagued by unlucky injuries, they put on a strong performance and built up their bonds ahead of the National Club Championships in Perth later this year.
We’re thrilled Sienna will be able to bring her experience and passion back to her Mercedes College basketball team this summer!
Term 2 will come to an end for students on Wednesday 1 July (regular dismissal time of 3.20pm), but Kosti and his OSHC team have put together a great programme to keep our younger students occupied – including the two Pupil Free Days at the end of Week 10 (Thursday 2 and Friday 3 July)
If you’re seeking some extra activities for your child over the holiday break, check out our full programme and book your Vacation Care preferences early. They are becoming very popular and can book out!
Vacation Care is a great way for students to spend time with other Mercedes College students, in a safe and familiar environment, and with an action-packed two-week programme, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Through their Unit of Inquiry ‘How We Express Ourselves’, our Year 1s have been exploring how people express their culture and understanding of the world through storytelling.
This has included activities about classic fairy tales, First Nations stories and well-known children’s authors, as well as the creation of their own stories through pictures, art and puppetry.
This week, students braved the chilly weather to walk to Carrick Hill and wander along the Storybook Trail. Despite a grey start to the day, students enjoyed exploring settings they had learnt about in their classrooms.
It’s always exciting for our young students to see learnings ‘come to life’.
More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.
