Four-Quarter Leadership

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:

1. Energy | Be the best you
   Goal setting and understanding your strengths.
2. Purpose | The why behind what you do
   Active problem-solving challenges.
3. Connect | Great communication begins with connection
   Interactive team challenges.
4. Perform | Setting high standards is the beginning
   High performance challenges.

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.

Parent Information Sessions

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.

Monday 9 February | Middle School

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.

Tuesday 10 February | Junior School

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.

Tuesday 10 February | Senior School

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.

Ready to make a Splash!

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.

Nominate now for Performing Arts, Clubs and Societies

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.

Ready to Party in the Garden!

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.

The Formal is nearly here!

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.

Student Mentoring | Welcome to 2026

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.

RSVP here.

Representing South Australia

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...

Coming up...

• Friday 6 February | Year 6-12 Swimming Carnival
• Monday 9 February | Middle School Parent Information Session
• Tuesday 10 February | Junior School and Senior School Parent Information Sessions
• Thursday 12 February | Term 1 PEG Meeting
• 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

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.