Welcome to the 2026 Year
Happy New Year to you all!
I hope the final week of the summer holidays is treating your family kindly—with at least one sleep‑in, one relaxed breakfast, and perhaps even a moment where someone says, “What day is it again?” (a sure sign of a good holiday).
We are very much looking forward to welcoming our students and families back on Wednesday 28 January, and to hearing the wonderful, slightly chaotic symphony of a full and lively Campus, as we begin the 2026 school year.
To our new families joining us—a warm welcome to Mercedes. You’re in good hands. Our current families are experts at making others feel at home, and I look forward to meeting you at our upcoming events and activities. You’ll quickly discover what makes our College such a special place.
This year promises to be an exciting one. Next Term we’ll open our new Tech Innovation Hub - a space designed for creativity, problem‑solving, and discovering just how many things can be built using determination, advanced manufacturing equipment, or even the good old glue gun.
We’ve refurbished our Reception classrooms, upgraded learning spaces and lockers, launched a new Year 6 Hub on Mercy Lane, and later in the year we will host Intercol XXII—always a standout moment on our College calendar.
And of course, the year will be coloured by all the things that make Mercedes the vibrant community it is: athletics and swimming carnivals, House activities, music and drama performances, co‑curricular sports, camps, excursions, service opportunities and community events. These experiences aren’t just “extras”—they’re the threads that weave together the rich tapestry of College life.
Each year, we focus on one of our six Mercy Keys, and 2026 is the Year of Integrity. It’s a fitting theme as we step into something new. Author, Brené Brown says “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort.” It’s about honesty, courage, resilience and showing up — even when the task is unfamiliar or the outcome uncertain.
And let’s be honest: “new” rarely means “easy.” New classes, new routines, new expectations, new friendships—even new lunchboxes—call for patience and perseverance from our young people. But this is where growth and learning happens.
Excellence grows from persistence, not perfection; from practice, not polish. A safe stumble today becomes the strong stride of tomorrow, and young people who are allowed to “have a go” tend to surprise themselves with what they can achieve.
Every fresh challenge is an invitation for students to stretch their resilience, discover their abilities and build confidence, demonstrate integrity by doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
So as we begin 2026 — with its opportunities, learning moments, and inevitable “Wait… where did I put my school hat again?” mornings — let’s encourage our students to embrace the year with resilience, integrity, and a spirit of curiosity.
If things don’t go perfectly every time, that’s not a problem. That’s learning, doing what learning does best.
For now, enjoy these final days of the holidays.
Below are a few reminders before Term One begins.
Until next week
Andrew
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