Welcome Back!
The energy on Campus yesterday when all our students returned was amazing...
We are looking foward to another great year, where we all 'thrive in 2025'!
The Hedge
Week 1, Term 1 | Thursday 30 January 2025
Welcome to 2025, and your weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...
Term 1 CEA Nominations Close Soon...
Curriculum Extension Activities (CEAs) for Term 1 are now open. Sport nominations are due 10am tomorrow (Friday 31 January), and Performing Arts or Clubs and Societies nominations are due 5pm Wednesday 5 February. Families received full instructions about nominations via SEQTA, and can access the portal here.
CEAs offer a range of activities for students to try, across sport, the arts, music, debating and more, and are a great way for students to try different things, meet new friends, and represent Mercedes College in a favourite activity, or one they’re curious to learn. Review the full variety of CEAs available.
Term 2 and Term 3 sport nominations will open in Week 5.
Helping children to become confident and capable
Dr Judith Locke, a registered Clinical Psychologist, former teacher, school counsellor, and best-selling author of three parenting books, is coming to Mercedes College next week.
A specialist in modern parenting, family wellbeing, and academic environments, Dr Locke will be working with our educators in support of best practice in the classroom.
As well as presenting to staff, and as part of our commitment to working in partnership with you, Dr Locke will also be speaking to families about best practice at home, so that together we can deliver positive and effective age-appropriate strategies that can help our students become more confident and capable, and help family life become more harmonious.
Dr Locke is a renowned speaker, which is why we hope parents and caregivers of children across all year levels will be able to make the time to come and listen to such a respected and experienced speaker in this field. We strongly recommend you attend - it will be worth the investment of your time.
Both presentations will be held in Gleeson Theatre.
Tuesday 4 February, 6pm to 8pm | parents of students Years 6 to 12
Wednesday 5 February, 6pm to 8pm | parents of students Reception to Year 5
Parents with children in different age ranges are recommended to attend the session of their eldest child, or the child who might be experiencing some challenges.
There is no cost to attend these guest presentations, but we do ask parents to RSVP here, noting that both presentations are for parents only, so please leave your children at home.
These informative sessions are critical in helping all of us to support Mercedes College students to be happy, engaged, and confident children and learners… we look forward to welcoming you to this important presentation.
Uncanny Portraits
Included in the CEAs for Visual Arts, is a 15-week workshop series with visiting artist, Rebecca Hastings.
Open to students in the Senior School, the first workshop is on Thursday 20 February (Term 1, Week 4), and will be held weekly until Thursday 12 June (Term 2, Week 7), excluding the two-week holiday period.
Students will create an ‘uncanny self portrait’, designing and taking their own photograph to work from, learning skills in colour mixing, tonal underpainting, and glazing a canvas.
Workshops will be held on Campus, 4.00pm to 6.30pm on Thursdays, with all materials included in the cost.
This is an incredible opportunity to work with a seasoned professional artist and we look forward to seeing the creations that come out of this experience. Book your student's place through the CEA nomination portal.
About Rebecca Hastings
Rebecca is a lecturer at Adelaide Central School of Art who works in oils to create surreal images, and regularly exhibits her work, recently completing her exhibition “Feed” at Flinders Street Gallery in Melbourne.
School ID and Year 12 Cohort Photos - Friday 31 January
Tomorrow, Friday 31 January, all students will have their photos taken for their 2025 Student ID cards.
To present a proud and consistent appearance, all students are expected to wear their formal summer uniform, complete with Blazer (with the exception of Reception to Year 2, who wear their regular PE uniform), complete with appropriate grooming (hair/jewellery) in line with our College uniform requirements.
In addition to individual ID photos, our Year 12s will have their Home Group photos taken, as well as a photo of the full cohort to commemorate their final year at Mercedes College.
Please ensure all uniforms are complete, tidy and presentable.
Making Connections...
At Mercedes College we have a fantastic community, and this includes some dedicated Year Level Representatives. Year Level Reps organise opportunities to meet other families, help us communicate important information about College events, and offer insights and feedback throughout the year.
To be on our Year Level Reps’ contact lists, please opt in using this form. If you are interested in being a Representative for your child’s year level, please get in touch with our Director of Marketing, Communications and Engagement, Jennie Bell.
Uniform Reminders
Junior School Girls' Shirts
Mercedes College has been phasing out the white scallop collared girls' shirt in the Junior School since 2022, with 2025 being the final year where this item will be a uniform option.
Stock at The College Shop is limited so please look to buy the straight collared white shirt.
Senior School PE Uniforms
With changerooms now available on Campus as part of our new Yitpi Centre, our Senior School students (Year 10 to Year 12) will be required to bring their PE uniform to school and change for PE and Outdoor Education classes.
This means our Senior Students will wear their full summer or winter uniform to and from the College each day.
As ambassadors for our College, we expect all our students to take care with their appearance and adhere to our Uniform Policy. This change will elevate our Senior School students' day-to-day presentation, as leaders and role models for their younger peers.
Garden Party Welcome!
We are holding a Garden Party and you are all invited.
We'd love families to come along and enjoy the warm and welcoming community that Mercedes College is known for.
SOONTA's Big Red Van will provide freshly made bun and rice bowls, and Small Gully Wines will run the bar thanks to the Black family.
Friday 28 February 2025
4.00pm - 7.00pm
The Rose Garden
Bring along a picnic blanket and enjoy another wonderful evening in the Rose Garden...
Private Music Tuition
In addition to our choirs, bands, and ensembles that are available as part of our co-curricular opportunities, our students have the option to study an instrument or vocals with a private tutor.
These arrangements are made directly with the College-authorised tutor of your choice, and lessons occur on Campus during school hours.
Please submit your expression/s of interest for 2025 here (one form per child, please) and our Music Department will be in touch.
2025 Formal
Tickets are now on sale for the Year 11/12 Formal!
A student-led Formal Committee is working with our staff to add some surprise elements, which will make this a night to remember…
Saturday 22 February 2025
6.30pm to 10.30pm
Adelaide Convention Centre
$125 + booking fee
Protect your Tech
If you’re in need of a laptop or tablet cover, you can pick up a Mercedes College branded one from Strathspey Reception.
Designed for us exclusively by a Mercedes College community business, Willow Bay, these neoprene covers are completely machine washable and can be labelled inside. You might also like to grab a neoprene pencil case or sports backpack…
Where the Arts and Sports meet...
This year heralds new-look teams in both our Performing Arts and Sports Departments, with some fresh faces bringing great experience and huge enthusiasm to these two key areas.
Jayan Mace has stepped into the role of Director of Performing Arts, supported by our two new Music Teachers, Alex Gillespe and Helen Hopping. Dance and Drama Teacher, Natalie Goodair, and Support Officer, Raff Raschella round out the team.
In the world of Sport, Brodie Atkinson is leading as our new Director of Co-curricular Sport, supported by Sports Coordinators Deb Hocking and Kaiden Brand (pictured). The fourth member of the team, Astrid Powell, will join the College in Week 3.
We're looking forward to these two energetic and creative teams bringing all the colour, movement, spirit and excitement to Performing Arts and Sport at Mercedes College.
Café Orders and Buses
Online Café Orders
You can place Café orders online using your MyStudent Account App (MSA App). Funds can be pre-loaded onto your child’s student card so they can buy items at the Café without needing coins or cash – and it’s a great way to keep track of their spending. The Café also accepts cash and EFTPOS payments.
To set up your MyStudent Account online you will need to use your email address as the username and click on ‘forgot password’ to set a password.
When packing lunch boxes and preparing snacks, please remember we are a nut-free school.
School Bus
Mercedes College has three dedicated school buses servicing suburbs as below. These buses arrive and depart within the College grounds each day and accommodate Mercedes College students only.
Southern Bus – Flagstaff Hill, Aberfoyle Park, Coromandel Valley, Craigburn Farm, Blackwood, Glentalta, Belair, Lynton, Torrens Park
Northern Bus – Kent Town, Norwood, Glenside, Rose Park, Glenunga, Myrtle Bank
Hills – Oakbank, Balhannah, Hahndorf, Bridgewater, Aldgate, Stirling, Crafers
This service is operated by Willunga Charter. For further information, please visit the website or contact the College on 8372 3200.
Important reminders and dates
- Friday 31 January
Student ID photos and Year 12 Home Groups, formal summer uniform required
Term 1 Sport CEA nominations due (10am)
- Tuesday 4 February
Dr Judith Locke, Year 6 to Year 12
- Wednesday 5 February
Dr Judith Locke, Reception to Year 5
Performing Arts and Clubs and Societies CEA nominations due
- Thursday 6 February
R-12 Welcome Liturgy and 2025 Student Leadership Ceremony
- Monday 10 February
Middle School Parent Welcome Evening
- Tuesday 11 February
Junior School Parent Welcome Evening
Senior School Parent Welcome Evening
- Friday 14 February
Class of 2024 Laureate Ceremony
- Wednesday 19 February
Term 1 PEG Meeting (agenda to come)
- Saturday 22 February
Year 11/12 Formal
- Friday 28 February
Garden Party