The Hedge
Week 10, Term 3 | Thursday 25 September 2025 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

Ready to Lead

Last week, our 2026 Senior Leaders were officially appointed.

Alongside College Captains, Elliot (Barry), Ava (Dalton), Patrick (Dalton), and Annabelle (Fitzpatrick), we congratulate:

Senior House Leaders

  • Ava and Henry (Barry)
  • Lucy and Sam (Dalton)
  • Poppy and Jeanine (Fitzpatrick)
  • Imali and Oliver (McAuley)

Arts Leaders

  • Pallas (McAuley) and Eleanor (Barry)

International Student Programme Leaders

  • Bianca (McAuley) and Gigi (Barry)

Social Justice Leaders

  • Beatrix (McAuley) and Claudia (Fitzpatrick)

Sport Leaders

  • Poppy (Barry) and Harry (Barry)

Student Mentoring Programme Leaders

  • Annika (McAuley) and Kavith (Dalton)

Uncovering a Bunny-napper...

Our Year 6 students recently harnessed the power of science to solve a mystery abduction.

After a ransom note was found seeking cash in return for the Easter Bunny, students used Forensics Chromatography to identify which of four black markers was used to write the demand.

By discovering the correct marker and matching it to the teacher who owned it, students uncovered the guilty party and the Easter Bunny was rescued, safe and sound!

Mercy Colours

As part of Mercy Week, our community was encouraged to wear their House colours on Tuesday, with our Reception to Year 6 students participating in the Mercy Fun Run, and our Senior Leaders helping man the lunchtime sausage sizzle!

It was a great show of House and Mercy Spirit all across the Campus.

Lifelong Learning

This week, our Year 1 students welcomed grandparents and other special family friends to visit their classrooms to share their latest work.

Part of their Unit of Inquiry: "Where we are in place and time", students showed their guests new skills they'd acquired as part of experiencing an 1800's education, performed songs, and presented some of the interesting things they've learned about the difference in education over several decades.

It was difficult to tell who was more proud - the students showing off their work, or their enamoured guests...

Mercy in Action

Over two days this week, 19 of our Year 10 and Year 11 students volunteered their time to support the Variety Club's Annual Picnic at Adelaide Zoo.

Helping put smiles on the faces of young people living with disability or disadvantage, students donned mascot costumes, coordinated games, and helped serve lunch to everyone.

Mercedes College has been supporting the Variety Club for more than 10 years, and this event is always a highlight that our students love being involved in.

Spring Vacation Care - Building Works

Our new OSHC Director, Kosti and his team are looking forward to sharing a memorable two weeks with our Vacation Care students, with a great range of activities and excursions planned.

Families using Vacation Care are reminded that maintenance and building works will be progressing near our OSHC facilities during the Term break, which will impact the way you can access the Campus.

The upper car park will not be accessible during the holidays.

Please park in the lower car park and walk to Vacation Care using the path alongside Strathspey House and past the Peppertree Playground (either from the kiss-and-drop entrance, or from above the Sunken Garden).

These building works will ensure that our College can continue to ensure a safe and well-maintained environment for everyone and will be complete at the start of Term 4.

Track and Field Stars

Congratulations to the 11 Mercedes College students who recently represented the State at the SAPSASA Track and Field Carnival.

Hugo (Year 6, Fitzpatrick), Zoe (Year 6, McAuley), William (Year 5, Dalton), Sage (Year 6, Fitzpatrick), Georgia (Year 5, Barry), Emily (Year 4, McAuley), and Neisha (Year 5, Fitzpatrick) all took part and proudly continued the Mercedes College tradition in Track and Field.

Special mentions go to Jasmine (Year 6, Dalton) and Isla (Year 6, Fitzpatrick), who were part of the second placed 4x100m Girls' Relay team.

Jasmine and Ned (Year 6, Barry), both also scored podium finishes in their respective 200m races, winning third place.

Xavier (Year 4, McAuley) had the highest achievement of the day, taking home first place in the 800m.

Congratulations to you all on such great achievements - on and off the track!

Adding to their Legacy

Year 12 can be a busy and challenging year, but for more than 60 of our 2025 cohort, being a Student Mentor was an important part of their final year of schooling.

Forming an important part of their legacy at the College, their mentoring roles officially closed this week before they head off for final exams in Term 4.

A special part of their farewell was watching thank you messages from the students they have been mentoring (our Mentees) who all expressed appreciation for the connections they'd made, the support they received, and the impact on their time at the College.

We hope to see many of them return as Community Mentors in 2026.

Chasing Dreams at the Catholic Schools Music Festival

This year's theme for the Catholic Schools Music Festival is "Where Dreams Begin", and we may be witnessing the beginning of many music students' dreams coming true...

Our Festival Choir joined hundreds of young voices in a massive combined performance that incorporated not only their vocal talent, but rigourously rehearsed choreography. They were supported by a full student instrumental ensemble, which included our talented violinists Hailey (Year 8, McAuley) and Justin (Year 7, Barry).

Year 12 student Summer (Fitzpatrick), has already delivered a professional solo performance this week as one of the hand-picked support acts, and will take to the stage again tonight.

The performances aren't just limited to the stage. Our Jazz Combo and rock band Even Hannah wowed guests in the foyer and during intervals at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

What a wonderful experience for our Performing Arts students!

Day Trip to Paris, Anyone?

A highlight on the calendar for our Reception students is their Trip to Paris. This is an immersive role-playing experience that helps them explore the customs, culture, and landmarks of this iconic city.

From navigating airport security and following the safety instructions of flight staff, to passing through customs with their passports and travelling to all the famous locations of Paris, students had a fantastic time on their "international" adventure.

Christmas Picnic - Save the Date

One of our most popular events at Mercedes College is our annual Christmas Picnic in the Rose Garden.

Put the date in your family diary, Sunday 16 November, 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Father Christmas will arrive in Adelaide the week before, and will be making a special visit to our picnic.

There will be festive face painting, our Christmas Craft Corner with letters to Father Christmas, and activities with our Christmas Fairy!

And, of course, our popular Joy Boxes will be back! Packs will be available to families in Week 1 of Term 4.

Looking forward to sharing the festive spirit with you all!

Coming up...

  • Friday 26 September | Mercy Day Mass | Last day Term 3, early dismissal, 12.30pm
  • Monday 6 October | Labour Day Public Holiday
  • Monday 13 October | First day Term 4
  • Thursday 16 October | Class of 2025 Breakfast and Guard of Honour | Playgroup
  • Friday 17 October | Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony
  • Thursday 23 October | Playgroup
  • Wednesday 29 October | PYP Exhibition

Save the Date: 2026 Student Orientation Day | Friday 28 November

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.