The Hedge
Week 2, Term 3 | Thursday 31 July 2025 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

Powering on...

While we never like being kept in the dark... if we are, we find ways to have fun and keep going!

The power outage on Monday due to a fallen gum tree on Fullarton Road cut all power to the College, but that didn't stop us.

Our student musicians rehearsed by torchlight and our Junior School students kept up their energy with a quick Health Hustle.

Our Middle and Senior School students used the remote learning skills they perfected during the Covid lockdown, to keep on top of their tasks, before coming back to Campus on Tuesday.

Support for Caritas Australia

This week we had the opportunity to celebrate the generosity of our College community, with our official donation to Caritas Australia.

After our student fundraising during Lent, as well as the support of our Caritas Day in Term 1, Year 12 student Jon-Luc (Dalton) and our APRIM Helen Ayliffe presented Karen Da Susa from Caritas Australia with a donation of $11,025.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this impressive total!

Intercol is Coming...

This week, our College Sports Captains and Intercol Team Captains got together with our Mascot, Cam the Camel for our Intercol 2025 video reels.

Cam is fired up for another great Carnival, and we look forward to seeing our community get behind our teams when they compete at St Ignatius' College in Week 5 this term.

After winning Intercol '24, we are looking forward to a sea of green and gold at all of our matches - which are being held at St Ignatius (SIC) or other sport specific venues.

  • Monday 18 August | Cross Country, Chess and Debating (SIC)
  • Tuesday 19 August | Netball and Basketball (The Lights Community Centre)
  • Wednesday 20 August | Open A Soccer (Marden Sport Complex)
  • Thursday 21 August | Hockey (State Hockey Centre)
  • Friday 22 August | Table Tennis and Music (SIC)
  • Saturday 23 August | Soccer and Football (SIC)

Check out the Intercol programme from St Ignatius so you can put the times in your diaries, and grab yourself a Camel scarf at Strathspey Reception for $27!

Go Camels...

Kirra's National Science Success

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Kirra (Year 8, McAuley), who received two awards at the iCubed National Science Awards, organised by the Australian Teachers' Association.

Kirra first entered her science investigation, "Exploring the Effectiveness of Honey as a Natural Antiseptic," into the Oliphant Science Awards, South Australia’s largest student science competition.

With over 2,000 entries across the State, only eight projects were selected to represent South Australia at the national level – and Kirra’s was one of them.

Kirra’s project was judged alongside the best entries from across Australia. Her research demonstrated real-world relevance, exceptional inquiry skills and scientific rigour.

Kirra’s work was recognised with two prestigious awards:

  • The Excellence Inquiry Award, presented to the best Health and Disease project in the nation.
  • The Best Year 7/8 Junior Inquiry Award, recognising her work as the top inquiry project from a Year 7/8 student nationwide.

This is an extraordinary accomplishment.

Her success is an inspiration to other young Mercedes College scientists and a proud moment for our College community.

Congratulations, Kirra, on your well-deserved national recognition!

Considering Futures

This week has been an important one for our Middle and Senior School students, who have been exploring career pathways and study options.

Last night, Year 9 to Year 12 students brought their families to the Mercedes College Career Expo, where more than 20 external exhibitors, and a dozen subject specialists from the College, spoke with them about opportunities for their future learning pathways.

Today and tomorrow, our Year 10 students are participating in Industry Focus Days with facilitators from the University of Adelaide. Taking the place of traditional work experience, students will rotate through eight engaging and hands-on workshops, each focused on a different field of interest. They will also take part in a session to build their confidence in career planning and informed decision-making.

Next week we welcome back more than 30 Old Scholars, who will share breakfast with our Year 11 and Year 12 students and discuss their pathway to their chosen career.

With industries as varied as Business, Journalism, Law, Medicine, Real Estate, and Trade, these students will hear how professionals navigated their pathways after leaving Mercedes College.

Celebrating Languages!

Next week is Languages Week, with fun activities and prizes planned across our Campus.

Students gathered together at our Assembly this week, where International Student Leaders Caton and Rita shared how living in a different country and speaking different languages builds connection, community, and empathy for others.

Our Year 2 students performed a French opera piece, Ava (Year 8, Fitzpatrick) previewed a French poem that she is performing at a competition later this term, and Year 10 twins Saskia and Chloe (McAuley) shared Saskia's recent experience on her six-month exchange living and studying in the south of France.

Next week, students will have the opportunity to watch films in foreign languages, play bingo in different languages, plus participate in a two-day treasure hunt around the Campus for prizes. On Wednesday we'll also gather in our House groups to compete in an International Language Quiz, which is our House competition for Term 3!

Coming up...

  • Thursday 31 July to Friday 1 August | Year 10 Industry Focus Days | Year 11 Retreat
  • Friday 1 August | Quiz Night
  • Monday 4 August to Friday 8 August | Catholic Schools Open Week | Languages Week
  • Wednesday 6 August | International Languages House Quiz
  • Thursday 7 August | AMT Australian Mathematics Competition | Playgroup
  • Friday 8 August | Year 11 and Year 12 Career Insights Breakfast | Vinnies Winter Sleep Out
  • Monday 11 August | Term 3 Parent Engagement Group Meeting
  • Tuesday 12 August | Community Prayer, 8.40am
  • Wednesday 13 August | MASA Quiz Night

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

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.