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The Hedge
Week 4, Term 3 | Thursday 14 August 2025 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

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Celebrating Science!

It is National Science Week - the perfect time to celebrate our students' recent scientific successes.

Oliphant Science Awards

More than 30 of our students participated in the Oliphant Science Awards this year, and we are delighted to have a number of winners and highly commended entries. Congratulations Olivia (Year 8, Dalton), a prize winner in the Science Inquiry category, and Yuan (Year 7, Dalton), a prize winner in the Models and Inventions category. Olivia and Yuan will attend the Oliphant Science Awards Ceremony in October.

In our Junior School, Caitlyn (Year 5, Fitzpatrick) received a Highly Commended in Models and Inventions, Harper (Reception, Barry) received a Highly Commended in Photography, and Morris (Year 3, Barry) received a Highly Commended in Posters.

Yuan and Caitlyn's two models are now on display in the library to inspire other budding scientists.

iCubed National Science Awards

We also celebrate the two National Awards presented to Kirra (Year 8, McAuley), whose study into the antiseptic qualities of honey was entered into the competition.

Kirra took home an Excellence Inquiry Award for the best health and disease project, plus the Year 7/8 Junior Inquiry Award for the best project in her age group.

Kirra's achievements are a testament to her passion for science!

Truly Global

At Mercedes College, we've been welcoming students from around the world through our International Student Programme for more than 55 years.

This term, we are joined by 61 international students from 14 different countries including Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Germany, Sri Lanka, Korea and China!

Whether with us for a single term, or several years, our international students add another rich layer to our globally-minded learning on Campus.

Term 3 PEG

Thank you to those family members who were able to attend our Term 3 Parent Engagement Group Meeting. The Minutes from this meeting can be viewed here.

Our Term 4 PEG Meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 November 2025, 5.30pm – 7.00pm, and will include end-of-year refreshments.

Sleeping Rough for a Good Cause

Last week, a group of Year 12 students and teachers braved the cold at the Vinnies Winter School Sleep Out, raising money and awareness of homelessness in South Australia.

As part of this experience, students explored common hardships faced by homeless individuals, discussed the ways in which Vinnies offers support to these members of the community, and experienced sleeping rough on only a sheet of card.

Well done to the whole crew for braving the cold for this good cause.

Good Sports

Last week, 25 students from Year 3 to Year 6 represented Mercedes College at the SACPSSA Cross Country Carnival in the city.

Traversing a 2km track around the parklands, students competed against Catholic schools from around the State, with more than 200 competitors in each race.

Our squad had a great day and represented our community with pride and respect, with most students finishing in the top 50 of their divisions.

Special mentions to Zoe (Year 6, McAuley) for finishing third in her division, and to Ishtar (Year 3, McAuley) for finishing second in hers.

We also had two first place results - congratulations to our Year 3 Girls Div B team, Ishtar, Sienna (McAuley), Isabelle (Dalton), Gigi (McAuley) and Apphia (Fitzpatrick), and our Year 6 Girls Div A team, Zoe, Jasmine (Dalton), and Stella (McAuley).

Let's Get Digital

Performing Arts continues to go from strength to strength at Mercedes College, and we're inviting our community to purchase one of 88 piano keys, raising funds for a digital piano for our students.

Digital pianos are designed to closely emulate the experience of playing an acoustic piano, with weighted keys and a focus on realistic piano sounds, which gives students a more authentic performance.

Our 88 Keys, taken from a disused Mercedes College piano, are $88 each and come in their own black or white gift box. Get yours now via the Qkr! app.

A unique memento and delightful way to support the Performing Arts at Mercedes College for years to come!

Representing City South

Mercedes College had four students selected to represent our SAPSASA district, City South, at the recent Soccer Carnival.

Congratulations to Isla (Year 6, Fitzpatrick) and Poppy (Year 6, Dalton) for your second place result with the Girls' Div 1 team, and Saul (Year 6, Dalton) and Sidney (Year 6, McAuley) for placing third with the Boys' Div 2 team!

Exploring Languages

During Week 3, our Campus had a focus on international languages, to celebrate Languages Week.

Our Languages team worked closely with our International Student Programme Leaders Rita (Year 12, Fitzpatrick) and Caton (Year 12, McAuley) to put together a programme of events that incorporated films, games, displays, music, and poetry, all topped off by our Term 3 House competition: an international languages quiz!

The benefits of language learning are real, with advantages that are cognitive, cultural, social, and lifelong, such as sharper thinking, improved memory, greater empathy, stronger communication skills, and a deeper connection to the world around us. Our global community was celebrated, and we hope that students who speak a language other than English felt connected to our community.

At community prayer on Tuesday, the House Quiz tally was revealed and Dalton came out on top as the Term 3 House Champions - Felicitations!

Book an Adventure!

Next week we celebrate 80 years of Children's Book Week, with an opportunity to dress up as our favourite literary characters to round out the week.

In our Junior School, staff and students will be dressed for comfort on Monday during Pyjama Day, participate in online author talks, and share in storytelling across the week as we celebrate a collective love of reading.

The highlight of Book Week will be the Junior School Parade on Friday 22 August from 9.30am, when our Reception to Year 6 students will tour the Campus in their costumes so that our Middle and Senior School communities can enjoy their creativity and colour.

All of our students, from Reception to Year 12, plus all of our staff are encouraged to dress up on this day in solidarity of Book Week fun.

We can't wait!

Ready to Rumble!

There has been a sea of Camel scarves on Campus this week as our students prepare for Intercol 2025 next week.

St Ignatius' College is the host this year, with competitions taking place on their Senior Campus in Athlestone as well as external specialist sporting complexes.

Music makes its debut at Intercol this year. On Friday night, our Rock Band, Vivace ensemble, and Jazz Choir will be competiting in a friendly demonstration ahead of an official Music Shield Competition in 2026.

Check out the full schedule here and make sure you get along to support our students in this annual celebration of team spirit and College pride.

Go Camels!

Co-curricular and Leadership Photos

On Tuesday 19 August (Week 5), our school photographers will be taking co-curricular and leadership photos, excluding our sport teams (sports will be photographed on a different date).

Please refer to this schedule, students involved should be in formal winter uniform, including their blazer, for these team photos.

Coming up...

  • Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August | Book Week 2025
  • Monday 18 August to Saturday 23 August | Intercol 2025
  • Tuesday 19 August | Co-curricular and Leadership group photos (excluding sport)
  • Thursday 20 August | Playgroup
  • Friday 22 August | Junior School Book Week Parade
  • Thursday 28 August | Write a Book in a Day Challenge (Year 6 to Year 9)

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

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.