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The Hedge
Week 6, Term 4 | Thursday 20 November 2025 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

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Inaugural Business Lunch Success

There was a wonderful energy and buzz in the room when Mercedes College parents, Old Scholars, and College partners came together on Friday for our Business H-Edge Lunch at Adelaide Oval.

Hosted by Principal Andrew Balkwill, with College Chair Sam Dighton acting as MC and Panel Moderator, guests enjoyed a delicious meal and quality conversations that uncovered more than one surprise connection.

Our guest panel, featuring Old Scholar Peter Malinauskas MP, Mercedes dads Dr Dan Pronk and Julian Burton OAM, shared meaningful and often hilarious anecdotes, providing valuable insight into their approaches to resilience in all areas of life.

Planning for next year's event is already underway and we know that those who attended on Friday are keen to relive the experience in 2026.

Special Mercedes College Offer

Our wine partner on the day was Small Gully Wines, owned by Mercedes dad Joe Black. Joe is generously extending an offer to our community on his wine.

Visit the Small Gully Wines website and enter coupon code MERCEDES on checkout to receive a 10% discount on your purchase!

A Show of Solidarity

Last week, we came together for the first activity to contribute towards 2026 House points.

A Social Justice theme, our incoming 2026 Student Leaders thanked everyone for bringing gold coin donations for 'Wear it Again Day', and invited students and staff to buddy up and walk the Main Oval as a show of solidarity for those in our community doing it tough this festive season.

After the walk, buddies then wrote messages of hope on coloured 'baubles' that will accompany the many items donated to the Brother Michael Christmas Hamper Appeal.

Donated items were collected by House, with different categories earning different House points, and with all four Houses giving generously, it was Barry House that generated the most points.

These activities are a timely reminder of how acts of Mercy can make a big difference when we work together.

 

See you this Sunday with Santa

Well, the weather forecast is looking a lot brighter for Santa to visit the College for our Christmas Picnic.

We are looking forward to seeing you all this Sunday, 23 November 2.00pm - 4.00pm in the Rose Garden.

We will have our Joy Boxes on sale, face painting and glitter tattoos, Christmas craft, Carol singers and of course a visit from Santa.

So pack a picnic basket and come along - we'd love to see you!

R-6 Sports Fun Day!

On Wednesday (26 November), our Main Oval and green spaces will be turned into a sea of colour as our Reception to Year 6 students participate in the annual Sports Fun Day.

Family supporters are welcome - dress in your family's House colours and grab a coffee from our College Coffee Cart from 8.30am, and join in the fun!

Contributions to our Bake Sale would also be appreciated - sweet or savoury treats in House colour themes - click here to let us know whether to expect you, and whether you're able to help at the Bake Sale.

Student lunches from the Cafe on this day are all themed for our Houses, and must be pre-ordered through MSA before 9am Monday 24 November.

We'll see you next week for all the running, jumping, hopping, wiggling, and giggles that this day inevitably brings!

French Friendships

Junior School French Leader, Caitlyn (Year 5, Fitzpatrick) was the brains behind a fun initiative this term, with our Year 5 students exchanging letters in French with penpals from nearby Mitcham Primary School.

Our students were delighted to discover all the things they have in common with their penpals, such as favourite foods and school subjects, hobbies, sports and more.

To cap off the year, students will exchange Christmas cards in French, wishing their penpals a wonderful holiday break.

Upcoming Demolition Works

Beginning next week, from Thursday 27 November 2025, works will begin on our new Innovation Hub above the Carmel Bourke Library.

Fencing will be in place around GA301 and GA303, as well as the staircase in front of the Library, restricting access to the work site for the remainder of the year.

Learning Who We Are

Last week, our Year 3 students headed to Woodhouse Adventure Park as the culmination of their unit of inquiry 'Who We Are'.

The challenges they faced were an ideal opportunity to practice skills they have explored and developed across the year, such as persistence, positive mindsets, and problem-solving.

Students also demonstrated their excellent teamwork, showing the importance of social encouragement and cooperation.

Tennis Reps

Four Mercedes College students represented South Australia recently at the SAPSASA Tennis Competition, helping the City South District Team to finish in second place.

Congratulations to Georgia (Year 5, Barry), Lucy Bella (Year 6, Dalton), Owen (Year 6, Dalton) and Josh (Year 6, Fitzpatrick).

What a great result!

Temporary School Bus Detour

School bus 636 from Mercedes College to the city will take a detour from Friday 21 November to Monday 1 December inclusive, in response to the BP Adelaide Grand Final motorsport event.

Students on this bus who usually get off at Stop V1 Hutt Street will need to get off at Stop T1 Hutt Street.

Students who usually alight at Stop R1 Grenfell Street will need to alight at Stop W2 Pulteney Street or Stop T2 Grenfell Street.

Please see the Adelaide Metro website for further details.

Sing, Dance, Play and Perform - tomorrow night!

Our Performing Arts students will take to the stage tomorrow night in a showcase of their work from across 2025.

Rhapsody in Motion will be an intimate Cabaret Supper Club setting, where you can watch over 100 performing arts students share their passions.

Bring your snacks to share at your table, and take advantage of the bar that will be running for the duration of the performance.

You can still book tickets - we hope to see you there!

Reminder | CEA Sport Nominations

A friendly reminder that Term 1 Summer Sport nominations are now open!

Parents, please enter your email address here (the one linked to your SEQTA Engage app), and you will receive an email with a link to your family's details. You can then access the portal to make your nominations online.

We're delighted to confirm that expressions of interest for Primary AFL Academy and Touch Football (Year 4-Year 6) have met minimum requirements and will be proceeding.

The AFL Academy has also confirmed that 2024 Under 18 State Representative and current Adelaide Crows SANFL player, Ned Atkinson, will be joining the coaching team.

Please nominate by Friday 28 November so that our Sports team can enter our team details to the School Sport Associations ahead of the Season.

Preparing for Orientation Day

SchoolTV has put out a special report ahead of school transition periods, with insights into guiding students through this period of change.

If your child finds change especially challenging, you might find this video helpful on how to best help them feel confident, connected, and capable, as they start this next chapter at Mercedes.

Click here for the full report.

Uniform Clear Out?

As we head towards the end of the year, please consider donating any summer uniform items that you won't need in 2026 to our Second Hand Uniform Shop.

Our volunteers are always looking for new stock, so if you can help, please drop clean items in good condition for re-sale to Jenny at Strathspey House Reception.

Wooden hangers are also always in high demand - so think of us if you have spares to donate!

Coming up...

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.