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The Hedge
Week 9, Term 3 | Thursday 18 September 2025 A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College...

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2025 STEP Trek

Last week, 40 of our students returned from our 28th Immersion Trek to Mimili in the APY Lands. This is considered a highlight at Mercedes College, and students often talk about the impact of the Trek for years afterwards.

Our students and staff develop an authentic understanding and appreciation for Anangu culture, connection to country and the value of diversity in Australia.

Students and community engaged in a variety of activities, to live out the Anangu concept of 'Ngapartji Ngapartji' - the two-way giving and care for one another.

Activities included visiting 'Tjukurpa' dreaming sites, colour runs, a day at Mimili school, a community concert and a Community Day out on country, where students engaged in traditional activities such as cooking kangaroo tail, weaving, spear making, producing bush medicines and taking part in an 'Inma' - a traditional ceremony at dusk.

What a great, transformative experience...

Mercy Colours Day

All students, staff, and families are invited to wear their House colours on Tuesday 23 September, in support of Mercy Week. This is not only a show of House Spirit across the Campus, but a tradition to run, have fun and raise funds.

Our Reception to Year 6 students will be taking part in their Mercy Fun Run from 11.15am to 1.15pm, raising funds for every lap they complete for Young Mercy Works - including Catherine House and Hutt Stree Centre.

All other students and staff are asked to contribute a gold coin to add to the final House tally.

We can't wait to see the Campus flooded with red, yellow, blue, and green, as a show of House pride and spirit!

There will also be our Mercy Week Sausage Sizzle lunch for students to enjoy. Junior School students can collect their pre-ordered sausages from under the Marquee (pre-orders close today, so get onto Qkr if you haven't placed your order yet!)

Middle and Senior students can purchase their sausages on the day on the Plaza in front of the Library!
Sausages are $3.00 each - cash only please.

Year 8's Make a Splash

The Year 8 Aquatic Camps on the Murray River are an ideal example of students being encouraged to try something new and step out of their comfort zone.

As well as braving the rush of skiing and kneeboarding, students improved their understanding of water confidence and safety, and learned about the environmental and human impacts on the health of the river.

Great memories made that contribute to our rich College life!

The Business H-Edge Lunch

We all know how popular our Mother's Day Lunch is, and so we are holding our first lunch for Dads! Our Mercedes Dads, Old Scholars and staff are invited to lunch at Adelaide Oval on Friday 14 November.

Hosted by our Principal, Andrew Balkwill, guests will enjoy lunch with a view of the Oval.  Current dad and College Council Member, Sam Dighton will be our MC, and will also be moderator for a Speaker Panel, featuring:

Peter Malinauskas MP
Old Scholar, Premier of South Australia

Dr Dan Pronk
Current parent, SAS Ex-Special Ops Doctor, Bestselling Author

In addition to ticket sales, we have a limited number of Table Sponsorships available - both of which can be secured via our ticket link below.

Click here for the full details and to book your tickets today.

Motoring through History

Our Year 2 students recently headed to the hills, visiting the National Motor Museum in Birdwood.

The Motor Museum is a great place to see the evolution of technology in one place, and students marvelled at how the way we travel has evolved throughout the centuries.

They also reflected on how these advancements impacts the way we all live and act... and had a great time playing driver in the old buggies!

Passing the Baton...

Our students, staff and families gathered for community prayer on Tuesday morning, to honour Mercy Week next week.

Our 2025 College Captains reflected on what Mercy meant to each of them during their time as Captains.

Then they handed to our 2026 College Captains who pledged to continue their legacy and to live Mercy as they take on the student leadership role for the College next year.

Mercy Week is shaping up to be a great week, and we look forward to celebrating Our Lady of Mercy Mass with everyone in Yitpi next Friday!

Our Lady of Mercy Mass

Next Friday 26 September, we end Term 3 with our Mercy Day Mass, celebrating Mary, mother of Jesus.

This special occasion is one of the most important events on our College calendar, and we'd love you to join us if you can we invite our community to join us.

Mass will be celebrated by Father John Shanahan, after which we will present our annual Mercy Award and the Justice Award in honour of John Fanning.

Students have early dismissal, ending Term 3 at 12.30pm.

Tennis Coaching Clinics

Get active these holidays and prepare for the Summer season of tennis! Our holiday clinics will be a combination of  match play, technical tips and physical activity, as well as the chance to catch up with friends during the break.

Monday 29 September, Tuesday 30 September 2025 and Wednesday 1 October 
9.00am - 12.00pm
Mercedes College

Red Ball / Orange Ball / Green Ball / Yellow Ball
$60 for 1 day / $110 for 2 days / $150 for 3 days

Register here.
For more information about our clinics, contact Joshua Boots from
Evolve Tennis Coaching  josh@evolvetenniscoaching.com.au or  0499 920 368

Creating Ecosystems

Our IB Diploma Chemistry students recently created their own miniture ecosystems.

Known as mesocosms, these tiny environments are completely sealed, relying on the recycling of nutrients to survive without access to the air.

Students built up their drainage and absorbing layers before adding soil and plants such as moss and ferns, then spritzed in some water and sealed them shut.

Now they can watch as their little ecosystems thrive as an independent world of their own!

Mercy Week Delights

Next week is Mercy Week and to celebrate, we have special recess items available from our College Cafe.

Please pre-order these items, as that is the best way to ensure you won't miss out!

Monday 22/9 - green fruit salad $3.50
Tuesday 23/9 - pine /lime & lime jelly $2.50
Wednesday 24/9 - cinnamon swirl $2.50
Thursday 25/9 - spinach, tomato, cheese piadina wedge $3.00
Friday 26/9 - choc mint small muffin $2.50

Mercy Week will be a colourful, busy and culinary delight - and we look forward to sharing it all with you!

New OSHC Director

The College has appointed Kostantinos Dalianas as the new Director of Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) at Mercedes.

Kostantinos brings many years of experience working within OSHC settings and is a qualified Educational Leader. 

His professional background, combined with a genuine commitment to supporting students to thrive, makes him a valuable addition to our College community.

Kostantinos will officially start on Monday 22 September (Week 10, Term 3). 

We are confident that under his leadership, our OSHC and Vacation Care Programme will continue to provide a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for all our students.

Coming up...

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

More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.