Mercedes College Community Satisfaction

Strategic Goal 4.0

Build partnerships with parents and the community

A focus group with families was brought together in 2022 as part of our preparatory work ahead of our Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation review in 2023. Through Domain H of this accreditation (home and school), we routinely gather feedback about areas of success and potential for improvements.

The results of the preparatory evaluation by CIS in 2022 established that Mercedes College exceeds the requirements for our accreditation in providing effective communications for a productive home-school partnership and positive learning community.

Families who attended a College Tour prior to starting school strongly rated their experience as satisfying or very satisfying (93.65 per cent), as they did for their child’s experience of Orientation Day (90.38 per cent). Their enrolment experience was also rated highly, with 94 per cent satisfied or very satisfied with the customer service received.

An opportunity for improvement lies in College communication techniques, with 11 per cent of new families expressing a level of apathy or dissatisfaction with their experience to date. Qualitative responses point predominantly to the volume of communications platforms used, and this will be investigated further to improve and streamline the family:school relationship and information sharing process.

In home groups, students regularly provide a ‘pulse check’, with teachers gaining insight into their perceptions of wellbeing and learning progress.

By participating in this quick check, our educators track engagement, ‘the mood’ as well as attitudes and general understanding so that student concerns can be identified and addressed early.

More people engaged with our social media channels in 2022 than ever before.

185,000 – people reached by our Facebook content

CIS Evaluator Response

Families new to the college in 2022 were also invited to participate in a survey, capturing their opinions and satisfaction rates for their enrolment experience, learning outcomes being achieved, and communications received.

Most new families in 2022 enrolled 1 child in Mercedes College, with the highest intake in Year 7 (31.41 per cent) and Reception (17.14 per cent).

28,000 – engagements on Instagram

70,000 – impressions on Linkedin

More than 250 volunteers worked with us to enrich our children’s experience of school, on the sporting sidelines, at an event BBQ, or wrapping prizes for little ones ahead of Christmas.

Our Mercedes Parents and Friends Association (MPFA) supported 5 events, and continued to run the Second Hand Uniform Shop, raising important funds.

In 2022 the MPFA made 3 large donations towards college projects:

• $1,000 for new sports equipment

• $30,000 towards the upgrade of the Senior Study space

• $50,000 towards a new Junior School playground

The Friends of the Arts also enriched college life by supporting our performing and visual arts students and programmes. Members helped with meal preparation at major performances, and organised raffles, finding props or costumes, plus attending art exhibitions and celebrating their achievements.

During 2022 our Mercedes Old Scholars’ Association (MOSA) held 9 reunions and 4 Old Scholars Week activities, and at the AGM committee members were appointed spanning graduates from 1975 to 2018, ensuring broad representation.