Chair College Council

There is much to celebrate in 2021. It has been a year where the College has moved from managing an ever-changing world to establishing a strong strategic roadmap for the College’s future. The Mercy Keys have guided the College Council, the Principal and the staff through this evolutionary period.

The role of the Council this year has been to increase its governance mandate and test the key assumptions of the Strategic Plan and the 10-Year Financial Plan to ensure that the College remains strong and sustainable into the future. This has been achieved in-line with the spirit of the Mercy Key focus Year of Justice, where all decisions have been considerate of our Mercy ethos and have been communicated positively and fairly. The new Arts and Sports Precinct is an extremely positive project for the College community. It will ensure that our co-curricular activities will be well supported into the future, while maintaining our position as a world-class educator through the Reception – Year 12 IB programmes. This investment also demonstrates the strong support from Catholic Education South Australia and the belief it has in the College.

Graduation

As I write this, I have just attended the Class of 2021 Graduation Assembly. It was a special day for our family, as our son Jack graduated, but it was also a celebration for 161 students and their families. Graduation is the final step for Year 12 students and their families from an academic perspective, but also the entry to the next chapter of their lives as they embark upon flourishing as adults, under the solid foundation of the Mercy Key values. The passion and commitment from the College leadership and teaching staff was clearly demonstrated at the assembly by the bond it holds with the cohort. However, more importantly, this is the culmination of many years of hard work by the students, which has been strongly supported by their teachers and families. The final product is outstanding and the greater community is better for it, as these well-rounded and globally-educated Mercedes College old scholars enter the world.

College Leadership

The past two years have been very challenging as we have navigated and reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our entire College community has worked tirelessly to maintain a strong level of consistency and connection. The leadership, determination and focus of our Principal, Andrew Balkwill, has been at the centre of this operative. I am pleased to announce that following his initial two years, College Council and Catholic Education have renewed Andrew’s contract for a further five years. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Andrew as we further our strategic goals. As the College Chair, I would like to thank my fellow College Council members, the College leadership and the greater College community for their continued drive and commitment to ensuring Mercedes College maintains its world-class educational standing and exceptional pastoral care, underpinned by our Mercy ethos.

Alf Ianniello Mercedes College Council Chair