Message from the Principal

From the Principal

2020 and 2021 will remain in our memories for years to come, but how will we remember them? Some people may look back on this period as a time of restrictions, challenges, cancellations and hardships. I will remember the past two years for the innovations, commitment to learning new skills, adaptability, resilience and support we have given one another, as we focussed on celebrating the simple things that are important to us.

Class of 2021

Year 12 is designed to challenge our students to flourish and reach their full potential at the end of their schooling journey. However, the Class of 2021 experienced disruptions not only this year, but in Year 11 as well. They faced several lockdowns, and modifications and postponements to many of the milestone events throughout their final two years at school. They demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt, with both good humour and positivity, and have developed a level of resiliency beyond their years that will serve them well in life. They have all managed to flourish amidst the challenges faced on a local, national and international level. In farewelling and congratulating the Class of 2021, I would like to acknowledge the crucial role their teachers, parents, caregivers, family members and friends have played in supporting them through this period. I was honoured to congratulate each of our 161 graduates from the Class of 2021 during our Graduation Assembly at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday 22 October 2021. We were off-site for the second year to allow as

many family and friends as possible to share this special moment with our students.

Following their examinations, we returned to the Convention Centre for our Graduation Ball. This was a special evening for our students to celebrate with their families and each other. With a DJ on deck, we asked the students to be involved this year to vote for their preferred menu and suggest some songs to play – remembering to include some for their parents too. After dancing was banned in South Australia for most of the year, it was a welcome surprise to be able to include our traditional student-parent dance. I would also like to welcome our 2022 College Captains, Amelie Finnimore, Abigail Ranford, Jack Braddy and Eric Penna, and wish them the very best in this role for next year.

Building the Mercedes of Tomorrow

We have much to celebrate as we reach the end of the 2021 academic year, with the formation of our Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025, which links into our Master Plan and 10-year Financial Plan. This gives us a clear line of sight as we re-invest in our facilities and embark upon a decade that will be transformative for Mercedes College. As you may have seen, earlier this year we announced a new development that will transform the southern side of our College to create a future-focussed Arts and Sports Precinct. We are now well into the development phase of this project with plans to commence building by May 2022. The new Arts and Sports Precinct will offer students functional spaces to meet the needs of body, mind and spirit. The design is inspired by the College’s beautiful surroundings and the grounds’ botanical nature, connecting our heritage with the future through contemporary style, offering spaces for learning, connection, community, performing arts and sport. For more information and artists’ impressions of this development, please see page 12 of this issue of the Fleur de Lis. Mercedes College is in an exciting position as we prepare for the 2022 school year. This year, we have completed a thorough review of the entire College and the future is bright. Just as we challenge our students to reach their full potential and support them to flourish, when I commenced as Principal in 2020, I thought it important to ensure the same high standards are applied to the leadership, staff and operations of the College. Our staff were brave enough to hold up a mirror and open themselves up to a full review. Through this commitment to improve, we are able to refocus and embrace new opportunities to ensure we evolve our learning and wellbeing experiences to meet the constantly changing needs of students in the 21st century.

Mercy Award

Each year at our Mercy Day Mass, we acknowledge an adult connected to our Mercedes College community who, through their actions and commitment, has demonstrated a special dedication to our Mercy Key values. I was delighted to announce old scholar Emma Tippett (Class of 1998) as the recipient of the 2021 Mercy Award. Dr Emma Tippett is an experienced and highly respected infectious diseases doctor. She has dedicated her career to helping the vulnerable and sick. She initially focused on HIV, but following her graduation as a doctor, she has widened her expertise. She has spent time in countries such as Malawi and Papua New Guinea, where she spent significant time on a small island trying to cure it of tuberculosis.

Now, as a senior infectious disease doctor in Melbourne, she has been on the COVID frontline. In doing so, Emma has lived the Mercy Keys as she continues to dedicate her expertise to improve the COVID situation in Melbourne and Australia. In 2021, she is a very deserving recipient of the Mercy Award. John Fanning Justice Award

This year on Mercy Day, we announced our inaugural winner of the John Fanning Justice Award, alongside two highly deserving nominees from our student body. John was a member of our community for over 30 years and epitomised the Mercy Keys. This new award is open to students from Years 6-12 and aims to celebrate the student who best represents John’s legacy. The Fanning family was delighted to attend to recognise the three nominees for the inaugural year of this award: Annabel Hage (Year 8), Xavier Damiani (Year 12) and Seamus Flaherty (Year 12). All three students should be proud of their commitment to living the Mercy Keys, and know that it has been recognised and appreciated by those around them. It is with great pleasure that I confirm the John Fanning Award recipient for 2021 is Seamus Flaherty.

Thank You

As this is our final Fleur de Lis for the year, I take this opportunity to thank our entire community for the contributions they have made to Mercedes College in 2021. After the disruptions of last year, I am so grateful that we have been able to experience and celebrate more together this year. We are blessed to have such a supportive community of parents, caregivers, staff, and old scholars who enable our students to flourish in their academic, extracurricular and personal pursuits. I wish you all a Merry and Holy Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Andrew Balkwill Principal