Message from the Principal

Each year, our students return from the summer holidays to a new year of learning. This year, the return was staggered, with all students now using the excellent learning environment we provide on campus. Our collective resilience has again been demonstrated with our diverse group of experienced teachers readily adjusting their instruction to meet onsite and online learning, and our adaptive students and families ever supportive. As we have since early 2020, we will continue to adapt to the COVID-19 protocols for school settings to keep our community safe.

Our shared focus as a College community remains on providing today’s students with wide ranging opportunities to learn in and beyond our classrooms, form friendships and be exposed to a breadth of experiences, all the while as we continue investing to meet the needs of tomorrow. This year, supplementing our existing suite of facilities, construction of our new Arts and Sports Precinct will start. This project is being realised after many years of consideration, and follows approval of our Master Plan in December 2020, and development of Stage One by our lead architect, JPE Design Studio, in April 2021. Using a collaborative design approach, our new Arts and Sports Precinct will come to life. These purpose-built spaces for sport, the performing arts, and greater community connection provide the opportunity for our community – College Council, staff, students, parents and caregivers, Mercedes Parents and Friends Association, Mercedes Old Scholars’ Association, Mercureans and friends – to contribute, including philanthropically through our Annual Giving Programme. These spaces will be used by thousands of students in the decades ahead for learning, experiencing the arts and playing sport as they create memories at Mercedes College. Our infrastructure focus is aligned with our five enabling strategic goals that guide our priorities, investment and initiatives. In short these will see us continue to deliver an ever-better world class education for our students, underpinned by high expectations, and quality relationships, reflective of our Mercy Keys and traditions. Our Strategic Plan 2021-2025 deliberately encourages active participation from across our community so that together we build on our strong foundations to help our students flourish and position the College for continued excellence.

In farewelling colleagues in late 2021, and welcoming more than 20 new staff this year, we are reminded that we’re all stewards for a time, and contributors to the evolution of Mercedes College. Many people help shape the learning and experiences of the students who proudly graduate from Mercedes College, none less so than the highly respected and much-loved Alessandra Miles (see page 16). A timely reflection, given 2022 is when we focus on our Mercy Key of Loyalty: affirming the Mercy spirit, supporting, and promoting the College and its activities, as well as each other, plus seeking ways of being of service more widely. The perfect Key in a year of change, challenge, and achievement. As a values-centred International Baccalaureate R-12 Catholic College we proudly support each student to develop academically, socially and personally, enabling each to confidently take their place in the world. This has never been more evident than the achievements of the Class of 2021.

157 students graduated in 2021, 20 per cent achieving an ATAR of 95 or more, 36 per cent an ATAR of 90 or higher, and 59 per cent an ATAR of 80 or better. All students seeking a tertiary placement achieved first round university offers and 73 per cent achieved their first preference with a majority studying in the fields of Health / Medicine / Physiotherapy / Veterinary Science / Law / International Studies / Politics and Commerce / Business.

Congratulations to Olenka Smolicz our College Dux, Anna Nixon and Alana Spirou our joint 2021 IB Diploma Duces – academic achievements to be exceptionally proud of. In addition, 35 of our students developed valuable skills by pursuing Vocational Education and Training in wide ranging fields including Applied Fashion Design and Technology, Aviation, Design Fundamentals, Electronic Music Production and Performance, and Rural Operations (Animal Husbandry). Three students completed a school-based apprenticeship (Automotive Electrical, Butchery and Electrical) incorporating learning beyond the school curriculum and we commend those students for their commitment and significant achievement to combine working as many as three days per week – including during the school holidays – with completing the SACE requirements. May the Class of 2021’s achievements shine a light of encouragement for the students who follow them. May they remind us about the imperative of continuing to develop our curriculum delivery, progressive wellbeing programmes and breadth of opportunities that students recall long after graduating – school camps, reflection days and major events like our annual Athletics and Swimming Carnivals. May each student continue to embrace learning and understand who they are as open-minded citizens who positively contribute to a just society as they ready themselves to take their place in the world.

Andrew Balkwill Principal