Dear Mercedes College Families
Welcome to the final Sorelle for 2025. We have great news to share to bring another productive and enjoyable year to a close. The final weeks have been filled with both reflection and celebration as our students conclude in the coming days with determination, gratitude, celebration and pride in all they have achieved.
On Wednesday, national, state, and local media outlets released the latest NAPLAN data from ACARA. The report highlighted the top 20 schools in Western Australia for achieving higher-than-expected student learning gains from Year 7 to Year 9 in Numeracy, Reading, and Writing over the last two years.
I am incredibly proud to share that Mercedes College is on the list of top 20 schools. In my view, this is the most impressive measure for a school because it reflects the direct impact we have on our students’ progress. It focuses on student growth between Years 7 and 9, not just their starting point or final achievement.
Significant learning growth happens when students and staff embrace a growth mindset, commit to doing the hard work, and foster strong self-belief. It happens when our teachers and education assistants invest in classroom practices that foster positive relationships and support student progress at every level, the movement from below average to average, from average to above average, and from above average to exceptional. This kind of growth is measured by each student reaching her own personal best, a standard defined only by her own progress, not by comparison to others.
We celebrate this accolade and extend our sincere thanks to our girls, teachers, support staff, and parents for their dedication to learning and to our vision, to aspire, excel and lead. We deeply value the three-way partnership we share in the education of our Mercedes students. I could not be prouder. While this is just one metric, being in the top 20 for WA schools is an excellent achievement. The true celebration, however, is the student growth itself and is a wonderfully deserved accomplishment to end the year.
We recently shared with our wider community video content for the exciting plans for the redevelopment of our College Hall into a state-of-the-art Technologies Precinct, opening in 2027. As Australia’s oldest Catholic secondary school established by a religious congregation still on its original site, Mercedes College holds a unique and deeply valued place in Catholic education, and in the Mercy Tradition. This redevelopment represents the first stage of our Capital Development Plan and reflects our Strategic Plan coming to life. The new precinct will feature purpose-built learning spaces for Food Technology, Design and Children, Family and Community, together with a modern café and dining space for 200, an open-air terrace seating 160 and flexible areas overlooking the College oval. This transformation honours our heritage, captures and extends the embodied energy of generations gone by, while embracing sustainability. To view the video reveal of the plans for this exciting project, please visit our Technologies Precinct Page.
Last week we closed our Art Exhibition, and after many visitors and incoming votes from staff, students and community we would like to congratulate Ella (Year 11) on receiving the People’s Choice Award this year. Ella’s artwork was also showcased earlier this year at the Angelo Street Art Exhibition at Forrest Chase in the Perth CBD, an incredible achievement reflecting both talent and dedication. The exhibition featured outstanding works across Years 7 to 12 and included drawing, sculpture and mixed media pieces, celebrating the depth of creativity within our student body and the dedication of staff in Visual Arts, Design and Media, Ms Hosking, Mrs Fitzgerald, Mrs van der Merwe and Miss Starcevich.
Last Thursday, we gathered as a community to celebrate our student athletes at the annual Sports Presentation Afternoon. In 2025, Mercedes College proudly supported 342 students, staff and coaches across 16 sporting codes. This event celebrated sporting excellence and also perseverance, teamwork and school spirit. We congratulate Isla in Year 10 on being named SASJ Player of the Year, acknowledging her outstanding contribution and performance throughout the year. Thank you to Sports Coordinator, Mrs Munro and all those staff involved in our sports offerings throughout the year.
Our Year 11 cohort have concluded their 2025 academic year after returning last week from their retreat experience. This time of reflection and spiritual renewal provided a valuable opportunity for the students to pause, reconnect and prepare for their final year ahead. This week, our newly appointed 2026 Year 12 Prefects returned to campus to undertake a three-day leadership training program designed to equip them with the skills and confidence to lead with compassion and integrity. Their program concluded with a collaborative workshop alongside Trinity College, facilitated by GRIP Leadership. The students explored practical strategies for effective leadership. We look forward to welcoming the cohort back next year as our graduating class of 2026, with the Year 12 Ball being the first milestone before school commences. Thank you to our Head of Year 11 Mr Dymnicki, and all those staff members who played a role in the learning and activities that brought the year to a close for our Year 11 students.
Our Year 10 students have completed a significant milestone by undertaking their first formal examination period. This cohort celebrated sixty students who were commissioned as our 2026 Year 7 Peer Mentors in a special liturgy attended by families and staff last week. The students proudly received their badges, symbolising their commitment to welcoming, guiding, and supporting our incoming Year 7 cohort. Yesterday, the Year 10 Students concluded their year with the annual Dragon Boat Regatta at Maylands, enjoying beautiful weather, strong teamwork and a wonderful sense of celebration after a demanding week. We congratulate Wright House, who were the champion Dragon Boating House on the day. Thank you to Head of Year 10, Miss Giuttari, and all those staff members who were involved with the close of year activities for our Year 10 cohort.
As we draw the year to a close, our Year 9 students will complete their final day tomorrow, ahead of their Rite Journey Camp next week. Our Year 7 and 8 cohorts will remain on campus until next Wednesday. We look forward to sharing a Grandparents and Family Mass on Friday in the beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral and enjoying the final moments together as we prepare for the Christmas and summer holiday break.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our community of staff, students and parents, and wish each one of you a restful, enjoyable and blessed festive season.
Warm Regards,
Dr Lucie McCrory
PRINCIPAL
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
All Australian governments implement an annual national data collection on school students with disability. This data collection does not apply just to students with an identified disability, but for all students in the College community that receive learning adjustments. Please click here for detailed information on NCCD.
Parent Code of Conduct
Our Parent Code of Conduct helps us identify how we interact and engage in partnership whilst keeping the best interests of students at the centre of our decision-making and care. Details of which can be found by clicking HERE.
