From the Principal: Term 2, Week 4 2026

Dear Mercedes College Families 

It has been wonderful to see the vibrancy of College life continuing to flourish within and beyond the classroom walls. Across the past fortnight, our students have embraced opportunities to learn, lead, compete, serve and connect, reflecting the spirit and values that sit at the heart of our Mercy community. 

Last weekend, many families in our community celebrated Mother’s Day, a special opportunity to recognise and honour the incredible women, mothers and mother figures who support, guide and nurture those around them. We hope our mothers, grandmothers, carers and loved ones felt celebrated and appreciated across the weekend and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. It was also lovely to see students embracing the spirit of giving and fundraising through our annual Mother’s Day stalls, made possible by the generous efforts of our Year 8 and Year 9 students. We hope many of our mums enjoyed the thoughtful gifts created and selected by students, with all proceeds from the stalls donated to Mercy Works. 

This week, we were delighted to welcome the Mercy Ministry Companions Trustees to Mercedes College. The Sisters of Mercy, Trustees and College leadership spent time connecting and appreciating our shared Mercy purpose. This was both meaningful and affirming. As a Mercy school, these opportunities to strengthen bonds across Mercy ministries are deeply valued, reminding us of our shared commitment to carrying forward Catherine McAuley’s vision within our own community. 

Our students continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to service and environmental stewardship last week. The Year 12 Geography students and members of the Sustainability Mercedes College group participated in the City of Perth’s Tree Month initiative. Student volunteers planted new trees on the perimeter of the College grounds as part of a broader effort to grow Perth City’s urban forest. Experiences such as these allow students to see the direct impact of their contributions while fostering partnerships and a deeper understanding of sustainability and care for our common home. Students and staff also continued supporting the Street Soccer initiative this week, preparing meals for individuals experiencing hardship and homelessness, helping to foster connection and community through this ongoing partnership. 

It has been wonderful to see students engaging in a diverse range of academic experiences across the College. Our Year 8 students greatly enjoyed hearing from renowned Australian author Tristan Bancks, who inspired them through his insights into storytelling, creativity and the writing process. Across Science and Psychology, students participated in a variety of engaging excursions and practical investigations, from exploring conservation and biodiversity through the Nearer to Nature program, to attending Psychology Day at Perth Zoo and conducting hands-on Human Biology experiments investigating antimicrobial agents. Meanwhile, students attending the ABC Perth Morning Spotlight were able to engage thoughtfully with contemporary discussions surrounding national resilience and artificial intelligence, further extending their learning beyond the classroom. 

Pastoral care and connection remain an important part of life at Mercedes College, and it was lovely to see our Year 7 students recently attend their first social event alongside Trinity College. Creating opportunities for students to build new friendships and connections through shared activities with Trinity is always special, particularly as many continue navigating their first year of secondary school. 

Sport has been a significant highlight across the fortnight. I had the pleasure of attending the ACC Inclusive Education Basketball Carnival and thoroughly enjoyed watching our students enthusiastically take to the court with positivity, teamwork and encouragement for one another. The joy and camaraderie displayed throughout the day were wonderful to witness. Our Year 7 students also enjoyed their very first Lightning Carnival, embracing the opportunity to participate in netball, football and soccer while demonstrating fantastic spirit and teamwork. 

Congratulations must also go to all students involved in the SAS Senior Summer Carnival and the recent High School Cup fixtures. Across netball, basketball and touch rugby, students represented the College with skill, determination and sportsmanship, with some outstanding results achieved. 

Beyond the classroom and sporting arena, excitement is building within our Performing Arts community as tickets for our upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast officially go on sale. We look forward to watching our talented cast, musicians and creative team bring this much-loved production to life in the months ahead. 

This week, we were also delighted to host two Principal Morning Teas, welcoming more than 100 guests onto campus across the day. These gatherings provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with families and members of our community, and it was lovely to see such strong engagement and warmth throughout both events. 

Finally, as our Year 12 students begin preparing for upcoming examinations, I would like to wish them every success in the weeks ahead. This can often be a demanding and challenging period; however, I encourage our students to approach this time with confidence, balance and belief in their own abilities. We are proud of the dedication and perseverance they continue to show and look forward to supporting them throughout the examination period. 

We are pleased to share that the Hall transformation to our Technology Precinct is on track to be completed and ready for use from Term 1 next year. The renewed space will feature a seated café with a balcony overlooking the oval, creating a welcoming hub for students, staff and the wider community. It will also include new specialist learning spaces for Foods, Design, Children Family and the Community, and Technology. We thank our community for adapting so well to ensure this build progresses against its timeline.  

As we move further into Term 2, I wish all students every success in their learning and co-curricular pursuits. I encourage all students to approach the term with focus, balance and a commitment to doing their personal best. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our College community.