Principal Report
Dear Mercedes College Families
It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of Week 7. The last couple of weeks were filled with energy, enthusiasm, and many rewarding experiences across the College.
On Monday 17 March we celebrated St Partick’s Day, and on Wednesday we had our Harmony Day Assembly, a multicultural week of celebration. The global Harmony Day theme for 2025 is “Everyone Belongs”. It highlights the significance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued, and accepted, recognised and seen, regardless of – or indeed because of, their unique cultural background, ethnicity, and strengths. Just as in a beautiful piece of music, there are different notes, different sounds, different tempos and different instruments. It is exactly because they come together with their difference, that the balanced harmony or harmonious melody is created. Our diverse cultures and strengths are meant to blend and combine, to form a vibrant, strong and cohesive society.
There is immense strength in our cultural diversity at Mercedes. The students and staff bring together people from different backgrounds without fear or judgement, but with curiosity, we combine a wealth of experiences and ideas. This diversity fosters innovation, creativity, and resilience. Diversity allows us to tackle challenges more effectively, and to grow and evolve as a community. By valuing and leveraging our differences, we can build a stronger, more dynamic Mercedes.
This idea of diversity aligns with our Christian faith. When we look to scripture, Corinthians explains that for just as the body is one, like the human race, the body also has many parts – eyes, ears, legs, feet, heart and brain as examples. Each part has its own significant purpose, the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the heart to feel and empathise, and therefore all the parts of the human body and indeed humanity, though many, are one body in Christ. This passage in Corinthians beautifully illustrates that equally, everyone has a purpose, and together as a whole, we can create something greater than the sum of our parts.
One of the significant academic undertakings for students in Years 7 and 9 in recent weeks was the NAPLAN Assessments. Student focus and efforts throughout the process were commendable, reflecting their determination to perform at their best. It is a point in time test that reflects a tiny portion of the schooling experience. That said, it is also an important metric, and I look forward to sharing reflections on the results in due course.
Our Year 10 and Year 11 students have had a lively few weeks, with both year groups celebrating their respective social events. I could see the excitement and joy on the student faces as they celebrated these special moments. The Year 10 River Cruise and Year 11 Dinner Dance were community building opportunities for the students to come together, create lasting memories, and to enjoy each the company of others in a relaxed yet energetic way. The impeccable behaviour and grace of the girls as they enjoyed the night in their glamourous outfits was heartwarming to witness. Both nights were filled with laughter, music, dancing and a wonderful sense of spirit, and I am so glad that the students enjoyed their celebrations.
Our partnership with the 2025 UNIQ You – Accelerate Educator Program, supported by Rio Tinto, has also been a source of great pride. This initiative opens incredible opportunities for our students to engage and network with inspiring women in STEM and to gain valuable insights into various career pathways. It is an exciting step forward for our students as they continue to explore their passions and develop possibilities and seeds of dreams for their futures.
The Year 9 students recently held their Rite Journey Departure Day. This day was a meaningful opening of the Year 9 Rite of Passage that focuses on personal growth and reflection. Students participated in activities that encouraged resilience, leadership, and self-awareness, while being supported by their pastoral care teachers and key staff. Experiences on the day play a key role in preparing the students for the challenges that inevitably lie ahead as they continue their journey from older child into young adulthood. The information, formation, skills and confidence that the program seeks to imbue, will equip students to travel through the remainder of this year, and the years to come.
Maths Week last week was another wonderful event that brought our community together through interactive games, problem-solving challenges, and, of course, the very popular Pie Baking (and eating) Competition. It was exciting to watch the creativity and energy flow through the week, and I am proud of how our students and Mathematics staff embraced this celebration, of all things Mathematics!
As we approach the back end of Term One, I encourage all students to stay focused, finish strong, and reflect on the many accomplishments they have made over the past few months. Thank you once again to our students, staff, and families for your continued partnership and support for the College.
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.
