Dear Families
Our College has continued to be busy and vibrant over the last couple of weeks. A hive of activity and learning. Many of these events have been captured in the articles and media presented below. A special mention to our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students who led the charge to open our wonderful NAIDOC assembly on Wednesday of this week. Our keynote speaker Mr Kelton Pell is the uncle of our Aboriginal Liaison Officer Ms Teeana-Rose. Kelton is a Noongar Aboriginal Australian stage, TV, and film actor, and he spoke passionately about the importance of story, identity and passing on the journeys of the elders. He challenged us all to know the original people of the places that we live, and their stories, and to develop our understanding of country. He affirmed his belief that our country, our land, owns us, we are a part of it, and that it is not the other way around. Kelton helped us to realise the significance of belonging, place, original history of this land, and cultural identity. He played the didgeridoo and inspired the audience with his speech. We were then lucky to enjoy traditional dances as performed by the Binar crew.
Proposed Holidays 2025
At the start of the year a number of students, parents and staff provided feedback around an interest and rationale for Mercedes College to consider the re-allocation of our holiday periods and pupil free days. One of the reasons for this suggestion included Trinity College moving to a three-week semester break. Other reasons included extra time to fully recoup after a busy half of year, alignment with many independent schools and community sporting competitions, additional independent revision time and greater space for family holidays. I investigated the suggestion further through a communication home to parents for specific feedback, and conversations with students and staff. I found there was overwhelming support for this re-allocation. Very few parents were against the idea. Of those against the idea, the major concern was whether there would be a reduction in teaching and learning days. The Senior Leadership Team have been working on our calendar for 2025 and I can confirm we will be introducing three weeks of holidays between Term 2 and Term 3 from 2025, without any reduction to teaching and learning days for students.
The draft dates of term commencement and conclusion for 2025 are provided below. They may be subject to minor changes, particularly the finishing date of Term 4. The extra week of holidays has been made up of two pupil free days taken from elsewhere in the year, and additional days at the beginning and end of the year. In terms of teaching and learning, the move is time neutral when compared to this year, no days will be lost.
Draft Term Dates 2025
- Term One: 3 Feb – 11 April
- Term Two: 28 April – 27 June
- Term Three: 21 July – 26 September
- Term Four: 14 October – 10 to 12 December (staggered, Y11 and 12 finish after examinations)
Athletics Carnival
Our Interhouse Athletics Carnival is tomorrow Friday 21 June. It is a mandatory attendance day that builds and celebrates community spirit and a sense of belonging. We need all students present, even if they cannot compete. We will be reviewing student absentees on this day and will be following up accordingly. We thank you for your ongoing collaboration and support in this space.
During Weeks 7 to 9, I was on long service leave to attend a family wedding in Belfast and to walk the last 100kms of the Camino, Sarria to Santiago De Compostela; a commitment made prior to my appointment at Mercedes. I had an amazing experience. As with all time off, my leave meant that various people had to step into acting positions. Mrs Natasha Quinn moved into Acting Principal and Mrs Sherrin Adams into Deputy Principal. I sincerely thank them for their efforts and care. As expected, they both did a wonderful job.
Wishing everyone a great close to the first Semester with our four-day Week 11 next week.
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.
