Mercy VineM e r c e d e s C o l l e g e

Coming Events

29 September R-12 Mercy Day Mass, St Ignatius College Term 3 finishes 12:30pm

17 October Term 4 commences Year 8 Immunisations

24 October IB Art Exhibition 4:00-8:00pm 27 October Year 12 Graduation Assembly 9:00am

Year 12 Graduation Mass 7:00pm 30 October Year 12 Swot Vac

From the Principal Issue No 15 – 29 September, 2006

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends of the Mercedes College Community

Mercy Week This week we have celebrated Mercy Week. This is a time when we reflect upon the legacy of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley and the ongoing works of Mercy of the sisters and lay people who follow her inspiration today. Catherine was a woman of action who was committed to outreach with those less fortunate. This continues to be our challenge, one which, through the leadership of our Mercy Justice Group, our students take very seriously.

Sr Meredith Evans, RSM Kate White and Mercedes students at the Mercy Week Assembly

As part of Mercy Week we celebrated Mass at St Ignatius Norwood, when besides giving thanks to God for the inspiration of Catherine and the Sisters of Mercy, we also announced the recipient of our annual Mercy Award. This award is presented to someone who has provided the community with a model of service and who has lived a life based upon the Mercy Keys. This year I was delighted to present the Mercy Award to our Director of Mission, Mr Peter Williams. Mr Williams is a man of great character and an inspiration to us all. His humility is legendary and he took some convincing of his worthiness for the award but I am very pleased that we could convince him to accept this honour.

Congratulations Peter on becoming the 16th recipient of the Mercedes College Mercy Award.

The Mimili Trek Once again Mr Steve Wasilewski has led a very successful trek to Mimili in the north of South Australia. Our annual visit to this Indigenous community is a highlight for those students who have been fortunate enough to take part. For many it has been a life changing experience. The Mimili community continue to be very appreciative of our visits and the work that has been done by many people over the years. Well done Mr Was!

Year 2/4 Production – Almost Aladdin Once again we have been treated to a masterly display of singing, dancing, acting, art work and French language speaking by our Year 2 and 4 students. It was a most enjoyable production and on a number of occasions I had to remind myself that I was being entertained by only 7 and 9 year olds such was their skill.

Congratulations to all staff, parents, members of the wider community and of course students who worked extremely hard to make the production so successful. Special congratulations to Mrs Mavis Waddington who once again has excelled in her script writing and directorial skills. Mavis is a true genius.

Community News We congratulate Jane Trengove on the birth of her daughter, Harper. She was born on Saturday 16 September; mother and baby are doing well.

We wish our Junior School Music Coordinator Mrs Celine Beaton-Smith well as she takes some well earned long service leave next term. Mrs Beaton-Smith’s work will be taken on by Ms Beatrice Lemm and Ms Adrienne Cullity.

At the end of this term we farewell Mr Shawn Kasbergen who is leaving us to take up a leadership role in languages at Scotch College. We thank Shawn for his work at Mercedes and wish him well in the future. Next term Mr Kasbergen’s French classes will be taken by Mr Bob Eldridge and his PE classes by Ms Anne Morse, both experienced teachers who have done much work at Mercedes in the past.

We also farewell the families who are leaving us at the end of the term and wish them well in whatever they may be doing in the future.

Finally, I wish you all a happy holiday and remind you that classes for Term 4 commence on Tuesday 17 October.

Peter Daw Principal

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 2

A Friday thought…

I imagine that Catherine McAuley and Mary MacKillop would have had much to talk about. Unfortunately, born on opposite sides of the world and at different times, this never came to pass. There is a happy symmetry, however, a sense of continuity of the zeal to begin a new work in response to manifestly great need, in the fact that Catherine, who was born in 1778, died in 1841, and Mary herself was born the following year, in 1842.

Both women saw a challenge which demanded a response.Both possessed determination and the necessary courage to withstand emerging problems in implementing their vision, sometimes from the most unexpected sources.

As we this week celebrate the Feast of Mary Mother of Mercy, we have focussed in particular upon the inheritance which is ours as people challenged to be mercy, the challenge to respond to the disempowerment and injustice which confronts us in the world in which we live, both here in Australia and overseas. One of Vatican II’s more memorable calls was for each of us to respond to the “signs of the times”. The need, of course, is no less today than it was in the Dublin of Catherine’s time when the first House of Mercy was established in 1827.

One of the benefits of hindsight is that we can understand the people from the past who really did have a worthwhile vision, those who offered something of great significance to our world. The problem, however, for such prophets is that at the time of their work, the consensus about their vision from those about them was often anything but unanimous and sometimes downright antagonistic. Examples of some outstanding Australian church leaders, politicians and others prominent in society in the not too distant past spring to mind. People whose ideas met with hostility or apathy. People who had a sense of what might be but experienced the isolation of not always being able to have the vision shared.

Catherine McAuley’s energy and sense of call was sufficient to garner the support of many in her own time in her efforts to serve the poor and powerless, first in Ireland and then, in the nearly two centuries since, throughout the world. And, of course, the causes championed by the inheritors of Catherine’s charism are no less often in a minority, sometimes accused of being bleeding hearts, as not being in touch with the world as it is. Whether working for Adelaide’s homeless, providing refuges for women, supporting educational initiatives or reaching out to other marginalized people in our society, the Sisters of Mercy and all who have taken on the work of mercy, are today continuing to respond to the call which God makes in our land no less than in the Ireland of 1827.

For our students and for ourselves, it is important that we view Catherine not as some remote person whose life has no connection with our own. Rather, in our seeking inspiration for our own vision, we can find great benefit in understanding this woman as someone very much like ourselves. Someone with a robust sense of the need to roll up the sleeves and respond to challenges as they become apparent. As Catherine herself said, “The poor need help today, not next week”.

In making this spirit of mercy our own, we might take a moment to reflect on Catherine McAuley, inspirational leader whose vision reverberates throughout almost two hundred years of responding to those in our world who experience disempowerment and special need. The word of Spanish origins, with all its nuances, says it all – mercedes.

Peter Williams

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From the Junior School

The Junior School Musical, Almost Aladdin, which involved all Year 2 students and some 20 Year 4 volunteers, as well as scores of parents and teachers, was a resounding success. The showcase of talent displayed by the students was amazing. From their singing, acting and dancing to their amazing artwork, it was as lavish and spectacular as ever. There are too many people to thank but without the cooperation of all the staff and families the production would have not been possible. Mavis Waddington is an artistic genius who should be lauded for her incredible Musical. Well done to all involved.

September 21 is the day set by the United Nations as International Day of Peace and the Junior School recognises it each year with a special liturgy. Last year plaques were blessed and have now been permanently placed in our new Garden of Peace which is situated in the Sunken Garden (just north of Strathspey). The main plaque says it all:

The Garden of Peace has been established in honour of those who have lost their lives or whose lives have been affected by wilful acts of destruction. This is our memorial dedicated to the people involved in events which will forever remain in the memory of the Mercedes College staff, students and parents.

As an International Baccalaureate school with a strong focus on global issues we are committed to the building of a world in which all people regardless of culture or religion live together in peace.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)

A beautiful liturgy prepared by Melissa Buske aptly reminded us of the tragedies of the last century as well as more recently. Thanks go to Mr John Pfitzner for helping to prepare the Garden of Peace for us.

Mercy Week is a special time for us at Mercedes and many events have been organised. These include a visit and talk from the Mercy’s Congregational Leader, Sister Meredith Evans, our special Junior Primary and Year 12 day which culminates in a visit to the cinema, the Junior School Jive (disco) and of course the whole school Mass held at St Ignatius Church at Norwood. The children will be dismissed at 12:30pm to end Term 3.

It is appropriate to give Natasha Berri our best wishes as she takes maternity leave and embraces motherhood. Her replacement will be Kimberly Stagg, who has worked as a reliever in her class and who, as an old scholar has a very sound understanding of the Mercedes ethos and culture.

To all families, on behalf of the Junior School, I wish you a safe and relaxing holiday and look forward to a busy yet exciting last term.

Frank Ali Assistant Principal

Head of Junior School

The IB Learner Profile

All Junior School students have been concentrating on developing the Caring attribute of the Learner Profile in the last weeks of Term 3. Whether in the classroom or playground the students have been aiming to reflect the ideals of caring individuals who demonstrate care for the environment, others and themselves. A number of students received a Caring award for going beyond their normal duties in an unassuming way, exhibiting a considerate approach without any thought of recognition.

CaringThey show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Congratulations to Molly Lloyd, Lachlan Turci, Timon Sideris, Lucas Krivicic, Sam Woodland, Sofia Hunter, Annabelle Law and Shyanne Karam for their commitment to others and the College environment.

Risk-Takers They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

We congratulate Jordyn Owen for her commitment to exploring new ideas and strategies in Mathematics.

KnowledgeableThey explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In doing so, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

We congratulate Christopher Filosi on his commitment to learn his times tables and in doing so he became the first Year 4 in 2006 to complete the Table Challenge.

Melissa Buske Loretta Romano

Acting PYP Coordinators

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 4

From the Middle School

MGISThe MGIS Exchange is just about to enter its second week. Participating students and staff are enjoying the wonderful Indian hospitality extended by their billeting families and are taking advantage of the opportunity to experience the rich and diverse culture that India offers.

Prior to leaving on the exchange, and to help prepare them for the culinary delights soon to be sampled, participants and their families enjoyed a “Curry Night”. Thank you to Heather and Paul Sambrook and their family for their generous hospitality on the night. In addition to the money raised through various fundraising ventures, the exchange participants also carried with them textbooks donated by Christine and Mark Ryan from Dymocks at Marion Shopping Centre. I wish to extend a warm thank you to Mark and Christine for their wonderful ongoing support.

International Peace Day

Our Middle School community joined people in over 120 countries by coming together on Thursday 21 September to celebrate the United Nation’s International Peace Day. We shared our prayers and reflections on the world which we want everyone to live in. Year 11 members of the Social Justice Group discussed how their work relates to this mission of a peaceful world. A very special thank you to the Year 9 students who designed the banners on display during the colourful ceremony.

Mercy Week One of the most important weeks in our school calendar began with an assembly where Sr Meredith Evans RSM, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Mercy addressed us about the various works of mercy, both in Australia and overseas, in particular Papua New Guinea. At the assembly we also learnt about the life and work of Catherine McAuley, beginning in Dublin, Ireland and spreading throughout the world. Our Casual Day was aimed at raising funds for Mercy Works in Papua New Guinea. It was indeed a memorable week for all students concluding with the entire College gathering at St Ignatius Parish Church at Norwood for the Mercy Day Mass.

Interim Reports Interim Reports were distributed today. These reports provide parents and students with a guide on how they are progressing in their subjects to this point of the second semester. I encourage all students to set themselves some

goals for the last eight weeks of the year and to work hard to achieve them.

Year 8 and 9 Knockout Soccer I would like to acknowledge our Girls Soccer team who finished 2nd in the State Knockout Competition. Our boys also made us proud by finishing 4th overall. Congratulations to all participants on these fine results.

Year 8 Immunisations The final set of immunisations for this year are due to take place on Tuesday 17 October, the first day of Term 4. Parents are asked to ensure that any changes to medical details or permission for immunisation are forwarded to the College prior to this date.

Term 4 The final term of the year sees the return of the warmer weather and summer co-curricular sports. Students should be locating the appropriate uniforms, checking they fit and ensuring they are clean and in good repair ready for a positive start to the term.

I wish all students and families a safe and relaxing term break, and look forward to seeing the students in summer uniform on their return in Term 4.

Alessandra Miles Assistant Head of Middle School

THE COLLEGE SHOP

Normal Trading Times Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:15am – 2:00pm Thursday, Friday 11:00am – 4:15pm Additional Opening Times Term 4 Thursday 12 & Friday 13 October 9:00am – 3:00pm Induction Day Wednesday 8 November 8:15am – 4:15pm Final day of Term 4 Friday 8 December 8:15am – 12:00pm Final Trading Day 2006 Wednesday 14 December 8:15am – 2:00pm

The College Shop will be CLOSED on the following Staff Professional Development Day:

Monday 16 October 2006 PLEASE NOTE: The College Shop will not be open on Mercy Day, Friday 29 September.

Mercedes College can now take AMERICAN EXPRESS for account payment and College Shop purchases. You can even donate loyalty points to the College.

In response to parent demand, the College has been successful in its request to accept Amex as an alternate form of payment of tuition account and for uniform and stationery purchases at The College Shop. It is expected that this will be up and running by 29 September. Kindly note that due to software limitations, the College cannot implement the regular ‘direct debit’ type periodical payments with American Express cards. This is available with MasterCard and Visa Card.

Steve BowleyBusiness Manager

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Out Of School Hours Care

Outside School Hours Care Quality Assurance (OSHCQA) aims to provide school age children with high quality care that promotes learning and development with the emphasis being on play, social interactions and recreation. The broad objective of OSHCQA is to ensure that children have stimulating, positive experiences that foster self esteem and confidence.

The National Childcare Accreditation Council is responsible for accrediting services throughout Australia and defines quality in outside school hours care and provides a way to measure the quality of care provided. Our service has been engaged in the various stages of this process for approximately three years now, culminating with our validation visit on Thursday and Friday of last week.

Our validator, Alli, made all our staff feel quite comfortable and we were able to carry out our normal routine with a minimum of fuss, knowing that she was observing our food preparation, interaction with children as well as the activities that the children were engaged in during her stay. She had several very large folders full of written evidence for her perusal and by all accounts she found everything she needed. We had very positive comments from her and feel that the final report should see us reaching high quality standards in many of the quality areas. I walked around with the attitude of gratitude all weekend just wondering how I can thank everyone who has helped to set us up so beautifully for this result.

Thanks must go to the Management Committee for granting us all our wishes, especially with the upgrading of our beautiful kitchen and the production of our Parent Handbook. Such a lot of time and effort were put in to the planning stages of both ventures and we can be justifiably proud of the end products in both cases.

A big thank you must go to Tenelle Rosser and Julie Grover who began the formidable task of gathering paperwork to provide evidence that we do indeed meet national standards in all eight quality areas. Thanks to Josh Richards whose support and guidance can never be measured.

Many thanks to Penny Penhall who created our very own OSHC DVD which gives a wonderful snapshot of life in OSHC, a wonderful medium to showcase our programme. Thanks, too, to all our wonderful ground staff who always came running when I needed help with something, your support was very much appreciated gentlemen!

We especially appreciate the ongoing support from parents and children, particularly in recent weeks with the provision of valuable feedback to be found in our surveys. Future programming is very much based on the information found in these surveys, knowing that we can always do things a little better. The process is all about continuing improvement so we always have new goals in mind, you can tell that we will never be bored!

Wow, now it is time to move on to life in holiday care and we look forward to interesting new experiences during this two

week period. These holidays have a circus theme and we trust there will be lots of activities that will provide challenges as well as lots of fun and laughter. There are still places available if you have not booked a place for your children as yet.

One more thank you to Kirsty Miller who has answered my pleas for dress ups. Kirsty is a very talented seamstress with energy to burn and much generosity of spirit. She has provided us with the most wonderfully colourful and spectacular costumes and I can see that our circus dress up day in the holidays is going to provide a great deal of fun and inspiration for all participants. I can’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

Debbie Goss OSHC

MERCEDES PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION (MP&FA) Email: mpa@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au

Year 8 Mid Year Drinks Many thanks to Therese and Phil De Gennaro for hosting the Year 8 Mid Year Drinks. All had a very enjoyable evening!

Congratulations to all in the Junior School Musical Congratulations to all students, parents and teachers involved in the Junior School Musical. I was fortunate enough to attend the Musical and I was extremely impressed by the students’ performance, the costumes, scenery and the overall professionalism of the performance. Well done!

Next Meeting Our next meeting will be Wednesday 18 October 2006, 8.00pm in the Staff Room, Strathspey. All welcome.

Contact Details If you wish to contact the MP&FA please do so – either by email or by phone (Mary Odlum Mob: 0403 360 648).

Mary Odlum Chairperson

Mercedes Parents & Friends Association

TUCKSHOP ROSTER Week 1 Tues 17 Oct D Sperou, Y Knight, G Donovan Wed 18 Oct K O’Keefe, S Lindholm, B Kyprianou Thur 19 Oct D Rowe, C Allen, S Anderson Fri 20 Oct L McBride, P McCann, H Kelly

Week 2 Mon 23 Oct T Hunter, A Keam, M Cruickshank Tues 24 Oct D Zaknic, E Watson, P Borghesan Wed 25 Oct D Stapleton, J Cormack, P Broadbridge Thur 26 Oct D Westley, H Sambrook, K Shrimpton Fri 27 Oct S Bresatz-Atkins, C Prentice, L Browne

Second Hand Uniform Shop – SALEJumpers Sizes 18 – 28 $25.00 Blazers Sizes 11 – 13 We will change your freshly dry-cleaned blazer for one of the above sizes for $20.00 Located in Strathspey. Opening Hours: 8.30 – 10.00am each Tuesday during Term time only.

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From the Senior School

With the end of Term 3 the students in the Senior School can confidently look forward to the culmination of their year with the coming final term and their examinations. Whereas our Year 10 and most of the Year 11 cohort can rest and enjoy a well earned holiday, our Year 12 students will be using this time to prepare for their final examinations.

It is not only the Year 12 students but indeed many of our younger members are sitting Year 12 examinations at an early age. This is a rapidly increasing trend and we are finding that many, who are particularly gifted in certain areas, are well prepared for the rigor of such examinations. The benefit of doing the examinations at an earlier age subsequently allows them to have more time to study for fewer examinations in their final year. I wish them all well and thank their dedicated teaching staff on their behalf.

Because the remainder of the year is so important I am reprinting a letter to parents advising on behaviour at social events. I hope you find it useful and welcome any feedback.

“I thought I would write to you all to request your support during the academic year. Our students are now moving into a critical phase in which the culmination the years of school work is put to the test.

One of the major problems, we as a united community are going to face during this period is to keep each of our students focused on their studies.

So that we all support each other, I am appealing that there are no “parties” of any sort until after the End of Year Examinations. If we all approach this in a unified manner, then we will be demonstrating support not only for our own children but for the College and other parents.

My attention has also been drawn to the increasing number of “sleepovers”. These should take place only on long weekends and holidays, as the students are often exhausted on the Monday after the sleepover.

Another relevant issue relates to students finding or participating in “casual work”. This in itself is a wonderful learning experience and should be encouraged, but after consultation with relevant members of the teaching staff, who fear that too much time spent earning a few extra dollars will interfere with each student’s schooling, we would suggest that 10 hours of casual employment is what we would recommend.

If there are no parties/social gatherings to attend and outside employment is limited, then the business of study is far more palpable for the student. They will accept that all is easier for themselves and others because the dearth of a social life for the year means that the usual conflicts and stresses (created as a result of worried parents tussling with recalcitrant students) abate.

They are liberated. They are not torn between having fun/outside employment and doing the schoolwork they must do. They are free to study without being ridiculed because they realise that everyone is in this together.

Hopefully, as parents, you will support us in our endeavours to allow every student to reach his/her potential.”

Please feel free to contact me with any issue at your convenience. Happy Mercy Day and God bless.

Tony O’Doherty Assistant Principal

Head of Senior School

French Festival 06

Brittany 25 & 26 November, Carrick Hill Alliance Française d’Adelaide www.frenchfestival.org.au

You are invited to come and experience some of France’s most popular musicians against a backdrop of great food and wine in one of the State’s most majestic estates, Carrick Hill. With a Brittany theme, the Alliance Française presents a vibrant and dynamic line up of artists and acts in two jam-packed days to enlighten your senses.

Lesley Davies

IMPORTANT NOTICE Bus Changes – Torrens Transit

Sunday 15 October 2006 (Term 4) will see major changes to bus services in some areas of metropolitan Adelaide. These will include timetable changes, alteration to current routes, route number changes and the introduction of new services.

It is recommended that students who use regular bus services to and from school make further enquiries to the Adelaide Metro Infoline on 8210 1000.

New timetables will be available from 25 September from Adelaide Metro Infocentre, cnr Currie and King William Streets, some major shopping centre, Torrens Transit bus depots or www.adelaidemetro.com.au

Students can contact McAuley Office for a leaflet.

STUDENT ABSENCES Parents are reminded of their responsibility to contact the College if a student will be late to school or absent for the day.

Please ring McAuley Office on 8372 3241 or Reception on 8372 3200 BEFORE 9.30am. Upon the student’s return, please place a note in the diary regarding the absence for the Home Group/Class Teacher.

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 7

From The Finance Office

Tuition Accounts Further to the notice in the Mercy Vine No. 14, the due date for payment of the account is next Monday, 2 October.

Given this billing run was processed one month later than in 2005, the effect is that the College has incurred almost $1,000,000 extra expenditure prior to the fees being invoiced in 2006. Accordingly, the College’s cash flow position is currently tight – and families that have not already paid their 1 September account (and don’t have a repayment arrangement in place) are asked to do so without delay.

Kindly note the College Finance Office will be staffed through the entire school holiday period should you have any queries with your account, or should you wish to pay by traditional methods of cash or cheque. For further information on tuition accounts please call Heather Burns, Tel 8372 3221 or email hburns@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au

Staff Change Lester Gabriel, the College Accountant, has tendered his resignation as he is moving to Bundaberg in Queensland where his wife has accepted a position within the Anglican Education system. Lester’s position was advertised in ‘The Advertiser’ on 16 September with a closing date for applications of Monday 2 October. The Position Description and other details are available from the College’s website.

We wish Lester and Helen all the best in sunny Queensland and thank him for his contribution to the life of the Mercedes College community over the past 2 ½ years.

Steve Bowley Business Manager

Tel 8372 3222 sbowley@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au

From the Sports Desk Winter Sport Secondary Boys Involvement in sporting teams across a wide cross section of the College community provides cause to remind some parents of the reasons that children are involved in sport.Interestingly, the reasons presented by children and prioritised are:

1. Fun and enjoyment 2. Improving skills 3. Making friends 4. Belonging to a group and feeling wanted 5. Experiencing some success 6. Gaining recognition by peers 7. Getting fit 8. Finding excitement 9. Winning games 10. Getting trophies

It is significant to note the position of winning and getting trophies. These revelations provide us with an opportunity to revisit where our children are in sport and to re-examine our own values.

The home and away and Knockout winter programmes have concluded. All Knockout teams are to be congratulated on their efforts to be placed in an elite group of finalists.

The Open Basketball team met the powerful Unley High School Open team in their first game at St Claire Recreation Centre and then later played Golden Grove. With all but one team member in Year 12 they were not able to sustain the pressure and the depth of playing talent that both Unley and Golden Grove possessed.

The Open Soccer team played Norwood Morialta High at their senior campus on the Parade. This resulted in a 1/1 draw and determined who gravitated to the next round. A penalty shoot out ensued with Norwood Morialta defeating Mercedes 1/0.

The Open Table Tennis team met a group of four southern area schools and succumbed to Tatachilla, having defeated the other schools in the group. This was a great effort from a team that could not include our top players due to Year 12 commitments.

The Boys Year 8/9 Soccer Knockout final lost 2/1 in the last 30 seconds of play to finish 4th in the state. This was an outstanding effort having beaten Blackwood, Sacred Heart College, CBC and Underdale High, a special interest soccer school to reach the finals.

Cricket Secondary Cricket (Yrs 8-11) training has commenced under the coordination of Nick Hussey, an old scholar who had an impressive background in cricket at school and with his club, Sturt, as a junior. There are five teams in Term 4 using both pitches at Waite Oval, as well as the Flinders University southern most oval adjacent to the Flinders Medical Centre.

Matches will commence Week 1 in Term 4 and schedules will be forwarded home as soon as they arrive from ISSA.

continued next page

An Invitation to attend the

CROSS ROAD FORUM Topic: Church Welfare Under Fire When: Monday 16 October

7.30 pm - 9.00 pm Coffee and chat to follow

Where: The Monastery 15 Cross Road, Glen Osmond

Speakers: Glen Watson, Centrelink Manager Working-Age Participation Elspeth McInnes, ACOSS Board Member, National President of the Council for Single Mothers and their Children John Haren, State Director St. Vincent de Paul

Church welfare providers (including Catholic, Uniting Church and some Anglican) have, for ethical reasons, opted out of involvement in the implementation of the Government’s new Welfare to Work policy. Minister Joe Hockey has responded angrily to this decision, saying it is “immoral” and a political stunt.

Hear the facts. Come along yourself and bring anyone else who wishes to be informed. All welcome!

T 08 8372 3200 F 08 8379 9540 E mercedes@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au W www.mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.auABN 93 414 320 696 CRICOS Provider 00365D Catholic Church Endowment Society Inc. operating as Mercedes College

540 Ful larton Road Springfield South Austral ia 5062

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 8

From the Sports Desk (cont)

Little Athletics The Eastern Districts Little Athletics Club meets at the Webb Oval, Conyngham Street, Glenunga on Sundays from 9.00-11.30am commencing Sunday 8 October. This is a convenient central club for many Mercedes parents. Please contact Libby Loken (Secretary) on 8338 5907 for more details or Christine Field (President) on 0414 367 004.

Sporting Programmes in Term 4 (Yrs 3 onwards) “Life. Be in it” programmes conducted at Unley High School being offered in Term 4 include Junior Basketball (U8-U17), Badminton, Indoor Soccer, Netball and Volleyball. These programmes are not administered from Mercedes but can be formed by students at Mercedes (or a mixture of players from other schools) and managed by a parent representative.Additionally, October school holiday programmes are being conducted in Badminton, Basketball, Soccer, Netball, Volleyball and multi-sports. Please take a flyer available from the Mercedes Strathspey counter or ring the Centre on 8272 2121.

Bill Gaynor

Year 8/9 Boys and Girls Soccer Knockout FinalsFor those of you who have been following the progress of the Year 8/9 Boys and Girls teams over Term 3, you will have seen the fantastic success that these students have achieved.

The girls played against Nuriootpa in the semi final to have a chance to be State Champions. They played a very hard fought contest and at half time the game was very much in the balance at 0-0. We managed to sneak the lead about 5 minutes into the second half and then continued the pressure which saw the team winning the semi final 4-0 to advance to the final two teams in South Australia.

Unfortunately, we could not keep up with Henley High School in the final. We had to play on a much larger pitch than in the semi final and unfortunately had some of the girls suffering with leg cramps, together with a few extra injuries which really hurt us. It was still a valiant effort and we went down 4-1. I am extremely proud to have coached these girls and look forward to the bright future of Girls Soccer at Mercedes College. I would normally give a special mention to a few players but not this time. Every girl who was part of that team, whether it was Round 1 or in the final, deserves a huge congratulations for the effort and behaviour displayed over the five matches.

The boys also deserve recognition for their fantastic efforts over Term 3. The boys also made it to the final four in South Australia but could not match it with Gleeson College who were a powerful unit on the day. Between beating us and Adelaide High in the final their goal difference was 15-1.

After we lost our semi final we had a chance to play for 3rd and 4th. We played Cardijn College and were really in with a chance. About 30 minutes into the first half we started to have real fitness problems with cramp, shortness of breath etc.

This shows we were not fit enough and was probably the difference between winning or losing.

Overall, the Boys Knockout team reached heights even I did not believe they could reach! They played schools that are specialist soccer schools or simply just heavily outweighed us in numbers in their school compared to Mercedes. The effort from the boys was honourable. We went down to Cardijn 2-1 in the last 30 seconds of the game.

Overall the girls finished 2nd and the boys 4th in South Australia. Congratulations to all students who participated in this tournament; you have done yourselves and your College proud. It was a pleasure to coach you all.

Matt Smith

Cross Country Running Two events remain for the 2006 season; The Ekiden Relays on Friday 20 October, Week 1 of Term 4, and the 50km Schools’ Relays on Friday 17 November, Week 5 of Term 4.

Listed below are the teams for the Ekiden Relays. Congratulations on your selection. Information and consent forms should have arrived home earlier this week. Leg Km Girls Boys Open Gold 1 5.4 Liz O’Fathartaigh-capt Dominic Davis 2 1.5 Anna Bardsley-Jones Alex Odlum 3 2.8 Jessica Goodchild Matt Shadiac 4 2.8 Hayley Taeuber Matt Hagias 5 1.5 Ella Shanahan Alex Tripodi/

Chris Kaitatzis 6 2.8 Brigid Symes Jac Ayers 7 2.8 Eleanor Kay Dominic Symes 8 1.0 Alyse Jansons Angus Walker Reserves: Phillip Mundy 1.0

Bridget Lindsay 1.5/2.8

Alex Tripodi/ Chris Kaitatzis Luke Madsen Maher

Leg Km Boys Open Green Boys Open Development

1 5.4 Phillip Mundy Peter Brookes 2 1.5 Ciaran Banks Luke Ashworth 3 2.8 Michael O’Flaherty Sam Hussey 4 2.8 Sam Weber Karl Von Sanden 5 1.5 Matthew Crocker Felix Ritson 6 2.8 Alex Kedzior Carl Vogelzang 7 2.8 Paul Van Mierle John Forsyth 8 1.0 Michael Van Der

WijngaartAndrew Russell

Reserves: From Year 8

Note: Team places, leg positions and distances are not set in concrete but the above teams are the likely line-up. Please see me if you have any queries regarding this event, have not received a consent form or information notice, or if you feel you have a claim to selection and have been overlooked. Teams for the 50km Schools’ Relays will come out in the next newsletter. This event is for Year 8, 9 and 10 only.

Gary Zeuner