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

Coming Events

1 March SRC Induction Evening (4:00-6:00pm) 2 March Year 8 Class Party 5 March Year 6 Retreat 6 March SASSSA Secondary Boys B Grade

Swimming (evening) 7-9 March Year 5 Camp 9 March 8-12 Sport Day, Santos Stadium

Year 6&7 Class Party

From the Principal Issue No 2 – 23 February, 2007

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

Ash Wednesday Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday. As a College we came together to distribute the ashes as a visible sign that Lent is a time for personal conversion, a time to reflect upon our lives and to honestly ask ourselves about our direction. We are challenged to recognise the times when we have turned away from God. Lent gives us a time to consider positive change.

Laureate Assembly

On Friday 16 February we held our annual Laureate Assembly. As usual it was a very special occasion with those students from our Year 12 class of 2006 who obtained a Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) score of 90 or more, being presented to their families, students and staff of the College. A TER score of 90 or more means that the student was ranked in the top 10% of the state and nationally, and I am pleased that 33% of our students achieved this feat. As a community we enjoyed the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of these young women and men. Other highlights included the piano playing of Katherine Challis and Jaime Liew and the insightful speech of guest speaker Ashleigh Pasculli, a laureate herself in 2005 and now an honours Psychology student at Adelaide University.

The basis for academic success is difficult to define. Looking at the Laureates they are clearly a diverse group of young people with many gifts and talents. So what is it that enables student success? It seems that any accomplishment is not only the result of one’s own natural God-given talent, hard work and perseverance, but also the support of those around you. Families play an enormous part in nurturing the gifts of children by providing emotional and physical support structures they need.

Teachers and the College work very hard to provide the best learning conditions, and dedicated staff provide opportunities and give generously of their time. I believe it is this partnership that provides the fertile ground for success and I believe our community is blessed to be such a fertile ground!

Many of our students will become people of influence as they pursue their chosen paths in life and have every opportunity to be future leaders in our world. I hope the graduates of Mercedes College will leave us with a clear understanding that, with leadership and influence, comes responsibility. Responsibility to follow the example of the Founder of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, who used her influence and privilege to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate than herself. I challenge our Mercedes graduates to embrace Catherine’s example.

Girls’ Shoes At the beginning of the new year most students are wearing the uniform well, however there are some girls who are wearing inappropriate shoes. I draw your attention to the school uniform policy in the 2007 Handbook which states girls must wear black lace up school shoes. This has been the expectation for many years and is largely there for safety reasons. The style worn by some, which have a strap across the top of the foot, is not acceptable. I appreciate your support with this matter.

Australian Government Information Please find on page 2 in this Newsletter a Privacy Notice issued by DEST. For funding purposes we are required to supply DEST with information about student addresses, level of school and whether or not they are day scholars or boarders. Specific names of students are not supplied.

Junior School Mass Last Friday we held our annual Junior School Mass at St Raphael’s Church. Even though it was a very hot night there was an excellent attendance. In his homily Fr Brendan talked about how we all need to be a beacon of God’s light on earth. The students responded by saying how they do this in their lives; by being kind and compassionate and by being happy. The singing of the school song at the end of Mass was a real sign of this spirit.

Thank you to all staff, students and parents who prepared and took part in the Mass.

Peter Daw Principal

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 2

A Friday thought… Don’t know whether you occasionally read Rebecca Wilson’s article in the Saturday ’Tiser but I usually find it thought-provoking. Even if the occasional sports media personality dislikes her material (with, I suspect, a bit of gender bias at play in their judgement), she tackles a broad range of sporting topics fearlessly and often provocatively. Which is a way of saying that her piece recently, intriguingly headlined Faith out of place decidedly resided in those categories. Ms Wilson devoted her entire article to deriding golfer Aaron Baddeley and other sportspeople for their temerity in referring to God in discussing their achievements. Now I have to confess to a certain ambivalence in my response to her ideas. Here lies the difficulty. Part of me resonates to the feeling of discomfort when sportspeople publicly praise God at the moment of their triumph. A recent case in point was Serena Williams’ effusive acknowledgement of the Lord during her acceptance speech on winning the Australian Open – somehow it wasn’t what we expected and perhaps most of us wished she had kept to the usual list of acknowledgements – coach, relatives, friends and so on. But on further reflection, I asked myself, “If I feel uncomfortable, who has the problem?” Is it a matter of personal style, in much the same way as some of us are more effusive, while others are more reserved. An experience of once attending a huge Christian charismatic rally and feeling like the proverbial fish out of water made me realise that my style is indeed more reserved, as I suspect is the style of most of us. Public and energetic proclamation of one’s faith doesn’t quite fit the Aussie mould. Yet, I wonder if the very ambivalence we can feel about such openly announced faith points to a pigeonholing of our own. Do we make this faith truly central to our lives, and with it a dynamic relationship with the person of Jesus, or is our Christianity more of the ‘Christian values’ kind, good in itself but in need of a more Jesus-centred dimension. There is, I suspect, a kind of dualism in our lives which, at times under the cloak of not wanting to intrude our religious beliefs onto others, situates our faith as exclusively personal and makes any public manifestation a matter of adherence to the comfortable heading of ‘Christian values’. The sometimes bold proclamation of faith by the sportspeople Rebecca Wilson discusses makes many of us, myself included, less than comfortable. But perhaps the discomfiture is a healthy challenge to each of us to reflect on where we sit on this very question of the centrality of our own faith.

For Rebecca Wilson, the issue is that she has “a big problem with born-again sportsmen who make it their life’s work to spruik Christian beliefs like we are heathens in dire need of conversion”. Perhaps for us, the issue is rather that the announcement of faith by prominent people is a personal challenge to situate the same faith in our lives as we refer to ourselves by the title of Christian.

Makes you think, doesn’t it. Peter Williams

Director of Mission

PARENT WORKSHOPS 2007 The Federation of Catholic School Parent Communities are conducting workshops to encourage, assist and support the involvement of parents in their child’s education and promote parent participation in schools. Some of the workshops on offer are:

• ‘Child Protection Awareness Seminars for Volunteers’ • ‘Parenting and Choice Theory’ • ‘The Essential Partnership’ • ‘Bullying-some questions answered’

For further information on any of the workshops, contact Terri Judd on 8301 6685 or email terri.judd@ceo.adl.catholic.edu.au

PHOTOS 2007

Thurs 22 March Summer Sports/Music Groups/Student Leadership/Extra Curricular – R-12

Tues 10 April Whole Year 12 Photo with Tutors 8:30am – Winter Uniform

Thur 28 June Class and Staff Photos – R-12 Tues 7 August Winter Sports/Groups/Extra Co-curricular

– R-12 Tues 4 Sept Reception Classes and Family Photos

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 3

From the Junior School Thank you to all who attended the Beginning of Year Mass on that extremely hot Friday night. It was a perfect way to celebrate the new school year and to inaugurate our volunteers and SRC. We are so fortunate to have Fr Brendan as our Chaplain, as he makes everyone feel so welcome and makes Mass enjoyable and dare I say fun! (Don’t forget to send all your ice cream invoices to Mr Daw!)

Congratulations to the children selected for the SRC in 2007. They will now represent their class and provide an example for others to follow. We are confident they will do this with dignity and assurance.

Junior School Leaders and SRC Representatives: Year 5SM Ciaran Sambrook Morgan Brooks Year 5MB Charlotte Raffen Joshua Habib

SRC Representatives: Year 4SB Oliver Plate Year 4TA Harry Mirasgentis Year 3IH Shelley Sampson Year 3MR Henry Wood Year 2MW Costa Manavis Year 2TS Matthew Garrand Year 1EM Cathy Diamond Year 1KQ Oliver Cheesman Rec LR Ashton Haseldine Rec OR Sophia Zachos/Andrea Rizos

Congratulations to all involved in the Year 4-7 Swimming Carnival. With the great organisation, support and help from parents, old scholars and staff, and the vigorous support and energy shown by students, an excellent day was had by all. Congratulations to all the Age Champions and to Dalton House.

I hope to see as many as possible at the upcoming Class Parties. This is a great opportunity to meet with parents and staff in a social setting that is relaxing and friendly.

As we enter Lent it is a perfect opportunity for families to discuss the importance of the time leading up to Easter. Lent does not have to be only a time of abstinence, especially for the younger ones. Do encourage them to do positive things during this time, helping with chores, being especially nice to siblings (and parents and teachers!) and other proactive things. Giving up something they really like is another way they may get an understanding for the traditions of Lent in a Christian context. The College will of course have this season as a focus in upcoming Religion lessons but it is also important that families use this time to discuss the significance of this important liturgical time.

Dates to Remember March 7-9 Year 5 Camp (Victor Harbor) March 12 Adelaide Cup Holiday March 15 Soloist Concert March 23 Caritas Day (12:00-2:00 pm)

Year 3-5 Class Party (Twizell’s residence) March 27 R-3 Swimming Carnival (Burnside) March 29 Year 4-7 Athletics Day

Frank Ali Assistant Principal

Head of Junior School

Music News From Strathspey and Beyond Some of our more adept music students have already been excelling this year playing in the Adelaide Youth Orchestra. These are Lucy Way, Andrew Heuzenroeder and Jordan Sideris. Congratulations to these students for contributing to the community and making Mercedes proud of their achievements. Most individual music teachers have begun teaching for 2007. Mr Nick Russell will hopefully begin drum lessons next week in the Senior School area. Please advise me if you are still needing a teacher for any instrument this year. Don’t forget – § ALL students who are continuing or commencing private

lessons MUST complete a yellow instrumental form again this year. Otherwise their lessons will not be processed.

§ Invoices for hire of instruments through the College have been handed out this week and payment at The College Shop would be appreciated at your earliest convenience.

§ Most choirs, including Year 5 & Year 6, began this week. Next week will be the last opportunity for students to join these choirs

§ All Middle and Senior ensembles are up and running and Mr Adam Hooper has been busy auditioning for these large groups. We are pleased to announce that Mr Matthew Atherton will be taking the Orchestra this year.

If there are any concerns or queries re music from R-12 please don’t hesitate to call me or email.

Céline Beaton-Smith Music Coordinator

Tuckshop Roster Week 5 Mon 26 Feb C Banks, H Fabbian, J Alexander Tues 27 Feb L Krivicic, L Royal, K Hughes Wed 28 Feb C Snelling, J Ardill, R Fisher Thur 1 March H Sambrook, C Allen Fri 2 March K Shrimpton, S Matthews, C Herriot Week 6 Mon 5 March G Blunden, V Edwards, R Haysman Tues 6 March A Evangelou, J Wilsmore, F Vieraitis Wed 7 March L McBride, L Gordon Thur 8 March G Rizos, F Jordan, D Westley Fri 9 March E Kirkbride, A Kirkbride, P McCann

THE COLLEGE SHOP

Holiday Opening Times: 23-24 April 9:00am to 4:00pm 26-27 April 9:00am to 4:00pm

Closed Anzac Day 25 April Normal Trading Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

8:15am to 2:00pm Thursday, Friday 11:00am to 4:15pm

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 4

From the Middle School The Laureate Assembly which took place on Friday 16 February celebrated the success of the 2006 graduating students and allowed our current student body to show their appreciation for the efforts and subsequent results gained by last year’s Year 12 students. It was interesting to note that the two top students from 2006 had attended Mercedes from Reception. This reinforces what we already know about the PYP and MYP programmes; that they help develop independent learners who possess the knowledge and skills to successfully meet the challenges of Senior schooling, and beyond. Similarly the Inaugural Mass, conducted on Thursday 22 February, allowed the Middle and Senior School staff and students to celebrate the start of the new school year and congratulate students who have taken on senior leadership roles within the College this year. Our Middle School Leaders and SRC Executive were presented with their badges which had been blessed during this Mass. The badges for our individual Home Group SRC members were also blessed and will be presented at our next Middle School assembly on Wednesday 28 February. Congratulations to the following students who take on various leadership roles within the Middle School this year. We trust that they will enjoy these roles and demonstrate outstanding service to the Mercedes College Community. Middle School Leaders SRC Executive Marcus Doherty Peter Brookes Henry Jones Christina Georgas Annabel Lampard Joshua Lee Georgina Manos Melissa Lorenzetti Nicholas Maher Georgina Watson Middle School SRC Year 6CO Patrick Gillis and Tara Licciardi Year 6PO Jake Cavanagh and Elleni Penfold Year 6TB Edward Cronin and Eliza Sheridan Year 7JO Jesse Cordoma and Alice O’Connell Year 7LM James D’Alessandro and Zara Smith Year 7MR Kevin Hsiao and Tierney Barron Year 8LB Nicholas Davis and Erin Murray Year 8SR Andrew Barber and Alexandra Schemeczko Year 8TR Nicholas Hundertmark and Jessica Forde Year 8AS James Venn and Rebeccca McCarthy Year 8JZ Blaine Gillan and Gabriella McEvoy Year 9AB Jordon Robinson and Ruby McHaffie Year 9RL Stuart Howard and Elisabeth Romeo Year 9DT James Merrigan and Dahna Risborg Year 9SW John Forsyth and Morgan Blesing Year 9EW Lewis Einarson and Kelly Artis Swimming Carnivals The Year 4-7 and 8-12 Swimming Carnivals were great opportunities for Middle School students to mix with each other, and compete in their House Teams for the perpetual swimming trophies. It was great to see so many parents present, enjoying the festivities and, in many cases, assisting

with the running of the carnivals. Thanks to the staff involved, especially the Physical Education faculty, without whom the days would not have been such a success. Congratulations to the students of Barry House and Dalton House for winning the 8-12 and 4-7 carnivals respectively.

Paul Wadsworth Assistant Principal

Head of Middle School From the Finance Office Thank you to all families who have forwarded payment of their Term I account or have contacted the College and set in place a periodic payment arrangement for 2007 school fees. Term 1 fees are due for payment in full by 28 February 2007. It is important for cash flow purposes that, if you are not able to forward payment in full by the due date, immediate contact is made with the Finance Office so that, if needed, mutually agreed repayment arrangements can be made. Government Assistance – 2007 School Card Scheme Mercedes College supports the School Card Scheme administered by the State Government. The scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of educational expenses for full time students of low income families. It is of benefit to the family and the school that all eligible students become approved School Card students and families complete the procedures within the specified timelines to ensure approval is granted. Eligibility for school card provides for an automatic 40% reduction in tuition fees and Building Fund Levy. Please refer to the Information Booklet forwarded with Term 1 school fee account or visit www.decs.sa.gov.au/goldbook/ for income limits and further information regarding School Card assistance. If you are experiencing financial hardship, additional concessions can be applied for via the Business Manager who is available by telephoning his Personal Assistant, Rita Micale on 8433 1305. The Finance Staff are always available to assist. If you require further explanation or assistance please do not hesitate to make contact with any of our staff. Heather Burns Administration 8372 3221 hburns@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au Craig Tilbrook Accountant 8372 3277 ctilbrook@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au Steve Bowley Business Manager 8372 3222 sbowley@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au

Heather Burns Finance Office

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 5

From the Senior School One of our staff members from a few years ago initiated the first of what is to become a regular gathering. Past staff (teachers and ESOs) gathered together socially to discuss where they are and what they have been doing. The group is by no means exclusive and we are hoping that others, be they present staff or those who have left, will join us in the near future. Our gatherings will take place on the third Friday of each term at the Edinburgh Hotel. We encourage old scholars and their families to remain in contact with the College through the Development Office (Suzanne Moorhead). Regular reunions and events are planned each year to keep in touch. The College has moved very smoothly and efficiently into Week 4 of Term 1. I would like to thank Mr Luke Borda who substituted for Mr Ashley Coats last week as Year Level Coordinator; a job well done. This week we have entered into the Lenten period and our Ash Wednesday liturgy was a wonderful gathering of Year 6-12 students. On Thursday we further celebrated the wonderful student leaders we have at Mercedes when we joined together in our Inaugural Mass and presented them with their leadership badges.

Our Laureate Assembly, organised by Mr Adrian Chiarolli, celebrated the students, who in 2006, received a Tertiary Entrance Rank above 90. In all we congratulated 42 students, 33% of our cohort. In his address, Mr Chiarolli acknowledged success at all levels and in many different areas. Cassandra Chaptini was named Dux of the College for 2006. Mercedes College is a very special

place with special people and it is a pleasure to work in such an environment. I am looking forward to catching up with you at the coming class parties; Years 9 and 10 on 16 March and Years 11 and 12 on 30 March. Until then, God bless.

Tony O’Doherty Assistant Principal

Head of Senior School

ON SITE VEHICULAR ACCESS

Please pass this information on to other caregivers who may drop off and collect your

children

With additional students and families joining our community and the major building works well underway, on site parking is at a premium and I ask that parents and visitors to the College show restraint and park in designated areas only. I remind parents that the College grounds and roadways north of the McAuley Building and South of Strathspey Administration is a car-free zone between 7:45am and 4:45pm and under no circumstances should parents be driving up to school buildings. In fact, the area in front of the McAuley Building has been fenced off for the duration of the building works. The College recognises that Junior School parents are often more involved in College life on a daily basis and visit their children more often, accordingly parking in the Delamere Car Park (sealed area) on the northern side of the campus is designated for Junior School visitors and I would ask that parents and visitors restrict themselves to this area. Please DO NOT park in the unsealed area to the rear of the Maintenance sheds in the north eastern corner of the College (Staff parking area). Parents are reminded that the Staff Car Park at the back of the Junior School is NOT accessible to parents at any time during the school day except for picking up students from Outside School Hours Care after 4:45pm. Speed within the College Grounds is 10kph and cars are parked at the owner/driver’s own risk. Parking on Local Roads The College expect s parents and students to obey all traffic rules and regulations, and for your reference they are listed below.

• DO NOT Ø Double Park in Delamere Avenue or

Rectory Walk. Ø Park across driveways Ø Drop off in inappropriate areas

• TIMED PARKING SIGNS, i.e. 2 hour parking Please observe the timing restrictions.

• NO PARKING SIGNS. You may stop to allow passengers to alight the vehicle safely and for a 3 minute maximum only. Do not leave your vehicle and do not queue behind other vehicles.

• NO STANDING SIGNS No stopping whatsoever. You may NOT pull in to drop off passengers.

Thanking you in anticipation. Steve Bowley

Business Manager

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 the Rose Garden (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 6

MERCEDES PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION (MP&FA) Email: mpa@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au Class Parties This is a wonderful Mercedes tradition inviting all parents to get together with others of the same class level. These parties are hosted in family homes and are a fun way to meet the teachers, catch up with old friends and make new ones. So, mark your calendar, book a baby sitter, bring a small plate to share and a bottle of something you like to drink. We look forward to seeing you there! All parties commence at 8:00pm. The first parties for the Class Party season are:

• TONIGHT Friday 23 February Reception, Years 1 & 2 Fiona & Peter Ayres, 81 Fisher Street, Fullarton

• Week 5 2 March Year 8 Patty & Chris Burns, 4 Laurel Road, Stirling. (Please note the host and address has changed since the last Newsletter)

• Week 6 9 March Years 6 and 7 Sinead and Michael Shanahan, 45 Sheoak Road, Belair

In the coming weeks:

• Week 7 16 March Years 9 and 10 Colleen and Robert Tomlian

• Week 8 23 March Years 3, 4 and 5 Fiona and Nick Twizell

• Week 9 30 March Years 11 and 12 Cheryl and Ray Khabbaz

Flyers with details will be out shortly! Buzz Books Buzz books for Junior School, Year 6 and Year 8 will be sent out short ly via students. Buzz books are an MP&FA responsibility and my thanks go to volunteers Sue Maffei, Sinead Hanley and Denise Schemeczko for compiling and to Suzanne Moorhead and Alecia Cooper for organising the printing and distribution. Class Reps Many thanks to all who have volunteered to be Class Reps in 2007. We will be getting in touch with all those that have offered. A meeting of all Class Reps will be held on Wednesday 14 March 2007 at 7:30pm in Strathspey. Class Reps will be contacted before the meeting. Wine Fundraiser Many thanks to all who supported the wine fundraiser we ran just before Christmas in Term 4. We raised $2,226 and I would like to acknowledge Andrew Cheesman, Michelton Wines and Bernadette Davey for their support and organisation. Next Meeting Our next meeting will be Tuesday 6 March 2007, 7:30pm 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 Family Matters It is hard to believe that we have now completed four weeks of Term 1. The first weeks of term have provided many opportunities for students to settle into the new school year and for many, the chance to settle into their new school. This is also the time when we gather information about students to assist with negotiating their learning requirements.

Junior School class teachers have been undertaking a range of standardised literacy and numeracy assessments to gain a better understanding of each student’s learning progress. In addition, all students in Reception and Year 1 are undergoing motor co -ordination screening assessments and all Reception students will undergo speech and language screening assessments with the resident Speech Pathologist in Week 9 and 10 this term.

Week 4 is typically the week when the Middle School assessment programme begins, with a range of aptitude and ability measures being undertaken for all Year 6 and Year 8 students and for new students in Year 7 and Year 9. English teachers conduct reading ability and comprehension assessments and the College Psychologists and Inclusive Education Coordinator conduct assessments of student learning potential and overall academic ability.

The assessments used are not diagnostic, so are not used to identify specific learning difficulties, nor do they attach a “label” to the student’s ability. The scores obtained are not absolutes, but provide an indication of how the student is progressing with their learning at that particular point in time, relative to a comparison group of students of a similar age.

The combined results of these assessments provide an overview of each student’s learning potential, strengths and weaknesses. This enables specialist staff to identify those students who may be showing particular ability in some subject areas and who would benefit from enrichment and extension opportunities, and those students who may require specific learning support.

Area of Study Coordinators and subject teachers are advised of students who have been identified for specific learning support. Any learning assistance which may be required beyond accommodations able to be made in the classroom, can be negotiated within the limited resources of the College and in conjunction with the student and their parents.

Individual student results are not reported to teachers, students or parents, however parents wishing to obtain this information can do so, by contacting the Inclusive Education Coordinator and lodging their request. Parents will be contacted by the College Psychologist if it appears that a more thorough, individualised assessment may be indicated. I encourage parents who may have any queries regarding the assessment programme to contact me at the College on 8372 3200.

Anne Way College Psychologist

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 7

Out Of School Hours Care Holidays have come and gone, as have the first four weeks of the term, and having just picked up several rolls of film I have had a wonderful trip down memory lane, revisiting many of the magic moments we shared over the summer holidays. During our Christmas programme we had days when it felt like our room was bursting at the seams! Heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff who helped keep everyone safe and happy throughout the holidays. Thanks must also go to Zac and Bassie for their generosity in lending us their soccer game which held pride of place on a table just outside our room and was used by our many competitive soccer players. Our “Movie Star for a Day” drew many creative, vibrant and outgoing budding actors and actresses. They had the opportunity of working together in small groups throughout the morning, writing a script for their own short play and then rehearsing it before it was filmed by Matt from SE Productions in the afternoon. Thanks must go to Matt and Peta Long, our Drama teacher here at the College, for their dedication, energy and patience as they bundled up all this raw talent and wove it into an absolutely wonderful production, complete with clever sound and visual effects. Each child now has their own DVD as a record of a great day giving them every bit of their five minutes of fame! Our Scooby Doo Castle attracted the largest number of children and despite the hot weather, they were lining up for another turn all morning. For me though, one of the highlights of the holiday programme was our visit to Cleland Wildlife Park where we had the privilege of being accompanied on a cultural trail by Aboriginal guide, Wally Kite. Wally was very knowledgeable about the plant life and the native animals and had many wonderful stories to tell. During January we enjoyed two visits to the Aquatic Centre, always a very popular outing with the children. Many braved the water slide and some even threw themselves off the diving boards, mustering up much more courage than they realised they had. We also hired a juke box which was very well patronised by all age groups, boys and girls alike. We held a disco, we played musical chairs and musical statues.

We particularly enjoyed a visit from Stephanie Golen, who provided our group with a variety of creative activities relating to aboriginal culture. She is a very bright and bubbly lady and held the children’s attention as she demonstrated how to go about

making beautiful masks and rather intricate bracelets using materials in the traditional and well known aboriginal colours. Birthdays are always very special occasions in OSHC and, time permitting, we like to make one of our yummy chocolate cakes to share with everyone. We were very thrilled to be able to help celebrate Hudson’s 6th birthday during the holidays. We all went bowling in the morning and then enjoyed the

most delicious cake (provided by his mum) for afternoon tea.

It is not easy for us to gauge which particular activities and outings are the most popular, hence we will send out a survey twice yearly asking parents and children for their feedback. This is also necessary for accreditation purposes and helps us to programme menus,

activities and outings according to your wishes. So PLEASE, find just a little time to put down your thoughts for us, it really is very important to us. Billing Accounts are processed on a weekly basis and can be collected from the OSHC room each Monday afternoon. Bills not collected at the end of two weeks will be posted. Payment is due one week after receipt of accounts and a reminder to all families that you may pay accounts at Strathspey, at The College Shop or directly to one of the staff members in OSHC. It is possible to pay accounts by direct debit or Eftpos. Please call Heather Burns at the College on 8372 3221 to make arrangements. Should you have any queries regarding your bills or the programme in general, please feel free to call me on 8372 3248.

Debbie Goss Director OSHC

Does your child have the opportunity to sing??

• Young Adelaide Voices currently has vacancies for boys and girls aged (5 to 12 years old).

• We provide top quality tuition at reasonable rates in a caring environment where friendship is as important as musical excellence.

• Weekly rehearsals after school (at Kent Town and Mount Barker)

• Regular performances and social activities (and an opportunity for your child to broaden friendships beyond school)

• Contact Belinda at the choir office • Phone: 8362 3885; email:

choiroffice@youngadelaidevoices.asn.au • Website: www.youngadelaidevoices.asn.au

FOR SALE

¾ size Shirmro Violin $600 and

½ size Cello $500

Please call Kirsty Sideris on 0413 243 113

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

News from the Sports Desk

Year 4-7 Swimming Carnival The Mercedes College Year 4-7 Swimming Carnival was held on Thursday 8 February at Payneham Swimming Centre. We were blessed with some fantastic weather and this set the scene for an enjoyable day. Our students showed tremendous enthusiasm for all aspects of the day. Whether it was swimming, cheering or competing in the novelty pool, everything was done at full pace. The Carnival consisted of a mixture of 25 metre and 50 metre events, along with the ever popular novelty games and the gruelling 100m freestyle.

The largest cheer of the day was for Dalton House which took out the overall shield. The relays were an exciting conclusion to the day, particularly seeing Mark Chu (7JO) overcome a 20 metre deficit to drag his relay team from 4th place to 2nd place.

Last Friday presentations were made to the following swimmers to acknowledge their individual performance at the Carnival:

Age Champion Runner Up U13 Girls Ashlinn Sambrook Charlotte Venn U13 Boys Mark Chu Dylan Holt U12 Girls Georgia Hughes Milli Marryat U12 Boys Angus McFarlane Victor Bergamin U11 Girls Renee Taylor Chloe Fitzgerald U11 Boys Ciaran Sambrook James Mitchell U10 Girls Tessa Gaynor Amelia Carter U10 Boys William Twizell Ronan Banks U9 Girls Grace Berwald Kate McBride U9 Boys Matthew Lovell Thomas Cheesman

100 Metre Girl Champion Georgia Hughes 1:34.61 100 Metre Boy Champion Mark Chu 1:10.87 Most Outstanding Female Georgia Hughes 48 points Most Outstanding Male Angus McFarlane 44 points

The day was a success due to the large number of people who chipped in to assist with the Carnival. Thanks to the parents who volunteered their time to act as timekeepers on the day. A huge thank you to all the PE staff for their assistance and to the teaching staff for their support on the day. We were also lucky to have Dale Mazzachi helping us with the technology required to run the carnival.

Reception – Year 3 Swimming Carnival The R-3 Carnival will be held at Burnside pool on Tuesday, 27 March beginning at 10:00 am. Students will bring home a letter shortly that will include a form to nominate 25 metre swimming events for the day. Swimming in the 25 metre races is not compulsory, however students are encouraged to participate if they are capable.

Upcoming Sporting Dates SAPSASA District Swimming Carnival Fri 2 March SACPSSA Swimming Carnival Mon 19 March Summer Sport Photos Thurs 22 March

Paul Jarvis R-7 Sports Coordinator

8-12 Boys Volleyball This season we have two teams representing the College with both playing in the Junior Division at Unley High School. So far the Open A Boys have had a very promising start to their season, winning all three of their first games after no training over the summer break. The Year 9/10 team has also been working hard this season but has not enjoyed as much success as they would like, winning only one of their first three games. Both teams have had excellent attendance at both training and games, showing the standard of commitment and positive attitude we expect from our players at this level. As the season progresses only five games remain until the playoffs and we hope to see both teams finishing top their divisions.

Results – Friday Summer League Open A 02/02 Mercedes defeated Austral Wildcats, 3-0 09/02 Mercedes defeated Henley Hawks I, 1-0 16/02 Mercedes defeated Henley Hawks II, 2-1 Open B 02/02 Mercedes Green lost to Brighton, 3-0 09/02 Mercedes Green defeated APHS I, 3-0 16/02 Mercedes Green lost to Austral Eagles, 2-0

Phillip White Boys Volleyball Captain

8-12 Swimming Carnival