mv 5 2010 - mercedes college · mercedes college newsletter page 3 from the junior school r-3...

M e r c e d e s C o l l e g e

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

Easter peopleThroughout Lent the students have been very busy collecting money for Project Compassion. We have had buskers, food stalls, high teas and many more creative and fun fund-raising events. The Project Compassion activities culminated with our annual Caritas Day last Friday, where all members of the College engage in a variety of activities aimed at supporting those in greater need than ourselves. We managed to raise over $14,000, a credit to the entire Mercedes College community. This year we have approached our Easter Liturgies a little differently. We have celebrated Holy Week in the normal way culminating with a focus on the Passion on Holy Thursday. Due to Easter often falling immediately before the holidays in the past, the sorrow of the Crucifixion of Christ has been where the Easter journey has ended for us as a College. This year we will extend the journey to remembering the joy of the resurrection by holding a short but meaningful ceremony for the whole school on the first day back in Term 2. I like this innovation and thank Mr Ian Hamilton and the RE staff for their planning of all the events that have occurred throughout Lent and the Easter period.

I wish you and all members of your family every Easter blessing and pray that you have a safe and happy holiday. I look forward to seeing you all again in Term 2.

Yours sincerely,

Peter DawPrincipal

From the Principal Issue No 5 - 2 April, 2010

APRIL19 Pupil Free Day / Staff PD20 START TERM 2 for students22 SAPSASA at Mercedes College21-23 Year 10 Camps 26 Anzac Day Holiday

27 R-11 Learning Reviews (2:00pm-7:30pm) (Note: 1:00pm dismissal)28 Junior School Learning Reviews (4:00pm - 6:00pm)28-30 Year 11 Outdoor Ed CampMAY2 Community Day3-7 Old Scholar’s Week

COMING EVENTS

A snapshot of Caritas Day

Mercedes College Newsletter

A Friday Thought

GenerosityIt can be a life changing moment to witness profound generosity. It is a virtue that we genuinely want Mercedes College students to understand and exercise.

While Caritas Day might look like any other fete, I think there is a significant difference. Many students (and parents) make a great effort to be involved and to work out ways to fund-raise. Many students (with help from their parents) brought money to spend on the various stalls. We raise a handsome sum each year, remembering that $500 is enough to build a well in Cambodia and supply people with one of life’s fundamentals: safe drinking water. I hope students were able to connect our festival day with its real purpose. At least some commitment to social justice is not just an optional extra in a Christian community: it is a basic expression of our journey to integrity.

The College looks forward to announcing the total sum raised for Project Compassion in a later newsletter.

Ian HamiltonDirector of Mission

A snapshot of Caritas Day


From the Junior School

R-3 Swimming Carnival The recent R-3 Swimming Carnival at Burnside Pool was a great success with all students participating in the variety of activities on the day. An event such as this requires a great deal of planning and organisation to ensure the safety of all our students and I would like to especially thank Mr Simon Munn for this work. A number of staff also attended to encourage the students with their activities.

It was fantastic to see the large number of parents attend. We appreciate your support and help, along with the great spirit and encouragement for all students.

Caritas DayIt is no wonder that the students enjoy this day so much. I loved seeing so many getting into the spirit of working together to raise money so that others will ultimately benefit. I would like to thank both students and teachers for their creative endeavours, working on stalls, busking and for ensuring that everything was returned to normal at the end.

A special thank you to the many parents who helped on the stalls, cooked treats and supported with organisational matters.

Holy Thursday liturgyA beautiful liturgy was held to reflect on Holy Week. With a focus on significant symbols, we remembered Jesus as he shared his last meal with his friends, and the cross, which sadly reminds us of Good Friday but also symbolises hope for a more peaceful and just world. Classes have also focussed on how Jesus calls us to be people of God, to show love for others by being ready to serve, respect and care for one another.

Thank you to Mrs Teresa Pepicelli for preparing this Liturgy.

Learning ReviewsI know that many of you have already taken opportunities, whether informally or formally, to see your child’s teacher. Often it is just for reassurance that a child has settled well into the new classroom environment, to gain information about ways to support the learning programme or to discuss individual issues that a child may be experiencing. Teachers have also contacted parents to discuss learning or social issues and ways in which to progress a child’s learning in these areas.

I encourage you to also take the opportunity to meet your child/children’s teacher(s) early next term to discuss and review his/her progress to date. The R-11 Learning Reviews will take place in Week 2, Tuesday 27 April and, if needed, Wednesday 28 April. A letter was sent home this week detailing the process and will require you to indicate possible times at the commencement of Term 2. We will endeavour to be as accommodating as possible, especially for parents with a number of children in the school. Please be prompt to book times to avoid disappointment.

Please note that student dismissal will be at 1:00pm on Tuesday 27 April. OSHC will be made available. Bookings are essential to ensure the correct staff/student ratio is met. Please contact Debbie Goss (8372 3248) at your earliest convenience.

Uniform I would firstly like to thank you for your attention in ensuring your child/children are in correct uniform. This greatly supports our teachers in getting on with the job of building effective relationships and providing rich, exciting and engaging learning opportunities for the students.

I am looking forward to seeing all students smartly dressed in the Winter uniform next term. Please refer to The College Handbook or visit The College Shop where staff will be happy to help you. As outlined in an earlier Mercy Vine, at the commencement of Term 2 all boys are required to wear the dark charcoal shorts or pants.

As the mornings are becoming cooler, students will need to wear their blazer as an outer garment. The jumper is not to be worn as an outer garment to or from school.

A reminder that students from Year 4 onwards must change into their College uniform after morning sport training prior to the start of the day. Similarly, they must wear their College uniform during the day and change into PE uniform at the end of the day should they have after school sport or training. Only students who have morning and after school trainings/sport on the same day may wear their PE uniform all day. Students in Year 3 and below may wear their PE uniform all day if they have morning or after school sport commitments.


I hope you have many opportunities to enjoy being with your child/children during the holidays. We look forward to seeing all our students refreshed and eager to learn together on Tuesday 20 April 2010.

Junior School Dates to RememberApril 1 End of Term 12 Good Friday19 Pupil Free Day / Staff PD20 Start of Term 2 for students22 SAPSASA at Mercedes College26 Anzac Day Holiday27 1:00pm Dismissal Learning Reviews 2:00pm-7:30pm28 Learning Reviews (if required) 4:00pm-6:00pmMay 3-7 Mercedes College Old Scholar’s Week11-13 NAPLAN Tests Yrs 3,5, 7 & 9 students

Julie HannAssistant Principal – Head of Junior School

From the Middle School

Year 6 CampThe three Year 6 classes have recently attended camp at the Wirraway Homestead. The following report is from Cara Duggan of 6CO who attended the first of these camps with other students from 6CO and 6TS.

On Monday the 15 March, 6CO and 6TS hopped on a bus and headed for Wirraway. We had a short stop in Strathalbyn where we stretched our legs and had something to eat. Then back on the bus and down the Old Bull Creek Road which was about six kilometres from Wirraway. Wirraway is a very old campsite with named dormitories. We were allowed to choose the dormitory we wanted to be in and we chose ‘Drovers West’. At Wirraway, we had the opportunity to take part in lots of activities like archery, rock climbing, flying fox, commando course and swimming. As it was warm I decided to go for a swim. The swimming pool was filled with freezing cold water and I was covered in goose-bumps at first. I tried all the activities but my favourite activity by far was horse riding and I rode a beautiful horse named Archer. Also, during our time at Wirraway and through our activities, we developed a better understanding of each other and formed new friendships. The meals at Wirraway were fantastic and there was a great variety which everyone enjoyed and plenty of it. My favourite was the hamburgers. On the first night, we went on a hike. It was a very pleasant walk and we stopped half way to look up at the night sky. It was a clear night and the sky was filled with bright stars which was very peaceful. We walked back to the camp site, had a Milo drink and headed back to our dormitories for some rest before facing the next fun filled day. Not too much sleep was had on that first night or the second night as there was too much excitement, so it was nice to get home and catch up on some sleep. Overall, I think Wirraway is the best camp and scored a ten out of ten from me. I would love to go there again soon. Our camp programme offers excellent opportunities for students to gain and develop new skills and to interact with their peers and teachers in an environment that is very different from the classrooms that they are used to.

The Year 7 Camp also took place at the end of this term and the Year 9s are looking forward to their camp in Week 5 of Term 2.

I would like to thank all of the students for their wonderfully enthusiastic approach to these various camps, and the staff for their commitment and the outstanding work that they do with the students.

Messages at McAuley OfficeThe McAuley Office area is an extremely busy part of our school. This office receives many requests from parents to deliver messages to students throughout the day. Delivering these messages requires the McAuley Office staff to leave the office area, and the jobs that they are doing, in order to locate students. Could I please ask for parent assistance in ensuring that McAuley staff are only called on to deliver messages of an URGENT nature. This will allow them to continue to provide student services effectively and efficiently.

Middle School NAPLAN testsThe National Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Tests will take place on Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 May (Week 4, Term 2). The tests will provide students, teachers and parents with specific information about what students know and can do in some aspects of literacy and numeracy.

The tests, which will be conducted in the Middle School by the Year 7 and 9 Home Group teachers, take between one and two hours on each of the above days, and consist of literacy tasks (Language Conventions, Writing and Reading) and numeracy tasks.

Parents of students in Years 7 and 9 should have received letters with more information, however, feel free to contact me if you require further clarification.

Learning ReviewsLearning Reviews are an important part of our College policy of working together with parents to ensure the best for each individual student. Parents are invited to attend the first meeting of parents, students and teachers to discuss the progress of your son/daughter. Our first set of Learning Reviews will take place in Gleeson Hall early next term. The first opportunity is on Tuesday 27 April from 2:00-7:30pm. School will finish early on this day (1.05pm), allowing teaching staff to make appointments with parents from 2.00pm.

A follow up evening for students in Years 6-11 will occur on Wednesday 5 May (4.00-7.30pm) also in Gleeson Hall.

The Learning Reviews present an opportunity to focus on student progress, as well as ensuring that students are achieving to their full potential and are making good use of the staff, facilities and processes available to them. It is important that students attend the Learning Review meetings and are prepared to take on a leading role in the discussion about their learning.

Information about these Learning Reviews and the booking sheets were distributed earlier this week.

Winter UniformAlthough the end of Term 1 has been relatively warm, it is timely to remind students and parents that Winter uniform is to be worn from the beginning of Term 2. This includes the wearing of the blazer to and from school. The assistance of parents in ensuring that students are well presented and representing Mercedes College with pride is much appreciated. Please note that the period of transition for boys trousers/shorts has ended.


This means that all boys must be wearing the new charcoal grey coloured short/trousers from the beginning of Term 2.

End of TermIt has been a very busy term and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Home Group and subject staff, as well as the Year Level Coordinators for their outstanding work with our Middle School students. I would also like to thank the countless number of parents who have volunteered their time for some of our special events (Athletics and Swimming Carnivals, Class Parties, Morning Teas, etc…). Without the generosity and enthusiasm of our staff and parent groups these events would not be possible. Our Middle School students have also worked hard throughout the term and are to be congratulated for their general approach and attitude towards all school activities.

Reports indicating each student’s progress in regards to their ‘Approaches to Learning’ have been issued today and will, hopefully, allow students and parents to sit down and discuss strengths and weaknesses in these important aspects of student learning. The Reports should be read in conjunction with the information received for the upcoming Learning Reviews.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday break. I look forward to seeing the Middle School students return refreshed and re-energised at the beginning of Term 2.

Paul WadsworthAssistant Principal Head of Middle School

Learning Assistance Programme

Where do the mermaids stand? You might be wondering what on earth I am talking about. You may even think that there are no such things as mermaids? But I am very happy to report that mermaids do exist and that I have even held the hand of a mermaid or two in my time.

In the beautiful “Mermaid Story” written by Robert Fulgham, we are challenged to find a place for the mermaids, all those who may not appear to fit into the boxes and pigeon holes that we are all supposed to fit into – at school, at work, in the community or even families sometimes. It can take courage to recognise our uniqueness and identity and be a mermaid in a world of giants.

I have discovered that mermaids come in all shapes and sizes, young and old, male and female. Some have exceptional talents, others are a little shy, many need a tiny bit of encouragement along the way, others have great patience, some find learning a challenge, others have an infectious giggle that makes everyone smile, while others just genuinely want to make a difference for someone else. In the wise words of one LAP student last year; “LAP is where you do great things with a special friend and it is really, really, really, fun!”

LAP is 34 years old very soon, and I believe it is really a mermaid in disguise!! For many years, there was never just the right place for LAP. Fitting into the appropriate educational box has been tricky, especially when you can answer YES to all the following questions:

Is LAP about students working one-to-one with a caring friend?

Is LAP about building self-esteem and confidence? Is LAP about nurturing positive relationships between all

involved – students, volunteers, Coordinators and teachers? Is LAP possible for gifted students? Is LAP about supporting those with social, emotional and

academic needs? Is LAP about enrichment, special activities and just special

time together? Is LAP a programme for children from Reception to Year

12? Is LAP about mentors – parents, grandparents, Year 12

students and community members? Is LAP about recognising and acknowledging the outstanding

contribution volunteers make to students and schools? Is LAP an internationally recognised programme for Year 12

students? Is LAP about creativity, diversity and excellence? Is LAP about learning, life and fun? Is LAP happening in schools overseas – all based on what we

do here at the College? Is LAP relevant in 2010? Is LAP a place for mermaids?

Cathy Cronin and I are blessed to be surrounded by your children and our amazing volunteers every day. We see care and creativity, commitment and learning, fun and happiness. Every one of the 100 plus students and their volunteers bring their own unique talents and joy to our little room at the top of the stairs. We trust your children go home to you with happy stories about the learning and fun they have shared with their special friends.

If you would like to come and say hello you are most welcome to call in for a cuppa. If you are lucky, you might even meet a mermaid or two!

Penny PenhallCoordinator Lap

Uniform

The first day of Term 2 represents the beginning of Winter uniform. Please note that this means that blazers should

be worn to and from school every day unless your child is doing PE when the Sport uniform is allowable.

On cold days t-shirts can be worn under the uniform as long as they have a v-neck and therefore are not visible.

For a full list of Winter uniform requirements please refer to the website. Thank you for your support with these matters.

2nd Hand Uniform Shop

Winter Uniform

Don’t forget your Winter uniform for Term 2

Boys Winter shirts still only $10

Special Opening: Monday 19th April 9:00-11:00am for Winter uniform requirements

Open Tuesday 8:30-10:30am

Heather Sambrook

Footpath Upgrade

“Mitcham Council have advised that the Fullarton Road footpath along the western boundary of the College is being

upgraded at present.

Please take care in this area during these works.”


From OHSC

In Out of School Hours Care this term we have used netting, hung from the ceiling, to create a mini-rainforest, giving the room a calm and cool feel...for the most part at least! We began by threading leafy vines in and around the netting which we then decorated with curly caterpillars and a giant spider all made from stockings stuffed with newspaper. The children really enjoyed using modelling clay to make creepy crawlies and which have also found a home amongst the vines.

Our theme of ‘Bugs’ was also carried through into a cooking activity when children took up the challenge of decorating little cakes to look like beetles using a selection of lollies. A few of us have also done some rather striking paintings inspired by our theme. We often provide the children with the opportunity of working on a long term, group project and this term we have constructed a beautiful ‘Butterfly House’ to magnify that calm and cool feel. Many children offered to paint the house using a vibrant red and then windows were filled with contrasting blue cellophane. Lastly we asked everyone to decorate a butterfly so that our house could be filled with a collection of these unique delicate creatures.

Our last two weeks have been spent on Easter activities. We love sharing the Easter experience with the children and have particularly enjoyed making cards, decorating eggs, making hot cross buns, cooking biscuits and a chocolate slice as well as making and decorating little felt covers to keep boiled eggs nice and warm. During the term we also asked everyone to do a scrap booking exercise where they produced a colourful, informative ‘All about Me’ page which we file in our OSHC album. It is great fun looking back on photos and to see how much everyone changes over the year, including staff!

Monday and Thursday afternoons have been taken up with our Active After School Communities Programme. This term children have learned the basic skills of Baseball and particularly love playing a game at the end of each session. They were also introduced to Capoiera which is an amazing Brazilian art form that combines Dance, Martial Arts, Music and Acrobatics. In these sessions children increased knowledge and skills and were particularly inspired by the provider, Chan Griffin, who is also a Mercedes College old scholar. Chan was a very generous and patient teacher who has his own studio in town. Please feel free to enquire with us if your children have expressed interest in having more lessons.

Many children have been encouraged by small incentive prizes and we celebrated their enthusiasm and commitment to the programme with a little party at the end of the term. Next term we begin all over again with two new activities. Our sessions begin at 4:00pm and last an hour so we would really appreciate it (where possible) if parents could pick children up at 5:00pm on these days so that their children can complete the session.

Next term we are looking forward to a brand new theme in OSHC – ‘Alice in Wonderland’.We can’t wait and we know that your children are going to enjoy some wonderful activities.

On behalf of all the OSHC team, I would like to wish all our families a very Happy Easter and a restful break. As usual, we have enjoyed planning our holiday programme and trust that there will be lots of activities and outings to happily occupy your children.

Debbie GossDirector of OHSC

News From the MP&FA

Diary DatesDuring Term 1, the MP&FA has been busy planning events scheduled for Term 2 and Term 3 and we look forward to your support of these fabulous fundraisers. Please take note of the following dates:

(Mercedes College Community Day), Sunday 2 May(Mingle in May), Friday 14 May, 8:00pm, The Oriental Hotel, Cnr Osmond Tce & Magill Road, Norwood. Drinks, Cocktail Food and Entertainment, $50pp(Men’s Dinner), Friday 25 June, Venue TBA(Gala Ball “Viva Mercedes”), Saturday 7 August, The Observatory, Hackney Road, Hackney.

Further details will be outlined in future (Mercy Vine) reports. We do hope you can join us at one or more of these events.

Entertainment Books.Again, the Entertainment Books will be available for purchase during Term 2. For further details please check the flyer in this edition of the (Mercy Vine), including the special offer attached.

I would like to take this opportunity to again thank the Class Party Hosts of 2010, especially Mr Tim and Mrs Rebecca Haysman who very kindly hosted two parties, finishing the season with the Rec, 1 & 2 party last Friday night. Three cheers to you all. I would also like to thank the many parents who have volunteered as Class Reps for 2010, the MP&FA Committee and parent volunteers who actively support our College community and traditions.

I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday and look forward to seeing you at one or more of the many fund and fun raising events next term.

Jenny DunstanChairperson, MP&FA

[email protected]


News From the Sports Desk

Boys SportSAAS (Sports Association for Adelaide Schools) provides structures for 632 sporting teams consisting of the following: 226 Cricket, 190 Tennis, 72 Badminton, 16 Swimming, 89 Volleyball and 39 Water Polo teams, catering for about 6,500 players from Years 8-12. A separate structure caters for primary sport, whilst two other organisations, the Secondary Catholic Girls Sports Association and the Independent Girls Sports Association foster the interests of girls sport specifically.

Term 1 boys sport came to a close last weekend. The Water Polo teams played a tournament at Pembroke (Year 8/9s) and the Year 10/11s played at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre. I was able to watch the Year 9/10/11s and the improvement of players over the course of the term has been quite outstanding. Thanks goes not only to Mr David Graham for his weekly training and games coaching but also to Dylan Scott and Craig Theron, two Year 11 boys in the State Water Polo Squad who have lifted not only the sports profile but also provided excellent guidance for all Mercedes players. Also to Mrs Frances O’Connor for managing the Year 8/9s and for the great efforts these players have put into their sport.

On Saturday morning, the Year 8’s Cricket team performed well at Flinders University to win reasonably comfortably against St Ignatius with Paul O’Callaghan coaching and their progress throughout the term has also been terrific. Two training sessions a week has helped to make a significant difference.

SIC’s Year 9 cohort set a tough target of 205 for our group and this proved to be so. The absence of Jake Cavanagh following his promotion to the 1st X1 has made a difference to the Year 9s batting line up.

The 3rd X1 Cricket team defeated Concordia on Saturday (125) with a very spirited and quick fire 52 from David Guerin and good contributions from Blaine Gillan and Henry Tonkin who again performed very well with the bat. Henry’s determined batting against Pembroke earlier in the season resulted in that fine win to the 3rd X1 and he is well placed to win the most improved cricketer in Term 1. The 2nd X1 could not back up their win against Scotch last week against St Ignatius. Having set SIC a modest 81, early indications were that they would struggle but some loose bowling and big hitting by their middle order saw them win with 110 runs. Samuel Roberts was the best batting with 33 and Damien Quick continued on with his great on field leadership to support 2nd X1 Captain, Kane Cefei. Kane has done a magnificent job this term and is to be commended on his efforts generally.

The 1st X1’s match against SIC was also a little disappointing (an outright loss) especially the batting performances from all players in the 2nd innings. This followed some very spirited bowling from Luke Crocker (5/29), James Venn (2/3) and Henry Jones in the 2nd innings (6/10). There were 14 LBW adjudications for the match from 38 dismissals. However, players did take some positives from the game and will work on their batting skills over the winter months.

Our Tennis results were excellent in terms of the number of teams in finals (16) but Mr Matt Smith was a little despondent with the end result of only one premiership. However, this is an excellent platform with which to launch into next season. The Drive Team defeated Unley High School 7/2 last week in division one, a very good result.

Both Volleyball teams had good wins on Friday afternoon against Scotch College (Mercedes 2 def SC 3/0) and Pulteney Grammar

School (Mercedes 1 def PGS 2/1). Both teams have been very competitive throughout the season. Thanks to Mr Tom Putland for his inspired work with all boys and girls teams in Term 1.

Our Swimmers competed against other South Australian Catholic Co-ed schools last Monday evening and were placed 2nd. Thankyou to all those who represented the College on Wednesday afternoons in the mini meets, to the Captains, Harrison Hughes, Benjamin Tripodi and Charlotte Twizell for their inspirational leadership and to our ever enthusiastic teachers, Mr Anthony Kelly and Ms Jodie Papadopoulos. Swimmers are encouraged to collate all Mercy colours points and to have them signed off as their contributions are heavily weighted.

On Wednesday, our athletes traveled to Santos Stadium to compete in the SASSSA “A”Grade Athletics. Injuries sustained by students in the past few weeks weakened our overall strength following our big win in the Co-ed Athletics on 15 March, 2010. We welcome back athletes who attended the Surf Life Saving Championships. Sarah Donovan won a Silver Medal in the U/17 Women’s Beach Relay, whilst Ruby Hume ran brilliantly to come 5th in the 2kms Beach Run. The U/19 boat crew, having recently won Silver Medals at the State Championships in beautiful glassy 3-4’ conditions and comprising Joshua Lee (stroke: Yr 12), Samuel Grant (2009), Matthew Van der Wijngaart (2009) and James Merrigan (Year 12) ventured out successfully on two occasions at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast before carnival officials abandoned all events in surf following the very sad death of a young Sydney iron man, Saxon Bird who drowned in the rough seas. Two other Year 12 boys from Mercedes, Henry Jones and Justin Healy won a Bronze Medal recently at the State championships when they teamed with two boys from Urrbrae High. They are pictured being swept by Mr Bill Gaynor in absolutely magnificent surf conditions at South Port Beach, South Australia.

Congratulations are fitting to Benjamin Tripodi who was selected in the SA Triathlon team recently and who competed in Adelaide against triathletes from all around Australia. Benjamin was happy with his racing, especially his swimming and cycling legs. Benjamin has worked very hard on his running under the guidance of Mr Gary Zeuner and learned a great deal from his first state team representation.

After a very strong pre-season of work, Matthew Crocker (2009 1st XV111 Captain) was recently appointed Vice Captain of Sturt’s U/18 Football team and in their first appearance for the season on Saturday, he contributed very well in their 10 goals win against South Adelaide.

Students interested in umpiring AFL Football –as goal and boundary umpires- are informed that the Umpiring Panel will conduct an introductory session on Tuesday 20 April 2010, at Mercedes from 3.30pm-5.00pm for all aspiring candidates, so that they can commence duties on 1 May, 2010 in the first SAAS game of the season.

Crew members Henry Jones and Justin Healy. with students from Urrbrae Agricultural High School


The session will include theoretical components as well as practical work on the oval. This is the first day back of Term 2! Students are rostered on as boundary and goal umpires on Saturday afternoons for 1st and 2nd XV111 matches throughout the season and attract pocket money for their contributions as well as points towards their colours. A meeting and subsequent letter was distributed on Tuesday 30 March, 2010. The significant numbers in the pool of interested umpires ensures that not all Saturdays are committed to this service!

We wish Eleanor Wardleworth (Year 11) well as she prepares for her international duties representing Australia in the Junior World Cross Country Championships in Slovakia, leaving on 14 April, 2010 for approximately four weeks. This includes a week of training in Athens at the 2004 Olympics site.

Nominations have been done for Terms 2/3 SAAS sport. These include teams in Year 8, 9, 2nd XV111 and 1st XV111 AFL Football (4), Year 8,9,10 and Open boys Soccer teams (7), Table Tennis (6), Badminton (2), Volleyball (6), Basketball (6), Cross Country (3 divisions), Hockey (2), Chess (2) as well as Debating teams all of whom will be striving for improvement towards the Intercollegiate clash on 18-21 August, 2010 against St Ignatius College. Mercedes will host the 6th Intercollegiate involving Netball and most of the above mentioned sports except Volleyball and Badminton.

Thank you to all parents of players for the efforts devoted to punctuality and appearances of our big cohort of players involved in Term 1 sport. All boys have shown characteristics of good men: they have been committed, they have attended, they have been challenged, they have led from the front on most occasions, shown confidence and loyalty, controlled their emotions, expressed empathy, honesty, disappointment and compassion, controlled anger and joy, chased some dreams, taken risks and shown perseverance, contrition and respect when needed. We can be proud of their efforts and they can enjoy a good, safe break.

Bill GaynorBoys Sport Coordinator

8-12 Girls Sport Report

On Monday 15 March our Open Softball team travelled to Softball Headquarters at West Beach to compete in the Knockout Finals. We faced some tough competition coming up against Immanuel College, Mt Gambier and Kadina. Our girls played well but unfortunately the competition was too strong and we finished in 4th place overall. The girls are to be congratulated for their efforts and for the spirit in which they played throughout the whole of

the competition.

The team consisted of: Connie Vartzokas, Laura Hoile, Amber Gillespie, Chloe Skrlj, Sophie Kedzior, Jessica Gore, Tiffany Jansons, Claire Castree, ElizabethWard, Jordon Sideris, Christine George and Nicole Cruickshank. Thank you also to Bernie Whitington, Wendy Metcalfe and Mr Alex and Massy-Gartly for their fantastic coaching and support of the girls.

On Monday night 22 March Mercedes College competed in the Co-educational Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival which was held at the Adelaide Aquatics Centre. We competed in the A Grade competition against Xavier, Cardijn, Thomas Moore, Gleeson and St Ignatius. We finished in the following positions: U14 Girls – 4th U14 Boys – 2nd U15 Girls – 5th U15 Boys – 2nd U16 Girls – 4th U16 Boys – 3rd Open Girls – 4th Open Boys – 2nd

St Ignatius College won all of the divisions except U14 Females (won by Thomas Moore) and Open Boys (won by Gleeson).

All of the swimmers are to be congratulated on their efforts as every one of them gave their best performances against very strong opposition. In particular congratulations go to Dylan Scott 2nd in the Open 50m Butterfly and 1st in the U16 50m Freestyle, Matthew Shaw 1st in the U14 50m Breaststroke, Benjamin Tripodi 2nd in the Open 100m Freestyle, Angus McFarlane 2nd in the U15 50m Freestyle, Charlotte Twizell 2nd in the Open 50m Freestyle and 1st in the Open 50m Breaststroke, Craig Theron 2nd in the Open 50m Freestyle, Harrison Hughes 1st in the Open 50m Freestyle and Nicholas Marshall 2nd in the Open 50m Breaststroke. A very special thank you to all the students who swam in events at the last minute.

I would also like to acknowledge our Senior Leaders who invested their time to attend and help in the smooth running of the carnival as official time keepers. I also extend my thanks once again to Ms Jodie Papadopoulos and Mr Anthony Kelly for

A contemplative Laura Hoile

The team warming up before the game

The team gathered together at the end of the competition

Our swimming captains: Benjamin Tripodi, Charlotte Twizell and Harrison Hughes


their support, enthusiasm and organisation for this event.

I would also like to acknowledge the parents and siblings who transport and support their children in these out of hours events. Without your support swimming would be an impossible task and your time and dedication to this sport is sincerely appreciated.

Below are the results to date for the weekend and mid week competitions:

Girls Sports Results for Weeks 4 and 5

On a final note I would like to congratulate Jessica Stratfold who is flying out to New Zealand on Saturday 24 April to play Netball for Australia with CANA (Combined Australian Netball Association) for 10 days. She was selected for this Touring Team from the State Nationals that were held here in Adelaide back in Sep/Oct. 2009. During the carnival, selectors chose a Championship team and Jessica was selected in this team as a defender. She is very excited to be going off and representing Australia and wear the green and gold. Jessica returns to Australia on Monday 3 May.

Jackie Kerr8-12 Girls Sport Coordinator

9A Cricket vs. St IgnatiusIn the last match of the season, we played St Ignatius at home. Captain (Nicholas Maegraith) won the toss and elected to bowl first. In the field we had a good start with Edward Cronin taking a very good catch off Luke Heaslip’s bowling. Luke snared 2 wickets in his first spell. The St Ignatius batters looked to be taking control until some tight bowling from Nicholas Maegraith 1/18 off 10 over’s and Harry Baulderstone 1/30 off 9 kept the run rate down. In the end St Ignatius set us a competitive target of 8/207.

On day 2, we came out to bat but lost early wickets. Top two scorers Nicholas Maegraith (36) and Timothy Quirk (11) put on partnership of about 30 but it wasn’t enough. The St Ignatius’ bowling attack was just too good for us.

Timothy Quirk (Year 9)

Basketball WEEK 4

Senior A Mercedes 1 (81) def Sacred Heart 1 (19)

Senior B St Michael’s 2 (67) def Mercedes 1 (12)

Mercedes 2 (37) def NMHS 1 (18)

Junior B Marryatville 1 (38) def Mercedes 1 (12)

St Dominics 1 (18) def Mercedes 2 (14)

Volleyball

Senior A/B OLSH 1 (3) def Mercedes 1 (0)

St Ignatius 1 (2) def Mercedes (1)

Senior B Mercedes 3 (2) def St Ignatius 3 (1)

OLSH 3 (3) def Mercedes 4 (0)

Junior A/B Loreto 1 (3) def Mercedes 1 (0)

Mercedes 2 (2) def St Ignatius 1 (1)

Junior B Mercedes 3 (2) def Marryatville 2 (1)

Mercedes 4 (2) def Cabra 1 (1)

Softball

Junior A/B Pulteney 1 (17) def Mercedes 2 (11)

Beach Volleyball

Tuesday Mercedes 1 (3) def Mercedes 2 (0)

Mercedes 3 (2) def Mercedes 4 (1)

SAC 3 def Mercedes 5

Wednesday Nazareth 1 (2) def Mercedes 6 (0)

Mercedes 8 (1) def Mercedes 7 (1)

Water Polo

Senior Mercedes 1 (7) def St Peters 1 (1)

Junior Pembroke 3 (5) def Mercedes 1 (4)

Basketball WEEK 2

Senior A Mercedes 1 (46) def St Ignatius 1 (32)

Senior B Sacred Heart 3 (37) def Mercedes 1 (11))

St Michael’s 1 (39) def Mercedes 2 (38)

Junior B Marryatville 1 (41) def Mercedes 2 (17)

Volleyball

Senior A/B Loreto 1 (3) def Mercedes 1 (0)


Senior B Mercedes 3 (2) def Cabra 1 (1)


Junior A/B Mercedes 2 (2) def OLSH 1 (1)

WEEK 2 continued

Junior B Mercedes 4 (2) def Mercedes 3 (1)

Softball

Senior A Mercedes 1 (21) def Pulteney 2 (2)

Junior A/B Mercedes 1 (14) def Pulteney 2 (1)


Beach Volleyball

Tuesday Kildare 1 (2) def Mercedes 1 (0)

SAC 1 (3) def Mercedes 2 (0)

Mercedes 3 def Marryatville 2 - FORFEIT

SAC 2 (2) def Mercedes 4 (0)

Mercedes 5 def Mary MacKillop 1

Wednesday Mercedes 8 def Mercedes 6 - FORFEIT

Marryatville 3 (2) def Mercedes 7 (1)

Water Polo

Senior Mercedes 1 (7) def SHC 1 (3)

Junior Seymour 1 (14) def Mercedes 1 (0)


Match Report vs Prince Alfred College 2nd XI (13th March 2010)

After being knocked out of the SSSSA Open Boys Knockout Competition during the week, the 1st XI were eager to win their next game against Prince Alfred College 2nd XI. Losing the toss, we bowled first on a pitch that suited bowlers, and with team leaders Henry Jones and Luke Crocker again in scintillating form with the ball, we had the opposition in trouble at 4/16 in the tenth over.

As James Venn entered the attack and took an amazing 4 wickets in three overs, the tail order collapsed and we cleaned up the remaining batsmen, Prince Alfred College dismissed for 47 after 22 overs.

On a difficult batting pitch, we batted cautiously and slowly, progressing to 0/23 after ten overs. With Thomas Maegraith in fine form, we cruised to the target with 20 overs to spare.

Prince Alfred College 2nd XI 47(J Venn 4/4, H Jones 2/10, L Crocker 2/16)

Mercedes College 1st XI 1/48(T Maegraith 21*, H Cooray 10*, N Davis 4)

Match Report vs St Ignatius College 1st XI (20th and 27th March 2010)

The final match of the 2009/10 season was played over the last two weekends against Intercollegiate rival St Ignatius College at Waite Oval, and was the first two-day match the 1st XI had taken part in since October 2009. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, we were happy to take to the field on the bowler-friendly pitch, given that all 1st XI matches held this term on the Waite Main Oval had been won by the side batting second.

Led by inspirational Vice Captain Luke Crocker, who took a career-best 5/29 (the first five-wicket haul in 1st XI history), we bowled and fielded exceptionally well to dismiss St Ignatius for 102 after just 44 of the allocated 80 overs. With still 33 overs remaining in the first day’s play, we began the difficult task of scoring over 100 for the first time this term. Unfortunately, the bowlers were too good, and they ripped through our top order with ease, leaving us in deep trouble at 9/68 at the close of play. With James Venn and Timothy White at the crease, the task for day 2 would be to score 35 runs without losing a wicket – a difficult task indeed.

Day 2 began promisingly, with Venn and White cautiously working their way into touch, scoring runs bit by bit. Unfortunately, Venn was dismissed with the side on 76, and we went into the second innings with a deficit of 26 runs.

Against the odds, Captain Henry Jones gave one last effort for the term and almost single-handedly brought his side back into the match. Taking the first four wickets on his way to a Mercedes College 1st XI record of 6/10, we had St Ignatius reeling at 6/54. Unfortunately, the lower order got away as we dropped some easy chances, and St Ignatius declared on 9/118, leaving us a chase of 145 in approximately 30 overs.

Given our batting woes all season, this target seemed extreme, and saving the game and avoiding outright defeat became the priority.

However, once again, the top order collapsed, unable to withstand the pressure and occupy the crease, and we fell to a dismal 7/23 in just the 17th over. The lower order provided some late resistance, yet when the final wicket fell just 15 minutes shy of stumps, St Ignatius College won a match they thoroughly deserved to, and we finished our season disappointingly.

1st Innings St Ignatius College 1st XI 102(L Crocker 5/29, J Venn 2/3, T White 2/27)

1st Innings Mercedes College 1st XI 76(A Borghesan 10, J Cavanagh 10, H Jones 9)

2nd Innings St Ignatius College 1st XI 9/118 (dec)

(H Jones 6/10, J Venn 2/13, L Crocker 1/32)

2nd Innings Mercedes College 1st XI 47(H Hughes 11*, L Crocker 9, B Kouts 9)

As this is the final report for the term, I would like to publicly thank the large band of parents that have provided first class afternoon teas for all the players, and for their help in setting up and cleaning the eating area. I would also like to thank James O’Connell (Cricket Coordinator) and Bill Gaynor (8 – 12 Boys Sport Coordinator) for their assistance, along with Henry Jones (Captain) and Luke Crocker (Vice Captain) for their leadership. I look forward to another exciting journey again in 2010/11!

1st XI Cricket Awards 2009/10

Cricketer of the Year Luke CrockerBatsman of the Year Thomas Maegraith (169 runs at 14.08, highest score 22)Bowler of the Year Luke Crocker (29 wickets at 8.93, best figures 5/29)Fieldsman of the Year Nick Hundertmark (13 dismissals, 10 ct, 3 st)

Jarrad McCabe1st XI Coach


Friday 14 May 2010

The Oriental Hotelcnr Magill Rd and Osmond Tce , Norwood

8:00pm-Midnight

Special Guests, Raffle and Door Prizes

$50.00includes finger food,

beer, wine and soft drinks

Tickets available via www.trybooking.com/EGV or

at The College Shop or at the Strathspey Office

Organised by the Mercedes College Parents and Friends Association

Mingle in May

mv 5 2010 - mercedes college · mercedes college newsletter page 3 from the junior school r-3...

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