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,

Hellos and GoodbyesBack in the 60s the Beatles released a song called Hello Goodbye – yes I am old enough to remember and indeed old enough to have sung along with it! I could not help but be reminded of this mix of emotions last Friday when during the day we held Induction Day to say hello to our new enrolments for 2011 and in the evening hosted a Cocktail Party for the parents of our Year 12 students. Many of these parents were not only celebrating coming to the end of what can be a difficult year for all the family but were also saying goodbye to the College as their youngest child graduates.

Schools have a regular rhythm of hellos and goodbyes every year. It is always sad to say goodbye to wonderful people who have been such a large part of your life. Some families have been associated with the College for upward of 20 years. I hope that the Mercedes spirit will always be part of these families because I know that their legacies will always be part of us. I thank all of those who have given so much of themselves over the years to ensure that Mercedes College can be the best school possible for all the young people who attend. I hope that those families who will not have such a direct relationship with us in the future will seek to become involved in other ways such as through associated old scholar functions and activities.

On the other hand, Induction Day saw new students and families enter the school with a great deal of excitement and high expectation. It is clear as I speak with new families that they wish to join the College for a variety of reasons. They tell me that they are impressed with the high quality of our international curriculum and the myriad of diverse activities for students to extend themselves academically, physically, artistically, emotionally and spirituality. However, the common thread is that Mercedes College is seen as a school where quality learning is prized, within a community of high care, based on strong values aimed at assisting each individual to strive towards reaching his or her potential.

Both the Cocktail Party and Induction Day could not have occurred without the work of many of our staff and the support of the loyal members of the College’s Parents and Friends Association. My thanks to all who made a very busy day run so smoothly, well done to all concerned.

Our Visitors From IndiaOver the last few weeks we have hosted a group of Indian students from Mahatma Ghandi International School, MGIS, in India. During their visit these young people were able to sample life in Adelaide both at Mercedes and in the wider community. I think the trip to Kangaroo Island was the highlight. Thank you to our staff for their superb organisation of the tour and the families who hosted our visitors and made them feel so welcome.

Yours sincerelyPeter DawPrincipal

From the Principal Issue No 18 - 19 November 2010

NOVEMBER22-24 Year 10 Exams22 Catholic Primary Schools Athletic Carnival Yr 4-723 MYP Graduation Ceremony + Personal Project Exhibition24 Yr 5 Exhibition and Graduation – 6:30pm25-Dec 1 Yr 10 Work Experience25 Composition Concert29-30 Student Leadership Conference30 Yr 7 Social

DECEMBER1 2nd Hand Book Sale 4-5.30 Junior School Picnic Day2 Yr 11 into Yr 12 Transition Day3 Final Presentation Assembly and Liturgy (L4) End of Term 4 12:30pm

COMING EVENTS

Commonwealth Government School Assistance ActComparative Grades

In accordance with the Act, the College will provide data regarding the comparative grades for your child if

requested. This information is based relative to the cohort studying this subject - not in rank order. If you wish to

receive this information please make a WRITTEN request to Mrs Shauna Allen BEFORE Monday 6 December as

this information is only available for a limited time.

Mercedes College NewsletterPage 2

Director Of Mission

Unlike supermarkets and other commercial enterprises, the Church does not rush us to Christmas. Instead we bring the old year to a close and start our new year with a season of waiting. The weeks of advent are actually meant to slow us down, not speed us up. We are invited to wait; to wait for a birth; to wait with a pregnant mother-to-be and to rejoice in the anticipation of a new life.

One of the mysterious aspects of Christian spirituality is that, in one profound sense, the birth of Jesus is just like the birth of any other human. While the birth stories have extraordinary

elements -angels, magi and all that - they also have a more accessible moment of wonder: a man and a woman wait for the birth of a child and are transported with joy when their hopes are fulfilled.

It would be a shame to replace patient waiting and joy-filled anticipation with acres of throw away tinsel. Enjoy advent!

Ian HamiltonDirector of Mission

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 3

From the Junior School

Mini Musicians Under The MarqueeWhilst it was a particularly cold afternoon, we were warmed up with the energy and enthusiasm of our talented Reception and Year 1 students at our Mini Musicians Under The Marquee Concert. The audience was treated with performances of songs with accompanying actions and incredibly, a number with rounds. This is a mean feat with such young children!

Thank you so much for your on-going support, I know your son/daughter loved the opportunity to show their musical prowess to you.

I would like to especially thank Mrs Adrienne Cullity and Mrs Gisela Obst for their dedication, creativity and passion for music, and to Mrs CelineBeaton-Smith for her on-going support and coordination of programmes. Thank you also to our parent musician, Mrs Melissa West and our peripatetic teachers for their instrumental accompaniment of the children.

R-5 Sports Fun Day We were blessed with glorious weather for our recent R-5 Sports Fun Day. The students keenly demonstrated their sporting talents, coordination and fitness. It was terrific to hear such team spirit, and a joy to hear many students encouraging others regardless of whether they were in their team. Whilst there were many favourite activities, the Bouncy Castle was a real hit! Congratulations to Barry and Fitzpatrick who tied for first place.

I know the students and onlookers enjoyed the concluding serious events between staff and parents! Congratulations to the parents for their Tug-o-War power win and to the staff for their blitzing Relay win.

I would like to especially thank Mr Simon Munn and Mrs Tracey

Cramond for organising such a outstanding day, along with all the preparations leading up to the day in ensuring success and enjoyment for the students. Thank you also to all Junior School Staff and the Middle School House Captains for their support and energy on the day.

MPFAThank you to our wonderful Mercedes Parents and Friends for the Induction Day Welcome Morning Tea. It was appreciated by all and provided the opportunity to meet and greet new and existing friends. You are always welcome to join this vibrant group. Please contact Mrs Jenny Dunston for further information.

Catholic Police ClearanceNow is a good time to check the expiry date of your Catholic Police Clearance. As you would be aware, parents who would like to attend class excursions or help out in any capacity in the classroom must have a Catholic Police Clearance. There are often many to process at the commencement of each year and as such, it is advisable to be completed this year should it be necessary.

The last few weeks will be very busy. Please check your child’s bag for notices about end-of-year celebrations, and in particular, the Junior School End of Year Mass. Teachers will also commence sending your child’s belongings home. Please check for library books, readers and other College resources and return them promptly.

Junior School Dates November22 Yrs 4-7 Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival24 Yr 5 PYP Exhibition and Graduation26 Yr 5 French Picnic End of Year Junior School Mass at St Ignatius, 7:00pm December1 Yr 4/5 Picnic Day @ Burnside Pool Yr 3 Excursion R-2 Movies3 End of the 2010 school year 12:30pm Dismissal

Julie HannAssistant Principal, Head of Junior School

Margie Bills is retiring from Netherby Kindergarten

Margie Bills is retiring after 21 years working for DECS: the last 11 were at Netherby Kindergarten.

Margie is loved and respected among the Netherby Kindergarten community, so families are invited to

Netherby Kindergarten to say “thank you” on Tuesday December 7th from 3.00pm.

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Junior School Assembly AwardsThe following students received Learner Profile, PYP Attitude and Action Awards at the Junior School Assembly on Wednesday 3 November 2010. Congratulations and well done to the following students:

Commitment - Brenton Duong, Elizabeth Chisholm, Isabella Biello, Isaac Penglis, Isabel Rowat, Emily Temby, Noah Hubner-Booth, Nathan Pradun, Kiara Cenko, Aspen Wagner, Harriet McConnell-Daish

Co-operation – Grace Lindholm

Communicator – Ben Fusco Enthusiasm – Lilly Conlon, Joshua Cecere

Thinker – Labrina Nikoloutsopoulos

Confidence – Casey Willoughby

Knowledgeable – Connor Massy-Westropp, Sophie Jordan, Nikolaos Elovaris, Kakeru Udagawa, Ethan Lehmann

Balanced – Joseph Ianniello

Inquirer – Victoria Giagkoulas, Ante Androvic

Creativity – Paris Young

Principled – Louella Wallbridge

Shane MurphyJunior School and PYP Coordinator

From the Middle School

2010 MGIS Exchange Last week we wished our visitors goodbye and safe travel back to India. I would like to take this opportunity to thank a number of people who were involved in the organisation and running of this wonderful Exchange. Our thanks go to Ms Tanya Bahnisch who demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm and generosity in coordinating and implementing the Exchange Programme, as well as billeting one of the visiting staff members. The Exchange was described by the visiting teachers as “the best Exchange we have had to Australia” and this is a great testament to Tanya’s wonderful efforts.

Thank you also to Mr Peter Thornton for his organisation of the MGIS trip to Kangaroo Island and for helping ensure that all of the activities our visitors engaged in were safe and appropriately structured. Special thanks to Mr Jarrad McCabe and Mr Damian Vahlis who were both involved as tour leaders on day excursions and for the trip to Kangaroo Island, to Mrs Janet Bartold who generously billeted one of the visiting staff members, to Ms Esther Lamb who has acted as tour leader on several day excursions and to Mrs Elizabeth Nelligan who managed many elements of the Exchange on my behalf.

I would also like to acknowledge the generosity and spirit of welcome that has been exhibited by our students and parents. I would particularly like to thank those families who billeted students from MGIS. It is not an easy thing to open your home to someone that you don’t know especially when they come from a very different culture and often have different diet requirements. I hope and trust that those who have been involved have enjoyed the experience.

State Legislation on Child Safety Restraint in Vehicles

Please be aware of the new State Legislation on Child Safety Restraint in vehicles, which affects children 7 years and under. Copies of this information is available at Strathspey Reception.

LOST PROPERTY

Several items of named, lost property are available at Strathspey Reception

please ask at the Reception desk.

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We will be looking to gauge numbers for our return trip in Term 3 2011 prior to the end of the year. Students from Years 9 and 10 (2011) can express their interest in learning more about the MGIS Exchange by placing their name on the sheet at McAuley Office prior to the end of Week 7.

Induction DayInduction Day for 2011 was held last Friday (12 November). We welcomed many new students to the College, particularly at Year 6 and Year 8, and the day gave new and current students the opportunity to meet one another, experience some of the curriculum and get to know their new Home Group teachers. I would like to extend a special thank you to the Home Group teachers and other teaching staff who conducted sessions on the day, as well as those who took reliefs in order for the day to run smoothly. Thanks also to the MPFA for helping make our new parents welcome with a wonderful Morning Tea. We look forward to seeing all of our new students again at the beginning of next year. We hope that Induction Day has demonstrated that they are very welcome here at Mercedes and made their integration into our community at the start of next year just that little bit easier.

Remembrance Day CeremonyOur Remembrance Day Ceremony was held on Thursday 11 November in the Library Courtyard. Several Middle School students were involved, including Joshua Henke (7PO) who read ‘In Flanders Fields’, Chloe McGough (6TS) who read Psalm 23, Azriel Poskey Miles (6CO) who read the Ode to the Fallen and Kieran Holland (7JD) and Nicholas Wynd (7JD) who acted as flag bearers. The ceremony was capped off with a stirring rendition of the Last Post played by Renee Taylor (9SWU). This was a solemn and moving occasion allowing students from across the school to pause and remember the sacrifice of those men and women who have died or suffered in wars and conflicts around the world, and indeed all those who have served Australia over the years. Thank you to all of the staff and students who prepared this event and to all of the students for the respect and reverence that was shown throughout the ceremony.

New Parent Induction EveningParents who are new to the Middle School in 2011 gathered in the Mercy Lecture Theatre on Tuesday 16 November to hear from several staff and students about different aspects of Middle School life. Parents also had the opportunity to receive some Year Level specific information, prior to meeting up with each other over supper. I would like to thank the Home Group teachers and Year Level Coordinators involved on the night and the MPFA for organising supper. I would also like to thank the 2010 Middle School Leaders who had several roles throughout the evening and the Year 8 students involved in showing parents around the Year 8 classroom areas. We received some wonderful feedback about these students who clearly represented themselves and the Middle School with great distinction. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Year 8 Musical – Little StarsBy the time you read this the Year 8 Musical for 2010 will be over. As I mentioned in the last newsletter a production of this size demands huge efforts from staff, students and parents if it is to all come together. Those of us who had the pleasure of attending the performance would undoubtedly agree that the countless numbers of rehearsals, costume fits, make-up trials, and the work put into the designing and making of sets, posters and tickets was definitely worth the effort. Well done to all of the Year 8 students for their contributions to the various aspects of the production through their Arts rotations, and special

congratulations to the actors, musicians, technicians and back stage crew. On behalf of everyone involved in the musical I would also like to acknowledge some of the staff and parents involved in the preparations and performances of Little Stars.

The Arts staff (including Mr Anthony Kelly, Ms Lauren Vilanova, Mr Adam Hooper, Ms Pam O’Grady, Ms Esther Lamb, Ms Coral Winterbourn, Ms Luisa Stocco, Mr Ashley Coats, Mr Ian DeBoar Mrs Jessica Karlovic and Ms Erica McNicol) who have worked tirelessly with the students in their arts subjects and their endless energy and enthusiasm clearly rubbed off on their students.

The Year 8 Home Group Teachers and Year Level Coordinator (Ms Sarah Siakew, Ms Jackie Kerr, Mr Tom Robinson, Ms Stephanie Ray, Ms Helen Ayliffe, Mr Fergus Grant) for their overall support of the production.

Ms Elaine Grottick for help with make-up, The Development Office staff and Instrumental teachers and Mr Sam Arnold for his support in many aspects of the production.

Little Stars was a celebration of the work that our Year 8 students have been doing in their Art subjects over the last semester and I am sure that it has been a worthwhile and memorable experience for them all.

Hairlarious Day FundraiserI mentioned the recognition that our Year 6 cohort have received from The Childhood Cancer Association in the last newsletter. However, I incorrectly mentioned the amount of money raised as $1003.25. In fact the total raised was considerably more than that ($4445.90). My apologies for this oversight. Congratulations, again, to the Year 6s for this outstanding fundraising effort.

End of YearIt is hard to believe that we are already talking about the end of the year. The Middle School students will be involved in a number of celebrations during Week 8 as our year comes to a close.

At our Middle School Assembly on Thursday 2 December we will recognise the contribution that our Year 9 students have made to the Middle School as they prepare for the transition into the Senior School next year. Each student will be presented with a small token to remind them of their time in the Middle School.

On Friday 3 December students in Year 6-11 will gather for our End of Year Mass and Presentation Assembly in Gleeson Hall. During the Presentation Assembly we will acknowledge the academic success of individual students for Semester 2. Parents of Middle School students who are receiving awards will be notified in the coming weeks.

Classes will finish for the year at 12.30pm on Friday 3 December, and start again for students on Thursday 3 February 2011.

Paul WadsworthAssistant Principal, Head of Middle School

Booklist You would have noticed that our booklist supplier has changed from Campion to Wooldridges. We are trying to reduce the amount of printing and, as a first stage, we have reduced the number of full printed booklists by providing copies for new families only.

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As part of the Induction Day package, existing families were provided with a copy of the cover sheet which outlined three ordering options. As with any change, there is always a possibility of missing something. On this occasion, we failed to see the error in the wording for Option 2 as it referred to filling in the provided booklist. Of course this would only have made sense if you were a new family! I thought I would therefore clarify the three options: Option 1: You can order online at www.wooldridges.com.au Option 2: You can fill in the printed booklist and return to the College. Copies are provided to new families. A limited number of copies for each year level will be available from Strathspey (Reception-5) or the McAuley Office (Y6-12).

Option 3: You can go into their store at Edwardstown and place your order there. Orders must be placed by the end of term 4. Wooldriges will deliver to your home in January for free. Our ultimate aim is for Wooldriges to provide parents with a permanent on-line account where items can be ordered at any time throughout the year. These orders will be delivered to the College for free. We welcome any constructive feedback on how the booklist service can be improved. Wooldridges can be contacted on 1300 578 200 or please do not hesitate to contact me at the College.

Adrian ChiarolliDirector of Curriculum and Learning

From the Senior School

The past few weeks have been momentous for our Year 12 students as they bring their Academic careers at the College to an end. All of the speeches by our School Leaders were excellent and I present two of them from Marcus Doherty and Georgina Manos in which they summarise their experiences at Mercedes College.

“As we leave Mercedes and look on into the future, there are many special memories that stay with us. Some of these memories are happy, such as making new friends and participating in fun school events such as Swimming Carnivals and Sports Days. Others are less cheerful, such as the pressures of exams. We remember our first days at Mercedes, whether they were way back in Reception or only this year, and our first impressions of fellow students and friends. The teachers who have guided us as we have changed and matured over the years.

Many of us look back at exciting school trips to foreign places, such as India, France, Malaysia, and to a lesser extent, Canberra. We remember various school plays and musical performances; the critically acclaimed performance of James Kavaleros as Superman, and Jessica Gore’s talented piano playing at many school assemblies. Amazing sporting achievements, such as seeing Gab Cole run in the Commonwealth games, or Brendan Browne’s incredible pole-vaulting. Friendships that have kept us going through stressful times.

Even now as we look back at all these times I’m sure, like me, you feel a sudden whirl of competing emotions. But all melodrama aside, these memories, whether happy, sad, funny or embarrassing, are extremely significant events that have all had an impact on our lives, and that have all occurred within these school grounds. While we will all go on to different things in the future, we will always share these moments, and they will have an everlasting impact on ourselves as individuals and the lives that we lead. So as we leave Mercedes College, it is much more than just education that we depart with; we leave with these memories, which mean more than any school grades or academic achievements could possibly represent, as they have shaped who we are and what we believe in. We thank all those; parents, staff, and most of all, our fellow students, for being part of these special moments. Congratulations to our Graduating class, and good luck to everyone for an excellent exam period to end a fantastic schooling. After all, these are the Mercedes memories to end them all.”

Marcus Doherty

“It seems unbelievable that this will be the last time I’ll ever be standing before you all as a School Leader. After waking up every morning for the past 13 years and coming to Mercedes College, this school has become an integral part of my life. It seems completely surreal that today we graduate and I can’t describe how much I will miss everyone – you have all meant more to me than you could ever know. But there’s also one other special group I’d like to thank today.

At times our relationships can vary from the very best of friends, to the wor st of enemies, but it is ultimately true that without the continued guidance, patience and support of our teachers not one of us would have accomplished our past successes this year. In my last opportunity to address you all I thought I would go with the cliché and add a quote. Cynthia Ozick said ‘We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.’ I think it is only now that we can step back and realise that our victories and disappointments were shared by our teachers, we can now appreciate the hellish ordeal we have put them through and say thank you.

Welcome to the School Dental Service

All Preschool, Primary School and Secondary School students, aged 18 years, are eligible for oral health care with the School Dental Service.

All dental care is free for preschool clients.Children who are dependants of holders/of the following concessions are eligible to receive free dental care:

• Centrelink Concession Card• Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card• School Card

For Primary and Secondary School children who are not dependants of/holders of the above concessions, a fee will apply for each course of general dental care provided.

Children over the age of 16 who do not attend an educational institution or do not have a Health Care Card are not eligible to attend School Dental Clinics.

For more information about appointments and fees, contact your local School Dental Clinic on: 8271 0371.

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In Year 10 I was one of the lucky few to be in 10SW, and I distinctly remember a piece of advice Was gave us at the start of the year– ‘When you walk out of the school gates at the end of this year, have no regrets’. I could tell you a similar story about every single one of my teachers, as I’m sure most of the graduating class could, but Was’ words have been particularly relevant this year in our theme of ‘dare to achieve’. I believe it highlights the most impressive quality of all the teachers at Mercedes College; they instil within every one of us the courage to challenge, to succeed and perhaps most importantly, the courage to take a risk that may end in failure. It is amazing what can be achieved when you know you have a strong support base who will mark numerous drafts, who will persevere until you understand a topic and who will pick you back up each time you fall.

In particular there are a few teachers who have gone above and beyond.

Mr Francis, our guide to the trials and tribulations of this year. With so many students in Year 12, it was a source of wonder that you could always lend a compassionate ear and would always stop to inquire personally how we were feeling as you somehow kept that light at the end of the tunnel visible. Mr Francis, if it wasn’t for you, we simply wouldn’t have survived.

Mr Deegan: There are few people as generous as you – every day this year you have given your everything to every single one of us without fail. Your constant presence at school events and keen interest in our lives has earned you our unwavering respect.Mr O’Doherty, I don’t think we have ever once doubted the genuine love you feel for all of us. You always seem to find the right balance between being our friend and being our serious Head of School and confidant, and your humour has carried us through some bleak moments.

To Mr Brazzatti and Mr Chiarolli, our respective SACE and IB Coordinators, we thank you for the countless hours you’ve spent filling out paper work and ensuring the year ran smoothly for us.

To our Homegroup teachers, we accept that you have often borne the brunt of our stress and angst but you have also shared with us the small triumphs we’ve had over the year. We will always remember our year twelve homeroom as a second family, brought together by a mutual dislike for and burning desire to beat Jarvo’s Homeroom in Tutor Group challenges.

I know its something you often hear, but the bridge between teachers and friends has been filled this year. There are no words that can adequately express our gratitude to the teachers. I know sometimes we can be ungracious, complaining about our homework, our marks, our lives in general but we are categorically grateful for your tireless efforts. While the immediate impact that you have had will become imperative in the next few weeks, the fundamental and life-long lessons that have been taught, and the lasting impact that you’ve had on each of us is something that can never be forgotten.

So, please join me in applauding our Homegroup teachers who have made our miserable mornings that little bit more enjoyable, our subject teachers who have made the impossible possible and all the staff who have given tirelessly to our cohort. We all unconditionally and sincerely thank you. ”

Georgina Manos We all wish them well. God Bless.

Tony O’DohertyAssistant Principal, Head of Senior School

Music News

During the last month the Music Department have been busy.

Mrs Jenny Symonds held a short, but entertaining string soiree with all the students playing either solo or duos and finished up with a trio playing some peaceful music from Secret Garden. The Parlour was certainly a beautiful venue for these instruments.

A week later Mrs Sharon Townsend displayed the talents of the flute students in the Parlour and it was so nice to hear them play outside of their practice rooms. This was Mrs Townsend’s final week here as she is about to welcome a new addition to her family.

Our Mini Musos from Reception and Year 1 delighted the parents and several classes of our students at their annual performance under The Marquee. Lots of coloured gloves, Mums’ aprons, colourful Football and Rubgy guernseys were evident and the Reception girls were all dressed in pretty beach attire. They sang with gusto and enjoyed all the attention. Even Mrs Erin McPhee’s new class of Receptions were able to show us some dances and songs that they have been working on this last semester. Thank you to their class teachers, Mrs Adrienne Cullity and Mrs Gisela Obst for making this event such fun. Afterwards they could be seen enjoying cup cakes and drinks with their Mums and Dads. I would also like to thank Mrs West, Mr Robin Pratt and Mr Tom Saunders for accompanying them.

The students from Reception to Year 7 have also enjoyed the Music Is Fun band who come and entertain us each year and provide valuable educational fun and frivolity. The Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Players and Vocal Ensemble entertained guests at the opening of the R-12 Art Exhibition and were very enjoyable and added to the occasion. Thank you to everyone involved.

The Year 11 and 12 Music students are finishing off their exams as this goes to press and I would like to thank them for all their input into the various Assemblies – large and small. They always support these events with musical excellence along with Mr Adam Hooper and Mrs Lauren Vilanova. Events Coming Up• End of Year JS Mass (with string players) Friday 26 November 7.00pm• Guitar Concert Wednesday 1 December 1 in Drama Room

Celine Beaton-SmithMusic Coordinator

Finance News

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mercedes College families for their support and commitment throughout the year.

Please note the College has cash flow commitments and is therefore reliant upon families paying their fees as they fall due. As such if a written agreement for extended payment terms is not in place, please ensure payment in full is made by Friday 3 December 2010.

Where families face genuine difficulty, the College has limited capacity to enter into arrangements allowing extra time for payment to be made. Please contact the College immediately if you are unable to clear the fee account by Friday 3 December 2010.

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For families who meet their fee commitment by direct debit, payments will continue to be processed electronically during the holiday period if the authority does not have an expiry date. Please ensure periodic payments clear the account balance by Friday 31 December 2010.

The Finance Office will be closed from Friday 17 December 2010 to Monday 3 January 2010. Staff will be available at any other time during the holiday break.

We wish all the Mercedes College Community a Safe and Happy Festive Season and Best Wishes for the New Year.

Heather BurnsOn behalf of:

Mercedes College Finance Staff

School Fee Accounts: Heather Burns 8372 3221 hburns@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au

Accountant: Craig Tilbrook 8372 3226 ctilbrook@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au

Business Manager: Steve Bowley 8372 3222 sbowley@mercedes.adl.catholic.edu.au

Family Matters

Sleep StudyDuring 2009, Ms. Rebecca Tremaine a Masters in Psychology candidate from the University of SA, conducted a research project on adolescent sleep patterns, in which students from Years 6 and 9 participated. Sixty-six students in total were required to wear actigraphy monitors -small wrist-worn movement monitors that record for extended periods without interfering with the sleep routine and to keep a sleep diary for a period of one week, in order to obtain measures of sleep onset, wake time, wake after sleep onset, and total sleep time. Rebecca has recently published her research findings in the “Sleep and Biological Rhythms” journal and her major findings included:

Less than the recommended (9–11 hrs) amounts of sleep were obtained throughout the week and all participants underestimated the duration of their night time waking. It is generally recommended that children (11–12 years) sleep for 10–11 hours per night and adolescents for 9–10 hours. Children in this study reported an average of 9.18 hours sleep per night, but actigraphy results indicated they slept for only 7.97 hours. Adolescents reported 7.84 hours sleep per night, over an hour more than was recorded via actigraphy.

Children went to sleep significantly earlier and obtained more sleep than adolescents.

Sleep onset and wake time were significantly later on weekends than school days for both age groups.

No significant gender differences were found for any objectively measured sleep parameter.

A significant difference was found between diary and actigraphy scores for all variables except children’s sleep onset.

Overall, children and adolescents overestimated their total sleep time by approximately one hour, primarily through an under

appreciation of night time awakenings.

Male adolescents woke later than male children, while female adolescents woke earlier than female children.

Sleep onset differed for males and females depending on whether it was a school night or weekend. On both school nights and weekends males went to sleep later than females. Both genders went to sleep later on weekends than during the week, but this difference was greater for males.

Children woke under an hour later on weekends than school days, but for adolescents, wake time was over 100 min later on weekends than school days.

Adolescents had significantly different diary and actigraphy scores for sleep onset (all days), but children’s sleep onset times did not differ significantly between diary and actigraphy.

Rebecca concluded that:Students may not be obtaining their recommended daily sleep quota. This is concerning as research has documented impaired daytime functioning and school performance in children and adolescents who obtain insufficient sleep.

As expected, due to biological changes as well as reduced parental regulation and increased academic, sport, work and social commitments in adolescence, age had significant effects on sleep: children went to sleep earlier, woke later on school days but earlier on weekends, and obtained more sleep than adolescents.

If adolescents are consistently getting less than 9 hours sleep, they may be chronically sleep-deprived.

Our gratitude is extended to those students who participated in this important research.

Anne WayCollege Psychologist

News From the MP&FA

The MP&FA have been busy in lots of areas of the College including hosting the new parents for the Induction Day Morning Tea.

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 9

Jenny DunstanChairperson, MP&FA

jen.dunstan@internode.on.net 0414 860 400

News From The Sports Desk8-12 Girls Sport ReportOn Thursday 4 November the Year 8/9 Softball team played their first round Knockout match against Aberfoyle Park at Waite Oval. Elizabeth Ward won the toss for Mercedes and sent us into

field first. Aberfoyle began well and scored three early runs before the girls had time to switch on. Mercedes replied well when it was their turn to bat putting on five runs in the first innings, including three runs which were scored from Elizabeth Ward’s home run over centre field.

The second innings was very similar to the first with Aberfoyle once again scoring 3 runs. Mercedes, however, were beginning to look very strong in the batting department with some good, safe outfield hits and runs scored this time from a home run from Sarah Reynolds.

The third innings saw Mercedes working well in the field and as a result the outs came very quickly with Aberfoyle scoring only one run this time at bat. Time was running out but Mercedes had one more turn at bat before the game could finish. The girls knew that they were in a winning position but were spurred on to try to score as many runs as they possibly could. In the end Mercedes won 14-7.

The team will now travel to Softball Headquarters at West Beach to compete in the finals. There are six teams competing in all and Mercedes will be playing Henley and Moonta in Pool B to begin. This will be followed by cross-over games and finals.

I would like to thank Mr Alex Massy-Gartly and Amber Gillespie for their help in coaching the team.

The team consists of the following players: Madeline Coats, Laura D’Antuono, Georgia Edwards, Celina Feleppa, Melissa Hale, Georgia Kranz, Jess Morgan, Georgia Raphael, Sarah Reynolds, Olivia Robertson, Grace Ryan, Elizabeth Ward, Claudia Watson and Maddy Westover.

Term 3 sport is rapidly coming to an end and Sports Nomination Forms for 2011 have been distributed. I would ask that all parents take the opportunity to peruse the form with their daughters to ensure the choices made are achievable and that a good balance is struck between the commitment required of College Sport and other activities and study that is happening in your daughter’s life.

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

Jackie Kerr8-12 Girls Sport Coordinator

Girls Sports Results for Weeks 3 and 4 Cross Country ReportCross Country Running: 50km Relay ResultsThis was another very successful day in what has been an amazingly blessed year of fantastic results.

One should never be complacent about these successes, as it was only four years ago that Pembroke were the dominant force with us chasing them. This year it has been St Ignatius, Westminster and an improving Pembroke chasing us. Still with team and individual successes at the SSSSA and ASA Championships; the 100km Relay, Ekiden Relay and ISSA Relays; seven state representatives; a World Championship Medalist (Eleanor Wardleworth), Intercollegiate success in both the Boys and Girls Divisions as highlights up until this Relay in 2010, Mercedes has maintained its top state ranking for another year. On Friday 12 November, four teams represented Mercedes College in the Secondary School Sport SA 50km Relay Championship.Results were as follows:

Year 8s 2nd (3:21.14) in a very close tussle with Westminster College (3:21.03) only being passed in the last 200 metres of this long race. Both teams were winners here in their sportsmanship and the manner in which they fought out this relay. Throughout this race the lead continuously changed ending in an exciting last leg climax. Mercedes College Year 8 team members were Hugh Haysman, Harry Davies, Sarah Reynolds, Lachlan McNamara, Georgia Krantz with Patrick Praschifka and Pran Gabrynowicz as pacers. Year 9s 2nd (3:18.02) going down narrowly by 3 minutes, in a brave perefomance to Pembroke.

Team members were Matt Rolla, Ed Cronin, Laura Teicher, Luke Heaslip and Koko Prideaux along with Maurice Shanahan and Tara Liciardi (pacers). Year 10s (3:09.48) 1st by 7 minutes from St Ignatius College. This team along with the Open Team ran so “fast” that the accompanying team support vehicles had trouble keeping up travelling via streets while the runners sped along the Torrens Linear Park trials course.

Basketball Week 3

Senior A Blue Mercedes 1 (20) def Mercedes 2 (0) Forfeit

Junior A/B Blue St Michael’s 1 (27) def Mercedes 1 (26)

Junior B Red Mercedes 2 (25) def Nazareth 2 (8)

Volleyball

Senior A/B Red Mercedes 2 (3) def Mercedes 1 (1)

Senior B/C Green OLSH 2 (2) def Mercedes 3 (2) Lost on count back

Junior A Blue Marryatville 1 (4) def Mercedes 1 (0)

Cabra 1 (4) def Mercedes 2 (0)

Junior B Red Mercedes 3 (3) def St Ignatius 2 (0)

Mercedes 4 (3) def Marryatville 2 (0)

Junior B/C Green Mercedes 5 (2) def St Dominic’s 2 (2) won on count back

Softball

Junior Gold Mercedes 1 (12) def St Ignatius 2 (9)

Junior Green Loreto 1 (11) def Mercedes 2 (4)

Beach Volleyball

Tuesday Nazareth 2 (2) def Mercedes 1 (1)

Mercedes 2 (2) def Loreto 1 (1)

Wednesday Loreto 3 (2) def Mercedes 1 (1)

Loreto1 (3) def Mercedes 2 (0)

Water Polo

Senior Mercedes (9) def St Peter’s 2 (1)

Junior St Dominic’s 1 (9) def Mercedes (5)

Basketball Week 4

Senior A Blue Mercedes 1 (51) def St Michael’s 1 (32)

Mercedes 2 (18) drew St Michael’s 2 (18)

Junior A/B Blue Mercedes 1 (27) def Nazareth 1 (26)

Junior B Red St Ignatius 1 (69) def Mercedes 2 (10)

Volleyball

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

Mercedes 2 - BYE

Senior B/C Green Mercedes 3 (2) def St Ignatius 2 (1)

Junior A Blue Mercedes 1 (3) def St Ignatius 1 (0)

Mercedes 2 (3) def Marryatville 1 (0)

Junior B Red Mercedes 3 (2) def Cabra 2 (1)

Mercedes 4 (3) def St Ignatius 2 (0)

Junior B/C Green OLSH 4 (2) def Mercedes 5 (1)

Softball

Junior Gold Mercedes 1 (9) def St Ignatius 1 (4)

Junior Green Mercedes 2 (15) def St Ignatius 2 (6)

Beach Volleyball

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

Mercedes 2 (2) def Loreto 2 (1)

Wednesday Loreto 2 (2) def Mercedes 1 (1)

SAC 1 (3) def Mercedes 2 (0)

Water Polo

Senior Mercedes (13) def Marryatville (0)

Junior BYE

Mercedes College Newsletter Page 11

Successful Year 10 team members were: Damien Quick, Fergal Banks, Charlotte Venn, Lachlan Merrigan and Georgia Hughes, along with pacers Tom Snelling and Maddy Favilla. The Open (Year 11/12) Mercedes team of Luke Crocker, Harrison Hughes, Eleanor Wardleworth, Alexander Praschifka and Ruby Hume along with pacers James Venn and Luke Edwards ran the fastest time of the day finishing comfortably ahead of second placed St John’s College in 3:00:23. The scary thing here for other competitors is that only one of this team was a Year 12 making all of the other team members and the Year 10s eligible for their team next year. I feel it important to say that the success of these teams is a team effort of all involved in this sport; all cross country runners, their parents, staff and administration who support us in various ways. I thank all of you for your contributions for Cross Country’s fantastic results in 2010. Lastly, my apologies for missing Sophie Browne’s fantastic debut performance winning the U14 Girls Pole Vault with a jump of 1.45 m at the recent All Schools Athletics Invitational. I somehow think we will hear more of Sophie’s Pole Vault exploits in future years. Congratulations!

Gary ZeunerCross Country Coordinator

1st XI Cricket ReportThe start to the 2010-11 season has been a difficult one for the 1st XI Cricket side, although there are still many positives shining through. Below is a summary of the matches so far: Scotch 159 d Mercedes 154A tense match. Scotch batted first and were in desperate trouble at 7/50, but a brilliant innings from one of their lower order batsmen helped recover their total to a very good 159. The game looked over when Mercedes was a miserable 6/27 in reply, but determined knocks from Nicholas Maegraith (46), Harrison Hughes (21), Jake Cavanagh (28) and Lachlan Raffen (24 not out) took us to within six runs of victory. The boys can be proud of the manner in which they accepted the defeat, given the questionable bowling tactics of Scotch towards the end of the match.

St Peter’s 6/156 d Mercedes 5/100It was a pleasure to move away from the inconsistent Waite Oval and play on the Main Oval at St Peter’s College in this Twenty/20 clash. Against one of the top cricketing colleges in the state, we played well against some class players. Thomas Maegraith (32) and Jake Cavanagh (20 not out) were the stars with the bat, while Henry Jones (3/26) was brilliant early with the ball. Unley High 6/138 d Mercedes 7/119Against another quality side, this Twenty/20 match was more evenly matched. Led by Harin Cooray’s off spin (3/26), we kept Unley to a reachable target on the smallish Kingswood Oval. Our innings started slowly, and despite the best efforts of Jones (31 from 19 balls) and Raffen (26 not out from 16 balls), we fell 20 runs short. Blackfriars 5/163 d Mercedes 8/156Having beaten Blackfriars in the previous season, we felt confident heading into this match. Blackfriars won the toss and batted exceptionally well, reaching an imposing 5/163 after their 40 overs. In reply, we batted slowly, reaching 1/18 after 10 overs. With wickets in hand the run rate lifted, with Ross Pickering (27) finding some form. Raffen again batted superbly, scoring 32 not out from 26 balls, but it was not enough, and we fell short again by just eight runs.Leading Run Scorers82 Lachlan Raffen75 Thomas Maegraith61 Nicholas Maegraith Leading Wicket Takers12 Luke Crocker7 Henry Jones6 James Venn Our final match this year is against Prince Alfred College’s 2nd XI on Saturday 27 November, and the side will be extremely keen to farewell skipper Henry Jones and fellow Year 12 Harrison Hughes in fine form with our first win for the season.

Jarrad McCabe1st XI Coach