Mercedes College is a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition. Our Aims are embodied in fundamental Catholic principles and beliefs. We aspire to realise the potential of all young people who are enrolled at Mercedes College, and educate them to be the best person they can be - intellectually, spiritually and socially. Our students take pride in being members of our thriving community.
Middle School
Information and advice about subject choices, tertiary options and careers is available in a range of ways at Mercedes College but is primarily the responsibility of the Careers and Subject Counsellor. In the Middle School, students are involved in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and complete a number of compulsory core subjects. Their subject choices are limited to a range of electives such as Music, Film, STEP (Student Extension Programme), Art and Design. Subject teachers and home group tutors assist with this process and students can consult with the Careers Counsellor.
Senior School
In Year 10, the process of subject selection and the close consultation regarding tertiary options and career choices begins in earnest. All students in Year 10 complete the Personal Learning Plan, a compulsory requirement of the SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) as part of their Year 10 studies. Each school in South Australia designs its own Personal Learning Programme which must be approved by the SACE Board. At Mercedes College, our programme has been designed by the Careers Counsellor and involves a range of tasks and experiences to (i) identify students’ skills and abilities; (ii) analyse and develop their learning strengths; (iii) educate and inform students about the process of subject selection in Years 11 and 12; and (iv) experience the world of work though research and through a work experience placement and mock interview process.
In Year 11, students are closely involved with the Careers Counsellor in selecting and, if appropriate, changing subjects or courses and in organising a second work experience placement.
In Year 12, the students consult with the Careers Counsellor in relation to the requirements of tertiary study. The Counsellor organises guest speakers from various tertiary institutions to present information sessions as part of the Growth and Pastoral Care Programme and provides guidance to students when they are required to record their preferences for tertiary study through SATAC (the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre). Students and their parents can organise individual interviews with the Careers Counsellor at any time throughout the year to discuss and/or explore tertiary and career options.
Students at Mercedes are able to study VET courses externally and incorporate those courses into their SACE allowing them to achieve national competencies as well as SACE credits. We access courses from a wide range of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) but maintain a close working relationship with the Inner South Curriculum Alliance as well as TAFE SA.
In Semester 1 2019, the courses currently being undertaken by some of our students in Year 11 and Year 12 are:
As part of the Catholic Education SA STEM Learning Initiative, STEM vocational pathways have been included under the Students tab for all VET courses listed in the CESA Directory. Links take readers to Training.gov.au which is the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia. The website contains detailed information about Registered Training Organisations (RTO) and Accredited courses. Contact the VET and Careers Coordinators at your schools for further information.
