YEAR 8 CAMPUS NEWS

THE LATEST NEWS AT MERCY...

This month’s newsletter article is heavily weighted towards the 2019 Year 8 Camp that visited the Grampians from May 13 to 17. With 189 students and staff piling into our transport on the Monday morning, even the most optimistic of us couldn’t have predicted the fantastic experience that awaited us in the week to come. Everything ran like clockwork. We had beautiful weather and the students spent the week free from illness and injury. Well done to all for prioritising their safety and wellbeing over the course of the week. 

This allowed all the students to really challenge themselves and overcome obstacles that they previously may have thought were insurmountable. The theme of having a 'Growth Mindset' consistently came through in all the activities and the students reached this target in an admirable fashion. Camps such as this don’t happen without the dedication of many staff as well as our parent volunteers this year. We heartily thank Peter Zappia, Megan Fotheringham and Anne Petrucci for their work to make this year’s camp such a great experience for all.

At the start of May, the 2019 Human Powered Vehicle team competed in their first event at Loxton in the Riverland. This event was the first proper experience for our Year 8 students concerning the Human Powered Vehicle concept and everything that it entails. From an early and slightly fresh 6.45am start at the Mercy Campus, two teams of racers travelled over the border and put their best foot forward over the six hours of competition.

Our newest vehicle, the Mallee Missile, competed very well over the first five hours before some mechanical problems brought a premature end to the day. The original vehicle, Genesis, maintained a steady pace throughout the day and gave all of our new competitors valuable experience as they raced against 119 other vehicles.

The team’s next race is in Adelaide at the Powerloop 500 circuit near the heart of the city on the weekend of July 27 and 28. We encourage new students to get involved with the program. Please let Mr Parker know if you are interested.

Last, but definitely not least, Mrs Dixon has launched the STRONG program for our female students at the Mercy Campus. Running during lunchtimes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the female cohort have the opportunity to participate in a range of physical, mindfulness and confidence-building activities each week. The response from the female students of the Mercy Campus has been fantastic and I look forward to seeing this program grow over the remainder of the year.

Mr Marcus Parker

Head of Mercy Campus