Mercedes College, Springfield has been named the winner of the StudyTravel Secondary Schools Award – Australia and New Zealand for the second year running.
The 2022 international award went to Mercedes primarily for its International Student Programme, after having won it for 2020/21.
The StudyTravel Star Awards, now in their 16th year, are an initiative of UK based ‘StudyTravel’ magazine, which is read by over 22,000 Education Agents in almost 130 countries.
The unique, partner-voted awards bring the global study travel industry together to celebrate excellence in service in the international education industry, with the winners announced at a gala dinner in London.
The awards span several sections, including Secondary Schools, with 13 categories in North America, Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia & New Zealand, Latin America and Asia.
Mercedes College was nominated among a field of outstanding schools from Australia & New Zealand, including other finalists Geelong Grammar School (Aus), Pakuranga College (NZ) and Sacred Heart College Auckland (NZ).
Mercedes College is the first and only Australian school to have won this award.
Staff in the Mercedes College International Student Programme, now in its 54th year, work in partnership with over 120 education agents in a wide range of countries and continents.
“This award is based on the votes of education agents from across the globe, and we are very proud to have this recognition of our world class opportunities,” said Andrew Balkwill, Principal, Mercedes College.
“While nominating and voting, agents consider a variety of aspects about the schools in relation to the international education industry, such as student welfare, student academic results, marketing and agent liaison, and overall professionalism and reliability of the school.”
Leeanne Moriarty, the College’s Manager of International Marketing and Enrolments, International Student Programme said Mercedes is being promoted in other countries as an ultimate international education destination.
“Over the recent school holidays, our Principal Andrew Balkwill joined the International Student Programme (ISP) team on his first international trip to promote Mercedes College as a global education destination.”
“Visiting Ho Chi Min City and Hanoi in Vietnam, our team met with Vietnamese school Education Agents about our ISP and the benefits of learning at Mercedes College, as well as briefing the Australian Trade Commission about our experiences hosting international students here in Adelaide. At an education fair, they spoke with many people about the option of studying in Australia, and why the Mercedes College experience is the way to go,” said Leeanne.
Andrew Balkwill said that in 2023, Mercedes College will host 50 international students from 12 nations through the ISP.
“We look forward to welcoming them to the Mercedes College family; their very presence on campus embodies a true sense of international-mindedness, fostering intercultural interaction, understanding and friendship.”
Mercedes College is one of nine Catholic schools that welcome international students to South Australia with their tailored international student programs.
The CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) registered schools are in metropolitan Adelaide and Mount Gambier, offering both metro and regional options for overseas primary and secondary students to study in South Australian Catholic schools.
See here for the full list of schools and to learn more.
Six South Australian Catholic schools have taken home National Story Awards for their performances at the 2022 National Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival. Wakakirri is Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools with over 180 taking part in 2022.
