About Mercedes
History
Mercedes College is a contemporary school in an historical setting. The property on which the College stands was originally part of Springfield Estate and was sold to Mr John Duncan who built the gracious family home, Strathspey, for his family. Strathspey is now the Reception and administration centre of the College, still surrounded by beautiful gardens and spacious grounds.
In 1927 the property became a residential college for the University of Adelaide, and was re-named St Andrew's College. It proved to be too far from the University and was sold to an Adelaide businessman, Mr F Cornell as a private residence just prior to World War 11. The Cornells restored the house to its original splendour, and established it as an artistic centre; many famous artists, actors and musicians were guests during this period. Following the death of her husband, Mrs Cornell decided to sell the property in the early 1950s.
The property was purchased by the Sisters of Mercy in 1953 and they began building their new school. At this time the Sisters were seeking a new day and boarding school for girls as there was little remaining space at St Aloysius College in the city. Its purchase brought to fruition a dream of finding a healthier and more open environment for the girls. The first day scholars accepted were girls from Year 1 to Year 11 and boys from Year 1 to Year 3. A small number of matriculations boarders went into St Aloysius each day to complete their schooling. A crowd of 5000 people gathered for the laying of the Foundation Stone on 2 August 1953. On 9 February 1954 Mercedes College opened as a day and boarding school with 144 students from grades 1 to 11.
In 1975 the boarding school closed due to economic difficulties and in the following year the school became co-educational. Today Mercedes College remains a Reception to Year 12 co-educational school in the Mercy tradition with 1250 students including 70 international students.
