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Secondary at MECS
We understand that education is much more than the passing on of knowledge – it is about helping our students become life-long learners. By creating opportunities for students to explore who they are and how they learn best in an innovative and challenging environment, we aim to develop their understanding of the way they learn and view the world around them.
The transition from childhood to adulthood in Years 7-9 is an exhilarating and demanding period and we accompany your child on this journey. During this time, students experience a surge in creativity, energy, and curiosity, which we aim to harness by making learning engaging and enjoyable. Our approach involves offering students diverse opportunities to apply and showcase their understanding and skills while nurturing their individual talents. Our learning focus emphasises tailoring the curriculum to students’ interests and passions through an extensive selection of electives.
As students move into Years 10-12, we begin to focus on preparing our young adults for their futures beyond school. The curriculum and environment offers a supported foundation for our students as they embark on their future beyond school. Throughout this process, students holistically develop academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically by engaging in school life. Our objective is to support students in fostering their character, faith, and learning.
Senior Pathways
Our Secondary offers a wide range of VCE subjects with smaller class sizes, tailored to student interests. Students who desire to study subjects outside of our offerings are able to do that through Virtual Schools Victoria. Students will be able to choose between the VCE and the new VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM). Vocational and applied learning (VAL) is deeply embedded into the VCE VM stream. Students will be able to apply skills and knowledge in practical settings (delivered at our Ranges TEC campus).
We also offer a wide range of VCE subjects with smaller class sizes, tailored to student interests. Students who desire to study subjects outside of our offerings are able to do that through Virtual Schools Victoria. Students can also choose to study any VET in Schools course desired as part of VCE. Students in Years 10-12 are provided in depth career support services to provide support and guidance as they prepare for their pathway beyond MECS.
Enrichment and Support for Secondary Students
At MECS we nurture diversity and shape education to allow everyone to experience the rich joy of learning well. Our Education Support team offers a range of options to build on individualised student learning which includes targeted small group activities for students who require additional support in their learning, or who require extension and enrichment in particular subject areas.
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Junior Secondary Curriculum
In Years 7 – 9, we understand that education is much more than the passing on of knowledge – it is about helping the students become well rounded, life-long learners. We provide students the opportunity to explore who they are and how they learn best in an innovative and challenging environment. Teaching and learning in these year levels takes into account the unique stage of our learners, while seeking to broaden their knowledge, skills, and opportunities.
In Year 7, through the CS curriculum, students will do extensive studies in History and Culture, and how these have influenced our lives and identities in the present. Highlights for students during Year 7 include the Term 1 Activity Week, the Special Week in Term 3 which celebrates cultural diversity, and the end of year Adventure camp.
The Year 8 curriculum challenges students to look beyond themselves through studies on Environmental Stewardship, Community Service and Global Issues. Highlights for students during Year 8 include the Girls/Boys Health camps, the Global Issues Expo and the Wilson’s Promontory hiking camp.
In Year 7, through the CS curriculum, students will do extensive studies in History and Culture, and how these have influenced our lives and identities in the present. Highlights for students during Year 7 include the Term 1 Activity Week, the Special Week in Term 3 which celebrates cultural diversity, and the end of year Adventure camp.
The Year 8 curriculum challenges students to look beyond themselves through studies on Environmental Stewardship, Community Service and Global Issues. Highlights for students during Year 8 include the Girls/Boys Health camps, the Global Issues Expo and the Wilson’s Promontory hiking camp.
As students progress through the Junior Secondary, we acknowledge that they are of an age when they are beginning to make decisions regarding future pathways. The subject offering is designed to provide students with a range of learning opportunities. In Years 7 and 8, all students participate in Rotations. Rotations are smaller classes that rotate through four learning areas at each Year level. While offerings can change slightly from year to year, they usually cover areas such as Digital Technology, Wood Technology, Food Technology, Visual Communication and Design, Horticulture, STEM, Textiles, and Media Studies. In Year 9, students have the opportunity to do a number of electives chosen from a wide range of areas including Music, Art, Drama, Indonesian, Business Studies, Digital Technology, Wood Technology, Food Technology, Horticulture, STEM, and Textiles.
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Senior Secondary Curriculum
Senior Secondary at MECS is a great place to complete the final years of schooling and be challenged in your worldview thinking. We aim to help students develop an understanding of the way their learning and unique gift mix fits into God’s story and in turn help them prepare for their tertiary education and future work-life choices.
Our Senior Secondary offers a wide range of VCE subjects with smaller class sizes, tailored to student interests. Students who desire to study subjects outside of our offerings are able to do that through Virtual Schools Victoria. Students can also choose to study any VET in Schools course desired as part of VCE. Please note: From 2023 onward, the VCE – Vocational Major and the Victorian Pathways Certificate will be replacing the VCAL program. Both of these applied learning programs will be delivered at our Ranges TEC campus.
Cultural Studies (including Aboriginal Studies), English, Health & Physical Education, Mathematics, Sport, Science, Careers, VCE or VET Subjects (Students must apply for these options), two further Electives per semester.
Food Technology, Design Technology – Wood, Fine Art, Horticulture, Drama, Digital Technology and Robotics, Visual communication and Design, Indonesian, Design Technology – Textiles, Business, Justices and Entrepreneurship, Sport Science, STEM, and Music.
Psychology Units 1 & 2
Health and Human Development Units 1 & 2
General Maths 1 & 2
VET Music Units 1 & 2.
(Please note that this is subject to change on a yearly basis as availability is dependent on the timetable set for that year).
VCE options delivered via Virtual Schools Victoria (remote learning)
VET options delivered at external schools
Victorian School of Languages (VSL) options delivered remotely
Previously this was known as the VCAL program. From 2023 onwards the Vocational Major program and the Victorian Pathways Certificate will be delivered at our Ranges TEC campus.
MECS Year 10 – 11 students have access to career support services such as:
- Individual career counselling which may include consultation with parents both during and outside school hours
- The opportunity to explore subject choices, learn study skills and make achievable long and short term goals, so that they can make informed choices about their next step after they graduate
- Year 10 visits to Tertiary Institutions
Individual personality and career assessment - Work Experience opportunities for Years 10 and 11 students
- Individual counselling and information sessions for all Year 12 students in post-school options such as tertiary study, employment and assistance with tertiary applications
- A regular Careers Newsletter that features Open Day dates for all Victorian tertiary providers, updates from tertiary institutions and notices regarding career development activities and seminars
- Access to hard copy resources from the Careers Corridor in the Study Centre, including University and TAFE course guides, pamphlets on a wide range of careers, VTAC publications, Gap Year options, scholarship information and more
We encourage you to check out our helpful careers website www.mecscareers.com
There is a range of Student Leadership opportunities available to students in the Senior School. Students may volunteer or be nominated by staff for the formal ‘Student Leadership Team’ who have a particular focus on culture and community within the school. Student leaders attend leadership camps and workshops to develop their leadership skills. They also choose to participate in the Worship Band, various event organising committees, or captain sports teams. Senior School student leaders are elected by staff annually. These leaders are responsible for running assemblies, making speeches at key events, liaising between staff and students, exemplifying the behavioural values of the school and encouraging the Senior School students.
Other Info
Publications
Our School Handbooks are available for download and contains additional information regarding our School and our approach to learning.