MECS Senior School is committed to ensuring that all learning is related to our Christian faith. Our hope is that our students graduate from MECS with a biblical worldview that helps them to thrive in their future learning and work environments. By helping students develop an understanding into the way their learning and unique gift mix fits into God's story, we help them prepare for their tertiary education and future work-life choices. We also put great effort into helping our students constructively critique the culture in which they live in. All Year 11 and 12 students participate in classes called "Faith in Action" and "Philosophy of Ideas", where they are encouraged to wrestle with the bigger questions of life. Helping students to feel a great sense of belonging and community is also equally as important. Students engage in cross-age pastoral care classes each morning, allowing them to connect and grow together spiritually and personally.
Our Senior School 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.
Our motto is ‘Faithful Learning, Faithful Living’. Students are encouraged to take their learning commitments seriously- not to live just for themselves, but to be faithful to the bigger picture that God has. Faithful living is deeply intertwined with the notion of faithful learning; it encourages the outworking of faith in the day-to-day experience of school.
We are committed to teaching and supporting each student in meeting their educational goals, through a Christian perspective and modelling Christ-centred values.
We strive to create an environment where students feel they belong and are recognised for their unique, God-given gifts. On the brink of adulthood, students are encouraged to take more responsibility for their own learning whilst receiving teacher encouragement to reach their potential. Our teachers listen to their ideas, guide them in their decisions and encourage them toward positive life choices.
The Year 10 program is designed to be a springboard into Years 11 and 12. At MECS, students have the opportunity to fast track a VCE or VETiS (VET in Schools) subject. They can also choose streamed Mathematics/cience classes and opt to continue their studies in Indonesian. The Year 10 program also includes Career Development classes, Work Experience, university visits, and a camp with an indigenous immersion focus.
For many students, Year 11 is the real beginning to VCE and a significant step up in their educational journey. The Year 11 Formal in Term 4 is a highlight for students, as they prepare for it with professional dance lessons in Term 3. Another highlight is the Year 11 Adventure Day, which involves a high ropes course and cable wakeboarding.
Students commence their final year of school with a Study Skills Day. This day is full of fun bonding opportunities where students learn about effective study skills, time management skills and exam techniques. The year finishes with two significant highlights: the Year 12 Muckeration Day (a school-wide celebration of the Year 12s finishing their formal schooling) and the Year 12 Graduation Dinner, which is celebrated with family, friends and teaching staff.
MECS Senior School students have access to career support services such as:
We take a biblical approach to our curriculum at MECS. We seek to understand how our learning fits within God’s story, and how God’s story speaks into learning, whilst meeting outcomes for the Victorian Curriculum (Year 10) and the VCAA Study Designs (VCE).
Year 10 subjects: 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.
Electives Subjects available to Year 10 students: 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.
VCE subjects available at Year 10: 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 dependant on the timetable set for that year).
VCE subjects available for Year 11 and 12:. Biology Units 1 & 2, 3 & 4. Business Management Units 1 & 2, 3 & 4. Chemistry Units 1 & 2, 3 & 4. English Units 1 & 2, 3 & 4. Health & Human Development Units 1 & 2, 3 & 4. History Units 1 & 2, 3 & 4. Legal studies Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Literature Unit 3 & 4, Mathematics (General & Further) Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Mathematical Methods Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Music Performance (VCE VET) Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Philosophy of Ideas (non VCE), Physical Education Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Physics Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Psychology Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Philosophy Units 2, 3 & 4, Studio Arts Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Visual Communication Design Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, VCE Options at External Schools.
Vocational Major/ Victorian Pathways Certificate: 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.
In the Senior School, Year 10 and 11 students are provided with their own laptop. Students in Year 12 are able to choose to bring their own device (BYOD) or use the laptops available in the Senior School (offered at a 1:1 ratio). These laptops are the property of the school, and are serviced and maintained by MECS IT staff.
Mobile phones are not permitted to be used during class, break times or in the Study Centre without express permission given by a teacher.
The Senior School uses Schoolbox as their Learning Management System (LMS). Students access Schoolbox for Flipped Learning Classes (Online Lessons), class materials, submission of some assessments and online class discussions. To further support students in their online learning, VCE students will also have access to Edrolo. This online program supports learning with clear VCAA content, video tutorials, progression tests, practice exams and allows students to keep track of their understanding throughout the school year.
Students have the opportunity to represent MECS at interschool sports, such as:
We have an instrumental program, band and ensemble opportunities, and a biennial secondary musical/drama production. Instrumental students have the opportunity to perform at music recitals, which is widely supported by the school community. Students involved in the Secondary Band rehearse during lunchtimes, and then perform at assemblies, productions, musical evenings and community events such as Open Days.
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.