Welcome to Primary

Where a love for learning is fostered, a sense of awe and wonder is ignited and uniqueness and potential is nurtured. In every single student.

We also have a lot of fun. Think billy cart races, donuts with the Principal and an annual colour run.

Two male junior primary school aged boys climb on playground equipment. They are wearing school polos and smiling at the camera.

Our staff see working at MECS as more than just a job, they are excited to be here and truly find joy in developing students’ growth. Our staff understand the importance of relationships and how children need to feel known and safe before they can learn to the best of their abilities.

Our goal is to encourage our students and families to seek the Kingdom of God in Education. We recognise we are not a Church, but desire to partner with families to support students’ journey to understand their place in the world, as we deliver the Victorian Curriculum.

To keep Christian Education authentic and have an accessible way for our students to remember they are part of God’s plan, is through our Threads; Truth Discerner, Purposeful Learner, Justice Seeker, Awe Dweller, Community Builder, Creation Keeper, and Welcoming Advocate. These threads are embedded into each of our units of work.

We are a school that believes in the importance of hands-on learning, and as they progress through the years, we ensure they have opportunities to action their learning in the real world. We call these formational learning experiences, and some examples of these include raising awareness, and facilitating practical assistance to continually help those in need.

The Primary School has four clusters: Prep, Junior Primary, Middle Primary and Senior Primary. Each has a distinctive flavour related to the development of the child. At all levels, students are challenged and supported to gain mastery of literacy and numeracy skills and to joyfully explore the world through our Core Studies units.

Prep

We believe that young children are natural learners, filled with curiosity and a desire to explore the world around them. Our Prep programme is designed to harness this innate curiosity and build upon the knowledge and skills that students have gained from their early years in the home and kindergarten.

We focus on developing relationships and helping students adjust to school as they embark on their formal education journey. Our program places a strong emphasis on building foundational skills in reading, writing and numeracy, ensuring that every student gets off to a solid start. We use explicit systematic instructional practices for skill development in line with the rest of our school’s academic program, whilst also providing opportunities for students to play and explore their new learning in a developmentally appropriate manner. We aim to empower our students to reach their full potential and become confident, resilient and compassionate individuals.

Two female Prep-aged students are wearing white lab coats and protective eyewear, smiling at the camera.

Junior Primary

We focus on core literacy and numeracy skills, fostering teamwork and addressing individual needs through targeted learning. Students explore God’s world through inquiry-based and structured Core Studies topics, nurturing their curiosity and providing engaging experiences.

In our Then and Now Core Studies unit, students explore how life has changed across generations, comparing aspects such as schooling, toys, technology and transport. Rooted in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”, this unit invites students to reflect on God’s unchanging nature amidst a changing world. As Awe Dwellers, students marvel at the creativity and resilience of people in the past, recognising beauty in both simplicity and progress. A visit to Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead brings history to life, allowing students to step back in time and experience early Australian life firsthand. Through inquiry, discussion and reflective writing, students develop empathy, curiosity and a deeper appreciation for God’s ongoing story through time.

Two female Junior Primary students are standing next to each other, smiling at the camera. The student on the left has her arm around the other students shoulder.

Middle Primary

We provide clear structure that guide students while they choose suitable settings within an adaptable learning environment accomodating diverse learning styles. Emphasis is placed on environmental care, community and personal growth.

Our Community: Our Stories unit explores how students can embody being a Community Builder by engaging in activities that foster classroom relationships, connection, and mutual support, grounded in the message of Romans 12:9–10. Students explore the history of the Wurundjeri people and the settlement of Melbourne to understand how learning from the past can guide better choices for the future. Community connections are strengthened through visits to the Yarra Ranges Museum and Mount Evelyn RSL, and through environmental action with the local council, encouraging students to actively contribute to and care for their community.

Two female Middle Primary students are walking across a balancing beam activity. One student is on the equipment and one is on the ground providing stability and support.

Senior Primary

We promote responsibility, maturity and individuality, encouraging students to recognise their unique learning styles and strengths. Our curriculum offers varied opportunities for students to use their God given gifts and provide opportunities for them to learn how to live actively for God as local and global citizens to build His Kingdom.

Our students explore Australia’s States and Territories through our unit Under the Southern Cross. They gain geographical and factual knowledge about their place in the world and learn how to live as active citizens, building God’s Kingdom with purpose. This journey nurtures their role as Creation Keepers, caring for God’s world, and as Justice Seekers, understanding fairness and responsibility in community life.

While our Year 6 students prepare to transition to Secondary in Term 4, our Year 5 students prepare for and host a vibrant Christmas Market. This experience encourages them to innovate, create, and steward resources wisely, not for self-gain, but to love their neighbour and honour God. It’s a practical way to live out their calling as Community Builders, fostering generosity and connection to our local community.

Two male Senior Primary students are working at a desk. They are smiling, looking down at the robotic device on the table.

Student Leadership

Senior Primary students are eager to serve as role models to younger primary students through our Buddies program. Year 6 students mentor and support the Preps through both academic and social activities. Leadership opportunities include Year 6 students emceeing our Get Togethers (fortnightly assemblies), leading our younger students in song and dance, assisting whole school events such as Cross Country and Athletic Carnivals, being welcoming advocates to visiting staff, and contributing to the life of our wider MECS community.

4 students casually walking down pathway. From left to right, there is a young Junior Primary female student, an older Senior Primary male student, an older Senior Primary female student and then a young Junior Primary male student.

Student Services

Wellbeing

We are committed to fostering an atmosphere where every student feels a sense of belonging, recognises their identity as an image-bearer of Christ, and is empowered to find their God-given purpose. We recognise that student wellbeing impacts each of these areas and therefore seek to build resilience, foster positive relationships and provide support and guidance.

Teachers take the time to get to know students, understanding their passions, learning styles, strengths, weaknesses and motivations. Students subsequently feel valued for who they are and safe to be themselves at school, to take risks in their learning and to stand for the values that MECS and their parents instill in them. Parents play a pivotal role as part of this relational community, partnering with MECS staff and through aspects that include encouraging their children to embrace challenges, take risks, work with teachers on social, emotional and academic goals and supporting age-appropriate boundaries and expectations.

Student wellbeing is supported through a Student Wellbeing Coordinator in Primary and by Student Wellbeing Officers in Secondary, who work closely with the school counsellor, coordinators, teachers and other support staff.

Learning Support

We recognise that learning is not one-size-fits-all, and part of our role is to identify and respond to any barriers that may impact a student’s learning journey.

Our Learning Support team works collaboratively with students, families, teachers, and wellbeing staff to create reasonable adjustments and set achievable goals that foster growth; both academically and personally. We offer a range of targeted interventions designed to support students as they progress towards their full potential.

We value our partnership with parents and carers and see this as vital in the long-term development of each child. With a holistic approach, Learning Support at MECS continually monitors both learning and wellbeing, ensuring that every student is known, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Cultural Liaison

Our Cultural Liaison Team strives to offer a warm welcome and bridge the gap between school and home for families in our community from a diverse cultural and linguistic background. We are committed to being welcoming advocates for our English as an Additional Language (EAL) students, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and included in every aspect of school life.

We offer translation and interpreting support to parents and caregivers around school administration matters; learning and partnership conversations between teachers and school leaders and parents.

Through inclusive classroom programs and a wide range of effective teaching strategies, we cater to students at all stages of English language development. In our Primary School, students benefit from our dedicated EAL Literacy Enrichment Program, which complements classroom learning and provides targeted support to help learners grow confidently in their English literacy skills. EAL Intervention is provided in the Secondary School in Years 7-9. Students are assessed on their language competency and appropriate small-group intervention provided in year level groupings. Students are guided and supported in their English studies.

We are proud to nurture a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. We recognise God’s love for all people from every tribe and tongue and the heartbeat of the gospel to see all people experience the transformational story of the gospel and know God’s grace, forgiveness, love and hope.