Editorial

MECS is a community that has a strong Dutch heritage. In the Netherlands, Christian Education was offered by the government to parents as an alternative for Christian families. When Dutch migrants came to Australia in the 1950's and 1960’s, they realised there was a need for Christian schools here and they got to work starting Christian schools across Australia. MECS was largely started by a group of these Dutch migrants who were attending the Mount Evelyn Reformed Church at the time. Many years of fundraising happened before our current York Road property was purchased. Two of our founders were bidding at the land auction, the price went above the funds they had raised, so they used their own money to bid higher and secure the property! They were that convinced that this property was in God’s plan for a Christian school in Mount Evelyn. Many of our founders were not even sure if their own children would get to attend MECS, but this did not deter their commitment to having Christian Education for (hopefully) their children, and for future generations.  

Today MECS is a much bigger school, with wonderful facilities, but the heart and vision remains the same. The commitment to faithful Christian Education and a bible based Christian curriculum has endured for 52 years. What a legacy! 

Our Vision is to Seek the Kingdom of God in education and our Mission is to: 

Provide Parent-governed, Christ-centred schooling with learning experiences that challenge each student to actively live for God in His world, while partnering with Christian parents in the nurture of their children. 

It’s a fine balance to maintain affordable fees and continue to invest in school infrastructure - while keeping our fees affordable to parents is a key priority, it can limit the funds available for building upgrades and new facilities, this is where our building fund comes in. Our building fund is a tax-deductible fund that has been in existence for many years and was started with the aim to be able to afford those extra projects around the school and invest in future infrastructure. There are many examples of upgrades around the school, including recent projects like the new path from the Kiss and Drop up to the main office making access much easier (no more slippery gravel!). 

We look to the future with hope and invite you to join us - support our building fund by making a tax-deductible donation and help continue this legacy. 

Rob Lichtendonk 

Business Manager