Focus on...

2024 is going to bring a few changes across the Secondary School. Whilst change leaves us feeling uncertain at times, change also brings new opportunities for growth, for learning and for innovation. The Secondary School community will be looking forward to these ‘new horizons’. 

 As our Transformational Education Framework describes, looking forward to ‘new horizons’ is about "embracing the future, changes and innovations with confidence and hope… mak(ing) use of new educational insights and technologies with biblical discernment.”  (Transformational Education: A Framework for Christian Teaching 2014, p 127). 

In 2024, the MECS Secondary will be moving to a change of timetable structure. Whilst our 4-quarter (75 minute) structure of the past few years served a purpose for its time, the Secondary Leadership and staff team have reflected on the needs of our students in these years post COVID. We have noted a change in students’ learning stamina and have wanted to find a structure which assists us to support students to remain engaged in learning, offer a broad range of subjects and get the most out of each learning opportunity. 2024 will see a change to five 1-hour periods. 

In 2024, the MECS Secondary will welcome the inclusion of the VCEVM (Vocational Major) for both Years 11 and 12. The Vocational Major focuses on a more ‘hands on’ pathway for those students whose strengths lie in the ‘hands-on’ element of learning. Students undertaking the Vocational Major will focus on learning content and skills while ‘doing’. The course for these students also has a strong focus on their Personal-Development and Work-Related skills as they work towards being ready for further studies or employment beyond school. 

In 2024, the MECS Secondary will welcome 9 new staff. It is always wonderful to welcome new staff into our MECS community, each one called to their various roles throughout the staff team and each one passionate about seeing the lives of young people transformed through educational experiences that teach of God’s grace, sovereignty, authority and love for each of us and His world. 

So, look out for communications early next week which will provide further information about the changes described here as we look forward to partnering with you again in 2024.

Karissa Esselbrugge

Assistant Principal - Secondary