Dempsey's Digest

It’s always great to see the enthusiasm of staff and students at the beginning of term. Students are often full of stories of what they have done and they are ready to engage in learning again. There was such a positive buzz across the school last Monday and it was good to be back! Term 3, we’ve got this!

Here’s some things that happened over the break and during the first week back.

Work Break and Conferences

MECS has been long committed to and accustomed to staff gathering before students return to school for days of focus on what it means to teach ‘christianly’ and how the bible shapes our perspective. In addition, this time is great for planning and preparation as well as spending some time together as a team. Great things were achieved over the week of work break, including..

Our staff all attended the CEN State Conference on Monday 13th July at Crossway church in Burwood. It was so good to meet up with 1200 other staff from CEN schools and share stories, pray, worship, learn and laugh together. Hosted by the very talented Narelle Sketcher, it was great to hear from speakers like Mark Steyn, Daniel Sih, Julia Verdouw and Sam Burrows. It was awesome!

On Tuesday 14th July, MECS joined with Bayside Christian College, Chairo Christian School and Maranatha Christian School to share in further learning and collaborating as our staff joined mixed groups of year levels and faculties to share ideas together. The venue was Belgrave Heights Convention Centre. A highlight was a shared sit down lunch that we got to enjoy together. There is nothing like yummy food and sitting around a table with others that stimulates great conversations!

Back at school, there were plenty of meetings and conversations on how we do life at MECS and the things that we can work on together, as well as meeting our compliance requirements. We had a lovely breakfast together on the Thursday morning where we were blessed by our board through their service and chocolate! Thanks Board!

Indonesian Trip

It was great to gather with a bunch of nervous students and some nervous parents as we heard more details about the Indonesia trip and were able to pray for the students and staff going on this wonderful experience. They departed safely last Friday – look out for updates on social media.

Parent Seminar A

There’s something about a cold night and a welcome bowl of soup that created a great environment for our parent seminar evening which happened last week. How lovely to welcome more than 60 people to participate in learning more about MECS and how we 'tick'. I know it’s a challenge to get people to come out on a cold night, to listen to me and others talk, but I do think it was worth it. Our values, ethos, philosophy and commitment to partnership take time to unpack and understand. Look out for Seminar B coming soon!

Subject Selection Night

I heard that the subject selection evening was a great night with excellent conversations as our Year 9 – 11 students consider their options and pathways for the years ahead. MECS pays wonderful attention to pathways as we value each pathway for each student. It is so wonderful to see a student flourish in the career that God has already prepared for them.

Ranges TEC Restaurant Night

Talk about flourishing, how awesome to see our Ranges TEC VET Cookery students assist in the first Restaurant Night as they prepare to cook and host their own night, as part of their assessment. On the menu last week was: Deconstructed Beef Wellington, a new take on Duck l’orange and a Chocolate Marquise. It was all delicious!

Ranges TEC Strategic Planning

Last Friday a small group gathered under the guidance of a consultant from CEN to work on a Strategic Plan for Ranges TEC. This plan will sit under the MECS strategic plan and priorities. We had some wonderful discussions and will be able to share this plan in due course.

Enjoy Term 3 and all of the wonderful things we have to look forward to!

Cheers,

Michelle