COLLEGE & COMMUNITY NEWS
MESC & Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House - supporting each other for the benefit of the community.
The Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House aims to be a place for community connections, community information and educational and recreational programs to enhance the well-being of Mount Eliza residents and our wider community.
MESC is very proud to connect with Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House and support our students and community to come together to make a difference to the Mount Eliza Community and surrounding area.
This week, I met with Joanne Scanlan, the Manager, who encourages the school community to pop in and check out the Programs on offer or just to say hello. There are also many opportunities to volunteer to help in some way.
If you are interested to know more, please get in touch with Joanne Scanlan Manager - Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House 90-100 Canadian Bay Road, Mt Eliza 3930 Ph: (03)9787 8160. Web: mountelizanh.com.au Like us on Facebook
Joanne Scanlan (Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House Manager) & Kylie Russell (MESC Middle Years Program Co-ordinator)
IB MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM
Dear Parents and Carers of MESC,
A big welcome to all the new families and students here at MESC, particularly the Year 7s. For those of you who I have not yet met, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Kylie Russell and I am the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) Educational Leader and Coordinator here at the college.
A little bit of background about the MYP Programme here at MESC
In November of 2019, MESC became an authorised IB World School for the MYP, where we were recognised as being able to offer the Middle Years Programme for Years 7-9. This was a considerable accomplishment made possible by the active roles played by the school’s educators, administrators, students and families. MESC joined the global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world. MESC is only one of two state government schools who offer the MYP Programme in Victoria as well as ensuring that all of our students meet the full requirements of the Victorian Curriculum and Standards.
So what exactly is the IB?
“The IB (International Baccalaureate) is a non profit foundation, motivated by it’s mission to create a better world through education.”
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.” www.ibo.org
As an IB World school we are constantly evolving, reviewing and reflecting on our teaching and learning practices. In July of this year, our school will be undertaking an evaluation. Last year, all staff participated in a self-study questionnaire and began reviewing documentation, policies and procedures. The review is a time to celebrate the successes of the programme but to also look for ways we can improve educational outcomes of our students.
As a part of the evaluation process, we have recognised the importance of explicitly teaching students Approaches to Learning Skills (ATLs) and for these to also be continually embedded in our teaching and learning programs.
ATLs are tools students use to help them become successful throughout their learning and in life. They include research skills, communication skills, thinking skills, social skills and self-management skills. As part of their introduction to the MYP, students in Year 7 and 8 have been learning more about ATLs during their Connect classes this term.
We are very proud of our Middle Years Programme here at MESC and actively encourage all our students to be Happy, Smart, Prepared and active lifelong learners making a difference to the world around them.
If you have any questions regarding the MYP, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Celeste Lombardi (MYP Assistant Principal).
Kylie Russell
IB MYP Leader and Co-ordinator
