Maroondah Education Coalition (MEC)
The MEC Building Capacity
With a strong sense of purpose and focus, MEC teams work collaboratively to sustain initiatives that improve the quality of teaching and learning for coalition students. Cross-pollination of ideas and successful practices through joint teacher professional learning, projects, and events, have strengthened each school's capacity to enhance student learning outcomes.
From improved opportunities for senior students to learn from both within and beyond their own school community, to students exploring global issues through the on-going MEC Values Project, the coalition aims to deliver educational experiences that bring learning to life and which assist the development of 21st century skills.
VCE students achieving their best
Since 2006, the MEC Senior School Provision Group has organised a joint Year 12 educational seminar in February. This year, over 600 students participated in high-quality presentations that provided them with a range of skills and strategies for improved learning, both at school and at home. This event is complemented by a student and parent evening with Dr Michael Carr-Gegg, whose informative presentation on ˜Surviving the VCE' offers students and parents practical advice for managing the year.
To assist students to achieve their best in examinations, Year 12 teachers open up their revision sessions to students from other MEC schools. Student feedback has indicated that this is a highly valuable experience, as they are able to gain another perspective on a topic, discover new information or exam strategies, and gauge a sense of their own capabilities within a wider student cohort.
Exploring teaching and learning
The MEC Curriculum Leaders Group implements many learning opportunities for coalition teachers and students. A common curriculum day for staff at the beginning of every year facilitates improved collaboration between coalition teachers, initiates innovation in the classroom, and provides opportunities for staff to learn from each other and from external presenters.
The MEC Raising Achievement Program aims to improve student numeracy levels by building teacher capacity through the formation of sustainable school teams that plan, implement and evaluate curriculum initiatives. Members continue to share resources at regular meetings and via the DEECD Ultranet, and continue to extend their own practice through team teaching, classroom observations and working in a 1:1 technology environment with Year 7 students using either iPads or laptops.
In 2011, the MEC participated in a Professional Learning Program that added significant value to the current work of coalition teams and provided a framework for building capacity beyond 2011. In 2011 teachers and students across the MEC were involved in a ˜Becoming Asia Literate' project, invigorating the study of Indonesian across the coalition. An immersion camp, an Asian cultural day, student forums and competitions, as well as linking with Indonesian schools via ICT, were some of the project offerings. New teacher practice was encouraged and supported through team planning and participation at quality LOTE conferences.
Values at the heart of what we do
The MEC learning community is underpinned by the fundamental assumptions that every school is a values-rich environment, every teacher is a values educator and every interaction is an opportunity for values teaching and learning.
Our continuing MEC Values project, based on Global and Multicultural Citizenship, saw our students participate in a model United Nations conference on the theme of ˜Refugees Rights and Risks'. Conference delegates discussed and voted on a resolution, from their assigned country's perspective, in order to address the growing issue of refugees from a political, environmental or economic perspective. This event was also held in 2011 on an agreed theme.
During 2010, student teams from three MEC schools planned and implemented a trial ˜No Regrets' social action project that championed non-violence in their schools and within the wider community. Student teams worked with the local community to deliver a joint community event that attracted over 250 young people.
To recognise and value the cultural diversity that our refugee students bring to our school communities, a joint Artist in Schools Project was undertaken in 2011. An artist worked with students from three coalition schools on a project titled ˜The Unbound Book of Life and Journey', that paid respect to past homelands and cultures, captured the experiences of the present, and depicted hopes and dreams for
the future.
MEC Schools
- Croydon Community School
- Croydon SC
- Heathmont College
- Maroondah SC
- Norwood SC
- Parkwood SC
- Ringwood SC
