Merrylands East Public School

Merrylands East Public School has NO voluntary contribution scheme or school fees for: curriculum, sport, performing arts, and excursions (except for overnight and swimmnig scheme). All resources and stationery are provided to students. It is the best education that money can't buy! Founded in 1928, Merrylands East Public School is situated on traditional Aboriginal Dharruk land, near the main central business district of Parramatta.The vision of MEPS is to "create the future" in a safe, supportive learning environment where all students develop knowledge and skills necessary to be self-directed and collaborative problem solvers in a global society. Underpinning this vision is the instilment of strong core values for all students of fairness, participation, excellence, honesty, respect and responsibility. Merrylands East Public School has flexible school hours from 8am to 1:15pm. Merrylands East Public School is continually building a broad range of open learning spaces and pedagogies, and uses technology as a tool for learning and connecting via twitter @merrylandseast. The student population is drawn from over 40 socio-cultural backgrounds predominately from Pacifika, Middle Eastern and Asian communities. Eighty-Nine per cent of students speak a language other than English and around 12% have refugee experiences. The student population is around 328 students but steadily increasing with the growth of new residential and commercial development in the greater Merrylands area. The school has a transient population (28%), with students leaving being replaced by new arrivals from mainly Afghanistan. The vast majority of students commence learning English for the first time when entering school at varying school years. English as an Additional Language or Dialect programs and a strong Learning Support team are complemented with interagencies. Integration of 15% of students with complex needs (social / emotional, phyiscal and cognitive areas) is supported by organisational and philanthropic partnerships. Allied health paraprofessionals actively work in our school to provide wrap around support for families. Diversity, inclusion and equity are key strengths of the school community. Celebration of cultural diversity and student achievements are recognised through the Student Wellbeing programs. Leadership skills and showing the highest public education values are fundamental to these programs. The school focuses on Literacy and Numeracy across the curriculum, and the development of general capabilties in preparing students for the future.  All teachers are highly qualified professionals and undertake ongoing learning to ensures they are using evidence based research to inform their practice. All school leaders have a certificate of Instructional Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education for coaching and mentoring of teachers. Teachers co-teach with each other and work in stage and grade teams to ensure consistency across the school.  Set on picturesque grounds with a synthetic rubber based playground, the school has five water tanks, a photovoltaic system consisting of 160 panels, 5 water tanks and landscaped areas adorned with a mixture of native and fruit trees to attract local fauna.