Methodist Ladies' College

MLC was founded in 1882 as a 'modern school of the first order' with buildings that formed ‘a collegiate institution for girls unsurpassed in the colonies’. The goal of MLC's founders, the Wesleyan Methodists, was to provide a 'high-class Christian education for girls', comparable with that provided elsewhere for boys at the time. From its inception, MLC attracted boarders from all around the country; the iconic Gothic Revival building in the front gardens is now where our boarders live today.  Although MLC was Australia's first girls' school to be founded by the Weslyan Methodists, those of all faiths and cultural backgrounds have always been welcomed. This inclusive and accepting environment of the College, as well as being an internationally-minded school, is still strong today.

In the 21st century, MLC continues to set the benchmark for educational excellence, facilities and innovation. Some notable historical achievements include:

• In 1990, MLC became the first school in the world to introduce laptop computers for all students from Years 5 – 12. This program has since been extended to include iPads for all Prep – Year 2 students and laptops for all students from Year 3 – Year 12.
• In 1991, MLC Marshmead opened, providing Year 9 students with a unique eight-week residential outdoor education experience with a focus on sustainable living.
• In 2014, MLC was one of the first Australian schools to achieve Council of International Schools accreditation for commitment to internationalism and global citizenship. The College has always proudly adopted an international outlook and embraced diversity, and continues to do so.

MLC develops confident and articulate young women who have the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to shape their future and contribute meaningfully to the international community. MLC is committed to providing a challenging, enriching, safe and supportive learning environment through our core values of responsibility, respect and compassion. MLC:

• Fosters intellectual, spiritual and personal development of MLC girls and young women so they develop the tools necessary to lead meaningful and enjoyable lives.
• Provides a broad and challenging academic curriculum to support students in achieving excellence.
• Offers an extensive co-curricular program that ensures students identify their strengths and develop skills such as teamwork, leadership, creativity and enterprise.
• Develops independent, adaptable thinkers with a passion for learning, the courage to take risks and the initiative to apply what is learned.
• Provides a caring, supportive and child-safe community in all school environments for all students.
• Develops a sense of self-worth and identity for students as well as the resilience required to grow through life’s challenges.
• Develops young women of conscience, compassion and responsibility with the ability to make positive choices in life.
• Engages respectfully and responsibly with Australia’s Indigenous people, culture and country, and is committed to continuous learning in this area.
• Contributes to social justice by forging community and global partnerships, valuing diversity and developing cultural awareness.
• Raises awareness, respect and responsibility for our natural environment.
• Honours the values of MLC’s Christian heritage whilst celebrating and nurturing spirituality and other faiths.

To uphold and deliver MLC’s Vision and Mission, the College has developed a series of strategic pillars.  MLC provides a broad and challenging academic curriculum which fosters a passion for learning, develops independent, adaptable thinkers and focuses on excellence. As an integral element of an inspiring and rewarding education, MLC offers a mature and responsive student wellbeing program. MLC recognises that quality educational outcomes are driven by excellence in teaching and learning provided by the highest quality, motivated teaching and educational support staff.

MLC will continue to lead and innovate in developing resources, sites and facilities that support students’ learning in a dynamic 21st century environment. The diverse and extensive MLC community provides a rich source of opportunity, personal growth and sense of belonging for all members. MLC has a commitment to a secure and sustainable future that supports investment in facilities and resources, which deliver a world-class education for MLC students.

Our staff are passionate, supportive and experts in their fields. A large number of our teaching staff are also VCE examiners and Chief Assessors; in fact, one of the largest groups from any Victorian school. MLC fosters an environment of lifelong learning through ongoing professional development programs to ensure that our staff are continuously growing and building on their knowledge and skills. Our staff delight in sharing their combined knowledge with the community through workshops, lectures and printed publications, both internal to MLC and with the wider community.

MLC has over 138 years' experience successfully educating girls to be the citizens the world needs. MLC teaching and educational support staff understand girls and the particular way they learn, develop and communicate. Our programs have been specifically designed to help girls achieve their best, and their effectiveness is borne out in our consistently outstanding academic results as well as our students' achievements and successes in all areas of school life.

With a proudly progressive and diverse reputation, we have a long history as a welcoming, inclusive community where students from all walks of life and backgrounds learn and achieve together. With such diversity, our students leave the College with not just one friendship group but instead many across different interests, year levels and houses. Our strong school community extends to supportive families, wonderful staff, Parents' Association and our valued network of 30,000+ alumnae, who continue to come back to the College to mentor and inspire our students.

MLC has long had an interdisciplinary approach to learning with a strong focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Design, Mathematics) subjects, and we recognise the necessity of diverse disciplines, such as science and the arts, coming together to drive innovation. In 2018, 44% of our students' Round One University offers were for STEM-related courses and 82% of our Year 12s studied at least one Science subject - both well above the national averages.

A huge range of choice is a hallmark of an MLC education, with one of the broadest curricula offerings in Australia. From discovering new interests in electives from Year 8, to choosing from over 60 subjects across VCE, VCE VET and IB, MLC offers the resources, facilities and flexibility for each student to have an individualised timetable with whichever subjects they choose. Furthermore, all subjects are conveniently taught on our Kew campus.

Along with our extensive subject choices, our large and varied range of co-curricular activities enables MLC girls to make choices unhampered by stereotypes. With more than 30 sports and a wide range of orchestras, ensembles, choirs, committees and clubs on offer (including Theatre Sports, Coding Club, Green Team and plenty more), there is sure to be something to ignite your daughter’s passion. If our students want to form a group or club that doesn't already exist, we have the resources and staff to guide them and make it happen!