About Us

School Profile

Situated in the outer eastern suburb of Ferntree Gully with a current enrolment of approximately 400, we offer an ideal educational setting. We are proud of our spacious grounds and contemporary learning spaces – including dedicated Library, Computer Centre, Art room, Music room and Gymnasium.

The extensive grounds and gardens including netball/basketball court, volleyball court, separate junior and senior playground equipment, artificial turf and a vast grassed oval, provides a wide variety of passive and active play areas.

Members of the school community enjoy the convenience of having access to Out of School Hours Care facilities and a School Canteen operates every day offering healthy options for recess snacks and lunches. Qualified First Aid care is provided all day.

A safe and caring school culture is created and sustained by the students, teachers and whole school community through the Tribes Agreements: Respect, Attentive Listening, Appreciation, Right to Pass and Aim High. This, coupled with the Respectful Relationships Program and the Resilience Project provides the basis for daily life at school.

Gater Kids

Gater Kids are great kids…

Because we know that if we stick to the five agreements we will have a safe, friendly school where everyone can achieve their personal best!

  • Mutual Respect
  • Appreciation
  • Attentive Listening
  • Right to Pass
  • Aim High
Come and visit our Tribes page for more information.

Curriculum

Mountain Gate provides an inclusive, challenging and comprehensive curriculum using Department of Education guidelines and Victorian Curriculum as the basis for all planning and assessment.

The Victorian Curriculum provides a single curriculum for levels F-10 and is progressively developed within a framework that reflects particular Victorian DET priorities and approaches to teaching and learning.

To support students in their learning we offer a range of digital learning tools, use a variety of assessment techniques closely monitoring progress in literacy and numeracy and students set personal learning goals.

 

Excursions, incursions and extensive extra-curricular activities such as the School Musical Production, Public Speaking program, Student Leadership Program, STEM, Instrumental music, Gardening, Bike–Ed, Swimming, Dance and Camps complement the academic program and offer students the opportunity to discover new interests, develop new talent and extend skills.

We provide a learning environment and educational programs in a community that models a passion for learning and a commitment to excellence.

Students are supported and encouraged to set personal goals, reflect and self-assess. They learn and achieve success through:

  • Whole school emphasis on literacy and numeracy
  • Inquiry learning and thinking skills to enhance personal growth
  • Engaging topics that actively involve students
  • Working independently and collaboratively
  • Maximising use of Information and Communication Technology
  • Making connections between learning experiences and the real world
  • Regular assessment and feedback
  • Aiming high.

Students achieve because they are actively involved in their own learning and have positive expectations from others that they will succeed.

Student Engagement & Wellbeing

Student wellbeing is integral to the learning process and at Mountain Gate student wellbeing is a priority. The Mountain Gate definition of student wellbeing is a holistic one and encompasses physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Students who are mentally and physically well are optimistic and can engage fully with life. They have a sense of purpose and of self-acceptance, while demonstrating resilience as well as the capacity to form sustained, positive relationships. Research indicates that young people’s wellbeing – and hence their ability to learn effectively, is enhanced when they are strongly connected to their school.

The special Gater spirit that values trust, cooperation and respect is actively encouraged through the Tribes and You Can Do It programs. Through the Tribes agreements of Attentive Listening, Mutual Respect, Appreciation/no put downs, Right to Pass and Aim High, and the You Can Do It skills of Organisation, Persistence, Getting Along, Resilience and Confidence, students feel included and appreciated by peers and teachers and respected for their different abilities, cultures, gender, interests and dreams.

Students learn a set of collaborative skills so they can work well together in long-term groups – Tribes. Each term special multi-age Tribes activities are organized with a focus on how to help each other, set goals, solve problems and celebrate being a Gater.

Connections to school are further enhanced through:

  • Robust House system
  • Junior School Council
  • Buddies Program
  • Choir
  • Social Service
  • Counselling services
  • The Resilience Project
  • Gater Games
  • Cluckinghen Palace and Vegetable Patch
  • Student Voice and Agency
  • Lunchtime Clubs
  • Extensive extra-curricular activities
  • Gater of the Month Award
  • Respectful Relationships Program

Our clear purpose is to develop each student so that they feel they belong to a positive learning community and each student has the knowledge, skills and resilience to be successful at school and in a rapidly changing world.

X