Meriden girls are defined by their passion and compassion, their joy and determination. The School’s aim is always to provide girls with opportunities to thrive; to channel their curiosity, talent and convictions in ways that will help them live with spirit, purpose and kindness.
The Meriden Vision
To deliver a leading and holistic education which balances academic achievement, cocurricular opportunities, the pastoral care of every student and a Christian foundation.
The Meriden Mission
Meriden’s mission is to produce graduates who are:
- Confident, articulate and responsible leaders
- Aspiring and academic achievers
- Well-informed and critical thinkers
- Well-rounded and resilient team-players
- Creative innovators and collaborative problem-solvers
- Compassionate, healthy and optimistic global citizens
- Women of integrity, appreciative of the Christian faith.
This vision rests firmly on the values which permeate the Meriden environment and community: excellence, grit, kindness, gratitude and hope.
The Strategic Plan 2024 – 2026
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Connecting to Purpose: Through Service and Leadership
The Strategic Pillars
Pillar 1 addresses the importance of relationships to our community. We greatly value the partnership between school and home and our desire, through this pillar, is to strengthen that relationship. Connecting with community allows Meriden girls to develop an understanding and appreciation of different perspectives, and providing opportunities to serve our community equips Meriden girls with the skills to enhance their contribution to society.
Pillar 2 builds on Meriden’s strong tradition of academic achievement and pastoral care. Meriden’s Fidelis Model provides a comprehensive framework for education and will support the development of our students’ future skills. Our desire to consider a broad range of data and apply evidence-based practices, will ensure our approach to teaching, learning and caring keeps our students as the prime focus, enabling them to learn optimally and to leave school ready for the challenges ahead.
Pillar 3 recognises our responsibility to equip our students with the skills to not only lead others but to serve others. In an era in which the public narrative warns us of a teaching industry in crisis, we recognise the importance of good teachers to the development of every girl. Meriden is blessed to have wonderful staff, both in teaching roles and in support roles. We care deeply for our staff and value their contributions to a Meriden education.
Pillar 4 identifies our responsibility to care for our environment and consider the use of our resources for future generations. The Meriden master plan has been carefully considered by the School Council. It strives to optimise use of the available space and provide purpose-built and future-focused facilities. Reviewing our current practices to ensure we are adapting to contemporary demands is a goal of this plan.
Pillar 5 reflects our responsibility and desire to serve the global education sector. Sharing our resources will strengthen our profile and commitment to an all-girls’ Christian education. Providing opportunities for staff and students to engage in global research and initiatives will provide reciprocal benefits. At Meriden, our faith is central to all we do and strengthening our partnerships with Christian organisations will support our community of faith.
We want our girls to become the makers of the change, the movers and shakers of our community, the writers of the analysis, and the front-line researchers. They no longer need to be solely the responders; they can be the creators of the future.
The Fidelis Model
In 2011 Meriden established The Fidelis Model, an educational framework that sets the breadth, depth and direction of a Meriden education. The holistic teaching and learning that occur at Meriden are consistent with this model.
The Fidelis Model is used to unite and coordinate all aspects of a Meriden girl’s learning – both inside and outside the classroom. It has the girls as its prime focus, aiming to enable them to learn optimally and to leave school ready for the challenges ahead.
The Fidelis Model outlines the Christian foundations upon which Meriden is based; the knowledge and understanding that the girls need to acquire; the learning practices that they need to master; the capabilities, competencies and skills that they need to develop; and the attitudes and values that they need to foster.
The dimensions of The Fidelis Model are:
- Christian Foundations: Building Strong Faith
- Knowledge and Understanding: Inspiring Young Minds
- Learning Practices: Equipping Life-Long Learners
- Citizenship: Enhancing our Communities
- Attitudes and Values: Nurturing Spirited Hearts.
Ongoing feedback, evaluation and refinement are important features of The Fidelis Model and the master document is updated regularly by the Principal and senior academic staff. The fourth edition was written in 2022.
