At Merrilands School, Staff, Students, Caregivers and Board of Trustees are continually in the process of building a shared vision for our school.  This vision provides a focus for all we do. It enables us to develop teaching principles and behavioral values with our students and school community.

We have prioritised quality teaching and successful learning in literacy and numeracy as essential.
Our students are immersed in an environment that develops and consolidates sound social skills, as well as the positive attitudes and values, to enable them to develop as life long learners, able to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Merrilands is a school where:

* Students succeed when given the appropriate tasks, support and time – we acknowledge some students require additional support and resourcing.

* Students consider the rights of others and have a sense of self responsibility. Caring, consideration and co-operation are strong features in the culture of our school.  Students appreciate that their school and class is a community with shared rules which will help them work happily together.

* Learning is enhanced by establishing a partnership with the school’s community and the belief it is important to be responsive to the needs and wishes of the community.

* Students are supported in developing a positive self image and identity Student experiences, thoughts, questions and interests are valued. Opportunities are provided to develop individual gifts and talents in an inclusive environment.

* Students are taught “how to learn” (eg thinking skills, problem solving) by ensuring sound “foundation skills” (literacy and numeracy) and provision of a range of future oriented attributes including confidence with information technology.

* Students value effort and perseverance.  Our students have a can do – will do attitude.

* Students are encouraged to take a growing responsibility for their own quality learning through a desire to do their personal best by providing stimulating challenges, safe classrooms and an expectation of continual quality improvement.