In 1996, Reverend John Leaver formed the Association of Ecumenical Schools of Victoria Inc with four foundation schools. In 2000 the Association was replaced by Victorian Ecumenical System of Schools Ltd (VESS). In 2019 the System became known as Ecumenical Schools Australia which better reflects the membership and direction of the network.
‘Ecumenical’ generally refers to a collaborative spirit between different Christian churches. While the members of Ecumenical Schools Australia are very different in their denominations and levels of faith practice, ‘Ecumenical’ captures well the way member schools interact with one another.
Our representation of ecumenism means that member schools:
- represent a number of different Christian faith traditions;
- within and/or between schools, promote co-operation between different denominations and faith traditions.
Ecumenical Schools Australia members fall into three categories:
- Multi-denominational schools formed by the co-operation of different churches (such as the first Association school, Highview College, Maryborough, which was formed jointly by Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and Church of Christ congregations)
- Denominational schools, affiliated with a particular church such as Anglican, Uniting, Christian Science or Baptist.
- Schools which have no church affiliation but subscribe to Christian values.
All member schools have a commitment to co-operation in a Christian spirit which binds them together and makes them “ecumenical”; generally having liberal Christian faith traditions, and welcoming students from other faith backgrounds or with no religious connection.
Ballarat Grammar

Balcombe Grammar School

Casey Grammar School

Goulburn Valley Grammar School

The Geelong College

Braemar College

The Hamilton & Alexandra College

Gippsland Grammar

Ballarat Clarendon College

Moama Anglican Grammar

Founding members were:
- Highview College, Maryborough
- Christian Community College, Portland (now Bayview College) – left in 2013
- Newhaven College, Newhaven
- Cranbourne Christian Community College, Cranbourne (now Casey Grammar School)
Since 1996, the following schools have become members of VESS:
1998 | Bacchus Marsh Grammar School, Bacchus Marsh |
1999 | Braemar College, Woodend Ballarat Grammar, Wendouree Ballarat Clarendon College, Ballarat Goulburn Valley Grammar School, Shepparton Gippsland Grammar School, Sale and Bairnsdale |
2000 | Westbourne Grammar School, Truganina and Newport The Hamilton & Alexandra College, Hamilton |
2001 | Peninsula Grammar, Mount Eliza |
2003 | The Geelong College, Newtown |
2007 | Balcombe Grammar School, Mount Martha |
2016 | Huntingtower School, Mount Waverley |
2017 | St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Warragul and Traralgon River Nile School (Associate Member) |
2020 | Clyde Grammar School, Clyde |
2022 | Moama Anglican Grammar, Moama (Associate Member) |
2023 | Woodleigh School, Langwarrin South |
Currently there are 20 members educating over 21,000 local students, plus many early childhood and international students.
Membership of Ecumenical Schools Australia is growing and enquiries from schools regarding prospective membership are welcomed.
Collectively, Ecumenical Schools Australia members have a stronger voice than they do individually. Member schools are able to take comfort in the knowledge that they are part of a group representing over 21,000 local students, over 3,300 staff, and many regions of Australia.
“Better and stronger together”