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.