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Mount Scopus Memorial College

Australia, Melbourne

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Hebrew
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1500
Type Co-educational
Opened 1949
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages Hebrew
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Mount Scopus Memorial College is a co-educational day school in Burwood. Serving ages 2 to 18, the school delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme with the Australian Curriculum in early years, and a secondary program including Visual Arts, Performing Arts, English, Languages other than English, Humanities, Mathematics, Science and Technology. The curriculum combines a core foundation with increasing elective choice, with Year 7's Talmud and Year 9 electives in Israel Studies, Animation, Robotics and Environmental Science. A Hebrew language program runs across years, with immersive bilingual options and senior Hebrew pathways. The campus houses a Year 3 Discovery Centre with an innovation lab for 3D printing, robotics and animation, and a performing arts hall with three music studios and a green screen. Facilities support sport on an oval, outdoor education, and a vibrant cocurricular program in music, drama, Israel studies and community service. Fostering values, learning and citizenship.

245 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125, Australia

The Essentials

Mount Scopus Memorial College has 1,500 pupils, instruction in English, Hebrew.

Location
Gandel Campus, Gandel Besen House Campus, and Fink Karp Ivany Campus are located at 245 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125. Lew Family Secondary School is at 17 Mayfield Street, St Kilda East VIC 3183. Szalmuk Family Early Learning Centre is at 1 Feodore Street, Caulfield South VIC 3162. Walk to kinder with your choice of campuses in Caulfield South or St Kilda East.

Stages
Early Learning Centres include Little Learners and Lower/Upper Kinder; Primary is at Smorgon Family Primary School; Secondary is provided by Lew Family Secondary School.

Type
Co-educational day school

Religious affiliation
Judaism
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform policy. The Summer and Winter uniforms may be worn all year round, but must be worn in their entirety; students may not wear pieces from both the Summer and Winter uniform, or sport uniform, together. Shoes may be black leather school shoes or fully black runners (including black laces). A sports uniform is required on sport or PE days, and in the secondary school all students wear the same sports top. Uniforms can be purchased from Dobson's at 667 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn or online; second-hand uniforms are available at the Posh Opp Shoppe in Glen Huntly.

Food Options
The school has kosher meals; all food provided by the College is kosher (Kosher Australia). The milchig Baker Family Cafeteria at the Gandel Campus serves hot and cold foods with daily specials and is available to Years 4–12; primary meals are delivered to classrooms, while students in Year 7 or higher can queue or collect pre-ordered items. Lunch orders are placed online via Flexischools; the Parent Association runs lunch orders, and there is a Thursday Tuckshop pre-ordered via TryBooking; the Year 3 Discovery Centre runs a weekly cafeteria for charity, and the Caf is closed on Jewish fast days.

Governance and Ownership
The school has a Board as the governing body, which directs policy and philosophy with the Principal. The College Council is an advisory body to the Board and the Principal. Daily operations are entrusted to the Principal and the Chief Finance and Operations Officer. An Annual Members Meeting for all parents is convened in March to present reports on College activities and to elect Council members.
Fees
Application fees
- Enrolment registration fee: AUD 150.
- Place offer acceptance fee: AUD 250.
- Fees in advance (holding deposit credited against first fee statement): AUD 1,000, payable with the place offer acceptance fee. This payment is credited when the student commences.
- Prep fees in advance (when applicable): AUD 2,000 per child; AUD 1,500 per child for twins, payable with the place offer acceptance fee and credited during Prep. Enrolment-related fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable.

Tuition fees by year group (per year and per term)
- The College publishes a full, year-level tuition schedule (the 2026 Fee Schedule) that lists annual and per-term tuition by year group. The detailed tuition table is contained in the 2026 Fee Schedule. The public fee summary page and the 2026 Fee Schedule link are published by the College.
- Early-learning (Kinder) illustrative fees (2025 figures provided by the College for reference):
- Long Day Care 48 weeks (LDC48) — Annual tuition (before Child Care Subsidy): AUD 38,550 (equivalent daily rate AUD 170.58). Billing period shown: 1 Feb 2025 – 23 Jan 2026.
- Kinder-only program 40 weeks (KP) — Annual tuition (before Child Care Subsidy): AUD 28,432 (equivalent daily rate AUD 153.69).
- Full annual and per-term tuition figures for Prep–Year 12 are published in the College's 2026 Fee Schedule (the official fee table). The 2026 Fee Schedule contains the complete per‑year and per‑term tuition amounts by year group.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition fees for the coming year are issued in early December and families receive fee statements for the following year.
- For Early Learning Centres (Little Learners), billing commences from the first day the program operates for the year; families are billed based on the days listed in the place‑offer confirmation from that first operating day irrespective of actual attendance.
- Fee statements and account enquiries are managed through the College finance/accounts team; Parent Lounge is used for family fee account access and some payment interactions, and specific ELC apps (Xplor) and Flexischools are used for session bookings and catering orders respectively. Contact details for accounts and tuition payments are provided by the College.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. Mount Scopus operates as a day school with multiple campuses and Early Learning Centres; no boarding fee schedule is published.

Other costs and fees (examples and recurring additional charges)
- Uniform: New uniform items are sold via the College uniform shop; second‑hand uniform options are available through the school's second‑hand outlet. Purchases and some delivery arrangements are managed through campus uniform shop services. Parents should allow for uniform purchase costs at enrolment.
- Co‑curricular and activity charges: Music tuition, instrument hire, camps, excursions, school trips, special programs and similar items are charged in addition to core tuition where applicable; some of these charges are billed per term or when incurred. Specific per‑item charges are set and invoiced by the College.
- Transport and bus services: The College operates campus shuttle/bus services for some routes; some inter‑campus bus services are provided at no extra charge where indicated, while other charter or route bus fees (if applicable) are charged separately and invoiced as specified for that service. Confirmed transport arrangements and any applicable charges are shown on fee statements or separate transport notices.
- Catering, tuckshop and incidental purchases (Flexischools): These are charged separately via established campus systems (cash or card for on‑site purchases; online ordering via Flexischools).

Refund information and withdrawal terms
- The College states that enrolment fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable. Fees are generally described as non‑refundable.
- The College's published enrolment/handbook materials set out withdrawal notice expectations (for example, a full term's written notice for withdrawals or fees in lieu may apply in some year levels); the College's formal Fees Policy contains the full refund and withdrawal rules and the operational details for applying any refund or charge. Families should refer to the College's Fees Policy and the Fee Schedule for the precise withdrawal and refund mechanics.

Fee payment options (how families transact)
- Parent Lounge is used to access fee statements and to manage account details; ELC families use Xplor for session bookings; Flexischools is used for tuckshop/cafeteria ordering. Contact channels for fees are provided by the College finance team (email and phone). Specific payment methods (BPAY, direct credit/EFT, online card payments or other merchant services) are referenced on family fee statements and within the College's finance communications. Some College documentation and fee statements include a BPAY reference for electronic payment.

Summary of available and missing fee detail
- The College publishes a complete 2026 Fee Schedule that contains the comprehensive per‑year and per‑term tuition figures and the formal Fees Policy that sets billing schedules, payment terms, refund rules and other conditions. Those published documents are the definitive source for the full numeric tuition table and the precise billing/withdrawal mechanics. The College's public enrolments pages identify enrolment fees, fees‑in‑advance rules, Early Learning (Kinder) 2025 illustrative fees and the presence of a 2026 Fee Schedule and Fees Policy. The formal 2026 Fee Schedule file contains the required tuition‑by‑year and per‑term amounts but the fee table content itself could not be extracted here. For families needing the full per‑year and per‑term tuition numbers, consult the College's published 2026 Fee Schedule and Fees Policy as issued by the College.
Academics

Mount Scopus Memorial College teaches IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Primary School delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) alongside the Australian Curriculum. Secondary offers a broad range of subjects across faculties, including Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Business Studies, English, Languages other than English, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Technology and Personal Development. The curriculum is anchored by a common core in the early years with increasing choice as students mature; Year 7 includes an optional Talmud class, and Year 8 offers electives including an additional language. In Year 9 students select four semester-long electives (e.g., Israel Studies, Animation, Robotics, Environmental Science), Year 10 introduces subjects that prepare students for VCE, and Years 11 and 12 provide a wide range of choices across 12 faculties. Enrichment and acceleration options are available for advanced learners, and Learning Dispositions such as agency, collaboration, communication and quality thinking underpin the approach.

Exam Results
VCE results are consistently outstanding, and Mount Scopus is among the top performing schools in Victoria. 100% of graduates demonstrate kindness, ruach and participation in College Life. The breadth of the curriculum across faculties supports these strong outcomes.

Gifted and Talented
Enrichment and acceleration options are available for students who require greater academic challenges.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social Emotional Learning is integrated through a dedicated Social Emotional Learning class that addresses Respectful Relationships and Safer Partying. The Mechanech program, run by Mechanchim (home room teachers), focuses on the development of the child and involves collaboration with parents and subject staff, with Heads of Year and support staff playing a coordinating role. Heads of Year specialise in issues and development at specific ages and stay with the cohort for three years. In Years 7 to 9, SEL topics include bullying, sexuality/puberty, drugs and alcohol, and decision making, supported by related Year 7–9 programs. The College diary includes weekly tips to manage workload and to improve mental and physical wellbeing. The College provides access to campus psychologists to support students and parents, and a College Chaplain is available to support pastoral care.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Student Services provide learning support or extension within the curriculum. The campus psychologists support students and parents. Visiting Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists help advise parents if extra intervention is beneficial. Szalmuk Family and Fink Karp Ivany Early Learning Centres support readiness and progress for early learners. Social skills are taught explicitly to help children navigate relationships. A structured review of each Upper Kinder child's progress helps identify needs before starting school.

Mental Wellbeing
The Mechanech program supports wellbeing through home room teachers who collaborate with parents and staff and provide access to the College Chaplain. The College diary includes weekly tips to manage workload and to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Heads of Year specialise in issues and development at specific ages and remain with each cohort for three years, supporting wellbeing initiatives. In Years 7 to 9, SEL topics are taught through Bayit and related sessions, covering bullying, sexuality/puberty, drugs and alcohol, and decision making. In Years 11 and 12, wellbeing is supported with sessions to develop skills and balance academic and broader life. The campus psychologists are available to support students and parents.

Safeguarding
Mount Scopus Memorial College is a child safe organisation and has a zero tolerance for child abuse.
Parent Experience

History
Mount Scopus Memorial College opened on February 8, 1949, at 414 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, with 143 primary students. Visionary founders established Melbourne's first co-educational Jewish day school to nurture heritage and Jewish identity within Australian society. In 1952 Mount Scopus became a Memorial College in memory of those who fell in war and the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. By 1953 the College relocated to Burwood with two junior campuses, and by 1955 enrolments exceeded 600 across two campuses, with the first matriculation exams. The name Mount Scopus reflects its Jerusalem heritage; the motto Chazak V'ematz means Be Strong and Courageous, and the crest and colours symbolize the College's values.

Community
The Scopus Family includes Alumni, Reunions, Scope to mentor others, Scopus Stories and Stay Connected, plus the Parents Association and Scopus Foundation. The College features community events such as Grandparents and Special Friends days and school performances, including events like Light it Up and Scopus Chagiga 2026. The Helen Synman Archive Project preserves the College's archival materials for current and past students, families and staff.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The MSMC Parents' Association provides two essential functions: welcome families through regular activities and annual events, and raise funds to enhance facilities and resources. The 2026 Executive Committee includes Co-presidents Tahlee Smorgon and Megan Smorgon, Secretary Dani Breuer, and other members representing the campus communities. The Executive is supported by volunteers who head subcommittees that run each event and activity, and all parents are automatically members who are encouraged to participate. The association invites fresh initiatives and involvement from families. The PA Executive can be contacted at msmcpa@scopus.vic.edu.au, and there is a Mount Scopus Parents' Association Facebook page.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has landscaped gardens and playgrounds with informal seating, a pizza oven and BBQ, an animal enclosure, and an oval with a running track and a ropes playground. The Year 3 Discovery Centre includes an innovation lab for animation, science experiments, 3D printing and robotics, and a kitchen garden program. A performing arts hall supports assemblies and movie making and houses three soundproof instrumental music studios; it features professional lighting, projection facilities, a green screen and a shadow screen, and seats up to 100. Outdoor spaces provide casual seating areas and room to explore, with early morning activities offered from 7:50am.

Sports Facilities
The school has an oval with a running track for outdoor sport and PE. The outdoor spaces include a complex ropes playground and other areas that support physical activity. Early morning physical activity sessions are available from 7:50am.

Academic Facilities
The school has an innovation lab for animation, science experiments, 3D printing and robotics. The school has a kitchen garden program. The school has a performing arts hall with three soundproof instrumental music studios and integrated lighting, projection facilities, a green screen and a shadow screen, seating up to 100.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school has a comprehensive instrumental music program offered to all Discovery Centre students. Students run a weekly cafe to raise funds for charities. Small group workshops run two days per week to provoke curiosity and build skills. Technology projects include a Space Inquiry film festival. Hebrew language is used in learning and Ivrit is reinforced as a living language.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Enrichment runs during lunch across primary campuses, with clubs such as chess, drama, gardening, worm farm, physical fitness, skipping, performance group, choir, art, environment group and library. The music program is diverse, combining classroom music with co-curricular learning and performances; private music lessons are available from Prep onward, and almost half of primary students undertake private vocal or instrumental lessons and may perform at assemblies. Students are encouraged to compete in interschool competitions. An instrument rent-to-own program provides access to instruments such as flute, trumpet, trombone, clarinet and saxophone, including school-based maintenance and music theory support.

Arts & Creative
Co-Curricular Performing Arts extends beyond the classroom, offering music, drama and dance opportunities across the campuses and a busy calendar of live performances. Private music tuition is offered, with weekly lessons across all three campuses. Music ensembles include choirs and instrumental groups with regular rehearsals and performances, and a calendar of performances and events supports student engagement.

Cultural & Language
Hebrew language study is mandatory through Year 10, coordinated by the Alter Family School of Jewish Studies and Ivrit, with Hebrew learning embedded across the curriculum. A two-year Hebrew bilingual program is offered for Years 7–8 for immersive Ivrit study in core subjects, and senior Hebrew language pathways include VCE Hebrew Units 1–2 and 3–4, a VET in Applied Language, and a Beginners stream; Year 12 students may study tertiary Hebrew via The University of Melbourne. The Israel curriculum and CCJE teams provide Jewish education with programs such as Master Talmud, Zionist camps and Shlichot, and various Israel-related activities; Bat Mitzvah programs and related leadership opportunities are also available.

Social & Hobbies
Enrichment clubs during lunch include photography, chess, early morning string orchestra, Lego, ukulele, library activities and garden projects; year-level offerings expand across the term with activities such as garden, 20/20 Cricket, Loom Band, indoor basketball and other clubs. The performing arts program supports creative collaboration through music, ensembles and live performances. Leadership experiences are woven into primary life, including Year 3 Discovery Centre leadership opportunities and the Year 6 Achrayim program. Outdoor education and school camps in Years 3–6 further enrich social and recreational experiences.

Community & Service
The College runs community service and outreach initiatives, including the Roslyn Smorgon Outreach program and interfaith Building Bridges activities. Shlichot (Sherut Le'umi) students from Israel participate across year levels to foster Zionist ideals and bring Israeli life into the College, and Bat Mitzvah programs offer mother–daughter engagement opportunities in community life.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership training is provided to students throughout primary years. Year 3 Discovery Centre at FKI provides leadership and decision-making opportunities, with Year 6 Achrayim training as part of primary leadership development. In the secondary, the Hadracha leadership program is offered in Year 10, with opportunities to take Madrichim roles at camps and lead school-wide events. The CCJE team and related outreach activities also provide broader leadership experiences.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Personal development, social skills and well-being are core to Mount Scopus, with strong extra-curricular enrichment supporting happiness and growth. Campus psychologists and the College chaplain are available to support students and families. In upper years, wellbeing and balance are supported through the Mechanech program and related study-skills guidance, including weekly diary tips and wellbeing focus; outdoor education camps in Years 4–5 and a Canberra trip in Year 6 promote physical health and resilience.
Languages

Language Provision
Hebrew is taught as a subject in Primary with explicit Hebrew instruction. Hebrew language is used through Jewish Studies and Hebrew programs in the Primary years, and the Discovery Centre emphasizes Hebrew usage. English is the language of instruction overall, and in Early Learning there is bilingual teaching in English and Hebrew. In Secondary, Languages other than English are offered, and Year 8 electives may include an additional language.

Bilingual Teaching
Early Learning uses bilingual teaching with instruction in English and Hebrew; there is an immersive Jewish Studies and Hebrew program.

Immersion Programs
An immersive Jewish Studies and Hebrew program operates, with general and Jewish studies teachers working together; Hebrew is used regularly, including at the Discovery Centre where Ivrit is increasingly spoken.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Discuss enrolment: complete the enrolment form or phone Enrolments at 9834 0070 to discuss your enrolment enquiry or register your child. A member of the Enrolments team will guide you through options and next steps. Information sessions and campus visits are available to help families understand entry at all levels. 2. Year 7 entry pathway: the Year 7 Scopus Experience invites prospective Year 7 entrants to visit and experience the College with a group of peers toward the end of Year 5. 3. Individual trial visits: visitors are placed in Year 6 to learn alongside current students and build social connections; some may be invited for a trial visit late in Year 5 to secure an early place offer. 4. Transition Days: late in Year 6, all confirmed new Year 7 starters participate in Transition Days to orient them with the campus, staff and routines. 5. Parent information evenings: parents attend information evenings with the College Principal and Deputy Principals responsible for Secondary and for Jewish Studies and Ivrit to learn about the ethos, curriculum and extra‑curricular programs. 6. Year 7 orientation: the Year 7 orientation session marks the first formal day; students receive class placements, locker allocations and meet their Mech (homeroom) teacher. 7. Campus exposure and settling: the process ensures multiple exposure opportunities to the campus and peers before starting Year 7. 8. Offers and general intake (all year levels): place offers are made pending availability in each year level and generally commence in Term 1 of the year prior to entry; entry is not solely determined by places. Applications for entry after Year 11 are considered only in exceptional circumstances.

Scholarships
Academic Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are awarded to students entering Year 5, 7 and 9 in 2028. Each scholarship provides $13,000 per annum toward tuition fees and runs for specified year ranges (Year 5 entry: Years 5–8; Year 7 entry: Years 7–12; Year 9 entry: Years 9–12). Open to both current Mount Scopus students and prospective students; applicants must sit an externally administered academic examination and must uphold the College's values, including menschlichkeit. External applicants must also provide their two most recent academic reports and most recent NAPLAN report and attend an interview with the Principal; the normal enrolment process applies prior to a place being confirmed. The College reserves the right to make final scholarship offers at its discretion. Gesher: Bridging the gap from Kinder to Primary School: Gesher bursaries assist families by bridging the CCS funding from Kinder to Prep and beyond, to keep primary tuition in line with Kinder costs. Eligibility is means‑tested and generally open to CCS‑eligible families; the application begins with a short expression of interest, followed by a confidential phone conversation and, for some families, a meeting and documentation. Bnei Mitzvah Scholarship: Start the Journey Earlier: This scholarship is designed for Years 4 or 5 with up to 50% off tuition for Years 4–6, continuing to Year 6, plus Hebrew literacy support and ongoing assistance through to Year 12. Selection criteria include interest in Jewish life and learning, strong character, and evidence of learning commitment; the process includes an enquiry form, a phone call from the enrolments team, shortlisted external candidates interviewed by the Principal, and notification of outcomes. Fee Assistance: Fee assistance is means‑tested and administered by the Bursary Committee with three pathways: bursaries (non‑repayable), fee deferral (repayable later), and payment arrangements. Applications are assessed annually, with a formal form, a meeting with the Bursary Manager and Committee, and a decision typically communicated within three to four weeks after the meeting (overall 4–6 weeks). For new enrolments, families may choose whether to undertake a trial visit before or after the fee assistance process; fee assistance applies from Prep through Year 12 and is reviewed each year.
School Events
The school has not added events
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