Community
Our History
For over a century, we have been inspired by and dedicated to our shared responsibility for shaping the citizens of tomorrow.
Carey was founded in 1923 with the support of the Baptist Union of Victoria, initially as a day and boarding school for boys. Our school is named in honour of Rev. Dr William Carey, a Baptist missionary and self-taught language scholar who dedicated much of his life to humanitarian work in India in the 18th century. His life of service, faith and commitment to learning are central to the School’s philosophy today.
Animo et Fide, Carey’s motto, means ‘By Courage and Faith’. Inspired by our Baptist ethos and our focus on developing the whole student through a complete education, our motto is embraced and practised by all at Carey.
The symbolism of the torch exists throughout our school, including in our school crest. The torchbearer challenges students to take ownership of the legacy of Carey and pass the torch to the next generation of students, shining as brightly as it did when they received it.
A timeline of Carey's history
Discover some of the key milestones from our history.
1923
Carey Baptist Grammar School opens
1954
Memorial Great Hall opened in honour of alumni who served and died in the Second World War
1958
Carey joins the Associated Public Schools (APS)
1962
Bulleen Sports Complex opened and hosted the first House athletics event
1967
Carey’s Outdoor Education Camp ‘Toonallook’ begins
1971
William Carey Chapel opened
1979
Co-education introduced to Years 11 and 12
1985
Annual Senior School musicals commence
1989
Donvale campus opened
2005
Exchange program with Robinson River School begins
2011
Enrolments reach 50% girls
2023
Centenary celebrated
1923
Carey Baptist Grammar School opens
1954
Memorial Great Hall opened in honour of alumni who served and died in the Second World War
1958
Carey joins the Associated Public Schools (APS)
1962
Bulleen Sports Complex opened and hosted the first House athletics event
1967
Carey’s Outdoor Education Camp ‘Toonallook’ begins
1971
William Carey Chapel opened
1979
Co-education introduced to Years 11 and 12
1985
Annual Senior School musicals commence
1989
Donvale campus opened
2005
Exchange program with Robinson River School begins
2011
Enrolments reach 50% girls
2023
Centenary celebrated
1923
Carey Baptist Grammar School opens
1954
Memorial Great Hall opened in honour of alumni who served and died in the Second World War
1958
Carey joins the Associated Public Schools (APS)
1962
Bulleen Sports Complex opened and hosted the first House athletics event
1967
Carey’s Outdoor Education Camp ‘Toonallook’ begins
1971
William Carey Chapel opened
1979
Co-education introduced to Years 11 and 12
1985
Annual Senior School musicals commence
1989
Donvale campus opened
2005
Exchange program with Robinson River School begins
2011
Enrolments reach 50% girls
2023
Centenary celebrated
Carey Collections
Our digital archive, Carey Collections, contains a trove of photos, documents, publications and interviews from throughout Carey's history.
Visit Carey CollectionsHeritage Trail
Carey's Heritage Trail takes you on a journey of our school's history. You can take the tour in person by contacting our Archivist, Helen Wolff, or you can explore the sites on our website.
Explore the Heritage TrailOur Centenary
In 2023, Carey Baptist Grammar School celebrated 100 years since the enrolment of our first students.
Look back at our centenary celebrationsPhilanthropy at Carey
Carey's foundation is built on a culture of giving and community contribution. From the very beginning of Carey's story, philanthropy has played a vital role in shaping our campuses, enriching learning experiences and supporting our students. Appeals established a strong tradition of community generosity over the years, supporting and enabling the creation of many facilities and much-loved spaces we still enjoy to this day, including Sandell Oval, new academic wings, a new library and learning spaces, a Junior School wing, and a physical education complex.
In recent years, philanthropy has continued to strengthen access and opportunity, including the establishment of the Carey Student Fee Support Fund in 2020. Today, we benefit from and are grateful for the contributions of those who came before us. Our tradition of giving and improving the School for generations to come is ongoing, ensuring Carey remains a place of excellence, opportunity and care for students today and into the future.
Donate to the Carey Archive
Do you have any special Carey items you'd like to donate to our archive? Get in touch with our Archivist, Helen Wolff, to find out how your can contribute to the Carey collection.
Contact our Archivist
