LIFE AT CAREY
Complex Competencies
Complex Competencies provide a more nuanced understanding of our students to aid them in their choices after their school journey.
Since 2021, Carey has been working with the University of Melbourne's assessment centre, Melbourne Metrics, as an early adopter in the New Metrics project to develop new and robust assessments of Complex Competencies.
The new Complex Competency assessments will contribute to an official learner profile that students, educators and tertiary institutions can access to understand, holistically, each individual's strengths, abilities, motivations and potential contributions to the community both during and after their time at school.
From 2026, in addition to the learner profiles that students receive, all Year 12 Carey graduates will receive both an ATAR and Australian Learner Competency Credential (ALCC). The ALCC recognises capabilities we know matter deeply beyond school such as collaboration, critical thinking and community contribution, allowing us to better acknowledge the breadth of what our students bring to the world.
Our dedicated Research and Innovation team have driven this project at Carey, consulting with and bringing all Carey educators on the journey to ensure the new metrics are teachable, learnable, assessable and observable across disciplines for the benefit of our students.
Learn about the Complex Competencies.
Awards
Alongside the University of Melbourne and other partner schools, we received the 2025 Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) National Leadership Award in recognition of our outstanding contribution as a valued partner in the New Metrics for Success research-practice partnership. The award celebrates the collective impact of schools and researchers working together to reimagine how student learning and achievement can be understood, measured and celebrated. Jonathan Walter, Principal of Carey Baptist Grammar School, said the award recognises the value of long-term collaboration in driving meaningful educational change. 'Our engagement with the University of Melbourne’s New Metrics project has allowed us to contribute to national thinking about assessment and progression,’ he said. ‘It’s deeply rewarding to see this work acknowledged and, more importantly, to see our students benefit as we capture and celebrate their full range of abilities.’
Media
Jonathan Walter, Principal of Carey Baptist Grammar School, was invited to speak with Professor Sandra Milligan, Executive Director of Melbourne Metrics and expert in assessment research, on the Talking Teaching podcast. They discussed the purpose, numerous benefits and next steps this groundbreaking approach will have on the future of assessment and students’ experiences beyond just the academics.
Listen to the podcast
