In the past few months at Carey I have seen strong signs of a very healthy school environment. A young student, with care and guidance from an outstanding English teacher, has approached the Senior School with the idea of producing a student newspaper in 2026. Everything we hopefully stand for in terms of empowering our young people, providing an authentic voice and role, running further avenues for critical and creative thinking can come from such an idea. It should build a stronger school culture and community. Whether it be photos, cartoons, satirical pieces or research, we can also celebrate the many and diverse talents of our students at Carey. When discussing the importance of this, the student described wanting the newspapers to be a living record of what are important issues for students at the time, what achievements should be celebrated and to offer something for all students to aspire and connect to.
Around the same time of receiving this request, a group of Year 10 students made contact to establish a new club at Carey. In this group, their intentions are to explore the fields of medicine, law and, particularly, artificial intelligence and technology, in preparation for the university courses they plan to pursue. Their aim includes engaging in discussions, reading research papers, and delivering presentations to one another to deepen their understanding of these areas. With students pushing to deepen their academic engagement and fostering student agency, John Dewey would be resting in his grave enjoying the student-centred critical and analytical thinking of the real world.
I remember many years ago trying to show students some analysis and research in one of my History classes. One of the students became frustrated with my sources and showed me a far better way to see and research that particular topic. Our students, who have been immersed in new technologies including AI, will again help lead the way in education and working with such technologies.
Great schools challenge students. At Carey, we want our students to develop as curious, independent, critical thinkers. Carey students must be able to question, analyse, create and engage thoughtfully with the world. Design learning to empower our students sounds pretty cool, I think.
Christian Gregory
Deputy Head of Senior School – Student Wellbeing
