Having recently visited the Year 10 Carey Zero program in Far North Queensland, I witnessed our Year 10 students embrace the myriad opportunities afforded to them by the journey.
Since returning, I’ve had conversations with numerous members of the school community about the program and what Year 9s should know as they come to the end of their time in Middle School. I’m glad to report that students arrive in their Zero year extremely well-prepared, largely due to learning that takes place in the Middle School. The Zero program is a logical progression from the outdoor and immersive programs undertaken by students in Years 7, 8 and 9. It was wonderful to witness students be out of their comfort zones but, at the same time, able to respond positively to the challenges of the unfamiliar setting by drawing on their Middle School experiences.
My time in the tropical north offered me ample opportunities for reflection on several other things too. I noted with interest the sacrifice that Carey staff who work on the Zero program make. Whether travelling to Queensland for as little as a week or as much as six months, the staff have a life far removed from the comforts of our Kew campus. You have to respect the distance, a wise colleague told me prior to my departure. It is a long way to go both in getting there and in between the various locations. We also see this commitment from staff who run camps and immersive programs in the Middle School – everything from Toona with students at the beginning of Year 7 to those on the C Change City Challenge at the end of Year 9. I am lucky to have such dedicated colleagues willing to leave the everyday classroom, and our students are similarly fortunate.
The privilege that comes with visiting an unfamiliar natural environment was also at the forefront of my mind as I travelled through the hinterland between Townsville and Cairns. Humpback whales breaching just off the beach, a moment so magical as to be scarcely believable, was just one example of incredible wildlife that we witnessed. Students and staff alike were agape at the sight. The rich natural environment also showed us blue wing kookaburras, sea turtles, an echidna, several species of rays and an incredible range of plant life. I was very glad to see that students were every bit as excited about all of these superb creatures as the staff were.
A visit to a fruit farm, where I learned some genuinely fascinating things about bananas, was another reminder of the privilege we have to be alive in this time and place. While it’s true that there is no shortage of bad news, we are ultimately living in the best possible moment in human history. And that is worth being grateful for. Indeed, gratitude was what I felt most of all in returning from Zero. Gratitude to the students for their positive approach, to my colleagues with whom I travelled and those who led us around, and gratitude for the opportunities that Carey offers us.
I would welcome any queries about bananas.
David Martin
Deputy Head of Middle School – Student Learning
