Deepening our work with the Complex Competencies at Carey

This year, Carey has advanced its commitment to Complex Competencies, preparing students for a dynamic world. In 2025, 170 teachers are actively assessing students for the Complex Competency Credential, reflecting growth across campuses and year levels. Staff are engaging in professional learning focussed on high-quality, competency-based teaching; a key priority for 2025 and beyond. 

Through targeted development, teachers are creating deeper, more authentic learning experiences while reflecting on essential teaching and learning questions, such as:

• Which competencies best support my subject or learning goals?
• How will this strengthen student learning in my classroom?
• What might students achieve with stronger skills in this area?

Highlights of this work include:

• establishing clear ‘conditions for success’ in competency-based learning
• providing a framework for designing rich learning experiences targeting specific competencies
• partnering each teaching team with an expert Complex Competency Coach for support, feedback and moderation
• developing a video library of teacher reflections, allowing staff to learn from each other
• offering regular professional learning sessions, including lunchtime drop-ins, workshops and a vibrant ‘Complex Competency Marketplace’, where 12 Carey teachers shared their experiences.

Updates from across the School include:

• Year 6: students were credentialed in Active Citizenship during Camp Toonallook
• Year 9: credentialing in two (or more) competencies across every subject
• Year 12 IB: credentialing in at least two competencies in every IB subject, including the Core
• other year levels: teachers are focussed on designing and delivering competency-based learning in Agency in Learning and two additional competencies, where students receive feedback.

We are proud of the innovation and dedication of our staff, and of the rich learning this work is creating for our students, both in and beyond the classroom. We look forward to sharing more as this exciting journey continues.

Term 3 roundup 

Term 3 has been a bustling and rewarding period at Carey. Our students engaged in diverse learning, co-curricular and community activities. We proudly hosted a Gender Equity Symposium with over 150 students from Melbourne schools, wrapped up the winter APS sports season and began spring competitions. Book Week added vibrancy with creative costumes from students and staff.

Outdoor Education programs offered hands-on experiences: Year 8 students rotated through Hattah, Human Rights Convention and Rural Victoria; Year 10 completed their Zero experiences; and Year 4 explored Toonallook. The Arts flourished as well with the admirable production of the Senior School Play, The Kitchen; we witnessed enthusiastic rehearsals for the upcoming Junior School – Donvale campus production of Mary Poppins Jr; and we are greatly looking forward to tonight’s Biennial Spring Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

A big thank you to staff and volunteers whose dedication makes these valuable and memorable experiences possible for our students.

Kate Croft
Deputy Principal – Learning