Carey features a range of experiences that uniquely encourage and challenge us to reflect on the Carey values of Care, Respect and Growth. A recent example includes accompanying Year 8 Co-ordinator, Rhys Adams, and Head of Hickman House, Jacob de Paiva, to Camp Toonallook during the Term 3 holidays. Together with a group of parents and students, we were able to discuss and reflect on ways to make our world a better place. Even the now-infamous ‘Warfie Time’ played in the 2026 AFL Grand Final was discussed!
Last week, Danny Crofton, Head of Rowing, and Sophie Rigg, Rowing Operations Co-ordinator, invited members of the Carey rowing community to launch the new season and the naming of a coxed quadruple scull rowing boat in honour of Marcus Freeman. At that gathering, Principal Jonathan Walter reminded us that there are many ways that we remember someone who has been important to us. It is through the stories we tell, the memories we share, the conversations we continue to have, and sometimes simply by continuing to speak their name we continue to honour and carry their memory forward with us. Lead Chaplain Tim Edwards, then made the point that our school is named after a person who displayed attributes, characteristics and values which our founders hoped would be emulated day after day into the future and then concluded with a prayer that those present at Macafee Courts and beyond would be filled with peace, calm, fruitfulness, growth, maturity, and an ever-increasing understanding of strong relationships, unity, teamwork, courage and wisdom.
Later that evening, the annual Art, Design and Technologies Exhibition in the Memorial Great Hall showcased the talent, creativity and ingenuity of Carey students from Years 7 to 12 (pictured above). Facilitated by Simon Carver, Head of Learning Area – Art, Design and Technologies, a particular highlight was listening to Head of Middle School, Meredith Plaisted’s analysis of the works by Middle School students.
This week has continued to provide insights into how Care, Respect and Growth is conceptualised within our school community. On Sunday morning a number of staff and students joined Art and Design teacher Jacki Magee at the Melbourne Marathon drink station located at the intersection of Roy Street and St Kilda Road. From 5.30am until approximately 2pm, members of the Carey community cared for over 36,000 runners competing in either the Full (42.195km) or Half (21.1km) Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival. Several Carey staff and students participated in these marathons, with Carey alum and current staff member Alex Jenkin running the full marathon in 2 hours and 41 minutes! Involvement at this station contributed towards funds raised for the JMB Foundation, named for Carey alum James Macready-Bryan, dedicated to caring for young people with acquired brain injuries.
Then, on Monday of this week, members of the Carey community joined parents and care givers at Saint Paul’s Cathedral for the Class of 2026 Leavers Service. How quickly time has passed from when these students first joined the Carey community! As I sit here considering their upcoming examinations and entrance into the world beyond Carey, I hope they are comforted, guided and supported by the following prayer based in part on the thoughts of Christian writer Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Let us pray.
Loving God, thank you for the presence, care and contributions provided by the Year 12 student cohort to our school community. Please be with them as they engage with their final secondary examinations.
Provide them with a sharp intellect, a quiet confidence and your reassurance in all that they seek to achieve. Strengthen their sense of understanding, foster in them a retentive memory, and give all the ability to demonstrate an understanding of their learning.
Help them to attempt and expect great things in all they do.
Provide them with courage when they doubt themselves, and peace in moments when they might feel overwhelmed.
May they be exact in all their explanations, and blessed with an ability to reflect the Carey values instilled upon them of Care, Respect and Growth.
Continue to bless their teachers, support systems and peers as they to navigate the upcoming exams and celebrations that will follow. Amen.
Rev. Scott Bramley
Middle School Chaplain
