Our student and parent forums: building connection and community

Few traditions at Carey Middle School generate as much energy and engagement as our Student and Parent Forums. Year after year, these events continue to grow, so much so that accommodating the crowds has become a welcome challenge. Their success lies in their evolution: each forum is carefully shaped to reflect the real and changing needs of our young people and their families. At their core, these forums create a space where important conversations can happen openly, practically and together.

The last of these forums for 2026 took place last night, but we look forward to continuing the tradition next year.

Year 7: Laying the foundations for positive relationships

Our Year 7 forum focusses on one of the most critical aspects of transition to secondary school: building healthy, respectful relationships. The evening begins with insights from key staff, including the Year 7 Co-ordinator and our Head of Health and PE, before moving into a dynamic panel featuring experienced teachers responding to pre-submitted parent questions. The real magic happens when families break into House groups, connecting with one another and working through realistic scenarios together. As educational researcher Dr John Hattie notes, ‘Positive relationships are the cornerstone of student wellbeing and academic success.’ This forum ensures that students and parents begin their Carey journey with that foundation firmly in place.

Year 8: Navigating the digital world

In Year 8, the focus shifts to Creating Positive Online Relationships, and this year the forum evolved into a parent-only event, due the complexity of the digital landscape young people now navigate. Parents hear from a range of experts in technology, social media and student wellbeing, alongside a powerful panel that includes both students and teachers. The inclusion of student voice offers a unique and often eye-opening perspective. Cyber-safety expert Dr Joanne Orlando reminds us, ‘Young people need guidance, not just boundaries, when it comes to technology use.’ This forum empowers parents with both, while also reinforcing Carey’s clear and successful mobile phone expectations.

Year 9: Safe Party Forum

Our Year 9 forum tackles one of the most confronting and essential topics: how young people can socialise safely and responsibly. With crowds of over 500 students and parents, the evening reflects the importance families place on these conversations. Led by long-time Carey partner and police officer Greg Garrison, the session offers honest, sometimes confronting insights into real-world scenarios. Students also hear from Senior School leaders before working through practical situations in mixed groups. As youth development expert Dr Michael Carr-Gregg explains, ‘Teenagers don’t need more rules, they need the skills and confidence to make good decisions in complex situations.’ This forum is designed to do exactly that.

Across all year levels, these forums bring families together, foster shared understanding and create a sense of collective responsibility for young people’s growth. Most importantly, they ensure that students, parents and staff are working together, speaking the same language, addressing the same challenges and supporting one another every step of the way.

Harry Dendle
Deputy Head of Middle School – Student Wellbeing