‘The House system helped to form friendships and foster a sense of belonging.’ – Alexandra Mack (2008), History Survey, 2019
This year marks 100 years since the House system was introduced at Carey. This milestone anniversary presents the opportunity to look back over its history and the people behind the House names, which are worn like a badge of honour during a student’s time at Carey.
The House system was introduced at Carey in 1924 with an initial three Houses.
School House (blue) incorporated all boarders with numbers made up with day boys. Tranter House (black) named for Reverend Leonard E Tranter who was primarily responsible for the establishment of the School. Moore House (gold) took its name from Dr William Moore, the first President of the School Council and an unrelenting supporter of Reverend Tranter’s efforts to establish a Baptist secondary school. The first donation of funds to the project were made by Dr Moore and his wife.
During the School’s first four decades, the House system changed very little. Family members continued to be placed in the same House, creating intergenerational ties for long-standing Carey families. In 1946, Headmaster Vivian Francis renamed School House Steele House
(for Carey’s foundation Headmaster H G Steele) and created a fourth house, Sutton House (red) named for Reverend Hedley Sutton, another of those who supported the establishment of Carey. Sutton served as a missionary in India for 25 years before returning to Australia and to Carey as Vice-Principal, a position to which he brought the personal characteristics that earned him the affection and respect of the School and wider community.
Six additional Houses were created for the commencement of 1967. The names chosen were in acknowledgement of the outstanding contribution and influence that those persons had made to the School. Cartwright House (green) for Reverend William Cartwright, whose remarkable energy, by personal canvas, raised over £11,000 to help fund the construction of the new Preparatory School and Laycock House (the boarding house). Reverend Cartwright was also a member of the School Council 1924–27. Gadsden House (dark green) was named for the Gadsden family. The Gadsden family’s involvement with Carey dates back to 1927 when the first of the four Gadsden boys was enrolled. Over subsequent years, the family contributed service to the School, made very generous donations and exhibited remarkable sporting prowess. Fullard House (maroon) is named in honour of Alfred Fairey Fullard who worked hard to achieve the establishment of a Baptist grammar school for boys. He served the School as the second President of the School Council from 1925–39, continuing on the Council until his death in 1943. Newnham House (purple) was named in honour of the Reverend Joseph Edgar Newnham – another staunch supporter of the establishment of a Baptist secondary school for boys. He served the School as Secretary of the Council and as a Council Member from 1926–42. He was President of the Baptist Union for several years in the 1930s. Hickman House (light blue) is named for Stuart Leslie Hickman, whose involvement with Carey began as a 23-year-old staff member in 1923. He returned to his home state, Tasmania, until 1948 when he returned to Victoria to become third Headmaster of Carey. Dunshea House (originally brown but changed its colour to orange in July 2002, which the students were very excited about*) is named in honour of Eric Ernest Dunshea, a successful businessman who served Carey in many ways, including as a long-serving President of the School Council from 1953–72. During his time, enrolments expanded from around 500 to 1200. Dunshea Oval at Bulleen is also named in recognition of Eric Dunshea.
Also in 1967, Junior School Kew formed its own six Houses, named after their then Housemasters and renamed with every new Housemaster. They gained permanent names in 1972 when they adopted the names of Christian missionaries, and renamed once again to be given their current names in 1994. This year also brought two new Houses for Junior School Kew, resulting in what we now know today as Arnold (dark blue), Barton (green), Burnet (dark green), Burrows (gold), Chisholm (light blue), Dunlop (maroon), Nicholls (purple) and Penman (red). You can discover more about their namesakes on CareyLink.
Junior School Donvale has another four Houses: Brown (green), Cramer (gold), Lyall (blue) and Shinkfield (red), all of which honouring Carey people who were significant in the life and development of the School. Read more about them on CareyLink.
The House system underpins a lot of what is done at Carey and is central to a student's sense of belonging at the School. The Houses are the focal point of relationship building, care and connection.
Today, students participate in their House Chapel Service and a range of other House competitions including swimming, athletics, summer (and winter) sports days, debating, public speaking, cross country and the much-loved house music competition. In addition, the House program facilitates social service projects and personal development programs.
In the Middle and Senior School, smaller House Mentor groups meet at the beginning of each day and the entire House gets together for two half-hour periods each week. Important elements of the Student Wellbeing program are undertaken at these times. The Head of House and Mentor are significant adults in the life of the student, with the Mentor as the usual point of contact with the School for parents, and so the development of a good relationship is important for the Mentor, parents and students.
Over the 101 years of Carey, the House system has become an integral part of the student experience. Appropriately named, a student’s House is like their home and family while they are at school: a base where they can feel a strong sense of belonging, visibility and care.
Helen Wolff
Archivist
*From the 2002 Carey Chronicle: ‘Changing colour: After a long struggle trying to make our House colour a little more inspirational than brown, we finally succeeded with the official change of colour to O R A N G E presented to us in July. Ecstatic and proud, it did not take long to get our fellow House members jumping into the new joyful colour and helping support the team.’
