Farewell, welcome and some Junior School Donvale updates

Marg Adams announces her retirement

After 40 years in the teaching profession, 27 years at Carey and 12 years as Deputy Head of Junior School Donvale, Marg Adams will retire at the end of the year. Retirement marks a significant milestone in anyone’s life and for Marg, the end of 2023 will see her devoting more time to her family and enjoying time down at Sorrento with her husband Tony. Her dedication and commitment to education has been truly commendable. Retirement offers an opportunity for Marg to enjoy well-deserved rest, pursue personal interests and cherish the memories created throughout her career. Marg has made a significant contribution here to Carey and later in the year we will honour her achievements before she starts this new chapter in her life.

Welcome Brooke de Vries – Art

Brooke de Vries, our new Art teacher, has made a bright start. An experienced educator with 18 years of experience in a variety of school settings, she has a strong background in the visual arts having taught students from Prep right through to VCE. Brooke encourages her students to be risk takers and open minded when exploring new ideas and techniques. Brooke is excited to join Junior School Donvale and we look forward to capitalising on her broad skillset and her breadth of experience.

Aladdin Jr musical production is in full swing

Over the past two weeks it has been terrific to see all the children back on campus eagerly tackling the fresh learning opportunities and units of work that the new term brings. With our musical production Aladdin Jr in full swing, as well as numerous incursions and excursions set to go, it certainly promises to be a busy and rewarding next seven weeks.

Another impressive transformation

Once again, we undertook an ambitious program of renovations over the winter break. A new, larger rebound wall is now in place adjacent to the basketball court and our Year 3/4 classrooms are currently being upgraded.

These renovated learning environments will include:

• new sliding glass doors
• ergonomic chairs and new furniture, including some stand up desks
• new child friendly sinks
• new blinds
• new storage units
• fresh paintwork.

Smooth campus traffic flow

We all value safe arrivals and departures inside our beautiful campus and we appreciate everyone’s co-operation to make it work. Heeding this advice helps traffic flow:

• consider using our reliable school bus services
• parking at the Tennis Club and walking to and from school is a healthy option
• give way to our buses as they enter and exit the gates
• more left-hand turns out of Era Court improves traffic flow.
  

Kiss and go in the morning

• arrive between 8.00am and 8.15am – this helps the flow
• move to the end of the drop off zone so more cars can pull in
• encourage your children to exit the car independently.

Staggered afternoon pick up times

• Our staggered dismissal times are designed to assist traffic flow:
• ELC at 3.00pm
• Prep–Year 2 at 3.10pm
• siblings at 3.20pm
• Years 3–6 at 3.30pm.

Steve Wilson
Head of Carey Donvale