As we approach the final term of 2022, two of our longstanding staff members are making the most of their last 10 weeks as they reflect on their time at Carey.
After 33 years of loyal service, Adrian Cresswell has decided to embark on a new chapter in his career. Adrian is the longest serving member of the Carey Donvale staff, having joined the school in 1990, just a year after it officially opened. Whilst Adrian is best known for his role as our PE Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator, he is a man of many talents and broad ranging interests. These interests have influenced his professional career with his love of the theatre, bike riding and outdoor education enriching our programs for decades. We look forward to acknowledging Adrian’s contribution to the School before he leaves to pursue life beyond Carey.
Deb McAlister has decided that the time is right to retire and along with her husband Alan they are both very much looking forward to spending more quality time with their children and grandchildren. Deb has been an incredibly loyal and trustworthy member of the Carey family for nearly 18 years. On a daily basis, she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, driven by her commitment to the School and her genuine concern for the wellbeing of others. Her professional and personal integrity has shone through with staff, parents and students. It will be important to appropriately acknowledge Deb’s contribution before the end of the term.
Hattie Cao has taken long service leave this term and we wish her all the best as she enjoys this well-deserved break. We welcome Sandy Xu, an experienced Languages teacher, who will fill in for Hattie during this time.
Exciting times on and off campus
Thanks to our action-oriented CDPA, we have enjoyed myriad community building events this year. A hugely success Welcome Event got the ball rolling back in Term 1, after which we enjoyed children’s first aid courses, Lego workshops, illustrator tutorials, Mothers and Fathers Day stalls and, more recently, the CDPA Parents Dinner at the Windsor. What an outstanding contribution our CDPA have made to the life and times of Carey Donvale in 2022!
In addition to vibrant and engaging classroom programs, our children are fortunate to enjoy a host of co-curricular activities designed to stretch them out of their comfort zone. The Year 5 and 6 Toonallook outdoor ed camps, Year 5s Sovereign Hill experience and the Year 3 Portsea camp certainly fall into this category. Closer to home, visits by Year 5 to the Chinese Museum, Year 2 to the African Village at Werribee Zoo, Year 1 to Cranbourne to visit authors and illustrators during Book Week, a Chinese calligraphy incursion and the 4YO ELC Echidna group’s excursion to Edendale farm are just a few examples of experiences specifically aimed at enriching the classroom curriculum.
Steve Wilson
Head of Carey Donvale
