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Celebrations of learning

From 2028, all of our students will learn, grow and play together at our Kew campus.

A united future for our Junior School

<h3>As part of our commitment to providing an exceptional, consistent learning journey for every Carey child, all Junior School students will be brought together on a single campus at Kew in 2028. This exciting opportunity will enhance learning, wellbeing and community connection for all of Carey’s students.</h3>In line with this plan, our Donvale campus will close at the end of 2027. We will ensure a smooth and well-supported transition for all students and families to the Kew campus, while honouring the contribution of our Donvale community since the campus opened in 1989.Our vision is to create an even stronger Carey – one Junior School, one community, united on a single, vibrant campus where every student has access to the same programs, facilities and opportunities. This marks an exciting step forward in our long-term strategy for an exceptional learning experience at Carey.To support this transition, Carey has acquired the Blackhall property from Preshil, which adjoins our existing Kew campus. This acquisition is key to enabling our single student campus vision and creating new, purpose-built spaces for all students.These new facilities at Kew will include a dedicated Years 5–6 Centre and a future Sports and Wellbeing Centre. This will allow Carey to continue investing in world-class learning environments that nurture curiosity, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.

Why is Donvale closing?

We believe the best way to deliver the continued evolution of the Junior School program and an exceptional, consistent learning journey for every Carey child is to bring our Junior School together on one campus.This transition will allow us to strengthen academic and wellbeing programs, align curriculum and pastoral care, and provide daily access to a broader range of specialist learning areas and co-curricular opportunities. There are also financial benefits – ensuring that resources, funding and future investment are focussed where they deliver the greatest benefit for all students. This includes expanding, upgrading or building new facilities and enhancing educational experiences that serve the whole Carey community.

How does this align with Carey’s vision and values?

The decision aligns strongly with our strategic priorities of personalising learning, connecting community and ensuring long-term sustainability. Consolidating onto one site will allow every student to access the same high-quality programs, facilities and wellbeing support, enabling more individualised pathways and a cohesive whole-school experience grounded in Carey’s values.

What are some of the educational benefits of this decision?

Students will have greater access to Leaders of Learning in Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry, ensuring consistent, evidence-based instruction.  A larger cohort will enable richer social experiences and the chance for every child to find their place, building confidence and connection. Learning will take place in purpose-built facilities designed for contemporary education, including science labs, the kitchen garden and dedicated spaces for collaboration and exploration.  Students will also gain enhanced access to whole-school resources such as the Centre for Learning Innovation (CLI), IT support, and specialist staff while benefiting from the breadth of expertise across the entire Junior School team.The move to one site also expands opportunities for Years 5 and 6 students from 2028, with new pathways in languages, the arts, and a purpose-built Years 5–6 Centre designed around current research into adolescent learning and agency. This centre will create a learning culture that empowers students to take ownership of their growth and prepares them for Middle School.

What will happen between now and 2028?

Between now and 2028, Donvale students will benefit from strengthened teaching and learning programs and full support for staff, students and families. A community integration strategy will be developed in consultation with families and staff to guide the transition, including opportunities for students to build connections across campuses. Donvale families will be kept informed and involved throughout this process.

What are some of the program changes that will occur during the transition?

From 2026, the Junior School will move to a consistent music offering across both campuses. Curriculum music will include compulsory Choir for Prep–Year 4, and the Strings program in Year 2 (and in Year 3 for Donvale’s 2026 cohort to ensure continuity). Co-curricular programs, overseen by the whole-school Performing Arts department, will include the Years 5 and 6 choirs and the Year 5 Band program as an optional co-curricular experience.  These refinements create more classroom time for core literacy and numeracy learning while broadening musical opportunities across the Junior School.   One of the signature experiences in the Donvale program has been the Musical. This will be a significant feature of a new musical program, commencing in 2027 for upper primary students, involving students from both campuses.  All students will continue to have access to the same sporting programs currently offered. All Year 5 and 6 students will continue to participate in APS competition on Wednesdays, with training scheduled every second week. This approach enables a balanced schedule that allows for additional House sessions and broader student participation across activities.  The Outdoor Education team, in collaboration with the Junior School leadership, has developed a comprehensive Prep–Year 10 Outdoor Education sequence. Previously beginning at Year 4, the expanded sequence now includes experiences for Prep–Year 3 students, providing developmental continuity throughout the program.  Over the next two years, the environmental and sustainability program at Donvale will be strengthened through the appointment of a Science teacher with a gardening and sustainability focus. The Year 4 students will have the opportunity to travel to Kew to use the kitchen facilities to cook what they harvest from their garden. From Year 5, Science will become a standalone subject.The academic program will continue to strengthen through clear alignment and consistent practice across the Junior School.Families will be kept informed with any further updates to the program.

Are you still accepting applications for Donvale?

Yes, families can still enrol at Donvale, with the guarantee of transfer to our Kew campus in 2028. We welcome any new applications and will continue to accommodate any new students at Donvale in line with our enrolment capacity. We are excited about the future for Carey as we unify on one site. We encourage prospective families to embark on this journey with us.

What happens to current waitlists and offers?

Students who are on the Donvale waitlist will also be added to the Kew waitlist. The order on the waitlist will be determined by the days of application after birth, with the original application date remaining unchanged. Any existing offers will remain valid.

How will the Kew campus accommodate the students from Junior School – Donvale campus from 2028?

From 2028, Carey’s Junior School will be supported by new, purpose-built facilities. A dedicated Years 5–6 Centre and future Sports and Wellbeing Centre will provide the capacity and specialist spaces needed for every student to learn, play and flourish together. The recent property acquisitions will further enhance Carey’s Kew footprint, ensuring there is ample space for Donvale students without increasing class sizes or compromising educational quality.

What is planned for the new Years 5⁠–⁠6 Centre and Sports and Wellbeing Centre?

The new Years 5–6 Centre will create age-appropriate spaces that include flexible classrooms, collaboration studios, breakout zones and areas that promote independence and agency. The design reflects contemporary research into early adolescent learning needs, encouraging autonomy, teamwork and inquiry. A future Sports and Wellbeing Centre will bring together health, movement and wellbeing in one facility, strengthening our focus on whole-child wellbeing. This facility will benefit Carey students across all year levels.

Is anything changing with the Carey Sports Complex in Bulleen?

We can confirm that the Carey Sports Complex – Bulleen will remain an important, ongoing site for Carey. Bulleen will continue to serve the community for Physical Education classes, sport training, APS/AGSV competitions, House sport events, community events and use by alumni sports clubs.

If you have any questions, please email contact@carey.com.au or phone 9816 1000.

Carey Baptist Grammar School is a leading co-educational independent school in Melbourne, with campuses in Kew and Donvale catering for students from Early Learning to Year 12.

<title>Donvale Transition Information</title>

Donvale Transition Information

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Donvale Transition Information

A united future for our Junior School

Questions about the transition