Senior School
Senior School Learning Program
Years 10 to 12 represent the culmination of the growth, development and learning from the school journey.
In Years 10 to 12 at Carey Baptist Grammar School, students can choose to study the IB or the VCE. They are supported to become active, independent and responsible participants in their education as they prepare for tertiary study and life beyond school.
Senior School is an important period of student development, so to support them throughout their learning, we ensure all students have balance through a focus on wellbeing, co-curricular activities and real-world learning. Leadership opportunities, community service projects and our careers guidance also enrich the student experience.
By the time they leave Carey, these young adults will be ready to meet the future, whatever it may hold.
Year 10 Program
In Year 10 at Carey, we build on the experiences and learning from Middle School to prepare independent, motivated and engaged students who are ready to take on the IB or VCE in their final years of school.
Students can choose to pursue a wide range of subjects throughout the year, helping them to find their strengths and interests and guide their decisions for Years 11 and 12.
Victorian Certificate of Education
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the final high school certificate that most students in Victoria receive when they complete their secondary education. The VCE opens a wide range of pathways to further study and to employment, both in Australia and internationally.
The VCE at Carey is very broad with over 30 subjects available to choose from in Year 11 and close to 40 different subjects in Year 12.
International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a common curriculum and university entry credential recognised across the world. It is a two-year program for Year 11 and 12, focussed on developing lifelong learners who are committed to excellence in all aspects of their lives beyond school.
At Carey, the academic, social and personal growth that a student experiences when studying the IB is unique.
Co-curricular opportunities
The co-curricular program at Carey provides experience and training in activities that can enrich students’ lives well beyond their school years and expand their friendship groups across year levels and House groups. It includes sport, music, theatre, outdoor education, debating, community service and many more opportunities. There is something at Carey to suit every student’s interests and passions.
Student Wellbeing
The Student Wellbeing team has whole-school responsibility for and oversight of student wellbeing at Carey. Led by the Head of Student Wellbeing and made up of the School Nurses, School Psychologists, Student Guidance Co-ordinators, Wellbeing Project Co-ordinators and wellbeing administrators, Student Wellbeing works in partnership with each of the four school sections to promote and progress student wellbeing, mental and physical health and social/emotion learning in a three-tiered way:
- Universal: whole-school initiatives that foster positive wellbeing for all students
- Targeted: programs and interventions that help shape the trajectory for individuals or small cohorts of students
- Intensive: personalised responses for students who need support.
Learning Development
Carey attracts and embraces students with a wide range of abilities. At any given time, the school population includes students who require extension or intervention beyond the classroom. Student Development programs are a core component of our focus on wellbeing at Carey, and allow students to maintain curiosity, creativity and motivation by truly tailoring the curriculum to suit each individual’s needs.
Talent Development
Talent Development at Carey encourages students by fostering their skills in thinking and research, and providing extension in their area of talent. Carey supports the needs of highly able students through the curriculum and differentiation in the classroom. This may be accompanied by individual programs, small groups, and whole-class and whole-school activities. All students are supported to reach their academic and personal goals.
University Extension program
The University Extension program is open to Year 12 students and it allows them to extend themselves beyond the normal Year 12 program. Each student selected for the program is able to select an extra study in addition to their IB program or as part of their VCE program. La Trobe University, RMIT and the University of Melbourne offer a variety of subjects for the extension program.
University Extension has a number of benefits, including an increment on the ATAR of up to 5.5 points, inclusion in a special category that draws the attention of selection officers for tertiary institutions, acceleration of the undergraduate program, an opportunity to reduce their load in subsequent years of tertiary study, and increased access to scholarships and prizes awarded by individual universities and their departments.
