As always, visiting the combined Middle School and Senior School House Chapel services in Term 1 brings many stories of inspiration and empowerment. At every one of these student-led services, we hear from inspiring guest speakers who display such imagination and have broken the realms of possibility and contributed to the betterment of society in so many ways. The services also provide a celebration of diversity and appreciation for all students, staff and parents at Carey.
As a Baptist school, inclusivity is ingrained in our culture. We endeavour to show every day that ‘we are an inclusive community that celebrates diversity and nurtures the unique talents and growth of each student and member of staff’[1].
An example of this was at the first assembly this year in Senior School, when we had a Year 7 student perform brilliantly and it was fitting that we should appreciate all students of every age group. We also have a number of brave international students who have come to Carey from all over the world, and many of them have not seen their families for two years, but they have been able to find a sense of belonging within their Carey community. We have students who have struggled with issues of identity but have found support through our student Pride Group and have had their voices heard in our Gender Equity Group. We are so proud to be able to actively support and appreciate all of our students, and by understanding everyone’s differences, we are able to provide the best help and care to each individual.
As teachers and staff at Carey, we prioritise student wellbeing – but we can also teach our students to be better at understanding one another and embracing each other’s differences. The Carey Positive Learner Attributes give the students explicit opportunities to grow and these are the attributes they will need in a rapidly changing world. With Courage, students can learn to be comfortable with themselves and be active in creating an inclusive environment for their peers. With Knowledge, students can become more open-minded and understanding of other students’ experiences. With Communication, students can develop empathy and encourage others to share their stories. And with Curiosity, students can learn to listen to new perspectives from people who have had different experiences to their own and broaden their understanding of the world.
We believe the three learning domains of Thinking, Relationships and Self-Management will create a pathway for our students in this ever-changing world. The mastery of these attributes and developing empathy and understanding will be what defines our students as they grow and in their lifelong journey as wise, independent and motivated learners.
Christian Gregory
Deputy Head of Senior School – Student Welfare
