The start of a new school year is always an exciting time, and 2025 has been no exception for our Junior School students and staff across both our Donvale and Kew campuses. As we embark on this journey together, we celebrate the sense of belonging that underpins our community – a notion that reminds us that every face has a place at Carey.
To launch our year and unite as one Junior School team, all Junior School staff participated in a Culture Masterclass facilitated by Fiona Robertson. Fiona taught us that the human brain cannot distinguish between physical and social pain, reinforcing that belonging is the greatest human need for thriving in any environment. We reflected on the idea that our boundary extends beyond individual campuses – encompassing both Donvale and Kew as one united Junior School. This shared commitment ensures that every student feels safe, valued and supported in their learning journey.
Over the past week, our students have been actively engaged in activities linked to the concept of Belonging, Being and Becoming, an extension of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Three of the key priorities outlined in the EYLF essential to a child’s development include: developing a strong sense of identity, feeling connected to their communities and understanding their responsibilities as active citizens, and developing a strong sense of wellbeing.
Through a range of shared experiences, students and teachers have been able to develop meaningful relationships within their learning communities, establish classroom routines and co-create their own ‘rules of belonging’. Drawing on the Berry Street Model, our teachers have implemented strategies such as positive primers and morning circles to foster strong connections, creating the foundation for a successful and fulfilling year ahead.
This investment in belonging extends beyond the classroom. We look forward to welcoming parents to our upcoming Meet the Teacher Evening, where families will have the opportunity to connect with their child’s teacher and further support their transition into the school year. Following this, we invite parents to attend the Wellbeing Discussions, where they can share insights about their child’s learning and wellbeing needs, and teachers can provide valuable feedback on how each student has settled into their new learning community.
We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every child finds their place within the Carey community. We look forward to working in partnership with families to cultivate a strong sense of belonging, enabling each student to grow, learn and flourish in an environment where they feel seen, valued and supported.
As we continue to bring our two Junior School campuses together, we will be using this newsletter to celebrate and share many wonderful initiatives and activities throughout the year. In future issues, different members of the Junior School leadership team, including myself, will alternate in providing updates from across our two campuses.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Kylie Baxter
Head of Junior School
