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Celebrating Sporting Success

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Bidding farewell to two esteemed leaders of our school

<p>Year 7 to 9 is an exciting time of discovery, exploration and development.</p>

Middle School

<h3>Middle School at Carey is made up of Year 7, 8 and 9, and is based at our Kew campus. These years are focussed on making connections, finding passions and developing independent, motivated students.<br /></h3>

<p>Before their first or last day arrives they will already feel a part of their new Carey environment. Our Middle School is separate but not isolated from our Junior and Senior Schools, allowing for cross-age activities and connections.</p><div class="type_button scale-md type-solid theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/middle-school/transition-to-middle-school">Find out more</a><br /></div>

Middle School (Years 7–9)

Senior School (Years 10–12)

We invite you to visit us to explore our school and discover why a Carey education is right for your family.

Middle and Senior School Opening Morning

The transitions from Junior School and to Senior School are managed carefully and sensitively for our Year 7s and Year 9s.

<h3>Middle School Program</h3>
<p>Middle School is an important and exciting time of discovery, exploration and the social and emotional development of our young people. The curriculum and environment are tailored to their particular needs, with a wide range of elective subjects for students to choose from, a strong focus on wellbeing and real-world learning experiences.</p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-solid theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/middle-school/middle-school-program">Find out more</a><br /></div>

Take a guided virtual tour of our Middle School with Head of Middle School, Meredith Plaisted.

<h3>Meet our community and learn about what life at Carey is really like.</h3><div class="type_button scale-md type-solid theme-dark arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/life-at-carey">Life at Carey</a><br /></div>

<h3>Middle School Frequently Asked Questions</h3>

School structure

<p><strong>How many classes are there per year level?</strong> </p>
<p>There are 10 Year 7 classes with 26 students in each class. Beyond Year 7, classes are organised by elective groups, so class sizes can vary – typically anything from 16 through to a maximum of 26 students per class depending on the subject. </p>
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<p><strong>Is there a homeroom system?</strong> </p>
<p>To support the transition of our Year 7 students, every student is allocated to a core class group with their core teacher who also teaches a few of the class’s subjects. </p>
<p>Students are also allocated to House mentor groups where they have House meetings and roll call times during the week. Mentor groups usually consist of around five each of Year 7, 8 and 9 students. This vertical House mentor system ensures that students start to build connections across the various levels of the school during their three years in that group. </p>
<p>From Year 8 onwards, students will no longer have a core class and will start to move through the school as an individual based on their subject electives. Their mentor group remains their constant support and check in group. From this point on, the mentor is the key contact point for the student and their parents and teachers. </p>
<p>When students move to Senior School, they will join a new mentor group (of Year 10, 11 and 12 students) and will be allocated a new mentor teacher. </p>
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<p><strong>Is there an even gender balance in Middle School?</strong> </p>
<p>Our school maintains as close to an even gender balance across all school sections. However, Carey does not enforce gender balance on a class-to-class basis. The gender make-up in electives is often based on individual interest levels. </p>

Curriculum

<p><strong>How is your program tailored for this age group?</strong></p>
<p>We understand the learning and social development needs of the adolescent years as young people develop greater independence and self-reliance. The broad range of experiences and the timing of our interdisciplinary programs across the three years of Middle School ensure students grow and learn as much about themselves as they do about those with whom they form lasting friendships and relationships.</p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/middle-school/middle-school-program">Middle School Program</a></div>
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<p><strong>What subjects are available to Middle School students?</strong></p>
<p>All Year 7 students complete subjects in English, Maths, Humanities, Science, Music, Health and PE, CARE (Community and Religious Education), Art, Drama, and Languages. Every Year 7 student also must select a musical instrument to learn for the duration of Year 7. From Year 8, the music instrumental program is optional.</p>
<p>From Year 8 onwards, students are required to take the core subjects: English, Maths, Humanities, Sciences, Health and PE, Languages, and CARE. Students also select semester-based subjects from our Core Enrichment selection. These are more challenging academic-based subjects that are designed to stretch and challenge.</p>
<p>Students will also choose a number of semester-based Core Elective subjects. These subjects are more interest-based subjects.</p>
<p>Read more about the<a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/middle-school/middle-school-program"> Middle School Program</a> and to see the list of subjects available to Middle School students.</p>
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<p><strong>What languages are offered at Carey? Is it compulsory?</strong></p>
<p>All Year 7 to 9 students are required to learn a language other than English. They are able to choose from Chinese (Mandarin), French or Indonesian. Beginner Spanish is on offer from Year 11 for IB students wishing to learn a language at beginner level.</p>
<p>Language advancement is also possible in Carey Middle School. For instance, our model allows for those who enter Year 7 having completed French immersion programs in primary school to go straight into a Year 8 French class. For students whose first language is one taught at Carey Middle School, we would recommend that they learn a different language as a part of their Languages program.</p>
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<p><strong>Carey is a Baptist school, does that mean my child is required to partake in a religious subject?</strong></p>
<p>Yes, each school section has a school chaplain and participation in CARE (Community and Religious Education) is compulsory in Middle School. However, children learn about various religions around the world. There is a strong focus within these classes on social justice, community outreach and charity.</p>
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<p><strong>Do students need to attend Chapel?</strong></p>
<p>Chapel is compulsory for students to attend once a fortnight. At Carey, chapel time is about reflection and respect. Chaplains encourage students to think deeply and share their views in a respectful way. They often discuss current issues and encourage students to consider the teachings of religion within today’s context.</p>
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<p><strong>Does the School have a year off campus for Year 9 students?</strong></p>
<p>The School does not have a separate Year 9 campus; however, Carey delivers a program called C-Change during Year 9 with a large focus on personal growth, health and social justice. Students participate in various off-site activities during this time but stay living with their family.</p>

Learning beyond the classroom

<p><strong>What camp opportunities does the school offer? </strong></p>
<p>Each year level from Years 7 to 10 participates in compulsory annual camps. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/co-curricular/outdoor-education">Learn more</a></div>
<div class="type_divider"><p><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Do you have a campus to support Outdoor Education for students?</strong> </p>
<p>Yes, we have a campus in the Gippsland Lakes called Camp Toonallook. Students enjoy camping, bike riding and outdoor and water activities at this facility.</p><div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/about-carey/campuses-facilities/camp-toonallook">Camp Toonallook </a></div></div>

Performing Arts

<p><strong>Is it compulsory to learn an instrument?</strong> </p>
<p>All Year 7 students participate in an instrumental music program where they choose an instrument to learn and lessons are scheduled into each student’s two-week timetable. They will also join a band or ensemble as a part of this program. After Year 7, continuation of an instrument becomes optional. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true">Music at Carey<br /></div>
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<p><strong>Are there choirs or bands they can participate in? If so, when does that occur?</strong> </p>
<p>Yes, there are many opportunities for students to participate in performing arts. There are over 50 teachers who teach in our instrumental music program as well as leading our mor than 20 choirs, orchestral bands and ensembles. </p>
<p>Practice can be before or after school (with choir practices usually in the mornings and band practices often in the afternoon) and lessons are timetabled through the week on a rotational basis. Lesson times are agreed between the student and the music teacher to avoid repeated absences in core classes. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/co-curricular/music">Music at Carey</a></div>
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<p><strong><strong>Does</strong> the School run musicals each year and who gets to participate? </strong></p>
<p>Middle School Students have the opportunity to be part of a musical and a play each year. Participation is open to all, however there are audition processes for cast roles. Stage crew and orchestra opportunities are also available to those interested. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true">Musicals, theatre and drama<br /></div>

Sport

<p><strong>Do you have a sports campus?</strong> </p>
<p>Carey has a sport campus in Bulleen. It houses a full-size swimming pool, basketball, badminton courts, cricket pitches, and hockey and football fields. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/about-carey/campuses-facilities/bulleen-sports-complex">Carey Sports Complex, Bulleen</a></div>
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<p><strong>Carey is part of the APS/AGSV association, what does this mean? Do boys and girls compete in sport together?</strong> </p>
<p>Competitive sports are the only occasion at Carey where boys and girls are separated. APS stands for Associated Public Schools of Victoria. Carey also participates in the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria (AGSV). These associations of independent schools have had a long history of participating in friendly competitive sporting programs. </p>
<p>APS/AGS starts with a summer season in Term 1 and finishes with a winter season usually around early August. For those interested, there is also an optional spring season of Athletics, Rowing or Water Polo that starts after the winter program. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/co-curricular/sports">Sport at Carey</a></div>
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<p><strong>When is APS/AGSV training and competition days?</strong> </p>
<p>For Middle School, APS/AGSV training is usually one day a week after school, from 3.15 to 5.00pm on ether Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Carey will arrange bus transport for all teams to their respective training venues and then return students to Kew campus at the end of training. Parents also have the option of picking up the students themselves directly from the training venue. </p>
<p>Competition days are Saturdays and are usually held anytime between 7.30am to midday. Families are expected to take their children to competition venues. These can be across various independent school campuses across Melbourne, including Carey Bulleen. For competitions held in outer metro Melbourne, such as those at Geelong Grammar, Carey will provide bus transport to and from Carey Kew. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/co-curricular/sports">Sport at Carey</a></div>

Learning support/development

<p><strong>Are there extension classes?</strong> </p>
<p>Middle School offers a Maths Extension Program where a small number of students attend extension classes to further support their need for challenge. Participation in Maths Extension is on a selective basis and is determined by testing, school reports and teacher input. </p>
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<p><strong>What learning support does the school offer?</strong> </p>
<p>Each school section has a Learning Development department to not only support those students who may find particular areas of learning a challenge but also for those who benefit from further extension. Our learning support model is to provide differentiated learning support that can be integrated within the normal classroom context – not one of isolating students. Our Learning Development team work alongside classroom teachers to devise appropriate learning plans for their students. </p>
<p>There are also study/tutorial groups for students who require additional support that take place after school in our library which are run by past Carey students on a weekly basis. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/middle-school/middle-school-program">Middle School Program</a><br /></div>

Student wellbeing

<p><strong>What does Carey’s student wellbeing program look like?</strong> </p>
<p>Carey supports a child’s wellbeing in multiple ways. In Year 7, the core class teacher keeps across the student’s learning and wellbeing, ensuring that they settle into the new Middle School environment. The House Mentor works in tandem with the teacher and is the parents’ key contact point for any issues and questions. </p>
<p>The broader House network of students also builds connections across Middle and Senior School during their time at Carey and are often there to support one another. Head of House teachers and Mentors are also available to support students within their Houses. </p>
<p>Carey also has a Student Wellbeing team. The Student Wellbeing team includes School Nurses, School Psychologists, Student Guidance Co-ordinators, Wellbeing Project Co-ordinators and wellbeing administrators. This team works with the school section wellbeing leaders to develop a student wellbeing program that is safe, sequential and back by evidence. </p>
<p>Our student wellbeing program also extends beyond the classrooms and into the co-curricular space. Carey teachers participate in co-curricular activities – they could be anything from a lighting technician in a musical production to a team manager in an APS team. This provides opportunities for teachers to extend their care of students' wellbeing in ways beyond their classrooms and enables students to build connections with teaching staff across the school. </p>
<p>Each school section also has a dedicated chaplain who provides spiritual and wellbeing support and guidance. </p>

Year 7 transition

<p><strong>How many new Year 7 students will start from outside Carey?</strong> </p>
<p>There are around 110 new students who join Carey in Year 7 each year. To embrace the diversity of students entering Carey Middle School, class groups are allocated to ensure that we maintain a healthy blend of students from Carey Junior Schools and new students from other primary schools in each class. In doing so, we find that many new friendships are made within that first year. </p>
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<p><strong>What is involved in the transition program for my child starting Year 7?</strong> </p>
<p>Carey begins the transition program from Year 6. This includes a series of events such as a transition testing day, Carey staff visiting new student’s schools where possible, parent information events, music program information night and student orientation day later in the year. </p>
<p>In Term 1 of Year 7, all students attend a week-long Year 7 Toonallook camp with their class group and teacher. This helps to quickly build rapport and relationships within the class and with the teacher. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/our-schools/middle-school/transition-to-middle-school">Middle School Transition</a><br /></div>

Technology

<p><strong>What is the mobile phone policy at Carey?</strong> </p>
<p>Mobile phones are to remain in lockers during the school day.</p><div class="type_button scale-sm type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/news/ms-deputy-head-280324">Learn more</a></div>
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<p><strong>Do students use laptops?</strong> </p>
<p>All Middle School students use a compulsory school-issued device that is leased through the school. Technical devices are set up for school learning purposes only and all students are required to sign an ICT Responsible Usage agreement prior to taking possession of their devices. </p>
<p>In Year 10, students can choose between and PC laptop and a MacBook depending on what is more suitable to their learning needs. </p>

General

<p><strong>What is your entry process and are students required to sit entrance exams?</strong> </p>
<p>Carey is an open entry school in Middle School and students are not required to sit entrance exams prior to starting school. For Year 10 and above, entry is based on the review of school reports and an interview process. </p>
<div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/enrolment/application-process">Application Process</a></div>
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<p><strong>What scholarships do you offer for Middle School?</strong> </p>
<p>The school offers both Academic and General Excellence (for Sport) Scholarships for Year 7 entry. </p><div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/enrolment/scholarships">Scholarships</a></div><div class="type_divider"><p><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>What is available to parents wanting to get involved within the School community? </strong></p>
<p>We encourage parent involvement within the School community. We have a Parent Association for each school section as well as our CLOSA group (Carey Local and Overseas Student Association). This group is particularly beneficial to join if you are a family that has recently moved to Melbourne from interstate or overseas. </p>
<p>From a social point of view, our Parent Association members are very active in organising events such as Mothers and Fathers Day events and year level based social events. Every second year, the parent associations also work together to bring the Carey Ball to life, which has become a much-anticipated community event in the Carey calendar. </p><div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/life-at-carey">Life at Carey</a></div><div class="type_divider"><p><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Are there music, sports and design tours?</strong> </p>
<p>For those interested in applying, Carey offers a variety of interstate and overseas tours for students. </p>
<p>Some examples include music tours to Europe for those learning an instrument, sports tours such as basketball tours to the US and netball tours to NZ as well as design tours to New York. Carey also runs language tours to Indonesia and will be introducing the NASA tour. </p>
<p>All the above are optional and participation is on a user pay basis. </p><div class="type_divider"><p><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Are there opportunities for leadership in the Middle School?</strong> </p>
<p>There are many formal and informal leadership roles available in Year 9 for School Captains and for Music and House leaders. All Year 8 students are involved in Leadership Training in the end of the year program. In Middle School, we consider all Year 9 students to be leaders as they are constant role models for younger students. </p><div class="type_divider"><p><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Do most students take public transport? What access is available to the school?</strong> </p>
<p>Many Carey students use a variety of train, bus and trams to school as the campus is well located to access a range of public transport routes. There are also private bus companies providing school bus options to various independent schools across Kew. </p><div class="type_button scale-md type-outline theme-light arrow-true"><a href="https://staging-site.carey.com.au/enrolment/location-transport">Location and transport</a></div></div>
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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>Independent Middle School (Years 7-9) | Carey Grammar</title>

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Our Schools

Middle School

Middle School at Carey is made up of Year 7, 8 and 9, and is based at our Kew campus. These years are focussed on making connections, finding passions and developing independent, motivated students.

Middle School Program

Meet our community and learn about what life at Carey is really like.

Middle School Facilities

Middle School Frequently Asked Questions