Feature
Carey’s new Principal: on excellence in education Kelly Southworth Editor
In 2020, Carey will welcome its eighth Principal, Jonathan Walter. He spoke to Chair of the Board, Jane Simon, about the future of education and setting children up for success in the real world. Jane: Good morning, Jonathan. You started your teaching career at Carey in 1992 – what was it that drew you back? Jonathan: I think it’s the School’s commitment to holistic co-education that’s drawn me back to Carey. It’s the fact that we want to put an educational program in place that develops the whole child and puts them right at the heart of the experience, where we concern ourselves with their wellbeing and build safe, supportive environments for all students. It enables students to develop into the people they want to be through a range of different experiences and learning opportunities. Carey’s environment means we can support them to find who they are, and what their place is in the world. Jane: Throughout your teaching career, you have worked in several coeducational environments. What is it that appeals to you about co-education? Jonathan: To me, co-education is an obvious choice. We are in a world where boys and girls live and work together, and it seems quite artificial to segregate children and not give them the skills to collaborate, communicate and work effectively together. And we’re there to coach and guide them through those
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experiences. In turn, it helps students discover who they really are. Through co-education, children can find a way to connect with like-minded people and learn how to work in spaces where there is a sense of difference they can acknowledge in others. Providing a supportive environment which values diversity and individuality is really how we prepare students for the future. Jane: Thanks, Jonathan. You have worked at quite a broad range of schools, including a number of other APS schools. You’re coming to Carey from Woodleigh, which is quite a different environment. What is your transition going to look like?
‘Providing a supportive environment which values diversity and individuality is really how we prepare students for the future.’
