Community groups

Celebrating our choral community

Karen Murray President of Friends of Carey Music

Music is an innate human means of selfexpression, and singing as a group in a choir is a natural extension of this. The first time many students experience the joy of making music as a group is during kindergarten music lessons. To support this, Carey’s formal choral program runs at both junior campuses for Prep, Year 1 and 2 students, many of whom go onto the elective choirs in Years 4 to 6 under the guidance of Lesley Collins, Tania Schlemitz-Justin and Frederica Cunningham. The beauty of choral singing is its inclusiveness: throughout the school, at least 500 students sing in choirs of different sizes and levels every week. No lessons are required and students can join at any stage of their journey through Carey. A few choirs require an audition, but in every school section there is an ‘open entry’ choir where students gather to share their love of singing. Carey’s choirs are a highlight of many school concerts, adding colour and complementing instrumental performances. As choral singing is such a unique whole-school activity, every year, all of our elective choirs are brought together to perform in a huge choral concert in July. This year the wonderful The Besen

Centre in Burwood provided the perfect environment to celebrate the over 300 singers, conductors and accompanists. The concert allowed younger students to be inspired by the strong pathway choral singing takes at Carey. The whole-school finale ‘In Paradisum’ featured students from every section of the school singing their hearts out. Congratulations to the wonderful conductors and accompanists who bring this music to life.

Who is Carey’s Heritage Committee?

David Morgan (OCG 1961) Chair of the Carey Heritage Committee

The Carey Heritage Committee (CHC) turns 21 this year, and I think it’s time we introduced ourselves. The CHC comprises Deanna Atkins, Scott Bramley, Andrew Clark, Philip Grutzner (ex-officio), Heather Hebbard, Joanne Horsley, Ian Hughes, Eric Joyce, David Kemp, Tony McCutcheon, David Morgan, Bruce Murray, Barbara Noisette, Ray Reed, David Rimington, Jane Simon (ex-officio), Bill Stronach, Chris Thomas and John Tranter. The committee was founded by Bill Pugh with encouragement from David Lord, Ross Millikan and Jeff Thomas as the Carey Centenary Historical Committee. Bill was prepared for the approaching centenary, although still 25 years away. His prescience was vindicated because about half the foundation scholars were still alive and their priceless insights were recorded for prosperity. The interviewing process in preparation for the centenary will conclude in September this year. It has provided a wealth of material for the school archives for the centenary historian, Helen Penrose, in particular. Many other significant projects have been undertaken over those 21 years: indexing of the Chronicles for easy reference; researching significant figures in the School’s history; charting the history of sections of the School; analysing early developments in education, social customs and

community expectations; investigating the connection with the Baptist Church; and recording some of the vast changes from over the last century, and how they have affected Carey’s operation. If you can add to the story with memorabilia, reminiscence or insight, please do not hesitate to contact us and be a part of Carey’s journey.

A wonderful tour of Carey Donvale

Kathy He President of the CLOSA Parents group

Over the past year, CLOSA (Carey Local and Overseas Student Association) has become more and more involved with the parents of Carey Donvale. In order to learn more about the campus, the CLOSA Parents group, in conjunction with Carey Donvale Parents Association, organised a Mullum Mullum Trail Walk and tour of the Donvale campus in early June. The Head of Carey Donvale, Steve Wilson, was delighted by the parents’ interest in the campus and its surrounding environment, and offered to give us a special guided tour himself. He really is an expert on Donvale! During the school tour, Steve explained the history of Donvale and showed us the campus. It was such an interesting tour! He knew the stories behind every single artwork, brick and corner of the School. It’s clear that he loves this School dearly and is tremendously proud of it. Carey Donvale is small and has a warm and welcoming environment. We particularly loved the DR Brown Library. It resembles a tree house, with a cosy interior where students can really engage with reading. That certainly impressed the parents. The tour ended at the back of the School which connects to the Mullum Mullum trail, where we commenced our walk. Everyone was thrilled to experience Australia’s native bushland, listening to the chirps of numerous varieties of birds and the sound of water flowing through the creek. There’s nothing like connecting with nature for relaxation. We had a lovely brunch in a nearby café and headed back to the campus, where it was lunchtime for the students. It was wonderful to watch them play

down on the Flat, a big bush area which directly connects to the School. Donvale students are all taught how to interact with and care for native animals as part of their education. Everyone at Donvale is so fortunate to be surrounded by such a beautiful natural environment! This was a brilliant tour and walk, which we hope will become an annual event. It is a great opportunity for all parents to learn about Carey Donvale, and to enjoy and appreciate the environment our children are in.

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Carey Medal Community service is part of what makes Carey’s community special and strong. We want to recognise people who are making a positive impact on the world – small or large. If you know of anyone in the community who inspires you and others, who is helping people in a volunteer capacity, and who you think deserves the recognition of this prestigious award, please nominate them for 2020 Carey Medallist at careymedalsuggestions@carey.com.au or online at www.carey.com.au/carey-medal-nomination Anyone within the Carey community who is actively trying to make the world a better place is eligible to be nominated – current and past staff, parents and students.

Launching Carey’s Past Parents Hub

Stuart Galbraith and Debbie Phyland Head of Advancement and President of the Carey Past Parents Hub

From the moment of enrolment, both parents and students become lifelong and valued members of the Carey community. In May this year, recent past parents were sent an e-survey seeking their interest in developing a network to strengthen existing friendships and develop new ones, share news, and generally keep in touch with the School community. We received a great response to the survey, with a large number of past parents interested in creating an informal group. Thank you to the focus group of past parents who returned the survey and helped establish the Carey Past Parents Hub, which was officially launched in August. The Hub builds on the informal relationships many parents have developed, in some cases over the course of more than 20 years. It has no membership fees, operating budget or fundraising purpose, with all events cost-neutral. It will initially focus on the inclusive and proactive engagement of past parents in the last 10 years since their child left Carey, but parents from earlier years will be welcome to participate in Hub events. Parents can opt out of membership at any time. The Hub has a range of objectives, including to: • arrange and facilitate opportunities for past parents to meet, build and continue relationships with each other • keep past parents informed about and connected with Carey, including invitations to key Hub and School activities and functions

38 | Torch • arrange an annual reunion or get together for past parents, drawn from student peer years for the past 10 years • communicate on a Hub Facebook and Instagram page and school forums, as required • identify areas of interest for past parents, e.g. meeting the new Principal, touring new facilities • identify and promote opportunities to attend major school events, e.g. the opening of significant new facilities, sports events and the annual Senior School Musical • investigate the feasibility of forming a parent choir, offering speaker forums, golf days, art group and/or other interest groups. The first President of the incoming Past Parents Hub Committee is Debbie Phyland, mother to Joey (2018) and Tom (2013). Debbie is ably supported by a number of past parents, including Sofie Carfi (Vice-President), Lucinda Williams (Secretary), Maggie Bassily (SSPA representative), Greg Levin, Titilayo Adetunji, Karen Sims, Rosemary Kelly, Kim Hunter, Martin Rodenberg, and Shonaid Uccellini. We are delighted with the support we have already received from parents for this initiative and look forward to more opportunities for engagement with our fellow past parents in the near future! Please join us on our new Hub Facebook and Instagram communities (@careypastparentshub) to keep in touch with events and activities. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to email us for further information at careypastparentshub@gmail.com