Learning Areas > CARE
Leader of Learning - CARE: Mrs Julia Teo
P: +61 3 9816 6532 E: julia.teo@carey.com.au
About the Learning Area
Community and Religious Education (CARE) holds a valued place within the educational experience at Carey, a school established under the auspices of the Baptist Union of Victoria. CARE provides students with meaningful opportunities to explore the role of faith in both the school and the wider community. The program is designed to equip students with the concepts, language, and critical thinking skills needed to thoughtfully engage with and discuss matters of faith and belief, while maintaining a respectful and open-minded approach that does not promote any particular perspective.
From 2026, CARE will no longer be a core subject. Instead, students will have the opportunity to explore life’s big questions through a diverse and engaging elective program. If you’re curious about meaning, belief, identity, ethics, or community—and want to dive deeper into the issues that shape our world—we encourage you to consider the Year 8 Elective: Quest: Stories That Shape Us.
In Year 9, students wishing to continue their engagement with ethical inquiry and community values are encouraged to select Year 9 Elective: Ethics in Action.
In Middle School, CARE offers students the opportunity to explore the diverse beliefs, values, and worldviews that shape individuals and societies. Through a balanced combination of discussion, inquiry, and reflection, students are encouraged to consider fundamental questions about identity, meaning, and ethical responsibility. The program fosters critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and personal growth, guiding students to examine how religious, philosophical, and cultural perspectives inform the ways people live and interact in today’s world.
A key aspect of the Middle School CARE experience is students’ engagement in service through immersive learning opportunities. By participating in activities that connect classroom learning with real-world needs, students develop empathy, responsibility, and a sense of purpose. These experiences help them understand the value of serving others and build practical skills for contributing positively to their communities.
The CARE program is further enriched by connections to school-wide events, including Chapel services and guest speakers, providing additional opportunities for shared reflection and community engagement. Throughout their time in Middle School, students are encouraged to explore, question, and grow in their understanding of themselves and the world around them, equipping them to become thoughtful, responsible, and compassionate members of society.
