The ERA (Education Reform Association) School developed when Preshil and members of the World Education Fellowship initiated moves to start a new secondary school.  In the 1970s these type of schools were known as ‘alternative schools’ whose characteristics frequently featured flexible structures that included no rigid timetable or compulsory attendance to all classes and no uniform.  ERA School in Springvale Rd Donvale opened in July 1971.

On 12 May 1987, Mr Arnold Wilcox, President of Carey School Council wrote to parents to inform them of a ‘significant development in the School History’.  The letter stated that following the closure of ERA School, Carey had purchased the property located on Springvale Rd in Donvale. 

When Carey purchased the property in Donvale, it was described as a ‘feeder campus’ with primary and junior secondary grades. It was described as sharing ‘the same ethos as the main school in Kew and to be a closely integrated part of Carey’.