Issue 131 Winter 2021 ISSN: 2204-938X
Winter 2021 Issue 131
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VEX Worlds! In 2018 we moved our Middle School Robotics program to the VEX Robotics Competition. Over the last four years this has allowed us to host competitions in Sydney and deliver a quality event that is unsurpassed in Australia.
Inside this issue
The Regulars 04 12 14 16 20 32
Junior School Kindergarten and Year 6 Buddy Class Program Teaching and Learning The Science of Learning Visual Arts Monet and Friends Design and Technology Writing with Purpose Music Symphony Under the Rosewood Roof Alumni Profile Will Sparling, a graduate from the Class of 2004
The Features 01 From the Head of Barker Phillip Heath AM
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02 From the Chair of Council David Charles 49 OBA President’s Message Angus Abadee
Life Beyond Barker Ken Halliday Class of 1964
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BCCU 2021 AFX
Learning about Digital Learning
Developing a Lifelong Love of Sport
With COVID in our rear view and the floods abating just in time, the BCCU 2021 AFX went ahead at Singleton.
I have been involved in doctoral research examining secondary school blended learning for the past eight years.
The Sport Department is tasked with engaging every Barker student in an exceptional and diverse Sport program which offers them the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of sport and to achieve, thrive and grow from participation in a safe, caring Christian environment.
Editor-in-Chief
Editor
Assistant Coordinators
Print Production
Art Direction
Phillip Heath AM
Julie McAllister
Mandy Loomes Karina Drummond
Ian Lindsay
Glenn Quevedo
From the Head
Living Hope – A Big, Dynamic Idea When Barker College reviewed our Mission and Vision language a few years ago, we deliberately settled on the word “hope” in our vision statement. It is a big idea and caused lots of discussion amongst those in our community we consulted. I recall the moment when I settled on recommending this word to the School Council. Of all places, I was in the car park of Parliament House Canberra, where I had been part of delegation to various MPs and their advisors to propose a new way of thinking about education policy whilst I was National Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. Needless to say, the delegation was not successful and education policy settings remain locked in the current political modishness. Perhaps that is a topic for discussion in a different place. Ironically, while sitting waiting for the next meeting in the Parliament building that was buzzing with postbudget fervour, I pondered the word “hope”. Can a school community inspire hope in students? How will be know if this hope is living and enduring? What did the apostle Peter mean when he wrote about “living hope” in Peter 1:3? Can hope fade or die, and what does “living hope” require of those who seek to pursue it?
The answer lies in understanding “living” in terms of showing life. Living hope is active and dynamic, not passive and inert. Hope is alive. It is strong. It seeks to bring joy to others and is strengthened every day. Hope in a school setting is NOT based on optimism or on positive thinking about oneself. Recently, I invited Year 10 parents to participate in a wordle style exercise to share in a single word what qualities they wished to see in their children by the time they leave the Mint Gates for the final time. The most prevalent word, somewhat to my surprise, was “Confident”. An effective school must foster confidence among our learners. Greater confidence in self does not come from baseless optimism that one day all will be well. It comes from building up capacity, strengthening skills and helping us to form our character. Phillip Heath AM Head of Barker College
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From the Chair of Council
What is Woven into our Lives A Whole of School Assembly on Monday 26 April 2021 – with pleasant sunshine, we gathered outside. Barker College’s annual ANZAC Service was memorable, as it always is, for the excellent order of service in the tranquillity of the OBA Sound Stage and its surrounds. The birds sang during the Minute of Silence. We listened to the bugler’s rendition of the Last Post and remembered. Souls stirred. 106 years before Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli. They scaled the steeply inclining hillsides “in a raked boot-scrambling roar” – poet Les Murray’s words – “and the sooling prints turned black with names when currents drifted the landing buoys to the heights of thyme and rosemary”.
That we remember Barker’s fallen each year in this way is tangible expression of the Christian framework within which Barker College operates. The Gospel (John 15:13) states: “Greater love has no one than this. That he lay down his life for his friends.”
Over 1000 former students of Barker College answered the call to serve our nation in the major conflicts of the twentieth century. 92 Barker boys made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return home to their families who still grieve for them.
Stone monuments or memorials such as the Roll of Honour which now appears on the stairs below the Middle School quadrangle are important ways of remembering. However, I believe that Barker’s ANZAC Service is a more powerful experience of remembrance, especially for the students. It touches the Education of the Heart. It speaks of an abiding and driving purpose for the future of all involved in the School. As we remember each of the 92, we are touched by the bravery they had, and which we must have, to defend our freedoms and to cherish always values like selflessness, discipline and courage in the face of adversity. It is values like these which underwrite the vibrancy and vitality of communities within our nation such as Barker.
Since 17 June 1916, the Barker College Community has remembered our fallen. On that day, Barker’s second Head, Mr William Carter, unveiled the School’s original Roll of Honour.
Experiences like the annual ANZAC service at Barker serve to equip this generation of Barker students with graciousness and humility, and a sense of character and confidence in the Barker way.
Before the whole school assembled, 92 students from Years 2 to 12 came forward before the Laying of the Wreath and placed a small cross of remembrance as the ninth Head of Barker College read the names of each of Barker’s fallen during World War 1 and World War 2.
The great statesman of ancient Athens, Pericles, said this and it surely resonates through the centuries:
ANZAC day started as a way to mourn the men killed in a heroic but ill-fated campaign at the periphery of a much larger war. It has become a day acknowledging all of the men and women who have served our nation in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
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"What we leave behind is not engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." David Charles (75) Chair of Council
From the Chaplain
Looking Forward and Looking Back Early in Term 2 there was a block of several hours where our community looked both forward and backwards. One Monday morning at the staff meeting over recess, the Head of Barker described in detail the opening of Dhupuma Barker, painting a vivid picture of Barker’s newest Indigenous campus in Arnhem Land. Less than an hour later, the whole school had gathered on the OBA Sound Stage to commemorate ANZAC Day. These two moments, side by side, represent two customs that build strong communities. Strong communities regularly look back to learn from and honour those who have gone before. On ANZAC Day we remember those who sacrificed their lives to secure the peace we enjoy today. The reading of the 92 names of Barker students who gave their lives in WW1 and WW2 has become a regular reminder of the sacrificial service that has woven strands through our community for more than 100 years.
This pattern of looking back and looking forward is a familiar one for Christians and Christian communities. We look back on what God has done, to the promises declared in the Old Testament and the fulfillment that finally came in Jesus. Looking back reminds us of God’s faithfulness and strengthens our trust in him today. This also causes us to look ahead with hope, joy, contentment and purpose in Him. As we do this with our faith, may we as a School continue to treasure our past, which enables us to inspire every learner today, so Barker may contribute to the nation we want tomorrow. Rev Peter Tong Senior Chaplain
Healthy communities will also look ahead. Inspired by the past we pursue the challenges of our day. For Barker it is asking “how might we use what God has given us now to play a role in shaping the next generation of Australians?” Committing to Indigenous education, where we walk with local communities to provide culturally sensitive education, is one enduring way of doing this.
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Junior School
Kindergarten and Year 6 Buddy Class Program Once again, this year we have undertaken our Buddy Class Program, partnering our Kindergarten classes with a Year 6 Buddy class. The opportunity to instigate such a program in a school context enables us another opportunity to help foster a safe school environment for our children. It reinforces the concept that school is ‘for me’ - a place of belonging - leading to increased self-esteem and greater academic growth. It allows our younger students to feel safe and cared for whilst our older students feel valued and respected. The teaching of pro-social skills and values enables all students to develop resilience. Our buddy classes meet weekly to share in a variety of activities - it is the most anticipated time of our week! Term 1 saw us participate in a wide variety of tasks including reading stories together, playing inside and out, collaborating on drawing tasks, Year 6 buddies leading their Kindergarten peers through an introductory lesson on SeeSaw (our Pre-K to Year 2 digital learning platform) and an introductory Buddy Interview. There were many creative experiences too, including the decoration of our quilt squares to celebrate Harmony Week, a painted handprint artwork, an Easter Egg Hunt where the Year 6 students planned and hid the clues for their Kindergarten buddies and an exchange of handmade Easter cards. All our children thoroughly enjoyed participating in these activities, each and every opportunity enabling them to strengthen their bond with each other.
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Buddy programs teach and provide opportunities to practise the values of respect, compassion, care, embracing difference, responsibility, inclusion and friendship - another wonderful way to link in our PYP Approaches to Learning and Learner Profile Attributes. This program has been such a wonderful introduction to the Barker community for our Kindergarten children. Year 6 have benefited in equal measure, allowing them to display compassion, enthusiasm and care for others, along with taking on a variety of leadership opportunities, enhancing their communication and enabling them to be role models and teachers in a variety of circumstances. We have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the children’s relationships strengthen as they have spent time together and we look forward to many more fun times as the year progresses. Cecilia Greer Junior School Classroom Teacher & Early Stage 1 Coordinator
Junior School
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Junior School
Inspiration through the lens of Piet Mondrian During Visual Arts, Kindergarten explored their Unit of Inquiry; How We Organise Ourselves through the Central Idea: People build a variety of structures to meet their needs. As their provocation they investigated abstract paintings by 20th Century artist Piet Mondrian. His use of simple line and colour, inspired Kindergarten to create collages allowing the students to demonstrate their understanding of the role of the artist, linking their work to the world. They used the black lines to represent a city street structure and a map like grid. The coloured blocks of paper were used to show the buildings. The students could arrange their compositions however they liked. Line, colour and repetition were the main elements explored. Gluing, arranging and overlapping techniques were discussed in relation to collage. Nell Clark Junior School Art Teacher
Faith and Fun If you walk around the buildings of Copeland or Kurrajong at the start of Wednesday or Friday lunch, you may notice a number of students still inside the buildings - why? Because on Wednesdays and Fridays our Cru Christian lunch time groups will be buzzing away. At Barker, we seek to integrate the Christian faith into all parts of our school day helping students to discover God, and then to grow in a knowledge and love of Jesus through looking at the Bible. Our Cru groups are for those students who wish to learn and discover more about our great God. Each term, we have a new theme from Psalms to Creation, Jesus as King to the Book of John - and each week a Christian staff member who has volunteered to be part of Cru, will run a session. It is always fun and faith filled. Years Pre-K, Kindergarten and Year 1 meet on Friday lunch time and Years 2 - 6 meet on Wednesday split into Years 2 - 4 and Years 5 - 6.
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There is always a fun challenge, some time of discussion, reading from the Bible and time to pray. Last term, the Kurrajong Piazza was filled with happy and enthusiastic Pre-K to Year 2 students - eating their lunch and learning more about Creation. There was even some craft involved including creating the “Sun, Moon and Stars” and placing their handprints on paper to remind them that they are made and loved by God. It is such a blessing and privilege to have the students of Barker Junior School choose to come along during their lunch times each week to be encouraged and inspired in the journey to know God. Becky Shu Junior School Specialist Teacher ‑ Christian Studies
Junior School
The Learner Profile in Action! The International Baccalaureate® (IB) aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
As IB learners, we strive to be: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. These learner profile attributes are consistent through all International Baccalaureate programs but especially important in the Primary Years Programme where the students are exposed to these attributes from an early age. Intrinsically linked to the IB Mission Statement, it is the learner profile attributes that demonstrate international mindedness in a local, national and global sense. An internationally minded person is open-minded about the common humanity of all people and accepts and respects other cultures and beliefs. The internationally minded person takes action through discussion and collaboration to help build a better and peaceful world.
Students at Barker College are actively engaged in developing and demonstrating the learner profile attributes through every aspect of their learning. Play, sport, academic pursuits and personal relationships within our school environment are some examples where the students are encouraged to connect with the attributes within their daily lives. Lisa Bonazza Director of Primary Curriculum (PYP Coordinator)
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Junior School
Culture Connects our Learning
Darkinjung Barker students and staff have been broadening their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in History and Science. Darkinjung Barker The children, with help from Uncle Gavi Duncan, have focussed on the key drivers of Indigenous Culture and Heritage. The focus has been on how we can strengthen partnerships between staff, students and the local Indigenous community. Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives enhances educational experiences. It provides an accurate and rich understanding of Australia’s history and culture. The Yarramalong area contains evidence of ancestors, of creation times, of the relationships between the sky, landforms, waterways, plants, animals and people, of relationships between other Indigenous groups, of language use over time, of colonisation, loss, change, life stories, family histories and current realities. Students enjoyed creating their own version of a dreamtime story and are working towards creating books and a Claymation movie. Traditional dancing with Uncle Gavi is always a hit especially when barefoot and outside in the dirt. The students have been exploring the Aboriginal history of Australia and the first contact between the Macassans and Arnhem Land mob.
K-2 have been working with Senior School Science teachers support as part of their learning. They have been looking at the structure of living things and what helps them survive. They started by answering the inquiry question, Is coral a plant or an animal? The students looked at a variety of living things in an aquarium. Then they looked at creatures and shells under the microscope. Students were able to conclude that coral is an animal because it eats. Years 3 - 6 have been working on visualisation and reading for meaning as they have been sharing the novel; The Witches, by Roald Dahl. In Maths, they explored multiple mental strategies, applying their understanding by challenging each other in Maths games with cards, board games and Prodigy. They have been learning how to utilise diverse software for learning and are focusing on accessing and completing work online using Microsoft OneNote. In Science, the focus has been on living things in our environment and the children plan to rejuvenate our School garden beds. In History, they have been exploring ‘My Place’ introducing a variety of Australian characters throughout the 1700-1800s. They compared the past to the present and this tied in well with International Women’s Day, looking at the changes for women over time. Jamie Shackleton Director of Aboriginal Campuses
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Junior School
Ngarralingayil Barker The excitement of 20 bright, smiling faces running to our classrooms each morning is wonderful. Our School is flourishing and the students’ enthusiasm for learning shows our unique style is working. High expectations, great results, being happy, strong, proud learners is the key. We focus on wellbeing and on being yourself. At the heart of our School is embracing identities, being proud of who you are and proud of what you can achieve. Learning on Country allows you to refresh, to heal, to take in the beautiful surroundings and really ‘feel it’. It makes learning relevant and practical, it empowers the students to share their knowledge, helps to build culture and identity and strengthens connections to the land. This connection is strong when we stroll into Wollombi, look down at the flowing brook and the beautiful green leaves and trees. The land connects all aspects of our lives and when Country is healthy, the people and culture are healthy and content. It helps to achieve dreams and goals and it feels so good! We have been reading some great books on identity, including The Colours of Us, Fair Skin Black Fella and The Skin You Live In. This led to interesting questions and discussion about different skin shades concluding with an agreement that we are all different, but all deadly!
The students produced some amazing, shades of deadly, self-portraits. The students also created handprints, using white ochre. These handprints are a record of our presence and symbolise our belonging and respect for Ngarralingayil Barker. The children discovered that expression through painting is fun, exciting, and allows you to relax and be creative. In Term 1, we celebrated Easter with a Hat Parade, National Close the Gap day, Harmony Day and World Down Syndrome Day with special guest Amarli who is in Year 8. She has her own business and enjoys music, dancing, travelling and doesn't let her Down Syndrome hold her back. She shared her Wiradjuri culture, her Acknowledgement of Country in sign language and her bright, happy spirit. She even helped cook a BBQ lunch. We all wore coloured socks in her honour. The Harmony Day message of ‘Everyone Belongs’ and the kindness, the respect and inclusion shown by everyone made us so proud. We are proud of our School and the way we learn and play together. Ka-kulay - Be Happy Mandy Shaw Lead Teacher - Ngarralingayil Barker
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Junior School
Junior School Inquiry Integrator The Day in a life of Alyssa Swan
I love my job, I love where I work and I love what I get to do on a daily basis. I get to work very closely with a range of teachers in the Junior School helping to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) through engaging and stimulating lessons provided to the students in their class. On a Monday morning I begin my week with Year 1. All the Year 1 classes combine in the Junior School Library for an hour of Unit of Inquiry immersion. In these lessons, the students explore the Transdisciplinary Theme with a focus on the Approaches to Learning which includes thinking skills, social skills, research skills, communication skills and self-management skills. In Term 2, the Unit of Inquiry we explored was under the Transdisciplinary Theme: Where We Are in Place and Time. The Central Idea for this unit was “Change helps us understand people and the world around us.” For this unit, the students developed their thinking skills to deepen their understanding of personal histories. Each lesson incorporated a range of literature including picture books, non-fiction texts and videos to support and develop the students understanding of the Central Idea.
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On a Tuesday morning, I have the privilege of teaching Kindergarten. I work with each class over the course of the morning session where we explore literature to connect the learning to the Transdisciplinary Theme and the Central Idea. The Kindy Team and I meet weekly to discuss the focus for the week and develop a series of learning experiences to support the students understanding of the particular focus concepts. The students engage in verbal discussions and written work connected with the literature. It’s never a dull moment when working with Kindergarten. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are dedicated to Year 3. As the Year 3 cohort is an intake year for Barker College, many students are not aware of the International Baccalaureate PYP. Our focus for Semester 1 is to equip the students with the foundational language of the program. All students enjoy learning about the five essential elements of the PYP and how to incorporate this in their current Unit of Inquiry. In particular, the students have thoroughly enjoyed creating actions as a visual cue to remember and understand the Central Idea. My favourite part of any given day is when a Year 3 student finds me in the playground and proceeds to show or tell me about how our lesson is connected to learning in another subject!
Junior School
As the Year 5 cohort is the largest group of students in the Junior School, the Junior School Librarian and Inquiry Integrator, Sharron Stokes, and myself share the teaching of this year group. I love collaborating and sharing ideas with her about the Year 5 students’ current Unit of Inquiry and how we can provide learning experiences that are engaging for each student, making connections to the different Approaches to Learning which are the focus area for that particular unit. We are forever bouncing ideas around our staffroom and finding connections to rich literature to ensure the students develop a deep understanding of their learning. To finish off the week, I dedicate my Fridays to Year 6. The Year 6 team and I work together to provide the students with rich learning experiences that are related to a particular Approach to Learning - thinking skills, social skills, research skills, communication skills and self-management skills. The students of Year 6 visit the Junior School Library for this lesson and are immersed in a Team Teaching environment where their classroom teacher assists me with their learning. The students are exposed to a particular skill and are
given time to experiment and investigate the way they can further develop their learning in this area. The idea is to focus on universal skills for learning beyond Primary School in preparation for High School and thereafter. The students are very appreciative of this lesson and are always thanking me for providing them with a universal skill that can be applied to different areas of their learning. This is only a brief summary of the fun I have working across the Junior School. Being an International Baccalaureate Teacher at Barker College is such a privilege and I am so grateful for my current position and the different opportunities I have on a daily basis to interact with a wide range of students across the Junior School. Alyssa Swan Junior School Library Inquiry Integrator/ Ignite Program Coordinator
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Teaching and Learning
The Science of Learning The first day of Term 2 saw the Barker community inspired by the words and wisdom of neuroscientist, educator, and author Dr Jared Cooney Horvath.
In presentations that ran across the day Jared integrated the science of learning with relevant practical advice, capturing each of the different audiences of staff, students and parents.
Staff Professional Learning - The Foundations of Learning and the Learning Trajectory. In two highly engaging presentations, Jared delivered the latest educationally relevant brain and behavioural research on which to apply learning principles for integration into daily practice. What became evident, was that the science of learning can be fascinating and understanding how the brain works is highly beneficial to teaching. Some key takeaways from the presentation were: • Transfer of knowledge is not automatic. Facts always precede skills. Knowledge needs to be learnt in different contexts and then tweaked when placed in new situations.
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• Learning follows a trajectory from surface learning to deeper learning to the ability to transfer and adapt learning to novel setting. » For learning to move from surface to deep, knowledge needs to be experienced THREE times with SLEEP in between to allow it to allow memories to form. » Repetition, exposure to knowledge in different contexts and active retrieval are important to making learning long term. The science of learning offers the why. We now look forward to an ongoing investigation of this research through our 2021 professional learning program, exploring how to apply these concepts in our own context with a particular focus on embedding strategies that improve memory and retrieval.
Teaching and Learning
Student Session - Surviving Studying 450 students from the Secondary School enrolled for the optional study skills session. It was well worth the investment of time for our students as Dr Cooney Horvath simply and clearly demonstrated the science of learning through practical challenges before linking this to effective study advice. Study tips included: • Multitasking is impossible • Focus is key » Study should be done in short, sharp bursts » Frequency is more effective than quantity Eg 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off x 2 or 3 or 4 • Deep study notes enhance learning
Barker Institute Community Forum - A Tour Through the Teenage Brain 250 parents joined the forum in Leslie Hall and took great interest as they gained an insight into the workings of the teenage brain. Topics of discussion included the differences between adult and teenage brains, emotional regulation, the importance of sleep and the difference in sleep patterns along with Q&A time. Participants throughout the day thoroughly enjoyed the learning opportunity and were very grateful for the energy and extended time that Jared gave to the Barker community. Sarah Clifton Director of Professional Learning
» Write key words, link concepts, make lists • Make recall active and accurate » Flash-cards, fill in the blanks, practice quizzes are effective • Spacing study is more effective in committing learning to memory than cramming
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Visual Arts
Monet and Friends On Tuesday 4 May Year 10 Visual Arts viewed the ‘Monet and Friends’ exhibition at the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, Sydney. This was to complement their current studies concerning the effects of light on colour and subject matter in painting and photography. The exhibition was a great addition to their studies as it not only provided students with examples of artists who studied the atmospheric effects of light and the expressive possibilities of colour, but also because it raised questions about how a contemporary audience views art. This exhibition was a digitised light show with paintings enhanced by 3D technology and computer aided design. Students were not looking at the original artwork, but a scaled up and highly stylised version. The digital age changes the way an audience views, appreciates and thereby understands art and students need to discuss the ramifications of these new adaptations.
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In the afternoon students moved by coach to Centennial Park where the intention had been to create a landscape painting in the French Impressionist tradition of painting directly in front of the subject and capturing the particular quality of light for that time of day and season. However, due to inclement weather plans were altered and students instead photographed the landscape from various vantage points in Centennial Park and then returned to School for an afternoon session of painting in the studio from their mediated image. The excursion covered various aspects of the Stage 5 Visual Arts syllabus and was a valuable addition to their course work for their current unit ‘Painting with Light’. Mary Dorahy Visual Arts Teacher
Visual Arts
“That’s not art?” A common phrase of bewilderment when contemplating a work of abstract art. Year 11 Visual Arts students spent Term One finding meaning in the non-representational artworks pioneered by Modernist artists. Many decades have passed since Jackson Pollock shocked the world with his dripped, drizzled and smeared masterpieces yet when approaching artworks without recognisable subject matter we still seem to find ourselves in unfamiliar territory. Abstract Expressionist paintings garner record sales in auction houses around the world and the temptation to forge a Rothko or Kline has appealed to many of the criminally minded. Are these high stakes proof that abstract art is real art? In studying the evolution of painting from the Impressionist landscapes of Paul Cezanne to the expressionistic abstractions by Helen Frankenthaler Year 11 students were taken on a journey of appreciation when it comes to pushing the boundaries of artistic representation. To further explore their ideas on abstract art the cohort went to the City of Sydney to explore the collection at the Art Gallery of NSW. Fortunately, the first dedicated retrospective of one of the most important and dynamic, yet underrated, Australian sculptors of the 20th century was on display. Margel Hinder created some of Australia’s most enduring outdoor monuments, in fact, if you have ever meandered by the Reserve Bank in Martin Place you will have seen one of her sculptural installations (it has
been there since 1964). Her abstract forms, sometimes kinetic, are known for their use of space, light and movement. Students also had the opportunity to explore the collection of European and Australian art and witness the evolution of Modern art unfold before them on the gallery walls. The National, an exhibition celebrating contemporary Australian Art saw the ornate golden frames of 19th century paintings disappear and give way to materials like burnt tree hanging from rope (Fiona Hall’s Exodust). The day concluded with a twist, with all of art history behind us what will you now create… As students were inspired and challenged by some of the top HSC artworks on display from 2020 in the annual Art Express exhibition. In the words of Piet Mondrian “Every true artist has been inspired more by the beauty of lines and colour and the relationships between them than by the concrete subject of the picture”. It may be hard to agree with the great 20th Century master but abstract art has certainly secured its place in art history. Rikki Latella Visual Arts Teacher
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Design and Technology
Writing with Purpose 'If you want to learn something well, explain it!' Richard Feynman One of the nice aspects about Term 2, for the Design and Technology Department is watching students apply their skills in the making of their major projects. The reason for making a project is to improve the lives of others and students are motivated by this intention. Equally important is that students document the processes they have used to complete making. Students understand that the purpose of their writing is to clarify to the reader what they have done and why; how it is most appropriate and the benefits that will be provided. Reference to correct terminology for the techniques, tools, materials andmethods that have been applied; clarifies the student's understanding and conveys a depth of knowledge.
The ability for students to articulate their knowledge clearly in their portfolio is a requisite to perform well. The Design and Technology Department, under the guidance of Visiting Academic Fellow Julia Anstey, has begun to review the tasks and activities that students complete to develop their writing. Julia has provided some fresh insight into how best to reframe activities and tasks in which students engage. The ability to build specific skills that can later be tapped for larger tasks has been a positive move. This fits well within the Barker College Teaching and Learning Framework which is focused on inquiry-based learning – an approach with which students in a practical based learning environment are constantly engaged.
The shaped ribs of the violin are then clamped and glued onto the corner, top and bottom spruce blocks. Care is required so that no glue is applied to the template as it would make the removal of the template more difficult. To ensure that this does not occur, soap is applied to the edges of the template that are in contact with the ribs, because the hide glue will not stick to soap.
Ben Lam (Yr 12) The purfling platform of the violin is marked using a pencil gauge. Two pencil gauges are preferred as the lines must be constantly reapplied as they rub off during the chiselling and gouging process.
Francesca Buffa (Yr 12) Using a ruler and pencil I marked out the joint locations on each edge of the coffee table, ensuring that the dimensions were accurate and aligned with the top and bottom panels. I then set the table saw blade to a 45-degree angle and used a test piece of timber to determine the length of the mitre to be cut.
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I ensured that a fence was positioned so that the cut was made exactly on the corner of the timber. I then adjusted the blade so that it was at 90-degrees and set up the fence so that the rebate could be cut to the correct depth.
Design and Technology
Bio-medical Animations This semester Year 9 Design and Technology students have engaged in producing ‘bio-medical’ scenes for the production of a video to inform viewers about a specific medical condition. The ‘COVID’ virus has been a theme for some, though other students have opted to present medical conditions such as asthma, snake bites, arthritis and rabies. Students have collaborated with one another to research a condition in which they were interested – the cause, symptoms, the effect on the body and method of treatment. This authentic learning experience helped them to build up an understanding of what is going on inside the body, then how best to generate a narrative to communicate this effectively. Storyboards, illustrations of subject matter and clarification of the correct terminology associated with the condition have all been part of the process.
Undoubtedly the fun part has been the creation of subject matter using polygon modelling, the creation of paths for moving objects, the addition of atmospheric effects and the animation of scenes. The ability to take the viewer inside the body – to a place they otherwise cannot view has inspired the students. The desire to communicate this accurately to an audience has been engaging and motivating. Darren Woodrow Head of Design & Technology
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The Drama Barker Institute
Winter Playhouse
On a cold, rainy Thursday night Drama Captains Jess Samuelson and Bailey Angus hosted a fantastic offering of the Creative Arts at Barker. There were gorgeous paintings from Visual Arts and clever constructions from Design and Technology in the foyer, a range of performances from curriculum Drama classes, Theatresports games and two special “sneak peeks” from the Year 11 and Year 10 play. An absolute highlight for me was the winner of the Barker Public Speaking competition Yue Han Chia discussing the importance of napping. The Winter Playhouse was an idea borne of the Drama Captains over five years ago and has become an important event in the school calendar. It was greatly missed last year due to COVID, and
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although there was blustery winter weather the move to Leslie Hall certainly didn’t take away from the supportive, generous energy of the audience as they were treated to a range of some of our best work. We don’t have many opportunities to showcase the committed and talented students we have at Barker working away on a huge range of creative projects, so when you add banana bread, hot chocolate and the entertaining Year 10 band, it makes for a fantastic night. Pia Midgley Head of Drama
Drama
You’re on a stage. The audience is watching. You haven’t learned a single line for this show. It’s going to be phenomenal anyway. Welcome to TheatreSports. TheatreSports is a terrifically funny and challenging form of improvised theatre. Teams compete against each other in rounds to create performances with the most engaging characters and the most persuasive narratives. Every game has its own set of whimsical rules that must be followed – yes, there is some order to the chaos. Every game has a prompt from the judges (a place, an activity, an object). Every game has a moment of panic and then… magic. Our intermediate and senior teams just returned from the TheatreSports School Challenge. They were up against some strong competition, and they did a fantastic job. Jess (senior competitor) sat down to chat with us about her experience.
What skills have you gained from TheatreSports? Collaboration is a big one. You can’t make the whole scene yourself. You must listen to others, you have to accept offers, you can’t say no, you have to work together. The other thing is being able to think quickly on the spot. If you were talking to someone who was thinking about getting into TheatreSports, what would you say them them? Just go for it! If you want to be part of the TheatreSports madness, join us for TheatreSports on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes in K104.
What do you love the most about TheatreSports? You all go into it together, you don’t know what you’re going to do and then you make this masterpiece out of nowhere.
Keshini de Mel Languages Teacher, CCC Theatresports
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 19
Music
Symphony Under the Stars This year’s event was a highly anticipated return to live performances by the Barker Middle and Senior School ensemble program. All performers were delighted by the enthusiastic applause from the audience. It seems almost churlish to highlight any ensemble, but perhaps most notable for the life of the School was the first (delayed) appearance of our coeducational Middle School Choir. The healthy size and high standard of all ensembles after the enforced break is testament to the talent and enthusiasm of students and the dedication of the music staff. Our incomparable compere, David Giltrap, once again demonstrated his mystical meteorological abilities by proving he can break any drought by simply saying “Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Symphony Under the Stars.” The heavy rain left some performers doing the dash from the Music Centre to Rosewood looking like they had just stepped out of the PE showers BUT the rain did not dampen their spirit.
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A new tradition concluded the evening. The grand finale presented the usual combined forces of strings, winds and voices, but gone this year were the fireworks, probably a good thing during a biblical downpour, and the pyrotechnics were formed of an audience singalong of two Karaoke Classics – Toto’s "Africa" and the Barker meme, "Sweet Caroline". As glorious music echoed around the Rosewood Centre there was no doubt that Barker Music was back in full flight…and it IS so good to be back. Simon Smith Head of Music
Cadets
BCCU 2021 AFX With COVID in our rear view and the floods abating just in time, the BCCU 2021 AFX went ahead from 7 - 13 April at the Singleton Military Training Area. Throughout the camp, senior cadets displayed their leadership skills supervising their cadet companies through a range of activities including navigation, radio telecommunication and first aid lessons, as well as tactical exercises and a half-day hike across the range. The BCCU was lucky enough to make use of many facilities usually reserved for official army infantry, including visiting the Australian Infantry Museum, attempting the Over Pool and Land Based Obstacle Courses, and trying their skills on the high-tech Weapons Training Simulation System using laser sights and compressed air firing. Many companies also cycled through a range of tech activities including building laser tripwires, programming drone flights, and playing RC car soccer! Alpha Company was the first to complete the five hour Horseshoe Trek along the top of the range, whilst also clearing the path for the other companies to come.
On Sunday, during the main tactical exercise, the cadets applied copious amounts of camouflage paint before splitting into companies, platoons and sections and competing across a range of tasks in order to be awarded Best on Camp. The BCCU also received a visit from the incoming NSW 2nd Brigade Commander, Col Glenn Taylor, who was very impressed with the planning and running of the BCCU AFX. The Pioneers, who worked tirelessly throughout camp setting up activities for the rest of the unit, got to join Alpha Company on the Treetops Adventure high ropes and zipline course in Newcastle. The final day of AFX included a visit from Mr Heath and a Bush Chapel Service run by Rev Pete Tong. The evening concluded with the traditional skit night and ‘talent’ show. The acts were varied but always entertaining, with Charlie Company being awarded the highest score for the night. Nathan Dumbleton BCCU LT (Tech/PR)
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Commercial Studies
A Golden Year for Commercial Studies This year Commercial Studies celebrates 50 years since becoming a department, bringing together Commercial subjects that have been taught at Barker College since at least 1911 and possibly earlier.
Left to Right First Head of Commercial Studies Department, Peter Landahl 1975; Business Principles Teacher Leopold Palmer c.1940s.
Today, Commercial Studies is made up of four totally elective subjects: Commerce in Years 9 and 10 and Business Studies, Economics and Legal Studies in Years 11 and 12. Commercial Studies’ students are guided on a journey that is as much about exploring and developing their own learning styles and methods as it is about the relevant local, national, and global topics covered. The courses are fundamentally about the world we live in and are designed to encourage students to become more informed and effective global citizens. The subjects have something to offer all students, from the practical nature of Commerce and Business Studies, with their grounding in real world situations, to the challenging issues encountered in Legal Studies, through to the theoretical foundations of Economics. This real-world learning first began as early as 1911, with commercial subjects such as Book-Keeping and Mechanical Drawing offered at the College - with ‘drawing’ (possibly mechanical) recorded as early as 1893. Between 1923 and 1941 Business Principles was offered as a subject for the Intermediate Certificate. For Leaving Certificate students between 19301931, Economics, Book-Keeping and Mechanical
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Drawing were grouped together for the first time as ‘Commercial Subjects’ for the annual prize giving presentation. The subject of Economics continued from 1932-1970 with a brief appearance of Accountancy between 1959-1961. By 1971, Commercial subjects had been offered at Barker for at least 60 years. Under the headship of Trevor McCaskill, a department for these subjects was finally created and Peter Landahl was appointed as the first Head of this new Department. Commercial Studies teacher, Len Nixon, who has taught in the Department for 45 years as well as being Head of Department from 1994 - 2000, estimates that there would have to be easily 10,000 students who have gone through the Department since its inception. “The introduction of Business Studies in 1994 and Legal Studies in 2000, attracted even more interest from students wishing to undertake electives in the Department,” Len explained. Over the course of his time teaching in the Department, Len has seen significant growth in the academic and vocational issues addressed through the electives offered.
Commercial Studies
Back Row (L-R) James Mann, Joshua Toth, Len Nixon, James Denton; Middle Row (L-R) Kate Kempthorne, Andrew Watts, Jeremy Whitney, Nicola Maloy, Aleisha Ford; Front Row (L-R) Jon Rheinberger, Amanda Strauss, John McGrath, Josie Christopherson.
“These positive changes have included the development of Legal Studies as a viable academic option. Commerce in Years 9 and 10 has experienced extraordinary growth and this is a testament to the curriculum which is commercially focused and the way it has been taught. “The advent of Market Day has enhanced the credibility of the Department from a commercial and vocational point of view.” There is also more of a balance between the number of male and female students choosing these subjects. “The perception of some subjects, such as Economics, of being a male dominant subject, is definitely changing,” Len said. The Department has benefited from several Heads of Department since its inception, who have shown great leadership in terms of creating high expectations of staff and students and that in turn has been seen by the student body, who have enjoyed the subjects and the courses, the support and the way in which they are taught. There are many students who have gone on to study Commercial based subjects at University and TAFE.
Today’s Head of Department, Jeremy Whitney, leads a team of 12 dedicated teachers. According to Jeremy, the Department has witnessed extraordinary development in the areas of programming and assessment. But it has been in the area of pedagogy where there has been the greatest change. “There has been a demonstrable paradigm shift,” Jeremy explains. “The integration of technology coupled with a greater focus on student centred learning, has led to more value added to the learner." “Having a dedicated teaching team, who strive to do better in every aspect of their teaching, who are selfless in character and willing to be risktakers - has been a highlight of my career to this stage.” Julie McAllister Editor
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 23
Digital Learning
Learning about Digital Learning I have been involved in doctoral research examining secondary school blended learning for the past eight years. Nearing the end of my journey, I wanted to share a few key findings. The use of digital technology in the classroom has received increased attention in the press, mostly brought on by the move to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. While my research took place before the pandemic, the findings echo the anecdotal reports that purely online learning is no substitute for face-to-face (F2F) learning. Under the right circumstances, however, the combination of F2F and online learning may be more beneficial than either component alone. The combination of these two learning modes is known as blended learning. In a meta-analysis of over a thousand studies led by Barbara Means, on average, students learning in a blended setting outperformed those who were learning either solely online or F2F. The authors explained that these students generally spent more time on task and had greater access to resources. My research explored why a secondary school would design a blended learning program, and the advantages and disadvantages once the program had been implemented. Here is what I found.
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Why do schools use blended learning? Blended learning can be used to provide students with opportunities to develop and demonstrate cognitive skills of self-regulation, executive functioning skills and metacognitive practices. These skills explain why humans can think before they act, stay focused, and meet challenges. Blended learning is thought to be effective in developing these skills as it allows students to exercise some element of choice or control in their learning. When is blended learning most effective? My research supports a body of literature that finds blended learning is most effective when students can either demonstrate strong executive functioning skills or are motivated to learn in an independent setting. Additionally, blended learning is effective when the course information lies within the reach of a student. This occurs when a student feels there is a good balance between challenge and comfort.
Digital Learning Space
What type of online activity is best suited to blended learning? Activities are most effective when they are used to dive deeper into the content that is studied in F2F classes, whilst providing students with some control over the pace of their work or type of activity. Effective activities involve a higher degree of cognitive engagement. This includes activities that are said to activate deep learning, or those that require students to create, evaluate or synthesise information. Finally, activities were effective when they allowed students to make personal or authentic connections to their personal lives or interests. What are some benefits? Students who experienced effective blended learning saw a greater sense of control and ownership over their learning. Where students felt F2F classes were moving too slowly, online activities allowed them to work at a more comfortable pace. Students were more engaged with a task when they were able to use their interests and prior skills to demonstrate their understanding. For some students, blended learning allowed them to make stronger connections in their learning. One participant explained that blended learning was like the “sand that filled the gaps” in a particular topic.
When does blended learning fall over? My study found that unwanted behaviour in blended learning situations occurs for three main reasons. The first is due to a cognitive deficit where the student does not have the required cognitive skills or content knowledge to complete a task independently. The second is when a task requires minimal cognitive engagement (ie it is too easy). The third occurs when the online activities are not integrated into the F2F activities. In these cases, I saw an increase in dissatisfaction with blended learning and practices of work-avoidance. What does this mean for teachers and students? The implication is that blended learning is most useful when students are ready to be challenged to engage in deeper learning through independent work, project-based activities or inquiry learning. Teachers should ensure that students are guided to develop independent learning skills and understand prerequisite information. Students should recognise that difficulty learning in independent or online settings may require additional support in the development of metacognitive skills and/or content knowledge. Andy Mifsud Director of Digital Learning
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 25
Maths
Barker Maths Group The start of 2021 saw the Mathematics Department move into the modern era by creating a closed Facebook group entitled the “Barker Maths Group”, which currently has just over 100 members.
Staff now employ short videos to present mathematical problems to students, staff and parents. These video presentations allow a problem to be evolved slowly through its various stages, which students hopefully find more engaging than the bald statement of a finalised problem in email form only. Solutions to all problems are shared with members of the group after a reasonable lapse of time and honorary mentions are made of students who have submitted a convincing solution. In the Term 1 Week 10 Challenge, Matt Dunstan presented two captivating Ancient Indian algorithms for squaring numbers. Matt Dunstan is a Sanskrit scholar with a deep knowledge of Ancient Indian philosophy and mathematics. His video has already been seen by more than 80 viewers. In the video he explains how a pre-algebraic culture developed what might be thought of as a mathematical recipe which, if followed correctly, would produce the correct square of particular types of number, without having to put pen to paper.
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The challenge issued by Matt Dunstan was to provide an algebraic justification for these Vedic algorithms. Essentially, students were being challenged to use their strongest mathematical tool, algebra, to provide a justification as to why and how the Vedic algorithms produced the correct solutions. Morgan Stoodley, Year 10, a regular contributor of insightful solutions, rose to the challenge and his algebraic justification was shared with the group in a follow-up video. If you are interested in Mathematics, please join us in the Barker Maths Group on Facebook! Apply at http://www.facebook.com/groups/barkermaths Boyd Carruthers Mathematics Teacher
Christian Studies
Year 11 Studies of Religion Excursions What do Sikhs believe and what is their sacred site like? What does a synagogue for Orthodox Jews look like and how is it different to other forms of Judaism? How do Buddhist nuns live and practice their faith?
These are some of the questions explored by Year 11 Studies of Religion students on recent excursions. Studies of Religion is a NESA course which students can elect to study in Years 11 and 12. Our 1 Unit Year 11 students recently visited the Lindfield synagogue where they were introduced to the key beliefs and practices in Judaism. Rabbi Lewin gave students a tour of the synagogue, whilst sharing a brief history of Judaism internationally and in the local community. A highlight of the excursion was when Rabbi Lewin showed students a Torah from their collection and demonstrated how it is to be read using a yad (traditional Jewish pointer). It was a fantastic excursion and students responded very positively to this introduction to Judaism. Our 2 Unit Year 11 students also recently visited several sacred sites in Sydney and Wollongong. The excursion began with the Broken Bay Cathedral in Waitara to find out about some of the distinctive features and practices of a Catholic church. This was followed by a visit to the Great Synagogue in Sydney where students were amazed by the architectural beauty and learned about the synagogue’s significance in the life of the Jewish community and in the history of Australia. Our next stop was the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple near Wollongong where students learned about daily life for nuns, the role of meditation and mindfulness in Buddhist belief, and observed an early morning ceremony. The following day students visited the Sikh Gurdwara in Glenwood, where they were introduced to Sikh beliefs and practices, and shared in a meal.
One of our students, Tim Stewart, found the Gurdwara visit to be a highlight of the excursion: “I thought the Sikhs we spoke to were so generous and respectful not only of us as people but also of our background. They were clear about what they taught regarding their faith, but tied it into some aspects of western culture. They were serious but light-hearted, so we didn't feel like they were trying to convert us.” Reflecting on the excursion experience another student, Katerina Negro, said: “It was, overall, an amazing experience. I had never looked deeply into each of the cultures before going and now I have a better understanding of why people do things and what else goes on in our world outside of my life, beliefs and lifestyle.” Caitlin Rossler Studies of Religion Teacher Tom Anderson Head of Christian Studies
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Middle School
Executive Skill Development for Middle School students “I’m so stressed about all the work.” “I don’t know where to start.” On top of the increased academic workload, young students are managing social and emotional challenges. More co-curricular events and social events take up time in the evenings and on weekends. Teens are also experiencing physical and emotional challenges related to puberty, that can trigger strong emotional responses. The pre-frontal cortex of the brain - the part which controls executive functions to exercise “good judgement” when presented with difficult life situations, is not fully developed until the midtwenties. The pre-frontal cortex takes in information and applies reason, problem solving, and other critical thinking skills to determine and achieve specific goals.
Hippocampus Prefrontal Cortex
Stores learning and memory.
Regulates thoughts, emotions, behaviour.
The amygdala is the part of the brain that houses our strongest emotions and is well developed at birth. (An adolescent’s amygdala is larger than an adult’s.) Based on the strong emotions adolescents experience, young learners are more likely to react without planning before or reflecting afterward, when faced with a challenge. Many schools provide tools to support executive function skills, such as a school planner. But they are often used ineffectively or not at all by students who do not understand how these tools can help strengthen their own individual skills. At Barker this year we have introduced an initiative to support Middle School students to develop a routine of planning, organising and prioritising, P.O.P. P.O.P time is a dedicated ten minutes at the end of each school day, in which students: • Plan for the short and medium term, adjusting and modifying
Amygdala Reacts to stress and emotional arousal
• Organise their schedule and • Prioritise action for the evening and the week We believe this dedicated time will help students to develop good habits, support their learning and manage the transition into a more complex stage of life. Practice makes permanent. Jonathan Rheinberger Dean of Middle School
Acknowledgment: Young, C. (2017); Executive functions at home and school.
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Spelling Bee
Spelling Bee
It was articulatory, celebratory, extraordinary, laudatory, prefatory, even slightly sublunary! The excitement was evident, the superior spellers were spectacular, the audience was appreciative, and the benevolent bees beyond brilliant! Our victorious vocabularians received bee-rilliant book vouchers from QBD The Bookstore Hornsby to expand and enhance their love of literacy. The Year 7 winners were: 1) Sam Wang 2) Sophie Cattle 3) Keira Jones 4) Navanj Giria 5) Duke Barnes
The Year 8 winners were: 1) Elyssa Koh 2) Ben Heytman 3) Emily Paterson 4) Finley Pridmore 5) Joey Mascarenhas Thanks to our sensational spelling staff: Magnificent Word Master - Dr Greg Cunningham Poster Preparation Precision - Kim Urbaniak Queen Bee MC - Martine Sloper Crowd Cheer Controller - Charlotte Wells Radical Photographic Recording - Hannah McGrory Martine Sloper English Teacher
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 29
Robotics
Robotics Program
Redbacks Reveal Video
In 2018 we moved our Middle School Robotics program to the VEX Robotics Competition. Over the last four years this has allowed us to host competitions in Sydney and deliver a quality event that is unsurpassed in Australia. We’re thrilled to announce Barker Robotics’ latest achievement – qualifying teams to VEX Worlds. The VEX Robotics Competition is the largest Robotics Competition in the world, with over 20,000 teams. With only 800 teams qualifying to VEX Worlds each year, it is an incredible achievement to simply qualify. This year we had three teams qualify to VEX Worlds; two from Middle School in the VEX Robotics Competition and one from the Junior School for the VEX IQ Challenge. On the way to qualifying for Worlds, Team 4613E – TrainWreck - won the NSW State Championships; ranked #2 in Australia in High School level Skills Ranking; won a Nationals Level Amaze Award for building the most consistently high scoring and competitive robot; and won Robot Skills at the NSW State Championship. Team 4613W – Hypersphere - built a simple but effective robot, and ranked #3 in Australia in Middle School level Skills Rankings, allowing them to get a last minute call up to Worlds. Team 4613E – Team Striker – qualified for VEX Worlds in VEX IQ by winning the NSW State Championship alongside community Team 31416G Cubing Pigs from Asquith. Unfortunately travel restrictions mean our teams will not be able to travel to the USA for VEX Worlds. However, VEX created an innovative online system to allow teams to compete in Live Remote Tournaments, which took place in mid-May as The Barker went to print. The last 15 months have been incredibly challenging for our High School students in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Normally the dedicated team gathers in early January to design and build a new robot for that year’s challenge. However, since 2020, COVID has resulted in the cancellation of every in-person event – meaning two full cohorts have now progressed through the FRC program without an experience of competing with the robot they have designed. These cancellations have resulted in no small amount of disappointment and pain for the hardworking team.
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FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) In 2020, FIRST decided to cancel all events for another year, substituting them for ‘At Home Challenges’, allowing teams to demonstrate a range of skills challenges, with an aggregate of scores counting towards winning a division of teams from around the globe. Our students relished the opportunity, designing a special lightweight robot able to move at lightning speed and rapidly shoot accurately. We are incredibly proud to announce our team had the highest scores in the Magnesium division for the ‘Power Port’ challenge (shooting accuracy), equal highest score for ‘Interstellar Accuracy’ (distance shooting accuracy) and the fastest time for ‘Galactic Search’. In fact, our scores were so good that based on raw scores, the Barker Redbacks are 6th in the world in global rankings! On 1 and 2 May, the team finally had the opportunity to play live in person at Macquarie University. Still under COVID restrictions, only six team members and two mentors were allowed in person, with the rest of the team watching live from home. The event confirmed our suspicion that this robot was special. Taking Rank #1 from our first game, the Redbacks never relinquished it, captaining the first seeded Alliance, and going on to win the event. There are many highlights of the robot worth mentioning, but there is one absolute standout. The team built a climber that drops a platform and allows other robots to climb on in the end-game. Worth a ranking point and an extra 25 points, it is as valuable as it is difficult to achieve. Many teams tried in 2020 unsuccessfully, so it is satisfying to say we are the only team in the world that has shown it in action reliably and dependably. A fitting showcase of the team’s growing abilities after two years of challenge. We are superbly proud of all the team has achieved through their perseverance, dedication and resilience. Lael Grant Robotics Coordinator & Computer Science Teacher
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Alumni Profile
Alumni Profile Will Sparling (04) recently came back to Barker to talk to Year 3 students about his book Camouflage Kids. Whilst at Barker, Will caught up with Director of Kids Alumni and Community Relations, Mandy Loomes.
What was your journey after you graduated from Barker?
working on a youth empowerment project in Nairobi’s biggest slum.
What inspired you to write Camouflage Kids?
After Barker, I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Sydney University and a Master or Social Science (Child and Youth Studies) at Western Sydney University.
I have worked for the NSW Government since 2011.
I wanted to write a book that not only entertained children and made them laugh, but also informed them of the meaning of ANZAC and the impact military service and war has on families.
In 2009 I spent 12 months volunteering at a teachers’ college in Zambia, where I worked on a health education program. Following that I completed a Master of Human Rights at Sydney University, before spending three months volunteering in Kenya,
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In 2016 and 2017 I had the opportunity to complete two Executive Education programs at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government, which was an amazing experience. I got married in March this year to my lovely wife Jamie. We live in Sydney.
I’ve long had an interest in military related issues, dating back to when I was in Cadets at Barker. Learning of my grandfather’s service during the Second World War, including as a prisoner of war, instilled in me the sacrifices made by our soldiers.
Alumni Profile
My time as a volunteer with the charity Legacy has exposed me to the challenges faced by military families, especially the families of those who have served in contemporary conflicts, such as Afghanistan. As a country we pride ourselves on the Anzac spirit, but I think children should learn more about the issues facing today’s soldiers. Do you have another career besides that of an author? I’m a part time author and work full time in state politics. I have spent the past more than eight years working for the Hon Victor Dominello MP, who has held a number of different portfolios and is currently the Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service in the NSW Government. I’m his Senior Media and Policy Adviser and spend the majority of my time developing and implementing communications strategies and liaising with the media. Why did you become a volunteer with Legacy? A few years after leaving school, I decided I wanted to do volunteer work and give back to my community. I did some research and given my interest in military issues, Legacy appealed to me. I have been a volunteer since 2007. They are an amazing charity that helps the families of veterans. As a volunteer, I’ve been able to assist widows, help out at camps organised for the younger families and get involved with fundraising.
What do you do to relax? In my spare time I enjoy running, movies, reading, watching sport and travelling. What advice do you have for today’s Barker students? Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way at school. Whether it’s Cadets, Sport, Music, or Drama, Barker offers something for everyone and extracurricular activities help develop critical life skills. Also, don’t feel that you need to know what you want to do in life by the time you finish at Barker. You may not realise what your passion is until you start tertiary studies, or embark on a new challenge.
The important thing is to set yourself goals and work hard to achieve them. What are three words you would use to describe yourself? Resilient, aspirational, empathetic.
Dhupuma Barker
Opening of Dhupuma Barker On 19 April, the community at Gunyangara in North East Arnhem came together to celebrate the opening of Dhupuma Barker. The School opened as a bilingual primary school for 25 Yolŋu children from the community. By the end of the first week, an additional four students were enrolled, and several students from other communities had come to spend a day or more checking out the new school! Dhupuma Barker is a partnership between the Yothu Yindi Foundation and Barker College, aspiring to revive the ideals of the former Dhupuma College, and prioritise Yolŋu Matha (language), Rom (culture, knowledge) and Galtha (ways of learning). The original Dhupuma College opened in 1972, as the first transitional college for high school students in Arnhem. The School aimed to embed Yolŋu knowledge and teachings into boarding school life. The name ‘Dhupuma’ was given to the School by Mr Mungurrawuy Yunupingu of Yirrkala and refers to ‘looking up to the future’. Dhupuma College operated successfully for nine years and many of today’s Yolŋu leaders are alumni, with a rich understanding of the importance and efficacy of culturally informed education and a vision to promote this for their grandchildren. Tom Spencer, formerly of Darkinjung Barker, has relocated with his family to Gunyangara to teach in the School, alongside our Yolŋu staff Janet, Caroline, Dela and Valerie, with wellbeing support from Berry. Sophie Mynott, Director of Barker Global Partnerships, and Marina Wangurra, Barker Global Project Manager - East Arnhem, have managed the project to set up Dhupuma from Barker’s side, with the invaluable assistance of many Barker staff, parents and students who supported the project. The opening was a momentous occasion with a buŋgul (ceremonial dance) performed by students and members of the community, a smoking ceremony for students and staff, speeches and a magnificent cake.
The students loved receiving their uniform and exploring their new classroom, and parents and community members enjoyed the opportunity to meet Phillip Heath, our Head of HR Alison Binet, Tom and Sophie, and to congratulate them and Marina, Janet, Caroline, Dela, Valerie and Berry on their work to get the students enrolled and the School ready for operation. The opening of Dhupuma Barker is the first step in a broader vision for Yolŋu education in the region. The primary school, with an attached early childhood education program, is the start of what will ultimately be a whole of life education project, on which Yothu Yindi Foundation have partnered with Studio Schools Australia and Melbourne University to deliver high school and tertiary education. We look forward to the wonderful contribution that the students and staff of Dhupuma Barker will make to the broader Barker community. Molly Glendenning Barker Global Research Assistant Sophie Mynott Director of Barker Global Partnerships Formal Logo
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Ico
Wellbeing
Service Learning
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 In 2021 we have been able to embark on a number of programs to engage our students and the wider community in meaningful community service. As Covid restrictions eased in March of this year we were able to participate more fully within our community.
Dignity Dishes Seventy Year 9 students prepare around 230 meals a fortnight for the Dignity organisation who then distribute the delicious home cooked meals to the homeless and other needy families in our local area. The students provide this service as part of their Duke of Edinburgh program and are to be commended for their culinary skills bringing in a variety of homemade specialties each fortnight. We also acknowledge the grandparents, parents and siblings who supervise our young chefs sharing their family recipes and offering service in their own way.
Clarke Road School In March we were able to return to our weekly visits to the Clarke Road School (CRS) in Hornsby. Twenty kind and wonderful Year 10 students started their visits to the School to spend an hour with the students in CRS singing, dancing, playing in the playground, reading and hanging out with their new friends. It is very rewarding to see the grace displayed by our students in their loving interactions with the CRS students.
House Fair The Barker College House Fair was back this year bigger and better! On a gorgeous autumn day in March the 16 House Captains hosted a marquee with food items for sale and games to entice students into their stall. The students supported by their Heads of House treated us to a feast of sausage sizzles, popcorn, churros, waffles, cupcakes, lolly-bags and pizza. The student band played some old tunes and some new ones to lift our spirits as we walked along R B Finlay Walk and the Avenue enjoying the fellowship and basking in the joyous Barker College hospitality. The House Fair successfully brought together members from the Finance Department, the Maintenance Department, the Catering Department, multiple faculties and students in all year groups. With the generous help of our parents, the students were able to raise $12,000 which was shared between the 16 House Charities. Our students continue to participate in other service learning activities using their unique gifts to enrich and strengthen relationships with our community. Sherobhi Rajamantri Coordinator Service Learning
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History
Thinking Outside the Box Sebastian Hodge (20) received a certificate of distinction for his History Extension research essay from the History Teachers Association of NSW. Congratulations on receiving a distinction certificate. How and why did you pick the topic for your research essay? My research essay was framed around the Historikerstreit; a West German historical debate disputing the uniqueness and comparability of the Holocaust and its presence in German identity. My decision to engage in this area was influenced by an already founded interest in Nazism, which developed in History throughout the Middle School and into Year 11 and early Year 12 Modern History. After browsing German history pages and different databases, I decided this would be the perfect fit. While there was a huge amount of information, which was quite daunting, having a topic with such breadth and depth struck my fancy because I could find a smaller, unique angle on the topic. What challenges did you face as you researched and completed it? The biggest challenge was definitely sifting through piles of information to initially find a more specific, unique angle on the broader topic area. While it’s awesome to have a topic that is incredibly well resourced and written on, it becomes tough to narrow down your essay so that you can add something new to the discourse in your own personalised way. However, after I overcame this hurdle and identified a specific angle, it became a lot easier from there. Another challenge would certainly be mediating the balance between personal voice and academic analysis. While it’s crucial to have an essay backed up by sufficient evidence, you also can’t lose your personal voice because markers are after essays which show a genuine opinion. However, also in saying that,
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the essay can’t be casually written. Sometimes I’d catch myself overloading the response with academic information, so I’d have to dial it back and finding the right balance became tough. How do you think History Extension helped prepare you for the challenges of university? Extension prepares you really well for challenges like breaking down a huge task which you see in university into manageable chunks, and critical thinking skills. Unfortunately a lot of HSC subjects can easily be done to a decent standard using rote learning and not much critical thinking. However, Extension forces you to think outside the box and develop unique opinions and methods of analysis. This becomes really crucial at university, meaning that it puts you in good stead for the types of projects you face. Why should a Year 11 Ancient or Modern History student consider studying History Extension? Extension is a subject that really forces you to challenge the way you think about history but also about politics, identity, culture and other global issues. Given this, anyone could take Extension and find a unique angle on texts or their essay which particularly stimulates them intellectually. This makes it arguably the most liberal and student-driven subject you can take, which is great for personal development and also ensures that you study content you’re genuinely interested in. Phil Gordon History Teacher
The Barker Institute Computer Science
Future of Computer Science Education Data Science, informatics, intelligent systems, cyber security and the Internet of Things. Full-stack development, robot mechatronics, code-based problem solving and game mechanics. You might be thinking, what is the purpose of these two lists? The answer is threefold. First, these lists contain examples of fields in informatic systems (data sciences), and areas of expertise for software engineering. These two disciplines of Computer Science are significant for the future of digital technological development. Secondly, the fields in the lists are specialised disciplines of computer science where there is an increasing need for knowledge, skill and capacity due to rapid changes in social, workplace and entertainment technological needs. Consider the recent shift towards greater digital application and use in the workplace, eg wearable health devices, and for streamed, multiway interactions and entertainment.
Thirdly, and most significantly, is the recognised importance of these fields within a school curriculum. At Barker, the Computer Science faculty is a leader in the development of innovative course content that explores practical skill and knowledge development through authentic experiences. We have elective courses for students from Year 9 to 12 that include both informatic system design and software engineering principles. Tim Milkins Head of Computer Science
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 37
English
On this Great Stage of Fools Introducing English teacher, Mark Dobbins’ On This Great Stage of Fools” Fools - a memoir “On
If you have had the pleasure of either working alongside or being taught by Mark Dobbins, you could easily be forgiven for thinking that this is a man who has had the best of upbringings and who must have surely lived a life free of stress and challenge. You would, however, be wrong because behind the smiles, the jokes and the gentleness is a man who has developed his many admirable qualities and attributes not because of his upbringing but, rather, despite them.
lifelong dream so “…screwing his courage to the sticking place” he enrolled as a mature-aged student at Monash University; graduated with a triple major in English Literature, History and Drama/Theatre Studies and even managed to talk his way into his first teaching job at MLC (Melbourne). Time passed and after teaching at several prestigious Melbourne based schools and even the University of Melbourne, Mark Dobbins eventually arrived at Baker College and has made it his home since 2004.
In his recently published memoir, On This Great Stage of Fools Mark Dobbins, like the Great and Powerful Oz, lets his readers look behind his curtain to see the truth of his life. It is a hard truth, reflective of a hard life but it is also a life peppered with love, laughter, and near-constant adventure. It is a life, for better or worse, fully lived.
If it wasn’t plagiarism, Mark Dobbins might describe his life as the “best of times, the worst of times.”
Through all the turmoil, the challenges, the setbacks, and loss, the one thing that persisted was Mark Dobbins’ goal of teaching. After working at a number of different jobs, at age 35, while working as a ‘postie’, Mark Dobbins decided it was time to realise his
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I love this memoir! It is honest to a fault. Mark Dobbins pulls no punches and reveals himself “warts and all.” We hold two signed copies of On This Great Stage of Fools in the Barker College Senior Library. Please take the time to read it. You won't be disappointed! Jason Saikaly Head of Library Services
Barker College Parents' Association
BCPA I was proud to represent Barker parents at the School’s ANZAC service on 26 April. Together with representatives from the School Council, Foundation and the Old Barker Association, we joined students and staff on the OBA Sound Stage to pay tribute to the sacrifices, courage, and selflessness of our veterans. The service commemorated the 92 Barker Old Boys who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Phillip Heath read each of their names to the assembly whilst 92 students from Year 2 to Year 12 laid a cross in memory of our Old Boys. Floral tributes were also laid to honour the Navy, Merchant Navy, Army and Air Force. Barker’s Roll of Honour is on the stairs below the Middle School quadrangle and is part of the pledge made 100 years ago that Barker has maintained to this day which is that the School will not forget. It was a powerful and moving service. Lest we Forget. ANZAC day is also a good reminder of the amazing talent that exists in our Australian Defence Force (ADF). Currently there are around 5000 ADF personnel that transition from service every year and as part of my ‘day job’, I along with my partners in the Australian Veterans Employers Coalition, are working to connect this talent with employment opportunities across all areas of the economy from small businesses to large multinationals. Whilst we honour the past, we also work with the School to provide for the future. The BCPA offers an invaluable service to provide resources and learning and teaching amenities and facilities for our students.
As a result of the fundraising efforts from the past few years the BCPA Committee agreed to fund the new running track on the Rosewood playing fields which sits in front of the Rosewood Centre and runs alongside the southern boundary. This running track, which will be of benefit for all our students, is 5 x 100m sprint lanes and covered with a red Spurtan BV synthetic surface. With the easing of COVID restrictions, the BCPA Committee has been grateful to the wonderful Class Parents for organising social gatherings for each Year group to bring people together. Despite the required limited numbers, it was a real delight to meet parents at Wahroonga Park for the annual Welcome Morning Teas at the start of first term. The Spring Fair will be held on Saturday 11 September, which we are all very excited about. Kate Walther is running the organising committee so if you would like to be involved or would like more information please contact Kate at BCPA_Fair@barker.nsw.edu.au Warren Davis BCPA President
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Featuring all your favourites with lots of new food and gift stalls, rides, live entertainment and more. A not to miss event. Further details announced soon.
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10am - 4pm | Saturday 11 September
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The Barker Spring Fair is back, alive with something new, and you are all invited.
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SPRING FAIR
Barker College Parents’ Association
Sports
Coaching to Make a Difference Sarah Clifton and Matthew Lloyd have been coaching sport at Barker for a collective total of almost 40 years. What keeps driving them and how have they maintained their passion for Basketball and Surf Life Saving, respectively, after all these years?
Sarah Clifton Sarah Clifton is a big believer in the life lessons of team sport - the way it challenges students in ways they are often protected from. “Coping with adversity, losing a game, playing stronger opponents, missing selection - team sport teaches students how to deal with all of this,” Sarah explains. It’s these life-long values of commitment, building a strong work ethic and learning through mistakes, that has contributed to Sarah’s passion for coaching Girls’ Basketball at Barker for 20 years. “Team sport is about finding your place, putting others in the team before you and finding your role to make the team better,” Sarah said. Over the past 20 years, Sarah has witnessed the sport become more professional, with a lot more understanding of the science of sport. “We understand more now about the importance of warm-up and recovery, along with injury management, however, the significance of relationships and coaches knowing their players, has remained the same.” With the introduction of girls into the Junior and Middle Schools, Basketball continues to grow as a sport at Barker. Whilst this is exciting, the challenge Sarah now sees is to keep the students interested and participating over a much longer journey.
40 • The Barker • Issue 131 • Winter 2021
Asked to recall a particular highlight during her 20 years of coaching the sport, Sarah is quick to mention three - touring with students; taking home the first ISA championship in front of a stadium of Barker supporters and winning on the buzzer by one point; and finally playing the last Girls’ Basketball game on Fedeles Court with such a big supportive home crowd. “The atmosphere was amazing!” Sarah has always been a strong advocate for female role models in sport. “You cannot be what you cannot see,” she says. “I love that Barker has compulsory sport and we embed physical activity into routine and hopefully that makes sport and exercise a lifelong habit.” What has been most rewarding over the past 20 years of coaching is seeing the players who have gone on to play in the US, State or National League and the players who come back and coach for the School. “When these players come back and tell you how much the sport meant to them, that’s what you coach sport for - and having someone like Nicole Bailey alongside you, contributes to the overall enjoyment I receive from coaching.”
Sports
Matthew Lloyd A love of the water, the beach and the community service aspect of the sport, first drew Matthew Lloyd to become involved as a Surf Life Saving coach at Barker 17 years ago. “That and the fact I lived quite close to Bungan Beach at the time,” Matthew adds. He may now live almost an hour’s drive away, but Matthew’s enthusiasm and commitment to Surf Life Saving (SLS) has not diminished. When he first commenced coaching the sport, it was only offered to students in Years 10 - 12. The most recent season saw 95 students participating from Years 7 - 12. “When students first start SLS many have few skills and some trepidation,” Matthew said. “It continues to be a highlight to see these students finish their time at Barker highly proficient and wanting to stay on as members of the Bungan Beach Surf Life Saving Club.” Over the past 17 years, Matthew has seen many changes introduced to the sport particularly in regard to safety, risk assessments and compliance procedures. Training has also improved for the students, including the e-learning they now undertake for their awards. “These students learn how to save lives.”
Matthew recalls how one Year 12 Barker student was able to resuscitate and save a person’s life on a cruise ship because of the skills learnt through SLS. A Barker teacher who had just come from SLS, was also able to save an adult on the sidelines of a school cricket match. Matthew is particularly pleased to see SLS now classified as an emergency service, highlighting the sport’s significance. “We now get call outs for incidents other than at the beach,” he said. “We have the necessary equipment and are highly trained.” Most recently, Matthew was called upon to assist with rescues and delivering medications to flood affected victims. As he reflects on the past 17 years and Barker’s 31 seasons, Matthew is particularly proud of the positive relationship that exists between Bungan and Barker. He was President of the Club for four seasons and was awarded Life Membership in 2019. “I’ve loved watching the Club grow and I particularly love moments like our last patrol for the season, when a former student who is now coaching, shared his joy of being able to patrol and pass on skills to the younger Barker students.” Julie McAllister Editor
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 41
Sports
Developing a Lifelong Love of Sport The Sport Department is tasked with engaging every Barker student in an exceptional and diverse Sport program which offers them the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of sport and to achieve, thrive and grow from participation in a safe, caring Christian environment. To ensure we are achieving this, we have been reviewing all sections of our program, seeking and listening to feedback from students and parents and have implemented a strategic planning process. Over the past 12 months we have made changes to our structure, to the way we communicate and to our key process, such as team selections.
Structure A general trend when seeking feedback is focused on the role of the casual coach and their ability to coach at the necessary standard. This is the most important factor in a student’s development in sport as well as their overall enjoyment of the program. To assist in achieving this, we had to make some fundamental modifications to the structure of the program. The removal of a Boys’ and Girls’ Director of Sport in the Secondary School and the implementation of a single Director of Sport - Operations was key in aligning the program with the School’s direction. This allowed us to implement clear processes, policies and directions for all programs. Referring back to our goal of providing the best possible coaching experience to each student, it was important to ensure all processes, policies and directions flowed through to each coach.
42 • The Barker • Issue 131 • Winter 2021
Therefore, over the past 12 months we have been implementing a structure whereby a subject matter expert (often called a Director) and a coordinator are matched and applied to each program. The key to this structure is to present the subject matter expert with the time and ability to ensure each coach has a clear understanding of the program and how Barker would like it implemented. The Coordinator's role is to ensure the Director gets the necessary time and space to achieve this by managing the logistics and communications for each program. We are continuing to implement this structure, particularly across our larger sports.
Communication Another key area of feedback was centred on communication. We have been working hard to streamline our communication pathways and have recently implemented the Sports Hub to help us achieve this. The Sports Hub is a dedicated area on MyBarker where the community can quickly access key information about the Sports Program. Handbooks have been developed for each sport which sit in this area and are designed to give parents and students all the necessary information they may need for each of our programs. From Term 2 draft sport fixture draws and any other pieces of pertinent
Sports
information can be accessed in the Sports Hub. Coupled with the Sports Hub is the MyBarker app. Linked to the Sports Hub and our operating software, MyBarker gives each parent a real time overview of their child’s timetable, including their sport commitments. From MyBarker, parents can view important pieces of information such as the sport specific handbooks. We understand there is more work to do in this area; however, we hope this new pathway improves our communication and allows parents the ability to quickly find necessary information.
Sports Hub
Programs Each sports' program is currently under review and plans are being developed to ensure continual improvement. Recently we have made significant modifications to the Swimming and Athletics' programs which have seen an increase in participation numbers and enjoyment. We are working on ensuring selection processes are appropriate and transparent across all programs, facilities are suitable and available, and the risk management interventions and practices are implemented and active. We will continue to work across all sports and on all processes and genuinely hope we can provide programs in which Barker students can thrive and grow. Cameron Anderson Head of Sport
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 43
Sports
1st Rugby Squad The 1st XV squad had an Easter holiday tour planned to Brisbane Queensland to stay at Marist College with fixtures against St Laurance and Marist. Unfortunately due to the COVID cases in Brisbane prior to Easter, the tour was cancelled and instead the squad travelled to Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Camp at Patonga on the Hawkesbury River for a training camp. Twenty-five players attended, accompanied by five coaching, management and medical staff. The venue was fantastic and in addition to a training oval it had a private beach, pool, indoor basketball court, and other recreational activities. The tour was tough physically with two x two hours training sessions most days and pool recovery sessions in between. These were well rewarded by
various night activities consisting of a trivia night, talent show, and bonfires most nights. A team building day included archery, basketball, initiative skill games, beach volleyball, fire making and raft building and was a huge success. A match against a Gordon Colts side on Saturday 17 April at Chatswood Oval, saw the Barker team acquit themselves very well against a much older opposition running out 17-10 winners. Overall the tour proved to be very valuable for the squad and a great way to set up the season. Darcy Benefield Year 12
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Sports Sports
Swim@Barker “Anyone who walks inside the Mint Gates has a place in our Swim Program.” With a different approach and model in place for 2021, newly appointed Swim Head Coach Steve Critoph, believes a real opportunity will be available to all Barker College students. With swimming programs being transformed this year to stay inclusive, students for the first time will have the chance to swim alongside their friends on the same afternoons. Steve hopes to increase and grow our School Swim Programs as well as encourage every student to take advantage of the access they have to the pool. “Anyone who walks inside the Mint Gates has a place in our Swim Program. We want to be able to say we have a spot here for every student,” Steve said. With 38 years of experience as a Head Coach, before Barker College Steve worked at a range of different School’s including Kinross Wolaroi Orange, Ascham, Knox and St Edmund’s College in Brisbane. “I like helping them learn skills to carry forward. At times, it's helping people achieve peak performance”, Steve expressed. Barker’s experienced swim coaching team consists of Idesa Vincent, James Harnett, Blake Heggie and Matt McSorley.
James was keen to explain the School’s new approach to the program. “Our goal is to put the School and student first and deliver a program around everything that they’re already doing. We are looking at the programs more holistically and planning together. If students come along to the pool with their friend, they are going to swim with them but in a different part of the pool. They will come together and leave together", James said. Matt added the importance of teaching children the ability to stay in the water for longer during training sessions which includes treading water, especially as the School offers Surf Life Saving and Water Polo as sporting choices. “Training gives them the ability to stay in the water longer and enhances their endurance which is a lifelong skill to have”, Matt said. Hannah McGrory Social Media Coordinator
Winter 2021 • Issue 131 • The Barker • 45
Barker Archives
All about the Archives and Archivists The Barker College Archives endeavours to provide a secure place for the School’s historical records and memorabilia to be preserved in perpetuity. About the Archives The Archives were established in 1964 by the then Master in Charge of History, Stuart Braga (Class of 1956). Since then, several qualified archivists have devoted their efforts, skills, and talents to growing the Archives, capturing the School’s history and actively bringing it to life through workshops, events, displays, tours, and contributions to presentations and publications. The Archives aims to weave this rich history into everyday life around the School, strengthening the proud culture of Barker College and helping the community to learn from the past and prepare for the future.
About the Archivists Rachel has been the full-time Archivist at the College since Term 4, 2020. She is a qualified archivist with a double degree in arts and science. She has over a decade of experience in the archives field and has worked for schools, clubs, university colleges, and institutions including the Royal Agricultural Society. When not at work she enjoys historical fiction, photography, and spending time with her growing family.
46 • The Barker • Issue 131 • Winter 2021
Jackie has been the part-time Archivist at the College since Term 1, 2020. She is a qualified archivist with a double degree in librarianship and information management. Jackie has previously held roles in the finance industry and until her appointment at Barker, had been working in public and school libraries in the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai areas. When not at work she is continuing to study and enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with her large, busy and sporty family. The bright and friendly Archives team are keen to learn about all things Barker and are continually looking for new ways to bring this history to life. If you have a project you are working on, something you would like to share, or something you think they can help you with, please get in touch at archives@barker. nsw.edu.au. They would love to hear from you. Rachel Byrne Barker College Archivist
Foundation
Cellina Chen and Peng Wu are current parents of two children, a daughter in Year 5 and a son in Year 9. Cellina is a director of the Barker Foundation. We recently chatted with Cellina about why she is passionate about supporting Barker philanthropically. What has inspired your philanthropic journey?
What motivated you to give to the Barker Foundation?
Coming from a migrant background meant that we needed to learn everything from scratch about how the Australian education system worked. We knew that the independent school system would provide a first-class education for our children and they would benefit from excellent teachers and be provided with a choice of co-curricular activities and enormous opportunities We had always thought that the school fees we paid would cover all of the resources our children enjoyed. However, we came to understand that this was not the case.
We genuinely believe that whatever we can give today will benefit not just our children, but all Barker students. We also want to teach our children to give and to care for others. We want to show our children how to act philanthropically by involving them in charitable activities and discussions about the contributions we make as a family. What would be your philanthropic wish for Barker?
Having two children attending different private schools made me aware that there is quite a difference between private schools and their facilities. When my son initially started at Barker, we were excited about the enormous school campus, its facilities and the green space. It was not until the Rosewood Centre was built, that I fully appreciated how much these amazing facilities cost the School to build. Further research highlighted that such facilities are in fact, never funded by students' school fees. The funding for these buildings comes primarily came from the generous donations of our community, including Alumni.
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, so too will it take a group of like-minded philanthropists in our community to build this capability. Together we can provide better facilities for our children and future generations of Barker students. We can further improve the excellent learning environment our children have. It is not about how much you give; it is about sharing whatever we can, year after year, to form a community with a philanthropic mind so that we can build an even better Barker together!
Barker’s termly giving program, where families can support the various School programs with a donation each term, is just one way our family have identified to give back.
John Slack-Smith Foundation Chair
The Community Update videos that Phillip Heath regularly produces, highlight Barker’s Masterplan and the wonderful work all of the staff at Barker do for the benefit of our children. I often think what can I do as a parent to assist? My answer has been giving - no matter how big or small. Cellina Chen and Peng Wu
Winter Winter 20212021 • Issue • Issue 131131 • •The TheBarker Barker•• 47
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Inside this issue 49 OBA President 50 Life Beyond Barker 52 OBA Groups 57 Community Events 60 Personal Notes 62 Community Chaplain 63 Obituaries Old Barker Association Contacts
School Contacts
email: oba@barker.nsw.edu.au
Director of Alumni and Community Relations Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
(Please note that the number in brackets after a name is the graduating year) President Angus Abadee (07) 0433 108 525 Honorary Vice-President Emily Tutt (09) 0433 711 664 Honorary Treasurer Andrew Hassall (86) 0412 610 434
Alumni Reunion Coordinator Karina Drummond (02) 8438 7283 kdrummond@barker.nsw.edu.au Archives Jackie Rossington (02) 8438 7291 archives@barker.nsw.edu.au
Sunshine Coast Phil Benjamin (61) pandj.benjamin@bigpond.com Upper Hunter Charles Cooke (65) (02) 6545 8141 (w) charles_cooke@esat.net.au Canada, Ontario George Darling (70) gdarling@sandstormgold.com Hong Kong Vacant
Interstate and International Barker Contacts
Japan Carl Bastian (93) carl@rwo.okinawa
General Committee Martin Donaldson (2000) Declan Flaherty (2016) Anthony Hearne (1990) Benjamin Ho (2009) Pip Hurley (1985) Jenny Kalaf (1978) Anna Sutton (2005)
Adelaide Lane Hinchcliffe (00) 0412 130 935 (m) lane@lkggroup.com.au
Middle East David Baker (85) +965 9950 1657 drwbaker2002@yahoo.co.uk
Brisbane Andrew Wilkie (01) 0412 779 383 (m) andrew.wilkie@morgans.com.au
New Zealand Michelle McLachlan (Dooley 96) +64 27 838 7838 mmclachlan@trustwave.com
Nominees to School Council Michael Brodie (79) Tony Gamson (78) David Trayner (84)
Canberra Andrew McColl (74) 0422 985 281(m) as.mccoll@icloud.com
Oceania (Fiji) Neil Underhill (75) (679) 336 3968 (w) neilunderhill@connect.com.fj
OBA Annual Patron Sandy Hollway (64)
Melbourne Murray Anderson (65) 0457 000 407 (m) murray@capricorngroup.net.au
Papua New Guinea Johnson Kalo (83) (675) 305 6703 (w) jhnsnka03@gmail.com
Newcastle Nicholas Bedggood (88) 0410 565 101 (m) nickbedggood@yahoo.com.au
Philippines Steven Robinson (77) steve.robinson@dfat.gov.au
Honorary Secretary Andrew Davis (78)
OBA Seniors Contact Ian Pont (63) oba@barker.nsw.edu.au
OBA Support for Life 0434 385 442 obasupportforlife@barker.nsw.edu.au
Northern Rivers Jim Poulos (61) 0413 087 412 pamio@bigpond.net.au Perth Ian Christian (69) 0417 980 968 (m) ian.christian@thepark.com.au
Contributions Welcome Please send contributions to Mandy Loomes, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, 91 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077 or mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au For further information please contact Mandy Loomes on 8438 7229. Personal notes are published in good faith, as a service to the Barker Community.
48 • The Old Barker • Issue 245 • Winter 2021
Singapore Carly Switzer (94) carlyswitzer@yahoo.com.au UK, London Annette French (Slattery 88) (44) 1732 382 281 (h) annette.e.french@sky.com USA, East Coast New York Alex Skellet (94) (917) 251 3361 (h) alexandraskellet@gmail.com USA, West Coast Phoenix, Arizona Digby Cook (56) (623) 523 4321 (h) digbyhcook@gmail.com
From the OBA President
OBA President’s Message One of the best parts of the OBA is when we are given the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our alumni. Often, we get to celebrate significant life moments with each other, including important family, career, or personal achievements through our reunions or by catching up through one of our Alumni clubs or affiliates. However, sometimes we also get to recognise these achievements at the place that forms our common bond - Barker. I was lucky enough to be at the recent Back to Barker sports gala day, where our female OBA sporting teams took on the current students in netball, hockey and football matches. Following these games we then celebrated what Alex and Kate Blackwell (01) have meant to not only Barker but Australia. In honour of their achievements, the School has dedicated the Blackwell Stand overlooking No 1 Oval in their names. It was a fitting tribute for two women who have given so much to the sport of cricket and have inspired the students of Barker to push harder, try new things and strive for greatness. It was great to be back at Barker with an air of normality, and I really enjoyed seeing the strength of our OBA sporting teams. Over the past 12 months we have seen the tireless work of the leadership teams of our affiliate clubs result in more opportunities for our members to continue the activities they loved most at School, including their sports, faith, drama and music.
I would also like to highlight the next phase of our Support for Life program, which is transitioning to a new platform to continue to provide ready access to immediate support for those seeking help. Thanks to the ongoing support provided by the School to our Alumni, we have closely collaborated to provide a new online portal for our members and their families to access a range of professional supports for challenges they are facing. We are passionate about providing the services our members need and are very proud of the efforts in establishing this next step in our Support for Life program, with particular mention to David Trayner, Emily Tutt and Mandy Loomes for making this happen. In the lead up to our Annual General Meeting in August, I encourage anyone interested in getting more involved in the OBA to reach out - we are always keen for new ideas and suggestions, and for people to contribute to our ongoing support to our Alumni. Angus Abadee (07) OBA President
We have been especially happy to welcome a new affiliate in the past few months, with OBA Fencing allowing a seamless transition for those Fencing at School to continue participating when they leave Barker.
Help is just one phone call 0434 385 442 or one click away: obasupportforlife@barker.nsw.edu.au Winter 2021 • Issue 245 • The Old Barker • 49
The Old Barker
Life Beyond Barker Ken Halliday started School in 1953 during the post-War era and is among the first students to have studied in the new Barker College Junior School. Ken started in Kindergarten and went through primary school as a day boy, living locally in Hornsby. He was enrolled as a boarder for secondary school, leaving the College after completing his leaving certificate in 1964. What is your fondest memory of the Junior School? As a dayboy it was the privilege of “growing up” together. Birthdays were a highlight. Some of the standouts were the pirate party at Roger Goldfinch’s (64) place and the Empire Night at Harry Angus’s (64) place. What was it like as a dayboy compared to a boarder at School? The ‘Daybug/boarder war’ of 1958 was a classic. The battlefield, in Rosewood Woods, was an assured victory for the Daybugs. An unending supply of cap guns and ammo and superior numbers left the boarders outgunned and outnumbered. I believe it was Mr Parker, who brought balance. One weekend, the Rosewood Woods disappeared, and in its place, stood a massive impregnable fort, with ramparts and barred entries. Borders, well equipped with firepower and flour bombs, won the war, (although to this day some Daybugs would dispute this, due to an unfair alliance).
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From the 1920s until 2006 boarders were placed in dormitories within Carter and Plume Houses, and at times students took turns sleeping out in the open-air verandahs – what was that like? Third year boarders resided in the downstairs dormitory of Plume House, however, numbers were such that we were rotated through the upstairs verandah. I scored second term – winter. Even with the canvas awning down, it was cold. We slept well enough, with warm blankets. Getting up in the morning was the painful part. Dormitories were inspected every morning, without fail. The 4th year supervisor on duty, would call out “stand to upstairs” at which point we would all stand at the foot of our beds. First year were first, 2nd year second, etc. We would set out our clothes the night before, tie on, jumper on, shoes ready to put on. Timing was critical. When the call went up, we would bounce out of bed, slip into our clothes, do up the tie, shoes on, bedding rolled up, before we were inspected. This worked well until we were inspected first!
The Old Barker
Photo Ken Halliday (back row, first from right), Roger Goldfinch (middle row, third from right) and Harry Angus (back row, fourth from right) Junior School 2nd Class 1955
Can you tell me about one of the boarding duties? In 3rd year, boarders had a roster system for the “Buyer and Lights” duty. The appointed boarder would be at the flagpole after last period, to collect orders and money from other boarders, then go to Hornsby shops. The other duty was to turn off all the lights around the senior school after prep. You were active in Chess, Debating and Cadets, what do you remember from these? Chess - I learnt to play chess at home. In Senior School, I would correspond with my sister, boarding at Abbotsleigh, playing chess by mail. We would finish the game during the School holidays. Being in the team allowed boarders the opportunity to leave the School grounds for an afternoon. Debating – I was encouraged to join the debating group. As a boarder, it was another opportunity to leave the School grounds.
At one memorable camp, Singleton was hit with a cyclone. Every cadet was working to save the tents, and although we lost two, the other schools (Kings and Knox if I recall correctly), abandoned camp, booking out every hotel and motel in the area. The battle of the Singleton Cyclone was won with much valor. School was not all nice smelling roses – there were thorns as well. Through it all, I am very grateful for the 12-year experience at Barker. Something rarely mentioned is the growth of a person, within themselves. What was started at home, was built on at Barker. The foundational principles of relationship, friendship, opportunity and inclusion were initiated and encouraged at Barker. Without them, I would not be where, or who I am today.
Cadets - My mother, who was dealing with a WWII PTSD husband, and had lost her younger brother in the RAAF in England, was loathe to see her son take up arms. “Join the band, they don’t kill and are safer as stretcher bearers”, was the advice.
Winter 2021 • Issue 245 • The Old Barker • 51
OBA Groups
OBA Groups Old Barker Football Club The Club will reflect on the first month of competition in 2021 and ask itself, was it: a) A shortened season in 2020?; or b) A subdued pre-season schedule?; or c) 5G towers/vaccines? …that led to a material decline in the health/welfare of players across the Club. In what has been a boon for Sydney’s physiotherapy industry and placing further financial stress on an underperforming disability insurance market, Old Barker FC has been decimated with injuries. Josh ‘the great’ Gatsby is in the running for the most creative injury, breaking a metal screw in his ankle (the bone remains undamaged). Josh can finally settle the long running debate; he is in fact tougher than nails. Keiran Hayes (11) has been resigned to a minimum sixweek absence, with quite a painful injury for the diminutive winger. Yohei Sei joins Matt Vickers (05) on
the injury roster with musculoskeletal back woes. David Richardson is finally more attractive than Owen Wilson, recovering from a broken nose in pre-season. Humza Arain (11) took an unexpected trip (physically and metaphorically) when a broken arm bone was moved back in situ, while awake and heavily sedated. In the lower divisions, Jack Racklyeft’s dislocated shoulder sees him become a master of the one-armed sausage sizzle and Liam Demaine (13) has a grade 2 ankle tear. The addition of a cane has added real menace to Liam’s managerial presence. Jeremy Smith (05) continues to lumber through 30 minutes re-injuring his ankle each week and Steve Attard has a suspected season ending ACL, an unusual injury for a rock. With the smell of Dencorub© and sound of strapping tape a growing feature of warm-ups, the Club will be searching for a recovery in both results and player welfare over the back nine this season. In spite of injuries, Division 3 Reserve Grade remain the perennial overachievers, sitting atop competition standings.
Barker Old Boys Cricket Club
captain the side against his son Nick (Yr 12), who was the captain of the 1st XI.
Barker Old Boys Cricket Club have had another successful season with plenty of good cricket played. The highlight of the season was a comfortable victory over Knox Old Boys as well as our annual clash with Barker’s own 1st XI. It was the first time that the Old Boys team came out on top in the T20 format. It was a brilliant afternoon with a variety of different age groups represented. It was great to see Jeremy Hook (88)
Heading into next season we are looking for new recruits to play limited overs games on Sunday afternoons. The games are good fun where all players get plenty of opportunity to have a bat and a bowl. We are looking forward to welcoming the new old boys into the Club at the beginning of next season. Please send me a text on 0416 685 944 or email me
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Newly recruited Premier League coach Vedant Tijoriwala (11) has the unenviable job of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, with player numbers stretched after only four games. In more positive news, the Club welcomes two new sponsors. Marquee Sponsor Paton Power and supporting sponsor Tony Isgroves Paint and Decorate. Both sponsors feature on new playing kits being rolled out across the club in celebration of its 30th year in competition. We are very grateful for their generous contribution to community football and warmly welcome their association with the Club. Given the raft of injury woes, the Club unsurprisingly has player openings for anyone interested in making a heroic late season entry. So, if there are any dormant footballers considering dusting off the boots, please do not hesitate to get in touch. www.oldbarkerfc.com Matt Vickers (05)
on lachielloyd1@gmail.com to be added to our Facebook group where additional information is available. Lachie Lloyd (18)
OBA Groups OBA Netball The Old Barker Netball Club was started in 2015 and is a registered Club with the Hills District Netball Association (HDNA). Lauren Kirkby (07) is the one of the two founding members and is the current President. Due to work and other interests Lauren would like to pass the running of the Club to a new generation of players. If you would like to be involved and would like more information please contact Lauren on 0414 837 992.
Old Barker Rugby Old Barker Rugby’s 2021 Season is well underway with the Club fielding teams in Division 2 - 1st and 2nd Grade, and Colts and Women's 7s. Early leading try scorers include: • from Colts: Jack Breden (19), Charlie Vaughn (18), Andrew Castrisos (18), Sam Jackson (20) and Charlie Williams (19) • from 2nd Grade: Jim Hawkins, Andrew Taylor, Tim Masman (14), Jack Finnegan (14) and Scott England • from 1st Grade: Joe Trinder, Sandy Locker (17), (who also clocked his 50th game for Old Barker), Bruce Thompson (15) and Hamish Phipps (14) In 2021, our rugby games are being filmed each week via Cluch TV which has added a new dimension to watching the game and revisiting the highlights, as well as listening to superb running commentary from a few of our coaches and players, notably Angus Blakemore (16), Christian Donovan (18), Nick Spencer (14) and Joe Trinder.
You always have the unwavering support of the Alumni & Community Relations Department at Barker as well as the Old Barker Association so you are never alone.
Over the years the Club has played in the two night comp seasons at HDNA each year as well as the Saturday competition. Lauren Kirkby (07) President: 0414 837 992
Our Women’s 7s team is going from strength to strength under the keen coaching of Jordan Fowles, manager Hannah Milligan (15) and captaincy of Bianca Blake (15). The team is competing in the NSW Rugby tournaments and, from time to time, in our home games before 1st Grade. Old Barker Rugby’s next home game at Turramurra Memorial Park is on 3 July and our Women’s 7s play at Manly on 4 July - all supporters are very welcome! Our website at www oldbarkerrugbyclub.com has all the details and more - all players welcome! See you on the Paddock. Josh Ballard (09) www.oldbarkerrugby.com
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OBA Groups with an interest in Agriculture. This is an invaluable network for careers, mentoring and keeping up with current and future trends in agricultural science, business and technology. This Society is being led and supported by Matt Nevison (16) and Barker’s Head of Agriculture, Scott Graham.
OBA Ag Society
Our vision is to develop a community to support recent schools leavers, university students and recent graduates in their journey of understanding industry, creating networks and finding meaningful careers.
The OBA Agriculture Society has been created to provide our Alumni with the opportunity to stay connected with like-minded people
We want to provide an opportunity for those already in industry to
OBA Big Band The OBA Big Band has enjoyed every moment of being back in the rehearsal room this year. Each musician is thriving off one another and there's a real energy in the room. The pandemic really did emphasise the truth behind "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". Fortunately, we've wiped a few cobwebs from our old charts and rediscovered our sound.
share their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for agriculture with the next generation of professionals. Our inaugural event will be on Saturday 21 August in town at The Carrington. The cost will be $45pp. Bookings can be made through Trybooking: www.trybooking.com/BRLOK Joining the AG Society is done through our OBA Ag Society Facebook page: www.facebook. com/groups/2541392712616643. More information is available here too. Matt Nevison (16)
Nothing conjured up memories more than tackling the 12-minute piece, Mr Dodo by Bert Joris. However, our favourite piece to revisit was the infamous tongue in cheek classic, Papa Loves Mambo by Perry Como. We hope to perform this at the upcoming Barker Swings in August. Luke Davis (09)
OBA Christian Fellowship It was such a pleasure for the OBACF to come back to Barker for an Easter Breakfast in the Cru Room this year. We were able to gather in the morning for coffee, fruit and muffins and welcomed some new faces to the group. We also heard from Nick Lowe (17) who shared with us the message of Easter and the salvation of Christ. It was great to reminisce and share experiences about our time spent at Barker, especially in the Cru Room space, across a range of cohorts. We look forward to planning upcoming events including a church exchange and winter bible studies. 54 • The Old Barker • Issue 245 • Winter 2021
The OBACF aims to offer an opportunity for the multigenerational network of Barker Alumni to meet, connect and encourage one another in their faith journeys. We would love to grow our network even more. If you are interested in joining, please join our Facebook Group or contact Mandy Loomes mloomes@barker. nsw.edu.au or Rev Jeff Ware jware@ barker.nsw.edu.au. Georgia Breckenridge (18)
OBA Groups OBA North Shore Wind Symphony The OBA NSWS has returned to regular rehearsals on Sunday afternoons at Barker College. If you are interested in joining our ranks this is a great year to do so. In late April we played our first full scale indoor concert since 2019 which was a thrill. The event was titled The Places We Could Not Go and featured music from around the world. Our destinations included Mexico (La Fiesta Mexicana), Ireland (Riverdance), Indonesia (Pagodes), Australia (Colonial Song) and India (Samay Raga). We were very pleased to co-headline the performance alongside Barker’s own Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble. In the spirit of not peaking too early in the year we have big plans afoot for our next concert on the evening
Old Barker Association Theatre Group OBA Theatre presents Candida by George Bernard Shaw. In 1904, New York’s Broadway and London’s West End were swept by “Candidamania”, the excitement of a groundbreaking, poignant play by an up-and-coming playwright of the time: George Bernard Shaw. With the benefit of over a century of hindsight, the OBA Theatre company is proud to revive this iconic comedy adapted by director Adam Roberts (14). Candida was originally written as commentary on Victorian attitudes towards marriage and the roles of women in modern society, inspired by the recent wave of realism and modernism from Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov permeating English theatres, and masterfully built upon with quick witted prose by Bernard Shaw. This adaptation is mostly faithful to the original text both in appreciation for the beauty of Bernard Shaw’s writing, and as
of 1 August. We will be performing in one of Sydney’s best spaces, the Verbrugghen Hall in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Our coheadliners will be none other than the NSW Police Band. The concert will feature the incredible Rowena Watts the winner of our concerto competition and feature the Australian premier of Codex Gigas by James M David (inspired by the medieval text also known as the Devils Bible). The program notes explain that the piece “attempts to deal with [the composers] own frustrations and fears about our current times through the lens of a variety of masterworks from the past. Ultimately, the symphony should be seen as a celebration of knowledge, reason, and intellect as we struggle to overcome our baser instincts and prejudices.” Hence, we have titled the concert “Songs of Light and Darkness.”
a critical indictment of our progression of women’s issues in society. Any moments that make you laugh are a credit to Bernard Shaw, but any parts that still ring true today should be a concern to say the least. The cast are a fabulous mix of Alumni from recent years, many of whom have performed on the Barker stage since graduating, who bring unbridled vivacity to this Victorian comedy. With a year away from the theatre in any capacity, this show is a catharsis of pent-up theatrical energy for cast, crew, and we hope the audience. There is great pride in sustaining this relatively recent tradition of the OBA Theatre, and this year’s performance will hopefully continue to inspire former students to try
Tickets will be available via our Facebook page. If you want to come to one concert of ours, this is definitely the one. If you have any questions about joining us as a member or about our concerts please contact me. Harry Nicol (14) NSWS Band Manager manager@nsws.band www.facebook.com northshorewindsymphony
their hand as a Thespian, as well as reminiscing their time at Barker. Candida tickets are on sale now for 8, 9 and 10 July. For updates on the show and further information about the OBA Theatre company, follow us on Facebook or send us a message either on Facebook (facebook.com/Obatheatre) or via the email Obatheatre@live.com Tickets: $25 for Adults and $19 for Concession Trybooking: www.trybooking.com/BRCIB Adam Roberts (14)
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OBA Groups
Kurrajong Society If your children have left Barker and you would still like to support the School and be part of the Barker Community events, then the Kurrajong Society is for you. We send a regular quarterly newsletter, Kurrajong News to keep you updated on what is happening at Barker College. The Barker Spring Fair is back on Saturday 11 September so watch out for more details throughout the months ahead. If you would like more information, please contact us at kurrajong@barker. nsw.edu.au.
OBA Fencing It is the great pleasure of the Barker Fencing community to announce, publicly, OBA Fencing. There have been many requests over the years for an OBA Fencing Club but has only been made possible since Fencing’s recent transition to on-campus training. Fencing, at a student level has fostered many long-term networks of friends well into their graduate lives, and the hope is to return many ex-combatants to the fold. The Club will be headed by the current coaching staff, including the legendary Steve Augoloupis. We support Foil and Epee but can facilitate Sabre in the future.
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OBA Seniors
If you graduated from Barker 50 years ago you are now a member of The Old Barker Association Seniors. This is a social group who organise a number of events each year. We look forward to seeing you at our next OBA Seniors event, which will be the annual luncheon celebrating the last winter home game of the season. Colonel Warwick Young OAM from the Class of 1983 will be the guest speaker. If you would like further information, please contact Mandy Loomes in the Alumni Office on (02) 8438 7229 or oba@barker.nsw.edu.au Ian Pont (63)
The Club will cater for both social and competitive sporting, with the hopes of continuing Barker's ferocious and medal winning spirit. The Club is anticipated to open Autumn 2021. Thomas Smart (18)
Community Events
Community Events OBA 1XI v Barker 1XI 20/20 Cricket game 24 February On a wonderfully pleasant Wednesday afternoon cricketers representing Barker and the OBA played in the annual T20 Cricket match. As always, the match was played in
tremendous spirit with excellent batting, bowling and fielding skills on display. Players from both sides enjoyed the opportunity to play a competitive game on No 1 followed by a sausage sizzle at the end of the match.
BCPA Welcome Morning Teas
Year 12 Drama Parents’ Cocktail Party 27 February Parents of the cast and crew of the Year 12 play celebrated the final night of the play together with a cocktail party before the show. Guests gathered in the John Griffiths Courtyard on a very pleasant Saturday evening and heard from Phillip Heath, the Drama Department staff and Damian Ryan, the Director.
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Community Events
BCPA Welcome Morning Teas Three Welcome Morning Teas were held at the picturesque Wahroonga Park for parents from Senior School, Middle School and Junior School at the start of first term. Unfortunately there were still strict COVID restrictions so despite being outside in the park, guest numbers were limited. However, all three morning teas were very happy occasions with guests enjoying the opportunity to come together.
New Parent Welcome Event 16 March This very important annual event took place in and around No 1 Oval to welcome all parents new to the Barker School community. Guests gathered together in their children’s year groups to chat with each other and staff from Barker’s Executive before being introduced to and hearing from the Head of Barker College, Phillip Heath, Chair of the Barker Council, David Charles (75) and Vice-President of the Barker College Parents’ Association, Michele Biet.
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OBA Seniors March luncheon 23 March For the first time in over 12 months our OBA Seniors gathered together at Hornsby RSL Club for a delicious lunch. Matt Macoustra, Deputy Head of Barker started proceedings by welcoming guests on behalf of the School. Kevin McCann AM (58), the guest speaker, spoke about his extraordinary and illustrious career before being asked many questions from the audience. After this Phillip Heath gave guests an update on Barker in 2021.
Blackwell Stand Opening & Girls’ Sports Gala morning 27 March The sun shone brightly as former Australian Cricketers and Old Girls from the Class of 2001, Kate and Alex Blackwell gathered with family, friends and staff to officially open the Blackwell Stand named in their honour, twelve months after originally planned. It was a celebration and acknowledgement of the wonderful contribution Kate and Alex have made to the School, their sport and their country. Prior to the opening there were three excellent sporting matches taking place. The Old Barker Association (OBA) Netball, Hockey and Football teams played a match against the Barker First teams as part of the girls’ trial match progam. Netball was played for the first time in the Rosewood Centre, Football was played for the first time on No 1 and the Hockey game was played on Bowman. All matches were very competitive and played in tremendous spirit.
After these matches, players and their supporters joined Alex and Kate for the opening of the stand before enjoying morning tea together. Kate and Alex spoke of their passion for Barker and encouraged today’s students to follow their own dreams and to be proud of who they are.
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Personal Notes
Personal Notes (Number in brackets is the alumni year)
Simon Wolff (75) I've been working in Garden Maintenance for something like 16 years, it keeps me very fit but sadly I still can't name a single plant. Oh yes and still making scale plastic models (never really stopped) but not overnight on the family kitchen table but of course there is a large stash of them acting as loft insulation. I still love aviation history and the sound of a prop driven war bird, and I still love taking photos (thank God someone invented digital cameras). Still single and living in Terrey Hills.
Rachel Lack (12) who is in the Australian Olympic Softball Squad played Megan Horne (10) a member of the NSW Open Squad in April this year.
Karen Penrose (Collett 78) was appointed to the Rugby Australia Board in April. Karen is also the John Miller (05) married Stephanie Sheridan on the 7th of October in Margaret River WA. John was President of the Old Barker Rugby Club. attended by his brother and best man Alex Miller (02) and James Collits (05) who flew in from attended by his brother and best man Alex Miller (02) and James Collits (05) who flew in from Canada for the occasion. Other school friends who attended included 2005 leavers Duncan Stedman, Ben Schafer, Jerome Chong, Michael Watkins and Travers Morony.
Jarrod Draper (14) has been announced as a cast member for Moulin Rouge! The Musical opens in August at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.
John and Stephanie currently live in Canterbury.
Piper Duck (20) has been appointed the 2021 Sydney University’s AON 7s Captain. Luke Reimer (18) made his debut in May for the Brumbies Rugby team.
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Photo from www.centralwesterndaily.com.au
Canada for the occasion. Other school friends who attended included 2005 leavers Duncan Stedman, John Miller (05) married Stephanie Sheridan on Ben Schafer, Jerome Chxng, Michael Watkins and Travers Morony. John and Stephanie currently live in Cantebury. 7 October 2020 in Margaret River WA. John was
Personal Notes
Henry Furrer (20) has been selected in the 2021 Youth State Rowing Team in the Youth Men’s 8 crew. The crew will be competing for the Noel Wilkinson Cup at the 2021 Interstate Regatta at Lake Barrington, Tasmania.
Sean Turkington (19) Anthony Brian (87), Sean Zammit (17) and Alastair Pilley (16) helped with the set-up, commentary and judging at Robotics recent inaugural FTC State of Origin with Barker College hosting the NSW leg of the tournament. Barker was in the winning alliance and hosted an amazing event including a live stream which joined us to our Queensland hosts Grace Lutheran College whilst streaming to the world.
Baptisms in the Chapel 21 February Alexander John Pettigrew (09) 21 March Lucas Mark, son of Susana and Nicholas Huang (08) 10 April Thomas Jack, son of Alison and Justin Charlesworth (00)
11 April Jackson Philip Walker, son of Jonathan and Nicole Chambers (06) 2 May Nikita Susanne, daughter of Ashlea (Hunter 03) and Adam Zivanovik (03)
OBA Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the 113th Annual General Meeting of the Old Barker Association Inc. will be held in the Sue Field Room (Rosewood Centre), Barker College, Hornsby on Tuesday 3 August 2021 at 6:30pm Agenda 1. Apologies 2. Confirmation of Minutes of the 112th
Annual General Meeting of the Old Barker Association Inc. held on 4 August 2020. 3. President’s Report 4. President’s Award 5. Honorary Treasurer’s Report 6. Report by the Head of Barker College,
Mr Phillip Heath. 7. To receive and consider the Income
and Expenditure Report for the financial year ended 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021, together with the Balance Sheet at that date.
8. To receive and consider the Annual
Statement to be lodged with the Department of Fair Trading for the year to 30 June 2021. 9. Appointment of Patron(s), and election
of Office Bearers and Committee Members comprising: President, Honorary Secretary/Public Officer, Assistant Honorary Secretary, three (3) ordinary members. Refer note below. 10. Appointment of Representative to the
School Council – Mr David Trayner has been nominated for a three (3) year term. Refer note below. 11. Appointment of Honorary Auditor. 12. Motion to change the constitution to
allow for other electronic storage of minutes, and other documents part of the business activities of the association, and additional means of holding meetings in vitual form, such as video conferencing. 13. Motion to change the constitution
relating to the term for School Council Nominees, to reflect the terms as detailed in the Barker College Ordinance.
14. Other Business
permitted to be raised pursuant to clause 31(2) of the Constitution. By Order of the Committee, Andrew Davis, Honorary Secretary Note: Appoint of the OBA nominee to the Barker School Council as set out in Section 25 of the OBA Constitution. Note: In accordance with the requirement of Clause 29(2) of the Constitution any further nominations are hereby called and shall be in writing, signed by a Member of the Association, endorsed by the candidate and lodged with the Honorary Secretary at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the meeting in compliance with Clause 29(3). Any nominee must be a financial member of the OBA. Note: Committee members serve a three year term on a revolving basis. Hence not all positions are open at each AGM. Please note, advice will be sent to alumni with login details if the AGM has to be held remotely via Teams.
From our Community Chaplain Rev Jeff Ware
Languishing and Flourishing One year on and the School is increasingly opening up in all areas. Weddings, baptisms and memorial services are able to be held in the Chapel.
Whilst signing on and hand sanitising are still required, the mandate to wear masks has been eased. No longer are many significant occasions needing to be cancelled, postponed, or held under very constrained conditions. No longer are visitors and families restricted from entering the School grounds. The Barker community is beginning to re-assemble and each week has seen us gathering to enjoy the whole range of activities that are part and parcel of our normal and vibrant program. It has also been a year since I commenced in the role of Community Chaplain. Even when there were restrictions, it was still a joy being ‘around and about and across’ the ongoing day-to-day activities of the School. Students and staff continued to involve themselves as fully as possible in the life of the community and for the most part continued to flourish. With wise leadership and a strong culture we stood up well to the test. As Community Chaplain I have also been able to have more contact with the broader Barker community - former students, families, staff and so on. It has been a special delight to have opportunities
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Top to bottom With Belinda and Steve Mason (00) at the baptism of their daughter Annabelle back in August 2020; In April 2021, at the memorial service to celebrate the life of Bruce Piper (59)
to catch up with those who have a deep and enduring connection to the School and who continue to be sustained in some way by the values and ethos the School upholds and seeks to embody. Of course, the last year has not been easy for everyone. The OBA Support for Life program has been a help to some of our number who have been languishing in one way or another; no doubt it will continue to do so. I have also valued the chance to meet up with some of those who are struggling. We do not need to face difficulties by ourselves. As a community we long to be of support, where we can, to ensure that no-one suffers alone. We retain an interest in and a concern for all who are and have been part of the Barker community, and we seek - however falteringly - to heed the call of the ‘Good Book’ - to rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and to weep with those who are weeping. Rev Jeff Ware Community Chaplain
Obituaries
Obituaries (Number in brackets is the alumni year)
Harold ‘Hal’ Geoffrey Archer (1957) 1940 - 2021
Hal was born in 1940. He never knew his father, who was an officer in the Australian Army sent into South East Asia early in World War 2, and who died as a POW in Changi Prison. Harold attended Barker as a boarder from 1953 to 1957. Hal played cricket and rugby throughout his time at Barker and in his final year was in the 2nd XI Cricket team and was captain of the 2nd XV Rugby team. He was also a Prefect, Carter House Senior and played the role of English Doctor in the Dramatic Society play Macbeth. On the basis of his Leaving Certificate Results in 1957, Hal was awarded a Commonwealth Open Scholarship. After leaving Barker, Hal spent some time at Gatton Agricultural College, and his working life then took him to various places including far western NSW and far northern Queensland, and also as far away as Zimbabwe.
Hal’s mother, Edna, and sister, Sylvia, were master horse breeders at their Arabian Horse stud, Dunwingeri, in Paterson, New South Wales. Later in life when he had the chance, he followed their example and used the fine bloodlines of the Dunwingeri mares and bred some great horses under his own stud name of Jayhal Arabians, many of which had very successful endurance careers. In 2010 Hal had great success in the equestrian sport of endurance riding having bred the fastest horse in the world over the distance of 120km. Jayhal Shazal travelled the distance in a world record time of just over 4.5 hours in Abu Dhabi at the Presidents Cup. Six weeks later he travelled 160km (100 miles) in 5 hours, 45 minutes and 44 seconds, an even more incredible record. In 2006, at the age of 66, Hal fulfilled one of his goals by successfully completing the Tom Quilty Endurance Ride (100km in 1 day) at Boonah in QLD, riding a horse he had bred called Dunwingeri Nova. Hal was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and, as he did with most of the things in his life, he faced this with fierce independence and courage. We say farewell to a friend to many, beholding to no one, fearless political and social critic, breeder of fine horses, generous, reliable, and one who believed in giving back in return what was given to him.
Hal passed away on 6 February 2021 in Clumber, QLD and is survived by his older sister Sylvia, and his three children Nicola, Tracey and Peter. Peter Robertson Duguid (63) 1945 - 2020
Peter Duguid, late of Darling Point, passed away on 10 September 2020 whilst taking his daily swim. Peter was born at Wollongong hospital, and spent an idyllic childhood at Austinmer. He attended Austinmer and Thirroul Primary schools, and progressed to Bulli High School, where he completed his first year of secondary schooling and learnt how to surf. The family moved to Hornsby in 1959 and Peter attended Barker as a day boy from 1959 to 1963. His brothers James (1956, deceased) and David (1958) also attended Barker. During his time at Barker Peter enjoyed many cocurricular and sport activities. He was a member of the Chess Team in 1959 and an NCO in Cadets in 1963.
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Obituaries
Peter was in the 2nd XI Cricket in 1962, played Rugby, and was also a member of the Athletics Team throughout his time at Barker. Peter’s connection to Barker continued over the years as he attended many Class Reunions, OBA Golf Days and OBA Seniors events. Upon leaving Barker, Peter attended UNSW and graduated in 1968 with a BSc, majoring in both mathematics and chemistry. After a year teaching at Cranbrook School he took up a position in the quality control laboratory in Sterling Pharmaceuticals where he met his wife Margaret. They married in June 1971 and a year later headed for the UK, travelling overland through South East Asia, Burma and India. They lived in Scotland for four years where Peter completed an MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis at Strathclyde University in Glasgow before joining the staff of the Medicines Testing Laboratories at the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in Edinburgh. On returning to Australia Peter took up a position with the National Biological Standards Laboratories in Canberra before embarking on a PhD in the Pharmacy School at University of Sydney and moving to Austinmer, near Wollongong, where he had spent his childhood. He went on to establish his own analytical laboratory in Sydney which led him to the marine industry and to Singapore where he undertook technical investigations and provided advice on the quality and quantity of bulk liquid marine cargoes, such as petroleum products, petrochemicals and edible oils, after transhipment. He spent 18 years in Singapore, initially working for the UK firm Minton Treharne and Davies and then for himself. Peter had a great love of sport and continued to be an active participant throughout his life. Whilst in Scotland he played 64 • The Old Barker • Issue 245 • Winter 2021
cricket for Leith Academicals, mixed hockey, and learned to ski in the Cairngorms, a sport he continued back in Australia, whilst living in Canberra. In Austinmer he took up orienteering, combining his love of running and the bush. He competed in events in all six states, the ACT and once in Europe. Peter also enjoyed the challenge of rogaining (long distance orienteering) and for many years competed with another chemist friend in the 24-hour events. All this while he kept up his running and participated in a number of City to Surf events and other fun runs. Peter loved the sea and began swimming regularly in the local ocean pool, a routine he continued for the rest of his life. In Singapore a knee injury curbed Peter‘s jogging activities so he started to play golf. He enjoyed his twice weekly rounds with his golf mates and took the odd golf trip to Indonesia and Malaysia. After leaving school Peter continued to play competition chess in Sydney and then in Glasgow. In Edinburgh his interest in games expanded to bridge, an interest he maintained throughout his life and through which he met many friends. Peter returned to Australia in mid 2018. The consummate gamesman, he set himself the task of doing the SMH cryptic crossword, the Sudoku and solving the 9 letter Target word by 10am - except on Fridays when David Astle (79) set the crossword. He continued to swim in the harbour every day, play golf, enjoy his weekly game of social bridge and indulge his love of classical music. Peter is survived by his wife Margaret, his brother David, his sister Elizabeth and their families
William ‘Bill’ McKander Forster (54) 1937 - 2021
Bill attended Barker as a day boy in the Junior School from 1945 to 1949. His brother Peter (50) also attended Barker. Bill’s father died when he was 12 and the family moved to Toowoomba where Bill continued his schooling in Warwick. Bill left school when he was 16 and went to sea. He started as a Deck Cadet and progressed to Captain in 1973. At retirement he was the senior master in the Australian National Line (ANL). Bill was a brilliant navigator and was sought after by management due to his skills in sea handling and commissioning of new vessels. Other passions included the Masonic Movement and the Liberal Party. Bill joined the Masons in 1958 and continued this association throughout his adult life, holding senior positions following his retirement from work in 1996. Bill, late of Woolooware, suffered poor health in recent years and passed away on 10 January 2021. He was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife Lilian, his children and grandchildren.
Obituaries
Robert Michael Hook (Mike) (58) 1942 - 2021
Mike started at Barker in 1954 in 6th class. A natural sport, Mike immediately made his mark in the Junior School 1st XI and in the Preparatory Schools Tennis Tournament where he was runnerup in the singles. In the Senior School, in the absence of his favourite sport, tennis, Mike embraced every other sport on offer. In 1958 he played in the 1st XI and was runner-up in the boxing tournament to the late Paul Lee, a formidable opponent who had been a previous winner in his division.
distinguished themselves at Barker, as well as six grandchildren. Jeremy’s elder son, Lachie, left Barker in 2017, while second son, Nick is now in his final year.
The Barker College’ motto - ‘Seek honour above rewards,’ was a motto that John modelled his whole life upon, always putting his wife, children and others first.
Mike was an active member of the OBA in recent years and served on the Committee of the Old Barker Seniors. He enjoyed participating in the Annual Golf Day and proudly held the Seniors Trophy with three of his school mates Denver Webb, Jack Little and Tim Rogers; their team together amassing over 300 years of Barker life and memories.
Whilst at Barker College John joined the Cadets which then led to him being called into National Service.
Mike spent his retirement years at Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast. He continued to pursue his love of tennis there, until some six months ago when his battle with melanomas intensified and ultimately took his life. The family held a Memorial Service at Barker on 14 February attended by hundreds of people from Mike’s wide circle of friends, testament to his great popularity. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and by many at Barker. John Anthony Milne (57) 1940 - 2020
On leaving school, Mike started his banking career with the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney (CBC). Mike headed up the Tasmanian operations in the early 1980s until the CBC merged with the National Bank of Australasia to form NAB. Mike returned to Sydney and continued with NAB until taking the opportunity of voluntary redundancy in 1991. He then moved into financial advising for 22 years. Mike married Jenny Wood in the Barker Chapel in 1967. He is survived by Jenny, three sons, Jonathan (87), Jeremy (88) and Antony (92), all of whom
In 1960 John met his wife Merrill at St. Peters Hornsby Fellowship, which led to their marriage in 1963, followed by 57 years of a delightful marriage producing three sons Ian, Philip, and Darren. John was a keen Christian, with St. Aidans Longueville being his final Christian home. John held a high moral standing in life and tried to teach his boys to do so also. Family was a huge part of John’s life with many family holidays both in Australia and overseas. We all soon became very keen on water skiing as well as snow skiing always with family at the centre. For over 40 years John was an active member of the Rotary Club of Padstow, having held most club positions and several district positions. Unfortunately John had his first heart attack at the age of 43, followed by two heart surgeries and several heart attacks with him eventually being given a defribillator. As well as John loving his skiing, he also loved being on the water, for which he had several motor cruisers, for which he was able to include many friends from Family, Rotary, Church and business associates.
John was born in Perth before his family moved to Melbourne then on to Sydney in time for John to commence his education at Barker College.
From leaving school at age 15, John went to work in an international Insurance Broker, then a large Insurance Company until he went out on his own to commence an Insurance Brokerage, which he worked full time for 40 years
Winter 2021 • Issue 245 • The Old Barker • 65
Obituaries
before passing this to his son. John loved his work and found it very difficult to step aside as so many of his clients had become great friends and remained so for the remainder of his life. John will be remembered as a loving husband, father and Pa to all his family and as a great loving, giving friend. Robert Bruce Osborn Piper (59) 1943 - 2021
Bruce attended Barker as a day boy from 1951 to 1959. In his high school years Bruce enjoyed success as a boxer competing and winning tournaments. He also enjoyed swimming, playing rugby and performed in the school drama productions. In his final year at the age of 16 he studied English, Modern History, General Mathematics, Physics and Biology in the Leaving Certificate. He went on to study Medicine at Sydney University. After his Junior and Senior residencies in Sydney hospitals Bruce worked as a GP for a year at Lake Cargelligo where he was also vet, obstetrician and councillor! The next step in Bruce’s career was a move to the UK where he sat for his Surgical Fellowship at the College of Surgeons in Edinburgh before moving back to Sydney and setting up his own practice as a General Surgeon with rooms in Mona Vale and Ryde. In the latter part of his surgical life he enjoyed a senior position at the Sydney
66 • The Old Barker • Issue 245 • Winter 2021
Adventist Hospital and Breast Screen NSW as a Consultant. He retired in 2006 which enabled him to enjoy 15 years of wonderful family time much of that spent at Bawley Point on the South Coast which was home to Bruce and Linda and family during school holidays. Besides medicine, his family and friends, Bruce also had a passion for cars and travelling, particularly through the Australian Outback with his family in tow. He was a keen photographer and as a result there are many wonderful reminders of our time together on these holidays. Bruce had a very strong connection to Barker College with his brother David (55/56), nephew Christopher (94), children Tim (97), Catherine (99) and Rob (00) also attending Barker. Two of Bruce’s grandchildren Charlotte (Yr 7) and William (Yr 5) are current Barker students. In 2017 Bruce was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He battled against the odds for four years but in March of this year he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He will be missed terribly by all who loved him. Gordon James Rich (60) 1943 - 2021
final year, Gordon played the character of Aumerie in “Richard’s Catastrophe”, an Extract from Richard II, in the Assembly Hall. His original submission "The White Australia Policy" was published in The College Barker. Gordon successfully completed the Leaving Certificate and achieved first class honours in Ancient History. Following Barker, Gordon had various occupations including operating a tyre retailing business, Fred’s Treads until 1981, then a Queensland phone company until 1998 with his wife Marion. Later his company assisted Queensland operations for Sydney-based comms/data manufacturers and wholesalers Access Communications, for his good friend Peter Owen (deceased). Gordon also served as an Alderman at Drummoyne Council from 1974 to 1977. Gordon enjoyed a variety of sporting pursuits throughout his life. He competed in inter-varsity rowing in 1964 and 1966 and various ‘masters’ events over the years. He also enjoyed tennis, finding golf more challenging. Motor sport was another passion between 1970 and 1981 including five Bathurst races. Since 1982 Gordon had been passionate rower with the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club and in later years in his beloved yellow scull on the Noosa river, until just before his diagnosis. He ceased rowing in October 2020. He and Marion had no children and were very much devoted to each other. Travelling was their favourite pastime. Covid unfortunately had placed a damper on this.
Gordon attended Barker as a boarder from 1957 to 1960. His father Alan Rich (1931) also attended Barker. In his
Gordon, late of Noosaville, Queensland passed away on 5 March 2021 and is survived by his wife Marion.
Grant Terence Rattray (90) 1972 – 2020
Grant commenced at Barker College in Year 5, 1983 and completed Year 12 in its Centenary year 1990. His two sisters Lea (82) and Tanya (86) and nephews Lachlan Fitzgerald (15) and Cameron Fitzgerald (16) also attended Barker College. Grant was very active in the school’s community and participated in all forms of sport. He represented the Junior School in Tennis and Swimming. In the Middle school, he represented in CAS Swimming, Athletics (Shotput) and was in the A teams for Basketball and Rugby. In Year 11 and 12, he also represented in CAS Swimming and was in the Basketball Firsts and Rugby First XV. It was a great occasion for him to play in the First XV in the Centenary year and an honour to receive the ‘best and fairest player’ award. Grant was awarded Colours for Swimming, Basketball and Rugby. Grant loved his Barker years, he made many long friendships from this great community. He meant so much to so many people and those close to him. Prior to his passing, fifteen of his mates would meet and catch up on a regular basis. This still happens today as they celebrate the good memories and love they have for Grant.
On leaving Barker he studied a Bachelor of Commerce/Marketing at Western Sydney University and worked various jobs to save for his overseas adventure. In 1995 he set off to Europe for twelve months with close friends Richard High and Andrew Thomas. One highlight, on his birthday, whilst in France, Grant was invited by Orlando Wines to a luncheon at Moet Chandon Cellars. They celebrated in style with a 1972 Magnum Vintage bottle. During their travels, they met up with Matthew Taylor and other Barker friends. They also travelled through the United Kingdom with Andrew Thomas’ father, Kevin enjoying great times. Grant worked in various companies, including Thrifty Car Rental as the company’s business development manager covering the corporate market and then as online manager where he was responsible for online sales and marketing, corporate partnerships and loyalty programs for four years. Grant worked for Sabre Pacific, an American company with the Head Office based in Texas. Sabre formed a new subsidiary, titled ‘GetThere Asia-Pacific’ team which Grant was the Regional Director. He was responsible for focusing on corporate strategy and growing corporate travel procurement in the Asia Pacific Region. This also included a number of enhancements and services targeted to serve the needs of corporations in the region for three years. Initially, Grant was running this Company from the Sydney Office, which included a lot of overseas travelling to Asia Pacific and Texas. In 2011 he was promoted to Director of ‘GetThere’s AsiaPacific’ division, and hence decided to relocate with his family to Singapore. He expanded the business throughout East Asia into neighbouring countries.
He returned to Sydney in February 2014. Grant passed away on 16 August 2020 whilst living in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. After his passing, one of Grant’s closest friends, Andy Reeve and his wife Nic, organised a wake in their home to celebrate Grant’s life and talk about the good times, the funny times and the mischievous times. It was well attended during the limitations of COVID-19, with many close Barker friends and family remembering Grant as always being happy, genuine and laidback. He was loved by all! Grant leaves behind his two beautiful daughters, Chloe and Jessica, whom he adored and dearly loved. Grant you are well- loved, always missed and now at peace. ‘Life does matter’. Mum and Dad
WHAT'S ON TERM3 YEAR 11 DRAMA PERFORMANCE EVENING
Thursday 5 August Rhodes Scholars Theatre 6.30pm Students perform their Non-Realism group performances in the Drama studios to an invited audience of family and friends.
VISUAL ARTS HSC EXHIBITION
TEXTILES EXHIBITION
Thursday 22 July Rhodes Scholars Theatre 6.00pm A wonderful and interactive way to appreciate the nuances of the creative arts and fashion. Join us for our runway show when Year 12 Textiles and Design students present their Major Textile items, which they have worked on consistently for nearly 12 months. Year 11 and 10 Textiles students will also display their developing talent with artist inspired and retro-themed textile pieces.
Wednesday 25 August McCaskill Music Centre 5.30pm
Opening Night
This annual exhibition showcases Visual Arts students’ HSC Bodies of Work prior to the works being submitted for HSC marking.
Accompanied with Dance and Drama performances. Arranged by: Zoe Kidd and Anita Turnbull
YEAR 10 DRAMA POLITICAL SHOWCASE
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION
Thursday 26 August Kefford Building Rooms K201, K202, K203 6.00pm
Opening Night
Examine the quality of work achieved and see how Year 12 students have applied a wide range of traditional and contemporary technologies to overcome problems and respond to opportunities.
BARKER GOES BROADWAY
Thursday 12 August Rhodes Scholars Theatre 6.30pm Close your eyes, and let music set you free”….. wait, NO, you definitely need to keep your eyes open for Barker Goes Broadway which is a spectacular showcase of musical theatre performed by our Barker students AND cheaper than a ticket to Broadway! Once a year, The Rhodes Theatre is transformed into Broadway for the night and we showcase some of the acts which our superbly talented Barker students have to offer. The night will entertain you with popular Broadway classics, spectacular solos and ensembles as well as impressively co-ordinated dance numbers – you will be humming the songs all the way home! Arranged by: Bailey Angus & Jess Samuelson (Barker Drama Captains)
YEAR 12 DRAMA HSC SHOWCASE
Tuesday 7 September Rhode Scholars Theatre 6.00pm Year 10 students perform their Political Theatre group performances to an invited audience of family and friends.
Thursday 9 September Leslie Hall 6.00pm A showcase of HSC Group Performance work.
OBA Dinner Elysse Morgan is the ABC’s leading voice on business, finance and economics. She is an award winning journalist hosting Australia’s most respected nightly business program The Business. Her career began at Sky News in Canberra where she produced the award winning 2007 Election Agenda programs. Elysse moved to the ABC as a rural reporter in 2009 and was based in Port Pirie, where she won several awards for her coverage of devastating drought as well as the fallout of the GFC and then subsequent mining boom on rural and regional communities. She then moved to the NSW Rural team where she hosted the state-wide Country Hour program where she earned a reputation for tough interviews. She has worked on Australia Network Business Today program as a reporter and producer and executive producer, the ABCs business desk reporting on leading current affairs programs including AM, PM, 730 and The Business.
Elysse is now host for The Business. She has earned a reputation for forensic and insightful interviews, bringing warmth and humour to what can be dry topics of business and economics. Elysse is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the subject and regularly gives her time to schools and charities to help teach and inform people about finance. Bookings: Visit www.barker.nsw.edu.au and click on the Payment option to book this OBA event. Queries: Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 or mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
OBA Annual Golf Day 2021 Tuesday 31 August at 11.00 am RSVP: Wednesday 18 August All Welcome Friends | Colleagues | Clients Pennant Hills Golf Club Green Fees & Canapés (non PHGC Members): $100.00 pp Green Fees & Canapés (PHGC Golf Members): $35.00 pp Cart Hire to be booked through PHGC (8860 5860) To book: Visit www.barker.nsw.edu.au and click on the Payment option to book this OBA event. Queries: Mandy Loomes 8438 7229 or mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
Barker Community Events 2021 Class Reunions 1961 – 60 Year Reunion Sat 24 July John Meagher john@driftwoodfilms.com.au 1971 – 50 Year Reunion Sat 24 July Wolfgang Hofbrucker 0428 993 964 w.hofbrucker@gmail.com
OBA Events
OBA Seniors Events
1995 – 25 Year Reunion Sat 16 Oct Dimity Brown 0412 926 500 dimity.brown@outlook.com
OBA Meeting & AGM Tue 3 Aug Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
AGM/Luncheon/Rugby Sat 24 July Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
1986 – 35 Year Reunion Sat 30 Oct Mark Cooper 0400 344 697
OBA Golf Day Tue 31 Aug Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
1990 - 30 Year Reunion Sat 31 July Darren Perry Anna Brooks (Higgs) Lucinda French (Etherden) Nathan Deveson barkercollege1990@gmail.com Facebook: Barker College Class of 1990
Gaille Smith (Yeates) 0412 784 221
Mike Langford 0414 781 291 drifting@bigpond.net.au
Daniel Courtnall 0416 080 892 Barker2005reunion@gmail.com https://fb.me/e/28M1Z4gmt
1965 – 55 Year Reunion Sat 25 Sept Doug Spencer 0404 888 085 dspencer@millernoyce.com.au 1981 – 40 Year Reunion Sat 2 Oct Jo Camp (Fisher) 0407 951 356 jo.camp@pearson.com Jenni-Lee Williams (Lennon) 0412 412 726 jennilee13@mac.com 2000 – 20 Year Reunion Fri 15 Oct Hayley Gatt barkercollege2000@gmail.com
Jodie Eliott (Conomos) 0457 724 099 2005 – 15 Year Reunion Sat 30 Oct Chris Mackenzie 0411 874 426
2010 – 10 Year Reunion Sat 30 Oct Annie Unsworth 0400 305 748 annaliseunsworth@gmail.com Henry Wells +61400 493 553 henrycwells1@gmail.com 1991 – 30 Year Reunion Sat 20 Nov Vanessa Bennett 0400 024 168 vanessa.bennett.sydney@ gmail.com
Mel Tait Facebook: Barker College 20 Year Reunion 2015 – 5 Year Reunion Sat 16 Oct Sami Novis 0422 576 275
OBA Annual Dinner Fri 5 Nov Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
Regional Events Regional events provide a great opportunity to connect with members of the Barker community in your area. Please contact Mandy Loomes, mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au for information about regional events or to update your contact details if you are living in a different location to your Barker mailing address, so we can invite you too!
Privacy Due to changes in Privacy Legislation we are required to inform you that your contact details may be shared with OBA reunion organisers with the strict guidelines that they are only to be used for the purposes of organising your OBA reunion. Please contact the Alumni Office if you wish to keep your details private.
Photos Photos from your event may be posted on the OBA Website (www.oba.net.au) and the Alumni Facebook page (www.facebook. com/barkercollegealumni) and in The Barker magazine. For further queries please contact the Alumni Office.
Helen Shao 0423 260 990
91 Pacific Highway Hornsby NSW 2077 Australia
OBA Meeting Tue 19 Oct Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au
t +61 2 8438 7999 f +61 2 8438 7609 w barker.college
