From the Chair of Council
Council Strategy Day at The Grange Located in Mt Victoria, a small village close to the highest point in the Blue Mountains and 122km west of Sydney, The Grange is one of the area’s earliest buildings. Built in 1876 as a private residence, a long low bungalow spreading across the side of a hill, it is positioned to focus on the magnificent views to the north of the property over the pagodas and bushland. Through to the mid-1930s, the property was used as a private guest house. Until its acquisition by Barker College in 1987, The Grange continued as an area for people moving through the Blue Mountains to set up camp and rest. Since the late 1980s, The Grange has been used as an environmental and Outdoor Education centre for Barker students in Years 7, 8 and 9. Many of the fittings and much of the character of the original building have been preserved, including its tall ceilings, a heritage protected slate roof with materials sourced from North Wales, and a floor in the games room which is a rare Moroccan pink tinged slate.
The School Council’s discussions during the Strategy Day were rich and informative and we did not allow the (sometimes) wet conditions outside to dampen the enthusiasm, as Council members and senior staff imagined what lies ahead for Barker. Mind you, during some discussions, a crackling log fire in the main building certainly helped! The topics we considered included: • The future of the School’s academic program • Student wellbeing and supporting them in a changing world • Maintaining and enhancing students’ sporting and other co-curricular activities • Changing demographics in Australia • Attracting and retaining the best possible staff
The education program at The Grange focuses on Science and Geography field studies that are tied closely with the current Stage 4 curriculum. Students also undertake progressively challenging hiking activities in the surrounding National Park. Whilst at The Grange, students assist in a program of bush regeneration that teaches them about the importance of native flora and fauna and allowing them to ‘put something back’.
• Master Planning including the facilities required for a completed coeducational school
On Saturday 26 March 2022, members of the School Council and senior staff gathered at The Grange for a Strategy Day meeting. Using the venue enabled members of the Council time to explore a wonderful facility, including a 4WD tour of the whole acreage, and to understand and appreciate the important work which is done by The Grange staff, ably led by Directors, Liz Charlton and Scott Manwaring. With the advent of full coeducation, the Barker community can celebrate that Middle School girls now enjoy the full Barker Outdoor Education experience.
Of course, there is more work to be done on these topics and other matters but we were grateful to have the chance to discuss them in such pleasant surrounds.
• Moving towards gender parity in our enrolments • Nurturing and sustaining a beneficial culture for the School • The future of independent schools’ education in Australia and the importance of a contribution by Barker to the ‘Public Good’.
David Charles (75) Chair of Council
Winter 2022 • Issue 135 • The Barker • 3
