How we Lift and Belong

Being landlocked, there are no beaches or surfing culture and Afghans who come to Australia are vulnerable in our coastal-clinging country.

Over January, we had the opportunity to include twenty children from Hope House Orphanages in Kabul and the Panjshir Valley in the Barker Intensive Learn to Swim School.

Many thanks to Georgia MacPherson, Idesa Vincent and the excellent team of instructors from Barker's Aquatic Centre who gave their time and expertise to make sure these children were water-safe for our Summer. They wore the Rashies donated by our generous staff as part of the Christmas Giving Appeal by the People & Culture team and this money was matched by BIG W at Macquarie Park.

The children took to the water with great joy and enthusiasm and like all Aussie kids, they asked each day if they could stay in the pool just “just a bit longer, please!”

Speedo Australia also donated further swimming gear such as goggles and caps as they moved towards more proficient swimming, as many progressed during this time.

Not only do the children of migrants suffer significantly higher rates of drowning in Australia, learning to swim adds to their sense of belonging as this article in SBS suggests: I have always struggled to fit in with Australia's swimming culture | SBS Life: www.sbs.com.au/topics/voices/culture/ article/2018/01/17/i-have-always-struggled-fitaustralias-swimming-culture

If you are interested in supporting a refugee child in our Intensive Learn to Swim program in the Easter holidays, please contact Julia West, JWest@barker.nsw. edu.au. A donation of $100 covers transport and a week’s tuition.

Your Tax deductable donation can be made here https://bit.ly/3ZEXyRT

Julia West Director of Humanitarian Programs

Publishing the close-to-practice research that takes place within the Barker community is an important part of the Barker Institute’s role within the School.

Learning in Practice is a published conversation in which reflections on practice take place, and professional learning and development benefit.

As the editors, we are proud to launch the 6th edition of Learning in Practice. We hope it is useful and informative for teachers, parents, and researchers.

Dr Timothy Scott Barker Institute Research Fellow &

Lead Editor

Dr Matthew Hill Director of the

Institute