The Barker #107

Winter 2015 — Issue 107 ISSN: 2204-938X

08

Peace looks like this Gallipoli ANZAC Tour

16 The Imaginarium: A Sandpit for Future Learning

24 Science FIRST Robotics World Championship St Louis Missouri 2015

CONTENTS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Regulars 12 Prep School 14 Junior School 16 Middle and Senior School 26 Drama 38 Sport 44 The Old Barker The Features 08 Peace looks like this Gallipoli ANZAC Tour 14 – 28 April 2015 16 The Imaginarium: A Sandpit for Future Learning 24 Library An exciting start to 2015 in the Library

26

The Roaring Girl Year 12 Play

34

25 Science FIRST Robotics World Championship St Louis Missouri 2015 34 MTB Championships 2015 Australian Interschools MTB Championships Thredbo

MTB Championships

Issue 107 Winter 2015 The Barker is the quarterly magazine of Barker College Cover Photography Wayne Chang

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

Editor-in-Chief Mr Phillip Heath Editor Jonathan Mifsud Sub-Editor Stephanie Oley Assistant Coordinators Mandy Loomes Karina Drummond Print Production Ian Lindsay 0419 693 308 Art Direction Yolanda Koning 0404 811 136 facebook.com/barkercollege

04

Teaching & Learning Teacher Quality

FROM THE HEAD

Part of the vision of Inspiring Global Hope

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Our students held several fine impromptu recitals and formal concerts, while their demeanour demonstrated some of the best qualities evident in this emerging generation – respect, grace, dignity, courage and compassion. Going far beyond what might have been expected of students who were on-tour; Barker College students honoured our Turkish hosts, befriended strangers and showed immense filial loyalty to our Kiwi antipodean cousins.

Two stories shared with me by strangers to Barker come to mind. The first involves a group of New Zealander school tour students encountering our touring party at one of the Gallipoli memorial sites. Without ceremony, our students greeted the Kiwis with both verses of God Defend New Zealand, including the traditional version in Maori language.

The Kiwi students responded with an equally ebullient version of Advance Australia Fair. No adults made this happen. The kids knew how to show respect to others.

The second was at the end of the ANZAC Centenary Day, 25 April – a 27-hour day filled with emotion and redolent with meaning for all who attended. After difficulties with buses, numerous guests on the MSC Opera cruise ship were delayed and exhausted as they returned. Our students waited on the decks and sang to greet people until the last guest was back on board. It was a precious gift on a memorable day and several people have written to me to share the moment.

Thank you to FOBM and to all families for supporting this experience.

Barker College students have shown they are capable of meeting challenges on a truly global stage. I think we can all be proud of them. Peace Phillip Heath Head of Barker College

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

ix months ago we introduced our vision to be a School that inspires hope in others and to be a source of hope for the future. Two momentous events in April have placed us closer than we may first have imagined when formulating this vision.

Picture 45,000 people in a sporting stadium in St Louis, Missouri, cheering on over 600 international teams. Within this mix is a team from Sydney with students in Years 9 to 11 who had written the code and built a robot that could match it with teams from international universities and NASA. With the assistance of some incredibly dedicated mentors, Jeser and Diaine, the generous support of the OBA and parents, and under the supervision of Sarah Cormio, our Barker Red Crusade Team 4613 made an impact among spectators and opponents alike. The travel team had created a formidable robot that could meet the challenge in a creditable and competitive way.

Team 4613 reached the semi-finals and won three from four matches at this level to end their tournament.

One cannot overstate the magnitude of this achievement.

Of course, they’ve set me a new challenge – how does Barker continue to support this brilliant example of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education into the future?

And is there a robot they could design to help me meet this challenge?

As our Robotics students were receiving accolades for their performances, on the other side of the Atlantic a magnificent team of musicians, historians and staff, led by Simon Smith, were showcasing their own talents.

My office has received numerous letters of commendation from people who encountered our students and staff on the tour to Gallipoli – few of them directly connected to Barker.

Mr Phillip Heath Head of Barker College

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Chairman’s

—Ian Miller, Chairman

The first half of 2015 has been exciting at the School, with the outworking of the strategic plan being implemented across all areas of Barker College life.

I

n February, The Barker Institute invited Dr Bartek

outstanding career in designing schools and church buildings.

Rajkowski to speak about the application of recent

This will involve the re-use or adaption of some classrooms,

research involving the teaching of English and speech

such as the Imaginarium (featured pg 16), which involved the

to children. Dr Rajkowski addressed a packed audience

redevelopment of a teaching space with current technology

of staff and parents.

and teaching equipment.

In April, our global reach was celebrated through an

outstanding trip by many students and staff to Gallipoli for the ANZAC Centenary. The rest of the School closely

the Head of Barker College is looking at further facility

supported the tour, and marked the date with a service

overhauls as part of the master plan process. Many of the

on 27 April on the OBA Soundstage.

current sports facilities are a priority. The other area for

We are developing relationships outside Sydney with links to the Yipirinya School in Alice Springs and New England Girls Grammar School in Armidale.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

The strategic plan is also changing the School itself.

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The School Council has now commenced construction of the new girls sporting facility on Rosewood Oval, and

consideration is developing our Kindergarten to Year 2 classrooms, as enrolments continue to increase.

The School Council is looking forward to an exciting year and will encourage you to be involved. Together Barker

Jeremy Von Einem has been appointed as the Director of

College is marked by a very strong school spirit and sense

Academic Performance and Achievement, highlighting our

of community, which is shared by all our students, staff and

increasing commitment to academic performance. He will

parents. This makes for an outstanding Christian educational

bring together a number of different methods of monitoring

environment, of which we are all proud and committed to

student performance, and develop new approaches to

further developing.

teaching and learning throughout Middle and Senior School.

A separate group of staff with Mr Heath’s oversight is looking at developing our facilities from the ground up.

The School has engaged an architect and facilitator to lead this process, Paul Davies, a former Barker student has an

Ian Miller Chairman

FROM THE CHAPLAIN

The Cru

Departing youth workers Kirrily Aynsley and Simon Walker met with the 2015 Cru Captains, Kate Daine and Jamie Woods, to discuss their leadership role and what they have been doing at Cru this year.

How would you describe your role?

What about the week-to-week work you do – how does

Kate: Our role is quite diverse. Each week we meet with the

that make an impact at Barker?

youth workers who help us plan and facilitate the voluntary

Jamie: We have weekly Growth Group bible studies and

Christian program.

Senior School Cru, which are great opportunities to meet

Jamie: We have learned a lot about organisation and

students from other years and explore the Christian faith

leadership and are amazed at how much happens behind

in a relaxed environment.

the scenes at Barker. I particularly enjoyed being involved in

Kate: We believe Cru contributes to Barker through the

the Interschool Cru event which saw over 300 students from

support and encouragement of each student’s faith. In doing

Cru groups all around Sydney meeting together at Barker.

so, Cru seeks to contribute to the loving and accepting

Kate: A big highlight for me was the Senior Weekend Away,

culture evident at Barker.

Kirrily Aynsley and Simon Walker have worked alongside

for the new and incoming Year 10 students.

students in Cru for the past four years. They have also taught PDHPE and Christian Studies. Kirrily leaves Barker in 2015 to enjoy motherhood. Simon is moving into other roles within the School.

Jeff Ware Senior Chaplain

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

it was a unique opportunity to plan and run a welcome camp

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THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

TEACHING AND LEARNING

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Quality: Towards a greater professionalisation of the profession Increasing the effectiveness of teachers is the key to improving our

Initial teacher education has recently enjoyed much attention.

This is not an easy task. Teachers need to have a range of high-level

schools, but many systems around

Learning First, a Melbourne-based

skills to which they have often not

the world have only recently focused

organisation that specialises in

had sufficient exposure to during their

reform efforts on transforming

education reform, training and

initial teacher training. Unsurprisingly,

initial teacher education. The ways in

policy, has recently released Roberts-

statistics reveal that there is a high

which candidates are prepared to be

Hull, Jensen and Cooper’s, A new

drop-out rate of early-career teachers

teachers have a critical influence on

approach: Teacher education reform.

in Australia and that students are not

what teachers can do and what their

This 2015 study reveals the training

developing the repertoire of subject knowledge and learning skills as

students learn, yet very few countries

that aspirant teachers receive at

have an effective system for educating

university generally fails to provide

rapidly as they should. Hopefully,

teachers. Many programs lack proven

them with essential skills. Co-author

with initiatives such as GTIL, this is

practices and are a long way behind

of the report, Dr Ben Jensen, wryly

about to change.

the best and highest performing

observes that “Some are excellent in

nations where teachers are confident,

spite of their teacher training, not

governments across Australia are

demonstrate capacity and enjoy status

because of it”. Similarly, the recent

considering reforms that could

and substantial remuneration.

Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory

fundamentally change initial teacher

Group (TEMAG) report has highlighted

education, enabling improvements

Research shows that quality

In the broader picture, state

teachers are crucial for achieving

the need in reforming approaches to

to the quality of education our young

an overall improvement in student

teacher training and, more specifically,

people receive in this and future

learning outcomes. In New South

the ways that institutions approach

generations. However, tertiary reform

Wales, for example, the State

the development of practice amongst

has not been easy. A fraught debate

Government released Great Teaching,

emerging practitioners.

has raged about initial student entry

Inspired Learning – a Blueprint for Action

of their ability, teachers must be able

requirements into teacher training programs, course content and the

actions to improve standards of

to use their formative and summative

broader ambit and standards of initial

teaching in NSW. GTIL’s approach

assessment skills to identify a child’s

teacher education that has largely

includes four key focus areas including:

learning needs and then develop

focused on peripheral areas and often

initial teacher education; entry into the

curriculum and teaching strategies

on policies that increase regulation and

profession; developing and maintaining

to address each of those needs.

government control of the factors that

professional practice and, recognising

make little difference to the quality of

and sharing outstanding practice.

the teacher produced.

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in 2013 which outlines a range of

For each student to learn to the best

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

“For each student to learn to the best of their ability, teachers must be able to use their formative and summative assessment skills to identify a child’s learning needs and then develop curriculum and teaching strategies to address each of those needs.” surrounding supporting, mentoring and extending teaching skills particularly amongst staff who are brand new to the profession. Equally, the College of Teachers, a professional arm of the Barker Institute, is poised to recognise, extend and explore notions of high-level teaching and learning through action research, observation, data collection and collective approaches to developing a quality experience for both our students and teachers. Here, staff will develop their own professional practice by engaging in the regular review and sharing of their own practice Ben Jensen’s view is more optimistic: “The way forward is to rise above

practice. Fundamental to this is the

true problems in teacher development,

ability to assess the impact of their

the idiosyncrasies of the sector and

teaching on student learning; and, • Effectively linking teaching theories

best develop and support teachers in a

to classroom practice is critical to

complex profession”.

developing beginner teachers.

A new approach: Teacher

In recent times, New South Wales

education reform details the various

has led the nation in reforming teacher

transformative options available to

education. Notably, it has instituted new

governments and how they can play out

tough entry requirements and a more

in various systems including:

comprehensive evaluation of the quality

• Many teaching courses are training

of teacher education courses.

future teachers in practices that THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

evaluate and develop their own

polarising debates and recognise the

the impact of these and reforms that

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• Great teachers must continually

are out of date and not backed by contemporary research; • Too many teaching courses lack

How then is Barker College responding to the issues highlighted

with colleagues in a professional and supportive context.

Teachers must have strong academic capabilities combined with the ability to envision learning in new and creative ways. Barker is responding to increasing calls for strengthening the profession in a range of areas.

Dr Greg Cunningham Director of Teaching and Learning Dr Brad Merrick Director of Research in Learning and the Barker Institute Website: www.barkerinstitute.com.au Twitter @BarkerInstitute

by these current developments in the professional lives of new and continuing

rigorous training in specific subject

teachers? Two recent developments at

knowledge. Teachers need an

the School, Inspiring Global Hope (School

in-depth knowledge of a subject

Strategic Plan) and the creation of the

to instruct students effectively,

Barker Institute allow us to explore and

particularly when students are

implement strategies and professional

struggling to understand;

learning related to the issues

The Barker Institute Sharing innovation, research & professional learning throughout the education community. Fostering inspired teaching practice, locally, nationally and globally.

GALLIPOLI TOUR

—Kirsten Hargreaves (Yr 11) and friend on National Children’s Day, Çannakale.

Peacelooks this THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

Gallipoli ANZAC Tour April 14 - 28 2015

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GALLIPOLI TOUR

—Clockwise from top left Noah Learoyd (Yr 12) at Arni Burnu; The tour party at Plugges Plateau; Paying respect at Anzac Cove; Harry Sheppard and friends are awestruck in the Blue Mosque, Instanbul; Jazz Orchestra trombones at the Gallipoli 100 Anniversary Ball.

Peace this

Gallipoli ANZAC Tour April 14 - 28 2015 “The Barker choir instantly switches into a fabulous rendition of the Turkish national anthem. The guides stop, the wharf workers and security guards stare open-mouthed, the police and soldiers snap to attention. At the end, the Turks, the Australians and New Zealanders all together – 100 years on to the day since the beginning of the devastating battle that killed over 100,000 of our citizens – cheer and clap wildly.”

P FitzSimons, ‘To thine own self be true … Lest we forget’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 May 2015 In Peter FitzSimons’ own words there are a million stories out of Gallipoli. This has been one of them.

Here is our story. In April 2015, 109 Barker students

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

The stories of the 45 Barker alumni who served at Gallipoli

formed a choir, symphonic wind band, chamber

were regaled with respect and humour. In another of many

orchestra, symphony orchestra and jazz orchestra.

magic moments, ship passenger Andrew Traill was deeply

These complemented the three significant aspects of

moved by Thomas Watt’s historical research into his great

the Gallipoli ANZAC Tour – music, history and culture.

uncle, Gallipoli veteran James Hamilton Traill.

Performance highlights included National Children’s

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During performances the Year 10 history students delighted audiences presenting their Adopt a Digger stories.

Sightseeing highlights included St Mark’s Square and

Day in Çannakale, the Pre-dawn Service in Gelibolu and the

Basilica in Venice, the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque in

Gallipoli 100th Anniversary Ball at the Istanbul Convention

Istanbul and the ruins of Troy. Students also visited the

Centre. However, it was the impromptu performances

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, the amazing Topkapi Palace and

that are remembered most fondly. An a capella rendition

of course the Gallipoli Peninsula, which is outstandingly

of Nearer My God to Thee around the memorial at Anzac

beautiful apart from its historical significance. Leaving

Cove (subsequently broadcast by ABC Radio National and

Venice and Istanbul by ship at sunset were both

Channel 7) was perhaps the most solemn highlight, but the

unforgettable experiences.

spontaneous lining up of the students along the deck singing home the returning battlefield pilgrims was immensely

The students and staff had many memorable experiences on the tour that will enrich our lives forever.

moving. Of such things is character forged, and the reputation of a generation of young Australians enhanced.

Simon Smith Tour Director and Head of Music

GALLIPOLI TOUR

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ARCHIVES

T

wenty-three old boys are known to have died on the battlefields of Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia (Iraq), Belgium and France.

One of the most famous Australian

regiments in the First World War was the 1st Light Horse (LH). Five of our old boys were part of the original contingent that sailed from Sydney on HMAT Star of Victoria on 20 October 1914 and arrived in Egypt on 8 December 1914.

Private Ronald AL MacDonald (1902-04, Shore 1905-1907), Signaller James H Traill (1908-12), Private Bruce

—Above Ronald MacDonald was killed in August 1916. Image courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales.

W Warden (1908-11) and brothers Private Frank Kane (1907-09) and Private Lord Alfred Kane (1909-1910) embarked on a shared journey that would inevitably change their lives and those of their families and friends forever.

Buoyed with enthusiasm and anticipating an adventure beyond their expectations and life experiences to date, the five Barker THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

boys, along with 20,000 members of

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the 1st LH, arrived in Egypt to undergo battle training. They were not part of the Gallipoli landing of April 25 but were sent as reinforcements two weeks later, arriving on 12 May 1915.

BARKER’S MEN OF ST THE 1 LIGHT HORSE DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, MORE THAN 200 BARKER OLD BOYS – BROTHERS, COUSINS AND BEST MATES – VOLUNTEERED FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.

It is hard to envisage what sights, sounds and smells these men encountered, and even harder to comprehend how nervous and apprehensive they would have felt upon landing at ANZAC Cove.

The 1st LH had already seen the great number of casualties that were transported back from Gallipoli to the Heliopolis Palace Hotel (1st Australian General Hospital) in Cairo, before their deployment. They had already seen the ugly truth of war on the peninsula.

Upon landing, the 1st LH were directed to the northern end of the

—Above James Traill in 1918. Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.

beach. They made their way up Shrapnel Gully, and along the way the Kane brothers met their father, a medical officer with the 2nd Battalion. They managed to get to Pope’s Post, where they stayed for five days before retreating downhill to a rest section. It was here on May 19 that Frank Kane was hit in the abdomen by a Turkish sniper’s bullet. His brother Alf helped carry him down to the beach to seek medical attention. He was taken to the hospital ship Sicilia, which was anchored offshore. He died four days later on 23 May 1915 aged 23 and was buried at sea.

for six months the 1st LH were sent

Egypt. He was 27. The third to die was 2nd Lieutenant Bruce Warden, who

back to Egypt and, for the rest of

had left the 1st LH in 1916 and joined

the war, were part of the Egyptian

the 56th Battalion in Flanders in

Expeditionary Force which took part

1917. He died of penetrating gunshot

in the Sinai and Palestine campaigns.

wounds to the abdomen on 27

Lieutenant MacDonald was the second

September 1917 near Polygon Wood.

of the group to die when he was shot

ARCHIVES

After staying on the peninsula

Alf Kane and James Traill survived

through the heart on 9 August 1916

the War. Lieutenant Traill transferred

on the battlefields towards Bir el Abd,

to the Australian Flying Corp and

—Below Bruce Warden as a member of the 1910 1st XV. He died of wounds in 1917.

—Above Alf Kane as an older man in the 1960s. Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.

—Above Frank Kane was killed in action at Pope’s Post in 1915. Lord Alfred Kane (1908-1909) Collection.

was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross in 1918. He died in 1967 aged 70. Lieutenant Alf Kane arrived back in Sydney on 4 July 1919 without his only brother. He was Barker’s last surviving AIF Gallipoli veteran when he died in 1980 aged 87.

Barker College does not forget their sacrifices.

For more information on Barker’s involvement in World War 1 barkerlibrarynsw.libguides.com/ archives/nominalrolls.

Sarah O’Neill Archivist

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please visit the Archives website

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PREPARATORY SCHOOL

MOTIVATE

DEVELOP

ENGAGE

SHARE

CREATE

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CONNECT PARTICIPATE

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PREPARATORY SCHOOL

INSPIRING OUR LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

Every day in the Prep School we strive to inspire

each learner in every experience they are engaged in. We encourage our young students to think beyond themselves, as we lay the initial foundations for Inspiring Global Hope. In 2015,

we are privileged to nurture the graduating classes the core of all that we do. We encourage each boy to think, act and speak in a kind way, to be

committed, compassionate, courageous, to show integrity, and to be respectful.

Sarah Dickson Head of Early Learning K to 3

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of 2025, 2026 and 2027. The Christian faith is at

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JUNIOR SCHOOL THE BARKER | WINTER 2015 14

—Top Year 3 students enjoying their afternoon tea before their GAP class. Left to right Zachary Fricke, Noah Workman, Sebastian Fowler, Lachlan Sweeney; —Above Luca Palermo (Yr 4) being taught by Mr Griffin-Miller in Woodwork.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Gardner Program Since early 2013, the Junior School students have participated, with enthusiasm, in the Gardner Activity Program, which provides extension and enrichment learning in an after-school-hours program.

T

he program is consistent with the teaching and

supply and processors. The final step of the program is when

learning philosophy of the Junior School, which

the robots begin to move independently according to the way

draws significantly from the Howard Gardner

they’ve been programmed by the students.

model of Multiple Intelligences, identifying

innate strengths and talents in all human beings.

Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences views

Each week the Hip Hop group, with their lime green caps, can be found channelling their energy into strength and coordination drills, jumps and specialised routines

intelligence not as one single ability but as differentiated

highlighting their individual and teamwork skills. Last year

into eight areas of understanding and behaviour.

and again this year, the group will perform at the Junior

Each learner displays a unique blend of all the

School Showcase at Ravenswood, with Years 5 and 6 working

intelligences, with strengths shown in some domains more than others. The Gardner Activity Program seeks to help students identify and develop their strengths and talents. For example, dance and drama demonstrate the Kinesthetic and Interpersonal domains of Multiple Intelligences, where the students are able to learn collaboratively and cooperatively with others to express creative ideas bodily. Meanwhile, Mandarin, Public Speaking and Debating are in the Verbal/Linguistic domain, and Science and Robotics fall within the Problem Solving domain.

Robotics has been introduced this year, giving the boys the opportunity to build robots and then add a power —Above Tom Schwarz from the Middle School mentoring Tom Vercoe (Yr 5) in Robotics.

intensively towards their first ever dance competition, coming up at the Sydney Opera House.

Other activities that have been offered to date are Drama, Chess, Taekwondo, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Clay Modelling, Craft, Woodwork, Mandarin, Debating, Public The Gardner Activity Program has and will continue to provide a diverse range of learning experiences to appeal to the equally diverse range of interests found in primaryaged students.

—Above Years 5 and 6 Hip Hop Crew striking a pose.

Cate Loder GAP Co-ordinator

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Speaking, Science and Bible Study.

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IMAGINARIUM

The Imaginarium: A Sandpit for Future Learning The Imaginarium (formerly known as C2 and C3) is a

Learning model while others have explored the best team-

new learning space designed to promote collaboration and

teaching approaches. As an example, Kathryn Driver and

provide opportunities for flexible learning. The concept grew

Dr Kelvin Watson developed a project on the development

from Mr Phillip Heath’s discussions with students about

of rights and freedoms in the twentieth century. Students

Barker classrooms, and his interest in the role of the physical

used the space to work collaboratively across the two

environment as the third teacher, influencing how students

classes. Drawing on examples from the United States Civil

learn. In consultation with architects, staff and students,

Rights Movement and the campaign for Indigenous rights

we have sought to create an experimental sandpit. Here,

in Australia, the challenge was to present their findings to

teachers and students will experience different learning

younger students. The final product was presented to Year 4

environments and identify what works best in terms of

students in the Junior School and was a great success.

furniture, light, colour, technology and space and how they interface with effective pedagogies.

The new space has been open since the middle of Term 1

students and teachers can see enormous value in this flexible

11 History classes. It allows for two class groups and their

environment, as it provides more choices in teaching and

teachers to work together.

learning, and takes into account the relationships between formal learning, social learning and the built environment.

embraced its new ideas on teaching and learning. Teachers

The future of learning remains to be seen, but we have

who have taken their classes into the Imaginarium have

started the process of imagining.

already developed some excellent new teaching and learning methods as a result. Some staff have adopted a Project-Based

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

what needs to be revised. The early experiences suggest that

and is predominantly occupied by Year 7, Year 10 and Year

The History staff has adopted the spirit of the sandpit and

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The Imaginarium remains a work in progress, supported by an ongoing process of reflection on what is working and

Greg Longney Head of History and Commercial Studies

Touch Screen

Video Camera

IMAGINARIUM

Writable Surfaces

Green Screen

Movable Furniture

The Power of Imaginarium

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

• Furniture can be configured into project spaces, instructional spaces and presentation spaces.

• Small tiered seating areas and writable surfaces have been popular, as has the permanent green screen wall.

• Two touch screens allow students to push content to them. The screens are connected to cameras which allow for lesson capture. These will be invaluable for teacher professional learning and will provide the opportunity, in the future, for students to review lesson materials asynchronously.

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COMMERCIAL STUDEIS

Year 9 Commbank Presentation

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n Monday 23 February, Year 9 were lucky enough to have a representative from the Commonwealth Bank, Jannalee Bollinger, to teach us about smart spending and the way retailers sell their goods. One of the

main things we learnt about was that major supermarkets

like Woolworths and Coles put our main needs and necessities at the back of the store, so that customers have

to walk through the rest of the shop to get them.

In the second part of the lesson, Ms Bollinger gave us tips on how to be smart when we’re buying goods and services.

The best tip she gave us was, “Wait 24 hours after you see the product. If you still like it then go and buy it.” This helps to stop impulse buying.

The presentation was extremely helpful, because we played fun games and learnt important things in the unit of work. It was a great way for us to learn in a different environment to the classroom.

Lachlan Lloyd Year 9

—Above Learning about how to become wise consumers.

Matt Kean visits Year 10 students

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t’s not every day an MP gives you an insight into

job?” to, “How do you deal with the haters?” The opportunity

their day-to-day life and how they deal with the

to get prompt and direct answers from an MP was vigorously

ups and downs of their job. But on Friday May

lapped up by Year 10, who gave well-considered responses to

1, Year 10 Commerce students were treated to a

the audience.

question time of their very own with Matt Kean,

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

the parliamentary member for Hornsby.

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—Above Students learnt how to become involved with politics rather than just a spectator.

During his talk he explained his enthusiasm for politics,

The chance to have Mr Kean come to Barker for Year 10’s new unit on political involvement was accepted by all classes with an energetic response. His speech proved

why he joined the Liberal Party and how we could make an

enlightening for us and we will definitely reflect on it in

influence in politics ourselves, through youth branches and

the coming terms, years and maybe even elections, as we

even by joining our preferred party.

Mr Kean then opened the floor to a bit of Q & A, which the classes (and teachers) actively participated in.

He was quickly approached with a broad range of questions, spanning from “What is the most rewarding part of your

finish school and reach voting age – the visit will not be forgotten soon.

Finn van Herten Year 10

Year 9 Languages Evening On Wednesday 25 March all Year 9 language students gathered

LANGUAGES

Language Learning the Ages

—Clockwise from top left Barker parents learning Chinese; Alexander Rench taking orders for Max Alvarez, Nicholas McDermott, Matthew Rogers and Han Lin; Jonathan Greenberg and Nicolas Janjevski playing the part of the Roman Centurion and his parasite; Japanese dancers performing the Soran Bushi.

in the BCMA theatre to perform a series of skits, songs and films. Each item was produced in the foreign language studied

Language Classes for Barker Parents

by the students: Japanese, Latin, French or Chinese. The evening

This year the Languages Department has offered two

proved to be an excellent opportunity for our Year 9 students

beginner courses for parents – the first in Chinese and the

to showcase their linguistic skills before an audience of their

second in Latin. The classes meet once a week on a weekday

parents and peers.

evening. The program is designed to broaden the awareness

The Japanese classes opened the show with a gentle

of different languages, in addition to providing valuable

exercise routine (Rajio Taisoo) followed by a stunning display of

family support to our students who are studying languages

choreographed dancing (Soran Bushi). The Latin students then

here at Barker.

performed an abridged scene from the Roman playwright Plautus.

The French short film had a soccer theme, combining fast-paced

The response from parents has been extremely positive.

Each lesson provides a wonderful opportunity for parents

action scenes with side-splitting humour and a guest appearance

to explore a new culture and gain new insights by learning

from language teacher, Ashley Rickman. The Chinese class

a language. Following the success of this year’s program, it is hoped that the department will be able to offer similar

poetry and song.

classes in French and Japanese next year.

Congratulations must go to all the Year 9 students who performed so magnificently on the night. The students demonstrated passion and linguistic dexterity by performing such a sophisticated range of pieces. Their Year 9 teachers also deserve recognition for giving so much time and effort in preparing the students for this outstanding event.

Matthew Ross Head of Languages

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concluded the evening with a combined performance of drama,

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MUSIC

Master Alex Todicescu is a violin and viola teacher from Romania. While this may conjure up images of a stereotypical fearsome Eastern European taskmaster, he is in fact a warm and caring master musician.

A

lex has nurtured the talents of hundreds of gifted young people, including many at Barker over the past 12 years, since arriving from

musicians and have achieved excellent results, including

Romania in the 1970s to play in the Sydney

the higher diplomas A.Mus.A and L.Mus.A. At the age

String Quartet and teach at Sydney Conservatorium.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

of 75, Alex shows few signs of slowing down. He is no

Which isn’t to say that he is a softie; he has high standards

longer teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium but teaches

and expectations of his students because he knows they

exclusively at Barker and at his extensive home studio.

are capable of meeting them. He also knows that hard

He also continues to perform concerts on his beautiful

work provides the most satisfaction in the long term.

Italian instruments. Long may that continue!

However, Mr Todicescu is not one to blow his own

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Currently, Alex has a studio of six students at Barker.

All his current and former Barker students are fine

Barker College also received notification recently that the

trumpet (and not only because he plays viola). So the

results in the AMEB exams taken by Barker students last

news that he has yet again been awarded the Australian

year puts us in the top five schools in the State.

Music Examinations Board’s shield for being the leading instrumental teacher in the higher grades and diplomas in NSW could easily have slipped under the radar. This is in fact the 18th time that Alex – or ‘Todi’ as Conservatorium students nicknamed him for years – has won the award.

He has won it every year since 1984 bar three, and for one of those years he wasn’t in the country!

David Saffir Director of Strings

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BOARDING

Boarding has its t times it is hard living away from home and taking on greater levels of personal responsibility, but the rewards are numerous as well. Here, Catriona Uliana (Year 10) and

Alec Munro (Year 11) share some of their highlights of daily life as boarders.

Catriona and Alec love being able to sleep through to 7:20am each morning, enjoy a cooked breakfast and still be able to get to school on time. Both also join other boarders regularly at early morning gym sessions, which are only minutes away.

Alec has leadership aspirations in the Cadet Unit and he values sharing his experiences and ideas with other boarders. It is also great to leave the afternoon activity, make it home for an early dinner and still have the time and energy to focus on study.

“Boarding definitely makes you more independent, develops your life skills and makes you take responsibility for things you may have taken for granted at home.”

Alec says the compulsory two hours of supervised study time each night has made him more disciplined and organised. Catriona appreciates having her peers available for support and collaboration

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

Six meals a days, prepared by great chefs, with a wide range of options on offer. Who wouldn’t want to be a boarder!

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ALUMNI PROFILE THE BARKER | WINTER 2015 22

Alumni

The best thing about my time at Barker was the friends I made. Barker’s wonderful ethos and core values provided a safe and collaborative platform for learning and extra-curricular activities.

ALUMNI PROFILE

Director of Alumni Relations, Mandy Loomes, speaks with Pip Ryan from the Class of 1983.

What was the highlight from your time at Barker?

The best thing about my time at Barker was the friends I made. Barker’s wonderful ethos and core values provided a safe and collaborative platform for learning and extra-curricular activities. We supported each other in sport, debating, music and drama. Our ski weekends, field trips and assemblies were hilarious. I am still in touch with friends from School and some of us meet regularly for lunch or Christmas drinks. I am keenly aware of the sacrifices my parents made to send me to Barker and I did not take a single minute for granted.

Did you always want to be a lawyer when you were at School?

I always had ideas and the law was one. I was also keen on publishing and advertising. Interestingly, teaching and academia were not even on the radar. A stint working for Esso in London and the sage advice of my aunt in New Jersey convinced me to do a law degree.

Was it a difficult road to becoming a Barrister?

The biggest challenge was logistical. Before taking the plunge and registering to do the Bar exams, I had seven years valuable experience in the law: first as a paralegal, then as a judge’s associate and finally as a solicitor in commercial litigation at a major law firm. During those years, I was mindful that I was being paid to be competent, reliable and efficient. The biggest challenge was juggling these (very reasonable) expectations with family obligations. In those days, it was not unusual for me to leave work at 6pm, get home, make dinner, supervise homework, bathe a child or two, read stories and then return to work at 11pm to finish the day’s work.

I spent my 30s chronically sleep-deprived.

Do you enjoy lecturing at UTS and what made you take on this role?

UTS Law is a fantastic place to work. The students are highly motivated and it is a really collegiate faculty.

You are obviously very busy, so why do you mentor up-and-coming female law students as well?

I was inspired by the mentoring program at The Women’s College (where I had a teaching fellowship for three years).

I coordinate a mentoring program that matches female law students with female barristers. We keep in touch with our student on a regular basis, until she has completed her degree and found a job. The most recent cohort included the daughter of one of my best friends from Barker, and one of our mentors is another Barker alumna.

How do you balance your work-life commitments?

The key to victory is organisation: set the alarm, keep lists, eat good food, meet deadlines, don’t double-book, and prioritise. I am better at it now than I was 20 years ago, perhaps because these days I have an iPhone. Technology has been very kind to working mums and being selfemployed is liberating. I have on many occasions given legal advice while parked outside a boatshed or sitting on a chairlift at the snow. Instructing solicitors don’t really mind where their barrister is, as long as they can be contacted. Of course, there are times when you are utterly consumed by preparation and the hearing itself. But the work is always interesting and every time you appear in court you learn something new.

Do you get much spare time? How do you relax?

My spare time is found on long car trips to the Snowy Mountains, where we have our family home. My husband and I share the driving and we listen to podcasts. I also love long-haul flights: the phone is switched off, the headphones go on, and if I press a bell someone will bring me food – with a glass of wine.

What would you advise today’s Barker students?

Keep busy. Get involved. Take advantage of opportunities.

Don’t look sideways at what others are doing. Chart your own course. Make getting on with people a priority.

Have a five-year plan. And if you are thinking of marrying someone, ask to see their five-year plan!

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

What is your area of expertise?

My practice at the Bar has been mainly in Commercial Law and Equity. I am not practising at the moment, but I am a member of the Bar Education Committee and I teach on the Bar Practice Course. My PhD thesis explored the liability of third parties to breaches of trust. I am also interested in fraud, Ponzi schemes and economic bubbles.

My first part-time teaching experience was at Sydney University’s old law school on Phillip Street. After finishing my Master of Education and PhD, I thought long and hard about whether to commit to academia. I am glad I did. I have autonomy in my research, and I find teaching positive and engaging.

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SCIENCE

FIRST Robotics St Louis Missouri 2015 40 Countries, 18,000 students and a crowd of 40,000 filled the Edward Jones Dome in St Louis, Missouri

—Above A weary Travel Team return through the Mint Gates; Back row: Anthony Brian, Sarah Cormio, Matthew Brian, Oliver Nicholls, Matthew Buffa, Fergus Hudson, Joshua O’Hanna, Alastair Pilley, Sean Zammit and Barry Pilley. Front Row: Emmanuel Zammit, Julia Cormio, Alexander Milton and Sarah McVicker.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

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he inaugural Australian FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) Regional event was held in Homebush Sports Centre on 11-14 March with Asia Pacific and USA teams. Barker was a finalist, 1st Seed and winner of the Innovation in Control Award. This qualified the team for the FRC World Championships in St Louis, Missouri, USA on 22-25 April.

The game robot was sealed after the competition, and shipped to the States. Barker was the only Australian school team to make it through.

Two identical robots were built for this competition.

Once the game robot was sealed for shipping, our time and energies were directed at improving driver/operator skills and continual upgrading the practise robot.

The team flew to St Louis on 18 April. There are over 3,000 robotics teams worldwide, with 600 making it through to the World Championships; these teams are then randomly divided into eight divisions. Barker was placed in the Curie division.

Qualifying matches occur for the first two days; for every match, the alliance partners are randomly drawn.

Each alliance is made up of three teams.

Day one of the competition was difficult. Sorting out a few technical issues and being teamed up with weaker alliance partners meant that the team finished 48th, but they improved on this by the end of day two, reaching 9th position.

Day three saw Barker through to the quarter finals as the 8th Seed Alliance. We selected Team 1318 and 4061, after declining an offer to join the 4th Seed Alliance.

The scouting team had critically analysed and formulated the best strategy and teams to select for us to move forward in the game.

Finals are played as the best of three elimination games for the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals, with 1st Seed Alliance playing 8th Seed and so on. Barker made history as the only 8th Seed Alliance to beat the 1st Seed Alliance in both the quarterfinals and semi-finals. Overall, Barker was ranked in the top 20 robotics teams in the world and semifinalists at the World Championship. For a rookie team, with one regional event under their belt, Team 4613 has left its mark in this competition!

Sarah Cormio Robotics Coordinator

LIBRARY

An exciting in the Library

—Above The new Wordle Wall that greets all who enter —Right Teachers Love to Read competition – can you match the book to the teacher?

It was a busy and exciting Term 1 for the Barker Senior Library. We started the year with the goal of offering more social, educational and collaborative activities and exercises for both staff and students Some of the new additions to the library’s programs and offerings for 2015 have been:

Jason Saikaly Head of Library Services

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

• Giant chess set (this has been a huge hit with the students). In addition to the giant set, many students are now playing chess on standard boards and it is especially satisfying to see Middle School students competing and interacting with Senior students.

• Teachers Love to Read Competition: Each fortnight, teachers from selected departments secretly provide their favourite books and staff and students have the opportunity to try and guess which book is the favourite of which teacher.

• Lunchtime iPad training. Each week, for eight weeks, the Teacher Librarians provided lunchtime introductory and masterclasses on the core suite of education iPad apps for the staff and students.

• Teacher presentations in Year 9 Boys and Books.

A number of staff and teachers, including David Barker and Mr Phillip Heath, have come to present and read a portion of their favourite book. All reports suggest both the teachers and the students have very much enjoyed this initiative.

• Staff and students entering the Library will not fail to notice the new Wordle Wall that greets all who enter.

The Wall is a visual display of the roles and activities the library offers, intermingled with the newly revised Barker College Mission, Vision and Values.

We look forward to more exciting and rewarding activities and programs in the library for 2015.

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DRAMA

—Below The Two Neatfoots (Noah Learoyd and Natasha Spencer).

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

The Roaring Girl 26

In February, the talented cast of 31 Year 12 students littered the Rhodes Theatre stage, and for the next two hours transported the audience into the gritty but ever-hilarious world of Moll Cutpurse – thief, misfit and extraordinary friend.

DRAMA

—Above The live band, Schindler’s Fist (Jonathan Fawzi, Daniel Nicholas, Lachlan Fitzgerald, Matt Crago and Mark Tuchin).

—Above Moll Cutpurse (Hannah Milligan), Laxton (Seamus Dove) watched by Will Brown.

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completed with a calm and positive nature and all 11 of them were vital to the success of our production.

The Year 12 student band Schindler’s Fist comprised of Jonathan Fawzi, Daniel Nicholas, Lachlan Fitzgerald, Matt Crago and Mark Tuchin. They were a perfect complement to the grungy tones of the play and gave a professional performance each night. It was a unique addition to the play and a fantastic experience to be able to work alongside such talented musicians.

Sadly, The Roaring Girl was my last hurrah as a Barker Drama student. Directors Pia Midgley and Dugal Parker inspired me every time I stepped on stage to present the best work that I could, and their guidance and invaluable advice will stay with me for years to come. Barker offers incredible opportunities to explore the world of theatre, and I have been lucky enough to benefit from the amazing facilities that our School is blessed with. My experiences on the Barker stage over the last three years have taught me many things about myself and the world around me that will permeate my life for a long time to come.

The Roaring Girl was a wonderful experience and I feel as though we have ended our time as Barker Drama performers with a bang. The story of Moll and her ability to change the minds of those around her, enlightening them and bringing her community to a deeper sense of understanding, has inspired us all. I can say with great confidence that her legacy will stay with me through all that I go on to do, and I am forever grateful for my involvement in this production, the friendships that have formed and the passion it has instilled in all who were lucky enough to see it and be a part of it .

Sophie Ellis The Roaring Girl Cast Member

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

he 200-year-old play, by Thomas Decker and Thomas Middleton, was surprisingly relevant to the cast and audience, challenging our perceptions of gender and calling for a society of understanding and mutual respect.

Throughout the play, Moll (Hannah Milligan) successfully assists her friends, Mary Gallipot (Sami Novis) and Sebastian Wengrave (Andrew Saar), in convincing their parents (Liam Olsson and Sophia Murray Walker) to bless them in marriage.

Moll uses her miscreant reputation to scare the Wengraves into believing that she plans to marry their son, therefore creating a great sense of relief when they discover that Mary, who they believe to be of too low social status, is in fact his real wife. Through this, Moll challenges their and the rest of the ensemble’s belief in the role of women: “I am my own man… in truth I love to lie on both sides of the bed myself.”

Every rehearsal was a joy and I am truly lucky to have played a part in the commitment and growth of us all throughout the production. But it was not the cast alone that brought this rambunctiously insightful play to life. The set was one of co-director and set designer Dugal Parker’s most dynamic creations to inhabit the Barker stage. With two gigantic moving staircases and a maze of ladders and ramps, the stage transformed from a blank slate to the abrasive and bustling world of The Roaring Girl, a world which required much coordination to smoothly execute its constructed chaos. This is where the brilliant Backstage and Technical Crew truly shone. With over 70 different hand-held props, 31 actors, 10 scene changes and live music to manage, the crew did an exceptional job of keeping the show running flawlessly. Everything from moving the stairs into the right position for each scene, to sewing up my broken costume five minutes before the show commenced one night, was

“Would you know who it is, would you hear her name? She is called Mad Moll, her life our acts proclaim.”

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ENGLISH

Page and Stage

—Clockwise from top left “I’ll take Fantasy for 500 points”; The hilarious antics of Theatresports; The Sonnet Project putting a contemporary spin on Shakespeare’s classics; Teachers in costume, can you guess who they have dressed up as?

To subvert is not the aim of literature; its value lies in discovering and revealing what is rarely known, little known, thought to be known but in fact not very well known of the truth of the human world. Gao Xingjian, Nobel Lecture, 2000

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

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n Week 7 of Term 1, the English, Drama and Library staff inaugurated the Barker Festival of Page and Stage as a celebration of all things dramatic, poetic and novel – pun entirely intended. It was a weeklong event that launched on a day where staff came dressed as a well-known literary character, which became a great point of conversation about canonical texts, nostalgic childhood memories and the pleasure of being lost in a fantastical world.

The importance and joy of literature and drama were brought to life in a range of opportunities on offer to the students over the week. Guest presenters such as Brett Hunt and The Sonnet Project entertained students during lunch times. Brett Hunt brought together a range of songs from periods of change and revolution in the twentieth century, while The Sonnet Project performed their original music to transform Shakespeare’s sonnets.

Students watched and enjoyed a collection of outstanding short films, comforted by a cup of freshly popped popcorn.

There was the Speed Scrabble Tournament that saw Dylan Hood of Year 12 eventuate as the champion wordsmith.

There were victors of Book Jeopardy – yes, a take on the game show we all know and love – and a challenging Scavenger Hunt where students had to find all the scattered letters around the School and put them in order to make three famous book titles. Congratulations to Alex Dring and Angus Palmer of Year 9 for solving this.

The opportunity to buy books at the Book Fair and laugh at the antics of Theatre Sports contributed to a well-received and worthwhile first-ever Festival of Page and Stage.

Thank you to all the staff who were involved in organising this event.

Michael Marokakis English Teacher and Senior School Tutor

VISUAL ARTS

It is timely that we provide an opportunity for all members of the Barker community to express their thoughts regarding Barker’s Strategic Plan Inspiring Global Hope in a visual form.

An art competition is being launched to all members of the Barker community.

Any member of the Barker Community is welcome to submit an entry in any one of the following expressive forms: Painting

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Drawing

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Photography

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Sculpture

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Printmaking

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Video

Please note that it is not necessary to frame a work which is submitted.

The work should emphasise social change.

Go to creativetime.org/summit/prize/ to see recipients of the Leonore Annenburg Prize and read from artist statements to provide you with ideas for your own artwork.

Submissions must be delivered to the Visual Arts staff room, digital entries will not be accepted. Entries are now open and will close 3.30pm Friday 24 July (end of Week 2, Term 3).

A range of entries will be exhibited during the HSC exhibition in August.

Prize winners will be chosen by the Head of Barker College, Mr Phillip Heath and the Head of Visual Arts, Mr Bentham. A prize of $200 will be awarded.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

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The winning artist will be the person who is perceived to best raise awareness and engagement regarding a social issue thus helping to promote lasting change.

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DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

—Above Samuel Darwell, Noah Wright and Morgan Overmass producing computer generated renders.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

We can think

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—Above Ani Dilanchian removing components for flat pack furniture.

—Above Jeremy Chivas testing architectural design through CAD modelling and 3D printing.

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

—Above Year 11 Design and Technology students assembling flat pack furniture.

‘D

eveloping students who can think and do’ is the mantra of the Design and Technology Department. Students who ‘think’ know how to research, observe and identify opportunity.

They know how to frame a project, establish criteria and

Getting the right mix between developing skills for thinking and skills for making solutions is a balancing act which varies between projects. Barker students find themselves in an enviable position, having access to a wide range of tools, machines and processes. Equally

apply multiple techniques to generate creative ideas. And

important, students have access to a methodology to

they know how to evaluate the appropriateness of a design.

develop design thinking skills. These skills prepare an

Students who ‘do’ know how to communicate

individual for life. Through testing safety, human interface,

graphically and verbally. They know how to use a range

materials and environments in which their ideas have

of software to help them generate designs, renders and

to perform, students learn to mitigate risk. They are

machining. They also know how to use hand tools and

in essence learning risk management as well as design

machine tools to measure and mark out accurately,

methodology.

cut, shape, join and finish materials. They know how to

The world is continually changing and therefore we

conduct tests and experiments and how to manufacture

must continue to adapt. Tools, machines and processes

design ideas that are aesthetic, functional and appropriate.

will continue to develop, but our aim will remain the same,

Over the past 20 years there has been a significant

to produce students who are confident in their ability to think and do.

thinking skills. Some have argued that it has been to the detriment of their manual skills base. However, to

Darren Woodrow

produce a student who can think and adapt quickly, who is

Head of Design and Technology

proactive toward innovation and opportunity, requires the development of minds as much as manual skills.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

shift towards improving students’ ability to apply design

31

PUBLIC SPEAKING & MATHS

Public

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he students involved in Public Speaking @ Barker have had a rewarding and exciting start to the year, and are reaping the rewards of their efforts.

At Barker College’s Public Speaking Competition

—Public Speaking coach Tim Berney-Gibson with Sean Landis, Lawrence Campbell Oratory competitor.

on Monday 16 March 2015, all students spoke with passion and conviction on their chosen topic, engaging and educating their audience. Congratulations to the following students for their success in their section of the competition:

He unfortunately did not place but it was an invaluable experience for him. He and William Solomon

Junior Jack Breden (Year 8)

will also compete in The Sydney Morning Herald Plain

Intermediate William Solomon (Year 10)

English Speaking Award in late May (results announced

Senior

in next issue of The Barker).

Sean Landis (Year 11)

Best Prepared Speech Seamus Dove (Year 12)

Both competitions offer the students challenging and rewarding opportunities to lift their public speaking

Term 2 was eventful as our students participated in

skills.

a variety of public speaking competitions. Sean Landis represented Barker College in the Lawrence Campbell Oratory competition.

Melissa Dooley and Vicky Argyrakis Coordinators Public Speaking

Using iPads

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roviding iPads to each Year 7 student has opened up a new range of possibilities to the newest members of the Middle School.

They use a suite of apps installed on every Barker iPad to access their textbook, draw geometrical diagrams and perform calculations, but anyone with a mobile device can take advantage of the myriad of mathematical apps available.

Algebra Touch helps to show how the rules of algebra work and what operations can be performed. Its dynamic visual interface makes it easy to see what steps are needed to solve an algebraic equation.

WolframAlpha can answer almost any mathematical question. It performs basic calculations but has the power to produce step-by-step solutions for long and

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

involved problems. It can also answer questions

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on sporting results, population estimates and much more. This is a great tool for our senior Mathematics students or anyone curious about the world around us.

Andrew Mallam Mathematics Technology Coordinator

—Above WolframAlpha showing a step-bystep solution to Question 13 (a) of the 2014 Extension 2 HSC paper.

CADETS

Annual

—End of camp skit night.

—Above Successful plunder of the opposition’s booty.

—Above Reflection before a raid – effective camouflage?

This year saw another successful Annual Camp completed despite some extreme weather conditions.

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This year saw some popular changes to the Broken Back Trek. Bravo Company enjoyed fresh food rather than ration packs, and Delta Company spent three nights instead of just two.

Including a moving target serial to the WTSS (Weapons Training Simulation System) raised the success rate and competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Echo Companies enjoyed abseiling, the

hold tents down to stop them flying away in wind gusts of over

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

he first Advance Party (Pioneers and HQ) drove up to Singleton on Easter Saturday in torrential rain. After a mighty effort to set up camp, everybody welcomed the chance to get out of wet clothes and into warm sleeping bags. The next day the sun shone and dried everything out, ending with a magnificent and memorable sunset. Just to remind us of the power and unpredictability of nature, on Monday afternoon after the main body arrived we were treated to another short, heavy downpour (luckily after most tents were set up).

70 kilometres per hour!

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Tacex and a visit to the Museum.

What a great camp for Year 12 to end their cadet careers.

Many thanks to the dads and staff who attended to ensure all cadets had a safe and memorable experience.

On Tuesday we experienced very strong winds which required tents and tarps to be secured by additional ropes and pegs due to the saturated ground. At times we had to physically

Major Terry Nye Commanding Officer BCCU

OED

MTB 2015 Australian Interschools MTB Championships Thredbo March 6-8

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

I 34

t was another fantastic weekend of mountain biking on the Thredbo slopes. The weather was kind for the whole weekend and the boys rode in beautiful sunshine. The competition started with the Dual Compressor event, which saw competitors start at a drop gate, ride a few metres on a wide track before hitting the first corner, after which it was hard to overtake if you weren’t already leading. Most of the boys who started off in the left lane came out victors by the end. Qualifying races were held to determine the first 32 racers in each division.

While several of the Barker riders made it through to this stage, only Jordon Montgomery made it to the next round of 16. Unfortunately there Jordan drew the right lane, greatly reducing his chances of success.

—Above Getting back up the hill for a couple more rides!

OED

—Clockwise from top left James Culver riding hard in the XC event; Tom Green on his way to 3rd in the XC Event; MTB captain Chris Hinds.

The last day of the competition was the cross-country event. Tom Green shone in this event, coming 3rd behind a second-place getter who had to run the last 100 metres with his bike over his shoulder due to a broken chain.

Chris Hinds wasn’t far behind him, in 5th place, and this joint effort helped the Division 1 riders take second place in a field of 113 starters. In Division 2, Luc Weymouth was the first of the Barker team crossing in 11th place, with James Culver placing 0.1 seconds behind him, and Richard Marais finishing about 20 seconds later. Once again, this strong showing over five laps resulted in Barker placing 2nd in the Division 2 XC event. Finally, the Division 3 riders started with 130 other hopefuls. Lachlan Horsely was the best of the Barker team, finishing in 8th place with Jordan Montgomery coming 17th. Excellent efforts in such a large field.

Many thanks to all the parents who helped, with special thanks to Mr and Mrs Hinds, who supplied a daily sausage sizzle as well as Gatorade and delicious muffins, as part of their fundraising for the Tour De Cure.

Andrew Love MIC Mountainbiking

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

On Saturday morning, after many downhill practice runs (on one of which Eddie Thomas ran over a snake), the King of the Mountain event finally started. The best of our riders was Barker MTB captain Chris Hinds in Division 1 (Years 11 and 12), who came 7th out of a field of 72 starters, clearly demonstrating that a serious fall on the same course over the summer vacation was not going to put him off. Chris’ time of 5 minutes and 30.8 seconds was only about 36 seconds slower than the winner. Tom de Kantsow and Tom Green were the next best placed in 31st and 32nd respectively.

In Division 2 (Years 9 and 10), Sam Gibson and Sean McCormack were our fastest riders, finishing 44th and 45th from a field of 94 starters. Kyle Henderson was not far behind them in 47th place. The winner of this Division finished in an amazing time of 5.03 seconds and Sam was just under 2 minutes off this time, despite a fall close to the start and tearing a ligament from his little finger. In Division 3 (Years 7 and 8) Jordan Montgomery crossed the line in 24th place about 1 minute 20 seconds behind the race winner in a time of 7 minutes 22.44 seconds. Lachlan Horsley and Hamish Carolan also finished in the top 40 in the 72-strong field.

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SERVANT LEADERSHIP

—Clockwise from top left Michaella shoots a basket, encouraged by Tyler Wilson (Yr 12) and Alicia Blackett (Yr 12); James Gellan (Yr 11) and Oliver Vaughan (Yr 11) help clean the Clarke Road bus; Julian serves morning tea to Nicholas Ruberg (Yr 11) at Clarke Road School.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

Leadership

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Time Out For Basketball Each fortnight at Time Out Basketball it is a joy to watch and hear students with special needs from neighbouring schools, together with Barker’s Middle School Seniors and some Year 11s and Year 12s, practising their skills, playing modified games, encouraging each other, cheering for baskets shot and generally chatting with friends.

Seamus Dove (Year 12) devised and initiated this program and deserves great credit for its success. The aims are for all students to have fun, grow in character, forge friendships and learn and develop new skills in a supportive, safe environment. It allows the parents and carers of our visitors to have the opportunity to connect with each other over a cuppa. It also gives more Barker students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, gain greater insight into the abilities of people with special needs, and appreciate the fact that they too just love to have fun.

Clarke Road School In a similar vein, the Year 11 students continue to serve the wider community through their weekly visits to Clarke Road School, where they work with individual students alongside teachers in the classrooms. Year 11s love to see how excited the Clarke Road students are to have them there. They interact wonderfully with the students and leave with an enormous respect for the work of the staff and a better understanding of the challenges the students have. After what can be a sobering, but incredibly worthwhile, experience, “Can’t we stay longer?” and “Can we come again?” are commonly asked questions.

Both of these programs enliven the spirits of all involved.

Helen Graham Dean of Individual Programs

PDHPE

—Above Year 11 PDHPE completing the Harvard Step Test.

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in Elective PDHPE

n the elective strand of PDHPE, staff use sports science laboratories so that students can experience concepts and gain a greater understanding of how to apply them in practical situations. Recently, Year 11 PDHPE students utilised Polar heart rate monitors to explore the response of the heart to submaximal physical activity by completing the Harvard Step Test. During this process they also assessed their own aerobic fitness based on the set protocol. Instantaneous recording of heart rates through the monitors enabled students to track their resting heart rate and then heart rates at every minute of the five-minute test. Final analysis involved investigating

how quickly their heart rate returned to a resting level, from which they calculated aerobic fitness. Through graphical analysis from the Polar heart rate application, students could visualise their heart’s response, as well as look at aerobic and anaerobic training zones (see graph).

Afterwards, the students submitted a written lab report analysing the results and evaluating their cardiovascular endurance.

Sarah Clifton Head of PDHPE

PDHPE Promotes

C

Natalie Potent Assistant Coordinator of PDHPE

—Above Year 10 girls: Sophie Werhmann, Annabelle Christen and Jordy Riddock.

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

lose the Gap is the overarching health promotion initiative aimed to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health inequities. The significant gaps that exist in life expectancy, morbidity and education hope to be closed by 2030.

While Year 12 PDHPE students study this campaign in-depth for their HSC, students across Years 7–11 viewed a short video clip in their PDHPE theory lesson (Just search for Close the Gap 2015 on YouTube) during Harmony Week, and discussed openly and frankly the issues it brought up. In practical lessons, students participated in traditional Indigenous games, such as Edor, a vigorous game of chasings where the leader constantly changes.

We hope that by raising awareness through discussion, combined where possible with in-depth study, our young people will be able to meaningfully contribute to closing the gap in the very near future.

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BOYS SPORT

Track and Field

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he Barker College Track and Field Championship was run on the last day of Term 1. After a foggy start to the day, the cloud lifted and a great day greeted all students. Several School records were

broken, including Jack Mills in the 16yrs 800m and 1500m, Ben Nogajski equalling the 14yrs High Jump record and Morgan Little breaking the 13yrs 200m and 400m records.

At lunchtime it was the staff relay, and the talk around the track was whether the Sports Department with their new recruit, Olympic silver medallist Du’aine Ladejo, would defeat the reigning champion PDHPE team. The PDHPE team were leading into the final leg of the relay, but the Sports Department was gaining quickly. Du’aine unfortunately strained his hip flexor which led to another PDHPE victory. Du’aine is part of the Track and Field coaching staff this year and staff and students alike are looking

16 Years Male 1 Benjamin Hayward 2 Jack Mills 3 Will Lloyd

16 Years Female 1 Abbey Hodge 1 Sophie Wehrmann 3 Jessica Cunningham

Winning House: Boyce House

17 Years Male 1 Josh Robins 2 Jack Brown 3 Alexander Dixon

17 Years Female 1 Julia Cormio 2 Genevieve Love 3 Natasha Salisbury

13 Years Male 1 Morgan Little 2 Jonathan Friend 3 Lucas Vass

14 Years Male 1 Ben Nogajski 2 Kyle Galloway 3 Daniel Alleyn

Open Male 1 Taylor John 2 Alex Wearne 3 Ben Jones

Open Female 1 Brianna Phillips 2 Lauren Tompkins 3 Claire Haigh

15 Years Male 1 Jamie Basheer 2 Lachie Basten 3 Ben Pears

15 Years Female 1 Sami McCormick 2 Maia Leadbetter 3 Rachel Fear

Lee Batchler Acting Sportmaster

forward to working with him.

The carnival continued into the afternoon with great performances in the 100m and 400m events. The final event saw the Middle School house medley relay being won by Holt house in record time, capping off a great day.

Below are the age champions from the day and the winning house.

Basketball

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arker entered the basketball season having not won the CAS title since Mr Fedeles retired in 2008. This season started well, but would depend on the last game against Knox. Led by their inspirational captain, Murray Thorpe, the boys defeated archrivals Knox in the

Barker Gym to clinch the CAS title in front of a very vocal home crowd.

The team, coached by Matthew Arnot and Jared Scoines, have worked hard for several seasons to improve and this was a fantastic result given all the effort that had gone in. The team represented Barker with enthusiasm,

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

passion and great sportsmanship throughout the season. For Year 12 students

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Rob Irwin, Dan Babb, Charlie Silvester and Sam Barlow to win the CAS in their last game at home was a dream come true. The side was well supported

by Year 11 students Jeeven Singh, Ben Basten and sharp shooting Curtis Abagi. Younger members of the team were Benjamin Fakira and Daniel Smedley from Year 10 and Angus Henskens from Year 9.

Jason Bourke MIC Basketball

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1st XV squad of 24 boys, accompanied by three staff members, completed a successful tour to Queensland in the Easter break. Staying in boarding facilities at both the Super Sports Centre, Runaway Bay and at Marist College, Ashgrove in Brisbane, the boys formulated strategy before scoring three resounding wins from three games. Barker defeated Iona College 64-0, St Laurence College 36-12 and, in a resounding come-from-behind effort, edged out a powerful Marist Ashgrove 34-31. Tour captain Bruce Thompson, ably assisted by game captains Andy Lloyd and Andrew Saar, maintained a strong work ethic along with camaraderie among the squad. Throughout the week, the group was treated to delicious food, superb facilities and tropical weather. They had an enjoyable free day at Dreamworld and

BOYS SPORT

Rugby Tours

Waterworld theme parks. In the words of one student at Sydney airport on return: “Now, that was a resounding success!”

Simultaneously, a 24-strong U16 rugby squad travelled down to Canberra for two fiercely contested matches against Marist College and Canberra Grammar. By staying at the Australian Institute of Sport’s boarding facilities, the group experienced a professional sports environment throughout their stay, helping with team bonding. The excellent food helped, too. Despite several serious injuries prior to the tour, the squad played courageously but was narrowly defeated by Marist College 21-26 and 21-24 by Canberra Grammar.

Lee Batchler Acting Sportmaster

CAS Swimming

Trinity Knox Barker

547 545 441

St Aloysius Cranbrook Waverley

342 329 284

The season continues with the following boys being selected to represent CAS at the NSWCIS Swimming Championships: Matthew Brouff, Billy Brown, Freddie Brown, Jack Brown, Jackson Burton, Shaun Champion, Jake Fornasaro, Taylor Gabb, Geoff Herkes, Kris HonorWilson, Campbell Jones, Oliver Jones, Daniel Jongma, Max Jostsons, Matt Kelly, Josh Knox, Alex Middleton, Brandon Murray, Jack Nixon, Matthew Sullivan and Lucas Vass.

Jason Cooper MIC Swimming

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

Inspired by the leadership shown by team captains Geoff Herkes, Matt Kelly and Drayton O’Neill, the boys team headed off to Homebush to participate in one of the most exciting school swimming events in Australia, the CAS Swimming Championships. Joining the captains in the pool were fellow Year 12 swimmers Matthew Brouff, Jake Fornasaro and Matthew Sullivan. The boys led our team to a commendable third place, making ground on leading schools Trinity and Knox. Among the event’s highlights were Shaun Champion and Lucas Vass’ win of two events each. Lucas also set a new CAS record in the 13 years 50m backstroke. At the end of the night, Trinity were announced as winners with the final tally of points being:

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GIRLS SPORT

Cross Country

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he Barker Girls Cross Country team had a stellar performance once again at this year’s ISA Championships.

2015 saw the introduction of three different components of training. These sessions included not only interval and endurance training, but also implemented a strength and technique program to assist with injury prevention and power production.

The hard work and dedication the girls put into these early morning training sessions proved to pay off as they achieved some fantastic results.

Out of 23 girls that competed, all placed within the top 20 of their age category, with 15 girls selected to represent ISA at the NSWCIS carnival in June.

Thanks to these exceptional results, Barker College came 1st in both Senior and Intermediate divisions. A special mention should go to Claire Haigh and Natasha Salisbury, who placed 1st in each of their age groups. Well done girls!

Chloe Taylor Girls Cross Country Coach

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Insights

irls Basketball at Barker has grown fast in 2015, with five teams playing by end of season in the ISA and Hornsby Monday night competitions.

The ISA Competition had three teams.

Our Seconds and Thirds teams played a tough season, narrowly missing out on the semi-finals to finish in fifth position in their divisions. All members worked hard to improve their performances from earlier in the season.

We were excited to have three new players join our Firsts team and expand the training squad to 13. Throughout the season, our Firsts continued to improve, finishing the regular season in third position. The closely fought ISA Open A Competition is one of the strongest school divisions in Sydney. In the semi-finals, Barker played an outstanding match against Redlands (the Australian Open Schools and ISA defending champions). It was the best quality ISA game in years. Unfortunately, Redlands’ shooting was too good, and although Barker played their best game of the season we went down 66-62.

Three students were selected to represent ISA at the NSWCIS Championships in May: Rebecca Black (Year 11), Abby Cubillo (Year 10) and Kimberley Hodge (Year 11).

We wish them well in their next stage of representative selection.

We end to potentially return as favourites for next year’s ISA competition. Thank you to the wonderful support of staff, parents, friends, the OBA and the Barker Basketball Club. The teams have flourished with your support.

We are proud of the quality basketball and sportsmanship the teams have shown throughout the year by all players.

Nicole Bailey Basketball MIC

GIRLS SPORT

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with Gabby Chan

hat’s so good about Softball at Barker?

The teamwork, arriving in Year 10, I had no idea of the school routines or what was expected, I felt I didn’t fit in. The softball team changed all that – everyone there has been so supportive, happy and become really close friends. It’s like one big softball family.

How did you get into softball?

My sister used to play, and it seemed to come naturally to me. My dad used to pitch balls at me so I could practise.

I was very lucky my dad gave me so much help. I’m not the strongest base-runner but I can slide into bases confidently because of the help he gave me.

As a catcher, what is your role?

The key part is keeping the team upbeat and ensuring they have a positive attitude throughout the game. As a catcher I call the game by signalling to the pitchers what they should throw, so I need to know what they can do.

What is the best thing about softball?

You are playing as a team, so it’s not about you the individual.

You may be batting on your own, but you’re batting for the team. It’s so exciting when we make a double play or get the base runner out in a run down play. Everyone is so close; it’s a unifying sport.

Anne Horne MIC Softball

Gabby has represented Barker for both ISA and CIS softball, and is a strong left-handed batter and catcher in the Barker 1sts

ISA Swimming

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Alison Cox Head of Girls Sport

—Above 2015 Captain Alison Smith and vice-captain Sarah Middleton share their victory with Alison Cox!

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

ed by team captains Alison Smith and Sarah Middleton, the Girls Swimming team reclaimed the ISA Senior Division 1 title. An outstanding group of Year 12 swimmers led their team to victory, with Alison Smith, Sarah Middleton, Shannon Ashton and Emma Baldwin all winning multiple events throughout the program. Orla Flynn (Year 11) and Ellie Jongma (Year 10) also won multiple events and were the highlights of a strong Intermediate team that finished second overall. Congratulations to all the girls who were selected to represent ISA at the NSWCIS Swimming Championships: Shannon Ashton, Meg Baldwin, Lili Duncan, Orla Flynn, Ellie Jongma, Sarah Middleton, Natasha Salisbury and Alison Smith.

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BCMA

Simply A Weekend Escape to The Grange

—Clockwise from top left Enjoying the view from the green: Anne May, Jenelle Montgomerie, Bev Cooper and Karen Witts; Julie Long (Grange organising committee) and Jenelle Montgomerie; The dining room and lounge rooms received a 70s makeover; Janet Burton, Emma Yim, Phoebe Rayner and Jodie Eliott, members of the 2015 Grange Committee, prepare for Friday night dinner.

A THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

s busy mothers, we all love to get away occasionally, and a weekend away at The Grange

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was exactly what 50 fortunate Barker mothers did at the end of Term 1. The traditional BCMA Mothers’ Escape to the Grange sold out in record time, proving my point.

So we headed for the Blue Mountains to kick off a wonderful weekend of friendship and fun. It was a pleasure to arrive knowing that the organising committee had been putting the finishing touches on our accommodation, and the weather was perfect.

After a relaxing and welcoming Friday night, many of the ladies took to the outdoors early Saturday, while others shopped to their heart’s content in Leura, nourished by the local fare. A relaxing massage or facial on site was also popular, while a round of golf was my choice with some other keen starters. This was a great way to spend a wonderful afternoon, taking in some fabulous views from a couple of the greens to complete the day.

The wonderful Grange Committee, led by Jodie Eliott, did an amazing job pampering and spoiling us throughout the weekend. It was a perfect retreat for us all, with meals catered daily and the Grange looking fantastic with its 70s-themed makeover for the disco on Saturday night.

Whoever thought that vinyl records could be used as a table decoration? We all managed to somehow find some spectacular apparel for the evening, which made the night all the more fun.

Back to reality on Sunday, but plenty of time for more retail therapy and a little lunch before the obligatory trip to The Lolly Shop and bakery for an apple pie to take home to my lovely family, whom I had of course missed so much!.

Our warmest thanks to the 2015 BCMA Grange Committee: Jodie Eliott, Julie Long, Phoebe Rayner, Emma Yim, Elmari De Lange, Georgi Faithfull, Michelle Sneddon and Janet Burton for making our weekend so special.

Jenelle Montgomerie BCMA President

BARKER FOUNDATION

Barker

—Clockwise from top left The Lego Movie looked fantastic on the giant inflatable screen; The transformation begins; Even The Incredible Hulk made an appearance.

T

At 7:30pm, when the lights went down, the 10-metre high inflatable screen captivated the audience. The Lego Movie did well to accommodate all viewing ages.

Personally, the undeniably catchy lyrics of ‘Everything Is Awesome’ continue with me as I write this.

The Barker Foundation would like to thank parents, staff, students, friends and sponsors for making this event so special. We are blessed to have such amazing facilities at Barker College and thank the generosity of the current and past parent body that have planted trees well before our time to enable us to shelter our children from the rain today.

We are proud, under the leadership and guidance of Mr Phillip Heath and Mr Martin Lubrano to be a part of creating, supporting and fulfilling community-inspired events like this. The enjoyable evening was another proud moment for The Barker Foundation, continuing the tradition of giving. Our work at the Foundation, “to inspire global hope,” has only just begun – together we can do anything.

“Everything Is Awesome” John Dimitropoulos Barker Foundation Director

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

he Barker Foundation held its signature Sunset Cinema evening on 21 March with the screening of The Lego Movie to an enthusiastic Preparatory and Junior School audience.

The Multi-Purpose Hall stood up to its name and reputation, providing the atmosphere and ambience to accommodate our enthusiastic moviegoers, who joined us with beanbags, picnic blankets, armchairs and strollers.

The evening was fuelled with fun activities and events for all to participate. We were fortunate to have Ginny Longstocking, an incredibly talented and gifted face painter, who turned imagination into reality with an Incredible Hulk, mini-Spidermen and even a confident Cinderella stealing the limelight.

Holly and Jessie from Stardust entertained our youngest attendees with games, balloon twisting and other activities, enabling parents to get to know each other in a relaxed and casual setting.

Pizza Cutters from Wahroonga built on their reputation, delivering piping-hot pizzas right to our armchairs; many commented it was as though they had been pulled straight out of the oven. Guests also chose to pack a mouthwatering picnic, which was spread out and shared with loved ones from the start of the movie.

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THE OLD BARKER

Winter 2015 — Issue 221

Oliver Carleton playing against Chicago

Carleton Class of 2007

After leaving Barker, Oliver went to university in America on a basketball scholarship. After graduating he retuned to Australia and joined the ADF where he was recently awarded the Most Outstanding Soldier.

What was the highlight of your time at Barker?

Winning and playing in the CAS and CIS tournaments – the extreme highs of being part of an elite team.

Did you have a role model?

Not so much a ‘role model’, but there were people I looked up to, like senior Daniel Courtnall (05), and basketball coaches Paul Fedeles and Jason Bourke.

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

How much has basketball influenced your life so far?

Enormously. I went to Barker to have Paul Fedeles as coach; it’s given me a first-class degree, it’s opened doors for me.

I’ve played in America, Portugal and Ireland. It moulded me into a team player, and taught me to work with coaches with hugely different attitudes. It gave me a love of fitness, selfdevelopment and discipline.

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Which university recruited you, and how was this experience?

Emory University, which is considered as the ‘ivy league of the south’. It was everything I wanted: brilliant basketball, mainly enthusiastic tutors and great fun off campus. Plus, being in the US meant road trips, meeting people from all walks of life, music festivals and physical endurance races.

It wasn’t a bad thing being the only Aussie at uni either.

What was your area of study?

Biology; I got a BSc. Did you join a Fraternity?

I sure did! I wanted to see if it was like it is in the movies.

Think about your closest friends – the ones you’ve been in trouble with, had the most laughs with or competed against in sport. This usually takes several years to develop, but with a fraternity, that process is condensed into three or four months. You get to know your pledge brothers very, very well.

And is it like in the movies?

It’s much, much worse! Mind you, I think it’s helped me in my training sessions with the military more than my science degree. You know that others have gone through it before and you have a good chance of getting out of it alive.

What inspired you to enrol in the ADF? I am striving to reach the pinnacle of physical learning.

I thought about medicine or medical research, but I wanted to interact more with people. I love the outdoors, helping others and bettering myself. You are taught to handle yourself in any situation, be it jungle or mountainous terrain, in any climate, on water or on land. The amount of knowledge and training is out of this world.

Congratulations on being awarded Most Outstanding Soldier. What challenges did you complete?

We were taught and tested on all soldiering weaponry skills, with rifles and bayonets, and loads of physical challenges that had to be completed to the highest standard.

What advice do you have for today’s students?

Follow your passion. Give everything a go, whether it be overseas or at home. Just go for it.

OBA Groups

46 OBA President 48 Community Events 49 OBA Groups 52 Personal Notes 54 Obituaries Old Barker Association Contacts email: oba@barker.nsw.edu.au President Tony Gamson (78) 0458 564 556 Honorary Vice-President Peter Gregory (03) 0400 419 253 Honorary Treasurer Michael Brodie (79) 0409 980 009 Honorary Secretary David Brookes (79) 0400 906 052 General Committee Chris Bennett (83) Paul Goncharoff (88) Pip Hurley (Webber 85) Jenny Kalaf (Melville 78) Catherine Lancaster (82) Matt Ross-Smith (10) Di Slater (Stanbridge 91) David Trayner (84) Nominees to School Council Pennie Cruickshank (79) Michael Brodie (79) Tony Gamson (78) OBA Annual Patron Sandy Hollway (64) Keith Thornton (64) Benjamin Anson (85) Over 70s Contact Robert Hill (56) (02) 9144 3582

School Contacts Director of Alumni Relations Mandy Loomes (02) 9847 8229 (Sch) mandy_loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au Alumni Reunion Coordinator Karina Drummond (02) 9847 8283 (Sch) karina_drummond@barker.nsw.edu.au Manager of Archives Morwenna Pearce (02) 9847 8290 (Sch) morwenna_pearce@barker.nsw.edu.au

For further information please contact Mandy on 9847 8229.

Personal notes are published in good faith, as a service to the Barker Community.

Interstate and International Barker Contacts

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Brisbane Andrew Wilkie (01) 0412 779 383 (m) andrew.wilkie@morgans.com.au Canberra Andrew McColl (74) 0422 985 281(m) mccoll@grapevine.net.au Melbourne Murray Anderson (65) 0457 000 407 (m) murray@capricorngroup.net.au Northern Rivers Jim Poulos (61) (02) 6686 7711 (h) pamio@bigpond.net.au Perth Tom Hargreaves (69) 0437 906 588 (m) tom.hargreaves@inpex.com.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) george.darling@snclavalin.com Hong Kong Brayden Winkler (07) brayden.winkler@gmail.com Japan Carl Bastian (93) bastianinternational@msn.com Middle East Erik Huyer (72) (966) 056 409 0144 (m) erikhuyer@gmail.com New Zealand Scott Brown (91) (64) 027 230 4561 (w) scott@hipgroup.co.nz Oceania (Fiji) Neil Underhill (75) (679) 336 3968 (w) neilunderhill@connect.com.fj Papua New Guinea Johnson Kalo (83) (675) 305 6703 (w) jkalo@bsp.com.pg 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, Wilmington Andrew Renton (85) (910) 612 5671 arenton1@mac.com

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Personal Notes

Dinners & Reunions

THE THE OLD OLD BARKER BARKER || WINTER Autumn 2015

Archivist Sarah O’Neill (02) 9847 8290 (Sch) soneill@barker.nsw.edu.au

Contributions Welcome Please send contributions to Mandy Loomes, Director of Alumni Relations, 91 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077 or mandy_loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au.

FROM THE OBA PRESIDENT

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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FROM THE OBA PRESIDENT

President’s As I write, we are in the final countdown to the Gallipoli Centenary commemorations.

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

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or some of us, this has meant the daily ritual of checking the blogosphere for the latest updates from our sons and daughters who make up the over 100 current Barker students who are lucky enough to be in Gallipoli for the centenary.

While this was primarily a music tour, a small group of Year 10 History students travelled with the group. Their task has been to research some of the 45 Barker old boys who served at Gallipoli, and to follow their journey through the war and their lives thereafter.

What a wonderful opportunity for these students to travel to this place at this very special time and see first-hand the reality that confronted the ANZACs 100 years ago.

The OBA is proud of all its members who have served their country in times of conflict, and over the years we have acknowledged this service and the sacrifices made.

These gestures include the Old Boys Union funding of the School’s main oval in 1924, to honour mates who were killed during the 1914-18 conflict, and the OBU’s donation of the Middle School’s War Memorial Steps in 1938 in honour of World War I sacrifices. In 2005, the OBA Over 70s donated the Memorial Steps outside the Chapel, recognising those who served in World War II. The OBA also donated funds toward this year’s trip to Gallipoli. We felt it was important for today’s students to appreciate the connection they have to those alumni who went before them.

—Tony Gamson (78), OBA President

It was pleasing to see our crest emblazoned on the tour jackets as the students appeared on news coverage in the lead-up to the centenary.

We have also celebrated more recent history, with the cocktail party for the 40th anniversary of co-education. It is impossible to imagine Barker today without the girls in the Senior School. The new Rosewood development is an important addition to girls sport facilities at Barker, and will be a welcome resource for footballers, touch football players, cricketers and supporters.

Next term, we will unveil another contribution – a bronze sculpture for the OBA Courtyard in the Junior School, designed to evoke the School’s vision of ‘Inspiring Global Hope.’

It follows an earlier cultural contribution from the OBA, the Centenary Sculpture donated in 1990, which now sits outside Leslie Hall.

Finally, our Annual General Meeting will be held on 21 July in the Marks Pavilion. As always, you are welcome to attend and learn more about our activities. It has broadened its focus in recent years and we are looking to develop more opportunities to support alumni. You never know, you may just get inspired to get involved and help us to help the Barker community.

Tony Gamson (78) OBA President

EMERALD CITY

OBA Theatre Emerald The OBA Theatre is proud to announce the cast and dates for their 2015 production of David Williamson’s, Emerald City.

Date: 8–11 July Price: $10/$15 (students/adults) Book: www.trybooking.com/135592

The show will premiere on 8 July at 7pm in the BCMA Theatre at Barker, followed by three more evening performances on 9, 10 and 11 July. We’d be honoured if you could join us in celebrating a great Australian playwright’s work, performed by some of Barker’s top drama alumni talents.

Gretel Maltabarow (09) Director

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

The iconic Australian play set in the late 80s, is a “fast-moving, wisecracking commentary on contemporary urban mores and morals, and the rivalries and passions to be encountered on the road to success” (Williamson, 2012). The cast includes Charlie Jones (10) in the role of Colin, a screenwriter who moves from Melbourne to Sydney with his publisher wife Kate, played by Eloise Westwood (13). The scheming persona of writer Mike will be played by Adam Jones (13, no relation to Charlie) with his smart and sultry girlfriend Helen played by Pip Dracakis (10). Finally, we have cool as a cucumber financier Malcolm acted by Josh Philipson (14) and the ice-cold businesswoman, Elaine played by Gemma Black (14) to round out the cast.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS— Class of 2000 – 15 Year Reunion On 2 May the Class of 2000 gathered with 70 fellow schoolmates at Daniel San in Manly on a very soggy night.

The weather certainly didn’t taint the excitement of many new mums, dads and those who travelled great distances, including from overseas and interstate, for a celebratory night out on the town. We came to the realisation we’ve been out of school longer than we were at school, which certainly made us feel more mature – well, let’s hope so.

The group shot was a challenge for our resident photographer Alex Barnes (Lane) for our rowdy bunch.

But we got there in the end.

I really enjoyed my night of many laughs, and reconnecting with old friends. It felt like we hadn’t skipped a beat. Thank you so much to everyone who attended. For those that missed our night, we hope to see you in another five years! Please keep in touch.

Hayley Gatt (00)

Photo courtesy of Shot Photography – Alex Barnes (Lane).

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Singapore Event – Sunday 26 April 2015

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On 26 April, Barker alumni and their families currently living in Singapore gathered for an afternoon of pizza and putt-putt golf in Bukit Timah. It was great to see so many people all with interesting tales of work, life and family in Singapore and across the world! We even enjoyed the story of one of our Singapore-based old boys’ eldest child returning back to Barker this year as a boarder. It was also lovely to meet spouses and kids (ranging from 0-15, more of them in total than the adults). Everyone had a great time and is looking forward to the next opportunity to get together.

Carly Switzer (94)

—From left to right: Mark Wakeling (01), Edward Yue (94), Carly Switzer (94), Marc Giuffrida (94), Gregory Parkhurst (90), Anna Sutton (05), Jon Llewellyn (91) and Andrew Reeve (90).

OBA GROUPS

OBA GROUPS— OBA Big Band Everyone has practised really hard and been very committed as we work towards recording our newest piece, a 12-minute long composition by Belgian composer Bert Joris, plus a couple of others. The band is sounding amazing and we cannot wait to get in the studio for our final recording. If you would like us to perform at any of your functions please contact us at OBA_bigband@barker.nsw.edu.au Luke Davis (09) OBA Big Band Representative

—Above Winners of the Jack Pace Memorial Shield.

Barker Old Boys Cricket I am pleased to announce that Barker Old Boys Cricket have won the City and Suburban Cricket Association Jack Pace Memorial Shield for season 2014/15! Congratulations to all players involved this year, particularly those who competed in the epic grand final victory against Knox Old Boys. This was no mean feat, with a competition of 22 clubs vying for the trophy. It was a tight match, with thunderstorms playing havoc with the pitch conditions.

Barker Old Girls Netball Club

match and sealed a famous victory. It was a quality game

The first Barker Old Girls Netball team had a tough start to our first season but ended the 2015 summer competition on a high, defeating a strong West Pennant Hills team 25-20. Although the season didn’t produce a better outcome, we have a great group of girls onboard, most of whom have come back to play in the winter competition. There has been solid development of skills and player ability, and some wonderful friendships formed.

We have two teams in the Saturday competition with girls playing from an array of alumni years. We are looking forward to a competitive winter season and the continual development of our club. If you are interested in playing for Barker Old Girls Netball, we welcome girls of all abilities to come and join us. We aim to play all year round including the summer and spring night competitions so there is always an opportunity to get involved. If you would like to join the club please email barkeroldgirlsnetball@gmail.com or send a message through Facebook by liking the ‘The Barker Old Girls Netball’ page.

See you out on the courts.

of cricket and played with tremendous sportsmanship.

Needless to say, the post final celebrations were enjoyed by one and all. The Most Valuable Player Award was presented by Club President, Paul Goncharoff (88) to Tom Burnett (05). Tom certainly had a season to remember, amassing an incredible 416 runs at an average of 69.33.

We are looking forward to defending our title next season and welcome any new players to try out during the pre-season training in September. More details to follow in the next edition of The Old Barker. Our website is www.bobscc.com and we can be found on Facebook.

Matt Hall (00) Club Captain 0416 297 775 Email: hall_matt@bigpond.com

Lauren Kirkby (07)

THE BARKER | WINTER 2015

We kept our wickets intact during the last over of the

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OBA GROUPS

OBA GROUPS— Old Barker Football Club What a start to the 2015 season! Our Premier League squad has had a shaky start, with Reserve Grade and First Grade going down 4-1 and 6-0 respectively. Much to improve on, but we’re up for the challenge!

Meanwhile both Division 6 teams scored comfortable victories in their opening matches. Our Division 5 Reserve team also had an easy victory and our brilliant women’s team sealed a comfortable 1-0 win over St Ives in their opening round.

We’ve only just begun, and there’ll be some challenges ahead, but the character of the Club and our members’ optimism always shines through. The social fabric of the Club is as strong as ever which was evident at the official season launch on 18 April at the Kirribilli Hotel, the Club’s new official sponsor.

Finally, to reflect our diverse nature and our continued focus on expansion, we are proud to unveil the new logo, name and website for the club. We’re still keen to recruit some more players, so check out our new website and Facebook page and give me a call.

Peter Gregory (03) President 0400 419 253 peter.gregory11@gmail.com www.facebook.com/bobsfc www.oldbarkerfc.com

Barker Old Girls Hockey The winter hockey season has begun and both teams are off to a wonderful start.

Our Seconds team played extremely well last weekend, resulting in a fantastic victory over Red Bears – who are usually on top of the leader board. Our Firsts team also came out on top, defeating Northern Districts 2-1 in a close game. Both teams are having fun adjusting to the new rule changes, which have improved the flow of the game immensely. Both teams are looking very strong for the season ahead.

BOGS are excited to welcome back returning players and are extending a warm welcome to all new players. It is never too late to join us. If you are interested in playing, please contact our President Katie by email at hockeybogs@gmail.com

—Above BOGS are looking forward to an enjoyable and exciting

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

season ahead!

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OBA Athletics Club Like many greats over the ages, injury cursed the OBAC late in the season. When hypothetically asked, OBAC’s hypothetically biggest fan Usain Bolt hypothetically said “No comment, I have no idea who they are!” Despite the injuries we had some positive notes to end the season, with Tom Riddell (11) making the semi-final of the 100m and Brendan Tsoi (09) making the final of the 110m hurdles at the NSW State Championships.

With the summer season over we have moved straight onto winter season training. If you are a current or former student who is looking to regain former abilities or get fast, come along to training. We train on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For more details contact Glen Parker (0410 597 235).

OBA GROUPS

OBA Theatre Preparations for OBAT’s 2015 season are well under way.

Rehearsals have begun! We are delighted to have some new talent with us this year and, along with some returning OBAT faces, we are proud to have alumni from the classes of 2009 through to 2013 on board.

Emerald City is shaping up to be a fantastic production and will be coming to Barker’s BCMA Theatre in July this year. Please see page 47 for booking details. We look forward to seeing you there!

Amie McNee (10) and Cassandra Jones (10) Presidents

BOBs Rugby BOBRUFC has traditionally played a fast and expansive style of rugby, delivering many premierships over the years. However, we’ve sometimes struggled to match the physicality of other clubs in the scrum and rolling maul.

Not anymore though! Thanks to the generous support of the OBA and a number of ex-players and Barker Alumni, BOBRUFC purchased a new scrum machine in the off-season. The results are outstanding! Organised practice has significantly improved our packs, with our Colts now (literally) walking over their opposition. The confidence from the set piece is now infectious across the Club.

Our Ladies Day round was overwhelmingly attended and significant funds were raised for the Gidget Foundation.

Looking ahead, BOBRUFC will be returning to Barker No 1 Oval on 4 July 2015 for our annual Back-2-Barker round, and preparing for the finals series between 15 and 29 August 2015.

For more information on BOBRUFC membership, events, results, news and sponsors log on to our website www.bobsrugby.com or find us on Facebook.

Martin Donaldson (00) President

Kurrajong Society seats around the main oval. Look for our regular newsletter, Kurrajong News, to keep updated on what else is happening at Barker College.

If your children have left Barker and you would still like to be part of the Barker Community events, then the Kurrajong Society is for you. We would be happy to talk to you about joining the committee. Contact us at kurrajong@barker.nsw.edu.au

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

You may be aware of some of the changes happening in the Kurrajong Society. We have simplified some of the cumbersome administrative details, while still continuing to do all things Kurrajong. So this gives us the best of both worlds – enjoy all the wonderful events and activities at Barker, without the paperwork. No fundraising, no AGM or elections. Sounds great – we think so!

As part of the restructure we have also purchased two Kurrajong Society shade shelters, which will be used throughout the school in places such as extra cover for the

51

PERSONAL NOTES

PERSONAL NOTES— I also completed the Certificate IV in

skincare and the first for NSW. Merrilyn

house in Santa Cruz, CA, on the beach

Training and Assessment. I have always

is excited to bring her American

on the north coast of Monterey Bay. We’ll

lived in Sydney, in and out of two

academic experiences from Columbia

be moving there (from Hanover, NH)

marriages, producing two children by

University in New York City and her

mid-2016 if we’re still extant!

each. I have three grandchildren now.

innovative Medspa techniques from

Over recent years, I have toured the

Aspen, Colorado. Her research interests

USA’s west coast, Vanuatu, Fiji, Phuket,

are in reducing the visible signs of

Bali and Kuala Lumpur. I tried to find

ageing in the skin. She is enjoying

the hospital in Penang that I was born

relearning the Australian lifestyle in

in, without success, but glad I tried.

Kirribilli after 28 sensational years in

Robert Russell (51) We’ve bought a

Michael Robertson (59) has just completed his latest film The Pack.

The world premiere was held at this year’s Cannes Film Festival – the film will be released internationally in the second half of 2015. Michael’s company, Prodigy Movies, is Australia’s foremost producer of commercial genre films.

He is developing film projects both in Australia and overseas and is widely regarded as a supporter of emerging

Merrilyn Clancy (Gow 79)

the USA.

Dr Merrilyn Clancy has been appointed

Max Cowdroy (Former Staff)

to the Faculty of Clinical Aesthetics at

At 75 years old, still employed (two

the Australasian College of Health and

days a week) as a recreational activities

Wellness in Glebe. This is the nation’s

officer at the Anglican retirement village

second degree program in medical

at Castle Hill. Praise the Lord!

filmmakers.

Philip Prideaux (67) My main employment has been within the television production industry. Later, I became very interested in what computer software can do with video and sound, animation, DVD video, web design, multimedia and so on. In 2009, I obtained a diploma with distinction in Digital Media full-time at college which was a wonderful experience.

My portfolio can be seen at www.archiveambition.com.au/portfolio/ index_orig_full.html

James Beckwith (71) I was in Çannakkale as part of an Australian team staging Australia/Turkey friendship concerts to mark the ANZAC centenary. I felt proud to see the large contingent of’ ‘Red and Blue’ near the place where, 100 years ago, my great uncle landed under quite different circumstance. Well done Barker!

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

Wedding

52

Casey O’Brien (04) married Martin Machado on 3 January in Sydney.

Many Barker friends and family were there to help them celebrate, including Amy Perry (Webster 98) and Ben O’Brien (06), who were members of the bridal party.

on 21 March 2015 and held their reception at

PERSONAL NOTES

Alistair Mettam (03) and Amy Garemyn were married at Christ Church, Lavender Bay Taronga Zoo. John Kirkness (03) and Cameron McDonald (03) were in the Bridal Party and Alistair’s cousin, Edward Pain (97) was the MC. It was great to share the day with so many former Barker students including the photographer, Clare Darling (Oliver 03), Alistair’s parents Prudence and John Mettam (69), Alistair’s sister Louisa Mettam (99) and grandparents Shirley and Clifford Pain (37), a past Chairman of Barker Council. Alistair’s great-grandfather, Canon Kenneth Wellesley Pain was Chaplain and Council member after whom Pain House is named. After the

Wedding

wedding, Alistair and Amy honeymooned in Koh Samui.

Graeme Forssberg (60) After leaving Barker, I worked for a Sydney life

After finishing my contract, I moved to

assurance office as a claims clerk for six

servant doing aircraft engineering support.

years. After I decided that office work

I have tried retirement on three occasions

wasn’t for me, I joined the RAAF as an

but each time I became restless and bored,

Baptisms in the

aircraft technician. After six years I was

so seven years ago I commenced working

Barker Chapel

offered a job with a marine outboard

for Bunnings Warehouse at Preston

motor manufacturing firm at Bankstown

(Northland) in Melbourne. I still work for

NSW and for the next few years I worked

them, mainly in the tool shop, and have

Layla Michelle, daughter

as a marine engine technician. As work

no plans for retirement. I currently reside

of Naomi (Seary 00) and

in this field was extremely seasonal I

in Melbourne with my wife of 35 years

Nic Lamb.

rejoined the RAAF and stayed with them

who works as an occupational therapist

until compulsory retirement at age 55.

with autistic children. We also have a cat

8 March

Next I got a contract as a civilian working

and a dog. I will always be most grateful

Thomas Augustus, son

in the hydraulic workshop at RAAF

to Barker College for the education it

of Silke (Kelly 96) and

Amberley QLD overhauling F-111 aircraft

provided, however I can see from the school magazine that the Barker College I

Lachlan Botticchio.

hydraulic components. This was very exacting work but also very rewarding.

attended is vastly different to Barker today.

Melbourne to work as a Defence public

8 March

22 March Silas William James, son of Kyrra (O’Shea 00) and Jonathon Cross (00).

12 April Amber Mabel, daughter of Marnee and Angus King (98).

19 April Sarah Jade, daughter of Diana (Starmer 97) and 19 April Jasmine Annabelle,

L to R: Jack Abadee (Yr 10), Philip Ruddock (59), Noel Pearson, Peter Baum.

The launch of Uphold and Recognise at Hornsby RSL. Jack’s brother Angus (07) is a lawyer who works in the Prime Minister’s Department on the taskforce relating to the proposed constitutional changes. Phillip Ruddock and Peter Baum are both former Ministers for Aboriginal Affairs.

daughter of Stacey and Colin Denver (96).

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

Daniel Dennis.

53

OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES— Roger Cuthbert Clark (48)

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

1930-2014

54

Roger Clark, late of St Ives, attended Barker from 1938-1948 as a boarder.

His brothers John (44) and David (46); and children Andrew (76), Matthew (76), Katherine (79) and David (83) were also Barker students.

Whilst at School, Roger was on the Library Committee, played the role of Mrs Larkin in Mrs Larkin’s Lodger, was a Lance Corporal in cadets, a member of the swimming team and played cricket in the 1st XI. After Barker, Roger studied to be a chartered accountant. This led him to his position as the CEO of a computer resources company, a role he held until he formally retired over 30 years ago.

During his retirement, Roger remained as busy as ever. He had a number of volunteer positions including his work at Matthew Talbot Hostel, St Ives Bushcare and Neringah Palliative Care Services.

Roger’s other interests included travelling and together with his wife Margaret he had many fascinating adventures both in Australia and overseas. He also loved to walk and when this became more difficult in later life, he instead took up bike riding! However, first and foremost he loved his family and close friends, remaining especially close to Margaret, their children and grandchildren until the time of his death.

Roger died on 24 December and is deeply missed by Margaret; sons and daughters-in-law Matthew and Jean, Andrew and Nicola, David and Anna; daughter and son-in-law Katy and Paul; and grandchildren Rachel and her husband Joel, along with Nicholas, Maddie, Flynn, Theo and Hugo.

Lachlan James Congdon (96) 1978-2015

Lachlan Congdon, late of Beecroft, attended Barker from 1989-1996.

At Barker, Lachlan played in the Rugby 1st XV (Colours) in 1995 and 1996, was a member of the 1st Waterpolo team (Colours) and of the CAS Swimming team.

After School, Lachlan worked as

Lachlan James Congdon

an artist and graphic designer, with works included in exhibitions and publications locally and internationally.

Lachlan lived in South America in 20032004 and happily travelled the world and its cities to embrace different cultures, most recently finding a home away from home in New Zealand with extended family, his partner Tash and their son Marlee Lyon.

Lachlan enjoyed landscaping and teaching his son the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Lachlan died on 13 February and is survived by his parents Ian and Lesley-Ann; partner Natasha; son Marlee; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Alexis and Simon, Stacy and Brad, and Chloe and Nick.

John Gordon Dewes 1926-2015

John was Barker’s fifth Headmaster from 1958-1963. One of his lasting legacies was the introduction of Houses for day students in both the Secondary and Junior Schools. In 1962 he presided over the official opening of Barker’s first purpose-built science building.

John Gordon Dewes was born at North Latchford, Cheshire, on 11 October 1926, and educated at Aldenham, where he was in the Cricket 1st XI for four years and was captain in his last year.

His batting average was 74.0.

John Gordon Dewes

John was a distinguished English cricketer, touring Australia with the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1950/51.

He was a prolific opening batsman for Cambridge University and Middlesex after the Second World War. He had the distinction of being on the field for Don Bradman’s last Test where he witnessed Bradman being bowled out for a duck, which led to his famous 99.94 batting average.

After National Service in the Navy, Dewes went up to St John’s College, Cambridge, in 1947. He won Blues for hockey as well as cricket. In the mid1950s, he represented Warwickshire in the first county hockey final.

He left cricket to become a schoolmaster in 1951, teaching geography at Tonbridge then Rugby in England, before being Headmaster at Barker College. John left Barker in 1963 to return to England and to Dulwich College, where he remained for 25 years until his retirement in 1987.

John died peacefully on 12 May surrounded by his family. John is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

Julian Richard Divett (53) 1935-2015

Julian Divett, late of Norwalk, Connecticut, United States, attended Barker from 1950-1953.

Julian was actively involved in School life. He played the role of The Toff in

OBITUARIES

A Night At the Inn, the Sergeant in Macbeth, played rugby, was a swimmer and was a Sergeant in cadets.

Living in Australia led to a deep love of the surf and swimming, and also a passion for rugby. He enjoyed following the Wallabies and later refereeing at the university level in the US. Julian moved to New York City in 1965 to work for J Walter Thompson Company before switching to a career in finance.

Julian was a member and a past president of the Tokeneke Club, a place where he loved swimming in Long Island Sound and playing tennis.

Julian died on 20 February 2015 and is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Justine and Alexa; and sister, Felicity.

Gary Charles Humble (74) 1957-2015

Richard completed his Leaving Certificate in 1957.

After school, Richard graduated from Sydney University with a geology degree. He then studied for a post graduate and PhD degree respectively in Holland and Imperial College in London.

He worked for Rio Tinto, which led him to live in Spain for nearly 10 years and Brazil for three years.

In 1980, Richard, Eveline and their two daughters returned to Australia, settling in Western Australia because of the mining industry. In 1990 Richard set up his own business, which included the operation of three goldmines near Kalgoorlie.

Richard died on 19 November 2014, and is survived by his wife Eveline; daughters and sons-in-law Maria and Warren, and Cathrina and Chris; and grandchildren Millie, Jasper, Fred, Otis, Rex and Lella.

Grant Christopher Todd (75) 1958-2015

Richard Anthony Read (57) 1940-2014

Grant Christopher Todd

Richard Anthony Read

Richard Read, late of Attadale, WA, attended Barker from 1954-1957.

His brother John (63); and nephews Julian (86), Simon (90), Adrian (90) and Michael (94) were also Barker boys.

Grant Todd, late of Chatswood, attended Barker from 1965-1969.

Grant’s father, Alistair, was a past Senior Master at Barker and his nephew, Angus (Year 11) and niece, Eloise (Year 10) are current Barker students.

Whilst at Barker, Grant was involved in swimming. After school, Grant specialised in personal injury law.

He was an outstanding sportsman and was especially good at tennis, cricket and golf. He was club champion of Northbridge Golf Club six times and scored an incredible 26 holes-in-one.

Grant died on 28 January and is survived by his parents Alistair and Joy; and son Struan.

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015

Gary Humble, late of Leura, attended Barker from 1969-1974. His sister Carolyn (76) was also a Barker student.

Gary’s lifelong love of the bush and the Australian landscape was expressed through his enthusiastic involvement with the School’s teaching of Geology and Science, the student-led bushwalking club and the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. It also led to a close circle of friends who miss his subversive spirit, prodigious memory, quick wit and entertaining wordplay.

More than this, his friends and family miss his absolute generosity of spirit... He was Uncle Gaz to a legion of children from all around Australia and an inspirational teacher to a generation of children in Sydney’s west, many of whom were refugees finding asylum in our prosperous country.

At his funeral, a former student remembered that he was the first person in authority she had met in Australia who made her smile and ignited her wish to learn and succeed.

After school, Gary graduated from Macquarie University with a science degree majoring in geology. He then completed a Diploma of Education and earned a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication at ANU. His passion for science led to a change of career, from geology to teaching and working for social justice and a sustainable environment.

Gary was not much interested in petty authority. He rebelled against trifling rules and boring guidelines, and life was all the more exciting and colourful because of this.

Imagine the surprise of one school principal to have an unexpected visit to their school from the Japanese Ambassador and the Minister of Education, after Gary had been expressly forbidden to have anything to do with origami cranes, the teaching of peace and the story of Sadako, the little girl who was a casualty of Hiroshima. For a week Gary and his class were stars of Japanese morning TV as they crossed live to Japan from Sydney’s west, remembering the madness of war.

He gave much to his beloved Blue Mountains community, putting a lot of magic into the annual winter festival, running community events, choirs, music and quiz nights, acting as education officer for the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, energising the local Chamber of Commerce and just doing simple things like getting the Council to direct pedestrians off the scary bit of Cliff Drive.

For those fortunate to know him he filled us with so much: love and laughter, silly jokes, his travel exploits, loud shirts, thoughts about how to make the world a better place and giving to others. In his tooshort life he lit up the world around him.

Gary died on 22 February 2015 and is survived by his wife Annette; mother, Beth; sister, Carolyn, and their families.

Written by David Marnie (74)

55

OBA EVENTS

Back-Barker Day

Support our Barker Alumni when they take on the Hills Rugby Club on Saturday 4 July 2015 4th Grade – 10:40am 3rd Grade – 11:45am Colts – 1.00pm 2nd Grade – 2.00pm 1st Grade – 3.15pm Old Barker Association

OBA Annual 2015 Date: 15 September Time: 10.30am Where: Pennant Hills Golf Club Green fees: $55pp Golf cart hire: $35 RSVP: 4 September Remember, you can also invite friends, clients and family Contact: Mandy Loomes on 9847 8229 or Mandy_Loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au

56

OBA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

OBA Annual General Meeting

Old Barker Association

Notice is hereby given that the 107th Annual General Meeting of the Old Barker Association Inc will be held in the Marks Pavilion, Barker College, Hornsby on Tuesday 21 July 2015 at 6:30pm Agenda 1. Apologies.

2. Confirmation of Minutes of the 106th Annual General Meeting of the Old Barker Association Inc held on 22 July 2014.

3. President’s Report.

4. Honorary Treasurer’s Report.

5. Report by the Head of Barker College, Mr Phillip Heath.

6. To receive and consider the Income and Expenditure Report for the financial year ended 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, together with the Balance Sheet at that date.

7. To receive and consider the Annual Statement to be lodged with the Department of Fair Trading for the year to 30 June 2015.

8. Appointment of Patron(s) and election of Office Bearers and Committee Members comprising: President, Vice President/s, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary/ Public Officer, Assistant Honorary Secretary, eight (8) ordinary members. Refer note below.

9. Appointment of Nominee to the School Council – Mr Michael Brodie has been nominated for a three (3) year term. Refer note below.

10. Appointment of Honorary Auditor.

11. Other Business permitted to be raised pursuant to clause 31(2) of the Constitution.

By Order of the Committee, David Brookes, Honorary Secretary 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.

THE OLD BARKER | WINTER 2015 57

BARKER ALUMNI EVENTS 2015— Class Reunions 1975 – 40 Year Reunion Sat 8 August Lez Cheung 0416 127 103 lezcheung@gmail.com 1980 – 35 Year Reunion Sat 15 August David McGinley 0419 433 708 david@conceptpartners.com Robyn Kendall 0418 263 227 robyndkendall@gmail.com Murray Hartin 0419 606 116 muz@murrayhartin.com Martin Rodgers 0412 642 561 martin@ahl.net.au

1985 – 30 Year Reunion Sat 17 October James Hopkin 0402 831 356 james@hopkin.com.au 1970 – 45 Year Reunion Sat 24 October Jack Brislee 0411 648 217 prbb@bigpond.net.au Phil Montgomery 0449 545 954 philnmont@gmail.com

Class Reunions in 2016 1986 – 30 Year Reunion Saturday 19 March 2016 Mark Cooper 0400 344 697 markdcooper@hotmail.com

2005 – 10 Year Reunion Sat 29 August Chris MacKenzie 0411 874 426

Gaille Smith (Yates) 0412 784 221 Gaille@creativeincentives.com.au

Daniel Courtnall 0416 080 892

OBA Events

barker2005reunion@gmail.com 1965 – 50 Year Reunion Sat 12 September James Humphery 0416 021 915 james_humphery@huntsman.com Doug Spencer 0404 888 085 DSpencer@millernoyce.com.au 2010 – 5 Year Reunion Sat 19 September Annalise Unsworth 0400 305 748 Henry Wells 0400 593 553 barker2010reunion@gmail.com 1955 – 60 Year Reunion Wed 7 October Bob Charley 0419 244 507 banjobob@inneslake.com.au Tom Garrick 0428 883 332 garrick@bigpond.net.au 1990 – 25 Year Reunion Sat 10 October Darren Perry Anna Brooks (Higs) Lucinda French (Etherden) Nathan Deveson barkercollege1990@gmail.com

OBA Theatre Production Wed 8, Fri 10 and Sat 11 July Mandy Loomes (02) 9847 8229 Mandy_Loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au OBA AGM & Committee Meeting Tues 21 July Mandy Loomes (02) 9847 8229 Mandy_Loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au OBA Golf Day Tues 15 September Mandy Loomes (02) 9847 8229 Mandy_Loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au OBA Committee Meeting Tues 13 October Mandy Loomes (02) 9847 8229 Mandy_Loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au OBA Annual Dinner Fri 6 November Mandy Loomes (02) 9847 8229 Mandy_Loomes@barker.nsw.edu.au

Over 70s Events Over 70s/Leslie’s Men Lunch/ Rugby and AGM Sat 8 August Bob Hill (56) (02) 9144 3582 bob.hill@optusnet.com.au Grange Visit Wed 21 October Bob Hill (56) (02) 9144 3582 bob.hill@optusnet.com.au

Regional Events Tamworth Fri 24 July Richard Webb (67) (02) 6769 5540 (H) 0419 616 654 Melbourne Sat 1 August Murray Anderson (65) 0457 000 407 murray@capricorngroup.net.au London Fri 7 August Annette French (Slattery 88) annette.e.french@sky.com New York Thurs 1 October Andrew Renton (85) 910 612 5671 arenton1@mac.com Alexandra Skellet (94) 917 251 3361 alexskellet@yahoo.com

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: alumni@barker.nsw.edu.au (note: all the organisers are using the one email, list them all together in one block with the email at the end.)

CONNECT! Regional events provide a great opportunity to connect with members of the Barker community in your area.

Please send your contact details Perth to Mandy_Loomes@barker.nsw.

Sat 10 October edu.au if you are living in a Tom Hargreaves (69) different location to your Barker tom.hargreaves@inpex.com.au mailing address so we can invite Northern Rivers you too!

Sun 18 October Jim Poulos (61) 0413 087 412 pamio@bigpond.net.au Sunshine Coast Sun 25 October Phil Benjamin (61) pandj.benjamin@bigpond.com Canberra Fri 20 November Andrew McColl (74) 0422 985 281 mccoll@grapevine.net.au