2020 YEAR IN REVIEW
We acknowledge the Dharug, Darkinjung and Wonnarua peoples who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Barker College, Darkinjung Barker and Ngarralingayil Barker stand. We pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging of the Dharug, Darkinjung and Wonnarua nations and extend that respect to other Indigenous people within the Barker College community.
Honor Non Honores Mission
Vision
Values
An Anglican community inspiring every learner every experience every day
To be a leader in Christian education that is characterised by a global vision that inspires hope
Commitment Compassion Courage Integrity Respect
From the Head
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n years to come, we will look back on 2020 as a time of anxiety, uncertainty and challenge. As the events that marked out our year were repeatedly postponed or cancelled, it became necessary to find new responses.
The Year in Review illustrates how the School attempted to gain something that we did not previously possess; how we tried to recover the sense of joy we find in being together; and celebrating the wondrous sight of young people growing more fully into themselves. A special blessing for our community in 2020 was the official opening of the Rosewood Centre. The new building offers so much for students and visitors alike and is truly a gift to this generation and future generations of Barker students. Throughout this year, the School worked hard to provide clarity about the “why we are doing things” – to thrive and not simply survive. We aimed to be responsive, imaginative, creative and optimistic and we sought to inspire our students to look beyond themselves to the beauty that is possible in uncertainty.
Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the School celebrated its 130 anniversary and welcomed Year 7 girls in the Middle School to create a vibrant new spirit. We opened our second Indigenous school, Ngarralingayil Barker in Wollombi and introduced a robotics program for the Darkinjung students. In an effort to provide greater time for face-to-face teaching, following a period of online learning, the School ‘Reimagined 2020’. We tried new ways in which the new modalities could enable parents to remain connected and encouraged students to strengthen their own agency for learning through the inaugural Personal Interest Project (PIP). Despite the interruptions of a nervous COVID-19 year, we rejoice in the blessings of our God through this community and thank you for the deep encouragement and support offered throughout 2020. Peace Phillip Heath AM Head of Barker College BA (Hons), MA (Hons), DipEd, FACE, FACEL (ACT), HFTGN
2020 Year in Review
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Academic Highlights
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t the commencement of the academic year, the School launched a new teaching and learning framework. The framework provides a common language for staff, students and parents, that focuses on the learning environment, the importance of subject knowledge, and the role of feedback and reflection to move the learner forward. Student enrichment and extension this year included: Students, families and staff were encouraged to participate in a Personal Interest Project (PIP) which culminated in a showcase exhibition in June. There were over 110 participants across the School community Pre-K – Year 10 and teaching staff acted as mentors on many of the projects. In preparation for the final round of Middle School assessments and examinations for the year, a four week course was held attracting 200 students with a focus on preparation for assessments and exams. The aim was to support students who really want to be as well prepared as they can be for upcoming assessments and would benefit from some advice on how best to prepare and plan ahead. A further course for Senior School students was held in October, to assist students in Years 10 and 11 with their preparation for upcoming assessment blocks.
Parent/Teacher interviews for many year groups were held via Microsoft Teams meetings and feedback from all year groups indicated that these online meetings were effective and well received by students, parents and staff. Though opportunities for external competitions have been limited due to COVID restrictions, we have been able to support students through academic extension programs. A number of students were successfully mentored through STEM- based projects which were entered in the NSW Young Scientist Competition. Students were supported by Oliver Nicholls (2017) as part of the academic mentoring program. Once again, the Year 12 student Academic Committee organised and delivered revision sessions for the entire Year 12 cohort following their HSC Trial examinations. High achievers from various subjects also presented to their peers, giving tips and providing knowledge on how they prepare for exams. Most impressive were the English Advanced and English Standard revision seminars where students presented to more than 150 of their peers. The final weeks of the year saw the second running of the Barker Brain Hack, a student-led problem-solving event where students are tasked to design solutions to problems they identify around the school.
A review of the School’s reporting system commenced, to consider what a more effective reporting system might look like, based on timely and meaningful feedback that can prompt student reflection and action. 2020 Year in Review
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Junior School In 2020, there were 29 classes and a total of just over 590 students from Pre-kindergarten to Year 6, with girls up to Year 4. Female students accounted for 33% of the enrolment in Pre-K to Year 4. This is the third year of girls in Junior School and in the Pre-Kindergarten group, 45% are female. As an authorised IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Junior School continued to embrace the enhanced PYP where voice, choice and ownership are the drivers of inquiry learning under the PYP framework. Work commenced in March on the Junior School extension, which when completed at the beginning of 2021, will provide an additional ten classrooms as well as new landscaped area around the facilities and an additional car park for staff. The online learning period for Junior School students, in particular for the youngest members of the School in Kindergarten and Year 1, was challenging, however live conferences, ‘welcome’ videos, songs, images and stories, all contributed to engaging virtual lessons.
We were also delighted to welcome a new member to the Junior School, Peachy, a happy energetic therapy dog to enhance student and staff wellbeing across the School. The students at Darkinjung Barker continue to thrive and despite a period of online learning earlier in the year, the students from Kindergarten to Year 6 enjoyed growth in their Literacy and Numeracy skills. The opening of Ngarralingayil Barker in 2020 was the culmination of over a year of planning and discussions between the communities at Barker College, Wollombi and the Lower Hunter. The small school is steadily growing and the progress of the students in such a short period of time, is extremely pleasing.
Martin Lubrano Head of Junior School
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Junior School
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Junior School
Academic and Service Partnerships • APSMO: Australian Maths Olympiad Competition – twelve teams were registered in the 2020 competition which comprised of five competition papers between March and September. High achieving mathematicians across Years 3 to 6 participated in weekly creative problem-solving training sessions focusing on realworld application of maths, thinking for themselves, working collaboratively and exploring a range of problem-solving options.
• 23 Year 6 students and eight Year 5 students participated in the Senior Division Maths Olympiad competition - Leo Peng, Donnie Zhao and Eric Hayman were the top three scorers in this team.
• 57 Year 6 students, 46 Year 5 students, 14 Year 4 students and one Year 3 student participated in the Junior Division Maths Olympiad competition - Top Junior Division scorers for each grade level were Benji Hagan and Derek Ye (Yr 6), Tobias Hua (Yr 5), Kaelen White (Yr 4) and Zoen Song (Yr 3).
• Australian Maths Trust: Australian Mathematics Competition – 95 Year 5 and 6 students participated in AMT’s Australian Mathematics Competition in July, earning 8 Distinction (top 20%), 40 Credit (top 55%) and 47 Proficiency awards. The following students were acknowledged for their outstanding achievement in the challenging competition – Best in School: Felix Lee; Distinction: Felix Lee, Matthew Toft, Leo Peng, Eric Hayman, Louis Withford-Cave, Enli Su, Andrew Marler, Jason Li.
• Northside Gifted and Talented Network Workshops – trial of a change to the model of delivery of workshops from face-to-face to online in Term 4. Two Year 2 students participated in an online workshop titled “Building Bridges”, and one Year 3 student participated in the workshop “Farmer Pythagoras’ Prize-winning Problem”.
• The Robotics program continued to produce excellent results in the two main formats offered, First Lego League and Vex IQ. The classroom STEAM program, now in its third year, incorporates coding as well as robot building and every child from Year 3 – 6 experienced a semester in this program as part of the curriculum.
• Online Chapel services were developed for all Junior School children.
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• Parent information session on PYP assisted parents in developing their understanding of the program and how they could support their children.
• 400 students registered to complete a Personal Interest Project (PIP) for the PIP Exhibition.
• Students participated in the Wrap with Love Project for those in need, with over 150 squares knitted by students and their families. Through the Shine Program, older students spent time knitting with the Junior School students.
• Year 7 girls visited the Junior School at lunchtime each day engaging with students in Years 2 – 6 and facilitating games, leading dancing and assisting with the ‘Wrap With Love’ knitting project.
• #thankyouprojectaustralia - Junior School classes supported the project with a number of thank you cards, letters and posters created and distributed. Some groups wrote to hospitals, emergency workers, grocery stores, teachers, Mr Heath and many others saying thank you.
• URStrong friendship curriculum was delivered for students by classroom teachers across classes from Pre-K to Year 5. The Junior School staff have benefited from the partnership with access to learning units developed by URStrong to explore a common language of friendship and to support students in making and maintaining friends.
• Yasmin London from Ysafe Cybersecurity visited to speak with Years 5 and 6 students. Students explored online safety curriculum during PDHPE lessons and with class teachers.
• A colourful wall mural on the exterior of the Multi Purpose Hall was produced by Scott Nagy and Janne Birkner (Krimsone). The artwork reflects the local environment and fauna visitors that are regularly seen around the School.
• Kindergarten students recognised NAIDOC Week through illustration and created artworks by reflecting their understanding and acknowledgement of the Indigenous culture of Australia.
• Year 6 students participated in the Write a Book in a Day challenge. Each team raised money as part of their engagement with this project through sponsorship that goes toward much needed childhood cancer research through The Kids’ Cancer Project. A total of $14000 was raised by the Year 6 students.
• Year 4 and Year 5 mini exhibitions on their units of inquiries were held, along with a Pre-K City Planning exhibition where the children constructed a city on the floor of their classrooms. Year 1 produced a stained glass window featuring their reflections of the 2020 year as a culminating activity to their ‘Who we are’ Unit of Inquiry. Kindergarten children were involved in a Cultural Day as part of their Unit of Inquiry ‘Personal histories are influenced by culture’. The children explored a variety of different cultures and had the opportunity to experience many customs and traditions associated with those cultures.
• Year 6 Exhibition, the culmination of the PYP program, was a tremendous success exploring the Central idea “Passion can lead to people taking action”, under the transdisciplinary theme Who We Are. As an introduction to the unit, Year 6 were fortunate to hear from a number of guest speakers (Barker alumni) at the end of Term 2B. Speakers included; Alyssa Healy (Australian Cricketer), Lisa Sthalekar (Australian Cricketer and Commentator), Rev. Sarah Plummer (Anglicare’s Director of Mission and Culture), Prof. Michael Cox (Gastrointestinal Surgeon).
• The Junior School participated in Operation Christmas Child in conjunction with Darkinjung Barker and Ngarralingayil Barker, collecting over 300 boxes filled with gifts for children less fortunate who would otherwise not receive a Christmas gift. These gifts are distributed by Samaritan’s Purse overseas with a strong message of hope and support.
Co-curricular Outdoor education experiences were able to be held in the final term:
• Year 5 – Waterslea/Koloona (2 nights) • Year 6 – Somerset (3 nights) • Year 3 students participated in a weekly gross motor and fundamental skills development program in addition to their regular PDHPE program.
• Pre-K to Year 2 PDHPE classes focused on the development of Fundamental movement skills, which are the “building blocks” for more complex and specialised skills that children will need throughout their lives to competently participate in different games, sports and recreational activities. These included balance, locomotor movements and ball skills, an intensive swimming program, Hot Shots tennis, as well as REDed dance.
• Successful House carnivals in Swimming (Years 3 – 6) and Athletics (Years 2 – 6) were held in Term 1 and 2 respectively.
• The Junior School Swim team participated enthusiastically in the IPSHA swimming carnival. Five students qualified for CIS, unfortunately, they were unable to compete due to Covid-19.
• Girls Got Game, a multi-skills program continued for Year 3 girls in Term 1.
• Students participated in the inaugural Barker Cup after a period of absence from sport. This House based event included fun skills based activities.
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Junior School Darkinjung Barker • 35 children enrolled including 17 in the K-2 classroom and 18 in Years 3 – 6.
• Jamie Shackleton began his new role as the Director of Aboriginal Campuses working across Darkinjung Barker and Ngarralingayil Barker.
• Ballet without Borders provided an introduction to ballet for all students K-6. This program forms part of the PDHPE and Creative Arts program for students.
• During the period of self-isolation, work packs were created and delivered by the Darkinjung bus drivers to each family.
• Year 3 – 6 students commenced their Pen Pal program with students from the Hornsby campus.
• VEX Robotics commenced for students in Years 3 – 6 as part of the curriculum.
• Students from both Indigenous campuses recognised and celebrated some key events during Term 2B National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (4 August), Indigenous Literacy Day (2 September) and NAIDOC Week (9 November).
• Literacy and Numeracy skills continued to improve. The younger children made gains with their site word recognition, sound identification and beginning text reading. Jolly Phonics is the key instrument for instruction of beginning sounds and the Mini Lit programs supplement the teaching and learning in this area.
• Darkinjung Barker students made their first visit to Ngarralingayil for a cultural immersion day in Term 3A. The children engaged in a wonderful program of cultural activities organised and facilitated by Mrs Shaw and Mrs Sturt.
• The children from both campuses enthusiastically participated in Crazy Hair day to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis during the last week in Term 3A.
• The Barang Regional Alliance facilitated the Murrah Keys 4-week Cultural Program for the children at Yarramalong.
• Kerrie Wells one of the Wyong LAC Police Youth Liaison Officers, visited Darkinjung Barker to give a presentation on Online Safety.
• All students from both campuses participated in a surf life saving awareness day at Toowoon Bay in November.
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Junior School
Ngarralingayil Barker • Opened in February with five students – three girls and two boys. In the final term of the year, enrolments were at 15 students. It is anticipated that there will be 20 students commencing in 2021.
• The children were provided with learning packs prepared by the teachers and delivered to homes by the staff during the online learning period.
• Students were able to visit the Hornsby campus for the first time this year in June. The children toured the Hornsby campus, visited the Rosewood Centre, spent time with a Year 4 class and attended lunch with the Yarn Up group. Their second visit was in November as part of the NAIDOC celebrations.
• Ngarralingayil Barker visited Darkinjung Barker for a cultural day in August. The children engaged in traditional Indigenous games and cooking.
• A connection with Wandiyali, a Newcastle-based Indigenous community organisation, was established. Each year Wandiyali assists hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members through the delivery of its many services. The aim of Wandiyali and its services is to ‘Keep our Culture Strong’.
• Ngarralingayil hosted NAIDOC week celebrations on 9 November. Members of the Wonnarua Land Council and the Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation ensured a wonderful day of cultural activities including an acknowledgement to country in language, smoking ceremony, flag raising and food tasting. Former Darkinjung students currently at Hornsby and Jack Thompson, an Indigenous student in Year 6 at Hornsby, also attended the celebration.
• The Books in Homes program continued to be a great success with the children receiving their Term 3 books. This was the first time in the program for the children from Ngarralingayil.
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Middle School
The first Year 7 coeducational cohort commenced in a positive and memorable fashion with 321 students starting Middle School from over 80 primary schools. In 2020, some changes to the structure and function of Middle School leaders were implemented. The focus of student leadership has been built around the 16 Houses, with each House appointing two House leaders who together form the bulk of the Middle School leadership group. In addition, six Seniors were appointed, each with a portfolio responsibility in the following areas of school life – Academic Studies, Creative and Performing Arts, Sport, Wellbeing, Cru and Social Justice. Eight House crests for the new Houses were introduced and these added a layer of tradition and symbolism to the House experience and assisted in developing connection and a sense of belonging to this important fundamental structure in the student experience at Barker. A program which connects Year 7 students with younger students in Years 2, 3 and 4 commenced this year and saw students visit the Junior School on a rostered basis to build relationships through game play at lunchtime.
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With the movement to online learning, unique and unprecedented challenges in relation to student and staff wellbeing were identified. The most obvious was the lack of connectedness and the loss of a sense of belonging for students. In response, the Connect Hub, was created and hosted on Canvas. It was the central reservoir of resources to encourage connectedness, ranging from a modified House competition, sporting and exercise routines, portals for student leadership and access points for assemblies and other communications from staff. A significant effort was directed to programming as rich as possible experience in relation to sport, outdoor education, music, cadets and the myriad of other activities which represent the full and rich Barker experience.
James Denton Head of Middle School
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Middle School
Academic and Service Partnerships Year 7 parents attended an evening event in February focused on the communication of information about the academic program. Greg Longney, Director of Teaching and Learning, gave an overview of the class placement process, the teaching and learning framework which drives the learning process, guided inquiry and the expectations around homework. Rowena Dudgeon, Director of Wellbeing, outlined the philosophy behind the wellbeing program. Andy Mifsud, IT Integrator, provided insights for parents into the use of the Surface Pro devices and Blended Learning and John Hensley, Senior Counsellor, explored the range of supports for students. Year 7 participated in a Wellbeing seminar in Term 1 facilitated by Burn Bright and Enlighten Education. The seminars were designed to develop social and emotional skills in resilience, self-identity and worth; peer influence and positive decision making; resolving conflict in friendships; inclusivity, communication and goal setting. Food Tech was introduced to Year 8 students and provides an excellent diversification of the offerings under the Technology banner in the Stage 4 mandatory curriculum and introduces students to new and important skills, areas of knowledge and ways of learning.
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All students in the Middle School completed the AWE Wellbeing Survey. This is the second year this survey has been completed and the purpose is to provide a snapshot of the wellbeing status of students. The Middle School Leaders and House Captains ran a highly successful RUOK? Week during September. This was a week-long festival of fun events, workshops, competitions and celebrations aimed at generating positive school culture and encouraging supportive connections amongst students. Student leaders organised a series of activities in June to promote school spirit and to raise awareness of World Environment Day. Highlights for the Middle School students were the Handball and the Dodgeball competitions. There was enthusiastic participation in all activities and the goals of bringing the year groups together and enhancing school spirit were achieved. OBA Spirit Awards were awarded to those students who in the areas of sport, music and debating, embodied the spirit of ‘Honour non Honores’. Year 8 students engaged in the Elevate Study Skills program designed to increase organisation, students’ efficiency and effectiveness in the learning process. Students observed NAIDOC week and celebrated our indigenous culture. The theme of ‘Voice, Treaty, Truth’ was explored in a variety of settings during the week.
Co-curricular Teen Ranch for Year 7 students provided an excellent Term 1 mid-term break and an opportunity to encourage friendships and foster deeper relationships between Heads of House, Connect Group Leaders and students. When the students were not at Teen Ranch, an alternate series of activities focusing on STEAM education and study skills took place. House basketball was a great success which encouraged maximum participation and engendered great House spirit. The inaugural Barker Cup provided an interim House based activity and games competition which replaced the truncated winter sport program in the early weeks of Term 2. The inaugural Middle School House Tongue Twister competition, in October was a new addition to the House competition program and attracted a lot of interest and engagement from the students.
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Senior School During an unusual year, the morale and tone of the Senior School remained very positive and students became even more appreciative of the face-to-face learning opportunities and additional support provided to them by staff. As always, we had a wonderful group of Year 12 students. They dealt with everything 2020 threw at them with good humour, good grace and resilience. They displayed outstanding leadership of the school and it was great to see them grow into fine young adults. As they signed out after their final HSC examinations, they were happy and relieved to be going and perhaps a little sad that it was all over. Many were looking forward to returning to work with us next year to assist in our academic and cocurricular programs. Year 12 students took many opportunities to build culture and to make their final year at School as memorable as possible. This included any number of video communications to the school during our lockdown period, and when school returned they took full advantage of everything on offer, supporting each other and the School at every opportunity and in every field of endeavour, right through to their final days. At the end of their formal schooling we were fortunate to hold the inaugural Testamur Presentation and the Valedictory Dinner at Home events. Both occasions were very well received and thoroughly enjoyed by all. In the academic sphere, the reworked 2020 Assessment schedule within the Barker reimagined calendar, was appreciated by students and their families, alleviating additional stress.
A full summer sports season was followed by a truncated winter season. We were very happy and lucky to be able to play winter sport and have genuine competitions. Missing some rounds of sport and having restrictions on training reinforced our understanding and appreciation of its great value. Once again there were many leadership and service opportunities on offer, helping students from Years 10 -12 to learn how they could be involved in Christian Service, Social Justice and Environmental Projects. This year we became even more aware of the great value of our corporate times together. We missed supporting each other in great numbers at sporting fixtures, but we were lucky to finish our year with assemblies and chapel services reinstated. Having missed these occasions due to restrictions, it was a relief to have them back and their value as times for learning, sharing and celebration was very much appreciated. Not only for our Year 12 students, but also for our Year 10 and 11 students and especially in times such as these, it is always worth remembering the words of Glen Gerreyn, one of our regular visitors to Barker, “Don’t be afraid to fail. If you do…pick yourselves up, dust yourselves off and try again. Let nothing steal your dreams”.
David Giltrap Head of Senior School
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Highlights
ArtExpress Nominations
The Year 12 leaders and the Chaplaincy team welcomed over 200 Year 10 students to Barker on the first weekend of Term 1 at Galston. Once again this was a wonderful weekend for the Year 10 students as they gained an understanding of how the Senior School works at Barker.
This year three Barker students were considered exemplary and nominated for ARTEXPRESS for 2021.
O Week (or Orientation) for Year 11 students was an admirable program with 12 presenters and over 200 students in attendance. At the start of the year, forty students from the class of 2019 attended the special Academic Assembly and lunch in February. This was an opportunity to celebrate the success of the 2019 cohort and there is no doubt that this provides great encouragement to the Year 12 students. In September, after completion of the HSC trial examinations, the Year 12 Visual Arts Exhibition, DT & IT Exhibition, the Textiles Fashion Show, Drama Showcase, Music Performance Evenings and the Extension English and Science presentations all contributed to a wonderful atmosphere of celebration of hard work and creativity. Parents and the community were able to enjoy the online presentations of each of these events.
These students were: Erin Rench, for her stunning series of detailed drawings of her twin sister and herself, “Double Take” Riya Swarup for her fabulous series of five portrait paintings “Beneath the Surface” and Andy Santone’s incredible drawing of his Italian grandparents, “Happily Ever After”
Callback Nomination Alannah Voss is the first Barker student to be nominated for ‘Callback’ for her HSC Dance Major and Core Performance.
The “Barker Big Finish”, provided support for Year 12 students during the October term break, assisting them with their final preparations for the HSC examinations and the ‘Barker Big Start’ for Year 11 students was well received and provided helpful workshops and presentations to assist students as they commence their HSC year. 2020 Year in Review
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Senior School
Service Programs • The Burn Bright Leadership Training Day on 30 January saw Prefects, Co-curricular and House Captains participate in a Leadership Training Workshop to build teamwork, capacity and plan for the coming year.
• In Term 1, fifteen wonderful Year 10 students volunteered to be part of the Barker/Clarke Road Program. Each week the students visited the students of Clarke Road, a school at the forefront of special education, working alongside the brilliant staff at Clarke Road and participating in classroom activities including cooking, craft, athletics and games, creating strong and meaningful connections.
• During Red Week in June, student leaders across the Senior School organised a range of lunchtime events aimed at fostering school spirit and raising funds for House charities. It was hugely successful with a great deal of support for the various activities, including the staff versus student debate and a wonderful House Fair.
• The House Fair was a fun-filled opportunity for the whole Secondary School to come together and raise money and awareness for their House Charities. A fabulous day full of cupcakes, pizza, sumo wrestling and a range of wonderful activities organised by our incredible Middle School and Senior School House Captains raising over $8,000 for our House Charities.
• This year our Year 10 students participated in a program called Walk the Talk, which centres on respectful relationships through Enlighten Education. The program builds high school students’ awareness of domestic violence and women’s homelessness and has seen us partner with our local shelter – the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter to raise awareness and much needed funds.
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• Time Out Basketball continued to run with the support of Senior student volunteers and co-ordinated by Alex Pottie.
• An online visit by St Edmund’s students at Year 12 Assembly was fully appreciated by everyone. A cheque was presented to St Edmund’s from money raised through Coffee House.
• Dignity Dishes – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we had a number of families reach out wanting to help our local community. Combining the powers of Barker Alumni, Catering and Service Learning we began the Barker Dignity Dishes Program, working alongside the not for profit organisation Dignity. Each fortnight over twenty families volunteered to prepare 225 delicious home cooked meals for those in need.
• In Term 3B, the Senior School collected Toys ‘n’ Tucker for Anglicare’s annual Christmas Appeal. Students and their families were extremely generous, and we were overwhelmed by the amount of hampers our Connect Groups put together for families in need.
• The incoming student leadership team of 2021 were elected and inducted in September. They attended a Leadership Training Day run by Mr Heath and Senior Staff at school in October to help plan and co-ordinate their initiatives for the coming year developing the tagline – ‘Ignite the Red. Unite the Red’.
Leadership Initiatives • Prefects and Monitors continued to assist in the ‘Lunchtime Shine’ Mentor program with Year 3 to foster connections and inclusivity.
• A new lunchtime initiative by the Prefects called ‘The Forum’ - a weekly voluntary group for Middle School students to create and promote important causes such as Wrap with Love, Harmony Day and RUOK? Week. With the support of Connect groups and many others across the School – over 20 blankets were made and donated to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.
• The Prefects were involved in the creation and distribution of ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ to each year level in the early part of Term 2 to continue to develop the sense of belonging and compassion at Barker. These included donuts, lolly bags and the special ‘cups of kindness’ made by Year 11 Monitors for the Year 12 students.
• The Year 12 leaders helped to celebrate their Leaving Week with some COVID-friendly events such as trivia, dress up days and a movie night in the Rosewood Centre.
• Year 12 leaders maintained positive morale across the School through the production and sharing of many videos including their ‘Quaranstream’ and other media pieces which helped students to stay connected during online learning.
• House Captains and Student leaders in Years 9 and 12 have honed their presentation skills as their contributions to live streamed events and assemblies increased throughout the year.
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Drama
Group Performance Showcase From Scooby Do to Cowboys...this year’s talented and committed Drama cohort of 2020 performed their entertaining group performance to a small audience of fellow students and staff.
Drama/Textiles Night Nothing celebrates the talent of our students like a fashion show! Due to COVID, this year’s Drama/ Textiles night could only allow a small audience in the theatre, with many families and students enjoying the livestreamed showcase. The Textiles students created some glamorous looks which were MC’ed by our Drama Captains Mia Heath and Michael Jones.
Drama Year 12 Play Over 35 students were lucky enough to work with professional Theatre Director, Playwright and Barker teaching Alumnae Damien Ryan, when he co-directed the Year 12 Play - ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ with Pia Midgley earlier this year. His poetic and moving re-write was beautifully staged in the Rhodes’ Theatre, transporting audiences to WWI France. It will be a special, lasting memory for the Drama cohort of 2020.
Year 9 Play Simon Thompson and a cast and crew of 36 Year 9 students brought the ever popular ‘Pink Panther’ to life. What more could a Barker audience ask for as we returned to live theatre but a high energy, well known classic showcasing the comedic talents of the Year 9 students. Although audiences were restricted, those that saw it were buzzing for days afterwards.
Theatre Club Fortunately, students were able to attend ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ and ‘Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam’ before the widespread closure of theatres earlier in the year. However, despite the closures, students were still able to enjoy performances broadcast into their homes. Theatre Club members immersed themselves in the National Theatre Company’s recording of the hilarious ‘One Man Two Guvnors’ from the comfort of their homes.
Darkinjung For the fourth consecutive year some of our Year 10 Drama students have had the shared joy of working with the Darkinjung students on their fortnightly visits to the Hornsby campus. They have played Drama games and worked on performance skills and most importantly connected across the two campuses. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, it was not possible for the annual performance afternoon at Yarramalong to go ahead, but we are already making big plans for next year!
Theatresports With some new, unstoppable energy from a large cohort of keen Year 7 students, Barker Theatresports is stronger than ever. Meeting two lunchtimes per week a group of over 20 students from Year 7 - 12 have been working on their improvisation and collaboration skills ready for a return to the Interschools’ Theatresports Competition in 2021.
OnSTAGE Nominations 13 of our 29 Individual Performance students were nominated for OnStage for their HSC work. For Individual Performance: Arjun Chopraa, Alex Fernley, Heidi Green, Jamie Haste, Mia Heath, Michael Jones, Ethan Katte, Ben Lamb, Jessie Piper, Levi Read, Dan Rowe, Oliver Wackett
For Individual Project (Director’s Folio): Pippa Day 2020 Year in Review
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Music
Whilst the year commenced with the usual Music program, many of the events and performances were reimagined, taking on a new look or being livestreamed into families’ homes. 403 students attended Music Camp in January at Stanwell Tops. 45 Year 7 girls joined the Camp for the first time, transforming the Middle School Choir. The student run Coffee House Rock Unplugged Concert featured over 20 solo performers and bands performing to a large live student audience in the music centre atrium. Lunchtime concert performances were run weekly and featured many solo performers and ensemble performances by Middle String Orchestras, Junior School Chamber Orchestra, Middle School Jazz Orchestra, Senior Stage Band, Jazz Orchestra and the Ska band. On our return to school in May, each week at the Mint Gates musicians greeted the arriving students and staff. Year 12 HSC performers, Senior Jazz ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, student rock bands and The Opus Quartet performed.
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The Lammoyip Trio - Ben Lam (Year 11), Kerry Mo and Deron Yip (Year 8) was a finalist in Strike a Chord - the national chamber music competition, run by Musica Viva. The Opus Quartet and the Barker Cello Quartet also won the string prize and a junior prize respectively. Barker Swings was livestreamed to a large audience at home and featured all the stage bands and jazz ensembles from Junior, Middle and Senior Schools. The inaugural Composition Competition was held during lockdown. Matthew Tims (Year 6), Patrick Duke, Enya Hui (Year 7) Joel King, Ben Weatherall (Year 8) were recognised for their outstanding composition skills. The Chamber Orchestra recorded five works for release on YouTube, which have received thousands of views. Visiting instrumental, vocal and musicianship teachers provided one-on-one and small group lessons online, delivering approximately 600 lessons per week. The musical year concluded with outdoor concerts featuring our instrumental ensembles. Music also played its usual important role entertaining students and parents in the new look Celebration 2020 held in the Rosewood Centre.
Individual Achievements • Elaine Xia, Year 11, 1st Place. 1st Place Under 19 Flute & Piccolo 2020 NSW State Band Solo Championships. Winner in the group Open Championship and awarded 2nd Place in the Intermediate Championship in the NSW Flute Society Eisteddfod 2020.
• Ben Lam, Year 11, selected to be a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra, the musical equivalent of national team status. • Louisa Pang, Year 10, won the Barker Concerto Competition. • Brianna Chen, Year 7, awarded AMusA in violin and Grade 8 viola with high distinction. • Lachlan Utteridge, Year 7, 1st Place Under 15 Clarinet 2020 NSW State Band Solo Championships • Christian Martinez, Year 9, 1st Place Under 15 Mallet Percussion and Under 15 Timpani 2020 NSW State Band Solo Championships • Enya Hui ,Year 7, 1st Place Open Trumpet 2020 NSW State Band Solo Championships.
ENCORE Nominations • Pat Dahill Voice • Emma Smith Voice • Ainsley Meale Piano • Dan Rowe Trumpet • Oliver Wackett Percussion • Aidan Tan Flute
Music 1 Music 1 Music 2 and Extension Music 2 and Extension Music 2 and Extension Music 2 and Extension
2020 Year in Review
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Cadets Cadets is one of the most popular co-curricular activities offered at Barker College. We have a strong unit made up of male and female students keen to improve their leadership, teamwork and bushcraft skills. These skills are enhanced in Cadets in ways that no other co-curricular program can provide through participation in up to four camps a year held at several specialist military areas such as the Holsworthy, Singleton and Majura Army Ranges. The exposure this provides to specialist facilities and activities is invaluable for our Cadets. Unfortunately, in this COVID 19 affected year, most BCCU activities were cancelled. Year 10 recruits were the only Cadets to experience a camp which occurred in midMarch before lockdown. The recruits spent a weekend at Crosslands Reserve in Hornsby Heights where they had their first opportunity to sleep under a hutchie, build a company shelter and practise basic radio communications and drill. On the Sunday, the bivouac concluded with a four-hour hike in persistent rain from Crosslands Reserve to Rofe Park, carrying full packs and webbing. The attending staff were very impressed by the level of commitment shown by the recruits in very trying conditions.
22 • 2020 Year in Review
The BCCU was then on standdown during the height of the pandemic, with activities only resuming in early August when Junior and Senior candidates commenced leadership training. In lieu of the regular leadership camp held at the end of June, candidates completed five Mondays of training as well as a full day of assessment on Sunday 20 September. Whilst this course was difficult, Cadets gained skills and abilities that will allow them to flourish as leaders in the upcoming Cadet year. From these sessions the BCCU was excited to announce the new leadership team for the 2020/21 year, confirming Billy Highnam as SUO (Senior Under Officer) and Harrison Donahue as RSM (Regimental Sargeant Major). A couple of activities that were able to proceed despite the standdown of Cadet units across the state, was the BCCU’s inaugural participation in CyberTaipan, the Australian version of a youth cyber defence competition that is held annually across the world. The BCCU fielded two teams who performed admirably across a six-hour competition window competing against teams right across Australia.
The second activity was the graduation of the first ever group of BCCU cadets to complete the CASA certified Remote Pilots Licence (drone) course over a period of approximately six months. The Cadets completed both an extensive theory test on general aviation knowledge and a challenging flight test specific to the operation of MRUAS (multi-rotor unmanned aeries systems – drones). Monday trainings continued to emphasise the importance of developing self-discipline and practising Army traditions such as drill, dress, navigation and fieldcraft. These traditions highlight our deep connection to the Australian Army and are rewarding to many Cadets as it provides them with a sense of being part of something bigger than just the School unit. Despite the disappointment of many cancelled activities, the Cadet staff were impressed with the understanding and flexibility of the Cadets who navigated a difficult year with the grace and resilience valued so highly in the BCCU.
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Outdoor Education Year Group Camps
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
The Outdoor Education programs were severely impacted by COVID-19 and many of the scheduled camps and activities did not take place.
The School was delighted by the way our Dukes continued their Award activities during the year. Temporary changes to Award requirements were put in place to support participants during the pandemic. Volunteering from home, including the Wrap with Love knitting initiative, was just one example of this flexibility.
In the final two terms of the year and after the easing of some restrictions, Year 7 students were able to attend the Grange in their House groups and Year 8 students experienced the ‘Grange from Hornsby’. This modified Grange program in the local area, allowed students to progress on the Barker Outdoor Education pathway, helping them to improve their navigation skills, expedition planning and safety, teamwork and initiative activities, as well as Mountain Bike riding on a purpose built single track. These new and improved skills will allow all students to be able to safely and confidently participate in school expeditions from 2021 onwards Year 9 Camp – In December, Year 9 students enjoyed two nights at the Crusaders Lake Macquarie site, utilising the interpersonal skills and the camp craft developed through all their previous programs on the adventure program. In November over six days , Year 10 students in House groups participated in the Snowy Mountains Adventure Camp. Students experienced the splendour of this region and completed several world class outdoor activities including hiking the main range and summitting Mt Kosciusko, canoeing grade two rapids on the lower Snowy River and enjoying Mountain Biking on the purpose built single trail.
24 • 2020 Year in Review
A further 19 Gold Awards were achieved by Year 12 participants in 2020. The Grange staff hosted both a Gold level Adventurous Journey and a bespoke Residential Project for this cohort in late winter. Participants excelled in both challenging programs. 110 Year 9 students completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Our highly regarded Year 10 program commenced with 36 participants registering to pursue the Award. These Silver level participants enjoyed a Practice journey in the Ku-ring-gai National Park, before completing their Silver level Qualifying hike in the Blue Mountains. The NSW office has approved a special Adventurous Project for our Year 11 Gold level participants to be held during the Summer vacation. This is a more demanding version of a Qualifying journey and is delivered across multiple activities and different modes of travel.
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Robotics FRC Program in Senior School: • Students designed, built and programmed an amazing robot with a turret, shooter and some secret features to be revealed in 2021!
• Due to COVID restrictions, a remote working live stream was created for programmers to program autonomous routines for the robot including live video vision of the robot.
• Due to the cancellation of the 2020 season, no competitions were able to be held, but the School is incredibly proud of the robot students created, and their resilience in tough circumstances. The Team won the Chairman’s Award for the cancelled South Pacific Regional for our contributions to helping start robotics teams and contribute to increasing STEM awareness in the community.
• This year saw the largest annual intake of new students to the program to date and the largest engagement of Senior School students in Robotics.
• Live virtual workshops for teams in Australia were presented and hosted by teams the School has now built strong relationships within the USA.
• Competed with seven teams in the FIRST Tech Challenge, with all seven teams qualifying to eliminations, and five Barker teams competing in the Finals. The Barker GreyBacks, PurpleBacks and GreenBacks won the competition after seeding as the First Alliance, with the Barker Bluebacks and YellowBacks and PLC CardBob as Finalists. Four teams of Barker’s seven teams qualified for FTC Nationals to be held 5 December.
26 • 2020 Year in Review
VEX EDR Robotics in Middle School: • Hosted the annual VEX Robotics Competition at Barker, for the first time as a live remote ‘virtual’ event, allowing students to demonstrate their success for the year despite COVID restrictions.
• Barker Team – 4613E ranked 25th on the Global Skills Rankings at the end of Tournament 1, with four other teams in the Top 50.
• Highest success in Autonomous programming for a Barker team to date.
• Barker Robotics media team asked to lead live event video for VEX Nationals.
• Largest engagement of Middle School students in Robotics to date.
Ignite Robotics in Junior School: • VEX IQ grew to three classes. • Introduced VEX GO robotics for Years 3-4 students. • First Annual Robot Camps, with over 60 students participating, 60% of whom were not involved in the Ignite program.
• Introduced robotics to Prep for the first time, with FLL Discover.
• Largest engagement of Junior School students in Robotics to date.
Debating, Public Speaking & Mock Trial Students were quick to adapt to Debating online and readily accepted the new approaches to Debating, Public Speaking and Mock Trial, securing some excellent results in 2020. Public Speaking and Debating highlights • Lawrence Campbell Oratory representative – Kira Trahana
• Plain English Public Speaking Competition Sydney Finalist – Sophie Ku
• Edgeworth David Reading Aloud Competition Winners – Arjun Pilai, Caesar Boehme and Charles Balog
• UN Youth NSW Finalist – Annette Kim • CAS Firsts Premiership – four wins out of five – this is the sixth premiership in six years, with 27 wins out of the last 30 CAS debates
• • • • • • •
CAS Firsts team – Kira Trahana and Hayden Fite CAS Seconds team – Rhys Mackintosh CAS Thirds team – Rowan Gray CAS Fourths team – co-premiers 9Bs – undefeated premiers 8As – co-premiers ISDA and FED competitions were cancelled during their rounds
Mock Trial and Young Lawyers Program In a somewhat reimagined format, Barker participated in the Law Society’s Mock Trial Competition this year. After its initial start, the program was quickly shut down to consider other possibilities for the competition to run online. In the meantime, an online lecture series known as the Young Lawyers Program was initiated in its place. Students were able to participate in a range of lectures on advocacy, law reform and ethics in the courtroom. In late June, the Barker team with students from both Years 10 and 11, Ella Hawes, Justine Ho, Charlotte Horsley, Jamie Kahn, Bailey Leach, Ellie Love, Sophia Robinson and Tom Vercoe, started back in the competition making it through the round robin, but unfortunately not into the semi-finals. An impressive effort by our barristers, lawyers, witnesses and court officer who all worked together to prepare the cases and compete in a virtual world with all the delays and technological glitches that were bound to occur. Our team demonstrated their resilience and ability to stand up to any challenges that were thrown upon them. The teams not only conducted preparation into each case, but attended meetings to prepare statements and work through case notes at lunch times and after school. Their skills in public speaking and critical thinking were all improved.
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Championship Titles • CAS 1st XV Rugby – runners-up • Eisteddfod Jazz Dance Troupe – 1st place in the Secondary School Category at the Energy Express Eisteddfod
• Rugby 7s – 1st and 2nd Rugby 7s teams won premierships in Term 4 2019 and Term 1 2020
• Touch Football – 1st and 2nd Touch Football teams secured premierships, 3rd and 4th Touch Football teams were runners-up
• Netball – there were eight netball teams undefeated all season
• Softball – Division 1 – runners-up
Sport The normal buzz of after school sport training and weekend fixtures was replaced by an eerie silence around the grounds this year. Not since the Spanish Flu has the School in its 130 years, had to cancel sport for such an extended period of time. The truncated sports seasons however did allow students to represent the ‘Red’ and compete against other schools with limited spectators on the sidelines. Several titles were able to be decided and students were selected to represent the School, though unfortunately several of these competitions were unable to take place. 28 • 2020 Year in Review
Girls Sport Basketball • NSW U16 State Performance Program – Lucy Mead • U14 Tap Metro Camp – Lucy Mead, Emily Paterson Cricket • NSW U18 team – Sarah Turner • NSWCIS team – Sarah Turner ** Fencing • NSW Junior team – Hannah Shen Hockey • Australia National Futures Camp – Alana Kavanagh • NSW U18 team – Alana Kavanagh Indoor Cricket • Australia U18 team – Sarah Turner • NSW U18 team – Sarah Turner Softball • NSW U18 team – Arabella Ward • NSW All Schools team – Arabella Ward ** • NSWCIS team – Jessica Alvaro, Ava Chitty, Jess Fraanje, Emma Wallace, Arabella Ward
• ISA team – Jessica Alvaro, Ava Chitty, Claire Croucher, Jess Fraanje, Jamie Kahn, Emma Wallace, Arabella Ward
Surf Life Saving • NSW Blue team in Surf Life Saving Enviro Bank Super Series – Analise Kibble
Tennis • NSWCIS team – Jade Russell ** • ISA team – Ningali Forrest-Freeman, Jade Russell Touch Football • ISA Merit team - Stephanie Garagounis, Alana Kavanagh, Phoebe Lackenby, Georgie Oldham
ISA Sporting Excellence Award – Summer • Jessica Alvaro – Softball • Ningali Forrest-Freeman – Tennis • Arabella Ward – Softball Honorary ISA Sporting Excellence Award – Winter • Samantha Davis – Football • Sarah Turner – Hockey
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Boys Sport AFL
Swimming
• CAS Merit team – Benjamin Lamb, Campbell Johnson,
• CAS Merit team – Hamish Carley, Daniel Gabb,
Nick O’Bryan, Jenson Raue, Cooper Wright
Basketball • U13 Tap Metro Camp – Kiran Kumaresan • NSW U12 3x3 Hustle team – Kiran Kumaresan • CAS 2nd – Jack Mortimer ** Cricket
Stephen Jeong, David Kang, Tan Kim, Flynn Lambrechts, Kyle Li, Alexander Lo, Jeffrey Lu, Robert Nam, Thomas Rodham, Kyle Spinks, Jordan Takounlao, Harrison Woodrow, Noah Workman, James Young
Tennis • NSWCIS team – Noah Wheen ** • CAS team – Owen Ng, Noah Wheen, David Windybank
• NSWCIS team – Ben Randall ** • CAS team – Ben Randall, Samuel Tapner • CAS U15 team – Bodie Denton, Archie Gowthorp
Touch Football
Cycling
Track & Field
• NSW Criterium team – Ethan Page
• Cooper Phillips ran 10,000m in 34 mins 55 secs in
Diving • CAS Merit team – Lachlan Abbott, Harry Gresham, Vladi Rudenko, Ben Speed
• Australia U18 Mixed team – Kyle Bowen
September to break the world record for a 12 year old boy.
Volleyball
Football
• CAS Merit team – Ethan Joseph, Ross Mackay
• Australia U16 team – Joseph Calusic • CAS Merit team – Joseph Calusic, Zachary Fielding
Waterpolo
Rugby
• NSW U14 - Maxx Heaton • CAS U17 team – Tyrone Albertyn
• NSW U18 Gen Blue Schools team – Kyle Bowen,
** Selected in team but did not play
Mitch Wheals
• NSW U18 Gen Blue squad – Tyrone Albertyn, Kyle Bowen, Liam Jones, Mitch Wheals
• NSW U16 Gen Blue squad – Jakob Biet, Aidan Galloway, Lachlan Hooper, Wil Kennedy, Thomas Livingstone, Eli Sagala, Samuel Sahyoun, Dion Yazdani
• NSW U15 Gen Blue squad – Adam Van Wyk • CAS Merit team – Kyle Bowen, Lachlan Hooper, Daniel Stovold, Mitch Wheals, Dion Yazdani
30 • 2020 Year in Review
2020 Year in Review
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Indigenous Education • Our Indigenous students meet weekly in Mirrung Ngurang (‘the belonging place’) for Yarn Up, where they provide support for each other, make suggestions to help us move towards reconciliation in our community, and participate in cultural events at Barker and beyond the Mint Gates. – Students have participated in online courses and mentoring through organisations such as the GO Foundation, the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and the Association of Independent Schools. – In Term 2 a competition for Yarn Up students to design a t-shirt for NAIDOC Week was held. Designed by a Year 7 student, more than 130 t-shirts were sold to staff and the wider Barker community, with all profits going towards providing bursaries for First Nations students at the Hornsby Campus, to subsidise music lessons, sporting equipment, camps, excursions, textbooks and uniforms.
32 • 2020 Year in Review
• Barker was part of the Association of Independent Schools’ Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Students pilot program, which meant the School was able to provide additional academic and pastoral support, and cultural learning, to our Indigenous students. The effectiveness of these programs was evaluated by the University of Technology, Sydney, and they were so successful that the AIS has extended this program to more schools in 2021.
• Teachers were supported with information and resources to include Indigenous perspectives, histories and cultures into their units of work. Many teachers participated in professional learning to increase their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s culture and perspectives.
Indigenous Education
• Joe Williams spent a week at our three schools, meeting with students and discussing mental health, wellbeing and goal-setting. – Joe is a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu man born in Cowra and raised in Wagga Wagga. After a 10-year NRL career in which he played for the Rabbitohs, Panthers and Bulldogs, Joe began a career as a professional boxer whilst battling ongoing mental health struggles that began as a teenager.
Term 2 • National Reconciliation Week was acknowledged and the inaugural Celebrating Who We Are Week was held. – Acknowledgement of Reconciliation Week involved interviews in Chapel with Indigenous students, guest speakers and a focus on reconciliation in Connect Groups. – In Celebrating Who We Are Week students and staff shared what celebrations and events are most important to them and their families. – Staff also had the opportunity to join an afternoon tea and discussion where teachers who had lived overseas shared their experiences of living between and across cultures.
• The Rosewood Centre opening ceremony also marked the official unveiling of the mural of Geuram Barker, an artwork by Year 12 student Ethan Landy-Ariel. The artwork represents the ‘coming together of cultures and communities’ and ‘represents our goal of students of many different backgrounds, languages and cultures joining the Barker community with ease’.
– Today, Joe is one of the foremost contributors to suicide prevention and wellbeing education in the country, and travels around Australia and the world to meet with and present to students and communities. – Whilst at Ngarralingayil Barker and Darkinjung Barker, Joe talked to students about the importance of connection to culture, exercise, and developing a mindset for a healthy life. – At Barker College Hornsby, Joe hosted a small group session with the Yarn Up students, held oneon-one mentor sessions with First Nations students in the Senior School, and gave a lunchtime presentation that was open to all staff and students and livestreamed throughout the School.
Term 3B • All Year 7 students and Languages staff commenced the first Aboriginal Language course at Barker. Students are studying and embracing the language of the Dharug people of the Sydney basin area, the land on which the Hornsby Campus sits and wish to pay respect to Dharug people baranyi, yagu, burani (yesterday, today and tomorrow). This language course has been designed to allow our students to bring together prior learning about Indigenous culture, fill in some important gaps in their knowledge and broaden their perspectives. On completion of the course, students will have the vocabulary both in English and in Dharug to speak in an informed and respectful way about Dharug people and to celebrate Indigenous culture. This language course will provide students and staff with the necessary tools and language to celebrate cultural diversity within our School.
• NAIDOC Week was celebrated and included an Assembly for Year 7 where the students had an opportunity to practise their Dharug language. – Our annual Indigenous round of sport was held during NAIDOC Week. Barker players wore armbands with a design by one of our Indigenous students, and Country was acknowledged before each game. 2020 Year in Review
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Footprint: Social Justice & Environment • 6o students from Years 7 – 12 and 2 staff attended weekly Footprint meetings
• Reuseable drink bottles made from sugar cane materials supplied to Year 7 and Year 10 students at the start of the year as part of the Refill not Landfill campaign
• 27 high school students and three staff “Stepped Up to Clean Up” in the 30th Anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day at Zig Zag Creek, Pennant Hills. Five large bags of general waste and four large bags of recyclables were collected
• International Women’s Day was celebrated via: – a lunchtime gathering of 150 students and staff from the Junior School and High School with an address by Mary Konstantopoulos – lawyer, sports advocate and founder of the Ladies Who empire – sessions run through Connect Group time
• Staff and students attended Mount St Benedict Social Justice Forum Webinar exploring the theme ‘Communication is Key’
• Seven students and staff attended Abbotsleigh’s Senior College and Archdale Breakfast with Jarnae Leslie speaking on the topic of Sustainable Futures
• 28 students from Hornsby campus corresponded by letter with students from Darkinjung and Ngarralingayil Barker as part of a new program, Pen Pal Club, which was created to foster relationships between Barker campuses
• 504 solar panels, six electric vehicle charging stations and natural light were incorporated into the design of the new Rosewood Centre
• 200 ring binders, display folders and plastic sleeves recovered from Great Locker Challenge and distributed to students via a pre-loved Stationery Stall
• 24 bags of printer cartridges recycled via Richo Australia’s recycling program
• 1500 beverage containers collected at House Fair, Athletics Carnival and other events, cashed in via Return and Earn with proceeds donated to Hornsby Ku-ringgai Women’s Shelter
• $3,000 raised on the World Environment Mufti Day to be directed towards Hornsby campus Urban Greening projects
34 • 2020 Year in Review
• 500 mini toiletries collected from the Barker Community and supplied to Wayside Chapel for distribution to people experiencing homelessness
• Winter Food Drive – 1235kg of food donated to Foodbank NSW &ACT – 27 boxes of toiletries, blankets, sanitary items, kids games/craft and Mum’s pamper packages for Dignity who support families escaping domestic violence – 30 buddy bags for kids who are escaping domestic violence environments
• White paper and cardboard diverted from landfill via weekly office paper recycling rounds as part of the Year 7 and 8 Compass program
• Batteries, bottle tops, bread tags, soft plastics, mobile phones and Ewaste collected and recycled via Hornsby Shire’s Community recycling program
• Contents of High School student lockers sorted and repurposed, reused or recycled via the Great Locker Challenge
• 15 cartons of old Barker uniform items including sport shorts, sport shirts, academic uniforms, dresses, jumpers, hoodies, hats donated to Videke School in India
• Take away food from the Dining Hall now served in BioPak (plant based) containers diverting 40,000 plastic take away containers from landfill per annum
Alumni, Community & Foundation Many of the Alumni and Community events scheduled for our 130th year were unfortunately cancelled in 2020 due to the restrictions imposed by NSW Health on gatherings. As restrictions eased in the second half of the year, the School was grateful to be able to bring members of the wider Barker community together and to reimagine some events to be held online. Alumni and Old Barker Association • OBA Spirit Awards presented to 38 students • OBA Annual Golf Day attended by 102 golfers • Social Media: Faces of the Alumni featured 31 Alumni • OBA 1st XI v Barker 1st XI • OBA Support for Life and BCPA hosted an online silent Auction to help support OBAS4L and BCPA Bursaries • 1970 Class 2A English Class attended by 22 guests • 34 Baggy Blue Caps presented to Year 2 students • 18 Plume Hats presented to Year 2 female students
BCPA • Welcome Morning Teas held for Junior School, Middle School and Senior School parents • Over 350 thank you morning tea gift boxes were donated by some Barker families in appreciation of Barker Staff and their efforts during the period of online learning • Annual Gingerbread House night sold 150 kits online • Annual Christmas Fair held online
Community Events • New Parent Dinner attended by 465 guests • Year 12 Drama Cocktail party attended by 70 guests • Over 400 volunteers from the Barker Community offered a range of help and support for the Civilian Army Project • Over 65 volunteers partnered with Dignity to provide meals for disadvantaged members of the local community • Rosewood opening celebrated by 74 guests • Forty Year 12 Veterans celebrated their Barker journey from Year 3 to Year 12
Foundation • Chinese New Year luncheon attended by 96 guests • Indigenous Education Fundraising Webinar attended by 125 people
• Four Indigenous Education Newsletters distributed • Two Foundation Newsletters distributed • Four new Scholarships established including a STEAM, Leadership and a descendant from the Military scholarship
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• 35
Barker Institute The Barker Institute continued to celebrate learning with academic and wellbeing events for students, parents, teachers and the wider community, with approximately 2000 people attending face-to-face and online events throughout 2020.
• After hosting four face-to-face learning events in Term 1, in-person events were transitioned to eight additional online events to meet the needs of the community during a complex year.
• Events related to areas of the Stage 6 curriculum proved popular with families and were designed to support our students while resourcing students and teachers throughout the state. The topics were created to enlist public interest and over 500 people attended talks from Richard Whittaker on The Science of Climate, Simon Holloway of Vegepod Global on Vegepod’s Journey through Agricultural Entrepreneurship, and two of Barker’s teaching staff as part of our second year of Science Extension Public Lectures.
• Appropriate use of technology was the theme of a Term 1 in-person event where the School launched its partnership with Family Zone, a software-based solution for parents to support their children when they go online on any of their devices.
• Events to promote effective learning were held for Year 7 students and their families (Year 7 Study Skills Webinar with Dr Matthew Hill), Middle School Families (Middle School Study Skills – Parent Information Session with Mr Greg Longney, Director of Teaching & Learning) and new Year 12 students and families (Barker Big Start, 2021 with Dr Kester Lee, Director of Studies, Mr John Hensley, Senior Counsellor, and Mrs Melinda Bower, Dean of Careers & External Programs).
• Students and teachers from across the state (from Albury to Armidale) joined our own students when Barker’s Year 12 Science Extension classroom went public for the second year. Dr Alison Gates spoke on Storytelling & Science Education: Great moments in Science and Dr Matthew Hill gave an Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. Participants were very grateful for the opportunity to learn and to access Barker’s two student research journals, Scientific Research in Schools (2019 and 2020).
• Two events accompanied the return to school for Term 2 after the extended Easter break. Andrew Fuller, renowned child psychologist and author, spoke to the Barker community on the theme of Surging Ahead Academically in Trying Times and was interviewed about applications to the Barker experience by Institute Director, Dr Matthew Hill.
• Yasmin London of YSafe shared the issues and trends parents should be aware of with students’ increased use of social media during lockdown.
• Feedback surveys were conducted in preparation for and in response to Barker’s brief period of online learning.
• The third edition of the Barker Institute Journal, Learning in Practice, was published and featured the research and experience of several Barker staff. This led to multiple external journal publications and conference presentation throughout the year.
• To end the year on a high note, school leaders from the wider community and Barker Junior school parents participated in a webinar covering the motivation, logistics and preliminary results of introducing a therapy dog in the Junior School.
36 • 2020 Year in Review
An Anglican School Inspiring Global Hope Barker’s vision is to be “a leader in Christian education” preparing students for life beyond the Mint Gates. A crucial element of this vision is to inspire our community through the Bible, to know God’s purpose for us. We consider this, not only in the big questions of life, but also in the details of how we live and learn; play and perform; grow and then eventually go from this School. In a rapidly changing culture, we believe that Anglican schools should be a safe place where students can freely investigate, test and question biblical truth and we encourage all students, families and staff to take the next steps in their faith journey while they are at Barker. Throughout the challenges of 2020, the Christian foundations of Barker have been a deep source of strength, wisdom and hope.
91 Pacific Highway Hornsby NSW 2077 Australia
t +61 2 8438 7999 w barker.nsw.edu.au