The Barker #136

Celebrating the Legacy of Barker's 6th Headmaster

On Sunday 28 August, the community gathered in the Barker College War Memorial Chapel to conduct a Service of Thanksgiving and Memorial for the life and boundless contribution of TJ McCaskill, the School’s 6th Headmaster.

The Service we enjoyed was largely prepared in advance by Trevor McCaskill. We followed his requests to the letter. It was through his leadership of Barker that the School enrolled girls in the Senior School in 1975, returning Barker to its original coeducational state. In 2022, there now are girls in every Year cohort and we delight in being fully coeducational. This reality was celebrated among the many other legacies set in place by Trevor McCaskill.

We stand at this point in the history of Barker College. We acknowledge today that this is only the second time in the life of this Chapel that a beloved Headmaster is sung to his rest – our fourth Headmaster, William Leslie, in 1957. And today, our 6th Headmaster, in 2022.

I’m pleased to share with you my speech given at his Memorial Service in front of a full Chapel of his family, friends, former Barker staff and students, as well as current students and staff.

We are a school of 2800 students and nearly 1000 staff. There are over 1100 girls from Pre K to Year 12 at Barker College.

In addition to this site, we rejoice in our beautiful Outdoor Learning space at The Grange in Mount Victoria.

We cherish three little schools for Indigenous children – in Yarramalong among the Darkinjung People; at Wollombi among the Wonnaruah People; and in NE Arnhem Land at Gunyangara among the Gumatj Clan of the Yolngu People.

In 2022, we are a community comprised of more than 40 different faith, cultural and language traditions, and we yearn to do something good and beautiful in the world beyond the Mint Gates. This generation and those to come still our hearts and honour with deepest thankfulness to God the profoundly important legacy of our 6th Headmaster, Trevor John McCaskill.

We live at a time when the contemporary mind pays little regard for the past and perhaps even has ceased to wonder how things came to be as they are. Perhaps it is, as some writers have observed, an unintended consequence of the digital age.

Whatever its cause, the consequence of being overwhelmed by the present is to forget the past and cease to be curious about our origins.

“The longer you look back, the farther you can look forward”, said Winston Churchill. As an historian, I see the wisdom of this observation only too keenly. We must not forget the past nor fail to honour the shoulders on whom we build on future hopes and dreams.

A few years ago, Mandy Loomes and Morwenna Dixon (whilst still on the staff of Barker College) asked if it might be possible to interview the 6th Headmaster to gather his reflections on Headmastering at Barker College. The resulting sessions have been collated into an invaluable monograph in Trevor’s own words. You can collect a copy at the end of the service.

With remarkable perspicacity and unexpected openness he revealed:

Two questions remain in my mind from the interview I had with the Council of Barker at the time of my application for the Headmastership… The first was from the Chairman, who asked me, “how long has the word ‘majoring: been a verb in the English language?’ Miraculously, I remembered I had used the word in my application to describe a subject for my degree to which I had devoted most attention. Perhaps somewhat pathetically, I responded that the English language was constantly changing and that the term was in fact in widespread use in the US. The second question came from the Treasurer who asked “Did I think I could do the job?’ Several smart answers came to mind… but I … simply said “With all due respect, that is a matter for you to decide”.

My wife was asked a leading question: “What do you see as the main job of the Headmaster’s wife in the School?” She replied that she thought the main responsibility of the wife of the Headmaster was to ensure his good health and maintain his emotional and mental stability. Hard to argue against that!”

He also recalled his School Council:

A member of Council for whom I had the greatest respect was Merlin Loxton, MC, QC, a member of the School Council for 38 years until he retired in 1970, a former President of the OBU, whose strong moral sense and support for the best traditions of the School from the days of William Carter were invaluable to me in my early years as Headmaster. We would quote the words of Henry Newbol: ‘To set the cause above renown, to love the game beyond the prize’, to remind me of the meaning of the School’s Honormotto.

Non Honores – this motto binds the generations and sets a light on the path to our future.

It has been said that “the past is a foreign country. They do things differently there”. In this monograph, Trevor McCaskill shares his experiences of the past

with all its differences and charms. Yet his reflections are hauntingly familiar. We sense the presence of past figures, past issues, past problems, and past moments that have shaped the Barker College of today. These things are the antecedents of the Barker culture. The buildings that are now crucial markers in our landscape took their shape during his generation.

So many customs and traditions that are now crucial elements of the rites of passage at Barker originated in those years. Perhaps the crowning achievement that sets Barker apart from similar schools in Australia is the advent of senior coeducation in 1975. It is fitting that in 2022, Barker is now coeducational in every year cohort for the first time in our history. This alone represents a shout of victory over a vision that was first imagined in the late 1960s.

Culture may be briefly understood as that which occurs when no one makes it so. Culture is just what we do without telling. It is expressed in how we speak to one another, how we acknowledge what is sacred and ceremonial, how we address each challenge and opportunity, and how we care for others in our

community. Culture is greatly reinforced by remembering our past and celebrating the people and the moments that shaped us. Our 6th Headmaster, Trevor John McCaskill, set in place a legacy that continues to nourish us more than four decades after he left our School. We will not forget.

His faithfulness to education pre-eminently as a Christian calling was blessed by the Lord whom Trevor McCaskill served throughout his life and his career and through whom God blessed the community of Barker College. The School remembers with profound gratitude our 6th Headmaster.

May flights of angels sing him to his rest.

Phillip Heath AM Head of Barker College

Barker Music Stands Tall

Second only to sport (which, after all, is compulsory) Music is the largest co-curricular activity for students from the Prep School through to the Senior School. We delight in the fact that Barker’s “music tribe” embraces all year groups, genders, instruments, and Ongenres.Thursday

9 June 2022 the Masterpiece Concert was held at The Concourse at Chatswood. It was memorable. It showcased the depth and quality of all parts of the Barker Music program. It was a wonderful opportunity for Barker’s musicians to perform a very challenging repertoire in a formal concert setting.

The performances included elegant choral work, some passionate symphonic pieces such as the Carmen Fantasie featuring violin soloist Alana Gao from Year 10, a scintillating Wind Symphony Ikaruga conducted by guest Japanese maestro, Manabu Inoue, and then several massed items that combined the Symphony Orchestra with the Copeland Choir, Middle School Choir, Senior Choir, and some guest vocalists who raised their voices to our own Brendan Collins’ original composition, Sing to the Lord

Congratulations to the Barker College Music Department led by Simon Smith. Their Mission is to inspire a life-long love of music in an atmosphere of enjoyment and mutual respect, engaging all students in creative, active, and purposeful learning. The Masterpiece Concert is but one expression of their Mission in action, along with many other events in the Barker Music calendar, such as: the various Ensemble Concerts for the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, Symphony Under the Stars, the Coffee House Rock Concert, Barker Swings, and Carols at Sunset.

Music is essential to the Barker experience and not just for our practising musicians. As Simon Smith wrote for the Concert program:

Much has been said and studied about the value of music to our lives; to our physical, social, emotional, and psychological well-being, and in the educational context to the students’ intellectual development. There is now copious scientific research - neuro, psycho, and physio - to back this up. But we - the students, the staff, and the families of Barker musicians - along with countless people in our community have lived this truth.

The lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 certainly had a negative impact on the performing arts including music at Barker. The restrictions on instruments such as wind, brass and voice stymied performance opportunities and limited rehearsals. The 2022 Concert therefore was all the greater achievement for Barker students and staff, because it marked a joyous coming together of our music tribe, who unashamedly love to be together, sing together, and rehearse together.

To our clever Barker Music students, to our dedicated Barker Music staff, and to the Friends of Barker Music, thank you for your splendid contributions to the vibrancy and vitality of our Barker community. The final word goes to master composer, Ludwig van Beethoven - “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks, and invents.”

David Charles (75) Chair of Council

Participating in Barker’s co-curricular activities is integral to each student’s journey. Our students value all opportunities to strive for excellence in a wide range of human experience.

Jesus is Better than Holidays?

Holidays are a wonderful blessing from the God who built cycles of rest and work into creation. Yet as good as holidays are, we know they are limited in addressing the underlying issues that make life tiring in the first place.

Jesus “Comesaid:tome, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus knows that humans are exhausted by our endless efforts to prove ourselves, establish security and pursue joy. Some humans attempt religious avenues of morality and rituals to attain these things, others pursue them through achievement, success, leisure or popularity. Even when we’ve had a break, these pursuits grind us down and, holiday or not, leaves us spiritually restless.

For those who are burdened in this way, Jesus invites us to take his yoke. That is - to bind ourselves to him who provides peace, contentment, security and love. Jesus’ yoke is light because through his death and resurrection he has done the heavy lifting for us.

I hope the “buzz” of holidays continues for many weeks, but as it wears off may you also grow in your dependence of Jesus who calls us to rest in him.

Rev Peter Tong Senior Chaplain

As part of Faith Week, I raised this controversial question at the Staff Chapel on the first of Term 3: Is Jesus better than holidays?

ofandMini-ExhibitionsCelebrationsLearning

As part of our inquiry learning cycle, demonstration of understanding and the journey undertaken throughout a Unit of Inquiry are important aspects of the learning process.

Each year group will look to present a mini-exhibition during the year, inviting other staff members, students and parents into sharing the learning more broadly and demonstrating their growth and development as part of the process they have undertaken in the particular Unit of Inquiry. In Year 6, a culminating activity of the PYP is an Exhibition Unit of Inquiry which encapsulates all of the learning across their PYP journey. They do this through one unit that is largely led by the students.

Year 3 - Mini Exhibition

Year 3 presented their mini-exhibition during Term 2. The event celebrated and showcased their recent unit of inquiry, “Living Things Share Resources in Order to Grow and Survive.” Student-led, they introduced the central idea and lines of inquiry through a photographic slideshow which captured the highlights and process of their understandings throughout the Unit of Inquiry. Parents and visitors were then invited to visit the Year 3 classrooms to meet with students as they delved deeper into their wonderings, understandings and actions that were taken as a result of their learning.

Year 1 Mini Exhibition

Year 1 celebrated their "How The World Works" mini-exhibition by inviting parents to have the opportunity to view student's work and explore the process of student learning through an engaging hands-on activity where they made fresh rice paper rolls. A wonderful photographic slideshow presentation was shared with visitors and the welcome address was guided by our wonderful students.

Year 5 Market Day

Year 5 students have been inquiring into how people engage in economic activities to meet their needs and wants. The students worked in groups to produce and market a product or service which they sold to students in the Pre-K to Year 6 classes. All money raised, $4158.30, has been donated to The Cancer Council. A wonderful effort by all involved.

Year 4 Convict Day

Year 4 students and staff headed back to 1788 where they made damper, wrote letters back to England (from the perspective of convicts), played convict games, sang convict songs and even participated in an old-fashioned chapel service in order to understand more about their current Unit of Inquiry, “Where We Are in Place and Time.”

We are looking forward to welcoming parents and visitors onsite as we continue to celebrate the process of learning in our Junior School through the IB Primary Years Programme framework as the year proceeds.

Lisa Bonazza Director of Primary Curriculum/PYP Coordinator

A Term of Learning

Both campuses acknowledged National Sorry Day. We remembered the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the people that were forcibly removed from their mob ~ The Stolen Generation. Our wonderful School Captains led the way, Chelsea and Skylah at Darkinjung and Storm and Djabarda at Ngarralingayil. They read the book ‘Sorry Day’, we watched the 2008 apology from Kevin Rudd and listened to Archie Roach’s ‘Took the Children Away’. It was a beautiful, respectful, lovely morning, evoking some strong emotions.

Our primary classes Ganang and Kawal spent the morning researching and sharing thoughts on Sorry Day. The children made their own powerpoint to share with everyone. Wow, wow, wow! My heart was brimming with pride watching these AMAZING kids with their brave spirit and strong cultural pride!

Mabo Day was also remembered and celebrated as we learned more about the inspiring Eddie Koiki Mabo. We talked about his role in campaigning for Indigenous land rights, discussed the Torres Strait Islander flag, shared some language and songs.

NAIDOC is the best time of the year! A time we spend with mob, celebrating everything culture! The theme this year was Get up, Stand up, Show up and this year the winner of the prestigious poster competition was Ryhia Dank, a young Gudanji/Wakaja artist from the Northern Territory. We celebrated through dance with a family day and performance at Darkinjung. We thank

Uncle Gavi for his continued support and sharing his knowledge with us each week and performing with the children. Aunty Bronwyn was back with us along with her grandsons Jack, Isaac and Max and Jo from NAISDA who also joined us. They taught us some Darkinjung language and a chant which we will keep practising and be able to share in future performances. Ngarralingayil have enjoyed some NAIDOC activities and will be celebrating NAIDOC with community this term. Both campuses performed at the very special NAIDOC assembly at Hornsby. They were sensational and we were so proud of their strong spirit for taking on this event with courage and pride.

All the children have been working on their very own scarecrow. There has been a lot of time and effort spent collecting items and using them creatively. After a haircut and a finer detail check, Daisy (named by Yulara) is standing proud protecting the vegetable garden at Darkinjung. Ngarralingayil’s scarecrow is in the finishing stages and it won’t be long until it is standing strong, protecting their beautiful garden too. Both campuses finished the term with a lovely celebration a onesie funsie day and a special lunch. There was lots of fun and laughter, a great celebration of a wonderful term of learning!

Mandy Shaw Director Aboriginal Campuses

There is nothing like immersing yourself in culture, feeling it, breathing it, enjoying and celebrating it, but also remembering times gone by. Darkinjung and Ngarralingayil do just that and it is an amazing feeling!

The Sky is the Limit

Junior(IOP).

This group of hip hop artists travel across Australia, showcasing their talent with community and engage them through music and dance.

The five very talented dance and music production artists burst into our school community for a week in June, inspiring each and every one of our students. The artists are skilled performers with an amazing ability to connect and inspire. Together, they form a playful and joyous team who made everyone want to get up and bust some moves.

The IOP crew stayed in the community for a week, spending several hours teaching the kids choreography. They immediately formed wonderful relationships that had our Djamarrkuli (children) running to school in the mornings. They took every chance possible to identify and foster leadership qualities in the students. Whilst sheer fun and laughter came from the joy of dance, the crew continually spoke with the students about their three rules - No Shame, Be Proud, Respect.

Student attendance for the week was the highest we have recorded since the opening of Dhupuma Barker, with close to 100% of djamarrkuli at school as well as several students visiting from other communities. Our classroom and surrounding areas were filled with laughter, smiles, strength and positive energy.

In addition to the daily dance workshops, the students and teachers collaborated with the IOP crew to write an original rap song to share their love for country and community. Once the lyrics were set, the kids took turns practising and recording their lines, under excellent guidance from the crew.

There is no doubt that a week of hip hop dance, song-writing, music production and experiences with the fabulous IOP crew greatly benefitted the kids and community of Gunyangara. After spending time at two other nearby communities, Dhalinybuy and Yirrkala, it promoted unity amongst everyone.

We invited the entire community to Dhupuma Barker to come and enjoy a showcase performance of the hip hop artists and students. With around 100 people packed into the classroom, the music video was screened for the first time. The response was amazing. Cheers, laughter and deep sense of pride burst through the roof and echoed throughout the community.

Lori Cross Dhupuma Barker Teacher

After months of planning, anticipation, brainstorming and COVID-19 delays, the students at Dhupuma Barker were treated to an unforgettable week with the crew from the Indigenous Outreach Hip Hop Projects

Character, Resilience and Hope

Herein lies a primary tenant of the school camp. Personal gain is achieved by our students from the moment they know that camp is on the horizon as they prepare both mentally, physically, and organisationally for the experience of camp.

During Term 2 students and staff enjoyed our season of offsite overnight camps for Years 3, 4 and 5. Being away from home on school camp provides space for reflection and opportunity for personal growth that the open sky and the green surroundings provoke through immersion and challenge by choice. Our students travelled to locations at Stanwell Tops, Galston and Yarrawonga Park on Lake Macquarie where all were surrounded by the wonders of nature which announce God’s glory.

Key to the experience for the children is the opportunity to be faced with personal challenges by engaging in an array of camp activities like climbing, sailing, teamwork problem solving, canoeing, bushcraft, abseiling, and archery. Besides the formal program, many of the challenges for personal growth present in the form of life skills, personal organisation, planning, collaborating and navigating the weather.

When faced with significant intermittent rainfall, the students worked together to set for the rain to move forward. The children were amazing. Their positivity and willingness to try everything, encourage each other and find their pathways for personal growth were outstanding across all three camps.

The Junior School has continued to partner with Cru Educational Camps. Cru provides the infrastructure and the expertise to deliver quality programs. Our Junior School staff are present throughout, working closely with the Cru Leaders to support the children.

The Cru Team provides an important provocation for the children to reflect on their faith journey presenting a biblically informed message and group reflection time that aligns with our commitment to see the children develop character, resilience, and hope.

Martin Conway Junior School Director of Students

The readiness to persevere when faced with unfamiliar and challenging learning situations creates the opportunity for success and achievement.

ApplicationReal-world

The Robotics strand combines elements of practical design and coding to produce robotic solutions for various situations. The real-world application of design and coding skills through another medium creates connections throughout the students’ learning to prepare them for unknown future jobs.

In Year 2 students use the Lego WeDo 2 kits to gain an understanding of how robots can complete jobs that are risky for humans. They learn about different types of sensors that allow robots to work independently in places such as Mars or deep under the sea. The students apply these concepts to design and build a robot that can help them in the classroom.

Year 3 sees students delve deeper into the benefits and limitations that robots provide. They look at how robots can work tirelessly with greater precision than humans but lack the ability to make decisions and account for variations. The students test these ideas out by racing a human-piloted robot against a coded Yearrobot.4

students continue to build on the skills developed in Years 2 and 3. They are presented with a design brief and are required to modify a basic robot design to create a parade float. The parade float performed a choreographed dance to All Star by Smash Mouth from the up-coming Shrek musical. This open-ended task allows students to push their design, construction and coding skills.

A key focus of the Robotics unit is working as a team. Through discussion and collaboration students work together to share knowledge and develop teamwork skills that will serve them well throughout life.

Year 5 students learn the basics of binary code and block coding via the Scratch and Vex VR (Virtual Robot) programs. They then go onto code the Vex IQ robotics systems to perform various drive functions. The Vex IQ robot that students design, plan and build in collaborative pairs participates in a mini competition based on the 2022 Vex IQ ‘Slapshot’ challenge. Students drive and code their robots to push specially designed discs under the fence and into the goal zone for points. Robots always undertake challenges in alliance pairs in order to build a sense of team and collaboration.

Students in Year 6 are comparing drone coded flights to ones that are piloted by the students themselves. They code in the Tello Edu app in order to perform the same pattern of instructions and then they perform the sequence of events themselves and measure their landing accuracy each time.

Lindsay Bosch & Tim Gee Junior School Specialist Teachers STEAM

In Junior School STEAM we teach three different strands. In this edition of The Barker, we will be focusing on the Robotics strand.

House Sport Carnivals

There are six Houses in the Junior School. The House system creates healthy competition amongst students and they become very parochial when the opportunity arises to compete against each other. At this point in the school year, the Junior School has completed three major House sporting competitions, Swimming, Cross Country and Track Athletics. The champion House for each of the carnivals thus far have been;

Swimming - Tasman Cross Country - Tasman

Track Athletics - Flinders

The Junior School House Sport Captains have shared below how these carnivals promote positive House spirit amongst the students in their Houses.

“The three House carnivals were great for Hillary House as they gave us an opportunity to unite as one team. Cheering together encouraged us to bond and lift each other’s spirits.”

Hillary House - Amelie and Jericho

“The three House carnivals allowed everyone to fly high and never let our spirits die.”

Byrd House - Bree and Oliver

“The three House carnivals evolved House spirit by bringing everyone together and encouraging all of us to succeed, not only for ourselves but for each other.”

Flinders House - Ivy and Tristan

“The three House carnivals are a great opportunity for students to get together and cheer on one another. They also encourage House spirit, friendship and teamwork, bonding our House closer together.”

Scott House - Angela and Tommy

“The three House carnivals are a great opportunity for students to display teamwork, courage, persistence and determination. Mawson always shows up ready to perform and we never give up.”

Mawson House - Tilly and Zack

“The three House carnivals have taught us many things. They teach us leadership, friendship and teamwork. House spirit has never been stronger.”

Tasman House - Ines and Tom

Mathew Olijnyk Junior School Director of Sports

All students in the Junior School represent their House in sport and other co-curricular activities.

Students in Year 6 participated in the annual Write a Book in a Day event.

This event is an inclusive, creative writing competition where students write and illustrate books in teams of up to ten. Writing a book in a day is a challenge that our students accepted willingly and with great Toenthusiasm!makethis

event even more exciting, unique writing parameters were provided for each team to write their story. This included each team being provided one human, one non-human character, the setting, an issue and five ‘random’ words to use cleverly in their

Writestoryline!ABook

in A Day, is an initiative raising funds for The Kids' Cancer Project. All funds raised go directly to The Kids Cancer Project. The charity has contributed tens of millions of dollars to scientific research projects to help children with many types of cancer. Right now, the charity is funding 35 medical research projects across 22 institutes Australia-wide.

Recently, Year 6 had the opportunity of hearing from Owen Finegan. Owen is the The Kids’ Cancer Project CEO and is proud of the determined stance the team is taking against childhood cancer.

Owen shared how the charity’s strategy is to provide seed funding to the most innovative scientific studies in the country that truly sets it apart.

The 18 books Year 6 wrote will be delivered to hospitals across Australia for children to access who are undergoing treatment. Stories written by children for children. These stories will bring some joy and happiness to children who are sadly unwell.

Some of the books created in the end were:

• The Cook’s Kindness

• The Tale of Ted

• Hotel Holiday

• The Exhausting Excursion

• The Path to a Popstar

• A Bit of a Pickle

• The Heist Over Dinner

• Delight

“I love how Write a Book in a Day gave us the opportunity to work in teams. We brainstormed ideas and broke up the tasks, before coming back to share our plan. It was both stressful and enjoyable.”

Tom Nye

“It was really fun hanging out with peers that I don’t usually work with. It was very special to be part of an important charity and to write a book for sick kids.”

Jericho Alley

Year 6 students and families were asked to donate to their teams. This year, we saw the most outstanding generosity from our community with a culminating donation of $42,000. This total continues to grow as well! Thank you to those who gave so generously. Your donation will go a long way to help enhance the research of childhood cancer.

It was a wonderful day of writing amongst students.

Timothy Moyes Junior School Classroom Teacher & Year 6 Grade Coordinator

Routines and Habits that Enhance Learning and Wellbeing

At the beginning of Term 3 staff participated in a two-day professional learning conference ‘Routines and Habits that Enhance Learning and Wellbeing.’

The conference included presentations, discussion and practical application of research relevant to teaching, learning and wellbeing.

This opportunity for learning provided to the Barker staff, recognises that high quality teaching improves pupil outcomes and effective professional development offers a crucial tool to develop teaching quality and subsequently enhance children’s outcomes in the classroom. ‘The impact of high quality PD on pupil attainment compares to the impact of having a teacher with ten years experience.’ (Effective Professional Development Guidance Report, Education Endowment Foundation, 2021)

At the heart of the conference was the inclusion of both external and internal expertise. Staff were privileged to learn from three keynote speakers.

• Harry Fletcher-Wood (teacher, researcher and educator from the UK) discussed the behaviour science behind habit formation and how we can use it to overcome the core challenges all teachers face: helping students focus, persevere, and succeed, with increasing independence, by building habits of success through his SIMPLIFy model (Specific, Inspire & Motivate, Plan, Initiate action and follow up.

• Dr Darren Morton (Senior University Lecturer and Lead Researcher and creator of the LIFT project) discussed how we can flourish through a focus on Pleasure, Engagement, Achievement, Relationships and Meaning.

Staff Reflections

This was a very good chance to stop and hear of some of the wonderful work that is happening at the school."

An impressive professional learning conference. I have learned an incredible amount from both the external providers and my colleagues. I am feeling energised and inspired to start the term strong."

• Lisa Maltman founder of The Sleep Connection presented on the importance of sleep for wellbeing. Staff also attended presentations and participated in small group workshops run by Barker teachers on a range of topics including retrieval practice, differentiation, writing, formative assessment, feedback, approaches to learning in PYP, supporting students with additional needs, belonging and forming positive relationships. The wisdom, passion, knowledge and innovation, was inspiring.

A choice of wellbeing activities were offered at the end of day one, encouraging staff to find the 'Pleasure' element in Dr Darren Morton’s PEARM model for happiness. These included health talks from guest presenters Kate O’Flynn and Dr Anthony Linton and staff facilitated activities including Pilates, Zumba, a walk and coffee, volleyball, cryptic crosswords and word puzzles, chess, introduction to Latin, Japanese and French, voice projection and Bible reading. Staff look forward to implementing the knowledge, skills and ideas presented at the conference in their roles at Barker throughout Semester 2.

Sarah Clifton Director of Professional Learning

Dr Darren Morton

Lisa Maltman

Harry Fletcher-Wood

Extended Stay Program

Dr Darren Morton encouraged the Barker staff to consider what it takes to live a flourishing life and he lingered on the two elements he purported to be most significant not just to a healthy existence but one marked by fulfilment and joyrelationships and meaning.

It came to mind that the Year 9 Extended Stay program, perhaps more than any one activity offered by our school, supports students to live a flourishing life. This unique camp is not primarily intended to expand students’ skills in the outdoor arena, in navigation, bushcraft and physical stamina. It is primarily intended to develop their character, resilience and sense of purpose within a dynamic community. It is all about relationships and meaning.

Over the course of three weeks, students develop strong relationships with the Boomerang Adventures staff who act as mentors and guides, with the Barker staff who work, hike and camp alongside the students, and with each other as they develop lasting bonds based on a shared journey and a deep appreciation of each other’s value.

Every day is filled with rich experiences but not every day is rosy. Frustrations occur when rain falls, mountains appear on the horizon and the alarm goes off in the morning, and more importantly when living alongside people who are dissimilar and previously unfamiliar. However, the important opportunity that Extended Stay provides is the opportunity to resolve difficulties, to support and encourage each other, restore relationships and genuinely work well as a team in the context of vigorous and satisfying activities.

Extended Stay also gives students the tools for a meaningful existence. The Boomerang staff imbue mundane, everyday tasks with great purpose. They model good character in the face of discomfort and adversity, and in the face of fun and laughter. They have lofty expectations and they expect the students to meet them as they are shown the value of a disciplined, self-controlled life. Boomerang Director Ian ‘Rocky’ Rockwell speaks to the students about the meaning he finds in the Christian faith, and all students are given the gift of time to reflect on who they are and who they want to be.

In short, Extended Stay teaches the students how to live well. I hope the imprints left by the experience will sharpen their character, infuse them with purpose and inform healthy relationships as they progress through their Barker journey and well beyond the Mint Gates.

On behalf of all who were nourished by Extended Stay, thank you to Rocky and his team for creating this experience, and to Lainie Kalnins for making it happen.

Kathryn Driver Dean of Middle School

Adapted Programs at The Grange

Year 8 students finally got to experience their first Grange camp in Semester One. Students now attend all Grange camps in their House groups which enables stronger links to key pastoral care staff at Hornsby and improved communication and feedback with Grange staff.

For the second year running, the La Nina weather patterns produced record-breaking rainfall in the mountains. Flooded rivers and creeks, inundated campsites and many road and walking track closures in the National Parks and nearby natural areas added some challenges in camp operation and planning. Most groups managed to enjoy hiking in Grand Canyon, mountain biking at Rydal, rock climbing and abseiling at Mount York and camping at Mount Wilson and Blackheath. There were many wet clothes, muddy shoes and soggy nights in tents as the students learnt and practised valuable outdoor skills on the hike and at both campsites. Particularly on wet days, students became more resilient and proficient in cooking their food, managing their equipment carefully and working together as a team to achieve great results in times of Moreadversity.recently

the Year 9 Grange camps have also been affected by impassable roads, track closures, flooded rivers, and the prolific vegetation regrowth following the devastating Black Summer bushfires. As a result, students hiked the iconic Six Foot Track and camped out for two nights in small teams. Bowtells Swingbridge is the unique way to cross the swollen Coxes River as they journeyed eastwards through the Megalong Valley to Katoomba.

The steep challengingandexit up the Devils Hole track was a great way to finish their GrangeNewexpedition.three-daytothethis

year

was a unique ‘COVID catch-up’ camp for a fortunate group of Year 10 students who took this opportunity to experience some outdoor challenges and Blue Mountains adventure highlights. This cohort of students has been most affected by government restrictions on camps through the pandemic and it was also possible to welcome several Year 10 girls to the Grange for a one-off, four-day Grange camp in June. They enjoyed abseiling through Juggler Canyon, hiking to and from Ingar campsite in the Blue Mountains National Park and mountain biking to Hanging Rock.

Scott Manwaring Joint Director of the Grange (Programs)

Liz Charlton Joint Director of the Grange (Facilities)

The Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival

There’s no doubt that COVID has bruised the world of music, on an international level. Rehearsals are back to full capacity, and the culture of music is alive again - especially at Barker.

The Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival (ASBOF) began its 2022 events on 24 July and will continue to run events all the way into September. It is one of the largest school-based music events held in the country, seeing more than 300 ensembles regularly performing. So, what is ASBOF?

The festival is a non-competitive music event where schools present a program of pieces that demonstrate their capabilities. They are assessed on their performance of pieces and then awarded a gold, silver or bronze award depending on how well they performed the repertoire. While there are no winners per se, there is the prestige that comes with achieving the coveted “Gold Award.”

ASBOF is also a keen supporter of Australian composers. They mandate that every participating ensemble performs a piece written by an Australian composer. This provides our students with a wonderful opportunity to perform home grown compositions. This year our Barker ensembles performed two works by Composer in Residence, Brendan Collins.

220 students from Barker’s four Senior School wind bands achieved a gold award at this year’s festival performed in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music concert hall. The adjudicators praised our ensembles on their mature and expressive performances. One adjudicator said, “whatever you’re putting in the water in the Barker Music Program must be incredible because there is something truly special happening. The teaching, the sound quality, the enthusiasm, and energy from all the students is a pleasure to watch and listen to.”

Elaine Slawski, Brad Lucas and Andrew McWade are all extremely proud of the Barker band students. We also acknowledge the commitment of our parent community who always provide us with so much encouragement and support. It’s very good to be back performing.

Andrew McWade Director of Bands

We have not been able to run a proper Barker Swings for the last few years. In 2020 we live streamed the performance and our parents and Jazz fans ‘swung’ at home. In 2021 we didn’t ‘swing’ at all. This year we were back swinging again live and the students were energised by the opportunity to interact with their peers performing a style of music they love.

Barker students’ enthusiasm for Jazz is significant in the current musical landscape. It is more important than ever for young people to study, perform and preserve the music called ‘Jazz’. It deserves a place in our ensemble and academic music program as it has the potential to bring back much-needed spontaneity to live performance. It is thrilling, exhilarating, thought provoking and stirs emotions in the mind, heart and

Atsoul.this

year's Barker Swings an enthusiastic audience enjoyed hearing the depth and breadth of the Barker Jazz Program performed by our Junior, Middle and Senior School Jazz Bands, The Old Barker Association Big Band and the Staff Invitational Big Band.

This year's guest artist was Jazz educator Andrew Robertson who worked over three days with students in workshops, lectures, rehearsals and masterclasses. His performance on flute and saxophone was a highlight of the night.

Pascal Perrotin, Michael Green and the catering team provided a beautiful buffet menu and refreshments and the Friends of Barker Music (FOBM) created the feeling of a Jazz supper club with spread out tables allowing mingling with friends. The dancefloor was a hit as the staff bands performed some old dance favourites. Deputy Head Student Experience, Matt Macoustra showed the crowed how to “Shake a Tailfeather”! We are all looking forward to next year's Barker Swings.

Simon Smith Head of Music

Service Learning

At the end of Term 2, it was a pleasure to see Year 8 serve with a whole heart and a free mind, as they participated in a ‘A Heart for Service’ during Horizons Week. Students listened to a brief talk by ‘The North Foundation’, who specialise in working with the North Sydney Local Health District to raise funds to provide the best patient care and research into health problems impacting the community. The students wrote thank you notes which will be displayed in hospitals in the district.

The remainder of the day was an opportunity for students to work in smaller groups, participating in service workshops. Some of these included cooking for Dignity Dishes, making sanitary packs for Days for Girls, knitting for the Wrap with Love program and creating learning resources for Clarke Rd School. The students learnt new skills and through their actions provided service to the community.

The School was also able to come together to support the House charities at the House Fair. We were blessed with a perfect winter’s day, having had to reschedule due to torrential rain earlier in Term 1. Led wonderfully by the Year 12 House Captains, the 16 Houses fed the School community, with a sausage sizzle, pizza and Sultans, to name a few. There was also endless entertainment and activities for everyone to participate in. It was a hugely successful day, with the House Fair raising close to $12,200 for the House charities.

Josie Christoffersen Assistant Coordinator Commerce & Service Learning

'To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and free mind’

Pearl S Buck, Writer

ConnectionsMaking

Entry is free and it is open sunrise to sunset from 10 September to 9 October 2022.

The exhibition is a unique opportunity for artists to engage with the cemetery’s contemporary relevance and invites the public into these layered narratives while exploring the diverse cultural heritage of Australia’s largest and most historic cemetery.

Barker College has been selected for HIDDEN Rookwood Students 2022! The proposed Barker College group work ‘Making Connections’ uses rope to connect ceramic spheres. This artwork is a joint project and has been made by students from all year groups, Kindergarten to Year 12 from across three Barker campuses (Darkinjung, Ngarralingayil and Hornsby).

Each ceramic sphere represents an artist and the connections they hold with family and friends. As each strand develops, new links are created and the connections deepen. Joined together, the spheres unite cultural traditions, values and family identities creating lines of heritage which pass through the Pleasegenerations.come

and have a look at the wonderful and collaborative effort that has been made and congratulate the staff and students involved, especially Ceramics at Barker and Ellen Macdonald.

Kate Elston Head of Visual Arts (Acting)

HIDDEN Rookwood Students is an annual outdoor sculpture exhibition that takes place amongst the pathways and gardens in one of the oldest sections of Rookwood Cemetery.

Designers and Makers

Recently we celebrated the work of our Textiles students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12. This was the first time that the Year 9 Textiles Technology course has been run at Barker and it was encouraging to have the students display their work.

They have just begun their journey and their skills and understanding will continue to improve, just as the Year 10 and 11 students have demonstrated. For our Year 12 students it was the culmination of several years of learning - and we honoured their commitment and effort for undertaking and completing such high-quality Major Textiles Projects.

There are people who claim that the fashion industry is rather superficial - and on the surface this may seem true. However, there is a distinct difference between the fashion industry as a consumer market and what we recently celebrated with our students during the Textiles Fashion Show.

Our students are designers and makers. And being able to make things is extremely important - Jesse Adams Stein in her book - Industrial Craft in Australia claims that not knowing how things work is what makes us superficial.

Not knowing how to fix things, makes us reliant on others and consequently we throw things away more easily. And this is not a sustainable way to live. Having knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes also makes our students more capable in their ability to understand what happens on the shop floor where production occurs. This is crucial for Australia because we need to value, add to our resources and profit from the design and production of superior solutions.

Special thank you to Barker Drama and Barker Dance for supporting the Textiles Fashion Show on the night. The standard of performance was excellent and complemented the fashion show brilliantly.

Darren Woodrow Head of Design and Technology

Cadets Leadership

34 Year 11 students and 38 Year 10 students travelled to the School of Infantry in Singleton to complete intensive leadership training to prepare them to run the Barker College Cadet Unit in 2022/23.

The Deputy Commander of the unit, Captain Phil Gordon, was the senior instructor and manager of the Senior Leaders Course. He asked the new Senior Under Officer, Lizzie Moore, and the new Regimental Sergeant Major, Zoe Samios to reflect on their experience in Singleton. Lizzie came 3rd on the course, and Zoe placed 1st.

What does Cadets mean to you?

When trying to explain what Cadets is to people outside it, we never really know what to say. Sure, it is a place to learn how to survive in the bush, use radios, navigate, and march in time. Cadets for us is like our own family inside Barker. You are placed into such a unique environment with people from all years and abilities, that the relationships formed are incomparable to any others. Barriers between people are broken down faster due to the setting you are often placed in, and we have both always felt supported by every member of Cadets even when in those particularly vulnerable situations. And of course, the practical field skills are always exciting to learn. But most importantly we both feel that Cadets prepares you for a world outside the Mint Gates in a way that no other program can. It has given us self-determination, courage, and empathy. This is all enhanced through the leadership

skills taught to us through the promotion courses that we can continue to develop throughout our life.

What kind of activities did you complete on the course?

We gained a lot of new practical skills on this course including learning ceremonial drill, which was a new and honourable experience for everyone on the course. We were taught sword drill, and this then led into Catafalque party training. This training involves learning both static and sword drills which are used during ceremonies and specifically in a Catafalque party, which is a guard of four people that stands watch over the catafalque of a distinguished person or over a significant monument. This unique training opportunity allows for the BCCU to continue to expand and get involved outside the School and attend community events. Of course, this course is a learning experience on leadership and so we had lectures on Monday training and on the continuous phase in Singleton. These were always collaborative and engaging presentations given to us by Captain Gordon, other instructing staff and by members of the Defence Force. These gave us insight into many aspects of leadership that we would not usually think of. We learnt how to recon an area and teach a major bullring of activities to the Junior

Leader candidates, involving ratel, medical exercises, initiative activities, and navigation. One of the highlights of our experience was the Command Post Exercise which is essentially a simulation activity run in real time of managing an entire unit through a series of scenarios. It involved having to man a company or command post radio with multiple channels, documenting location movements and dealing with hypothetical high intensity situations. It was very realistic and could often become overwhelming. It was also one of the more challenging activities presented to us on the course. However, this activity forced us to come together as groups, and really learn to prioritise and take situations as they come whilst remaining calm. What did you expect from the course, and how did that differ from reality?

For us, this course was very different from the expectations we originally held. The outcome of this course is receiving your rank and posting for the following year and so we did expect these to be based on practical skills. However, as much as these are important, the Senior Leaders Course focuses more on your individual character, ability to handle unexpected situations, leadership, and on collaboration. Additionally, we did think that our previous rank would affect your outcome, but we found

everyone really did start on a clean and equal slate. Finally, the amount and quality of work we completed within our syndicates, which were randomised groups of seven candidates, was at a much higher level than we originally thought. This just emphasised the importance of being able to collaborate and work in a team to achieve the most effective, efficient, and successful outcome. What did you get out of this course?

SUO Lizzie Moore

I feel that the most valuable part of this course was the time spent with the rest of the course, and how close our cohort became. We all saw each other at our highs and quite a few of our lows, which has only strengthened our relationships. I feel I have advanced massively in my leadership skills particularly in relation to working collaboratively, as it is one thing to lead and direct but harder to lead and serve those around you. I gained a whole new kind of confidence in myself and learnt to trust my decisions which has helped to further my public speaking and communication ability. My time management and organisational skills have developed by learning to prioritise in high pressure situations.

RSM Zoe Samios

Perhaps one of the most valuable parts of the course is its ability to teach us how to function as members of a team. This means identifying what your role requires in addition to determining the most efficient method of execution for success. With a strong focus on group work, the course helped me further a range of soft skills including communication and decision making. The opportunity to run an activity as part of a bullring for the Junior Leaders was an excellent opportunity to practise not only planning and running an activity, but also how to resolve

issues in real time. Cadets offers a genuine chance at leadership that individuals our age simply won’t find anywhere else.

What are your aspirations for the unit?

SUO Lizzie Moore

Cadets has been one of the biggest parts of my life at Barker and has given me some of the strongest friendships. It has helped my personal growth and has already forged so many unforgettable memories. I am aiming as the SUO to give back to the unit all it has given me and more. I am planning to increase equality within the unit as the school is now fully coed by increasing the female representation in Alpha Company. With the introduction of the new Operations Company, I want every cadet with different abilities, skills, and passions to explore all their opportunities within the unit. Finally, I want to boost morale and passion within the companies and

within the unit overall, especially after the disrupted years affected by the pandemic.

RSM Zoe Samios

Cadets is responsible for some of my most cherished memories, some of my strongest friendships and many aspects of my personal growth. I aspire to do my part in creating a unit which facilitates the same, if not greater, rich experience that I was privileged enough to have. In my role as RSM I want to increase the unit minimum standards surrounding dress and drill. Furthermore, it is my goal to develop the sense of pride that individuals take in being a member of the BCCU. If nothing else, the Senior Leaders Course demonstrated the value of Esprit de Corps, a term used in Cadets to describe the sense of pride and loyalty to the unit.

Phil Gordon Dep Comd BCCU

Alumni Profile

Bo Seo (Class of 2012) has had a busy decade since leaving Barker and shares some of his experiences here. Bo is a champion debater, journalist, current law student and this year launched his first book, Good Arguments. The book argues that disagreement can be a force for good in our polarised world.

Bo provides insights from the strategy, structure and history of debating to teach readers how they might better communicate with friends, family and colleagues.

What has been your journey since finishing at Barker in 2012?

After graduating high school, I moved to the United States to attend Harvard College. I was daunted, at first, but I quickly learned that a Barker education — its rigor, humanism, mewell-roundedness—hadandpreparedformorethanIhadimagined.

I

studied political theory and English. I made friends. Then I moved to China to complete a master’s degree in public policy on a Schwarzman Scholarship. In 2018, I returned home and began working as a newspaper reporter covering politics and business at the Australian Financial Review. When the pandemic began, I resigned from my job and holed up to write the book that would become Good Arguments. I am now a student at Harvard Law School.

Tell us what inspired you to write your recently published book ‘Good Arguments, What the art of debating can teach us about listening better and disagreeing well.’

I was first approached to write this book in early 2016 after my Harvard debate partner and I won the World Universities Debating Championships. That book would have been a straightforward instructional guide and a

triumphalist tale. But later that year I saw, in the presidential campaign between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the potential for debate to drive polarization. That experience textured my views on debate and ultimately strengthened my conviction that disagreeing well is a matter of great personal and political urgency. I wrote the book to help people disagree better in their everyday lives and to believe again in what disagreements can be.

What has been the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the book publishing process?

Publishing hinges on the faith and confidence of gatekeepers— editors, publicists, sales teams— who have to buy-in to your vision of the book. That initial stage of writing “on spec” (without a contract), facing rejection, and selling the project was hardest. The writing process presented challenges, among them solitude and self-doubt, but was ultimately a pleasure. Easily the highlight is seeing the book reach readers who adapt, elaborate and revise its ideas. Good Arguments is slated for publication in seven languages, so it will be interesting to see how it is received in different parts of the world.

Where are you currently and what are you plans?

I am one-third of the way through a postgraduate law degree at Harvard. I plan to practise law and to move between the United States and Australia. I will also continue writing.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Barker?

These days I view my time at Barker through rose-tinted glasses. Even the more trying moments — getting mildly dehydrated at the Grange, playing terrible basketball for the 8J’s — have aged into fond memories. I found my voice on the School debating team, alongside classmates who remain close friends. Teachers such as Andrew Hood, Phil Gordon, Melissa Brady, and Jacqui McLachlan encouraged my curiosity.

Do you have any advice for today’s Barker students?

Don’t count yourself out of an opportunity. There will be plenty of forces to do that for you.

Girls do the Maths

The annual Girls do the Maths day is always a well-run and interesting day where students are provided with the opportunity to engage with other female mathematicians and consider their future study and career

Thispaths.year’s day at the University of NSW was no exception and nine of our Year 10 girls participated.

Corinne Zhou said, “I particularly enjoyed working on the maths problems with the girls from other schools and it was interesting to see how we all came up with the correct answer using different methods.”

As a Maths teacher, the highlight was being able to see the girls in a different context and to hear their conversations both mathematical … and otherwise.

Ruth Gibson Mathematics Teacher

Talented Maths Students Workshop

Boyce Hall was alive with active mathematical minds in Week 8 of Term 2 as 40 of our Year 10 students combined their mathematical brain power, working in pairs with students from Shore, Roseville College and Northholm Grammar. There were mathematical relay races, problems with hands-on materials, timed puzzles and chocolate challenges.

This great day was run by the team from Inquisitive Minds and assisted by the Barker Mathematics Department and was the third year Barker has hosted. Inquisitive Minds coordinate the competitions, give out lots of prizes and explain the intricate mathematics involved in each problem. Students also gained further knowledge into combinatorics and probability solving skills.

At the end of the day the Barker students were happy to take home the trophy once again. This year there was also a special prize awarded to the pair who solved the greatest number of challenging problems in the time period. The pair included Kerry Mo from Barker. They broke the record! Students involved in the day commented that they “enjoyed meeting students from other schools” and found the puzzles and challenges “interesting and intriguing”. The Barker Mathematics Department consider this a great outcome to a fantastic day enjoying mathematics!

Emily Pratt Assistant Coordinator of Mathematics

Faith Week

Faith Week is a week in the year where former Barker students return to share about their faith post school. They have joined students and staff in classes, Chapels and Cru groups throughout the week.

About half-way through Jesus’ ministry, he asked his disciples who the crowds thought he was. They explained the various popular opinions. Some thought Jesus was John the Baptist back from the dead, others thought he was the Old Testament prophet Elijah come back. John had a reputation as a powerful preacher, Elijah a worker of miracles. Jesus pressed his question home, ‘but what about you? Who do you say I am?...

The theme for this year was: Jesus is… and we encouraged students and staff to consider how they would finish the sentence. We wanted to open-up conversations, so welcomed answers from all different faith positions.

Jesus is… is a theme that has been used in many schools and churches in the past. If you look online you can see some other thought provoking answers: “Jesus is my home boy”, “Jesus is blue cheese”, “Jesus is my anchor”, “Jesus is a courageous decision” are just a few of the ways people responded to this theme.

Over the week we had more than 2000 conversations about Jesus through the School. This is what Faith Week is all about. How would you finish the sentence?

Rev Peter Tong Senior Chaplain

Connecting with Culture and each other - Indigenous Education at Hornsby Campus

Dhinewan Mentoring

Our Yarn Up group have had the privilege of participating in a leadership and mentoring program with Dhinewan Mentoring, led by Jonathan Wright. Jonathan is a proud Gamilaroi/Dunghutti man who has lived and resided on Darkinjung and Awabakal country. He brings to us his experience in the professional sporting industry as a role model and mentor for many people and his powerful connection to Culture. Jonathan has been performing and teaching Aboriginal dance for over 20 years and was involved in developing the War Cry for the Indigenous All Stars and performed at the opening ceremony for the Rugby World Cup. He is particularly passionate about developing and deepening the connection to Culture in our young First Nations students.

The Dhinewan program included visits from Aunty Tammy Wright, Jonathan’s mother. She shared her wisdom and skills, and the students particularly enjoyed practising weaving and discussing complex social issues.

It was a great privilege to hear Aunty Tammy’s stories and experiences. An art workshop with Jakeob Watson, a fantastic contemporary artist inspired the students to customise some of their own sneakers, and traditional Indigenous games took on another level of competitiveness when siblings were pitted against each other! Our Year 5 and 6 students from Darkinjung have also joined in on some of the sessions during their visits to the Hornsby campus.

The program has provided so many opportunities to continue to build deep connections. Jonathan and Aunty Tammy and the team really encouraged and provided enjoyable and inspiring opportunities for the students to learn more and engage in Cultural activities. Equally, the fun activities and time together have continued to develop connection within the Yarn Up group and the inclusion of the Darkinjung Year 5 and 6 students has extended this connection across our School campuses.

Reconciliation Week & NAIDOC Week

Term 2 saw Barker College recognise national Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week. This years Reconciliation Week theme was Be Brave, Make Change. Our students were inspired by this theme to take some action towards a more reconciled future.

In our Connect Groups, we listened to the Imagination Declaration, a powerful statement written by the youth in attendance at the Garma Festival in 2019 (the last time it was held). The statement calls for the government to imagine what is possible if barriers and low expectations for First Nations students are left in the past and First Nations children and youth are celebrated for their incredible talents and diversity. Students then had the opportunity to participate in a visual petition, writing messages of support. This was mounted in the Rosewood Centre for display for the remainder of term.

NAIDOC week’s 2022 theme was Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up. NAIDOC week involved a wonderful collaboration between the Footprint group and our First Nations students. The whole School assembly was a highlight, with outstanding cultural performances from First Nations students from Darkinjung, Ngarralingayil and the Junior School.

Yarn Up students proudly read the poem “A Song of Hope” by Oodgeroo Noonuccal. We were blessed to have the incredible Dr Leanne Holt, Pro-Vice Chancellor Indigenous Strategy at Macquarie University share her thoughts with the School community. She reflected on the NAIDOC theme and the legacy that we choose to create through our personal, everyday actions. We are so grateful to Dr Holt for sharing her wisdom and being so generous with her time.

We closed NAIDOC week, continuing to build connections within the School community, by holding a gathering at lunch time led by the Footprint group. Students from Footprint and Yarn Up gathered together and connected over some communal colouring-in of the official 2022 NAIDOC poster while listening to contemporary First Nations musicians and artists. Both NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week had themes that are a call to action for all Australians to seek ways to embrace the rich cultural heritage of our country, and work towards a reconciled country. At Barker, students, staff and peers take this heartfelt action every day.

The Garma Festival

The Garma Festival is an annual festival held in Gulkula, North-East Arnhem Land, which returned in 2022 after a COVID induced hiatus of two years.

It is an internationally reknowned Indigenous event, a coming together of more than 3000 people from across the nation that celebrates the cultural, artistic and ceremonial traditions of the Yolŋu people of North-East Arnhem land. Barker already has a deep connection with the Yolŋu people though our school, Dhupuma Barker, and in late July we had the great privilege of attending the Garma Festival with a contingent of 16 students and supporting staff. It was an incredible opportunity for the Barker Hornsby community to engage with the Yolŋu nation and continue to strengthen our relationship with the Gunyangara community. Students and staff spent four days camping in remote Arnhem Land, immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the Yolŋu people experiencing traditional miny’tji (art), ancient storytelling, manikay (song) and bunggul (dance). A reflection of our experience will be included in the next edition of The Barker. Manymak!

Lucy Pitkin Dean of Indigenous Education

Year 11 Play

Antigone

It is never an easy task to find a play which provides the scope and depth to meet the needs of our talented students.

However, this year’s production of Sophocles’ Antigone, beautifully adapted by Damien Ryan provided the perfect opportunity to showcase their talents whilst asking big questions of the audience. The power of theatre lies in the storytelling, its ability to reflect our fears, hopes, dreams and foibles and Antigone delivers this in a powerful package. This production asks us to consider what constitutes justice in a world torn apart by conflict, a question made even more pertinent considering the conflict raging in Ukraine. The cast grappled with these questions through their rehearsal process with a maturity and strength which was uplifting. I congratulate them on their capacity to look beyond the suffering to find the humanity, community and compassion which is the dawn to every dark night of suffering. Their commitment and talent was evident in the polished and considered performances they gave each night and the rousing applause they received from each and every audience member.

Max Bowles - Chorus/Ensemble

The Year 11 Play ‘Antigone’ was an experience that left an extraordinary impact on all of us in the cast as well as the audiences that came to see us. By addressing a devastating timely issue: The Russia-Ukraine Conflict we hoped to bring this play into a modern understanding. The pinnacle of the process for me was watching the audience’s reaction from the stage, seeing the impact our hard work was having every night. However, being a part of a play that made a powerful statement on ‘what is justice in today’s society?’ also had its challenges. There was a degree of pressure and responsibility that came with showcasing a political play. We had to ensure that we portrayed a clear, accurate, and meaningful representation of the issue. Our Director Ms Morosin, guided us through this process, whilst also utilising her experience in Greek Theatre to link our modern adaptation to the ancient roots of the original play set in 441 B.C. It was fascinating to see the relevance of an Ancient Greek Tragedy in our current society. The problems of gender equality, a democratic voice and the desire for justice still resonate today. Being a part of a Barker production always comes with such a strong community. If this is something you are considering, do it! You won’t regret it!

Anika Banerjee - Antigone

Antigone is an Ancient Greek Tragedy and our modernised staging of this play helped us to show how vital this story still is today. Much like Shakespeare, the Ancient Greek plays still have important messages that are relevant to our modern day-to-day lives. For instance, Antigone is about justice and the need for everyone to have a voice. The process we undertook with Ms Morosin to stage this message is different to how it would have been in Ancient Greece, which made it even more interesting to explore. We incorporated Ukrainian Folk Dancing and music, and by using Damien Ryan’s modernised text it made it easier for an audience to relate to the ideas of the play.

For me, the best moment of the play was the final result; The moving, truthful performance that we delivered to the audience every night. It was the best because watching them react to every movement that we had practised a million times was unforgettable. Although, another highlight was the little chats and costume and makeup collaborations in the greenroom. We would play some music and do focus activities so that we would be committed and ready to bring a powerful performance. Some of the biggest challenges we faced as a group was the trial and error in rehearsals. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t. But as we grew closer as a collective and put our suggestions forward, respecting each other’s ideas, it became easier to create a truly ensemble driven piece of theatre. I love being in Barker productions and I would one hundred percent encourage everyone to audition for any Barker play or musical that they can! It will be one of the most memorable times of your life. It brings you together as a family and it is always worth the hard work.

Angela Morosin Director

Deep Dive into a Year 7 English Canvas Course

Online resources offer more than just a bunch of nice graphics that teachers flash up in the classroom.

By using principles of instructional design, blended learning and universal design for learning, educators are creating sequences of online resources that bring flexibility, personalisation, and academic rigour into the classroom; this is precisely the aim for online Canvas courses at Barker.

Well-designed Canvas courses allow learners to refer to key learning resources anywhere at any time. With teacher guidance, students can progress at an individualised pace, providing the right balance of challenge and comfort. For our teachers, online resources allow for more time working one-on-one with students; they free up class time to allow for more discussions, collaboration, and group-learning situations.

An excellent example of sequenced online resources is the recently reworked Year 7 English Canvas course, developed by English Stage 4 Coordinator, Charlotte Wells and her team. We can divide the course into the following areas:

• Units

• Content Pages

• Checkpoints

Units

Units are constructed sequentially and can be used to allow students to move through a unit of work at their own pace. Teachers can use units to include extension activities, more profound exploration of topics, or options for students to follow their interests.

Content Pages

Content pages provide access to an almost limitless array of resources from images, videos, text, and embedded content. In this example, teachers direct students to complete written activities by writing responses in their OneNote notebooks. Content is presented in varying degrees of abstraction, allowing teachers and students to personalise content to their class or individual students.

Checkpoints

Teachers use Canvas tasks to organise and manage progressive reporting checkpoints. These English checkpoints are differentiated, offering teachers and students choice in the activity, allowing students to work at the edge of their competence. Each level in this exercise shows a greater level of abstraction, increasing the challenge of the activity. While the content and delivery might vary from class to class (or even student to student), the core English skills are the same across the cohort. In this case, teachers provide students with feedback on their ability to understand the purpose of a task, how well they can organise a response and their use of paragraphs, vocabulary, and sentence structure through a visual rubric and teacher

Here’scomment.what the teachers have to say about these courses.

Laura Craven, Head of English

In English, we teach all students with a wide crosssection of needs and abilities. We also have a diverse range of teacher experience, beginning teachers to experienced teachers who all have their areas of interest and expertise. The focus of the Year 7 English Canvas page has been to establish a learning platform that unifies content delivery across all classes yet allows for differentiation in content and learning experiences. I have been extremely proud of

Charlotte’s leadership of her team and the way they have enthusiastically collaborated in content creation and explored a shared understanding of what student success looks like. Creating the Year 7 Canvas page has been an opportunity for ongoing and practical teacher professional learning in the English Department; ideas, resource sharing, and development are part of our daily discourse. This has helped to build the capacity of the Year 7 teacher team, which ultimately leads to a more customised classroom experience for our students.

Charlotte Wells, Stage 4 English Coordinator

For our new Term 1 Identity unit in Year 7 English, we developed a unit with differentiated teaching and learning strategies to accommodate the diverse needs of all our students - from those needing additional support to those requiring extension activities. The range of tiered tasks allowed students to access content and demonstrate their understanding at a level suited to their individual abilities.

The first Checkpoint Task was a Pre-Assessment and an opportunity for us as teachers to get to know our students. The students were given a choice of form (letter, diary, or story) to demonstrate their writing skills. We found that providing choice increased student engagement and motivation and allowed them to showcase their strengths.

The students responded positively to the different texts and activities in the unit. Both teacher and student choice were encouraged, which resulted in greater autonomy and increased participation.

Conclusion

This level of differentiation was previously seen as elusive. It is only through the well-developed and considered sequence of teaching and learning resources that personalising learning experiences becomes a reality.

Dr Andy Mifsud Director of Digital Learning

Dancing to the Rhythm

It was the first ever Barker Dance concert that showcased the talent of students in K-12 and displayed the power of collaboration across the School, between two passionate Dance Coordinators, Isabel Snowden and Claire Yeomans.

Barker Dance is growing in participants and quality as we build on the momentum created in the Junior School to establish a wholistic vision for Dance. The Junior School features two programs of Dance, IGNITE Dance as an after school activity where all are welcome to ignite their passion for Dance or try something new. Barker Dance Troupes are audition only competition troupes who demonstrated how commitment and teamwork drives success. With the introduction of fully coed education, our Middle School dancers have bridged the gap between the Junior and Senior campuses, participating in large numbers in both the recreational and troupe classes. After two years of online dance classes, cancelled performances and social distancing, the students jumped back on stage with an unstoppable enthusiasm and energy.

On 17 June the Leslie Hall was filled with 500 friends and families ready and eager to witness the growth of these dancers and their passion on stage. The Junior School Dance Captains kicked off the evening warmly

welcoming the Year 1-2 Troupe ‘Monkeys’ to the stage, who were delightful with their cheerful grins and enthusiastic movement. The Lyrical alongside the Middle School Jazz Troupe brought skill and sophistication to the stage with a brilliant display of the female power to ‘persevere’ with their number ‘Survivor’. Witnessing the young women perform as a collective displayed the strength of Barker’s coeducational program. The 3-6 Troupe shook up the evening with their colourful ‘Conga’ and the 5-6 Troupe closed the evening with the entertaining ‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’. All dancers returned to the stage for a culminating finale where it was inspiring to see dancers K-12 celebrating their passion for Dance.

We would love to invite you to see the full array of our classes from K-12 at the Whole School Dance Showcase on 14 October in Leslie Hall. You will be blown away by the talent of our Dancers and entertained by the choreographic quality our new instructors have brought to the stage.

The Junior School Dance Showcase was a momentous occasion that marked a moment in Barker’s history as a coeducational school.

Claire Yeomans Drama Teacher & Cocurricular Dance Coordinator

Isabel Snowden

Junior School Classroom Teacher and CCC Junior School Dance

Celebrating Barker Science

Barker Girls Women in Science

Barker Girls Women in Science

In June we hosted a special celebration. The evening began with some hot chocolate to help warm up the visitors, students and their families and some tinkering to inspire the young minds who came along to explore the wonders and broad appeal of science. Some of the stations and experiments that were set up included extracting strawberry DNA and creating holograms, and many more simple yet thoughtprovoking experiments.

Our keynote speaker for the evening, Associate Professor Alice Motion described her life journey from 'the land of marmite to the land of vegemite', filled with encouraging stories about unexpected twists and turns in her career such as missing out on a travelling scholarship and finding a better offer in Sydney. She shared the joys of significant scientific breakthroughs, with each step in the journey showing growth, resilience and open-mindedness about her options. She was particularly passionate about expressing the complementary nature of arts and sciences.

A panel discussion followed with a panel of women who had or were in the midst of pursuing Science as a career. The panel featured Associate Professor Motion, as well as academic and member of Barker College Council Professor Alison Rodger, Kirsten Prior (Barker's Stage 6 Science Lead: Biology) and past students and Science Extension course alumnis Eva Orme and Anais Thomlinson.

They shared their insights on a range of topics such as favourite elements of the periodic table, and discussions about how the culture has changed about women in Science over the years. A key question provided a most memorable moment. In answering a question on “what qualities did you need to succeed in a career in Science” the answers that came back were a stubbornness to continue to work at something to get to the really exciting results, confidence and belief in yourself, paired with an open-mindedness to what the results are telling you, and a genuine passion, curiosity and thirst for learning to drive your Ininvestigations.afittingconclusion

to the evening one of our younger students asked the question “why aren't we celebrating boys?”. Professor Motion was able to summarise the purpose of the evening very succinctly - “tonight is not a moment to say what men and boys do is not important, just that those possibilities should be there for everybody”, while explaining that historically societal support and recognition was given to only particular (male) subsets of the population and going on to list groups that continue to be under represented in scientific careers and Nobel prizes.

We as a Barker community welcome such insights and expertise as we continue to provide every opportunity to our students. These academic partnerships will continue to be richly rewarding for our students.

To honour the transition to full coeducation, the Head of Barker, Phillip Heath, and the School Council invited us to focus 2022 on celebrating past, present and future contributions of women and girls in Science at Barker and beyond.

International Science Olympiad

Austin Lin, Class of 2022, has continued on his trajectory of excellence in his pursuit of science.

In 2021 Austin received a gold medal for his success at the International Chemistry Olympiad. He has followed this success in 2022 with a silver medal for his success at the International Physics Olympiad. This is an outstanding academic achievement at the highest level in two diverse fields of Science, all achieved while he has been preparing for his own AustinHSC.isset

for a stellar career in whatever field of Science he chooses to pursue, and we are so very proud of him.

Virginia Ellis Head of Science & STEAM

Barker Girls Women in Science Barker Girls Women in Science

Photo Dr Cathy Foley AO, Australia’s Chief Scientist, with Austin at the award ceremony at Parliament House, Canberra.

TheSportsBarker

Mollie Dive Cup

Hockey program entered two teams into the Mollie Dive Competition this year. It was exciting to see our inaugural Junior Mollie Dive team come together to represent Barker for the first time.

The team was a combination of students in Years 7-9, who came up against several very competitive, all-age teams. It was a fantastic learning experience for all students, with their stick skills, passing and communication improving week-to-week. The competition was a great opportunity for additional match time and we were impressed with how these students showed sportsmanship and maturity on the field. Students are to be congratulated on their participation in this competition, on top of their regular Saturday ISA matches.

After a successful 2021 competition, the senior Mollie Dive team were ready to prove themselves again in 2022. After flying through the round games, almost undefeated, the team was ready to face a very strong PLC Pymble side in the grand final. Hair braided, uniform donned, the team was ready - as they walked out onto the field, they were met with an enormous crowd of Barker supporters. The atmosphere was electric. It was incredible to see so many students and families supporting the Hockey program. Reds dominated the match - every student performed to the best of their ability, and it was a fantastic display of schoolgirl hockey, and perhaps, the best match of

Barker Hockey to be witnessed in years. With the clever coaching from Robbie, the cheering of the crowd and the hunger for the ball, the team was spurred on to a convincing 4-1 victory. This has set another school record, being the first time Barker has won the competition two consecutive years in a row. On behalf of the Hockey program, I would like to thank the Northern Sydney & Beaches Hockey Association for their coordination of the competition and all parents and carers. In addition, I would like to thank the age co-ordinators, Joanna Baxter and Greg Bayne, our coaches Emma Wall and Robbie Muir, for their encouragement and gentle care for the students, Robbie and the Northside Sports Physiotherapy team for keeping our students match-ready each week and Cam Anderson, Adam Watson and the Sports Admin team for supporting our participation in the competition. We look forward to seeing the growth and development of the Hockey program over the coming years.

Morgan Armstrong PDHPE Teacher & Hockey CCC

Injury SystemManagement

Injuries are an unfortunate and sometimes unavoidable part of participating in sport. With the improvements in reporting and athlete profiling, the prevalence of injuries among adolescent sports is decreasing, however the ability to eliminate injuries completely is impractical.

Why injuries occur in sport, particularly load related chronic injuries, is a hotly debated topic. One thing that is well researched in literature is that the biggest risk factor for injury occurring is previous injury. With this in mind, the purpose of our injury management, injury surveillance and injury prevention programs within the School are based around not only working towards reducing the risk of injuries in sport but decreasing the likelihood of an injury reoccurring when transitioning back into training and

Theperformance.School’sinjury prevention model is based on three key components:

1. Primary Prevention - this component forms the basis of all programming and planning within the Strength and Conditioning department. Through the use of warm ups, cool downs, periodised gym programs and various sport technologies, the team are focused around optimally conditioning and strengthening students to cope with the demands of their sport. This is aided with screening and testing protocols to identify potential risk factors associated with common injuries in sport.

2. Secondary Prevention - focuses on identifying small changes in a student’s physical state, for example poor mobility in relation to previous test results and acting on these changes before they have the potential to eventuate into an injury.

3. Tertiary Prevention- the third stage of the School’s injury prevention model is focused around managing an injury that has already occurred and ensuring students return to sport safely, while minimising the risk of reinjury. The Strength and Conditioning Department work closely with allied health practitioners to develop sessions throughout all stages of rehabilitation programs until students have transitioned back into full sport.

Within this stage comes the inclusion of the School’s concussion protocol, a 19-day protocol to ensure that students are returned safely to sport following a positive concussion diagnosis.

Injuries are never fun, but with the growing body of available literature, we are able to continually build and develop prevention programs to ultimately reduce the prevalence of injuries within sport.

Chloe Eadie & Andrew Smith Strength and Conditioning Coordinators

ThisSportstime

Capping off a Great Season of Sport

last year, we were lamenting the lack of Barker sport on a Saturday. The fields and courts lay silent and the Memorial Grandstand overlooking No. 1 Oval sat empty.

Fast forward 12 months and a very different picture was presented – with the fields and courts awash with Red; spectators vying for an uninterrupted view of the action and the Memorial Grandstand packed to capacity with students cheering.

We have enjoyed an exceptional winter season of sport, with so many of our teams rising to the challenge and making it all the way through to the Grand Finals and Premiership playoffs.

The CAS season was capped off with our 1st Tennis and 1st XV Rugby teams claiming the respective CAS Shields. It was outstanding play by our 1st Tennis players across the season to be in the position to win the CAS Championship by the time they played Knox in the last round. In an absolute nail biter in front of a packed No. 1 Oval, we witnessed schoolboy rugby at its best by both teams. It was a game that could have gone either way, with Barker holding on to claim the Henry Plume Shield with a 36-33 win against Knox.

Barker’s Netball teams enjoyed considerable success across the season with the Junior, Inters and Senior teams all taking home the ISA Division Shield and Barker being named overall ISA Champion. They were hard fought and often close games, with the girls playing with perseverance and determination and leaving nothing on the court.

In a first for Barker Football, the Junior Girls were crowned Division Champions for ISA. Whilst it was a heart-breaking Grand Final for our 1st Football Girls, going down in a penalty shootout, Barker were awarded the ISA Shield for overall Football champions for Barker2022.was also well represented in the ISA Hockey Grand Finals, but narrowly missed out on bring the overall ISA Championship shield home by one point, resulting in an overall 2nd place.

The NSW School Fencing League championship saw Barker take out the Gold in the U16s and awarded Bronze in the U19s and there were some outstanding results by our swimmers at the School Sport Australia Championships held in Brisbane in August.

Our swimmers competed at School Sport Australia, our Cross Country athletes competed fiercely at the Inter-school competitions, our Squash and Taekwondo students trained and competed at various inter-school competitions, our AFL boys teams grew in skill and determination and we saw AFL girls running onto the field for Barker for the first time.

Our dancers performed in Eisteddfods across Sydney, with outstanding results and finally, ideal snow conditions across the season contributed to many great performances by our Snowsports competitors at both the Regional and State Championships.

We extend our thanks to all the coaches, coordinators and the Barker community who have contributed to a most successful and enjoyable season.

Cameron Anderson Head of Sport

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To guide you through the process, Soames has developed the Landlord’s First Program. This gives priority access to new investment property listings to view premium locations in the North Shore. Contact Lucy, our Business Development Manager, to learn how Soames can take care of your property investment.

Soames is proud to be a partner of the Barker College Sports Program.

Trivia Night

The ever-popular BCPA Trivia Night was held on Saturday 14 May 2022. This year's Sports Spectacular theme proved to be a hit with the Barker Community.

The enormous effort that the 400 plus guests went to with costumes and table decorations added so much fun to the night. We had a few horse racing and rugby themed tables, with some more imaginative tables of shuttlecocks and the ASADA Testing Team. We saw some legends of sport, including Richie Benaud and Andre Agassi, as well as 1980s fitness guru Richard Simmons and the infamous figure skater Tonya Harding. Glenn from Trivialities hosted the night yet again, engaging the audience with challenging questions and quick

Wewit.

are grateful to many families of the Barker Community, as well as local businesses who generously donated prizes for the night. Also, special thanks to the Barker Events, Maintenance and Food Services teams who worked tirelessly with the BCPA Trivia Night Committee to ensure the night ran smoothly.

The biggest thanks however go to the Barker Community, who embraced the opportunity to gather - watching you all reconnect with lots of chatter and laughter are what these events are all about.

Deanne Uy BCPA Parent Coordinator

Barker’s Spring Fair

After a six-year hiatus, the 97-year old school fete tradition returned with Barker’s Spring Fair on 17 September 2022. The tradition continued with attractions, stalls, games, and entertainment on offer across the School grounds.

The tradition began on Saturday 18 April 1925, when the first school fete was organised by Barker parents, Mary Mackenzie, Elizabeth Abbott, and Maybelle Fleming to fundraise for a pavilion for the newly opened War Memorial Oval. The event was successful in its first year raising £500 towards the pavilion, with the remainder of the £1,400 debt being paid off from the proceeds of the second school fete the following Notyear.only did the 1925 and 1926 fetes reach their fundraising goal, and provide the School with a new pavilion, known as ‘The Grandstand’ or the ‘Mother’s War Memorial Pavilion’, they also launched two important and longstanding traditions for the School, the formation of the Barker College Mothers’ Association (BCMA), now the Barker College Parents’ Association (BCPA), and the running of school fetes or Althoughfairs.

the initial fetes were highly successful, future fetes became a little lack lustre and in 1936 only £150 was raised by the BCMA towards the Swimming Pool Fund. With such limited financial success, fetes were abandoned as a method of fundraising by the BCMA.

The tradition stalled for the next 17 years. When it returned in 1953, the fete was nothing short of spectacular, and gathered the entire School community. Highlights of the day included the St Andrew’s Sydney Pipe Band, a fencing display, dancing, a beach-wear fashion parade and the presentation of the Miss Barker candidates. The event raised over £8,500, with the funds providing a new scoreboard, dressing sheds on No. 3 Oval, toilets and spectator seating around the Swimming Pool, new fencing around the Memorial Oval and three additional Tennis Courts.

The Barker College Spring Fair continues to be a highly anticipated community event, and longstanding tradition, organised by the BCPA.

Rachel Byrne Senior Archivist

Left

FoundationAscaptains,

Captains Back to Barker Day

the things you did, win, lose or draw, have contributed to developing the stories and the memories that are rich in history and rich in spirit.

One of the five pillars of the Foundation’s 20222024 Strategic Plan builds on the goodwill and the relationships that the School has with its community. It is through these strong and enduring relationships, that we look to our community to become our Partners for the Future.

Earlier this term, we were delighted to partner with the Barker Rugby Club, one of several parent supporter groups at the School, to welcome back our 1st XV and Rugby 7s captains. These men and women, from as far back as our 1958 1st XV Captain, Geoff Little, to one of our more recent Rugby 7s Captains, Majella Campbell (18), joined with our present-day captains, to share with them a little about the tradition that they have built.

In his welcome, Head of Barker, Phillip Heath, shared how we live in a time where everything is immediate and everything is about the now.

“Memories fade,” Phillip said. “We want to remember that the stories that today’s generation of players have inherited, were developed by others and passed on. That the stories of the former captains have joined us today, are represented in the symbols that are precious to all of us - our No. 1 Oval, the fact that our first teams are the only teams in the School that wear the crest when they play.”

“Each generation contributes to that story and I want to honour the players are now developing that story to hand it on to the next generation of players. So they can say when they run out of the War Memorial Grandstand in the red, that they stand in the place of something that has been built over a long period of time.”

"Barker Rugby now belongs to both the boys and the girls and what matters the most, is that we play for the team; we play for each other; we play for the colour and we play for the School", Phillip said.

In his concluding remarks, Phillip said, “each of you here today have helped to create these special traditions. As captains, the things you did, win, lose or draw, have contributed to developing the stories and the memories that are rich in history and rich in spirit”.

Our School has many big ideas for the future that we want to share with our community. The work of the Foundation helps to enable these big ideas. Bringing together parent supporter groups such as our Rugby Club and our Alumni at events such as this Captains’ Back to Barker Day, is just one of the many ways, the Barker Foundation is building on its mission to be an agent of dynamism for our Barker community.

I invite to learn about the work of Foundation

John Slack-Smith Foundation Chair

FutureBarker Fund

The establishment of the Barker Future Fund

Transformational scholarships children of backgrounds

Tomorrow’s inspirational spaces

Enriching the diversity of the School

Indigenous education initiatives

Funding operating gaps to keep as

The impact of your generosity is helping to inspire tomorrow’s Barker for us all. Whether you choose to support a specific area, such as Indigenous Education, make regular donations through termly giving, or give major gifts, your support is vital and the School is so grateful. We are honoured by your shared commitment to ensuring an ever-improving experience for not just your own children, but for others’ children still to come.

Your gift to the Barker Future Fund will allow us to continue the work of evolving the School, for the good of all our community past, present, and future.

John Slack-Smith Foundation Chair

DONATE Now FundFuture

Old Barker Association Contacts

email: oba@barker.nsw.edu.au

(Please note that the number in brackets after a name is the graduating year)

President Angus Abadee (07) 0433 108 525

Honorary Vice-President Emily Tutt (09) 0426 751 165

Honorary Treasurer Andrew Hassall (86) 0412 610 434

Assistant Honorary Treasurer Benjamin Ho (09)

Honorary Secretary Josh Grace (90)

Assistant Honorary Secretary Anna Sutton (05)

General Committee

Vanessa Bennett (91)

Georgia Breckenridge (18)

Gemma Dywer (Davies 09)

Declan Flaherty (16)

Anthony Hearne (90) Jenny Kalaf (Melville 78)

Lachie Lloyd (18)

Nominees to School Council Meline Nazloomian (05) Anna Sutton (05) David Trayner (84)

OBA Ambassador Chris Russell (70)

OBA Annual Patron Sandy Hollway (64)

OBA Seniors Contact Ian Pont (63) oba@barker.nsw.edu.au

OBA Support for Life associationhttps://landing.mymirror.com.au/old-barker-

School Contacts

Director of Alumni and Community Relations

Karina Drummond (02) 8438 7283

Archiveskdrummond@barker.nsw.edu.au

Rachel Byrne (02) 8438 7290

Eventsarchives@barker.nsw.edu.auManager

Julie Fitzpatrick (02) 8438 7240 events@barker.nsw.edu.au

Interstate and International Barker Contacts Adelaide Lane Hinchcliffe (00) 0412 130 935 (m)

Brisbanelane@lkggroup.com.au

Andrew Wilkie (01) 0412 779 383 (m)

Canberraandrew.wilkie@morgans.com.au

Andrew McColl (74) 0422 985 281(m)

Melbourneas.mccoll@icloud.com

Murray Anderson (65) 0457 000 407 (m)

Newcastlemurray@capricorngroup.net.au

Nicholas Bedggood (88) 0410 565 101 (m)

Northernnickbedggood@yahoo.com.auRivers

Jim Poulos (61) 0413 087 412

Perthpamio@bigpond.net.au

Gus Elliot (92) 0416 298 774 (m) gus.elliot14@gmail.com

Sunshine Coast Phil Benjamin (61) Upperpandj.benjamin@bigpond.comHunter

Charles Cooke (65) (02) 6545 8141 (w) Canada,charles_cooke@esat.net.auOntario

George Darling (70) Honggdarling@sandstormgold.comKong

Vacant Japan Carl Bastian (93) Middlecarl@rwo.okinawaEast

David Baker (85) +965 9950 1657 Newdrwbaker2002@yahoo.co.ukZealand

Vacant

Oceania (Fiji) Neil Underhill (75) (679) 336 3968 (w) Papuaneilunderhill@connect.com.fjNewGuinea

Johnson Kalo (83) (675) 305 6703 (w) Singaporejhnsnka03@gmail.com

Carly Switzer (94) UK,carlyswitzer@yahoo.com.auLondon

Annette French (Slattery 88) (44) 1732 382 281 (h)

NewUSA,annette.e.french@sky.comEastCoastYork

Alex Skellet (94) (917) 251 3361 (h)

Phoenix,USA,alexandraskellet@gmail.comWestCoastArizona

Digby Cook (56) (623) 523 4321 (h) digbyhcook@gmail.com

OBA MessagePresident’s PresidentThe

alumni community was saddened to hear of the passing of Trevor McCaskill, Barker’s sixth Headmaster (1963 - 1986), whose leadership of the School added significantly to the fabric of our community, particularly his advocacy of coeducation at Barker.

It was McCaskill’s inspiration that led Barker College to become the first independent school in Sydney to introduce coeducation. 1975 marked the beginning of the new Senior School and the introduction of coeducation and 59 girls were enrolled at Barker in Year 11 that year. McCaskill’s legacy is the immense value that was created by that decision, allowing future Headmaster’s to build on this up until the recent transition to full coeducation. With 50 years of coeducation fast approaching, we honour Trevor McCaskill’s memory.

Trevor McCaskill’s drive to introduce coeducation has enabled more and more female alumni to contribute to the School and the Old Barker Association - bringing diversity of thought, experience and background to the way our alumni community functions. The Old Barker Association has benefitted from members of the alumni community serving on School Council, Vanessa Bennett’s presidency of the Association, and the numerous female alumni who have stepped up to lead new programs, deliver services and to support fellow alumni, or to give back to the School.

I am incredibly proud that we have appointed two new members to the School Council over the past few months as part of the ongoing contribution the Old Barker Association makes to the governance and direction of the School under the leadership of the Chair of Council, David Charles (75), and the Head, Phillip Heath. On behalf of the entire alumni community I congratulate Anna Sutton (05) and Meline Nazloomian (05) and thank them for stepping into these important roles.

Both Anna and Meline will bring their incredible skills and experience to the ongoing leadership of the

AtSchool.ourrecent

Annual General Meeting, we also had the opportunity to reflect how we are tracking against our 2021-2024 strategy, which sets out what we are hoping to achieve as an organisation and as a community. The Support for Life program’s transition onto the My Mirror platform has been a huge success - offering any member of our community free support sessions with a qualified professional in an online environment. I’d encourage anyone who needs help dealing with problems or issues in their life, or the lives of those they love and care about, to let us be there for them.

We also got the opportunity to discuss our plans for the alumni mentoring program that will be formally launched in the coming months. We have built a dedicated platform that is customised to the needs of our members and is designed to give all those looking to access career advice a seamless way of engaging with experienced mentors from across the world. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out.

I hope to see some of you at the upcoming Spring Fair or one of the next Back to Barker events, and please make sure to sign up for our Annual Dinner which is right around the corner!

Angus Abadee (07) OBA President

Our alumni community contribute in many ways. These include serving in governance roles on School Council, on the Barker Foundation, the Old Barker Association Committee, and the Barker College Parents Association.

So far in 2022 alumni have also enriched the current students’ experience in the following ways:

• Year 11 Career Mentors

• Careers Evening

• Women & Girls in Science

• Robotics

• Book Week

• ANZAC Day

• Service Learning projects

• Debating

• Music and Drama

• AwardsPresenting Guest groupstopicsonpresentingspeakerscurriculumwithstudentacrosstheSchool

• WeArchiveswouldlike

to welcome our 2022 volunteers back to Barker for the Volunteers Afternoon Tea on Friday 21 October 2022 from 2:00 - 3:30pm. Please email events@barker.nsw.edu.au if you would like to attend and to advise any dietary requirements. We hope you will join us for this event.

If you are keen to share your time and expertise volunteering at Barker for future opportunities, please contact Karina Drummond, Director of Alumni & Community Relations - kdrummond@barker.nsw.edu. au or phone 02 8438 7283

Thank You to all our Alumni Volunteers! are so thankful for your generous support of Barker College and its current students.

Life Beyond Barker

Senior Constable Derek Brown (Class of 2004) shares his experiences following his time at Barker. His career path has included engineering, a ministry apprenticeship, policing and he is now working in Canine Operations with the Australian Federal Police.

What has been your journey since finishing at Barker in 2004?

Like many students in Year 11/12, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do with my life after school. Thanks to the help of the Careers Advisors at Barker I had the awareness that it had to be practical in nature, so I decided to study Mechanical Engineering. It was a fantastic course - incredibly challenging but also interesting.

I graduated during the Global Financial Crisis but was fortunate enough to land a graduate position as a Fire Protection Engineer for a large multinational engineering consultancy.

After a year working as a graduate Engineer, I had the opportunity to take a slightly different path and did a Ministry Apprenticeship (MTS) with the Anglican Church in Santiago, Chile for two years.

Arriving back in Australia, I applied for a position as a Police Officer with the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Since graduating, I have had the opportunity to work in a number of different areas such as Crime Operations, Intelligence, Aviation (General Duties Policing), and finally Canine Operations.

What inspired your career change from Engineering to Policing?

My time living and working in Chile afforded me a great opportunity to think about what I wanted to do with my life when I returned to Australia. It was invaluable to live and work in a culture which was entirely different to my own, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. This allowed me to reflect on the opportunities we have in Australia, which characteristics of ‘work’ resonate with me, and my own passions and interests.

Ultimately it was the appeal of not being stuck behind a desk, in a job where every day is different and challenging, working to provide a tangible and significant benefit to our community on a daily basis, and in an organisation which has a multitude of different roles/positions available to pursue that led me to pursue a career in Policing.

Tell us about your current role in the AFP with Canine Operations.

The AFP is responsible for the provision of Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs) at each of the designated airports around Australia, and we are often tasked with sweeps of various locations and vehicles offAirport. We also have dogs trained to search for a variety of other odours/items which are deployed during Airport sweeps and the execution of search warrants around the country.

Photo Derek with EDD Fain.

As an EDD handler, many people see us working our dogs at the airport and come up and say “that must be the best job in the world” and I couldn’t agree more! What they can’t see is the significant amount of effort it takes behind the scenes to maintain an operational canine.

Our job entails a large degree of autonomy and individual responsibility, and rightly so as the needs and capabilities of each dog are so unique. Each day, if we’re not deploying our dogs operationally, we are consistently training them to ensure they are up to the high standards required.

I am also fortunate enough to be qualified in another part-time role known as a Rapid Appraisal Officer (RAO). RAOs are trained in the use of specialist equipment and skills to assess suspicious items/ vehicles in order to ascertain whether there is a possible threat to the public, amongst other responsibilities.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Barker?

It’s genuinely hard for me to have a favourite because there are so many that come to mind. Flourbomb battles during Cadet Annual Exercises, summer lunchtime Crusader groups in the room underneath the Chapel, handball in so many different areas from the Junior School basketball courts all the way up to the Senior School courtyard, athletics camps, playing “My Sharona” at a band night in Year 10, battle cries at the CAS Athletics & Swimming Carnivals… The list goes on, even after all these years.

Our final service in the Chapel at the end of Year 12 is definitely one of those moments that will stick in my mind forever. Poignant and powerful - the sense that life will never be the same (and it hasn’t!).

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a volunteer mentor for the Year 11 Career Mentoring Program?

I vividly remember being in their shoes, starting to think about this huge life decision (“what next?”) and not really sure how to make that decision. The most rewarding part has been having the opportunity / privilege to get to know these students and be a small but hopefully helpful part of talking through what can initially seem like an impossible question to answer. I hope that my story of progressing through different careers helps to alleviate somewhat the pressure of needing to have it all mapped out from the beginning.

Do you have any advice for today’s Barker students?

Practically, one of the best bits of advice I think I could pass on is “we can only be truly successful at something we’re willing to fail at”. There is no substitute for experience, and there’s no shortcut either - this is especially true with dog handling, and something which has taken me a long time to fully Finally,comprehend.Iwould strongly encourage them just to enjoy their time at Barker. It’s an amazing school with so many opportunities for them to embrace, and even now I look back with great fondness at my time there.

Photo Derek with Year 6 students.

OBA Groups

Old Barker Football Club

La Niña, meaning “the girl” has, like a demanding mistress, dampened football play time in season 2022. The Northern Suburbs Football Association has done an admirable job in managing a difficult scheduling environment.

Fortunately for Old Barker FC, an administrative error by Lane Cove Council in 2016 saw the Club secure a synthetic training field which we’ve maintained since. The Club grasped that opportunity more firmly than a tradies' handshake, with training feasible in all weather conditions. The investment case for synthetic pitches has been underscored in 2022.

A season highlight was the ‘Backto-Barker’ day. The Premier League squad, Division 4 and over 35s team all competed in matches at the spiritual home of football, Rosewood. A rare break in the rain, music, a BBQ and fairy bread were enjoyed by all. Derek Brown (04) and Andrew Boak (95) wound back the clock, notching up 180

OBA Big Band

Earlier this year, the OBA Big Band recorded at Yap Yap Studios in Coogee. Seventeen of our members spent the weekend capturing an amalgamation of adrenaline, euphoria, anxiety and hours of preparation. It was a remarkable experience, especially once we discovered we shared the same equipment as Lime Cordiale, Eskimo Joe and Guy Sebastian! Since leaving the studio, the band has temporarily put aside our

minutes, assisting a short-staffed Division 4 team straight after their 035s match. The only dark clouds for the day arose when Chris MacKenzie (05) came off second best to referee Peter Gregory (03) The deserved red card and ensuing two-week suspension for some very colourful language have taken the sheen off what could have been an impressive football debut for the energetic insurance salesmen.

It has been a year of transition for Premier League, with many fresh faces coming into the squad. A mixture of growing pains and unlucky results sees the Premier League squad now fighting a relegation battle. Old Barker FC is presently the second longest serving club at Premier League competition level. There are a handful of must win games left in what could either be the end of, or continuation in, the most storied chapter of the Club’s history.

Penning the opening of a new chapter in the Club’s annuls is the over 35s squad, who remain

thisundefeatedseason. An example of interschool friendship, is Shore Alumni’s Mark Asbjerg and Thomas Whyte combining in the midfield to inject much needed vigour. Dominic Kua (03) hasn’t lost the pace that saw him win Barker gold at CAS athletics back in 2003, nabbing much needed goals up front. When Dominic was asked how he keeps so fit… “nothing” was the answer from the enigmatic talisman. Oh to be genetically Divisionblessed.

4, the magicians of the Club, are sitting third in their league whilst barely being able to field a team each week. An incredible feat and testament to the commitment of the small playing group. A recruitment drive is a must for season 2023, and any interested players should link up with the Club for pre-season activities in early 2023. Keep an eye on the website www.oldbarkerfc.com for preseason training dates.

Matt Vickers (05)

usual repertoire and focused on new pieces that feature flexible instrumentation. This includes every piece from the iconic jazz album, Kind of Blue (1959) by Miles Davis.

Our studio tracks are still being mixed and mastered by members in the band. In the meantime, you can listen to our non-studio recordings and find out more at www.OBABigBand.com

Luke Davis (09)

Old Barker Rugby

Old Barker Rugby Club has much to celebrate in this 2022 Rugby

Ourseason!First

Grade made the finals and our Women 7s teams finished in equal 3rd in Division 2, ahead of finals day, plus we saw a strong effort from our W7s Division 3 team - all superb achievements. Second Grade and Colts both finished 8th on the ladder in the merged Division 2 and 3 competitions. We saw new players come to the Club, previous players who had hung up their boots, returned to play, notably Tom McGregor (08), a strong field of Colts and W7s players joining the Club and we celebrated Nick ’Sluggo’ Eagleton’s 400th game for Old Barker Rugby.

We hosted the North Shore’s best Ladies Day with a record number of people participating and the opportunity to showcase our new clubhouse and scoreboardmaking for a perfect community rugby Saturday afternoon. At our End of Season Dinner, we celebrated with a sell-out crowd of players and supporters and many

times throughout the speeches, the strong culture of Old Barker Rugby Club was acknowledged and applauded. Awards for 2022 were deservedly won by:

First Grade

• Best & Fairest: Josh Stals (18)

• Players' Player: Matt Hayter (10)

Womens 7s

• Players Player: Lucy Fielding-McKenzie

• Most Improved: Jaime Brookes

• Amy Perrett Award: Fran Buffa (21)

Colts

• Best & Fairest: Jacobus Marias (20)

• Players' Player: Ben Randall (20)

• Rookie of the Year: Ben Randall (20)

• Most Improved: James Cormack (19)

Second Grade

• Best & Fairest: Hamish Phipps (14)

Overall Best & Fairest

• Alex Wall

• Clubperson of the Year: Bianca Blake (15)

• Supporter of the Year: Lucinda Blakemore (12)

• Denver Webb Award: Angus Collison (18)

We’ll take a break after finals and be back with Tri Tag Rugby at the end of the year, ahead of the 2023 rugby season - which is Old Barker Rugby’s 55th Year and a World Cup Rugby year - perfect timing to come and join Old Barker Rugby Club! We thank everyone for their, support and involvement and wish you well.

Karen Penrose President

OBA FellowshipChristian

The OBACF met up for a mid year catch up at the Bluegum where we caught up on life and met some new faces. Coming up over the next few months will be some prayer catch-ups on Zoom so we can see our non-Sydney members. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for upcoming events and reach out to any friends that might be interested in joining the fellowship!

OBA Support for Life

Access free mental health support as a Barker Alumni.

This year has shown us that taking care of our communities and our collective wellbeing is of absolute importance. New challenges have relied on resilience, connection, and developing skills to cope with changes. In the interest of being there for you on your journey beyond being a Barker student we want to offer you support for your mental Supportwellbeing.forLife,an initiative

of the Old Barker Association that has been running for the past three years, has recently

The OBACF aims to offer an opportunity for the multigenerational network of Barker Alumni to meet, connect and encourage one another in their faith journeys. We would love to grow our network even more. If you are interested in joining, please join our Facebook Group by private messaging Georgia Breckenridge (18) or contact Karina kdrummond@barker.nsw.edu.auDrummond

Georgia Breckenridge (18)

partnered with My Mirror online psychology to provide access to three videoconferencing sessions with an experienced psychologist at no cost to you.

My Mirror is a leader in “online” mental health care and provides access to skilled professionals of many demographics with focused specialisation in critical areas such as anxiety, depression, domestic violence, substance abuse, career difficulties and so much more.

My Mirror psychology sessions can be accessed from the comfort of home or from any device up to 21 hours a day, 7 days a week. These sessions are available to anyone feeling like they would benefit

from talking to someone to get on track with how they are feeling and navigating life's challenges. You do not require a mental health diagnosis to access or benefit from My Mirror sessions. My Mirror psychologists use evidence-based strategies to help you build skills and strategies for resilience and agency in your life.

For more information and details on how to access these sessions please see link: inTheassociationmymirror.com.au/old-barker-https://landing.entireBarkercommunityisallthistogether.

OBA Seniors

If you graduated from Barker 50 years ago you are now a member of The Old Barker Association Seniors. This is a social group who organise a number of events each year. We look forward to seeing you at our next OBA Seniors event. If you would like further information, please contact the Alumni and Community Relations Office on (02) 8438 7283 or oba@ barker.nsw.edu.au

Ian Pont (63) Honorary Secretary

Old Barker Association Theatre Group

The OBA Theatre Company was finally able to grace the stage for the first time since 2019 with our production of George Bernard Shaw’s “Candida”. We don’t mind saying so ourselves that it was a resounding success with fabulous audience numbers for a show and production team that had well and truly earnt it.

The play is not as well known as many of Bernard Shaw’s works are, but possesses a great deal of the Shavian wit and flair that we have grown accustomed to with his later works. However, when released at the turn of the 20th century, “Candida” was the biggest show on the West End and even crossed the Atlantic to Broadway with further success. It’s now back catalogue status, and the name

being rather unfortunately linked to a rather intimate medical issue, led us to presume that the audiences would not be flocking in to see this show. But to our pleasant surprise, this was not the case.

With COVID having ongoing impacts on the production for the last three years, we had low expectations to begin with, appreciating that we are fortunate enough to present a show to any audiences. To our delight, our opening night received the highest single performance attendance of any OBAT show since 2017. And for a most successful show run to relaunch OBAT performances, we must thank all audience members who Continuingattended.our thanks, we must give a special mention and gratitude to Noyce Brothers Winery, owned and operated by

Barker Alumni Michael Noyce (62) Michael himself came to provide wine tastings every show night to the delight of our audiences, helping to showcase the Barker Alumni community. Along with the Barker Alumni Relations team, the Barker Drama department, and of course the OBA, who we could not have put this show on without, our thanks go to you.

Follow us on our social media channels to see what else is happening with OBAT this year!

For more details on shows and all things OBAT, visit our Facebook and theatrehttps://www.instagram.com/oba.theatrehttps://www.facebook.com/oba.Instagram.

Adam Roberts (14)

Community Events

Class of 1960 - 60 Year Reunion

Twenty five enthusiastic, if slightly slower members, of the 1960 leavers year joined forces at the Blue Gum Hotel on Wednesday 15 June 2022. Some started the day with a school tour and everyone was in awe of the achievements and facilities within the School grounds with particular emphasis on the amazing new Rosewood Centre. The Head of Barker, Phillip Heath, told us of the achievements and new schools in Indigenous communities.

Class of 1957 - 65 Year Reunion

A select group of octogenarians (yes, they really all are) from the Class of 1957 gathered on Friday 5 August 2022 at the Rosewood Centre for a 65-year reunion. Catering and the conversation were both rated as marvellous, and they have agreed to reconvene in five year's time!

John Donovan

So much in what, for us, so short a time!! We did appreciate his candour and approach and especially the time he devoted in a busy schedule.

Finally Martin “Spin” Forrest revived fond memories in a happy, lucid and "not to be forgotten” way, that only he can

Chairmando.Rob

Warneford concluded a great day with the expressed desire from all to have a 65th reunion in three years' time.

Geoff Sheppard

Class of 1962 - 60 Year Reunion

A prominent feature of this reunion was a significant reduction in the number of attendees. Average attendances of previous reunions have been around the mid 30s. Twenty odd apologies served to reveal the growing change in people’s circumstances that required their attention to be elsewhere. All the absentees tendered their best wishes, and their sentiments were acknowledged.

Nevertheless, 22 gathered at the Warrawee Bowling Club to rejoice in their very existence, and reminisce on personal memories where possible, with accurate recall being a major challenge. If the absolute truth became myth, then outright lies provided a suitable substitute embodying the tenet “The older I get, the better I was”.

The program included a hearty welcome, a novel expression of gratitude for being well enough to turn up, appreciate the food, wine and each other’s company, and those who provided the opportunity to do so.

A Roll of Honor was presented to acknowledge the dearly departed, who, at one time or another were part of our Barker lives. This part of the program sparked a good deal of interest with special mention of David “Choppy” Walsh’s (2012) incredible achievements and Guy Sheppard (2015). Michael Noyce made a sincere reference about Tim Curlewis (62 School Captain) who passed in 2019. In addition, John Brice proudly remembered his dear mother, Ruth, who gracefully passed earlier this year at the ripe age of 108, thus making her the oldest and grandest mother in the Barker community.

A section of the program paid recognition to those who had achieved special AO awards. The recipients Michaelbeing:

Fearnside (2008) for services to medicine in the field of Neurology.

Guy Sheppard, posthumously, (2015), who with his wife Eve for services to mental health.

Michael Carlton (2020) received an AM (Order of Australia) for services to the print, broadcasting media and naval history. An award with some sort of controversy according to some media outlets.

John (Charlie) Veron (2021) for services to Marine DrewResearchDixon,

in his inimitable fashion presented an interesting ditty on certain golf tactics, which somehow, paradoxically, would guarantee a successful performance at the urinal.

Good stories abounded and there were many rib tickling contributions that provided an ebullient Theatmosphere.occasion

closed with Graham wishing everyone

a good and happy life and to embrace the School motto of Honor Non Honores in such a way that the legacy of the CO62 should not be “Could Do Better”, but rather “They did their Best”.

Until next time sincerely yours, Graham “Henry” Lawson

Class of 1971 - 50 Year Reunion

A fantastic, informal afternoon and evening on Saturday 6 August, to celebrate the delayed 50th Reunion for the Class of ’71. Firstly to watch the Barker/Knox rugby tussle and then across the road to the Blue Gum for dinner. It was a high quality and very tough game of rugby with some amazing talent on both sides.

Around 50 Old Boys ensured that all memories were covered and the level of merriment was high! Fond memories of making bread boards with Kenny Betts right through to cutting up frogs and playing with asbestos in Ian Campbell’s science room.

COVID and illness took its toll on a few acceptances, including Stuart Braga and the current Head, Phillip Heath. Barker legend, Peter Landahl, was in attendance and was in fine form. His “classroom humour” has never been forgotten and has now become folklore to the class of ’71. Peter taught at Barker for 33 years!

We certainly reminisced about other teachers of our era … The very dry Keith Anderson (another legend), John Dickson, Charlie Ezer, James Murray, Barry Hurt, Ollie Cordell, David Ward and a host of others who all made life

Thereinteresting.were some apologies from quite a few classmates. Some are keen skiers, some live overseas, some are travelling overseas, some have COVID, some were scared of getting COVID.

The “71ers” are a diverse group, covering a large spectrum of work and interests with a large degree of success, but it might be true that if you get to 69 years old, and you are still happy and enjoying life, then that is probably the real measure of success. And this certainly came through on the night. It is incredible that after 50 years, there is such a strong bond between classmates after just six years of tutelage together.

On a sad note we remembered 16 classmates in our year who have passed away either through sickness or adversity. They say that when you turn 65 the engine light comes on, which means we have to get serviced a bit more often. And apparently men have to get better at that.

We also acknowledged the recent passing of our then Headmaster, Trevor McCaskill, at the age of 95. Trevor McCaskill was one of Barker’s longest serving Headmasters. He reigned for 23 years from 1963 to 1986.

Once again, it was a remarkably entertaining night and was enjoyed by all.

Mike Langford and Wolfgang Hofbrucker

Class of 1965 ‘Impromptu’ Lunch

Subsequent to our 1965 Alumni 55th Reunion last December 2021, it was agreed we would continue to arrange occasional impromptu gatherings through the in between years.

Hence an email circulated our 1965 group that a lunch gathering for anyone available would be held at the Greengate Hotel on Friday 12 August 2022. We had ten starters and fifteen who advised they could not make it, yet assuredly our next event.

It was certainly a great time, as always when we manage to gather. Those who gathered were, R to L: Chris Copeland, Hugh Thomas, Peter Noyce, Doug Spencer, Kit Middleton, John Lumby, Ross Morgan, Robert Ellis, James Humphery.

James Humphery

Adelaide Dinner

The Barker Community Adelaide Dinner was held on Thursday 2 June 2022 with alumni from 1958 to 2000 attending. It was an enjoyable night with great company and food and stories shared. Phillip Heath provided an update on what is happening at the School and guests were particularly interested to hear news of the Indigenous campuses and appreciated the opportunity to ask many questions.

Melbourne Dinner

The Barker Community Melbourne Dinner was held on Friday 3 June 2022. Alumni attending ranged from the Class of 1953 through to the Class of 2017 as well as former and current staff. Alumni reminisced about their time at Barker and shared their journeys beyond the Mint Gates. Staff also shared their experiences and all enjoyed hearing an update on the School from Phillip Heath.

OBA Seniors - AGM, Lunch, Rugby

The OBA Seniors held their AGM followed by a luncheon in the Multi-Purpose Hall on Saturday 6 August 2022. We were delighted to see many familiar faces and welcome some of our younger alumni for the first time. Alumni attending ranged from the Class of 1947 through to the Class of 1971. Deputy Head Student Experience, Matt Macoustra welcomed guests and introduced the student captains from some of the sports before providing an update on the School. The guest speaker at the lunch was Col Warwick Young OAM who was very popular. After the lunch the attendees headed to the Marks Pavilion veranda to watch the 1st XV play Knox in the last home game of the season. The large crowd and the competitive match created a great atmosphere enjoyed by all. The OBA Seniors extended an invitation to the Senior Knoxonians committee with several joining us for the luncheon and 1st XV Rugby game.

Alumni Parent Breakfasts

We were delighted to welcome back alumni parents with their Barker children at two breakfast events this year which were held in the Multi-Purpose Hall. The first was held on 17 August 2022 for alumni ranging from 1975 to 1990 and then on 24 August 2022 for alumni ranging from 1991 to 2001. These are such happy occasions where alumni enjoy catching up with former classmates and an opportunity to hear the latest developments at the School from Phillip Heath.

Personal Notes

(Number in brackets is the alumni year)

David Cook (52) Due to COVID/border closures eleventh hour cancellations scrubbed a trip from Melbourne to Townsville last July then The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin in September. Third time lucky, in early May I flew to Sydney to join a group of 20 and boarded the Indian Pacific to Perth. Great experience with facilities/comfort for three nights and four days including stopovers at both Broken Hill and Adelaide with three options of venues to visit during these stopovers. The outings were inclusive in the train fare. Most of the train’s passengers at Adelaide opted for dinner at Hahndorf per multiple coaches. Also stopped at Cook for an hour on the Nullarbor, now essentially a ghost town with only a handful of residents. The Welcoming sign in respect to the Township - “If you’re crook come to Cook”. From Perth in a dedicated coach for eight days staying at Fremantle, Albany and Margaret River sightseeing with stopovers, one including a 40m tree-top walk in the “Valley of the Giants’ - karri and jarrah trees.

Previous train travel experiences Sydney/Melbourne, Wellington/Auckland and return bullet trains London to Paris and to Lille all different but recommend the Indian Pacific endurance for it’s hospitality, lounge carriage with well stocked bar and dining car fare.

Only hiccup was this trip was booked last September and as a result clashed with the recent Barker Melbourne dinner.

Peter Forrest (58) recently renewed an old school friendship courtesy of the Old Boys network and shares his experience:

Last March I was lying on a hospital bed in Adelaide recovering from open chest cardiac surgery performed two days prior and feeling as though I had just fought 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and I certainly hadn’t won!

I fought my way into consciousness and saw a tall bloke standing at the end of my bed, the first visitor I had. He said “G’day Peter, how are you going? You won’t remember me but I am Dave Prince (59).”

Dave Prince! I hadn’t seen him since 1958 when we were both in the Leaving year at Barker. Dave was

then a champion athlete (he had been mentioned as a possible contender at the 1956 Olympic Games but school came first). In addition, he was an outstanding footballer and football coach; he was good at every sport he took on and no slouch as a student either. Above all, everywhere at Barker he was acknowledged as a champion bloke as well as champion sportsman. A high achiever with a low key personal style, never a Whatskite.

a wonderful surprise for me to see him again after so long! Dave has been living in Adelaide for years and he had heard about my surgery from the all-knowing Bill Manning (59). For half an hour my pain left me and 64 years fell away as we spoke of Barker in the 1950s. I started to feel better immediately and my recovery continued.

“Thanks Dave, thanks to you too, Bill. And Barkerthanks for the memories.”

Lisa Sthalekar (97) has become the first woman to be appointed president of the Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA).

Alyssa Healy (08) became the first man or woman to claim 100 dismissals in T20 international cricket in July! She then went on to win a Gold medal in the Women’s Cricket debut at the Commonwealth Games.

Sarah-Anne Fenech (Raine 11) married Simon Fenech on 2nd April 2022 at the Knox Grammar School Chapel. Their bridal party included Barker alumni: 4th from left Stephanie Timp (12), 2nd from right Matt Mountford (11) and Sinead Chamberlain (11).

Ani Dilanchian (16) was recently chosen as one of ten people in the 'Growing Young Leaders' program by Action for Agriculture!

Amelia Fryer (13) and Finlay Munro (13) have shared the news they are recently engaged. Congratulations!

Ted Fernie (17) has published his first paper on the topic of: "Post-Anthesis Heat Influences Grain Yield, Physical and Nutritional Quality in Wheat: A Review" looking at the effect of climate change on food security in wheat 0472/12/6/886/htmlhttps://www.mdpi.com/2077-

Billy Pollard (19) made his Wallabies debut against Argentina on Saturday 13 August 2022. Although the game result wasn’t what he would have hoped for Billy was still excited to receive his cap.

Sarah Ford (14) is a member of the Sydney Swans inaugural AFLW squad and recently returned to Barker to share her experiences with Year 6 students who were preparing for their PYP exhibition.

Adrian Brown (19) and Ned Slack-Smith (21) were selected in the Junior Wallabies U20s Championship Squad with Ned named as Captain. Ned and Adrian returned to Barker to present the Barker 1st XV with their jerseys at the start of the CAS season in early June.

Emma Vandervelde (20) has been selected in the Australian A 7s squad.

Baptisms

It was a festive occasion and a Barker reunion when Lucy Hancock was baptised in our Chapel (as her older siblings, Samantha and Henry, had been in 2016 and 2018). Amongst those in attendance were: Clare Darling (Oliver 02), Rev Jeff Ware, Michael Hancock (08), Holly Morrice (Rouvray 02), Dave Hancock (02), Geoff Powell (71), Kate Hancock (Powell 02), and Rob Powell (99)

Hugh Coffey (21) has been shortlisted for a book in the Young Writers Showcase, the selection of English Extension 2 works published each year by NESA.

Nathan Garner (21) has been awarded one of the highly esteemed International Sport College Australia (ISCA) Scholarships for 2022.

9 July Oliver Daven Thompson, son of Simon (MS Dean) and Ceena Thompson

17 July

Lewis Frank Fitzsimmons, son of Adam (96) and Mayling Fitzsimmons

Queens’ Birthday Awards 2022

Congratulations!

We would like to extend our congratulations to the following Alumni, on their Queen's Birthday Honours:

Philip William Forrest AM (64) For significant service to Australia-Singapore business relations.

Peter Archibald Laird OAM (59) For service to the community of the Carrathool shire. Anthony Kenrick Staveley AM (75) For significant service to community health, and to people with disability.

Alana Kavanagh (21) has been named in the Australian Junior (Under 21) Women’s Jillaroos squad.

Obituaries

(Number in brackets is the alumni year)

Phil was born in Cremorne then moved to Roseville where he attended Roseville Public School. He regularly fished on the Hawkesbury River and swam in the Roseville Baths on Middle OnHarbour.entering

Barker College

in 1948 he continued to enjoy outdoor activities. He was in the Athletics and Swimming Teams as well as Cadets and played Rugby.

Upon leaving school he joined CSR and in his spare time played Rugby for Gordon, became a lifesaver for Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club and CMF (now called Reserve Forces). After two years in the city Phil was accepted as a cadet in the Royal Military College

Duntroon (ACT) in January 1955. He graduated as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Artillery. During his four years at Duntroon he qualified as a pilot flying fixed wing aeroplanes. He later qualified to fly rotary wing (helicopters) as well.

Phil’s army career took him to Malaya, two Tours to Vietnam - first as an Artillery Forward Observer with a South Vietnamese Infantry Regiment and the second Tour as the OC of 161 Recce Squadron (fixed and rotary wing aircraft). During that period it was possible that he was exposed to Agent Orange. On returning to Australia Phil attended Australia’s Staff College.

Phil left the Australian Army in 1975 and subsequently joined the New Zealand Army. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the 16 Field Regiment for three years. Phil served in the Australian Army for 22 years including time in the Reserve and 11 years in the New Zealand Army, a total of 33 years in Duringuniform.his long life Phil lived in 27 homes, five of which he designed, built or renovated. In most cases he did the carpentry and cabinet making himself. He lived in four states and one territory of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaya. He was also seconded to the British Army in Germany

for six months and mentioned in Indespatches.1981Philwas diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. On recovery he threw himself into long distance and marathon running. Back in Australia in 1988 the Hodgkin’s Lymphoma returned, more aggressive this time. Surgery (abdominal) saved his life. He then bought and ran a small cattle property out of Wootton NSW for 14 Hisyears.hobbies

of modelling NSW Railway rolling stock which was a lifetime hobby continued as well as carpentry. He was a very active member of Legacy.

Phil died at his home after several medical episodes which eventually brought to an end the life of a remarkable, compassionate and creative individual on the 6 May Phil2022.is

survived by his wife Vonne, daughters Jennifer and Susan, sons Craig and Mark, and three grandchildren. He will be remembered by his many military and other friends as a truly exceptional human being - a true ANZAC. Lest we forget.

Ian Boys (52)

Philip John Calvert (52) 1936 - 2022

Ian David Campbell (74) 1957 - 2022

I am sad to advise Ian Campbell recently passed away at age 65. Ian was a good friend of mine and was also good friends of Jon Bryce, Mark Fairley and Nick Williams (also 1974) along with others from that year. He leaves his wife of many years Kris Campbell.

Ian went his own way in life and discovered his reason for being. In his early life he travelled the country following which he settled in Yelgun in northern NSW. Ian was a master at Kinesiology, acupuncture and other methods of Chinese medicine. He practised for over 40 years and helped/saved many people during that time. He was a student of Prem Rawat (Maharaji) and put into practice his teachings. He loved good music and was well read.

RIP my old friend!

Andrew Allison (74)

Anthony James Carroll (72) 1954 - 2022

After completing his high school education at Barker College, Anthony commenced employment in January 1973 with TransAustralia Airlines (TAA) as a Junior Commercial Trainee. This role was the start of his aviation career spanning 40 years. Anthony’s great love of aviation originated through living under the northern approach path of aircraft arriving at Sydney Airport, Mascot. He worked in various areas of the airline throughout its transition into Australian Airlines, then the merger with AnthonyQantas.married Connie, his first wife in Melbourne in February 1982, the family moving to Perth in 1987. Juliana, their daughter, continues to live in Perth with her husband Peter and their three children.

After 30 years’ service, Anthony’s role with QantasLink/Airlink in Perth was made redundant. Not long after, he commenced his next aviation job as Charter Manager with National Jet Systems (Cobham Aviation Services) based at Perth Airport until early 2007.

Outside of his working life, Anthony was a rugby union referee for over 35 years, his father John being instrumental in the establishment of Hornsby Rugby Club. He continued to referee whilst living in Melbourne and then Perth. In 2003 he was made a life member of the Western Australian Rugby Union Referees Association

Anthony passed away on 29 June 2022 and is survived by his wife Venessa, daughter Juliana and grandchildren Briella, Dominic and SinceLuka.

Anthony passed away many friends and former work colleagues have described him as “one of a “Sokind”.sad to hear of Anthony Carroll’s passing. He was a great lover of rugby and had a great sense of fun. I remember refereeing at Perry Lakes in the days of the “talking flags” when you and he got your hands on the spare set of flags, which of course were on the same frequency as the ones in use on my game. Needless to say, I got plenty of extra “help” that day!” (Henry - friend and WARU referee).

Henry is referring to the antics of Anthony and his friend and fellow referee Kim Short, the pair often getting up to all sorts of “skulduggery”, in Kim’s words!

William Ronald Chorley (43) 1927 - 2021

Anthony James Carroll was born in June 1954 at Roslyn Private Hospital in Lindfield, Sydney to Shirley and John Carroll who were married in Sydney in July 1946. His older sister Elizabeth was seven and his older brother David was three. David (68) also attended Barker.

In(WARU).September 2007 Anthony married Venessa at Cocos (Keeling) Islands and moved back to Sydney where he was re-employed by Qantas as an Aircraft Scheduler.

After retiring in 2012 they moved to Oberon in the Central Tablelands of NSW enjoying several snowfalls each winter, then moving to Bathurst in early 2021.

William Chorley attended Barker from 1939 to 1943. The School archives recorded he won 1st place in the U14 Potato Race at the Annual Sports Day in 1940.

In 1941 William came 3rd in the broad jump event and was in the U14 XV Rugby team. In his final year at Barker College William was Confirmed at St Pauls Wahroonga and completed the Intermediate FollowingCertificate.Barker, William served in World War 2 in the Australian Navy. Upon returning to Australia, William moved to the country and settled in Gunnedah, meeting the love of his life, Jean Barlett who became his wife. William and Jean went on to lead a happy and healthy life producing five boys and one girl listed in order of birth date: John, Robert, Peter, Michael, Janet and Stephen. Throughout his life, William displayed a love of family and enjoyed all that the country had to offer him.

William was a true gentleman and loved by everyone who was lucky enough to share in his life. He is sadly William,missed.lateof Green Point NSW, passed away on 17 October 2021 and is survived by his six children, 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Peter George Fillingham (59) 1942 - 2022

Peter was well regarded by his schoolmates, one being a close lifelong friend, Paul McCarthy, who has supplied a large amount of information about Peter.

Being a member of the A teams, Peter was in the under 13s two years running - 1954 and 55, Under 14s in 1956 and Under 15s in 1957. In 1958, Peter was in the Schools’ Open Age 1st XV rugby team. He loved running and won the Open Age Mile from 1957 to 1959 and the Open 880 yards in 1958, setting a School record. Peter also won the School cross country race, in 1958 and 1959. His biggest success was winning the Combined Associated Schools Under 16, 880 yards in 1957 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, within 0.1 second, of a very old standing record. Both Peter and Paul also competed in the RydeHornsby Athletics Club events.

After leaving Barker, Peter lived in western Sydney, raising the family with his wife Ruth and not long after, the family moved to the beautiful central coast of NSW.

Peter ran successful businesses for over 55 years and in more recent years, in partnership with Central Coast Taxis.

Peter celebrated his 80th birthday in March this year with his family, workmates and friends.

He passed away on 13 July 2022 and is survived by his partner Wendy, daughters Rhonda and Gai, son Chris, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, as well as his brothers John, Richard and sister Isabel.

Richard Fillingham (64) and Paul McCarthy (58)

Michael ‘Mick’ Dalrymple Gourlay (58) 1941 - 2022

Mick had multiple medical problems that no one could have survived but his passing was peaceful and painless and he was surrounded by his Family.

Mick attended Barker College from 1947 to 1953 , two years after the arrival of his elder brother Jim. They both loved Barker and were very happy there making lifelong Whenmates.

Mick was aged 5 and Jim aged seven at Barker’s Rosewood Junior School Cottage, they struggled to remember the words when reciting the Lord's Prayer as they were captivated by their lovely Teacher, Ms Sylvia Glover.

Mick was a sweet talker and always tried to be a good boy which he reckoned helped him avoid the cane from the feared Master Bertie Mick'sFinlay.

best Barker Mates included Rex Levy (deceased), Ted Gaden (deceased), Denver Webb, Archie Poulos, Jack Little, Frank Hodgekiss, Paul McCarthy and Bill ‘Bubbles’ Mick’sManning.favourite

Masters' were John Morris (The Beak), John Polkinghorne, and Rev Dixon.

Peter attended Barker College from 1954 to 1959, gaining the Intermediate Certificate, Leaving Certificate & Matriculation to University 1959.

Mick and Jim have always held the current Head of Barker, Phillip Heath, in very high esteem, always admiring the caring and positive way he runs Barker, including his brain child of creating three Schools for Aboriginal students, all within the framework of Barker. Phillip was a teacher at Trinity Grammar School with our brother John Gourlay, where they were good Friends. Phillip then came to Barker and John to Sydney Grammar for 21 years.

Mick and Jim thought bringing female students to Barker was a great idea. Mick quipped "the girls make the boys more grown up and mature, and Barker more Mickcomplete."andJim have always marvelled at the great and effective work of the Alumni team, Mandy Loomes and Karina Drummond, for more than a decade, helping ex-students, the OBA and the Barker Community.

Mick and Jim were sent to Sydney Grammar, the School attended by their Father Jack. Mick in 1953, Jim in 1952.

At SGS, Mick was a Prefect, rowed in the Senior teams in 1958 to 1959, was a Member of the 1st Rifle Team in 1957, and Captain of Rifles in 1958 and 1959. In 1958 his Team won the Rawson Cup, the Buchanan Shield, and defeated Royal Military College Duntroon.

Mick matriculated with 1st Class Honours in Ancient History.

So, in Loco Parentis, Barker was a great extra parent for Mick and Jim, and Sydney Grammar a great extra parent for Mick, Jim and their younger brothers John and David.

After School Mick joined a city Law firm and was interested in Constitutional Law but the firm gave him no support. He left looking for jobs he thought would help him defeat his bad stuttering. These included: Arrow Shirts - selling around NSW and Phone Sales selling highly technical products, explaining product details. His courage and intelligence helped him win clients, most of whom were patient and kind helping his speech. He later joined Ace Ladies' Fashion company, Mr K & Co, Freddie Kedourie in Sydney and found the love of his life Marie while working in Brisbane. She joined the firm and later she and Mick formed their own business and were very Micksuccessful.andMarie married and had a very happy life together for many years. Sadly, Marie passed away in Mick2020.was

cultured. He completed reading the whole series of the Fall of the Roman Empire. Mick also had extensive political knowledge and loved opera, classical music, jazz and ballet.

Mick was also proud when his son Tony told him that the Gourlay family in Scotland dates back to the 9th Century. Mick quipped “Scotland’s great but we’ve also got two Irish grandmothers, to be sure, to be sure.”

Mick was renowned for his courage - physical, mental and emotional, his kindness, generosity and loyalty. He will be sadly missed and never forgotten.

He is survived by his son Tony and partner Al, daughter Tara and husband Ian, their children Kane and Stephanie; daughter Natasha and her husband Paul and by his three brothers and great mates, Jim, John and David.

James Dalrymple Gourlay (56)

Ian James Alexander Hay (52) 1935-2022

Ian Hay, late of Wentworth Falls, attended Barker from 1943 until He1952.was affectionately known to many as ‘Borneo’ until his death on 10th May 2022.

The nickname followed his arrival at Barker in 1943 from the Philippines where he was born in AZamboanga.popularboarder before spending his final year as a day boy Ian was a member of swimming teams and captained the Prep 1sts and several A teams in Rugby during his time at Barker gaining colours in the 1st XV in After1951.

leaving school he travelled on a small cargo ship to Canada and later moved to England which was his base for much European Barkertravel.

old boys Martin Burford, Charles [Chilla] Taylor and Bob Elmslie were close friends of Ian throughout their lives and he will be warmly remembered for his humour and gregariousness by other contemporaries from his Inschooldays.1959Ianand

Bill Hunt [53], another life-long friend travelled together to Southampton on the Fair Sky and spent more than three years living in England, Norway and Sweden.

In 1961 after marriage in London

Ian and his wife Mary moved to Singapore where he owned and ran a very successful paper import export business until their return to Sydney in 1981.

Prior to his retirement he was involved in several businesses in Sydney and country NSW.

An avid follower of the stock market, Ian loved reading, gardening, playing tennis and bushwalking in the Blue Mountains.

Ian ‘Borneo’ Hay is survived by his wife Bronwyn and daughters Christina and Saskia.

Bill Hunt (53)

Geoffrey Richard Sainty (49) 1934 2022

In 1973 he was awarded a Churchill fellowship to study water plants in the USA. He became a prolific writer on the topic. In 1973 Aquatic Plants: Identification Guide was published by the WC&IC. In 1981 he co-authored with the widely respected taxonomic botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Surrey Jacobs, Waterplants of NSW, a definitive and scientific study of the state’s aquatic plants. Sainty and Associates produced a range of publications, one of which was a weed identification system using cards, much favoured by Councils.

In addition to Councils Geoff consulted to a variety of businesses across Australia. He was a fearless and practical advocate for a range of environmental issues and recognition followed. In 1983 he became an Honorary Research Associate of the National Herbarium of NSW. In 2003 he was made a fellow of the Australian Institute for Agricultural Science. A leadership medal was awarded by the Council of the Australasian Weed Society in 2004. In 2018 he was awarded an Order of Australia for services to conservation and Afterenvironment.hisplaying

Born in Sydney and lived in Lindfield and Whale Beach.

Terry attended Barker from 1943 until 1951. Upon leaving school he joined the family sheet metal manufacturing business in Surry Hills. Unfortunately over time the introduction of plastic containers such as buckets, watering cans, washing tubs and garbage bins brought about the demise of the business as the plastic replacements were much lighter, cheaper and easily stacked.

Geoff attended Barker from 1943 to 1949 as a day boy living at Warrawee. The lure of the country soon saw him jackerooing and after completing a diploma course at Wagga Agricultural College he worked at various locations as a sheep and husbandry officer. He captained the Riverina team as a breakaway, earning the plaudits of Jim Lenehan and Beres Ellwood.

In 1963 Geoff joined the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission in Griffith and there started a lifelong interest in the study of water plants, in particular in wetlands and estuaries.

days he coached rugby, took up windsurfing, tested himself many times with long distance running and gave freely of his time to assist club administration. He continued to swim until late in life.

Steve Lamy (1967), nephew

After the closure of the manufacturing business, Terry moved into the hospitality industry operating restaurants. Terry moved to Newcastle and studied as a mature student at the University of Newcastle obtaining first a BA and later an LLB. Upon graduation he worked for Legal Aid in Newcastle for some time before entering private practice with “Lawyers Plus”. He died suddenly in Newcastle shortly after suffering with heart Terryconditions.issurvived by his foster son Simon.

Ian Boys (52)

Terence George Tomlin (52) 1935 - 2021

Trevor (HeadmasterMcCaskill1963

1927

Advocate for Independent Schools. Trevor McCaskill found his life’s work in independent schools. He completed his secondary education at Shore School at North Sydney under L. C. Robson. The sense of community and discipline he found there remained a guiding force for the rest of his life.

Although it was wartime and good staff were hard to find, the young McCaskill revelled in the academic environment and the teaching and pastoral care provided by the Hisschool.years at Shore determined the course of his later career.

Trevor John McCaskill was born in Wellington, New Zealand on 11 February 1927. After a brief spell in Auckland he moved with his parents to Sydney in December 1937, just in time for the sesquicentenary celebrations that marked 150 years of British settlement in TheAustralia.pageantry and decorations then evident in the streets of Sydney awakened a sense of historical tradition that later provided the focus for his academic interests.

The significance of a personal faith instilled by his parents was strengthened in his growing years by his association with the youth activities of his local church, fostered by the Rev. (later Bishop) Frank Hulme-Moir who had recently returned from the war. Having completed degrees in Arts and Economics and a teaching diploma at Sydney University, McCaskill accepted teaching appointments at Barker College at Hornsby and then at The King’s School, AustralianParramatta.independent schools

derived their traditions from English public schools and McCaskill recognised the importance of gaining experience in England. At the end of 1957 he and his wife and two young children sailed for England, full of hope but with no promise of a teaching position, a somewhat daunting challenge.

Through a series of remarkable circumstances he was offered a short-term post teaching history at Eton College, a position that soon became permanent. Here at Eton McCaskill found all that was best in independent schools: a strong sense of community, disciplined learning and a dedicated staff (or ‘beaks’ as they were called).

In 1961, feeling that their real home was Australia the McCaskill family returned to Australia to a boarding house at Kings. Two years later, at the age of 36, was appointed headmaster of Barker College at TheyHornsby.were

heady days in the field of education in NSW. The Wyndham scheme with its broader and more liberal curriculum was being implemented. An extra year was added to secondary schooling.

Sydney’s growth in population meant school enrolments were expanding. Barker grew in little over ten years from 660 to 1200

Afterpupils.overseas

study leave in 1972 McCaskill returned to introduce two ideas that were considered to be progressive in Australian independent schools at the time: a senior college for 16-18 year olds, and co-education for the final two years of schooling.

Both were hugely successful and changed the character of the school for the better in the years to McCaskill’scome.

headmastership defined the man and he poured himself out for the school during the twentythree years he was at Barker.

Extensive accommodation was built, art and drama flourished, and music became part of the daily life of many students.

In 1986 McCaskill decided it was time to retire. He spent the following years participating in and enjoying the affairs of his local community of Beecroft.

He is survived by his wife Beth, their son John and daughters Anne, Mary and Margaret and their families, and his brother Kevin.

OBA Dinner

Elysse Morgan is the ABC’s leading voice on business, finance and economics. She is an award winning journalist hosting Australia’s most respected nightly business program The Business.

Her career began at Sky News in Canberra where she produced the award winning 2007 Election Agenda programs.

Elysse moved to the ABC as a rural reporter in 2009 and was based in Port Pirie, where she won several awards for her coverage of devastating drought as well as the fallout of the GFC and then subsequent mining boom on rural and regional communities.

She then moved to the NSW Rural team where she hosted the statewide Country Hour program where she earned a reputation for tough Sheinterviews.hasworked on Australia Network Business Today program as a reporter and producer and executive producer, the ABCs business desk reporting on leading current affairs programs including AM, PM, 730 and The Business.

Elysse is now host for The Business. She has earned a reputation for forensic and insightful interviews, bringing warmth and humour to what can be dry topics of business and economics.

Elysse is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the subject and regularly gives her time to schools and charities to help teach and inform people about finance.

Bookings: Visit www.barker.nsw.edu. au and click on the Payment option to book this OBA event.

Queries: Karina Drummond (02) 8438 7283 events@barker.nsw.edu.auor

Introducing a Mentor Today

Help make a difference for recent leavers during this time of uncertainty, isolation and anxiety, whilst building connections for greater futures.

Our first step is to recruit alumni from all industries and skills with a passion to give back.

Simply visit the link below to register and learn how you can oba.net.au/alumnimentoringcontribute.

Barker MentoringAlumni

Your OBA is excited to launch our new alumni mentoring program. We want to connect inspirational Alumni leaders and entrepreneurs, with aspirational young graduates and professionals.

Our program will build a sense of belonging, create a culture of shared learning, and enhance personal and professional growth.

Regional Events

Sunshine Coast Sun 6 Nov Brian Allen (53) 0417 644 bballen314@gmail.com016

FriCanberra2Dec Andrew McColl (74) 0422 985 As.mccoll@icloud.com281

Southern Highlands Sat 3 Dec Julie Fitzpatrick 02 8438 events@barker.nsw.edu.au7240

Regional Events

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

Please contact community@barker. nsw.edu.au for information about regional events or to update your contact details if you are living in a different location to your Barker mailing address so we can invite you too!

Photos

Photos from your event may be posted on the OBA Website (www. oba.net.au), the Alumni Facebook page barkercollegealumni),(www.facebook.com/ the Alumni Instagram page com/barkercollegealumni)(www.instagram. and in

The Barker magazine. For further queries please contact the Alumni Office.