The Passing of a Season

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore…

Psalm 121:8

Embroidered in lovely thread, this text in Latin was in a frame above the door to the Head’s study in my first post as Principal of another school.

I passed beneath it on my first morning in the role, many years ago. A past Parents’ Association had given this to my predecessor, who had served in that school from 1941 to 1978, and it was a treasured heirloom of that time. I found great comfort in the thought that the Lord will watch over my coming and my going through that door forevermore. This beloved text has nourished the spirit of countless people across the centuries, people who find comfort in the knowledge that God cares for us personally. The entire Psalm 121 is a cherished part of the Christian tradition because it demonstrates the depth of God’s love for us throughout our lives.

Schools like Barker are blessed by the presence of gifted people who are with us for a season. The past months in our community have celebrated two such gifted people: Sue Field and Matt Macoustra, whose time of astounding leadership at Barker has come to an end.

For nearly five decades, Sue Field has been a symbol of strength and conscientious leadership at Barker. It would be incorrect historically to limit Sue Field’s contribution to Barker to the rise of female leadership among us, although this is certainly part of her story.

Appointed in 1975 to be one of the earliest female educators at Barker, Sue Field helped to establish so many traditions among the girls that we now comfortingly take for granted – traditions in sports, in co-curricular leadership, in Sciences and the academic program, and in student leadership, in all of which Barker girls have shone.

Sue Field’s role as our Deputy Head from 1996 until shortly before her retirement brought stability, wisdom and strength for all, boys, girls, staff, parents, Governors, and alumni alike. I shall always be grateful for her loyal and wise counsel to me, the ninth Head of Barker.

Sue Field enters her retirement now, but we earnestly hope to see her supporting various tasks in the future. The past weeks have been a time of celebration and gratitude. Thank you, Sue Field, for all you have done for countless numbers of students and staff across the decades. We thank your family for the loving sacrifices you have made.

Since 1997, Matthew (Matt) Macoustra has been an outstanding teacher of PDHPE, Science and Biology. He has been our Director of Boys’ Sport, our Head of Middle School, and our Deputy Head Student Experience. In all these roles, Matt performed magnificently, with his characteristic warmth, good humour and energy leading with assurance. His commanding presence on Assemblies set a reassuring note of confidence that nourished our community life. His appointment as the next Head of Newcastle Grammar School affirmed what we all knew to be true about Matt – he is a leader of the highest calibre and a blessing to Barker. With an apposite mix of mirth and regret, these past weeks have been a time to bid Matt Macoustra a tearful farewell and to wish him our lasting prayer and support for the tasks of leadership ahead.

The Lord blesses Barker in so many ways, not least through the beautiful people He calls into our community for a season. May the Lord our God bless their coming and going both now and evermore.

Peace

Phillip Heath AM Head of Barker College