The Barker #140

Issue 140 Spring 2023 ISSN: 2204-938X

Spring 2023 Issue 140

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A New Era has Begun On a truly memorable day, the Senior School Hub was officially opened by Professor Mark Scott AO, the Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney and dedicated in a momentous ceremony held on Thursday 27 July.

Inside this issue

The Regulars 8 20 22 28 50

Junior School Shaping Student Leadership for the Future Visual Arts A Day on the Island Design and Technology London-Paris Tour Music Masterpiece 2023 Alumni Profile Pennie Cruickshank (Class of 1979)

The Features 03

From the Head of Barker Phillip Heath AM

05

From the Chair of Council David Charles Barker Foundation Experiencing Garma 2023

56 59

60

OBA President’s Message Angus Abadee

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A Noteworthy Display The Kefford Building is alive with the creative vision and words of Noteworthy.

24

Life Beyond Barker Dr Matt Henricks from the Class of 1996

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Fashion Forward

To Weave the New Mat

Congratulations to all of the students in Year 12 Textiles and Design for completing your Major Textiles Project to such a high standard.

As a stark reminder of the scale of our incredible country, 11 students from Years 10 and 11 travelled to remote North East Arnhem Land to join the annual Garma Festival, and participate in the Youth Forum.

Editor-in-Chief

Editor

Coordinator

Print Production

Art Direction

Phillip Heath AM

Julie McAllister

Karina Drummond

Ian Lindsay

Naaz Hanson-Kerr Glenn Quevedo

From the Head

Caring for our people, all of their days The Foundation Stone of the Chapel within Barker College was dedicated to the Glory of God by Archbishop Howard Mowll in 1956.

It was built as a place in which our community could remember those who did not return from the Great War and World War Two. On Saturday 19 August, we gathered to remember Max Nugent (OBA 2016) who was lost in the tragic military training incident in Queensland.

It is fitting at such a moment to draw material from my introductory remarks offered in the Chapel to remember Max and care for his family. As our Year 12 students for 2023 conclude their time with us, it is important to remember that the care of Barker College remains with all of our people all their days.

The simple but splendid Chapel space was completed in 1957 to remember the Fallen. It stands as our spiritual home - a place of joyous celebration and of deepest grief; a place of new beginnings, but also of endings - in Max Nugent’s case, it is an ending that has come far too soon. Beneath the perpetual light shining over the Book of Remembrance there are inscribed 92 names of our students who did not return to their families from WWI and WWII. We must now add another name to our Book of Remembrance, Lt Maxwell Nugent.

Max Nugent entered Barker in 2011 and immersed himself in all that the School offered. This included vigorous membership of Holt House and joining in Barker College Athletics, Basketball, Chess, Debating, Rugby, Swimming and Cross Country. He completed the Barker Outdoor Ed program with distinction and even rounded out his Barker career with a performance at the much-celebrated student talent performances, known around here as Coffee House, in 2016. However, it was in Cadets that he made his most indelible mark at the School.

Max was a CUO in his final years with the BCCU 2015 and 2016. Assured, diligent, highly competent and thoroughly respectful of all under his command, Max three times earned Colours in both 2015 and 2016.

We were so grateful when he returned to serve as a Cadet Casual Instructor in 2017 and 2018 with the Barker College Cadet Unit before taking up a position at Duntroon. He made a significant impact on the SUO and on the culture of the Unit. He always was a consummate and practical leader of others.

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From the Head

Max’s Senior School Tutor, Mr Brad Moar, recalls: There are two words that come to my mind when thinking of Max’s time at Barker: humble and gracious. His respect for his teachers and fellow peers was one that he highly regarded. He certainly demonstrated and embraced “Honor non Honores”. He was an extremely focussed young man in class, with a diverse range of subject interests, from the mathematical fields of Physics, Chemistry and Extension Maths to Agriculture and Legal Studies. He certainly epitomised a work ethic not only in his academia, but also to his cocurricular activities. He loved his Cadets and everything associated with this, yet I know he will be remembered as that tall, gangly, skinny “praying mantis” 4ths Rugby and Basketball

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player. His dry sense of humour and unflinching demeanour was one that I'm sure held him in good stead for the Armed Forces.

Barker has lost one of our own; and the Nation has lost one of its most promising young officers. Maxwell Nugent will join the 92 other Old Barker students whose names are read out twice each year.

We extend our compassionate care to those with whom Max served within the ADF and to other families whose lives have been unalterably changed through these tragic events. We honour you and we thank you for your sacrificial service. Vale Max Nugent. The School shall never forget. The BCCU will never forget. Australia will never forget.

Peace Phillip Heath AM Head of Barker College

From the Chair of Council

A Wonderful Heritage When I walked the campus of Barker College as one of its students, I knew a school with a wonderful heritage.

Undoubtedly, Barker’s Community in 2023 benefits from, indeed, is enriched by, the planning, foresight, and leadership, of those who came before. Previous Barker communities worked assiduously to bring to successive generations of Barker students, the buildings and facilities which were required for the time.

And, of course, the responsibility to develop new buildings and improved facilities at Barker is ongoing, as student numbers now exceed 2,800, and the school has campuses for Indigenous students at Yarramalong, and Wollombi, and in the North East Arnhem Land.

For a school which started in 1890 as a small college at Kurrajong Heights and moved to Hornsby six years later, let’s rejoice in, and be thankful for, a sustained program of development at Hornsby. It has stood the test of time; whether it’s the construction of the main oval and grandstand in the 1920s, or the Chapel in the 1950s, or the Leslie Hall in the 1960s, or the Senior School Centre in the 1970s, or the Foundation Science Centre and the Hornsby Hundred Building in the 1990s, to reference some only of a busy program during the last century.

Of course, in the twenty first century, the School required an updated Facilities and Buildings Master Plan. It had to address the curricular and co-curricular needs of an increasing student population, as Barker transitioned to full coeducation. The capital works projects now completed at Hornsby include the RE Kefford Building mainly used by the English, Drama, and Christian Studies faculties; the Kurrajong Building for the Prep School; the Copeland Building, the Junior School East extension, and the Multi-Purpose Hall in the Junior School; as well as the quite magnificent Rosewood Centre.

As I write this column, I look forward to attending the official opening of the Senior Student Hub and Mathematics Building. The opening will be another important moment for the School in its journey to full coeducation across all year groups; it is certainly a time to celebrate a building which has an array of carefully designed details to discover and enjoy, including the beautiful use of timber throughout the learning areas. In addition to the Incubator and the Quiet Carriage, the new building has an extensive Dining Commons and six study “nooks” to give students flexibility in their learning, especially when they have unstructured time. Phillip Heath and his Executive Team advise that this facility will greatly enhance the Barker Library capacity and it will also be very conducive to the study needs of the Senior School students. I am reliably informed that the present Year 12 cohort are already reaping the benefit of it in the lead-up to their HSC examinations.

The Barker College of today is understood, always, in the context of its past. Barker’s buildings and facilities express a wonderful heritage, and this expression will continue through sound planning. I appreciate, and treasure, this truth even more now than I did all those years ago as a Barker student.

Most assuredly the future belongs to those who plan for it.

David Charles (75) Chair of Council

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 5

From the Chaplain

Gravity or Grace There are two forces in the world: gravity and grace. And all human behaviour can be divided accordingly.

Gravity is the natural force. We grow up imagining ourselves to be, like the sun, at the centre of the Universe and although we get better at masking it, many of us never move beyond this way of living. The gravity mindset impairs individual relationships and can wreak havoc if whole communities maintain this attitude. We don’t need to look too far for evidence of the burden this puts on our world.

Grace, on the other hand, is a gift. An undeserved gift.

It could be expressed as compassion, or generosity, or a kindness. Grace is a mindset that displaces yourself from the centre and actively looks to put others first.

Grace is not, ‘be good to you, so you’re good to me’ because that’s merely another version of gravity.

Grace, instead, provides a gift seeking nothing in return.

So where does grace thinking come from? In the centuries after Jesus’ death and resurrection, a grace revolution swept the Roman Empire. Christians gained a unique reputation for caring for the elderly, collecting babies who had been discarded, as well as welcoming slave classes and mixed races into church.

Many even died caring for the sick when plagues tore through. The early churches were communities responding to God’s grace to them. They followed the pattern of Jesus who was Lord of all, but washed filthy feet; was God’s king, but hung on a cross. He was the one who loved his enemies and even prayed for the soldiers who killed him.

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The Apostle Paul described God’s saving grace in Ephesians 2: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2 : 8-10

There is relief in knowing that our status before God comes through grace rather than effort, merit or morality. This should not leave us static. In response, we are to allow the revolution of grace to take over our hearts, so we find the “good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

That is the revolution I’d love to see take place in the heart of every member of the Barker community. To know God’s grace and then to move themselves from gravity to grace living in all the places we’ll find ourselves in life.

Rev Peter Tong Senior Chaplain

English

Reimagining Shakespeare Education Education thrives on collaboration and innovation, I would like to and in this edition of celebrate this very dynamic.

Particularly, I would like to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Andrew Hood (Director of Academic Writing) on his co-written chapter in the newly published book: Reimagining Shakespeare Education: Teaching and Learning through Collaboration (published by Cambridge University Press). This book marks a significant milestone in our academic community and commemorates a fruitful 15-year partnership with Sydney University and the Better Strangers Project.

Since its inception, the Better Strangers Project has been a driving force in revolutionising Shakespeare education. The Barker English staff, in collaboration with distinguished academics, including Professor Liam Semler and Professor Jackie Manuel from Sydney University, and Professor Will Christie from ANU, have played a pivotal role in shaping teaching and learning in this space. Early on, MA courses at Barker led to staff members earning MAs, postgraduate diplomas, and even a PhD through this influential association.

One of the project's notable contributions is the generation of peer-reviewed academic articles and the creation of the resourceful website "Shakespeare Reloaded." This platform brims with innovative teaching ideas centred on Shakespeare and the Barker curriculum.

Moreover, annually, the project hosts three-night Professional Learning Imaginariums, empowering not only Barker staff but a network of educators to

explore key English and Shakespeare education topics, from reading and writing to poetry and performance. These Imaginariums have enriched our department's academic landscape, infusing fresh insights and rigour into our teaching practices.

Fifteen years on, in 2023, the heart of this collaboration lies in the book Reimagining Shakespeare Education: Teaching and Learning through Collaboration. The publication including the chapter co-authored by Andrew Hood and Professor Liam Semler, also delves into Shakespeare education in schools, Universities, online and digitally, in prisons and across a range of countries around the world. It also shows that the Barker-Sydney University link is very unusual and distinctive, with a research component that is flexible and responsive to Barker’s teaching and learning needs.

As we celebrate "Reimagining Shakespeare Education" and the 15-year partnership with the Better Strangers Project, we recognise its profound impact on our academic community. Beyond enriching our understanding of Shakespearean literature and education, it has fostered a spirit of collaboration and innovation, shaping the future of education at Barker and beyond.

Laura Craven Head of English

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Junior School

The Inaugural Swimming Carnival The students of Dhupuma Barker participated in their very first swimming carnival at the end of Term 1, following weekly swimming lessons provided by our local Travelling Tadpole Swim School.

In preparation for the carnival, the students were placed into teams according to age and swimming ability: Fire (Red Team) and Storm (Blue Team). The kids spent an afternoon at school tie-dyeing their shirts and loving the results of that process. They made some banners and pom-poms and we talked about the importance of cheering each other on at the pool. The teachers prepared lunch, snacks and prizes, ready to celebrate the students’ amazing achievements in the pool through the term.

The first races were for the younger djamarrkuli, with help from the older kids. They all learned to keep one hand on the wall and to wait for the whistle before kicking with all their might to get to the finish line.

There was much laughter and cheering from the edge of the pool, with the whole school supporting every race. Once the little kids’ races were finished, the older students completed several 50 metre races: freestyle, backstroke and a variety of medleys. The all-round favourite was the Boat Race, where students found that paddling an inflatable boat carrying team members is harder than it looks. It was fantastic to see the younger kids running along the edge of the pool cheering on older swimmers.

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Points were awarded for race winners, participation, sportsmanship, supporting other team members and general great behaviour. The points tally remained very close throughout the day and at the final count it was a draw between Storm and Fire.

Students were awarded a trophy (chocolate Easter bunny) to share with a member of the other team.

We were impressed by the strength and skill they have developed through regular attendance at swimming lessons this term. The swim instructors continually commented on the steady progress of the Dhupuma Barker students, as well as noticing improvement in their listening, focus and effort. Well done, Dhupuma Barker! What a fantastic way to finish off the swimming program.

Lori Cross Dhupuma Barker Teacher

Junior School

Embracing Culture Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week is always a wonderful time of the year. It is a time that we can share one of the oldest continuing cultures in the world.

It is a time that we rejoice, embrace and celebrate!

Our culture makes us unique and connects us together and gives us a sense of belonging.

We love to celebrate and share our knowledge, our singing, our dancing, and our language within our campuses and among the community. Learning our language makes our hearts sing and our spirits happy and it has been lovely sharing that language through our dances, songs and with visiting guests and the community. Both campuses have been busy in the community and at school sharing all that we love to do.

Darkinjung students shared their talents in visual art and exhibited a painting for the first time at Gosford Regional Art Gallery in the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council’s ‘Colours of Country’ exhibition. Their paintings reflected the NAIDOC theme - For our Elders. The children not only painted their story, but they shared the meaning of these paintings through their writing. They were hung with pride in the gallery for people far and wide to admire.

Our School Captains represented our school and shared an Acknowledgement of Country at the Darkinjung Land Council Cultural Day with community.

Often, in front of an unknown crowd, some nerves creep in, but they stood strong and both were amazing, proud role models of our school.

Our Ngarralingayil students were invited by Cessnock Council to perform at the NAIDOC Elders morning tea. The children introduced their performance of two dances, in language. They were just fantastic, so strong and proud, representing themselves, our culture and Barker College.

Ngarralingayil completed a ‘Hands of Generations’ artwork which was connected to the theme of Reconciliation Week - Be a Voice for Generations, encouraging all Australians to be a voice. The Hands of Generations encouraged everyone to raise their hand high and be active in contributing to Reconciliation by being a helping hand to others when learning and sharing knowledge. We are reminded of our commitment every day as we see them firmly planted, with pride of place in our garden.

Both campuses celebrated the wonderful Eddie Mabo and his amazing achievements including campaigning for Indigenous land rights in Australia.

At the whole School NAIDOC Assembly at Hornsby, it was wonderful to watch our students, who can sometimes be a little shy, speak with such confidence, in front of a packed audience. This filled our hearts with pride! Our students shared some language and staff, and their family, shared a beautiful Acknowledgement. All our students, even those that may have been a little out of their comfort zone, danced like ‘no-one was watching’ in front of all those people, with the biggest smiles, Wow, Wow, Wow! They were all AMAZING. It is a huge job to keep an audience of over 3,000 people entertained, but their pride, confidence and talent shone and sparkled, and they did it with ease!

We are so, so proud of them all.

Mandy Shaw Director of NSW Aboriginal Campuses

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Junior School

Enchanting the Senses: Yayoi Kusama Inspires a School-Wide Art Installation

The mesmerising world of Yayoi Kusama's polka dots and boundless creativity not only enchanted the Pre-Kindergarten students but ignited a spark of inspiration that spread throughout the entire Junior School, involving all students from Kindergarten to Year 6, as well as the staff.

The enchanting art installation, adorning a corner of the Prep School Library, served as the centrepiece of a captivating "How We Express Ourselves" unit of inquiry, becoming a catalyst for self-expression and exploration for the entire school community.

Captivated by the vibrant display, the PreKindergarten students eagerly embarked on a journey of creative discovery, crafting their own artistic masterpieces using various materials and techniques.

Their excitement and enthusiasm quickly became infectious, spreading like a wave through the corridors and classrooms.

As the older students observed the Pre-Kindergarten's enthusiastic response, they, too, yearned to contribute to the art installation. Teachers seized the opportunity to foster unity and collaboration, encouraging all Junior School students, from Kindergarten to Year 6, to take part in the project.

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Under the guidance of their dedicated teachers, the students adorned the installation with their own polka dots, each unique and symbolic of their individuality.

The art project became an immersive experience, transcending age barriers and unifying the entire Junior School community. From the youngest Kindergarteners to the seasoned Year 6 students, all felt a sense of ownership and pride in their collective masterpiece.

Beyond the students, the School's staff also embraced the opportunity to join the artistic endeavour.

Teachers, administrators, and support staff alike donned their creative hats, contributing their polka dots to the evolving installation. The project not only strengthened the bond between students and staff but also showcased the power of art in bringing a community together.

Junior School

The integration of Yayoi Kusama's art into the "How We Express Ourselves" unit had a profound impact on the Junior School community. It nurtured creativity, encouraged self-expression, and instilled a sense of belonging and togetherness among the students and staff.

The art installation stood as a testament to the collaborative spirit and creativity of the entire Junior School. It served as a reminder that, just like Kusama's dots, every individual's contribution, no matter how small, can create something extraordinary and beautiful when brought together.

Yayoi Kusama's enchanting art installation became a unifying force that inspired creativity and selfexpression across the Junior School community.

From Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6, students and staff alike found themselves drawn into the magical world of polka dots, leaving an everlasting impression on their hearts and minds. Through this extraordinary project, the Junior School celebrated the power of art to foster unity, encourage individuality, and ignite a collective passion for creative exploration.

Lisa Bonazza Director of Primary Curriculum/PYP Coordinator

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Junior School

Shaping Student Leadership for the Future “When you have a dream you have to work hard to achieve that dream. Your dreams when you are young can be the force that keeps you going.”

Evonne Goolagong Cawley In our rapidly changing world, the importance of youth leadership is undeniable. Young activists like Greta Thunberg, Bana Alabed, Aretha Brown, Marley Diaz, and Xiuhtezcatl Roske-Martinez are transforming how we view the potential of youth to influence positively the world around them. It also drives us to consider how we can better nurture and empower our emerging leaders.

In the Junior School, we have reimagined our approach to student leadership. We aim to cultivate a unique type of student leader – a lifelong leader.

Our aim is to support and empower young leaders to become significant, active, and influential participants not only within our school community but beyond.

We strive to foster a generation of leaders whose passion and ambition to lead transcends their time in

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Year 6, encouraging them to continually grow and develop as leaders throughout Senior School and, more importantly, out into the wider world.

With this aim in mind, Tim Fuller and Nick Pluss organised and executed the Junior School's inaugural Leadership Development Day with support from the Junior School Executive team and the House Patrons.

Inspired by Nick Pluss’ own experiences as a Student Leader at Barker College, this event provided our young leaders with guidance and tools to help develop their leadership skills. Throughout the course of the day, the students were granted the unique chance to gain insights into the multifaceted world of leadership, through the lenses of a variety of exceptional leaders, including Phillip Heath, Martin Lubrano, and Jamie Shackleton, as well as Sophie

Junior School McGrath. Students were also given the opportunity to take part in a variety of theoretical and practical seminars focussed on leadership and its development. This included training in leadership, team building, and crucially, creating their own vision statement for how they wanted to bring their ideas and passion to life within the School and foster meaningful, lasting change in the Junior School.

them with the freedom, the mentoring, and the support to bring their innovative ideas to life in our school and the Junior School community. This change towards a more engaging and empowering model of leadership education showcases our commitment at Barker College to fostering an environment where leaders of tomorrow, regardless of their age, can truly thrive.

Our student leaders are no longer simply following the established order; instead, we are supporting them to be change-makers by providing

Timothy Fuller PDHPE Teacher and Student Leader Mentor

"I can do more. I want to do more and I want opportunities to demonstrate what I am capable of."

Year 6 Student Leader

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Junior School

Aspire: Fostering Growth and Excellence in Students In the Junior School, the Aspire program continues to provide students with enhanced academic challenges and unique avenues to explore their personal interests.

Throughout the current academic year, our students have been immersed in a plethora of enriching programs that encourage them to develop critical thinking and unleash their creativity. As they actively engage in these activities, they embrace the core values of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), embodying the attributes of Thinkers, Communicators, Open-minded individuals, and Risk-Takers.

Do da Vinci Day Barker College participates annually in the da Vinci Decathlon, an academic contest for students that fosters mental stimulation. Teams of eight compete in 10 disciplines, including Engineering, Mathematics, Chess, Code Breaking, Art, Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography, and Legacy. This event celebrates the academic excellence of Australian youth, akin to an Olympic Decathlon.

To select students for this event and to give all eligible students an opportunity to experience this academic competition, Barker College hosted the Do da Vinci Day on April 24, giving over 160 students from Years 5-10 a chance to face complex challenges in teams of four, demanding focus, fluency, and flexibility in thinking.

The overall grade winners represented Barker College at the da Vinci Decathlon.

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Barker Speaks During the Rhetoric Week celebrations at Barker College, the highlight in the Junior School was the Barker Speaks - Public Speaking Competition held on March 20. Enthusiastic students from across the Primary School were encouraged to showcase their oratory skills. The topics were thoughtfully chosen to suit each grade, with Stage Three students challenged to deliver both prepared and impromptu speeches.

Adjudicators from Master Academy praised all the participants for their exceptional speeches which were presented with confidence.

Behind the scenes, class teachers played a crucial role in assisting students with topic selection, refining their speeches, and identifying the best representatives for each grade. The Stage 3 winners, Annika Saxena and Jonathan Key, now have the honour of representing Barker College at the IPSHA Public Speaking competition in Term 4.

Claire Hoare Individual Learning Centre Coordinator

Junior School

Digital Learning At Barker College, we regard digital learning as an essential component of education, establishing and reinforcing the foundations for learning in a digital world.

Digital Learning in the Junior School Digital learning is increasingly vital in the early years of education. It is important that we equip future generations with the relevant digital skills necessary for life-long learning. Digital learning allows for an personalised approach, meeting individual learning needs through a broad array of digital tools. Students interact with age-appropriate resources designed specifically to meet the learning outcomes.

Digital learning is interactive, engaging, and stimulates students in ways that traditional methods may not, fostering an innate curiosity to explore educational topics independently. This can motivate students to learn and explore educational topics on their own.

While acknowledging many benefits of digital learning, it’s essential to also value traditional teaching methods, maintaining a balance between screen time and other forms of learning and play. Guidance from educators and parents plays a pivotal role in shaping students’ digital learning experience.

Kindergarten - Highlight with a Digital Learning Focus This term, our Kindergarten classes have centred the focus on the Transdisciplinary Theme – Sharing the Planet. The students have been investigating various environments and the connections among people, animals and places. A digital learning task, designed collaboratively by the Kindergarten Team and Alyssa Swan (Digital Learning Leader) encouraged students to create their own creatures suited to their explored

environment.

This task was accomplished using the Makers Empire application.

Makers Empire is a platform that is designed to introduce children to the concept of 3D design and printing. By using this iPad app, students develop a variety of digital learning skills, transferable to other digital platforms.

The primary objective of introducing this application to Kindergarten students was to enable them to construct their own creatures within a digital environment. The app’s design tools are user-friendly and encourage children to experiment with shapes, colours and sizes. An additional benefit of using this application is the enhancement of students’ fine motor skills, as they are required to manipulate objects in a 3D space, thereby improving their hand-eye coordination. Utilising this application, students further developed their problem-solving skills to create unique creatures, experimenting with various functions. The students thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the 3D representations of their creations coming to life through 3D printing. This hands-on learning experience facilitated the development of diverse digital learning skills through the application, applicable to everyday iPad technology use.

Alyssa Swan Junior School Digital Learning Leader

Junior School

Investigating with Mathematics The Mathematical Association of NSW (MANSW) conducts an Investigating with Mathematics competition for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Students are encouraged to choose a real-life situation or problem and pursue an investigation into the mathematics which flows from that situation.

Personal investigation meets the aims of the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate (PYP) which we follow in the Junior School. We want students to be curious, to ask big questions, to look deeply at the world around them; and to show “agency” - demonstrating personal choice, taking ownership of an investigation, and showing their learning in their own voice. Please celebrate the students below from the Junior School who have completed a mathematical investigation for MANSW this year.

Year 2 students Alyssa Yu, Amelia Xie, Heidi Li, Jessica Guan, Joe Song, Leo Eaton, Max Chen, Nina Fu, Rishab Mundkur, Teddy Wincott and Yimeng Li investigated the size of old computers. The big question they tried to answer was “Why were computers bigger in the olden days and today they are smaller?” To investigate this, they made accurate timelines showing the history of computers. They worked out what is meant by area and volume and how they are used to measure the space a computer takes up. They investigated how computers store information, and how binary numbers can be used to turn every letter, number, sound or colour into a code the computer can understand.

Finally, they learnt about large numbers as they researched the amount of data stored in the world’s computers and the Internet.

Year 3 student Larry Wang became interested in particular types of equations called quadratic equations when reading a book on Algebra. “Why are quadratic equations called quadratic, when they only have three parts to them, not four?” Larry then investigated parabolas, the U-shaped curves which are drawn when you plot the points of a quadratic equation on a graph. Larry wrote his own code to draw different parabolas so he could work out how to change their shape and position.

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Year 6 student Mayon Bandaranayaka became interested in the fun dice game Zilch which he learnt during JS Maths Week in 2022. Zilch gets riskier as you roll on, and Mayon wondered “is there a strategy I could follow which would reduce the risk when I play Zilch (and increase my chances of winning!)?” He investigated the probabilities at play when the player rolls 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 dice, and found the chances of winning or losing in each situation. He used coding in Excel to play thousands of games of Zilch so that he could test out several strategies without having to roll lots of dice, and along the way he even explored hypercubes in more than 3 dimensions! In the end he chose a strategy that lowered his chance of going out of the game early, and he learnt a huge amount about probability experiments and rolling dice in the process. Mayon’s entry was awarded First Place by the MANSW judges, and he will now represent NSW in the National Maths Talent Quest.

Congratulations!

Year 6 students Matthew Poon, Finn Sumner and Wenson Li all share a love of planes, airlines and aviation. They decided to see if they could work out, mathematically, whether or not it would be possible to make changes to the size of a Boeing 787 in order to somehow make the cost of each flight cheaper. Their investigation took them up to the heady heights of the mathematics and economics of long-haul air travel, and down to the tiny details of plane measurements and flight plans. They sought to understand why seat tickets are so expensive, and to see if they could reduce the cost somehow. Their passion and joy in discussing all things aviation was evident throughout their investigation.

Well done to all for the fantastic investigations!

Edwin Tomlins Junior School Specialist Teacher - Mathematics

Junior School

Junior School Chapel: 4 Campuses, 1 Community The Barker Junior School community is spread across four campuses and 4,429 kilometres.

Despite each campus having its own unique character and culture, the campuses are united in many ways; one of these is the experience of Chapel.

Every week all students share in this common activity in which they gather together to pause, learn and reflect on God’s love for them.

Chapel at Barker Prep is the most energetic gathering of the week for many, full of dress-ups, laughter and age-appropriate fun as approximately 100 parents join us each week in the Kurrajong Piazza to discover more about God’s love.

Chapel at Darkinjung picks up after morning toast and playground chats. Conversation continues over colouring in and impressive art/colouring/pencil/ work.

Chapel at Barker for Years 3-4 involves hearing some breathtakingly beautiful singing under the big screen of the Piazza, with an abundance of student participation and enthusiasm for activities as they discover more about the Christian faith.

Chapel at Ngarralingayil begins with football on the oval before the group of energetic children settle in the classroom where their curiosity leads to honest and relevant questions as they explore God’s word.

Chapel at Barker for Years 5-6 gives students the opportunity to walk up the hill to the Chapel building to experience a contemporary church-like service in which they can dive deeper and begin to wrestle with the big questions, considering how faith is relevant to their journey in the world.

Chapel at Dhupuma usually involves students gathering around the classroom screen and connecting through the music, dance and the hope that they will be personally mentioned in the weekly Chapel service that is filmed for them. The most recent visit to Dhupuma provided the chance for a special outdoor Chapel at Crocodile Creek.

Each of these gatherings is unique, yet connected in purpose. Chapel is Christ-centred, relationally driven, age-appropriate and provides every Barker student the opportunity to engage with the message of God’s love shown for them through Jesus.

Rev Andrew Brown Assistant to the Chaplain ‑ Junior School

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Garma Youth Forum

To Weave the New Mat As a stark reminder of the scale of our incredible country, 11 students from Years 10 and 11 travelled to remote North East Arnhem Land to join the annual Garma Festival, and participate in the Youth Forum.

It takes a full day of travel to reach Gulkula, a acred site of the Gumatj people, not far from Dhupuma Barker.

The Youth Forum is a festival inside the festival for young people to come together, explore leadership, discover new skills such as photography, digital music production and robotics and to find their own voice as they look towards their future. The Barriny Barriny group from Barker were able to balance their experience between alongside First Nations students in the Youth Forum, while immersing themselves in the ancient custom of Raypiri, where they underwent a smoking ceremony based on discipline and respect.

At the end of each day, students raced to the bunggul ground to witness the spectacular traditional dances and manikay (songlines) of the Yolngu clans. Even though the days started with the dawn, the Barriny Barriny students still had energy to enjoy the incredible First Nations bands and musicians performing every night on the Main Stage, the best act being the Dhupuma Barker students performing their School rap with Cedric Marika.Following are student reflections from the most extraordinary four days of cultural learning.

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The Garma Festival provided me with an unforgettable and transformative experience. From the crack of dawn until the late hours of each night, it was a whirlwind of immersive cultural activities. Living in a tent for four days, surrounded by people from all walks of life and diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, I felt a profound connection to the land, its people, and their stories. The teachings, dances, and ceremonies would forever alter my perception of the world around me.

The moments that stood out were meeting and listening to Anthony Albanese, as well as many Indigenous youth leaders and traditional owners, amidst the Festival’s vibrant energy and immersion in one of the world’s oldest cultures through Bungul. The weight of the speech on the Yes referendum increased my political awareness, showing me the power of using my voice for change.

It is almost as if time stops when in Yolŋu country.

There is no need for a phone, watch, or distractions. It is purely about the experience and being in the land.

The lessons, memories, and friendships that I have gained will be treasured forever.

Tristan Lyth Year 11

Garma Youth Forum

I think I now understand what it means to “sit on the old mat to weave the new mat”.

Our lives are like woven mats. A connected place, woven from the threads of our previous experiences, our newly made ones and most importantly, but sometimes imperceptibly, the gossamer strands of wisdom from generations long past. A place where we can share stories, listen carefully and teach newcomers about what we’ve learned. Each thread of the mat represents a lesson learnt, a challenge overcome, a loss or a celebration. The mat teaches and it learns.

It was through conversation and deep listening with Yolŋu elders as I sat on the mat learning the ancient handicraft of weaving that the true significance of Garma was illuminated before me. The wise words, resilience and kindness of the Yolŋu elders moved me as I sat fumbling with my own weaving watching the woman’s skill in weaving a small basket.

As soon as I sat down next to her on the woven mat, she handed me what she was weaving. I told her I didn’t know how to weave and instantly she helped me. During this moment all I could think about was her willingness to teach, her willingness to help people learn about her culture and how she was so proud of her identity.

“Manymak” she would say with a thumbs up - the simple encouragement of “good” to me as I started to learn how to weave.

She began to talk, and I started to listen. Something that will stay with me forever was when she personally welcomed me onto her land and how she was happy I was there. She said she liked the said festival because it gave her a chance to teach people about her rich culture. This was truly inspirational.

Despite the 240 years of trauma Aboriginal people have faced and still face, she still wanted to teach. She still wanted people to come onto her land and sit and weave with her in silence or with light chatter. She wanted people to go back to their homes and tell people about Garma and her lessons. She wanted us to begin to weave the new mat.

Bea Meyer Year 10

Throughout our time at the Youth Forum at the Festival I was able to form friendships with other students from all around Australia and a wide range of ages which allowed us to learn about their local communities and lives. Some of the children that we met were also Dhupuma Barker students which meant we were able to connect with them and form friendships between the two campuses.

One of my most memorable parts was the cultural activities and ceremonies such as Old Man’s memorial which was such a moving and important ceremony to celebrate his life and what he had done for Indigenous peoples during his time. Another favourite cultural activity was the Bungul every night and being able to see the different Yolŋu clans perform their specific ceremonies and what roles both women and men play in ceremony. A big highlight was being invited to get up and dance with the women and learning from the Elders what to do in each story that was being told.

Chelsea Gleeson Year 11

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Visual Arts

A Day on the Island

Stepping out of the classroom and into the ‘real world’ for a day was a welcome opportunity embraced by our Year 9 and 10 Photographic & Digital Media students.

Cockatoo Island, the largest island in Sydney Harbour, is one of Australia’s convict sites on the UNESCO's World Heritage list. It is a significant place in the nation’s rich Aboriginal, colonial and naval history.

With its steep rocky outcrops, dilapidated industrial buildings from various eras and the iconic backdrop of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, it is a unique location for filmmakers and photographers alike. Notably filmed on the island were scenes from Hugh Jackman’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, where the site was transformed into a prisoner of war camp.

On the day, Visual Arts staff ran a series of group workshops for students taking advantage of the benefits of experiential learning. We were pleased to see student motivation for the subject area increase as a direct result, in addition to being a memorable experience for all. We were grateful for the opportunity to encourage students in encountering authentic challenges and exploring new ways to make sense of the world around them. It also provided the means to interact and work with like-minded peers towards a common goal. Some of our Year 10 students have contributed their memories of the day opposite.

Rikki Latella​​​​ Acting Head of Visual Arts

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Visual Arts

The Photographic and Digital Media excursion to Cockatoo Island was an excursion unlike any other.

After adventuring on a ferry and making it to the notable film production location, we all admired the beautiful architecture and the vast space available to utilise in this experience. Through a variety of workshops we were encouraged to let our creativity flourish, whilst navigating through given prompts and locations. We learnt how capturing with different angles can impact how audiences engaged through the simplicity of placement, lighting and angling.

We collaborated in groups to produce short scenes of our own, that we later edited and finalised. Thank you to all of the staff who organised such an outstanding excursion, and one that I highly recommend for those interested in film production. It will remain a memorable moment of my years after Barker.

Lulu Stewart Year 10

When the Photographic and Digital Media excursion was announced, I was immediately excited. Not only did we get to have the opportunity to apply our skills and techniques learnt in class, but we got to do it in one of the most famous and recognisable places in Sydney - Cockatoo Island - a film-maker's paradise, with a plethora of diverse and visually interesting locations to craft the perfect film, from a dark, long, winding tunnel and abandoned buildings for the horror film fan, to stunning harbour views for those trying to go for a cinematic feel. Cockatoo Island has it all, and we discovered how to utilise its diversity through workshops designed around the space.

Learning how to create a convincing, heart-stopping chase film, and playing with time through slow motion effects, were my personal favourites. As with any kind of medium, film-makers will always tell you that there's something extremely satisfying about picking up a camera, making a film from scratch and curating it until it's perfect, and to do that while collaborating with friends and discovering one of the best film spots in Sydney was an amazing experience!

Joe Bernatek Year 10

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Design & Technology

The aim of the tour was to provide students with an immersive and educational experience in the fields of Product Design, Textiles Design and STEAM. During the tour, the students had the opportunity to visit prominent design studios such as Paul Smith, Seymour Powell, and Foster and Partners. These visits allowed them to witness first-hand the creative processes and designs of renowned designers. The tours were insightful and offered valuable exposure to different design techniques and philosophies. In the case of Paul Smith, the great man himself gave 90 minutes of his valuable time to show the five floors of his studio together with an insight into the creative process employed by the company. Likewise at Foster and Partners, Director Dan Sibert gave over two hours of his time to show us the extensive operation that is Fosters. These were ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities to speak to and listen to designers at the very top of their game globally.

The itinerary also included visits to prominent museums in London, such as the Design Museum and the V&A Museum. These institutions provided the students with ‘hands on practical workshops’ and a chance to explore a vast range of design exhibits, spanning different eras and disciplines. The students were able to draw inspiration from the diverse collection of artifacts and gain a deeper understanding of the history and significance of design.

The group travelled back from Paris on the Eurostar to Repton College for the final leg of the tour. Whilst in the Midlands, students had the opportunity to visit the JCB World Headquarters for an in- depth look at the design and manufacture of a range of diggers.

The textile group went back in time during their visit to Chatsworth House. The final day of the tour saw them travel to Ironbridge, the home of the Industrial Revolution and the world’s first bridge made from iron!

In addition to the studio and museum visits, the students were treated to cultural experiences in both Paris and London. One of the highlights of the ‘textiles’ strand was the visit to the Dior Galleria in Paris, where they had the opportunity to explore the world of fashion and witness the creativity behind one of the most prestigious fashion houses.

A ‘must do’ while in Paris, the students climbed the Eiffel Tower and experienced the stunning panoramic views of the city. The London Eye, another iconic landmark, provided them with a breathtaking aerial view of London. These two experiences allowed the students to contrast and appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the two cities they visited.

The tour was a resounding success, providing students with a unique blend of educational and cultural experiences. Through visits to design studios, museums, and cultural landmarks, the students gained valuable insights into the world of design and its impact on the individual, society and the environment.

The tour has left a lasting impression on the students, expanding their horizons and fuelling their creativity.

Overall, the tour was a remarkable success and undoubtedly cultivated a deep passion for design among the participating students.

Kevin Jones Design & Technology Teacher

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Design & Technology

Fashion Forward Congratulations to all of the students in Year 12 Textiles and Design for completing your Major Textiles Project to such a high standard and for sharing your creations with us during the Textiles Fashion Show.

Thank you to all the Textiles students in Years 9, 10 and 11 for also presenting your work to the audience and to the Dance Troupe for supporting our evening with superbly choreographed routines. The skill level was fabulous.

From the Year 9 hoodies to the Year 10 sixties-inspired shift dresses, to the Year 11 Art Fusion outfits, there was a steady progression in design capability and mastery of skill culminating with the Year 12 Major Projects. It is visually apparent how practice and attention to detail improves the quality of the textile items being produced by students.

At the end of Term 2, I had the opportunity to visit a number of design and fashion studios in London. The School tour catered for Textile and Design students as well as students studying STEAM. The ability to see how fashion and design companies operate was a crucial part of the learning opportunity afforded to our students. What stood out as a constant for me was just how much inquiry, using hands and machine tools to manipulate materials, is being done to contribute to the success of the organisations we visited.

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At Seymour Powel an Industrial Design firm - the majority of idea development is still conveyed using hand sketching before producing computer-aided design representations. Most models and prototypes are still produced by hand with a little 3D printing going on.

At Paul Smith Fashion Studio we observed over five levels within the building of different processes and techniques being applied – including hand printing, fashion drawing, sewing, embroidery and other techniques being applied. They even wrap thread around pieces of cardboard to represent the stripes on a tie because it provides better visual representation of a tie then the two-dimensional colours displayed on a computer screen.

At Fosters Architects the majority of idea generation and model making is still completed by hand – using cardboard, timbers, plastic and metal, with the use of some computer and laser cut elements to speed up efficiency.

What these organisations have in common is that they all realise that attention to detail and close observation in improving quality, through the manipulation of materials by hand is crucial, to

producing new ideas and that these ideas need to be conveyed in a physical manner that can be judged and evaluated.

Our Textile students have commenced this journey of using hands-on activity to produce fashionable solutions. They have all been able to validate decisions that they have made in order to produce functional and aesthetic solutions. At first, students learn to apply techniques and skills that will render results based on the assurance that these have been applied previously. This is useful information and builds confidence. But as they become more familiar with processes it is important for them to try other approaches - to test out new ways of achieving different outcomes. This could be as simple as including tucks or folds, swapping out button-holes for eyelets, changing from plain to knitted fabrics, or choosing different textile materials, yet all the time being mindful and looking closely for how these decisions will impact wearability and aesthetics of the item being produced.

The Paul Smith, Seymour Powel and Foster organisations have, at the core of their success, a team of people who are committed to trying things out by hand, to persevere through manipulating materials and processes to find new ways to achieving fashion and design and functional objectives. They know that the critical discoveries they make will

determine whether or not they can stay in business tomorrow. They understand the enormous gains that these discoveries and design improvements can provide for a business once production is scaled up.

The success of these organisations is underpinned by the perspiration and commitment to discover through doing.

In Proverbs 25:2, it reads "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, to search out a matter is the glory of Kings."

The world does not give up its secrets easily, and students must be encouraged to inquire and observe not simply what others have done but through doing and observing processes themselves.

Our Textiles students have all commenced this journey and I am confident that they will continue to apply these skills to discover new ways forward long after they leave Barker: to discover new ways of being fashionable or new ways of meeting the needs of society, so they too, will feel like Kings and Queens.

Darren Woodrow Head of Design & Technology

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Drama

IMPORTANCE OF BEING

By Oscar Wilde

The Year 11 play The Importance of Being Earnest was an incredible experience. I played Jack, a witty, likeable character with a somewhat confusing backstory.

With just over a term to develop this, in conjunction with the other play The School for Wives, the journey was slightly wild, but awesome the entire way through.

The aspect I loved most about the experience had to be the independence we were granted throughout. I can’t think of one scene where we, as the actors, didn’t adjust to accommodate our vision, resulting in a hilarious (I hope) hour of entertainment. It meant that the play felt familiar to us and rewarded us with an immense feeling of accomplishment each and every night, especially when audiences laughed! Despite the time constraints we faced, coupled with overlapping activities and sicknesses, the process felt relatively smooth. At the very least, I felt prepared for our first performance. That isn’t to say we didn’t face roadblocks, and a little frustration here and there, but it was all worth it. From this experience, I learnt a lot about acting comedy. The importance of timing, tone, articulation, and physicality could not be stressed enough, in the pursuit of perfecting every moment.

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I also made plenty of new friends through the production, sharing notes, ideas and helping hands to make it through our simultaneous assessment block.

Finishing this experience, after the final night, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders, but it wasn’t the same as another test. I was no longer part of something bigger than myself, and that was tough. That just goes to show how big something like this can be in our lives at school. Looking back on the experience now, I have so much to be thankful for, such as the inspiring support from our Director, Mrs Midgley, and the hard work of our crew and Dugal, who made each night possible. Ultimately, The Importance of Being Earnest was a unique, fabulous production to be a part of, and I hope to create something as fantastic next year.

Charlie Highnam Year 11

Drama

I was excited to be involved in the second of the two Wives originally written by plays The School for Wives, Molière in 1662 and modernised by Justin Fleming.

I played Georgette/Allan, a bumbling servant who never seemed to do anything right no matter how hard she tried. I also played a mysterious old witch who magically disappeared in a cloud of glitter. I loved playing these roles as it allowed me to explore physical comedy and the importance of working in an ensemble. The School for Wives was the first play I have been involved in at Barker, and I hope it isn’t my last. I gained a greater appreciation for the immense time and energy put into creating a play, and the skills required by the Barker staff to organise a smoothrunning production. I really cherished the guidance and creative freedom Ms Midgley gave us to experiment with making humorous moments and fast-paced scenes. It felt very rewarding as we felt the audience enjoying and laughing from all our hardwork. I learnt about the importance of creating interesting images, timing and always being controlled, even if our character isn’t. I also thoroughly enjoyed supporting The Importance of Being Earnest cast and being able to see them develop and create something that was funny and entertaining. Another

special moment was when The Importance of Being Earnest cast came to watch us and laughed and supported us. It felt good knowing that what we were creating was actually funny! Something I found challenging was the time commitment. It was hard to balance play rehearsal, school, and friends, but throughout the process I found I became more organised and efficient when studying or doing homework. Another thing I found challenging was keeping the energy up for all our performances - comedy is hard work! Overall, I wouldn’t trade this irreplaceable experience for the world, and I can’t wait for another amazing year of Barker Drama.

Charlotte Ellis Year 11

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Music

Barker's Masterpiece 2023 concert was a wonderful evening of music enjoyed by both audience and performers. The event showcased the talent and dedication of the School's Senior Ensemble performers and featured a diverse program spanning various musical genres.

Dr Julie Wilson Reynolds, the Deputy Head of Academic Care, added a touch of grace and insightful commentary as she expertly hosted the concert and introduced each ensemble.

The concert began with a captivating video titled Behind the Scenes, compiled by Lachlan McDonald.

This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of the Barker music tribe revealed the hard work and joy seen each day in the Music Centre and in the preparation of the performances.

Under the baton of Bradley Lucas, the Senior Wind Orchestra opened the concert with powerful renditions of Sheltering Sky by John Mackey and Vesuvius by Frank Ticheli. The orchestra skilfully captured both the serenity of a peaceful sky and the intensity of an ancient volcano's cataclysmic eruption, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Senior Choir, guided by special guest Alex Pringle and accompanied by Alice Hanna, enchanted the audience with two soulful renditions. The Mouse, The Bird, and The Sausage by Luke Byrne came to life with delightful melodies and engaging storytelling, showcasing the choir's seamless blend and precise articulation. However, it was the emotional rendition of Landslide by Stevie Nicks, featuring the beautiful vocal tone of soloist Holly Harmon (Year 12), that truly moved and inspired the audience.

Led by David Saffir, the Symphony Orchestra delivered outstanding performances of two iconic works. March

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to the Scaffold from Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique was evocative and vivid, showcasing the orchestra's precise execution. The first half of the concert concluded with Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, a powerful and stirring performance that displayed the orchestra's versatility and expressive abilities.

During the interval, the Middle School Choir entertained the audience with an informal set conducted by Alice Hanna and accompanied by Kathy Day. The Beach Boys hit God Only Knows now a crowd favourite, added a delightful interlude to the evening.

The second half commenced with the Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Simon Smith. Their rendition of Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm featured outstanding solos by trombonist Sophie Liu (Year 8) and saxophonist Nick Strachov (Year 12), showcasing both the individual and collective talent within the ensemble. Pigeon Toad, a composition by Barker’s Composer in Residence, Brendan Collins, featured a masterful improvised alto saxophone solo by Felix Neville (Year 12) and further highlighted the ensemble's technical skill and stylistic understanding.

The Chamber Choir, directed by Peter Ellis, delivered emotionally charged performances of two contrasting pieces. Notre Perè (Our Father) by Maurice Duruflé transported the audience to a place of tranquillity and spiritual reflection. Sator Arepo by Melissa Dunphy, a contemporary composition, was delivered with ethereal voices and thoughtful interpretation, conveying the piece's message perfectly.

Music

The Chamber Orchestra featured the 2023 Concerto Competition winner, Benjamin Weatherall, on the Marimba. Emmanuel Séjourné’s Concerto for Marimba was a sophisticated and virtuosic performance that dazzled the audience. The Chamber Orchestra continued with Christopher Wilson's Suite for String Orchestra, highlighting the ensemble's collective artistry.

The concert reached its grand finale with the Wind Symphony, conducted by Andrew McWade. Their performance of Vulnerable Joy by Jodie Blackshaw was beautifully supported by visuals, conveying the heartwarming story of a mother Humpback whale's self-sacrifice and commitment. It left the audience deeply moved. Closing on a high note, the Wind

Symphony presented Niagara Falls by Michael Daugherty, taking the audience on an exciting musical journey through the iconic waterfall.

Over the years, the Barker Masterpiece Concerts have established themselves as the pinnacle of school music ensemble performance and once again the dedication of the students and the love and care of the Music staff have created a beautiful performance that elevated the musical standards of this year’s concert to a new height.

Simon Smith Head of Music

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Music

This year's Barker Swings served as a testament to the power of jazz to uplift spirits, kindle joy and inspire self-expression.

From an educational standpoint, Barker Swings holds profound significance for the students, providing them with a unique opportunity to experience the freedom and creativity that jazz embodies.

At Barker, students willingly embrace jazz groups alongside their regular commitments to large ensemble programs and wind bands. While the large ensembles cultivate an appreciation for texture, tone, colour and the joy of gradual improvement leading to formal concert performances, the jazz ensembles hone students' ensemble skills in unique ways, fostering attentiveness to each other's musical nuances and resulting in the creation of musical synergy, confidence and respect in a more informal setting.

The pinnacle of the night came when Felix Neville (Year 12) was awarded the prestigious Greg Henderson Memorial Jazz Award. With his unwavering dedication to the Music department and exceptional prowess in jazz, he was a true beacon of talent and deserving of the recognition.

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Guest artist and renowned jazz educator and performer Simon Sweeney’s performance with the Staff Invitational Big Band, was nothing short of awe-inspiring, leaving the audience astounded by his virtuosity, being quite literally 'blown away'.

Throughout the week, his insightful workshops and masterclasses proved to be a hit with the students, leaving an indelible mark on their musical journey.

The energy of jazz permeated the entire venue, with talented Barker jazz musicians taking the stage one after the other. From the Junior School Stage Band to the OBA Big Band, each performance resonated with enthusiasm and skill, showcasing the students' dedication to their craft and the Friends of Barker Music (FOBM) transformed the MPH into a groovy jazz supper club.

Simon Smith Head of Music

Languages

Lasting Connections Latin Reading Competition Success The task of the educated mind is simply put: read to lead. A maxim of the great orator Cicero realised by Barker's Year 10 and 11 classicists at the annual Classical Greek and Latin Reading Competition. We competed among accomplished peers, aiming to distinguish ourselves in pronunciation accuracy, interpretive authenticity, and passion of presentation.

The University of Sydney hosted the finals, where we each delivered a prepared verse passage and an unseen prose passage.

In Year 10, Leo Chen and Leonard Tang delivered fluent and spirited recitations, fuelled by the support of their attending classmates. In the Latin reading, Year 11’s class triumphed, with Eric Jiang's and Sam Tasharofi's rhetorical precision securing 1st and 2nd places. Additionally, in Ancient Greek, Sam and I overcame a truly herculean unseen passage to claim top positions.

Japanese Homestay Experience Early this term, Barker welcomed nine visiting students and their teachers from our sister school, Sugao High School, Japan. Each Japanese student was welcomed into the home of a Barker family for two weeks. The Barker host brothers and sisters are all currently learning Japanese in Year 9, 10 or 11. Phillip Heath welcomed our visitors to the school by sharing the lasting benefits of an exchange program, such as the Sugao relationship. The students from Barker and Sugao enjoyed practising their language skills and learning about the cultural differences between Australia and Japan.

These remarkable performances reflect the dedication of all participants. May our shared appreciation for the Classics lead us to further accomplishments and joys in the future.

During their stay, the students from Japan attended school lessons with their hosts. They also travelled to Barker’s Darkinjung campus where they received a warm welcome. Two further highlights were an excursion to Taronga Zoo and a farewell afternoon tea where all the students could say thankyou to the Barker host families and to Barker’s Japanese teachers, whose hard work made the homestay possible.

Tom Sturrock Year 11

Matthew Ross Head of Languages

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English

A Noteworthy Display The Kefford Building is alive with the creative vision and words of

As the front cover of the 2016 edition proposed, ‘Writing is the painting of the voice’, and The English Department has captured this sentiment with a vibrant display of the covers of the past 13 editions of our literary journal. This idea was conceptualised by Laura Craven, Head of English, who has demonstrated her support of this journal by making this the first of many visual enhancements to our corridors.

This year will mark the 14th year of publication for Noteworthy and its showcasing and celebration of the writing and art of students and staff at Barker College.

Every year, we call for submissions of poetry, creative writing and non-fiction writing, and the Art Department selects a range of student art to feature.

This is the first year that we will digitally disseminate the journal, as well as offering archival versions which can be accessed via a QR code below.

Designer Yolanda Koning has been the backbone of this operation which has seen her work alongside several English staff including Andrew Hood, Alastair McCallum and Cate Briggs, the original innovators of Noteworthy. Koning sees the journal as a passion project: “It's been a lot of fun designing Noteworthy over the past 14 years. I've loved working alongside all the dedicated teachers who help bring this amazing publication to life. The calibre of student work is always incredibly high and makes me smile to think

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.

about how happy they must feel to see their craft come to life in print.”

The covers recently installed in the corridors of Kefford showcase that the design concepts have not only been aesthetically impactful but have also served as diverse visual representations of the climate of the year, acting as a time stamp or pulse check on the world’s priorities. In 2019, the cover celebrated the world of literature to commemorate the passing of Les Murray; in 2020 amidst COVID, the cover was STEAM-focused and acknowledged the creation of the COVID vaccination. This year, our cover captures the notion of the integrated and cohesive nature of Barker’s campuses, coined by Reverend Ware and Phillip Heath as ‘The Red Thread’, and symbolised in our pages by weaving threads of quotes from student work throughout the edition.

What has remained across all editions is the quality of student writing, a celebration of voice, which is always at the heart of our focus and love of teaching. We hope as students bring home their copy of the journal this year, you will enjoy the array of voices, experimentation with form, and the courage of students to have their words published.

Karina Ware English Teacher & Editor of Noteworthy

Scan QR CODE to access the Noteworthy Journals

Geography

Water in the World Year 8 Geographers have done it again – impressing us with their creativity, skill and flair.

In Term 2, Geography ran a Coral Reef Expo as a part of their syllabus topic, Water in the World. Students were charged with the task of creating and presenting a Learning Object. Put simply, they investigated an aspect of coral reefs and developed a piece that is a performance of understanding. The students were at liberty to choose whatever they desired in order to exhibit their newfound understanding. There was a case when I flippantly mentioned interpretive dance as an option, not expecting for a moment that a student would pick up the gauntlet. I got what I deserved!

This year’s offerings included cupcakes, dioramas, cakes (a theme is developing here!), posters, Lego models, PowerPoints, Canva posters and board games. Students joined in the Expo as they travelled from classroom to classroom, viewing and learning from the other students’ learning objects. There was also a People’s Choice Award wherein students and

other staff who visited the Expo could vote. Not quite the controversy of The Archibald Prize, but up there!

The learning was also reflective as the students also engaged with a SIMPLE. The acronym asks the students to State the learning goal, Identify why they chose it, indicate their research Method, state how they will Present, identify Links to other aspects of the topic and critically, Evaluate their presentation.

The buzz around the Expo rooms indicated that the students were proud of what they had produced and were enthusiastic about what they had learned. I heard ugly rumours of the People’s Choice Award votes being influenced by the promise of cup-cakes or cake. I dare not dignify this slur on the academic integrity of these fine learners.

Matthew Lloyd Head of Geography

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Cambridge Tour - Academic Extension

Learn to Travel | Travel to Learn When nine of our students committed to a two-week academic program at Cambridge University, they flagged their interest in sharpening their minds, embracing challenge and broadening their perspectives. The trip organised by Oxford Royale delivered on all three.

What did our students come to learn? Their chosen courses included: Curing the Future: Medicine and Disease, Law and Politics, Mathematics, Explore Medicine and Explore Creative Writing.

Living in a university college, meeting and working with students from all around the world and navigating the challenges inherent in international travel were all embraced with gusto.

Founded in 1209, Cambridge has long been an epicentre of learning. It is also a place where the past, the present and the future meet in a dynamic dance of ideas and energy. It is impossible not to come away from such an experience without a bigger picture of the world of learning and discovery.

I am incredibly proud of our students. All came away with new ideas, a deeper understanding of the world and a stronger sense of self. They have indeed learnt much more than how to travel.

We hope to offer an opportunity for our students to study at Oxford in 2024. Students who are interested should speak to me or Greg Longney - Director of Teaching and Learning.

Here are some of the thoughts of our Years 10 and 11 travellers: Law and Politics I enjoyed meeting and learning from students from all around the world, listening to their experiences, especially the cultural and social differences which have shaped their opinions and views. I enjoyed the debates about significant world issues from a variety of perspectives. - Shirley Ji We collaborated and explored ideas about the morality of the law, along with numerous discussions about our home country’s justice systems and different types of law. Being with students from across the globe encouraged me to learn about cultural political and social differences. - Mia Saponja The entire experience was absolutely amazing. It was challenging with a combination of lectures, class activities and engaging debates. The course covered the different variations of law, while also exploring a deeply philosophical and political side. I enjoyed growing closer to all the Barker students while also forming new connections and friendships.

Jack Woodall

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Cambridge Tour - Academic Extension

Medicine: Curing the Future

Mathematics

We learnt a lot about what it means to be a doctor, as well as practical skills, including how to consult and identify problems with a patient, and use equipment.

We learnt about a myriad of conditions and diseases, exploring the anatomy, physiology and pathology of each. I found this to be incredibly insightful and intriguing. - Leonard Tang

The course was a challenging, yet exciting adventure, exploring high school and university mathematics in an enriching environment. I met many students from across the world, learning about various cultures and values through the close bonds and friendships I made.

Learning with others that knew far more about biology and the study of medicine was both intimidating and interesting. Students from a vast variety of cultures and education systems allowed for the creation of a class that had a vastly unique understanding of medicine, and more broadly the world. Ultimately, the trip to Cambridge has been an inspiring, exciting and educational journey. - Andy Lee The course was very well taught, and I learnt a lot about medicine itself, the processes it takes to study medicine in the future and university life. The overall experience was priceless.

Arjun Pillai

Creative Writing Everyone I met was talented and unique in their own way, an incredibly small class with ten completely different personalities and mindsets. It was such an astonishing experience - creative writing unites people with similar interests and minds.

Lily Lyu

Dr Julie Wilson Reynolds Deputy Head Academic Care

Leo Chen

Cambridge enabled me to learn about how people’s mindsets have been moulded by their environment and education systems – it gave me an insight into what life could look like outside Barker. Despite coming from diverse cultures, we bonded over our common interests in medicine, music, and intense games of Uno. Brianna Chen

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 35

Senior School Hub

A New Era has Begun On a truly memorable day, the Senior School Hub was officially opened by Professor Mark Scott AO, the Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney and dedicated in a momentous ceremony held on Thursday 27 July.

The journey to complete this building began in 2014/15 when the Council of the time examined two competing interests in capital development - the completion of a sports centre (now known as The Rosewood Centre) and a new Maths and Senior School Hub, both to be located on The Avenue.

We now have a building that will serve future generations. When Architectus began this journey of design with Barker in 2019 they proposed a point of

36 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

difference with a hybrid timber-framed building, with two levels of engineered-timber framing built upon a robust concrete base.

“Barker College is to be commended for its early embracing of this environmentally sustainable method of construction that realises a highly responsible precedent for others to aspire towards,” Luke Johnson, Principal at Architectus said.

Senior School Hub

“Spaces have been designed to make visible the activities of education, to connect students with students, to connect students with teachers, to bring people together for group interactions and focussed self-directed study, and to be the platforms upon which some of their most important educational experiences will take place.

Barker is committed to enhancing their natural environments through well-considered design solutions, so the careful placement of this building has been mindful of preserving mature trees by staggering its physical form to avoid impacting their roots and canopies.

The use of timber is a breakthrough in sustainability and physical beauty. Buildcorp advised that during the construction, 242 tonnes of glulam beams and columns and 3,500m2 of cross laminated timber were installed into the structure of the building, which was completed in just 11 weeks. These numbers equate to a total of thirty-six containers procured from local and overseas suppliers in Australia and Austria.

Stephen Surjan, Operations Manager Buildcorp said, “Our team is incredibly proud to have delivered this state-of-the-art learning environment which represents the next stage of the Barker College masterplan.

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 37

Senior School Hub

The new building has been thoughtfully integrated into the existing environment through multiple link bridges, free flowing landscaping areas and stands proud as a striking landmark in the Barker College campus.”

This landmark project has led the way for sustainable education buildings for the future by incorporating sustainable and environmentally friendly material choices.

“When comparing the Senior School Hub to a similar building framed with concrete, the mass timberframed solution is estimated to save approximately 26% in upfront carbon emissions. This comparison provides an estimated reduction in carbon emissions of 1,092 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), which can be likened to that produced by 130 homes annually,” Stephen explained.

“So, how did we ever exist without this building?”

School Vice Captain, Caleb Stace asked guests at the opening. “The question seems fairly straightforward right now, because until now, we’ve thrived without it.

But I think there’s a great beauty in that question becoming harder and harder to answer, harder and harder to remember, as time grafts this building into the definition of the Barker experience.

“Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain.” The team has done an incredible job, but I believe that this building is also God’s provision. And so we pray that by God’s kindness, Barker students might one day wonder, ‘How did we ever exist without it?”

As Professor Scott and Architect Luke Johnson reminded the students at the official opening, this is a building in which learning is celebrated, staff are supported and wellbeing is allowed to thrive.

Julie McAllister Head of Communications & Advancement

38 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

Senior School Hub

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 39

Mathematics

Do the Maths Nine Year 10 girls went to UNSW’s annual Do the Maths day on 7 June. We enjoyed a campus tour, carnival booths, a workshop on game strategy and talks from a variety of women in different mathematical careers.

The talks gave insight into how different women’s life journeys led them to use and explore mathematics in different ways.

Highlights from the booths were origami, networks, virtual reality and geometry.

In other news, the Mathematics faculty has been exploring student views of their learning in mathematics. All Secondary students were asked about their experiences at the end of 2022 via a survey. The results were very interesting, with many students requesting more group work, movement, and activities.

As a response to this feedback, we are trialing regular group problem solving in some Year 9 classes, once per week over ten weeks. So far students have enjoyed some different activities and ways of learning and are developing group problem solving skills.

Amy Young Mathematics Teacher

40 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

Computer Science

Next generation of programmers On a cold, frosty morning I disembarked off the plane at Adelaide airport with two goals in mind. My first goal was to soak up and advance my knowledge about the Python programming language.

The second goal was to support one of our own, Bianca (Year 12), who had been selected to speak at the Pycon 2023 conference hosted at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Pycon is an annual conference which brings together professionals who use and develop apps using the Python programming language.

In my previous conversations with Bianca she fell in love with coding in Year 4. She recalls, “I really loved that I was able to make this mysterious computer thing do what I wanted it to.” Her IPT teacher, Sherobhi Rajamantri, suggested she submit her IPT assignment “Music Mate” to Pycon, as it was an exceptional piece of software engineering written in Python.

Fast forward back to the conference, I am in my seat eagerly awaiting the student showcase. I can’t help but think of the many years that Bianca has invested into learning programming and the many educators that have contributed along the way. Such is the beauty of education, a student will experience a rich tapestry of educational experiences along their journey, all building upon each other and all equally as important.

As Bianca sets up her presentation, I’m feeling some nerves and I can’t help but think how nervous she must be delivering this presentation to a large audience. In true Bianca style, she absolutely nails her presentation showcasing her coding prowess with added bits of humour along the way. She explains that her program “Music Mate” is a web app to help find and create playlists based on a user’s Spotify account. The presentation is met with thunderous applause and Bianca is gleaming (and relieved) after her presentation.

I ask Bianca why did she agree to speak at this conference? Her response, “I signed up for the conference because I love Computer Science and presenting. I'm a very sociable person, and so this just seemed like a natural combination of these two loves.”

I know students like Bianca will inspire the next generation of programmers to dream big and to show how to use their gifts to make the world a better place.

Colin Jaques Head of Computer Science

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 41

Senior Library

Write a Book in a Day “There’s always room for a story that can transport people to another place.” J.K. Rowling

Team Barker Blue’s story issue Cracking the Code lent itself nicely to a murder-mystery plotline involving their prescribed graphic designer and private detective characters. Team Barker Red’s issue Cat let the Bird Out of the Cage led to a clever plot involving a pharmacist called Cat and a reluctant netball player, Ren, who dreams of becoming an actor.

Here are some student thoughts on the day:

On Tuesday 25 July, two teams of Year 7 Barker students took Ms J.K. Rowling’s advice and wrote a book in a day. The nation-wide Write a Book in a Day competition challenges students to plan, write, edit and illustrate a five thousand word book in one day to fundraise for the Kids Cancer Project. Students are given unique parameters to help them create original stories suitable for the enjoyment of children in Australian children’s hospitals. This is the first time Senior students have participated in the competition as a joint Gifted and Talented Library initiative.

"My group worked hard, but it all paid off. To give our books to kids around Australia is a special opportunity, and I would definitely participate in WABIAD again. I got to know many people I hadn’t talked to before." Dani Mu "The highlight of the day was figuring out the plot.

And snacks!" Gemma Woodhouse "My highlight of the day was using my illustration skills to help image the story." Carter Barnes "The best part of the day was learning how to cooperate with people I don’t usually work with to make a good book." Sebastian Linton With such enthusiastic feedback, we hope to broaden the WABIAD opportunity to include Year 8 next year.

Kat Ostrowski Head of Library Services

42 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

Sports

Dance ‘What I love most about working with the students is seeing them so supportive of one another, they possess such an admirable approach to competing, with a constant reminder of why we dance for enjoyment’.

Caitlin O’Connor Barker Dance Troupe Success Conversation with the Choreographer The Barker Dancers performed two outstanding routines at Ryde Eisteddfod, receiving first place in both the Open Jazz Red Troupe and Open Contemporary sections. These elite Dancers, spanning across the Middle and Senior School, truly showcased the power of a unified and cohesive Troupe. Their execution of complex choreography and expression on stage was incredible to watch. Choreographer Caitlin O’Connor, who has been teaching at Barker for four years, was incredibly proud of their efforts and attitude on the evening.

The artistic depth and quality Caitlin bestows on our dancers is evident of her industry experience. Her vision is beautifully executed in both movement and artistic choices on stage. The Open Jazz Troupe begins with dancers adorned in red capes and masks, indicative of her vision to express the aesthetics in Baz Luhrmann’s film, Romeo and Juliet. Like the masquerade ball, the cloaked and masked dancers perform stylistic sequences, showcasing the freedom and power a dancer feels when performing.

Her inspiration behind the Open Contemporary routine started with the song ‘The 90’s’ by Finneas, with lyrics expressing a nostalgic feeling for a simpler time before the internet. The choreography juxtaposes soft, fluid movements with ridged shapes to convey the conflict between natural and technological spheres. The dancers looked incredible in their colourful costumes with bright square patterns representing the old Window’s Software logo.

These two incredible routines will be performed at the Barker Dance Showcase on 12 October. If you get a chance to witness the artistry and precision of these Troupes you, like the Eisteddfod adjudicator, will be left in awe.

Claire Yeomans Drama Teacher & Cocurricular Dance Coordinator

The Independent Dance Festival On Thursday 15 June, the Open Jazz Red Troupe and the Year 10 Curriculum Dance students performed and participated in workshops at the Independent Dance Festival (IDF) hosted by Inaburra School. The festival is an exciting AIS initiative created to develop networks and further enhance the performing arts culture in independent schools.

The dancers spent the day participating in workshops alongside students from other independent schools, inspiring one another in their skills and artistry. At the end of the day, they performed works choreographed by their class teachers, Miss Rachael Tait-Owens and Miss Caitlin O’Connor, not for any competition or adjudication, but for the love of Dance.

Rachael Tait-Owens Dance/PDHPE Teacher

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 43

BMW’s Sustainable Drive

BMW’s Sustainable Drive: Leading the Charge Towards a Greener Future Hornsby BMW: The EV Dealer of Choice

models. Among the latest additions to its line-up are the BMW i5, BMW iX2, and BMW iX1, each representing a step forward in sustainable mobility.

As the world strives for a more sustainable future, BMW has emerged as an innovator in the automotive industry, leading the charge toward a greener and more eco-friendly tomorrow.

Let’s not forget the other electrified models already in BMW’s sustainable fleet. The BMW iX, iX3, i4, and i7 have all contributed to the brand’s journey towards e-mobility, offering customers a diverse range of electric vehicles designed to meet different needs and preferences.

With a firm commitment to e-mobility, BMW is transforming its production facilities and offering an impressive range of electrified

The BMW iFACTORY: A Vision Realized The BMW i5, iX2, and iX1, along with other electrified models, are shining examples of the brand’s dedication to crafting a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future for all.

But BMW’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond individual models. The BMW iFACTORY is the embodiment of innovation and the brand’s vision for a future-oriented production network.

With comprehensive investments in digitalization and automation, BMW plants like Dingolfing and Regensburg are becoming industry pioneers, setting new standards in lean and digital manufacturing processes.

Hornsby BMW: Your BMW EV Dealer of Choice Hornsby BMW also shares BMW’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. As the North Shore’s premier dealer of electric vehicles, we set the bar high for the automotive industry, offering

all the latest and most advanced electrified models from BMW. As sustainability takes centre stage in the automotive industry, we are boosting our commitment to not only provide our Guests with the ultimate BMW experience but also the finest in e-mobility.

You’re invited to browse our showroom. Our team will be on hand to assist you with any enquiries, test-drive opportunities, purchase requests, or servicing requirements.

Sport

A Sign of Things to Come Two outstanding team performances meant Barker was named for the very first time CIS Champion School.

Girls Basketball As winners of the ISA Girls Basketball Championship in March, the Barker Girls Firsts Team qualified to play in the CIS Schools Knockout Basketball Championships late July to compete against the champion schools from all CIS Associations. In this competition, Barker competed against IGSSA champion Pymble Ladies College and AICES champion Newcastle Grammar School. This was only the fifth time Barker qualified for this competition, and the first time since 2017.

In the first game Barker took on PLC playing a tight offensive game, taking the lead at the end of the first quarter by one point. However, once combinations and nerves were settled, the team lifted to a higher intensity to quickly dominate at both ends of the court. It was exciting to see the pace increase throughout the game with the Barker team relentless at converting their fast break opportunities. In the end Barker produced an outstanding display of team basketball, defeating PLC 99-46.

46 • The Barker • Issue 140• 140 • Sring Spring 2023 2023

In the second game Newcastle Grammar looked to increase the pace against Barker, running the lanes and looking to convert early opportunities. Barker’s experience and depth on the bench proved to be a tough hurdle for their opponent who struggled to convert. Led by some exciting combinations and employing different approaches across the court, Barker maintained a high intensity on fast breaks regardless of which players were on the court. Barker took the victory defeating Newcastle Grammar 107-55.

This was an exceptional result for the program and a sign of things to come with players from Year 7 to Year 12 in the team. The win also meant Barker qualified to playoff for Champion NSW School at the end of Term 3. The team are incredibly excited for the opportunities ahead for this competition and the season ahead.

Sport

Fencing Barker Fencing has had an outstanding year of growth and achievement. With a busy schedule filled with various opportunities, our students participated in both friendly and competitive events.

Epee team competition and securing an impressive fifth place in the Foil team competition. This is an incredible achievement, especially noting that many of the competitors are currently in Year 11.

Our Fencers proudly represented Barker in the U14, U16 and U19 age categories at the NSW Schools’ Fencing League, achieving outstanding succes in both Foil and Epee disciplines.

Barker’s Fencing achievements extend beyond the competition stage. All of the successes in the events are a reflection of the inclusive and encouraging environment, where students of all abilities can build confidence and form lifelong friendships. As we eagerly anticipate the sport’s continued growth and the ongoing progress of our students, we applaud the hard work and dedication of all those involved in making Barker Fencing a resounding success.

Our Senior Fencers showed further talent and dedication, qualifying for the Australian School Fencing National Championships after excelling in the NSW Fencing Association Senior Schools competition.

At the national level, Barker performed remarkably well, earning the title of Australian champions in the

Taekwondo Barker students recently had great success at several Taekwondo events.

In the NSW State Championships, Jade MacGowan (Year 7) won the Gold becoming the NSW State Champion; while Taj Pereira (Year 12) attained Silver and Alec MacGowan (Year 9) achieved Bronze. Jade was also awarded Bronze in both the Australian Taekwondo Team Cadet selections and the international Oceania President Cup. All three will compete in the 2023 Australian Taekwondo Championship this October in Perth.

Adam Watson Director of Sport - Operations

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 47

Cadets

BCACU Europe Tour During the winter break, 19 cadets from Years 11 and 12 embarked on a trip to various significant sites in Western Europe, across France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

After seeing Napoleon’s tomb in Paris, we travelled southwest to Saint-Nazaire to explore a French submarine, the WW2 U-Boat Pens, the Atlantic Wall defences and the amazing tank museum at Saumur (a tour favourite), before a long trip up to Amiens via Lille. We visited Villers-Bretonneux, Fromelles and Pozieres to pay homage to the many Australian servicemen who fought there in WWI. We then travelled to Belgium to tour the Flanders battlefields, seeing mine craters, Hill 60 and preserved British and German trench systems.

Every night at 8pm, the Last Post Association hold a service. This has been running every night since 2 July 1928, except during the Nazi occupation of Ypres in WW2.

Uniquely, we were able to visit the memorials of three, and the graves of six, Barker old boys at various Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries, performing a small obituary reading at each.

After a brief visit to Dunkirk to tour the Operation Dynamo battlefield and a quick dip in the English Channel, we concluded our tour in Amsterdam, visiting Anne Frank's house, and taking a canal trip around the old city.

The Menin Gate Service In Ypres, we received a once in a lifetime opportunity, to take part in the last post service at the Menin Gate.

The Menin Gate is a memorial in Ypres dedicated to the Commonwealth soldiers who died in the four battles of Ypres that occurred during World War 1.

Inside the gate there are 54,395 names carved into stone panels, including two Barker old boys, which represents 60% of the 90,000 Commonwealth soldiers who died at Ypres and have no known grave.

48 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

Unfortunately, the Gate is currently under renovation, and as such, the service had to be conducted outside on the street.

As a thank you for allowing our involvement, we presented the Last Post Association Vice President with the Unit’s slouch hat. He was deeply moved.

Final Thoughts Overall, the tour has proven to be a huge success.

Everyone enjoyed themselves, learned a lot, and now have a deep appreciation of the immense sacrifice of the WWI and II generations. Thanks to Captain Gordon and Lt Guest for making the tour happen.

Sam Gow Year 12 Student

Cadets

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 49

Alumni Profile

Alumni Profile Pennie Cruickshank (Class of 1979) has maintained her connection to Barker for over 40 years. Here she shares some of her experiences as a student and as a Barker parent, as well as her roles serving on the Old Barker Association Committee, the Barker Foundation, the Council of Barker College and most recently her involvement with the Year 11 Career Mentoring Program. Pennie also shares some highlights from her career in marketing.

What has been your journey since finishing at Barker?

I’ve had a fairly predictable career because I was lucky enough to know what I wanted to do. I went to the University of NSW and did my Commerce degree majoring in Marketing, which back then was only in its third year. This also meant that when we finished we all got a job!

I chose to do something a bit left of centre but where I could do everything we had learnt. I began working at Dexion Australia as sales promotion manager straight

50 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

out of uni and really enjoyed working on everything in the marketing plan, and in an industry totally dominated by men. One of my favourite moments was when the MD asked me to go to the factory floor and ask the team to make a change to the production schedule because they would listen to a 22 year-old girl rather than him.

From there I worked in the UK for a year and travelled Europe before coming back to settle down into the next phase of my career. I worked for Searle pharmaceuticals for six years in Australia, then

negotiated the job of my dreams - to work in Paris as the European Director for Consumer products.

I spent three years in France then came back to do a variety of jobs across many industries including Darling Harbour Authority, my father’s business, Uncle Toby’s and Goodman Fielder (generally across many departments), Metcash, McDonalds, then consulting for a few years and finally where I am today at Invisalign as Associate Marketing Director, Enterprise Marketing.

Alumni Profile

Do you have a particular highlight from your career to share?

Going to Paris really was my dream come true. It was a good business which I knew well, and I had 15 countries to look after so travelled around Europe weekly. My boss thought it was only appropriate that he educate the antipodean, so he organised most meetings on a Thursday so I could stay for the weekend and get to know Europe.

It was great fun, I learnt French, met great people and learnt more about all the different cultures.

You have contributed to Barker in so many ways over the years through serving on the OBA Committee, Barker Foundation, OBA Nominee to the Council of Barker College and currently the Year 11 Career Mentoring Program.

Why have you been so keen to keep giving back?

Barker is a great community and although I hadn’t been back until my two sons started in Year 5, it sucks you in! I started slowly by joining the Foundation to help raise money for the new Junior School, and we had a fun, fund-raising system where people could buy a table, chair and other equipment for the School rather than write a cheque.

Once that project was over, I moved to the OBA which I found very fulfilling in finding ways to encourage the students nearing the end of their education to stay part of the community and benefit from all it has to offer. One of Tony Gamson’s cleverest ideas (he had many) was to provide all the sporting teams with training shirts, which brought them in touch with the OBA on their terms. Each of us presented the shirts to the teams every weekend at the beginning of the season, so we really connected with the students - it was great to see everyone out training with OBA logos on their shirts.

Moving to the Council was quite a challenge as I had to learn about governance, read lots of papers and really think hard about where I could contribute. It was fascinating to understand more about the workings of the School and be involved with the master planning you see today in all of the new facilities, and, of course, bringing girls in throughout the School.

What is your proudest achievement from your time on Council?

I am very proud of the work we did to rebrand Barker to make it stand out amongst our peers. I had to spend time educating the Council about consumer behaviour, what parents and families want and expect for their fees, then bring the brand to life in a way that truly reflected our amazing community and culture. Most other schools present in a very similar way, we wanted to be fresh and future thinking and I still think our bold Barker brand and imagery do this really well. Six years later it is still relevant and distinctive.

Tell us about your experiences in the Barker mentoring program for Year 11 students?

I think the Barker mentoring program is extremely well put together and am not sure if many schools have such a powerful program. We bring together many parents and experts in our community across a broad cross-section of industries and professions to share our experience with the students.

They are all very enthusiastic and keen to learn. We work through so many things that may seem basic to those of us who have worked for a while, but the insights really give the students a chance to think harder about their strengths, interests, soft and hard skills. We also work through resumes and introduce how corporate culture works. I am sure they benefit, and now having participated for

the second year, I can see how important this is to help them understand what will really help them make some decisions or relax and understand that they don’t have to lock it in right now.

Its hard for young people to understand how to figure out their future and just exposure to talking to people who are strangers but do care about helping, can really help them clarify their thinking and future direction.

What are some of your favourite memories from your time at Barker?

I had a great time at Barker. It was exciting to be part of a new concept that made so much sense. It was designed to provide a transition space between living under the rules of a strict private school and the freedom of university. So many of the rules we were used to were relaxed and we were treated as much like adults as we could be.

I made amazing friends who are still a big part of my life today, did well at school, partied a lot and loved my teachers. My boyfriend was a big rugby player so that was an important part of our social life.

I loved being at the end of the tunnel when they ran out onto the field to hand him his mouthguard!

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

This school has so much to offer.

We call it busy Barker and I’ve always felt that there is something for everyone. Sport, drama, music, debating, agriculture, cadets, art…. there’s nothing you can’t have a go at, so try it all - you never know what you might love.

Use the system as it's very good.

Careers, mentoring, environment, study groups, the amazing resources … get your money’s worth as you will never be offered this world again!

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 51

Wellbeing

One Positive Change Following student input in 2022 through the Wellbeing Warriors student voice group, The Wellbeing Team decided to action student suggestions and make changes to our wellbeing programming for 2023.

The Barker Wellbeing Team embarked on a new initiative called Wellbeing Week in Term 2 Week 2.

Wellbeing Week was designed to be an opportunity for our school community to hear from a range of experts in a variety of specialised fields across the realms of health and wellbeing. Throughout the course of the week students attended seminars on Nutrition, Respectful Relationships, Digital Hygiene and Stress Management

Much of our wellbeing programs align with the PDHPE syllabus, so the week was a vehicle for reinforcing skills that students are developing and mastering in PDHPE classes as well as reinforcing and embedding many of the skills being learnt through the Lift@Barker Project.

We were all challenged to take away and action one positive tip or trick that would improve our life!

Elizabeth Pritchard Coordinator of Student Wellbeing and Teacher - ILC & English

Wellbeing Week was an opportunity for students to engage with leading experts, interact with each other, reflect on behaviours, habits and relationships and to try new things. The week promoted positivity, self-empowerment and responsible decision making.

Matthew Hill Director of the Barker Institute

52 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

Lisa Chalmers Director of Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing Monday

Tuesday

Topic

Topic

How are you feeding your beautiful brain?

Respectful Relationships

Speaker

Speaker

Michelle Chevalley Hedge | Nutritionist

Dr Marshall Ballentine-Jones

Key Topics

Key Topics

• Energy sapping vs energy boosting foods

• The dopamine cycle in our brains is set up to feed our addiction/dependence on our phones

• Effect of food and gut health on mood & learning • Good fats, quality protein, smart carbs to fuel brain power, mood, immunity & long term energy

One Positive Change • “I’ve already started to have healthier breakfasts” Year 10 Student

• “Eat less Doritos, eat more toast!”

Year 8 Student

• “My diet will change to containing more fibre/ greens to keep my gut happy and healthy” Year 12 Student

• The influence of porn on developing our attitudes, behaviours & choices • Communication skills - how to say ‘no’ assertively

One Positive Change • “Stop and think about how I put things online because it can affect my real relationships” Year 7 Student

• “prioritising other things over social media” Year 9 Student

• “Saying 'no' to things I don’t want” Year 7 Student

Thursday

Friday

Topic

Topic

Digital Wellbeing

Stress Less

Speaker

Speaker

Dr Kristy Goodwin

Dr Darren Morton

Key Topics

Key Topics

• Our tech habits are affecting our concentration, sleep, stress & exhaustion levels

• Why we get stressed & how this can be helpful

• FQ (Focus Quotient) - the ability to focus will be a key determinant of success in the future

• Research based strategies for respecting the body’s response systems & how to manage these

• Digital hygiene, habits & technology management

One Positive Change

One Positive Change

• “10 minutes in the sun or exercise each morning to burn off the stress”

• “I’ve already started to have healthier breakfasts” Year 11 Student

• “I’ve turned my phone to grayscale to reduce distraction - very helpful” Year 8 Student

• “Scroll on my phone less, especially before bed”

Year 10 Student

• “To be like a zebra and not catastrophise” Year 10 Student

• “Start doing some mindfulness work like breathing in a calm space” Year 9 Student

Year 8 Student

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 53

Archives

Results of The Midwinter Examination - 1896

Lessons through Time The Senior Archivist visited Year 3 with several artefacts to help students with their inquiry into where we are in place and time.

Two artefacts in particular piqued both students’ and teachers’ interest. One was a prize list from 1896, and the other, a publication on Botany used by Barker students in 1891 to prepare for the Senior Public Examination.

When Barker was first established in the 1890s the education system was very different, as were the subjects. While some subjects like English and Geography are familiar and recognisable today, others like Euclid and Botany spurred questions like “what is that?” and “why did they teach that?”

The earliest subjects at Barker College included Divinity, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, English, Arithmetic, Algebra, Euclid, Trigonometry, Drawing, Writing, Transcription, Botany, Geology, Physics, History, Geography, and Music.

Subject selection was largely based on preparing students for university. Subjects like Latin, Physics and Algebra would prepare students for entry into Classics, Science, and Mathematics at the University of Sydney.

When William Carter, Barker’s second Headmaster, took over the School the philosophy changed. Carter believed in a broader education that included more

54 • The Barker • Issue 140 • Spring 2023

practical learning. By 1909 subjects such as Chemistry, Book-keeping, Mechanical Drawing, Carpentry, Physical Culture, and First Aid had been added to the lineup of classes.

As the world changed, so too did the offering of subjects. When the world of information technology emerged and evolved, Barker adapted. Barker opened its first Computer Laboratory in 1984.

Students in Form I (Year 7) were offered a new course in Computer Studies. Forms III (Year 9) and V (Year 11) were taught Computer Awareness as part of the Mathematics or General Studies Course. This new technology eventually became a separate department that incorporates, coding, app programming, and robotics.

While some things have stayed the same like English, History, and Music, others like Book-keeping, Commerce, and Computer Studies have evolved with a changing world.

One can’t help but wonder what the subjects of the future will look like.

Rachel Byrne Senior Archivist

Barker College Parents' Association

Parent Connections

Left to right Year 11 Mums’ Weekend Away in the Blue Mountains - May 2023; PreK 100 Days of School Picnic - July 2023; Year 10 Parents’ Night Of Good Spirits, Manly Spirits, Brookvale - August 2023; Year 11 Parents’ Paella Night - March 2023.

Great connections being made at some recent Barker Parent events.

The Barker College Parents’ Association (BCPA) is all about meeting other parents, having fun and fostering friendships. Class Parents volunteer their time to organise some wonderful events that help to develop and strengthen an inclusive and connected Barker community. These events have included plays in the park, coffee catchups, weekends away, cocktail evenings and so much more. We are extremely grateful to the Class Parents for their time, effort and

creativity in organising and hosting these wonderful get togethers. Keep an eye out for year group events in your emails. If you would like more information about being a Class Parent or organising an event for your year group please contact

BCPA_Parentcoordinator@barker.nsw.edu.au

Spring 2023 • Issue 140 • The Barker • 55

Foundation

Experiencing Garma 2023 Planning is now well underway for our upcoming Indigenous Education Fundraising Dinner to be held on Thursday October 26 at the Deloitte offices in Sydney.

At last year’s dinner, six of our guests generously contributed to participate in a unique experience that would see them travel to NE Arnhem Land, spend time with the Dhupuma Barker children and enjoy all that the 2023 Garma Festival had to offer.

These six guests recently returned from this experience in August feeling very enriched with appreciation and knowledge and a greater understanding of how a school, like Dhupuma Barker, is helping to support and enhance the lives of the children who attend.

Prior to attending the Garma Festival itself, the group spent time visiting the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre at Yirrkala. The art centre represents Yolŋu artists exhibiting and selling contemporary art and provided a valued opportunity to view and purchase items from weaves, to wood sculptures, paintings and Larrakitj (memorial poles). From here, the group travelled to Goanna Lagoon (Wathawuy) where they spent time with the Dhupuma Barker children, as they enjoyed time away from the classroom on-country. This unspoilt waterhole is a favourite place for the staff and children at Dhupuma and the guests appreciated the rare opportunity to join the children in this special place.

After a night at the beautiful eco resort, Banu Banu, on Bremer Island, it was on to the Garma Festival and four days of insightful forums, campfire conversations with Phillip Heath and senior Barker staff, dinner in the stringy bark forest under a canopy of stars, and days spent experiencing the Yolŋu culture – from yidaki healing, to dawn ceremonies and hearing the Dhupuma Barker children perform at the moving memorial service for Yunupingu.

This unique VIP Garma Experience will be offered once again at this year’s Indigenous Fundraising Dinner. If you would like to learn more about how you can secure one of these limited experiences, please contact Tori Grimes, Director of Advancement vgrimes@barker.nsw.edu.au Aaron Black Chair Barker Foundation

Barker College Indigenous Education Fundraising Dinner Save the Date | Thursday 26 October | 6:00pm The dinner will be hosted at Deloitte | Quay Quarter Tower | 50 Bridge St Sydney

Foundation

Notice of Barker Foundation AGM

JOIN Save Date | Thursday 26 October | 6:00pm ZOOM the Wednesday | 6:00pm 8 November MEETING Sue Field West Room | Rosewood Centre | Barker College

Inside this issue 55 OBA President

62 Community Events

56 Life Beyond Barker

64 Alumni Notes

58 OBA Groups

68 Obituaries

61 Alumni Mentoring Program

66

Old Barker Association Contacts

School Contacts

email: oba@barker.nsw.edu.au

Director of Alumni and Community Relations Karina Drummond (02) 8438 7283 kdrummond@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 Vice President Emily Elstermann (Tutt 09) 0426 751 165 Vice President Declan Flaherty (16) Honorary Secretary Dush Sharma (05) Assistant Secretary vacant Honorary Treasurer Benjamin Ho (09) Assistant Treasurer Simon Smith (91) General Committee Vanessa Bennett (91) Georgia Breckenridge (18) Gemma Dywer (Davies 09) Josh Grace (1990) Andrew Hassall (1986) Ant Hearne (1990) Chris Russell (1970) | OBA Ambassador Nominee to School Council Anna Sutton (05) Meline Nazloomian (05) David Trayner (84) OBA Annual Patron Sandy Hollway (64) OBA Seniors Contact Ian Pont (63) oba@barker.nsw.edu.au

Archives Rachel Byrne (02) 8438 7290 archives@barker.nsw.edu.au Events Manager Julie Fitzpatrick (02) 8438 7240 events@barker.nsw.edu.au Interstate and International Barker Contacts Adelaide Lane Hinchcliffe (00) 0412 130 935 (m) lane@lkggroup.com.au Brisbane Andrew Wilkie (01) 0412 779 383 (m) andrew.wilkie@morgans.com.au Canberra Andrew McColl (74) 0422 985 281(m) as.mccoll@icloud.com Jeremy Talbot (16) 0429 408 284 Jeztalbot111@gmail.com Central West NSW Reuben Spargo (17) 0450 036 601 reuben.spargo@email.com Melbourne Murray Anderson (65) 0457 000 407 (m) murray@capricorngroup.net.au

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

Talk to an online psychologist today Old Barker Association is supporting you with 3 sessions with My Mirror online psychologist.

Contributions Welcome Please send contributions to Karina Drummond, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, 91 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077 or kdrummond@barker.nsw.edu.au.

For further information please contact Karina Drummond on 8438 7283.

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

58 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

Newcastle Nicholas Bedggood (88) 0410 565 101 (m) nickbedggood@yahoo.com.au Northern Rivers Graham Lawson (62) 0451 442 933 emeri1@y7mail.com Perth Gus Elliot (92) 0416 298 774 (m) gus.elliot14@gmail.com Sunshine Coast Phil Benjamin (61) pandj.benjamin@bigpond.com Upper Hunter Charles Cooke (65) (02) 6545 8141 (w) charles_cooke@esat.net.au Canada, Ontario George Darling (70) gdarling@sandstormgold.com Japan Carl Bastian (93) carl@rwo.okinawa Middle East David Baker (85) +965 9950 1657 drwbaker2002@yahoo.co.uk Oceania (Fiji) Neil Underhill (75) (679) 336 3968 (w) neilunderhill@connect.com.fj Papua New Guinea Johnson Kalo (83) (675) 305 6703 (w) jhnsnka03@gmail.com Singapore Carly Switzer (94) carlyswitzer@yahoo.com.au UK, London Annette French (Slattery 88) (44) 1732 382 281 (h) annette.e.french@sky.com USA, East Coast New York Alex Skellet (94) (917) 251 3361 (h) alexandraskellet@gmail.com USA, West Coast Phoenix, Arizona Digby Cook (56) (623) 523 4321 (h) digbyhcook@gmail.com

From the OBA President

OBA President’s Message The Old Barker Association held its 115th Annual General Meeting on 2 August - an opportunity to reflect on the year that was and celebrate the achievements of our members.

At the Annual General Meeting, the Association appointed Tony Gamson as a Life Patron of the Old Barker Association. The Life Patron appointment is reserved for a select few who over the OBA’s history have gone above and beyond in service of the OBA and its members. We could think of no one more fitting than Tony for such recognition; a man who lived every day for Barker and serving our community.

By affixing Tony’s name to the Life Patron board in the Marks Pavilion we will forever remember what he did for Barker as a student, a parent, a member of the School Council, President of the OBA and, most importantly, a friend.

The Annual General Meeting also allowed us to recognise the work of Anna Sutton, who has been the driver of our successful networking and mentoring program relaunch. This year we have already had close to 150 mentors and mentees sign up to our online platform, participate in our free webinars or join us at our in person networking events. Anna’s work with the Networking and Mentoring Subcommittee was recognised by a President’s Award, marking the significance of this program to helping our members to connect and support each other in their professional lives.

The OBA Committee also recognised the forty years of service to the OBA of Chris Russell AM, who is a Life Patron and the current OBA Ambassador. Chris has been a constant part of the OBA for four decades, driving the OBA to do more for its members and the School. Chris has been such an incredible support for me and the current OBA Committee always providing us with guidance and advice to ensure we live every day to support our members.

We have now reached the final year of our three year strategy, driven by our goal to link our members together, provide practical and relevant support for our members, and add to the fabric of the School.

Underpinning this is a commitment to work towards ensuring our members are proud to call themselves members of the OBA. We have delivered a lot over the past two years, driven by the united commitment of the OBA Committee, the School and our members to try new things, to learn from previous success and failures and to take our role as stewards of the OBA legacy seriously.

We have now started work on our next strategy, which we hope will lock in some of our achievements from the past and provide new opportunities to give our members more support. This process cannot just happen in a vacuum – we need your ideas on what we can be doing better, where we should be spending our time and money and what will our members need today, tomorrow and into the future.

Finally, I wanted to say I am looking forward to seeing our members at the upcoming Golf Day and networking events.

Angus Abadee (07) OBA President

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 59

The Old Barker

Life Beyond Barker Dr Matt Henricks (Class of 1996) is an Organisational Psychologist, Medicolegal Assessor, Research Fellow at UNSW, and the Founder of two philanthropic training programs called Helping Hands and Water Works.

He is also the proud father of two boys (aged 2 and 6).

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The Old Barker

What has been your journey since finishing Barker?

I initially studied psychology at Macquarie University and finished my first degree in 2000. I worked at Telstra in a variety of human resources positions until 2006. By that time, I was a group manager of human resources, but was keen for a change.

While completing my Masters in Organisational Psychology at UNSW I fell in love with consulting. My first gig was restructuring the HR department at Argyle Diamond Mine. I loved the challenge, the opportunity to travel, plus the opportunity to apply my knowledge within a completely different kind of business. Over the next few years, I ran a boutique HR consultancy where we primarily conducted merger and acquisition due diligence from a people perspective. We know that over 70% of corporate acquisitions fail to meet their objectives. I was the guy that prospective purchasers would rely on to identify the people-related challenges in the businesses they were considering buying and advise on how to manage any risks identified.

In 2011, I became aware of a project in the United States where they were using the activity of building prosthetic hands to teach corporate employees about leadership, collaboration, purpose-driven work, and customer-centricity. The prosthetics built within workshops were then donated to landmine-related amputees in the developing world. I found the project fascinating and was drawn to get involved. So in 2012 I brought the project to Australia and formally founded Helping Hands Program Pty Ltd. Since that time, we’ve used the activity to talk about leadership and teamwork with many of the biggest companies in the world, plus we have featured on The Project, Sunrise, and a broad range of other TV and radio programs. Most importantly, we have since built and donated over 23,000 life-changing prosthetics to people in need.

In 2015, I decided to take a similar approach to tackling one of the biggest problems in the world, the need for clean water and sanitation. As part of the Water Works Program, participants build and donate life-saving water filtration systems that are then donated to refugees in Uganda (typically people that have fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo or South Sudan). Water Works has since gone global, and we have major partners based in both the UK and USA. However, the best part about that expansion is that we’ve now donated life-saving filtration systems to 14,566 families and are increasing that number by between 200 to 400 every month.

Nowadays, mine would be best described as a portfolio career. Although I am incredibly proud of the difference that Water Works and Helping Hands projects have made in the world, I still like to dabble in research, plus stay connected with my profession.

I was awarded my PhD from UNSW in 2020 and have since published much of my work on organisational change management via an ongoing research fellowship at the University. I have also been the Policy and Consultation Lead for the College of Organisational Psychologists for the last two years.

Every Tuesday, I also work as a medicolegal assessor to identify the vocational capacity of individuals who have experienced workplace setbacks as a result of major injuries.

What inspired your career path?

I was uncertain about my career aspirations until about Year 11. During that year, I remember becoming curious about becoming a psychologist after hearing a classmate at Barker talking about it. That interest in understanding people and what makes them tick has never waned for me. However, the way that interest has manifested in my career has changed a lot over the years from job to job. I could never have predicted the different twists and turns that my career has taken to this point. To some extent, the things that I’m most proud of career-wise, have all occurred as a result of being willing to capitalise on serendipity.

What is your proudest achievement?

If I had to name just one, it would be becoming a father. However, I am also very proud of founding both Helping Hands and Water Works projects.

What aspect of your work do you find most challenging?

I can honestly say that I love all aspects of my work.

Having a portfolio career means that I’m never bored.

The biggest challenge is probably knowing when to say “no” to a new idea, client, or project. That was less important during the first two decades of my career.

However, I recently read that 75% of the time that we will ever get to spend with our kids is over by the time they turn 12. I don’t know how true that is, but right now my focus is on spending as much time as possible with my family, while they still want to spend time with me.

Do you have any advice for today’s students?

Have the courage to try something new. Often it will lead to something serendipitously perfect for you. The days of setting a linear career goal that you then stick with for life are gone (and that’s a good thing).

Portfolio careers used to be the exclusive domain of those nearing the end of their career. Not anymore.

I have had a portfolio career since my 20s and would have it no other way.

Rather than pursuing happiness, instead seek meaning, and aim for a lasting sense of fulfillment.

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 61

OBA Groups

OBA Groups 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

OBA Agriculture Society The OBA Agriculture Society has been created to provide Alumni with the opportunity to stay connected with like-minded people with an interest in agriculture.

This is an invaluable network for career, mentoring and keeping up with current and future trends in the Food and Agribusiness sector.

The Society is being led by Matt Nevison (16) and Barker's Head of Agriculture, Scott Graham.

OBA Big Band Over the last few months, the OBA Big Band has continued to enjoy our deep dive into improvisation.

Earlier in July, we continued our decade-long tradition, opening for Barker Swings.

Our opening piece was a jazzreimagining of Aquatic Ambience

by David Wise. Perhaps this is better known as "the underwater level music" in the 1994 Nintendo

62 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

The inaugural gathering of the OBA Agriculture Society occurred in February 2023. It was an excellent opportunity to share stories of what everyone has been up to since school, and showcased the diversity of career paths on offer in the Food and Agribusiness Sector - including roles across ‘AgTech’, Research & Development, Consulting and Banking.

The next networking event will be hosted on Wednesday 18 October

at a venue close to the CBD. The event will feature Anna Sutton (05), General Counsel - Syngenta Australia as our guest speaker.

We welcome any alumni who are interested in learning more about agriculture - regardless of your experience in the sector!

Enquiries, please join the OBA Ag Society Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/groups/ OBAAgriculture Matt Nevison (16)

game, Donkey Kong Country.

The highlight of the performance was John Coyne's (12) energetic drum solo over the odd-time signature piece, Bent Banana by the Australian trombonist, Jeremy Borthwick.

Every year the OBA Big Band returns to Barker Swings, the quality (and quantity!) of the School bands improve. It's humbling watching the younger musicians perform to

such an incredible ability. It really keeps us on our toes!

Looking forward, we are working on 30 minutes of repertoire for our next performance at St. John's Anglican church for the local Gordon community.

You can listen to our non-studio recordings and find out more at www.OBABigBand.com Luke Davis (09)

OBA Groups

Old Barker Football Club Attacking prowess in over 35s got off to a slower start than an ICAC report release; Derek Brown (03), part-time federal police officer but full-time central defender kept his attacking weapons holstered when given a disorientating shot up front. Ev Lock (02) took a plumb posting as striker, a position called the Barilaro in some circles, until it was revealed his close ties to management mightn’t make him the best person for the job. Ross Kightley (03) has seen his player profile rise the more defensively he has been positioned. Ross would probably make a good environment minister, come to think of it. And at the heart of this goal scoring malaise is John Herdman (06), who seemed to be grappling with an elusive curse - the inability to score. Two games remain to turn his season around, with the offseason transfer market not kind to incumbents.

Old Barker Rugby Old Barker Rugby Club have successfully concluded their 2023 season having fielded three teams being the U21 Colts, 2nd Grade and 1st Grade.

The colts team was coached by Angus Blakemore (16) and Sam Jackson (20) and although they had a challenging season they managed to pull together some great performances. The likes of Grant Tucker (21), Archie Allen (23) and Nick Apps (23) led the way with strong outings on the rugby field.

The 2nd Grade Team welcomed the return of Sean Parker (former Old Barker Rugby president) as coach for the 2023 season. The 2nd grade (also known as Peoples XV) had a strong season this year

The club needed goals. And they came from a most unsuspecting hero. Known only as Ryan in the team's WhatsApp group chat, the enigmatic right back begun firing off goals mid-season faster than a Wagga Wagga shooting club member. Goal of the season netted top right from a distance that seriously corrupted the Northbridge goalkeeper.

In more concerning news, Pete Gregory (03), inspired by his political idol, has secretly appointed himself to multiple club positions; field player, Club president, referee, goalkeeper… a review into club governance is underway, with two years seeming a reasonable turnaround time for such an important enquiry.

Men’s All Age Division 3 have had a mixed season. A mid-season hiatus to Bali for a team-mate's wedding resulted in back-to-back forfeits that will soften up the competition with a false sense of

security in their remaining fixtures. A tactical masterclass from managers Rahul (13) and Liam (13), not dissimilar to a small-target campaign, sees them set to finish strongly.

If looking for an escape from the daily ‘jobs and growth’ rat race, join us for some socially competitive football in pre-season 2024.

Keep an eye on the website for pre-season details. www.oldbarkerfc.com Matt Vickers (05)

narrowly being defeated in the semi-finals by a strong Sydney Harlequins side. Multiple former players returned to play for the Peoples XV this year with excellent performances from Hamish Phipps (14), Liam Northcott (13) and Matt Nevison (16).

COVID due to all of your support.

Particular thank you to Active Answers Physiotherapy and the physio team of Michael Gilbert (09), Callum Colderick (09) and Matt Skelly (14). Your care for our injured players has been outstanding this season.

Finally, the 1st Grade squad had a strong year this year narrowly missing out on the finals series by one game. The 1st Grade team welcomed back Andrew Johnson and Hugh Doran (09) as coaches and showcased some great performances from Adam Wigglesworth (15), Will Crawford (17) and Charlie Vaughn (18).

As we move into 2024 we urge both all former students and friends, male and female, to join the club not only to play some great rugby but to belong to a community that makes for exciting weekends throughout the winter season.

The club would also like to thank all of their sponsors for their assistance this year, the club has been able to rebuild post-

Congratulations Old Barker Rugby, can't wait to put the boots back on for another season with you!

Sam Northcott (09) President

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 63

OBA Groups

Old Barker Robotics

involvement of our alumni.

The newly formed Old Barker Robotics (OBR) Club is helping provide an avenue for any interested alumni to connect with/ remain connected to the rapidly growing robotics program at Barker. The various programs at Barker, especially the Barker Redbacks, benefit greatly from the

The FIRST Robotics Competition Program at Barker is fast-paced and rigorous for our students, but, upon graduating from Barker, many lament the lack of similar opportunities at their respective Universities or occupations. We are wanting to provide a platform through which school alumni can

OBA Volleyball

For beginners or any level players, we would be keen to assist in forming a team in the Sydney North Volleyball B2 competition played on Monday evenings at Willoughby Leisure centre. If this sounds like something that is of interest to you, please reach out to Callan Butler.

Callan's contact details are: cbutler@barker.nsw.edu.au 0431 178 658

past three years, has recently 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.

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.

Currently, there are two OBA teams which have been by invitation only for advanced players. Any OBA member is welcome to apply but please note that players will only be accepted into these squads following a trial.

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 wellbeing.

Support for Life, an initiative of the Old Barker Association that has been running for the

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

compete in University/College age robotics and engineering competitions under the OBR banner while making use of the fantastic resources that the school has.

If you would like more information or have any feedback please contact: robotics@barker.nsw.edu.au

Callan Butler (17)

For more information and details on how to access these sessions please see link: https://landing. mymirror.com.au/old-barkerassociation The entire Barker community is all in this together.

Talk to an online psychologist today Old Barker Association is supporting you with 3 sessions with My Mirror online psychologist.

64 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

Alumni Mentoring Program

Alumni Mentoring Program Who made the first contact? What gave you the confidence to reach out?

The Barker Alumni Mentoring Program, which launched earlier this year, has been embraced by Barker Alumni of all ages and has already led to some great connections being made. Two of our Alumni, mentor Simon Smith (91) and mentee Ethan Tegal (18) share details about their involvement in this OBA program.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Simon: I am an Accountant by trade but identify as an Entrepreneur in spirit. I’ve worked in many industries including Technology, Online bookmaking, Mining and Net Zero Energy. I’ve been fortunate to have lived and worked in London, New York and Sydney and have started my own business in all three locations. I have three children, two of whom are still at Barker and my eldest finished Year 12 at Barker last year. I love sailing, skiing, travel and watching the Swans (when they win).

Ethan: I’m currently working in sales at Adobe and enjoying it a lot.

What led you to participate in the OBA Mentoring?

Simon: Many reasons. I’ve never had a mentor per se but I have worked with many people who have inspired me and given me the confidence to take risks and challenge myself. When my children were younger I coached their cricket and AFL teams so I enjoy the coaching element of guiding and teaching new skills. Being able to hopefully guide and provide some life wisdom to a younger person whether it be in business, sport or life in general is extremely rewarding.

Ethan: A group of friends decided to go to the event Barker was hosting in Sydney CBD and suggested that I come along. It was great to hear about the program as it was exactly what I was looking for since starting my own business.

Simon: Ethan and I met for the first time at the OBA networking event held at Zip in May. Ethan and I were chatting over drinks and one thing led to another and I was talking about my time when I was CFO of an ASX online sports betting company. Ethan was asking me lots of questions about it and then floated a business idea he had developed. I thought it was a very clever idea. I left the networking meeting hoping he would reach out to me via the Mentoring platform and kudos to him, about a month later, he did.

Ethan: I reached out first to my mentor. I had the mentality of 'I've got nothing to lose', and that drove me to seek guidance and assistance.

How often do you catch up for a mentoring session?

Do you connect via the platform or some other way?

Simon: We catch up for about an hour once a month via Teams/Zoom – it’s very easy. We discuss progress with his business idea and other life goals and things going on in our respective lives. I find the meeting goes by very fast as we are building a good rapport.

Ethan: My mentor and I meet each month and use either the meeting links that the platform provides or Microsoft Teams.

What has been a highlight for you so far?

Simon: I get a real buzz listening to Ethan’s passion for his idea and seeing him formulate all the great ideas in his head into a coherent business plan. It reminds me of how I was back as a 26 year old in New York, trying to get my start-up off the ground. During that process, I made many mistakes and I hope to be able to impart some of that learned wisdom on to Ethan. As well as the business side of the mentoring process, it’s been great to get to know Ethan as a person. Being a mentor is a mutually rewarding relationship and I look forward to it continuing.

Ethan: One of my highlights has been in our most recent call. We were discussing ideas and concepts for my business and career. The advice given by my mentor was amazing for understanding the industry and potential career paths I could take.

Enquiries: oba@barker.nsw.edu.au

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 65

Community Events

Community Events Northern Rivers Luncheon Barker alumni in the Northern Rivers area enjoyed catching up for lunch in May at the Lennox Head Hotel. Everyone was very cheerful as they should be after a dose of good food and convivial conversation.

We plan to hold these events regularly.

Please email alumni@barker.nsw.edu.au if you would like further details.

Graham ‘Henry’ Lawson (62)

OBA Networking Event in Sydney CBD The OBA Networking Event in August was attended by Alumni ranging from the Class of 1979 to 2022.

A special thank you to Andrew Tout (93) and his Centuria colleagues for hosting the event, Anna Sutton (05) for planning the event and to Vanessa Bennett (91) for generating great connections with a fun challenge!

We look forward to seeing you at the next OBA Networking event in early November.

66 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

Community Events

OBA Seniors AGM | Lunch | Rugby The ‘triple treat’ of our Seniors AGM, lunch and 1st XV vs Trinity was well supported by a spectrum of twenty-plus years of leavers and well celebrated at the School on Saturday 29 July. The formalities of the AGM were succinctly concluded, including Doug Spencer (65) handing the presidential reins to Stephen Lloyd (64/65). During lunch Denver Webb (58/59) recognised IPP Doug’s contribution to the Seniors with presentation of a symbolic memento and likewise, Denver was applauded for his long contribution to our elite group.

In addition to a brief but fascinating update on the School from Phillip Heath, guest speaker Bob Mansfield (69) informed and entertained us with observations and anecdotes from what he labeled as his “all over the place” career – Telstra, ABC, Fairfax, Optus, Macdonalds, etc. To signal an enhanced cooperation between our Seniors group

and the Barker Foundation, Aaron Black (92) also accepted our invitation to join us in his recently accepted role as its Chair.

A prelude to the afternoon’s Rugby was a brief introduction from five of the student leaders of the code at Barker, spanning both gender and 15s-plus7s interpretations. From our Marks Pavilion reserved seating for the 1st XV match kick-off, we were able to applaud an early Barker try. The match then proceeded to ebb and flow with the scoreboard reflecting Barker 22 Trinity 20 within minutes of the final whistle. A final penalty kick by Trinity concluded the match: Trinity 23, Barker 22 – perhaps, some might say, epitomising our motto Honor non Honores!

We look forward to all who left the School in or before 1973 joining us at our future Seniors events, as well as being very welcome at the wider OBA and School occasions.

Peter Middleton (64)

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 67

Alumni Notes

Alumni Notes (Number in brackets is the alumni year)

Geoff Wiggin (68) getting ready for the Rugby World Cup in the USA in 2031 - watching the playoff game between the New York Ironworkers and the Washington, DC Old Glory. Unfortunately, after a closely contested game, the Ironworkers succumbed to pressure and two yellow cards. Geoff was with his son, David and sat next to a young Australian fellow from Parramatta.

Richard Cartwright (92) who supported Barker’s STEAM Week activities in August. Richard is the Director of Speech Analytics at Dolby Australia and ran a session at the Innovations Festival evening and also presented to senior students in the Fellows’ Theatre on Audio, Engineering and AI during their class time.

Dr Alexandra Spencer (86) shared her experiences with Year 6 students in August for their PYP Exhibition.

Alex is an immunologist and university lecturer working at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. She shared details about her career including her work in developing vaccines, especially during the Covid pandemic whilst she was at Oxford University.

Rod McGibbon (96) received a Distinguished Service Award for Sydney Northern Beaches SLSC Branch.

Dr Jason Lam (98) visited the Junior School in July to present to Year 6 for their PYP Exhibition.

Jason shared some highlights from his school days (from Year 3 to Year 12) and his journey so far. His fascinating career has taken many paths including a professional dancer, visual artist, plastic surgeon and 68 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

Alumni Notes

he now specialises in dance and sports medicine.

Jason encouraged students to explore what interests them and that failure is often part of the process.

Lieutenant Colonel David Cave (00) presented to Year 6 for their PYP Exhibition late July. David shared his experiences from his time at Barker, particularly in Rugby and Cadets and the lessons he learned in leadership and teamwork. He also talked about his journey in the Defence force, outlining the five key values, three of which also align with Barker’s values.

He has completed five degrees and is about to submit his final paper for a PhD. David has worked in six continents and he shared many highlights and challenges of his career with the students. David was such an inspiring speaker with a key message to always live by your values and never stop learning.

Dr Nat Ware (06) returned to Barker to speak at a Barker Institute event on Monday 21 August. Nat is currently the Founder and CEO of Forte, which is a way to finance high-quality education and healthcare worldwide at no cost to individuals or governments,.

Nat developed this new approach during his PhD at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. The Forte model has been endorsed by the World Economic Forum, World Bank and Forbes, and has been implemented in Colombia, Costa Rica and Australia to help disadvantaged individuals to achieve their full potential. Nat is also Chairman of another organization he founded and led, 180 Degrees Consulting, which is the world’s largest volunteer consultancy and world’s largest consultancy for non-profits.

Josh Bryden (15) was named Surf Lifesaver of the Year!

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 69

Alumni Notes

Jacob McCorry (15) was selected for the Australian Athletics Team competing at this year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary from 19 - 27 August. He competed in the Men’s 110m Hurdles Heats on 20 August.

Nic McGibbon (22) was awarded Junior Life Saver of the Year in July.

Former Staff Max Cowdroy, the “Dean of Good Times”, is still at it aged 83!

Shaun Champion (17) was a member of the Australian Dolphins swimming team and competed at the 2023 Aquatic World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July. Shaun was Captain of the Barker Boys Swimming Team in 2017 and returned to Barker this year to present the caps to ISA and CAS reps.

Baptisms in the Barker Chapel 11 June - Edward and Thomas, sons of Carl (01) and Katie Robertson.

Ben Peden (20) appeared in an article in The Land in July about his plans for a career in agriculture especially the opportunities which technology provides.

6 August - Lily May Park Rosenfeld, daughter of Natarsha Hussey (12) and Joshua Rosenfeld.

70 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

Alumni Notes

King's Birthday Honours Dr Stuart Braga OAM (55/56) for service to education administration, and to community history.

Lieutenant Colonel David Cave CSC (00) received the Conspicuous Service Cross in the Military division for outstanding devotion to duty in training, command and academic leadership as the Commanding Officer of the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Colonel Warwick Young CSC OAM (83) received the Conspicuous Service Cross in the Military Division for outstanding achievement as Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 1110 and as Deputy Commander and Commander Joint Task Group 629.1 during the period from January 2020 to December 2021.

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 71

Obituaries

Obituaries (Number in brackets is the alumni year)

Dr Robert Winstanley Johnston (46) 1930 – 2023

worked at Queen’s Square, The National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in 1959, and then finished his Neurology training at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, UK in 1960.

Robert returned to Sydney at the end of 1960 to take up Honorary positions at RNSH, The Prince Henry Hospital, St George and Parramatta Hospitals. He then started private practices in RNS Medical Centre and at Hurstville.

He was awarded his FRACP in 1971 and his FRCP in 1981 in London.

Robert attended Barker from 1940 to 1946, winning the University Exhibition for Medicine in his final year. His brother Andrew (44, deceased), nephews Stewart (79) and Robert (aka Guy) (82) also attended Barker. Robert maintained his connection to Barker over the years attending many reunions and OBA Seniors events.

Following Barker, Robert studied Medicine at Sydney University graduating with 2nd class Honours in 1953. He spent his first post graduate year at RPAH, and second year at Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. In 1955/56 he was a Registrar at the Northcott Neurological Centre until travelling to America for a Registrar post in Neurology at John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore in 1956/57.

Robert then went to London for a training post in Psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, gaining his Diploma in Psychiatric Medicine in mid-1958. He then 72 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

In his spare time Robert enjoyed horse racing, snow skiing, the theatre, concerts, the ballet and cooking. He travelled extensively, enjoying meeting up with Neurological colleagues around the world and if a ski holiday could be added to the trip all the better.

Robert, late of Palm Beach, passed away on 16 March 2023 and is survived by his wife Mignonne, their two daughters, Nicola and Alissandra, sonsin-law Sam and Nick, and six grandchildren Billie, Angus, Max, Henry, George and Elsie.

Dr James (Jim) Lindsay Charley (48) 1931 - 2020

Dr Jim Charley, formerly Senior Lecturer in Plant Ecology and Soil-Plant Relationships in Botany at UNE passed away at the age of 88 on 17 April 2020.

Although Jim was born in Richmond NSW, in 1931, he spent the first six years of his life in Southern India where his father (Noel George Charley) was working as an Engineer on an Agricultural Research Station.

Jim attended Barker in his first year of high school in 1942. His father Noel (1914), brother Robert (1955), five uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews also attended Barker.

From the age of 13, Jim attended Flinders Naval College and then served in the Royal Australian Navy until 1949.

In 1954 Jim completed an Agricultural Science degree at the University of Sydney, it was here that he met Vinleigh (Vin) Margaret Johnson and they married in 1958. In 1959 he became the first PhD student in Botany to graduate from the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale. Jim was awarded a CSIRO Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to the University of California, Berkeley and later became a Lecturer when he returned to Armidale. Between 1968 and 1976 Jim was Team Leader for a UNE-Australian Aid project to improve rice cultivation in Thailand. Other projects included a study on forestry practices on Fraser Island.

Obituaries

Following his retirement in 1992, Jim was appointed an Adjunct Fellow at UNE and continued his research on nutrient cycling in forests and coral reefs until not long before he died. Jim’s enthusiasm for Science stayed with him all his life and, keen to pass this enthusiasm on to future generations, he contributed to the setting up of laboratories at several schools.

Jim had wide interests – he loved wine and good conversation!

He also loved reading poetry, Shakespeare, philosophy, and knew the journals of Australia’s early explorers intimately. Jim and Vin travelled widely, often with their children, and they enjoyed many camping trips to remote corners of Australia. Jim took up Windsurfing in his 50s and continued to enjoy the sport until his early 80s. Jim also made weekly trips to manage the family property and vineyard, with his brother Robert, at Lake Innes, near Port Macquarie.

Jim, late of Armidale, passed away on 17 April 2020 (Vin passed away in 2002), and is survived by his three children - David (and his wife Pauline), Philippa (and her husband Eric), Nicholas (and his wife Jane), and his grandchildren Reuben, Cameron and Flynn. He is greatly missed by family and friends.

Edward ‘Ted’ (Tully) John Mortimer (59) 1941 - 2022

Ted Mortimer passed away in Kyneton Victoria on 6 September 2022 after a short battle with aggressive cancer. He is survived by his wife, Helen and siblings Robert (62) and Mary. He was a husband, brother, uncle, friend, neighbour and lifelong member of the Tullamore community.

Ted struggled with schooling and was very happy to return to the farm where he became a very successful farmer, a staunch member of Lodge Far West and a lay preacher at St John’s, Tullamore. He had a great love of the Australian landscape and made many extended trips throughout the outback and around the continent.

Graham Arthur Leighton Edelsten (60) 1943 - 2023 Graham attended Barker from Year 6 in 1954 and completed the Leaving Certificate in 1960. He participated across many areas of School life. Graham was in the Chess Team (1956-1958), Debating Team (1958-1960), performed in the Dramatic Society over many years and in his final year was the Lead in the play Richard’s Catastrophe. Graham was awarded Colours and played in the 1st XV Rugby Team in 1960.

He received many academic awards while at Barker, too.

On leaving school, Graham lived in at Sydney University and met most of his long-time friends there. Graham lived overseas for over a decade during the 70s, and on returning to Australia, settled in Queensland.

He was a flamboyant and entrepreneurial character, known for his ability to tell tall tales, his spirited approach to life, and the fact that he completed a Law degree and Barristers Accreditation in his early forties.

For Graham, every day was a fresh new opportunity!

John Ernest Fleming Brien (62) 1945 - 2023

At the recent funeral for John, one of his school mates asked a couple sitting next to him how they knew him. They replied that they were from Coonamble and that John was ‘Mr Coonamble’. And this really encapsulates the life of a wonderful old boy of Barker.

John Ernest Fleming Brien, late of Coonamble and more recently of Neutral Bay, died on 4 March 2023 aged 77 years. John had a very distinguished few years at Barker from 1959 to 1962 and in his final year was a Prefect and House Captain of Plume House.

John was an excellent sportsman and represented Barker in various interschools athletic meetings and in the CAS. He was a particularly good sprinter and won many age and open 220 yards and 440 yards races.

In 1962 John was awarded athletics and rugby Colours. To show his versatility, John even participated in Plume House Dramatics and in 1961 was cast in “Tell it not in Gath”!

John was forever grateful to Robert (Bob) Finlay, Senior Master and his House Master at Plume who said in his reference for John: “He will do well at work that requires careful attention to detail, that allows scope for his initiative and his enthusiasm and that requires challenge for his ambitions. His greatest asset is his readiness to see the point of view of other people; he is ever ready to widen his views by listening to and thinking over aspects presented to him. I recommend him as one likely to prove a reliable hard-working member of the organisation that Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 73

Obituaries

employs him”. How prophetic were these words from Bob Finlay.

Not long before he died John had lunch with a friend from Barker and related the story of how Bob Finlay saved him from probably being expelled for being ‘out of bounds’.

John had excused himself from the school to go the Randwick horse races and the Headmaster was inclined to expel him. But Bob Finlay went into bat for John, saved the day and the rest is history!

After leaving Barker College in 1962 John returned home to Coonamble to work with his father Bert who founded a Stock and Station agency business in the mid 1940s. The business became known as AJF Brien and Sons. They were later joined by his brother Andrew (64) and together they formed a formidable team conducting livestock and property sales in the Coonamble district and surrounding areas.

John never did things in half measures. As well as growing the business his father Bert started, he also involved himself in many sporting, social and industry organisations and in many cases served on the executive of most of these organisations. One of John’s passions was the Coonamble Jockey Club and was credited with reinvigorating the sport of racing in Coonamble. He served as President of the Club from 1987 to 1990, and then 2002 to 2005. Coonamble Racecourse hosted a memorial to John on April 5.

The agency business that John ran was very involved and impacted on his life in many ways. No matter what the demands were, John remained a loyal, and dedicated family man throughout his life. He was an inspiration to his fellow workers at all times and they will remember John for enabling opportunities and wonderful memories from being associated with the Brien family.

John was a loyal Paramatta Eels supporter; an interesting point as Rugby Union was one of his passions 74 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

at Barker. The Eels notched a win after a long losing streak the day after he passed.

It was said at John’s eulogy at Coonamble that John was: “A good boss, a colleague, a cheeky larrikin, the father, the mentor, the punter, the psychologist, the counsellor. He absolutely adored his family and was an inspiration to all.

He was witty, resourceful and had a desire to make people happy”.

This was how his Barker mates would also remember him.

John is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Natalie and Sophie, grandchildren, Ollie, Hugo, Zara and Felix and younger brother Andrew (64).

Graham Lawson (62) Michael Noyce (61/62)

Malcolm Frederick Lampe (63/64) 1946 – 2023

One Oval. We would both blow the car horn when Barker scored a try. Malcolm and his father Hector invited me to Nebea South for school holidays. As seven-year-olds we travelled by aeroplane - a Butler Air Transport DC 3. We both took up flying a decade later. On subsequent visits we travelled on the overnight sleeper to Dubbo, then three hours on the steam driven Coonamble mail.

Following School, Mal worked on the family property running an exemplary rural enterprise with his father, finding a balance between sustainable conservation practice and agriculture. Before he transitioned to cattle, he had a fine line of merino sheep. On one of his visits to Canberra we flew to view rams in the Riverina. En route we found Mt Lampe in the Brindabella mountains, reflecting the families’ strong connections to the Monaro region and especially Talbingo and Brindabella stations.

Mal married Marianne, or Emily as he liked to call her, in the Barker Chapel in 1991.

Malcolm attended Barker as a boarder from Kindergarten in 1953 until 1962 when he completed the Intermediate Certificate. His father Oscar (27), brother David (60), and nephew Paul Weaver (04) also attended Barker.

George Wilson (63) met Mal as a boarder at Barker in 1954 and they quickly formed a friendship, enjoying life-long family connections. George shares some of his recollections here.

“Mal spent many weekends away from the boarding house with our family, including sitting in the family car for cakes as we watched football around Number

He was a great believer in selfreliance and hard work. In good years he would reinvest the profits so that they could help through the tough times. Mal’s primary objective was to maintain the deep-rooted native perennial grasses. He would begin feeding cattle before others in the district, to protect the grass butts and his deep soils.

Mal was proud of his lineage back to Oltman Lampe who came to Australia from Germany in 1841, an ancestor many in the church shared with Miles Franklin. On his mother’s side the family tree goes back to the First Fleet and I’ve seen it rolled out on the lounge room floor.

Mal was a perfectionist. When he transitioned from sheep to cattle, he won a special prize for the quality of his cattle. He also won

Obituaries

prizes for his chocolate cakes.

As his sister Joanie put it, he had the Improvement Ethic and it was perhaps the cornerstone of Malcolm’s character that carried him though his life. Everything was treated as a challenge and he dealt with his health problems with determination and positivity, with the help of Marianne always at his side.

He was also creative particularly his metal and woodwork.

Mal was interested in sport and played cricket in Coonamble. He made an annual pilgrimage to the Sydney Test. Only a week before he died, he said he’d been up all night watching the first test in Birmingham.

He loved to travel, and shared many stories of adventures in South America and later Europe, Scotland and Scandinavia with Marianne.

Mal and I were close friends. He was clever, knowledgeable and smart in practice. He had a great sense of humour and laughed a lot. Malcolm’s nephew, Paul and his Barker classmates have enduring memories of paddock picnics, campfires and bush barbeques.”

Anthony ‘Tony’ Howard Gamson (78/79) 1961 - 2023

Anthony (Tony) Howard Gamson was the eldest of three children born to David and Lyn Gamson.

Tony Gamson attended Barker

College, like his father (David Eliot Gamson 45-46) and Uncle (Ian Calder Gamson 45-48) before him, starting in Year 6 in 1972, before leaving the School in Year 12 in 1979. His brother Angus (84) and sister Lisa (82) also attended Barker.

Tony Gamson's father, David, gave countless hours of visionary and determined service to the Barker Community through his involvement in the OBA and served on the School Council for 28 years. The Family name will always be tied to Barker with the 1975 Physical Education Centre, which was re-named in honour of David Gamson in 2000 (now known as the David Gamson Centre). The farsighted vision of David Gamson enabled Barker to acquire much of the physical space now occupied by The Avenue and Rosewood, which is a blessing beyond measure in the life of the School. Tony Gamson continued this extraordinary legacy through his service on the OBA, the School Council and the Building Committee, as well as being the School Council representative on the CAS Committee.

Tony Gamson was a fierce and capable competitor in all that he attempted while at School.

He represented the School in Swimming, Rugby and especially in Basketball. He tried his hand in Barker Drama, famously playing Earthquake McGoon, "the world's dirtiest wrestler", in the School production of Li'l Abner in 1978. He rarely missed a Barker production and loved our recent season of Les Miserables. It was in Basketball, however, that he made his greatest mark at Barker and in the Associated Schools where he represented at the highest level from Form II until his final year in 1979, often being the top scorer in the Barker 1st Team and in CAS Representative sides. He was also a proud member of the Barker 1st XV Rugby team, achieving full Colours both at Barker and

at CAS level in Basketball and Rugby.

Following his successful time at Barker, Tony took a Commerce degree from UNSW and enjoyed a highly productive career with firms such as Citibank, Macquarie Bank, and AIDC, working in Singapore as well as Canada.

Upon return to Sydney, Tony became the Managing Director and Regional Head of Global Market Sales Asia Pacific for West LB AG. He combined an entrepreneurial spirit with a profound sense of integrity in all that he attempted. Tony married Meegen in the School Chapel in 1990, and their son, Jordan Daniell Gamson attended Barker from Year 5, 2010 and graduated in 2017.

In 2010, Tony was appointed Treasurer of the OBA and was also appointed as the OBA representative to the Barker Foundation Board for a twoyear term. In 2011 he was elected President of the OBA, a position he held with distinction until 2017.

He served as OBA Representative on the Barker College Council from 2013 until 2021. The Council accorded him this tribute after his resignation: "Tony has served as a member of the School Council since 2013, as a director of the Barker Foundation, as a father of a Barker student, and as the President of the Old Barker Association. He continued the strong family tradition of service to the School and we would like to acknowledge his contribution to the Old Barker Association, his work as Chair of the Building Committee and his significant contribution to the work of the School to introduce full coeducation."

The Rosewood Centre and the Maths and Senior School Hub will stand as a lasting legacy to his remarkable contribution to the School.

Spring 2023 • Issue 254 • The Old Barker • 75

Obituaries

Tony Gamson's untimely and sudden passing has affected the entire Barker community. We extend our deepest condolences to Meegen, Jordan and the extended family, all of whom have links to Barker. We raise our prayers for their comfort at this sad time and offer our deepest thanks to the Lord for the faithful service of Tony Gamson, a man who followed the marvellous example of his family to serve the Great Cause of education at Barker.

Chris Russell AM (70)

Lieutenant Maxwell Peder Nugent (16) 1998 - 2023

took it as challenge and persisted with unshakable determination until he had proved them wrong.

He was appointed as an officer in the Australian Army in July of 2018 and attended Duntroon in Canberra. As graduation approached he had his choice of corps, deciding aviation was the place he most wanted to be.

He just barely fit in below the height limit for pilots. Earning his pilot’s wings on the PC-21 at East Sale, Max was commended by his instructors, standing out even amongst the high calibre of his peers. He qualified on helicopters at HMAS Albatross, then converted to the Taipan at Oakey. It was here that his technical inclination came to the fore, knowing the complex aircraft front to back, inside and out.

He always sought to develop and improve as a pilot and officer, seeking feedback and constructive criticism from his colleagues. He earned praise for his fantastic hand and feet skills on the controls, a natural aviator.

Becoming an officer in the Army was a long-held dream for our son, brother and partner, Max. He made that dream a reality through stubborn grit, resilience and a wicked sense of humour.

He embodied the values of integrity and honour, which made him a natural fit for a life of service to others.

Max was born at Wahroonga in northern Sydney in 1998, and grew up at West Pymble. He studied at Barker College, where he thrived as a member of the Australian Army Cadets; he loved adventuring out in the dirt and mud. Tall, gangly and geeky, he had no business playing high school rugby, and yet he did. Max was tough. If somebody told him he couldn’t do something, he

76 • The Old Barker • Issue 254 • Spring 2023

On completion of training, Max posted to 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville, which is where he met Chadine. The two bonded over a love of dogs and dumplings. When he posted to Sydney with 173 Squadron at 6th Aviation Regiment, Chad moved down with him. They were planning a life together and hoped to get a dog, which they joked they would name ‘Dumpling’.

Max expressed his love for others through acts of service.

The eldest child in his extended family, he was adored by his grandparents, uncles, aunts and younger cousins, and he reciprocated in kind. He was his dad’s best mate, they loved to watch sport together. He gave

great hugs to his mum and others by resting his chin on the top of their head. In social settings he was a larrikin and stirrer, happy to set himself up to be the butt of a joke. His sister, Sami adds Max just as quickly made her, or somebody else, the butt of the next joke, too.

Our Max fitted so much living into his 24 years. He got to live his dream. He loved flying, and Army life was everything he hoped it would be. He was straight as an arrow, stubborn, reliable, hilarious, generous and a radiant light in our lives. His loss leaves an unbearable grief in our hearts.

Daniel, Marianna and Sami Nugent (18) and Chadine

A Very

SAVE THE DATE Saturday 25 November 2023 Food • Gifts • Carols

Barker College is hosting its inaugural “A Very Barker Christmas” Come along, browse and shop at the wonderful array of Christmas market stalls, be entertained by some outstanding Barker performances and at sunset join in the Carols extravaganza.

We are also seeking stallholders and food carts now for this exciting new event.

Please contact us at your earliest convenience to see how you can get involved in ‘A Very Barker Christmas’.

Enquiries: events@barker.nsw.edu.au

Barker Community Events 2023 Class Reunions

OBA Events

Regional Events

1988 - 35 Year Reunion Sat 14 Oct Ainsley Blaxell ainsleybj@hotmail.com

OBA Affiliates Event Thu 12 Oct

Canberra Thur 19 Oct

OBA Agricultural Society Event Wed 18 Oct

Perth Fri 17 Nov

1993 - 30 Year Reunion Sat 14 Oct Dan Hearne drdhearne@gmail.com Damien Ng damienjkn@gmail.com Peter Tebbutt peterj.tebbutt@bigpond.com

OBA Alumni Mentoring Program Webinar Thu 2 Nov OBA Networking Event Sydney CBD In-Person TBA Committee Meeting Wed 15 Nov

2018 - 5 Year Reunion Sat 14 Oct www.trybooking.com/CJXZX 2003 - 20 Year Reunion Sat 28 Oct Peter Gregory peter.gregory11@gmail.com

OBA Events Contact Karina Drummond (02) 8438 7283 oba@barker.nsw.edu.au

1973 - 50 Year Reunion Sat 4 Nov Ian Somerville somers@bigpond.net.au Charles Kamei Charles_kamei@hotmail.com 1978 - 45 Year Reunion Sun 12 Nov www.eventbrite.com/e/barkerclass-of-78-reunion-tickets

2024 1974 - 50 Year Reunion Sat 6 Apr 2024 Bruce Davis davis.bruce@gmail

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!

91 Pacific Highway Hornsby NSW 2077 Australia

t w

+61 2 8438 7999 barker.college

Privacy

Photos

Due to changes in Privacy Legislation we are required to inform you that your contact details may be shared with OBA reunion organisers with the strict guidelines that they are only to be used for the purposes of organising your OBA reunion. Please contact the Alumni Office if you wish to keep your details private.

Photos from your event may be posted on the OBA Website (www.oba.net.au), the Alumni Facebook page (www.facebook. com/barkercollegealumni), the Alumni Instagram page (www. instagram.com/barkercollegealumni) and in The Barker magazine. For further queries please contact the Alumni Office.