Donor Impact Report by Barker College

Barker Impact of Giving

Strengthening the Future of Barker

Today’s Barker parents demonstrate a continued and heartfelt commitment to our School’s development and success.

This success is seen most clearly in our students who are growing in character, seeking the good of others, and walking with both confidence and compassion in the world.

The Barker Foundation exists to make this opportunity open to all.

As we launch a new strategic plan in 2025, the Barker Foundation is more committed than ever to extending our impact and strengthening the future of Barker. We value every contribution, no matter the size, as we work together to serve the community.

In this spirit we thank the members of the Barker Community who have given so much over many years to create today’s Barker. And we ask for your cheerful generosity, to help us to create its future.

With heartfelt thanks.

Aaron Black Barker Foundation Chair

Whether through financial contributions or the invaluable donation of your time, your continued support has made an extraordinary impact on our school community.

The commencement of Marri Mittigar Special Interest School for refugee students in Term 2, 2024 was one of the highlights for the year. This initiative is the culmination of several years of imagining how a wonderful school like Barker College can make a contribution to an immensely important social issue within Australia and in our world.

We are living through one of the most fractured periods of global relationships and we cannot console ourselves with the security that comes from distance. We are all part of this small, fragile planet and all share a common humanity.

With an initial enrolment of over 20 children and under the leadership of Julia West and several other colleagues, this school within a school provides a trauma informed education

A Personal Thank You

I am profoundly moved to express my deepest gratitude for the remarkable generosity you have shown to Barker and our students once again this year.

for children from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Venezuela.

Students at each of our Indigenous campuses continue to thrive. As we commenced a new academic year, the Dhupuma Barker Marayarr Class for Middle Years students opened and Barker took over the operation and management of the Families as First Teachers Program for 0 – 4 year olds in Gunyaŋgara. Excitingly, construction of the Dhupuma Barker School at Gunyaŋgara began.

Thanks to your unwavering support, our students at each of our campuses are thriving academically, socially, and emotionally. Your generosity has empowered them to dream bigger, reach higher, and achieve their fullest potential.

The ripple effect of your kindness will resonate for years to come, shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Equally, the time and expertise you have shared have been nothing short of transformative. Your mentorship, guidance, and active involvement have inspired our students and staff alike, creating a vibrant and supportive community. The sense of unity and commitment you bring has been instrumental in nurturing the growth and development of our young minds.

As we reflect on all that has been achieved in 2024, we rejoice in the blessings of our God through this community. Thank you for the deep encouragement and support offered throughout this year. The loving care so manifestly evident is what makes our community a precious place.

With sincere gratitude.

Head of Barker College

A Year of Expanding Impact

The donor community at Barker College is committed, passionate, and generous.

You have got behind our giving programs in an amazing way and been a source of huge encouragement as we refocus on the displaced and the disadvantaged among our school and wider community.

In this inaugural Impact Report we share an interview with the mother of Ukrainian student Lieta, now studying at Marri Mittigar. Her story is not easy to read, but it is so important to hear as we embark on this unique and special work through the new refugee school.

I invite you to enjoy the collection of heartfelt ‘Dhupuma Reflections’ on page 10. It is beyond brilliant to hear how much the djamarrkuli love going to school and love their two ways of learning.

Six committed Barker parents had the experience of a lifetime visiting Dhupuma Barker and attending the Garma Festival – you can read all about the impact of their experience from our Foundation Board Director, Cellina Chen.

And lastly we hear from one of our Indigenous families who reflect on the impact Barker has had on them.

We are beyond grateful for you all.

Tori Grimes Director of Advancement

MAKE YOUR MARK

Everyone can share in this milestone campaign with a personalised engraved plaque permanently installed in either the Rosewood Centre, or the Blackwell Stand – you can choose which seat you want and see a preview of your plaque, using the QR code.

Join us as we invest in more scholarships for deserving students, and supporting Barker’s Indigenous education programs - initiatives that are synonymous with Phillip Heath’s leadership and vision for Barker.

You are invited to be part of a celebration of outstanding leadership.

Make Your Mark today!

makeyourmark.barker.college

Quick Facts

What are People Giving Most To

Indigenous Humanitarian Scholarships Future Fund

Buildings Make Your Mark (Future Fund)

New vs Repeat Giving

Who is Giving

5760

Slices of toast for breakfast across the campuses for eager learners this term!

2577

Hours of engagement of Yolŋu co-teachers this year.

260

Loads of washing uniforms at Dhupuma.

Number of community groups that use Barker facilities each year.

Number of alumni events across the past 12 months.

15,500L

Of fuel in Troopies to pick up children in community and go out on-country this year.

625kg

Of apples cut up for breaky across all 3 campuses this year.

The students who live furthest from school have travelled.

Ngarralingayil – 17,400km this year

Darkinjung – 16,320km this year

20-25

Number of Scholarships awarded in the past year across Music, Sport, Drama, Science and to Indigenous scholars.

Dhupuma Barker Student Reflections

Tyrese Dhamarrandji

I like playing with magnets, lego and counting at school. My favourite thing to do at school is read books and play with kids at lunchtime. Sometimes we draw and paint pictures. The best part about this year is going to the oval for football and going to the swimming pool!

Eli Marawili

This year I have loved going on Country, going hunting and raypirri (cultural discipline). We have been learning our sounds and practicing writing. I am manymak at my maths and counting. I also love playing with my friends and drawing shapes.

Jamien Gurruwiwi

In the mornings I love playing sport in the Midawarr classroom. At lunchtimes I play basketball with my friends. On Fridays we go to the oval and play games and then go to the pool to cool off.

I like to come to school so I can learn all day so I can be smart and strong and healthy. At school you can think about everything, then you can have work then you can have a house. You know what you can do.

The best thing about school is on Country, looking for guku (wild honey) and going fishing at Barn. I love blue bone fish. It’s manymak (good) playing football at the oval, sharing the football with other kids. I like getting my work right when I am using the iPad and Mathletics. Raypirri (cultural discipline) is important to stop teasing and be kind.

This year I have loved counting, measuring and doing maths. I like playing with Lego and doing drawings and paintings. At lunchtime I play basketball and everyday after lunch we learn to read books.

At school, I like learning maths and winning in spelling match! I like going out on Country, playing sport and swimming at the pool. Before school I draw and practice my reading. My favourite things this year have been Hip Hop, Garma and Flinders. I love hunting too and finding bush medicine.

Iluka’s Story of Courage

Iluka is a student at Ngarralingayil Barker. He is a shy young man, who takes time to get used to people and change.

Having been through a lot already in his young life, Iluka shared how he felt quite anxious and scared about competing in the School’s Junior School Athletics Carnival. Iluka has amazing support from the teaching staff at Ngarralingayil and with their encouragement, he agreed to compete in the 100m race, knowing that his teacher would be waiting for him at the finish line. His teacher explains, I headed to the finish line to meet him! As I turned back, he was running but he had convinced Mr Shack to run with him! Ha I thought! He eventually dropped his hand and sprinted to the finish line! Iluka had the biggest smile on his face! He was so happy and proud of himself - as was I!

She captured this wonderful photo and the smile on Iluka’s face says it all!

This story captures what we are trying to achieve, not just at Ngarralingayil, but Darkinjung and Dhupuma. Ensuring that each of these children have an opportunity to shine. We open our hearts to people such as Iluka, for whom accessing an education like this would have been beyond imagining.

The Impact of a Barker Education –Heidi’s story

Heidi Gordon, Year 7, is an Aboriginal scholar at Barker College. Her father Troy spoke about their experience coming into the School.

How is Heidi doing at Barker?

She is loving it. When I first came to Sydney all I heard about was ‘Barker, Barker, Barker’ – it really is seen as the best and only place to go if you are Indigenous. The programs run here are very unique and help provide good outcomes for Indigenous kids. As parents, that’s all we want. Heidi has never not wanted to go to school – which says it all. And I love that the Indigenous alumni come back to mentor the younger kids and talk to them, supported by Lucy Pitkin and the Yarn Up group.

What schooling options did she have for high school?

It would have had to be our local public high school. We would never have been able to access Barker without the scholarship, and we are just so grateful. Heidi was the only Aboriginal kid at her primary school, and there was always a gulf between her culture and theirs. We particularly love that Barker is culturally safe, and

that this is embraced completely by the whole school. One example was NAIDOC week – we were blown away by how every student across the school showed huge respect and acknowledgement of Indigenous culture - they really connected to it as a whole school.

What has the impact of receiving a scholarship been on your family?

Its not just a ‘tick the box’ for Barker. The staff all buy in and everyone understands the impact they can make. Every Aboriginal kid who graduates Year 12 is a step forward for our whole country. They impact the whole community. Unfortunately lots of Aboriginal kids don’t finish high school. Heidi will hopefully graduate not just with a great education but with a friendship group and a network of peers around her.

If she can get to the end –and at Barker, we believe she can – she will be the first person in our family to graduate Year 12.

Barker Humanitarian Program: Marri Mittigar

Liza’s Journey

We were living in central Kyiv when the war began. At 5am I woke to a noise that sounded like firecrackers going off – “Pop Pop Pop”.

But I couldn’t make sense of it as it was so early. When I realised it was a rocket attack I felt an animal fear, a deep fear that did not leave me for a long time. We learned to distinguish between bombs, rockets, and drones. And always to keep ‘two walls’ between us and the outside - these were the rules of our new life. When we had to go, we had only 5 minutes to get out. My 6 year old daughter, my parents, and I left with nothing but our clothes, phones and documents. We had to leave our beautiful dog Dacka behind. My brother was detained at the border, he was not allowed to cross, and I don’t know where he is now.

After some difficult days, dark hours with so much fear and stress, we made it across the border into Slovakia. It was one day at a time - we figured out each day where we would sleep, what we would eat.

It was a cold winter and I had no hat, and was wearing Ugg boots - my only shoes. The Red Cross looked after us, they gave us sandwiches and I got a warm hat, and they gave my daughter a small mouse toy - she still has it. I arrived into the hot Australian summer still wearing my Ugg boots.

Life in Australia has been hard because we had a good life in Ukraine, but we lost everything and have had to completely start again. I went to TAFE to learn English and have got a new early childhood teaching qualification, so now I can work. When we first heard about Marri Mittigar, Lieta was at the local public school in the ESL class. I knew Lieta would do better if her English was better, and she had some connection to her own culture. For me it was a clear choice for the future - for her future.

Lieta is like a blossoming flower. She comes home each day so proud of her achievements. The teachers help her to set goals, and to progress each day to new levels. She is doing better every month and has made some new friends, both Ukrainian and other nationalities - and she can connect to her own culture through her Ukrainian teacher.

Marri Mittigar has made a huge difference to our family. They provide support to children with big traumathey are given the opportunity to open themselves up, and it doesn’t matter how broken they are inside. They are supported at each step and helped to learn so that they can achieve their dreams.

For me, I don’t know if we will ever go back to Ukraine, although it is still our home. My life is wherever my child feels safe - for her now that is at Marri Mittigar, here in Australia.

I thank the teachers at Marri Mittigar in my heart a hundred times a day. They are all amazing. And they are helping my daughter to have a better future.

Garma Festival A Journey into Culture and Community

In August, I had the privilege of attending the Garma Festival with a group of parents from Barker.

Coming from various cultures and backgrounds, we were warmly welcomed into the Yolŋu family, making this experience a truly unique cultural exchange. More than just a festival, Garma was an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich traditions and history of the Yolŋu people of North east Arnhem Land.

These moments of connection were deeply moving and made us feel part of Dhupuma Barker.

We visited Dhupuma Barker and spent time with the students, including a memorable experience hunting dhanbala (mud mussels) with them. We were treated to a lesson in bush medicine by one of the Yolŋu elders, Janet, and shared lunch on the beach including cooking our mud mussels over a fire.

We learned about traditional art pandanus, wove costume jewellery using grass, and danced alongside the Yolŋu during ceremonies. These hands-on experiences helped us understand not just the richness of their culture but why learning Indigenous history is so vital for our children. It deepens their awareness, fosters respect, and ensures that future generations will honour Australia’s Indigenous traditions.

One of the most profound aspects was witnessing the strength of the community at Garma. Through storytelling, art, and music, the Yolŋu elders shared their wisdom, inviting us to understand and respect their way of life. I left the festival feeling inspired and more connected to the land and its people, carrying a sense of responsibility to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about reconciliation.

Attending Garma with fellow Barker parents made the experience even more meaningful. We reflected on what we had learned and how we could apply these lessons to our own families and communities. It was a journey of cultural discovery that will stay with me for years to come.

Cellina Chen Foundation Board Director and Barker parent

Foundation Travelling Fellowships Investing in our staff to keep up to date with the latest thinking

The Foundation Travelling Fellowship allowed me to explore Extended Stay Outdoor Education programs, aiming to enhance the benefits for our Year 9 students involved in this initiative.

My key findings revealed that such programs are most effective when implemented for the entire cohort, facilitating preparatory and reflective activities that create shared “rite of passage” experiences.

I observed that a minimum threeweek stay in a remote, digital-free environment fosters independence and resilience in students. High standards, life skills development, and service opportunities are essential components that contribute to character building, a primary goal of the program.

Additionally, the Fellowship highlighted how outdoor education can enhance academic performance.

I deeply appreciate the privilege of the Foundation Travelling Fellowship, as it opened avenues beyond state and national boundaries, crucial for cultivating innovative ideas that improve our students’ experiences. This journey also allowed me to assess best practices for our school, and collaborating with students and staff from other institutions introduced me to new perspectives and methods.

I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Kathryn Driver Dean of Middle School

I am grateful to the Barker Travelling Fellowship for the opportunity to attend the World EduLead 2024 conference in Singapore, focused on “An Education Revolution in the AI Age.”

The event featured presentations by Prof. Dylan Wiliam, Holly Clark, Prof. Alex Marrero, and Dr. Kate Foley, whose insights deepened my understanding of how generative AI can enhance teaching by fostering creativity and innovation, as well as streamline administrative tasks. The four-day conference highlighted innovative teaching methods, technology integration, and inclusive learning environments. Discussions on educational leadership and global policymaking provided a broader view of the future of education.

The Fellowship also offered valuable networking opportunities with educators from the U.S., U.K., Europe, Asia, and Australia, expanding my perspective and inspiring new approaches to global education.