Junior School

A celebration of a wonderful learning journey. The Year 6 Primary Years Programme Exhibition has not only been one of our Junior School highlights this year, but a moment in time, that has the possibility of being lived forever.

“We have learned so much, not only about our issues but also about ourselves and each other.’ Year 6 cohort The exhibition enabled purposeful direction and engagement with big issues locally and globally that have personal relevance to each of our 166 students. Supported by mentors from across our P-12 campus, students took student agency to the next level, owning the process, voicing their wonderings and ideas, and making personal choices into where they would seek further knowledge and understanding, and working out how best to present their information, and inform viewers of their action! This year, the third PYP Exhibition for the Junior School and the first coeducational Exhibition, celebrated action and global citizenship linked to the Transdisciplinary Theme of Where We Are in Place and Time. This theme provided the opportunity for students to inquire into personal histories, homes and journeys, discoveries, explorations, migrations and their interconnectedness as human beings. They explored content using Mathematical and English skills, whilst gaining knowledge in science, history, geography, creative arts and technology. Students found out that as time changes responsibilities and responses to challenges change too. Guided by the enduring understanding of Humankind responds to challenges, risks and opportunities, students were able to delve into 46 different encompassing areas of inquiry, all linked to personal interests and big issues. “Our Exhibition began with some inspiring stories from people who shared how they personally have responded to challenges, risks and opportunities. We heard from a former student who is active in reviving Indigenous languages, a sportswoman who is playing in the AFLW and a Federal policeman who serves the community with his specially trained dog, Fang.” Caitlin “Students worked on ways they could influence, persuade or change the public’s mindset, in order to improve the situation or issue they chose. Some teams designed solutions, constructed a prototype, wrote books, taught lessons to classes across the School or suggested a change in our school community.” Matthew “Teams are taking action by raising awareness about their issue, changing their own behaviour or even inspiring others to make a change.” Anabel “When we connect International Mindedness with our learning we cannot help but enable the attributes of the IB Learner Profile to be demonstrated and at the forefront of our process. Thinkers, Communicators and Inquirers are three such examples that motivate us to go beyond our comfort zones and support us as lifelong learners.” Lisa Bonazza A special thanks to all staff involved, including our mentors who gave up their time to help us, and especially the Year 6 teachers, Specialist teachers, Alex Cook and Paul Harmon. We really could not have done it without all of the support.

Lisa Bonazza Director of Primary Curriculum/PYP Coordinator

Eight Year 6 students enjoyed the unique and privileged experience of hearing a firsthand account of what life is like as a refugee when forced to flee your own country.

During their preparation for the Year 6 PYP Exhibition, these young boys had the opportunity to listen to Year 12 (2023) student, Farhat Kohistani. Farhat has been a student at Barker this year continuing her education, after fleeing her home country of Afghanistan last year. The students’ chosen area of focus was refugees and Farhat was able to recount her own experience. The students asked Farhat searching questions about her life in Afghanistan and the circumstances which made her flight a necessity. Unsurprisingly, the discussion with Farhat made them think deeply about their place in the world as global citizens and how they can make a difference by raising their young voices. Farhat was amazed at their understanding of human rights and their passion to work for the rights of all humanity in practical ways. Farhat is no stranger to raising her voice. In Afghanistan, she was an activist for the education of girls. Her campaign was called ‘Raise a Pen’ and her image was displayed throughout Kabul. Since those days, her vision has expanded to include a focus on education for all, not just women. The education she is receiving at Barker is preparing her to bring about positive change in the lives of those whose opportunities in life have been limited by poverty, political upheaval, or war. Alex Cook, the mentor of these students, said, “it was moving to see a young Afghan woman teach and influence a group of boys. Something that would be unthinkable in her own country.”

Julia West Director of Humanitarian Programs

Each year the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) brings the world of stories and illustrations into the hearts and minds of children.

This year’s Book Week theme, ‘Dreaming with eyes open...’ acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People and their rich story-based culture. Barker Junior School students immersed themselves into the dreamy nature of our 2022 theme and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the shortlisted books. To help us celebrate Book Week, we had two wonderful guest authors. Louise Park, the author of ‘Zac Power’, ‘D-Bot’ and ‘Boy vs Beast’ shared where she finds her story ideas to our Pre-Kindergarten - Year 2 students. Visiting our older students, we had the famously entertaining Tim Harris who had the students in fits of giggles talking about his characters, who they were based on and the real events that inspired his ideas. This year, we also introduced ‘Mystery Reader’. Every day during Book Week, students listened to a different audio file and had to guess the title of the book, author and most importantly, guess the name of the teacher reading the story. Each stage had a different mystery reader and students were rushing to the library with their entries. Our daily winners received a book prize of their choice. It was safe to say both teachers and students enjoyed our book week ‘Mystery Reader’. The School was a swarm of colour and excitement with almost 800 students and staff taking part in the book parade. They came by bus, train and car, whilst some even dared to walk to school. Harry Potter, Willy Wonka, Madeline, Mr Men, Cinderella and the Very Hungry Caterpillar, were just a few of the characters who attended the book parade this year. With pride and enthusiasm and a little courage, the students paraded their favourite book character for all to see. What a way to finish the dream! We are already looking forward to the CBCA 2023 Book Week theme, ‘READ, GROW, INSPIRE’.

Alex Cook Junior School Library & Inquiry Integrator

The team cruised through the heats and semi final to be the number one team going into the final. In the final, we were off to a flying start with Oscar DavyGriffiths exploding out of the blocks and running a great first bend. After a great change, Callum Gilchrist continued momentum down the back straight. The baton passed to Ethan Poon who put us in an excellent position to challenge for gold. It was close, but after another superb change and a burst of speed, Zack Yerbury took the lead finishing brilliantly and blowing our competitors away to claim the NSW Championship for Barker College. Their winning time was 53.49 seconds. Congratulations also to our other relay teams who made their respective finals. The Barker Darkinjung Relay Team placed 9th in the Small Schools Mixed Relay. Team members: Oliver Champley, Jai Pringle, Skylah Sargent, Ruby Wilkins and Kyarne Pringle (reserve). Our U/12 Girls Relay Team placed equal 8th in their final. Team members: Sarah Jones, Emily Afonso, Tia McIntosh, Bree Hirst and Emma Lukell (injured). Callum Gilchrist had a very busy program but nothing was going to stop his amazing performances at the Championships. After negotiating through the rounds in the U/11 100m and 200m events, Callum lined up for the final of the 200m. In the final, he ran a personal best time of 27.30 seconds to place 3rd, an outstanding achievement. However, due to a protest from another athlete, the race had to be re-run, and with Callum competing in multiple events throughout the day, he was not able to match his effort in the original final, and placed 5th in a time of 27.62 seconds. After an excellent start in the U/11 100m final, Callum’s drive phase was phenomenal, and he was in the hunt for a medal. With stronger closing speed than his rivals, he dipped at the line to win the silver medal. His time was 13.18 seconds and his 2nd placing earns him a spot on the New South Wales team to compete in both the 100m and the U11 Relay at the Australian All Schools Championships. Unfortunately, Emma Lukell was diagnosed with injury less than a week prior to the NSW Championships and was unable to compete in the U/12 Girls High Jump, Shot Put and the Senior Girls Relay. Emma finished her season being crowned the ISA Senior School Girls U/12 High Jump Champion breaking the ISA record 1.46m; the CAS U/13 High Jump Champion beating the Year 7 boys at this event jumping 1.49m; and winning the NSWCIS U/12 High Jump and setting a NSWCIS Record 1.53m.

David Forster Junior School CCC Athletics

The meeting took the format of a CoachMeet, where over forty teachers came together to network and share coaching experiences from their respective schools. A CoachMeet features a series of short, sharp presentations and promotes professional learning opportunities for teachers from their teaching peers. The theme of the meeting was set as: A Roadmap for Coaching in Schools. It was wonderful to hear about the journeys other schools have been on, in their exploration and development of teacher coaching initiatives. A highlight of the CoachMeet came in the form of the acknowledgement that Barker can be viewed as a school that is leading the way in teacher professional learning through coaching conversations and training opportunities. We were very fortunate to enjoy recorded presentations from two internationally recognised coaching champions. Brian Sepe (USA, Instructional Coaching) spoke about Coaching in the Grey, where a person gives themselves time to develop their coaching skills and not be focused on the black and white, beginnings and ends. The development of habits and routines that have the greatest impact, was the foundation of a personal journey shared by Brian in his presentation. Margaret Barr (Scotland, Growth Coaching International) focused on questioning as an important element in allowing people to think. She introduced and explained the contributing factors of questions as The 3 C’s: connection, context and care. In all, nine presentations were made at the CoachMeet, covering topics such as: Building an Instructional Coaching Framework, Coaching Teachers for Accreditation, Mock Learning Conferences for Pre-service Teachers, Quality Coaching Conversations, Targeting the Development Stage of the Adult Learner. The Inaugural Teacher Coaches Appreciation Society Meeting was a wonderful time of collegiality, collaboration and networking, where teachers and coaches from local schools and overseas came together to promote the importance of coaching in schools. Its success can be measured by the positive feedback received, the requests for the organisation of future meetings and support in exploring coaching culture development partnership opportunities.

The Inaugural Teacher Coaches Appreciation Society Meeting Wednesday 14 September 2022

Jacqui McLachlan Lead Teacher Coach - CoT