The Class of 2022

We are excited to welcome the Class of 2022 to the Old Barker Association (OBA), an organisation which focuses on providing member services catering to all the varied interests and activities of Barker’s Alumni.

The OBA offers many opportunities to explore including:

• Joining one of the OBA Affiliate Groups – there are many to choose from including Sport, Music, Theatre, Christian Fellowship and Agriculture (see the following pages to see which are of interest)

• Special events and activities such as the annual OBA golf day

• Social events in regional areas, interstate and overseas

• Year group reunions

• Professional mentoring for career advice, options, experiences and opportunities

• Networking events

• OBA Support for Life – a free service available to all Alumni and their families

Communication

To keep up to date with the latest OBA events and news we invite you to:

• Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ barkercollegealumni or Instagram

• Connect with us on LinkedIn 'Official Barker College Alumni'

• Access the Alumni Networking Directory via the OBA website - www.oba.net.au

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

For any questions or suggestions please contact:

Karina Drummond

Director

of

Alumni & Community Relations

Phone: 02 8438 7283

Email: kdrummond@barker.nsw.edu.au

Reflections from ViceCaptains Jess O’Bryan and Yue Hun Chia.

Favourite Memory at Barker?

When I reflect on my time at Barker, a single favourite memory doesn’t come to mind. Instead I think about a collection of moments that are very meaningful to me. Some of these include rehearsing and performing in Rhodes, Leslie and BCMA stages as part of Barker drama, particularly throughout our Year 11 play Metamorphoses, our musical Beauty and the Beast and for in-class drama projects. I reflect on running as part of the cross country and athletics teams, especially the encouragement from my peers which kept me motivated even when I wanted to give into my exhaustion. I laugh about the countless afternoons I stood chatting with my friends at the top of Bowman, oblivious to the fact that all the other students had gone home and an hour had somehow passed. Speaking at Valedictory dinner is my final special memory at Barker. It was the last time I addressed my cohort as their vice captain and I couldn’t have been more proud of my peers for finishing school and how much they had grown along the way - Jess.

My favourite memory from my time at Barker would have to be Year 10 Adventure camp. I still remember hiking up Mount Kosciuszko in the pouring rain and belting hail, which seemingly did not have an end. Every other group turned back, but our Head of House told us to keep going as we had already gone so far. Near the summit, the hail just got too heavy and we were all forced to clump together in one bathroom. We all laugh about it and joke about it today. It formed one of the most binding experiences any of us had ever endured - Yue-Hun.

Firstly, Phillip Heath for his guidance of me, especially in my leadership year. I am so grateful for his support and encouragement and will forever be in awe of the way he speaks to every student and makes them feel known. Secondly, to Matthew Macoustra, Natalie Potent and David Giltrap. Much of their hard work is behind the scenes and most people wouldn’t know, but they keep Barker running seamlessly and always brightened my days with a smile and a chat. Thirdly, to the Drama department for offering a space where I could be creative, loud and truly myself. In particular, thank you to Claire Yeomans for lifting the spirits of my Year 11 drama class by making us dance every morning on our teams call - Jess. My teachers were ultimately the foundation and bedrock of my time in high school, and I can never thank them enough. From answering my emails when the sun was setting, or answering my emails when the sun was rising, every teacher helped me build a comfortable classroom space where I could share my ideas and also contribute to class discussions. Outside of the academic realm, all of them helped me become the best version of myself by pushing me and encouraging me along, which is something I will forever cherish - Yue-Hun.

Will you join an OBA group and if so, which one/s are of interest?

I plan to join numerous OBA groups and the main one of interest at the moment is the music group. I played clarinet all the way through high school but had to stop in Year 12 due to the lack of time available, but music has always been an extracurricular activity that has brightened my day. I miss the band rehearsals and one-on-one music sessions, and hope that I can relive these experiences in an OBA group! - Yue-Hun. I do plan to join an OBA group and am very interested about the drama one! - Jess.