We acknowledge the Dharug, Darkinjung, Wonnarua and Yolŋu peoples who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Barker College, Darkinjung Barker, Ngarralingayil Barker and Dhupuma Barker stand. We pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging of the Dharug, Darkinjung, Wonnarua and Yolŋu nations and extend that respect to other Indigenous people within the Barker College community.
Mission
Vision
An Anglican community inspiring every learner every experience every day Values Commitment
To be a leader in Christian education that is characterised by a global vision that inspires hope
This milestone year invited us to honour our traditions while reimagining school education as character formation, equipping our graduates not only for ambitious academic futures, but for leadership with humility.
Throughout this Jubilee year, we've consciously engaged in the work of cultural creation - recognising that in every interaction, every decision, and every response to challenge or opportunity, we actively shape our school's character. When we create such a culture, we offer every community member a taste of what human community can be at its best. Our commitment to academic excellence evolved significantly with the launch of Junior and Secondary School Academic Tracking dashboards, providing parents and students real-time access to learning progress. The introduction of Grade Point Average for Years 9-12 strengthened feedback mechanisms and awakened academic grit through continuous assessment. Our Student Classroom Feedback Survey revealed encouraging results: 93% of students averaged positively across their subjects, telling us "I feel valued by the teacher in this class," while 90% agreed teachers expect them to work hard in positive, caring environments where they feel comfortable asking questions.
Reflections on 2025
The year 2025 will forever hold special significance in Barker's story as we celebrated 50 years of coeducation.
Barker proudly hosted the World Leading Schools Association Global Student Conference from 28 June to 5 July under the theme "Voices of Tomorrow: Intercultural Leaders in the Age of Innovation." Over 180 students from 15 countries experienced eight days of fascinating sessions with guest speakers including Adam Spencer, Matthew Donovan, Adrian Piccoli, and representatives from leading US universities - minds expanded to new horizons. This event was a prelude to the privilege of hosting the Round Square Global Student Conference in 2026.
The shared vision of a permanent school for Dhupuma Barker will become a reality with the opening of our new school in December. Marri Mittigar commenced 2025 with 27 enrolments, building momentum with a varied academic and co-curricular program delivered by dedicated staff and an outstanding volunteer army.
Staff wellbeing received intentional focus through our Wellbeing Working Group of approximately 16 staff across departments, making excellent progress on short, medium, and long-term initiatives supporting holistic staff wellbeing. Simultaneously, we embraced Generative AI tools to reduce administrative load and streamline processes - working smarter, not harder.
As we conclude this Jubilee year, we reflect on all that has been achieved and rejoice in the blessings of our God through this community.
The newly installed Jubilee Window in our Chapel will serve as a lasting reminder. 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.
Peace
Phillip Heath
Head of Barker College
AM
From the Head of Barker College
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy team is deeply embedded in the life of the School, walking alongside students in their learning, growth, and faith. From leading Chapel and Christian Studies to sharing life through co-curricular activities such as music, musicals, sport, and even chess, we delight in being part of the rich tapestry of School life.
Through Chapel, Christian Studies, and Cru (voluntary lunchtime groups), we seek to share the Christian story in ways that shape the life of the School and help students connect meaningfully with the person of Jesus during their time at Barker. The Chaplaincy team additionally plays a vital pastoral role across the School community. We are there to welcome students on their first day, farewell them on their last, and mark the many milestones along the way.
Our involvement also extends to camps - from Junior School adventures like Year 6 Camp to Senior School experiences such as Year 7 Teen Ranch, Extended Stay, Year 9 and 10 Camps, and Cadet Camps where we often lead bush Chapels In all these spaces, we give thanks for the hope of Christ that continues to shape and sustain our Barker community.
Cru & Cru Kickstart
The year began with more than a hundred students attending camp before the start of term, which was a wonderful opportunity to launch the year, welcome new Year 7 students, and reflect on Jesus’ teaching in Luke 9 - 10 about his own reasons for coming to earth and how we can share in his mission.
Throughout the year, Cru has continued across the whole school, with dedicated Small Groups for each year group in the Secondary School exploring the theme of Jesus’ kingship through Psalms, Colossians, and Mark. We’ve also enjoyed social events that helped students connect with one another and joined with other schools at Inter-Cru.
A highlight of the year has been the introduction of three “CU@ Cru” lunchtime events in Rhodes Theatre, designed to give students an opportunity to invite friends for a ‘taste’ of Cru through fun activities and Gospel-focused talks. In Term 4, we also launched “Four12”, a leadership group for Senior Cru students based on the idea of Ephesians 4:12.
In the Junior School, the Year 6 Cru leaders have done a superb job planning and leading the Cru sessions alongside our staff.
Cru students also hosted a stall at the Barker Fair, creating an interactive map to show the many churches connected to our community. By the end of the day, we had mapped more than 90 churches that Barker students, families and staff are part of.
Prayer and Praise Night
Prayer and Praise Night was another memorable community event, with more than 200 people gathering in the Junior School to sing, pray, and read the Bible together. The evening was entirely student-led and beautifully organised by our 2025 Cru Captains, James and Heidi.
Special Chapel services
Weekly Chapel services are a valued part of the Barker experience from Prep to Year 12, and it is always wonderful to have parents join us for the Prep to Year 2 Chapel on Friday mornings. This includes students at Darkinjung and Ngarralingayil, whom Rev Brown visits, and Dhupuma students, who receive video messages produced by Rev Brown.
In 2025, we were also delighted to welcome Andrew Starr to the team as a specialist Christian studies teacher and Youth Worker within Marri Mittigar, leading Christian Studies and Chapel services.
Throughout the year, Chapel services mark significant moments in the life of the School. The whole School gathered in Rosewood to celebrate Easter under the theme The Certainty of the Resurrection, exploring the angels’ question to
Mary: “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen.” The Junior School held Chapel services for Grandparents’ Day, Fathers’ Day, and Mothers’ Day, along with Christmas Chapels and the beloved bush Chapel on Year 6 camp.
Leadership Chapels were also held to induct student leaders across the School, providing a Christian framework for leadership grounded in service, humility, and care for others. The Cadet Church Parade, marking Remembrance Day, remains a highlight for the Senior School, as do the Year 12 Farewell Chapels - featuring a memorable visit from Belfry the puppet and a moving Valedictory Chapel to close the year.
Staff
Each week, staff meet on Thursday mornings for a Staff Bible Study. This year they worked through the Bible books of John and Exodus. Staff also read and spoke in Chapel services and assisted with Cru groups, including Friday Cru. In Term 2, the group used the 321 Course to explore the basics of Christianity.
Christian Studies Extension Christian Studies
Extension Christian Studies has continued for another year, with our first cohort, now in Year 11, completing the required units for a Certificate in Theology through Moore Theological College, an internationally recognised qualification. These students are to be highly commended for their outstanding achievement in completing this demanding and rigorous course in theology. More than 30 Year 10 students commenced their Units towards this course in 2025.
Partnerships with churches and other organisations
The Chaplaincy team partners with a range of external organisations to help students reflect on their learning, provide opportunities to serve, and see how the Christian faith impacts life beyond School. Through Christian Studies, we partnered with local churches as Year 7 and Year 11 students visited youth groups and evening services. These partnerships help students see faith beyond the Mint Gates and connect with local church communities.
A partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM) was also established to develop lessons on modern-day slavery for Year 8 Christian Studies and Chapel presentations with Year 10. These lessons encourage students to engage with the biblical call from Micah 6:8 - to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
Mission Aviation Fellowship visited the Year 7 Christian Studies classes, offering a VR experience that highlighted ways of serving others in remote parts of Australia. In addition, Year 11 students attended a Bible Masterclass hosted by Bible Society Australia, providing an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Scripture and its relevance today.
The Junior School Chaplaincy team also hosted parent courses, giving them a chance to explore Christianity and connect with local churches. Both the ‘3,2,1 Course’ and ‘Alpha’ in Mandarin, were beneficial to those who attended and wanted to discover more about the Christian faith.
Faith Week
Faith Week is an opportunity for students and staff to pause, reflect on where they are in their faith, and consider the next steps on their journey. In Term 3, we joined with churches and schools around Australia under the theme Hope25, encouraging our community to explore the distinctives of Christian hope and to reflect on where they place their own hope.
Parent Prayer Network
The Parent Prayer Network continued to meet each term to pray for the students, staff, and families of Barker College. In Term 3, families from each year group opened their homes to welcome parents and pray together. We are deeply grateful for the faithful support of our parent community in this way.
Christmas
Christmas at Barker is always a joyful and community-building time of year. The Gingerbread House making event continued to grow, with several hundred people gathering for an evening of creativity and reflection on the Christmas story. The Junior School Nativity, Cru-Carols, and Lessons and Carols services provided rich opportunities to celebrate together and to reflect on the historical grounding of the Christian story in the birth of Jesus.
It is a deep privilege to share in the life of this community - to walk alongside students, staff, and families, and to witness God’s grace at work in so many ways. In all we do, we give thanks for the hope of Christ that continues to shape and sustain our School.
Chaplaincy
Junior School
This year has been marked by exceptional student achievement, innovative curriculum implementation, and vibrant community engagement across all our campuses.
Academically, our students have excelled beyond expectations. The implementation of new NSW syllabuses in Mathematics and English continues successfully, with additional subjects rolling out over the next two years. Our NAPLAN results remained strong, with the majority of students performing in the top two bands. Notably, 63% of Year 3 students achieved Exceeding level in Reading, while 53% of Year 5 students excelled in Numeracy. The introduction of the Toddle Learning Management System as a pilot initially in Year 6 with their exhibition, has demonstrated opportunity for streamlining programming and enhancing communication with families on student progress and work samples. This will be further rolled out across 2026. There has also been a strengthened focus this year on tracking student progress and achievement data.
A heart for others through service learning continues to be an important component of the Junior School experience. Year 6 raised a record-breaking $44,742 for the Kids' Cancer Project through Write a Book in a Day, while Year 5's Mini Exhibition Market Day contributed $6,255 to Make a Wish Foundation.
Student creativity and problem solving shone through various competitions and curriculum-based activities. Charlotte Burnett's gold award in the WriteOn competition, with her work "Beautiful" published
nationally, and Gavin Zhang's recognition as "Best in School" in the Australian Mathematics Competition (top 1% in NSW), highlight the calibre of our young scholars.
Our Indigenous campuses continue to strengthen, with Darkinjung and Ngarralingayil showing encouraging NAPLAN growth and Dhupuma Barker celebrate the historic opening of their new school building on 10 December. The formal recognition of Yolŋu language proficiency through the NTILC curriculum represents a significant milestone in validating Indigenous cultural expertise.
In sport, our students represented at state and national levels across Swimming, Athletics, Snowsports, and Gymnastics. Our co-curricular programs flourished with 368 dancers, 10 music ensembles, and the successful transition to our own Dance program, Barker Dance, under Isabel Snowden.
It was pleasing to see such a strong community connection with our Junior School families through events such as Grandparents' Day, Mothers' and Fathers' Day celebrations, our expanded Parent Hope Project and the highly successful Spring Fair.
Martin Lubrano Head of Junior School
A heart for others through service learning continues to be an important component of the Junior School experience.
• Cold Write project successfully conducted across K-6 to assess writing skills and develop stagebased rubrics with common language across the School.
• Major focus on developing a comprehensive writing continuum across all year levels, along with the completion of a homework audit to develop a more consistent approach across year levels.
• Touch typing continued as a key skill, particularly for Year 4 students preparing for online NAPLAN.
• Emphasis on inquiry-based learning that builds mathematical curiosity and risk-taking and a focus on making mathematics fun and promoting growth mindset.
• Continued partnership with URSTRONG (since 2019) featuring speaker Tyson Greenwood.
• Whole-school Friendology program promoting positive mental health, wellbeing and friendship skills for PK-Year 6.
• Year 1 and Year 2 participated in Drama Immersion experience led by Year 10 students, featuring interactive theatrical journey through children's picture books.
• Parent Hope Project - Confident Parent Course: Two courses in 2025 with the second course catering for 40 parents. This four-week program was facilitated by Lisa Chalmers, Andrew Brown, Martin Conway.
• Book Week in August: "Book an Adventure" theme with MPH transformed into an airport.
• Student-Led Conferences (Pre-K - Year 6): Students led conversations with families, developing confidence, agency and metacognitive skills.
• Veterans Breakfast: 28 Year 12 students (seven began in Kindergarten 2013 - only third cohort since 1969) and their families joined staff across the School for breakfast to acknowledge their contributions to the School as Veterans.
• The Fleece Force - Prep Nativity production provided a wonderful opportunity for our youngest students to perform in front of a very appreciative audience.
Junior School
PYP Exhibitions
• Strong engagement in Units of Inquiry across all year levels, with notable inquiries including Year 1's communication study, Year 3's environmental relationships, and Year 6's biomimicry exploration.
• Year 6 PYP Exhibition in September: Theme "Sharing the Planet" - minimising disaster impact. This year’s creative opening ceremony was staged as a 'live news broadcast' with green screen, drone delivery and Italian announcements.
• All other year groups presented a mini-exhibition through one of their units of inquiry to family members.
Competitions
• Da Vinci Decathlon - Year 5 and 6 teams achieved excellent results across 10 disciplines. Year 5: 2nd place in English and Art & Poetry. Year 6: 2nd place in Mathematics.
• ICAS Results: Junior School results in this competition were higher than Australian average across all year groups and assessments. High performers included Year 4 Writing (5 High Distinctions) and Year 5 Maths (4 High Distinctions).
• Ethan Pang (Year 6) awarded an ICAS medal for outstanding performance in the Maths competition.
• Australian Mathematics Competition: 152 students participated with 69% receiving higher-level certificates. Year 3/4 (Middle Primary): Gavin Zhang, Heidi Li, Henry Xie received High Distinctions. Gavin Zhang: "Best in School" - top 1% of Year 4 students across NSW. 19 Distinction awards, 20 Credit
• Tournament of the Minds in August: Team of seven students received Honours in Social Sciences category after six-week preparation.
• IPSHA Virtual Art Show in August highlighted the works of 12 students whose artworks were selected for online gallery with 30+ schools participating.
• Young ICT Explorers competition conducted in Term 4 with 12 Junior School entries.
• Year 4 entry, "Shades of Protection" by Claire Wei and Dora Wang, awarded first in their category in NSW and now progress to the National level.
Junior School
Sport
The Junior School was well represented at the numerous sporting carnivals and competitions throughout 2025, with some exceptional results and personal bests recorded. Several students went on to represent the School at IPSHA, CIS, NSW State or National Championships.
NSW Representative and Champions:
• Basketball: Sophie Graham and Marco Adan selected for NSW CIS Girls’ and Boys’ teams respectively
• Brooklyn Kim (Year 3) placed 5th in NSW Primary Schools Swimming Championships (9yrs Boys 50m Freestyle)
• Scarlett Zdun and Maeve Elder were selected for IPSHA Girls Netball Team
• Eliza Saville was selected for NSWCIS Primary Girls Hockey Team
• Devin Ding was selected to compete in the 2025 NSW CIS Golf Championships
• Hallie Dantas was selected for NSWCIS Primary Girls Softball Team
• Hallie Dantas (Year 6) was selected NSW PSSA Girls Softball team (second consecutive year). The CIS team placed equal first at NSW PSSA Championships
• Jack Dorrans (Year 6) was selected for the NSW Combined Independent Schools Primary Boys Football Team
• Snowsports Team - NSW North Regional Championships (Perisher) - 29 students (K-Year 6) participated across Moguls, Alpine, and Ski Cross with 21 children qualifying for the NSW Championships. At the NSW Interschools ChampionshipsBarker placed 5th in the Primary Coeducational School Championships. There were 21 competitors across Alpine disciplines and 8 students were selected for the Australian Interschools Snowsport Championships at Mt Buller.
• Equestrian - Poppy Nandapalan (Year 2): Arndell International Equestrian Carnival - Best Presented Horse and Rider, Best Rider, Best Mount, Silver medal Best Trial.
• At the Combined Independent Schools Championships (September) - Medals were awarded to the following students - Kara McEwan: 2nd U/12 Girls Long Jump (4.14m); William Walker: 2nd U/10 Boys High Jump (1.33m); Junior Boys Relay placed 3rd place (58.79s)Orin Carlyle, Lachlan Melville, Robert Cameron, William Walker.
Junior School
• At the 2025 NSW PSSA Athletics Championships, Barker was represented by the following students:
» William Walker - 2nd Jnr Boys High Jump
» Kara McEwan - Personal best in Snr Girls Long Jump
» Jnr Boys 4x100m Relay - 3rd in heat. Did not progress to final. Team consisted of Robert Cameron, Lachlan Melville, Orin Carlyle and William Walker
National Representatives
• Gymnastics - Ayvah and Zarah Wyzenbeek attended the National Gymnastics Championships. Both girls performed exceptionally well, with Ayvah being awarded a bronze medal for Youth U13 Tumbling. She also attended the Olympic pathway training program.
• William Walker competed at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Junior High Jump.
Dance
The Junior School Dance program was brought in-house this year and students have demonstrated impressive progress in strength and technique, reflecting the benefits of nurturing talent within our own community. Recreational (REC) classes provide a safe, supportive environment for students to explore their preferred styles. In 2025, Barker Dance offered 11 REC classes, including new Kindy options: Dance for Joy Ballet and Jazz.
The program proudly supports six dedicated Competition Troupes that commit to weekly rehearsals and intensive weekend sessions in preparation for an exciting performance season. Their growth in strength, technique, courage, and teamwork is truly commendable.
The Barker Dance troupes achieved excellent results at Extreme Eisteddfod, Dance Spec Eisteddfod, and Sydney Eisteddfod at the iconic Opera House. Highlights included:
Extreme Eisteddfod
• Ruby (Years 5 - 6 Jazz): Highly Commended
• Onyx Boys (Years 3 - 6 Hip Hop): 2nd Place
• Topaz (Years 1 - 2 Jazz): 2nd Place
• Citrine (Years 3 - 6 Contemporary): 3rd Place
Dance Spec Eisteddfod
• Ruby: Highly Commended
• Emerald (Years 3 - 4 Jazz): 2nd Place
• Onyx Boys: 1st Place
• Citrine: Highly Commended
• Topaz: 1st Place
Sydney Eisteddfod
• Emerald: Highly Commended
• Citrine: 3rd Place
The highlight of 2025 was the inaugural Barker Dance Showcase - a full-scale production featuring talent and artistry from Kindergarten to Year 12 across two spectacular performances.
Junior School
NSW Indigenous Campuses
Tom Spencer began this year as the new Director of Aboriginal Campuses (NSW). Tom has wonderful experience with Darkinjung and Dhupuma. He has introduced several wonderful plans that have boosted connection with the Hornsby campus for both NSW campuses and continues to build enrolments at these campuses.
• 39 students enrolled at Darkinjung (including seven new kindergarten students) and four students at Ngarralingayil.
• Three Year 6 Darkinjung students began their Yarn Up transition program for high school.
• MiniLit literacy programs and Spelling Mastery lessons continued at Ngarralingayil and the Spelling Mastery program continued through Good to Great Schools with bi-termly data review meetings.
• MacqLit intensive intervention programs were run for literacy groups with all students assessed and placed at appropriate ability levels.
• 2025 NAPLAN results showed very good performances across both campuses in various areas.
• Connection established with Brighter Futures family preservation program to strengthen student support and create enrolment pathways.
• Students continued to participate in integrated programs at the Hornsby campus including Robotics, Chapel, Music, Swimming and Drama.
• Early Link Grant of $20,000 received from Aurizon to fund speech pathology and occupational therapy program that targets developmental delays, literacy, communication and emotional regulation.
• NAIDOC Day: Ngarralingayil students participated in fostering cultural exchange at St Phillip's Christian College. In Cessnock, the students hosted a stall for community visibility.
• Students from Darkinjung and Ngarralingayil represented their campuses with pride at the Barker College Whole School NAIDOC Assembly, supported by parents for the first time.
• The first 300 magic words for younger classrooms were reintroduced which has seen positive student engagement and vocabulary development.
• To mark Indigenous Literacy Day, students travelled to Sydney Opera House for a live show and private tour.
Sport and Co-Curricular
• Sporting Schools program commenced with a four-week gymnastics focus (Australian Government initiative providing free programs to build student confidence and capability).
• Allira (Year 3, Darkinjung) represented Darkinjung at the IPSHA Cross Country Championships at The Kings School.
• Ngarralingayil students joined the Laguna Primary School athletics day in late May.
• Sport in Schools program continued at Ngarralingayil during Darkinjung visits.
• AFL Sport in Schools program commenced Term 3.
NSW Indigenous Campuses | Junior School
Dhupuma Barker
Children continue to value their school experience and attendance remains well above averages across Northern Territory for Indigenous students. There is a strong teaching team who are developing and delivering programs to best meet the learning needs of the children, including both Balanda and Yolŋgu curriculum initiatives.
• Culture Tech mapping Dhupuma Barker curriculum with Indigenous seasons, cultural activities, and Australian Curriculum. Key developments included Yolŋgu thematic cycle roadmap, shared vision and values, theme unit planning, and digital tool integration.
• Baseline assessments commenced for FELA Phonics, DIBELS, PAT Reading/Numeracy, Dalwood Spelling, and Writing samples.
• Sounds Write phonics/reading program replaced Good to Great literacy programs (evidence-based approach).
• Kids Hub are developing a 12-month early intervention program with multi-agency support (OT, Speech, Physio, Literacy, Play therapy, Psychology).
• FaFT pilot school readiness program was launched for four-year-olds (Term 1 Transition students) and the program was well-received by community.
• Tatum Ansiewicz is developing Yolŋu language and culture programs with Charles Darwin University and implementing evidence-based phonics pedagogy for Yolŋu Matha (Dhuwala dialect).
• Core of Life Program (sexual health) was delivered collaboratively with Miwatj using bilingual staff.
• Co-Leaders (Lalambarri Yunupingu and Mitch O'Brien) met with Culture Tech's Josh Hughes and Cedric Marika, regarding technology integration respecting Yolŋgu cultural sensitivities.
• Sounds Write phonics program was implemented across K-6 with three trained staff groups and this program is showing a positive learning impact.
• On Country Learning was delivered more intentionally with stronger links to local language, culture, and NT priority areas. More purposeful thematic units integrating mathematics (e.g. saltwater hunting activities incorporating measurement and comparison) have been introduced.
• Work experience opportunities continue to be explored for Marayarr students within community organisations.
• NTILC Curriculum Recognition: For the first time, students' Yolŋu language and cultural proficiency will be formally recognised and reported as academic achievement aligned with government curriculum.
• Democracy in a Box - a Civic learning program from Parliament House supporting democratic values education has been introduced at the School.
• Community Mental Health Support: Raypirri Rom (community-based, culturally safe) and Miwatj Wellbeing team addressed student wellbeing and several staff completed their Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid course.
• New School Opening to be held with a special ceremony on 10 December 2025.
• Several visitors have been welcomed at the School from community organisations, universities and Barker staff. A special visit from the GovernorGeneral, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC was a highlight.
Dhupuma Barker | Junior School
Student Experience
• Students visited Gulkula for Yirritja/Dhuwa bush medicine studies.
• Kinship/Gurrutu learning with Yolŋgu co-teachers and elders connecting students to their heritage.
• The Marayarr students prepared goods and merchandise for sale at the Barker Spring Fair market stall, with several students travelling to Sydney in September for a week of learning. This allowed students to increase their on-country learning activities and build entrepreneurial skills.
• Collaborative sessions with Flinders University on Moietybased bush medicine (identifying, preparing, understanding traditional remedies) have been successfully run.
• Joint swimming lessons at town pool strengthened the FaFTYirrkala connections.
• Ongoing intergenerational activities with local aged care facility (painting, dancing, health discussions) via Miwatj.
• FaFT collaborated with local dietitian on healthy eating/ shopping in response to high diabetes and heart disease rates.
• Three students attended the representative AFL carnival in Darwin (accompanied by Coteacher and Yolŋgu elder Valerie).
• One student represented North East Arnhem Region at the NT Primary Schools Soccer Championships in Darwin.
• Six students participated in the North East Arnhem Region Interschool Swimming Championships (Sean Yunupingu standout performer in Under 13s).
• AFL skills sessions commenced through federally-funded Sports in Schools program.
• Hip Hop Program - this Outreach Program involves students in dance intensives and a video clip production.
• Books in Homes is an end of term event with author Wendy Orr (Nim's Island) and coincides with reports and attendance/ achievement celebration.
• Volunteer Program: This trial program at Marngarr drop-in centre is designed for Marayarr students to develop work skills.
• Health Programs this year have included the Miwatj No Smoking lesson and colour run at Gunyangara Oval addressing vaping concerns.
Middle School
As I reflect on 2025, I am immensely proud of what our Middle School community has achieved through our dual priorities of Connection and Organisation. These guiding principles have provided consistent messaging to students, parents, and teachers, creating a unified approach to supporting our young people during this critical developmental phase.
Connection has been at the heart of everything we've done. We've encouraged students to seek relationships beyond their friendship groups, engage meaningfully with teachers, and embrace the diverse opportunities Barker offers. Our inaugural Head of House/Parent/Student interview nights created vital new touchpoints for dialogue about student progress and goal-setting. These face-to-face conversations strengthened the home-school partnership in meaningful ways.
Organisation remains fundamental to student success. Through our emphasis on diary use and executive functioning skills, we've equipped students with practical tools for managing their academic responsibilities. ReAL Time (Responsible Approaches to Learning) in Year 7 and 8 embedded routines that created habits, allowing our students to develop their confidence and capacity.
Our Experiential Learning programs flourished this year. The Extended Stay program expanded to 192 students across eight
groups, while our innovative HomeBase Program provided an equally valuable three-week experience combining Grange camp, Warrah service, and Personal Interest Projects for those not travelling to the Northern Territory.
The year began with exceptional momentum - a two-day Year 7 orientation set the tone for a cohort that has thrived throughout 2025, alongside many successful new starters in Years 8 and 9. From Dr Matthew Hill's study skills sessions to the Teen Mental Health First Aid training now completed by all Year 7s, we've invested deliberately in student capability and wellbeing.
As we celebrate achievements in academics, sport, and co-curricular activities, I'm confident that our focus on Connection and Organisation has positioned our students for continued success as they navigate the exciting challenges ahead.
Tim Eastman Head of Middle School
Academic & Co-curricular Experiences
The School continued its programs to support the development of positive study habits for students in the High School.
ReAL (Responsible Approach to Learning) Time saw Years 7-8 engaging in ReAL sessions during Monday Connect group time. This dedicated time allows for the explicit teaching of organisation skills to support classroom learning. Several departments have developed a series of workbooks that provide students with helpful resources and activities to support this time.
Dr Matthew Hill from the Barker Institute, delivered an excellent Study Skills presentation to Year 7 parents and students. Topics covered included developing healthy habits, effective study locations, scheduling study programs, effective diary use, ways to study without homework, memory techniques and the importance of sleep. The central theme for this presentation was that habit forming requires discipline, trial and error, honest reflection and application. The presentation provided an important opportunity to kick start conversation between student, school, and parents about consistent academic approaches.
Director of Health & Wellbeing, Lisa Chalmers, introduced the “ Thinking Traps’ wellbeing program with Year 8 this year. The program aims to equip students with strategies to challenge and overcome unhelpful thoughts relating to anxiety and social relationships. The 60-minute sessions are led by trained psychologists, and it is a highly regarded program that has been implemented in numerous regional schools.
For the first time ever at Barker, four Year 9 students were enrolled in the Accelerated Music course (new NESA offering). These extremely talented students were required to compose a piece of music based on Australian land. All Year 7 students were trained over three weeks, in the Teen Mental Health First Aid Program. Upon completion of this course, all Years 7 and 8 will now be trained, contributing to a mentally healthy Middle School. The ageappropriate training for Years 7 - 9 empowers students with knowledge, skills and confidence to support peers. The program offers practical response plans for: anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, eating disorders, alcohol/drug use disorders,
psychotic disorders, suicidal thoughts/behaviours, self-harm, intoxication/substance misuse, bullying/abuse. It is aimed at normalising mental health conversations, reducing stigma and promoting help giving and seeking.
Members of the Middle School Round Square Committee participated in a series of Ethics Workshops with peers from MLC Burwood, Oxley College and Redlands College. The workshops offered a stimulating blend of intellectual challenge and creative reflection.
Middle School students were encouraged to access The Writing Centre on Level 2 of the Library - a resource for students and staff that can further promote and facilitate the ‘Writing Across the School’ initiative, led by Andrew Hood and Lucy Solomon.
Year 9 students and parents attended a presentation from the Careers staff about 'Careers at Barker’, aimed at starting conversations about their future.
Middle School
Outdoor Education & Service Learning
2025 marked a transformative year for Barker's Outdoor Education program, characterised by expansion, innovation, and a deepened commitment to experiential learning. A significant two-to-three-year refurbishment project commenced at our Grange facility at Mount Victoria, sensitively updating its décor while preserving the Blue Mountains warmth and charm that has welcomed generations of students, ensuring it continues to meet our evolving accommodation needs.
Year 7: Teen Ranch Week
Year 7 students experienced a dynamic introduction to Secondary School through Teen Ranch week in Cobbitty. The three-day program combined high ropes, horse riding, and water activities with a STEAM project-based learning day back on campus, where students designed rocketlaunching devices, applying group work skills, design elements, and construction precision while forging new friendships. A Languages Immersion Day featuring lion dance, gladiator shows, drumming, and crepe making, provided rich cultural context for their upcoming Year 8 language selection, perfectly blending orientation, friendshipbuilding, and innovative learning approaches.
Year 8: The Grange Experience
Our essential four-day Grange program continued to challenge Year 8 students through Housebased adventures in the Blue Mountains. This year's Year 8 cohort also pioneered a new whole-year-group camp at Royal National Park, south of Sydney, at the start of Term 4. With Barker staff and Boomerang Adventures team members, students spent a week hiking, camping, and participating in activities together - a fantastic milestone bringing the entire year group together for the first time.
Year 9: Extended Stay and HomeBase Programs
The Extended Stay program reached unprecedented participation levels with 192 students voluntarily embarking on the 18-day Northern Territory adventure. Across three distinctive elements - camp craft at Hamilton Downs cattle station, cultural immersion and community service at Black Tank outstation, and the highlight mountain biking and trekking on the Larapinta Trailstudents developed resilience, leadership, and cultural awareness under the expert guidance of Boomerang Adventures.
For the first time, students not attending Extended Stay, participated in the three-week HomeBase Program. This alternative pathway included a week at The Grange deepening outdoor skills and collaborative curiosity; a transformative week at Warrah School in Dural serving the disabled community through building, construction, and farming projects while living on-site fully immersed in this remarkable community; and a week devoted to Independent Projects exploring personal passions.
Service Learning
The Service Learning program for Years 7 - 9 continued to empower students to make meaningful contributions to their community through hands-on experiences. Each year group undertook service that connected their learning with real-world impact, developing empathy, environmental awareness, and social responsibility along the way.
Throughout the year, the Middle School students demonstrated maturity, compassion, respect and a genuine desire to help others. The Service Learning program reminded everyone that service is not only about giving - it’s about understanding, connecting, and making meaningful contributions as active citizens in our local community.
Year 7 students had the opportunity to champion sustainability through a schoolwide paper recycling program. They completed recycling across campus during their lunchtime. Their enthusiasm helped reduce school waste and encouraged peers to think critically about their
environmental footprint. The initiative sparked conversations about small actions leading to big change.
Year 8 students focused on building connections with local aged-care residents. During their visits they played board games, chatted and did some reading over a hot chocolate and cake. These authentic experiences worked to bridge generational gaps and bring joy to members of the community. Many students reflected on the importance of listening, empathy, and shared stories. Their efforts helped brighten the lives of residents while strengthening students’ understanding of compassion and service.
Year 8 students also engaged in the Year 8 Service Day. Partnered with ‘Take Love’, an Anglican organisation, they visited local aged care centres, a food and financial assistance warehouse and participated in a social justice workshop. The program is designed to encourage students to lift their eyes beyond themselves, gain perspective on the needs of others and consider how they can
make a positive contribution to their community. Students were happy to share about their learnings from the day, citing the significant impact that this service had on them.
Year 9 students partnered with Hornsby Connect, learning about food insecurity and the power of community support. Students organised hampers and assisted in distributing food to families in need. Beyond their service, students learned how teamwork and advocacy can make a tangible difference in addressing important social issues in our community.
Middle School
Senior School
I would like to congratulate our Senior School students for everything they have achieved in all aspects of their school life this year.
Driven by our School values of commitment, compassion, courage, integrity and respect, the Senior School remained steadfast in our pledge to know, guide and challenge every student in 2025. This holistic commitment incorporated supporting our students in their academic, character, wellbeing, co-curricular, leadership and spiritual elements of their education.
To enhance our capacity to honour this pledge and our Secondary School purpose statement: To know our students as learners and to recognise their needs as young people, a number of important strategic initiatives were introduced in the Senior School this year.
In 2025, we:
• Introduced a Grade Point Average (GPA). The GPA provides students and families with real-time and reported academic progress snapshots. Coupled with our existing Learner Agency grades, this data fosters meaningful conversations about achievement and approaches to learning in the classroom.
• Established a new Connect Time pastoral structure and curriculum. Our new hybrid model and partnership with Wellio, successfully provided opportunities for meaningful
connections within House groups and with Heads of House and Connect Group Leaders, while facilitating the delivery of relevant, age-appropriate wellbeing content.
• Created a new Octopus BI Dashboard. This dashboard enhanced our academic tracking capacities, facilitating data-driven conversations between teachers, pastoral staff and most recently parents. Working within our new student information system, Veracross, this dashboard enhanced our knowledge of every student and enabled us to proactively support their holistic development.
• Reinstated face-to-face parent, student and teacher, and parent, student and Head of House interviews. Based on MMG parent feedback and with over 90% parent attendance at all year level interviews, this change reaffirmed our families’ strong desire to engage with their child’s learning and connect with the broader community.
• Created timetabled supervised study lessons for our Year 12 students, studying 10 units. Following a successful trial in Term 4, 2024, this initiative saw Heads of Department and Heads of House provide individual and small group support for our students across a range of different subjects in the Senior School Hub. The students embraced this opportunity and we are confident the study lessons enhanced our students’ study routines and contributed to our outstanding HSC outcomes.
• Embedded Elevate Education study modules in Term 4. Elevate's high impact seminars & workshops helped our new Year 12 students improve their study techniques, increase motivation and build confidence as they commenced their final year of schooling.
• Enhanced our transition processes and orientation experiences for new Senior School students, including our existing Year 9 students as they move into Year 10.
I am proud that all Senior School students have grown and matured as young people and have acquired knowledge, as well as key learning skills. This important journey is best epitomised by our graduating Class of 2025. Our departing Year 12 students, equipped with an enduring connection, all possess the tools to chase their dreams and inspire global hope. We wish them well!
Thank you to the Senior School co-curricular and professional services staff, teachers, Connect Group Leaders, Heads of House and Deans of Senior School for your professionalism, dedication and unwavering support of our Senior School students.
Nick Moss Head of Senior School
Years 10-12
Highlights
New beginnings:
• Year 10 & Year 11 Orientation Day. To ensure our Year 10 and new Year 11 students enjoyed a smooth transition into the Senior School, we hosted an orientation day on 30 January. The purpose of the orientation day was to allow our students to build/ re-establish social connections with their peers, meet key pastoral staff and to learn about the Senior School. The day began with a chapel service, before the students rotated through four activities, in the company of their Head of House. The day finished with a Parent Supper with Heads of House and a plenary from Mr Heath.
• Year 11 Jumpstart Program - Year 11 is a significant milestone, as it marks the beginning of the Stage 6 NSW curriculum. To honour and support our students and their parents, we hosted our Jumpstart Student Assembly and a Jumpstart Parent Information Evening in early February. The purpose of the assembly and information session was to detail the requirements of the HSC, encourage our students to develop good habits and study routines and to advertise the diverse support and resources available to them.
• Year 12 Barker Big Start - Held in Week 1, Term 4, this program is designed to honour our new Year 12 students and prepare them for their final year of school, culminating with their HSC exams. The program includes a variety of presentations from senior staff and concluded with a full day excursion to Macquarie University, to allow our students to learn about tertiary pathways and to experience university life.
Year 10 Character and Enterprise
• The Year 10 Character and Enterprise "Pitch Day", hosted in September at the Wesley Conference Centre, saw our students transform from suburban school children into polished city professionals. Each student group presented compelling proposals to advance the work of our 38 partner organisations, embodying the professionalism and strategic thinking of seasoned executives. Their preparation, presentation skills, and genuine commitment to making a difference in the world left everyone present deeply impressed.
• The Term 4 Character & Enterprise Program was a key milestone for Year 10 students, offering meaningful opportunities for reflection, growth, and practical learning. Focusing on character development, goal setting, and resilience, students participated in a rich program that included: Impact Week, Academic Review Week, Hearts & Hands Week and the Adventure Camp. These experiences equip students to lead, take responsibility, and contribute to their community as they enter Year 11.
House Spirit
• To boost House spirit and connection, the Senior School Cross Country was reinstated, along with a number of interhouse activities. The winning Senior School House was Wilson House and a great day was had by all. Throughout the year, an interhouse spelling bee, history quiz, theatre sports, battle of the bands as well as maths and science competitions, were also hosted.
Student Leadership
• Anglican Prefects' Chapel Service
- In February, 30 Barker Prefects and School Leaders, along with five staff, attended the Anglican Prefects' Service at St Andrew's Cathedral. Hosted by the Archbishop, the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, our Prefects and School Leaders were commissioned in the Cathedral, before the Archbishop hosted a Q&A on leadership.
• International Women's Day Event
- In March, select Year 11 and 12 students attended Macquarie University's "Accelerate Action" event, with a focus on gender parity in workplace and challenges women face in male-dominated industries. Students engaged with keynote speaker Pippa Downes and panel discussions and had the opportunity to experience a university environment and network with speakers.
• Year 12 Prefect Afternoon TeaIn April, our student leaders organised and hosted this event with approximately 80 attendees from over 15 schools. With an Easter-themed afternoon, activities included egg and spoon race and egg hunt. The afternoon provided an excellent networking opportunity and leadership development with schools including Abbotsleigh, Redlands, Waverly, St Ives High, and Turramurra High.
• In July, 122 Year 11s enthusiastically participated in the Student Leadership Weekend. Led by GRIP Leadership, the course featured a variety of workshops, teambuilding challenges and a range of personal reflection activities. These activities were designed to help students identify and develop their leadership potential. Students truly relished this opportunity and enjoyed forming stronger connections with peers outside their usual
friendship groups. This was vividly exemplified by the epic group performances at the lip-sync battle that brought the event to a memorable close. Following this, the 2025/26 Senior School Student Leaders were appointed, comprising our School Captains, Spirit Captains, Prefects, House Captains and Activity Captains.
• Year 10 Monitor ProgramLaunched in Term 3, 151 Year 10 students signed up for this voluntary service program. The focus is on building leadership skills, mentoring, and service. The Year 10 Monitors were initially mentored by our outgoing Year 11 Monitors, before taking on this important responsibility.
Senior School
Wellbeing Initiatives
• Wellbeing and Safety Education
- In April, Brent Sanders addressed Year 10 and 12 cohorts on sexual violence, consent and the law, the effects of alcohol/ drugs, and peer care.
• Addiction and gambling - Dr Wayne Warburton addressed Year 11 on the dangers and impacts of addiction and gambling on the adolescent brain and outlined the signs to look out for self-care and for looking after friends.
• Year 10 PARTY ProgramSelected Year 10 students participated in an immersive risk-awareness experience at Hornsby Hospital. The students engaged with trauma surgeons, ICU/Emergency simulations, police youth liaison, survivor ambassador, and ambulance officers, and developed an understanding of consequences of risk-taking behaviours with key takeaways including "one decision can impact the rest of your life" and "look out for your friends".
• The Communicating with Confidence Program was run throughout 2025 with Year 10 and Year 11 students. This highly interactive five-week workshop was designed to develop their confidence as communicators. Student feedback indicated high engagement and that it was a unique and valuable experience.
Year 11 Career Mentoring Program
The 2025 Year 11 Career Mentoring Program provided 119 students and 51 mentors with a truly professional, enriching and memorable experience. This program offers students invaluable, first-hand exposure to careers and industries they are eager to explore, equipping them with deeper insights before making their post-Barker plans.
Our mentors represented a wonderfully diverse network including Barker alumni from leaving years 1982 to 2017, current parents, parents of alumni, our local Member of Parliament, two Barker staff members, and industry professionals with no direct Barker connection.
This year, 95 students also had the opportunity to spend a day in their mentor’s workplace. For many, this immersive experience was the standout highlight of the program, bringing industries and roles to life through meaningful, hands-on learning. Some of the experiences included Qantas, SASH veterinary hospital, Norton Rose Fulbright. ABC broadcasting, Deloitte, J&J, RAAF Richmond, Sissons architects, HSBC, Fox Sports.
HSC Major Works
Shape
Term 3 was a time to celebrate the efforts and success of our Year 12 students in subjects requiring a major project.
We particularly enjoyed the DT & IT Exhibition and the Visual Arts Exhibition, along with the Drama Showcase, the Extension 2 English Evening and the HSC Music performers concert and the Senior Ensembles Concert. The Textiles and Design Showcase Evening in the Rhodes Theatre, showcased many beautifully crafted garments.
The following students’ works were nominated for inclusion in the Shape exhibition. Shape is an annual exhibition of exemplary Major Projects develop by HSC Design and Technology students. The following students Industrial Technology Major Project have been nominated for possible inclusion in SHAPE:
Frederick Bown, Thomas Boyes, Noah Evans, Max Fitzgerald, Oliver Isemonger, William Kings, Spencer Kissick, Hugh Lucas, Georgie Phipson, Madeleine Treatt
The following students Design and Technology Major Design Project have been nominated for possible inclusion in SHAPE:
Tanner Allen, Yue Leon Chia, Samuel De Villiers, Marie Johnston, Jack Jones, Felix Larkin, Samuel Reso
ARTEXPRESS
The following students' works were nominated for inclusion in Art Express, an annual showcase of HSC Visual Arts:
Scarlett Nelson, Lucas Schreiber, Calindra Schmidt, Nicholas Skraem
Service Learning
Service Learning continued to be at the heart of the Senior School experience, shaping students who lead with empathy, act with purpose, and find joy in giving back. The generosity of staff and students alike ensures that Barker’s connection with the wider community grows stronger each year, transforming both those who serve and those who are served.
The year began with celebration and service as students partnered once again with the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter (HKWS) for two remarkable events marking the organisation’s 10th anniversary. At the commemorative luncheon, our volunteers welcomed guests and assisted throughout the day with warmth and professionalism. Later in the year, a much larger 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Mosman brought together hundreds of supporters to raise funds for HKWS’s new Wellbeing Hub at Westfield Hornsby. Barker students served beautifully, helping guests, managing seating, and contributing to the success of a memorable evening that embodied the spirit of compassion and community.
A new partnership was also established this year with the Salvation Army Gateway Café in Hornsby, where Year 11 students volunteered each Friday. Their work
involved serving meals, cleaning and, most importantly, spending time talking with community members. Their friendliness and willingness to connect created a welcoming atmosphere that quickly made this initiative a highlight of the Service Learning program.
Our connection with Clarke Road School continued to thrive, with two enthusiastic Year 10 groups supporting classroom activities each week in areas such as art, cooking and literacy. A record number of Barker students volunteered at the Clarke Road Athletics Carnival, held on Barker’s War Memorial Oval, while others assisted at the Swimming Carnival and helped weekly with swimming competency sessions. These experiences fostered joy, inclusion and confidence for all involved.
Year 10 students also continued their partnership with Darkinjung Barker, visiting the campus a couple of times each term to mentor younger students in English, spelling and mathematics. The days were filled with learning, laughter and friendship, as Barker students also joined in games during recess and lunch, strengthening bonds through shared experiences. This year, students from Ngarralingayil Barker also travelled to the Darkinjung campus to join in these activities, creating a vibrant connection
between all three Barker communities.
In addition, every fortnight Barker hosted Darkinjung students at the Hornsby campus for two engaging sessions. The first focused on robotics, where students collaborated to build and program robots, while the second centred on music, with shared learning and that fostered creativity and confidence.
As part of the Hearts + Hands Service Week, Year 10 students ventured into the local and wider community to serve in diverse settings. They packed food parcels at the Anglicare Warehouse, visited residents at aged-care facilities such as Roden Cutler Lodge and supported staff and students at Warrah Special School. These experiences offered students authentic opportunities to live out Barker’s values of compassion, integrity and respect in practical and meaningful ways.
TimeOut Basketball remained full of fun and laughter, with Year 11 students leading games and cheering alongside community members with disabilities. The Lifeline Book Fair at the end of the year, will be supported by eager volunteers from Years 10 and 11, ready to assist in raising funds for suicide prevention and mentalhealth support across the region.
Senior School
Boarding
Our boarders returned from the summer holidays to a newly refurbished boarding house, ready to dive into the year ahead.
The upgrades brought a fresh energy to the space, giving students a warm, modern, and welcoming environment to live and learn together.
The first Commitment Weekend, provided an opportunity for our students to come together as a group and was a great chance to get to know one another through leadership sessions, trivia, and a very memorable trip to Raging Waters.
Throughout the year, our boarders threw themselves into every opportunity to connect and celebrate life in our community. From the Boarders versus Day Students swimming race to competitive bake offs, rounds of mini golf, laser tag nights, and teppanyaki dinners, there was always something happening. More importantly, our students showed up for one another, cheering on their peers across sports and co-curricular events all year long.
Our community days were another highlight, including a combined student and parent lawn bowls afternoon and a special outing to Luna Park. The spirit of boarding really shone through at the Spring Fair, where boarders and their families proudly ran the boarding stall, sharing our home away from home with the wider school community.
One of the standout moments this year was Mamma Mia. The musical featured several boarders in key roles, and when the final curtain fell, the boarding house was absolutely buzzing. It was one of those nights that reminded us why shared experiences matter, they bring us closer and strengthen the fabric of our community.
We wrapped up the year with our Year 12 Celebration Dinner, a night filled with laughter, gratitude, and reflection. It was a wonderful chance to look back on how far our students have come, the friendships they have formed, and the memories that will stay with them long after Barker.
Marri Mittigar
As a parent, I feel incredibly grateful to be part of the Marri Mittigar community. From the very first day, the school has felt like a second home — warm, nurturing, and genuinely inclusive. The care and encouragement my daughter receives every day gives me such peace of mind, and I see her growing in confidence, happiness, and curiosity.
Fatemeh Taheri
As we complete our first full year of existence, we are grateful for the strong and connected community Marri Mittigar has become. Made up of many nationalities, ages and experiences, we have created a space where diversity is celebrated, and first language and culture valued and fostered. All children spend part of the week immersed in their first language so they learn the songs, the poems, the literature and history of their original countries. Strong literacy in the first language carries across to the second and subsequent languages. Additionally, it is possible one day that some of these children will return to their countries of origin.
Although originating from all corners of the world, we are unified in the purpose of education. To illustrate our unity in diversity, we each painted a rock and set them in a circle in our playground as a foundation stone.. Georgie Fleischer made possible a beautiful mural, painted by Arina Apostolova, depicting the signature flora of the countries of our founding students, fringed with gum leaves and the dove of peace and the Holy Spirit.
Stevens House continued its support of the Humanitarian program for the third year, with fundraising and volunteering at lunchtime. Many Barker students have become involved in our activities and given regular time to teach violin, Latin, play football, arrange craft activities, to name a few areas.
Remarkably, an average of 58 hours a week of volunteer labour has been given to Marri Mittigar. We have received support in areas such as literacy and numeracy, chess, catering for morning teas and other functions, working bees, medical and dental advice, housing support. The bulk of this comes from Barker families, but also some from people and organisations outside Barker, such as the Lions and Rotary Clubs.
As our families find their feet in Australia, they start to contribute their energy and unique skills to the School. The Stage 4 class was shown how to make a Ukrainian honey cake, while the Stage 3 children had a tutorial on flower arranging. Many hours of labour were given to make the Marri Mittigar stall at the Spring Fair a resounding success.
Marri Mittigar
A unifying passion amongst the Marri Mittigar students is football. A partnership with Real Madrid to participate in their social sports program was signed during the year. Student coaches from Barker have been trained to become certified Real Madrid social sports coaches and run the program at lunchtime. Other activities have been Robotics, Beach Safety, camping at the Grange and equine-assisted learning.
The unique nature of the School as the first special assistance school for children of refugee experience, has attracted many visitors, including Ambassador Waissi from Afghanistan, who joined our Persian class and chatted to the Dari and Farsi-speaking children.
Another unique feature of the School is the age range from 5-year-olds to 15-year-olds. This allows sibling groups to be kept intact and provides leadership opportunities for the older students. It also gives the distinct feeling of a close family, where there is evidence of deep connection but also inevitable squabbles, particularly on the handball court!
Julia West
Marri Mittigar Head of Campus
Marri Mittigar
Drama
Yr 12 Play: The Visit
Mr Ed Lembke-Hogan and Year 12 transformed Fredrich Dürrenmatt’s chilling parable about greed and community into a resonant and contemporary experience. With over 30 students involved both on and off the stage, the sophisticated production balanced the play’s biting humour with the haunting thematic undertones, inviting audiences to reflect on the cost of a morally bankrupt collective conscience. The Year 12 play was a truly memorable finale to this talented cohort’s time on the school stage.
Yr 11 Play: Cosi
The Year 11 production of ‘Cosi’, directed by Ms Jennie Bradbury, tackled Louis Nowra’s complex themes of love, mental health, and social change. The cast of 21 students embraced challenging roles with empathy and maturity, while the Ensemble contributed as Chorus, Assistant Directors and Dramaturgs. Behind the scenes, our crew of 12 ensured every technical element ran seamlessly. ‘Cosi’ was an entertaining celebration of student artistry and theatrical excellence.
Year 10 Play: Eclipse, Concord Floral, Black Comedy
This year’s Year 10 production was a collection of three short plays. Six talented Barker Drama Alumni, Anika Banerjee, Oliver Clisdell, Mia Heath, Harry Bartlett, Mikey Jones and Josh Merten, led the strong cast and crew of 41 students. The Year 10’s loved the opportunity to move beyond a traditional “school play” mentality and embraced the challenge of working with young Alumni directors, many of whom are currently forging their own careers in the Performing Arts Industry. This production was a celebration of different genres each connecting with the complexity of youth.
Winter Playhouse
Our annual curriculum and cocurriculum Creative and Performing Arts showcase is meant to be presented outside under the stars but due to the rain, we made a quick pivot to the BCMA Theatre. Banana bread and hot chocolate was served and the audience perused artwork and design creations of talented Barker students before being treated to a brilliant range of Drama
performances, Dance numbers and sneak peeks of the upcoming year group plays all ably hosted by the Year 12 Drama Captains - Emily and Michael. Here's hoping next year, the rain stays away!
Year 7/8 Drama Afterhours
Drama After Hours for 2025 saw a huge number of students with a whopping 60 showing up for the first session! Term 1 was centred around original pieces that were entirely concepted, created and directed by the students, leading to a showcase/competition. The winners of this were then submitted into competitions, including the Shakespeare Carnival. Term 2 and 3 was more of a “choose your own adventure” style unit, giving students the choice between creating a short film and learning musical theatre and Term 4 was filled with Drama games. It was a fantastic year for Drama After Hours and will have a lasting positive impact on all those involved.
Theatresports
Theatresports for Years 7 and 8 started up again in Term 3, after an invitation from Pymble Ladies
College for a friendly competition. It was an hilarious evening, and the students performed incredibly well, coming 4th place, despite competing against many senior students. Term 4 brought with it the Interschools’ Theatresports Schools Challenge. The students had the best time across the semester challenging themselves, building their confidence and are excited for more next year!
Barker goes Broadway
Drama Captains Emily and Michael were very excited to host this year’s Barker goes Broadway. For one night the Rhodes’ is turned into a New York theatre and a range of student groups perform their favourite Musical Theatre numbers. The audience were treated to performances from brave Year 7 solos through to the now iconic Year 12 closing number. It was a brilliant night and is yet another example of the talent and passion of Barker students. We can’t wait for next year.
Year 9 Play: The 39 Steps
Year 9 were lucky enough to work with professional theatre director
Mr Damien Ryan. Bringing to life
Patrick Barlow’s fast-paced and
comedic adaptation of the Hitchcock classic. The student cast and crew of over 30 delivered performances filled with wit, physical comedy and some brilliant use of shadow play. Embracing the play’s demanding blend of suspense and farce and the clever use of Damien’s professional experience the ensemble entertained full houses every night.
OnSTAGE Nominations
Group Performance:
Who brought the Mallet?
Mitchell Armstrong, Hollie Humphris, Emily Kunce, Skye Turner Kamp
James Arrowsmith, Will Evans, Zara Kellahan, Oscar Soames
The Space Race
Marcus Braxto-Boal, Zac Cuss, Indigo Fenson, Beatrice Meyer, Finlay Parker
For Our Sisters!
Keira Dostine, Ada Fettahlioglu, Claire Slawski, Zara Wilson
Something Wicked this way Comes
Luca Grace, Oliver Horan, Finley Pridmore, Rafael Teggins
Rumspringa
April Hatcher, Maria Kulish, Will Streeter, Annabel Cameron
Individual Project:
April Hatcher, Director’s Folio: Antigone
Cici Shen, Portfolio of Theatre Criticism
Zara Wilson, Portfolio of Theatre Criticism
Individual Performance:
James Arrowsmith Let It Rip
Annabel Cameron
Patsy's CATastrophy
Zachary Cuss To kill a mocking bird
Keira Dostine Avenue Q
William Evans Telephone Terrorists
Indigo Fenson The Letter
Ada Fettahlioglu
Songs for nobodies
Luca Grace Richard III
Scarlett Jones Olenna
Zara Kellahan Raquel
Maria Kulish Dear Lorrie
Emily Kunce
All the world's a stage we're going through
Beatrice Meyer I am not OK
Michael Papapantos The speech
Tilly Rickward The age of consent
Oscar Soames Tell-Tale Heart
Rafael Teggins The outsiders
Skye Turner Tell tale heart
Music
Music at Barker continues to thrive, driven by the enthusiasm of students who choose to get involved.
Even though participation is voluntary, the energy and commitment of our students show how strongly music connects with so many across the School. Our aim is to offer something for everyone, a place where students can make music together, build their skills, and enjoy being part of a shared musical community.
Each year begins with the Secondary Music Camp, an energising launch for our Senior ensembles. Later in Term 1, the Junior School Music Camp gives younger musicians a similar opportunity to connect, rehearse intensively, and prepare for the busy year ahead.
The performance calendar is shaped around two cornerstone community events, Symphony Under the Stars early in the year and The Red Thread Christmas Concert in December. These occasions bookend the students’ musical journey and highlight the range of ensembles across the program. A standout this year was the Jubilee Concert at Sydney Town Hall, which gave our most advanced groups the chance to perform new repertoire, including
several world premieres, and brought together a 350 voice choir of current students and alumni for a memorable performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and a newly commissioned work by Paul Jarman, Honor Non Honores
This year’s Music Week, held in Term 3, was our busiest yet. The week included Senior and Middle School ensemble concerts, lunchtime jams, busking sessions, the Year 9 Accelerated Music Class Depth Study Soirée, HSC showcase concerts, and the Year 12 Music Farewell Supper, bringing students, staff, and the wider community together to celebrate and enjoy what they love most.
Jazz and contemporary musicians featured in events such as Barker Swings, Coffee House, and the Spring Fair. Choirs, bands, and string ensembles from both the Junior and Secondary Schools also performed throughout the year, ensuring every part of the program had the chance to be heard. Together, these performances highlighted the central role music plays in the cultural and creative life of Barker.
Bands
2025 was a landmark year for the Barker Band program. The Wind Symphony premiered a new work, Ecology of the Soul by Australian composer Jodie Blackshaw, at the Jubilee Concert in Sydney Town Hall. Inspired by the Geuram Barker mural designed by Ethan Landy-Ariel, it offered a powerful reflection of our school’s story and values. The Wind Symphony also performed Viet Cuong’s Renewal with alumni Benjamin Weatherall and Oliver Wackett, Year 9 student Isabel Li, and staff member Graham Hunt, showcasing the strong connections across our musical community.
The program achieved outstanding results at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival (ASBOF), with Gold Awards for the Wind Symphony and the Junior School’s Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, and Concert Band, highlighting talent and dedication across all levels.
At the end of the year, the Tour Band travelled to the United States, performing and engaging in cultural experiences in New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
In the Junior School, the CoCurricular Ensembles Concert remained a highlight. The Training Band made their debut, while the Wind Orchestra and Concert Band impressed with skill, spirit, and enthusiasm, showcasing the talents of our youngest musicians.
Choirs
The Copeland Choir’s highlights included the Jubilee Concert at Sydney Town Hall, where they performed in the foyer, took part in the Finale, Honor Non Honores, and sang a key section of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. They also performed in a school assembly and contributed to the Junior School Ensembles Concert in Term 3. The choir finished the year with Christmas Chapel services, the Year 6 Graduation Assembly, and other seasonal performances. Their repertoire ranged from Beethoven, to folk songs and The Beatles, showing versatility and enthusiasm.
The Middle School Choir began the year at Music Camp, preparing repertoire for Symphony Under the Stars, which led to a successful performance of Something Told the Wild Geese and Glorious Isabel Li (Year 9) joined as accompanist for the Jubilee Finale
repertoire, highlighting the choir’s dedication and growth. In Term 3, the Middle School Concert included Turn Off Your Phones, Run To You (a cappella), and Ease on Down the Road, showcasing humour, precision, and energy. For Senior Choir, the Jubilee Concert provided an exciting change to the usual schedule. While continuing to work on popular and musical theatre repertoire for Symphony Under the Stars, the choir focused on Honor Non Honores and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, singing alongside alumni, Middle and Junior voices. Senior Choir resumed normal repertoire with a medley by Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Senior Ensembles Concert and finished the year at the Red Thread concert and Celebration.
Chamber Choir supported the School’s liturgical life, including Ash Wednesday, Lessons and Carols, and Year 12’s final chapel service. They also premiered Begin by Ben Ponniah and By the Rivers of Babylon by Saint-Saëns in the Chamber in the Chapel Concert. All choirs have shown skill, commitment, and ensemble spirit, giving students a welcoming and rewarding musical experience.
Strings
The Junior School String Program continued to grow, with around 140 students taking part. Tartini Strings and the Junior School Chamber Orchestra achieved success at the Sydney Eisteddfod. All Junior School orchestras contributed to assemblies and played a key role in the Junior School Ensembles and Red Thread concerts, showcasing their progress and commitment.
In the Secondary School, the Middle School String Orchestras continued to thrive, performing confidently at school events, particularly assemblies. The Chamber Orchestra, supported by Year 12 students, tackled challenging projects, including two major works at the Chamber in the Chapel concert. A highlight was their performance at the Jubilee Concert, which included the reprise of Benjamin Saffir’s commissioned piece, Cantiga, from their Spain tour last December. While there were no competition results this year due to Eisteddfod restrictions, the students’ performances remained outstanding.
The Symphony Orchestra featured prominently at the Jubilee Concert, performing the finale from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and taking part in the world premiere of Paul Jarman’s Honor Non
Honores. The orchestra also delivered high-quality performances at major events, including Symphony Under the Stars, the Senior Ensembles Concert, and the Red Thread Concert.
The growth and achievements of the string program reflect the dedication and commitment of our students, and the program continues to be an important part of the School’s musical life.
Jazz
The Barker Jazz program includes Stage Bands, Big Bands, Jazz Orchestras, and smaller jazz ensembles. These groups perform regularly at events such as Jazz Café and Barker Swings and provided music for school functions including the World Leading Schools Conference, the first day of school Welcome Back celebrations, the Spring Fair, and other community gatherings.
This year’s Barker Swings was a highlight of the calendar. The evening built energy throughout, beginning with cool jazz from the Jazz Ensembles and progressing to performances from beginner jazz students through to the Senior School Jazz Orchestra. It was a night of fine food, dancing, and exceptional music.
We were also delighted to welcome back former student and renowned Sydney jazz saxophonist Scott Kelly as a guest artist, providing an inspiring role model for our young musicians.
Rock
Contemporary music continues to be enjoyed by many Barker students. The Barker Rock Band Weekender, held in March, brought together aspiring Middle School rock musicians for focused rehearsals, a songwriting masterclass, and the opportunity to professionally record a song. The weekend concluded with a concert showcasing the students’ creativity and passion.
Coffee House remained a studentled highlight, organised by the Music Captains and featuring over twenty of Barker’s rock bands. Two events were held this year to meet the growing demand from informal bands, along with Coffee House Unplugged during Music Week.
Rock ensembles also performed at the Spring Fair, lunchtime jams, assemblies, Chapel services, and in local community rock band competitions.
Musical ProductionMamma Mia!
What stands out about a Barker production is the shared experience it creates. Mamma Mia! brought together performers from different year groups and a wide range of interests, not just musicians and actors, but also students involved in sport, cadets, and those who had never danced or acted before. Just as importantly, it connected them with the audience, creating a sense of community and shared joy. The cast, crew, and band shared an experience that will stay with them forever, made even more special by the energy and support of sold-out audiences. Our students worked with enormous dedication to bring the production to life.
Individual Student Achievements
HSC Music Encore Nominations
Encore is a concert that showcases the very best Year 12 HSC performances and compositions of the year. Students nominated for Encore are recognised as some of the top performers in the state.
Performance Nominations:
• Brianna Chen - Violin
• Leo Chin - Piano
• Amelia Diacopoulos - Saxophone
• Osin Du - Flute
• Stephanie Gu - Piano
• Elyssa Koh - Basson
• Leonard Tang - Violin
Composition Nominations:
• Amelia Diacopoulos
• Elyssa Koh
• Kevin Sun
• Joseph Whittaker
AMEB Diplomas
• Veronica Feng - Year 9 - Flute (with Distinction)
• Sophie Liu - Year 10 - Trombone
• Chloe Zhao - Year 10 - Piano
• Emma Zhu - Year 8 - Oboe
NSW Band Association
Championships Solos - First Place
• Veronica Feng - Year 9
» Open Flute & Piccolo
» Stewart Douglass Trophy
» Under 15 Duet (With Emily Liu)
» Under 15 Flute and Piccol
• Emily Liu - Year 9
» Under 15 Duet (with Veronica Feng)
• Stella Shin - Year 8
» Open High Tuba
• Isabel Li - Year 9
» Open Percussion - Mallet Keyboard
» Open Percussion - Snare Drum
» Open Percussion - Tympani
• Charlson Feng - Year 7
» Under 15 Double Reed
• Kayla Zhao - Year 9
» Under 15 Percussion - Drum Kit
» Under 15 Percussion - Mallet Keyboard
» Under 15 Percussion Champion
• Nicholas Weatherall - Year 8
» Under 15 Saxophone
• Sophie Liu - Year 10
» Under 15 Trombone
Robotics
Senior School
The Barker Redbacks had another outstanding year, finishing third in the FRC World Championship - an incredible achievement and the best result in our team’s history!
The season began with great success at the Southern Cross Regional in Australia, where the team maintained their title as National Champions, serving as Alliance Captain and taking home the Industrial Design Award. The great results continued at the Shanghai Regional, where the Redbacks were Finalists and received the Imagery Award for their creativity and team spirit.
It was also an exciting start for the Barker Greybacks, our second FRC team, who became tournament champions at the New Taipei Regional, winning the Industrial Design Award and qualifying for the World Championship for the second consecutive year.
All of this led to the FRC World Championship in Houston, USA, where the Barker Redbacks became Division Winners and advanced to the prestigious Einstein Finals for the second time. Competing among the top eight division champions in the world, the team showed remarkable skill, teamwork, and determinationultimately finishing third globally, marking the best achievement in Barker Robotics history.
For the FTC competitions, all our teams demonstrated great skill and determination, gaining valuable experience for the next challenges ahead in FRC. With strong results across all competitions, Barker Redbacks #11146 were crowned Australian Champions in their category, earning a place once again at the World Championship in Houston, where students had the opportunity to experience the global competition firsthand and deepen their understanding of scouting and strategy.
FRC Awards
Winners | FRC Southern Cross Regional, Australia
Industrial Design Award | FRC Southern Cross Regional, Australia
Finalists | FRC Shanghai Regional, China
Imagery Award | FRC Shanghai Regional, China
Industrial Design Award | Daly Division Winners | FRC World Championship, USA
Einstein Semi-finalists | FRC World Championship, USA
Winners | FRC Duel Down Under, Australia
Winners | FRC New Taipei Regional, Chinese Taipei
Industrial Design Award | FRC New Taipei Regional, Chinese Taipei
Finalists | FTC Asia Pacific Open Championship
Robotics in Middle and Junior School
Our VEX teams had an exceptional year, winning the VEX V5 National Championship at the end of 2025 for the first time, while the IQ Redbacks team won the most prestigious award in their category, the Excellence Award. Barker teams proudly represented Australia at the VEX World Championship Rapid Relay and High Stakes Season with outstanding results - some of the best yet for their categories. For the first time, one of our V5 teams advanced to the Finals, a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for our young students.
With the release of the new game, students were excited to return to Sydney and dive into learning new strategies and building even more advanced robots. With a great competition experience, several of our teams qualified for the National Competition in late November, with strong chances to represent Australia once again at next year’s World Championship, across both VEX IQ and V5 categories. We also hosted our annual Sydney State Qualifier for both VEX IQ and V5 divisions, as well as the Barker League, providing all our co-curricular robotics students with the opportunity to experience the thrill of competition and teamwork!
Awards
National Champions | VEX V5 2025
Australian National Championship
Think Award | VEX V5 2025
Australian National Championship
Amaze Award | VEX V5 2025
Australian National Championship
Excellence Award | VEX IQ 2025
Australian National Championship
Tournament Champions | VEX IQ
Knox State Qualifier
Judges Award | VEX IQ Knox State Qualifier
Design Award | VEX IQ Knox State Qualifier
Tournament Champions | VEX IQ Baker State Qualifier
Design Award | VEX IQ Baker State Qualifier
Robot Skills Champion | VEX V5 Pymble State Qualifier
Innovate Award | VEX V5 Pymble State Qualifier
Excellence Award | VEX V5 Pymble State Qualifier
Design Award | VEX V5 Baker State Qualifier
Tournament Champions | VEX V5 Baker State Qualifier
Excellence Award | VEX V5 Baker State Qualifier
Robot Skills Champion | VEX V5 Santa Sabina State Qualifier
Excellence Award | VEX V5 Santa Sabina State Qualifier
NSW VEX State Championship
VEX V5RC
Excellence Award | Robot Skills Champion | Tournament Finalists Judges Award
Innovate Award
Amaze Award
VIQ Division
Teamwork Champion Award
Teamwork 3rd Place | Build Award
Teamwork 3rd Place | Create Award
Teamwork 4th Place
Indigenous Campuses
It was another fantastic year for all Barker Indigenous Campuses, with students engaging weekly in the exciting world of roboticslearning the dynamics of building, driving, and programming throughout the year.
For the third consecutive year, Darkinjung School proudly hosted the VEX IQ State Interschool Qualifier, an event that continues to be a major success and a highlight within the VEX school community.
In the Northern Territory, our robotics teams travelled each term to work closely with students, supporting learning and collaboration while delivering the third edition of the VEX IQ Interschool Competition.
Cadets
2025 was a magnificent year for the Barker College Cadet Unit, with leadership development at the forefront of all activities throughout the year, culminating in the BCCU winning the CAS Military Skills Competition for the first time since 2007!
Annual Field Exercise
The cadet year kicked into action with the Annual Field Exercise (AFX) being held during the April school holidays at Sector 8 on the Singleton Military Range. The Australian Army Cadet values of Courage, Initiative, Teamwork and Respect were all on show throughout the week-long camp.
This year the unit had many special guests, including the Head of Middle School, Tim Eastman, and Head of Senior School, Nick Moss, who spent a day visiting all the companies at various locations across the range undertaking a wide range of activities.
Reverend Pete Tong also visited for a night, conducting an amazing bush chapel (with obligatory magic show) held in the mock Forward Operating Base located on the range.
A highlight for all new recruits on their first AFX was the abseiling, which this year was at the magnificent Wallaby Rock location in Sector 8. Recruits could tackle a small, introductory descent before progressing to a larger drop.
Cadets
Tech/PR Visit to Broke School
The Tech/PR cadets conducted some community outreach during AFX, visiting the local public primary school in Broke to deliver some STEM sessions for the kids (and excited staff!). Day one involved the K-2 students enjoying robodog soccer and flying small Tello drones around their classroom. Day two saw the older students in Years 3-6 also piloting robodog as well as attempting to fly FPV drones. The success of the flying varied, but the students were all delighted by our visit and asked us to return next year.
Promos
In the mid-year holidays, the BCCU promotions course was held back at the Singleton Military Base, where cadets were accommodated in barracks as they undertook leadership development activities. Two leadership courses were conducted to advance cadets into Junior and Senior leadership roles within the Unit. These programs provided cadets with essential instruction in leadership and effective collaboration for both activity planning and field operations.
During the Junior Leadership Course (JLC), participants were trained in platoon leadership and lesson delivery, followed by evaluations assessing their proficiency in applying what they had learnt to Junior cadets. Leadership roles and ranks were subsequently assigned based on their performance.
In the Senior Leadership Course (SLC), cadets were taught how to design and facilitate lessons, and were evaluated on their instructional capabilities, teamwork, and ability to manage activities.
Concurrently, a group of younger cadets were engaged in the Barker College Adventure Training (BCAT) program, which emphasised advanced fieldcraft and discipline. Participants camped in tents and hutchies in the nearby Closed Training Area throughout the duration of the course.
Legacy
The BCCU continued to work with the Legacy Foundation to sell items and accept donations raising money for the families of veterans. Cadets in uniform represented the unit at Hornsby and Waitara train stations over the course of a week, raising a total of $5500, which was over half of the collection area total!
Spring Fair
The BCCU had a big presence at the Barker Spring Fair in September, operating a rockclimbing wall, a camouflage face painting and photo booth station, as well as a parent volunteer run BBQ stall, which all raised funds that went straight back to the BCCU.
Term 3 Bivouac
Term 3 Bivouac was the first opportunity for the newly appointed Junior and Senior rank to practice their leadership skills in a field environment in preparation for next year’s AFX.
The recruits being instructed received lessons in critical field skills such as navigation, radio communication, tactical movement and fieldcraft.
This year a new location was introduced, with Alpha and Bravo companies spending a couple of nights at Dillon’s Farm in a beautiful valley just southwest of Woy Woy. The highlight of this location was the impressive rockface of the old quarry used for the Alpha and Bravo abseil.
As always, a special thanks went out to all the parent volunteers for providing amazing meals each day keeping the cadets fuelled and active.
Richmond Airshow
Hot on the heels of Term 3 Bivouac, twelve lucky senior cadets visited the Richmond Airshow for a day. The cadets loved viewing and interacting with the military vehicles and equipment on display. Apart from the insane flybys of the F18 and F35 aircraft, a highlight for the cadets was the chance to go patch hunting and complete patch swaps with the huge range of different people attending the show.
CAS Military Skills Competition
The year finished on a high with the BCCU taking out the CAS Military Skills Competition for the first time since 2007! The event was help at Scheyville National Park, with the team lead admirably by the newly appointed leaders.
Cadets
Duke of Edinburgh
This year, our Duke of Edinburgh program has continued to flourish, particularly in our Bronze program, which saw significant engagement and growth. The impact of participants in the Service section of the Award is truly noteworthy, with hundreds of hours dedicated to various community initiatives. One such initiative is Dignity Dishes, where Bronze, Silver and Gold Awardees have worked tirelessly to support local homeless individuals, providing over 1,500 frozen meals and essential resources.
The Grange staff successfully hosted two distinct and challenging Gold level Adventurous Journeys. Our winter expedition traversed the Coxs
River as part of the Cliffs and Crags project, where participants tackled abseiling and rock climbing. In the Spring, groups ventured into the breathtaking canyons and valleys of the Blue Mountains.
Our revamped Year 10 program has attracted nearly 70 participants eager to pursue the Silver Award. This year, many faced the challenge of completing the Coxs River hike, enjoying perfect spring conditions. The Bronze program continues to shine brightly, with our dedicated Middle School earning an impressive 162 Bronze Awards.
In a remarkable achievement, fourteen Year 12 participants earned Gold Awards in 2025.
I have learned that I am more resilient and capable than I thought, both physically and mentally. I have grown in confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving, and I now approach challenges with a calmer, more determined mindset.
I value the sense of accomplishment and personal growth that comes from completing each section of the Award, especially Gold. I also appreciate the friendships, teamwork, and unforgettable experiences that these expeditions have given me.
I am grateful for the Award leaders and Grange staff at Barker, who over many years have put in the hard work to make these trips possible. They have helped all of us make the most of our Duke of Edinburgh experience.”
Annabelle G
Duke of Edinburgh
Debating, Public Speaking, Mock Trial and Model United Nations
There were some excellent individual and team performances across the year, in an increasingly competitive arena.
It was a highly competitive year in the world of Debating, Public Speaking, Mock Trial and Model United Nations with a comprehensive offering of speaking opportunities, often travelling across Sydney, for Friday night debates or mock trials, as well as increasing participation in the online SDC Friday afternoon debating competition. We also competed in, or hosted, some key Model United Nations events at Barker and further afield.
Public Speaking, Debating and Model United Nations highlights
• Lawrence Campbell Oratory speaker - Donnie Zhao
• NSW Junior Secondary Speaking Award Zone Finalist: Isabella di Genova
• NSW Junior Secondary Speaking Award Northern Regional Finalist: Sebastian Linton
• NSW Rostrum Voice of Youth Award - Northern Regional Finalist: Sebastian Linton
• NSW Plain English-Speaking Award Northern Regional Finalist: Donnie Zhao
• Public Speaking competition winners - Isabella di Genova, Sebastian Linton, Donnie Zhao
• ISDA Senior B Semi Finalists (final 4 of 32 schools)
• ISDA Year 10 Quarter Finalists (final 8 of 32 schools)
• ISDA Year 8 Quarter Finalists (final 8 of 32 schools)
• ISDA Year 9 Octo Finalists (final 16 of 32 schools)
• FED Senior A Quarter Finalists (final 8 of 14 schools)
• FED 8A Grand Finalists (final 2 of 14 schools)
• FED 7A Semi Finalists (final 4 of 14 schools)
• CAS 10Bs unofficial premiers
• CAS Thirds, Fourths, 9Bs, 7Bs second equal
• CAS Shield - Third Place
• CAS Representative DebatingCAS Thirds - Donnie Zhao
• Mock Trial Team - final 16 schools in NSW
Debating & Public Speaking
Model United Nations
In 2025, Barker College and Knox Grammar School jointly hosted the inaugural KB Model United Nations (KBMUN), a collaborative event designed to inspire global thinking and the art of diplomacy among students. The first KBMUN brought together Barker and Knox students to debate pressing global issues and highlight the strength of student voice.
On day one, a workshop at Barker equipped delegates with essential MUN skills, while the following day saw over 250 students from approximately 45 schools gather at Knox to engage in dynamic debates, negotiations, and collaboration. Across both days, assemblies at each campus were addressed by the Head of Barker College, Mr Phillip Heath, and the Headmaster of Knox Grammar, Mr James, who spoke about the importance of international cooperation and dialogue.
This student driven, two-day initiative was a resounding success, culminating in individual speaker awards and a celebration of diplomacy in action. KBMUN 2025 stands as a powerful example of the strength of collaboration between our two schools and the inspiring potential of student leadership.
Mock Trial
Each year, Barker enters the NSW Law Society Mock Trial competition, with some extraordinary results over the years, including winning the competition in 2014. This year, 100 schools participated from across NSW. Each round requires significant research, practice and case preparation before each 3-4 hour trial. Trials are judged by professionals in the legal industry and provide students with a unique opportunity to receive encouraging advice about pursuing legal careers.
The Barker team this year was a dedicated group of Year 10 and 11 students including barristers Hudson Donovan, Sarah Seo, Ellie Burgess and Donnie Zhao, solicitor Claire Park, court officer Elizabeth Li and witnesses Charlize FunkeAndrews, Leo Peng, Hanako Gilbert and Felix Lee.
Barker successfully progressed through the round robin trials to reach the top 32 schools, achieving victories against very strong teams. In the elimination phase of the competition, Barker defeated Loreto Normanhurst to reach the top 16 schools in NSW before falling just short to Chevalier College. The Barker students involved experienced the full
gambit of legal matters over the course of the competition this year acting in both civil and criminal cases with matters ranging from vandalism of public property, defamation, sending threatening text messages, theft from an ATM, and a slip and fall at a supermarket. Despite their busy schedules, the team’s enthusiasm and talent were evident throughout the competition, driven by a genuine interest in the law and the art of courtroom advocacy.
Sport
Throughout 2025, Barker students embraced an extraordinary range of sporting opportunities, honing their skills, building character, and proudly wearing the Red.
Sport once again delivered the full spectrum of emotions - from exhilarating victories to heartbreaking defeats. We witnessed moments of individual brilliance alongside teams uniting to achieve what many thought impossible, lifting trophies at the end of fiercely contested seasons.
These highs and lows, combined with the unwavering support of the ‘Reds’ community, are what make Barker sport so special - and what will inspire us all to return and do it again next year.
Team Awards
AFL
Girls 1st Independent Schools Girls Competition Runners Up
Girls 3rd Independent Schools
Girls Competition Runners Up
Girls 7/8A Independent Schools
Girls Competition Runners Up
Athletics
NSW Schools Challenge Senior Boys 2nd Place (2024)
NSW Schools Challenge
Intermediate Boys 2nd Place (2024)
National Schools Challenge
Intermediate Boys 5th Place (2024)
ISA Division 1 Overall Champions
ISA Division 1 Junior Champions
ISA Division 1 Intermediate Champions
ISA Division 1 Senior Champions
CAS Overall 5th Place
Basketball
Australian School Championships
- Championship Division 3rd Place (2024)
NSW All Schools Girls School Play Off Champions
NSW CIS Secondary Girls School Play Off Champions
ISA Open 1st Division Champions
ISA Opens 2nd Division Champions
ISA Open 3rd Division Runners Up
ISA Open 6th Runners Up
ISA Junior A Runners Up
Cricket
CAS Bruce Wood T20 Trophy
CAS F H Archer Shield
Girls Northern Districts Cup Runners Up
Cross Country
ISA Girls Overall Champions
ISA Junior Girls 1st Place
ISA Intermediate Girls 1st Place
Dance - Sydney Eisteddfod
Open Lyrical - Highly Commended
Open Contemporary - Highly Commended
Open Hip Hop - Highly Commended
Dance - Extreme Eisteddfod
Middle School Jazz - Highly Commended
Open Lyrical - Highly Commended
Open Contemporary - Highly Commended
Open Jazz - Highly Commended
Open Hip Hop - 2nd Place
Dance - Dance Spec Eisteddfod
Open Hip Hop Troupe - 1st Place
Open Lyrical - 2nd Place
Open Jazz - 3rd Place
Open Contemporary - Highly Commended
Middle School Jazz - Highly Commended
Dance Life Unite Eisteddfod
Lyrical Contemporary Troupe4th Place
Open Lyrical Troupe - 4th Place
Open Contemporary TroupeHighly Commended
Open Jazz Troupe - 1st Place
Open Hip Hop Troupe - 2nd Place
JFH Troupe - 2nd Place
The Hills Dance Spectacular
Middle School Jazz Troupe - Highly Commended
Fencing
Australian Senior Schools' Championships Girls' Foil Team - 2nd Place
RA White & AJ Rae Girls Foil Schools Team - 2nd Place
RA White & AJ Rae Boys Epee Schools Team - 3rd Place
NSW Schools' Fencing League Championships U16A Foil Team - 2nd Place
NSW Schools' Fencing League Championships U16B Foil Team - 1st Place
NSW Schools' Fencing League Championships U19 Epee Team2nd Place
NSW Schools' Fencing League Championships U14B Girls Foil Team - 3rd Place
NSW Schools' Fencing League Championships U14 Epee Team2nd Place
Football
ISA Champion School
ISA Senior 1st - Champions
ISA Junior A - Champions
ISA Junior D - Runners Up
Hockey
ISA Senior 3rd - Champions
Netball
ISA Senior 1st - Runners Up
ISA Senior 2nd - Runners Up
ISA Inter A - Champions
ISA Inter B - Champions
ISA Inter E - Champions
ISA Junior B - Champions
ISA Junior E - Runners Up
ISA Junior G - Runners Up
ISA Junior J - Runners Up
Rowing Head of the River
Year 8 Schoolgirl Single ScullBronze
Year 9 Schoolboy Double ScullGold
Year 8 Schoolboy Double ScullBronze
Rugby
1st XV CAS Premiers - Henry Plume
Shield
Manu Sutherland Schools Shield
Rugby 7s
1st NSW Schools
Chloe Dalton
Competition Term 4 2024 Premiers
Inter NSW Schools
Chloe Dalton
Competition Term 4 2024 Premiers
Junior NSW Schools
Chloe Dalton
Competition Term 4 2024 Premiers
1st NSW Schools
Chloe Dalton
Competition Term 1 2025 Premiers
2nd NSW Schools
Chloe Dalton
Competition Term 1 2025 3rd Place
Inter NSW Schools
Chloe Dalton
Competition Term 1 2025 Runners Up
Junior NSW Schools
Chloe Dalton
Competition Term 1 2025 Runners Up
Softball
Open 1st Division Champions
Junior A Division Runners Up Squash
Summer 1st - Runners Up
Summer 2nd - Premiers
Summer 3rd - Premiers
Summer 4th - Runners Up
Summer 5ths - Premiers
Summer 6ths - 6th Place
Winter 1st - 3rd Place
Winter 2nd - Runners Up
Winter 3rd - 3rd Place
Winter 4th - 3rd Place
Winter 6th - Premiers
Winter 7th - Runners Up
Surf Life Saving
Bungan Challenge Winners - Girls Division
Sport
Swimming
ISA Overall Division 1 Champions
ISA Junior Division - 1st Place
ISA Intermediate Division - 1st Place
ISA Senior Division - 1st Place
CAS Overall - 4th Place
Touch Football
ISA Junior A - Champions
ISA Open 1st - Runners Up
ISA Open 5ths - Champions
Volleyball
Volleyball Girl's Winter Junior A
- Monte Invitational Champions
Volleyball Girl's Winter Inter A
- Monte Invitational Runners Up
Volleyball Girl's Winter 1st - Monte Invitational 3rd Place
Volleyball Girls' Summer Junior A
- Monte Invitational Champions
Volleyball Girls' Summer 1st -
Monte Invitational Runners Up
Sports Representation
AFL
National Girls U18 Championships
- Allies Team
Kiera Yerbury
NSW All Schools U15 Team
Tyler Powell
CIS U15 Girls Team
Bree Hirst
CIS U15 Boys Team
Tyler Powell
Athletics
Australian Open Para-Athletics Team - 400m
Cooper Robb-Jackson
Australian Track & Field
Championships
Jessica Bradford
Curtis Cui
Ashley Hogan
Toby McIntyre
Coby Neal
Tyson Neal
Sienna Phillips
Cooper Phillips
Cooper Robb-Jackson
NSW All Schools Team (December 2025)
Cameron Batey
Ashley Hogan
Tyson Neal
Sienna Phillips
Coby Neal
Joel Stovold
CIS Merit Team
Jessica Bradford
Sienna Phillips
Baseball
CIS Team
Samuel Barden
Basketball
NSW U20 Women's Team
Jessie-May Hall
Lucy Mead
NSW U18 Boy's Metro State
Archie Lucas
NSW U18 Girl's Metro State
Peyton Skinner
NSW U16 Girl's Metro State
Sasha Clague
Emma Lukell
Izabella Mansory
NSW All Schools 19 & Under Team
Lucy Mead
NSW All Schools 16 & Under Team
Peyton Skinner
NSW All Schools 16 & Under Team
Archie Lucas
CIS Team
Lucy Mead
CIS 16 & Under Girl's Team
Elley Hawken
Peyton Skinner
CIS 16 & Under Boy's Team
Archie Lucas
Cricket
Australian 19 & Under Team
William Byrom
NSW All Schools 19 & Under Team
William Byrom
NSW U17 Metro Team
William Byrom
CIS Team
William Byrom
Cross Country
NSW All Schools Team
Sienna Phillips
CIS Team
Jessica Bradford
Daniel Edwards
Ivy Kim
Sienna Phillips
Dance
Outstanding Performer -
Musical Theatre Recreational
Ivy Cale
Outstanding PerformerYear 7 Lyrical Recreational
Scarlett Pfitzner
Outstanding Performer -
Middle School Jazz Troupe
Dylan Yuen
Outstanding PerformerHip Hop Recreational
Sophia Luque
Outstanding PerformerJazz Recreational
Alexis Hughes
Outstanding PerformerBallet Recreational
Emmie Yang
Outstanding PerformerTap Recreational
Isabella Di Genova
Outstanding PerformerOpen Lyrical Troupe
Lara Ehlers
Outstanding PerformerLyrical Recreational
Celina Zhang
Outstanding PerformerLyrical Contemporary Troupe
Joanne Du
Outstanding PerformerJazz Funk Hip Hop Troupe
Frankie Moss
Outstanding PerformerOpen Contemporary Troupe
Claudia Wang
Outstanding PerformerBarker Dance Company
Meg Anderson
Outstanding PerformerOpen Hip Hop Troupe
Meg Anderson
Outstanding PerformerOpen Jazz Troupe
Georgie Pallister
Dance Spec EisteddfodOutstanding Integration of Technical Elements
Joanne Du
Chloe Conoulty
Neve Parker
Dance Spec EisteddfodMost Creative Staging
Leilani Kazaglis
Indiana Roche
Chloe Conoulty
Neve Parker
Dance Spec EisteddfodMost Innovative Concept
Emily Loughran-Fowlds
Diving
Australian Junior Squad
Lachlan Abbott
Great Britain Elite Junior Championships
Lachlan Abbott
Canada Cup of Diving
Lachlan Abbott
American Cup of Diving
Lachlan Abbott
Southern Cross Diving Series
Lachlan Abbott
Fencing
Australian Fencing Federation
Senior School Championships
Aditi Subramanian
Andrew Lam
Brianna Chen
Brendan Lau
Curtis Kennedy
Donnie Zhao
Eric Ye
Flynn Larkin
Ivy Huang
Joona Erasmus
Leo Cachia
Louis Treatt
Max Sherrard
Navanj Giria
Nea Erasmus
Nicholas Lance
Oskar Biggart
Rhys McMullen
Ronan Herbert
Scott Holmes
Qin Lu
Football
Australian U17 Team
- Junior Matildas
Tessa Young
NSW U18 Metro Team
Tessa Young
Futsal
U14 Boys NSW Country Team
Bryce Corbishley
NSW Boys U14 Thunder Team
Oscar Davy-Griffiths
NSW Girls U15 Lightning Team
Tessa Young
Hockey
CIS 15 & Under Team
James Hilzinger
CIS 15 & Under Team
Chloe Young
Emily Woods-McConville
Indoor Hockey
NSW Boys U14 Blues Team
James Hilzinger
NSW Girls U14 Blues Team
Emily Woods-McConville
Chloe Young
Netball
CIS Team
Georgia Wood
Rugby
Australian U18 Team
TJ Talaileva
Tahj Smith
Australian Schoolboys Team
Keegan Daly
Jeremy Rath
NSW U18 Waratahs 1st XV
Keegan Daly
Harrison Dene
TJ Talaileva
Tahj Smith
Player of National Interest Squad
TJ Talaileva
NSW U18 Schools - 1st Team
Tahj Smith
Harrison Dene
NSW U18 Schools - 2nd Team
Matthew Harrison
Keegan Daly
Jeremy Rath
James Archer
NSW U16 Schools A Team
Ashley Dene
NSW U16 Schools B Team
Bryn Wooldridge
NSW U16 Sydney Team
Billy Miller
Jack Procter
Jack Smith
U16 Waratahs Team
Izak Holmes
Jayden Richards
NSW U16 Presidents' XV
Ashley Dene
NSW U15 Next Gen Team Baxter
Max Wintzer
NSW U15 Sydney Team
Max Wintzer
NSW U15 Waratahs Team
Lorima Ravouvou Seuseu
Cruz Holmes
Max Wintzer
NSW U15 Next Gen Team Baxter
Jack Graham
NSW U15 Next Gen Team Waugh
Cruz Holmes
Thomas Jackson
NSW U15 Sydney Team
Cruz Holmes
NSW U14 Sydney Team
Coby Neal
Rugby 7s
Australian Schoolgirls
U18 Merit Team
Darcie Prosser-Shaw
Waratahs Women's Elite 7s Program
Darcie Prosser-Shaw
NSW I U18 Girls' Team
Darcie Prosser-Shaw
NSW II U18 Girls' Team
Sydney Davis
NSW U17 Girls' Team
Darcie Prosser-Shaw
NSW U17 Boys' Team
Boston Byrne
Hugo Wilson
Jack Procter
Jeremy Rath
Lucas Ward
NSW U16 II Team
Bondi Werner
NSW U15 Team
Emily Afonso
CIS 1st Team
Sydney Davis
Darcie Prosser-Shaw
CIS 2nd Team
Evie Scott
CIS 16 & Under Red Team
Bondi Werner
CIS 16 & Under Blue Team
Emily Afonso
Rugby 15s NSW U18 XV Team
Sydney Davis
NSW U18 Sydney City Team
Sydney Davis
Rugby League
CIS U15 Team
Thomas Jackson
Lorima Ravouvou Seuseu
Snowsports
Australian Interschools Championships
Max Cook
Hugh Giffin
Lachlan Pennington
Eric Ye
Anouk Engelbrecht
Haoying Zhao
Cooper Cook
Henry Woon
Ivy Wu
Femke Engelbrecht
Shawn Li
Ellie Burgess
Callum Cook
Sophia Klau
Derek Ye
Haonan Zhao
Tong Zhu
Dylan Dobson
Olivia Lin
Millie Richter
Skye Turner
Interschools NSW, ACT & QLD
State Championships
Max Cook
Hugh Giffin
Helen Jiang
Lachlan Pennington
Scarlett Pfitzner
Brandon Sun
Eric Ye
Vinnie Douglas
Anouk Engelbrecht
Elliot Lange
Sebastian Moxon
William Wang
Haoying Zhao
Cooper Cook
Brayden Lyu
Henry Woon
Ivy Wu
Coco Wu
Yujia Zhu
Femke Engelbrecht
Ronan Herbert
Shawn Li
Ellie Burgess
Callum Cook
Tom Kent
Sophia Klau
Derek Ye
Haonan Zhao
Tong Zhu
Dylan Dobson
Olivia Lin
Millie Richter
Skye Turner
Softball
Australian U15 Women's
World Cup Team
Eva Kunce
Gabi Nutman
NSW U18 Team
Tayla Moore
NSW U16 Team
Eva Kunce
Gabi Nutman
NSW All Schools Team
Tayla Moore
CIS Team
Eva Kunce
Tayla Moore
Maddie Kunce
Gabi Nutman
NSW U14 Team
Maddie Kunce
Swimming
Australian Age Swimming Championships
Harry Conomos
Jack Mercer
Matt Walter
Jack Woodrow
Harrison Woodrow
Mia Ryan
NSW All Schools Team
Jack Mercer
CIS Team
Jack Mercer
Taekwondo
Australian Taekwondo Nationals
Alec MacGowan
Lachlan MacGowan
NSW State ChampionBlack Belt Category
Alec MacGowan
NSW State Selections - Bronze Medal
Lachlan MacGowan
Water Polo
Water Polo Australia U16 Squad 1
Reef Potter
Water Polo Australia U16 Squad 2
Tom Heaton
Australian Youth
Water Polo ChampionshipsU16 Division 1 Gold Medal
Reef Potter
Australian Youth
Water Polo ChampionshipsU14 Division 2 Gold Medal
Jake Winder
Australian Youth
Water Polo ChampionshipsU14 Division 2 Gold Medal
Leo Song
NSW 15&U Team
Reef Potter
Tom Heaton
Dance
The highlight of the Barker Dance calendar was undoubtedly the inaugural Dance Showcase, Barker Goes 80s. This vibrant and nostalgic celebration featured an array of 80s-inspired performances from the Recreational and Troupe dancers. The evening opened with an energetic opening number, uniting our Senior School Troupes who performed in their respective styles to an 80’s mashup.
The first night featured the Senior School performances alongside the Junior School Troupes, while Saturday saw the reverse - Junior School Recreational and Troupe dancers alongside our Senior School Troupes. This unique cross-campus collaboration was a testament to the inclusive culture that defines Barker Dance, one where older students model leadership, and younger dancers are inspired to grow within a supportive, creative community.
A special moment of the evening was the Dance Captain ‘handover’ performance, where 2025 Captain Emily Loughran-Fowlds performed a beautiful solo before officially welcoming the 2026 Captains, Meg Anderson and Clara Thiris, to the stage. As the program continues to expand, the introduction of dual captains reflects the depth of leadership and the vibrant energy within the Barker Dance community.
Choreography Competition
This year marked Barker’s first entry into the Dance Spec Choreography Competition. Following internal auditions, four groups were selected to represent the School: one solo and one duo from both Middle and Senior School. The following students displayed exceptional creativity and independence in developing original works, earning recognition in several categories:
Middle School
• Joanne Du - Award for Outstanding Integration of Technical Elements
• Leilani Kazaglis and Indiana Roche - Award for Most Creative Staging
Senior School
• Emily Loughran-Fowlds - Award for Most Innovative Concept
• Neve Parker and Chloe Conoulty - Awards for Most Creative Staging and Outstanding Integration of Technical Elements
Curriculum Dance
This year saw the full implementation of a comprehensive academic Dance Curriculum, now offered from Year 9 through to Year 12. This development reflects the School’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence within a challenging and rewarding educational framework. 41 dedicated and creative students selected Dance as their elective across Years 9 to 12.
A standout event in Term 2 was the Curriculum Dance Showcase, On The Floor, where students presented classwork in areas of Performance and Group Composition.
In 2025, Barker’s inaugural Year 12 Dance class marked a significant achievement as the first group to complete the HSC Dance Course at the School. Their journey was defined by artistic development, academic discipline, and a deep connection to their craft. A special congratulations goes to Abby Moore, who received Callback nominations in all three practical areas of study: Core Performance, Core Composition, and Major Study Performance - an outstanding accomplishment that highlights her dedication and talent.
Barker Institute and Parent Institute
In its 11th year, the Barker Institute continued to celebrate learning with academic and wellbeing events for students, parents, teachers and the wider community.
• Academic events were run to support students as the progressed through the School. Examples included the annual ‘Year 7 Study Habits’ seminar for students and parents, ‘From Gifted to Talented', an event exploring how Barker supports giftedness in students, and ‘The Junior School Learning Journey: Inspiring every learner, every experience, every day'.
• The Science Extension Conference continued to evolve, with Corey Tutt OAM founder of DeadlyScience alongside Barker Institute Director Dr Matthew Hill to deliver public lectures to students, teachers and parents from around New South Wales. Corey Tutt OAM shared his story of becoming an Indigenous Scientist, and invited all attendees to celebrate and learn from our collective history of Indigenous Science and Innovation in Australia.
• Key cultural thinkers presented at public events including analyst, author and thinker Stephen McAlpine exploring the qualities and character needed for
Modern Society, and clinical psychologist and researcher, Dr Leisa Aitken speaking on the Psychology of Hope.
• The Barker Institute was proud to host a book launch for former Head of Barker College, Neil Tucker. His book Educating For Humanity: The Holistic Principle reviews the world of education and provides an argument as to what schools and early childhood centres are fundamentally for: the development of individual human beings to be their best selves, and to contribute well to the human story on planet Earth.
This year saw the launch of the Parent Institute seeking to connect, engage, and equip parents in the School and community.
• The Parent Institute was launched at a large Term 1 event featuring Dr Jenny Brown. Jenny Brown founded the Family Systems Institute, authored the best-seller 'Growing Yourself Up' and created the ‘Confident Parent Course’. The Parent Institute is firmly founded on wisdom and practices shared by Jenny Brown.
• Two cohorts of parents have now completed the ‘Confident Parent Course’, facilitated by expert Barker staff. This four-week course builds capacity in parents to lead their families, accepting
they cannot control either their children, or the circumstances their children encounter. A new cohort is invited for a Term 1 Confident Parent Course in 2026.
• Further events for parents included ‘Fueling Healthy Kids: Simple Nutrition for Busy Parents’, ‘Sleep for Better Health, Resilience and Performance’, ‘Avoiding and Breaking Free from Tech-Enabled Addiction’ and ‘Brave Parenting Conversations in the Middle School Years’.
• Through the Parent Institute, Barker Hosted the internationally renowned ‘Watoto’ Choir of orphaned children sharing songs and a message of faith and hope. After visits and workshops with students during the day they performed a concert with Barker students bringing the community together.
Promotion of close-topractice research drawn from the expertise of Barker staff for the benefit of the Barker students and community.
• Ongoing research defined by the 2024-2025 Barker Institute Research Agenda. This defined five research domains of Coeducation, Humanitarian Education, Character & Enterprise Education, Inclusive Education, and Robotics and AI Education, all designed to meet both Barker’s unique context and the needs of the sector.
• Continued research and dissemination of ongoing projects. These included the ongoing, decade-long study into student experience known as ‘The Barker Journey’ (now in its seventh year), self-efficacy in Mathematics, a researchinformed approach to refugee education, and how schools can provide optimal, differentiated support to all students through gifted and talented programs, and nurturing learning interventions.
• Presentations at the Educational Collaborative for International Schools Leadership Conference, at Leysin American International School in Switzerland, Teacher’s Guild Research Conference, and AIS Symposiums.
• Publication of the 9th Volume of the Barker Institute Journal, Learning in Practice, authored by Barker staff.
• Publication of the 2025 student journal Scientific Research in Schools, and showcasing Noteworthy, the Barker College Literary Journal.
• Support of Barker staff involved in higher degrees by research with various projects impacting Barker and beyond.
• Consultancy and review of Barker programs across wellbeing, academics, character & enterprise, and co-curricular spaces.
• Internal review: The Barker Institute led reviews into various school practices providing impartial consultation and advice for the benefit of decision effecting students.
• External research collaborations: The Barker Institute drew upon its rich history to continue to take a lead role in establishing a global network of research in schools. It has also been increasingly upheld as a global school-based educational research centre of excellence; schools from the New Zealand, UK, Europe, and Africa connected with the Barker Institute to learn how to engage in effective close-to-practice
research and about the research projects the Barker Institute is currently running. This year Dr Matthew Hill and Dr Timothy Scott were Visiting Scholars for the research centre of Leysin American International School in Switzerland, along with visits to Schule Schloss Salem and the International School of Stuttgart in Germany, and The International School of Geneva (Ecolint) in Switzerland.
• The Barker Institute’s work in Coeducation was recognised by the Teachers’ Guild of NSW, with Ms Amy Young being selected as a Finalist.
Barker Institute
Footprint Social Justice and Environment
2025 has been an inspiring and action-packed year for Footprint. Together, we have amplified important voices, championed sustainability, and strengthened our school community’s commitment to equality and environmental care.
We began the year by celebrating International Women’s Day, spotlighting the achievements of women in our school and beyond. Our special guest speaker, Simone Allan (Class of 1984) shared her story, with the school community. Simone was the founder of recruitment consultancy firm, Mondo Search and has more recently worked with the Women’s Resilience Centre. She spoke with deep conviction about supporting women suffering from trauma and the gender pay gap, in line with this year’s theme of ‘Accelerating Change’. Staff and students relished the opportunity to hear from such a passionate advocate of women.
During National Reconciliation Week, we came together to deepen our understanding of Australia’s shared history and promote meaningful reconciliation. Footprint helped to organise a powerful acknowledgment, sharing information and providing appropriate reflection through a lunchtime session which also involved a Kahoot. This aimed at ensuring that Indigenous voices and stories were front and centre.
Our commitment to environmental awareness shone through initiatives like Earth Hour, where students and staff joined in our “Power Down” challenge-raising awareness about energy consumption and our collective impact on the planet.
To celebrate World Environment Day, our Mufti Day fundraiser added a touch of fun to advocacy. Students swapped their uniforms for green and blue outfits, contributing donations that will support local sustainability at Barker, with new cold water ‘Refill’ stations being made available to students across the campus.
Broadening Our Impact: Other Initiatives
Beyond these major events, our group worked year-round on projects that made a difference both within and beyond our school:
• Collected hundreds of mini toiletries for Wayside Chapel, supporting people experiencing homelessness.
• Every Year 7 student received a reusable drink bottle made from sugar cane, promoting sustainable habits from their very first week.
• A pop-up stationery stall provided affordable supplies while encouraging the reuse of donated and recycled items.
• Together with the Library team, holiday reading packages were assembled making books accessible to more students during school breaks.
• Soft plastics were collected regularly and sent to Banish for responsible recycling-turning waste into valuable new resources.
• Led a weekly collection of cans for the Return and Earn program, contributing to both recycling efforts and fundraising. Special collections at events like House Fair, Athletics Carnival, and Year 9 Commerce Market Day, raised awareness while boosting participation.
• The Great Locker Challenge inspired students to clean out and recycle unused materials from their lockers at the end of term. It helped reduce waste, encouraged mindful consumption, and fostered a cleaner, greener school environment.
One of the highlights of this year was our School Spring Fair stall, “Twice but Nice Op Shop” filled with second-hand clothing generously donated by our school community. The stall was not only a vibrant and popular feature of the Fair, but also a success in promoting sustainable fashion and reducing textile waste. Visitors enjoyed finding unique pre-loved items while supporting our environmental goals and social justice initiatives. The stall’s success showed the power of community collaboration and conscious consumer choices.
What makes Footprint truly special is that it is student-led. Each initiative is driven by students’ creativity, passion, and teamwork, with members taking the lead in planning, organising, and delivering projects. While students steer the direction of its weekly meetings, our dedicated teachers provide ongoing guidance, encouragement, and practical support - helping turn ideas into meaningful action. This partnership between students and staff continues to empower young leaders and foster a culture of shared responsibility and care within our school.
With every initiative, Footprint has found new ways to advocate for equity, sustainability, and community spirit. We’re proud of each small step and excited to see what impact we can have together in the future.
Footprint
Indigenous Education
We take immense pride in the accomplishments of our First Nations students, whose achievements span all areas of school life. Their ongoing success stands as a testament to their dedication, talent, and the supportive environment fostered within our community.
Throughout the year, Indigenous Education at our school has thrived, offering a vibrant and dynamic environment that places a strong emphasis on recognising and celebrating the unique diversity and enduring resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. These celebrations have not been confined to the classroom; rather, they have become integral to school-wide activities that reach well beyond the Mint Gates, engaging the broader community and reinforcing a sense of belonging and pride.
First Nations student initiatives
• First Nations students meet weekly for Yarn Up, where they support one another, engage in and lead cultural activities, and offer valuable feedback to help guide our school community on the path towards reconciliation. When our Year 5 and 6 Darkinjung students visit the campus, they also join these meetings, fostering a stronger connection with our Senior School students.
• Students have worked closely with the Bandu organisation on exploring post-school pathways, including being “application ready” with documentation at the ready, access to internships and to university admission programs.
The Waratah Project
Barker continued its engagement with the Association of Independent Schools’ Waratah Project to enhance Indigenous Education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. For 2025, Barker focused on improving student engagement and academic results, fostering culturally informed relationships with families and communities, and equipping staff to teach with cultural responsiveness.
Staff were supported with information and resources via the Indigenous Education canvas page and participated in Professional Learning throughout the year, including:
• The Stronger Smarter Leadership Program, a program focused on developing strong, culturally responsive relationships with First Nations students, families and Community.
• AISNSW extended workshops on embedding Indigenous Perspectives in Junior School PYP curriculum.
• Many of our First Nation students are sponsored via the Go Foundation, established by Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. Go have hosted two cultural connection days, where students work alongside peers from schools across NSW and engage in rich cultural experiences. Their support provides access to learning resources for students.
• A Year 12 graduate, Marlee, having begun her learning at Darkinjung Barker then transferring to Barker College for high school, has received accolades for her Aboriginal Studies major work, achieving a score of 100% for this HSC subject. Creating an etched kangaroo pelt, mapping her family history and connection to culture, Marlee was proud to wear this handcrafted garment to her Graduation ceremony, marking her journey through both Darkinjung and Barker.
In working towards these outcomes, the Wingaru-wa Muru-da learning support program continued, with students able to access culturally informed mentoring each week. This program was facilitated by First Nations Student Mentor, Kyh Samuelsson - a proud Youalaraay Ngemba man who is studying a Bachelor of Commerce at Macquarie University, and about to study his Masters.
• Staff from Barker, Darkinjung and Dhupuma attended the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education(WIPCE)
• Head of Maths attended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maths Alliance event in Tasmania, exploring new ways of teaching and learning mathematics by connecting mathematics to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
National Reconciliation Week 2025
Barker recognised national Reconciliation Week during Term 2. This year’s Reconciliation Week theme was Bridging Now to Next, emphasising the emerging responsibility of current generation Indigenous peoples to carry their culture into the future. Students explored the theme through their Connect Groups, seeking to reflect on what they know now about the lands on which they learn, and what would they like to learn together, while Footprint hosted activities at lunchtimes to connect students. Staff were invited to join a Professional Learning event, hosted by Jonno Wright from Dhinewan Mentoring. This session took participants on a journey of personal growth and positive thinking, within the framework of culture, wellbeing and leadership, which was deeply moving and informative.
NAIDOC 2025
• The theme for NAIDOC 2025 was The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy Often, when we acknowledge the lands on which we meet, we honour elders past, present and emerging. This year’s theme, in alignment with the NRW theme, invited us to focus on the younger generation of First Nations people, and to consider what legacy they will leave in this modern world. It provided an opportunity to highlight the stories from students in our community, and their vision to be future leaders.
• At our 2025 NAIDOC assembly, we celebrated the richness and diversity of our student body, with Darkinjung, Ngarralingayil and Dhupuma students all representing their campuses and communities. Students from all campuses and across a range of year groups opened the assembly with a moving Acknowledgment of Country,
followed by a video presentation from Ngarralingayil of “How the Birds Got Their Colours”. For the first time, parents of Darkinjung students joined them to perform cultural dances and songs, mesmerising the audience with their skill. Dhupuma Barker shared their annual Hip Hop video to thunderous applause.
• The Kari Singers joined the assembly to sing some Australian rock classics in language, inviting everyone to their feet to sing “Simply the Best.”
• Finally, to capture the voice of the current generation of proud Indigenous students, Mr Heath interviewed Mr Norman Laing and his son Jimmy (Year 11) on The Great Cause Podcast, in a powerful reflection on culture, leadership and legacy.
The Garma Festival
• The word Garma is a Yolŋu term meaning "two-way learning," perfectly capturing the spirit of this annual festival held in Gulkula, North-East Arnhem Land. Gulkula is the spectacular sacred site atop an escarpment where the Gumatj people welcome visitors to learn and experience their culture. In recognition of our connection with the Gumatj families of Dhupuma Barker, students and staff were invited once again, to attend the festival and support activities and connection in the Youth Forum, a key part of the event.
• Thirteen Year 11 students were chosen to coordinate the Youth Forum - essentially a mini-Garma specifically for young people aged 12-18 years with activities
and workshops for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from across Australia. These activities aimed to develop confidence and leadership skills in youth as future leaders and give voice to the concerns and hopes of Indigenous youth. On the last day of the festival, the entire Youth Forum body processed to the Dhäwu’mi Wäŋa to present the theme developed over the prior three days in the curated workshops. Barker student, Jumi was chosen to speak in front of a large crowd, including politicians and media, moving many to tears as she launched the concept of The Fire Carriers; an initiative to gather student voices and petition parliament, calling for a say in future decision making.
Alumni, Community & Foundation
Alumni, Community & Foundation
A full program of Alumni and Community events were held throughout the year to foster connections and build community.
Alumni and Old Barker Association
• Jubilee celebrations - Cocktail Party, Town Hall Concert and Chapel Window unveiling in June
• Online OBA Mentoring Platform - onboarding of new mentees and mentors
• OBA Networking event held in Sydney CBD in May
• OBA Support for Life Program continued and promoted widely
• Barker Community Events held in London, Newcastle, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, New York, Dubbo, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth
• Baggy Blue Caps and Plume Hats distributed to Year 2 students transitioning to Year 3
• OBA Spirit Awards presented to 66 students across Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
• Alumni mentors supported the Year 11 Career Mentoring Program
• Alumni guest speakers supported curriculum topics with student groups across the School
• OBA Seniors Lunch at Hornsby RSL in March, AGM held in June
• 16 Class Reunions held ranging from the Class of 1955 through to the Class of 2020
• Alumni Parent Breakfasts held for alumni from the Class of 1983 through to Class of 2003
• OBA Golf Day at Pennant Hills Golf Course
• OBA BBQ Lunch and Welcome Packs for Year 12 students
• OBA Big Summer Reunion - for all year groups in November
• King’s Birthday Honours acknowledged three alumni
• Celebrated Alumni news in The Barker magazine and across social media
• Birthday cards continued to be sent throughout the year to celebrate significant occasions including 80th, 90th and 100th milestones
BCPA & Community Events
• Parent morning teas held at Barker in February and March
• Class and Year Parent events throughout the year
• New Parent Welcome event in February
• Trivia Nights - two events in May
• The 100th anniversary of the Barker Spring Fair in September. This hugely successful event, saw hundreds of parent volunteers work tirelessly to make this event the best ever with rides, games, delicious food offerings, handmade crafts, and studentrun stalls. Families, students, alumni, and friends of Barker came together to celebrate, reconnect, and share in the joy of the occasion.
• Gingerbread House event in November
Foundation
• Giving Day - The generosity of our families, staff and alumni was extraordinary for Barker’s very first Giving Day and revealed a strong culture of giving at our school. An incredible $833,500 was raised in a 12-hour period, which will support transformational scholarships for Indigenous and refugee students, as well as support Barker families who may find themselves in need due to unforeseen circumstances.The Foundation stall at the Spring Fair was a huge success, with several thousand dollars raised for the Future Fund. Dumplings, bubble tea and sugar paintings proved very popular with attendees at the Spring Fair, with Foundation Directors and parent volunteers assisting on the stall throughout the day.
• Donor Thankyou Event hosted by the Head of Barker College and Chair of the Barker Foundation in November, was an opportunity to thank donors for their continued support and generosity of the School and its activities across the year.
