Barker College
91 Pacific Hwy, Hornsby NSW 2077
Julie McAllister
Head of Advancement and Communications
Tel: 61 2 8438 7608
Email: foundation@barker.nsw.edu.au
https://www.barker.college/
As a fully coeducational Anglican school, a Barker education is shaped by our focus on preparing students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, for a life beyond the school gates. We seek to expose our students to diverse opportunities and experiences, so that they are able to develop resilience and adaptability within a supportive environment.
Character Education
We have an abiding commitment to a strong academic program, effective pastoral care delivered in a Christian setting, opportunities and choice for all. Barker’s curriculum is adaptive and flexible, allowing for student choice and catering for interest and ability. Our students are taught to think critically, apply knowledge in new situations and develop the skills needed to become lifelong learners. Our curriculum develops the knowledge and skills needed by our future leaders; it challenges students and prepares them for a future that is in many ways undefined. Shaping character is at the heart of great education and has always been an important part of the Barker journey.
Indigenous Education
In partnership with local Aboriginal communities, Barker College operates three Indigenous campuses for Aboriginal students from Kindergarten up to Year 10. Two regional campuses on the NSW Central Coast and Upper Hunter Valley and one remote campus in North East Arnhem Land, NT. Barker’s vision for bilingual, on-country education is having a genuine impact on communities across the country and is a key aspect of the life and culture of the whole School.
STEAM and Robotics
The School enjoys a global reputation of making significant contributions to the education of students, in particular in the area of STEAM and Robotics. In 2022, Barker College was admitted to the Robotics Hall of Fame, the only school outside the United States to achieve this recognition. Continuing the vision to inspire global hope, the Robotics team shares knowledge and understanding with teams around the world, supporting the development of teams in remote Australia and in third world countries.
Barker Foundation
Barker has a long history of generous and philanthropic acts which have supported children from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds to realise their full potential. Families and Alumni continue to give generously of their time, experience and financially to Barker, to ensure an ever-improving experience for their own children and for others’ children to come.
Today the Barker Foundation continues as an agent of dynamism for our Barker community inspiring tomorrow’s Barker for us all through progressive ideas and programs, scholarships, inclusivity initiatives, buildings and learning spaces.
The Barker Foundation has as its focus, three pillars, namely:
- Supporting a culture of giving and valuing every contribution, no matter the size.
- Building for the future through investing in the Barker Future Fund.
- Expanding our Impact through Indigenous Education, the Barker Humanitarian program, and Scholarships and bursaries for the disadvantaged.
Currently, Barker has a modest scholarship program and a number of means-tested scholarships. It is our intention, with your support, to build this program. Donations made to the Future Fund are tax deductible and are also used each year to offer bursaries to support students whose families may be experiencing circumstances that would otherwise prevent them from completing their education at Barker. Those supported are from diverse backgrounds, including regional, rural, Indigenous and refugee students.
We connect our alumni through the Old Barker Association and take great pride in a vibrant global community of supportive ex-students and their families. The OBA family brings together our Alumni, current and past parents, grandparents, staff and friends to support the School’s Vision to inspire every learner, in every experience, every day.
Further information about the Barker College Foundation, how you can become involved, or about including Barker in your estate planning, can be found by visiting https://www.barker.college/community/foundation