Barker College

SPORT// We are looking forward to the last round of sport for Term 2, with many home games this Saturday for our Boys AFL (Junior & Secondary), Girls Football, Hockey and Netball.

The 1st XV Rugby match vs Cranbrook will be streamed live on NSW Rugby from 3.15pm.

For the full round of fixtures - https://www.barker.college/co-curricular/sport/

FOUNDATION// Congratulations to the lucky winners of our Indigenous Artwork Raffle.

Grace Riordan will be hanging Marrŋu by Datjuluma Guyula on her wall whilst Ivy Li can admire the beauty of Judith Franklin’s Kauwal Matara (Many Hands) every day.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle to support Indigenous scholarships.

PARENT INSTITUTE// Colin Buchanan is coming to Barker!

We’re delighted to welcome Colin Buchanan to Barker, bringing Colin’s Favourites Live to our community. From award-winning albums to Play School and beyond, Colin’s joyful, faith-filled music has captured hearts across generations.
This free concert is a special opportunity for our whole community—students, families and friends—to come together in celebration of music, faith and connection.

To find out more and register your attendance, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1591603

MUSIC// The Masterpiece Concert once again proved to be a true highlight of the Barker music calendar. A celebration of everything that defines our program at its very best. With large ensembles filling the stage, students took on challenging repertoire across a wide range of styles, ensuring there was something for everyone in the audience.

A highlight of the evening was Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, performed by Concerto Competition winner Alicia (Year 12), with dazzling technique, musical maturity and supported superbly by the ensemble.

What makes this concert so special is not only the scale and ambition of the music-making, but the sense of community behind it, students, staff and families all coming together in support of a shared musical journey. Our students’ involvement across orchestral, vocal, wind band and jazz programs continues to strengthen the depth and versatility of the department.

Thank you to all who attended, staff, parents, alumni, friends of music and members of Council, for your ongoing support of what remains the pinnacle of school music concerts.

ALUMNI PARENT BREAKFAST // A wonderful morning was had at the Barker Alumni Parent Breakfast this week. Head of Barker College, Phillip Heath AM, along with Scott Toy (Class of 1998, OBA Committee Member), welcomed our Alumni parents and their Barker children to this very special event on the Alumni calendar, a meaningful opportunity to acknowledge our rich history while celebrating the future of our community. It was a pleasure to see generations of Barker connecting, sharing stories, experiences, and a continued sense of belonging.

Thank you to all the families that came along.

VISUAL ARTS// Year 7 Visual Arts students have been embracing their creativity through an exciting unit on cartooning, inspired by the distinctive style of Tim Burton. Using pencil and charcoal, students are exploring exaggerated features, dramatic shading, and imaginative character design to create expressive artworks full of personality.

Our Head of Visual Arts recently demonstrated charcoal smudging techniques, showing students how to blend tones and create depth and atmosphere in their drawings. The lesson was filled with enthusiasm, engagement, and plenty of creative experimentation as students developed their artistic confidence and skills.

It has been wonderful to see our Year 7 artists so actively involved in the creative process, producing unique and imaginative pieces while enjoying the hands-on experience of working with new materials and techniques.

SPORT// Let’s take a look a what was happening around the grounds this weekend!

⚽️ The Junior School’s 6As had a cracking 1-0 win over Scots with their coach describing the win as one of their best games he has witnessed as coach. A tough game for the 4As against Cranbrook this morning.

⚽️ A great recovery for the Boys 1sts from 0-2 to draw 2-2. Girls 2nds also finished 2-2 vs Oakhill 1sts.

🏀 Competitive games for our netballers today against Chevalier -
1sts won 53-37
4ths lost 32-48
Inters As won 42-35
Inter F lost 9-27
Junior B close loss 33-35
Junior C won 36-8
Junior F won 34-13

Despite a great last quarter by the 4A netball side it was not enough to secure a win for the team.

Well done to our 1st Squash players - Eric and Tim - on their win today.

🏐Girls’ Volleyball had an all-Barker 1sts v 2nds match last night, with the 1sts victorious. The Junior A girls had a strong win against MLC.

Some spectacular games for Boys’ Volleyball today with the 2nds overcoming St Aloysius in a tough five- setter. Great wins also for our 4ths and 7A teams. It was great to see Rosewood Centre alive with back-to-back Volleyball matches from 8am today.

🏉A tough match for our AFL teams this round against Riverview and Waverley. The Boys should be proud of their never-give-in attitude. Thank you to all the supporters at the Friday night games at Macquarie Uni.

🏉 A great win for the 5As 35-24 over Kings
and a strong win for the 13As and 13Bs v St Aloysius. Final match of the day saw a convincing win for the 1st XV against St Aloysius.

Well done to all students who participated this weekend indoors or outdoors and all those who supported our Reds!

BARKER SWINGS// Join us for Barker Swings — an unforgettable celebration of international jazz 🎷

📅 Friday 24 July
📍Multi Purpose Hall
⌚From 6:30pm
🎫Tickets are limited and open Monday 15 July at 9am.
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1597727

The MPH will transform into a vibrant jazz supper club, showcasing the exceptional talent of Barker’s jazz program — from our Junior and Middle School ensembles through to our Big Band, Jazz Orchestra and Staff Invitational Big Band.

Enjoy a cocktail-style evening with internationally themed food, an open bar, and space to socialise and dance to the swinging sounds of our talented musicians.
This adults-only event is also a major fundraiser for FOBM, supporting our Music Program and its students.

We look forward to seeing you there.

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION// Last night was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared sense of purpose.

Our Indigenous Education event was an inspiring success, grounded in a deep commitment to opportunity, belonging and the future of our First Nations students. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our guests, we have taken an important step towards our goal of raising $500,000 to fund scholarships and bursaries supporting students, particularly from Darkinjung Barker, to continue their secondary education with us.

We are deeply grateful to all who attended and gave so generously.