The Christian heritage of Barker is the inspiration for our values and purpose. We draw on the rich narrative of the life of Jesus yet welcome all traditions into our diverse community.
We have a beautiful heritage at Barker, yet we are preparing students for a future that will be far less defined by gender roles than in the past.
It is a privilege to be the ninth Head of this amazing School. The role of the Head is to create the learning society within a school; to nourish and shape its ethos; to influence its climate and provide a secure place for children, young people, their teachers, and their parents safely to experience being fully alive in mind and spirit, free of the fear of exclusion or rejection, infused deeply with love each day and in every way.
We are blessed in this country to have so many great schools. The purpose, heritage and intent of these schools often resembles each other, so parents ideally want to find the point of difference.
An education worth having must prepare our students to have a mindset of adaptability as well as capacity. We seek to equip our students to become part of the solution to the problems they discover. We can no longer wait for someone or some group to arrive to “save the day”. In God’s care, we want our graduates to be creators of the future rather than just consumers.
There are two distinct differences at Barker College. One is that it's a school that deliberately and intentionally allows people to thrive in a holistic sense – emotionally, physiologically, physically, academically.
The second thing is that we have a firm coeducational identity and a firm expression of that. It’s a view that everybody can find a place and thrive irrespective of interests, skillset or capacity and be committed to doing that in a way that brings young men and young women together for the proper expression of human interaction and identity.
This is an exciting time to be considering a Barker education for your child. The School’s culture is inclusive, innovative and full of hope for the future. We are very excited about the years that lie ahead.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
With this comfort, I commend our future to God.
Phillip Heath AM
Head of Barker College
BA (Hons), MA (Hons), DipEd, FACE, FACEL (ACT), HFTGN
