We honour each and every student and the care, effort and support provided to them by their teachers.
It gives me great pleasure to provide you with the outstanding HSC results from the leaving Class of 2023.
The Class of 2023 has led the School exceptionally well. The cohesive nature of this year group and the hard work of the students has been simply amazing. There are so many wonderful stories and so much to celebrate. We honour each and every student and the care, effort and support provided to them by their teachers.
We particularly acknowledge, Caleb Stace, who achieved an ATAR of 99.95. The School is incredibly proud of his hard work, commitment and this outstanding result.
We also extend our congratulations to Nicholas Bradshaw, who achieved a first in course for English Standard. This year there has been a significant increase in the number of Band 6s across subjects. In some subjects, the number of Band 6s has more than doubled! This is an extraordinary achievement and testament to the academic care provided and the hard work of the Class of 2023.
In addition, there were 21 All-Rounders (achieving top Band results in 10 or more units). It is inspirational to note that these students contributed to the broader Barker community through an extensive range of co-curricular and service activities.
Barker is equally proud of the countless students in our graduating year whose efforts surpassed their own aspirations, demonstrating once again that the diversity of the School is a strength. To one, to all, we offer our deepest admiration and thanks.
Barker is a non-selective school and we are greatly encouraged to see the exceptional effort that our students invested in their work. This augurs well for their future in whatever endeavour they choose to pursue. We continue to be competitive with schools that have selective student cohorts.
The HSC League Tables published in the media indicates that Barker College was ranked 37 in NSW (up from 50 in 2022), whilst a useful guide for some observers, it fails to capture the countless stories of outstanding effort by students who lift themselves into higher bands by consistent and focussed efforts with the support of their caring teachers and encouragement of their loving families. I honour all the graduating class of 2023 for their dedication, and we are pleased to share just a few of these stories in the pages that follow.
The Heads of Department, Heads of House and all staff are also to be congratulated for their support of their students. School education is a lengthy experience where so much more is accomplished that ever be measured in ranks and marks. We seek to equip our students to do good in the world and to exercise their gifts for the benefit of others. The class of 2023 certainly bring us hope for their future.
On behalf of over 17000 alumni whose ranks you now join, congratulations. From the scores of teachers, coaches and mentors over your 13+ years of education, congratulations to each and every student. We give thanks to the Lord for the blessing that the 2023 Year 12 has been to our community.
We wish every student the continued blessings of the Lord for a life of fulfilment ahead. We will watch their future with a thankful heart and remind them we are at the ready to care for them all their days.
Phillip Heath AM
Head of Barker College