Barker College was founded by Henry Plume in 1891 after tutoring local students at St Stephen’s Church, Kurrajong, and witnessing their academic success. He established the school at Stokesleigh in Kurrajong Heights, naming it after Bishop Frederic Barker. Due to a scarlet fever outbreak and the school’s remote location, it was relocated to Hornsby in 1896. In 1919, ownership was transferred to the Church of England.
Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| School Name | Barker College |
| Location | Hornsby, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Type | Independent Anglican co-educational day and boarding school |
| Levels | Early learning, Primary, Secondary (K-12) |
| Founded | 1890 |
| Motto | Honor Non Honores (“Seek Honour Above Rewards”) |
Current Principal
| Position | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Head of Barker College | Mr Phillip Heath AM | Ninth Head, principal for 10 years, awarded Australian School Principal of the Year 2023 and Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to education and Indigenous opportunities |
Student & Staff Data
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Enrolment | Over 2,800 students |
| Boarding Students | Approximately 60 (Years 10-12) |
| Staff | Over 1,000 staff |
Academic Performance
| Highlights |
|---|
| Strong HSC results with multiple students achieving top state marks and HSC scores of 99.95 |
| Emphasis on academic excellence and ongoing professional development for staff |
| Development of new Maths and Senior Studies Hub planned to support academics |
Comparative Rankings
| Notes |
|---|
| Recognised for leadership excellence nationally through its principal’s awards |
| Maintains high parental satisfaction with leadership score of 92% in recent survey |
Program Metrics
| Key Programs |
|---|
| Fully co-educational education from early learning to Year 12 |
| Established three Indigenous campuses: Darkinjung Barker (Central Coast), Ngarralingayil Barker (Lower Hunter), Dhupuma Barker (Arnhem Land) |
| Diverse leadership, pastoral care and wellbeing programs guided by CASEL framework |
| Rich co-curricular, sport, service learning, and outdoor education offerings |
Facilities & Resources
| Facilities |
|---|
| Multiple campuses including specialised Indigenous campuses |
| Planned new Maths and Senior Studies Hub |
| Boarding facilities for senior students |
| Health centre on campus |
Student Development
| Focus Areas |
|---|
| Leadership development via Prefects, Captains, and House system |
| Pastoral care programs supporting wellbeing and community belonging |
| Co-curricular captains and student voice encouraged through “Red Thread” cultural initiative |
Operational Metrics
| Operational Aspects |
|---|
| Strong governance by Council of Barker College |
| Senior leadership team with Heads of School, Deans, and Heads of House for tailored pastoral care |
| Focus on staff professional learning via Barker Institute |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Barker College co-educational? | Yes, fully co-educational from pre-kindergarten to Year 12 |
| What kind of boarder facilities are available? | Boarding is available for Years 10 to 12 with approximately 60 boarders |
| Does Barker College support Indigenous education? | Yes, with three dedicated Indigenous campuses and Indigenous educational programs |
| What is the school’s religious affiliation? | Anglican Church |
| Who is the current principal? | Mr Phillip Heath AM |