In 2025, Barker College will celebrate five decades of coeducation in its 135th year since the school was first established.
When Barker announced its plans in 2016 to transition to a fully coeducational school by 2022, Head of Barker, Mr Phillip Heath AM, said at that time, “After careful consideration of the success of our existing coeducation model and the academic research, it is clear that the rich resources and experiences available at the school should be open to boys and girls in all years.”
“Life is coed,” he said. “Barker College aims to prepare young people for much more than an ATAR or even for life at university. The real purpose of a school is to support students to reach their full potential in the workplace and in their communities, and in building strong relationships and families. This is better pursued in a fully coeducational setting. A person’s gender is no longer the determining factor in their life choices. We need to work together to make a respectful and inclusive national culture.”
Barker’s coeducational plan built on an environment that embraced diversity and equality – offering students the opportunity to experience a broad range of personalities, activities and lessons.
Coed from the outset
In late 1889, Reverand Henry Plume advertised for pupils to tutor in the rectory of St. Stephen’s Church, Kurrajong. Of the five pupils tutored by Plume in 1890, Evelyn Hill, secured a sound matriculation pass. Evelyn’s success, along with that of his other four pupils, encouraged Plume to formally establish Barker College in 1891. He therefore moved his school from the rectory to Stokesleigh, a large homestead in Kurrajong Heights.
Living in Kurrajong Heights at this time were William and Charlotte Bowman and their family of five daughters. Plume persuaded the Bowmans that their four school-aged daughters would be better off at his school than being tutored at home. Thus, amongst the 18 pupils enrolled at Barker College in 1891, were the four Bowman sisters – Mary (aged 17), Lois (aged 15), Kitty (aged 13) and Lottie (aged 10).
In 1892 however, the Bowman family left the district and Barker ceased to be a coeducational school. The school moved to its present site in Hornsby in 1896 and for another 79 years, Barker would remain a boys-only school.
The decision to go coed
In February 1972, the School Council endorsed the formation of a designated Senior School on the existing Barker site. The Senior School would accommodate all boys in fifth and sixth forms and any girls wishing to enrol. The aim was to have an initial enrolment of 300 students in the Senior School at the beginning of 1975. Over a period of six years, student numbers would increase to 600. Trevor McCaskill (Headmaster 1963-1986) believed that coeducation was the “reintroduction of one of the earliest and finest traditions of the school”. It was therefore under his vision, inspiration and guidance that the School Council and the Barker community prepared for this great change.
The possibility of extending the Senior School to include Year 10 was discussed for the first time in 1993. In April 1997, the issue of Year 10 girls was again brought to the attention of the School Council and staff. As a result, a proposal addressing the issue, along with a suggested timeline, was put forward by Dr Roderic Kefford (Headmaster 1996-2013), and the extension of the Senior School saw Year 10 girls admitted to Barker in 2000.
introduce coeducation when 59 Fifth Form girls enrolled in 1975. Image: Barker College
Life of a Barker girl
When, on 3 February 1975, 59 Fifth Form girls walked through the Mint Gates, Barker became the first independent school in Sydney to introduce coeducation. From the very beginning, girls actively participated in all areas of school life. Only four days after they arrived at their new school, the Barker girls relay team defeated their male opponents at the School’s Swimming Carnival. Hockey and Netball teams were established and together, boys and girls planned Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. The first coed musical, The Mikado, was performed with more than half of the girls enrolled at the school participating in the performances.
Over the years, the co-curricular choices for girls have only increased. Public speaking, music ensembles, cadets, debating, robotics and a wide array of sports ensure there is an activity for every Barker girl.
A coed boarding school
Barker has always been a boarding school. With the enrolments office receiving numerous enquiries from girls interested in boarding at Barker, the School Council supported increasing boarding numbers through the enrolment of girl boarders. In 1991, eight girl boarders moved into the boarding house. Today, half of the school’s boarders are girls with boarding offered for Senior students in Years 10-12.
Today, the school is close to parity across all year groups. Whilst some parents will choose coeducation and some will choose single sex, it remains a personal decision and based on the needs of the child. Parents know their child the best. At the end of the day, we all want our children to be happy, and a great school experience plays a significant role in that happiness.
