In this episode, I sit down with Phillip Heath, Head of Barker College, to discuss a key topic from this year’s Australian Boarding Schools Summit—Academics, Country Kids & the Art of Encouragement. We explore how parents and schools can best support boarders as they adjust to a new school environment, often facing a more challenging curriculum and the emotional toll of transition.
Barker College offers a unique approach to boarding, focusing solely on senior co-ed boarding from Year 10. While these students are a little older when they begin, they still encounter hurdles as they navigate this new chapter. It’s also interesting to note that Barker has no international boarding students, making its boarding community uniquely Australian.
At the end of our conversation, I asked Phillip whether a school’s success is defined purely by academics. While he acknowledged the importance of strong academic results, he was far more passionate about Barker’s focus on the three C’s. But what exactly are they? You’ll have to listen in to find out.
Barker College, set on 65 acres at the top of Sydney’s Upper North Shore, has had boarding as part of its story for almost 130 years. In this discussion, Phillip shares what drives him to ensure that senior boarding remains an integral part of the school—and how Barker truly values the contributions of country kids in boarding communities.
Thank you to Courtney Dunn for editing this podcast episode.
