Barker’s Junior School is a lively centre of learning and teaching. Importantly, it is a community where pastoral care occupies a prominent place, one in which the building of relationships is a priority.
The Junior School now offers a fully co-ed environment from Pre-K to Year 6. Educating girls at Barker is not new for us. The Senior School has been educating girls since 1975 and we believe a coeducational school experience provides a safe environment in which young men and women can grow up together, learn to collaborate respectfully and appreciate the differing viewpoints that each brings.
Underpinning and guiding our learning and teaching framework is the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP of the International Baccalaureate is designed for students between the ages of 3 and 12. At Barker, the PYP emphasises putting learning in a global context and making real-world connections with learning. Curriculum in Pre-K to Year 6 is designed to support this aim, encompassing students’ academic wellbeing, as well as their social, physical, emotional and cultural needs.
The contemporary curriculum provides a balanced program drawing on foundational skills, guided inquiry, collaborative learning and the appropriate use of resources, particularly technology. In addition, the diverse co-curricular emphasises the place of sport and the creative and practical arts in the all-around development of each child.
Co-curricular opportunities
Students are offered a wide range of sporting choices from rugby, football, AFL, netball, hockey, basketball, girls’ touch football and tennis.
Barker Dance provides access to auditioned competition groups within the Junior School for boys and girls. There are also programs for all levels of dancers from beginners in the Ignite Co-curricular program. K–2 hip-hop, theatre jazz, ballet, lyrical dance and Year 3-6 hip-hop are all options for our enthusiastic dancers.
Barker has one of the largest school ensemble programs in Australia. The school employs excellent instrumental and vocal teachers and our Junior School students are involved in the Music program from Pre-K, with lessons by experienced music staff every week. A compulsory instrumental program commences in Year 2 and continues until Year 6.
All students are involved in the Outdoor Education program and these experiences are enjoyed throughout a child’s time at Barker. In addition, our Junior School students have the opportunity to participate in the Robotics program, enhancing their skills to design, build, and program robots to meet design challenges.
