In the latest episode of The Parenting Couch podcast, Rachel and Sarah talk to Phillip Heath, Head of Barker College, about how to choose a school for your child and why Barker made the transition to fully co-educational in 2022.

Choosing a school for your child is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a parent. There are many factors to consider… practical considerations like how close it is to where you live, public transport options, cost, where friends might be going, and before & after school care. There are also school factors to consider – the size of the school, facilities, religious affiliation, teaching philosophy, academic results, their approach to behaviour management, support for children with additional needs. You’ll also be wanting to consider how different schools might suit children’s personalities, strengths, needs and interests.

Another thing to think about is whether you choose a co-educational or a single sex school. For some, this can be one of the most important factors.

Phillip Heath achieved a First Class Honours degree in Reformation History and taught at Trinity Grammar School Sydney and King’s School Ely (UK), before becoming Deputy Head of The William Clarke College in Kellyville, and then Headmaster of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney, where he formed the Gawura Campus for Indigenous inner city children. Author of “Trinity, the Daring of Your Name”, and numerous journal articles, Mr Heath became fifth Principal of Radford College ACT in 2009 and the school received the Order of Australia Association (ACT) Award for Community Service twice under his leadership. He was made a Fellow of the ACT Branch ACEL in 2011 and in 2018 was awarded as a Member in the general division of the Order of Australia for his service to education and his commitment to creating greater opportunities for Indigenous students.

He was appointed as the Head of Barker College in 2014. In 2016 it was announced that the School would transition to be fully coeducational by 2022 with female students commencing in Years Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten in 2018, Year 3 in 2019 and Year 7 in 2020. In 2016 he formed the Darkinjung Barker Campus for Indigenous children on the Central Coast of New South Wales and in 2020 the Ngarralingayil Barker Campus for Indigenous children in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. In 2021, following the signing of an MOU with the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Dhupuma Barker commenced as a school for Indigenous children On Country in North East Arnhem Land.

Phillip has served on the NSW Board of Studies representing the Independent Sector (2000-2009) and is also a past National Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (2013-2015). He is currently working on an unpublished manuscript titled “One Life at a Time”, exploring his journey and work to create greater educational opportunities for Australia’s First Nations people.

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