Barker has a deep commitment to Aboriginal reconciliation and education, culminating in the establishment of the Darkinjung Barker School at Yarramalong on the Central Coast (2016), Ngarralingayil Barker in Wollombi (2020) and Dhupuma Barker (2021) in a homeland community near Nhulunbuyin East Arnhem Land.
Caring for the past – planning for the future
Barker is committed to ongoing engagement with Aboriginal communities. As part of its approach, Barker will connect with the local Indigenous community and involve Registered Aboriginal Parties to contribute and provide feedback on Barker’s approach to design.
This engagement will seek feedback from Indigenous communities to ensure all design respects the cultural heritage of the site. This process will also seek to collate recommendations on how to integrate Indigenous planting options.
Preserving the School’s legacy
The northern part of the campus borders the Pacific Highway and is known as the historic face of the School.
As part of Barker’s commitment to its cultural heritage, the original built form located within the historic core (the northwest corner of the campus) will be protected – ensuring no new built form will challenge the heritage character that exists in this part of the campus.
A School that respects its neighbours and surrounding landscape
Barker is committed to enhancing the green landscape through well-considered design.
The landscape proposes substantial greenery around the edges of the campus providing a screening for surrounding residents and improving the visual aesthetics surrounding the School.
The Master Plan has been carefully considered to ensure all new buildings are set back to retain the mature trees surrounding the campus.
The two new facilities included in the master plan (the co-curricular Performing Arts and Exam Centre and the Aquatic and Tennis Centre) consider their location on the south-western and north-western corner of the Unwin Road and Clarke Road intersection.
The new structures will complement the surrounding environment by stepping down to the interface with residents to the south and incorporating a significant portion of new landscaping as part of the design.
The proposed maintenance facility also carefully considers solar access and potential overshadowing. The design for the facility has been set back away from neighbours to ensure good sunlight is maintained to near neighbours throughout the day.
The master plan also includes improving the Schools' existing student drop-off and pick-up area, which will improve local traffic conditions.