In this episode, our host Phillip Heath AM welcomes NAIDOC Person of the Year nominee, Norman Laing along with his son Jimmy, Year 11 student, in a powerful reflection on culture, leadership, and legacy. Norman shares his journey from soldier to Dunghutti legal advisor, offering insights into the Voice to Parliament referendum, identity, and his hopes for future First Nations leaders. Jimmy speaks to his path toward cultural initiation and the responsibility young Indigenous people carry in preserving story and songlines for generations to come. In line with the 2025 NAIDOC theme—The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy—this heartfelt conversation explores reconciliation, intergenerational knowledge, and the strength found in cultural pride. 

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Join our host Phillip Heath AM as we chat with Dean of Careers at Barker College, Mel Bower and Careers Advisor, Sal Key about the evolving landscape of career education. Discover how education can adapt to prepare students for multiple careers, the differences between Australian and US career education, and current trends in Sydney schools. We discuss and share advice for families and students choosing career pathways, the importance of flexibility, and the role of mentoring and internships. Tune in for valuable insights on guiding students towards fulfilling careers in a dynamic world.

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In this episode, our host Phillip Heath AM is joined by Dr Jenny Brown, who has been a leading voice in child and family mental health for the past few decades. She is the Emeritus Director of the Family Systems Institute and the social enterprise The Parent Hope Project. She is also the author of several books, including the best-selling Growing Yourself Up.

Today's parents are bombarded with confusing messages about parenting and their child's emotional wellbeing. Dive into this insightful discussion to help deepen our understanding of how parenting is changing, is there such a thing as a "good parent", the role of a school in parenting and so much more.

Resources for parents:

Parent Institute - The Barker Institute

The Confident Parent Course - Barker College

Supporting Parents To Be The Best Resource For Their Children

Parenting Resources - The Parent Hope Project

Nurture: Confronting a Crisis - New College UNSW

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Join our host, Phillip Heath AM, along with Lisa Maltman, a renowned sleep expert in sleep education and Lisa Chalmers from Barker College for a deep dive into the world of sleep, where we uncover the secrets to achieving better rest, optimising sleep environments, managing wakefulness. 

Don't miss this episode packed with valuable information and practical tips.

Tips for Supporting Better Sleep - Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health

Sleep | Barker College

Good sleep for teenagers | Raising Children Network

Sleep for Teenagers | Sleep Foundation

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In this episode, our host, Phillip Heath AM chats to renowned psychologist Andrew Fuller about the complex and painful topic of bullying. They discuss what bullying is, how to support the silent victim of bullying, how do we create positive cultures in school communities and how do we strengthen relationships? Joining the conversation is Lisa Chalmers and Dr Agnes Ko, from Barker College.

Tune in for an insightful discussion to help deepen our understanding on student wellbeing.

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In this episode, our host, Phillip Heath AM is joined by Barker alumnus and International Cricketer, Alyssa Healy (Class of 2008) and three Year 12 students to talk about sport, culture and equity.

As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of Coeducation in 2025, Alyssa shares her experiences around breaking into the world of male-dominated sport at School whilst Meg, Ruby and Jodie discuss how Barker has prepared them for a world beyond the Mint Gates.

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In this episode, our host, Phillip Heath AM is joined by our 2025 student leaders, Bea, Huntley, Scarlett, and Kian who were announced in an induction ceremony earlier in the week. Listen as they introduce themselves and explore the relevance of student leadership and share their visions for their roles.

The newly appointed captains answer questions about their feelings, preparation, and plans for inclusive leadership. Natalie Potent, Deputy Head Student Experience, discusses the impact of student leadership on school culture, and Senior Chaplain Rev Pete Tong joins us to talk about Christ as the archetypal servant leader.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the enduring significance of student leadership in shaping our educational communities.

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Join us on The Great Cause as we explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing education. Our host, Phillip Heath AM, talks with AI experts and Barker educators including Dr Andy Mifsud and Stephen Liseo from the Digital Learning Innovation team and Dr Julie Wilson-Reynold, Deputy Head Academic Care. Listen as they share their thoughts on the benefits and challenges of integrating AI in schools and what Barker is doing we develop a greater understanding of the potential usages of generative AI.  

Discover how AI-driven tools are helping to bridge the gap between students' diverse learning needs, assisting teachers in creating more effective lesson plans, and ensuring a more inclusive and engaging classroom environment. We'll also tackle the ethical considerations and potential drawbacks, discussing how schools can implement AI responsibly. 

Tune in to see how AI is shaping the future of learning! 

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In our first episode of "The Great Cause", host Phillip Heath AM explores the topic of What Makes a Good School. Joining the conversation, are current Barker parents, published author and former Education Minister of NSW Adrian Piccoli and Sonia Cassanova.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Adrian and Sonia share their experiences and the differences they have witnessed in education from schooling their children in a small regional town of NSW, to international schooling in an Italian city.

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