Renowned concert pianist Simon Tedeschi delighted Junior School students with a lunchtime concert on Monday 26 May. He spoke about his talent development journey, focusing on routines and teachers which supported him along the way.

On Wednesday 28 May we gathered in the Piazza of Barker College Junior School to explore how to support gifted students to develop their talents. The night featured Psychologist Minh Nguyen-Hoan who has extensive experience working with academically gifted young people to thrive at home, at school, and in social settings. Drawing on extensive experience, along with key frameworks and studies in Gifted Education (including Gagné's Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent and a foundational work from UNSW on Releasing the Brakes for High Ability learners) Dr Nguyen-Hoan encouraged parents and students to recognise the diverse needs of gifted young people. He explained that often it is through meeting the social and emotional needs of academically gifted individuals that they have the opportunities to thrive in the academic space.

The keynote presentation was complemented by a four-person panel hosted by Ms Susanna Matters, Barker’s Gifted and Talented Coordinator. The panel consisted of four people who have engaged with the Gifted and Talented support on offer at Barker:

- Mr Andy Cameron, a Barker Teacher and Coordinator of the BASE Program for students participating in exceptionally high levels of sport

- Mrs Ingrid Schwarts, a parent of Barker students

- A Year 12 Barker Student, Shirley

- Dr Matthew Hill, a Barker alumnus.

It was clear to all on the night that Barker provides many and diverse ways for gifted students to be supported, to be surrounded by like-minded peers, and to have opportunities to develop and demonstrate their talents. Parents who want to know more about the Gifted and Talented offerings at Barker can contact Ms Susanna Matters, or their child’s relevant teacher (Junior School) or Head of House (Middle or Senior School).

Dr Matthew Hill

Dr Matthew Hill is the Director of The Barker Institute with a focus on professional learning, research, and innovation in the school.  He teaches Physics and the new Science Extension course at the School which introduces students to scientific academic research. Matthew's doctorate reflects his passion for science education focussing on Representational Fluency amongst physics students at school and university. He has published in leadership, education, and science journals and been involved in course development and teaching at The University of Sydney and The University of Western Sydney. He has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Divinity at Ridley College in Melbourne.

Susanna Matters

Susanna Matters is the Gifted and Talented Coordinator at Barker College working across Kindergarten to Year 8. In 2015, Susanna received the New South Wales Teachers’ Guild Certificate of Excellence for Early Career Teachers. In 2017, she was awarded with excellence a Master in Gifted Education from the University of NSW and named the Australian College of Educators NSW Young Professional of the Year. In 2020, Susanna completed a Professional Certificate of Educational Neuroscience from the University of Melbourne. She is passionate about shaping a whole-school culture and language around gifted education which helps individual learners feel understood and celebrated.