On Monday 31st of May a group from the Barker Staff Research for Learning Community (RLC) gathered to enjoy and respond to three research presentations.

Neil Tucker (former Head of Barker College) discussed his personal educational philosophy, his research journey, and well supported opinions on holistic education drawing from literature, government policy, and school language.

Tim Scott (History teacher and researcher) presented on his 2020 Barker Institute Journal Article My Two Blankets: Considering the importance of using home languages in today’s classroom in support of student learning and wellbeing in preparation for the upcoming National Boys Education Conference.

Matt Hill (Science teacher and Director of the Barker Institute) delivered his talk for the same upcoming conference on Does the scientific method ever fail? A lesson in failure through supervising projects with null results.

Participants enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on three very different areas of education however it was clear that there were links between ideas in all three. Just as a research group functioning in a university context, it was an excellent opportunity for the two Barker staff to get feedback prior to their upcoming inter-school conference.

After a Journal club in Term 3 (16th of August), there will be another Research Forum in Term 4, Week 6 where three more presentations will be shared.

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.