Meet The Staff

At Darkinjung Barker and Ngarralingayil Barker we are fortunate to have a team of highly dedicated and committed staff working with the children. Their focus is on teaching literacy and numeracy while also celebrating the Indigenous culture of the students. The full time bus drivers have a key role in ensuring attendance.

Jamie Shackleton

Director of Aboriginal Campuses

Jamie started his teaching career in Western Sydney and moved to Barker College in 2005. He has taught across all stage areas and has a passion for education. Since commencing at Barker, Jamie has been actively involved in all facets of life at Barker College. He has previously been appointed Grade Coordinator and Co-Curricular Coordinator and his love of sport has lead him into Rugby, Cricket, Swimming, Cross Country, Soccer and Basketball coaching. Jamie coordinated and chaired a working party on the development of Darkinjung Barker Campus. In late 2015 he was appointed Darkinjung Barker Campus Coordinator. 

In late 2019 Jamie was appointed Director of Aboriginal Campuses. In 2020, the second Indigenous campus - Ngarralingayil Barker was born. This new role allows Jamie to divide his time between both Darkinjung and Ngarralingayil Barker giving continued support and guidance to all staff and students. He has a passion for Indigenous Education and feels grateful for the trust placed in him for this significant role.

Tom Spencer

Classroom Teacher

Tom Spencer joined Darkinjung Barker in 2017 as a classroom teacher for Years 3 – 6. Tom has extensive experience teaching primary aged children including three years at Barker’s Hornsby campus and before that at Windsor Park Public School.

Tom has a Masters of Teaching – Primary and a Bachelor of Health Science PDHPE, along with a Certificate III in fitness and a Certificate IV in personal training.

Before he commenced his teaching career, Tom spent time travelling, as a volunteer worker in Costa Rica, as well as undertaking conservation work with sea turtles.

Matt Salisbury

Classroom Teacher

I first joined Darkinjung Barker in 2018 as an intern and have now returned as a classroom teacher, after completing my Master of Teaching (Primary). I graduated from Barker College in 2014 and achieved a Bachelor of Science in 2018. Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to work with a large range of students coaching sports such as basketball, netball, AFL, soccer, cross country and athletics.

I am extremely excited to begin my teaching career working with the students at Darkinjung Barker.

Mandy Shaw

Lead Teacher Ngarralingayil

I am a strong, proud Wiradjuri woman, born and raised on Darkinjung Country, where I have lived for most of my life. My culture is the essence of who I am and always in my heart. I have high expectations and strive for students to gain a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy and am passionate about culture, growth mindset and social and emotional wellbeing. “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all”

My qualifications include a double degree Bachelor of Teaching/ Bachelor of Arts (honours) majoring in Sociology, Aboriginal Education and Special Education K-12. I have worked in numerous positions across all grades and stages. From Amesbury School, a boarding school in Hindhead Surrey, England, to Larrakeyah Primary School in Darwin, to local public schools on the Central Coast, the most recent as Assistant Principal, to now here at beautiful Wollombi.

I am so excited and proud to be part of something very special and unique. I am very grateful to Barker for their vision and commitment to Aboriginal Education that enables students to learn, to be proud, to be valued and to be happy. To be trusted with the amazing opportunity of opening and leading Ngarralingayil, a new brand school for Barker College on Wonnarua Country is an absolute dream come true and what I have been looking for my whole life.

Sharyn Bailey

Teacher's Aide

Sharyn has been a Teacher’s Aide for 10 years. Four years ago, Sharyn moved with her family from Bathurst where she worked as an Aboriginal Teacher’s Aide at Mackillop College for six years and also secretary of the local AECG. Working at Darkinjung Barker,  is a dream come true. Sharyn loves the children, the staff and the environment in which she works.  She is passionate about her heritage and culture and loves that she gets to share this with the beautiful children here at Darkinjung Barker.

Sharyn's passion has always been to help Aboriginal children with their education and to make their time at school as happy as possible. Sharyn lives on the Central Coast with her daughter Chloe and son Josh.

Kierin Allan

Bus Driver Ngarralingayil Barker

Kierin is originally from Kempsey and is a Dunghutti man. Kierin lives in Weston, is married to Tina and has 6 girls. His experience as a bus driver commenced in 2007 when he was employed transporting passengers to and from the airport. Kierin worked for NSW Justice Health for approximately 9 years at Long Bay Correctional Hospital. He relocated his family to the Hunter Valley in 2012.

Kierin loves the idea of a new project and was excited when the opportunity came up to be the first bus driver for Ngarralingayil Barker.

Amy Shackleton

Administration Assistant

Amy joined Darkinjung Barker in March of 2016. She is the Administration Assistant at our Yarramalong Campus. Amy thoroughly enjoys her work at Darkinjung Barker getting to know all the children and families through her daily role. Sometimes she even helps out with group work when time permits. “Being part of such a wonderful little school is so special to me. Watching how far the children have come amazes me every day.”

 

 

 

Ian and Brett

Bus Drivers Darkinjung Barker

Bus Drivers, Ian Benton and Brett Edwards are valuable members of the Darkinjung Barker team. Ian loves spending time with the children each day and will often stay on at the School assisting where possible. Brett loves spending time listening to the children read and helping out where possible. Ian and Brett are always keen to jump on board and give a helping hand at any school events. Both gentleman have a key role in ensuring the regular attendance of the children and communication between the families.