About Us
History and Location
Radford College is situated in the capital city of Australia, Canberra. The foundation stone was laid on 30 April 1983 and Radford College commenced operation in 1984. The College was named after Bishop Lewis Bostock Radford, fourth Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. He was a distinguished scholar, churchman and citizen.
The College was established to be its own distinct identity as an Anglican coeducational day school. The College currently has 1616 enrolments across PreKindergarten to Year 12. There are equal numbers of boys and girls. There are four distinct schools within the College: Junior School (PreKindergarten to Year 6), Middle Years (Years 7-8), High School (Years 9 -10) and Senior School (Years 11-12). The links above provide more specific information on each school.
The College is located in the suburb of Bruce. Our neighbours include the University of Canberra and the Australian Institute of Sport.
Principals and Chairs of Board:
Chairs of Board
- Dr T B Millar 1983-1985
- Mr L Willett AO 1986-2003
- Mr R Young 2003-2008
- Mr I Morison 2008-
Principals
- Mr J Mackinnon, AM, MA, BA, DipEd, MACE 1984-1989
- Mr P Casson, BA DipT, MA, MACE, AIMM 1989-1992
- Mr G Wigg, TSTC, BA, BEd, MEd, M.A.C.E 1993-2000
- Dr D Mulford, BEc, DipEd, MEd, EdD, FACE 2001-2008
- Mr P Heath, BA (Hons), MA (Hons), DipEd, FACE, MACEL 2009-
College Aims
To provide a purposeful, imaginative and enjoyable learning environment
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- prepares them for life-long learning;
- focuses on the learning process;
- nurtures academic rigour, adaptability, creativity, innovation and flexibility of mind;
- develops a spirit of enquiry and discovery;
- encourages participation in a broad range of academic and co-curricular activities.
To nurture student potential
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- encourages the achievement of sound, appropriate and challenging personal goals;
- facilitates their active participation in the learning process;
- helps them accept responsibility for their progress;
- encourages them to learn how to learn;
- acknowledges the worth of each individual.
To foster sound personal values and attributes
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- develops self-esteem and confidence;
- fosters self-discipline and encourages them to accept responsibility for their actions;
- encourages participation in group and team activities;
- promotes involvement in the local and wider community;
- allows them to adapt to the challenges of a changing world;
- encourages a concern for the welfare of others and a desire to serve others;
- nurtures a respect for the social and natural environment.
To encourage an understanding and acceptance of Christianity as the spiritual and moral basis of life
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- allows them to explore personal beliefs and develop an awareness of spirituality;
- helps them to develop a strong sense of morality and ethics;
- encourages sensitivity to the needs of others;
- nurtures tolerance and acceptance of difference;
- encourages respect for and understanding of the search for truth;
- presents the Christian faith as a meaningful and relevant way of life.
School Organisation
School Year
The four term academic year for students is organised around a semester system with two testing and reporting periods. Term breaks and school holidays similar to those operating in other non-government schools are observed.
School Hours
The school operates from 8.35am to 3.30pm five days per week with additional provision for cocurricular activities from 3.45pm to 5.15pm.
- PreKinder and Kindergarten: 9.00am–3.00pm
ELC Parent Handbook 2012 (.pdf)
- Years 1 to 6: 8.40am–3.20pm
- Years 7 to 12: 8.35am–3.30pm
Round Square
Radford College is a member of the Round Square group of schools, which is a world-wide association of more than 80 schools on five continents sharing unique and ambitious goals. Students attending Round Square schools make a strong commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility. This is achieved by participating in community service, work projects, exchange programmes and adventuring, which can, and often does, take students half way around the world. For further information about Round Square please visit the website www.roundsquare.org
Acting Radford Round Square Coordinator: Dianne Lefebvre Dianne.Lefebvre@radford.act.edu.au
Strategic Plan
The 2011-2015 Strategic Plan, "Think Connect Transform" was published in December 2010 and distributed at end-of-year events.
An electronic copy can be accessed here Strategic Plan 2011-2015 (.pdf 4.4MB) and printed copies are available from Main Reception.
Uniform
Amongst other things, Radford aims to develop in its students a sense of integrity and identity, and identity is about character. Who we are and what we stand for is fundamental to the development of young people and is valued highly at Radford College.
Uniform is an important part of the process of developing character because it eliminates the superficial aspects of growing up, the 'image' issues, and allows us to focus on the core. Uniform reminds us of who we are and what we stand for. The Radford uniform is smart, flexible, comfortable and suitable for the Canberra climate. It unites the team and encouragement is given to all students to wear it with pride.
Click for a full list of College uniform items
Click here for a Health & Physical Education Uniform Years 5-12
Our Staff
Radford College seeks to employ and retain staff of the highest calibre. All teaching staff participate in the cocurricular programme of the College and many choose to develop activities and interest groups well beyond the requirement. All staff are encouraged to pursue their own life-long learning through professional development and further study.