From the Chair

By Mrs Vicki Williams, Chair of the Radford College Board

The end of the year is a time to reflect on all the achievements of the past 12 months and look ahead to the future. The coming weeks are filled with exciting events on the College calendar, inviting our students to come together to celebrate their achievements in front of parents and teachers. From the Junior School and Secondary School Celebrations to nativities, carols and dances, there is much to anticipate and be proud of. I hope to see you at many of these events.

On Friday night, I farewelled the outgoing Year 12s. I would like to repeat my congratulations to them all. Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and I wish you all the best for your future endeavours. Thank you for being an integral part of the Radford community.

On reflection, 2023 has been a highly productive year, particularly in terms of our facilities. The completion and opening of the Baker Family Sports Precinct, Boorer Family Cricket Centre, and Collegians' Centre have provided state-of-the-art spaces for our students and created areas for whole-of-College gatherings. These facilities will enhance our students' learning experiences and contribute to the overall sense of community at Radford. They will have formal opening ceremonies early in 2024.

Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for the upcoming year. We will be finalising the Sports Precinct by establishing a feature pedestrian entrance and a pathway from College Street to the Collegians' Centre. This project aims to improve access, reduce traffic flow onto campus, and enhance the aesthetics of our surroundings.

Preparations are also underway for Radford College's 40th anniversary in 2024. We will unveil a special 40th logo and host various celebrations, including awards ceremonies, time capsules, concerts, balls and dinners. These events will bring together past and present members of our College community to honour our history and celebrate our achievements. Look out for more information on these and see how you can all participate.

Our College opened on Wednesday, 1 February 1984, with 235 students and 20 staff. I think about those humble beginnings today as I know that we have 2100 students, from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, and more than 300 staff. We think about those who came before us and those who will follow.

The Board has now confirmed the agency that will support us in the recruitment of our next Principal. It will be a comprehensive recruitment process that will include broad consultation across the spectrum of stakeholders – staff, students, parents and the Diocese. I look forward to sharing more with you on the opportunity to contribute to the selection of our College’s Principal, and I encourage you to think about participating.

In this spirit, I would like to extend the Board’s gratitude to Mr Andy Gordon for taking on the role of Interim Principal. Mr Gordon and our exceptional leadership, teaching and support staff ensure that our College continues to operate smoothly and that our students receive the highest quality education, co-curricular activities and pastoral care.

It has been a busy year for your Board, the sub-committees of the Board and the Foundation. Being all volunteers, I wish to thank them all for their contribution to the governance of the College and recognise the commitment they make to this community. Thank you!

Sadly, the Deputy Chair of the Board, Reverend Stephen Pickard, has advised us that he will be retiring from the Board when his term ends in February 2024 to spend more time on his recreational pursuits, including writing a book. I will provide a more effusive account of his contribution to the Board early next year, upon his retirement. He has been an enormous support to me as Chair and his contribution will be missed.

Finally, I would like to wish our current and future families a safe and rejuvenating holiday season. We eagerly await your return to our thriving educational environment in the new year. Thank you for choosing Radford, being a part of our community and for your continued support.