Staff Insights
By Mr Andy Gordon, Deputy Principal and Head of Junior School
I have a stethoscope that lives on the bookshelf in my office. It is sometimes there for aesthetics or a prop, though my intention to keep it close within my view is to remind me of the following.
The inventor of the stethoscope, René Laennec, was noted as having said, "Listen to your patients. They’re telling you how to heal them."
As educators and school leaders, we are sensitive to the cultural forces, patterns, structures and energies of the people in our learning community. We need to listen to our learners. They’re telling us how to teach them, how to reach them, how to inspire them and how to nurture them.
While using our voice isn’t the only way to communicate our values, beliefs and feelings, it is one of the most recognisable and practical indicators. To be heard and understood is a fundamental need of all people. Let me now reframe the quote: listen to the voices of our learners. They’re telling us, as best they can for their age and life experience, how to teach them.
At a time when the word ‘voice’ is filling the radio waves, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on our own capacity, whether as a teacher, parent, or friend, to listen to the voice that is in front of us, in these moments of truth.
I can’t help but think of the lives saved and the bodies healed, not by the stethoscope - as it has no healing or antibiotic qualities by itself - but because the stethoscope allowed the doctor to listen, listen again…and respond.
By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
The upcoming Cross Country Carnival (Wednesday, 10 May) reminds me of Olympic runner and missionary Eric Liddell. His story was captured in the film Chariots of Fire, famous for the iconic opening scene of the team undertaking a training run on the beach, with the compelling musical score seeming to propel the runners forward.
In one scene, Eric is being chastised by his sister for giving too much attention to his running at the expense of his responsibilities towards God. He responds, “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.”
Tommy Grimm reflects on this scene and contrasts Eric’s experience with the experience many of us have when it comes to exercise i.e., not much fun!
Grimm then makes the point that it was in the act of running that joy was found, rather than in an edict to exercise. He concludes with the challenge to find ways that exercise can be fun to increase enjoyment and motivation. As Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap! The job's a game.”
My years as a beginning teacher were shaped by William Glasser’s Choice Theory as this was the guiding framework of my first school. Glasser reminds us that fun is a necessary part of life. Glasser identifies five basic needs, including fun, that we aim to fulfil through our actions and behaviours.
- Survival: This is a physiological need encompassing everything you need to sustain life, such as health, shelter and nourishment. The psychological component to this need involves feeling safe and secure.
- Power: This need involves the desire to matter, make a difference, achieve and be competent, recognised and respected. It includes self-esteem and a desire to leave a legacy.
- Freedom: The need for freedom is about having choices, being independent and autonomous. Freedom is about being able to move freely without restriction. Creativity is a part of this need, too.
- Fun and enjoyment: All humans have a basic need to have fun and seek enjoyment in what they do. Enjoyment can also be the reward of learning new things. We seek enjoyment through hobbies and leisure activities, but we are also driven by a need to enjoy our work.
- Love and belonging: The need for love and belonging includes the drive to be connected with others, such as friends, family, partners, co-workers, pets and the groups we affiliate with.
Glasser’s five needs can be a helpful framework for identifying within ourselves, and within the children and young people with whom we engage, how to meet these needs in healthy and life-giving ways. We can ask ourselves, which basic need requires attention at this time and how might I go about doing that?
A lens of faith can be integrated with Glasser’s five basic needs. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have love, and have it to the full (John 10:10)." God is the creator of life and has given us an abundance of what we need and the imperative to ensure that everyone has enough. God has given each of us gifts to develop, the capacity to love and be loved, and the revelation of God as the source of love. Freedom to experience life in all its fullness and freedom from oppression and fear are central tenets of the Christian life. So too is fun as we enjoy the goodness found in the world around us. Children are great teachers as to what incidental fun looks like.
None of these needs are met in isolation from each other. Nor are they met as isolated individuals. For example, the need for survival in terms of housing affordability and access to essentials such as food, education and healthcare require a significant response from governments and non-government agencies such as Anglicare.
While I was in the audience at the Radford musical Guys and Dolls recently, I could sense the fun the cast and crew were having, along with the hard work and sense of achievement that was part of it. This video shows a community action that was designed to inject fun into daily life. I wonder what it might inspire for you?
News
By Ariadna Iskhakova, Year 8
Hi, my name is Ariadna, and I am a student in Year 8 who was lucky enough to participate in the International Round Square Postcard. This event was a zoom meeting with 120 students from eight different countries, all discussing the topic of 'Ways to Speak Your Truth'.
In the online conference, we began with an introduction from the hosts, followed by an interesting presentation from Nadia Khan, CEO of the Nadia Khan Clothing Company. She told us about her developing fashion business and taught us that motivation is key to life success.
Later we were split into seven barazas/Zoom groups, in which we started with some 'get to know you' games and talked about our opinions on truth and what it means to speak your truth. I was in Baraza Four, and our question was, “What does your truth mean to you?” During the 30 minutes in our barazas, my group was able to make a presentation answering the question, which I got to share later with the rest of the conference members.
While representing Baraza Four, I talked about what truth means to us. The answer is that a person’s truth is a reflection of themself. Truth means everything to us, even though you don't always know it. Your truth is anything you want it to be, and you can speak it by expressing yourself in any way you want.
Overall, the experience was amazing, and I am really looking forward to more Round Square Conferences, more opportunities to express my opinions, and more chances to talk about such fascinating topics with people around the world.
By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Radford Student Council (RSC) Teacher
Radford Student Council (RSC) warmly invites Junior School families to the annual Movie Night, which raises funds for the children we sponsor through Compassion.
The Movie Night will be held in RA Young Hall on Wednesday, 31 May. Doors will open at 5:45 pm for a prompt 6 pm start. Tickets are $10 per family and include a bag of popped microwave popcorn. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bookings close Monday, 29 May, unless sold out before. To book tickets for your family, please follow this link.
Additional information:
- Seating is unallocated. First in best dressed! You can choose to sit in the tiered seating or bring a picnic rug/cushion to sit on the floor. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner.
- Bring water bottles as popcorn can make you thirsty, and drinks will not be provided this year in order to avoid single-use plastic.
- Please note that children must sit with and be supervised by their parents.
- The booking system will close when the family tickets are sold out or on Monday, 29 May at 3 pm, and no further tickets will be available after this for catering reasons.
- There is no need to print the ticket - the booking name will be on a list at the door.
- The movie will be Space Jam, which is rated G. You can watch the trailer here.
Any questions or inquiries can be directed to Melinda Hamilton melinda.hamilton@radford.act.edu.au or Mary Willett mary.willett@radford.act.edu.au.
Brennon Dowrick OAM is one of Australia’s most successful male gymnasts and is now in demand internationally for his motivational speaking.
Brennon is also a Radford College Foundation Student (Class of 1989).
After competing at two Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games and seven Gymnastics World Championships, as well as winning countless Gold Medals for his country, Brennon knows a lot about setting and achieving goals. Spending 18 years on scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport, Brennon discovered the importance of taking every opportunity presented to him to allow him to achieve his Olympic dream.
In addition to speaking, Brennon was on the Board of Gymnastics Australia in charge of High Performance and has been awarded an OAM for his achievements and services to Australia.
Collegians Long Lunch
When: Friday, 16 June
Where: The Marion, Regatta Point
Link to tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/radford-collegians-long-lunch-1ccbsdj4
The Radford College Parents & Friends Committee is thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for the Gala Opening Night of the 2023 Radford Art Show.
This popular community event will be held on Friday 19th May from 7:00 pm in the TB Millar Hall.
This will be the 39th year that the Radford Art Show has celebrated the work of local and regional artists, as well as student art.
Please join us as we celebrate many artists who will exhibit works in a wide range of media: oils, watercolours, digital media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodwork and more. These pieces will be for sale. Student art will also be on display across the weekend.
Prizes include Judge's Choice, People's Choice, and Emerging Artist awards.
Gala Opening tickets: $20 per person (includes drinks and canapés).
Click here to buy tickets.
The P&F is also seeking volunteers to give up a few hours of their time from Tuesday, May 16 through to Sunday, May 21.
Click here to sign-up.