Staff Insights
By Reverend Andy Fleming, Chaplain
This term, Secondary School Chapels have focused on Jesus’ command to “love your neighbour as yourself.” This command appears eight times in the Bible, firstly in Leviticus in the Old Testament, and later reinforced by Jesus in the Gospel. Most of the times I have read or heard this command, it is typically associated with who our neighbour is and uses the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke’s Gospel. The Secondary School students were also asked to consider who their neighbour is and the ways in which they can show love to those they see in need.
I have discovered on many occasions that the command is shortened to, "love your neighbour." It wouldn’t surprise me that there are many in our community who follow this abridged version and burnout, continually denying themselves and putting others' needs before their own, making many sacrifices until they have nothing left to give. A student in my Year 8 Religious and Values Education (RaVE) class recently wrote her own parable expressing how the message was to care for ourselves. The main character expressed their love so much so that they lost their own identity and literally become a shadow of themself as they gave parts of their body to help others. This metaphor warns of the danger of sharing our own resources, energy and emotions until we may also lose ourselves.
The central underlining part of the command is to "love yourself." Knowing we are the focus of God’s love is imperative. God loves us deeply and unconditionally. This is what true grace is – to love another deeply and unconditionally. Before we can give this love, we need to be open to receiving it ourselves. God’s love is the foundation for us to share love. This love strengthens us to love our neighbours - those in need. The Apostle Paul even advises us to share according to our means in 1 Corinthians 8.12: “If a man is ready and willing to give, he should give of what he has, not of what he does not have.” As a good friend shared with me, loving your neighbour as yourself is to help your neighbour flourish just as you yourself hope to flourish.
Nan’s Blessing for You
I’ll never understand the love the Lord Jesus has for you.
I’ll never understand how much He loves you.
But this I know: The He loves you,
He loves you with all of His heart, and you are so precious to Him.
You are unique. You were created for a purpose.
God loves you.
Adapted from a Celtic Blessing from the Northumbria Community.
May you find God’s peace in the week ahead,
Rev. Andy.
News
By Anvi Gupta and Audrey Potter, Year 10
Seven students, including ourselves, accompanied by Ms Notley, Mrs Whitby and Mr Rossetto, travelled to the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial on 11 June. As we travelled the long distance to Gamilaraay country over multiple days, we immersed ourselves in various activities to grow a greater understanding of Aboriginal culture and history. This included visiting the FIRST exhibition at Newcastle Museum, meeting with Elders on country, learning about significant sites, and attending the memorial.
One of our first experiences was meeting with Justin, a Worimi man, who talked to us about the importance of the Worimi Conservation Lands and the history of his people on these lands. Justin emphasised the importance of being silent and listen-ing, which are easy to remember as they are made of the same letters (his words). We were enraptured by Justin’s ability to connect us all to the land and culture through his simple classroom, which he made by drawing a circle in the sand dunes we stood on. The four pillars of his culture are land, people, language and lore, and story. Justin reminded us that no matter what, story can never be taken away, a message that stuck with us throughout the trip as we threw ourselves into learning more about culture and history.
On Saturday, we travelled to Tamworth and spent time learning about the significance of ancient rock art at Boundary Rock with Kamilaroi Elder Len Waters. His stories and personal history deepened our connection to the journey we were undertaking. Upon arrival at Bingara, we joined hundreds of others at The Roxy for the Myall Creek Concert. At this event, we had the opportunity to see different perspectives as we heard from Kyla-Belle, a passionate Indigenous singer who is the same age as us, and heard from a band involving Radford Collegians. It was amazing to connect with the community by listening to music and immerse ourselves in the experience by singing and dancing along with songs. We were able to connect with many schools before the memorial service at this concert, and it was a highlight of the trip for all of us.
On 11 June, the day of the Memorial, we travelled to the Myall Creek site for the commemoration. We met in the morning and talked with different schools and a range of people before walking to the site. We were immersed in cultural dances at the site and heard from various guest speakers, such as theologist Richard Trudgen. A highlight was the opportunity to contribute to the day as we read plaques, which identified the events of Myall Creek, with other students from schools across Australia. We listened to stories from the descendants of the victims, and it was heartwarming to see them embrace the descendants of the perpetrators as a sign of reconciliation. We felt privileged to watch the community come together in commemoration and forgiveness and will continue to remember this life-changing experience.
Finally, we thank the teachers, Ms Notley, Mrs Whitby and Mr Rossetto, for including us on this fantastic trip and planning so hard to make it possible. This trip truly wouldn’t have been possible or nearly as incredible without any of these teachers. So, from all seven students, we extend the greatest thank you and appreciation for everything the teachers did.
ACT Oztag Primary North Gala Days
In Week 6, Radford College was represented by six Year 3-6 Oztag teams (four boys and two girls' teams) at the ACT Oztag Primary North Gala Days. Contested by a very large number of schools across the north of Canberra, Radford teams performed well, winning several games and overall having a very enjoyable day. Thank you to the Radford Sport team and Junior School PE teachers for coaching the teams.
Radford Holiday Sports Camps are back!
Radford Sports Camps are returning with the opportunity for students to fine-tune their skills in basketball, football (soccer) and cricket.
Head of Basketball, Mr Ryan Kinnane, has secured former Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) athlete Jessica Bibby. Jessica has played in more than 200 games and won several WNBL Championships. Mr Kinnane has also secured renowned Canberra Gunners’ guard and Basketball ACT development officer, Reece Kaye, to deliver sessions for students from U10-U19s.
Sports Operations Manager, Ms Dianne Wilson, has engaged Coerver Coaching ACT to target boys and girls from our U8-16 teams and help with their ball mastery, 1v1, and receiving and passing. In addition to the 12 hours of programmed Coerver Coaching sessions delivered by Coerver-accredited coaches, players will receive a Coerver Coaching training shirt, Adidas football, home study program and certificate of attendance.
And finally, Head of Cricket, Mr Wally Wright, alongside Head Development Coach Jason McNally and the ACT Meteors (Canberra’s professional women’s team) will be running a FREE Girls Cricket Clinic for Radford students at the ACT Cricket Indoor Centre in Phillip. No cricket experience is necessary and equipment will be provided for those who require it.
For further information, check out the Radford Sports Camp Flyer or contact:
Basketball: CCBasketball@radford.act.edu.au
Cricket: Wally.Wright@radford.act.edu.au
Football: Coerver Coaching ACT x Radford College Holiday Camp - June 2023 | Coerver Coaching (coerveract.com.au).
Join Radford College for its inaugural Careers Fair located in the Morison Centre, Mackinnon Senior School, Heath Lecture Theatre and Leyshon Lecture Theatre on Monday, 19 June.
This event is specifically tailored for Year 10, 11 and 12 students and parents to have the opportunity to hear from and discuss future careers with:
- Local and interstate universities
- Further education providers
- Trade and apprenticeship providers (Master Builders and CIT)
- Defence
- AFP, ADFA, ASD, DFAT, ADF
- Residential colleges
- Fraser’s Medicine (UCAT exam preparation)
Educators and employers will have booths in the Mackinnon Senior School to hand out information and meet with parents and students face-to-face. They will also provide live and virtual presentations in the Heath and Leyshon Lecture Theatres from 4.00-6.00 pm.
View the full list of attendees and presentation schedule here.
Year 11 2024 information sessions will be held in conjunction with the Careers Fair. The intent of these sessions is to provide students with key information to assist them in making informed pathway and subject choices as they transition to senior secondary studies and beyond. This part of the afternoon is aimed at Year 10 students and families. Heads of Department will be informally available to answer questions from 4-5 pm along with our Dean of Secondary Studies and Head of Student Pathways from 4:30-5:30 pm.
Parking at the College will be limited during the Careers Fair. Please view the map before arriving. Overflow parking is available at CIT.
Careers Fair event details
Date: Monday, 19 June
Time: 1-6 pm
Location: Radford College
Registration (parents only): click here
