Staff Insights
By Reverend Andy Fleming, Chaplain
In the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Walter finds Sean O’Connell, the photographer he had been chasing to get the cover page’s missing photograph. Walter is seemingly surprised and thoughtful when Sean does not take the picture of the snow leopard - one of the rarest wildlife photos to capture. I love that Sean sits and watches, making the decision just to be in that moment, to not to get distracted by his camera - his work. I also love his reasoning: “Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.” For Walter, we see the beginning of his realisation that he has been on a journey of personal growth, rather than for the purposes of his job, revealing what's more important.
As you might imagine, there are many journeys undertaken in the Bible: Moses taking the Israelite people out of Egypt once God frees them from slavery; Ruth showing courage, travelling with her mother-in-law Naomi to a foreign land; Cleopas and his friend walking on the road to Emmaus and encountering Jesus after his resurrection; and the journey of Jonah to the city of Nineveh.
Jonah’s journey details how we can find out things about the places we go to, other people and ourselves. Jonah’s story is well known because he is swallowed by a big fish and spewed up onto land three days later. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh, so much so that when God told him to go to Nineveh to save them, he tried to go as far away as he could, boarding a ship to Tarshish (in modern day Spain). He would rather 120,000 or so people be destroyed than fulfil God’s instructions. After a pretty drastic failure on Jonah’s part, he most reluctantly journeys to Nineveh (in modern day Iraq).
Jonah would so prefer for the people to die that he gives God’s message in a most unenthusiastic way, in the hope that the people of Nineveh might ignore him and continue on their path to destruction. When the opposite happens that the people turn back to God, Jonah is so angry he asks God to die. However, God uses this opportunity to show Jonah his attitude is misplaced.
Jonah learns a valuable lesson about not being able to control the uncontrollable. He learns about mercy and forgiveness, and that there are no limits to God’s gracious love.
Similarly to Walter meeting the photographer Sean O’Connell, it wasn’t until Jonah stopped and sat, becoming present in the moment, that he began to learn these things. He learnt about beautiful things in that moment.
Stepping forward towards each other
Bishop Mark Short, our Diocesan Bishop, has written a pastoral letter in response to the referendum on the Voice to parliament and the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza. He encourages us to step forward in love towards First Nations peoples and the people of Israel and Gaza. The letter can be read in full here.
With the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Israel and Gaza, along with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the others that don’t appear in our media, I offer this prayer:
On Peace and War
We are aware of the violent conflicts.
The loss of so many who are caught in the hubris of others.
The lives lost simply because war broke out where they live.
Such conflict and tragedy are remote from us,
but not remote from us are bewilderment, anxiety, and double mindedness.
The world has become so strange, our place in it so tenuous,
where grey seems clearer than the white purity of our hopes.
There is little agreement among us, and so little truth shared,
so little that we scarcely know how to pray or for what to pray.
We do know, however, to who to pray!
We pray to you, Creator God, who wills the world good;
We pray to you, Redeemer God, who makes all things new.
We pray to you, stirring Spirit, healer of the nations.
We pray for guidance, and before that, we pray in repentance,
for too much wanting the world on our own terms.
We pray for your powerful mercy, to put the world - and us – in a new way,
a way after Jesus who gave himself,
a way after Jesus who confounded the authorities and who lived more excellently.
Whelm us by your newness, by peace on your terms -
the newness that you have promised,
of which we have seen glimpses in your son who is our Lord.
(Adapted from Walter Brueggemann)
Amen,
Rev. Andy.
News
By Mrs Emily Leong, Teacher
Lilla Gillman-Wells (Year 8) participated in the Australian Girls Choir National Tour in September. She shares her tour experience below.
Can you tell us about your recent choir tour? Where did you go, and how long were you there?
I went on tour for two weeks in South Australia. We stayed in four places: Murray Bridge, Victor Harbor, Adelaide and Clare. We took part in a total of 11 workshops with primary and secondary schools, plus 11 concerts with a large repertoire of songs in a variety of languages, including Zulu, Latin and English.
What inspired you to join the choir in the first place, and how long have you been a member?
When the Canberra Branch of the Australian Girls Choir first opened, people would come to my primary school and hold auditions to try and get people to join. I joined in the Allegro class. I’ve been in this choir since it first opened in Canberra nearly seven years ago. Each rehearsal in the top level, Performing Choir, is two-and-a-half hours long, but because of the specialist group, it becomes four hours for me every Thursday, from 5-9 pm.
What were some of the songs that you performed on tour, and how did you prepare these?
Full list of songs:
- Thulele Mama Ya
- You’re The Voice
- Partner In Crime
- Gaudete
- Under The Milky Way
- Pain
- I Still Call Australia Home
- I Smile/Smile
- Louder Than Words
- Cup Of Life
- Golden
In order to prepare, we had three separate, four-hour rehearsals in our home states/territories. We would practise these songs (some of which we already knew) and polish them, then go home and practise like crazy in between rehearsals.
What were the highlights of the choir tour for you?
Making so many new friends, travelling to places I’d never been to before, kayaking with one of my host families, getting a solo with a very close friend of mine, staying up late to gossip, and just generally having so many kind people around me.
What do you think you’ve gained from this choir tour experience that you will carry with you into the future?
I learnt how to be a lot more independent and also to be able to change any plans I have in the nick of time. Overall, it was one of the best experiences of my life, and I’m so glad I went on tour.
Lilla recorded a Swahili folk song, Thulele Mama Ya, earlier this semester, which conveys a message of solace and reassurance. She recorded each track individually using Garage Band and enjoyed learning new skills to achieve a polished sound in collaboration with Mr Kevin Knapp and Mr David Burcher. Thulele Mama Ya marks a milestone in Lila’s musical journey, offering insights into composition and musicality.
Futsal
During the school holidays, Millie Unwin (Year 4), Bella Voortman (Year 4), Faye Sun (Year 4), Tahlia Smith (Year 4), Jake Bennett (Year 4), Gemma Voortman (Year 7) and Ana Mann (Year 7) represented the ACT in various age groups at the Australian Futsal Association National Schools Championships in Brisbane. Millie and Bella were in the Under 10 Girls team, which was undefeated and crowned champion.
Football
Congratulations to Isla Murphy (Year 8), who was in the Capital Football Under 14 team, which was the Group B Champion at the National Youth Championships in Wollongong last week, beating Queensland Silver 3-2 in the Grand Final. Chelsea Hately (Year 9) and Angelina Babic (Year 10) also put in a solid performance last week in the U16 team.
Become a Ball Kid
Tennis ACT is seeking expressions of interest for ball kids aged 12-18 at Canberra International 2024. This is a wonderful opportunity for ball kids to experience the Canberra International, which will be held at the Canberra Tennis Centre from 31 December to 6 January.
The expression of interest form can be accessed here.
By Aayush Bhatia, Year 10
During the spring holidays, the Year 10 Japanese class travelled to Japan for an exchange and study tour. Our trip started from Canberra and ended in Okayama after almost 13 hours of travel. Once we reached Okayama, reality began to set in. We were all extremely excited to visit Konko Gakuen High School, meet our host families, and reconnect with all the people we met in March when students from Konko Gakuen travelled to Radford College.
When we went to the school with our host families, we quickly realised how different Japanese school is to Australian school. All of their classes are in one classroom, and all the students sit on singular desks in rows separated from each other. On our second day, we went on a trip with our exchange students to visit the Hiroshima atomic bomb museum and Miyajima Island. This excursion helped us further understand Japanese culture.
"The Hiroshima and Miyajima excursion was a great time to talk to people I didn't know that well from our previous exchange back in March" - Saanvi.
On the last day of the homestay, we experienced a traditional tea ceremony hosted by the Konko Gakuen students. We all made matcha tea and ate traditional sweets. On the Saturday, we went to school to participate in their school sports carnival. It was a great experience participating in all the events. We took part in an obstacle course, the 100-meter race, and a caterpillar race. Surprisingly, we won four out of the nine races we participated in.
Our experience at Konko Gakuen was amazing and one that we will remember and cherish for the rest of our lives.
"The best part for me was being able to connect and reconnect with everyone from Konko Gakuen, and I really enjoyed getting to know and spending time with my classmates" - Priyanka.
Following this, we travelled to Kyoto for the second leg of our journey. On our first day there, we visited Kiyomizudera Temple as a class. We walked along the streets near the temple and then went to an ice cream shop with more than 20 different flavours. On our second day in Kyoto, we visited Nara and fed the wild deer that inhabit the area. We all enjoyed the mostly friendly company of the deer following us as we walked around. Inside Nara's main temple, Todaiji, we saw a 15m Buddha statue and attempted to pass through a 30-centimeter-wide hole known as the Buddha's nostril – it is said, that if you successfully pass through, you will achieve enlightenment.
After this, we visited one of the most famous shrines in Japan, Fushimi Inari Shrine. We split off into groups and walked the four kilometers up the mountain through the path lined with distinctive orange torii gates. At the end of the climb, which was the mountain top, we were blessed with the beautiful night lights of Kyoto.
The next day, we visited Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion where the top two floors are covered in real gold leaf. After this, we went to karaoke, pet cafes, and shopping as a class. For our last day in Kyoto, we met up with Haruna, our former Japanese assistant, who took us to Dotomburi, one of the busiest shopping districts in Japan. The next day, we boarded our train to go to Takayama.
In Takayama, we stayed in a minshuku, which is a traditional Japanese inn. On our first day, we made homemade soba noodles, which we then enjoyed for dinner. The next day, we embarked on the most challenging activity of the trip – hand fishing. We all struggled as the fish proved to be extremely quick and slimy. For the remainder of the day, we bonded over card games and enjoyed each other's company. The following day, we visited Hida No Sato, a folk village showcasing traditional Japanese architecture. After exploring the buildings, we engaged in traditional Japanese activities such as walking on stilts and playing Kendama (a cup and ball game). Leaving Takayama behind, we hopped on the Shinkansen and headed to Tokyo.
"Takayama was my favourite place. Our group became like a family, and we had the best time together, always open and enjoying every moment" - Iona.
Our first day in Tokyo took us to Harajuku and Shibuya. We strolled along Harajuku's main street, Takeshita Street, where we indulged in crepes, a popular sweet treat. As we were leaving, we even came across a group of Australian tourists driving Mario karts on the road. We then made our way to Shibuya to experience the famous Shibuya crossing, bustling with activity just as depicted in photographs. Our visit to Teamlabs in Tokyo the next day was the highlight of the entire trip. This interactive art museum featured a water section with four main rooms and a garden area with two rooms.
As a class, we particularly enjoyed the rotating room in the water section. Projectors displayed moving images on the walls, creating an illusion of movement and rotation within the room. Arguably the best day of our trip followed, as we spent a day at Tokyo Disneyland. Despite the rain, we remained in high spirits. Upon entering Disneyland, we all purchased Disney character hats or Mickey Mouse ears.
Haruna, our language assistant, made a special trip to join us at Disneyland. Following her recommendations, we enjoyed special Halloween meals for both lunch and dinner. The standout treat was the purple sweet potato pie, one of the best sweets we had in Japan. Throughout the day, we went on rides and watched parades. To cap off the day, we found a spot and eagerly awaited the famous Disneyland fireworks show. Unfortunately, rain began to fall just as the show started. Nevertheless, we savoured the fireworks display before heading back home to prepare for our second-last day in Japan.
The penultimate day was a leisurely one. We visited Sensoji in Asakusa, exploring a long shopping street leading to a shrine. Afterward, we gathered as one big family at a family restaurant for our final authentic Japanese dinner. With hearts full, we walked back home, ready for the final day ahead, which involved a Mt. Fuji sightseeing tour and a ride on a pirate ship. In the morning, we climbed over 400 stairs to behold an unobstructed view of Mt. Fuji. Later, we visited an open-air museum adorned with sculptures and interactive artworks. Our last activity in Japan involved a short and relaxing ride on a pirate ship across Lake Ashi. We then made our way to the airport, preparing to board our flight back home.
"The city of Tokyo was an enlightening place, filled with wonder and enthrallment" - Theo.
Our Japanese study tour concluded with mixed emotions. We created countless memories, engaged in enriching experiences, and formed connections that will last a lifetime. For anyone seeking to immerse themselves in different cultures and explore an amazing country brimming with incredible people, this trip is a must.
"The trip was already expected to be amazing, but it surpassed all expectations because we made the most of our time in Japan!" - Anika.
Radford's Sports Operations Manager, Ms Dianne Wilson, recently showcased her exceptional futsal skills on a global stage at the NSDF Women's Futsal Tournament in Thailand. We asked Ms Wilson what it was like to compete against national teams and to be treated like royalty for a week, plus the impact of her passion for the sport on the thriving futsal community at Radford.
What team did you represent, and in which competition did you participate in Thailand recently?
It’s a little complicated - we competed at the NSDF Women’s Futsal Tournament, which was a tournament for Asian nations. Unfortunately, Australia doesn’t currently have an official national women’s team. Football NSW was invited to represent Australia after winning the nationals in January but declined due to funding reasons. So, Capital Football (ACT) was given a late invitation due to the fact that we were runners up of the nationals. We were considered an ‘unofficial state’. So, for example, we didn’t get a national anthem before games like the other nations did.
How long were you there for, and can you share how your team performed?
We were there for ten days. We lost our first game to Thailand 3-0 and were strangely pleased with the result. Thailand is ranked 11th in the world, and the players are full-time professionals, some with Puma or Nike deals and a lot of social media followers! They were celebrities and the eventual tournament runners up.
We lost our second game 2-1 to Bahrain, which was disappointing and unfortunately knocked us out of the tournament. Luckily, China agreed to play us in a friendly a few days later, which we lost 5-0, but the score didn’t reflect the game - there were a few sore bodies. China played Bahrain in the bronze medal match the following day, which they surprisingly lost, and their coach credited the result to the tough battle against us the previous day.
Japan, ranked tenth in the world, was the tournament champion, and its players looked like they were from another planet with their silky skills and speed! It would be great to see Football Australia invest in futsal – it is a common pathway for many of the world’s top footballing nations, including Brazil and the recent Women’s World Cup Champions, Spain.
Can you tell us about your experience in Thailand? Was it a standout moment in your playing career?
It was definitely a highlight playing against national teams! The tournament was played in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, which is about the same size as Canberra, three-and-a-half hours northeast of Bangkok (no beaches, unfortunately). The Australian Women’s Volleyball team was also in town competing in a tournament, and we were sometimes oddly mistaken for them, which we claimed haha!
The stadium we played in was inside a massive shopping mall, and all the teams stayed at the same hotel where we were treated like absolute queens. It was pretty cool to see the other teams' professionalism and how they conducted themselves off the pitch.
We had two days to be tourists in Bangkok before flying home, and almost all of us immediately had to play outdoor finals.
We’ve heard that you have exceptional skills in kick-ups. What is the record for the longest duration you have kept the ball in the air?
My record is something like 800, but I got bored, so I started to learn some tricks and train in freestyle football. I’ve won a couple of competitions and had some pretty awesome opportunities, such as performing at the A League Women’s Grand Final and, most recently, at an event for Nike Football where I got to keep some merch.
Apart from your time in Thailand, what other moments stand out as highlights in your futsal career?
As the great Cristano Ronaldo once said: “Football takes me many places. Hot places. Cold places” (for those who remember the 2010 World Cup Castrol advert). I often like to tie my futsal/football/freestyle football experiences together because, while they're slightly different forms of the game, they all complement each other and I have been very fortunate to have many amazing experiences. Specifically in futsal, travelling all over the country to play in national championships and, on a couple of occasions, being in the winning team, as well as playing in the old F League. I also got to travel to Spain last year with the Australian Futsal Association as a tour official and was lucky enough to get to play some games too!
What age did you start playing futsal, and what motivated you to begin?
I think I was 12 when I started playing. I went to watch a friend play and was completely hooked.
How does your passion for futsal influence your role at Radford?
It has been pleasing to see the growth of the sport at the school. This season, we will be fielding a record 28 teams, including a record ten girls teams! I have many great resources and am able to upskill our coaches, and, in turn, our players due to my coaching qualifications, knowledge and experience. We are really trying to drive the connection between outdoor and futsal this summer, with many of our football coaches, including NPL coaches, joining the futsal program.
By Mrs Annette Carter, College Historian
Did you know? Roy Churcher is the artist behind the eight House banners that hang in T.B. Millar Hall. In 1993, he worked in the art room with students from all secondary year levels to paint the banners in colourful abstract designs based on the emblems of each House.
Born in 1933 in England, Churcher studied at the Sutton School of Art and Crafts and the Slade School of Fine Art in the 1940s and 50s before moving to Australia and teaching art in Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra. He was married to Betty (also an artist who became a renowned arts educator and administrator and the Director of the National Gallery of Australia from 1990-97) and was instrumental in establishing the Queensland Branch of the Contemporary Art Society and The Institute of Modern Art in Brisbane.
Adam Deutsch, who was in Year 7 when the House banners were created, remembers that Churcher was an encouraging and enthusiastic figure. With the scope being quite open, the students had “pretty much a free-for-all” over a few sessions with “crayons overlaying their own creativity on top of and between each other.” The plants and nature were added, and then the whole canvas was washed over with the House colour. Adam even remembers hiding a couple of animals on two of the banners and was amazed that Roy could pull off the process with all the different students “seemingly with independent ideas.”
Churcher had a long and distinguished career embedded in modernism techniques. His son, Paul Churcher, organised an exhibition called '25 years in Wamboin' in 2016. This exhibition took place at their family estate in Wamboin, a year after both Churcher and his wife Betty passed away. An interview for Australian Art Review highlighted Roy Churcher’s love of looking at, sharing and talking about art, life and “all the stuff that matters.”
