Staff Insights
By Reverend Andy Fleming, Chaplain
The Season of Creation is an opportunity to re-focus our attention to the parts of creation we enjoy. In an episode of Compass titled Awe Hunters, which coincided with the start of the Season of Creation, Julia Baird looked for the extraordinary that occurs in creation. The episode explores finding awe in the everyday, from the luminescence in Tasmanian waters to 500-year-old trees still being climbed by people. The benefits of finding awe increases our well-being, improving our mood and perspective.
Perhaps we can discover awe as we move through our daily routine. We are blessed with some pretty amazing views in most places around Canberra, taking note of flowers and new buds on trees at this time of the year that we might otherwise overlook and listening to the birdsong in the evening. There is a simplicity to discovering awe, we just have to be mindful of the things around us.
I am in awe of those who play music and sing. It might come from my own regrets of not continuing piano lessons or learning the guitar when I had the opportunity. However, at times, I am transfixed by the ability of those who play - students, staff and those in the church groups I’m involved in. One area I find joy in is when students sing together in Chapel. When a year group sings together, it can sound awesome.
I’m also in awe of those who share the love they find in God, doing simple acts for others, putting into practise what is taught in passages such as 1 John 4:11: "Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." Having been on the receiving end of this love, I’ve experienced gifts that have created some very cool opportunities. This love can be life changing.
As you move through this season, I encourage you to find the awe in the everyday and enjoy God’s gift of creation.
"Every moment and encounter
is an opportunity to be amazed by beauty,
enraptured by amazement,
and consoled by the traces of divine presence" - Social Justice Statement 2021-22.
A prayer by the Australian Catholic Bishops Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace
Creator God,
we stand in awe of all that you have made.
Fill our hearts with gratitude
for every good gift, great and small,
that feeds and forms us,
inviting and enabling us
to become people who are fully alive
in your amazing grace.
Amen.
Go in peace,
Rev. Andy
Artist Lumbini Bandara statement for Picturesque
Picturesque is a watercolour work depicting the beautiful walk through Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout during spring. The painting sets the scene of my family, friends and I on one of our very frequent walks on this trail, a blush of light pink flowers blooming amidst the fields, pine trees uniformly growing amongst them. Inspired by Karen Rice’s landscape portraits, the artwork illustrates the background of the sunset sky in a layered gradient wash from dark blue-purple to pink, orange and yellow, whereas the foreground details the fine foliage of grass. As a newcomer to this city, it has not been difficult to adjust and appreciate Canberra’s picturesque scenery, which is so different from the rugged outback of Darwin and the urbanised cityscapes of Melbourne. Canberra possesses a discreet beauty that is consistent through all seasons, spring being one of the vibrant colours and varieties of flowers that I experienced for the first time last year. Picturesque portrays the best part of living in the quietly beautiful city of Canberra; the undisturbed ability to explore beautiful landscapes such as Dairy Farmers Hill with the people close to you.
Mr Andy Gordon, Acting Principal and Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
"In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future" - Uluru Statement from the Heart.
On 14 October, Australians will vote in a referendum to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
As outlined in the Voice Principles, this body will give independent advice to the parliament and government. It will further the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by giving them a greater say on matters that affect them.
As we engage with the discussion and debate, it is helpful to return to the question being asked and the changes to the Constitution that are being proposed.
What is the question for the Voice referendum?
The question that will be put to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum will be:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
What is the proposed change to the Constitution?
The proposed law that Australians are being asked to approve at the referendum would insert the following lines into the Constitution:
Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia: i. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; ii. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; iii. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.
The Process to a Voice
Rev. Katherine Rainger writes:
I remember driving out of the car park of St Mark’s National Theological Centre on the afternoon of 26 May 2017. I was listening to the radio and nearly had to pull over as I was so elated by what I heard.
After 13 regional dialogues, more than 250 First Nations delegates at the Constitutional Convention (convened by the bi-partisan Referendum Council) had released the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Through dialogue and debate, the delegates created a meaningful way to enact constitutional recognition. Rather than assenting to a model of constitutional recognition that was already decided, something new and with profound potential for positive change over the short-, mid-, and long-term had emerged.
Australia already voted in a referendum in 1999 that would symbolically recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a new preamble of our Constitution. This proposed change did not pass.
This time around, after widespread and well-informed consultation on the issue of constitutional recognition amongst First Nations people, a different proposal is being offered.
If we are going to recognise First Nations people in the Constitution and we ask what this recognition should look like, it makes sense that the form of recognition that is requested is given serious consideration.
The Uluru Statement website outlines the history and in-depth processes that have led to the proposed referendum. There is also an informative FAQ section about the Voice.
Walking Together
83% of First Nations peoples support a voice because they know the difference it will make.
Prior to working at Radford, I worked at Kalkaringi Community Education Centre in the Northern Territory for three years. My co-educator in the preschool was Rosie Smiler, a Gurindji woman.
Rosie is the granddaughter of Vincent Lingiari, one of the leaders of the Wave Hill walk-off that began the land rights movement in Australia. The story of Vincent Lingiari is told in Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly’s ballad From Little Things Big Things Grow.
Rosie has co-written a children’s book about the walk-off called Freedom Day.
After telling the story of the walk-off, the book turns to present-day struggles for self-determination and concludes with the following words:
"Our voice should be in the rule book [the Constitution] - as it should have been long ago. The Uluru Statement is an invitation to all Australian people to walk with us, like you, our mates, walked with us Gurindji before.”
Local voices, including Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan, agree. Aunty Violet is asking Australians from all backgrounds to “stand with us” to make the change for a better future, a more reconciled future with better opportunities and outcomes for First Nations communities through “people there to sit at the table.”
Mr Andy Gordon writes:
On the weekend, an estimated 200,000 Australians joined a national ‘Walk for Yes’ across the country in a show of support for the recognition of First Nations people in the Constitution. This collective outpouring of support expresses a collective desire for justice and hope.
May the Radford College values of truth, compassion and wisdom guide each of us as we carefully consider the question and opportunities before us.
For additional reflections on the referendum, see here and here.
News
By Rowena Stevens, Spanish Teacher
As part of the Year 12 International Baccalaureate (IB) and BSSS Spanish course, students have been exploring the perspectives of Latin American people. To get to know these countries and cultures a little better, students have explored the music, art and cinema from Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay and beyond.
In Week 10, the students enjoyed a visit from César Alvarez Velasquez of The Australia-Colombia Dialogue, who, along with Viviana Espinosa, shared details of their truly amazing homeland, Colombia. We learnt about the rich biodiversity of this beautiful country and the impact of its geography and climate on the culture and lifestyles of its peoples. Students learnt about Colombia’s renowned writer Gabriel García Marquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude), Colombian reggaeton artists and the political landscape, past and present. We were fascinated by the cultural differences, discovering that Colombia is a country where “se madruga”, that is, they rise very early in the morning. We also learnt about the Colombian custom of drinking “café tinto”.
We also discovered the incredible impact that the Andes Mountains have on Spanish accents, climate, export and travel.
The students were very grateful to César and Viviana for sharing their expert knowledge on Colombia and personal stories, which really brought Colombia to life. We are very lucky that César and Viviana are school parents and were willing to share their time with us.
12 and Under School Sport ACT Track and Field Championships
In Week 9, Radford was represented by 15 students at the 12 and Under School Sport ACT (SSACT) Track and Field Championships, held at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). It was a great day filled with podium finishes, personal best times/distances and students placing in the top half of their events. Congratulations to the following students:
- Year 4 – Shivin Gujjeti, Ridhvik Ramanan, Tahlia Smith and Bella Voortman
- Year 5 – Oscar Eyers, Emerson Ryan and Arthur Wagner
- Year 6 – Sebastian Costanzo, Eva Dixon, Patrick Maundrell, Elsie Osborne, Austin Saunderson, Mae Smith and Ashley Ward
- Year 7 – Zoe Schofield
- Absent – Elliot Griffiths and Lachlan Stevens
Capital Football Girls National Youth Championships Team Selections
Congratulations and good luck to Isla Murphy (Year 8) who has been selected in the Under 14 Girls and Chelsea Hately (Year 9) and Angelina Babic (Year 10) who have been selected in the Under 16 Girls Capital Football teams to compete at the National Youth Championships in Wollongong in October.
SSACT Achievements
Congratulations to Victor Cumpston (Year 7) for his selection in the SSACT 12 and Under Boys Netball Team. Victor travelled to Perth in Week 9 to compete with the ACT team in the 2023 School Sport Australia National Championships.
Sport Achievements
On Sunday, 10 September, Joey Slater (Year 12), Curtis Garrett (Year 12) and Patrick Walker (Class of 2022) were members of the Belconnen Magpies team that won the AFL Canberra Rising Stars (Under 18) Premiership. The team made history as the first Belconnen senior AFL team to go through an entire season undefeated.
Coerver Coaching ACT Holiday Camps – September/October 2023
Coerver Coaching Holiday Camps offer a fun-filled soccer experience for boys and girls aged three to 16+ years. Each day will include ball mastery, one-on-one attack and defence training, receiving and passing, small-sided Coerver games and mini Coerver Cup tournaments.
Players who attend a Coerver Coaching ACT Holiday Camp receive:
- 12 hours of programmed Coerver Coaching sessions delivered by Coerver Diploma accredited coaches.
- Coerver Coaching training Shirt
- Adidas training football.
- Coerver Coaching Home Study Program.
- Coerver Coaching Home Study Program Online Support.
- Coerver Coaching certificate of attendance.
Dates:
- Northside – Monday, 25 September – Thursday, 28 September.
- Southside – Tuesday, 3 October – Friday, 6 October.
Times: 9 am to 12 pm each day.
Venue:
- Northside – University of Canberra, Bruce.
- Southside – Trinity Christian School, Wanniassa.
Registration link: https://coerveract.com.au/holiday-camps
Congratulations to Radford students Connor Dugard (Year 7), Megan Espeland (Year 7) and Ruby Lind (Year 9) who are set to showcase their talent in Child Players ACT's production of the Pirates of Penzance during the upcoming school holidays.
These dedicated students have been rehearsing twice a week throughout Term 3 in preparation for their roles in the show. With a cast of 26 youth aged ten to 22, Connor, Megan, and Ruby will be taking on various characters in the performance. One of the highlights is Connor's portrayal of the Major General. He was invited to participate in a media call with Child Players ACT for 'International Talk Like a Pirate Day' last Tuesday.
“I have done a few shows with this company. This is my third," said Connor. "I got one of the biggest roles in the show, so it has been a very busy few months. I’m very excited about the show. It is going to be very fun.“
The Pirates of Penzance play follows the story of Frederic, a young man apprenticed to the Pirate King, who longs to lead an honest life. On his 21st birthday, Frederic is freed from his pirate indentures. Along his journey in the free world, he encounters a group of beautiful maidens, including Mabel, whom he falls in love with. However, an unexpected revelation throws a wrench in his plans. Frederic discovers that due to being born on 29 February, he has technically only had five birthdays and must return to the pirates until he reaches 21-years-old. Despite the challenges, Mabel agrees to wait for him for another 63 years!
This production promises to be an entertaining and engaging experience for audiences of all ages. The show aims to bring people together through song, hilarity, and fun. Whether young or young at heart, everyone will leave the theatre with a desire to talk - and sing - like a pirate.
Tickets for the Pirates of Penzance are now available to purchase. The show opens on Friday, 22 September at Belconnen Community Theatre and runs until Friday, 29 September. Secure your tickets now through TryBooking Australia.
By Ms Agnes Kopras-Ianson, Director of Finance and Sustainability Working Group Member
As part of our sustainability commitment, Radford College spent a lot of time and energy on waste management this year. Examples of actions taken include:
- Engaging Global Worming to build our very own worm farm. Special thanks go to Teacher Mr Dean O’Brien and the amazing Year 4 students who contribute to managing it.
- Introducing three colour-coded bins. Each bin represents a distinct category of waste - green for organic, yellow for recyclables, and red for non-recyclables. This simple yet effective approach has made it easier for everyone to segregate their waste correctly, reducing contamination and improving the overall efficiency of waste collection and recycling processes. Our deep-felt thanks go to Facilities Manager Mr Craig Webber and Chief Operating Officer Mr David Perceval for managing this change.
- Launching a partnership with the Upcycle clothing recycling scheme, which has brought a remarkable transformation to our P&F shop. Under the dedicated leadership of Sports and Second-Hand Uniform Shop Assistant Ms Trish Noel, this initiative has breathed new life into the shop.
- In Term 4, the Parents and Friends Association will run Radford Twilight Fete as a sustainable event.
In our journey to understand waste, we have uncovered some essential truths. Waste is not just a simple issue; it is complex, multifaceted, and ever-present. Here is a brief recap of what we have learned:
- Waste is challenging: Dealing with waste is no walk in the park. It involves intricate processes, from production to disposal, with numerous environmental and social implications.
- It's all about money: all the schemes we have implemented cost money – at least to start with. However, over a longer period, they start to generate savings.
- Perfection is elusive: While perfection may be unattainable, every action counts. Small changes in our daily lives can collectively make a significant impact.
- Community matters: We've discovered that as a community, we are doing more than we think. Sharing our actions and inspiring one another can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Our mission is to continue learning, sharing, and inspiring. Together, we can turn these insights into actions that benefit our community and the planet.
Abbey Morgan (Class of 2016) discovered her passion for drama at Radford. Despite facing obstacles, Abbey's determination to pursue a career in acting has remained unwavering. After graduating, she embarked on a gap year to pursue the Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen with Perform Australia here in Canberra. This experience fuelled her desire to pursue an acting degree. In 2017, Abbey applied to prestigious drama schools, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), but was advised to gain more experience. Following this advice, she enrolled in weekend classes at NIDA Open, honing her skills even further. The following year, Abbey's hard work paid off, as she was accepted into both drama schools. Recently, Abbey returned to Radford to conduct drama workshops for current students. She sat down with us to share her production experiences and shed light on the highs and lows of being an actor.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I loved all things performing as a child. My dream was to be on X Factor as a singer-songwriter up until about Year 9, but then through doing drama at Radford, I realised I preferred acting. It quickly became my favourite subject; I felt really good about myself when I did it. Ultimately, I love storytelling and making people feel seen.
How did Radford prepare you for a career in acting?
Radford prepared me for a wide range of acting styles and taught me to be brave. Mr Nick Akhurst and Mr Jason Golding pushed me to play roles outside of those I would have picked for myself. In Year 11, I was cast as Mrs Cheveley, a villainous character, in An Ideal Husband. Then in Year 12, I was cast as Simon, a sensitive, withdrawn, small boy, in Lord of the Flies. We also devised our own works, which is really important for performers, because if you're not getting work, you can put your own work on.
You studied a Bachelor of Arts (Acting) at WAAPA between 2019–21. Can you tell us about the course?
WAAPA was amazing. You're there from Monday to Friday, 8 am–6 pm, and you get many performance opportunities, setting you up for a career in acting. There were only 17 of us in the cohort, which meant our teachers were really able to focus on each of us and meet our needs. We also got to work with some incredible people. One of my highlights was working with actor Kylie Bracknell, who was on the Netflix show Irreverent.
You also undertook training at NIDA Open in 2018. What was that like?
The NIDA Open course was held every Saturday in Sydney for a year. They split the content by terms, so term one was voice and movement, term two was screen, term three was Shakespeare and contemporary, and term four was a production unit. It was like a taste of the Bachelor of Arts and helped me prepare to travel interstate the following year. It was also helpful because I was able to get a taste of the NIDA course. I was so set on going to NIDA, but it turned out that WAAPA was very big on nurturing and ensemble, which suited my personality.
You've starred in 14 television and theatre productions over the past four years. Has there been a highlight?
Bad Behaviour, which aired on Stan, was a definite highlight. I was cast for that as I was graduating from WAAPA. I only had three weeks at home in Canberra between graduating and travelling to Melbourne for pre-production and shooting, so it was a whirlwind. But getting a Stan credit and a substantial TV role was at the end of the five-year plan I'd written in business class at WAAPA. So, to achieve that not even a year out of uni was huge for me.
I've been really fortunate with the roles I've had so far. I'm only a year-and-a-half out of drama school and have also performed in a state theatre show, in front of full audiences, at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth and recently completed a tour along the East Coast and in the Top End in the production CUSP. That was just the most beautiful play in which the actors and I could feel we were making a difference to people and making them feel seen.
CUSP sounds amazing. Can you tell us more about that?
CUSP is about three teenagers from a low socioeconomic background in the Top End. They don't have a lot of support - one has just come out of jail, another is a First Nations woman facing a lot of pressure from community about what she should do with her life as she finishes school, and the character I played, Maddie, is pregnant at 16. They are all asked to grow up really fast without the support to do that safely. I knew it was a really beautiful play when we performed it in the eastern states but taking it to the Top End elevated it so much, because you could feel we'd brought it home and how much it resonated with the audience.
A week in your life must be very busy...
It depends on what I'm doing. For example, when I was doing the Stan show, I had my weekends off, but the weeks were packed with 12-hour days. Often I'd be on set from 6 am until 6 pm. I'd go straight into make-up and hair or costume, get microphoned and then taken onto set. Although there's a saying "hurry up and wait" on screen sets because there can be a lot of waiting around, but then as soon as you're called, it's go, go, go.
However, that's only in the on periods. I'm in an off period right now, so I'm back to auditioning. If I'm lucky, I might get a self-test or two per week. I've got a self-test studio at home, so I film myself, submit the video and hopefully get a call back. But in between, I keep myself busy with a lot of casual work.
So, what are you hoping is next for you?
Everything and anything. The main thing is I want to keep doing projects I believe in and work that's hopeful, particularly in an era where humans are seeing major changes to the planet; I believe we can create hope through creative literature and performing arts. I'd also like to work for every state theatre company in Australia.
We wish you the best of luck with that. Finally, what would your advice be to other young people wanting to pursue acting?
Acting is full of high-highs and low-lows between the times you have work and don't. You need to figure out how to stay grounded. For me, I stay quite philosophical about things; I have to trust that if I don't get a role, it was never mine and was meant for someone else. I find great freedom in that. It's a hard career but it's really fulfilling.
There's also no right or wrong path into acting. When I was at Radford, you either went straight to uni or took one gap year and went to uni. I was a bit nervous to admit at the time that I was taking two gap years, but I'm really grateful now that I was a bit older and had more life experience by the time I went to drama school.
By Mrs Annette Carter, College Historian
Everyone has been inside T.B. Millar Hall, whether it be for the Radford College Art Show, a music, dance, or drama performance, but how many of you know about the man it was named after?
Before becoming involved at the proposed new Grammar School (that was to become Radford College), Thomas Bruce Millar had served as an officer in the Defence Forces. After WWII, he was heavily involved in academia in Australia, America and England. He did a secondment with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was a prolific scholar and, among many other accolades, established ANU’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre.
In the 1970s, Millar became involved with Canberra schools. When Narrabundah College was threatened with closure, he chaired a school committee (his son Jonathan attended the school) to introduce the International Baccalaureate. It was its first introduction at an Australian school. As Chairman, he negotiated with the ACT Schools Authority, Federal Government, and International Baccalaureate Organisation. “We felt, correctly, that the IB would appeal to those many Canberra people – diplomats, defence personnel, public servants – who were inclined to move about internationally”[1] and could provide an international accreditation that enabled students to move easily between countries. The introduction of the IB at Narrabundah College was “a steady if undramatic success slowly emulated elsewhere”[2].
It was during this time that Millar received mail about the establishment of a new school, separate from the two grammar schools. He replied affirmatively supporting the decision, but did not attend the initial meetings. Millar was then invited to the new committee and, after attending two or three meetings, was invited to chair it. He was reluctant because he was heavily committed with his work and the IB implementation at Narrabundah College. He also felt that although he was an academic, he was not an educationalist. In addition, he was not a practising Anglican. Upon consultation with the Anglican Bishop of Canberra, he was asked whether he would still consider doing it.
“So began one of the most challenging and constructive episodes of my life. We had no funds, no buildings, no land, only the enthusiasm of a small group and an uncertain, unproven scattering of public support”[3].
Bishop Warren was not “wildly enthusiastic” about backing the new venture, given that he himself had attended a state school, but did give his support after attending a public meeting and having Millar speak at a Bishop-in-Council meeting.
The committee decided that the school would be:
- Co-educational
- Based on order of applying for admissions
- Pursuing excellence, developing “each girl or boy to the highest level of which they were capable”
- Involved in the community, with a tradition of community service.
Millar and the committee weathered much opposition but had a strong and wide support group in the community. Millar’s contribution at Radford College meant that he was asked to resign as chairman of the Narrabundah College IB Committee due to concerns of a conflict of interest.
Millar was outwardly involved in discussions about the school, appearing at public forums and on talk-back radio. He spoke with prominent politicians, both local and federal, and this, in turn, helped when the construction site was picketed by the Trades and Labour Council and Australian Teachers’ Federation.
Millar served as Chairman of the Radford College Board until 1985 when he accepted an appointment as Chair of Australian Studies at the University of London. Looking back, he was proud that Radford College “went from strength-to-strength” and became one of “Australia’s outstanding educational institutions”[4].
References:
[1] Thomas Millar, (undated), [Autobiography]. Papers of Thomas Bruce Millar. National Library of Australia. MS 8605. Series 12.
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
