Staff Insights
By Mrs Fiona Godfrey, Principal
As we begin Term 2, I would like to welcome our new students, staff and parents. I hope that your time at Radford College is happy, productive and successful. I also hope that our ongoing families have had a restful and enjoyable holiday period.
Major Events
This recent holiday period was bookended by two of the College’s biggest annual events.
Excitingly, on the last day of Term 1, the whole college managed to come together for the first time since 2019 for our customary Foundation Day gathering. This is a special service that is traditionally acted out on our foundation day. It is the ‘Story of Yungbali’, told through the lens of the Ngunnawal people, which is centred around the story of creation and the great flood, both of which form the basis for Genesis, the first book in the Old Testament.
So how does all of this fit in with Radford’s Foundation Day? Well, our Foundation Day celebrates our beginnings, our creation, our Genesis. So, it is fitting that a College that bases it values on its Anglicanism, Christian traditions and beautiful Canberra surroundings, would create a story with all these elements. And it is told through the lens of the Ngunnawal people, because they are the people on whose lands we now meet.
The service combined student-led music, dance and drama to provide a highly entertaining and thought-provoking start to Foundation Day. It was fitting that College Chair, Ms Vicki Williams, was in attendance to conclude the service and send our Secondary School students out for a day of House-based activities to contend for the Bishop’s Cup.
The first day of Term 2 saw the whole College come together once again under perfect weather conditions for our traditional Anzac Commemorative Service. This service was held in the Turning Circle to take advantage of the flagpoles around which the service was conducted. I had prepared my speech during the holidays, and this year it centred on my husband’s grandfather and father’s involvement in WW1 and WW2. Unfortunately, I became unwell over the weekend, so my husband Dennis stood in for me and gave a personal account about his family’s military involvement for Australia.
From all accounts, our guest of honour this year, Air Vice Marshall Head of Air Force Capability Wendy Blyth AM, gave a highly interesting and informative presentation about the Gallipoli campaign. We are so fortunate to have such high ranking and wise officers within our community upon which we can involve in events such as this.
Uniform Requirements
Last term, in what was our final assembly for Term 1, our Acting Assistant Principal Students, Mr Scott Corbett, spoke to the students at length about the need for everyone to return to College properly attired, fulfilling all uniform requirements. Mr Corbett spoke passionately and forcefully about the fact that we want our students to have pride in their College, and that pride extends to the way they present themselves every day.
To that point, we need our students to adhere to the uniform guidelines, including:
- Hair style and colour (including both boys and girls tying back their hair if it is long enough to touch their shoulders);
- Length of skirts;
- Boys' ties (must be done up properly);
- Shirts (must be tucked in);
- Correct shoes and socks; and
- Jewellery.
Mr Corbett, heads of houses and classroom teachers will be making a concerted effort from the beginning of term to ensure we get consistency across all students regarding uniform regulations. This will extend to detentions and discussions with students and parents for students who do not comply. I strongly believe that teachers should not have to spend their time checking uniforms given the College’s expectations with respect to uniform are communicated upon enrolment.
Please read an article Mr Corbett has written, which has more detail about our uniform requirements and the reasons for them.
Winter is Coming
As they say in Game of Thrones – “Winter is coming.” And as the days continue to shorten and much cooler weather is around the corner, it is a timely reminder to do two things to protect you and your children from serious illness.
Firstly, continue to make sure you and your children are fully vaccinated against both COVID-19 and influenza. The annual influenza vaccination should occur from April onwards to provide protection for the peak of the influenza season, which is generally June to September in most parts of Australia. Influenza vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with any COVID-19 vaccine.
Secondly, refrain from sending your child/ren to school if they show any symptoms of illness, and please keep them at home until symptoms have ceased.
If any parent has questions regarding this advice, or any other health questions, please contact our School Nurse, Sophie Davies, by emailing nurse@radford.act.edu.au.
By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
Two Friends by Jan Sutch Pickard
Based on Luke 24:13–33
Two friends
on our way
on the dusty road:
talking, listening,
sharing pain and confusion.
Another
walks with us –
unknown –
looks into our eyes,
listens to lost hopes
and wild rumours.
He speaks; we hear
the story of salvation
as though for the first time,
as we travel on.
We have arrived;
he wants to go further –
on his way;
we ask him to stay,
as dusk falls
on the dusty road.
We go indoors,
sit, tired, at a table
to share a meal.
He takes bread, blesses it,
breaks and offers it to us
who then see who is our companion –
but he has gone.
We remember
the journey, the words we heard,
the everyday presence of road, table,
and broken bread –
we know the news that must be shared.
We cannot stay put,
but, here and now, set out,
back along the dusty road:
two friends
on God’s way.
Welcome to Term 2. I hope the past few weeks have nourished your mind, heart, body and soul in some way.
In the holidays, I spent time walking with two friends in Sydney. One day we walked from Watsons Bay to Double Bay. The next day, we walked from Taronga Zoo ferry terminal to Balmoral. Both walks showcase the beauty and diversity of Gadigal Country. We thoroughly enjoyed our time walking and talking.
Our Gospel reading this week (Luke 24:13-35), takes us on a walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Two of Jesus’ followers are walking and talking about all that had taken place. After seeing their friend and teacher killed, they are devasted.
A stranger approaches them. The friends include him in their walking and talking. The stranger explains to them how the Scriptures have foretold who Jesus was and the suffering that would come before his glory. The friends invite the stranger to stay with them and share a meal.
The friends recognise that Jesus is with them as bread is taken, blessed, broken and shared. They can grasp something of the mystery of the resurrection of life as the risen Christ eats with them. After this encounter, the friends share their joy with the other followers.
This week, as we walk, talk and share meals together in various forms, may we be open to the blessing of friends and strangers. May we share both joy and struggles honestly with each other. May we share good news wherever we encounter it.
We are a third of the way into the 50 days of the Easter season. Like the first followers of Jesus, we stand in the shadow of the cross and celebrate that Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Admission to Holy Communion and Confirmation
The Anglican Church observes several rites that are part of the expression of Christian faith. If you would like to partake in baptism, admission to Holy Communion or Confirmation in 2023, please email Rev. Katherine Rainger.
Listening to the Voice
Discussions continue on personal, community and national levels of a proposed amendment to the constitution to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament.
At the 2022 Dirrum Dirrum Festival, signatory and advocate for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Thomas Mayo, spoke about the history and importance of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament. He concludes his address by reciting the Statement from the Heart. It is a compelling and informative 15-minute address that can be viewed here.
News
By Mr Scott Corbett, Acting Assistant Principal Students
I hope that you had a wonderful time over the school holidays and had the opportunity to spend time with your children, free from the demands of a busy school day.
As we enter into a new term and prepare to transition to the winter uniform, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some thoughts on our uniform policy and the importance it plays in our daily life at the College. At the end of last term, I spoke to students at an assembly about three reasons I believe the uniform is an important part of Radford: respect, boundaries and belonging.
While I acknowledge that there is a plethora of opinions on the uniform and some who wish things were different, we believe that how students wear their uniform within our current rules, is a part of the respect we aim to instil in Radford students; respect for the College, the staff, their peers and themselves. Secondly, we believe it is important to set boundaries for our young people to show our care and to allow them to benefit from the reputation of our College. When your child graduates from Radford, I am confident they will benefit from the reputation of being a Collegian. The boundaries we set allow us to hold students to a high standard, which forms a part of this reputation.
Thirdly, my hope for all students at Radford is that they feel like they belong. Our uniform is a part of the way we create a sense of belonging. For me, a sense of belonging is central to having a life that you can thrive in. We want our students to be a part of our community. We want them to feel like they belong, and we want them to look like they belong. I acknowledge that how people dress relates to their sense of identity, which can be more difficult when you have a uniform, yet it is an important part of belonging. We want to celebrate the diversity of all our students, from gender, sexuality, religion, cultural background, skills, interests, passions and everything that makes them great. I always want to hear thoughts on how we can make Radford a place that respects individuality and provides opportunities for this whilst students wear the uniform with pride.
Fulfilling a young person's need for belonging is so important to a flourishing life, but it won’t come from inaction. It is an active and intentional process for all of us to embark on. I encourage you to speak with your child about their sense of belonging at Radford. If they don’t feel like they can foster a sense of belonging, please tell them they can talk to me, their head of year or mentor. Let us help them in that process, so that everyone at Radford can belong.
To support students in noticing where our boundaries are, in Term 2 we will issue lunchtime detentions for those who choose to continually not belong and wear the uniform incorrectly. Our hope is this will assist in creating a sense of clarity for students and provide us with an opportunity to discuss their sense of belonging at Radford.
We are providing a two-week transition-period during Week 1 and 2 of this term, during which students can either wear their summer or winter uniform, but not a combination of both. By the beginning of Week 3, students must wear their winter uniform. During this transition period, please try on the winter uniform items you have at home. If something doesn’t fit, this is a great opportunity go and purchase items that do fit. The uniform shop opening hours can be found here.
Principal Fiona Godfrey recently spoke to the students about a few changes. An updated policy can be found here. Additionally, she mentioned that we have begun the process of reviewing the whole uniform. Whilst this will take some time to finalise, I hope that it provides an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on the uniform and collaborate with the College to make the new iteration as good as it can be.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the College through your assistance with your child’s uniform. We are proud of the reputation that Radford College holds and as its current custodians (staff, students and families alike), we have the responsibility to maintain it across all facets of College life. As always, my door is open if you want to discuss the uniform or a sense of belonging at Radford.
By Mrs Sue Hassall, Duke of Edinburgh Award Leader
22 students recently completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award's Adventurous Journey successfully in Namadgi National Park.
The journey, which spanned three days, was a chance for a combined group of students from Radford College and Burgmann Anglican School to take on new challenges, work together in small groups and learn valuable skills such as planning, cooking and navigation.
One of the key highlights of the journey was the responsibility the students had for making their own food. Working in small groups, they planned and cooked their own meals using portable camping stoves and organised and packed their gear and equipment. This was a great opportunity for the students to develop their teamwork and communication skills and to learn more about the importance of good nutrition and planning for outdoor activities.
Another major highlight of the journey was the off-track navigation the students undertook. Starting at Honeysuckle Tracking Station, they navigated their way to Booroomba Rocks, and finished at Castle Hill. Along the way, they had to use maps and compasses to stay on course and navigate through difficult terrain. This was a challenging experience but one that the students rose to with determination and perseverance.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the journey, however, was the climb up Darwa (Mount Tennent). The climb took place on a misty, wet day, which made the ascent even more challenging. Nevertheless, the students demonstrated great strength and resilience, and made it to the top of the mountain in good time. This was a true test of their physical abilities, but also of their cooperation and teamwork.
Despite the challenges, the journey was a lot of fun. Students enjoyed the chance to bond with one another around the campfire, cooking marshmallows and sharing stories. They also appreciated the opportunity to reflect on their learning each day through debriefs and discussions with their peers and instructors.
For many of the students, this journey was a COVID-19-redemption tale. Due to the pandemic, most of them were unable to attend the Year 9 or 10 Outdoor Education Camps. This journey was a chance for them to make up for lost time and to show what they could achieve.
In the end, the students finished the journey with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. They took on new challenges, learned valuable skills, and worked together as a team. They are now well prepared for their upcoming qualifying Adventurous Journey, which will take place during the Term 3 holidays.
Overall, the Duke of Edinburgh Award's three-day Adventurous Journey training was a great success. It challenged the students to push themselves to their limits and develop important skills and qualities such as resilience, teamwork and leadership. We are proud of all the students who took part and look forward to seeing them continue to grow and develop through future outdoor adventures.
By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Radford Student Council (RSC) Teacher
The RSC wishes to remind the Junior School that our Term 2 Waste Free initiative is in full swing.
Students are earning Waste Free stamps each day they have a waste-free lunchbox.
An exciting collection of prizes has been purchased by the RSC for the Waste Free winners at Celebrations.
The RSC has also put together some tips (see image below) to help families move towards being waste free every single day!
Radford Defeats Stromlo in Round One of Bill Turner Cup
On Wednesday, 5 April, the U15 Girls and Boys Bill Turner football teams travelled to Mount Stromlo for round one of the 2023 Bill Turner Cup, an east coast knockout tournament. The girls team kicked off first and won 2-0 following a strong second half. The boys game finished 2-2 at the end of the normal time, and Radford won 6-2 with some beautiful football played in the extra time! Both teams look forward to round two early in Term 2.
ACT School Futsal Titles
In Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 1, students from Years 4-10 represented Radford at the ACT School Futsal Titles at the Mpowerdome. The Year 7/8 Boys, Year 9/10 Boys and Year 4 Girls were runners up, with the Year 7/8 Boys going down in a penalty shootout in the grand finale. Special mention goes to the Year 9/10 Girls who unfortunately missed out on the grand final due to being narrowly defeated 3-2 in the semi-final. These girls displayed tremendous effort with only one substitute on the day. A massive congratulations to the following Year 5/6 Girls who were crowned champions:
- Georgia Brooks
- Sasha Cartwright
- Khushi Katamaneni
- Ivy Pascoe-Simpson
- Maya Tamhane
- Emily Toms
NSW Water Polo State Championships
Two representatives from Radford College attended the NSW Water Polo State Championships over the Easter break. Ruben Seow played for the U14 Boys Nordek team and finished 11th out of 16 teams. Molly Jones played in the U14 Girls Woden Waves and finished 11th out of 15 teams. Well done to Ruben and Molly.
Radford Netball Welcomed Townsville Grammar
We experienced a wonderful night of netball during the last week of Term 1 when Radford hosted Townsville. Radford Gold and Purple teams got the golden opportunity to have a friendly competition against Townsville Grammar on our very own Radford Sports Presence courts. This was the first game for many of our Radford players to compete against out-of-state players. Along with building new relationships and connections, the experience challenged our players' skills, provided them with an insight on how to improve both their individual and team game, and was an enjoyable occasion for everyone involved.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our community spirit. A special thanks to the Townsville Grammar staff and players for coming down and providing us with this experience, it was a pleasure meeting you all. A big thank you also goes to Mr Lucas Thiessen, Ms Megan Fritsch and the other Radford staff for all the behind-the-scenes preparations and the time spent to allow the teams to experience this amazing opportunity.
Radford Netball took a lot away from the match, and we look forward to more of these great occasions.
Radford Basketball
During the mid-semester break, Basketball Australia held its annual Under-18 National Championships in Brisbane, Queensland. Three Radford student-athletes, Holly Denman (Year 11), Grace Kent (Year 12) and Rena Cao (Year 11), represented the ACT, which finished ninth in the tournament. The girls played an instrumental role in the team’s two wins against South Australia Country and Western Australia Metro (WAM), with Grace hitting the go-ahead basket in the dying seconds of the fixture against WAM. The College would like to congratulate these athletes for their selection and performance!
Representative Sports Trials
For information on upcoming golf, tennis, hockey, AFL and touch football trials, please see this Nexus post.
Please note – Radford Sport does not get officially notified by SSACT or State Sporting Organisations when a student is selected in an School Sport or State representative team. This information is publicised on the SSACT Facebook page, the State Association media channels or needs to be provided by the student or parent to CCSports@radford.act.edu.au for it to be celebrated.
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