29 March 2023

By Mrs Vicki Williams, Chair

I want to update the Radford community about the significant challenges facing the College as a result of the ongoing and increased reduction in government funding.

As our Principal Fiona Godfrey outlined in an article in the Week 1 Bulletin, the Australian Government introduced a new funding model in 2018 that it felt was simpler, more transparent and based on need. Under this new scheme, Radford was deemed to be funded above its target share and was informed that it would need to transition to the new (and significantly lower) target by 2029. Then in 2020, the Government made another change to calculating a school’s ‘capacity to contribute’ (CTC), and we were advised of further reductions in late November.

Between 2019 and 2023, the College’s government funding has reduced by a cumulative $3.5 million. By 2029, the College will have had its funding reduced by a cumulative $4.5 million. The accelerated reduction in the past four years was not originally anticipated.

The faster pace of reductions in government funding are being considered by the Board during 2023, in the context of the College budget and how we plan our investments over the coming years.

It won’t surprise you to know that the College’s biggest ongoing expense is wages and, like many employers nationally and internationally, the College is dealing with a dynamic and changing labour market as a result of the pandemic and fluctuating economic conditions.

In recognition of this, late last year the Board endorsed and funded an Employee Value Proposition to assist with recruiting and retaining the best staff in order to continue delivering the high-quality education and operations for which Radford is renowned. We remain committed to this proposition.

The Board also seeks to provide and maintain world-class facilities for the 2100 students who walk through the gate every day, which is why it embarked on the Sports Precinct Project. The six new outdoor courts have given much more space for our HPE classes and Co-curricular Sports Program.

Once completed, the expansion of the ovals, the G. Wigg Sports Centre Refurbishment, Multi-Function Hall, and Cricket Centre will provide badly needed spaces for students to learn and play in, especially on those days when the weather is inclement, and as a place for our community to gather as one group.

As the Board considers the College budget for 2024 and beyond, we want our families to be assured that every effort will be made to minimise the effects of the College’s funding reductions on you, whilst maintaining our students’ access to high-quality facilities.

As we approach the end of Term 1, as always, I want to thank you for choosing Radford and for being a part of our community. I look forward to updating you later in the year.

Power Play by Lisle Gwynn Garrity. The humility of Jesus is contrasted with the military might of the Roman Empire and its agents.

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

Jesus woke one morning, rode a donkey up through the gate
He could see quite clearly he was going to face his fate
And the powers that be, could see that he, could not be bought or sold
They took his life and liberty friend but they could not buy his soul
- Cannot Buy My Soul by Kev Carmody.

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem
- Luke 19:28.

In the song Cannot Buy My Soul, Aboriginal singer/songwriter Dr Kev Carmody places the Gospel's accounts of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Luke 19: 28-40) alongside the experiences of First Nations peoples, activists Joe Hill, Che Guevara and Pemulwuy, and prophets who call out society’s greed.

This framing of Jesus’ life as a revolutionary killed by systemic injustice was brought home to me when I was on the Via Dolorosa, the path in the Old City of East Jerusalem where Jesus’ procession to the cross is commemorated. I remember standing with people from many different countries in the room in which Jesus is said to have been condemned to death. The guide invited us to pray the Lord’s Prayer in unison, but in our own language, and to remember political prisoners and those falsely imprisoned. It was a profound moment.

As Carmody narrates in Cannot Buy My Soul (sung here by the late, great Archie Roach), Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday was Jesus’ commitment to continuing his ministry of teaching about God’s Kingdom and calling those with power to account regardless of the cost.

Right across these lands now called Australia, Palm Sunday has become a rallying call for people to gather to highlight the plight of refugees and people seeking asylum. This year the Refugee Action Campaign in Canberra is inviting people to gather in Garema Place at 1 pm on Palm Sunday (Sunday, 2 April). I have been invited to speak alongside Senator David Pocock, Iranian refugee and entrepreneur Zahra Hashemi Barat, and folk singer David Rovics.

Last Friday, Year 12 students Thuhi Mathu-Ragupathy and Terry Yang hosted a screening of the film Scattered People. This 60-minute documentary tells the story of two Iranian musicians, Mas and Saha, who sought asylum in Australia. The film is a poignant reminder of the power of music to unite people. Scattered People (rated M) is available on Ten Play and Paramount and is well worth watching. Many prominent Australian musicians such as Missy Higgins, Katie Noonan, John Butler and Dan Sultan feature. Thuhi and Terry interviewed Emeritus Professor John Minns about the history and politics raised in the film. Professor Minns also gave a very compelling address at the 2022 Dirrum Dirrum Festival on how Australia’s treatment of people seeking asylum has changed over the decades. It can be viewed here.

Thuhi Mathu-Ragupathy and Terry Yang interview Emeritus Professor John Minns.

The point that people everywhere are seeking the same thing comes through in Scattered People. Peace and security, a place to belong, and the freedom to express themselves. May our prayer inspire action as we lend our time, talents and voices to working for peace, justice and belonging for all people regardless of the circumstances that have impacted their lives.

The poet Rev. Sarah Speed has written a poem titled Where Are You Headed? that captures this sense of universal longing and individual agency as we journey towards and beyond the cross this Lent and Easter.

Where are you headed?

We are trains on a track,
moving through life at warp speed.

Please keep all arms and legs
inside the moving vehicle
at all times.

The years pass like a flipbook,
faster than we can absorb,
but the train does not stop.

We press our faces to the windows
to try and get a good view
and we ask each other,
Where are you headed?

And there on the train
we decide—
we want to head toward
the promised day.

We want to head toward crowded tables
and long, healthy lives.

We want to move in the direction of joyful children,
and hopeful communities.

We want to move closer to God
with every mile of track,
and that does not happen by accident.

So it’s time to ask,
Where are you headed,
and who’s driving that train?

By Karen Mahar, Assistant Principal and Deputy Head of Junior School and Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

The College was a sea of colour as students and staff came together in cultural dress and splashes of orange to celebrate Harmony Day in the Junior School (Friday, 17 March) and Secondary School (Friday, 24 March).

The Junior School enjoyed cultural songs and music and a special lion dance by Kung Fu Canberra as part of the afternoon Celebration, which emphasised the school’s focus on inclusivity, respect and belonging for all Australians.

Over in the Secondary School, enticing aromas filled the air as students and staff sat down on the Morison lawns to enjoy an outdoor picnic lunch of pide, crepes, dumplings and vegetarian fried rice prepared by Radford Awareness and Service students.

After school, Secondary School students hosted a screening of Scattered People followed by an interview with refugee advocate John Minns. The film is about the healing power of music, bringing together people, cultures and countries while exploring Australians' attitudes towards people seeking asylum.

Through celebrating occasions such as Harmony Day, Radford is practising its values of Truth and Compassion and standing against racism and valuing diversity and inclusion by bringing people together.

We would like to thank everyone involved in creating such a vibrant and inclusive event.

By Ms Michele Sharp, Head of Languages

On Sunday, we farewelled 20 students and Mr Yamamoto and Ms Higashiyama from Konko Gakuen, our sister school in Okayama, Japan.

It has been some time since we have been able to welcome students from our partner schools, and Radford's Year 10 students were very excited to finally meet their partners for this exchange. After a week full of fun activities, it was a teary goodbye at Canberra Airport.

Throughout the exchange, the teachers were impressed with how the students conducted themselves and how quickly they became firm friends. In addition to being a great opportunity to use our language skills, these exchanges teach our students the importance of being good global citizens, and it was timely that their last school day fell on Harmony Day. A day on which we are reminded of the importance of recognising and celebrating diversity, something integral to language learning.

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At the farewell ceremony, all the students recounted their favourite memories from the exchange, and I was very pleased to hear them comment on their improved language skills and desire to keep in touch.

These exchanges are a community effort. Radford teachers welcomed the students into their classes and many developed special lessons for the visiting students. Some examples included an Australian quiz in Year 10 Chapel with Rev. Katherine; an Australian party cooking lesson with Ms Jackson, complete with a step-by-step recipe book to take home; and a woodwork lesson with Mr Dunn in which the students made their own chopsticks. Thanks to the HPE Department, students also learnt how to play Australian sports, and they enjoyed a creative arts lesson with Mrs Chase, creating an artwork based on the animals they had seen during their excursions to Tidbinbilla and Gold Creek.

I am very grateful to the teaching, support and grounds staff for all their assistance during this exchange. You have all contributed to making this a memorable experience for the students. ありがとうございました！(Thank you!)

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our Year 10 student hosts and their families for enthusiastically welcoming the Konko Gakuen students into their homes. You have given them wonderful experiences they will treasure. Your hospitality was very much appreciated, and I am sure it will be reciprocated when we travel to Konko Gakuen in September to see our friends again.

While it was sad to part at the airport, we know this is not さようなら (goodbye), it’s また九月に (see you in September). We can’t wait!

Exchange Feedback

After the exchange I sent the Year 10 students a survey and was very pleased to read their reflections on this experience and what they had learnt. Please read a selection below.

This exchange has taught me a variety of valuable lessons - the importance of hospitality, a school-life balance and kindness. Perhaps the most valuable has been the benefit of making the most of an opportunity. Overcoming nerves and language barriers can eventually lead to friendship that you maybe never considered. I never thought I would connect with someone in another language in only a week, yet I have.

I have learnt that if you don't speak the same language, or if you aren't the same, it doesn't necessarily mean you cannot be friends.

Through this exchange I have learnt so much about culture and life in Japan. I got to become close with a new friend from Japan, and I think that's so cool. I learnt more about Japanese hospitality, especially gift giving.

I have improved my language skills. By speaking Japanese more often I have cemented sentence structures and adjectives in particular, among others, into my mind. I can make better conversations and have improved the logical (sentence building) aspect of my speaking.

By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Radford Student Council (RSC) Teacher

The RSC (formerly the Radford Tribal Council) has formed for 2023 and has many ideas to bring around action and improve the Junior School. The students serving on the RSC this year are:

2023 RSC
Year 1 - Florence Chen
Year 1 - Aaron Zhang
Year 1 - Cyrus Chen
Year 1 - Amelia Calvert
Year 2 - Anastasia Ligeros
Year 2 - Roman Dankiw
Year 2 - Daphne Fan
Year 2 - Miriam McDonald
Year 3 - Edward Zhang
Year 3 - Alvina Feng
Year 3 - Sahaja Sudham
Year 3 - Josephine Merenda
Year 3 - Ethan Glavonjic
Year 4 - Hamish Growder
Year 4 - Daksh Sharma
Year 4 - Ethan Ng
Year 4 - Emma Treloar
Year 4 - Sophia Buttsworth
Year 5 - Aryan Gupta
Year 5 - Zoe Casson
Year 5 - Ashley Barber
Year 5 - Karen Xie
Year 5 - Lexi Ritchie
Year 6 - Isaac O'Brien
Year 6 - Elena Rock
Year 6 - Hannah Bettison
Year 6 - Syd Leah
Year 6 - Vennela Gudipalli

A major project on the RSC agenda is continuing the Waste Free initiative that started years ago. Radford Junior School is now waste free every day because it is good for the environment.

To help encourage and celebrate the amazing waste-free efforts across the Junior School, starting in Term 2, the RSC will run an incentive program in which students earn a stamp each day they are waste free at school. When they have ten stamps, their Waste Free ticket goes into a prize draw at our fortnightly Celebration.

So, for those people who are already waste free every day, we look forward to celebrating this with you next term. For those who aren’t yet, we encourage you to start good habits next term - keep an eye on our tips throughout the year!

SSACT 15&U Netball Trials

Trials for the 2023 15&U netball team will be held at the Solarhub ACT Netball Centre, Lyneham (ACT).

Trial 1: 4-5:45 pm on Wednesday, 26 April (A-L surnames).
Trial 2: 4-5:45 pm on Thursday, 27 April (M-Z surnames).
Trial 3: 3:45-5:45 pm on Saturday, 29 April (all students).
Trial 4: 4-5:45 pm on Thursday, 4 May (invite only).
Trial 5: 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, 6 May (invite only - if required).

Please wear appropriate playing gear to the trials. Students are not to wear district or ACT-representative gear.

Students wishing to trial must complete the SSACT online registration and pay $10. Please visit www.schoolsportact.org.au for further details.

SSACT 16&U Boys Hockey Trials

Trial 1: 4:30-5:30 pm on Monday, 1 May on Carter Field, Lyneham.
Trial 2: 4:00-5:00 pm on Wednesday, 24 May on either the Powell or Watt Field, Lyneham.

Selectors will be watching the players club matches in between these trials.

Students are required to provide their own playing equipment and a water bottle.

Students wishing to trial must complete the SSACT online registration and pay $10. Please visit www.schoolsportact.org.au for further details.

SSACT 12&U and 18&U Golf

The 12&U and 18&U Golf Day will be held at Murrumbidgee Country Club on Monday, 1 May. This Golf Day is also a trial for the SSACT representative team. There will be specific entry criteria for this event. Further information to come.

CCSports@radford.act.edu.au if you would like to attend.

SSACT 12&U and 13&O Tennis

The 12&U and 13&O Tennis Day will be held at the Canberra Tennis Centre on Friday, 5 May. This Tennis Day is also a trial for the SSACT representative team. There will be specific entry criteria for this event. Further information to come.

Please email CCTennis@radford.act.edu.au if you would like to attend.

Hockey

The Western Districts Hockey Club is looking for some beginner (or experienced) players to form a 13-years Div 1 & Div 2 team. There are several Radford students already registered with the team/s.

Players need to be turning 13 this year or younger (born 2010 or later).

Games are at 9:00 am, 10:00 am or 11:00 am on Sunday mornings and training is on Tuesday evenings at Lyneham Hockey Centre.

No experience needed. Great and experienced coaches. Both teams will be training together.

If you are interested, please contact lynne.whitehead@anu.edu.au or click on https://www.westshockeyact.org/registration/ to register.

Coerver Football School Holiday Program