3 May 2023

By Brad Cooney, Deputy Principal and Head of Secondary School

Encouraging a sense of belonging in the Secondary School

High-quality teaching and a safe, inclusive environment at school are two key aspects necessary to students enjoying positive education outcomes and feeling like they belong, and can contribute positively to our generously-spirited learning community. Parents can assist us in the following ways:

Help your child find their people. The journey of adolescence is about dipping into different groups until you find people with genuine, common interests. When you find your people, you don’t have to try so hard because the interests you share are genuine and you can be your authentic self and know you will be accepted.
Encourage co-curricular or extra-curricular activities. That’s where children find people with the same interests who will accept them for who they are. Encourage participation in different school activities and activities outside of school too. A shared sense of hard work and success foster belonging. Shared experiences allow children to build a sense of self-worth in their group.
Give it time. As a parent, it’s natural to worry if you feel your child is on the outer at school and in social groups, but give them time to find where they belong before you intervene.
Talk to us. If you are worried that your child is struggling to settle in, speak to their mentor. They can craft situations to help things along, like organising seating arrangements and creating group activities to help a child get to know other children.
Invest in what your child does. Talk regularly about their day and be interested. Ask how their week has been, if there is anything they need help with, and what has been the best part of their day. If they are doing something new at school, ask about that. Conversations can sometimes be difficult with children of a certain age, so ask questions that are open-ended and require more than "yes" or "no" answers. Make the most of moments when you are alone with your child and where there is no technology, like when driving in the car or walking the dog.
Guide them through the struggle. When a child is struggling in a social setting, help guide them away from the group that isn’t working towards another social group. But remind them that their new social group might have been together for a while and your child has just joined, so they should get involved slowly and take small steps until they are accepted and belong.
Remind them that there is belonging beyond school. Belonging doesn’t start and finish in the classroom. Remind your child they are valued by other groups and places e.g., their soccer or netball team or youth group. Remind them they are more than a student.
Don’t underestimate the importance of belonging. When the belonging feels right, it has a positive impact on success in the classroom and on a child’s growth as a learner and student. A child performs at their very best when they have that comfortable sense of belonging.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conversations: Creating strong learning partnerships in the Secondary School

Thank you to our parents/guardians in the Secondary School for taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with teachers at the end of Term 1. This is a valuable learning partnership for everyone in terms of ensuring learning is a three-way process between the parents, student(s) and teaching staff. When we all work together, the outcomes are far greater. I acknowledge and thank the teachers for their preparation and participation in these three-way conferences and parents/guardians and our students for attending to discuss their learning progress and growth.

Foundation Day

This year’s Foundation Day (6 April) was held on the Morison Lawns in the Secondary School. Many staff have said to me that it was one of the best that they have experienced, and this certainly comes down to the positive behaviour, attitude and energy of our students, and the way in which they wholeheartedly participated in the telling of The Story of Yungbali, and the subsequent activities and events throughout the day. Our students really demonstrated the spirit and character of what it means to be a Radford student.

ANZAC Commemorative Service

Congratulations to all the students and staff who commemorated the fallen at our ANZAC Commemorative Service on Monday, 24 April. Radford College reflected on and recalled those who - in the great tragedy of war - gave their lives for Australia and for the freedom of our country. They still sleep amid the ridges of Gallipoli, the terraced hills of Palestine, in the cemeteries of France and Belgium and the olive groves of Greece, the Middle East, the jungles of Malaya, New Guinea, the Pacific Islands, Canada, South Africa, Korea, and unknown resting places in every continent and under every sea. Since WWII, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice have been brought home to Australia and found their resting place under the stars of the Southern Cross.

We acknowledge the grief of all those families who have lost sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, neighbours and friends in the many theatres of war since the first Diggers of Gallipoli.

Each ANZAC Day, we remember all who have since fallen in both World Wars, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and while working with the United Nations in the many commitments, whether at sea, on land or in the air. On ANZAC Day each year, we remember and pray for the men, women and children who have died as the result of war.

School Production: Guys and Dolls

This week, I had the pleasure of attending the 2023 Radford School Musical: Guys and Dolls. Our students performed spectacularly on stage and in production, sound and lighting. The band performed to a very high standard in support of the cast and crew.

A special thank you and shout out to Head of Co-curricular Drama, Dance and Technical Theatre, Mr Nick Akhurst; Director Ms Tracy Bourne; Vocal Director and guest performer Mrs Alira Prideaux; Music Director Mr Caleb Campbell; and Director of Bands Mr Ben Marsten for playing and helping with the brass.

Thank you to Head of Co-curricular Music and Director of Strings, Mrs Kirsten Knight, for leading the band and music; Mrs Donna Robards and Ms Susan Troy for ticketing and administration; Mr Dave Burcher for helping our sound students run the band and microphones; and Mr Stuart Mitchell for marshalling the students and front of house. And, of course, our very talented students who have worked so hard to get this amazing production off the ground.

Best wishes for a productive term, filled with purpose and a commitment to trying new things and giving everything a go.

By Reverend Andy Fleming, Chaplain

There are many occasions when we talk to students about taking the right path. This can be about making good decisions or finding the correct way to solve a problem. Another similar metaphor we aim at senior students is creating a pathway, to help them find and reach their potential and purpose for when they leave the College. Despite the myriad of options, students most often end up pursuing a path that suits their interests and personalities. While students are strongly encouraged to think about their future, it is living in the present that prepares them for the path they end up taking.

Good Shepherd of Sieger Koger by Sarah Hornsby – painting – acrylic on wood panel.

In the well-known Bible passage, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Jesus uses a similar metaphor of entering the gate. Jesus, the shepherd, leads those who follow him on the path to live a life of faith and righteousness. Jesus is the gate through which the faithful enter the 'sheepfold'. He too provides us a warning to not try to enter any other way, otherwise one will be like the thieves and bandits – those who live dishonestly.

Many of faith have thought this metaphor is about arriving in Heaven - following Jesus through the gate leads to eternal life. While this may be true in part, it overlooks the fact that there is no beginning to eternity, and so they live as if waiting for eternal life to start. Like the students preparing for their life after school, followers of Jesus should be living a life of faith and righteousness in this life. Living in the present is part of the fullness of life Jesus invites us to.

Flashlight by Rev. Sarah Are

I wish I could draw you a map of the next steps –
the next conversation, the next brave truth,
the next fumble, the next apology.
Wouldn’t it be nice to prepare our hearts?

But I don’t know where to go from here.
I am a child with a flashlight –
Deeply hopeful and a little nervous,
All at the same time.

What I do know is I don’t want to go anywhere without you.
So I’m hoping that you will take my hand.
See this truth. Trust my voice. Look for the good.
And day by day, we can go from here,
Because we were never meant to go alone.

And maybe we’ll get lost;
but then again, maybe we’ll be found.
So if you’re willing, if you’ll just say yes,
I will let you hold my flashlight.
We can find our way, step by step.
Light in hand, abolishing all the shadows together.

Peace be with you, Rev. Andy.

In 2016, Radford Dance Academy (RDA) Director, Ms Danielle White, was tasked with establishing a co-curricular dance studio for Radford College. Starting with around 160 students and a small group of dance teachers in the first year, Ms White and her team launched with their first end-of-year Showcase on 'Beginnings' at the ANU Arts Centre. The Showcase was a sell-out success.

The academy has grown in strength, styles and numbers each year since and currently offers more than 50 inclusive dance classes per week, with close to 700 registrations and a team of 15 teachers.

In 2018, the dedication and drive of the Radford dancers was evident to Ms White, and she decided to introduce performance groups in both technical and hip-hop styles to represent Radford in a variety of competitions throughout the years. There are now seven performance dance groups representing RDA.

It's no wonder that RDA has developed an excellent reputation and is well known in both the College and broader dance community. Over the past eight years, Ms White has taught hundreds of students and says she has thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow from strength-to-strength each year.

"When I was asked to take on the dance curriculum in 2018 for the Secondary School, I jumped at the new challenge. It has been lovely to reconnect with RDA dancers in my Year 7 and 8 dance classes and explore dance in a different light. As of this year, I have officially taught all students from Year 7 through to the current Year 12. It has been a wonderful experience bringing dance to students who wouldn’t experience it otherwise," said Ms White.

Ms White will step down as RDA Director but will continue to teach the Secondary School dance curriculum. She thanked the RDA families and dancers for all their support and participation in the academy over the years. She also extended a heartfelt thanks to Mr Dylan Mordike and Mr Nick Akhurst, who have supported her vision since day one.

"Due to the ever-increasing demands of running a large dance studio and the growing dance curriculum for Years 7-9, I have had to make the difficult decision to step away from the role. I leave with many happy, funny, challenging and warm memories and experiences. I know that the studio is left in good hands with a wonderful team of dedicated dance teachers and Mia Ma who now works as the full-time administrator of RDA."

Miss Ma hails from a strong operational management background and her duties fall into assisting with the running of classes, assisting with organising the competitions and Showcase, and helping teachers and students.

Principal Fiona Godfrey expressed the College's appreciation for Ms White's commitment to developing both the RDA and a dance curriculum for the Secondary School.

"Danielle's extraordinary passion and enthusiasm for dance are truly unmatched. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to her for the time and effort she has dedicated to RDA. Dance represents a fundamental component of Radford's educational offering and Danielle should take pride in all that she has accomplished," said Mrs Godfrey.

The RDA administration team will continue to assist students and families following Ms White's departure.

Please email CCDanceAcademy@radford.act.edu.au for any enrolment or withdrawal enquiries.
Please email Miss Mia on mia.ma@radford.act.edu.au for class, competitions and Showcase enquiries.

By Isobel Higgins and Matt Morey, Year 10 students

During the first week of Term 2, a group of Year 10 students had the opportunity to participate in an educational program coordinated by the Australian National Zoo and Aquarium. The program was designed to provide an immersive learning experience in various zookeeping tasks, such as handling reptiles, feeding animals, engaging in enrichment activities, and cleaning. Through this program, the students gained first-hand knowledge and skills in the daily operations of a zoo.

Throughout the course, we delved into the intricacies of reptilian life by studying their natural habitats, examining their dietary patterns and regulations, and analysing the impact of human activities on their species. Our comprehensive approach allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of these remarkable creatures and the challenges they face in their respective ecosystems.

Drawing upon our growing knowledge of zookeeping, our team then performed various essential tasks around the zoo. These included measuring appropriate food portions for the diverse array of native Australian animals in the zoo's care. We were also given the unique opportunity to closely observe the keepers as they expertly prepared and stored specialised meals tailored to the unique dietary needs of each species.

Afterwards, we were fortunate enough to tour the enrichment shed, where we gained valuable insight into how the animals are mentally stimulated and engaged. Despite living in a confined space, these activities utilised the animals' unique skills and senses, which was interesting to watch. It provided them with a fun and enriching learning experience. One of the highlights of our visit was when we had the opportunity to create an activity for the meerkats. It was a very enjoyable experience to watch them interact with our creation.

As the day ended, we went to the giraffe enclosure. With the assistance of the keepers, we cleaned and maintained their living space, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the keepers' hard work in caring for these animals.

Throughout our time at the zoo, we had the opportunity to observe and participate in various activities alongside competent staff and volunteers. Overall, it was an immensely rewarding experience. We highly recommend students in Years 9 and 10 to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.

By Charlotte Taylor, Year 12 student

Over the Easter weekend, five senior technical drama students volunteered in the opening and closing night of the National Folk Festival at Exhibition Park in Canberra.

Whilst we weren’t in our normal routine of running lights, adjusting sound, constructing a set or designing costumes (just to name a few areas), we all assisted in one of the biggest roles of the festival - venue management.

With our high-vis vests, earpiece walkie talkies, labelled passes, protein bars and filled water bottles, we were prepared for what would be an eventful and long weekend.

In our role of venue management, we had to ensure that every performance ran smoothly. We worked closely with the venue management coordinators, sound and lighting technicians, and MCs to manage resources in each venue and keep the locations clean and tidy. We were also responsible for the safety of audience members, techies, and performers and ensuring that work health and safety requirements were met.

Our 'safety senses' really kicked in during the opening and closing night of the show in the Budawang (the biggest venue at the festival that holds up to 4000 people). Personally, I didn’t really know what to expect as a venue manager as it was different to my experience as a stage manager or any other technical role in a theatre show. I was quite fortunate to already know the ropes and complexity of the festival as I grew up camping there every year with my family. However, it was certainly strange being on the other side and seeing the surface of an iceberg of the amount of preparation, flexibility and organisation (including some spontaneous action) that goes into the festival.

I asked the other seniors to describe their experience of volunteering at the festival in one word. These were their responses:

"Chairs!"
"VeryBusyAndLotsOfWalkingAndChaos"
"Exciting"
"New"
"Valuable"

Although this was an engaging experience, we couldn’t have been prepared nor equipped without the teachings of Mr Nick Akhurst. We are so fortunate to have him as a teacher, and to benefit from his 30 years of experience in theatre making and management and, not just in the technical theatre world - we are also transferring these skills of problem solving and adaptability into real-life situations. I also wanted to thank our venue management coordinators, Sami Cain and Lucy Crawford, as well as our mentors, Anna Davis, Bill Bruce (Class of 2007) and John Nicholls (Class of 2007).

If you’d like experience in general management or technical theatre, I highly recommend joining the tech crew and/or technical drama in Year 11/12 - it is a BSSS recognised T, A, M, R subject at Radford. Get involved in a Radford Theatre Company show, or simply sign up to volunteer at the next National Folk Festival.

By Luka Sostarko, Year 12

It’s time once again for the Radford musical!

The 2023 Radford musical spectacular, Guys and Dolls, runs through to Saturday, 6 May. This classic Broadway musical comedy (previously performed at Radford in 2006) is being brought back by a passionate cast, tech crew and full orchestra. Guys and Dolls showcases its phenomenal score by Frank Loesser and a hysterical but insightful book written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows in 1950.

Set in a fictional version of New York City, the Broadway classic is about a group of big-city gamblers and the women who love them. It tells the overlapping stories of high-roller Sky Masterson who falls in love with mission worker Sarah Brown, and lovable rapscallion Nathan Detroit, a headliner at the Hot Box Club engaged to Miss Adelaide for 14 years.

Directed by Dr Tracy Bourne, this fantastic production has been in the works since October 2022, with more than 90 students, collegians and staff working hard to put on this glorious production to the highest quality.

Please come and support the many involved and enjoy Radford’s spectacular 2023 musical, Guys and Dolls: https://events.humanitix.com/guys-and-dolls-musical-2023

3 May 2023

Term 2, Week 2

Staff Insights

Encouraging a sense of belonging in the Secondary School

Encouraging a sense of belonging in the Secondary School

Encouraging a sense of belonging in the Secondary School