30 August 2023

By Mrs Gemma Wilson, Junior School Teacher Librarian

Our annual 2023 Book Week Character Parade was another resounding success! Our last-minute change of venue, which meant two parades, still showed the love of reading is alive and thriving at Radford.

Dressed as characters from a wide range of books, our Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students danced and paraded through R.A. Young Hall. The smiles were big, and some of the costumes were even bigger. We had princesses and bears, fairy-tale characters and firefighters, even Bluey and the Titanic paraded past. The level of creativity and imagination was obvious, and we are so grateful for the enthusiasm everyone demonstrated.

After recess, our Year 3-6 students gathered on The Ridge lawn. Complemented by a stunning early spring day, students again danced and paraded with unmatched energy and enthusiasm. From classic fairy-tale figures to modern-day heroes, the variety of characters on display was truly astounding. Hogwarts wizards walked alongside intrepid explorers and storybook creatures mingled with historical figures, all to demonstrate the breadth of reading at Radford.

The success of the Book Week Character Parade is testament to the culture at Radford. All students engaged enthusiastically with the day, and the staff teams showed creativity and cryptic-ness through their costumes, often linking to Units of Inquiry being taught in the classrooms. It was a remarkable celebration of connection to literature and books.

Thank you to our parent community, which supported students and helped them with costumes. We encourage families to continue to foster and celebrate a love of reading.

Until next year’s parade (when we will gather as a whole Junior School community in the Collegians' Centre), let’s keep turning those pages, exploring new books and meeting new characters.

By Jeanette Clayton, Acting Head of History, Philosophy and Rave

On Friday, 25 August, a group of Year 10 students took part in a Committee Challenge at the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The students were Sebastian Bardelang, Joey Lee, Erica Li, Xandy Lulic, Sofia O’Brien, Sarah Prior and Emily Wang.

The students learned about the committee process and participated in a mock committee hearing on the ACT’s energy future.

Radford students collaborated with students from other ACT schools, presenting and making recommendations on energy sources and their sustainability, cost, and long-term viability. They enjoyed meeting students from other schools and applying their critical thinking and communication skills.

By Luka Sostarko, Year 12 Bands Captain

Week 5 was a huge one for our jazz bands students. Students in both our Big Band and Little Big Band travelled to Canberra Grammar School mid-week for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit in on an open rehearsal for one of the world’s most famous jazz bands, Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, led by Grammy Award-winning trumpet player, Wynton Marsalis. Later in the week, the same students had the opportunity to receive a personal workshop with world-class musicians Kenny Rampton and Nicole Glover. This allowed the students to gain a profound sense of inspiration for the Jazz Cafe performance later that day.

Jazz Cafe was held in Radford's Performing Arts Centre on the evening of 18 August. The event proved to be an outstanding night of jazz performances by many talented student and adult musicians.

The night featured the debut of Radford's Girls’ Jazz ensemble, as well as the Big Band conducted by Mr Ben Marston and the Little Big Band conducted by Mr Joe Taylor. The event also featured our other student jazz ensembles, as well as special guests from outside Radford, Brass Knuckle Brass Band, featuring seven musicians, including Mr Marston.

Throughout the night, audience members enjoyed a relaxing atmosphere listening to some well-known jazz standards, including Sesame Street by Joe Raposo, Four by Miles Davis, and Boplicity by Gil Evans. Both the student and adult musicians gave phenomenal performances of jazz classics to be remembered.

A personal thank you goes to the Big Band managers, Mrs Julia Oreo and Ms Rowena Stevens, for their contribution, as well as our Head of Co-Curricular Music, Mrs Kirsten Knight.

Most importantly, a special thanks to Director of Bands, Mr Marston, for his significant contribution to helping jazz continue to thrive at Radford College.

By Tristan Wang and Beau Lancsar, Year 6 students

This week, Year 6 dived deeper into the idea of Exhibition and we found out a lot more about the topic that we are investigating.

We also discussed a central idea that could match what we are investigating. We went into little groups and created a few central ideas.

The Sustainability One group visited the National Zoo! What stood out for them was why the animals are becoming extinct and what is the main reason. The main reason for animals becoming extinct is because of habitat loss such as bush fires, climate change and cutting down trees.

Meanwhile, the Equity group visited the National Portrait Gallery to find out about the people who have taken action to make the world more equitable. Jonathon Davis also talked about his journey in fighting for equity.

Next week, the Well-Being group is going to Tidbinbilla!

By Ms Michele Sharp, Head of Languages and Ms Tracy Kelly, Acting Head of Library & Information Services

The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week theme for 2023 was: "Read, Grow, Inspire." Radford College's Secondary School languages faculty and the Years 5-12 Library team joined forces to provide students with fun activities each day leading up to the cultural costume and Book Week character dress-up day on Friday, 25 August.

Monday to Wednesday

• All week in the 5-12 Library, students could enter a competition to try and locate 25 book titles from an image.
• Students from Years 5 and 6 could dress a mannequin with a top hat made from origami book pages during their recess and lunch break.
• Students from Years 7-12 could create a library in a tin during their recess and lunch break. To create their miniature library, students used stickers for wallpaper and popsicle sticks for shelves. They could fold miniature origami books to put on the shelf, plus mini donuts, mushrooms, drinks and a mini portrait to hang on the wall.

Thursday

The Language faculty ran a lunchtime session in the 5-12 Library, during which students could try their hand at a variety of language and cultural activities.

There was:

• Chinese fan painting and calligraphy;
• French badge making and tongue twisters;
• Spanish virtual reality excursions and games;
• Japanese geisha and samurai bookmark making; and
• A passport exercise, which gave students the opportunity to gain prizes for speaking in several languages.

Friday

• All students in Years 5-12 were invited to complete the origami mannequin and library in a tin craft activities.
• The main event on Friday was dressing up in cultural costume or students’ favourite book character. Secondary School teachers joined the fun, and library staff dressed up as famous gardens to reflect the Read, Grow, Inspire CBCA Book Week theme.

A big “xièxiè," "merci," "arigatou," and "gracias” to all the languages and library staff for their impressive efforts.

ASC Netball

On Tuesday, 15 August, Radford was represented by three teams (Year 7/8, Year 9/10 and Year 11/12) at the ASC Netball Carnival. All teams had the opportunity to play against seven other Canberra independent and Catholic schools for the title of ASC Netball Champions. All three Radford teams competed with great determination and wonderful integrity and supported each other throughout the day. Our teams did not come away with the title, but all players should be very proud of their efforts.

A huge thank you to Mrs Fogarty (Year 7/8), Mrs Gray (Year 9/10), Mrs Hunter and Ms Fritsch (Year 11/12) for coaching the teams, and to our three student umpires.

Sporting Achievements

Several students from Radford recently competed for School Sport ACT representative teams at School Australia National Championships. Congratulations to the following students:

13-and-Over National Swimming Championships, Sydney

• Xavi Canadell
• Aoife Rothery
• Brynten Au
• Callan Veal
• Waylon Hayashi – achieved a Bronze medal in the 16-17 years, 100-metre breaststroke.

12-and-Under & 13-and-Over National Cross-Country Championships, Canberra

• Patrick Maundrell
• Emerson Ryan – achieved fourth overall in the 12 years boys, MC two-kilometre race.
• Alexander Fillingham
• Isla Murphy
• Kaiya Barsby
• Astrid Evans
• Katherine Maundrell
• Matty Maundrell

All results for the SSA Cross-Country Championships can be found here.

12-and-Under & 16-and-Under National Basketball Championships, Perth

• Ashley Ward
• Madison Scholfield
• Poppy Smith

Earlier this year, we asked staff to nominate colleagues who go above and beyond to make Radford College a truly special place. Among the remarkable individuals nominated, one name stood out: Ms Cristina Ciordas, our Junior School Crossing Supervisor. Every day, rain or shine, Ms Ciordas demonstrates an unwavering commitment to her role, efficiently directing traffic while also cultivating a warm and caring environment for our students. Her dedication and passion have not gone unnoticed, prompting us to learn more about what brought her to Radford College and what she finds most fulfilling about her job.

Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to Radford College?

I was born in Romania and lived in Romania until four years ago, when I met my partner, who is also a Radford staff member, and we decided to start our life together here in Australia.

What do you like best about your role?

I enjoy communicating with the students and putting a smile on their face by wishing them a good day at school.

I love working to supervise children at the crossing, observe traffic and ensure that vehicles stop safely to allow the students to make it to and from the carpark safely.

What did you do before joining the Radford community?

I studied at the University of Visual Arts, Decorative Arts and Design, but for many years, I worked in the medical system, liaising with medical staff from hospitals, clinics, medical centres, and independent and national chains of pharmacies.

What do you do with your time outside of Radford?

I am currently studying Educational Learning Support and practising my English. I love baking and sharing the Romanian cakes I make with Radford staff. I enjoy painting, yoga and meditation, spending time with my partner and his children, discovering Australia and the beautiful places that it has to offer.

Anything else interesting you’d like to add?

Radford College is not only my employer, but also my home and I’m very grateful for all the support I get from the Radford Community.

Radford P&F

Ride Wristbands & $10 Radford Hands

Radford College Twilight Fete is fast approaching! Please make sure you have saved the date for Saturday, 4 November, from 3-7 pm.

$10 Radford Hands and Ride Wristbands are now on SALE and available to purchase from the Principal's Building or Junior School Reception (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm).

This year, Camelot Amusements will bring an array of attractions for adults and children to enjoy! See the full list of attractions available at this year's Fete here.

Wristbands are $25 each if purchased before the Fete or $30 on Fete Day. Card payment is preferred, or the exact cash would be appreciated.

One wristband per adult/child will give you unlimited access to the rides on Fete Day.

Radford Twilight Fete Raffle

More than $10,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs thanks to our very generous sponsors and supporters.

Raffle tickets are $5 each. Click here to purchase your tickets and see the full list of prizes available.

The Raffle will be drawn on Fete Day, Saturday, 4 November at 5 pm by our MC, Cam Sullings, from Mix 106.3.

Trivia Night

We have had such an overwhelming response to the Radford P&F Gatsby-inspired Trivia Night! We will be closing tickets to this event on Thursday, 31 August.

Make sure you secure your tickets here.

Trivia Night is on Friday, 15 September, 2023, from 6:30 pm in T.B. Millar Hall.

Tickets are $15 per person – tables of eight and ten.

BYO food and drinks.

Prizes for Best Dressed and Table Decoration.

Radford Collegians

This is the final week to secure your tickets to the Welcome Back Function celebrating the Classes of 1993, 2003 and 2013.

More information can be found here.

By Ms Sophie Chang, School Psychologist

The Radford Secondary School counselling team will offer the Tuning in to Teens™ parenting program on campus over six sessions on Thursday evenings, from 4:00-6:00 pm, starting on 12 October and concluding on 16 November 2023.

Tuning in to Teens™ is an evidence-based program that uses the principles of emotional intelligence and emotional coaching to enhance parenting skills. It is a six-session parenting program which aims to assist parents with developing the skills to talk with their teens about emotions, develop emotional intelligence in teens, and help with conflict management in the home.

This program works with the principle of emotional intelligence. Teens with higher emotional intelligence:

• Are more aware, assertive, and stronger in situations with peer pressure.
• Have greater success with making friends and are more able to manage conflict with peers.
• Are more able to cope when upset or angry.
• Have fewer mental health and substance-abuse difficulties.
• Have more stable and satisfying relationships as adults.
• Have greater career success (emotional intelligence may be a better predictor of academic and career success than IQ).

This program is offered to parents with a student in Years 7-12. Participation in the program will be determined by a pre-program interview and participants will be capped at approximately 12. Please fill out the expression of interest form if you wish to participate in the program.

If you would like to know more about the program or have any further questions, please email our Tuning in to Teens facilitator: sophie.chang@radford.act.edu.au

By Mrs Kirsten Knight, Head of Co-Curricular Music

Saturday, 2 September - 6.30 pm
T.B. Millar Hall, Radford College

Our Evening of Fine Music is a showcase of some of our top Year 12 musicians. We have a record-breaking 12 featured performers this year:

• Luka Sostarko – trumpet
• William Abbott – drum kit
• Michael Vincent – piano
• Angus McKee – voice and guitar
• Monica Cao – cello
• Evelyn Toyne – viola
• Jake Smith – violin
• Amira Hibberd – voice
• Oscar Boswell – voice
• Joshua Robards – voice
• Robbie Potter – voice
• Milo Kroeger - voice

Tickets to attend this event are available here. Audience members are invited to bring food to enjoy during the evening, and wine will be available to purchase at the hall.