By Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Secondary School

A fabulous night was had by all at this year’s Year 10 end-of-year celebration at the Great Hall of Parliament House. After months of planning, parents, carers, staff and, of course, the Year 10 class of 2025 gathered for an evening of music, celebration and reflection.

During the formal part of the evening, we presented awards acknowledging the service, citizenship and character of our Year 10 students, including Alia, who received the Collegians Award. This award recognises a student who excels across academic achievement, co-curricular participation and citizenship.

Alexander received the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award, which celebrates leadership, teamwork, values, problem-solving, resourcefulness, communication, cooperation and community involvement.

Katherine received the Allen Family Memorial Award for service and was also the recipient of the ADF Future Innovators Award.

James earned the Australian Catholic University Award, presented to a student who has completed a breadth of service across the entire Year 10 service-learning program.

We also celebrated the recipients of a new award for Year 10 students – the Galambany Award. This oratory-based award encourages students to consider the values of peace, reconciliation and belonging. The inaugural winners were Methmal and Keating.

Our Year 10 music students performed Riptide by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy to great applause, and their second piece, The Less I Know the Better, quickly filled the dancefloor.

Our Year 10 hosts, Alexander and Thenuki, did a wonderful job conveying the purpose of the event: reflecting on their school journey so far and celebrating students’ achievements as they conclude Year 10 at Radford.

Here are extracts from their address:

“Our High School journey has prepared us well through countless new friendships and challenges. We’ve endured and held ourselves in good stead for the next 2 years and those all-important white shirts.” – Alex

“This year, I’ve discovered that the most fulfilling experience is to not know – to truly not understand – because that’s what drives curiosity and growth. So, my message to all of you is simple: appreciate what you don’t understand, embrace what you don’t know and don’t fear questions you can’t answer. In the words of Socrates, ‘The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.’” – Thenuki