By Mrs Vicki Williams, Chair of the Radford College Board

In light of Mrs Fiona Godfrey OAM's departure as our longest-serving and first female Principal, I want to take the time to recognise the significant accomplishments and progress she achieved during her nearly ten-year tenure at the College.

Under Fiona's stewardship, from 2014-2023, Radford College grew from 1640 students to 2100 students. This opened up a new range of programs and facilitated new and improved facilities across the College campus. Alongside this growth was the development of a range of new educational and co-curricular initiatives. To name a few:

• The introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and oversight of two successful IB evaluations.
• The growth and development of the College’s involvement in Round Square, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, cultural-language tours, the Service-Learning program, and service tours and expeditions.
• A review of the transformational Outdoor Education Program across all senior year groups.
• The establishment of Radford Dance Academy.
• A substantial capital works program that included:
  • A new entrance to Haydon Drive;
  • The Junior School Specialist Centre and Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) under croft;
  • The Quiggin Playground;
  • The refurbishment of many Secondary School classrooms;
  • Construction of the Ridge Building (Years 3-4 building);
  • The creation of the Morison Centre and the grassed common area;
  • A new car park;
  • Six new outdoor playing courts;
  • The G. Wigg Sports Centre extension;
  • The Boorer Family Cricket Centre; and
  • The Collegians' Centre.
• The establishment of the Radford College Foundation, which will lead a philanthropic approach across the Collegians community for many years to come.

It should also be remembered that while the world was overtaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fiona led the College through two lockdown periods. A challenge none of us expected, she and the College community rallied to provide a supportive environment in which our pastoral and education priorities were delivered.

Alongside her many activities as Principal, Fiona represented the College on a range of industry boards and associations. Her representations were across IB Schools Australasia, the Association of Independent Schools of NSW, the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT, Anglican Schools Australia and the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies. Most recently, Fiona showcased Radford at the Anglican Schools Australia Conference, and received the prestigious Order of Australia (OAM) in January this year for her significant work across the sector.

I am sure you will all join me in wishing Fiona well and hope she can now concentrate on her health and well-being. I know she and her husband Dennis are very much looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime trip in January 2024, as well as spending valuable time with family.

The Board has now actively begun the recruitment process for our new principal, beginning with the appointment of a recruitment agent to assist us. A committee of the Board is being convened to work through this process. During this time, we are fortunate to have appointed Mr Andy Gordon as Interim Principal. He is ably supported by Ms Karen Mahar as Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Junior School and Mr Brad Cooney as Deputy Principal, Head of Secondary School.

I will update the community as things progress. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Radford College.