By Mrs Vicki Williams, Chair of the Board

As our community marks its 40^th year, the calendar remains full of opportunities to celebrate. This weekend’s Gala Ball, next week’s Foundation Concert and our 40^th Foundation Day, including the Official Opening of the Collegians Centre, promise to be significant and special occasions.

When the Board signed off on construction of a Multi-Function Hall now known as the Collegians Centre, the stated vision was for it to become, first and foremost, a centrally located gathering place. Growing to more than 2180 students, the College has for some years lacked an indoor space large enough to accommodate all Junior School and Secondary School students and hundreds of staff for major events. The Whole College Commencement Service on February 9, 2024, was an impressive sight for all in attendance.

The Collegians Centre has also proven to be a world-class sports facility. In December 2023, Radford hosted a sold-out WNBL game between the UC Canberra Capitals and Adelaide Lightning. Our staff had just a few hours’ notice of the request to use the Collegians Centre, when the scheduled venue suffered a major power outage. The high praise from the players and 1500 fans after the game suggested this will not be the last time Radford is called on to mount a national sporting spectacle.

In February, the Collegians Centre played host to the first combined Anglican Schools Pathways Expo, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from exhibitors, students and parents. The event, which brought together over 40 exhibitors representing diverse educational and career pathways, provided invaluable insights for Year 10, 11, and 12 students.

In a few short months, the initial vision for the many ways in which the Collegians Centre would be used has been well and truly realised.

I am delighted that The Right Reverend Dr Mark Short, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, will officially open the building next Friday, with students, staff and VIP guests in attendance.

I thank Marcus Graham, himself a Collegian and parent, and his team at Stewart Architecture for their vision, FDC Construction & Fitout for realising those plans, and Arrow Projects for keeping this massive undertaking on track.

The plaque in the Collegians Centre will say this impressive facility was built “for every learner who has attended Radford College.”

It will continue to be a place of gathering, learning and celebration.

As we finish Term 1, I would also like to update you on the recruitment of our next Principal. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey and forums around what you would like to see in our next Principal. This helped inform our recruitment agency in the approach to market and we are now moving onto the next stage of the process. We hoped to be in a position to make an announcement in early May. I would like to share the Board’s thanks to our Interim Principal Mr Andy Gordon and the rest of the Executive team for their outstanding leadership of our College over this time.

I wish you a safe and relaxing term break and hope to see many of you at our celebrations over the coming weeks.