In the spotlight
By Mrs Jane Smith, Assistant Principal Student Engagement
Semester 2 is always filled with important programs and events that are key to our student education program. Character education, including respectful relationships and digital safety, underpins our curriculum during mentor time and year meetings. These include teacher-led activities and collaboration with external providers such as Consent Labs, Menslink, Red Frogs, Paul Dillon’s presentations on drugs and alcohol, St Vincent’s Sleepout, Respect Collective and the ACT Police.
Last term, we warmly welcomed our new Year 6 students, who will form the 2026 Year 7 cohort. As part of Orientation Day, they enjoyed the entrepreneurial and imaginative offerings at Year 7 Market Day. Year 8 was victorious in the Battle of the Years sport competition and our Year 9 students will embark on their camp to Cooleman Plains in Week 3 of Term 4.
Our focus for Year 10 is creating a memorable celebratory event that marks the end of their lower Secondary School experience. This year, we have a very special event planned for Year 10 students and their parents, with drinks and dancing in the Great Hall at New Parliament House.
Year 11 students continue to engage with their senior studies with grace and grit, and we were excited to induct our 2026 Prefect body this week. Year 12 milestone events to conclude their time at Radford will include a final walk as a cohort to the water park on Black Mountain Peninsula, their final Chapel, Guard of Honour, Graduation and Formal at the National Arboretum.
The Heads of Year and Mentors play a critical role in knowing and caring for individual learners, as well as in building a strong, cohesive sense of community across the College. The team includes: Dr Rebecca Barlow (Head of Transition), Mr Brett Lamson (Head of Year 7), Mrs Jane Lilley (Head of Year 8), Mrs Rebecca Hunter (Head of Year 9), Mr Jeremy Hawkes (Head of Year 10), Mr Brad Davis (Head of Year 11) and Ms Ashlee Turner (Head of Year 12).
They all play a pivotal role in creating structure and support for our students in order for them to meet academic excellence goals and their personal best outside the classroom.
They mentor and teach skills and strategies that help our young people understand their strength of character, navigate challenges, build respectful connections and support each other, so that all members of our community thrive within and beyond the College grounds.
We are further supported by the work of our excellent College wellbeing team, which includes Psychologists Ms Jacqueline Walker and Ms Sophie Chang. Another valued member of the team is Counsellor and Social Worker, Ms Gretel Burgess, who runs lunchtime initiatives for our students, including drumming and craft.
Mr Chirag Mehta is known to all our students in his role as Attendance Officer and Mrs Melissa Johnston as she welcomes students to the wellbeing space in the Morison Centre. Our team is ably supported by Miri (the Ngunnawal word for dog), who is always available for some quiet time and a pat for students and staff alike.