Reflecting and looking ahead to Term 4
By Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Secondary School
In Weeks 9 and 10, we host Parent-Teacher-Student Conversations in the Secondary School. This is an opportunity for parents and carers to meet with their child’s teachers and discuss their progress. These important conversations are informed by the feedback provided through continuous reporting on Nexus throughout the term and last semester, as well as the self-assessed Approaches to Learning (ATL) each student has completed for every subject.
The ATLs cover 4 main areas of learning: self-regulation, expression of emotions, social management and working collaboratively. I have written many articles on the importance of self-regulation in achieving goals. Expression of emotion focuses on students building a culture of respect in the classroom, enabling teachers to teach and students to learn. At the same time, high levels of social management by students in classrooms are key for all to feel safe communicating their ideas in a welcoming and orderly classroom. It is the ATLs that often reveal why a student is progressing or not in a subject, and how they need to adapt their study practices to improve their personal achievement. Improving organisation for classes, avoiding distractions – digital or otherwise – in the classroom or at home and planning the completion of tasks well before they are due for completion, can assist most students in lifting their overall grades in many subjects.
It is a busy rush to the end of the term for everyone, with all year levels working towards key events. Our Year 7s hosted a very successful Market Day yesterday – a tradition upheld for a few decades now. This is a day for staff and students of all year levels to support the efforts of our Year 7 students through the purchase of goods. I have quite a collection of items from past Market Days (though the pet rocks have lasted longer than the live plants!). We also welcomed all 2026 Year 7 students for their first orientation day yesterday. Thanks go to a number of staff for the organisation of this day, in particular to Dr Rebecca Barlow, our Head of Transition.
Year 9 students are already wearing their boots in preparation for their camp in Term 4, while the student organising committee for the Year 10 end-of-year celebration at Parliament House is meeting before the end of the term to assist with planning the entertainment for this big event. Thank you to all Year 10 parents who have already purchased their parent ticket. There is still time to buy tickets, so keep an eye on Nexus.
It has been a significant couple of weeks for our Year 11 cohort, with the announcement of the 2026 Year 12 Captains, Vice-Captains, Prefects, Activity Captains and Year 7 Student Mentors. Congratulations to all those elected to these roles. I am certain they will all work to ensure our values of Truth, Compassion and Wisdom are always at the forefront of all College initiatives or activities. Though some students will be disappointed in not being selected, there will be many opportunities for current Year 11 students in 2026 to be involved and indeed lead in various activities, including the Dirrum Dirrum Festival and the Year 12 Revue in 2026.
Year 12 students also continue to complete assessments. In the coming semester break, while also getting some rest, all Year 11 and 12 students should take advantage of the opportunity to start assessments due next term and revise work in preparation for their final exams in Week 6.
Our Year 12s have many events to look forward to before the end of their Secondary School years at Radford College: the final Chapel service, final year level and Secondary School assemblies, Graduation and Formal. But before these celebrations, as Mr Dale Casburn, Head of Student Pathways (Careers Counsellor) reiterated this week, they also have the opportunity for a strong academic finish. The College is looking forward to celebrating the great results from the Class of 2025.
Enjoy the coming break.