By Tracey Markovic – Assistant Head of Junior School, Operations

It is hard to believe that it is Week 9, and we are almost at the end of first term. The saying ‘time flies when you are having fun’ seems to be very relevant about now!

Over the past eight weeks, our students and educators have commenced their 2022 journey of learning. Students have collaborated in large groups and small, worked independently and as part of whole year levels, to achieve common learning goals. Collaboration and joint learning have been central to everything they have done.

They have headed offsite on excursions, participated in incursions, been visited by guest speakers and some year levels were fortunate to have the opportunity to head interstate and attend camp.

Sharing student learning and student progress with our families is crucial to ensure a positive connection between school and home. This week has seen our Term 1 parent teacher interviews taking place for our Kindergarten–Year 6 students. These interviews have allowed families to discuss their child’s learning with their teacher. Parent teacher interviews are one way for families to find out more about their child’s learning and progress to date.

Another way that the Junior School is looking to create greater connection and engagement for families with student learning is through Toddle. Toddle is a platform that supports the documentation of our written curriculum and the provision of assessment. Students maintain their journal online through Toddle. This journal captures the ‘story’ of learning throughout the year and forms an important component of our reporting to families.

How will Toddle work for parents?

• Toddle can be accessed via Nexus.
• Parents will be able to access their child’s journal within Toddle. These journals will provide an insight into the learning that your child/ren have been engaging with at school and will provide specific feedback regarding key learning tasks throughout the semester.

A few ‘snapshots’ of Toddle learning posts can be seen below. Families are encouraged to visit their child’s year level page in Nexus regularly to see classroom learning in action.

Some of our year level staff and specialists were asked for a ‘snippet’ of what they have been doing over the past eight weeks. Please click this link to read more about what has been happening in our classrooms.

Can you tell us about your role and current projects?

I began working at Radford this year and currently teach Year 1.

What do you like best about your current role?

When teaching Year 1, I witness my students’ pure passion and love of learning each day. It’s wonderful to see those ‘aha moments’ when students make connections, when they master a skill or when they encounter a new topic that interests them. In the early years, you see so much growth in learning across one term and it’s nice to be a part of that. Teaching Year 1 reminds me that sometimes the simplest things, like a tiny grasshopper unexpectedly hopping into the classroom, are part of life’s little treasures.

What did you do before joining the Radford community?

For the last three years I have been living in Sydney and teaching at The Scots College, an all-boys school. I took a seven-month period of maternity leave when I had my son, Remy. Being locked down with a newborn and my parents turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I had more help at my fingertips than I could have ever imagined. Prior to that I enjoyed teaching in London and San Francisco at various independent schools and loved travelling to new countries or states frequently. Some favourite memories are hiking Twin Falls in Yosemite, travelling Corsica by a boat and getting married in Positano. At the beginning of 2022, my husband and I made the decision to move to Canberra where we currently spend most of our time looking for a new home!

What do you enjoy outside Radford?

I enjoy any chance to get outside and move. Being able to walk or run around the lake is certainly a bonus about moving to Canberra. Taking my one-year-old son to the beach is enjoyable as I love to watch his reaction to the waves. Borders permitting, I love travelling to towns or cities in Australia to experience something new.

By Alison Steven, Head of Year 7

In Week 4, we took around 200 Year 7 students to OEG’s Biloela property in the Southern Highlands.

The students camped for four nights and undertook a range of activities including hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, abseiling and reflection.

The purpose of the camp is for students to get to know their peers, build friendships, work as a team and challenge themselves.

Some student reflections:
Year 7 Camp was an amazing experience that everyone was able to learn from. The camp was a chance to bond and make new friends, for all students, new and old. We learnt not only survival skills, but life skills like stamina and perseverance. Despite the wet weather, camp had a positive impact on everyone in some way. It’s a great way to get some time outdoors, away from screens, family and normal life. Personally, my favourite part was abseiling because even though I find heights daunting, it was a challenge that I was up to and I really enjoyed it. I got to know one of my classmates I had never really spoken to before and we ended up being in a tent together and are now great friends! — Kate

As someone new to Radford, I’m very glad I attended Year 7 Camp. It helped me to make a lot more friends and connect with my classmates more. The activities there were really exciting and helped us learn a lot about our individual unique specialities. There were some challenging times during camp, and taking hikes up steep hills with drenched shoes was only one of them. Some of us were not used to the food (specifically the powdered milk), but what surprised me the most was that some of my peers weren’t used to hand-washing dishes! However, in the end, Year 7 Camp was a great experience for the whole cohort to learn something new and get closer together. I’m grateful that it wasn’t cancelled, as I think I would miss a crucial part of the bond that we have currently. — Olivia

Kirsten Knight – Head of Co-curricular Music and Director of Strings

Our Foundation Concert this year, entitled 'Melodies of joy, loss, and hope', will be held in our TB Millar Hall from 6.30–7.30pm on Tuesday 5 April.

The repertoire in this concert touches on each of the themes in the title and accentuates that underpinning each theme is a foundation of love.

The evening will feature performances by our Chorale and Camerata choirs, and Corelli Chamber String Orchestra, with special performances by Collegians from the Class of 2021. We are also welcoming back our college Dux of 2021, Oliver Johnstone, as a guest speaker for the evening.

Tickets are $5 each and are available here.

Funds raised from ticket sales will go to the Radford Reaches Out Foundation Day Fundraiser and will support a range of local, national and international organisations.

By Nicola Gibson, P&F Committee Member

Thank you to all parents and students who joined us for the P&F Welcome BBQ/Movie Night on 18 March.

We were extremely lucky that the weather held for us, and we were able to enjoy 'Lego Movie 2' on a lovely Canberra evening.

Almost 300 sausages were served, ice creams were eagerly devoured, and drinks enjoyed by those who attended.

At this point I need to extend a few thanks: to the Radford Foundation for their wonderful donation of ice creams, to the Year 11 and 12 students who donated their time to run games for the younger attendees, and to my fellow P&F Committee Members who helped set up and pack up on the day.

This is the first of a calendar of events that the P&F run throughout the year, and we look forward to seeing you all for the Radford Art Show, commencing with the Gala Opening on Friday 20 May, and continuing over the weekend of 21-22 May.

By Nick Ewbank, Head of History, Philosophy and RaVE, Director of Oratory

On 22 March, Radford hosted the ACT heats of the Rostrum Voice of Youth.

This is the premier speaking competition for secondary students around Australia and has been running in the ACT for 50 years. It is the ‘big sibling’ to the Rostrum Primary Schools Speaking Competition, also run by Rostrum.

Two Radford students entered the Rostrum Voice of Youth public speaking competition for secondary students.

Anvi Gupta (Year 9, pictured below) and Thenuki Weerabaddana Dissanayake (Year 7, pictured above) entered the competition, which required them to present a six-minute speech on a topic chosen from a list of six options.

Anvi spoke on ‘This Time It Will Be Different’ and Thenuki on ‘Blue Skies’.

In what was a very pleasing result, Anvi placed second and Thenuki won the heat! As a result, Thenuki progresses to the NSW semi final, which will be held at Campbelltown in the second week of May.

Congratulations, girls, a fine effort!

If you would like more information about the competition, you can visit https://www.rostrum.com.au/rvoy.

If you would like more information about Rostrum (which is a public speaking organisation open to all) please visit www.rostrum.com.au.

By Rachael Hind, JS Teacher Librarian

Radford Junior School families are invited to attend the launch of a new picture book titled We Are Australian by local author Nicole Godwin and Wiradjuri man Duncan Smith OAM.

The book reflects on our rich First Nations history and encourages readers to walk forward together, stamping our feet to wake up the ancestors and listening deeply to stories, to points of view, to Country.

Duncan Smith has a long-standing connection with Radford, through incursions, and as the creator of painting Dirrum Dirrum and the Scar Tree, which hangs in Radford Chapel.

Book launch details:

• When: 9.15am, Saturday 9 April 2022
• Where: National Arboretum Canberra
• What: the launch will include a book reading and Indigenous performance
• RSVP to attend
• For more information, you can view the book trailer.

Eloise Flynn, Year 11, has been selected as a finalist in the 2022 Percival Portrait Painting Prize.

The exhibition will be held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, in Townsville, Qld, from Saturday 23 April until Sunday 3 July 2022.

Eloise's work, 'A Lost Treasure', will also be included in a publication of the finalists’ artworks.

Works by Dimity Kidston, visual art teacher, are included in Connection Point, an exhibition at Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) from 5 Mar 2022–18 Jun 2022.

The exhibition is of the work of contemporary fibre textile artists from ACT and NSW, and also textile art from CMAG’s own collection.

By Melinda Hamilton, RTC Coordinator, Year 1 Teacher

The Radford Tribal Council (RTC) is a group of students made up of a representative from each class from Year 1 to 6, as voted by their peers.

The RTC meets each week to discuss ways to support the Junior School with action from their Units of Inquiry. Other key roles include deciding how to use the Radford Reaches Out funds throughout the year.

The RTC also cares for the four Compassion sponsor children by writing letters and sending pictures.

Over the past years, the RTC has played a key role in leading the Junior School to move towards Waste Free lunchboxes, and the students are keen to keep up the momentum in 2022.

The students serving on the RTC in 2022 are:

‘Vaping’ is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

Although under-18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of vaping products. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping not only contain high levels of nicotine, but also other potentially harmful additives. Many of these 'e-liquids' contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, and when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the 'healthy' alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

This Special Report highlights the facts and the potential risks of vaping and e-cigarettes.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College Wellbeing Team for further information, or seek medical or professional help.

By Pip Buining, Director

The Snow by Finegan Kruckmeyer
3, 4, 5 March 2022

In the spirit of ‘the show must go on’, the Years 7/8/9 drama production of The Snow arose like the phoenix from the COVID Lockdown Ashes of 2021.

A huge and heartfelt congratulations to the cast for demonstrating perseverance and resilience in keeping the creative embers alive through the lockdown and summer holidays – they pulled the show together with eight rehearsals this year and managed to dodge COVID and perform three fabulous shows!

With humour and high energy, the cast worked seamlessly as an ensemble to deliver a play with a timely message about how compassion, courage and kindness can break down the walls that divide humanity.

Many thanks to Jemima Mordike (Collegian, Class of 2016) for her work as Assistant Director and Stage Manager. It was wonderful to have an ex-student working creatively with current students, highlighting professional pathways in the Arts from Drama at school, to a Bachelor of Performance degree (Wollongong University), to the workforce.

Special thanks to Nick Akhurst and his Tech Crew and a thunderous digital applause to Tim Minehan with his Media Crew (Reuben Smith, Conall Barry, Bram Johnson and Sophie Purvis) for enabling us to bring the show to life for our audiences.

Onwards and upwards for live performance at Radford!

Photos: Alan Lee

By Melinda Hamilton, Year 1 teacher

Year 1 enjoyed an incursion with the National Museum of Australia. Their visit linked with our inquiry into Where We Are in Place and Time and allowed students to explore how Indigenous Australians show custodianship over the land.

Students really enjoyed getting to touch and play with special artefacts. They wondered what the item was? What it was made from? How was it used? And how had it been made?

We learnt about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and what the colours and objects symbolise. We also listened to a dreaming story, told by the Wiradjuri people about how the kangaroo got its pouch. The students helped act out the story and each time we see kangaroos on Gossan Hill, we will remember this experience.

Reflections

Aboriginal people have possum skins for special occasions. They are very warm. The skins come from New Zealand as possums are protected here. – Roman

I liked the boomerang. Did you know when you throw it, it can come back? – Flynn

The Ngunnawal people are custodians of the land because they care for it to pass onto other generations. – Aidan

The Aboriginal people have been in Australia for at least 21,000 years. They are the oldest group of people. – Lachlan

I liked the shopping bag. It was made with string and grass and had been woven. – Miriam

Did you know that the Ngunnawal people can make fire with two sticks? You twist one stick and it makes fire. – Hannah

Year 11 student Jake Smith was featured in The Canberra Times earlier this month following a poignant cricketing gesture performed in honour of recently deceased cricketer Shane Warne.

Sports reporter Isobel Cootes wrote:

‘Shane Warne's legacy cut across generational lines and this became apparent in Canberra last Sunday when a 16-year-old stepped up to bowl a legspin over in this honour.

‘It was sombre yet reflective moment at Neil Bulger Oval as Radford College and Marist College lined up for a minute's silence during the colts competition semi-final and donned black armbands to remember the former Australian bowler.

‘Radford's Jake Smith delivered an over honouring Warne's signature delivery, inspired by the 52-year-old's sudden passing.

‘He has been a legspinner since he took up cricket and, despite being born around the same time the 708-Test wicket cricketer retired from internationals, he has watched highlights online to perfect it.’

It was Radford’s Cricket Program Manager and coach, Wally Wright, who came up with the idea and suggested it to Jake, who agreed it was ‘a great initiative’.

Quoted in the article, Wally said:

‘For me personally, he was a hero and I was just thinking about the best way to honour him or give a tribute. And, obviously, Jake's a legspinner and the impact that Warnie had on legspin, so I just floated the idea with Jake prior to the game and said, 'I think this will be a fitting tribute.’

He then reconfigured things to allow Jake to deliver an over in Warne’s inimitable style.

Jake, 16, has been a keen cricketer since the age of eight and shares this passion with his sister, Amber (Year 9).

Canberra Times subscribers can view the full article here.

SchoolTV: Conflict in Ukraine

Around the world, people are saddened and devastated by the events unfolding in Ukraine. Adults and young people alike are feeling the stresses of war from afar as they experience fear, frustration and helplessness. The 24-hour news cycle has shown us upsetting images, raising many questions, especially for our young people, about what is happening.

Parents and caregivers need to be guided by their child’s curiosity. There is strong evidence to suggest that having a supportive discussion about a stressful event, in a developmentally appropriate way, can actually decrease distress. It’s best to 'name it, to tame it'. This will also combat any misinformation which they have most likely already been exposed to through social media, pictures or video clips.

Children need to know that they are being taken seriously, so it is recommended that you don’t avoid the difficult questions. Ensure you address their questions honestly and sensitively. With less life experience than adults, young people may need help navigating news about this crisis. Use this is as an opportunity to model and encourage compassionate views towards fellow humans, regardless of distance or circumstance.

This Special Report offers guidance on discussing the conflict in Ukraine. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one, or the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College Wellbeing team, or seek medical or professional help.

Rowing Nationals
Congratulations and good luck to the 40 rowers competing at Rowing Nationals in Nagambie, Victoria, this week.

Click here to find the draw and watch the livestream.

Basketball
U16B JPL Radford Hornets (64) were defeated by Ginninderra Rats (69). The team continues to develop slowly, due to COVID impacts and a number of key injuries (Jack Dimond and Max Forbutt both out for rest of Term 1).

The team welcomed three players to their first game of the season, and overall showed some bright signs for the future.

Turnovers and missed layups were the difference in a low-scoring game and there are certainly better days ahead as this group gets more time together on the practice court.

Top scorers: Kanyi Menakaya – 32, Josh Osborne – 12, and Finn Hourigan – 7.

Student achievement

Congratulations and good luck to Mathew Young and Darcy Macdonald, representing the ACT at the U18 National Hockey Championships in Cairns in April.

Radford College holiday programs will run from Monday 11 April to Friday 22 April, excepting the public holidays for Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Please note that attendance requires parents to make PRIOR arrangements through My Family Lounge for:

• enrolment
• booking
• payment.

The daily base cost is $90 per child, but note that, as specified in the programs, some activities incur an additional cost.

Bookings can be made up to the date if places remain.

Cancellations incur the full fee if made two weeks or less before the date without a medical certificate.

Highlights for both programs include:

• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – movie excursion
• Raptor Reptiles – incursion
• Seussical the Musical – excursion
• My Sweet Monster – movie excursion

FULL DETAILS:
ELC Program – Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten
Junior Program – Years 1-6

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

The Radford Reaches Out Foundation Day Fundraiser is a whole-College fundraising appeal. It was launched on Ash Wednesday and runs until Foundation Day (8 April).

Lent, the 40 days before Easter, is a time of reflection, learning, giving, and serving.

Students in the Junior School and Secondary School have chosen organisations to support this year.

Junior School

• Compassion Australia sponsor children
• Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
• Mercy Ships
• UNICEF
• WaterAid
• Australian Marine Conservation Society
• Rural Aid Australia
• World Wildlife Fund
• Landcare Australia
• Royal Flying Doctor Service
• TEAR Australia
• Doctors Without Borders
• Orange Sky

Secondary School

• Our Partners in Timor Leste, who deliver food and supplies to local communities
• Anglican Board of Mission Tonga Emergency Appeal
• Australian Red Cross Ukraine Appeal NEW
• Anglicare North Coast Lismore Flood Appeal NEW

(The Secondary School has added the Australian Red Cross Ukraine Appeal and Anglicare North Coast Lismore Flood Appeal since last week.)

The Secondary School raised $1300 on Pancake Day, which will go to Timor and Tonga.
Further donations will be allocated to the four organisations now listed above.

To donate click here. Thank you!

For over 30 years, the Radford Art Show has been a celebration of the work of local and regional artists, working in a wide variety of media: oils, watercolours, digital media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodwork and more.

ART SHOW 2022: 20–22 May
The 2022 event begins with a Gala Opening on Friday, 20 May at 7pm, and the exhibition continues on Saturday, 21 May and Sunday, 22 May between 10am and 4pm.

ARTISTS
Artists are invited to register to exhibit their works for sale. Prizes include Judge's Choice, People's Choice, and Emerging Artist awards. For details on how to register, please read the terms and conditions document. Registrations close on 27 April.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to assist with receipt and return of works, preparation of the catalogue and tags, hanging of the exhibition, sales, and hospitality at the Gala Opening.
Please contact the P&F Administrator for more details – P&F@radford.act.edu.au