Staff Insights
What an exciting time to be part of Radford College! There is undoubtably a sense of joy and optimism in the air – and not just because of the changing seasons and the impending school holidays.
Last week we had the honour of hosting the national netball team, the Diamonds, in our very own Collegians Centre. Radford netball players and their families got to watch these phenomenal athletes train and afterwards take selfies and have items of clothing, netballs, and even shoes, autographed by Captain Liz Watson and her team. Hopefully, this will be the first of many events of its kind.
On the same day we had a hugely successful Year 7 Orientation Day in which the 2025 Year 7 class got a taste of what to expect as they make the transition from Junior to Secondary School. This concluded with the Year 7 Festival in the Turning Circle where anything from bubble tea to sausage sizzles were sold. I was very impressed with the variety of items on display and the way the students marketed their individual stalls. The Year 7 cohort under the guiding hand of Head of Year Mrs Jane Lilley did a great job organising this event and should be proud.
Another thing to be proud of is the new Pavilion Playground. Work on this new edition to the College grounds starts this week and is set to be completed when students arrive back for Term 4. This playground, that will be built adjacent to the J.A. Mackinnon Oval, will provide students with a range of activities to improve fitness, strength, and agility, in addition to general play.
To commemorate Radford's 40th year, we unveiled a beautiful mosaic this week featuring the names of those who donated generously to the Radford Foundation on their first ever Giving Day. The event was held on 5 June and a total of $116 000 was raised on the day. This will go towards scholarships and Radford’s future. The mosaic was made by Secondary School art teacher, Ms Dimity Kidston and is really something to behold. Please take the time to have a look at it when you're next at the turning circle on campus.
The College’s commitment to sustainability is one of the things that sets us apart. Last week we received the news that Radford College was awarded its third star in the ACT Sustainable Schools Program. This is a remarkable achievement, and I would like to thank the Sustainability Working Group for all their efforts in promoting Radford as a place where caring for the environment is commonplace.
Last week ended on a high note with the Trivia Night hosted by Radford’s Parents and Friends Association. With the date being Friday the 13th, the theme was inspired by all things Spooky – a theme that was embraced by all who attended. Please see the article and photos on the Trivia Night in this edition of the Bulletin. I would encourage anyone who isn’t a member yet, to sign up to be part of this great P&F Association.
These are just some of the big things, but there are also hundreds of little things that happen every day at the College that make me proud: a student picking up a piece of litter, reaching out to a fellow student who is struggling, signing up for a new sport or club, and keeping on doing their best, even when they don’t feel like it. Students for whom the words Truth, Compassion and Wisdom, aren’t just words they pass at the gate when they drive into the College, but that are the building blocks of their lives here at Radford College.
Keep on making us proud.
Andy
By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
If you want to learn, then go and ask
the wild animals and the birds,
the flowers and the fish.
Any of them can tell you what the Lord has done.
Every living creature is in the hands of God.
Job 12:7-10 (The Bible, CEV)
The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to our environment locally and globally. The Church around the world unites to listen and care for our common home. The season begins 1 September, with the Feast of Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
This video gives a good explanation of the Season of Creation and how churches around the world are responding.
Some ideas for our participation include:
1. Attend the Blessing of the Pets service.
Sisters Amy and Sophie Purvis are organising a Blessing of the Pets service for this coming Sunday, 22 September at 4.00 pm in the Chapel Courtyard. Please only bring pets along that are comfortable around other pets.
2. Learn about people who care for animals and advocate on their behalf, including the following notable historical figures:
- St Martin de Porres (1579-1639) who set up the first animal shelter as a result of seeing strays on the street and remembering what it was like for him when he lived on the street.
- Renowned Church of England evangelist Rev. John Wesley (1703-1791) cared deeply for animals.
- Rev. Arthur Broome (1779-1837) with help from others, including William Wilberforce, formed the RSPCA.
- Anna Sewell (1820-1878) a Quaker, wrote Black Beauty to expose the cruel conditions of the working horses in London. The success of her book heralded more humane equipment for horses.
3. Go deeper into an issue you care about. This month I’ve been challenged by two uncomfortable and eye-opening articles in “The Monthly”: Down on the Farm by Katherine Wilson who reports on certain farming practices and those seeking to make the public aware and The tipping point by James Bradley, an investigation into landfill in Australia and our growing waste problem. A friend recently recommended How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference by Rebecca Huntley.
4. Members of the Radford College community can join Radford's Sustainability Nexus Page. This page is your go-to resource for learning about eco-friendly practices, participating in green initiatives, and staying updated on our Radford’s sustainability projects.
5. Take a walk in creation.
Gossan Hill Nature Reserve is a much-loved place for Junior School staff and students. Secondary students are participating in “chapel walks” on Gossan Hill this fortnight to explore the beauty and habitats on our doorstep. What natural environment is close to you that you can enjoy?
6. Design and enter the Sustainable Steps poster competition (Pre-K – Year 8)
Glance at the sun.
See the moon and the stars.
Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings.
Now, think.
What delight God gives to humankind with all these things.
All nature is at the disposal of humankind.
We are to work with it.
For without we cannot survive.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 1179)
May the Season of Creation be an intentional time of prayer, appreciation, connection and action.
News
By Ms Megan Fritsch, Director of Sport
Radford College had the incredible honour of hosting the Origin Australian Diamonds in our world-class Collegians Centre as they prepared for their upcoming series against the England Roses.
It was an unforgettable experience for our Radford netball players, their families, staff, and coaches, who had the privilege of witnessing these world-class athletes showcase their exceptional talent. Over 140 Radford netballers from Year 2 to Year 12 were invited to attend a closed training session and observe the Australian Diamonds in action.
A key takeaway for our players was that, regardless of the level you play at – whether it’s community, pre-elite, or elite – practicing and refining fundamental skills is essential for success.
The Diamonds Head Coach, Stacey Marinkovich, generously offered her time to speak with the Radford netball coaches before and after the training session, providing an invaluable learning experience for our coaching staff. Learning from one of Australia’s top coaches was a highlight for many of our staff.
Liz Watson, the current Diamonds Captain presented a signed team ball to our 2025 Netball Captain, Alexandra Smith (Year 12 Jarrah), as a token of appreciation to Radford for hosting the Australian Team.
Radford College, and especially the Collegians Centre, is becoming increasingly recognised within the Canberra community and the Australian high-performance sports system as a top-class facility, ideal for elite and national teams to train, often serving as an overflow from the AIS. Radford Sport continues to facilitate opportunities for high-performance teams to not only utilize our facilities but also engage and inspire the next generation of Radford athletes.
Radford Sport extends a heartfelt thanks to Netball Australia for collaborating on this incredible event, and we look forward to more future opportunities.
The Australian Diamonds will compete in the England Series on 19 September (Adelaide), 22 September (Sydney), and 25 September (Bendigo). We’ll be cheering loudly from the sidelines!
By Mr Jonathan Mandl, Snowsports Advisor
Radford Snowsports athletes stand proud with Australia’s best at Nationals
The Australian Interschools Championships held at Perisher from 2 – 9 September hosted 1,712 individual competitors from a record 335 schools across the country. The 38 separate events attracted a staggering 3,569 event entries. This represented a 13% increase in participation over the last Perisher-hosted national championships in 2022.
Radford claims third place in Secondary Co-ed Overall Championships!
Our 2024 team has achieved the highest ever result in the Australian Interschools Championships, surpassing the 4th place won in 2016, which at the time was considered a massive effort. This achievement is proudly owned by every Radford competitor over the four days of events, which made the total point score of 102 possible. Not only was Radford the best performing co-educational school in the ACT, but also across Victoria and NSW – only topped by the two Jindabyne schools who have the huge advantage of being only 25 minutes from the resort and spending every Friday during the season on the snow. The final standing was:
1st – Snowy Mountains Grammar (464 pts)
2nd – Jindabyne High School (136 pts)
3rd – Radford College (102 pts)
Radford College performed brilliantly across all events we contested, including the following team results:
Snowboard GS – Division 1M – Team 8th (Bailey Purvis-Smith 30th, Liam Waldren 32nd, Finlay Stewart 33rd)
Snowboard-Cross – Division 1M – Team 8th (Finlay Stewart 32nd, Liam Waldren 33rd, Bailey Purvis-Smith 34th)
Snowboard-Cross – Division 2F – Team 8th (Aanya Te Moananui 27th and Charlie Lee 28th)
Ski-Cross – Division 1M – Team 9th (Joshua Baker 31st, Euan Greig 40th, Charlie Seddon 41st)
Ski-Cross – Division 1F – Team 8th (Amelie Brennan 26th and Audrey Potter (36th)
Ski-Cross – Division 1F – Team 9th (Emily Hinchcliffe 27th and Isabella Keeling 39th)
Alpine GS – Division 2 – Team 10th (Darcy Barlow 14th, Jude Barlin 41st, Connor Kruger 45th)
Alpine GS – Division 3F – Team 12th (Amelie Smith 41st, Georgina Grant 46th, Taya Napthali 50th)
Highlights from individual achievements included:
Alpine GS – Division 4 - Tahlia Smith 56th (150 competitors)
Ski-Cross – Division 4 - Tahlia Smith 47th (119 competitors)
Snowboard GS – Division 3 - Lincoln Lee 43rd (86 competitors)
Snowboard-Cross – Division 3 - Lincoln Lee 43rd (93 competitors)
Snowboard-Cross – Division 1 - Bonnie Hardy 34th (76 competitors)
Snow Australia Interschools wrap for season 2024
The 2024 record total of 21,264 event entries across nine discipline events – Alpine GS, Snowboard GS, Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross, Moguls, Cross Country Classic, Cross Country Relay, Ski Slopestyle, Snowboard Slopestyle – saw over 660 schools and more than 6,250 individual competitors from all States and Territories experience the thrill of Snowsports competition in Australia.
At the foundation of those amazing statistics sits the equally outstanding work of over 660 School Snowsports Coordinators including our very own indefatigable Mr Alex Timms.
Coordinators are the shining lights behind Interschools events that have collectively grown since 1974, so we dip our hats to Mr Timms and his colleague as a mark of acknowledgement and respect.
Thanks to all our Radford families for a great season of social development, training and racing enjoyed in our vibrant Snowsports community. We’ll see you all again in 2025!
It had been announced that our College Historian, Mrs Annette Carter, who is also the President of the Collector Historical Society, is the recipient of one of the Awards from the History Council of NSW.
The Collector Historical Society has been awarded the Macquarie – PHA Applied History Award. This is an award to encourage historians to produce a creative work of applied history drawing on their research. Mrs Carter and the Collector Historical Society built an augmented reality app called Collector History Walk.
This app, built by Code and Visual, allows people to walk around Collector and read about the historic landmarks but also to use augmented reality to overlay historic images over buildings and landscapes (see examples in the gallery below). This was funded by an $86,000 grant through the Collector Wind Farm.
Mrs Carter was unable to attend the awards ceremony at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, Sydney as she is currently at Ohio State University archives in America on a Fellowship. She was chosen as a recipient of the US$6,000 Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program Research Award.
By Ms Yasiman Keen, Finance Coordinator
This term has marked significant progress for Radford’s sustainability initiatives. We proudly received our third star (out of a possible five) from the Sustainable Schools Program (SSP), an ACT Government initiative. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability as we continue to embrace innovative solutions and expand our program.
Over the past eight years, we've achieved a 33% reduction in electricity consumption per student. This milestone was made possible through collective efforts, including the promotion of energy-efficient practices, the installation of energy-saving lighting, and running educational campaigns. These changes have not only reduced our costs but also lessened our environmental impact.
The recently installed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the main staff car park have been a resounding success, helping to offset 1,834 litres of petrol to date. We encourage everyone to use the chargers to support this initiative.
On our Sustainability page, we’ve raised awareness of local threatened species such as the Gang-gang Cockatoo and Swift Parrot. We’ve enhanced the school’s biodiversity by building insect hotels and birdhouses, planting native gardens, educating students on worm farming, and hosting visits from ACT for Bees. These efforts, along with celebrating key biodiversity dates, are helping us support the natural ecosystem around us.
On 23 July Radford College planted a Coral Bark Maple in honour of Schools Tree Day (26 July) and National Tree Day (28 July). Our Sustainability captains, Tiffany Chue and Pip Humpries took part in planting the new maple near the Morison building. This tree was picked by Tiffany and Mr. Paul Tosic (part of facilities team) because it is ideal for the climate and location it was being planted in. This was a special day to commemorate our commitment to fostering a greener future.
We are thrilled to be on this journey together as a community! Our efforts are starting to show, fostering a greener mindset throughout the school. During the holidays, we encourage everyone to keep the momentum going – whether by picking up litter, biking instead of driving, or simply turning off the tap while brushing your teeth. Every action counts!
By Mr Brett Lamson, Head of Year 12
On Thursday 12 September I was lucky enough to attend the awards ceremony for the finalists in the ‘What Matters?’ Writing Competition, put on by the Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney, with this year marking the 20th year that the competition has been running. This year saw that greatest number of entries ever received, some 5,500, from young people from every state and territory across Australia. The challenge was for students to write a 600-word piece that encapsulated what matters to them.
The entries ranged from poetry to short stories to essays and opinion pieces, and the judges had their work cut out for them reading through the many entries and trying to decide which best captured the essence of what truly matters to young people across Australia at this specific point in history.
Before the winners were announced, we were treated to a tour of the Female Orphan School building that houses the Whitlam Institute, the oldest three-story building in Australia. We were told about the long and storied history of the building, that began as the Female Orphan School in 1818 before becoming the Protestant Orphan School in 1850 and then a psychiatric facility from 1888-1980s. After this time, the building fell into disrepair, and it wasn’t until the 1990s when the University of Western Sydney petitioned the New South Wales Government to take over the site, that the building was restored to its former glory. The tour also included a look at the prime ministerial public museum of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, that is permanently housed within the Whitlam Institute.
The award ceremony itself featured speeches by award winning author Michelle Law and Walkley award winning journalist Jan Fran. It was incredibly interesting and informative to hear from two writers who had achieved such success and the advice they had for young writers looking to pursue a career in writing.
It was fantastic to see Kerry-Anne awarded the runner up prize in the Year 11/12 category, a tremendous achievement, and a testament to her ability as a writer. I encourage all students to keep an eye out for the ‘What Matters?' Writing Competition next year to enter their work and take part in this outstanding literary competition.
By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Junior School Teacher
Kindergarten students have enjoyed visits to the Canberra Reptile Zoo over the past week to support their investigations into ‘How the World Works’. These visits have allowed students to learn about the features of reptiles including their body covering, diet and habitats.
After a very funny and informative session with Peter the reptile expert, students got to explore the zoo, getting to touch some animals including a possum, lizards, turtles and a python snake. A highlight of the visit was viewing Charlie the crocodile as well as many of the poisonous snakes in the tanks.
Kindergarten students learnt that reptiles are cold blooded. Snakes don’t want to bite you, they only do so if they are feeling threatened. In Canberra all snakes are poisonous so if we see one, you stand still and call an adult for help. Turtles' shells are made of bone and are a great way to protect themselves from predators. If you find one on the road, don’t pick it up or it will wee on you in self-defence. We saw a cool lizard that had a pretend head for its tail. This helps to confuse its predators.
Students enjoyed a picnic lunch in the courtyard and then a chance to play in the playground. Climbing up and along the large Komodo dragon model was a highlight, as was digging for fossils in the sandpit.
The best part was getting to see Charlie and crocodile and touch all the lizards. The have scales and are smooth to touch – Reuben
My favourite part was when I knew about an animal Peter had not heard of. I was brave and got to touch the python snake – Isabella
I saw lots of fish and a frog – Felix
It was fun when I got to dig in the sandpit and find the fossils – Avery
By Mr Nick Martin, Assistant Head of Junior School Learning and Teaching
Two teams of Year 6 students recently participated in the Ethics Olympiad, competing against schools from across the Asia-Pacific region. This event supported our students to develop and apply a range of useful skills, including, engaging in thoughtful discussions around ethical issues, being challenged to think deeply, considering multiple perspectives, expressing their ideas with clarity and confidence, collaborating with peers, listening to different viewpoints, and constructively engaging in respectful debates.
Both Radford teams performed exceptionally well and demonstrated a strong understanding of complex ethical concepts. It was wonderful to watch the teamwork that was on display and to see the way they handled themselves when having to ‘think on their feet’. It was impressive to watch!
Beyond the competition, the experience of preparing for the Ethics Olympiad was just as valuable. It encouraged our students to reflect on their values, consider the impact of their choices, and practice articulating their ideas thoughtfully – all of which are integral to the IB PYP learner profile.
We are proud of our Year 6 students for their outstanding performance and look forward to seeing them continue to develop as ethical thinkers and communicators.
Some comments from our Year 6 students:
Ethics Olympiad was a journey through questions and deep thoughts that lead to new knowledge and insights into our world – Ayaan
The best part of Ethics Olympiad was being in teams and working together with new people I don't usually working with – Josey
The best part of Ethics Olympiad was cooperating with new people and trying to understand their perspectives – Ethan
The individuals in a team need to work and collaborate to create a strong foundation and from that foundation new knowledge can be built – Rixon
In the Ethics Olympiad team everyone is just a mere puzzle piece, but together we made a big picture – Mia
My favourite part of the Ethics Olympiad was just that everyone was committed and respectful, we all showed commitment and appreciation for each other and congratulated everyone after each heat – Tessa
The best part of Ethics Olympiad was the fact that it helped me to see situations through a different perspective and think more deeply – Hamish
The Ethics Olympiad not only make us think individually, but as a team. No matter what the score is in the end, the only thing that matters in Ethics Olympiad is that we all have fun – Samuel
