14 November 2025

By Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Secondary School

On Tuesday at 11 am, Radford remembered those who had suffered and died in war with a wreath laying ceremony in the rose garden, and in our classrooms with one minute's silence. In both settings, students were reminded about the meaning behind Remembrance Day:

'As a mark of respect to all those who have suffered and died in war, Australians are encouraged to pause at 11 am to observe one minute’s silence as an act of remembrance.' – Australian War Memorial.

All students in Years 7 to 12 were reminded to consider the human cost of war:

'There is such a great space of water between us,' wrote a bereaved Australian mother in 1921 of her son's distant grave. Australia's losses in World War I were staggering. Around 416,800 Australians enlisted. At nearly 65%, Australian casualties were the highest of any nation. Some 61,500 died, and many more suffered for their service.

Naval and Airforce cadets in Years 9 and 10 contributed to setting the solemn tone of our ceremony in the rose garden, lowering and raising the flags at the appropriate moments and also laying the wreath. Thanks go to Samai (Year 10), Charles (Year 10), Thenuki (Year 10), Josh (Year 9), Victor (Year 9) and Michael (Year 9) for their assistance.

When Declan Coyte entered university, his future seemed destined for spreadsheets and ledgers – until a pivotal moment at the end of his first year changed everything. Following in his mother’s footsteps, Declan made the bold decision to swap accounting for the classroom. Today, he’s an indispensable part of the English department, where his passion for literature and learning inspires students far beyond numbers.

You’ve been at Radford College for 6 years – how did you first start here and what first drew you to teaching?

In 2019, I was working at Sydney Secondary College in Leichhardt. I was in a long-distance relationship with my now-wife and was very keen to move to Canberra. Luckily for me, the English faculty had 3 positions open at once. I remember thinking it didn’t matter which role I got (there was a permanent role, a short-term contract and a one-term relief position), as long as I got something that allowed me to move to Canberra. Fortunately, I got the permanent role, and I’ve been here ever since.

As for what initially drew me to teaching, I was studying accounting at Macquarie University and not really enjoying it. I realised after my first year that I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life. A friend was studying teaching, and I figured why not? My mum had been an English teacher, so I felt like I had a sense of the work and knew I’d enjoy it far more than accounting.

Your wife also works at Radford College. What’s it like sharing the school day together and did the 2 of you meet through teaching?

Radford is such a large school, and with Steph being in science, we rarely see each other during the day. It’s always a nice surprise when we do. We both studied teaching at UNSW, but we actually met in high school and didn’t start dating until well after uni.

Did you always know you wanted to teach English or was it something that developed over time?

I actually worked as a human society and its environment (HSIE) teacher in Sydney for the first few years of my career. I taught a wide range of subjects across Years 7–12 (legal studies, economics, business studies, ancient and modern history, and geography). My brief stint in accounting meant I could teach some subjects outside my English and history degree. My first English classes were at Radford. It was a tricky transition at the time – I wasn’t used to all the marking – but now I’m not sure I would switch back. I enjoyed the variety of HSIE, but being an English teacher lets me study and teach the topics I find most interesting.

Is there a favourite book or piece of literature that inspires the way you teach or that you love sharing with your students?

A recent piece I thoroughly enjoyed was the original The Fox and the Hound by Daniel P Mannix. Fair warning though – it’s nothing like the Disney film and definitely not something I’d read to little kids. An author I read a lot growing up was Terry Pratchett. His Discworld novels had a big impact on me and his blend of humour and social commentary probably influences the way I teach more than any other writer. I’d also recommend Bill Watterson’s 1990 Kenyon College commencement speech. I’ve had it on my wall since I was at uni.

You studied with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon – what was that experience like and has it influenced the way you approach your classroom?

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was incredibly lucky to go and I owe a big thanks to Radford College and Maria Whiting in particular for the opportunity. It has definitely influenced the way I teach Shakespeare. I try to apply the lessons I learnt there to other texts, but they’re most useful with the plays. This year I taught 4 of my 5 classes a Shakespeare play, so it’s had a significant impact on my practice. I’d love to go back sometime. I can’t tell you how exhausting it is to do a round trip to England in less than a week – it feels like a blur now.

People might be surprised to know that…

I’m not sure if this is surprising, but I’m a massive gamer. When I was in my early 20s, I was ranked in the top 1% globally in a video game called Dota 2 and at the time had around 5000 hours in the game (now it’s closer to 7000).

By Mrs Kirsten Knight, Head of Co-curricular Music and Director of Strings

Our Year 3 students presented their final strings concert for the year on Wednesday evening to a very appreciative audience.

The students demonstrated their ability to now play songs with bows on their instruments that they only plucked in Semester 1. They went on to present all the songs they had learnt over Semester 2, building up to a challenging two-part version of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'. For the last item in the program, students sang 'Sing – Just Because We Can!' by Mark and Helen Johnson, accompanied by piano and their strings teachers on their stringed instruments.

All our Year 3 students should be very proud of their application and achievement in strings this year.

A reminder that registrations for 2026 music activities are now open. Parents can submit registrations via the Activity Portal on Nexus.

By Mr Ben Marston, Director of Bands

This year saw the commencement of our Year 5 band program at Radford College. The success of this program cannot be understated as evidenced by the pure joy surrounding Thursday band classes throughout the year, and the concert last night in T.B. Millar Hall.

The audience was treated to performances of a selection of pieces that were learnt during the year, culminating in a fully orchestrated work for concert band featuring some familiar Christmas motifs. That Year 5 students could attempt music such as this, is a testament to their talent and work ethic.

From a personal perspective I cannot thank both Year 5 students and parents enough for their enthusiasm and overall positivity in undertaking such an endeavour. It has made Thursdays a highlight of the week for the members of the music team involved!

A reminder that registrations for 2026 music activities are now open. Parents can submit registrations via the Activity Portal on Nexus.

By Mrs Annette Carter, College Historian

The first Radford Fete was held in 1984, the same year the College opened. The day began at 10:00 am with a program of entertainment, including a circus performance, rap and highland dancing, a gymnastics display, and music by the Ginninderra High School Concert Band. The event was a great success, concluding at 3:00 pm and raising an impressive $13,000.

In 1985, the fete returned with a Country Fair theme. Many traditions we still enjoy today – such as Devonshire teas, the oyster bar, plant and cake stalls, ice creams and the barbecue – were already part of the festivities. Some stalls, however, were distinctly of their time, featuring items like records, needlework and craft, and pottery seconds.

This video showcases photos from the 1986 Fete, alongside scenes from this year’s celebration – a reflection of how much has changed, and how much has stayed the same.

By Mrs Amanda Marshall, Head of Creative Arts

On Friday, 7 November our creative arts students in Years 10, 11 and 12 held an exhibition celebrating some highlights of the work they created this year. It was an inspiring display representing themes of narrative, context, and postmodern art.

Our Year 10 artists added an extra dash of fun with their nostalgia-themed artworks, accompanied by fairy bread, lamingtons and old-school tunes to take us back to our childhoods.

We were also privileged to have as our guest speaker Professor Mitchell Whitelaw, Head of the School of Art and Design (SOAD) at the Australian National University. Professor Whitelaw highlighted the significant role the creative arts play in today’s world and warned us not to sideline it as an option when considering our study pathways. Students were reminded that studying creative arts is not only fun but also teaches them the skills to synthesise creative ideas.

Creativity is the foundation of innovation and is the key ingredient for transformative change in our world.

For those who are still considering their future career pathway, Professor Whitelaw shared that 50% of students at the SOAD complete a flexible double degree where they can study 2 degrees in only 4 years. This might be a Bachelor of Visual Arts combined with a Bachelor of Commerce, Psychology, International Relations or any other degree a student chooses.

Beth O’Sullivan is one SOAD graduate that combined a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Science, leading her to develop a new biomaterial to be used as a settlement substrate for small-scale, localised reef restoration and recovery.

The Creative Arts Exhibition was not only a night to celebrate one another’s creative achievements, but students were also charged with the mission to shape the future through innovative solutions by harnessing their skills of creativity – no small task!

If you missed it, you missed out! Thank you to all who came to support us, it was indeed a night to remember.

By Mrs Rebecca Hunter, Head of Year 9

There was a feeling of excitement and trepidation among the group of Year 9 students as they headed off to Cooleman High Plains for 8 days of hiking, canoeing and caving. Their journey was not an easy one, and in little more than a week they experienced challenging hikes, strong wind, rain and even snow.

Radford collegians often mention that the Year 9 camp holds some of the most significant memories of their time at school, and I suspect that this year's cohort will be dining out on stories from the camp for many years to come.

What is most important about the outdoor education experience is the significant level of self-learning which is achieved by every student. They have gained an insight into their own capabilities, levels of resilience and learned that they should never limit themselves from achieving their goals, even when faced with challenges.

They've also discovered that their bodies are capable of so much more than they think, and that if they can conquer hills on a mountain, they can overcome the fear of an oral presentation or peak assessment period.

I am extremely proud of the Year 9 students' tenacity and grit. They persevered despite the weather and tough conditions, and have returned home stronger than before (despite the blisters).

By Ms Michelle Nazzari, Secondary School Teacher

During lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the highly anticipated annual Trade Fair took place in the Library Quad on campus. Year 9 international commerce students have been learning about government and politics, law, economics and business this semester and this gave them the opportunity to put it into practice.

The students learnt business concepts, entrepreneurial skills and marketing techniques before groups formed small businesses. Each student was loaned $20 and group members pooled their money with the option of contributing $5 per member to their startup capital to spend on buying materials to produce their goods for sale at the Trade Fair.

Some of the items on sale included jewellery, candles, heat packs, trinket trays, posters, artwork, mini skateboards, personalised sport-themed recovery equipment, terrariums, phone cases, slime and more.

Prior to the fair, groups submitted a business report for assessment where each group member took on one of the following roles: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Marketing Manager, Production Manager and Human Resources Manager. Classroom learning merged with the need for each student to research the responsibilities of each role and teach their group to enhance the chances of success.

The meaning of success varied for each group. For some the focus was on profits, while for others it was showcasing their marketing skills or embracing the People, Planet, Profit mantra in a sustainable way.

The $20 loan repayments, rent and 30% company tax were deducted before talks of whether each business broke even or made a profit. The collected rent money and company tax amounts will be donated to Carers ACT, in honour of the late Radford College staff member Miss Jo-Anne Flatley-Allen’s pivotal contribution to the creation of the international commerce course and the evolution of the Trade Fair.

Thank you to everyone who came to support the students.

By Ms Melanie Hirst, Secondary School Teacher

Congratulations to one of our Junior Debating teams (Radford 1) who were declared the winners of this season’s ACT Debating Union Junior competition. This competition attracts participants from schools across the region. This season, 42 teams comprising of students in Years 7 and 8 competed in the Junior division of the competition.

The team secured their grand final victory against a formidable Canberra Girls’ Grammar School team debating the topic ‘that we prefer a world where anonymity on the internet was not an option,’ for the affirmative. The team comprised of Year 8 students Amber, Nara, Dinugi, Sanvi and Rachel. They were declared the winners of this season’s ACT Debating Union Junior competition.

We congratulate them on a fabulous achievement. A special mention to Nara, who was also awarded the best speaker in the grand final. The future of Radford debating looks bright with such great results in the Junior competition.

Well done to our 2 Advanced teams and one of our other Junior teams, Radford 3, who also had a stellar season. All 3 of these teams progressed to the semi final round of the competition and narrowly missed out on a spot in the grand final.

A big thank you to the coaches who supported our teams this season and have nurtured students' skills with enthusiasm and their love of a well-executed argument!

By Mrs Hannah Burne, Secondary School Teacher

Our Year 8 textiles design students used the skills they've learned over the past year to create novelty hats.

They started by analysing available products, brainstorming, making a mood board and sketching ideas to meet the needs of their clients. First, they learnt about embroidery, blanket stitch, applique and how to sew on buttons, as well as the nature of the stretchy fleece fabric used for the hats.

The process began with great excitement and many modifications were made as students adapted their designs along the way and overcame any flaws.

There were many imaginative designs including an octopus, cartoon characters and a variety of fruit, which gave new meaning to the expression 'eat your hat'.

The hats were both creative and unique. It was amazing to see the students' ideas come to life, and I am sure they are all very proud of their efforts.

A celebration of girls' cricket at the College

The Stage 3 girls' fixture between the 2 undefeated Radford teams (Ravens and Harriers) was played last Friday night in Page. Whilst it was a fiercely contested game, it also doubled as a celebration of girls' cricket at Radford College.

After losing a few early wickets, the Ravens consolidated when Elyse (Year 10) joined Alia (Year 10) at the crease. The 2 Secondary School students put on an 87-run partnership (Alia 79 not out and Elyse 24 not out) which put the Ravens in a strong position heading into their bowling innings with an imposing score of 5 for 149 to defend.

The Harriers came out blazing in an attempt to get ahead of the run-rate early, but the steady loss of wickets throughout their innings made it difficult for the Harriers to gain momentum with the bat. Kanishka Manikandan (20 not out) and Devri (Year 7) (19) were the standouts for the Harriers in their batting innings while Priya (Year 9) and Sahana (Year 10) picked up 2 wickets apiece for the Ravens.

The final score was Ravens 5 for 149, Harriers 6 for 93. The Ravens victory takes them to the top of the Stage 3 girls' ladder after 4 rounds of the Cricket ACT season.

Many of the girls participating in the game last Friday have recently been involved in, or will be involved in, National Championships in the coming months.

Zoey (Year 5), Akshara (Year 5), Kanishka Manikandan and Tahlia (Year 6) all represented School Sport ACT at the 12 & Under National Championships in Ballarat last month.

Elyse (Year 10), Sahana (Year 10), Priya (Year 9) and Zoe (Year 8) will represent Cricket ACT in the Under 16 National Championships in January, while Alia (Year 10) will represent Cricket ACT in the Under 19 team in Newcastle in December.

Fittingly, College Captain, Amber (Year 12), was at the game on Friday night supporting the girls. It can’t be overstated how much Amber has impacted the growth of girl’s cricket at Radford College. Amber, who will also represent Cricket ACT at the Under 19 National Championships, has played in the College’s First XI for the last 4 years, and has been an exceptional role model for female cricketers both on and off the field.

Collegians Grace Kuchlmayr and Mia Phelps, who both still play ACT Premier Cricket, have also played a significant role as coaches and role models over the last few seasons.

On Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January, there will be a free girls' clinic in the Boorer Family Cricket Centre from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for any current or potential female cricketers.

As legendary educator, Sir Ken Robinson, said, 'Life is your talents discovered', so if you would like to give cricket a try, please express your interest in attending the clinic by contacting Radford's Head of Cricket, Mr Wally Wright via email.

Year 4 futsal team makes Radford proud in Queensland

The Year 4 U11 boys' team proudly represented Radford College at the ‘Champions of Champions’ futsal tournament held at Cornubia Park, Queensland, from 6 to 8 November. Throughout the competition, the team embodied our school values, playing with honesty, supporting one another, and showing great sportsmanship in every match.

The opening match saw Radford face a talented and well-coached team from Peregian Beach College. Despite a challenging first half, with Radford trailing 5–1, the boys responded with determination and teamwork. With gritty goalkeeping from Luca, savvy defence from Raphael, and tactical shooting from Elliott, the team fought back strongly in the second half to close the gap (10–4). While the result didn’t go their way, the boys were able to hold their heads high with their performance in the second half.

Carrying that renewed confidence forward, Radford played their second match with composure, securing a resounding victory against the eventual tournament winners, Lutheran Ormeau Rivers District School (LORDS). After trailing 2–1 at halftime, the boys worked selflessly as a team, sharing the ball and celebrating each other’s success. Lachlan set the tone early in the second half, scoring a quick goal to even the match, before a late flurry of Radford goals pushed them in front. Ollie put the icing on the cake, scoring in the 39^th minute to seal the victory for Radford. Riley's outstanding goalkeeping ensured no goals were conceded in the second half.

The team’s final pool game against Somerset was another thrilling contest, ending in a 6-all draw. Max demonstrated smart ‘heads up’ play, creating one of the goals of the tournament, turning a defensive steal into a superb assist for Isaac. Billy then stepped up in the second half with a brilliant hat-trick. A late Somerset goal evened the score in the 40^th minute.

Radford advanced to the quarter final, facing fellow ACT team St Matthew’s Primary School in what became the ‘Battle of the Capital.’ Both teams traded goals in an exciting, hard-fought match, with Radford narrowly defeated 8–7 after a late St Matthew’s strike. The boys left everything on the court, demonstrating integrity, teamwork, and determination throughout.

A special congratulations to Ollie, who was selected in the ‘Champions of Champions’ All-Star Squad, a testament to his skill and effort across the tournament.

A big thank you to Coach Scott Jackson and all the parents who took time away from their busy schedules to travel and support the team, along with Radford College teacher and manager, Mr Dylan Hunt. Without all their dedication and effort, opportunities like this would not be possible for our students.

The Year 4 futsal team should be incredibly proud of their performance. Well done, Radford!

Triathlon and aquathlon opportunities

School Sport ACT is excited to announce that triathlon and aquathlon are back for 2026, offering students aged 11–19 years the chance to represent the ACT at the School Sport Australia Championships held in Runaway Bay Performance Centre, Gold Coast from 16 to 20 March 2026!

After 5 years away from the School Sport stage, this is a fantastic opportunity for ACT students with a swimming, running, or multi-sport background to get involved – and possibly uncover the next Matt Hauser (current World Champion from Australia), who began his journey at the same event!

Pathway to selection

Athletes have 2 ways to qualify for the ACT team:

1. Teaser Triathlon – Sunday 23 November, Stromlo Forest Park 7:00 am to 9:00 am (Register & Event Info)
2. Selection Trials – Wednesday 26 November, Stromlo Forest Park 7:00 am to 8:30 am (Register & Event Info)

• Run: 6:45 am warm-up, 7:00 am 1km TT, 7:15 am 400m TT
• Swim: 7:30 am warm-up, 7:45 am start
  • 400 m TT – 16–19 years
  • 200 m TT – 14–15 years
  • 100 m TT – 11–13 years

Please note students must register on the School Sport ACT Website to be considered for selection.

By Henry and Thea, 2025 Football Captains

This year saw the reintroduction of the Year 12 vs Collegians football matches at Radford, an exciting tradition that brought together current and former Radford students for a great match of sport, spirit and community.

Held across 3 terms, each term featured a match between a team of the best football players from Year 12 against a team of the Radford Collegians, with the grand final being played during the school fete.

The 3-game series was full of competition, seen through the fast-paced nature of the game combined with the intense spirit for victory of both sides. Ultimately, the Year 12 team came out victorious, winning all 3 matches. Overall, it was a great experience to be involved in, both playing alongside some of the best of our fellow Years 12 students, as well as being able to have a fun and competitive game with the former students of Radford.

What made the series so special for us was the sense of connection it created by bringing together current students and Collegian players through a shared love of the game.

We would like to share our thanks with Mrs Monique Glavonjic, Community Engagement Manager for her efforts and enthusiasm to make this possible.

We both really hope this becomes a lasting Radford tradition that continues to grow in the coming years. We will be returning in 2026 as Collegians!

By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Junior School Teacher

Each year, the Radford Student Council (RSC) organises the Junior School disco in Term 3 and uses the proceeds from the ticket sales to support the Christmas Appeal of Capital Regional Community Service. This year the students raised $1,812 to put towards gifts and hamper items.

The Capital Regional Community Service put together over 100 hampers every year with Christmas gifts and food items for families in the Belconnen community who access their service and are known by the caseworkers and staff. These hampers help to ensure that no-one goes without over the festive season.

The RSC set off for Kmart early on Tuesday morning, with shopping lists and lots of ideas of gifts they’d like to purchase. We made our way around the store, filling baskets with toys, beauty products, scented candles, stationery, sporting goods, Christmas decorations and plenty more. It was great to see the students working together to choose and calculate their cumulative total to keep within their budget.

At the checkout, plenty of bags were filled to the brim with carefully selected items and our receipt was very, very long! Back at Radford all the gifts were placed in the Magic Bathtub in the Junior School reception.

If you’d like to contribute towards the Capital Regional Community Service's Christmas Appeal, please place unwrapped donations of gifts suitable for babies through to the elderly in the Magic Bathtub in the Junior School reception. Christmas decorations (bon bons, baubles and home décor) and special foods (chocolates, shortbread and candy mixes) are also warmly welcomed.

The items are being collected on Thursday, 27 November to allow time for CRCS to assemble and distribute the hampers in time for Christmas.

By Ms Jeanette Clayton, Head of History, Philosophy and RaVE

Year 12 student Alec recently submitted an essay for the National History Challenge. The title of the essay is 'Conflict and Resolution in Australian Democracy: The Case of Indigenous Land Rights.' In his essay, Alec explored the legal and political responses to Aboriginal land rights and the effect these have had on the nation’s evolving democratic identity.

This past Wednesday, 12 November, Alec attended the presentation ceremony at the Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House. There he received a Young Historian Silver award. Congratulations Alec!