Staff Insights
Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Secondary School
For my final Bulletin article of my time at Radford I have reflected on the past 10 years, during which I was first Head then Director and finally Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning. The title of the role may have changed several times but the focus remained constant: teaching and learning in the classroom and working with teachers to develop their practice.
Over the past decade we have learned from leaders in the field through professional learning presentations and workshops that have helped us deepen our understanding of how to improve learning for our students.
In 2017 and 2018 we heard presentations from Deb Marshall, who co-developed the Visible Learning framework with John Hattie, and from Jared Cooney Horvath on the neuroscience behind learning. Building on the visible learning work we completed with Marshall and Horvath, we then embarked on a journey with Dr Shyam Barr focusing on self-regulated learning alongside a project of inquiry with the University of Canberra. This brought together many of the initiatives we had implemented to better engage our students in their learning.
Over the years we have also worked with the University of Melbourne on the use of space and furniture to support students in regulating their learning and we have followed guidelines from educational academic John Hattie on learning intentions, success criteria and impact strategies. This work helps students understand how well they are learning, what they need to do to improve and which strategies best deepen their understanding.
In 2022 we heard from Professor Martin Westwell from the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Board about ways to help students thrive and for educators to capture their achievement beyond marks in tests and assignments. His sessions sparked our review of assessment practices, which led to integrating Australian Curriculum Personal and Social Capabilities into our rubrics and feedback to students.
We have also developed a coaching model over the past five years based on The Impact Cycle by Jim Knight. This cycle is used by our coaches, particularly when working with early-career teachers, to identify goals and improve practice. Both coaches and coachees receive dedicated time to meet and plan. I hope that in the years ahead this coaching opportunity will be available to all teachers. Having colleagues observe your practice is the most powerful tool we have to help us reflect and improve. Our Heads of Department regularly observe staff teaching and support them in achieving their teaching and learning goals.
I also hope we can continue to grow our teaching- and learning-focused Communities of Practice, which bring teachers together across faculties to engage in research that inspires them and leads to improved learning for Radford students.
Over the past two years alone our teachers have explored topics such as creating a culture of learning in the classroom, differentiated learning, using data to improve learning, modelling responsible use of AI and using technology to positively impact learning. They have researched these topics and applied what they learned in their classrooms, demonstrating how deeply Radford Secondary School teachers care about our craft—staying up to date with the latest research and embedding it in their practice.
I have loved my role leading teaching and learning in the Secondary School. It has been a privilege to work with several Assistant Principals of Curriculum including Mr Jason Golding, Mr Bill Weigall, Mrs Lindy Braithwaite and Mr Nick Moss; the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation Ms Lisa Plenty; and our Heads of Department and teachers. I have been continually inspired by their enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment to improvement.
I have also been strongly supported by our administration team who have ensured professional learning happens smoothly and effectively for all staff. In particular I want to acknowledge Ms Kelly McMahon, a dedicated and outstanding administrator who continues to make the magic happen in the Professional Learning department.
By Reverend Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
The Season of Advent is a time of preparation, expectation and getting ready to come close to the mystery of Christmas. Advent begins on Sunday, 30 November, and each of the Sundays during Advent has a particular focus: hope, peace, joy and love.
The lighting of a candle each week is a tradition in churches that can also be replicated at home. The candles are purple for hope, peace and love, and pink for joy. A white candle in the middle is lit on Christmas Day as a reminder of the light of Christ coming into the world.
Advent calendars – whether chocolate, tea, book, Lego, skin care or prayer – are a popular way to embrace Advent. Adding a Christmas book to the family collection can also become a treasured tradition. Wombat Divine by Mem Fox and Kerry Argent is a long-time favourite of mine. This year, I’m adding A Song for the King by Katrina Nannestad and Freya Blackwood.
The mystery of Christmas is the proclamation that God “shows up” for humanity in an unexpected and glorious way. The majesty of divinity shares fully in our humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is born of Mary, grows up in a family and the Jewish faith, learns a trade and ministers to individuals and to crowds.
In his death, we find the ultimate act of identification with the fate of humanity — a fate that is transformed through the resurrection, the complete vindication of the life that Jesus led as “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
At this time of year, there can be many invitations to show up for different events. I wonder if there is an invitation this Advent to reflect on how we show up for each other and for ourselves. Is there room for simplicity? Is there a chance to say no to some things in order to say yes to others? How can you make room for hope, peace, joy and love in your life?
The Radford Carols service on the third Sunday of Advent — 7 December at 5:00 pm in the Radford College Chapel — is a beautiful and uplifting way to enter the wonder of Christmas through story and song. I hope to see many of you there.
Another invitation to show up is the free Rock for Reconciliation concert this Sunday, 29 November, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, in Commonwealth Park. Senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan has organised the concert and extended an invitation to the Radford community when she delivered the Welcome to Country at the Reconciliation Action Plan launch in October.
An excellent program is on offer with local and national artists, including some musical Radford Collegians, The Amosa Family, as well as stalls, children’s activities, food and culture. All are welcome!
News
By Ms Susan Davenport, Head of Library and Information Services
Comprising the Junior School Library (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 4), the Franklin Library (Years 5 to 12) and the Bookroom, our innovative team aims to connect users with the right resource for their needs – whether that is the latest BookTok-trending novel, feeding an interest in vehicles, supporting assignment research or printing 226 exam papers.
The Bookroom is the workhorse of the College, ably managed by Miss Tadi Motsi. Managing more than 9000 textbook loans each year, this facility also operates as an on-site multi-service centre for bulk printing, laminating, stationery, bus bookings and ordering. This frees staff to focus on their core work.
Our libraries offer books, magazines, audiobooks, online videos, databases and more in both physical and digital formats. The Junior School Library and the Franklin Library maintain current fiction and non-fiction collections that are engaging and challenging for students, and which reflect their interests and educational needs.
Teacher librarians create guides to support teaching, research and borrowing, and direct students to resources beyond the ubiquitous Google search. As the information and fiction landscapes are increasingly influenced by AI, the ability to access quality information through the Library’s resources is becoming paramount to education.
We are fortunate to have a qualified and experienced team passionate about engaging with our staff and students. Our College Services Library team includes:
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Library Assistants Mrs Candy Potter and Mrs Jennie Gibbs, who look after book processing, loans and returns, shelf management and answering tricky inquiries such as, “Last month I saw a red book on display that I’d like to borrow. Where can I find it?”
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Library Technicians Miss Stephanie Bullock, Mrs Debbie Meany and Mrs Angela Spencer, who source and catalogue physical and digital resources so staff and students can find them efficiently.
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Junior Teacher Librarians Mrs Belinda Kowalski and Mrs Tanya Priest-Willimott, who foster a love of reading in Junior School students and challenge them to discover their next favourite series. They support teachers with resourcing for Units of Enquiry and introduce information literacy and academic integrity concepts in their lessons. Engaging in promotional and enrichment activities across the year – from Book Week to Reader’s Cup – the Junior Library team offers a welcoming and engaging environment for our youngest students.
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Secondary Teacher Librarians Mrs Judy Thompson and myself, who teach information literacy and academic integrity in the context of assessment tasks, curate resources for assignments and encourage students to broaden their fiction reading. We encounter a wide variety of questions, helping students locate information on everything from representations of clowns in literature to the military use of animals in WWI. The Franklin Library is a hub of activity – from studying, reading and researching to surprisingly loud games of Uno.
The Class of 2025’s last day as Radford College students was always going to be an emotional one, because it’s a day of lasts: the last Secondary School assembly in the Collegians Centre, the last chapel service and the last day of walking the halls and passages as senior students. Tonight's Graduation will also be the last time they’ll don their maroon Radford blazers and see many of their friends and classmates for a long time.
It’s a longstanding tradition at the College for the entire school to come out to bid the Year 12s farewell on their last day. Nearly 2000 students – from the youngest in Pre-Kindergarten to the oldest in Year 11 – formed a guard of honour through which the students passed – giving tiny and big high fives along the way.
The Guard of honour was preceded by a chapel service led by our chaplains, Rev Dr Katherine Rainger and Rev Andy Fleming, and included a very special performance of An Irish Blessing by the youngest Radford College students, which led to quite a few tears among the Year 12 cohort:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Held in the morning, the final assembly included a series of videos and photos demonstrating how far the group has come from their first days as Secondary School students. A highlight was watching a video taken at the Year 7 camp in 2020. Amber, Lachlan, Jeb and Anvi addressed the students for the last time as College Captains and, at times, had to fight against being overcome by emotion themselves.
'When you're in the middle of it, the days feel long, the assessments feel endless and the early mornings feel impossible. But then suddenly, you look back and realise how much you've grown, how much you've shared and how many moments – big and small – have shaped your time here,’ Amber said.
'As we move into whatever comes next – university, work, a gap year, or simply a long nap – I hope we remember that we are more capable than we give ourselves credit for,’ Lachlan added. ‘I hope we remember that effort matters more than perfection, that starting is always better than waiting and that growth comes from trying, failing and trying again.
The prefects made a point of thanking Principal Mr Christopher Bradbury, their Head of Year Ms Ashlee Turner, Careers Counsellor Mr Dale Casburn, Acting Dean of Senior Studies & IBDP Coordinator Mrs Alyssa Maier and Secondary School Administrator Mrs Ali Dunn. There was an emotional moment where the prefects paid tribute to Acting Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, who is retiring after 21 years at Radford College.
Mr Bradbury made a point of thanking the Class of 2025 in his address and referred to them as the gold standard of what a Radford College student should be.
'As I look out at you today, sitting here for your final assembly, I see something truly remarkable. I see not just students, but a constellation of future leaders, innovators, artists and compassionate citizens. I see the culmination of 13 years of learning, growing, laughing and yes, sometimes struggling, right here within these walls.'
'On behalf of every teacher, every staff member and every younger student whose life you have touched, thank you for sharing your time and your talent with us. We have loved having you.'
'Go forth. Be brave. Be kind. And never, ever forget that you will always have a home here. We are so excited to see the amazing things you will do.'
The students also heard from Astrid, who will address them later tonight as the 2025 Valedictorian.
Before departing the College, the Captains had the following advice for the Class of 2026: ‘Next year will be the year of lasts: your last Foundation Day, your last Athletics Carnival, your last RadPAC. Soak up every single moment with your friends, laugh at the little things, celebrate the big things and appreciate the everyday ones too. Your last year will go faster than you imagined, so make every day count.'
By Ms Karen Mahar, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Junior School
Many of our Year 12 students made a special visit to the Early Learning Centre — a joyful and meaningful Radford tradition that truly embodies the heart of our College.
Their presence reminded us that it takes an entire Radford village to nurture, guide and inspire each learner as they journey from their earliest days in the ELC through to their final years of Secondary School.
The visit offered precious opportunities for staff and students to reconnect and reminisce. Teachers delighted in seeing the confident young adults their former students have become, while the Year 12s shared stories from their childhood — moments from classrooms and playgrounds, Bush School adventures, choir concerts, school camps and the countless interactions that helped shape who they are today.
This annual walk down memory lane affirms the importance of connection, continuity and the collective commitment that defines our community.
To our Year 12 students: thank you for letting us be part of your story. We send you forward with every confidence in who you are and all you will become.
Years 7 and 8 team crowned best in the ACT
By Mr Ryan Kinnane, Head of Basketball
After impressive performances at the Associated Southern Colleges tournament in August, Radford’s Years 7 and 8 and Years 9 and 10 girls’ basketball teams made their mark at the ACT High School Basketball Championships at Southern Cross Stadium this week.
The Years 9 and 10 girls faced a tough day of competition, playing round games against Lanyon High School, Canberra High School and Erindale College. After winning one of 3 games, they finished 3rd in their pool. In the semi-finals, they had a chance for redemption against Canberra High and dominated the game, storming into the Grand Final with confidence. In the championship match, however, a strong Erindale College side proved too much, leaving our team as worthy runners-up.
The Years 7 and 8 girls, undefeated at the ASC tournament, suffered a narrow loss in their first game against St Mary MacKillop College. They quickly bounced back, winning five straight matches against Canberra High School, Telopea Park School, Alfred Deakin High School and Belconnen High School, setting up a Grand Final rematch with St Mary MacKillop College. With calm ball control and precise finishing, our girls turned the tables, securing a decisive victory and earning the title of the best Years 7 and 8 team in the ACT.
A huge congratulations to all players and coaches for their determination and skill, and heartfelt thanks to the parents and supporters who cheered at every game.
Teams excel at Jamie Pearlman and Sue Geh Cup Finals
By Mr Ryan Kinnane, Head of Basketball
Yesterday, our Year 5/6 boys' and girls' basketball teams delivered thrilling performances at the Jamie Pearlman and Sue Geh Cup Finals, building on their impressive results at the Northside tournaments earlier in August.
The Year 5/6 boys opened the day with a heart-stopping, one-point victory over Macgregor Primary School. They continued their dominant run through pool play, with strong wins against Gowrie Primary School and Campbell Primary School. After a confident semi-final performance, the boys faced Macgregor once more in the Grand Final. Despite giving it their all, they were unable to secure a win, finishing as runners-up in a hard-fought match.
The Year 5/6 girls swept through pool play with decisive wins and faced Garran Primary School in the Grand Final. The players delivered a fierce, high-quality performance to claim the Year 5/6 ACT Championship — a well-deserved victory for a team that never gave up.
Both teams impressed with their teamwork and selfless play — constantly moving in transition, sharing the ball, playing disciplined defence and encouraging each other every step of the way.
A huge thank you goes to the parents who came out to support the teams, and to Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Junior School, Ms Karen Maher, for taking the time to watch and cheer them on.
The Year 5/6 Jamie Pearlman and Sue Geh Cup Finals mark the conclusion of another successful year of primary and secondary school gala days in 2025. We are excited to carry this momentum into 2026 and look forward to more strong performances from our teams.
Looking ahead, the Radford basketball program still has plenty to be excited about, including 3 more rounds of the summer basketball season, our U15 teams competing at the Australian School Championships and our U18 team embarking on a 2-week tour of the USA. Stay updated on all the action via the Radford Basketball Nexus Page.
Summer netball success
By Ms Emily Robinson, Acting Sports Operations Manager
The BNA Summer Netball Competition delivered 7 weeks of fast-paced action, and Radford College was right in the thick of it, with an incredible 13 teams taking to the court.
Players ranged from Year 2 through to Year 12, showcasing the depth of talent and enthusiasm across all ages. Among these were 4 U18 mixed teams, adding an exciting dynamic to Radford's netball program.
Radford Junior Maroon claimed victory in the Junior White division, finishing the season as undefeated champions. Radford Junior Navy fought hard and secured the runner-up position in the same division, making it a Radford-dominated leaderboard.
In the U18 Mixed division, the Radford Mixed Ballers were unstoppable, finishing undefeated and taking home the title.
Congratulations to all players, coaches, umpires and supporters for an outstanding effort.
Holidays sports camps
The International Sports Camps (ISC) school holiday programs provide 3 days of sport skills coaching for players of all standards from 5 to 15 years of age.
ISC is pleased to offer all Radford students who register with a 35% discount.
Click here for more information.
