By Ms Karen Mahar, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Junior School

I was delighted when one of our Junior School specialist teachers, Ms Claire Crocker, shared that she was inspired by a Bulletin article written earlier this year—The Power of Connection and Belonging—to inspire and enthuse Year 2 students to reflect on the question: What makes a good school?

Their rich discussions and thoughtful wonderings led to a creative and collaborative response, now a vibrant and meaningful display in the Junior School foyer.

As the students explored the idea of 'building' a school, they quickly realised that while bricks, mortar and classrooms are essential, it is the people—the community—who truly make a school special. Through inquiry and reflection, they identified key foundations such as kindness, trust, respect and support, recognising that these values help to stabilise and strengthen the Radford community.

We are reminded that learning is more than just academics. It is the people, relationships and a sense of belonging that enable each student to thrive.

While curriculum and content are important, our staff and students also prioritise connection. Research shows that when students feel safe, nurtured and connected, they are more engaged, experience greater well-being and achieve deeper learning outcomes across all areas of development—academic, emotional, social and spiritual.

Belonging doesn’t happen by chance. It grows through intentional conversations, shared experiences and meaningful daily interactions. Setting the tone and culture of a school means fostering an environment where students feel seen, heard and valued—where they have agency and are empowered to contribute. These elements create a culture of care, where every learner feels part of something bigger, and where connection and community are at the heart of all we do.

Congratulations to Ms Claire Crocker and our Year 2 students and teachers for this heartwarming reminder of the power of connection, creativity and community.