Five minutes with the Junior School Admin Team
When your child has a fall, misplaces a belonging or simply needs someone to listen, the Junior School Admin Team is there to lend a hand. Meet the faces behind the scenes: Ms Beth Maggs, Junior School Executive Administration Team Leader; Ms Megan Sharp, Years K–4 Receptionist; Ms Lauren Hibberson, Education Care Services Coordinator; and Ms Angie Walters, Years 5–6 Receptionist and Bus Administrator. In this interview, we find out more about the vital, often unseen role they play at Radford College, what their days look like, and a few surprising details you might not know about them!
What is your role and how long have you worked at Radford College?
Beth: I am the Junior School Executive Administration Team Leader and started working at Radford at the end of 2007.
Megan: I have been the Years K–4 Receptionist for eight years.
Lauren: I am the Education Care Services Coordinator and have worked at Radford for 13 months.
Angie: I am the Years 5–6 Reception and Bus Administrator and have been with the College for 15 years.
What attracted you to Radford and how has your journey at the College evolved?
Beth: I started at Radford as the Executive Assistant to the Head of the Junior School. Since joining, the College and Junior School have expanded significantly, including new buildings such as the Gold Room, Green Room, Specialist Centre, Undercroft and two-storey Ridge building and play areas.
Megan: I had heard great things about Radford, and the staff made me feel welcome from day one. Over the past eight years, I’ve seen the school grow with new facilities, technology, and learning opportunities.
Lauren: I wanted to be part of a professional workplace with children at its centre. Though my time here has been short, I’ve learned a lot and look forward to more.
Angie: I started in the main reception and later became the Years 5–6 Reception and Parents and Friends Association Administrator. I’m still the Years 5–6 Reception Administrator but also manage the buses.
What’s your typical working day like?
Beth: Our team often comment that no two days are the same—even though our core roles remain the same. I sit in the Junior School Reception, but Megan and I have very different roles. The day can be so varied and change quickly. I manage the Head of Junior School’s diary and Junior School room bookings, liaise with the Registrar on enrolments, order supplies, process invoices and payroll, organise catering and assist with reception overflow.
Megan: Every day is fun working with our beautiful students. I handle first aid, communicate with parents, respond to students’ questions, offer reassurance and help to those who feel lost, and complete student attendance, making sure every child is accounted for and safe. Throughout the day, I continue to provide first aid and often lend a hand to some hungry tummies. As the day comes to a close, I’m busy ensuring that every child gets home safely.
Lauren: Every day looks different. From the day-to-day admin, running of the Early Learning Centre (ELC) program, supporting classrooms, and first aid, to working through rosters, policies, our legal requirements and much more. The wide range of my role keeps me on my toes and means that I am always learning.
Angie: My day is filled with engaging interactions with students, staff, and parents, problem-solving, and managing attendance communications. A fun highlight is sharing the care of the Radford chickens.
How does it feel to be part of such a dynamic team?
Beth: I feel honoured to be a part of the Junior School Admin Team. Everyone works together so well—if one of the team is away or has a heavier load, the others will step in to help. It’s also such a pleasure to work with all the amazing, dedicated Junior School staff that we have.
Megan: It feels amazing. I couldn’t ask for a more fun and diverse place to work.
Lauren: Working with a team of passionate professionals is so refreshing. I am fortunate to work across two teams. The Junior School Admin Team is a group of supportive, caring and reliable women. My ELC team is just as awesome—we support one another to create a strong learning environment for the children and a professional environment for our staff.
Angie: I work with the most amazing teams. The Junior School Admin Team are supportive, helpful, resourceful and just wonderful people to be around. The Years 5–6 staff are also wonderful to work with – from the specialist teachers to the teaching staff and learning support assistants.
People would be surprised to know ...
Beth: When I started working at Radford in 2007, the Junior School buildings were not complete. At the beginning of 2008, the students arrived but the office was a month off being completed. The Junior School receptionist, nurse, Head of Junior School, counsellor, librarian, library assistant and myself all sat in the Junior School Library with only one phone.
Megan: I played hockey for 40 years and coached the juniors for ten years. I also managed a junior rugby league side for three years.
Lauren: I am a true dance/gym mum. I spend my weeknights and weekends at training, competitions, sewing, managing teams and driving children across Canberra. I really enjoy seeing my children enjoy their sports and being part of a team.
Angie: I worked for the Australian Embassy and lived in Thailand for several years.