From the Chair

By Mrs Vicki Williams, Chair of the Radford College Board

I am pleased to update you on some of the areas of discussion over this term, including at the Board’s Annual Retreat in August.

The Board gathered with the College’s Executive team as well as our incoming Principal, Chris Bradbury, over two days at our annual retreat with the agenda of looking at the first steps towards the development of our next Strategic Plan. Our current Strategic Plan runs until 2025, and we discussed how we will use the next 12 months to consider the future of the education landscape and our priorities for the College for the next 10 to 15 years. We discussed what might be the changing needs of our students over this period, how the school will need to adapt and what changes to resourcing might be required to meet our community’s expectations.

As the Strategic plan takes shape next year, the College will be using the plan to inform the next iteration of the College Master Plan – ensuring the educational needs identified in our plan will be captured in the future development and rejuvenation of the campus.

The Board and College Executive look forward to engaging the Radford Community in the process of developing our next Strategic plan over the course of next year.

Following the completion of the Collegians Centre our focus is now on the completion of the northern part of the campus to enhance the presentation of the College Street and Haydon Drive boundaries. The Board has agreed to proceed with the final stages of the Sports Precinct, finalise the landscaping and establish a feature pedestrian entrance and path leading from College Street to the Collegians Centre. The improvements will improve access from College Street and will incorporate shelter, seating, and lighting. The path will also be bordered by an avenue of trees. The Board looks forward to working with the Radford Foundation on this exciting project.

Last week the Board was treated with a presentation from our Sustainability Captains – Tiffany Chue and Pip Humphries – as they reflected on the very significant and impactful activities this year in furthering the College's achievements in sustainability. Alongside the College now being one of the first schools in the ACT to have achieved 3 Stars in the Sustainable Schools Program run by the ACT Government, they spoke about the worm farming expansion, Lids for Kids now in the Secondary School, new organic bins, involvement with World Bee Day and raising awareness of the activities not only across the many Nexus posts but during Dirrum Dirrum festival and at the Fete next term. The Captains demonstrated their passion for sustainability and their presentation was very compelling. Well done Tiffany and Pip!

Term 3 always feels like such a long term as we emerge from winter hibernation. As we finish this term and move into the final term of our 40th year, I continue to be very thankful for the excellent staff at Radford College that you have entrusted with your child’s education. I wish them, and all of you a very relaxing and safe break and I look forward to joining you next term for our end of year celebrations.