Out of the classroom experiences is an integral part of daily life at Radford College. This is evident in the time, effort and enthusiasm shown by staff and students alike, and the investments made to have our young people reach their full potential – whether that be in service learning, sport, performing arts, camps, tours, Round Square, digital literacies and other activities of interest.

Many parents are all too familiar with standing next to a field on an icy winter’s morning, or next to a lake in the hot summer sun, cheering their children on.

Several pages in the special 40th edition of the Radford Report has been dedicated to cocurricular activities at Radford over the past decades and the achievements of our young people.

I recently came across a social media post that rang true for me and I'm sure for many parents whose children partake in co-curricular activities will relate to. It’s specifically about sport, but it is very transferrable to all areas of co-curricular.

"Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do sports? Well, I have a confession to make; I don't pay for my kids to play sports.

So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?

• I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don't.
• I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are "too tired" to go to their training, but they go anyway.
• I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.
• I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and equipment.
• I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good teammates, gracious in defeat and humble in success.
• I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't get that placing or title they'd hoped for, but still, they go back week after week giving it their best shot.
• I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.
• I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but other players, officials and coaches.
• I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.
• I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.
• I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.
• I pay so that my kids can be out on the track instead of in front of a screen . . .

I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports provide my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far, I think it is a great investment!" (Author unknown)

I believe character development is at the heart of a Radford College education.

Lead well,

Andy