Radford's 41st Foundation Day Service
"I wonder what you will notice, see and hear today?" Senior Chaplain Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger's words echoed throughout the Collegians Centre, setting the tone for Radford College’s 41st Foundation Day Service—a celebration full of colour, movement, music and storytelling.
Held on the final day of Term 1, the atmosphere was electric as students, staff and family members gathered to mark this special occasion. The Foundation Day Service is, as one student put it, "like our birthday"—a joyful reminder of the College's history and the journey it continues to take.
From the moment Junior School students marched proudly into the space, shaking their homemade musical instruments, there was a palpable sense of joy and unity. Wearing their House shirts, students from the Junior and Secondary Schools came together to create a rainbow across the Collegians Centre.
Rev. Katherine’s theme rang true again and again throughout the morning, with the audience noticing the movement: painted banners lifted high, dancers hopping playfully in bunny costumes and graceful ballet dancers weaving around the centrepiece of the celebration—the vessel.
The audience would have seen the spires being placed into the vessel by Secondary School students, representing the hopes and dreams of the community. The vessel was then lifted to the ceiling by students and filled with the House colours—a magnificent finale.
And the audience certainly would have heard the energy: the stomping of feet, the rhythmic drumming from Year 10 student Rubin Leach and the Junior School students creating the sounds of nature—rubbing hands to mimic wind, rustling bags for rain, shaking rice instruments and clicking fingers. The musical landscape was rich and diverse, with moving sounds of the didgeridoo and clapsticks by Duncan and Jakida Smith of Wiradjuri Echoes; performances from the Chorale choir, with Year 11 student Natalie Tam on piano; and the band, Is the Ocean a Soup.
This year, the storytelling incorporated Ngunnawal language—highlighting the College’s ongoing commitment to honouring the land on which it stands. Year 12 leaders delivered The Story of Yunggbali—a creation story blending biblical themes with Radford’s history and House spirit.
Principal Mr Christopher Bradbury, celebrating his first Foundation Day at Radford, described the service as "a magnificent way to come together as a school community." He invited everyone to reflect on what has been achieved over the past 41 years—reminding us that our founders were intentional in their vision: to create a warm, compassionate learning environment where students thrive.
“We could not be blessed with better students to be able to carry that torch and that flame of Truth, Compassion and Wisdom, that was at the very heart of the founders' vision 41 years ago.”
The legacy of Radford was further celebrated through the presentation of the Bishop’s Cup by Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Secondary School, Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, who has attended 20 of the College’s 41 Foundation Days, and Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Junior School, Ms Karen Mahar.
The Bishop's Cup invites students to cultivate House spirit, have fun and demonstrate good sportsmanship while competing in activities from sport to rock climbing, dancing to Esports. Points are collected during the activities and the Bishop's Cup is presented to the House with the most points. The winner of this year's Bishop's Cup will be announced next term.