7 February 2025

By Ms Tracy Kelly and Dr Rebecca Barlow

The Radford College IBDP students have been hard at work over the summer holidays with their research and writing efforts for their major extended essay project. The extended essay is one of the three core components of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and grants students an opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest to them, which is also related to one of the student’s six IBDP subjects.

To that end, the students are assisted with research lessons at school and the resources available at the newly renamed Franklin Library on the Radford College campus. In order to further aid our students with their research efforts, they also had the opportunity to use the National Library services.

The IBDP students travelled with Dr Rebecca Barlow and Ms Tracy Kelly to the National Library of Australia (NLA), where they took part in the NLA tour, Online and Underground. The tour began with a research presentation with valuable information to support our extended essay students to better utilise the NLA catalogue, research spaces, print and digital collections.

The IBDP students learnt how to use the NLA catalogue effectively and make requests for books from the stack. They also really enjoyed the underground element of the experience where they were able to go behind the scenes and look at some NLA artefacts in the archive collection.

Our IBDP cohort truly have amazing resources at hand to continue their research for their extended essay, and we wish them all the best.

Radford College is fortunate to have a team of exceptionally talented educators, and one of the standouts is Secondary School teacher and accomplished textile artist, Ms Dimity Kidston. In 2023, Netflix recognised Dimity’s extraordinary skill, commissioning her to design a tapestry for their winter series, a project that showcased her remarkable artistry. Building on that success, Dimity is now embarking on a year-long tapestry project for the College, one that will weave in student contributions and celebrate the vibrant Radford spirit.

Dimity credits the Netflix commission as a source of inspiration for her latest endeavour, reigniting her passion for textile art and its potential to foster engagement and connection. "I wanted to bring that same sense of collaboration and storytelling into the school environment, creating a piece that reflects the identity of the College while allowing students to witness and participate in the creative process," she explains.

Students will be actively involved in shaping the tapestry, not just as observers but as contributors to its design. Dimity is currently drawing inspiration from beautiful illustrations by Year 4 students, which she plans to incorporate into the final piece. “The design is still evolving, but student contributions are central to the process. I am hoping the final design will reflect the plants associated with the College Houses (Jarrah, Acacia, Huon, Banksia, Boronia, Karri, Kurrajong and Wandoo), weaving together elements of nature with student creativity. This approach ensures the tapestry has a meaningful connection to the College and its community,” Dimity shares.

This unique fusion of College symbolism and student involvement ensures the tapestry will hold deep meaning for the entire community. Over the next 12 months, students can also see Dimity at work and engage in hands-on learning. “With dedicated time set aside in my timetable, I will be able to focus on the tapestry while also engaging students in discussions and hands-on learning opportunities. I will be working in the Secondary School art rooms, and students are welcome to come in, observe, ask questions and even learn the techniques involved. The more engagement, the better!” says Dimity.

Upon completion, the tapestry will be prominently displayed within the College. A potential spot under consideration is the Principal’s Building reception area, where students, staff and visitors alike can appreciate the collaborative effort behind the work.

As this project unfolds, it will serve as a powerful testament to the value of creativity and collaboration. Dimity’s vision goes far beyond simply creating art; it’s about uniting the Radford community, celebrating student creativity and telling the College’s story through the enduring medium of textiles.

By Mrs Louise Evans, Head of Studies of Society and Environment (SoSE)

An exciting year awaits our Radford College SoSE students!

The Radford College SoSE department has many wonderful opportunities planned for 2025. Our Year 7 and 8 students will complete a semester of geography studies with a focus on exploring complex, contemporary issues such as global water management and the impact of the world’s increasingly urbanised populations on our natural environment. Students will develop their mapping and data analysis skills, and their classroom experience will be complemented by local excursions to explore the extraordinary biodiversity and unique landforms on our doorstep.

In Years 9 and 10, our students continue with geography studies and can also elect to study international commerce. This subject provides a taste of our senior SoSE subject offerings by introducing students to Australia’s legal and government systems and developing students’ understanding of Australia’s place in the ever-changing global geopolitical and economic landscape.

A highlight for our Year 9 international commerce students will be the Commerce Trade Fair – an opportunity to flex some entrepreneurial and financial management muscles by designing, marketing and selling a unique product. With all that is learned from the Trade Fair experience, our Year 10 international commerce students are well equipped to move on to complete a personal financial management unit, which covers everything from setting up a bank account and a superannuation account for a first job, to planning for an exciting life event, such as moving into their first home or buying a first car.

In Years 11 and 12, our students can elect to study one or more of the following subjects: business, economics, global studies or legal studies. Our senior students not only benefit from the expertise of our SoSE teachers, but will also enjoy excursions to some of Australia’s most important institutions (again, on our doorstep!) and absorb the wisdom from a selection of guest speakers.

The Radford College SoSE teaching team has a wealth of experience. Mrs Louise Evans, Mr Mitchell Knuckey, Mr Gary Seckerson, Mr James Nowland, Mrs Mary Biboudis and Mrs Alison Steven work closely together in our economics and business teaching teams, while Mr Amer Salman, Dr Rebecca Barlow, Ms Catherine Gibson and Ms Michelle Nazzari lead our global studies and legal studies teams. Our Year 7—10 geographers and our international commerce students also benefit from the expertise of Mrs Jane Lilley, Miss Georgia Sweeney and Ms Olivia Cable.

We are a diverse group with a common love of the contemporary and perpetually evolving nature of our subject areas. We’re very excited about all that’s to come in 2025 and we’re looking forward to sharing this with our 2025 Radford College SoSE students.

Cricket

The annual pilgrimage to Orange for the Western NSW Junior Cricket Carnival was another valuable experience for Radford College cricketers.

The Under 13s came away with three wins from their four games. Some of the individual highlights throughout the week included Joseph Boorer’s 3 for 7 off 4 overs, Ayaan Khan’s 4 for 5 off 3.5 overs, Archie Boorer’s 4 for 18 off 7 overs, Luke Jordan’s 4 for 21 off 6 overs, Ethan McIntyre’s 48 off 53 balls and Gus Bennett’s 72 off 112 balls.

The U15s came up against some stiff opposition across the four games and, even though they didn't win, they gained a lot of experience. Some of the individual highlights throughout the week were Liam Carter’s 39 off 46 balls, Mark Brown’s 5 for 45 off 8.5 overs and Tanish Patel’s 44 off 71 balls.

Radford College was also represented in the U15 girls' competition by Amelie Smith, Tahlia Smith and Sofia Strachan, who all competed in the ACT U15 girls' team.

A special mention must go to Ms Amanda McIntyre for managing both teams for the two weeks, and Mr Greg Boorer for securing Radford’s spot in a carnival that continues to grow in popularity each year.

Radford College hosts U21 International Netball Tri-Series

Radford College proudly hosted the U21 International Netball Tri-Series from 21-23 January, bringing together some of the world’s brightest up-and-coming netball players to Canberra.

The tournament featured four top-tier U21 teams: Australia Green, Australia Gold, New Zealand and England, which competed in an exciting showcase of elite netball. The tournament provided a crucial opportunity for coaches and selectors across all teams to assess their squads against strong international opposition in preparation for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup that will take place in Gibraltar later this year.

The matches were fast-paced and highly competitive, with all four teams displaying outstanding skill, teamwork and tactical execution. Each game saw the G. Wigg Sports Centre packed to the rafters.

Hosting an international competition of this calibre reinforced the College’s commitment to netball and connection within the local community. Radford College's netball players, coaches and volunteers had the opportunity to experience international matches and assist Netball Australia with scoring, crowd marshalling and event support. Thank you to those who offered their time to help at this event.

Upcoming School Sport ACT Team Trials (SSACT)

Tennis Pizzey Cup (18 years and under)

When: Tuesday, 25 February (Term 1, Week 4) from 9.00 am—3.00 pm
Where: Canberra Tennis Centre, 3 Riggal Place, Lyneham

• Entry Requirements: Players must have either A) an Australian ranking or B) previous tournament experience in Australian Ranking tournaments or UTR, Junior Development Series events or overseas tournaments.
• This is the ACT Secondary School Tennis Championships and forms part of the SSACT 18&U tennis team selection trials.
• Please email CCTennis@radford.act.edu.au if you wish to enter or have any questions.

Please note:

• Radford students who choose to take part in SSACT team trials are to follow the registration process for the respective sport trials. The majority of SSACT trials are conducted after school hours, however, if the trial does take place during the school day, it is the responsibility of the parent or carer to notify the College of their child’s absence and provide supervision.
• If a Radford student is selected in a SSACT-representative team, it is the responsibility of the parent or carer to follow the normal College absence processes.

SSACT Scholarship Fund

The SSACT Scholarship Fund is open and available for students who have been selected in a SSACT representative team and are required to travel interstate to compete at the respective School Sport Australia National Championships.

More information on the Scholarship Fund and its criteria can be found here.

Successful applicants will receive a $500 deduction from their team fees during the payment phase of the team preparation process. The approval process can be quite quick once the student is selected and once the criteria are deemed as a 'circumstantial hardship', e.g. multiple children from the same family making teams in a close timeframe.

Scholarship applications are to be submitted to eo@schoolsportact.org.au.

We have the privilege of introducing several new faces to the Radford College community this term. Among the new recruits are Junior School teachers, Secondary School teachers, College Services staff and even one or two familiar faces.

We value the diverse and rich contribution of our staff and trust that these individuals will soon feel at home at the College.

Please join us in welcoming the following staff members:

By Ms Tingting Zhang, Chinese Language Teacher and Tahlia Hunt, Languages Captain

As we welcome the Year of the Snake, our Chinese language classes will explore its cultural significance. Students will learn about the Chinese zodiac cycle, traditional celebrations and how these traditions shape the festival. This is a great way to connect language learning with real-world culture.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in China, marking the start of the lunar calendar year. It is a time for family to come together, honour their ancestors and celebrate new beginnings with traditions that date back over 4,000 years.

Each year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals, which are believed to influence personality traits and fate. Over one billion people celebrate the Chinese New Year globally, with festivities that include fireworks, dragon and lion dances, and the giving of red envelopes filled with money for good luck.

The date changes each year based on the lunar calendar, and in 2025 it was celebrated on 29 January. The holiday lasts for 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival, where people release glowing lanterns into the sky or onto water to symbolise hope and the future.

In class this year, students will learn more about the Chinese zodiac story, festive foods and daily traditions. Year 10 students will discuss family relatives and red envelope customs, while Years 7—9 will engage in craft activities to celebrate and practice cultural traditions.

Wishing everyone good health and success in all things!

By Ms Michele Sharp, Head of Languages

At the end of 2024, we farewelled our beloved language assistants, Miss Ayumi Oka and Miss Manon Tusseau.

Assistants are a fabulous resource for the languages department as they contextualise learning for students and support teachers in developing teaching materials in authentic language.

Language assistants live with Radford families during their stay, allowing them to improve their English language and learn about everyday life in Australia.

Thank you to Ayumi and Manon for their hard work, and to the generous families who supported this program through hosting.

Manon says au revoir!

My experience at Radford has come to an end. I've had an unforgettable experience. During these seven months, I've discovered the teaching profession and students who have a great desire to learn a new language.

I've been lucky to meet some wonderful people who have enriched my experience. My colleagues are excellent teachers, who are always there to support and encourage their students. I'm happy to have worked in such a positive atmosphere.

I particularly enjoyed taking part in activities with the French students, such as playing pétanque with Year 9, going to a French restaurant with Year 10 and the cooking class with Chef Christophe Grégoire and his wife Joséphine with Year 11. The students learned about French gastronomy and were also able to cook typical French dishes.

I really enjoyed sharing these different activities with them, because they had fun while discovering French specialties. I'm proud of the students as they've made a lot of progress since the beginning of the year.

I lived with three different families, so was able to discover the Australian life. I also got to know specialties like Tim Tams, sausage rolls, meat pies, Vegemite, fairy bread and sausage sandwiches. With one of the families, we prepared a French dinner, and I was delighted to introduce them to French meals.

As well as discovering Australian food, I discovered sports that I didn't know about, like netball and Oztag.

During these seven months, I had the chance to travel to many places. What I retain from this adventure is that Australia has breathtaking landscapes. My first trip was with Ayumi. We spent a weekend in Sydney. We went to the Opera House, Blue Mountains and Bondi Beach, where we went swimming at Bondi Icebergs. It was great, even though the water was very cold. Then we went to Vivid Sydney, and the city looked even more incredible with all the lights.

The second trip we took together was to Brisbane and the Gold Coast. On this trip, I saw whales for the first time. Despite the bad weather, it was just magical to see these mammals during their migration period.

During the October holidays, my sister and a friend came to join me in Australia and we went on a road trip. I was happy to show them how I'd been living for the past few months and my favourite places in Australia. We visited several cities over the two weeks, including Adelaide and Sydney. We visited the Whitsunday Islands and the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. The colours were breathtaking! We also flew over the Great Barrier Reef and saw the Heart Reef.

I was able to go to Canberra events like Floriade. Ayumi and I spent the afternoon there, and I really enjoyed it. Everything was so colourful, and the flowers smelled wonderful. We also enjoyed attending the Nara Candle Festival. There were lots of activities, like origami making and calligraphy. I got to taste Japanese food, and I really liked it.

Over the past few months, there have been many happy moments, but also some difficult ones. It's all part of the adventure, but I have absolutely no regrets about venturing into the unknown. Thanks to this choice, I've been able to improve my English a lot and I've met some exceptional people.

Many thanks to the French and other language teachers, the students and my host families. It was a pleasure to meet you all!

Sayōnara from Ayumi

I spent eight months in Canberra, and it feels like the time went too quickly. Thanks to the Japanese and other language teachers, students, my friends, host families and the people who I met in Australia, I had many exciting and wonderful experiences. They always helped me and talked to me even though my English was not good. I won’t forget the experiences I had in Australia. I’d like to talk about what I’ve learned, my experience as an assistant at school, my host family and travelling in Australia.

At first, I learned that students use all five senses in a Japanese class. For example, Year 7 students memorise the greeting and how to count in Japanese by singing a song. I was surprised one Year 12 student who studied Japanese in Year 7 still remembered that song! When they study the culture in Japan, they actually touch and feel, and don't just learn on screen. Year 8 classes learned about furoshiki – Japanese cloth wrapping. They actually touched it and used it to pack many things: laptops, lunch boxes, even a watermelon! When I return to Japan, I’ll be teaching exchange students Japanese, and I'd like to teach such a fun class.

I love the Australian lifestyle. I stayed at four different houses and each house was so different, even though they all lived in Canberra. I ate lamb, quiche, meat pies and, of course, Tim Tams and Vegemite. I went to Parliament House, museums and the gallery. I also hiked, climbed and cycled. There is rich nature in Canberra, and I really enjoyed it. My host families cooked Japanese meals for me, so I wouldn’t get homesick! I was excited every weekend thanks to them.

I’ve learned important things through staying here.

Firstly, Australians think it’s important to spend dinnertime and weekends with family, which is different to how it's done in Japan. They talk about how their day was and share feelings and experiences.

Secondly, Australia is very international, and they accept diversity easily. I was impressed when I saw children from different backgrounds playing and chatting together at school. I haven’t seen this in Japan, because the majority of students in Japan are Japanese. I was so glad to see it. I also enjoyed school events like the Fete, student music concerts and Languages Week. The various cultures in Australia made it more fun.

Finally, I travelled to many places with my best friend, Manon. I went to Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. In Sydney, we went to the Opera House, Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains.

My favourite place was Brisbane. We went to Moreton Island and snorkelled to a shipwreck. We had the best time because we were really ready for warmer weather (Manon and I both come from countries in the northern hemisphere, so we experienced two winters). We also really enjoyed shopping and bought many clothes! I also went to Cairns with my family. My sister started to like Australia after travelling to Cairns and planning a trip to Melbourne.

I appreciate everybody involved for giving me such a wonderful experience and opportunity. Thank you so much.

The Radford College Parents & Friends Association (P&F) invites you to join us for an informative and engaging evening with our new Principal, Mr Christopher Bradbury, on Wednesday, 12 February 2025 in the Collegians Centre.

The evening will begin with a BBQ dinner and refreshments, followed by an address from Mr Bradbury, who will outline his vision and aspirations for the upcoming year.

This special event offers a unique opportunity to:

• Hear directly from Mr Bradbury about his goals for Radford College.
• Gain insight into Mr Bradbury's educational philosophy.
• Share your thoughts and ask questions in an open forum.

Mr Bradbury is committed to working closely with you to provide the best possible education for students.

Agenda

• 5.00 pm - Parents arrive, BBQ dinner and refreshments hosted by the Radford College P&F.
• 5.45 pm - Parents invited to take their seats.
• 6.00 pm - Address from Mr Christopher Bradbury.
• 7.00 pm - Evening concludes.

We encourage parents to attend and be part of this important conversation.

Registration to this event is required and spaces are limited, so we encourage you to secure your tickets early.

Book tickets here.

By Mrs Monique Glavonjic, P&F Administrator

The Radford College Parents & Friends Association warmly welcomes both new and existing families to join us as we kick off another fantastic school year.

Date: Friday, 28 February 2025
Time: 5.00 pm—6.30 pm
Location: J.A. Mackinnon Oval, Radford College
Cost: $5 per person
Please register here

This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new families. This year, we will be offering families a choice of food: banh mi or rice paper rolls served with water or a soft drink. Free gelato will be available to the first 120 guests. Please remember to bring your ticket along on the day.

Highlights of the Event

• Meet and greet staff, including our new Principal, Mr Christopher Bradbury.
• Get to know members of the Parents & Friends Committee.
• Fun games and activities for the children thanks to Gecko Sports. Children taking part in the colour run are encouraged to wear old or white clothing.
• Great food.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Any questions about the event can be directed to the P&F Administrator by sending an email to P&F@radford.act.edu.au or phoning 02 6162 6217.

By Mrs Monique Glavonjic, Radford College Foundation Administrator

The scholarship program that is offered by the Radford College Foundation has been created to ensure an education at Radford College is accessible to a wide range of students.

The scholarship is a fantastic opportunity and open to Radford College students that will start Year 11 in 2026.

The ideal candidate for this scholarship is someone who is passionate about pursuing higher education and could benefit from financial support.

To access the application form and find out more information, please click here.

Applications close on 28 February 2025.