7 March 2025

By Mrs Monique Glavonjic, P&F Administrator

Thank you to everyone who attended the Parents & Friends Association's annual Welcome Back event on Friday, 28 February. It was fantastic to see so many families come together to celebrate the start of another exciting year.

A special thank you to our Principal, Mr Christopher Bradbury, for joining us in welcoming families. We also extend our gratitude to Gecko Sports for keeping everyone entertained with their fantastic activities and the vibrant colour blast – a definite highlight of the evening!

The delicious bánh mì and rice paper rolls from Little Phat Rolls were a crowd favourite, and we are especially grateful to the Radford Foundation for their generous donation of ice cream – what a treat!

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our facilities team, who ensured everything ran smoothly behind the scenes, and our amazing volunteers, without whom the event would have not been such a great success.

Keep your eye on the Bulletin for details of our next community event.

By Miss Hayley Oldfield, Head of Houses

This year's Secondary School Athletics Carnival was a thrilling showcase of talent, determination, and House spirit. Students embraced the competition with enthusiasm, demonstrating resilience and sportsmanship in every event. Despite the warm conditions, their energy and dedication never wavered.

A standout feature of the day was the House Chants, which brought an electrifying atmosphere to the event. The incredible effort and planning by our House Prefects and Vice Captains ensured that every chant was powerful and unifying. Their leadership and behind-the-scenes dedication played a vital role in fostering House spirit, making the carnival an unforgettable experience for all.

The 2025 Athletics Carnival was more than just a competition—it was a celebration of community, effort, and school spirit.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making the day a resounding success.

Since the day in 2016 when Mrs Jane Smith set foot on the Radford College campus, she has been an advocate for student well-being and often spends her lunch breaks in meetings with students, discussing ways of making positive changes to their experience of life at the College. Being an English Teacher, she loves sharing her love of the written word – in particular Shakespeare – and is always perusing bookshops for something interesting to read and share with her students. Mrs Smith is a much-valued member of staff who works closely with the Heads of Year, Counselling Team and Chaplains at the College, who will all tell you, her door is always open.

How long have you been part of the Radford College community, and what roles or responsibilities have you held during your time here?

I joined Radford in July 2016. I’ve been privileged to work as an English, Aspire, Study Skills and Skills Plus Teacher, and to hold the roles of Head of Academic Enrichment, Head of Transition, and now, the role of as Assistant Principal - Student Engagement.

What initially brought you to Radford?

Originally from Canberra, I lived in Sydney and worked at St Catherine’s School in Waverley, NSW as Head of Year and English Teacher for ten years. My husband and I wanted to return to Canberra to raise our young children closer to family, nature and wide-open spaces. Drawn to the positive and inclusive culture of Radford, when a position became available, we used this as our springboard to return to the Territory.

What’s a day in the life of the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement like?

My days are rich and varied and always start with a good cup of coffee! I work closely with the Heads of Year, Counselling Team and Chaplains to support the engagement and well-being of our students. I regularly attend meetings with other members of the Senior Leadership Team and other colleagues across the College, such as the Child Protection Committee. I also regularly attend meetings with colleagues from other schools in relation to strategy around well-being. At lunchtime you can usually find me in a meeting with students such as the Prefect Student Leadership Team or talking to students about their ideas to contribute to positive change at the College. I particularly love the days when I have my Year 12 English Tertiary Class scheduled.

You also teach English. Did you always want to be a teacher?

When I was at school I had thought about pursuing a career in journalism or working at a museum or art gallery. After school I went on a gap year and worked at a school in North Devon in England. I found working with young people rewarding and something that I had skills in. I then studied a double degree in English Literature and History and Visual Art at the ANU and it wasn’t until I finished my degree that I decided that I would take up teaching. I went to UC to study a Diploma of Education.

Do you have a favourite book or piece of literature that’s inspires how you teach English?

I have always enjoyed teaching Shakespeare. I try to help our students see the wonder of wordplay and wit and encourage them to reflect on Shakespeare’s examination of human nature. I read widely and like to bring in new texts for my students where I can. I’m looking forward to teaching the novel James by Percival Everett in Semester 2. It is a powerful retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the slave, Jim.

What do you find most rewarding about your role as a Teacher and Assistant Principal - Student Engagement?

I find working with young people energising, I have an appreciation for their sense of humour and their unique perspectives on the world around them. Our fundamental purpose as teachers is to shape the leaders of tomorrow and give them the skills and confidence to face challenges as they navigate life beyond the College. As an educator it is an honour to support our students' learning, character growth and the development of their sense of self.

What are some of your interests or hobbies outside of Radford?

Outside of Radford I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling, the pleasure of cooking at home or eating out at restaurants, bushwalking, reading, swimming and trying to see as many live performances as possible, whether it be music or drama. I particularly love seeing live music at the Opera House in Sydney.

Finish this sentence: People would be surprised to know . . .

My family and I live with a Red Heeler called Alfie, I’m an identical twin and my husband is a silversmith.

By Mr Damien Nemeth, Head of Department – Mathematics

Mathematical fluency is about more than just getting the right answer – it’s the confidence and ease that come from truly understanding numbers. It means being able to solve problems quickly and accurately because the basics, like times tables and number facts, come naturally. But it’s not just about memorisation; it also involves knowing mathematical terms and symbols and how to make sense of equations.

When students develop mathematical fluency, they’re better equipped to tackle more complex maths concepts, think critically, and solve real-world problems. This not only boosts their efficiency but also helps reduce “maths anxiety”, making the subject feel less intimidating and more enjoyable.

In 2024, Radford College introduced the newest version of the Australian Curriculum for students in Years 7-10. It was interesting to note that while maths is still maths and the order of delivery might have changed a little, the biggest difference is a push to develop the critical element of fluency in the earlier years. Schools need to provide high-quality mathematics instruction that includes routines for fact and procedural fluency.

Each mathematical lesson is broken down into three critical components. Each component is essential to ensure students' understanding of the concept develops.

• Discovery/demonstration – the explicit teaching component during the lesson. This may be the whiteboard or OneNote where the concept is demonstrated for the first time, usually requiring an understanding or a brief recall of a previous concept.
• Developing – this is when students practise the concept demonstrated during the earlier part of the lesson. This may be done individually, or collaboratively, where students can bounce their ideas or understanding off their peers or the teacher.
• Consolidation – the home learning component of the lesson. Each lesson should have a home learning component of between 15 mins (Year 7) through to 45 mins (Year 12). Students should re-read their notes from that lesson and complete the set questions. This is an essential component of that lesson/concept, as the next lesson will usually feature a new concept.

Maths is not a spectator sport. Students, in every lesson, are challenged and supported to be active learners to develop their skills, grit and perseverance.

Spectacular night for Radford basketball

By Mr Ryan Kinnane, Head of Basketball

The 2024/25 Junior Open basketball competition wrapped up on Friday, 28 February, with an unforgettable night of intense action at Radford's Collegians Centre. The standout moment of the evening came from the Radford U14 Boys who clinched the grand final victory in dominant fashion. From the tip-off to the final buzzer, Radford's relentless defence stifled their opponents, securing a 63-47 win and capping off an incredible season that only had one loss.

Josh Brinkley led the charge for Radford, topping the scoreboard with 15 points and playing a key role in the team's victory. His performance, along with the hard work and teamwork shown by the entire squad, highlighted what has been a remarkable season for the U14 Raptors.

Radford also enjoyed a successful night overall, winning five out of the six Junior Open games played at the Collegians Centre. This strong showing underscores the competitive spirit and talent within Radford’s Junior Open program.

Please see the full list of results below.

• U12 Boys: Radford 63-55 Stallions
• U14 Boys: Radford 63-47 Rats
• U14 Girls: Radford 49-45 Norths
• U16 Boys: Radford 71-76 Norths
• U19 Boys: Radford 104-42 TSC
• U19 Girls: Radford 69-50 Norths

Congratulations to all players and coaches who competed in the Junior Open competition this summer! We look forward to the Winter Junior Premier League starting next week.

Radford dominates at Oztag grand finals

The 2024/25 Oztag season concluded in spectacular fashion, with six teams progressing to the semi-finals. Three teams made it all the way to the grand finals: U14/15 Girls Titans, U13 Mixed Footy Force and U13 Girls Rebels.

The Girls Titans experienced a grinding encounter with the Bullettes in their grand final. Evenly matched, both teams used their skills, tactics and speed against their opponents. The Radford Titans showed grit and superb teamwork and were crowned the U14/15 Girls champions with a 3-2 win.

The Mixed Footy Force team came up against a tough Tag Titans team. After playing an exceptional semi-final, the Radford team was looking to continue their dominance through tenacious defence and forceful attack. Unfortunately, the Tag Titans proved to be too strong and won 12-1 in the grand final.

In a heart-stopping U13 Girls grand final clash against Daramalan Hawks, the Radford Rebels showed resilience and determination in a game that will be remembered for years to come. At full-time, the scores were locked. After an intense five minutes of extra time, neither team had broken the deadlock. The match then entered drop-off, with only five players per side. Every time Daramalan scored, Radford responded, pushing the game into an incredible 16 sets of play. Finally, the Rebels broke through to score the winning try, securing an unforgettable victory for Radford College!

ACT Junior Rowing Championships

Last weekend, Radford rowers impressed at the ACT Junior Rowing Championships - one of the biggest regattas of the local rowing season. With an early start on Saturday, our crews hit the water with determination and enthusiasm, competing fiercely across the day’s events.

Their outstanding efforts were rewarded with 22 medals - seven gold, nine silver and six bronze - securing Radford’s place at the top of the championship medal tally against nine other schools and clubs from the ACT, NSW and Vic.

Thank you to the Friends of Radford Rowing (FORR) parent group for keeping the team fuelled at the BBQ, and to all the volunteers who helped to run the regatta.

Medals were awarded to the following Radford College crews:

ACT Head of the Lake

Mere hours after a stellar performance at the ACT Junior Rowing Championships, Radford rowers and coxes were back on Lake Burley Griffin for the prestigious ACT Head of the Lake on Sunday, 2 March.

This regatta, featuring 14 schools, is unique in its format, with junior rowers competing in one event and senior rowers in up to two, making for an intense and strategic day of racing.

Radford had a strong presence at Weston Park, with students gathering in preparation for their races and the FORR parent group running a BBQ and drinks stall to support the team.

The event was well attended by VIPs, including Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, and Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook OLY. Radford was proudly represented in the VIP race by Captains Amelie Brennan and Josh Miller.

Despite the high temperatures, our rowers delivered another outstanding performance, bringing home 14 medals: 4 Gold, 5 Silver and 5 Bronze.

Medals were awarded to the following Radford crews:

Thank you to our Principal, Mr Christopher Bradbury, coaches, and FORR volunteers for their incredible support across the weekend. Our crews now shift their focus to the NSW Schoolgirls and Schoolboys Head of the River in Penrith this coming weekend.

By Mr Nick Martin, Assistant Head of Junior School Learning and Teaching

The PYP (Primary Years Programme) Exhibition is a culminating inquiry in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme for students in Year 6 at Radford College. It offers students an opportunity to demonstrate their learning and understanding through an inquiry-based approach.

The Exhibition encourages students to explore real-world issues and problems, apply their knowledge and skills, and work collaboratively in a group. It emphasises critical thinking, creativity, and communication while allowing students to showcase their growth and understanding across various issues.

Last week our Year 6 students officially launched their PYP Exhibition journey with an exciting and interactive exploration of this year’s theme: X + Y =. We began by unpacking the theme and discussing how different ideas, values, and concepts combine to create meaningful change in the world. Students discussed how the equation brings us infinite possibilities. They brainstormed powerful combinations, such as "Empathy + Listening = Inclusion" and "Knowledge + Responsibility = Sustainability."

To bring the theme to life, students participated in a high-energy Capture the Flag game in their House groups - but with a twist! To win, teams had to work together, strategise, and demonstrate teamwork, with each flag collected spotlighting a different concept.

Throughout the game, students used the concepts they collected to create their own X + Y = equations, thinking critically about how ideas connect and lead to action. This was a fantastic way to develop collaboration skills, creativity, and deeper thinking about the impact they can have through their PYP Exhibition inquiries. It was an engaging and inspiring start to our Exhibition process, and we can’t wait to see where their learning leads.

This week, our Year 6 students were in Sydney taking part in the PYPx: Urban Heart camp. This valuable frontloading experience for the Exhibition allows students to engage with organisations and individuals who are passionately addressing real-world issues. Through this experience, students experienced firsthand how people are taking action to create a better, more peaceful world. We look forward to sharing more details next week!

By Mr Mitchell Joyce-Griggs, Science Teacher

Our Year 12 human biology students, accompanied by staff members from the science department, recently visited the Museum of Human Disease at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Kensington. Upon arrival we enjoyed a short walk through the impressive surrounds of the UNSW campus to the museum. There, our students benefited from an engaging – and at times confronting – presentation on infectious and non-infectious diseases by the Museum Team Leader, Mrs Jo Dable. The students learned about recognising and describing the changes in organs and tissues associated with disease and lifestyle factors such as cirrhosis, atherosclerosis, smoking, alcoholism and tuberculosis.

Our students engaged actively and impressively with this presentation, after which we were escorted into the museum to study their vast collection of human tissue and organ specimens dating back to 1898. We also had the opportunity to learn from a well-curated collection of educational posters, models, and medical artefacts. Whilst at times confronting, students saw firsthand the visceral evidence and impacts of infectious and non-infectious diseases upon the human body such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, endometriosis, various traumas and even trichobezoar.

Afterwards, we took a short walk to enjoy the UNSW food court for lunch and shared in some sunlight, food, and conversation whilst absorbing the atmosphere of university life – a foretaste of the years to come for many of our students.

We sincerely thank Jo for her time hosting us, delivering such an engaging presentation and guiding us through the thought-provoking collection. We also thank our students for their laudable conduct throughout this excursion and look forward to sharing other rich learning experiences in future.

By the Junior School Library team

On Monday, author Kate Foster visited Radford College and spoke to Years 4, 5 and 6 students. Kate shared her writing journey and how she has been writing since she was four years old. She encouraged us all to believe in our own stories, and that we all have stories that matter.

Kate spoke passionately about how her books explore themes to assist us with understanding, accepting and helping neurodivergent people be their best selves, and how a little kindness goes a long way.

Kate shared her writing process as well as some ideas with Year 5 students to help them become more proficient writers. The session with Year 6 students focused on the concept of differences, with an emphasis on autism and how we can all cherish and acknowledge each other. Her final presentation to Year 4 students explored the crucial messages in her latest novel Small Acts, as this is their class novel this term.

Author visits help bring life to their stories, and these authors can also serve as role models as they share their creativity and persistence. Kate’s books promote empathy and understanding, and this was demonstrated firsthand as Kate shared her personal stories with us all.

We hope that this visit may encourage our students to continue to read widely and to come up with unique ideas in their own creative writing. We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with an author who is so passionate about fostering creativity, inclusivity, and a love of storytelling.

The World’s Greatest Shave, one of the biggest and most anticipated events for Year 12 students, is taking place on 3 and 4 April this year.

The Year 12 Class of 2025 set themselves the goal of raising $60,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, and they are well on their way of reaching it. By lunchtime today they have already raised nearly $55,000.

The World's Greatest Shave is the flagship fundraising initiative of the Leukaemia Foundation. It helps to raise funds for health services for patients and their families, and groundbreaking research projects.

Every dollar donated brings the Leukaemia Foundation closer to their goal of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

Click here to support the Class of 2025.

By Mr Dale Casburn, Head of Student Pathways

Seeking Work Experience Opportunities: Join Our Community Network!

The College is looking for expressions of interest from community members to assist students in securing work experience placements.

Our goal is to build a database of community contacts who are interested in offering students opportunities, particularly in Health/Medicine, Engineering/Architecture, and Legal fields. As students seek placements, the College will reach out to contacts in this database. You will have the flexibility to accept or decline placements based on your availability and circumstances.

Work Experience:

Students in Years 10 –12 have the option to complete an unpaid work experience placement.

Placements typically occur during school holidays and range from three to ten days, with a full working week being common.

Placements can be in any industry, but we are especially eager to connect students with opportunities in Health/Medicine, Engineering/Architecture, and Law/Legal fields.

The process is straightforward and not time-consuming for you as the provider. The College handles the administrative tasks and are here to support you every step of the way.

Students are fully covered by the College’s insurance while on placement.

If you own or operate a business, or work in the Health/Medicine, Engineering/Architecture, or Law/Legal sectors, and believe you could offer a student work experience or an ASBA placement in the future, we'd love to hear from you!

Please send an email to dale.casburn@radford.act.edu.au.

We look forward to collaborating with you and offering students valuable real-world experience!