Staff Insights
By Mr Andy Gordon, Interim Principal
This past Saturday, as I was lining up with my fellow competitors for the mascot run at the Radford College Twilight Fete, a few thoughts went through my head.
It was not just about how silly I looked in my Gingerbread Man suit, or how much I wanted to beat the shark and the unicorn, it was mainly about how proud I felt to be part of this community of people.
The success of the Fete was, once again, a testament to the level of involvement by our students, staff and parents, and their dedication to the College. The Radford music students and members of the Dance Academy delighted visitors, the plant stall was overflowing with plants that families carefully grew and nurtured during the Canberra winter, the Sticky and Sweet and Devonshire Tea stalls offered up goods lovingly prepared, and the games, rides and activities were organised and supervised by parents and staff who happily gave up their time for the College. I would like to thank every person who had a hand in the organisation of this great event.
I look back with a sense of pride over the events of the past year which started with our very first Whole College assembly held in the new Collegians Centre. This 40th year has been a year of highlights and preparations are now underway for our end of term events. We look forward to welcoming you to the College to celebrate your children’s achievements at the Year 12 Graduation on 29 November and Celebration on 10 December.
The day-to-day events at the College are also worth mentioning. This past week we celebrated the achievement of some of our teachers, unveiled the proposed designs of the new student uniform, cheered on our youngest students as they raced across the finish line in the Pre-Kindergarten to Year 1 Athletics Carnival and celebrated with those who won points for their Houses at the Secondary School Community Day. But most of all, we did what we do best: We taught each other and learned together.
What an honour it is to share experiences like these in our community.
Lead well,
Andy
By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African proverb
On the weekend two examples of community jumped out at me.
The first was the Radford Fete. Thank you to all the volunteers and organisers for your hard work. It was wonderful to see so many people of different ages gathering for a great event.
The second example was members of the Hindu community in Florey and Mawson who worked together to clean up after their temples were vandalised and robbed. Amid shock and distress, the community was determined to get their temples cleaned up so that people could gather and worship in these spaces. To members of the Radford community who worship in these places, we send our best wishes.
Year 8 students who have been studying world religions and places of worship in Canberra, as part of Religious and Values Education (RaVE), have written to the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre of the ACT in Florey and Sri Vishnu Shiva Mandir in Mawson to express their solidarity.
One of the images in the Bible of Christian community is that of a body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Each part of the body has a role to play and one part is not more important than the other. There is a sense of interdependence and acknowledgement of the gifts each part has to offer.
I wonder which communities have nurtured you at different stages of your life? I wonder who has enriched your life through their presence? Where have you been blessed and where have you blessed others?
A big thank you to all who have responded to the Giving Tree Appeal in the Junior School for Capital Region Community Services and to ‘Pay it Forward’ Day in the Secondary School for St John’s Care and Roundabout.
During National Reconciliation Week in May, Wiradjuri singer and songwriter Uncle Johnny Huckle performed alongside Radford College band Three-Sided Die, comprising of Reuben Gillman-Wells, Lilla Gillman-Wells and Louis Thai. You can watch the performance here. Uncle Johnny’s original song Two Fires is a beautiful piece that encourages us to see the world through the perspective of each other.
A prayer for the week ahead:
God of grace and love,
God who is three-in-one,
God who is unity and diversity.
We thank you for the
gift of community.
Help us to be there
for one another in
good times
and hard times.
We pray for an outpouring
of your grace for all
who need it.
We pray in the name
of Jesus the Christ,
Amen
News
By Mrs Monique Glavonjic, Fete Convener
Thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of laughter, community spirit, and unforgettable moments. There were lots of activities, stalls, rides, delicious food, vibrant student performances and, of course, the mascot run. It was a fun afternoon at the College!
The Fete is a huge undertaking and requires months of planning and hard work. I would like to thank the dedicated Fete Committee – Mrs Stephanie Hinton, Mrs Natalie Talbot, Ms Ying Yuan, Mrs Katrina Rumball, Mrs Kylie Munns, Ms Sarah Clough and Dr Vidushi Patel.
A special shoutout to the hundreds of amazing volunteers who supported each of our stalls. Your hard work and generosity made this event possible.
Thank you to our sponsors that supported our largest raffle to date with over $20 000 worth of prizes up for grabs. These included:
- Supersmile Orthodontics Canberra
- Kumon Florey
- Alivio Tourist Park Canberra
- Cobalt Consulting
- Artemis Partners Management Consultancy Firm
- ISC Sport
- Sweet Pea & Poppy
- Murrumbateman Chocolate Co
- Four Winds Vineyard
- Lilly Cooper Homewares
- Power Flow Pilates
- Femme Fit Bootcamp Canberra
- Lim Peh's Wonton Noodles Restaurant
- National Zoo & Aquarium Canberra
- National Dinosaur Museum
We are thrilled to announce the names of the lucky winners:
| Winner | Prize |
|---|---|
|
Barbara Harrop
|
Cash prize of $5000 courtesy of Supersmile Orthodontics Canberra
|
|
Damien Rumball
|
Twelve-Month Tutor Tuition for 1 Child (double subjects) valued at $3840 courtesy of Kumon Florey
|
|
Jessica Engele
|
Twelve-Month Tutor Tuition for 1 Child (double subjects) valued at $3840 courtesy of Kumon Florey
|
|
Rachael Anforth
|
Choice of Holiday Accommodation and Stay at Alivio Tourist Park Canberra valued at $3250
|
|
Anna Hemmings
|
Balloon Aloft Experience for a Family of 4 and breakfast at The Hyatt valued at $2500 courtesy of Cobalt Consulting
|
|
Danielle Peel
|
Cash Prize of $1000 courtesy of ISC Sport
|
|
Emily Downie
|
Vuly Trampoline valued at $850 courtesy of Artemis Partners Management Consultancy Firm
|
|
Sarah Djula
|
$500 Restaurant Gift Card courtesy of Lim Peh's Wonton Noodles
|
|
Laura Long
|
$500 Gift Card to spend at the Radford College Radwear store
|
|
April Newell
|
Pilates 20 Class Pack worth $480 courtesy of Power Flow Pilates
|
|
Helen Mammino
|
$400 voucher to spend at Femme Fit Bootcamp
|
|
Natalie Talbot
|
Family Enrichment Tour at the National Zoo & Aquarium valued at $152
|
|
Tracy Young
|
Sweet Pea & Poppy hamper worth $150
|
|
Jane Chandler
|
$100 Murrumbateman Chocolate Co Voucher
|
|
Alycia Melder
|
$100 Four Winds & Vineyard Gift Voucher
|
|
Bridget Dankiw
|
$100 Gift card to use at Lilly Cooper Homewares & Gifts
|
|
Laura Long
|
$100 Gift card to use at Lilly Cooper Homewares & Gifts
|
|
Nicole Dunn
|
$100 Gift card to use at Lilly Cooper Homewares & Gifts
|
|
Gerri Bleeser
|
Family pass at the National Dinosaur Museum valued at $55
|
I would like to thank the Chair of the Radford College Board, Mrs Vicki Williams, Interim Principal, Mr Andy Gordon and incoming Principal, Mr Chris Bradbury who all attended the Fete and supported our team. Thank you also to our wonderful College Facilities team who work hard all year round to ensure our College grounds look fantastic, and also help the Fete Committee before, on the day, and after the Fete.
We encourage feedback following our events and invite you to participate in this short survey to tell us what you liked and what we can improve on for next year.
We can't wait to see you all next year for another fantastic Fete!
By Miss Hayley Oldfield, Head of Houses
On Friday, 1 November, Radford Secondary School held its first Community Day, uniting students in a dynamic day filled with activities and friendly competition across all year levels. Designed to build community spirit and teamwork, the event offered something for everyone – from exciting water-based activities to workshops and physical challenges.
For Years 7, 11, and 12, the day was packed with water-based rotations, balancing water safety with plenty of fun. Students took part in novelty relays, enjoyed thrilling slide and whirlpool sessions, and cheered each other on all the way. In the competitive relays, Banksia celebrated a victory in the girls' event, while Acacia claimed the top spot for the boys, both teams showing exceptional spirit and teamwork.
The highlight of the day was the crowning of the 2024 Golden Flipper Champions. Congratulations to Year 7 student Isabelle Merenda and Year 11 student Brynten Au for their outstanding efforts and skill in this prestigious event.
Back on campus, Years 8, 9, and 10 students engaged in valuable study skills and pastoral workshops designed to enhance their academic and personal growth. The afternoon featured a series of House-based physical challenges, which allowed students to connect, collaborate, and compete in a supportive environment. House champions emerged across the years, with Boronia taking the win for Year 8, Acacia triumphing in Year 9, and Karri leading in Year 10.
Congratulations to all students and staff for making the first Community Day a memorable success and for embracing the true spirit of Radford. Here’s to many more opportunities to come together, support one another, and celebrate our vibrant school community!
House Cup and Spirit Cup winners
Congratulations to Acacia for winning the 2024 House Cup, and to Karri for being crowned Spirit Cup winners.
By Ms Jen Bateman and Mrs Faye Robertson, Teacher Mentors
It was a privilege to attend the Teacher Quality Institute Awards Ceremony recently where some of Radford’s teachers received awards for their outstanding practice, quality teaching and commitment to on-going professional learning.
In our current climate of difficulties in recruiting teachers and retaining them, it is even more significant that teachers are prepared to take on additional accreditation to improve the quality of their teaching. The rigour involved in going through the certification process is both challenging and time-consuming, but it has irrefutable benefits for our students, the school and the wider profession.
Our congratulations go to Ms Georgia Solomon, Mrs Julia Oreo and Ms Michele Sharp.
Georgia received three awards. One for Highly Accomplished Teacher, a second for Professional Excellence and a third for successfully qualifying as a National Assessor for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers.
Julia received her award for Professional Excellence having achieved Highly Accomplished Teacher accreditation in 2021 and National Assessor for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers last year.
Michele was recognised for maintaining her Highly Accomplished Teacher status over the past 10 years and for maintaining Professional Excellence for the same period of time.
By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Junior School teacher
The Radford Student Council (RSC) met bright and early last Tuesday morning at Kmart in Belconnen. The RSC had raised money from the Junior School disco last term to spend on Christmas gifts for the Capital Regional Community Service (CRCS), and the students were ready to put this money to good use.
The CRCS supports families and individuals in Belconnen for whom things might be a bit tough this Christmas. They put together over 100 hampers to brighten the festive season for people in their programs who are known to the organisation.
A few weeks ago, Nat from CRCS came and spoke with the Student Council about the Christmas appeal and gave us ideas of the types of gifts that would be useful. She suggested that teenagers, especially boys, are often lacking in gift donations, so the RSC spent some time browsing Kmart’s website to get gift ideas.
The RSC students had around $30 each to spend on gifts and there was great excitement as we moved through the aisles and students carefully selected gifts. Back at the College all the gift items were placed in the magic bathtub in the Junior School Reception.
We now invite the Junior School community to contribute to the Christmas appeal by purchasing a gift and placing it, unwrapped, in the magic bathtub with the other presents. The gifts will be collected at the end of Week 7, Friday 29 November.
