13 November 2024

By Mr Andy Gordon, Interim Principal

Radford College’s legacy of learning alongside young people in schools in Gamilaraay Country, known has G-Trips, has had an impact and made a difference over the years. For the hundreds of Collegians and staff that have attended, the trips have been life-defining.

Mr George Huitker, former teacher and Director of Service Learning, clearly recalls former Radford College Principal, Phillip Heath’s directive and impassioned plea: “It’s not enough for Radford College to donate money and then be at arm’s length, go and build a robust indigenous program for Radford College.”

Despite staff changes and an interruption in Covid years, the program is now 25 visits old.

We are excited that G-Trip 26 will take place from 1 – 7 December this year. If you are a current Year 11 student, a Collegian or a staff member that would like to be involved this year or next, please contact dylan.mordike@radford.act.edu.au.

Attending a G-Trip is an invitation to the transformation of the whole person in service.

By Mr Brett Lamson, Head of Year 12

On Friday, 8 November, Year 12 students visited the Radford College Junior School for a walk down memory lane, reflecting on their journey through school and how far they had all come over the past thirteen years. It was the last day of classes for Year 12, so it seemed a fitting end to their time at Radford. Returning to the Junior School gave many the opportunity to reminisce about the experiences, friendships and teachers they had along the way.

It was so great to see the emotion, excitement and connections between the Year 12 students and students of the ELC. It was such a full circle moment, witnessing students who were just about to complete their time at Radford, mingling and interacting with those Radford students who are just at the beginning of theirs.

There were plenty of high fives, a few tears, and loads of laughs, particularly when seeing some of the photos of the Year 12 students when they were little.

A huge thank you to Ms Karen Maher, Ms Tracey Markovic and all the Junior School staff who made us feel welcome and helped to make the day so special. Thank you also to the wonderful Year 6 students who helped by serving lunch and ensuring everyone was looked after.

It was a fantastic day and one I’m sure will stay with this cohort for many years to come.

By Ms Christina Dunne, Junior School Teacher

As part of the Year 4 Learning Journey, students displayed their clay sculptures alongside several collaborative pieces. Students worked alongside Ms Christina Dunne and First Nations Artist in Residence, Ms Jodie Munday, to create three clay wall hangings and textured dishes. The collaborative work was inspired by First Nations artist Jamie-Lea Trindall.

We planned the artworks based on the idea of natural textures from the local environment. Students were supported to complete the hanging components as well as observe different techniques in clay and the process of bringing the mobiles together. Each person, no matter how small a part they played, made an important contribution in creating the finished work.

Movement of Water was created using a sgraffito technique and shows healthy water and country. Emu Imprint uses real emu feathers from Murrawari country (Western NSW). Gum Leaves was created using leaves and seed pods collected from just one small pocket of bushland in Gossan Hill. These works were made using imprints of natural objects in wet clay as well as mark-making in the clay using a range of tools. Special thanks to Loretta, Yahya, Levi, Jeremiah, Alex C and Victoria for their help curating the artworks for the learning journey.

Student Reflections

I like the Emu Imprint work because I find the textures of the feathers cool – Caitlin

I liked how the colours worked well with the feathers – Peilin

Making the dishes was so fun because we got to press and roll different colours and patterns into our clay – Aurelia

I like how the water sort of moves. It looks like a moving billabong – Sahaja

I like gum leaves, they remind me of intricate details. Gum leaves are also eaten by koalas, and I love koalas – Lara

I like how Ms Munday has incorporated a plethora of Australian flora in the artwork – Lilly

I like the artwork because it represents how native plants are important in many ways – Lachlan

By Dr Rebecca Barlow, Secondary School Teacher

Year 11 Modern History student, Alec Wilson, has won the prestigious title of ACT Young Historian of the Year. The title was awarded by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. You can watch Mr Barr announce the award here.

Earlier in the year Alec submitted an essay to the Australian History Teachers’ Association’s National History Competition. The theme for 2024 was Crisis and Response. The competition received over 6000 entries nation-wide, and around 1000 entries from across all year levels in the ACT.

Alec’s essay addressed the question: To what extent did Australia’s participation in World War One present a crisis for its fledgling nationhood, and what were the strategies enacted by government to manage and respond to the challenges posed by its involvement in the war?

In addition to being ACT champion, Alec was also the overall ACT winner in the special category Australia’s Wartime Experiences, and the overall winner in Years 11 –12 (all categories). His total prize money was $900.

Alec will now proceed to the national awards ceremony at Parliament House and is in the running to be the National Young Historian of the Year. Good luck, Alec!

Any Radford students wishing to enter the competition in 2025 should speak to their teachers early in Term 1.

By Miss Melissa Markos, Dance Teacher

Radford College dancers made us incredibly proud at the Ausdance ACT Youth Dance Festival, which, just like Radford College, celebrated its 40th year.

The theme this year was What Do You Dream? The event, held at the Canberra Theatre Centre from 6 to 8 November, was an exciting mix of live performances from Secondary Schools across Canberra and surrounding regions.

Our students from Years 7 to 12 took to the stage in three different groups, each showcasing their own choreographed pieces under the guidance of Miss Melissa Markos and Mrs Maddie Grieger. Drawing inspiration from the festival's theme, their performances were a testament to their creativity, hard work, and dedication.

Performing on a professional stage was an unforgettable experience for our dancers, and they truly shone with confidence and skill. Their passion and artistry were clear for all to see, and we couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments at this wonderful event.

Book tickets for the 2024 RDA Showcase

It's that time of year again – Radford Dance Academy's (RDA) End-of-Year Showcase!

21 to 23 November
T.B. Millar Hall
Buy tickets here

By Ms Natasha Davies, Secondary School Teacher

At the end of October several of our Year 8 students went on a RaVE (Religious and Values Education) excursion, which consisted of visiting four different centres of worship in Canberra: St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Canberra in Kingston, the National Jewish Memorial Centre in Forrest, the Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre in Lyneham, and the Gungahlin Mosque.

The students had a wonderful experience learning about the many different communities of faith in their own city. They had the opportunity to ask questions of each host and came away better informed about a variety of religions.

Some of the highlights of the day included seeing the beautiful and ornate interior of the Greek Orthodox Church, applauding Dr Alan Shroot’s blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) at the synagogue, hearing Imam Hatem Saad recite a portion of the Quran, and experiencing the extremely kind hospitality of the Buddhist Master Kwan and the nuns who provided us with a great deal of snacks and gifts.

It was also a pleasure to see a number of students approach our different hosts to say thank you or ask further questions even after the formal discussion was over. They represented Radford College in a very respectful and inquiring manner.

Student reflections:

I enjoyed seeing all the different religions around Canberra and it really opened my eyes to the diversity of our city. Going to each of these places and learning about their traditions and culture was truly amazing and I am very grateful for getting this opportunity. It was an incredibly good addition to our World Religions studies that we have been doing in RaVE. By seeing how these churches and temples each work in similar but diverse ways, it helped me to understand the difference in religions and their deeper beliefs. Thank you to the organisers of the event and I hope that future grades get to have as much fun as I did – Connor

During the RAVE excursion we immersed ourselves in different cultures and explored the diversity that we have in Canberra. We explored St Nicholas’s church, the ACT Jewish Community, the Gungahlin Mosque and the Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre. Each of these cultural places offered a detailed description of what it was like to practice their respective religions. The experience was mostly student led with students being given the chance to ask any questions that they may have had about each religion. This excursion has helped build my knowledge on what we had been learning about in RaVE for the past semester, and I am very thankful that I have been given the opportunity to experience this excursion – Abhiram

By Aurora Talbot, Year 7

On Thursday, 7 November, the Year 7 Disco and Games night was held. This event was organised by the Year 12 Prefects and the theme, Hawaii, guaranteed that there was plenty of colour and fancy outfits. The music provided by a DJ was loud and upbeat, ensuring that the dance floor was always full.

During the event we played some games including octopus and red rover, and throughout the evening there were impromptu games of musical statues. The most creative statue poses won a prize. There was also a massive game of soccer led by the Prefects. Throughout the evening, students snacked on packets of chips and juice boxes as well as some chocolates.

The Year 7 cohort would like to thank the Year 12 Prefects who organised the event and took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate with us. We would also like to thank the supervising teachers who made the night possible, and even made some cameo appearances on the dance floor!

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

After many hours of preparation, the Year 9 Commerce students launched their business ventures at the annual Market Day stalls.

Market Day provides students with the real-life experience of running a small business. Students work collaboratively and are provided with a start-up loan (which must be repaid) to source inputs to produce their final products for Market Day.

All aspects of launching a business – from the initial planning and financing stages, through to procurement, production and marketing, selling, paying tax and enjoying their profits – are experienced by the students.

This year we saw a range of products, with bracelets, earrings and phone cases proving to be the money spinners on the day. Well done to all involved, we look forward watching more of your entrepreneurial ventures in future!

Thank you to Ms Michelle Nazzari and Mrs Suzanne Rentsch for the guidance and advice they provided to the students along the way.

By Ms Dimity Kidston, Secondary School Teacher

This Thursday, 14 November, the Year 10 Visual art students will proudly open their exhibition, Beneath the Surface, a captivating exploration of identity. This exhibition marks the culmination of weeks of work, with students fully involved in every aspect of the process, from curating the artworks to arranging and hanging each piece with careful consideration.

The exhibition showcases a range of creative expressions, with each artwork offering a unique glimpse into the personal narratives, cultural backgrounds, and evolving perspectives of the young artists. Through diverse media, including painting, digital art, sculpture, and mixed media, the students have delved into what identity means to them, thoughtfully weaving together ideas of self, society, and individuality.

All are welcome to attend the opening tomorrow, 14 November between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm to celebrate the students’ hard work and artistic achievements.

Radford Junior School has supported the Christmas Appeal of Capital Regional Community Service (CRCS) for many years. The profit from the Junior School disco that was held on 12 September has been used by the RSC to purchase gifts, and now Junior School families are invited to support this worthy appeal by adding gifts of their own.

Each year the CRCS puts together over 100 hampers with Christmas gifts and food items for families in the Belconnen community who access their services and are known by the caseworkers and staff. These hampers help to ensure that no one goes without some Christmas spirit over the festive season.

Unwrapped donations of gifts suitable for babies through to the elderly can be left in the Magic Bathtub in the Junior School Reception. Christmas decorations (bon bons, baubles, and home décor) and specialty foods (chocolates, shortbread, and candy mixes) are also welcome.

The items are being collected on Friday 29 November to allow time for CRCS to assemble and distribute the hampers. Thank you for supporting this wonderful project.

By Holly Taylor, Year 10 Spanish Language Student

The Year 10 Continuing Spanish class went on an excursion to visit the National Zoo and Aquarium to learn more about animals from Latin America. We had the opportunity to research the animals that live there, as well as the challenges they face in countries like Peru and Colombia.

Latin America is home to some of the most unique animals, from the Amazon Rainforest to the Andes Mountains. When we visited the zoo, we got to see boa constrictors, capuchin monkeys, llamas, marmosets and pygmy marmosets. While these animals are amazing to behold, many of them face serious threats.

Deforestation is a huge problem in both Bolivia and Peru, and many animals lose their habitat because of this. There is also the issue of illegal wildlife trade. Many animals, in particular small monkeys and birds, are taken from the wild and sold in markets. This can push them to the brink of extinction.

While at the zoo, we took part in a scavenger hunt where we had to find certain animals and make note of their lifespan in the wild versus in captivity. Most of them live longer in captivity, where they are provided with food, and protected from predators.

We each did presentations where we got to research, write, and speak Spanish, and we all learned lots of new Spanish words, such as biodiversidad (biodiversity), deforestación (deforestation), and tráfico ilegal de animales (illegal animal trafficking). Overall, it was an amazing experience, and we had lots of fun!

By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Junior School teacher

Kindergarten enjoyed a visit to the Canberra Theatre to watch a performance of ‘Waru – the journey of a small turtle’ by the Bangarra dance company. This visit linked with our inquiry into ‘Where We Are in Place and Time’, which is exploring special celebrations of different cultures.

The students were excited to watch the performance which was about a green turtle navigating her way back to the beach where she was born.

The students laughed, they learnt a dance, and even helped find the turtle. The show was interactive and taught an important message about caring for the ocean and the animals that live in it.

Student reflections

I really liked the song part because we got to do the actions too – Harsheen

My favourite part was when the lady was sleeping and she kept kicking her leg up in a funny way – Celina

I liked the lizard because there was fighting. The lady won and she hit the lizard with a broom – Felix

My favourite part was the turtle when she would crawl across the stage – Elena

By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Junior School teacher

The Radford Students Council (RSC) has been working towards sustainable practises in the Junior School. For several year we have collected used stationery items at the end of the school year and passed these on to the Capital Regional Community Services to utilise in their programs.

This year they suggested we work with Roundabout, a local Canberra charity that supports families in need.

Roundabout Canberra believes that every child deserves a safe start, and every family deserves dignity. They provide safe, high quality, essential baby and children’s items to families in need.

Through their partnerships with social services, they ensure the safety, well-being and dignity of children and their families. Roundabout’s focus on essential items frees services up to concentrate on supporting families with their other needs.

Mel Waring from Roundabout Canberra came and spoke with the RSC about the organisation and how we can help. She explained how Roundabout helps families, especially in times of crisis. Each new year, Roundabout assembles 2500 backpacks with stationery items, lunchboxes and water bottles for students to have for school.

The RSC will sort and collect gentle used stationery from all Junior School classes at the end of the year and pass these items onto Roundabout. They are also donating $200 of the funds raised by Radford Reaches Out to Roundabout to support their ongoing work in sustainability.

Details about how you could support or donate to Roundabout can be found on their website.

By Ms Georgia Reed, Physics Teacher

Earlier this term, Year 11 and 12 Physics students had the rare opportunity to visit an ANSTO (Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) facility in Lucas Heights, NSW. This is Australia's premier nuclear research facility and the site of the country's only nuclear reactor, the OPAL (Open-pool Australian lightwater) reactor.

Upon arrival, students were immediately thrown into the learning with an introductory lecture by ANSTO Educational Officer Julie Mulholland. This included the use of animations, physical demonstrations with radioactive isotopes, and an insider look into the scientist's thinking, and breakthrough moments behind the events like the missing radioactive capsule in Western Australia last year.

Year 12 Physics students Terrance Mazanov and Marley Kowal-Buchanan assisted with demonstrations. Terrance helped the cohort collect quantitative data to determine the type of radiation using different shielding, and Marley used equipment that enabled students to determine the proportional relationships between distance and radiation intensity.

After lunch, students were divided into groups and taken on a tour of four different parts of the large campus. Heading back onto the bus, and through the AFP security check point, students were given a close look at the OPAL Reactor, the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS), Radiopharmaceutical Production Facility, and Centre for Accelerator Science (CAS).

Shyam Bhatia, the Year 12 Physics student who requested ANSTO as a possible activity for the semester, had this to share: I must say that I really loved being to be able to physically visit the nuclear facilities that directly relate to the physics unit that we are learning. I found seeing the different instruments and the tandem accelerator to be so cool and unique as it allowed us to actually understand in detail how things work and their function in the field of physics.

Students were accompanied by Year 12 Physics teacher Ms Georgia Reed, Year 11 Physics teachers Mr Ross Bristow and Dr Tyson Peppler, and emerging Physics enthusiast and Biology teacher Miss Lauren Hayward.

The ANSTO Educational Officers thanked the College and stated that they were impressed by the students' insightful questions.

Futsal

Congratulations to the Radford Year 4 Boys Futsal Team, who competed at the prestigious Australasian Champion of Champions Futsal tournament in Brisbane over the weekend. Schools from across the region gathered to represent their respective regions, with 94 teams competing across 16 age groups.

This was Radford’s first time at the tournament, and we couldn’t be prouder of our boys’ incredible efforts and sporting ethics.

Coerver Coaching ACT Holiday Camps – Registrations now open

Coerver® Coaching Holiday Camps offer a fun filled soccer experience for boys and girls aged 5 years and older.

Dates:
Wednesday 11 December – Friday 13 December
J.A. Mackinnon Oval, Radford College
Times: Each session will run from 09.00 am – 12.00 pm.

Please read this flyer for more information on how to register.

Do you have a bit of time this weekend? Time to give blood and change lives? 1 in 3 people in Belconnen will need blood, and they need people like you to give it.

Lifeblood will be in Belconnen between 7 to 16 December. Don’t forget to pre-book your spot at Lifeblood.com.au, on our app, or on 13 14 95.

By Mr Dale Casburn, Head of Student Pathways

The College is seeking expressions of interest from community members to assist students in securing:

• A work experience placement; and/or
• A traineeship/apprenticeship as part of the Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASBA) program.

We intend to populate a database of community contacts who are interested in potentially accepting students for one of these placement types. As students seek a placement, the College would reach out to relevant contacts on this database, who of course have the option to accept or refuse each time, depending on their circumstances.

Work experience

Students in Years 10 –12 have the option of carrying out an unpaid work experience placement.

Placements take place during school holidays and range in length between three and ten days – a full working week is common.

Placements can be in any industry and the process is not time-consuming for the provider, in terms of admin, and the College is here to support you. Students are fully covered by the College’s insurance whilst on placement.

Australian School-Based Apprenticeships (ASBAs)

Year 11 and 12 students who opt to study a BSSS Accredited Package can take up an ASBA as part of their subject load.

ASBAs are commonly undertaken in a range of industries, including business, real estate, construction and automotive trades, fitness, hospitality and more, and offer students hands-on industry experience and the ability to work towards or complete a nationally recognised qualification while remaining at school part-time.

Depending on the qualification sought, students are required to work between eight and 12 hours per week.

Employers may be eligible to receive incentive payments under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. In 2025, students are seeking ASBAs in carpentry, electrical and plumbing.

Find out more about Australian School-based Apprenticeships.

If you own or run a business and think you could offer a student a work experience or ASBA placement in future, we’d love to hear from you. Please send an email to dale.casburn@radford.act.edu.au.

The Radford well-being team warmly invites you to join us on a journey in parenting with the Tuning in to Teens parenting program. Commencing on Thursday, 20 February 2025 and concluding on Thursday, 27 March 2025, these 6 sessions will take place on Thursday evenings on campus.

Tuning in to Teens™ is an evidence-based program using the principles of emotional intelligence and emotion coaching to enhance parenting skills. Over the course of the six sessions, the program aims to equip parents with the tools to engage in meaningful conversations with their teens about emotions, fostering emotional intelligence and adept conflict management within the home.

This program works with the principle of emotional intelligence.  Teens with higher emotional intelligence:  

• are more aware, assertive, and strong in situations with peer pressure 

• have greater success with making friends and are more able to manage conflict with peers 

• are more able to cope when upset or angry  

• have fewer mental health and substance abuse difficulties  

• have more stable and satisfying relationships as adults 

• have greater career success – emotional intelligence may be a better predictor of academic and career success than IQ.   

The aim of the program is to teach parents about how they, as parents, can help their teenagers develop good emotional skills. For example:

• awareness of what emotions their teen is experiencing

• to view their teen’s emotions as an opportunity to connect with them and guide them

• helping their teen identify and describe what they are feeling

• learn to listen to their teen’s problems without judgement 

• strengthen their and their teen’s problem-solving skills and learning to cope with boundaries and limitations

This program is offered to parents or carers with a student in Years 7 –12. Participants will be capped at approximately 12.  If you wish to join us on this journey, please fill out the expression of interest form.

For further inquiries or to find out more about the program, email our Tuning in to Teens facilitator, Ms Gretel Burgess.