4 December 2024

By Mr Brett Lamson, Head of Year 12

Last Friday night saw the culmination of thirteen years of schooling for the Radford College Class of 2024. The Year 12 Graduation was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, reflection, nostalgia and even a few tears. It was outstanding to see the Year 12 students walk across the stage and reach the end of their journey as Radford College students. It was great to be able to acknowledge not only the hard work, dedication and the many talents and achievements of the cohort, but also the fantastic young people that they have all matured into.

Radford Interim Principal Mr Andy Gordon gave a warm, insightful, and heartfelt speech in which he called onto the stage a fan favourite from years gone by, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, to help deliver a meaningful message to the students. There was a beautiful musical item that saw a number of students from the cohort come together for an uplifting rendition of ABBA’s Thank You for the Music. Will Pak Poy, the Valedictorian for the Class of 2024, gave an awesome speech where he encouraged his classmates to go off and experience the world, but to remember that Radford always has been, and always would be a special place to call home.

Overall, the Year 12 Graduation was a joyous and uplifting evening and one that I personally will remember for many, many years to come. The students of the Class of 2024 were a credit to themselves, and to the College. They embody everything that we as a community believe in, strive toward and hold dear, and as a cohort they are a true reflection of Radford College and what it means to be a Radford student. What an incredible group of young people.

Radford families can view all the photos from the 2024 Graduation on Nexus.

By Mr Brad David, Head of Year 10

On Monday night, our Year 10 students gathered for a memorable celebration marking the culmination of an important chapter in their educational journey. The evening was filled with pride and joy as students, dressed impeccably, shone brightly alongside their peers, mentors, and families.

A highlight of the evening was the extraordinary performances by our talented students. Kamae Rajen captivated the audience with her breathtaking violin solo, while the Year 10 Jazz Band brought energy and flair to the celebration. The Year 10 music class delivered a fantastic closing performance of Dancing Queen showcasing their hard work and creativity.

The entire production was a testament to the efforts of the Year 10 formal committee, who planned and executed the event with precision and passion.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the parents for their unwavering support and to the mentors for their guidance and dedication. The evening was a wonderful reflection of our community's spirit and a fitting way to honour our students' achievements.

Congratulations to our Year 10 students – we couldn’t be prouder of all you have accomplished!

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

Embracing Ministries is a local Anglican organisation who supports families, children, and young people who are living with a disability or caring for someone with a disability. Embracing Ministries offer support, training, advocacy, and events. Radford students have also participated in holiday programs as mentors. They often give up several days of their holidays to participate and enthusiastically report back about the impact that this service learning has had on them as they have connected with children, mentors from other schools and program organisers.

The holiday programs have regularly been held at the Early Learning Centre at Radford College, which has been a great way to strengthen this important partnership.

More information about Embracing Ministries and the range of programs they run for children, young people and carers can be found here.

When the call was put out to Secondary School students and staff for the Embracing Ministries Christmas Appeal, the response was immediate and generous. Shopping for a specific child or carer increased the sense of connection, for example:

• A 10-year-old boy who likes electronic toys

• A 13-year-old girl who loves bubbles, music, waterplay and cooking

• An 8-year-old boy who loves basketball, Thomas the Tank Engine, stickers, painting and train puzzles.

We have passed the gifts on, and they were gratefully received. Thank you to all who participated.

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

The Years 3-6 Community Swim Day was an absolute highlight of last week, with students, teachers, and families coming together to celebrate House spirit and enjoy a day filled with fun, energy, and participation.

Students rotated through a range of activities designed to encourage teamwork, build confidence in the water, and, most importantly, have a fantastic time! The focus on inclusion ensured that everyone was involved, whether competing, cheering, or simply enjoying the atmosphere.

Adding to the excitement, the crowd buzzed with anticipation during the House relays, a spirited competition showcasing enthusiasm and camaraderie. The Golden Flipper events, featuring the fastest students racing over 50 metres, were another highlight, with thrilling finishes and cheers echoing across the pool. Energetic and enthusiastic renditions of the eight House chants could also be heard far and wide.

A day like this doesn’t happen without a fantastic team behind the scenes. A huge thank you to the Sports team, particularly Mr Alex Timms and Ms Megan Fritsch, whose planning and organisation ensured the event ran smoothly. We also extend our gratitude to Miss Hayley Oldfield, Head of Houses, for her tireless efforts in fostering House spirit and making the day memorable. Special thanks to the Year 11 students who supported various activities with enthusiasm and professionalism, as well as our Junior School staff for their encouragement and assistance throughout the day.

By Ms Megan Fritsch, Director of Sport

Radford College is delighted to celebrate the achievements of several students who recently represented Radford and School Sport ACT (SSACT) at national events, delivering remarkable performances and showcasing their talent, determination, and sporting ethics.

Track and field success at Sydney Olympic Park

Emerson Ryan (Year 6, Boronia) and Griff Steven (Year 5, Boronia) proudly competed at the School Sport Australia Track and Field Championships at Sydney Olympic Park, where they represented the ACT with distinction.

Emerson Ryan delivered outstanding performances, achieving personal bests in all his events. His incredible efforts saw him place 6th in the 100m, 5th in the 200m, and an impressive 4th in the 800m, narrowly missing out on a medal.

Griff Stevens is the new SSA record holder and Australian champion in the U11 multiclass 100m. His dedication and determination to excel have been inspiring to all in the Radford community.

Both Emerson and Griff also competed as part of the ACT 4x100m relay team.

Cricketers shine in Adelaide

Our cricketers have also taken centre stage this week at the School Sport Australia National Cricket Championships in Adelaide.

Zoe O'Rourke (Year 7, Huon), Annabelle Farr (Year 7, Acacia), Tahlia Smith (Year 5, Karri), Sophia Strachan (Year 6, Jarrah), Gus Bennett (Year 7, Wandoo) and Pratham Dakwala (Year 7, Banksia) are proudly representing SSACT, competing against the nation’s best young talent. Their selection is a testament to their hard work, skill, and passion for the game.

These achievements highlight the strength of Radford’s sports programs and the unwavering support of our coaches, families, and broader community. We are immensely proud of all our students.

Registrations now open for the 2025 Winter Sport and Recreation Sports Program

Registrations for the 2025 winter sport and Terms 1-3 recreation sports programs are now open and will close on Monday 27 January. Please see Nexus for details.

Radford Junior School art teacher Ms Robyn Evans will be exhibiting a suite of drawings and sculptures as part of the Grounded Collective exhibition opening at Belconnen Arts Centre this Friday at 6pm.

The Collective consists of three Canberra-based artists who either met or worked together at Radford College. Ms Robyn Evans currently teaches in the Junior School and Ms Sabina Moore formerly worked at the school, mostly in the Creative Arts department. The third member, Ms Amanda Andlee Poland, now retired from teaching to pursue her art practice full-time, was Head of Creative Arts at the College from 2014 to 2020.

A shared curiosity about the Canberra region's environment and the benefits of working together led them to form The Grounded Collective in early 2023. The group’s current exhibition project involves researching local sites (Tidbinbilla River, Red Hill and Mount Ainslie) to extend their individual and group art practice.

"Just like our work as educators, the value of our artist collective is in the deep dialogue that happens, and it has been a powerful way for the three of us to explore other perspectives and ways of working," says Evans. "We warmly invite all members of the Radford community, especially our current and former art students to come to the opening or drop in to the Belconnen Arts Centre over the summer to see our show."

Evans was supported to create new work for the exhibition by ArtsACT.

Grounded opens at 6 pm on Friday 6 December at Belconnen Arts Centre (West Gallery) ACT and can be viewed until 2 February 2025.

For more information visit the Belco Arts website.

By Ms Rhiannon Richards, French language teacher

This term French language students experienced a number of different French foods. Year 7 students were treated to a hot chocolate and croissant in their French classes. Year 8 students practised their French by ordering a galette and a crêpe from visiting French mobile food provider Le Petit Breton, while Year 9 students went on an excursion to the Breizh Café in Ainslie where they enjoyed French café style food.

This is what some of our Year 9 students thought of their visit to Breizh Cafe:

It was overall a very good experience, and I would recommend it – Sanuki

The savoury crepes were a nice change, and the calm atmosphere provided a peaceful spot to relax. It was a simple way to recharge before getting back to work. I also enjoyed the serenity and having a chat with my friends – Rafe

It was an amazing experience, and we all had heaps of fun – Sahana

I ordered a mushroom and cheese galette with a salted caramel crêpe and a hot chocolate. This was a wonderful opportunity that I can positively say was enjoyed by all – Kate

I really enjoyed the food and to be immersed in the French culture. There were a series of flags on the wall, the most notable being the Isle of Le Mans – Elijah

By Ms Yasiman Keen, Finance and Sustainability Coordinator

As we wrap up the last term of 2024, it’s time to reflect on the incredible strides we’ve made toward a more sustainable future here at Radford College. We’ve had an amazing year, and we’re excited to share some of our key sustainability achievements.

• We’re thrilled to announce that we were awarded 3 out of a possible 5 stars in the Sustainable Schools Program. We’re eager to continue our progress and set an even higher standard for sustainability in 2025.
• Our partnership with UPPAREL has also yielded fantastic results. Since 1 July 2024, we’ve successfully diverted 844 kg of textiles from landfill, helping to reduce 2,591 kg of greenhouse gases. What an incredible impact!
• We're also proud to support the Lids4Kids initiative, with two convenient drop-off points across the College for everyone to contribute. It’s a small action with a big impact.
• This year, we saw three of our students nominated as finalists in the Sustainable Steps Poster Competition—a testament to the creativity and passion for sustainability that runs deep within our student body.
• We added a third worm farm to the campus. Worm farms offer an innovative way to manage organic waste. This initiative has been a real game-changer for waste reduction at Radford!
• The desktop bins that were introduces across the College at the end of last year, helped everyone make more mindful choices when it comes to recycling and waste management.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the incredible support of our students, staff, and the entire Sustainability Working Group. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for your dedication and hard work throughout the year.

A special thank you to the 2024 Sustainability Captains, Tiffany Chue and Pip Humphries, who have led by example and made amazing contributions this year. Your leadership and passion are truly inspiring.

Finally, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Ms Agnes Kopras-Ianson and Mr David Perceval, two of our outstanding sustainability staff members, for your tireless efforts that have made a lasting impact on sustainability at Radford.

As the holidays approach, we encourage you to continue your own sustainable journey. Together, we can make a world of difference.

By Mrs Jane Lilley, Head of Year 7

This term, Year 7 students delved into the theme of Paying it Forward as part of their Wicked Problems unit, focusing on the importance of acts of kindness and community service. Through this unit, students explored how even small gestures can create a ripple effect of positivity.

As part of their learning, students visited one of three service learning partners: Roundabout Canberra, Lifeline Canberra, and St John’s Care. These visits allowed them to gain firsthand insight into the impactful work these organisations do to support the community. Students also turned their attention closer to home, preparing resources to support the current Radford Year 6 cohort as they transition into Year 7.

The unit culminated in a “show and tell” session, where Year 6 students were invited into Year 7 classrooms to ask questions, receive advise, and become familiar with the Year 7 environment. A small group of students also opted to sing Christmas carols with the students of Cranleigh School.

The Wicked Problems unit introduced the students to the College’s service learning program, and encouraged Year 7 students to reflect on their own journey and think about how they can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

By Ms Tingting Zhang, Chinese Language teacher

As their lessons for the year are drawing to a close, Year 9 Chinese students embarked on an enriching excursion to the Chinese Classical Arts Centre in Dickson, immersing themselves in the beauty of traditional Chinese music and culture.

Students had the great opportunity to explore and try playing various traditional Chinese instruments, including the 笛子 (bamboo flute), 箫 (vertical flute), 葫芦丝 (gourd flute), 扬琴 (yangqin), 古筝 (guzheng), 古琴 (guqin), 琵琶 (pipa), and 二胡 (erhu).

They engaged in hands-on activities such as playing the guzheng and experimenting with the yangqin, while closely examining its intricate structure. Additionally, they enjoyed a mesmerising guzheng performance, which showcased the instrument’s elegant melodies and expressive capabilities. Students also delved into the unique notation system for guqin music and learned about the differences in the finger picks used for playing the guzheng and pipa, gaining insights into the finer details of Chinese musical traditions.

This experience connected seamlessly with the students’ current class topic on hobbies and interests, providing a practical and cultural dimension to their learning.

Following their time at the Arts Centre, students visited an Asian supermarket in Dickson. This visit complemented their learning on the topic of food and sparked curiosity, offering real-world inspiration and resources for their projects.

The excursion was not only an engaging exploration of Chinese music and culinary culture, but also a meaningful way to deepen students’ appreciation for the richness of Chinese traditions.

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.

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.