Staff Insights
Farewell Dr Johnson
The end of term is always a busy time in schools, but this week has been particularly hectic as we have had a series of events to farewell our Deputy Principal Dr Adrian Johnson, Head of Secondary School. As previously announced, Dr Johnson is leaving Radford at the end of this term to take up the role of Principal at Trinity Anglican College in Albury.
On Monday, we had a special student-led assembly on the grass outside the Morison Centre, where Dr Johnson was farewelled by the Captains and Vice Captains of the school. Dr Johnson then addressed the students and detailed many of the fond memories he would take away from his time in Canberra. It was very fitting that all the students were able to come together to bid farewell to Dr Johnson, as I know he has been universally admired and respected by the student body.
We wish Dr Johnson and his wife Leanne all the very best for their move to Albury, and we hope they keep in contact with the Radford community.
Radford Collegians Inaugural Long Lunch
Last Friday, a large group of members of the Radford community came together for the inaugural Collegians Long Lunch held at the new Marion restaurant at Regatta Point. It was a fantastic opportunity for collegians, parents, staff (current and former), Board members and Foundation Board members to get together, catch up on stories, hear a little about happenings at the College, and listen to the fascinating story told by our guest speaker, Dr Richard (Harry) Harris, SC, OAM, 2019 Australian of the Year and Thai cave diver and rescuer.
We hope this Long Lunch event will become a regular fixture on the College calendar, as it a great way of uniting people who share the Radford passion.
Confirmations at Radford
In late May, the College had a very special occasion where Bishop Mark Short presided at a confirmation service in the Radford Chapel.
Dr Johnson was confirmed along with three students, Lydia Wallace-Richards, Robbie Potter and Sonja Brodersen. Rev. Katherine led the group through a series of preparatory meetings over a period of months to prepare for confirmation, with a lockdown thrown in along the way!
After the confirmation service, the confirmees and their family members and friends enjoyed refreshments including some confirmation biscuits which were also given to people who could not be present.
Rev. Katherine intends to offer this opportunity for confirmation each year and it would be wonderful to have a growing group of students and staff wanting to undertake this process.
Improving classroom air quality
Radford is currently investigating options to improve air quality in classrooms across the College. The College will be installing a heat recovery system in a selected classroom in the Secondary School over the mid-year break.
This system is to introduce conditioned fresh air and improve the indoor air quality. The heat recovery system will enable the College to track the optimal comfort conditions needed to increase occupant air comfort and to improve cognitive performance. The heat recovery ventilation system recovers up to 92% of the heat that would otherwise be lost through an open window. The system then transfers this thermal energy to the fresh supply air, keeping students warm in the classroom over the cooler months. This ventilation system is installed directly in the classroom. Independent devices ensure optimal ventilation of the entire classroom with old air out, and healthy air in.
Once installed, we will collect data and benchmark this to standard air quality levels. This important trial will continue over the coming months, and if successful, the College will look to roll out the system in the future.
The benefits include:
- fresh and healthy air with controlled ventilation
- special filter system for indoor air hygiene
- energy-saving ventilation with heat recovery and variable air output.
By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
Five Winter Personality Types
A getting-to-know you question during group activities is ‘what is your favourite season?’ My answer to that question has always been a resounding ‘yes’ to summer. However, this weekend’s winter sunshine and the whimsical art of Ella Brissenden titled ‘Five Winter Personality Types’ has given me a new appreciation for winter. I wonder if you see yourself as ‘The Hermit’, ‘The Sun Chaser’, ‘The Marshmallow’, ‘The It’s Not Cold I Promise Friend’ or ‘The Soup Connoisseur’? May you enjoy your work, rest, and play in these winter days.
Anglicare Winter Appeal and winter coat drive
Many thanks to those who contributed to the Anglicare Winter Appeal by sending in grocery donations. Jason Haines from St John’s Care came and picked up the donations this morning and will stock the shelves ready to assist Canberrans. Anglicare continues to advocate for policy changes to ensure everyone has access to suitable housing.
Thanks also to Junior School Round Square for organising the winter coat drive, another way to meet an immediate need.
Refugee Week: 19th – 25th June
The statistics of people needing to flee their homes are sobering. 'As at the end of 2020, there were 82.4 million people who had been forcibly displaced from their homes. Of these, around 48 million were displaced within their own country (internally displaced), while 26.4 million are refugees' (read more here).
Within each of these statistics there is a personal story. The theme for Refugee Week is Healing. The film Scattered People looks at the healing that comes through music as two Iranian refugees, Mas and Saha, share music with Australian artists such as Missy Higgins, John Butler, Archie Roach, Katie Noonan, Dan Sultan and Baker Boy. The trailer is worth watching as a glimpse into the stories of those who came to Australia seeking asylum and the healing power of music. As someone says in the film, 'refugee is not an identity, it’s an experience'.
NAIDOC Week: 3rd – 10th July – Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. As Canberrans, the Connection exhibition at the National Museum of Australia is a fantastic audio-visual celebration of culture and connection to Country across these lands now called Australia. Namarag Nature Space provides connection with Ngunawal land and people. Other local NAIDOC week events can be found here.
The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! The artist who designed this year’s poster, Ryhia Dank, a young Gudanji/Wakaja artist from the Northern Territory, offers profound insight into her artistic practice and her response to this year’s theme here. Connection with family and Country and the ongoing quest for justice are themes in her work.
Jesus, healing and home
If you’ve stuck with me this far through my reflection, thank you! As I’ve said before, Christian spirituality has an outward and an inward focus as we seek to love the world that God loves, while also receiving love from God and others. We cannot solve every problem in the world, but we can be attentive to where God might be calling us to play our part both locally and further afield.
The story of Zacchaeus in The Gospel of Luke is powerful narrative of the healing that comes personally for Zacchaeus as he welcomes Jesus into his home, and how this changes the way he relates to those around him by making amends with all those he has taken advantage of.
Safina Stewart, an artist from Wuthathi Country and Mabuiag Island, creates work that speaks of Jesus, healing and home. Students in both the Junior School and Secondary School have interacted with Safina Stewart’s artwork Tree of Life. Safina’s moving reflection on Jesus, healing and home can be read here.
Winter blessings as we find and walk the path together,
Rev. Katherine
News
By Scott Corbett, Director of Service Learning
On the frosty morning of 10 June, a group of Year 10 students, along with Dylan Mordike, Ailsa Mackerras, Tracy Kelly and I, started their journey to Myall Creek to attend the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial.
The College has been attending the memorial for seven years, as a part of our commitment to stepping towards reconciliation. The memorial is a powerful event that remembers the 28 people who lost their lives on 10 June 1838 in a brutal massacre. The memorial is an event that brings healing and hope to all who attend, and it represents a commitment to the journey of reconciliation.
The Myall Creek massacre was a significant moment for Australia, as it resulted in the first executions of British subjects for massacring Aboriginal people. The Myall Creek massacre was neither the first nor last massacre of Aboriginal people in Australia, but it did set a judicial precedent, marking a significant moment of change.
The students from Radford joined with students from schools across Australia to participate in the memorial service. The group had the opportunity to hear Gomeroi elders and community leaders speak about the significance of this day. The students participated in an important symbolic element of the memorial where Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people came together. The symbol represents the forgiveness offered, the shame accepted, and the hope for a reconciled future.
The memorial event was born out of the commitment of local Bingara resident Len Payne to honouring the memory of those who died, and his conversations with Gomeroi elder Aunty Sue Blacklock. The event has continued to grow over the years and represents the power that a few conversations can have in creating significant change.
At the memorial, reconciliation was defined, not as a box to be ticked and forgotten about, but a journey that we must continually commit to walking. Our attendance at Myall Creek is a part of our commitment to achieving a fairer and more equitable society that honours the history of those who have been here for 60,000 years and those who came more recently.
The Year 10 students reflected that attending the memorial filled them with a complicated mix of shame and hope. They shared that by walking on the soil where such atrocious acts where committed, they were able to empathise with the pain and suffering that was brought on Aboriginal people in this country. They also found inspiration in seeing so many people acknowledging what has happened, and they are hopeful for their future that is many steps closer to reconciliation.
“I found the Myall Creek trip to be a wonderful experience. The chances to meet new people, to learn the rich history of the places that we travelled to, as well as to respectfully and remorsefully acknowledge the suffering that occurred on the land we were standing on were powerful opportunities. Also to celebrate the strong cultures that had owned the vast land around us that we had been standing on (long before anyone else had stood on it themselves) were all beautiful experiences that were made, just as with being included in a group of friendly peers and teachers whilst taking part in the trip. It was an honour to attend such a culturally and environmentally eye-opening experience.” (Micah Knight, Year 10).
A special mention to all the staff who made the trip possible by offering support in many different ways. The Service Learning team is continually grateful to all of the staff who make a contribution to the program – it would not run without that generosity.
We look forward to taking action here in Canberra to provide opportunities for us to step towards reconciliation in our region and further abroad.
RS Virtual Conference on Environmentalism
By Tracey Markovic, Assistant Head of Junior School, Operations & Compliance
On 8 June, a delegation of five Year 6 Radford students participated in a Round Square Virtual Conference hosted by Newcastle Grammar School, on the theme Our Environment: A Responsible Legacy. Students were selected on the basis that each is part of an Exhibition group with a focus on sustainability.
During the conference, delegates were posed the question: What can one person do to make local change that has global impact? Through activities and discussions, the virtual conference allowed students to discuss environmental issues and experiences with students of the same age. The aim of the conference is to continue to build our commitment and ambition to act in ways that leave a positive environmental legacy.
The conference featured Cherry Sung as its keynote speaker. Cherry is a youth environmental activist from South Korea, and a student at Chadwick International School. She was the winner of the 2020 Global Social Leaders Global Goals Competition, and one of the 2021 International Young Eco Heroes. Cherry founded Greener is Cleaner, a youth-led organisation fuelled by 'people-power' that leads by example to empower youth worldwide to take action for the environment and thus their futures.
After the completion of the conference students reflected on their experiences:
- We participated in Baraza groups which are break out rooms and discussed a number of questions posed by the Newcastle Grammar leaders.
- We talked about our contribution to local initiatives like Lids4Kids, Bulk Food Stores, Clean Up Australia, electric cars, solar panels and OzHarvest.
- We discussed how we are currently being sustainable at Radford.
- We met with people from all over the world – there were 16 schools which participated, including schools from South Africa, Africa, India, China and Korea.
- This was our first Round Square conference and we were excited to share what we learned with our Exhibition Groups.
Priya, Connor, Zara, Joanna & Ella
Round Square passport sharing and cultural breakfast
The Round Square IDEALS are: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service.
For each level of the challenge students are required to participate and reflect on chosen experiences by answering the following questions:
- Connect: What did you experience and learn during this activity?
- Extend: How did this experience make you think, feel and wonder?
- Action: What are you going to do as a result of this experience?
Students who undertake action and record this in their passports will fulfil the requirements of the following Challenge and be recognised in the Round Square community as:
- One activity each from 4 IDEALS – The Young Explorer
- One activity each from 6 IDEALS – The Courageous Discoverer
- Two activities each from 6 IDEALS – The Intrepid Pioneer.
As part of our Year 5/6 Round Square co-curricular, students have been working hard to add their personal experiences to their passports. Last Thursday morning, students gathered a little earlier than usual to share their passports with their peers and special guests.
Once all passports and experiences were shared, everyone joined together for a cultural breakfast. Students had brought something to share with our Round Square community. Students shared why they chose their particular items, as well as the importance to their cultural backgrounds. The menu included traditional samosa, Boxty (Traditional Irish pancakes), Coconut Rice, Korean Sushi (Kimbap) and Mexican Hot Chocolate.
Many thanks to Ms Notley, Ms Mahar and Mr Martin who joined us for this cultural celebration.
- We chose one of the RS ideals to link one of our experiences.
- I learnt what the IDEALS meant to other people.
- I learnt about some of the experiences others have done under the IDEALS.
- I tried the Irish pancakes and they were really good!
- The Korean Sushi had crab, pickled radish and other ingredients in them.
- I tried lots of different things. I really enjoyed the Mexican Hot Chocolate. I don’t tend to try new drinks but I tried this and it was really good.
- The Korean Sushi was really good – I really like crab.
- I really enjoyed trying an Indian food called Samosas. I really liked the flavours/spices and crunch of pastry.
As an addition to Radford’s other sustainability measures, the College is now partnering with ‘Worn Up’, a textile recycling company that aims to keep recyclable textiles out of landfill.
Worn Up collects school and corporate uniforms which are no longer wearable/saleable and they are turned into a wide range of items including tables, tiles, dog beds, acoustic tiles and more!
This is a chance to go through uniform items no longer needed and:
- donate saleable ones to the P&F Secondhand Shop, and
- put unsaleable items in the Worn Up pod.
Where: Recycle pod located in the P&F Secondhand Shop
What: Uniform items which are no longer useable and not saleable
EXCLUSIONS: Worn Up does not recycle school bags, shoes or intimate apparel.
Get on board! Did you know that...
95% of all textile waste in landfill is recyclable
10% of all global CO2 production comes from textile production
1 cotton t-shirt uses 2,700 litres of water to produce
By Michele Sharp, Head of Languages
Recently in Year 9 Japanese, students created media oral assessments and have been learning about the importance of Japanese eating etiquette.
Learning a language is as much about learning about culture as it is grammar and vocabulary. Understanding cultural norms is a very important part of everyday communication, and the students were surprised to learn just how many ‘rules’ there are when eating with chopsticks.
Whilst eating our Japanese lunch, we viewed the videos the class had made for their oral assessment this semester. I was amazed, yet again, at the creativity with which the students expressed their messages in their mini movies and am pleased to share two very different examples with the community in this article. I hope you enjoy their work as much as our class did. The task involved students:
- saying when and where they do activities
- saying how they get to places
- saying who they are going with, and
- using adjectives to describe and a variety of verb tenses.
Watch the student videos by Matt Morey and Saanvi Talluri.
Student reflections by Iona Brighton and Tilly O’Sullivan, Year 9
On 8 June, our Year 9 Japanese class celebrated the end of the term with an おべんとう(obento) lunch. The day gave us an opportunity to eat some delicious Japanese food, whilst watching our peers' media orals that we had recently completed as part of an assessment.
In Japan, an obento is not just food, but an art form. It displays food in creative, fun, and beautiful ways that allow us to truly appreciate the effort behind each step of production. This notion is also encapsulated in the term いただきます (itadakimasu) – said before eating in Japan, that acknowledges the hard work put into your meal.
Prior to the day, we had been learning about the proper etiquette and manners expected when dining with chopsticks (おはし/ohashi). Chopsticks aren’t just eating utensils, eating with them requires a set of rules to follow. We have learnt that there is some ‘leeway’ given to foreigners, but it is always best to be educated on social rules and practices.
We learnt about the dos and don’ts when eating with chopsticks. These don’ts include:
sashi bashi – stabbing or skewering food with chopsticks, pointing towards someone with chopsticks
tate bashi – sticking your chopsticks into rice
hashi watashi – passing food between each other using chopsticks
nigiri bashi – grabbing the chopsticks in a closed fist like a weapon
chigiri bashii – cutting food into smaller pieces by using the chopsticks like a knife and fork
yose bashi – pulling a dish towards you using chopsticks
kuwae bashi – holding chopsticks in your mouth
neburi bashi – licking your chopsticks
tataki bashi – hitting your chopsticks against a dish
saguri bashi – rummaging through the dish to find a part you will like
mayoi bashi – hovering the chopsticks over food while you decide what you want
sakasa bashi – not using communal chopsticks when transferring food from shared platters onto your plate; using your own chopsticks is seen as unclean
soroe bashi – lining up your chopsticks by tapping them on the table, you must use your other hand to line them up
Always keep your chopsticks parallel when resting them, having them crossed symbolises death!
It’s beneficial for all wanting to travel to Japan to know these rules, this would stop the embarrassment of accidentally offending people. We have all enjoyed this learning experience so much, we also can’t wait to continue learning about Japanese culture.
When learning about proper etiquette, we also had the opportunity to practise our chopstick skills by picking up jellybeans. For this activity, we also made おりがみ(origami) chopstick holders that we used to keep our わりばし (disposable chopsticks) in, so we didn’t have to throw them out. Japan uses around 24 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks each year, and the production can be harmful to the environment through activities such as deforestation. Hence, ensuring our chopsticks were kept clean and reusable was important.
Overall, the experience was very enjoyable. It gave us an insight into the intricacies of Japanese dining and allowed us to enjoy some amazing food. Thank you very much to Bento Tei in Gungahlin for making meals, and to Sharp Sensei for organising the day.
Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
Radford College students are hosting the annual Dirrum Festival on Saturday 6th August from 4pm–9pm.
The festival promises to be a great evening with acclaimed speakers and local musicians. This year’s theme is Illuminate: Shining Light on Things that Matter.
Speakers include Thomas Mayor (pictured left), a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. Thomas is an advisor for the From the Heart Campaign, a movement that shares with the Australian people the aims and aspirations of the Uluru “Statement from the Heart”.
Thomas’s books include:
- Dear Son: Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons
- Finding the Heart of the Nation: Journey of the Uluru Statement Towards Voice, Treaty and Truth
- Finding Our Heart: A Story About the Uluru Statement for Young Australians
- Vincent Lingiari and the Story of the Wave Hill Walk-Off (with Rosie Smiler and Samantha Campbell).
This is a great opportunity to hear Thomas speak about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, an issue of national significance.
We are also excited to welcome:
- Anastasia Radievska – Ukrainian-Australian poet and activist
- Professor John Minns – academic and refugee rights campaigner
- Ben Farinazzo – advocate for mental health, veterans, and the healing power of sport)
- Jahzeel Campbell – performance poet and warden of All Saints College.
More speakers will be announced over the coming weeks.
There will be live music from local artists Stewart Barton and The Voice’s Xanthe Campbell, and lots of ways to engage with each other. Food trucks will be on site.
For tickets, program and more information see https://www.dirrumfestival.org
Dr Tracy Bourne, Director of Voice
What do you like best about your current role?
I really enjoy working with singers to find their free-est and most confident sound. There’s nothing like standing in front of a group of singers belting out Bohemian Rhapsody or watching the Warblers (K–2) sing and act out Rocket Ship
in front of their friends.
I think that singing is so good for everyone’s wellbeing and is a great way to let off steam when things are getting stressful because of workload or social pressures. I feel lucky to have a job and a career where I get to do what I love with enthusiastic young people.
Can you tell us about your role and current projects?
I conduct two of the Secondary School choirs and support the conductors and accompanists for the other choirs in the school. Each year is bookended by the Foundation Concert at the end of Term 1 and Carols at the end of the year. These are beautiful events where the students impress me with their voices and their musicianship.
I do what I can to encourage young singers to step outside of their ‘comfort zone’ and make a sound, as well as giving them an understanding of their voice and how it works. This was difficult during COVID and I think we are still feeling the effect of wearing masks and not being allowed to sing in groups.
What did you do before joining the Radford community?
I have worked as a professional singer and actor alongside my career as a freelance singing teacher. I have taught singers of all stripes: children and adults who sing for a hobby as well as pre-professional musical theatre performers. I taught at Federation University (Ballarat) for about 10 years and many of my past students are now working on some of the big musicals in Australia as well as freelancing on cruise ships and other corporate events. I try to keep my creative practice going alongside my (part-time) Radford role and occasionally work as a director and performer.
What do you enjoy outside Radford?
I enjoy reading, knitting and catching up with my adult children. Each Christmas I bake an Australian-themed cake – you can see how proud I am in this picture, below!
Now that my kids have left home I’m trying to get fitter – I’m currently attempting to train for a 21k race in September!
After a two-year hiatus, the Radford College Gala Ball Committee is thrilled to announce tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Radford College Gala Ball!
This event is a fantastic way for Radford parents and friends to strengthen and grow their connections within the College. This year will feature entertainment from the Capital Club Band and a guest DJ, plus a photobooth to capture every moment.
Accommodation for the evening can be organised through Hotel Realm, should you wish to stay the night at the venue. https://hotelrealm.com.au
We look forward to sharing this fabulous evening with you and to dancing the night away!
Radford College Gala Ball 2022
DATE | Saturday, 3 September
VENUE | Hotel Realm | 18 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
TIME | 6:30PM Pre-dinner drinks, 7:00PM 3-course dinner
DRESS | Formal / Masquerade
TICKETS | $165 PP* or Table of 10 $1,600, please advise of any dietary requirements when purchasing your tickets.
[* If booking individual tickets, please specify your seating preference (year group, collegian etc.) by emailing radfordcollegegalaball@gmail.com]
**Over 18s only event**
By Faye Robertson, JS HPE Teacher and Sports Program Coordinator
The Junior School Cross-Country Carnival
On 19 May, the day began with a frost and freezing temperatures but the heart and energy amongst the Junior School students was ablaze!
The day emerged with glorious sunshine to mirror the joy, vigour and spirit of all our Junior School students. The Carnival began in true Radford style with House Spirit! The entire Radford student community came together in representing their Houses with pride with high-energy chants. This set the tone for our 2022 carnival: community, encouragement and commitment.
Students had been working hard in PE lessons, setting SMART personal goals. This was evident throughout the day, with students striving to achieve their targets. From Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 6, students went out boldly in the pursuit of their ambition. Well done to all students who participated in the carnival, it was wonderful to witness such fantastic community.
Congratulations to Acacia House for being the Cross Country Carnival top-scoring House and to Huon House for winning the House Spirit.
Further congratulations to the Age Group Champions:
- PK Girls – Elle Whitby
- PK Boys – Alexander Godwin
- Kindergarten Girls – Georgia Russell
- Kindergarten Boys – Hugh Macintosh
- Year 1 Girls – Zoe Tabisz
- Year 1 Boys – Ollie Milner
- 8 Years Girls – Millie Moss
- 8 Years Boys – Harry Carter
- 9 Years Girls – Tahlia Smith
- 9 Years Boys – Oscar Eyers
- 10 Years Girls – Elsie Osborne
- 10 Years Boys – Patrick Maundrell
- 11 Years Girls – Mae Smith
- 11 Years Boys – Henry Moss
- 12 Years Girls (JS) – Gemma Voortman
- 12 Years Boys (JS) – Alexander Fillingham
Belconnen Zone Carnival
A week later, on 26 May, over 50 Junior School students were selected to represent Radford at the Belconnen Zone Carnival at Stromlo Forest Park. There were over 20 other schools, therefore roughly 100 students participating in each race. Amongst those students stood five very proud Radford students. Our students presented our school with pride and honour and were gracious participants. A special commendation to the 11 Years Boys group who were the highest-placed team within the age group, with all five runners placing in the top 15.
Ten students were selected to represent the Belconnen area for the ACT Schools Gala Day. Congratulations to:
- 9 Years Boys – Oscar Eyers
- 10 Years Girls – Zara Jensen
- 10 Years Boys – Patrick Maundrell
- 10 Years Girls – Elsie Osborne
- 11 Years Girls – Mae Smith
- 11 Years Boys – Henry Moss
- 11 Years Boys – Jaden Frost
- 12 Years Boys – Rajeev Tamhane
- 12 Years Boys (JS) – Alexander Fillingham
ACT School Cross Country Carnival
Last week, our Radford Cross Country runners returned to Stromlo for the ACT School Cross Country. The top 10 or 15 students were selected to represent Belconnen against Gungahlin, Woden and Tuggeranong area teams. There were some exceptional talents on display, with some extremely competitive racing. A huge congratulations to all Radford representatives, in particular the students who came in the top three places:
- Elsie Osborne – 3rd place, 10 Years Girls
- Patrick Maundrell – 2nd place, 10 Years Boys
- Alexander Fillingham – 3rd place, 12 Years Boys
Well done to all Radford runners who participated in the Cross Country series. A mighty effort by all who took part.
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OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE WINTER HOLIDAY PROGRAMS 2022
Programs will run 24 June to 15 July. Full details of programs and costs linked below:
ELC Winter Holiday Program - Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
Junior School Winter Holiday Program - Years 1-6