From the Principal: 22 June 22
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.