About Us
History and Location
Radford College is situated in the capital city of Australia, Canberra. The foundation stone was laid on 30 April 1983 and Radford College commenced operation in 1984. The College was named after Bishop Lewis Bostock Radford, fourth Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. He was a distinguished scholar, churchman and citizen.
The College was established to be its own distinct identity as an Anglican coeducational day school. The College currently has 1500 enrolments across PreKindergarten to Year 12. There are equal numbers of boys and girls. There are three schools within the College: the Junior School (PreKindergarten to Year 6), the High School (Years 7-10) and the Senior School (Years 11-12). The above links provide more specific information on each school.
The College is located in the suburb of Bruce. Our neighbours include the University of Canberra and the Australian Institute of Sport.
Principals and Chairs of Board:
Chairs of Board
- Dr T B Millar 1983-1985
- Mr L Willett AO 1986-2003
- Mr R Young 2003-2008
- Mr I Morison 2008-
Principals
- Mr J Mackinnon, AM, MA, BA, DipEd, MACE 1984-1989
- Mr P Casson, BA DipT, MA, MACE, AIMM 1989-1992
- Mr G Wigg, TSTC, BA, BEd, MEd, M.A.C.E 1993-2000
- Dr D Mulford, BEc, DipEd, MEd, EdD, FACE 2001-2008
- Mr P Heath, BA (Hons), MA (Hons), DipEd, FACE, MACEL 2009-
College Aims
To provide a purposeful, imaginative and enjoyable learning environment
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- prepares them for life-long learning;
- focuses on the learning process;
- nurtures academic rigour, adaptability, creativity, innovation and flexibility of mind;
- develops a spirit of enquiry and discovery;
- encourages participation in a broad range of academic and co-curricular activities.
To nurture student potential
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- encourages the achievement of sound, appropriate and challenging personal goals;
- facilitates their active participation in the learning process;
- helps them accept responsibility for their progress;
- encourages them to learn how to learn;
- acknowledges the worth of each individual.
To foster sound personal values and attributes
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- develops self-esteem and confidence;
- fosters self-discipline and encourages them to accept responsibility for their actions;
- encourages participation in group and team activities;
- promotes involvement in the local and wider community;
- allows them to adapt to the challenges of a changing world;
- encourages a concern for the welfare of others and a desire to serve others;
- nurtures a respect for the social and natural environment.
To encourage an understanding and acceptance of Christianity as the spiritual and moral basis of life
The College will provide a learning environment for students which:
- allows them to explore personal beliefs and develop an awareness of spirituality;
- helps them to develop a strong sense of morality and ethics;
- encourages sensitivity to the needs of others;
- nurtures tolerance and acceptance of difference;
- encourages respect for and understanding of the search for truth;
- presents the Christian faith as a meaningful and relevant way of life.
Round Square
Radford College is a member of the Round Square group of schools. Round Square is based on the theories of experiential educational philosopher Kurt Hahn. Dr Hahn, one of the twentieth century's foremost revolutionaries in education, believed that schools should have a greater purpose beyond preparing students for college and university. He believed that it was crucial for young people to prepare for life by having them face it directly and experience it in ways that would demand courage, generosity, imagination, principle and resolution. Round Square is an organisation embodying this educational revolution.
The title "Round Square" is derived from a seventeenth century building at Gordonstoun School in Scotland. Round Square schools share an educational philosophy that supports the growth of the "whole person". This philosophy is based upon the Round Square IDEALS (an acronym that represents the six pillars around which Round Square schools function):
- Internationalism
- Democracy
- Environment
- Adventure
- Leadership
- Service
The common goal is to develop every student into a whole person through academic, physical, cultural and spiritual experiences. There are more than 80 Round Square schools located around the globe in Africa, Australasia, Continental Europe, India, The Middle East, North America and the United Kingdom. Activities include international service projects, regional service projects, conferences (regional at Year 8 and 10/11, international Year 10/11) and opportunities for student and staff exchanges.
Radford Round Square Coordinator: Mr George Falconer, email george.falconer@radford.act.edu.au
Strategic Plan
The 2006-2010 Strategic Plan was published in April 2006 and distributed with the Principal's end of Term 1 newsletter.
An electronic copy can be accessed by following the following links:
Strategic Plan
Principal's Annual Report 2008
Strategic Plan May 08 Review
Uniform
Amongst other things, Radford aims to develop in its students a sense of integrity and identity, and identity is about character. Who we are and what we stand for is fundamental to the development of young people and is valued highly at Radford College.
Uniform is an important part of the process of developing character because it eliminates the superficial aspects of growing up, the 'image' issues, and allows us to focus on the core. Uniform reminds us of who we are and what we stand for. The Radford uniform is smart, flexible, comfortable and suitable for the Canberra climate. It unites the team and encouragement is given to all students to wear it with pride.
Click for a full list of College uniform items
Click here for a Health & Physical Education Uniform Years 5-12
Our Staff
Radford College seeks to employ and retain staff of the highest calibre. All teaching staff participate in the cocurricular programme of the College and many choose to develop activities and interest groups well beyond the requirement. All staff are encouraged to pursue their own life-long learning through professional development and further study.
Virtual Tours
These two links provide different types of tour and interactive maps of Radford College. They were produced by 2008 Year 12 IT Multimedia students as part of their assessment.
Tour with 360 degree photos by Benjamin Demery
Map with interactive pop ups by Taylor Suen