WEEKLY e-BULLETIN - 3 February 2010

FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Mr Phillip Heath
I am delighted to welcome everyone back to the new academic year. I trust that you and your family enjoyed a terrific Christmas and New Year holiday season and that you are all feeling refreshed and eager to commence the year. Each new year presents students with an opportunity for renewal in their school program. I hope that each and every Radford student from Pre K to Year 12 has been able to think about their goals for the year that lies ahead. I hope that everyone in the community will face 2010 with a real sense of expectation and optimism, and with a thankful heart for the boundless opportunities that a new year offers. 

Congratulations to our new Captains, Erin Priestly and Robert Overton-Clarke, and Vice-Captains Rebecca Gratton and Aaron Ayre, who were inducted at the Commencement Service today. Many thanks to Bishop Stuart Robinson for sharing this important occasion with us.

Peace

FROM THE CHAPLAINS
Grace and peace to you all as we begin a new year together. There are many exciting things in store. This morning was the High and Senior School Commencement service and prefect induction. The following is taken from the preface to the service.  

As we stand on this land, grateful for all that we inherit, we ask what responsibilities befall us? What rightful expectations are being asked of us? May we not be deaf to this call! May we not shrink back from the time and moment that is ours! May we not be immobilised with indifference nor overwhelmed with fear, but enlivened by possibilities that are ours to embrace. Let us be filled with the courage that comes from the faces and lives of those who love us and the heart of God whose love is neither diminished nor withheld and dwells closer even than our breath.  

Saturday Sunset
This year, the second Saturday of every month will be the time for gathering in the College chapel at 5.30pm for Saturday Sunset. Many families and young children have made it their home for worship and fellowship. You are invited to come and join in: great music, children’s stations, teaching and fellowship. The first for the year is Saturday 13 February.

FROM THE ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
Applications are now open for Secondary Bursary Scheme available through the ACT Department of Education and Training. Applications close 28 February 2010. (The College Bursary Contact Officer is Ms D Manley 6162 6202)

FROM THE HEAD OF MUSIC
Radford Community Music Program 2010 - The Radford Community Music Program will be launched on 1 March 2010. In addition to our current Music program, we are inviting all Collegians, Staff, Parents and Friends to join a Choir, Symphony Orchestra or Big Band. We will be also offering master classes throughout the year. To express your interest and find out more about the program, please email Benn Sutcliffe bennysuts@gmail.com

Music Information Session  - New and current students wishing to find out more about Music in 2010 are invited to attend an information session at lunchtime in the PAC, Thursday 4 February. Come and hear about the New Audio Recording Group, Symphony Orchestra, Piano Ensemble, Chapel Choir and Jazz Ensemble to name a few. See you there!

Rehearsals and Lessons - All rehearsals and lessons start next week commencing Monday 8 February except for Year 7 students, and those in the Beginner Instrumental Program, for whom the start date is the week commencing Monday 15 February. Please refer to the 2010 Rehearsal Schedule which can be found under Co-curricular Music on the Intranet for days and times.

Instrument Hire – If you wish to hire an instrument could you please see Mr Pennicook in the PAC office for a loan form.

Band and Orchestra Lists - All Band and Orchestra lists are on the downstairs PAC noticeboard next to the rehearsal room. Please check that your details are correct.

Choirs and Ensembles - If you wish to join or re-join a choir or an ensemble just to turn up on the day and have your name added to the list.  

Auditions - Jazz Band, Snr Percussion Ensemble and Chamber Choir auditions will be held in week 2. Please check Daily notices regularly for day and time.

Individual Instrumental Lessons – Tutor Rooms will be displayed on a notice board near the Music Staffroom.

Daily Notices – The daily notices are often the best way for the Music Department to send out urgent information. Please make sure you check the daily notices each day for what’s - on, when and where, in the Music Department.

Allan Pennicook, Music Administrator 6162 5341

FROM THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT
Sports News
For latest news, please visit the cocurricular Intranet link at http://intranet.radford.act.edu.au and enter your user ID and password.

Football – Coaching and Refereeing Courses
Upcoming Capital Football Coaching Courses can be found at http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/site/coachingcalendar.php. A beginners Referee course will also be held on 13 and 20 March at Radford College. The registration form can be found on the Capital Football website.

Friends of Radford Football - Information Evening 18 February 2010 - The Pavilion
Friends of Radford Football (FORF) invite all football players and their families to an important information evening and BBQ, to be held at the College Pavilion. Please join us for a picnic sausage sizzle @ 6pm, an information presentation @ 6:30pm and a Celebrity football match @ 7pm on the main oval. All food and drink will be provided by FORF. You’ll learn more about playing football at Radford, FORF, Representative opportunities and what is planned for 2010. RSVP by Monday 15 February to Cymantha Cantrill @ Cymantha.Cantrill@ed.act.edu.au   Flyer attached. Please note that this function is in the Pavilion, not TB Millar Hall as previously advised in the Principal's Newsletter.

Chess
This year Radford is lucky to be able to offer two chess coaching groups. Hungarian Andras Toth, an International Chess Master, will be coaching on Tuesdays afternoons for an hour from 3.45pm to 4.45pm and Romanian Chess Coach Endre Ambrus is coaching elite students with rating over 800 on Friday afternoons from 3.40pm to 5.30pm. Different fees apply for each group.

Spaces are limited in both classes.  For students wanting to join the elite group please contact Jenny Mason at jennymason99@yahoo.com.au. Students from other schools will also be invited to this group. This group starts from week 1 (5 Feb). For students wanting to join Andras' classes please contact Brad Luhrs at Brad.Luhrs@radford.act.edu.au. Andras' group starts in the 3rd week of term.

Student Achievement
Chess
Joanne Mason (8LB) and Stuart Mason (5TL) both competed in this year’s Australian Junior Chess Championships in Tasmania.  Jo won 2nd under 18 girl in both the Rapid and Long Play events and 2nd place in the Under 16 problem solving. Stuart placed equal 3rd Under 12 in the Long Play event. Well done to both students.

Over the weekend of 5 & 6 December two Radford teams travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Australian School Teams Chess Championships held at Scotch College. The Radford Open Team consisting of Edward Xing (10DO), James Li (9CAW), Willis Lo (8DMD), Bevan Lee (8SH) and Jak Carty (9JG) finished fifth in a field of six. The Radford Girls team consisting of Tamzin Oliver (Class '09), Joanne Mason (8LB), Rosemary Kirk (8LB), Aynslie Jewell (8EP) and Teseaa Attenborough (Class '09) placed third in a field of five. Further details can be found on the Chess page of the Intranet.

FUTSAL
Congratulations to Caitlin Cantrill (6DHH), Samantha Roff (6DHH) and Freya Brent (6JB) for their selection in ACT teams which played at the FFA National Futsal Championships in Canberra in January.

FROM THE P&F
Login to visit the P&F page on the Radford College Intranet

The Radford College P&F is an important part of the school’s community, through its friend-raising, fund-raising and input into the direction and character of Radford College. Over the years the P&F has contributed significant funds to the school to provide facilities that each of your children uses: whether it be buses, shade structures, classroom equipment or the myriad of other items which the school would not have otherwise been able to afford. This year will be a busy year with the revisiting of the school’s strategic plan as well as the usual activities such as the Radford Celebrates Art Show, the Fete, Monster Raffle and Entertainment Books etc...  None of these activities happen by themselves and the P&F is always looking for additional involvement for the wider parent body in whatever manner you can give.

The P&F is especially looking for involvement from parents within the Junior School, to get a more balanced view on the issues and priorities affecting these students. The commitment does not have to be large (approximately 2 hours per month for 8 months) to have your input at the P&F Management Meeting. If your desire is for greater involvement, there are opportunities to assist in either the management of the P&F or assist (or run) one of our activities. Specifically, the P&F is looking for people to undertake the following roles:

• Secretary – Our current Secretary is not able to continue in this role, due to personal commitments. This role requires about 4 hours per week, including minute preparation.
  
  
• APFACTS representative (1 needed and 1 staying on) – The Association of Parents and Friends (ACT) is the body which lobbies the Territory and Federal Governments on behalf of the independent schools. Radford College has always been a strong supporter of APFACTS and has two representatives. Each representative's commitment would be a 2 hour (evening) commitment 3 to 4 times a year.
  
  
• Twilight Fete Convenors – The Fete is the largest P&F activity, and new Convenors are required. As well as the work on the day of the Fete, the work will take about 10 days effort over the 6 months before the Fete. The previous Convenors have documented the process and are available to guide the new convenors.
  
  
• Assistant Treasurer – The current Assistant Treasurer has served the maximum term in this role. The current Treasurer is staying on and the current Assistant Treasurer will also still be in the P&F to assist the new Assistant Treasurer. The involvement is less than an hour per month, and with some time at both the Fete and ‘Radford Celebrates Art’ events.
  

So please, make a difference to the Radford College Community by being actively involved in the P&F this year. If you would like to discuss any of the roles above please do not hesitate to contact Tim Cowley on 0429 452 081, or email P&F.

Tim Cowley                     Brett Morgan
President                           Vice President

IMPORTANT NOTICES for P&F
Radford College Parents’ and Friends Association Inc - Special General Meeting (SGM) Thursday 18 February 2010, 7:30 pm TB Millar Hall
A Special General Meeting of the P&F Association is to be held to approve amendments to the Constitution of the Association. A quorum of at least 20 members is required to adopt a revised constitution for the Radford P&F. New Constitution.

Annual General Meeting - Thursday 18 February 2010, TB Millar Hall following SGM after 7:30 pm
The Annual General Meeting will immediately follow the SGM. This will include a report by the President and election of office bearers for 2010. Nominations for the Committee are invited, and are to be lodged with the President or the Secretary by 4pm Wednesday 17 February 2010.
  
Next Management Committee Meeting - Thursday, 4 February 2010, 7:30 pm, in The Boardroom @ Radford College
Next Management Committee meeting is on this week. Everyone is welcome.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Thanks to everyone who assisted with contributions to the Giving Tree. Belconnen Community Services published the following notice of appreciation.