WEEKLY e-BULLETIN - 10 March 2010

FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Mr Phillip Heath

A FEW MATTERS OF INTEREST
National Curriculum
Changes in Australian education policy and planning continue to be announced. The latest matter to catch public attention is the proposed national curriculum for Australia. First conceived more than a decade ago, the first draft of the curriculum for Australia was released for comment during the past week. In my view, it is the right time for Australia to adopt a national curriculum. In a country of fewer than 22 million people, it ought to be possible to design a curriculum that is flexible enough to meet the needs of a diverse and vastly scattered student population.  At first glance, the draft curriculum seems to have avoided the temptation of being very prescriptive and “lock step”. Many people feared that the new curriculum would insist that all students in Australia would learn exactly the same thing at exactly the same time, irrespective of local needs and interests. It is pleasing to see that the writers have resisted this temptation. The documents seem to have given a renewed emphasis on the formal teaching of grammar and English language; they also have made the study of some topics less repetitive. The use of an inquiry based approach in the primary school years is a positive step. Likewise, the range of topics to be covered in Science makes sense. It is also pleasing to see the emphasis on indigenous origins of Australia, as well as the placement of Australian history in a world context.

Inevitably, there are a number of areas that will need to be addressed. The amount of content expected to be covered both in History and in Science is considerable. For example, the fourth topic in Year 10 Science is “The Universe” – I’m not sure how long that one will take! The order and sequencing of Mathematics topics (K to 10) will probably generate some discussion. There is not much advice (if any) about how this content is to be assessed, and very little clear advice about the scope and sequencing of the whole curriculum.

ACT schools will adapt to the new curriculum with relative comfort, despite the considerable work in drafting new programs that it will require. Radford College is well placed to meet the challenge of the national curriculum and we will do this with alacrity. Staff will be attending briefing sessions and symposia over the coming months, as we prepare for the years ahead. Although the implementation timetable has not yet been agreed, it seems clear that the new curriculum will not be in place until 2013. We await a decision about whether it is to be gradually introduced over a long period of time, which is unlikely, or whether there will be a staged simultaneous introduction in several years. We will keep you informed. In the meantime, all families are welcome to access the curriculum documents at http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home website, and respond to DEEWR questionnaires.

Visit of Minister Barr
Radford was pleased to host Mr Andrew Barr, the Minister for Education and Training, Planning, Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Gaming and Racing, during his short visit on Wednesday 10 March. Mr Barr was joined for morning tea in the Principal’s Office by the four College Captains and two student representatives from the Junior School, as well as Mr Southwell. We then toured the ELC and Junior School buildings, which were in their final moments of a very enjoyable morning with grandparents. Mr Barr and his policy advisor, Liz, then returned to the Principal’s office to talk about the future of ACT education and of Radford College. We were very pleased to see the level of interest he showed in the College and by his personal interaction with the students. We look forward to his next visit when we open the Stage 2 Junior School buildings in September 2010.

Strategic Planning Focus Groups at Radford
I am looking forward to hosting Focus Groups for the Strategic Plan. The large number of people who expressed interest in attending these sessions will soon receive an invitation to come along to the College to hear about the findings of the survey, and to share in open conversations about these findings. The findings ultimately will be published in the next few months for the interest of the whole Radford community. The purpose of the Focus Groups is to discuss specific areas raised by survey, so that we can clarify the meaning of the results more fully.

For your information, the dates we have set down as are follows:
ELC Parent Focus group, Junior School Meeting room 5:30-6:30pm  Tuesday 16 March
Junior School Parent Focus group, Junior School Meeting room 5:30-6:30pm Monday 22 March
High and Senior School Parent Focus group, TB Millar Hall 5:30-6:30pm Wednesday 24 March

We plan to hold a short plenary session before breaking into at least three groups to discuss specific matters. Then we will return to the plenary group for open questions and comments before finishing with coffee or tea. Each session will last not more than one hour. The College is very grateful for the strong participation we received in the surveys. Thank you very much.

Peace

FROM THE COLLEGE NURSE
Seasonal influenza vaccination
From 2010, many people in Australia will be eligible to receive free seasonal influenza vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.
Seasonal influenza vaccine will be free for people who have a higher risk of developing severe complications from influenza. These include

• anyone aged 6 months or over who suffers from cardiac disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes or renal failure;
• pregnant women;
• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 or older; and
• all Australians 65 years and over.

The 2010 seasonal influenza vaccine provides protection against three influenza vaccine strains including the pandemic H1N1 vaccine strain and two other influenza virus strains. People who have been immunised with H1N1 vaccine should still have the seasonal influenza vaccine in order to get protection against all three strains of the influenza virus. Seasonal influenza vaccine is expected to be available from March 2010. The free flu vaccine for the above groups is available from your General Practitioner (GP). For all others wishing to be immunized for the seasonal flu, see your GP or take advantage of workplace clinics, if applicable. For more information, see your General Practitioner or consult http://www.health.act.gov.au

FROM THE CHAPLAINS
How did Hitler mobilise mobs of people to act out violent and despicable acts? How was it possible to facilitate on a massive scale humankind’s inhumanity to others? How can a soldier pull a gun on a Jewish boy and shoot him in the head and return to his drink, all because the boy failed to remove his cap? (Recounted in Wladyslaw Szpilman’s own story of surviving the Warsaw ghettos in ‘The Pianist’.) Many think it is fear. It is not. It is disgust. Listen carefully to the language of Hitler, or Eichmann, or Himmler, and disgust is the dominant emotion communicated. It is the very same method employed in Rwanda leading up to the machete massacres of nearly a million human-beings in one hundred days. People were branded as trees for felling. More potently the label was “cockroaches”, something that worthy of disgust, warranting the justifiable response of being driven out, stomped on and crushed.

It is possible to hear similar traits in the language of fundamentalists. This dangerous and deplorable ‘technique’ has many acolytes, many of them are religious, many are not. You can hear disgust as some describe members of the gay and lesbian community. You can hear it often in discussions about refugees. You can hear it in the way some describe climate change ‘alarmists’. (You can even hear it in Richard Dawkins description of people of faith – the virus that needs to be eradicated.) 

Disgust is the most dangerous of emotions. It is what has been used for tens of thousands of years as human beings have had to work out what foods are edible or not, spoilt or not. Eating rancid food is more dangerous than not eating at all. Disgust, along with vomiting, is the required response to keep the body free of contaminants, ensuring health and wellness. In a social context, disgust is used to ensure the ‘purity’ of the dominant culture.

Alarm bells should ring loudly when the language of disgust is being employed. And they did when I heard it on the lips of a son speaking to another. Not so much the words in themselves, but the tone, the facial expression (the wrinkling of the nose, the raising of upper lip). Before I rose with righteous contempt for such language to correct my son, I listened again, and there I heard my own voice. I was being copied. I have never expressed disgust at any of my children, but my disappointment at times has been heartfelt. It is this that has been poorly communicated by me and transmuted in the willing apprentice and recast as disgust. More than contempt, it was disgust. It is I who first must change. In challenging the disgust, it is I who first must be careful to love and love again in a way that invites change rather than the brutish expression of disappointment.

Jesus is the man-God, whose life and love makes this plain: there is no pure or non-pure (Jew or pagan), elite or pauper (slave or free), no better or worse, weak or strong, ruler or ruled, sexy and sexed (male or female) but in Christ, all are citizens in the commonwealth of God (Galatians 3.26-29). Disgust is not an option. Disappointment, fear, sadness, joy? Yes. But disgust at another human being? No. Jesus looked the ugly and loveless face of violence head on, and said . . . ‘they don’t know what they are doing.’ Forgiveness is an act of power. Freedom is lived most acutely through service. The final word, when all is past . . . is love. These ideas emerge from the Gospel of Jesus who invites us to be drawn into the imagination of God, released from the mob rule of disgust and to find what it is to be fully human in the company of others. This single purpose must begin in our homes.Fr Richard Browning

Saturday Sunset : 5.30pm this Saturday, in the College Chapel
Setting: the return of the Prodigal child. Preacher: Don Sains. Stations for children, good food, company, teaching and music.

RAS
Harmony Day will be celebrated on Friday 19 March across the whole campus. Students will be encouraged to wear particular colours, or come in their national dress on this day.

Choosing a local charity. The three organisations the students wish to choose from are these: Steps; CarersACT and Black Mountain School.
RAS Charity Fundraiser, Foundation Day. We quickly approach this one major fundraising event for the school. As over $49000 was raised during this same event last year, making $50K about the right target. All the details will soon be available. We seek every student’s participation. That each would contribute something is a worthy goal.

Relay for Life. This is hosted by students in Years 11 and 12. Students in the High School are encouraged to wait until they reach this time. Letters will soon be sent home reminding parents that no supervision is offered by Radford College staff for this overnight event. Over 170 senior students are participating and parents must be aware that they are responsible for designating the supervising adults. This is too great a burden for staff to fulfil. It is a wonderful community event and warrants our support. Senior students who do the Relay count this as their participation in the RAS Charity Fundraiser.

Tuesday Morning Prayer Group - 8am in the Chapel: Everyone is welcome!

FROM THE HEAD OF LEARNING & TEACHING
Change to departmental presentation dates
Please note that the presentation from the English Department has now been moved from 11 March to 3 June. Dates are now:

1. EWC – English Presentation  - 3 June
2. EWC – ELC Presentation  - 5 August
3. EWC – LOTE Presentation – 9 September
4. EWC – Library Presentation – 28 October

FROM DIRECTORS OF STUDIES - NAPLAN 2010
On the 11, 12 and 13 May, all Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be taking part in the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). Federal government regulations require that all students in these Year levels participate. The tests provide the College with valuable diagnostic data that helps us design our academic programs. A brochure that provides parents with further information has been produced by the testing agency. This will be sent home during this week.

Please do not schedule ANY appointments (medical or other) before lunchtime on the testing days.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from some or all of the tests. While we would encourage you not to withdraw your child, if you wish to consider this option, please contact the appropriate Director of Studies (Mr Peter Dodd for Years 7 and 9 or Mr Nick Martin for Years 3 and 5.)  Withdrawal forms must be completed by 12 March.

FROM THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
Catch up with the latest Junior School News.

FROM THE HEAD OF STUDENT PATHWAYS
Click here to access all the latest information on university courses, scholarships and admission information, further training, Australian School Based Apprenticeships (ASBAs), apprenticeships, Gap Year opportunities, job vacancies and more. . .

Below is a full list of the items included in this week's Student Pathways bulletin. It is strongly recommended that ALL students and/or their parents from the High School and Senior School regularly check this section of the bulletin:

New to the Careers Room
Pathways Presentations at Radford
Work Experience
Broomwood Hall School (London) - 2011 Gap Year Information Evening
University of Sydney Veterinary Science Rural Students Entry Scheme
University of Wollongong Upcoming Events
La Trobe University (Victoria) - Talk and Tour
UBS Cadetships for Year 12 students interested in banking and finance
Are you thinking about studying at Melbourne University?
Youth InterACT Conference – give feedback to the ACT Government
Sydney Dance Company School Holiday Workshops for experienced young dance enthusiasts
NIDA Holiday Courses
Ella Baché College of Skin and Beauty Therapy Open Days
AFTRS Special Effects for Teens – school holiday course
Are you interested in Live Theatre, Production and Events?
Australian School based Apprenticeships (ASBAs)
Employment Information for School Students – know your rights
Diary Dates March to June (from recent Bulletins)

FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Performance Uniform – A letter regarding the 2010 Performance Uniform for bands and orchestras has be sent out this week. A copy will be posted on the Intranet as well as being sent home via email.

Combined Schools Music Festival – Application forms for students in Years 10-12 wishing to attend the festival, 20-22 May in Orange are now available from the PAC administration office.

Community Music Program - The community music program has officially begun. The Chapel Choir rehearses Monday 5:30–7:30pm in the Chapel and Big Band rehearses Wednesday 5:30 – 7:30pm in the PAC. The Orchestra will commence on 5 May. For further information, please email the director, Benn Sutcliffe.  benn.suttcliffe@radford.act.edu.au

Beginner Instrumental Program – In Years 5, 6 or 7 and want to learn an instrument for the first time? Then it’s not to late to become a member of our Beginner Instrumental Program for 2010. Speak to Mr Pennicook in the  PAC Office for more information.

Recitals – A warm invitation is extended to students, parents and friends to attend our Recital Series for Semester 1. All recitals are held in the Junior School Hall and start at 5.30pm. Recital Application Forms can be found outside the Music Staff room and on the Music Co-curricular Intranet page.

Year 5/6        31 March
Year 7              7 April

Foundation Day Choral Concert – For an evening of superb choral music come along and hear the best Radford has to offer at this years ‘Faure Requiem’ Foundation Day Concert – Thursday 8 April 5.30–6.30pm in the Radford Chapel. Tickets are $10 for adults with students free. Tickets will be available at the door.

Male Chorus and Boys Choir – Vacancies still exist in both our Male Chorus (Years 7 – 9) and Boys Choir (Years 3 – 7) for boys with unbroken voices. Speak to Mr. Pennicook in the  PAC Office for more information.

Instrumental Lessons – We are currently doing an audit of our database and following up on those students who have instrumental lessons at Radford but are not a member of one of our Co-curricular Music groups. Could I please remind all students and parents that it is a condition of having lessons at Radford that they are a member of a music group. Speak to Mr Pennicook in the  PAC Office for more information.

Please note, if your child is unable to attend a music lesson please contact the Tutor directly as messages sent to the Music Administration Office are not always able to be passed on in time. The Tutors generally put their contact details inside the Instrumental Lesson Dairy. If not, please make sure you obtain the information from the Tutor the next time your child has a lesson.

Term 1 Tuition Fees – It is customary for all accounts to be finalised by the end of week 4. Parents with outstanding tuition fees are asked to settle their accounts with their child’s instrumental tutor immediately.

COCURRICULAR - OUTDOOR EDUCATION
New Zealand Trip - now open to Y10 as well as Y11
Year 10 and Year 11 students have the opportunity to go on an adventure trip to New Zealand at the end of this year (Expression of interest form). There are limited spaces left on this trip. More information can be downloaded from http://intranet.radford.act.edu.au/cocurricular/OutdoorAdventures.php or come and see Mrs Robards in the senior school.

FROM THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT
For latest Sports 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.

For those Radford football (soccer) coaches unable to participate in the current Capital Football courses, two small coach-the-coach sessions will be held at the School on Sunday 14 March (9:00-11:00am) and Sunday 28 March (10:00am til 12noon). Please register your interest directly with david.cohen@linklearning.com.au

Football Training
Teams have now been posted on the Football notice board outside the sports office. Not all teams have coaches at this stage. Training days and field allocations will be placed on the notice board in the coming weeks. Training will begin in week 9 - starting Monday 29 March.

Hockey
Girls and Boys Belconnen Primary School Hockey Trials are on Thursday 11 March and Monday 15 March. Contact Mr Sullivan for further details.

Netball
1) A reminder that ACT Registration forms need to be returned to Rachelle Hayward in the sports centre ASAP.
2) A Skills and Fitness session is being held on Wednesday mornings during Term 1. All netball players are welcome to attend.

Student Achievement
Swimming
Congratulations to Riley Albrecht (7DJF) who recently competed at the NSW Country Championships, making finals in each of his events and winning bronze in the 200m Freestyle.

Equestrian
Congratulations to Victoria Doak (5SDM), Katelyn Doak (10MLS) and especially Jane Doak (12RLC), for their achievements at the NSW State Interschool Equestrian Championships.

Victoria - 4th in the 45cm Showman and 9th in the 70cm combined training.
Katelyn - 2nd in the 85cm Showman, 4th in the preliminary eventing, 2nd in the 1c preliminary dressage, and 12th in the 1 metre equitation showjumping.
Jane - 1st in the Advanced 5a Dressage, 1st in the Advanced 5b Dressage, 2nd in the Prix St Georges Dressage (International level). Jane was also awarded the NSW State Interschool Dressage Champion, a wonderful way to finish her final year of school competition.

Futsal
Congratulations to the BelEast Strikerz for winning the Grand Final of the U12 Div 1 Futsal competition on the weekend. The new champions, all from Year 7 are; Caitlin Cantrill, Laura Roden, Samantha Roff, Maddie Shevlin (all in 7SEH) Emma Dragh (7CEM) Ashley Gorrell (7DEH),Freya Brent and Nina Weiss (both in 7PH), with Cymantha Cantrill as Coach. The girls had a perfect season, remaining undefeated, and winning the final 10-3.

FROM THE P&F Login to visit the P&F page on the Radford College Intranet
Next Meeting - Thursday 8 April 7:30 pm Radford Boardroom. (This meeting is being held on the second Thursday of the month in April, because of the time of Easter.)

Radford Celebrates Art - Friday 14 May to Sunday 16 May, TB Millar Hall
Gala opening is on Friday 14 May. Special guest is Andrew Sayers, Director of the National Portrait Gallery. If you can help with preparation for the show, and/or over the weekend, please contact Convenor Hannah Baudert by e-mail, or on 0412 279 788. For exhibitor enquiries, please contact Fionna Granger

CAN YOU HELP?
Radford Celebrates Art Café – Seeking experienced Café or Restaurant Owners to assist
The Art Show committee is still seeking a parent/parents who would be interested in taking on the running of the Art Show Café over the weekend of 14-16 May. We are getting concerned we may not be able to offer the café experience of previous years! Catering experience and/or actively managing a local café or restaurant would be helpful. We can organise volunteers can assist with serving and food preparation. Please contact Hannah Baudert by e-mail or on 0412 279 788.

Fete Convenors Needed – We are delighted that Amelie Barry has volunteered to assist as a Convenor for the Fete, but if a few more people could assist her as Convenors, the workload for everyone would be lessened. Please note that each individual stall has its own convenor/s, with the Fete Convenors providing overall supervising and liaison.

As well as the work on the day of the Fete, the job of Fete Convenor work will take about 10 days effort over the 6 months before the Fete. The previous Convenors have documented the process and are happy to guide the new convenors. If you would like to discuss this assisting in this role, please do not hesitate to contact President Brett Morgan by e-mail P&F.
  
COMMUNITY NEWS
Lost - and urgently needed!
Hilary Sykes-Rose (8SH) left a pair of brand new black leather lace up shoes, size 8, Airflex at the G Wigg Sports Centre on Friday 26 February. They had pink/green orthotics in them, which should make them easy to identify. Please hand in to Main Reception if found, or phone Adrienne Sykes on 0412 702 306.

"Crazy Night" - COMING UP VERY SOON, DON'T MISS OUT
Saturday 27 March 2010, 7.30pm, TB Millar Hall
George Huitker & Junk Sculpture present: It's Only Rock'n'Roll, But I Like It (A Rolling Stones Tribute)
Bookings: Tables of 10 or thereabouts preferred, e-mail crazynight@radford.act.edu.au
Cost: $30 per head - Payment form attached.
* Come dressed as your favourite Rolling Stone, or in groovy 60s gear.
* All proceeds to Children's Charities.

Youth InterACT Conference - 9 April 2010, Ainslie Arts Center (Elouera St Braddon) FREE
Flyer and registration form attached - registrations close 26 March 2010. For people aged 12-25, the day includes complimentary breakfast, opening, forums, lunch, and workshops. Sessions include Arrive Alive (focussing on young drivers, the P Plate driver debate, drink driving amongst young people and the responsibility of a passenger to speak up against unsafe driving practices), Environment - A Climate for Change, Body Image, Transitions and Pathways and an Inclusive Canberra.