WEEKLY e-BULLETIN - 17 March 2010

FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Mr Phillip Heath

Family Likeness
This week in the Secondary School’s assembly, I used the analogy of “family likenesses” to describe common characteristics shared within institutions like Radford. Family members look like or act like one another, often to their great frustration and annoyance. I imagine that the reader may have been told at some stage of their lives that they look like another member of their family. Meeting so many new people over the course of the past twelve months was made a little easier when you notice family likenesses between parents, children and siblings.

Likenesses can go beyond appearance. How many of us have blurted out irritably, “You’re just like your father” (or mother, or uncle so and so)? Of course, these family likenesses can be very comforting. They help us to belong and to feel part of something that is outside ourselves. We have a sense of place and a sense of identity that comes from belonging within a family or a social grouping.  The family members may have a habit of liking cricket or football, or supporting a particular AFL team or being mad supporters of the Brumbies. For reasons probably only known to ourselves, my wider family suffers from an incurable affection for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. Sadly to admit, the ailment appears to be immune to the frequency of disappointing ends of seasons for this team.

Even family customs can be part of the pattern of belonging. Some families insist on meals at particular times and in particular ways. Others insist on holiday rituals, or family birthday rituals or odd rituals in family gatherings. I knew a family once where all the men used to bring musical instruments to their events and sing together throughout the whole night. They produced a special CD on their father’s 60th birthday and called it “The Paunchy Boys”.

Family likenesses apply to schools as well. Schools are communities that share a common life and experience. They are places where memories are established and where meaning arises from the experiences that are shared. Long after they have left the College, Radford Collegians still will enjoy each other’s company. This is not unique to Radford. I saw a former student yesterday who said the same thing about people from her own year at my former school (2001 Leavers). They still get together routinely and build on their belonging.

Knowing that we will take on one another’s likeness in communities, it is really important that we establish the kind of culture that makes these likenesses positive and helpful. Radford’s values of truth, compassion and wisdom, nourished by the vibrant ideals of “imagine, listen and respect” can be more than words on a motto, or notions published on Foundation Day. We sincerely hope that they can be translated into behaviours that will last a lifetime.

Some evidence of this emerged during the Strategic Planning Focus Group session conducted earlier this week. I was very grateful to the parents for their attendance at this session. One person made the observation that the former Radford students she had met in her professional experience seemed to share some common characteristics. She described these characteristics as “empathy, self-confidence, respectful of difference, rounded in their approach to life, possessing a strong academic grounding, engaged with global issues in the context of a deep sense of humanity”. It was thrilling to hear this observation. These are the kinds of virtues we all want from our children.

In a world that is beset by problems that far exceed the traditional and narrow boundaries of nation states, we need to be a people filled with respect, engaged with the globe, possessing a strong academic grounding and empathetic enough to try to make a difference. Although there will always be errors within the family’s exact likenesses, the characteristics she described are worth nourishing. So much so, we need to defend them against the rising pressure of “cookie cutter” approaches arising from national testing and national curriculum.
Peace

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES SENIOR SCHOOL
As the season for assignments is upon us, a timely reminder about what constitutes plagiarism, and the College’s policy on plagiarism might come in handy. For our College purposes, plagiarism’s definition includes the submission of any work that is not your own, in whole or in part. When a student submits a task, it is to be constructed entirely of their own thoughts and ideas as well as phrasing, unless referenced otherwise. It might be of interest to note that the penalty for plagiarism for a student whose work is knowingly copied is the same as for the student who copied it.

The Senior School’s plagiarism policy can be found on the Senior School intranet page, along with the BSSS publication “Plagiarism – How to Avoid It”.

FROM THE FACILITIES MANAGER
To all parents/grandparents who regularly drive to Radford. I realize the difficult traffic conditions, which you find each day, are a major inconvenience. I do implore you to be patient, courteous, obey  traffic signs and directions given to you. The Junior School extension will not be completed until August of this year, causing extra pressure on the traffic flow and parking.

Because of the number of information events being held, we are opening JA Mackinnon Oval as often as possible. This Wednesday 17 March, there is a Year 7 Information and tour session, with many arriving during the busy afternoon period. Most of these will be drivers unused to the Radford site, so while we are attempting to fit most on the Oval, please be patient and aware of the extra traffic. If at all able, please make other travel arrangements for that afternoon.

While the transport system in the ACT leaves a little to be desired, I would ask that you endeavour to get more students on to buses and seriously consider car pooling as an option. Though there has been considerable planning in relation to the possibility of a Haydon Drive entrance, it is an expensive option, and will not occur in the short-term.

I remind drivers about the prohibition on turning right out of the College between 8:15 am - 8:45 am. Police were enforcing this yesterday. Mr R Harris

FROM THE CHAPLAINS
On parables - the shortest bridge to sharing truth is story

It is. At least the kind of truth worth living it is! This is why Jesus spoke in parables and ultimately lived out a parable we now call Easter. When explaining what his purposes were about, Jesus told parables suggesting that life with God belonged only to the little (yeast, seed), the last (workers in the vineyard), the lost (sheep, coin), the least (children), and the dead. What that means is that the kingdom of Heaven only belongs to EVERYONE! Anyone of us can qualify! And that is the point.

The story of the father with two sons, the youngest of whom takes an early inheritance and wastes it on loose and dissolute living, is a parable about the lost being found. It is also about the dead, and it is the father who really is dead. When the son asks “may I have what is mine when you die . . . today?”, he is really asking “Dad, would you drop dead for me?” Extraordinarily the father says “Yes”. Like the farmer who scatters seed recklessly on paths and rocks and thorns or the shepherd who abandons ninety-nine in search of one, the divine in the story is perilously, outrageously generous and extravagantly loving. The logic of this kind of loving is absurd. That the father would waste his days walking to the end of the property to scan the horizon for his son’s return is worse than embarrassing, it is shameful. His name, his wealth and the continuation of his line has all be jeopardised by the conceited, impatient, abominable wants of his son . . . and the father still hopes still for his return!! The father’s dignity should not be lowered to such profligate love, but the father still loves this way. And that is the point. God loves like no other. There is an over-abundance of God’s love. No hate, no selfishness, no foolishness, no violence, no evil is too big to outweigh God’s love. It is freely offered.  All you have to do is accept it on the terms it is given, and that is, not your own terms! When a good friend says to me he can’t come to church because of what he has done, my honest answer is “Rubbish! Have you heard how wide is the Father’s love? Don’t shrink God’s love to be less than whatever actions you can feel guilty about.”

If we really knew how God’s love is so outrageously extravagant, how would that change the way we live and love? Would we still be so choosy, so reluctant, so stingy in what we give of ourselves? 

RAS
Local Charity.  Of the three, the students chose S.T.E.P.S.. Why? Because mental illness and depression is the issue that presses most intimately into the lives of students at Radford. Doing something local and real is a big issue.

RAS Charity Fundraiser, Foundation Day. As over $49 000 was raised through this day last year, the students are setting the target of $50,000. It will have a big start, with 200 senior students participating in the Relay4Life. The money raised by the students counts for the Charity Fundraiser. Important note: Radford College does not provide supervision at this event, see details in the attached letter.

Harmony Day, 19 March: great diversity, one kind! (The human kind.) Celebrating difference while living together. Some of the events: Nova Peris Batman, currently working at AIATSIS will be our speaker at the lecture theatre, lunchtime Thursday. NonUniform and the wearing of colours, or National dress, Friday (across whole school), photo at recess and multicultural food fair in the main quad at lunchtime.

The following are suggested dominant colours:
K-Blue; 1-Pink; 2-Green; 3-Yellow; 4-Orange; 5-Red; 6-Yellow; 7-Red; 8-Orange; 9-Yellow; 10-Green; 11-Pink; 12-Blue. (What happens if students don’t want to wear the colours, or different colours? We think you can work that out at home.) Fr Richard Browning

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

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.

Although parents have the right to withdraw their children from some or all of the tests, as per previous notices, withdrawal forms were due last week. If you have any enquiries re NAPLAN, please contact the appropriate Director of Studies (Mr Peter Dodd for Years 7 and 9 or Mr Nick Martin for Years 3 and 5.) 

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. . .

A full list of the items included in this week's Student Pathways bulletin appears below. 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
Work Experience opportunities at Duntroon, Royal Military College
Latest UAC News
The Australian Maritime College (AMC)
Undergraduate Medical & Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) 2010
La Trobe University (Victoria) - Talk &Tour
Are you interested in a career in photography, graphic or interior design?
University of Western Sydney Information Evening
Lattitude Gap Year - Volunteer Program Information Night
Tell us about your dream job to win an iPod
Girls only: Try-a-trade Day at CIT
UBS Cadetships in finance for Year 12 students
Careers Exploration Websites
Charles Sturt University - Single Subject Study and Open Entry
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 been sent out. A copy has been posted on the Intranet.

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 is still looking for new members.

• Chapel Choir Mondays 5:30 – 7:30pm in the Chapel
• Big Band Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:30pm in the PAC
• Orchestra Wednesdays 7.30 – 9.30pm in the PAC

For further information, please email the director, Benn Sutcliffe 

Beginner Instrumental Program – In Year 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 Staffroom and on the Music Cocurricular Intranet page.

Year 5/6 - 31 March
Year 7 - 7 April
Year 3/4 - 9 June

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.

LOST- Bassoon Seat Strap – left in the PAC Rehearsal room last week. If found please hand in to the Music Administration Office.

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.

JS Swimming Carnival
The 2010 JS Swimming Carnival was held in perfect weather at Big Splash Pool in Macquarie. In the Golden Flipper, the race to decide the fastest swimmer in the Junior school, James Tuck (6JMB) won the boys race in 36.92 and Shannon Nutt (6BSR) was the girls winner in 37.81. A squad of swimmers has be selected to represent Radford at the Belconnen Zone carnival on Friday, March 19.

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 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.

Student Achievement
Cricket
Congratulations to Cassidy Shaw (6DVG) and Max Mandl (6JMB) who both made the Belconnen Zone PSSA Cricket team.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Congratulations to the following students for completing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards:  Silver Award: Lucian Stellati (11DEF) Bronze Award: Laura Sofoulis (11BDM) James Vlandis (11SLG) Caitlin Evered (11JM) Hayley Lambe (10RMR) Petra Mossop (11DO).

Cycling
Congratulations to Annika Morling (7PH) who won both the Road Race and Time Trial in the U13 age group at the ACT Schools Road Cycling Championships last Tuesday 16 March. Congratulations also to Brooke Tranter (9KJH) who finished 3rd in the U15 Road Race.

Equestrian
More good news from our riders from the NSW Interschool’s Equestrian championships...
Congratulations to Hannah Allan (8JWi) (Intermediate division) - 5th Intro eventing (from 39) - (being results for three phases – Dressage, Jumping and Cross Country).

Congratulations to Hugh Newall (11MW) (Senior division) -3rd 90cm Show Jumping equitation (from 32) 9th Intro eventing (from 22), 7th 1C dressage, 7th 60cm showman (from 15), 9th 2B dressage (from 35), 10th 3D dressage, 14th 3C Dressage, 16th non-jumping showman (from 22), 18th 2D dressage (from 32).

Hockey
Congratulations to Samuel Peacock (6DVG) and Callum Mayer (6JMB) for their selection in the Belconnen PSSA Boys Hockey Team. They will trial for the ACT in May.

Tennis
Congratulations to David (12TER) and Tom Perfrement (11DEF) who won the U18 Division 1 Tennis Spring Pennant late last year.

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.)

Entertainment Books Fundraiser - coming soon!
Last year, the P&F raised over $4,000 by selling the Entertainment Book. Entertainment Books contain vouchers and a card for discounts and special offers at many Canberra and interstate businesses, services, restaurants and cafes. The popular discount at Coles is again available. They are fantastic value (you only need to dine out twice or purchase 2 Coles cards to recoup the cost) and the school receives $11 for every book sold.

They will be sent home to each family (with the eldest child), so that you can look through the book and decide whether you would like to purchase it. If you don't wish to, it's as simple as returning it in the marked envelope. There is no obligation to purchase. If you wish to keep it, there are a number of payment methods.

Please read more about this fundraiser, and about how to notify us if you do not wish to receive one on approval.

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 have two, any more takers? We now have two volunteers to act as Fete Convenors, but if another person would also like to share this role, 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.