WEEKLY e-BULLETIN - 24 March 2010
FROM THE PRINCIPAL -
Mr Phillip Heath
The Essence of Community
I write this letter to the Radford community whilst in Sydney, assisting a school with the appraisal of their principal. It is always a privilege to visit schools and to observe the culture that lies within them. Such experiences also provide important points of reference for considering my own school community. I value such opportunities very highly, although I admit that being out of the school for a couple of days can be difficult. I assure students whose birthdays I missed that they will be visited before the end of the week. Freddo rounds stop for no one!
I congratulate Radford Rowing on a mighty series of achievements at the Annual Head of the River Regatta, held at the International Regatta Centre last weekend. In oppressively hot and humid conditions, a large Radford contingent of rowers, coaches and their families represented the College superbly. I was incredibly impressed by the effort that the Friends of Radford Rowing made (yet again) to support the students. Parents prepared meals and supplied constant amounts of water to the students so that they would be ready for competition. For this I thank FORR very much for the effort they made to support the College and the students.
The Girls’ Head of the River event took place on the Saturday. I arrived at the Centre in time to watch some of the heats and then moved from the Radford tent to the grandstand to see the finals. While I was there, I spoke to numerous other school principals, who had noticed how well the Radford girls had been performing throughout the day. It was a great thrill for the team to see Radford students standing on the podium on many occasions during the afternoon finals. I was particularly impressed to observe how much students supported one another. The boys’ teams, which rowed on Sunday, were very vocal in their support for the girls. It was a joy to watch this happen.
The weather conditions were just as hot as when the boys’ competition occurred, yet the spirit of support and enthusiasm remained as keen as the previous day. The event seemed a little more “low key” than the Saturday event, but I am certain that the energy on the water was no less vigorous and competitive. The students gave another strong showing with numerous “podium finishes” bringing credit to Radford Rowing. Once again, I was really glad to see how the students supported one another throughout the event. Some students tried to do their school work under the tent while waiting for races and would then rush from their books to the finish line for their friends. There was a sense of accomplishment throughout the event, and I congratulate all rowers and their families for their success this season. They brought credit to Radford.
Although one can be swept up by the effect of competition, it is always important for us to remember that the most important part of any activity is the experience of being involved. Good results are lovely to achieve, but the real accomplishment is the joy of building experience, of participating and of being part of a community event like this. The medals must have been thrilling for the students to receive. More thrilling for me was the sight of firm friendships and genuine compassion that the students showed for each other. Such is the essence of a good community!
"CRAZY NIGHT" CHARITY CONCERT (Rolling Stones Tribute Show)
Saturday 27 March 2010,
7.30pm, TB Millar Hall
Please come along on Saturday night to support this important community event, which George Huitker and his band Junk Sculpture so generously provide as a fundraiser for children's charities. It promises to be yet another great show from the lads!
Bookings : crazynight@radford.act.edu.au
Booking and payment form: Payment form
Cost: $30 per head
Come dressed as your favourite Rolling Stone, or in groovy 60s gear.
Peace
FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety - let's not see Radford become the site of a preventable tragedy
As clearly identified in Strategic Plan survey responses, campus traffic and pedestrian safety are issues of concern to the Radford community. More reports have come in recently of unsafe practices which have been observed - such as parents letting their children get out of the car other than at a kerb. In other words, the children are stepping out onto the roadway into a traffic lane.
Please take the time to discuss pedestrian safety with your children, and to review your "drop off and pick up" practices as a driver, to see if you can make them safer.
FROM THE COLLEGE NURSE
Death Cap Mushroom Warnings from ACT Health
ACT Health has issued an alert about the Death Cap mushroom. All parts of this mushroom are poisonous, and eating just one mushroom can be fatal.
The fully-grown Death Cap mushroom cap is silky smooth, and its colour varies from white to greenish-brown. The gills are white – unlike the pink or brown gills of the common field mushroom. The small button Death Cap can be very difficult to distinguish from an edible mushroom. Unless people are completely sure, they should avoid any white-gilled mushroom.
Anyone who suspects that they might have eaten Death Cap mushrooms should seek urgent medical help. More information at www.health.act.gov.au/publications under the title ‘Death Cap Mushrooms’ and media release.
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 JUNIOR SCHOOL
Catch up with the latest Junior School News.
FROM THE HEAD OF HIGH SCHOOL
A letter concerning the Year 8-10 Parent/Teacher Interviews was emailed to parents on Monday 22 March, it is also on the High School page of the intranet. Year 7 interviews will be held later in the year.
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
Youth Allowance (Press Release)
Julius Events College
University of Technology Sydney: 3 New Law Scholarships
Sleek Geek Science Eureka Schools Prize for a short film
UNSW Faculty of Law Essay Competition 2010
Sir William Yeo Scholarship
The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) Sir Colin Hines Scholarship Awards
Ernst & Young Cadet Program 2011
Simpson Prize for 2011
April School Holidays 2010 @ AIE Canberra
Student Exchange Australia New Zealand
Win $3500 for designing a t-shirt!
Lattitude Global Volunteering – Gap Year opportunities for 2011
Australian School based Apprenticeships (ASBAs)
Employment Information for School Students – know your rights
Diary Dates March to July (from recent Bulletins)
FROM THE CHAPLAINS
I’d been asked to attend my first retreat, and being a somewhat private person, was a bit disconcerted about all this ‘sharing stuff’ I’d been told about. It was in a group where we were using clay to reflect on our relationship with God that my worse fears were confirmed. I was amazed and terrified when others shared their reflections on what they had made. The first person had made a ship with billowing sails, which symbolized his life in God sailing the seas of life with sails full of the wind of the Spirit. The second had made a rose bud, just beginning to open which she saw symbolizing how her life in God was just beginning to blossom. I was third! When Father Geoff asked what I had made, I replied as I saw it: “A broken pot. A bloody broken pot!” Geoff asked me to go and sit away from the group and spend more time in reflection.
Humiliated and frustrated I sat under a tree, tried to let my fear go and to see ‘something’ in my little broken pot. It was then that I remembered a story my Art teacher had told me, so many years before. We’d been looking at the ceramic vessels used in the Japanese tea ceremony and she had remarked that some of the vessels placed close to the heat cracked during the firing. Rather than being discarded, these vessels had molten gold poured into the cracks and became the most precious of all the vessels. As we move towards Easter, how encouraging to know that we too are most precious to the God who created us and recreates us, and who offers to fill those cracks life brings with the pure gold of God’s love. Dr P Brook
RAS Charity Fundraiser, Foundation Day - COMING UP SOON!
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 the Relay4Life event, see details in the attached letter.
Tuesday Morning Prayer Group - 8am in the Chapel: Everyone is welcome!
FROM THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT
The Musical – West Side Story
Performances |
Thursday 29 April Friday, 30 April and Saturday 1 May. 7.30 in TB Millar Hall |
Ticket sales |
from Monday next week, 29 March. |
Ticket prices |
Early bird price - $16 for tickets ordered before end of term (3.30pm Fri 9 April). |
Order process |
Order forms and box outside Room 61 upstairs in the PAC |
Preview |
A special preview performance for Junior School and parents of cast members only will be held on Wednesday 28 April at 4.00pm. Tickets for this performance are $8.00 each, order forms for this performance are only available from Junior School Reception. |
FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
2010 Radford College Music Department Master class series with ANU School of Music
The Music department is proud to announce the inaugural master class series with the ANU School of Music. This is a joint venture between the College and University, which will bring senior lecturers to Radford to work with our students. Master classes, concerts and lectures will take place during school time for students, and there are a number of occasions for community members to attend events. A full list of the program can be found on the intranet and in the following attachment. 2010 Master Class Series
2010 Radford College Music Department Concert Series,
proudly supported by the Friends of Radford Music
The Music department has finalised the concert series program for 2010. The program can be found on the intranet and in the following attachment. 2010 Concert Series.
The first concert for 2010 is the Foundation Day Choral Concert – For an evening of superb choral music come along and hear the best Radford has to offer at this year's ‘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.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Mrs Kirri Sollis, one of our outstanding instrumental tutors, for her recent success in the Australian Young Performer of the Year Rounds. Kirri has past the first round and will play an original Concerto for Piccolo, written by her husband, Mr Michael Sollis in the second round. The Young Performer of the Year Award is a highly acclaimed award and we wish her every success.
Combined Schools Music Festival – Application forms for students in Years 10-12 wishing to attend the festival on 19-23 May in Orange are now available from the PAC administration office. Applications close 26 March. This is a "must" festival for students in Years 11 and 12, as this will be the last time they have an opportunity to attend.
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 (starting in Term 2)
For further information, please email the director, Carly Brown: carly.brown@radford.act.edu.au
Audio Recording Group – There are some positions now available in the Audio recording group, Monday afternoons with Mr Ben Marston. If you are in Years 9-12 and are interested in finding out more, please come to the PAC asap for further details.
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 RA Young 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
And put in your JS diary for next semester - Year 1/4 recital 9 June, (enquiries for this event to Brenda Lander in the Junior 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.
Chess News
The school chess season has begun for 2010 with the Primary School Girls coming 3rd in the Southside tournament. This is a great result for the team which consisted of Kathleen Tong (6JMB), Helen Tong (4CKS), Renee Wu (6JMB) and Heather Nugent (6DVG). Kathleen swept her opponents aside with a perfect score. Well done to you all. They now go on to play in the finals on 29 March. Thank you to Alicia Kang for taking the team to the tournament.
The Secondary Girls' event will be held this week (Wednesday 24th) at Merici. The team comprises Joanne Mason (8LB), Rosemary Kirk (8LB)and Aynslie Jewell (8EP).
Could all students who would like to be a part of the teams for the Primary Open and Secondary Open which will be held in Term 2 please contact Jenny Mason promptly.
Football - Training and Shirts
Football training will begin next week Monday, 29 March.
Shirt numbers will be available from the clothes shop from Friday 26 March. For team lists, training day and field allocations please visit the Football intranet page. If there are senior students wishing to coach a Roo Ball team could you please see Mr Wallensky. There will no training on the last day of Term as the College will be holding its Foundation Day activities, unless prior arrangements have been made with your coach.
Football – Coaching and Refereeing Courses
Upcoming Capital Football Coaching Courses can be found at http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/site/coachingcalendar.php. For those Radford football (soccer) coaches unable to participate in the current Capital Football courses, a small coach-the-coach sessions will be held at the School on Sunday 28 March (10:00am til 12noon). Please register your interest directly with david.cohen@linklearning.com.au
Rowing
Congratulations to all the students who competed at the Head of the River in Penrith on the weekend - for results, see below "Achievements", the intranet and Rowing newsletter.
There will be a working bee at the shed this Saturday (10.30am), after the sprint regatta. Contact Philip Winkworth (0439 997 804) for more details.
Snowsports - Information Evening Thursday 8 April
Thursday 8 April, Radford College Pavillion from 7:00pm -8:00pm
Student Achievement
Athletics
Congratulations to Anna McCormack (10DO) who competed in the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney on the weekend and was placed second in the 800m and fourth in the 1500m.
Softball
Congratulations to Renee Watt (11SLG), Emily Campbell (11JM), Caitlin Bunker (11 MW) and Brianna McGovern (11DAC,) who have been selected in an ACT team to compete at Nationals in Melbourne during May.
Emily Campbell and Brianna McGovern were also selected into the U16 Australian Youth Development team (14 players chosen nationally) to compete in July at the international softball challenge in Sydney.
Congratulations also to former student Nicole Dodd (Class of '09) who is is playing for Australia U19 in the Southern Cross Challenge in late April.
Rowing
Congratulations to all the students who competed at the Head of the River in Penrith on the weekend. The Boys brought home three gold medals and one silver, and the girls collected two gold, four silver and one bronze. Detailed results will be published on the Rowing page of the intranet and in the Rowing newsletter.
Triathlon
The School Sport Australia Triathlon Championships were held last week in extremely hot conditions last week in Adelaide. Radford was very well represented in the U15 girls competition with Freya Brent (7PH) 23rd, Hannah McClusky (8EP) 25th and Jessica Wallace (8JWi) 32nd.
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 Marietta. 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" - THIS SATURDAY NIGHT - 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.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS BOOKLET
These commercially produced booklets list a wide range of holiday activities and programs.
Copies are available free at Main Reception or Junior School Reception.
| College Street, BRUCE, ACT 2617 - Telephone: (02) 6162 6200, Email: CommunityRelations@radford.act.edu.au |