WEEKLY e-BULLETIN - 5 May 2010

FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Mr Phillip Heath
A View from the West Side


I think you will forgive me if I wax lyrical about the recent production of West Side Story. Although humility would usually prevent me from talking too much about the things in which I am directly involved, the recent production of West Side Story highlights so many aspects of life in the College that are worth celebrating and demand to be mentioned this week.  I begin by offering my sincere thanks and congratulations to the dedicated cast, the brilliant orchestra, the tireless crew and the marvellous parents who made the show a reality. I admit that the choice of West Side Story was “edgy”, as one person put it. School musicals do not usually portray stories that involve death and conflict. Such things are usually reserved for Shakespeare Festivals, which ironically do not attract much controversy. Yet despite the fact that school musicals are viewed by most as trivial pieces of entertainment that leave the mind untroubled but the toes tapping with a few catchy tunes, there are several musicals that allow a cast to show what they can do and to tell a powerful story that is worth hearing. West Side is one such show! It was kind of Mr Akhurst to permit this to be performed.

I appreciated the inclusion of such a wide variety of students from Year 6 to Year 12. Although it was a little different to the usual experience of musicals at Radford, the educational benefit of having younger students working with seniors cannot be underestimated. They learn from one another very authentically. It was also wonderful to see the unity within the cast, orchestra and crew. Although each student played a very different role, there was a marvellous spirit of teamwork and respect throughout. It is obvious to me that this has been forged over a long period of time at Radford and is one of the many superb features of the College.

I was overwhelmed by the quality of musical performance. Mr Joel Copeland directed the orchestra with great aplomb, ensuring that the students attained the standard that the difficult score required, whilst also giving everyone an opportunity to do their best. This balance between participation and excellence is at the heart of the Radford experience! Mr Copeland and Ms Heidi Anthony worked so hard to make the music reach such a high standard.

The leadership of Lucy Welsh and Tyrone Lymn, the Year 12 Music Theatre Captains, was a joy to watch. Their energetic, practical and compassionate support for the cast was a highlight of the event. They were well supported by the Senior Students, who formed a kind of “Core Ensemble” or leadership group within the large cast. Their hard work made an incredible difference to the performance and I thank them so much. Nicola Grear (11MW), Claire Allen (11MW), Tyrone Lymn (12NJM), William Fitzgerald (10SG) and Joshua Griffiths (12TER), amongst so many others, gave remarkable performances in their roles. One of the Year 5 students who saw the show mentioned to me today how much he enjoyed the Jets! He was on their side! (Perhaps this wasn’t quite the intention of the story, but it was nice to hear how much he enjoyed the experience.) The choreography of Alexandra Edgar (12RRW), Brigitta Quantock (12ABB) and Andrea Garvey (12ABB) was simply breathtaking.  I also appreciated the efforts of Ms Marnie Lehmann, one of our Year 4 teachers, who assisted with one of the larger dance numbers.  Mr Daniel Ferri showed his considerable experience of theatre craft by the coaching of actors. I shall always be grateful to several parents who rescued me when I was assembling costumes and became integral parts of the WSS team. They were even here on Monday sorting costumes for me. Wow.

One of the most striking moments in the whole season actually occurred at the end of the final show. Despite the triumph that the cast and crew had enjoyed in the final performance, virtually all of them rallied to be involved in the packing up of the stage and set, clearing away costumes, seats and music stands. It was astounding to see how effectively everyone worked together. There were no stars too important to be involved. The younger students swept floors, the older ones dismantled the stage and set. The musicians put away their instruments and rolled up their sleeves to be involved. It was amazing to behold. I am told that such a thing is not uncommon at Radford. Yet I have to say that there is something very special about a school that can have this kind of spirit. We must never take it for granted.

As we begin the long winter season of co-curricular activities, I am reminded once again that excellent schools must seek to be more than factories for academic outcomes. Although such outcomes always will be central to the activities of any school, it is the education of character that makes the real difference to the community! It is an effort worth the making.

Thank you for your support over the season of West Side: “You’re never alone, you’re never disconnected...”Peace

FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Traffic and pedestrian safety
You may notice College staff monitoring traffic issues at peak times. This is part of our continuing efforts to make the College grounds a safer place for drivers and pedestrians.

FROM THE COLLEGE NURSE
Sunsmart - Hats through May
As the weather gets cooler, parents and students question the need for Sunsmart and hat wearing. The answer lies in the difference between UV radiation and temperature (or infra-red heat). As Canberra has a higher elevation, 564m, compared to Sydney’s 1m and Melbourne’s 31m, this together with our fabulous clear blue skies, means our UV radiation levels are high. At this time of the year UV levels typically rise above 3 around 10:30 am and start to fall at 1:30 pm. Anytime when the UV level is over 3, slip, slop, slap, seek and slide including sunscreen, long sleeves and hat wearing is advised to prevent skin damage. Radford has SunSmart accreditation for JS, so Sunsmart behaviours are expected from the beginning of August to the end of May each year.
 
Check out the daily UV level at http://www.bom.gov.au/products/UV/Canberra_NSW.shtml

Please contact the ACT Cancer Council (phone 6257 9999) if you have any questions or concerns about sun protection/ UV levels and/or vitamin D etc. You can visit the website at www.actcancer.org for further information.
 
FROM THE CHAPLAINS
In chapel this cycle we are using the image Noli me tangere (‘Desire not to touch me’) by the Venetian painter, Titian as the focus for our reflection and meditation. It is a profound comment on the nature of love. It depicts Mary Magdalene meeting with the risen Christ. She had come to the garden tomb to anoint Jesus’ dead body and had found the body gone. Her grief is deep. Here is a woman who had expressed and found love through physical touch. Her final act of love and devotion through the anointing has been stolen from her. She is so blinded by her tears and by her limited view of Jesus that initially she does not even recognise him. In the painting, Jesus both bends away from her and leans towards her. He moves away from her need to touch and to grasp. He wants Mary to know a love that is far beyond any she had ever known. He is not rejecting her love but the  smallness of it. Her reaching out to him expresses a finite love where his reaching out to her expresses an infinite one. The love the risen Christ is offering is one that will never die and one that can never be taken from her. Too frequently, we, like Mary, limit our ideas and understanding of love to what we can touch and hold. It will fail us. The love of the risen Christ calls us into the mystery and the wonder of the infinite love of God. It is a love that calls and knows us, challenges and shakes us, but it is also a love that will never leave or fail us.Dr P Brook
 
RAS Charity Fundraiser, Foundation Day
The current tally is at $34,000. This is much lower than in the past few years. To those who have brought contributions in – THANK YOU. Those who are yet to do so are encouraged to bring theirs in as soon as they can. We are sponsoring a wide range of wonderful organisations and this is the only time the tree is shaken, seeking as much generous support as possible from our community. The goal remains: everyone, doing what we can with what we have – nothing more, nothing less.

Timor Leste Partnership
You are encouraged to take the time (16mins) to watch the documentary filmed during last year's trip to Timor (search for '42 Footsteps' on YouTube). The students have done all the work on this film. It is impressive, if still not quite complete. It will be installed this year with some supporting curriculum for Timorese teachers and students. Tanya Stevenson (with Helen Kenneally) has been leading some work on writing a Home Language education model for use in Timor. The purpose is to equip teachers who have little experience and no resources with the means to engage the very young in early literacy and numeracy education. Kirsty Sword Gusmao's first (and unsolicited) response to the unit reads: “I have received your most fabulous and inspiring 'Home Language Model'. What a credit to the Radford team. This is just what the doctor ordered and so important to me as we go about convincing the Minister of Education and other powers-to-be of the 'doability' of mother-tongue models in the pre-school and early primary years." As this is then translated into Tetum, there is the very great possibility that this model will be effective, not just in Timor, but for use in mother tongues of any indigenous peoples, in Australia and elsewhere. This is very exciting. Fr R Browning

Saturday Sunset
8 May, 5.30pm in the College Chapel. Everyone is most welcome.

Prayer Group - now Thursdays 8am in the Chapel - Everyone is welcome!

FROM THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
Catch up with the latest Junior School News, in the new weekly, Junior Bytes.

FROM THE Y7 COORDINATOR
The Hurting Game
On Monday, 17 May 2010 Brainstorm Productions will be presenting ‘The Hurting Game’ for Year 7 students, a play about peer pressure and being ‘true to yourself’. This is an entertaining way to promote discussion about friendship, body image, teasing, alienation, alcohol, playing the fool and wearing a mask.

Brainstorm Productions has won the NSW Department of Education Performing Arts Unit’s Frater Award for ‘Best Feedback from Schools’ for ten consecutive years. This show will assist students to recognise and resist peer pressure and help create a more positive school environment. Dylan Mordike, Y7 Coordinator

FROM THE HEADS OF HIGH SCHOOL AND SENIOR SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL AND SENIOR SCHOOL SOCIAL:
Friday 7 May, 7:00pm-10:00pm, T B MILLAR HALL
The Prefects have organised a School Social for current Radford students in Years 7-12 only. The theme is “Raving Radford”!
Arrival: 7:00 -7:15pm Departure: All students should be collected by a responsible person between 10:00 and 10:15pm.
No “pass outs” will be issued. Attendees will be expected to stay in the Hall until the conclusion of the social at 10:00pm. 
Tickets: In advance only, no tickets at the door - $6.00 - available from Main Quad at lunchtime. No admission without a ticket. No food or drink is to be taken into the Hall, and bags are to be left in the PAC, which will be locked. Snacks and drinks will be available for sale in the Hall. These events are usually very enjoyable for all concerned, and any profits will go towards our selected charities.

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
UNSW Science Faculty Parent & Student Night
Biomedical Science at Newcastle University
UMAT Preparation
Mission Australia 2010 Survey of Australia’s Young People
Sydney Cricket Ground Work Experience
National Youth Science Forum 2011
Interested in a Farming Career? Consider Tocal College
Sydney RCNA Nursing Expo
Metro Screen Young Film-makers Holiday Workshop
Fire Brigades Open Day
Gap Year – Cultural Care Au Pair
Australian Defence Force Gap Year
AFS - Japan Scholarship Applications Open
Meet A Keeper - Taronga Zoo
Australian School based Apprenticeships (ASBAs)
Employment Information for School Students – know your rights
May – July Diary Dates (from past Bulletins)

FROM THE HEAD OF SCIENCE
The information attached contains details for those students who have a keen interest in Science and who would like to pursue this interest outside of their regular classes. Opportunities available are:
Year 8 Students: Forensic Science Camp
Year 9 and 10 Students: The Science Experience
Year 11 Students: National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)
For further details, please read the information sheet or contact Mr Robards in the Science Department.

FROM THE HEAD OF DRAMA
Year 9 Drama production 20-21 May 7pm TB Millar Hall. Tickets on sale soon $5.
This production is based on a number of famous artworks that the students have had use to build stories from the works themselves. A student devised performance.

FROM THE HEAD OF MUSIC
Congratulations to our String Orchestra Conductor and Violin tutor, Ms Rowan Harvey-Martin. She has successfully been engaged to conduct the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra "Tea and Symphony" concert in August later this year. Rowan will be conducting a French program. This is a wonderful achievement and we wish her every success.

New Performance Uniform
The new performance uniform is now available from the Uniform Shop. A reminder to all band and orchestra members, they must have their respective uniforms for their up coming performances and the National Eisteddfod on 27-30 May.

Year 9 Recital
A warm invitation is extended to parents, students and friends to attend the Year 9 Recital to be held next Wednesday 12 May at 5.30pm in the RA Young Hall (Performers to be at Hall by 5.15pm).

Upcoming Recitals
Year 10 (Wed 26 May), Year 11/12 (Wed 2 June), Year 1-4 (Wed 8 June)
Recital Application Forms can be found outside the Music Staffroom and on the Music Cocurricular Intranet page.

Canberra International Music Festival
We are proud to announce that the Radford College Chamber Choir has been invited to participate (as part of a combined choir) in this year’s Canberra International Music Festival. The Choir will be performing on Friday 14 May 8.15pm (St Christopher's Cathedral, Manuka) and Sunday 16 May 6pm (Tuggeranong Arts Centre). For ticketing, go to www.cimf.org.au

Strings Concert
The annual string concert will take place on Sunday 16 May at 3pm in the RA Young Hall. All strings students are required to attend and wear their performance uniform. Further information can be found on the intranet.

Bi-annual Combined Schools Music Festival
A small number of students in Years 10-12 will be representing Radford College in Orange, for the bi-annual combined schools music festival from 19-23 May. Other schools involved include Kinross Wolaroi (Orange), Scotch College (Adelaide), St Leonard’s (Melbourne), Forest Lakes (Brisbane). A digital letter outlining the festival details has now been sent to families via email.

Triple J – Unearthed
The Radford Community is encouraged to go to the Triple J website and tag “Bushland Prodigies”. This is a group of students from Radford.  www.triplejunearthed.com

2010 Performance Calendar
For a full list of all 2010 Music Department performances please refer to the 2010 Performance Calendar on the Music Cocurricular page of the Radford Intranet. Letters for specific events are increasingly published on the intranet and sent home via email. Hard copies of letters, in some cases, will continue to be sent home.

Instrumental Studies Lessons
Could I please remind parents that if you wish to discontinue your child’s lesson for Term 3, you must advise Mr M Irving in writing by Friday 14 May.

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.

Radford Soccer Referees
The final Referee Seminar and registration session for 2010 is being conducted on Sunday 9 May @Daramalan College, 8.30am-12pm. If you wish to referee during the 2010 season you must be registered, and to be registered you must attend an annual seminar.

Netball
Netball skills and fitness in now on Friday mornings, 7-8am in the school gym. All registered players who would like to improve their netball are encouraged to attend.

Student Achievement
Baseball
Seth Cooper (7DEH) has been selected to play in the ACT team to compete in the Australian Little League Championship on the Gold Coast in June 2010.

Orienteering
Congratulations to Oliver Poland (10SG) on his selection in the Australian team to contest the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Denmark in July.

FROM THE P&F Login to visit the P&F page on the Radford College Intranet
Next Meeting - Thursday 6 May 7:30 pm Radford Boardroom.

Entertainment Books
Please check that your child has received your book from their teacher/tutor, or that you have indicated that you do not wish to do so. The school receives $11 for every book sold. Payments are due by 21 May please - for more details see Parent letter

RADFORD CELEBRATES ART - Friday 14 May-Sunday 16 May, TB Millar Hall
www.radfordartshow.net
Please support this marvellous P&F fundraising event, which showcases Radford student art, as well as displaying a wonderful variety of art from local exhibitors.

Gala opening is on Friday 14 May. Special guest is Andrew Sayers, Director of the National Portrait Gallery. Show continues Saturday and Sunday.

Parents are asked to help promote the Show in their workplaces and elsewhere by hanging the poster attached, emailed to families earlier this week and also available at www.radfordartshow.net

Your support of this important fundraising event is very appreciated.

Volunteers Still Needed!
* to help with the set up of the Show on Thursday night 13 May after 4.00pm
* to help with red spotting Sat/Sun mornings and early afternoons on those days 
* to help with packing up the Show after 4.00pm on Sunday 16 May 
* to provide cakes and slices for the cafe over the weekend. 
If you can help in any way, please contact Marietta phone: 6258 6876 or mobile: 0427 210 694 to discuss your preferred task and time preference.  
For exhibitor enquiries: please contact Fionna Granger or to download an application form, go to www.radfordartshow.net

Exhibitor enquiries
Please contact Fionna Granger, or go to www.radfordartshow.net

Volunteers still welcome
If you can help in any way, such as set up or pack up, please contact Marietta phone: 6258 6876 or mobile: 0427 210 694 to discuss your preferred task and time slot.

Craft Group (making items for Twilight Fete)
All are welcome to come along 7:30 pm and have a Tim Tam and a chat, and help make items for sale at the fete. All materials are provided, and no regular time commitment is necessary.  

Wed 12 May Adrienne Sykes - 32 Nardoo Cr O'Connor - ph 6247 8152 -Bring your scissors
Thurs 20 May Julie Dempster - 24 Vickers Cres Flynn - ph 6258 9425
Wed 26 May Jean Anderson - 5 Dickinson St Watson - ph 6241 2117
Wed 2 June Claire Reid - 87 Bingley Cr, Fraser - ph 6258 9090
Wed 9 June Christa Culley - 20 Mayne St, Chifley - ph 6281 1352
Thurs 17 June Jean Anderson - 5 Dickinson St, Watson - ph 6241 2117
Wed 23 June Vicki Shaw - 7 Holley Pl, Kaleen - ph 6241 0767
Wed 30 June SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Jane Vickers 66 Lexcen Ave, Nicholls, ph 6242 7002

Contact Jean Anderson ph 6241 2117 for any questions.

COMMUNITY NEWS
Christians For an Ethical Society Forum Wednesday 12 May, topic is “Escaping Oppression – Seeking Asylum and Refuge”.