4 August 2010

 

Milestones
Last weekend, I took my family by car to Melbourne to visit my son who is studying there. The trip south on the Hume Highway is a long one but was eased by a few talking books and some animated conversation about their themes. (Don’t be too impressed – a pressing set of assessment dates focussed the mind and required us to be a little more task oriented than might normally be the case). I noticed that we all watched the signposts closely, to see how far we’d travelled and how much further we had to go. I also noticed how few references there are to Canberra on the Hume Highway signposts – Gundagai and Yass receive a lot more attention than the national capital!

To some extent, our lives are marked out by milestones. We mark the big moments of our lives by celebration and nostalgia. We build up memories of the things that happened to us at certain times. We collect things to remind us of the occasions, or we record events in photographs or journals. Milestones are incredibly important in the formation of identity.
In the same way, the experience of students at school is marked by milestones. The commencement of Pre-school or Kindergarten is one such milestone. It is a moment for the whole family to enjoy and to remember with affection. Similarly, the transition through the years from Kindergarten to Year 1, from Year 4 to Year 5, from Year 6 to Year 7, from Year 10 to Year 11 and from Year 11 to Year 12 are all milestones in the journey through schooling.

Over the past two weeks, we have held information sessions for parents and students of Year 11 and Year 10 (respectively). These sessions have been about the academic program and how it relates to the BSSS assessment here in the ACT. We have also considered the calculation of the ATAR score and the big questions about careers and post-school destinations. I have been delighted to see the number of people who attended these sessions and I thank Mick Lewthwaite, John Leyshon and Suzanne Rentsch for their excellent presentations. It was pleasing to see the number of students who attended, taking a real ownership of their education.

I know that I am preaching to the choir when I say to everyone, don’t miss any of these milestones. Recognise them for what they are and reflect back to your children how proud you are of their progress. Help them to take delight and satisfaction in their own journey and to look ahead with the confidence that comes from knowing that they’ve achieved so much in the past. Good schools will celebrate each milestone of a child’s experience, not because we elevate the things that are mundane to unnecessary importance, but because we realise how vital it is to celebrate all the little things that make a life!

Peace

THE RADFORD INSTITUTE
Inaugural Seminar - 18 August, 5:00pm RA Young Hall
Att: Peter Dodd Institute@radford.act.edu.au

The Radford Institute is a new initiative of Radford College Canberra.  It is intended to be an open forum for the exploration and propagation of “great educational practice”.
 
The Institute’s inaugural event will be a seminar on 18 August, presented by our Principal, Phillip Heath, on the topic: Indigenous Education in Australia – a way forward. Further information is included in the attached flyer.

Confirmation of your attendance to Institute@radford.act.edu.au is essential, as we will be advertising this event widely.

FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Miss Celia Lindsay

FROM THE HEAD OF LEARNING AND TEACHING
Education Forum 5 August: Library
Library staff will present the next Education Forum on Thursday 5 August, from 5:15pm - 6:15pm in the 5-12 Library. All parents and friends are invited to attend this presentation, which will include discussion of recent initiatives and future directions in the College’s libraries. Topics will encompass the development of the Junior School Library, use of print and electronic resources, the Library’s presence on the College intranet, partnerships with teachers, and challenges facing modern school libraries.

Term 3 Staffing
In addition to the changes mentioned previously in the Bulletin, we also welcome the following staff for Term 3:

• Penelope (Pene) Macdonald – Temporary, part-time Mathematics teacher
• Rebecca Neilson – Temporary, part-time Counsellor (part cover for Gayelene Clews)
• Graeme Brown – Temporary, part-time Science teacher (covering for Bob Boyce and Peter Dodd when on LSL)
• Kate Wales – returning from LWOP for 2010 to Permanent, part-time English teacher – 2 classes in Semester 2

We congratulate Year 10 Coordinator Ms Beth Roberts on her recent marriage, and advise that she is now using her married name, Mrs Beth Girvan (BGi).

FROM THE HEAD OF HIGH SCHOOL
Ms Lisa Moloney

"GENERATION NEXT" PARENTING SEMINAR - 29 August
An event not to be missed...
Radford College is hosting this seminar at Canberra Girls’ Grammar School on Sunday August 29th 2010, in conjunction with other independent schools in the ACT.

Speakers include:

• Michael Carr-Gregg
• Paul Dillon and
• Susan McLean

They will speak on a range of issues to help us understand the unique health and well-being challenges faced by our students, and how these challenges can be met. Please see the attached flyer for details of the presentation and how to order tickets. Please make your cheque payable to "Radford College" , and return your form and payment to Lisa Moloney via any of the Reception Offices( JS, HS, or Main Reception).

This is a fantastic opportunity to hear some of the most respected and up-to-date speakers, I hope you can join us!

FROM THE HEAD OF LIBRARY
Mr Curtis Watson

Looking for ways to help your children with their assignments?
Assisting With Assignments is an evening for parents of students in Years 5 to 12. More details and registration form...

Date: Wednesday, 4 August
Time: 5.45 for 6.00pm, ending by 8.00pm (light refreshments available 5.45 to 6.00)
Venue: Library (Years 5-12), Radford College

FROM THE HEAD OF LOTE
Mrs Dianne Fitzpatrick

Thanks to the hosts of the LABO Japanese student exchange program. Read more...

FROM THE HEAD OF HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Ms Dearne Tulloch

Students are encouraged to get involved in:

1. The Cancer Council – Bust A Myth Competition
2. NRMA Gold Medal Challenge flyer and other information

These competitions have been advertised on the HPE Intranet Page and students will also be emailed to inform them of these opportunities. These competitions will be re-advertised and a focus during Health and Physical Education Week (13th – 17th September), along with other Health and Physical Education activities that will take place to promote the week.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCIENCE
Mr Timothy Robards

Get involved in all the fun of National Science Week - 14-22 August!

Head of Junior School: Mr Paul Southwell
JS Reception: Mrs Kerrie Shevlin

Catch up with the latest Junior School News

See the Community Section below also, if you would like to be part of the Fete Craft Group and for other Fete news!

HOD: Mrs Suzanne Rentsch

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. . .

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.

Ms Karen Baker

MYTHS ABOUT SUN PROTECTION

• It is not possible to get sunburnt on cloudy or cool days.
• People with olive skin are not at risk of skin cancer. 
• People need plenty of sun exposure to avoid vitamin D deficiency. 
• Fake tan darkens the skin, so that means your skin is protected from the sun. 
• Only sunbathers get skin cancer. 
• If you tan but don’t burn, you don’t need to bother with sun protection.
• You can’t get burnt in the car or through a window.

If you answered true to any of these questions you are incorrect. Read the more in this week's article from The ACT Cancer Council.

Chaplain: Fr Richard Browning    

REFLECTION
Authority: Lessons from Year 7 and the Sun

RAS
Including information on:

• Jeans For Genes - Friday August 6
• Youth Climate Summit - 7, 8 August
• 40 Hour Famine

BISHOP STUART ROBINSON
Watch Bishop Stuart's Stutube broadcast for the latest diocesan news and events...

FROM THE YEAR 9 CAMP COORDINATOR
Mrs Rebecca Cashmere

Year 9 Parents: Outward Bound will present an information session for all parents of Year 9 students on Tuesday 24th August 2010. The session commences at 7pm in the Lecture Theatre.

Year 9 Students: Now is the time to start to look at ensuring that you have the appropriate gear for camp.  A gear list can be downloaded from the Year 9 Camp Intranet page.

Year 10 Parents and Students: Do you have any second hand camp gear that you would like to sell? There will be a classifieds section on the Year 9 Camp intranet page as well as an opportunity to have your items in a second hand stall on the 24th of August.
Please email Mrs Rebecca Cashmere with the following information (1) Details and photos of items, (2) Price (3) Seller contact details.

FROM THE DANCE COORDINATOR
Mrs Kylie Robards

Dance Night is coming on the 26 August.  This is an evening where students can show the school their dance talents.  Anyone or group can perform from a range of dance styles.  Auditions will be held on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd August at lunch time in room 62.  For more information please contact Mrs Kylie Robards.

HOD: Mr Mathew Irving
Administrator: Mr Allan Pennicook  

All the latest news and forthcoming events from Music, including:

• Choral Concert - Sunday 8 August Radford Chapel, 3pm
• National Choirs Eisteddfod - 13 August
• Evening of Fine Music – 21 August
• Senior Strings Master Class – 24 August
  
• Classroom Music Recitals - Semester 2
• Community Music Program
• Important Notice About Our Music Handbook
• Discontinuation of Individual Instrumental Lessons
• Discontinuation of Co-curricular Group Involvement

HOD: Mr Peter Haynes    
Administrators: Mr Brad Luhrs, Mr Peter Wallensky, Mr Anthony Pardy

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 Classes
Hungarian International Master, Andras Toth, runs chess coaching classes on Tuesday afternoons in the Radford Sports Centre. Details can be found on the enrolment form. Please contact Mr Brad Luhrs if you require further information.

Snowsports

• ACT/NSW Interschools Cross-Country Ski (Nordic) event Tues 24th August - more details
• ACT/Sthn NSW Interschools Championships full report
  

FORS July 2010 Interschools team and supporters

Basketball
Congratulations to Demi Hosking (7LMB) and Danusia Sipa Borgeaud (8LB) who have both been selected in the ACT U14 Girls Basketball team to compete at the National Championships in Hobart during the next school holidays.

French - Concours Georges Vincent
Congratulations to Erin Rooney and Jacquie Williams, finalists in the Georges Vincent competition organised every year by the Alliance Française. Last week they took part in the final round, a speaking test , together with four other ACT students, to determine who will win the first prize of a trip to Noumea.

Gymnastics - Australian National Championships
Congratulations to Guy Balthazaar (10DO) who won a Gold Medal to become Level 7 Australian Parallel Bars Champion, and was also a member of the ACT Men's Squad which placed 4th overall at the Australian National Championships in July.

 

 

Community Relations Manager: Miss Celia Lindsay     
P&F President: Mr Brett Morgan                                  
Collegians President: Ms Kate Potter  

FROM THE P&F Login to visit the P&F page on the Radford College Intranet
Next Meeting - Thursday 5 August 7:30 pm Radford Boardroom.

TWILIGHT FETE - Saturday 6 November
E-mail Fete Convenor  or Co-convenor Sean Harvey Sean.Harvey@defence.gov.au

We would still like to have the assistance of another person to act as Fete Co-convenor, to share the load. If you can help with this, please e-mail the P&F. If you wish to volunteer to help with the Fete in any other way, please contact the convenors.

RADFORD COLLEGE MONSTER RAFFLE 2010 - Calling all members of the Radford Parent and Business Community...
Raffle Convenor: Chandima de Silva

Monster Raffle Details

Thanks to Sponsors
Many thanks to those individuals and businesses that have already generously offered sponsorship.

Fete Craft Group
Contact: Jean Anderson ph 6241 2117
Craft Group meets weekly during the term on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, to make items for the Radford fete. Come along when you can, or when we are in your area, to help and have a cuppa and a bickie. All are welcome, and we would love to meet some new helpers. All materials are provided.

Dates and addresses Aug - Sept

LOST
A maroon Radford jumper belonging to Natasha Baker (7CEH), lost from Dancefest practice 2 weeks ago, with Natasha B on the label. Please return to Main Reception.