School Performance Information
Too often we confine our thoughts to the simple task of carrying on when we should be thinking out the question of going forward.
— Bishop Lewis Bostock Radford, 1929
Key Contacts and Information
Radford College is located in Bruce, Canberra, adjacent to the University of Canberra and close to the Australian Institute of Sport. The College is a thriving independent school, dedicated to educating and supporting students to become compassionate, adaptable, global citizens.
The College is an Anglican co-educational day school, which recognises that each student has unique potential. We help them fulfil their potential by offering a world-class education and opportunities to learn beyond the traditional classroom through co-curricular and community-service programs.
The enrolment process is non-selective, and the College enrolment was 2167 students – 1072 females and 1095 males (as of Term 4, 2024).
Radford College consistently ranks highly in the ACT academic rankings. We believe this is because of our innovative teaching and our fundamental understanding that students are most successful when they are engaged.
Radford is committed to progressive and positive teaching methods and our students are encouraged to be responsible, motivated and engaged in their schooling.
Board Members in 2024
Chair
Mrs Vicki Williams
Deputy Chair
Mr Malcolm Lamb AM
Members
Prof. Barney Dalgarno
Dr Katherine Gordiev
Ms Carrie Leeson
Mrs Jocelyn Martin
Mr Tim McGhie
Mrs Emily Purvis
Mrs Genevieve Quilty
Mr Michael Tabisz
Mr Mark Whitby
Interim Secretary to the Board
Mr Allan Shaw
Principal
Mr Christopher Bradbury
Chief Operating Officer
Mrs Suba Tharmarajah
Senior Chaplain
The Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger
Communications Officers
Mrs Janice Raath and Ms Hannah Sparks
Facilities Manager
Mr Craig Webber
1 College Street Bruce ACT 2617 Australia
TELEPHONE +61 (0)2 6162 6200
EMAIL reception@radford.act.edu.au
WEB www.radford.act.edu.au
Compliance Statement 2024
The following paragraphs outline how Radford College has complied with each of the ACT Non-Government Schools Registration Standards, demonstrating our dedication to providing a positive, effective, safe and inclusive learning environment for students and staff.
Here we demonstrate our focus on the safety, education and social needs of each student. We compile evidence of our compliance, along with improvements that are aligned with the standards. The documentation we maintain for ACT Non-Government Schools Registration Standards is an accurate record of our commitment, reflecting high standards and ensuring accountability in our educational and operational practices.
Registration Standard A (Governance): the College’s governance structure is designed to ensure effective compliance with legal, regulatory and fiduciary requirements. The College Board ensures that the Executive is accountable in developing and maintaining high educational service levels, operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
The College Board and Executive manage financial sustainability with diligence and high levels of expertise, carefully planning the future needs of the College, including vigilant management of enrolments in line with the enrolment policy.
Radford College strives to exceed the expectations set by regulatory authorities, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability and continuous improvement. To assist in this process, feedback from the school community is welcomed and addressed through our formal processes.
ACT Registration Standard B (Education Programs):
Radford College aims to meet and exceed the standards set by the ACT Education Directorate. Regular assessment of our educational programs ensures we are aligned with the Australian Curriculum Framework, the International Baccalaureate (IB) frameworks and the ACT BSSS certification for students in Years 11 and 12. Our ongoing professional development of teaching and college services staff, our focus on the most effective teaching practices and our prudent use of technology in the classroom demonstrate our commitment to educational excellence. Clear learning outcomes are set for students, and implementing effective teaching, assessment and reporting practices supports achieving these outcomes.
ACT Registration Standard C (Safety and Welfare):
The College places the safety and well-being of students as the highest priority. We have comprehensive policies, procedures and training to address child protection and child-safe practices. Staff receive regular information and training updates to identify and respond effectively to child protection concerns.
Student attendance is carefully monitored in partnership with parents, and we maintain the student movement register compliance.
Transparent behavioural management policies and procedures are an important component of a positive and safe school environment and school culture, ensuring safe and healthy learning.
ACT Registration Standard D (Other Operational Requirements): territory and Commonwealth laws relevant to our operations are met with a strong commitment and transparency at Radford College. The quality of the teaching staff is underwritten by the mandatory registration requirements of TQI (Teacher Quality Institute). In addition, we enforce the possession of a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card for all staff members.
Our commitment to excellence extends to the College buildings and grounds. Our buildings, facilities and grounds are designed and maintained to meet the highest educational standards.
Safety at Radford College is approached with strong expertise, dedication and focus. Emergency management and critical incident plans undergo thorough and regular reviews, and drills are performed to ensure effectiveness.
Upholding high compliance standards underscores our broader purpose as a generous-spirited learning community that embodies the beliefs and values of the Christian faith in the Anglican tradition.
We develop young people to live truthfully, practise compassion and seek wisdom to serve the common good.
Staffing
In 2024, Radford employed 556 staff, including three Indigenous employees:
• 188 teaching and 247 college services staff (including 112 sports coaches).
• 121 casual staff.
Student Attendance
Student attendance is electronically recorded by teachers. Parents/caregivers are required to notify the College of the reasons for any student absence or late arrival, and these reasons are also recorded electronically.
If no notification is received from the parent/caregiver, they are contacted to determine the reason for the student’s absence.
The student attendance rate in 2024 was 88.7%. Attendance rates by year group are shown in the table below.
2024 NAPLAN Results
In March 2024, NAPLAN tests were administered nationally. Even though we have significant intakes of students in both Year 3 and Year 7, Radford’s community can be proud of the growth in the performance of all cohorts of students. Although cohorts vary from year to year, it is encouraging to see the College consistently posting strong results. It is heartening to see that Radford has again outperformed the ACT average across all domains and in every age group.
Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN results
Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN results
Percentage of Radford and ACT students achieving a rating of strong or exceeding
Senior Secondary Outcomes and Post‑School
Destinations
In 2024, ACT Senior Secondary Certificates were awarded to 190 students and of these, 184 students achieved an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank. A total of six students studied an ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies Accredited package, including one student who left with a completed VET qualification. A further 21 students were awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Post-School Destinations
Over 80% of these students secured early entry offers. Many also received scholarships for academic achievement or sporting excellence, including financial aid and accommodation support.
Health-related pathways experienced the largest increase in popularity, with 22% of students accepting places in allied health and other health-related degrees. A total of six students received direct undergraduate entry into medicine and dentistry programs, with many others gaining access through related pathway options.
Of those intending to pursue higher education, approximately 70% planned to go straight to university, while 30% intended to defer their studies or take a gap year.
Of the students planning to attend university, 68% accepted ACT-based degree programs, with 62% enrolling at the Australian National University, 30% at the University of Canberra, 2% at Australian Catholic University and 6% at UNSW Canberra. A further 19% chose NSW-based programs, while 13% selected institutions in Victoria, Queensland or South Australia.
Engagement of Students in Higher Education by Broad Field of Study
Note: The categories below are the same as those used by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment for their data collection purposes. For double degrees, each degree is counted separately.
Who We Are –2024 Parent Feedback Report
In 2024, Radford College engaged an independent research organisation to conduct a confidential ‘experience’ survey with parents of students in Years 2, 5, 7, 10 and 12, as well as Year 12 students. This initiative reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to monitoring and enhancing the quality of education we provide.
A total of 353 parents participated in the 2024 survey. Parents rated two of the nine assessed areas as ‘very high’ and the remaining seven as ‘high’. The overall satisfaction score was a strong 78%, placing it in the ‘high’ performance category.
We thank all members of the community for their feedback, and for the depth of information and quality of perspectives shared.
Below is a small selection of ‘open-ended’ comments from parents about what they value in their experience with the College:
You have developed the whole child. You take responsibility for challenges and work with parents and students to find a way forward. You offer a wide variety of opportunities, maintain a reasonably balanced approach, communicate well with students and parents, and act fairly and justly. Your teachers are engaged and amazing. Your culture, values and ethics align with ours at home. We know our kids were in great hands at school. Thank you.
A nurturing educational environment where my children can grow, learn and build good friendships as they mature into adulthood.
Knowing that my children have opportunities available to them if they choose. Knowing they are safe at school and have great leaders in the teaching staff guiding them. Knowing they don’t need to be highly academic but can still be their best every day.
The impact it’s had on my daughters—two are Collegians who have achieved academically at university, but more importantly are kind, empathetic people. I can see the same happening for my daughter currently in Year 10.
I have had the confidence that Radford is attracting the best available teachers and that co-curricular activities are well supported.
My child enjoys going. If they have issues, I feel I’d be able to contact the school to arrange support or guidance.
Overall, I think Radford College will provide the best educational outcomes for my children in the long term.