Radford College is an independent school, Anglican, coeducational day school, located in Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Founded in 1984, the college is named after Bishop Lewis Bostock Radford. It has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for over 2,100 students from pre-kindergarten to Year 12.
History Radford opened its doors in 1984 under founding principal Jock Mackinnon AM, with 235 students and 15 staff. Professor T.B. Millar AO served as the inaugural chairman.History and Location Accessed 21 December 2011 Radford presently has more than 2,100 students enrolled across its Junior (Years pre-kindergarten to 6), and secondary School (Years 7–12).
In late 2025, the college announced a tuition fee increase of over 20 per cent for the 2026 academic year, which drew local media attention and public reaction.
Principals Years Principal2025–Christopher Bradbury (formerly principal of Northholm Grammar School)2023–2025Andy Gordon (formerly Interim Principal, Deputy Principal Head of Junior School, currently Foundation Principal of Stromlo Forest Anglican College) 2014–2023 Fiona Godfrey OAM (formerly headmaster of St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School) 2009–2013 Phillip Heath AM (currently headmaster of Barker College) 2001–2008 David Mulford (later headmaster of Newington College) 1993–2000 Graeme Wigg 1989–1992 Peter Casson 1983–1989 Jock McKinnon AM (was appointed before the college opened, formerly headmaster of Pulteney Grammar School)
Chairman of the Board +YearsChairman2021–presentVicki Williams2017–2021Steve Baker2008–2017Ian Morison2003–2007Ray Young1985–2003Lawrie Willet AO1982–1985Tom Millar (was appointed before the college opened)
Curriculum Junior School pupils undertake the International Baccalaureate Primary Years programme.Junior School Accessed 21 December 2011
The Secondary School operates a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Religious and Values Education, and Physical education as well as various electives including Performing Arts, Creative Arts, Design and Technology, and Languages.High School Accessed 21 December 2011 A strong emphasis is placed upon service learning and active participation in co-curricular activities.
In Senior School, students work toward the Year 12 Certificate, a credential awarded to ACT secondary students on completion of their studies. Radford College offers a range of courses leading to an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), in addition to accredited courses for students not seeking to enter university.Senior School Accessed 21 December 2011 In 2011, more Radford students sought tertiary entrance than any other school in Canberra, with 93% of students receiving an ATAR.BSSS 2011 Overview Accessed 21 December 2011 Radford College’s Year 12 graduates achieved the highest median ATAR of all ACT schools in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2020, the college reported a median ATAR of 90.75. In 2021, the reported median ATAR was 89.20. In subsequent years, independent outcome compilations reported median ATAR figures shifting into the mid 80s.
Connections with other schools Radford College is an active member in Round Square, with exchanges and participation in conferences and service opportunities.
Radford College is twinned with the following schools: Konko Gakuen school in Okayama prefecture, Japan Kure National College of Technology, in Hiroshima, Japan BISU High School in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Collegians and notable alumni The Radford Collegians are about building a community that provides ongoing support to members on a social, educational and career level. With over 6,500 former students, the group seeks to connect Collegians to each other and the college. It is committed to three core pillars of focus including social & community awareness, business & career opportunities and giving back. These pillars guide the Radford Collegians in success and growth. They organise reunions and mentoring programs, support College functions and raise funds for community outreach programs.
Alistair Coe MLARadford College Accessed 8 December 2016 – former leader of the opposition at the Australian Capital Territory Legislative AssemblyACT Legislative Assembly Accessed 8 December 2016 Melissa Aston-WelberryRadford Collegians Accessed 04 December 2025 – Journalist, Television Presenter Samuel Beever – diplomat, former Australian High Commissioner to Cyprus Nicholas BishopNicholas Bishop Biography Accessed 21 December 2011 – actor Dale BredeRiotact - Vale Dale Brede Accessed 19 July 2023 – former Supercars Championship Racing driver Michael Byrne – Australian Poet Katherine Calder – skier and Winter Olympian Ryan Carters – first class cricketer for New South Wales and Victoria Jo Clay – member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative AssemblyLegislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory - Jo Clay Accessed 05 September 2023ACT Greens - Jo Clay Accessed 05 September 2023Carbon Diet - Jo Clay Accessed 05 September 2023Radford Collegians interview with Jo Clay Accessed 05 September 2023 Alex ClearyOcula Magazine Accessed 04 December 2025 – Entrepreneur - Co-founder of ALPHA60 Georgie ClearyOcula Magazine Accessed 04 December 2025 – Entrepreneur - Co-founder of ALPHA60 Jessica Cottis – artistic director and chief conductor of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra David Dawson – first-class cricketer, a former player for the Tasmanian Tigers and NSW Stef Dawson – actress, known for playing Annie Cresta in the Hunger Games film franchise Anna Flanagan – hockey player for the Hockeyroos Ceridwen Fraser - Biogeographer – Professor of Marine Science at the University of Otago Jane Garrett – Mayor of Yarra and a Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and the Victorian Legislative Council.Radford Collegians - Vale Jane Garrett - Class of 1990 Accessed 29 July 2024 Melissa GarsideRadford Collegians Accessed 04 December 2025 – Children's Author Linda GellardAustralian Civil-Military Centre Accessed 04 December 2025 - diplomat, Foreign Policy Adviser - Australian Civil-Military Centre (ACMC), Former Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya Chloe HoskingAnnual Report 2010 Accessed 21 December 2011 – racing cyclist, competing in UCI championship Elanor Huntington – Dean of Engineering at the Australian National University Nick Kyrgios – tennis player Luke Letcher – Olympic bronze medallist, Australian men's quadruple scull Sam Michael – Formula One engineer, former director at McLaren F1 and Williams F1. Rachel Moseley – diplomat, former Australian Ambassador to Mexico,DFAT - Ambassador to Mexico Accessed 24 June 2024Interview with Rachel Moseley - Ambassador to Mexico Accessed 11 July 2024Australian Foreign Minister - Senator Penny Wong - Media Release Accessed 18 July 2023- Name reference - Australian Government Directory Accessed 21 January 2024Twitter - Rachel Moseley - Australian Ambassador to Mexico presenting her credentials to the President of Mexico Accessed 24 June 2024Australian Government Directory Accessed 12 December 2023 former DFAT assistant secretary, Latin America and Eastern Europe Branch,DFAT Directory Accessed 11 January 2021DFAT Accessed 11 January 2011 former Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Papua New GuineaRadford Alumni Interview YouTube Accessed 11 January 2011Radford Alumni Interview SoundCloud Accessed 11 January 2011 Tony OatesAustralian National University Accessed 04 December 2025 – Curator - Director of the Drill Hall Gallery (DHG) and Australian National University (ANU) Art Collection Kaz Patafta – soccer player for Lanexang United F.C. Jennifer PinkertonCharles Darwin University - Research Hub Accessed 04 December 2025 – Journalist, Author, Lecturer in Media and Journalism at Charles Darwin University (CDU) Tom Rogic –Former Socceroo, Futsalroo, Nike 'The Chance' winner, and professional soccer player for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. Howard Shroot Apple Podcasts Accessed 05 October 2026 Radford Collegians Accessed 04 December 2025 4BC Brisbane Accessed 05 October 2026 LinkedIn Accessed 05 October 2026 Amazon Author Profile - Howard Shroot Accessed 05 October 2026 – Trivia Author Allan Sly – probability theorist, professor of mathematics at Princeton University, 2018 MacArthur Fellow Rohan TelfordRohan Telford – Australian National UniversityRohan Telford – University of CanberraRohan Telford – Google Scholar – Sports Scientist Jesse WagstaffJesse Wagstaff – 2008–09 Men's Basketball – professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats Simon YoungSimon Young – Deputy Principal at The Geelong College Stefan Qin – Notable cryptocurrency fraudster Andrew Welling - Hong Kong Rugby League player, and Social Entrepreneur
Notable faculty – current and former
John FoulcherJohn Foulcher – Life beyond Radford – Australian poetJohn Foulcher – AustLit George Huitker– National Library of Australia – Australian MusicianGeorge Huitker – MusicAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
Former National Sporting Staff Edwina Bone - Australian National Women's Hockey Team(formerly) Tristan Thomas - Australian hurdler(Formerly)
See also List of schools in the Australian Capital Territory Associated Southern Colleges
References
External links