Kardinia eNews – Wednesday 10 August 2022

Home Kardinia eNews – Wednesday 10 August 2022

From the Principal

What does it mean to be part of a community?

As I pondered this question, I thought it best to see how a community can be defined and most definitions came up with something like “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common”. While this is an entirely appropriate definition, it did not really go anywhere near defining what I was thinking about in terms of a community. I think because, in this definition, individuals do not need to really do anything to be part of that community, they are just there because of their circumstances.

So, then I pondered what it means to be part of a caring community. In my mind, this means having some shared responsibility and care for those within our community. It suggests individuals showing respect to the other members of the community and doing their part to assist and support those in need. I also think that caring communities actively seek ways to come together, to get to know one another, to celebrate and share the aspects of their lives that are both different and that they have in common. I hope that what we have and will continue to have at Kardinia International College is a caring community.

With this in mind, I have two items I wish to share. The first is a big thank you to all the staff, parents and students who have stepped in to help the students from Colmont College. We welcomed seven students into our community today with a few more to come in the next week. I hope that these students will be made to feel very welcome and cared for within our Kardinia community.

We are looking to resurrect our College Community Council (CCC) and in the next few days will be calling on nominations for Kardinia International College community members to join the CCC. The main remit of the CCC is to provide opportunities to connect with other members of the Kardinia community. Sometimes there has been some fundraising involved as well, but the main idea of the CCC is to build community.

Prior to COVID, the CCC was made up of a diverse and vibrant group of interested community members, mainly parents, who over the years provided many opportunities for our College community to come together to celebrate, enjoy and build our community spirit. If this is something you think you would be interested in, look out for the broadcast that will be coming out in the next few days which will have a form to nominate for the CCC as well as the Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct for the CCC.

The CCC is made up of 8 elected members and two ex-officio members. Should we get more than 8 nominations we will hold an election to determine the membership of the CCC. Even if you feel you cannot commit to the Council on an ongoing basis, there will also be plenty of opportunities across the year to help out with the various events that take place.

From the Head of Senior School

Dear Parents,

This week students in all years have been looking to the future.

Students in year 12 attended a VTAC workshop which will assist them to submit their preferences for tertiary study.

Students in year 10 are currently being interviewed about their preference to complete year 11 and 12 via either the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).

Students in years 7 to 9 have begun the process of selecting their semester one units for 2023.

Students in all levels are making significant decisions that warrant your direct involvement. Please take the opportunity to discuss the relevant options and choices with your child.

This week Kardinia is very pleased to support and welcome students from the recently closed Colmont International College in Kilmore. They have joined classes in years 9 to 12 and, in the latter, in both VCE and IB.

Following a survey seeking student feedback about potential improvements to the College uniform at the Senior level, 26 students have joined a focus group with the Principal, Catherine Lockhart and I, to consider a number of viable, progressive and useful changes. Further details and consultation to follow.

From the Head of Junior School

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
Last Thursday was National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. Our K3 and FY students marked this day with a special visit from Uncle Norm. Our students learned how Australian animal sounds are played on the didgeridoo and a simple dance representing some of our favourite Australian animals. Fun was had by all!

Highview Car Park
Understandably, with the opening of the new lower primary building and access point alongside Highview, the Highview car park has become quite popular. It would be great if parents of older children could avoid using the car park directly in front of Highview to assist our families with younger children.

Performance Choir
The Junior School Performance Choir had a fantastic session yesterday at Christian College. Kardinia Students combined with the Christian College Middle School Choir, where they workshopped lots of warm-ups and songs. After that we were fortunate enough to share our own songs and enjoy a performance from Christian College’s Senior Choir. The Kardinia students were incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to be inspired and hear the depth of sound created by the older students. Mrs Essery and Miss Moore are both incredibly proud of the Kardinia students for representing our school so capably and respectfully.

Book Week
This year, Book Week is from 22-26 August. The posters below highlight the exciting events organised for the week, including an author visit, photo booth, craft, and a dress up day.

Mr and Mrs Oda
Today we greeted Mr and Mrs Oda. They are teachers from Japan who are visiting us in the Junior School today and tomorrow. Today they spent some time with our Year 1 and 2 students, and tomorrow will visit our Year 5 students at the Grove before spending some time in Year 3 and 4.

Legacy Crop
As part of their Where We Are in Place and Time unit of inquiry, Year 5 students have been busy creating a legacy crop for future generations.

From the Deputy Head of Senior School – Teaching and Learning

Dear Parents,

Today, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 participated in an Extended Tutor Group to select their courses for Semester 1, 2023. We have prepared a self-guided website for students in each level to work through. This can be found on the Bridges website at https://bridges.kardinia.vic.edu.au/index.php/subject-selection-for-semester-1-2023-years-78-9/

Current Year 9 students will also be considering opportunities for early VCE subjects in Year 10. Students need to submit their applications to study an early VCE subject by tomorrow, Thursday, 11 August 2022. This is done by completing the “Green Form”, which can be picked up from Student Services. The Green Form must be signed by parents, the student and the current (or most recent) subject teacher.

We will be meeting with all current Year 10 students next week (Week 5, Term 3) to confirm the subjects they have selected for Year 11 in 2023. Appointments will be emailed to students by the end of the week.

As always, our highly experienced Careers Team is on hand to meet with students to discuss post-secondary school opportunities. The Careers Hub is located in the Learning Commons on the Landing.

Careers News

BIOTech Futures is an innovation and mentorship program that aims to empower the brightest young minds. Our initiative connects high school students with world-class academics to think creatively about scientific inspired solutions to challenges in the fields of Health, Medicine, Sustainability, Humanitarian aid and the Environment. Two of our students, Ezann Tan and Zoe Verikios, participated in the program and were extremely successful. Below is a small snapshot from their perspective of the program.

“On the 30^th of July, the University of Melbourne hosted a showcase for all the competing projects of the BIO Tech Futures Challenge, which Zoe Verikios and I were fortunate to be a part of.

Over the course of the 10 weeks, we worked collaboratively with three other group members and a mentor who guided us through our journey. Our group had to come up with an innovative solution to a current global problem, and we chose to research how 3D bioprinting with microbes can be manipulated to produce desirable products such as insulin for diabetics. A poster, report, and prototype were produced and presented as part of the showcase for the competition.

We were fortunate to receive the prize for the People’s Choice Award, as well as being placed first overall, allowing us to compete in the Sydney Symposium on the 29^th of August.”

– Ezann Tan & Zoe Verikios

We wish both Ezann and Zoe all the best for the upcoming Sydney Symposium.

The Careers Team

Alumni News

CLASSES OF 2017, 2012, 2007 & 2002

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR YOUR 5, 10, 15 AND 20 YEAR REUNION!

Log onto: https://kardinians.com/ and head to the EVENTS section to RSVP. We haven’t seen some of you for a while and we know you’d love to reconnect and celebrate with your peers.

CLASS OF 2021- REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR YOUR 1 YEAR REUNION!

Log onto: https://kardinians.com/ and head to the EVENTS section to RSVP. Please share with your peers so we can track down those who haven’t registered. It’s time to re-connect and celebrate!

Co-Curricular News

Last Friday, 3 staff members and 20 students from Years 9-11 set off to explore the slopes of Mt Sterling. The students learnt how to hike in snow shoes, carrying their skis and packs, up the mountain and were rewarded when arriving at the ‘Mount Stirling Cricket Pitch’, a unique campsite which consisted of tents, drop toilets and a cooking Tepee.

Here they spent the next two days challenging themselves with living in alpine conditions and learning to cross country ski. The weather was not kind, but this did not slow us down. Perseverance prevailed, skills were developed and friendships were made, all contributing to a fun filled adventure!

Watch this space…

Year 10 parents and students are invited to wonder with Will as he gazes out over the High Plains on last year’s hike.

Matilda Jnr. is coming to Kardinia

This month, our KICPIC students will be performing ‘Matilda’.

Book your tickets through the link below!

https://events.humanitix.com/matilda-student-performance

Matilda Jnr is coming to Kardinia and the rehearsals are progressing really well. Our directors, Cleo Fawcett and Toby Newman, have planned exceptionally well and it’s great to see the cast really enjoying the rehearsals. Our Production Manager, Jed Castle, ensures that we are all up to date with schedules and has been terrific at finding much needed items for the show. The cast are fabulous and obviously enjoying the chance to act, sing and dance again. So, come along and support them and live theatre here at Kardinia.

The show runs Thursday 25th August to Saturday 27th August at 7.30pm in the School Hall.

Entry is by gold coin donation and proceeds go to a Charity.

Congratulations Elliott Thomson!

Congratulations to Elliott Thomson in Year 8, who has recently completed her Level 1 Goal Keeper Coaching Accreditation in Field Hockey, making her the youngest person in Australia to achieve this level!

Volunteer Support

Prior to COVID, our College was well supported by a network of very generous volunteers and parent helpers from within our College community (parents, guardians, grandparents, and others). We are again looking to re-establish this network to provide opportunities to build connection, community engagement and participation at the College.

Two areas we are looking for volunteers to support our existing staff are our Centrepoint Canteen and Crossing Supervisor. A brief overview and contact details for each are provided below.

All volunteers require a current ‘volunteer working with children check’. In line with the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (COVID-19 Vaccination Information) Regulations 2022, the College has made the decision to temporarily uphold the previous conditions associated with the Victorian Government’s vaccination mandate. Therefore, all Kardinia employees, volunteers and contractors are expected to be fully vaccinated (including 3rd dose booster for 18yo and over) with an approved Covid-19 vaccine, unless a valid medical exemption applies.

Centrepoint Canteen

If you can spare any time to join our network and help prepare and serve food at our canteen, we would very much appreciate it. The work is easy and fun and includes a brief induction and on-the-job training.

You can dedicate as much or as little time as you like. We have short shifts of two hours (12:00pm to 2:00pm) and long shifts of four hours (10:00am to 2:00pm) available.

All volunteers’ efforts are rewarded with a healthy lunch and plenty of tea or coffee.

If you have any queries please feel free to contact me via phone, email, or drop into the canteen for a chat!

Many thanks,
Sam Nevin, Canteen Manager

s.nevin@kardinia.vic.edu.au
0488167414

Crossing Supervisor

The College Crossing Supervisor provides traffic management to ensure the safety of students and other pedestrians at the Ballarat Road crossing within our College grounds. The crossing is supervised from 8.30am – 9am and 3.15pm to 3.45pm each school day and can be supported by any number of generous volunteers.

If you have any queries please feel free to contact me via phone or email.

All volunteers are rewarded with a cup of tea, coffee, or muffin.

Many thanks,
Nicole Trotter, College Reception and Bus Coordinator

n.trotter@kardinia.vic.edu.au
(03) 5278 9999

Upcoming Documentary

COMING TO THE KIC COMMUNITY THIS TERM!

iNDIEFLIX Shines the Light on Anxiety with this Must-See Documentary:

“ANGST: RAISING AWARENESS AROUND ANXIETY” 

ANGST will be available for the KIC Community to watch from 15 – 21 August, with an online panel session on Wednesday 17 August at 7pm.

What is the difference between “being anxious” and having an anxiety disorder? What can we do about the 634% rise in use of Mental Health America’s online tool for anxiety since the start of Covid-19? Why is there still so much fear and stigma in just talking to others instead of hiding online? What can each of us do to make it better and best engage in a full and happy life?

Angst is on a mission: to start a global conversation and raise awareness around anxiety. The documentary delves into all aspects of our society’s most common mental health challenge with:

Candid interviews with kids and teens, who discuss their anxiety, its impacts on their lives and relationships, as well as how they’ve found solutions and hope
Expert perspectives, (from institutions such as Stanford University, Child Mind Institute), who talk about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects and resources to help
Tips, tricks and strategies to help reset thinking patterns, push back against anxiety and support others
Awareness that anyone can be touched by – and overcome – anxiety, via a unique and revealing interview with mental health advocate Michael Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.

“I think this is the single most important mental health film I have seen in my lifetime. I think that every single school in Australia should have this as a mandatory viewing.”
Michael Carr-Gregg (Adolescent Psychologist and leading authority on teenage behaviour).

Appropriate for viewers from 10+

Panel Facilitator
Ally Matheson

Ally is an experienced psychologist with a Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology from Monash University. She has been working at Kardinia International College since 2020. She and has a passion for promoting mental health awareness and has experience in both private practice and school settings.

Our Panel Experts

Jesse Diggins

Jesse is the Director of Strength Psychology.
He is an Educational and Developmental psychologist who has a wealth of experience working with young people, their families and schools.

His passion is to empower others and allow them to flourish and believes that parents/carers and teachers are truly the biggest influencers of young people. He is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society, a clinical supervisor and has been recognised for his work at both local and state levels.

Jessica Novak

Jessica is a family therapist with a degree in Social Science (psychology) and is currently completing her Masters in Family Therapy. She has been supporting young people and their families in Geelong for over 15 years in schools and through other community organisations.

She is the founder of Connect and Grow, where she is passionate about meeting individuals at the point they are currently at and assisting them to achieve their goals.

LINKS:

To watch Angst (available from 15-21 August)
We encourage you to watch the film using the link below prior to the panel discussion.
https://watch.eventive.org/indieflix/play/62ab4899e8fab6009113a133

To attend the Panel Session
(Wednesday 17 August 7pm)
https://kardinia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudO6rpzspG923SM_mBCivTaEyMwK1jQAE

School TV – Vaping

Over recent months, there has been a growing concern about the impending epidemic affecting young people in relation to the use of e-cigarettes and the trendy pastime of vaping. As this activity grows in popularity, most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and the potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health.

Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Although vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking, doctors advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Although vaping products are infused with enticing flavours, many contain high levels of nicotine as well as other chemicals and additives, that when inhaled, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products and despite it being illegal to use, sell or buy nicotine for use in e-cigarettes, users are purchasing these products through other avenues. A recent Australian study of chemically flavoured liquids used in e-cigarettes which are available here for purchase over the counter, has confirmed concerns about their safety and respiratory health impact. Attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of vape products containing nicotine.

Unfortunately, manufacturers are developing vaping devices that are cheaper and easier to hide than conventional cigarettes, making it more attractive and cost-effective for impressionable young people.

For more information or support in relation to some of the issues raised in this Special Report, please contact your medical practitioner or one of the following services:

Lung Foundation Australia – 1800 654 301
Quitline – 13 78 48
Poisons Information Line – 13 11 26
Alcohol and Drug Foundation – 1300 85 85 84

Click here to watch this episode:

https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-vaping-au