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Kardinia eNews – Wednesday 20 July 2022

Home Kardinia eNews – Wednesday 20 July 2022

From the Principal

What an absolute pleasure it was to meet and greet our Lower Primary students as they arrived at their new Lower Primary building yesterday. There were some nerves and trepidation about the change but, more than anything, there was pure joy as the students took in their beautiful new surroundings.  

Our staff have done an incredible job of recreating the classes in the new setting and making it feel very familiar yet different. For those of you who would like to see the new Lower Primary Building in person I will be hosting an Open Day this Sunday from 10.00am to 2.00pm if you would like to pop in and have a look around.  

Work has commenced on the second phase of the Junior School redevelopment with the old Upper Primary building already demolished. It will be exciting to see the new building go up throughout this semester. It is also important to note that the Senior School has not been forgotten and plans are moving forward with scoping out the next developments. 

Apart from the Lower Primary School, the rest of the College also got off to a great (albeit slightly less exciting) start for Term 3.  Even with our request that students return to wearing masks indoors (which I am very grateful so many students are following) it still feels like we are continuing to move towards a more settled, predictable and regular school routine. With that also comes a greater sense of optimism and hope for the future. 

I am looking forward to sharing with you many uplifting stories of what is happening in our school throughout this term. Indeed, below in e-news today you will see some great stories of what our students have been up to in the holidays. 

From the Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Students 

Welcome back! 

This semester we welcome new staff members including: 

Jade Kemp                        SS          Media Teacher 

Ben Roberts                     SS          Maths Teacher 

Peter Moore                    IT           Database & Systems Administrator 

Anthony Todaro              IT           Technical Support Officer 

We also welcome back the following staff members from leave: 

Michelle Ormrod, Katie West and David Patterson. 

On Monday next week the Senior School students and staff will attend the first assembly for the semester. At the assembly some students will be recognised for their outstanding application and achievements in study. Based on their grades, the top five percent of students in each year level will receive an award for Academic Excellence. Students nominated by at least four of their semester one teachers will receive an award for Outstanding Application. 

The assembly will also provide the opportunity to outline changes to the bus departure arrangements which will come into effect next Monday. Bus travellers and their parents have been fully informed in a separate communication. 

There is no doubt that despite the impact of COVID, we still enjoy a strong, positive school culture. It is something from which we all benefit and which we all have a responsibility to maintain and enhance. With the aim of doing just that, we have been reviewing and restating our shared values and expectations. The emphasis, as always, is on success as a member of the KIC community. This has entailed adjustments to our response when our shared values are compromised, and the things expected of members of our community are not met. These changes will be outlined to students at the assembly and to parents in a subsequent Edsmart communication. 

Here’s to a happy and successful semester two! 

 

From the Head of Junior School

Welcome to Term 3
Term 3 started with a lot of excitement. Students in FY-Y4 and Y6 have moved into new classrooms following the completion of the new Lower Primary building and the start of construction of the new Upper Primary building. Students have adapted very well and made a seamless transition to their new spaces.

Year 5 students enjoyed an excursion today to Ceres Community Environment Park as part of their Unit of Inquiry. The Central Idea for their unit is ‘The use of energy has an impact on the planet’ and this excursion was an excellent way to learn about a range of energy related issues and solutions.

Our 4 Year-Old Kindergarten students started school on Tuesday and I can’t believe how much they’ve grown! We look forward to welcoming our 3-Year-Olds tomorrow.

Lower Primary Building Open Day
Mrs. Lockhart will be hosting an Open Day in the new Lower Primary this Sunday 24 July from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Parents are invited to come and see the new classrooms and explore the external spaces. Children are welcome but need to be supervised by parents. KIC Connect parents will be providing coffee, tea and biscuits for those in attendance.

Welcome New Staff
This week we welcome our new Head of Student Wellbeing, Alicia Bennett to the Junior School. Alicia has started getting to know our students and staff and is excited to join our community. Also starting with us this week is Yuting Zhao. Yuting joins us as a Foundation Year Learning Support Officer. Although Vic Omer started with us at the end of last term, we officially welcome her to the Junior School as a Year 1 Learning Support Officer.

College Photos

Our annual school photos will be taken by Arthur Reed Photos on the following dates in 2022:

  • Thursday 28 July
  • Friday 29 July
  • Monday 1 August
  • Tuesday 2 August

Arthur Reed Photos uses an electronic system where all ordering is done online after photo day, so there will be no need to return any forms or money to school on the day of the photos.

All students will have their individual portraits and class photos taken on their designated photo day and prior to this day will receive a code that is unique to them. You will require this code to view your child’s images and register online for ordering.

When the images are complete and in the “Webshop”, those parents who have registered online, will be notified via SMS and email that their images are ready to view and order.

For more information about College photos, click on the following PDF: 2022 BEFORE photo day – INFORMATION

Sibling photos will be taken on the following dates:

  • Friday 29 July
  • Tuesday 2 August

If you would like to have a sibling photo taken in 2022, please ensure that you have registered via the sibling registration form prior to MONDAY 25 JULY. The sibling photo registration information can be found in the following PDF: SIBLING REQUEST LINK 2022

Arthur Reed Photos has a Customer Service Team in place who will be able to assist you with any queries. Customer service can be contacted via email or phone.

customerservice@arphotos.com.au / 5243 4390 (option 1)

Kardinia welcomes exchange students from Gotemba

This week we welcomed five exchange students from our sister school in Japan, Gotemba Nishi High School. Kaho, Minami, Hiyori, Yuki and Kento will be joining us for all of Term 3 and have spent their first days at Kardinia getting to know their classmates and learning how to use their laptops!

Elijah Kuriel’s CrossFit journey

Elijah Kuriel (Year 9) has recently had some amazing achievements in the world of CrossFit! Read on to learn about his journey.

At the end of 2020 Elijah began training at a local CrossFit gym. He was dedicated from the very beginning, waking up to train at 5am every morning and often training twice a day. Even throughout COVID lockdowns his determination never faltered! His progress was rapid and at the start of this year he began competing. Here is what he has achieved:

  • Placing 13th overall in the CrossFit open 14/15yo division – a worldwide online competition. This allowed him to progress to the next round, the ‘quarter finals’. Here he placed 26th worldwide and 2nd in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). He then progressed to the ‘semifinals’ finishing off 28th in the world.
  • Placing in these competitions qualified him to compete in the Torian pro – this is an invitation only National CrossFit event in QLD. Here he placed 3rd overall and won an event.
  • This past weekend he was invited to compete in the Crossfit teen invitational in Noosa. He placed 2nd and secured himself a sponsor.

Congratulations Elijah, and best of luck for your future CrossFit endeavours!

Co-Curricular Spotlight

Darcy competes in U17 Oceania and National Fencing Championships – From Neil Hick, KIC’s Fencing Coach

Darcy with his medals- 2 gold and 2 silver.

Darcy McClelland is moving up the Australian Fencing rankings, having recently returned from the U17 World Championships in Dubai. This is Darcy’s last year in the U17 age division, and he had a slow start to the individual event only winning 4 of his 6 bouts. This resulted in him being seeded 10th drawing the 23rd seeded fencer, he won comfortably 15-8. The next round was against the number 7 ranked fencer, which he won 15-13, followed by the 2nd ranked fencer where he again won 15-13.

To make the final, he had to beat the 3rd seed, which he did comfortably with 15-7. This set up the gold medal round against the number 1 ranked New Zealander, where unfortunately Darcy was unable to get over the line, going down 15-11. As the top ranked Australian, Darcy is the U17 Australian residential champion as well as taking the silver in the Oceania individual championships, what a great effort.

Darcy as a member of the winning Australian Team.

Darcy’s day was far from over, as he was selected to represent Australia in the Oceania Cadet Men’s Epee Team. Darcy anchored the Australian Team against New Zealand in the final. Australia won 45 to 41. Darcy fenced the decisive bout taking Australia from a 3-point deficit to a 3-point lead. Just to finish off the day he then captained the Victorian Team in the Australian Team Championships, Victoria defeated New Zealand in the semi-finals 45 to 39, Darcy ended up with an overall positive 6 indicator in his bouts.

This win promoted Victoria to the final against New South Wales. Darcy once again anchored the team to a 45 to 42 victory; he had an overall positive 5 hit indicator. A final gold for the day brought his total to two gold and two silver after 11 hours of continuous competition.

Exciting news for Dale Baker

Kardinia’s own author and teacher, Dale Baker, had a nice surprise this week to learn that Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, read another one of his books on her ‘Storytime with Fergie’ YouTube channel. If you would like to see the video click on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb2A8bLMLTg

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.

 

For more information on Angst and to watch the trailer: https://www.indieflix.com/angst
Save the date! More information and links to come soon.

Coming this September: Jazz Swings for Mental Health!

Click on the link below to learn more about the event and book your tickets:

School TV – Mindfulness

Recent studies have shown that one in seven primary school children have significant mental health disorders, and one in four secondary school students have psychological problems. Every year, in the last five years, that number has increased. Mindfulness is the practice of being in the moment, being present and being open to what you’re focusing on. Mindfulness is all about building resilience. It is not a replacement for therapy or medication for mental health issues but will hopefully reduce the need for it later on.

Research has proven that mindfulness has endless benefits for children. This school taught activity is on the rise, and many experts are wanting it to be a compulsory component of the national curriculum. Not only does mindfulness calm a child’s mind, but it has also been proven to reduce disruptive and bullying behaviour in schools.

Click here to watch this episode:

https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/mindfulness

 

Kardinia International College

PO Box 17
Geelong, Victoria 3220

+61 3 5278 9999
kardinia@kardinia.vic.edu.au

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