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Kardinia eNews – Wednesday 4 May 2022

Home Kardinia eNews – Wednesday 4 May 2022

From the Principal

“May the force be with you” on this day, the fourth day of May, Star Wars Day.  

Looking for inspiration for today’s e-news, I could not go past the wisdom of Yoda. The quote of Yoda’s that I chose from the myriad available is “The greatest teacher, failure is”. It led me to question why it is that people, in general, have such a fear of failure, when from it we can learn so much.  

Last week when Ian Gilbert was working with our students, he was able to encourage students to take risks with their thinking and speak their thoughts without fear of failure. He created a safe space where there was no right or wrong but an even playing field for critical thinking and intellectual debate. The outcome was some interesting ideas, some classic debates and, in some cases, us hearing from students who would rarely offer their opinion in class but had much wisdom in what they had to say.  

While we cannot deny that there are times when having the right answer is vital, there must also be time dedicated to enabling our students to try something new, to give things a go and learn how to fail and get back up and try again. While the right answers are good, given the right environment and freedom to innovate and create, the outcomes from the “not right” answers can be remarkable. 

Happy Star Wars Day! 

 

From the Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back!

Last week we had the opportunity to celebrate Founders’ Day during a special Senior School Assembly.

One of our two College Captains, Jesse McDougall, took us through a reflection on Founders’ Day past, on the vision of the Founders and on the importance of carrying their vision forward. At the end of the assembly we took the opportunity to revisit the things that matter most at KIC – appreciation and respect – and to commit again to demonstrating those important values in all that we do.

On Monday this week students joined a short reflection on Anzac Day (better late than never) in their House groups.

This week year 9 students have completed the first steps in the Morrisby Program, which will assist them to identify potential career paths and also inform their subject choices for years 11 and 12.

On Friday this week, students in the Senior School will participate in the annual House Cross Country. All students may wear their sport uniform and House T shirt to school and throughout the day.

Finally, this term we welcomed back Mr Tony Richardson after a term of long service leave. We also welcomed to the staff, Mr Nick Fairlie, who will be teaching English across most year levels.

From the Head of Junior School

ANZAC Day Service
Last week all FY-Y6 students attended an ANZAC Day Service held at our Lone Pine tree. This was a moving ceremony led by Year 6 students and included the Prayer of Remembrance by Aria, addresses by student leaders Abi and Hussain, a wreath laying ceremony conducted by Electra and Joel, reading of the Ode by Will and a flag raising ceremony by Mietta and Max. We were also fortunate to have Senior School student, Ethan, play moving renditions of Last Post and Rouse on the trumpet.

Founders’ Day Assembly
Another important event last week was our Founders’ Day Assembly. This is an important event each year where we reflect on our Founders, Mr and Mrs Katsumata, and all that they have achieved. A recording of the assembly can be found below.

Choir
Congratulations to Mrs Essery and the Junior School choir for their wonderful performance at the Geelong Waterfront last Sunday. Watch the video below for their outstanding performance.

Upper Primary Athletics Carnival
On Monday our Y3-6 students competed for their Houses at the Upper Primary Athletics Carnival held at Goldsworthy Reserve. It was wonderful to see all the children experience success on the day. It was also fantastic to be able to have parents on site helping and cheering on the athletes. Well done to Mr Russell and his team for organising such a magnificent event. In a close result, Gotemba edged out Morongo for the win, followed by Thomson and Cowie.

Buddies
Our Junior School Buddies program has resumed this term. It is wonderful to see our Upper Primary students mentoring our younger students in fun and creative ways. This term we are also fortunate to have some Senior School students available to buddy up with some of our Lower Primary classes for various activities and events.

New JS Building
Construction continues at a rapid rate on the new Lower Primary building, playground and courts. We are still on track to move into the new building on day one of Term 3.

New Principal of Gotemba Nishi High School – Mr Takahiro Katsumata

Takahiro Katsumata is a grandson of our Founders, Mr Yoshimaro and Mrs Kiyoko Katsumata. After studying the Master of TESOL at Monash University, Takahiro started working as a senior school English teacher in Tokyo. While working at Gotemba Nishi High School, he has been involved in the School International Committee. In 2018, Takahiro became Deputy Principal and was appointed as the Principal of the school as of April the 1st, 2022.

The school vision – “Innovative learning towards new era” is focused on critical and creative thinking, collaboration with others and dialogue skills. To develop students into citizens who act independently and autonomously within the challenges of a rapidly changing world is Gotemba Nishi High School’s mission.

Takahiro’s passion for the International Education and ICT development have already been seen in many aspects at the school. He looks forward to strengthening relationships and further developing an international perspective within both schools, the College and Gotemba Nishi High School.

Host families wanted: Homestay GOKIC

Homestay GoKIC is a Zoom-based online program where you and your family can meet a Japanese student from Gotemba Nishi High School (our sister school in Japan). You will have the opportunity to communicate with the student once a week for five weeks. No Japanese language is required, but some Japanese may be helpful. The program starts this month. If you are interested, please contact Mr. Ota: y.ota@kardinia.vic.edu.au

Music at the Market

Some of Kardinia’s musicians performed at the Sunday Market at Geelong Waterfront on the weekend. They performed between 11-1pm to a very appreciative audience. Stallholders noted that they had never seen such a large audience for the musicians before and they commented on the quality of the performances.

The performers were:

  1. Tom Meadows (solo)
  2. Mundane Jane – Edward Armes and Charlie McIlvena
  3. Amped Up – Olivia Conder, Meredith Griffiths, Jake Birley, Sascha Petkovic, Euan Gentle, Lukas Albert and Tom Meadows
  4. Square 1 – Jessica Harrison-O’Toole, Jasmine Griffiths, Angus Borschmann, Jake Birley, Lukas Albert and Tom Meadows

Mundane Jane and Tom Meadows had also performed two other gigs over the weekend in venues around Geelong.

The students involved are to be commended on their resilience, performing in the unusual circumstances of not having all band members present on the day, due to illness. We are so fortunate to have such talented and adaptable students at Kardinia.

Careers News

If a career in sustainability interests you, read on!

At the STEAM Careers Online Forum, Science Gallery Melbourne will introduce you to inspiring people who work to solve some of our most pressing global and local challenges that we as a community face. Be inspired by career journeys & industry connections.See how these professionals work across science,technology, engineering, arts and maths and use a range of transferable skills in the ways they work to make a difference in the world.

Register via the QR code or through this link: https://forms.office.com/r/zyYrrZN0hF

Feel free to email the KIC Careers Team if you have any questions: careers@kardinia.vic.edu.au

Co-Curricular News

The Junior School Performance Choir is an audition-based choir for students in years 3 to 6. These students meet each Tuesday morning from 8 am to 8.50am.

Research has shown that singing in a choir has tremendous benefits for physical and mental well-being. The experience of being in the Performance Choir helps our students to form a community and work together, building friendships, resilience, and stamina all whilst making some beautiful music together.

The purpose of this choir is to:

  • Provide a rich choral experience for students who enjoy singing and would like to pursue this area of their musical development.
  • Work towards specific choral objectives which develop the singing voice.
  • Create performance opportunities both within the College and the wider community.

Thus far this year, the choir has sung at Morning Melodies (A Junior School Music assembly), Founders Day and just this past weekend the choir performed at ‘A Walk in the Park’ at Eastern Gardens, a major fundraising event for ‘Fight Parkinson’s’.

Mama’s Market

Mama’s Market is an upcoming fundraiser for mothers and children in Ukraine, held by the Geelong Ukrainian Women’s Association. The event will be held this Saturday the 7th of May. For more information, see the flyer below.

Upcoming Webinar: Body Confident

This relaxed and informative seminar for carers of primary and secondary age children gives practical body image in the home. Delivered by the Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s largest not-for-profit for eating disorders and body image concerns.

To learn more about this seminar, find the full information PDF here: Body Confident – flyer

To register for this seminar, click here.

Mother’s Day Classic is happening this Sunday!

Every day, 55 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer and 8 Australians will lose their life to it. The Mother’s Day Classic is being held this Sunday the 8th of May, 2022. Kardinia International College has been a long term participant in the event. Although it is not a school event, we would love for you to walk or run by joining the team.

Go to https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/fundraisers/kardiniainternationalcollege, press ‘join us’ and put in your details, we will see you on the day!

If you have any problems or have any questions feel free to email Elias Walton waltoe@kardinia.vic.edu.au  or Jett Kennedy kennej@kardinia.vic.edu.au

School TV – Mother’s Day

 

The very first Mother’s Day was celebrated in West Virginia in 1908. It was organised by Ann Jarvis as a memorial to honour her beloved mother who spent much of her life helping others. Ann’s mother devoted her life to educating mothers and improving sanitary conditions to stem her community’s appalling infant mortality rates. By 1911, Ann had successfully campaigned to have Mother’s Day recognised as a national holiday in most US states honouring all mothers, living and deceased.  

It was not until 1924 that Mother’s Day was officially celebrated in Australia with the help of Janet Heyden. She had campaigned for donations to assist lonely and aged mothers in a Sydney hospital making personal requests to many leading business houses and enlisting the help of local school children to help fill small bags with donated goods. 

Today, Mother’s Day is a more of a commercial venture, but it is important to remember the true nature and meaning of Mother’s Day and mark it with sincerity, especially now in the post-pandemic environment we currently find ourselves in. Mothers have played multiple roles over recent months providing care and support to those they love under difficult circumstances, often putting the needs of others ahead of their own. However, Mothers sometimes need reminding to also take care of themselves, especially when it comes to mental health. A mother who experiences good mental health, is more available to her children and family, more alert to their needs, and more able to engage in everyday activities. 

If you are a Mum and are struggling a little bit, it is advisable to seek help from a medical professional. Or, if you just want to talk to someone who understands, you can always call  Beyond Blue  on  1300 22 46 36. 

Click here to watch this episode:
https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-mothers-day

Kardinia International College

PO Box 17
Geelong, Victoria 3220

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

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