From the Deputy Principal, Students, Staff and Community - Matt Baron
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of spending time with both staff and students, exploring what makes our school’s culture so special. These interactions have been an invaluable opportunity to appreciate the values, traditions, and relationships that shape our unique community.
When I asked people what makes the KIC culture so special, the answers were varied and thoughtful. However, one response was mentioned more than any other, our living motto, “Wisdom leads to respect and friendship.”
For students, the living motto is something they see and feel every day. Students expressed a real sense of belonging here at KIC, in being included, and feeling valued as individuals. Whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the sports field, or through the many co-curricular activities that bring our community together, they recognise the motto being lived out in everyday moments.
For staff, the motto reflects a deep pride in seeing young people grow not only in knowledge, but in character, kindness, and the capacity to build positive relationships. It is lived out daily in countless small moments, such as a word of encouragement or a shared achievement, each one helping to build a community where everyone feels they belong.
As we continue to learn, work, and celebrate together, I’m sure our motto will inspire us to act with Wisdom, Respect, and Friendship.
We also value parent feedback and are currently collecting responses from parents via the LEAD Survey.
Thank you to 375 parents who have completed the LEAD survey. The people running the survey are asking us to gather a further 235 more responses from parents.
If you have not completed the survey, we are calling for your help. We need many more parents to submit responses so that we will have meaningful data (that is statistically accurate).
An EdSmart message with the link was sent out to families today. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Please complete it by Friday September 5, 2025
We greatly appreciate you taking the time to participate.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
Darci (Year 9) and Marley (Year 7) have recently competed in the 2025 Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships and achieved some excellent results. The girls have long been committed skiiers and have both had an outstanding season, with Marley achieving a silver medal in the Division 3 Girls Ski Slope Style and Darci winning a gold medal in the Division 2 Girls Ski Slope Style.
On Tuesday this week, Marley completed at the National Interschools Snowsports Championships and won a silver medal in the Division 3 Girls Ski Slope Style. What an outstanding achievement! We also wish Darci well for her event later in the same competition.
Friday night last week saw our Year 11 students enjoying each other’s company in a more glamorous style than usual at the Year 11 Formal. This event is a student-led initiative, with a group of students working together to put on the evening. Year 11 student, Lily, was integral in organising this year’s event and making sure that everything was in order. Thank-you also to Mrs Fiona Russell and Ms Rachel Fitzgerald, who were wonderful teacher-mentors for the students. It’s lovely to see the students growing up over the years, and the Year 11 Formal in particular is a chance for students to dress up and enjoy a social evening together.
Our Unit 4 VCE Music Performance students performed on Tuesday Evening at the Piano Bar, sharing their performance programs with friends and family prior to their exams early next term. There was so much variety in instruments, style and interpretation, yet the common thread was excellent performances by young people who have worked hard for many years. We wish them all the best for their performance exams.
Finally, this year’s KICPIC (Kardinia International College Performance in Community) production will be on stage this weekend. This Murder was Staged is a student-driven production, where it’s the opening night of a brand-new mystery play but just as the killer is about to be revealed, the theatre becomes an active crime scene, with everyone from the cast and crew to the audience being a suspect. This Murder was Staged is on Friday and Saturday evening, with a matinee performance on the Saturday as well. Tickets are available from: https://events.humanitix.com/the-murder-was-staged
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes
Student Action, Community and Sustainability
The Junior School was buzzing with excitement and action last Friday at the Grove market and the lunchtime book swap. These rich experiences are cherished by our students, staff and families. They are a wonderful example of what can be achieved when everyone works together to achieve a common goal. The sustainability aspects of these events were really notable; it was impressive to see so many books and items being repurposed or created sustainably.
Please take care while driving in the JS car park.
This is a reminder to please take care while driving in the JS carpark. Drivers should always be prepared to stop, our students are still learning about safely using roads.
Learning Moments on Schoolbox/KICOnline.
I always feel guilty for only highlighting a couple of examples of student learning in eNews. Please keep in mind that there are many more to see on KICONLINE. Please don’t forget to check in on learning moments to see your children in action. Please contact helpdesk@kardinia.vic.edu.au if you are having trouble accessing Learning Moments.
KICPIC Presents: This Murder Was Staged
Our talented student-led performance group KICPIC has been hard at work bringing this year's play, a murder mystery titled This Murder Was Staged, to life. Both cast and crew have poured their energy and creativity into rehearsals, and technical preparations, and their efforts are set to pay off in a fun filled performance.
Audiences can look forward to an engaging and suspenseful show in the hall this weekend. Don’t miss the chance to support these dedicated students and enjoy a night of mystery and drama.
Friday 5 September 7.30pm
Saturday 6 September 2.00pm
Saturday 6 September 7.30pm
Get Your Tickets Here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-murder-was-staged (or via the clickable link on the College Facebook page post!)
Cocurricular News
Football Star Academy
Football Star Academy is Australia’s leading provider of skill-based football (soccer) programs for kids aged 5–12. We focus on teaching children the fundamentals of football — including ball mastery, teamwork, and game awareness — all in a fun and supportive environment. Led by professional coaches, our sessions help kids build confidence, stay active, and progress through a clear development pathway from beginner to advanced levels.
Football Star Academy run their 5–12-year-old program at Kardinia International College on Wednesday afternoons on the Junior School oval from 3.45pm-4.45pm. Come along for more information and join in for some fun!
More information and sign up here
Sports News
Our Intermediate Netball team represented Kardinia International College with great determination and teamwork at the Netball Victorian School Championships.
The girls displayed strong skills on court, working together with excellent movement, attacking skills and defensive pressure. Their positive attitude, sportsmanship, and effort across all games was outstanding.
Congratulations to the team on a fantastic day of competition coming 3rd overall behind Iona and Geelong College!
Outdoor Education News
JLTAV Japanese Speech Competition 2025
Four students from Kardinia took part in the JLTAV Japanese speech competition at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Sunday 31 August. In front of an audience of several hundred, comprised of fellow competitors from at least eighteen schools, teachers and family members, our students performed speeches in Japanese. The competition was intense, and competitors were very well prepared.
Jamie G (year 7) won second prize with a set 60 second speech and a faultless 60 second speech he created, about a trip to the Box Hill Japanese Festival.
Angus W (year 7) and Felix L (year 7) won second prize with a 90 second set dialogue and a brilliant 90 second dialogue they created, in which they visited a piglet café where you do not eat the piglets but play with them.
Zara D (year 10) performed with excellent content, pronunciation and near native intonation, a 60 second set speech and her own 60 second speech about a Japanese manga that the ‘fell in love with’. All competitors were so well prepared that it was extremely difficult to pick a winner, and Zara was definitely in the running. With the standard so high, it may simply have been that she spoke a little too softly.
Congratulations to all our competitors, and a sincere thank you to the parents who braved the early morning start and the trip back, made all the more difficult by the closure of lanes both on Westgate Bridge and the Flemington bypass.
Wellbeing Hub News
R U Ok Day? - Thursday 11 September
Thursday 11 September is R U OK? Day but we know that whether it’s a friend, family member, partner, or colleague, the people around us go through life’s ups and downs every day. That’s why we want everyone to feel confident to check in with the people they care about and Ask R U OK? Any Day.
Each day on KICOnline we’ll be giving some conversation starters we can all use to check in on family and friends, and others we don’t know so well.
There’ll be The Great R U Ok? Day Duck Search of 2025 with a claw machine and prizes to be won and special treats available at Centrepoint on the day …
(Note: Savoury items must be ordered online in advance. Sweet items will be available on the day. Limited numbers so get in quick!)
Happy Families Article
Body image is a growing concern for many children and it’s showing up earlier than ever. Even before they can confidently cut their food with a knife and fork, many are worrying about keeping food out of their mouths.
And the pressure is growing. The pull of the perfect body starts young and builds thanks to social media (the super-peer). And fewer of our children grow up feeling comfortable in their own skin.
Click here for more: https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/helping-our-kids-build-a-healthy-body-image
Schooltv - Celebrating Father's Day
Over the centuries, the role of fathers has evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were more detached, spending long hours working in factories, whilst mothers took on the role of primary socialiser and educator of children. Men tended to show their love and devotion from a distance, choosing to leave the child rearing to their wives.
Today things have changed dramatically with many Dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on. Research has shown that the amount of time fathers are now spending teaching, helping and playing with their children, has trebled. This has transformed our understanding of how fathers shape their children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.
Fathers who involve themselves in physical activity with their children, play a key role in influencing them to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks. However, to be a great Dad, you need to also indulge in a little self-care and look after your own mental health. This allows you to be more responsive to your child’s needs and engage more readily in play and learning activities.
If you are a Dad and 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 call one of the following organisations.
In Australia, phone MensLine on 1300 78 99 78 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.
Click here for more: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day
Webinar tonight!
Community Engagement and Foundation News
MSO 2026 Geelong Series Subscription
To celebrate music, connection, and community, the CCC warmly invites families from the Kardinia International College community to take part in a special opportunity to attend the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Geelong Series — at a significantly discounted rate.
This initiative is designed to bring families together through the joy of live music. These tickets apply to parents bringing their children, to experience the live performances of the MSO. celebrate music, connection, and community
A “subscription” is for one seat which is allocated for all five MSO performances at Costa Hall and adult and student tickets are the same discounted price.
Next year’s performances (2026) are:
1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 13/03 Fri 7:30pm
2. Jamie Conducts Dvorak: 29/05 Fri 7:30pm
3. A Trip to Vienna: 26/06 Fri 7:30pm
4. Andrea Lam: 17/07 Fri 7:30pm
5. Handel's Messiah: 4/12 Fri 7:30pm
A Reserve Subscription costs $175 per seat / year. B and C Reserve Subscriptions cost $125 per seat/year
Kardinia International College Subscriptions close at 9am on 9 October 2025 but an indication of tickets before the end of term would be appreciated.
This event offers students a chance to experience live music with the MSO and provides opportunities for community members to connect before, during, or after the performance. We hope you will join us!
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/ccc-mso-subscription
If subscription numbers exceed availability, then the subscribers missing out on tickets will receive 100% refund on their tickets. Alternatively, if the minimum number of subscribers is not met for the College, then all subscribers receive 100% refund.
CCC - AFL Family Footy Tipping Results
Hosted by the CCC, this year’s competition was a great success! Congratulations to our winning families:
🏆 1st Place – Holly R. — $110
🥈 2nd Place – Michael C. — $66
🥉 3rd Place – Drake F. — $44
To claim your prize, please keep an eye out for an email or contact Fiona Russell at f.russell@kardinia.vic.edu.au.
Thanks to everyone who participated — we hope to see you again next year!
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Flashback Feature: Then and Now – Senior School Formals
With the Year 11 Formal celebrated in style last Friday, we’re taking a nostalgic look back at some memorable formal moments from 2005. Enjoy this sneak peek into the archives and see how the fashion has evolved over the years!
THEN - 2005
NOW - 2025
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
Jan Juc Surf Club Nippers Program
Nominations for Geelong Youth Council 2026 now open!
