Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 05 August 2026

From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill

Looking ahead in the Senior School:

• Thursday 6 August – Year 7 Immunisations (students to wear sports uniform)

• Thursday 6 August – 2027 Year 9 Experiential Learning Programs Presentation (online)

• Wednesday 19 August – Trivia for Timor

• Monday 24 August – Book Week Dress Up Day

• Wednesday 26 August – Year 11 Formal

As we move into the next few weeks of Term 3, there are several important events and reminders for Senior School families. Please note the dates listed above, including Year 7 Immunisations, the online 2027 Year 9 Experiential Learning Programs Presentation, Book Week Dress Up Day, and the Year 11 Formal.

I am also pleased to highlight 'Trivia for Timor', which will be held on Wednesday 19 August. A group of IB students is organising the evening to raise funds for the Community Centre in Viqueque, Timor-Leste. It promises to be a warm and enjoyable community event, and families are warmly encouraged to gather a table and come along in support of the students’ fundraising efforts. Tickets are available from: https://events.humanitix.com/trivia-for-timor.

From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou

School Photo Day provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the pride our students take in being part of our school community. We were delighted to see so many students arrive looking neat, presentable, and ready for their photographs. Uniforms were clean and worn correctly, hair was tidy, and students represented themselves and the College with pride. The positive presentation of our students was a credit to both our families and staff, and we thank everyone for their support in helping our children look their very best.

While School Photo Day shines a spotlight on presentation, it is important to remember that these expectations apply every day. Wearing the uniform with pride, maintaining a neat appearance, and taking care with personal presentation helps foster a positive school culture and reflects the respect we have for ourselves, one another, and our community.

One of my favourite teachers during my secondary school years often reminded us, "The way you present yourself to the world reflects the respect you have for yourself and those around you." It is a message that has stayed with me throughout my life. Presentation is about far more than appearance; it demonstrates pride, self-respect, and an understanding that our actions and choices represent not only ourselves but also our school community. We encourage all students to continue upholding these high standards of presentation each and every day.

Soccer Success

After progressing through three hard-fought regional rounds against strong opposition from across the region, our boys earned their place in the Regional Final and came agonisingly close to securing a berth among the best school teams in Victoria. In an outstanding contest, Kardinia and St Peter's were locked at 0-0 and just 10 seconds away from a penalty shootout when St Peter's managed to score in the dying moments, claiming a narrow 1-0 victory.

While the result was heartbreaking, the boys should be immensely proud of their efforts. Goalkeeper Tanush produced arguably his best game of the season, making a series of outstanding saves to keep Kardinia in the contest. This year marks our fourth consecutive regional appearance and second straight Regional Final, a testament to the strength and consistency of our soccer program. Congratulations to Seb J, Oliver V, Josh B and Rocco T, who were members of both finals' teams. A special thank you also goes to coaches Scott Russell and Mitch Hough for their dedication and leadership. Although it was not meant to be this time, the team displayed tremendous teamwork and sportsmanship, representing the College with great pride.

Beanies for Sale

Our Junior School Leaders will be selling beanies this Friday morning from 8:30am outside Junior School Reception. Beanies are available for $25 each and are one size fits all. Stock is limited, so sales will be on a first come, first served basis. We encourage families to stop by, support our student leaders, and pick up a warm beanie for the cooler weeks ahead. We look forward to seeing you there.

Junior School Disco Reminder

A friendly reminder that our Junior School Disco will be held this Friday, commencing at 4:00pm. We are looking forward to a fantastic afternoon of music, dancing, and fun for our students and families.

Please note that this is a family event, and parents/carers are required to remain on site and actively supervise their children throughout the disco. To make the evening even more enjoyable, slices of pizza will be available for purchase, with both cash and EFTPOS accepted.

A special thank you to our KIC Connect parents, who initiated this event and will be generously volunteering their time to help on the day. Their efforts and commitment to building community connections are greatly appreciated.

We look forward to seeing many of our Junior School families there for what promises to be a wonderful community event.

Communication Request

To help us support your child effectively and ensure timely follow-up, please include the Junior School Reception in all email communications sent to your child's teacher.

Junior School Reception: ReceptionJun@kardinia.vic.edu.au

Having Reception included in correspondence allows our Junior School staff to assist with communication, monitor important information, and meet our duty of care obligations.

We would also like to remind families that:

• All late-arriving students must sign in at Reception before going to class.
• Failure to sign in may result in parents receiving an "unexplained absence" text message.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain accurate attendance records and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.

2026 College Production News - Reach for the Stars!

Dear Students and Families,

Only 8 days until opening night for our 2026 College Production Reach for the Stars! Performing for three shows on the Katsumata Stage, Junior and Senior school students are ready to showcase their talents as we celebrate 30 years of Kardinia. Featuring a variety of live musicians, dancers, solo performers and entertaining sketches, this revue performance will revisit past Kardinia musicals, embrace moments of nostalgia and celebrate all that it means to be part of the Kardinia community.

Tickets are $25 each, we have a group booking discount of 5 tickets for the price of 4. So, gather your friends and family, and join us as we celebrate 30 wonderful years!

To purchase tickets, click on the following link: College Production Tickets If you have any questions, please email Ms Birley (k.birley@kardinia.vic.edu.au )

This week to promote our production we are running a colouring competition for all Kardinia Students – Prizes include VIP tickets for your family to see the show. The colouring page has been designed Beth, a year 10 student. So, sharpen your pencils and prepare to show us your best colouring in efforts!

Click on this link: Colouring Competition Page

(Entries close: 4.00pm, Tuesday 11 August, a collection box will be available in the Junior School Reception office / Senior School Student Services. Not redeemable for cash. One entry per student; entry for Kardinia Students only; Six prize categories – Highview, Lower Primary, Middle Primary, Upper Primary, Senior School 7-9, Senior School 10-12; please name your entry and year level).

Arts News

The celebrations for Kardinia's milestone 30 Year Anniversary continue with a very special Art Competition coinciding with the annual senior school Art Show!

Open to students, alumni, past and present staff, artworks can be created in response to the theme, 'Honouring the past, creating bridges to the future.' Plenty of prizes to be won! See Ms D'Alessandro for more details. Thank you to Hannah R (Year 12) for the competition flyer artwork!

Future Pathways and Education News

Year 12 students attended a briefing on Monday 3 August with the launch of many Tertiary Admissions Centers around Australia now open for student application. Students were given an overview of the application process, information required and supporting evidence if equity schemes (SEAS) are going to be applied for. Resources for Year 12 tertiary application support can be found on KICOnline.

Upcoming Opportunities for Senior School Students:

Upcoming Parent Presentation - Alana Kilmartin from Unserious Careers

12 August 2026, 6pm, Online. Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1616908

Geelong Careers Expo

Some of our VCE VM students attended the Geelong Careers Expo recently:

Nellie (Year 11): I found the Geelong Careers Expo really enjoyable because there were lots of interactive stalls like the brick laying stall where you got to lay proper bricks with cement. I also learned about the different electrical industries and the different jobs in it.

Sofia (Year 11): It was good to have a variety of options and jobs to look at and learn more about. I enjoyed the interactive stalls, they made them more interesting, engaging and memorable. I also got to learn more about the courses I could take to get into the industry I am interested in.

Hudson (Year 11): 1. The things I liked about the expo was that there were lots of companies that you could go around to a talk to them about any questions you had. 2. The things that I got out of expo was some contacts for some possible work placements and I got to learn about some companies and learn what they do.

Amelia (Year 12): I found that at the Geelong careers expo it was enjoyable as it had a lot of interactive stalls like hair braiding and make up. It was good to talk to people who were specialised in that specific aera of study and that they could give me information that would help me decide the pathway to get to my chosen career.

Wellbeing Hub News

In today's hyper-connected world, young people are constantly exposed to carefully curated snapshots of other people's lives - from picture-perfect holidays and academic achievements to the latest fashion trends and fitness goals. This relentless stream of comparisons, often amplified through social media, creates what is known as comparison culture.

Comparison culture fosters a mindset where individuals constantly evaluate their own worth by measuring themselves against others. This leaves many young people feeling as though they're falling short. For children and adolescents who are still developing their sense of identity, this environment can be especially harmful - contributing to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt and anxiety.

It's important to understand how comparison culture shapes the way children see themselves and their place in the world. When young people constantly compare their appearance, achievements, or social lives to their peers or online influencers, they can develop unrealistic expectations and a distorted sense of self-worth. This can lead to low self-esteem, perfectionism, and a constant need for external validation.

Read More Here.

Community Engagement and Foundation News

College Community Council (CCC) Parent Trivia Night

What a fabulous night for our parent community! After a tightly contested evening, a tie‑breaker between ‘No Expectations’ and ‘The O.G’s’ led to a sudden‑death playoff, with ‘The O.G’s’ ultimately claiming bragging rights and the coveted Trivia Night Trophy.

Our thanks to the CCC Committee and to Rana for their leadership and organisation in delivering such an enjoyable and memorable event.

Shine On! - Sold Out

We look forward to sharing some photos from the evening and wish everyone a memorable evening celebrating the talented musicians of Kardinia!

Searching for Missing Alumni

As part of our 30th Anniversary, we are reaching out to alumni with whom we may have lost contact over the years. Email addresses change, people move, and sometimes our communications no longer reach their intended destination.

If you are an alumnus and haven’t heard from us recently, please take a moment to register or update your details on The Kardinians: https://kardinians.com

If you are still in contact with other alumni, please share this call‑out so we can reconnect with as many members of our community as possible.

CCC Family Footy Tipping

Not long to go! After Round 21, the Leaderboard stands as follows:

1. Mark N
2. Katherine P
3. Holly R
4. Scott S
5. Simon B
6. Tania B
7. Drake Family
8. Meri N
9. Fiona R
10. Isabel W

Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator

From the Archives

School Photos 1996

Standing at the very beginning of the College’s story, the 1996 whole‑school photo remains one of the most treasured images in our archives. It captures a community in its infancy—small in number, full of optimism, and united by the excitement of building something new. Kinder children, secondary students, and staff together in a single collage, creating a snapshot of the College as it took its very first steps.

What makes the 1996 collage so memorable is its sense of togetherness. Every face—students in their early uniforms, staff who helped shape the College’s foundations, and the youngest learners just beginning their journey—reflects the shared purpose that defined those early years. It is more than a photograph; it is a reminder of the spirit that carried the College forward.

As we take our current school photos, it feels fitting to look back at this milestone. Today’s images continue the tradition begun in 1996: capturing not just individuals, but the evolving story of our College and the community that has grown from those first foundations.

Next week - School Photo 2005

Fiona Russell - College Archivist

Community

City of Greater Geelong Parent Workshop