Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 06 May 2026

From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou

Upper Primary Athletics Carnival

Our recent Athletics Carnival was a fantastic celebration of energy and participation. It was wonderful to see every student getting involved, supporting one another and giving their best across the day’s events. The level of enthusiasm and encouragement on display was a credit to our entire community.

Congratulations to Morongo House on their overall win. This achievement reflects not only strong performances but also a willingness of all students to contribute. Well done to every student who participated - your involvement is what made the day such a success.

It was also great to see so many parents in attendance, supporting and encouraging their children throughout the day. Your presence added to the positive atmosphere and sense of community.

A sincere thank you to all staff for their support throughout the day. In particular, thank you to Katie Anderson for her outstanding efforts in coordinating the carnival and ensuring everything ran so smoothly.

International Family Day Breakfast

A reminder that our International Family Day Breakfast will be held on 15 May. This is a special opportunity to come together as a community, beginning with breakfast before parents are invited into classrooms. During this time, families are warmly encouraged to share a story, tradition, cultural experience, family celebration, profession, hobby, or something meaningful from their own lives.

If you would like to present or share with a class, please notify your child’s teacher. All presenters need a Working With Children Check. We look forward to celebrating the rich diversity of our community together.

Mother's Day Classic

The countdown is on - there is still time to join our school team for the Mother’s Day Classic! Sunday May 10, Eastern Gardens.

For the past nine years, Kardinia has supported the Mother's Day Classic. An incredible opportunity to support important research for the Ovarian Cancer and National Breast Cancer Research Foundations and the chance for our IB and Duke of Ed students to give back and volunteer their time and skills for a very special community event.

This year, our own Ann-Marie Iversen - Senior School Arts Teacher - is a Community Ambassador, sharing her story and advocating for awareness and conversation around life-changing breast and ovarian cancer research.

So many of you have already signed up, and we are truly grateful for the support. Let’s keep the momentum going and show what our school community can achieve together!

https://www.mothersdayclassic....

Innovation and Technology News

Generative Artificial Intelligence - IB Evaluation

It was wonderful to share the College’s leading work in the Generative Artificial Intelligence space with our IB Evaluation team two weeks ago. This work strongly connects to the College’s fourth cornerstone, Technological Advancement and Innovation, and since 2023, schools from around Australia and abroad have connected with Kardinia to learn more about our approach.

Kardinia reviews and updates its GenAI Guidelines regularly to ensure they remain current and relevant. After delivering successful lessons to our Year 11 and Year 12 students in Term 1, we followed up with a student survey to gather more information about the issues that matter most to them. This survey will inform our next steps at the College. We are also rolling out explicit GenAI lessons for our Year 3 to Year 6 students through their Digital Citizenship and ATL sessions, helping them become safe, responsible and critical digital thinkers.

Alongside our focus on keeping students safe and aware when using these tools, we are also working with them to explore how this technology can meaningfully enhance their learning, while understanding the importance of doing their own thinking and avoiding over-reliance or cognitive offloading. Parents interested in learning more about this area are encouraged to look at the upcoming session provided by the City of Greater Geelong, which has been shared by the Wellbeing Hub in this edition of eNews.

Aisha Kristiansen - Director of Innovation and Technology K-12

College Production

Celebrating 30 years!

Dear students,

This year’s college production will be a musical theatre revue celebrating 30 years of Kardinia. The production will include a junior school ensemble, senior school ensemble, featured solo performers, a production pit band, music ensembles, and crew.

There will be 3 performances on the Katsumata stage:

• 7pm on Thursday 13th August

• 7pm on Friday 14th August

• 2pm on Saturday 15th August

Rehearsals will be rostered, with a focus in term 2 of Wednesday and Thursdays after school. In term 3 and as we approach production week, there will also be some Sunday and extra evening rehearsals (dates TBC).

You need to have registered to audition. Senior school auditions are being held today after school. Junior School students have their audition on Thursday 7th after school. We wish students all the best!

Click on the following links to register:

Production Pit Band and Music Ensembles – form closes Thurs 7th May, 8.00pm

Featured soloists – form closes Thurs 7th May, 7.00pm

Crew – form closes Thurs 28th May, 7.00pm

The College Production is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their talents, make new friends and create lifelong memories. We look forward to bringing the stage to life as we celebrate 30 years of Kardinia International College.

If you have any questions, please email the producer k.birley@kardinia.vic.edu.au

Arts Hub Committee

Design Competition Winner Announced

The Arts Hub Design Competition has concluded, with students invited to create a mermaid design to restore a school bollard while reflecting our core values of Wisdom, Respect and Friendship. Congratulations to Sam G (Year 7, Gotemba Nishi), whose design was selected as the winning entry. Sam’s work stood out for its clear visual storytelling and thoughtful use of colour and symbolism, effectively capturing the spirit of the brief and translating well into a physical bollard design. The competition provided an opportunity for students to engage creatively with the College’s values while contributing to a lasting feature within the school environment. A number of strong submissions were received, and the standard of work was commendable. Sam has been congratulated by staff and has received a small arts prize in recognition of his achievement. His design will now be used to guide the restoration of the mermaid bollard.

News from Japan Study Program - Week 3

"This week has been action packed, with so much to do.

At the end of last week, we went on camp with a first-year class to the National Youth Centre. It was like the Japanese version of a YMCA camp, and we enjoyed getting to know our classmates through activities such as games and cooking over a fire. It rained a lot, and we were glad for the fire to dry our shoes.

This weekend marked the start of Golden Week, five days of festivals and other celebrations and memorials. On Saturday, Ash and I explored the Gotemba Premium Outlets. On Sunday, Ash and I went to a spring festival and watched sumo wrestling. On Monday, Ash, Malia, and I went to flower festival – strangely few flowers in sight, unless you count balloons – where we all got to wear Kimonos. We enjoyed live music and took photos with people. On Tuesday, the three of us helped Ash’s host family with rice planting and cooking special mochi for Children’s Day, as well as having some fun with the frogs (kaeru, in Japanese). Thuy got up bright and early on Monday to go to Osaka, where she spent two days at Universal Studios Japan."

- Olivia S (Year 10)

Theatre Studies News

Come along and support some of our senior students in their VCE Theatre Studies production of 'Dags' - Thursday 21 and Friday 22 May. A gold coin donation at the door supports Eating Disorders Victoria. It would be great to see you there!

Sports News

Tylar and Joe (Year 9) recently enjoyed an unforgettable experience in Sydney, representing Victoria Country U15s at the Emerging Socceroos Championships — a fantastic opportunity to compete at a high level and develop their game. Congratulations to you both!

Student Achievements

Will K (Class of 2025) - Vietnam Veterans Association Australia, Victorian Branch Scholarship

'In 1968, at the age of 20, my grandfather Graeme was conscripted to the Australian Army. Following training at Puckupunyal, he served in Vietnam in 1969 with the 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Graeme was based in Nui Dat, very close to the site of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the most costly battles for Australia in the Vietnam War.

This year I received notification that I had been awarded the Vietnam Veterans Association Australia – Victorian Branch Scholarship. I’m very grateful for the ongoing support that veteran services provide to veterans and their families. Their generous assistance will enable me to persue my future goals as I study a Bachelor of Communications (Media) at RMIT. On ANZAC day, we reflected upon my grandfather's service at the dawn service at Point Danger.' Congratulations Will!

Music News

Square 1 Performance at Flying Brick Cider House

Square 1 recently took the stage at Flying Brick Cider House for a Schools Contemporary Bands Night, joining seven schools from across the region. It was an incredible evening of live music, collaboration and connection. We had an absolute blast!

Future Pathways News

Supporting Pathway Conversations at Home – Year 12

Following recent Future Pathways workshops and individual advisor meetings with year 12 students, we encourage families to continue these important conversations at home. Pathway planning is an ongoing process, and open discussion can help students feel supported as they explore their next steps.

Some conversation starters to help guide these discussions include:

• What stood out to you from the Future Pathways workshop you attended?

• What options are you currently considering after Year 12?

• What subjects or experiences have you most enjoyed this year, and why?

• Are you leaning more towards further study, work, an apprenticeship, or a combination?

• What feels exciting about your current plans? What feels uncertain?

• What do you think life might look like for you a year after finishing school?

• What kind of support do you think you’ll need as you transition out of school?

• How can we best support you right now?

Resources from both workshops are available on KIConline > Senior School > Future Pathways > Year 12, and students are also continuing to meet 1:1 with our Future Pathways Advisors as they refine their plans. We are regularly posting to KIConline > Senior School > Future Pathways – opportunities and information about work, study, careers, information evenings, scholarships, early entry etc. It is important to keep across the posts and information as well as key dates for applications.

Year 12 students are required to have at least one meeting with a college future pathways advisor this term, so that we can best support students' intended pathways. Bookings for these appointments are made during spare periods, before school or lunchtime, made via the online booking system on KIConline – Senior School – Future Pathways – Make a booking.

National Careers Week – Monday 11th to Friday 15th May 2026.

Lots of great activities running in the learning commons during lunchtimes for students as well as some excellent excursions and incursions that senior students have had the opportunity to sign up too. We look forward to many wonderful careers conversations next week.

Last week we had the first day of the World of Work - Health and Community Services program, that offers students hands on industry immersion into the Health & Medical sector. Day 1 was spent completing a First Aid qualification & training. It was brilliant to see our students in action and taking up the opportunities advertised to them. Congratulations to the students that applied and were successful in gaining entry into the program.

Wellbeing Hub News

Bullying can take many forms, including verbal abuse, social exclusion and online harassment, and often involves repeated behaviour and an imbalance of power. Its impact can be significant, affecting a child's confidence, sense of belonging and overall wellbeing.

Click here to read more.

Click here to read more.

SchoolTV is Multi-Lingual!

And as a reminder, SchoolTV has resources in a number of different languages including Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, French, German and Arabic to name a few.

Just click the drop-down box in the top right-hand corner and select the appropriate language.

City of Greater Geelong - Supporting Children and AI

Community Engagement and Foundation News

30th Anniversary Memento - ‘Ripples of Kindness - The Gift That Grew’

A tribute to the people, moments and kindness that shaped our journey. Has your family received their copy to treasure? Order your memento at: https://events.humanitix.com/apr-may-2026-ripples-of-kindness-the-gift-that-grew

30th Anniversary Commemorative Paving Bricks - Preserve your family in Kardinia’s History

Leave your family’s mark on Kardinia’s history with a personalised paving brick—engraved or hand‑drawn—and installed in a central area of the College grounds.

How to order:

• Collect a form (sent home with JS students. Also available at JS Reception / SS Student Services).

• Pay via the link or QR code: https://events.humanitix.com/30-year-anniversary-bricks

• Return your completed form with your name and mobile.

Community AFL Footy Tipping Competition Leaderboard

While the leaders after Round 8 in the Community AFL Footy Tipping Competition, haven’t changed, the margins have and teams are closing in. The top 2 are only separated by margins, as are 3rd, 4th and 5th placings:

1. Peter P

1. O’Neill’s

1. Holly R

Congratulations to the Brondou Family who scored 9 in this week’s round tips!

Coming soon - Tickets for the Parent Trivia Night!

Watch this space for the release of tickets to the Parent Trivia Night.

Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator

From the Archives

Celebrating 30 Years – Founders Day Celebrations - The Third Decade

Founders’ Day marks a moment of pride, reflection, and celebration shaped by community spirit, shared memories, and a tradition of coming together. Over the past ten years, Founders’ Day has grown into a vibrant showcase of adventure, creativity, and connection, each year adding a new chapter to the school’s story. Now, as we celebrate 30 years, the occasion honours not only the school’s beginnings but the people, experiences, and values that have carried it forward.

Whole school Founders’ Day Celebrations over the most recent decade has featured:

2017- Performances at KIC

2018 – Carnival Rides at KIC

2019 – Adventure Park

2020 – 25th Anniversary Badge, Founders’ Day Art Competition and 25 words for Kardinia. (COVID-19 group restrictions)

2021 – Luna Park

2022 – Adventure Park

2023 – Adventure Park

2024 – Adventure Park

2025 – Adventure Park

2026 – 30th Anniversary Celebrations and Carnival at KIC

Next week: Cross Country Memories

Fiona Russell - College Archivist