From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
I have just returned from the most wonderful trip to France with a group of 23 Year 10 and 11 French language students.
Spending time with these young people has made me very proud as a Principal. The behaviour of our students was exemplary and not just because I was on the trip. The students demonstrated intercultural understanding and awareness and showed a willingness to learn and understand a different culture and cultural perspectives. They showed great respect for each other, their hosts and the host culture. They displayed a fantastic sense of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity of visiting another country.
They showed so much enthusiasm and interest in all the varying experiences presented to them, many of which were not within their usual scope of activities. They were also just fun to be with - to see France through their eyes was a joy.
I was also very grateful to have been able to meet and connect personally with the Director and key staff at our Sister School St Alyre. I really appreciated the mutual regard for the importance and benefit of our sister school relationship, and I hope that it can continue for many years to come.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
Welcome back to Term Four. It’s been wonderful to see all of our students and staff back after the break. I’d particularly like to welcome back the students and staff who participated in the French and Japanese Study Tours over the break. We are so fortunate to have sister schools in St Alyre and Gotemba Nishi, which allow our students to really immerse themselves in other cultures. A very big thank you to the staff who organised these trips and accompanied the students. They gave up their holidays and were on duty constantly; I know the students and their families are very grateful.
This morning, we announced our 2026 College Prefects and I’d like to congratulate the following students:
College Captains | Alice Crane and Alex Serra |
Performing Arts Captain | Elliott Thomson |
Sport Captain | Leila Fabijanic |
Cowie House Captains | Sage McCallum and Grace Mitchell |
Gotemba House Captains | Max Drake and Fin Larcombe-Brooks |
Morongo House Captains | Charles Edmonds-Wilson and Clare Edmonds-Wilson |
Thomson House Captains | Clare Atkins and Billy Kirkwood |
I’d also like to note that we had almost a quarter of the current Year 11 cohort nominate themselves as prefects, which I think is such a positive reflection of our students’ commitment to their school and each other. While only a very small number of students can be selected as prefects, each one of those nominees should also be commended.
Our Year 12 students are swiftly wrapping up their time at school, with their last day of classes on Wednesday next week. They will enjoy some celebratory activities on Thursday and then have their Graduation Ceremony on Friday evening, prior to commencing Swot Vac and then completing their exams.
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes
Welcome to Term 4. I hope that you enjoyed an adventurous holiday. This term promises to be an exciting term full of camps, rich experiences and learning.
Term 4 also brings with it some sunny weather. Our Sun Smart Policy requires all learners to wear a hat when outdoors. Please remember to bring your hats to school.
At the end of Term 3 we enjoyed a wonderful Footy Colours BBQ breakfast. Thanks so much to our KIC Connect Committee, the parent volunteers, and the staff volunteers for arranging such a wonderful community event.
There was also a fundraiser during the event. Here are the results from the competition.
Winner of Guess the Jellybeans for Type 1 Foundation: Pearl Robson, Evelyn Stojanovski, and Zoe Sharp.
Steptember follow up
Congratulations to Ana (Y2), who took on Steptember this September, Ana raised $3,780 to support early detection and therapy for babies with cerebral palsy. Her goal was 10,000 steps a day, which she smashed with a total of 370,907 steps over the month! Thanks so much to everyone at Kardinia who supported Ana.
The beginning of term is a great time to sign up for chess club. Please see the details below for sign up information.
Enrolment Withdrawal
If you are thinking of withdrawing your child, please be aware that the College requires a Term's notice, in writing. This is outlined in our terms and conditions.
Please contact the Marketing and Admissions Department via email: marketing@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Library Services News
Future Pathways and Education News
"On Wednesday 17 of September, some year 9 and 10 students went on the 'Girls in Property' Excursion to the Cotton On headquarters, with the Future Pathways Team. We did this to learn about the different sectors of work in property. Before the excursion, I had no idea about property and how many opportunities there are within it.
When we arrived, we got the chance to meet students from other schools that came to the day. We then got to hear from the Geelong Mayor and many other speakers, talking about their day-to-day life working in property, and hearing about their opinions on property and what is going to happen in the upcoming years.
We then were split into groups, getting the chance to explore the Cotton On headquarters. We all had no idea of how big the campus really is. The Cotton On campus has a wellness hub, cafe, and childcare centre. The headquarters has things happening everywhere, whether it was construction, photoshoots, or setting stores up for specific locations. We got given the chance to see what workers do at Cotton On, and the design process of shops.
Towards the end of the day, we were given the chance to design and come up with an idea for a new building being built. We were able to see what goes on behind the scenes and things that we had to incorporate when designing. At the end of the day, we presented our ideas to the team and showed the students what we came up with. This gave us the chance to see other students' ideas and what they thought of.
We all had a great day, being able to learn so many new things about property and seeing where we could work in the future. Thank you to the Future Pathways Team, Cotton On Headquarters, and the Girls in Property Group." (Anonymous)
Wellbeing Hub News
You Find What You’re Looking For: Changing the Way We See Our Kids
Have you ever noticed how, when you're thinking about buying a certain kind of car, you suddenly see it everywhere? It’s not a coincidence. Psychologists call it selective attention—we tend to notice what we’re already focused on. As parents, we do this with our children. If you’ve had a rough day and your child is dragging their feet, mumbling, or rolling their eyes… you start seeing only those behaviours. Before you know it, every interaction feels like a battle. You expect the worst—and that’s all you see.
Save the date: Term 4 Live Event: Wednesday 5 November 2025, 7pm AEST | 8pm AEDT
World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October each year, is a global initiative that highlights the importance of mental health to overall wellbeing. It serves as a timely reminder that mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike.
This day is not only about reducing stigma, but also about strengthening awareness, encouraging open conversations and ensuring young people know where to turn to for support. By acknowledging World Mental Health Day, we can help reduce stigma to build more compassionate and supportive environments.
Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping them find balance between school, technology and rest, encouraging open conversations about feelings, or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves, taking small steps at home can make a big difference. By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.
For additional resources and further information on World Mental Health Day visit the Mental Health Foundation website.
Multilingual videos now available on SchoolTV!
Because wellbeing shouldn’t get lost in translation, SchoolTV has introduced a powerful new feature — multilingual videos.
Until now, families could access written content in more than 60 languages. Now, expert-led videos are also available in Chinese, Hindi and Arabic, with more languages to be added next year. This new feature ensures every family can access trusted, practical guidance in a way that feels familiar, inclusive, and easy to understand.
Explore this feature for yourself by clicking the link below to view SchoolTV content in your preferred language.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Seeking Alumni Volunteers - Chiang Mai
Calling for Volunteers for our Chiang Mai 'The Journey' program in 2026. Graduates from Year 12, 2025 and from 2014 to 2024 are invited to apply.
• Do you have a thirst for travelling and experiencing different cultures?
• Are you considering a GAP year?
• Are you available to volunteer for a 6-week (expenses paid) program assisting staff and students at our Kardinia Sum Pun campus in Chiang Mai, Thailand?
• Do you enjoy a team environment and a warm, humid climate?
• Are you active and healthy with a reasonable fitness level?
Find more information and application details on the Kardinians platform. Send a current resume, referees and letter of introduction, outlining your suitability, qualifications if applicable (i.e. First Aid, Bronze Medallion, DoE, IB CAS, coaching experience) and dates of availability to chiangmai@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Please address application to Ms Maria Lorente, Head of Chiang Mai Program.
Application due: Friday 17 October 2025
Your Invitation to the 2025 Principal’s Dinner!
The College Community Council (CCC) warmly invites Parents, Staff, and Friends of the College to attend the Annual Principal’s Dinner, hosted by College Principal Catherine Lockhart.
This elegant evening is a wonderful opportunity for the Kardinia International College community to come together, celebrate the year that was, and reflect on the highlights of 2025.
📅 Date: Friday, 14 November 2025
📍 Venue: Truffleduck – 66 Hyland Street, Fyansford
🕕 Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
🎟️ Tickets: $80 per person
Includes a delicious main and dessert catered by Truffleduck, plus tea and coffee. Each table seats 10 guests. When booking, you’re welcome to nominate other guests you’d enjoy sitting with. Please get in early as tickets to this event are limited.
We look forward to sharing this special evening with you.
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
The Class of 2015 – Celebrating 10 Years
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the Class of 2015 graduated! Over the past decade, our journeys and networks have grown—but now it’s time to come together again. We warmly invite all members of the Class of 2015, along with former and current staff, to join us for the Combined Reunion on Saturday, 29 November.
🎟️ Details & Tickets: Visit the Kardinians website at https://kardinians.com and head to EVENTS.
Let’s reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate how far we’ve come—together.
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
Deakin University Diwali Festival
The annual Festival will once again be located at the stunning Deakin Waurn Ponds Campus.
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, an annual celebration that signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. It’s a joyful milestone celebrated by people across the world irrespective of their culture or religion.
Friday 24 October 2025, 6–9pm
Waurn Ponds Campus
REGISTER NOW
There will be cultural performances, a DJ, food and market stalls, free activities and henna art, a rangoli artwork display, a spectacular fireworks display!
This is a free family-friendly community event.
