From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
Waking up to find our school being celebrated on the front page of The Age yesterday was a wonderful feeling.
The article highlighted so many of the special and unique qualities that make it such a joy to be a part of Kardinia International College. With over 2000 students, it still amazes me as I walk around the campus how calm it feels. No bells and beautiful grounds certainly contribute to that sense of calm.
The Vertical Curriculum in the Senior School and the PYP Curriculum in the Junior School and options for VCE and IB DP for our Senior students all provide our students with a voice in their learning which also contributes to the positive learning atmosphere. Most of all, the respectful and inclusive culture of our community and the wonderful staff, students and families that form our community are what makes it a special place to learn and work.
I do want to qualify one small point from the article which recognised Mr and Mrs Katsumata as the owners of the school. They are our Founders, but they have never owned the school. Thirty years ago, they purchased the grounds and buildings of Morongo Girls School and then set up the not-for-profit legal entity of Kardinia International College which is managed by our College Board. The College now owns all the land and buildings within which the school operates.
The close connection with the Katsumata family remains in two family members, Mr Yoshihisa Katsumata and Mr Takahiro Katsumata, as members of our College Board. I have no doubt that our Founders would have been immensely proud of yesterday’s article with Kardinia International College being named as the winner of the Schools that Excel Regional category.
Likewise, we are extremely grateful for the Katsumata’s vision for a school the builds bridges to the future.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
Looking ahead in the Senior School:
- Monday 14 September – House Debating Finals
- Tuesday 15 September – Parent-Teacher Interviews (from 1:40pm) – 12:50pm dismissal
- Friday 18 September – Parent-Teacher Interviews (from 9am) – Student-Free Day
Last Wednesday I was fortunate to be one of the supervisors for the ‘Reach for the Stars’ viewing party, where the cast and crew of our 30th Anniversary Production came together to watch a recording of the production. It was an absolute delight – every student there was celebrated, with people singing along, joining in choreography – even for numbers they hadn’t been officially in. It was a lovely reminder of the joy that working together on performance can bring, the friendships that develop, and the fun that is had all together. Congratulations one last time to all of the students involved.
Our 2027 Prefect Elections were held on Monday, with students short-listed for College Captain speaking to the whole Senior School, and those short-listed for House Captain speaking to their house groups. It is such a brave step to put yourself forward as a possible leader in the College, and every single student who nominated should be proud of themselves. In listening to the students share their hopes for the future of Kardinia, and reflect on their individual journey that had brought them to the point of being on stage in front of their peers, was such a lovely reflection of the values and hopes of not just these specific students, but of our community more broadly. We’re very much looking forward to sharing the 2027 Prefects with everyone very soon.
From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou
Learning Support Officers
At our Monday Morning Melodies Assembly, I briefly spoke about the important role our Learning Support Officers (teacher aides) play in the life of our Junior School. In the first week of September, we formally recognise and celebrate our LSOs, whose care, patience, dedication and compassion make a profound difference to our students every day. Their work is often behind the scenes, yet they help children feel supported and included, enabling our learning communities to thrive and ensuring every student has the opportunity to shine. Just as importantly, our LSOs work in close partnership with Learning Group teachers, building strong collegial relationships that support student learning and wellbeing. Through a genuine commitment to each child, our LSOs make an invaluable contribution to our school community. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to thank our LSOs for their remarkable service.
Student-Led Conferences
Student-Led Conferences are an important part of our PYP programme and provide a valuable opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning. Led by the students themselves, these conferences allow children to share their achievements, reflect on their growth, discuss future goals, and celebrate their learning with their families. We value these conversations as they promote student agency, strengthen home-school partnerships, and give students an authentic opportunity to showcase their learning journey and development as IB Learners. We look forward to welcoming families and sharing in these meaningful celebrations of learning.
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
Sports News
Table Tennis
Our GISSA Table Tennis team produced an incredible performance at the recent Championships, with the highlight coming in a thrilling final that went right down to the wire against Geelong Baptist College.
Trailing five sets to 6 and facing a huge deficit at 18–11, it looked like the championship was slipping away. However, Elliott G (Year 9) refused to give up. Showing tremendous composure and determination, Elliott fought his way back into the match, eventually winning 21–19 to seal a remarkable come-from-behind victory.
It was a fantastic display of resilience and never-give-up attitude from the team.
A special congratulations to Aatmika P (Year 8), who was named our Best Player on the Day for her outstanding performance throughout the competition.
The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Brodie H (Year 9), recognising his fantastic attitude, respect and sportsmanship as the team’s captain throughout the day.
Congratulations to all of our Table Tennis players on a terrific day of competition!
Cocurricular News
RoboCup Junior Competition
On Saturday 5 September, 40+ schools and independent teams from across Victoria — more than 200 teams in total — gathered at Genazzano FCJ College for the State RoboCup Junior competition, one of the biggest dates on the robotics calendar. Kardinia International College sent a strong contingent of students to compete across three categories: Rescue Maze, Rescue Line and Soccer.
As exciting as the event was it was never about winning or losing — it was about grit. It was the trial, the error, and the "let's tweak it and try again" spirit that carried our students through every challenge. They swapped ideas, cheered each other on, and built friendships that'll outlast any scoreboard. Coding, design, problem-solving, teamwork, resilience — those are the skills our students packed up and took home today, and they're worth a lot more than a ranking.
Kardinia's teams delivered outstanding results across the board.
In the Mighty Maisy Rescue Maze, Thinking AAHD (Hriday A, Arya J, Akshaj S and Dylan W) topped both the preliminary rounds and the Super Round finals to take out first place overall, State Champions!!— a brilliant achievement against a field of 11 teams. The Guardians of Rosie (Mia G (in absence Rosa B)) also reached the finals, finishing third overall. Our primary teams also competed very well finishing in 5th and 8th overall just missing out on the finals.
In the Secondary Rescue Line, our three teams — The Brick Wall (Sam F, Bailey G and Rhys W), Speedy Boi (Cyrus B, Maxie J and Samuel L) and Ling Ling (James B and Jonathon L) — competed against a field of 41 teams, with The Brick Wall finishing an impressive 11th.
On the soccer field, Bumble Bee and Pinkie Pie (Clemy W and Winter Z) topped their group and went on to finish fourth overall in a 20-team draw, while Celestial Glory (Pietro B, Evan G, Sid G, and Edison B) also reached the finals as quarter-finalists.
Adding to the celebrations, both Thinking AAHD and The Brick Wall were also recognised as the best regional teams in their divisions for Engineering and Design — a wonderful endorsement of the creativity and technical skill our students brought to the competition.
A huge thank you to our mentors, teachers, families, and the RoboCup Junior Victoria team and volunteers who made the event possible. We couldn't be prouder of every student who took part.
Wellbeing Hub News
The rise of mental health concerns among young people, including anxiety, depression, and self-harm, is a pressing issue amplified by factors such as academic stress, social media, family dynamics and societal expectations. It is therefore crucial to prioritise early intervention, de-stigmatise mental health discussions, and provide accessible and effective support to address these concerns and promote the wellbeing of young people.
This year R U OK?Day falls on Thursday 10 September, an annual National Day of Action and a reminder that every day is the day to check in with your friends, family and colleagues.
R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention year round by urging people to invest time in personal relationships and empowering informal support networks to identify signs of distress. Families are encouraged to engage in this initiative, emphasising the importance of authentic human connections and reminding everyone to ask the essential question, "Are you OK?"
This year, our senior school students will mark R U OK?Day with a special four-House puzzle challenge…. With a little more to the activity than just completing a puzzle. All will be revealed tomorrow morning for students!
And Centrepoint will have a great selection of fun R U Ok? day themed options for sale.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
2026 Kardinians Reunions - Tickets Now Available
As part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to announce that tickets for the 2026 Kardinians Reunions are now available. These milestone events are an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, celebrate shared memories and strengthen our alumni community. We would appreciate your help in spreading the word to fellow Kardinians who may not yet be receiving our communications.
The First Decade Reunion – Friday 30 October
Open to all students and staff who attended the College between 1996 and 2006, this special gathering honours the formative years of Kardinia’s history.
Tickets for the First Decade Reunion
1‑Year Reunion – Class of 2025
We look forward to welcoming back some of our newest alumni and hearing about their first year beyond the College.
Tickets for the 1-Year Reunion
Combined 5‑, 10‑, 15‑, 20‑ and 25‑Year Reunion – Saturday 28 November
This annual event brings together alumni from the Classes of 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. Please share this information with peers from these year groups to ensure they don’t miss out.
Tickets for the Combined Reunion
Alumni who are not currently registered on The Kardinians are encouraged to update their details to ensure they receive future invitations and alumni news: https://kardinians.com/
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Celebrating 30 Years - Japanese Display
The 30th Anniversary Japanese Display presents a striking visual tribute to our Founders, anchored by a stunning collage of Mr and Mrs Katsumata, Mt Fuji, and cherished memories from the College’s early years. This window installation serves as a symbolic reflection on the vision, cultural heritage and international connections that shaped Kardinia’s beginnings.
Precious artefacts enrich the display, including Mrs Katsumata’s tanka, her beautifully hand‑painted emu eggs, and a selection of meaningful gifts from Gotemba Nishi High School. Complementing these items is a curated collection of Japanese textiles, ceramics and paper works, alongside an illustrated timeline that provides historical context and highlights key milestones across the College’s 30‑year journey.
Photos: College Archives
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
