Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 10 June 2026

From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill

Today was the College’s annual Big Freeze fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease. This year was particularly poignant, considering the recent passing of Neale Daniher, and it was wonderful to see so many students involved not just in its organisation, but also participating on the day.

Thank you so much to Mr Ota, Mr Harding, Ms Rinaldi, Mr Bainbridge and Mr Clark for their willingness to don costumes and let children throw water at them for such a great cause.

We have seen so many student-driven fundraisers in the Senior School this term, led by students from Years 7-12. I am always so impressed by our students’ commitment to making a difference in the world.

We’re very much looking forward to our 2026 House Music competition on the last day of this term. Each house has been rehearsing hard all term, and the performances are just about ready. A reminder that this is another of our compulsory College events and that all students are expected to attend.

From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou

Working Bee - It takes a village…

Yesterday’s Working Bee at the Grove was a wonderful display of community spirit. We are incredibly grateful to the many parents who generously contributed their time and energy to enhance our garden spaces. A special thank you to our parent volunteers, who played a key role in preparing stakes for our weeping plants and constructing a sheltered canopy to protect our broccoli. Their efforts have made a meaningful difference, helping to enrich the unique environment we provide for our students.

If you would like to be involved in future Working Bees, please speak with our Year 5 team.

We would like to acknowledge and thank Nick Clements, Gwen Coburn, Kat Gardner, Kat Xiang, Pip Price, April Slater, Shenagh Calafiore, Katie Johnson, and Shaun Levett for their valued support.

** We will have an end of term market next week on Thursday 18 June.

Meet and Greet with our Wellbeing Dog

You are invited to meet our Wellbeing Dog, Millie, Thursday 11 June at 9:00am in the JS Conference Room. Come and hear about this exciting project and how it can support student wellbeing. 

Thank you

Thank you to our wonderful community for supporting our World Environment Day fundraiser. Through last week’s casual dress day, we raised an impressive $508.75. These funds will contribute to the conservation of the critically endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum and the endangered Bogong moth, supporting important efforts to protect these unique Australian species and their fragile habitats. We appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm and generosity in making this a meaningful and impactful day.

Congratulations

Margaret Saric (5LM) and Emily Hajduk (6MG), who play in the Football Victoria Geelong Representative team, were crowned tournament winners on the weekend, securing a 1–0 victory in the grand final, with Margaret scoring the decisive goal. A fantastic achievement- our Kardinia girls are doing us proud!

Camp Australia Newsletter

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

Homestay Families Wanted - Japanese Homestay Exchange Program, August 2026

Kardinia International College is pleased to welcome a group from our sister school, Gotemba Nishi High School (Japan), this August. A group of 13 students (Years 10–12, boys and girls) and two teachers will be visiting Geelong from Tuesday 18 August to Monday 24 August (Week 6, Term 3). This exchange is reciprocal, with Kardinia planning to send a group of students and teachers to Gotemba Nishi High School in 2027.

We are currently seeking volunteer homestay families who are willing to share their Australian lifestyle and culture with a visiting student. Homestay families are asked to provide:

• A caring and welcoming environment

• All meals during the stay

• A bedroom (or shared bedroom)

This is a wonderful opportunity to build meaningful cultural connections and support our international partnership. If your family is interested in hosting, please email h.suzuki@kardinia.vic.edu.au for further information, including requirements such as completing the volunteer register and holding a valid Working with Children Check.

Homestay families will be supported by the Senior School Exchange Program Team. An online host family orientation session will be held prior to the visit to outline the program, share the itinerary, and provide an opportunity for questions.

Humanities News

Victorian Students' Parliamentary Program (VSPP) – Regional Parliamentary Convention

Year 8 students Meher, Bhrithi, Sarah, Evie and Lucas recently participated in the Victorian Students' Parliamentary Program (VSPP) Regional Parliamentary Convention hosted by St Joseph's College Geelong.

The convention brought together students from St Joseph's College, The Geelong College, Saint Ignatius College, Mackillop Catholic Regional College, Damascus College, Iona College and Kardinia International College to explore the challenging question of where legal and social boundaries should be drawn between freedom of speech and hate speech.

Replicating the Victorian parliamentary process, students debated competing democratic values including freedom of speech, truth and open discussion, alongside the principles of dignity, equality and protection from harm. A key idea explored throughout the day was that if words can be the trigger for action, then words can also be the trigger for harm.

Students were privileged to hear from Laureate Professor Adrienne Stone from Melbourne Law School at The University of Melbourne, who provided expert insights into the legal and societal complexities surrounding free speech and hate speech laws.

The day provided students with an authentic opportunity to engage in parliamentary debate, consider diverse perspectives and develop their civic understanding, public speaking and critical thinking skills.

A fantastic day of democratic engagement and political learning.

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.

Duke of Edinburgh News

Gold Award Ceremony

A special day at Government House, celebrating eight Kardinians who have achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Hosted by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, the celebration was meaningful recognition of the dedication, resilience and service behind this significant achievement.

Congratulations to Class of 2024 Alumni Lachlan S, Coco W, Meya V, and Class of 2025 Alumni Sarah A, Jessica H, Georgia E, Taylor S and Elise W. We are grateful to our Duke of Edinburgh coordinators Roslyn McKenzie and Carly Felvus for their incredible support of our students in their pursuits. A proud moment for the Kardinian community.

Music News

Congratulations to Jennifer Y (Year 8), Alice H (Year 9) and Ella R (Year 12) on reaching the regional final of the Australian Youth Classical Music Competition.

To have three Kardinia students recognised at this level is a wonderful achievement and reflects the dedication, skill and confidence nurtured through the College’s instrumental music program. It is also a credit to our Instrumental Teaching Staff, whose ongoing support helps students thrive musically.

We wish all three students the very best for the final at the Keith Humble Centre on Saturday 13 June.

High Performance Athletes Program

Lucas Mar (Year 10) - Cycling

"Recently, I travelled to Canberra to compete in the NSW and ACT Northwave Junior Road Series, racing against some of the top junior cyclists in Australia. The event was held over two days. Saturday featured a criterium (a short, closed-circuit race) and a 50 km road race with nearly 1,000 metres of elevation gain. On Sunday, riders competed in a 16.5 km individual time trial, followed by a 3.6 km hill climb, both raced solo against the clock.

The weekend began with a fast-paced 30-minute criterium at Stromlo Forest Park. The course included fast, sweeping bends, making positioning crucial throughout. Riders were constantly contesting space and attempting to form breakaways, though none were successful. Ultimately, the race came down to a bunch sprint, favouring larger riders with a strong finishing kick.

The road race followed along an out-and-back course on Uriarra Road. Although the route passed through impressive scenery, the consistently aggressive pace left little opportunity to take it in. Numerous attacks were launched on both short, steep pinches and longer climbs. The race split on a decisive climb out of the river valley, where I found myself in a chasing group working to close the gap to the leaders.

On Sunday, the individual time trial covered part of the road racecourse and involved more climbing than a typical ITT. Riders looked to gain every possible advantage through pacing strategy, equipment, and positioning to minimise their time.

The final event was the hill climb—a short but intense effort up Mt Stromlo that favoured riders with a high power-to-weight ratio. With a steady gradient throughout, success depended on sustaining a high intensity from start to finish.

Across the weekend, the level of competition was extremely high, with every rider delivering their maximum effort across all four disciplines. Competing at this level provided a valuable opportunity to gain experience."

Overseas Students Take on the Ice!

Last weekend, a group of our overseas students enjoyed an exciting excursion to O’Brien Icehouse. Accompanied by Ms Willard and Mrs Zhao, students spent time ice skating, sharing laughs, and supporting one another as they built confidence on the ice.

For many students, it was their first time skating, making the experience both memorable and rewarding. After their session, students enjoyed bubble tea, relaxing together, chatting, and strengthening friendships.

Weekend outings like this help create a supportive space where overseas students can connect, relax, and feel a stronger sense of belonging within the school community. We look forward to more students taking part in future events.

Cola P - Year 8, overseas student - Laos

Co-curricular News

Chess Club - Junior School

Register for Term 3 now!

Wellbeing Hub News

Sleep is essential for a young person's mental health, wellbeing, learning and development. However, many children and teenagers today are not getting enough quality sleep due to increased screen time, social media, gaming and busy lifestyles. When young people sleep well, they are generally happier, more focused, emotionally regulated and better prepared for school and daily life. Healthy sleep also supports memory, learning, immune function and overall development. In contrast, ongoing sleep deprivation can affect mood, behaviour, attention and academic performance.

For teenagers especially, adequate sleep is critical during this important stage of brain and emotional development. Supporting healthy sleep habits is one of the most important ways to protect a young person's wellbeing.

Read more here.

Community Engagement and Foundation News

Our story - the 30th Anniversary Memento Ripples of Kindness: The Gift That Grew

You haven’t missed out! Copies of the special limited-edition 30 Years Anniversary picture book 'Ripples of Kindness: The Gift That Grew' are still available between 1-30 June.

Please note this is a new link from 1st June. Once purchased, books will be available for collection at the Junior School and Senior School reception from Monday 14th June. An email will confirm your book is ready for collection.

June orders: https://events.humanitix.com/june-2026-ripples-of-kindness-the-gift-that-grew

*Please note this image is not a live link.

Parent Trivia Night!

Our annual Parent Trivia Night is on Thursday 30 July at Murphys Geelong (Upstairs) from 6:30pm–9:30pm. The trivia kicks off at 7pm, so gather your team before tickets sell out! It’s always a great night and a full house!

Tickets: $25 per person (Food and drinks available at bar prices) 

https://events.humanitix.com/2026-ccc-trivia-night

Teams: 6–8 people. Form a team ahead of time or simply join one on the night. It’s a fantastic chance to connect with other parents, catch up with familiar faces, and welcome new members of our school community.

Hosted by the College Community Council (CCC), this event is all about fun and building community spirit. Don’t miss out!

Save the Date - Term 3 Coffee Morning

Tuesday 14 July is the first day of Term 3 and the next K-12 Parent Coffee Morning. It is a great chance to link in with our community, catch up with familiar faces and meet new parents. It is your community. Take the time to add it to your calendar, if you haven’t already.

CCC Family Footy Tipping

Footy Tipping updates will continue next week!

Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator

From the Archives

Memories of House Music 2006 - 2015

As the College moved into its second decade, House Music continued to be one of the most unifying traditions on the Senior School calendar. Although Gotemba remained a dominant force during these years, every House experienced the pride of a championship moment—proof that the event belonged to everyone.

The format stayed true to its roots:

• a small‑group performance, where creativity and collaboration took centre stage, and

• the mass choir, a powerful expression of House identity.

But with enrolments growing steadily, the logistics became more challenging. Moving hundreds of students on and off the stage required precision, patience, and a shared commitment to making the event shine. Yet year after year, the community rose to the occasion, turning potential chaos into something memorable.

During this period, the champions were:

• 2006 — Gotemba

• 2007 — Gotemba

• 2008 — Gotemba

• 2009 — Cowie

• 2010 — Thomson

• 2011 — Morongo

• 2012 — Gotemba

• 2013 — Gotemba

• 2014 — Morongo

• 2015 — Cowie

These years were defined not just by strong performances, but how students supported one another—older students guiding younger ones, Houses cheering for their rivals, and staff working behind the scenes to keep the tradition thriving. House Music remained a celebration and a shared effort in a team competition.

2015 - Cowie's House Music Presentation

Next week: Memories of House Music 2016 - 2025

Fiona Russell - College Archivist

Community

Casting Dreams Benefit Evening

'Family and Friends' discount currently on offer - use code DREAMBIG05 to receive $5 off tiered seating! Click on the image below!

Supporting Adults who Shape Young Athletes