From the Deputy Principal - Paul Dowie
Last week, eleven students combined with another school (Woodcroft, SA) to adventure into the wilds of Cape York. The trip’s aim was to experience the world of Aboriginal people living in far north Queensland.
I would like to commend the students and their families for taking this journey. As we work towards Reconciliation with Aboriginal Peoples, we need to be informed and understand their perspectives. This trip provided many insights as the Aboriginal Elders we met shared so much of their Culture and lives with us. The following outline provides a taste of the adventures we had on this trip.
During our travels we passed through many different landscapes, from sugar cane plantations, grasslands, eucalyptus forests dotted with termite mounds, mountainous terrains, rainforests to eventually snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef.
Our base camp was on the Kalkajaka Homeland at Black Mountain. Kalkajaka translates to "place of the spear". Traditional Owner, Ian, took us on a hike to the base of “Black-rock Mountain”. Ian shared a number of Dreamtime stories about this amazing place. We marvelled at the mass of gigantic, black granite boulders that tower over the landscape, creating a stark contrast with the scrubby green forest below. We learnt about the land and the mountain, particularly how the mountain moves and is unpredictable. Traditional owners ask that people do not climb this sacred place. Many have died climbing and descending from the mountain due to the moving rocks, opening holes and gaps. As we walked around his Country, Ian shared his knowledge of traditional medicines and foods. From tasty berries, disinfectants, woods for tool making, sandpaper leaves, soapy leaves, and cures for toothaches and sore tummy’s, Ian’s people had them all.
The following day we travelled to Hopevale. Our first stop was at the Hopevale Arts Centre, where we saw some amazing artworks, and where we learnt about the Lutheran Missions, the forced removal of people during WWII due to spy concerns and the living conditions for people living in such a remote area. We met Aunty Pearl and Aunty Wanda who were painting at the Art’s Centre. They spoke to us about their stories and what the meanings were behind their art. Aunty Wanda Gibson's picture book, 'Three Dresses', has won the top prize at this year's Victorian Premier's Literary Awards for children's literature.
We then walked over to the community store and had a look at what they had to offer. We were challenged to look at the prices of goods here compared with prices back home. Things were so much more expensive. After this we walked to Hopevale Primary School and joined the students in their classes and played tag, basketball, and football with the kids during their lunch break.
In the afternoon we visited local elders who taught us about aspects of their Culture. Aunty Esme taught us how to traditionally weave fibres into baskets. Uncle Trevor taught us the art of spear making. Aunty Dora taught us basic Guugu Yimithirr words. Guugu Yimithirr is one of the more famous Australian Aboriginal languages as they were some of the first words recorded. For example, kanguru (gang-ur-u), in Guugu Yimithirr, means a large grey kangaroo, and became the general English term for all kangaroos.
We made a stop at Cooktown and had a look at the Captain Cook statue there. We learnt about Cook’s interaction with local Aboriginal people here, how Aboriginal lore was broken by Cook’s men taking too many turtles and the subsequent first act of reconciliation that occurred.
We travelled to Wujal Wujal falls where we saw a crocodile sunbaking on the other side of the river. At the waterfalls we were met by Aunty Kathleen, who is an Aboriginal elder. She Welcomed us to Country. Kathleen called out to her grandfather’s spirit, in her traditional language, to protect us on our travels. She invited us to walk through the smoke and waft if over ourselves, offering us protection and good fortune. We learnt about Kathleen’s history and her perspective on all Australians being part of one culture. This spiritual ceremony made a lasting impact on many of us who were present.
Our final day involved snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. Our boat took us to two amazing reefs, Hastings Reef and Saxon Reef, which were full of large corals and school of the most colourful fish. At Saxon Reef we were met by Frank a large Napoleon Wrasse, who circled our boat for an hour and a half and kept his eye on what we were doing. A number of students also saw a sea turtle eating his way along the coral reef.
I sincerely hope that Senior students next year, will consider participating in a similar trip, as it really is an amazing experience.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
On Thursday evening I was lucky enough to watch the Unit 3 & 4 Theatre Studies Students perform their version of Small Store of Scares. What a wonderful performance! Every student involved both on and off stage was fully committed to their role in the show, and there were consistently strong performances across the board. The show that I attended was designed to be a sensory friendly performance, which involved careful consideration by the students and allowed them to demonstrate their ability to apply safe, ethical, inclusive and sustainable working practices in theatre production.
Our music students have also been very busy this week, with the KIC IT band participating in the Geelong Combined Schools Band Workshop at Iona College on Tuesday, and for the next two evenings we will have the opportunity to enjoy music performances from students completing Cover It, Unearthed, Bandstand and Encore. These performances all involve students working with others, where every one of them makes a contribution to the finished product, and helps them to continue developing their skills in collaboration, listening, negotiating, and of course, musicianship.
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Nikki Petyanszki
Precious Plastics
Last week, our Year 4 students had the exciting opportunity to participate in a Precious Plastics incursion, a hands-on experience that brought sustainability and innovation to life.
Students explored how everyday plastic waste can be transformed into useful new items. They learned about the environmental impact of plastic and the importance of reducing waste. With great enthusiasm, they watched demonstrations of machines that shred, melt, and mould plastic into new products, and some even had the chance to get involved!
This learning connects with their Sharing the Planet Unit of Inquiry and is a fantastic opportunity to see real-world applications of science, design, and environmental responsibility.
Barwon Health Foundation Casual Clothes
The Barwon Health Foundation have a meaningful slogan, ‘Giving is our love language’. We hope we can also give back to them to help find a cure for Brain Cancer. While we do this, we also hope to support our local Kardinia community as some students might have family or friends who are affected by cancer. We will be supporting them by having a casual clothes with a gold coin donation on the 27 June (last day of term). We also recognise the Barwon Health Foundation Giving Weekend on June 21-22. We hope you can help us give back! - Lucy and Oscar, Action Committee Leaders
Junior School Disco
The JS Disco is this Friday, June 13, from 4pm to 6pm in the Hall. It's going to be a fantastic event filled with music, dancing, and fun. There will be pizza for sale at $3 per slice, with both cash and EFTPOS payment options. We hope to see many of you there!
News from the Earthcore Committee
Reconciliation Week Planting
On Friday 30 May as part of Reconciliation Week, students and staff planted an incredible 72 native plants in just 50 minutes!
It was an amazing sight to see students from Year 6 through to Year 12 working side by side with staff, united in action and purpose, regenerating the Gotemba Student Quad. This event wasn’t just about planting—it was about acknowledging the ongoing journey of Reconciliation, recognising the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples, and that we all need to continue to work towards a more respectful and connected community.
Year 12 Chemistry Students Explore Green Hydrogen with Viva Energy
Our Year 12 VCE Chemistry students recently had the opportunity to engage with industry professionals from Viva Energy during a special visit focused on hydrogen production and sustainable energy technologies. As part of the experience, Viva Energy brought along their hydrogen-powered vehicle, giving students a firsthand look at how fuel cell technology is being applied in real-world transport solutions. The visit provided valuable context to the students’ studies of electrolysis and fuel cells, while also highlighting the importance of green chemistry in addressing global energy challenges. It was a powerful way to explore future career pathways in science and engineering, and to strengthen our partnerships with local industry and the wider community.
We sincerely thank the team from Viva Energy for generously sharing their time, expertise and resources to support our students’ learning and inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.
Resource Smart Awards
On Thursday, senior school students Elise, Genevieve, Mitchell and Nessie headed up to the ‘G as finalists for the Resource Smart School Awards and came away as the winners of the Container Deposit Scheme Excellence Award. It was an incredible day as students got to present their own sustainability work as well as being inspired by the other high schools and primary schools at the event. The students ran their own exposition stall which highlighted our sustainability at Kardinia International College including the Earthcore committee, our annual waste audit, last year’s Tree Project and of course the implementation of the purple CDS bins. Students also had the opportunity to visit other stalls from schools around Victoria, to learn about their unique and creative sustainability practices. The event was hosted by Costa from Gardening Australia, with a number of Victoria’s environmental officials present, creating a very inspiring atmosphere.
This award was presented to the College in recognition of our recent student lead action of bringing the CDS to the school. This was an IB CAS project in which students partnered our school with the social enterprise, Recycle4Change, to ensure our school’s containers were being recycled in the best way possible.
On Wednesday 11 June, the Minister for Environment Victoria, Steve Dimopoulos, came to the College to meet with representatives of Earthcore to see firsthand the great work they do.
World Environment Day
Last week we acknowledged World Environment Day, a global reminder that protecting our planet starts with the everyday choices we make – at school, at home, and in our communities.
Even though June 5 has come and gone, it’s never too late to take meaningful action. As a College community, we’re encouraging families to keep the momentum going by adopting simple, sustainable habits at home:
💡 Turn off lights and appliances when not in use
🚿 Use water wisely – shorter showers, fix drips
♻️ Reduce your waste – reduce, reuse, and recycle right
🛍️ Ditch single-use plastics – bring your own bags and bottles
🍽️ Avoid food waste – plan meals and compost scraps
🚲 Walk, ride or carpool when you can
🌿 Plant something together – even a few herbs can make a difference
These actions help build lifelong habits that protect our planet and support a sustainable future.
Thank you for being part of the change. Let’s make everyday Earth Day.
Eid Celebrations
Last week, the Senior School marked the celebration of Eid with a vibrant series of activities, including Islamic art workshops, a food stall, a photo booth, and daily fun facts that highlighted the significance of Islamic culture.
The celebration was also an opportunity to give back, with all funds raised proudly donated to the World Food Programme in support of global communities in need.
Events like this reflect the College’s cornerstone value of International Mindedness, providing students with meaningful opportunities to learn about and celebrate cultural diversity while promoting respect, inclusion, and global awareness across our school community.
Social Justice Committee News
On May 30, a mixture of Social Justice Committee members and Year 1 IB students hosted a bake sale for the Cancer Council. This took place in Centrepoint Café during lunchtime. Ms Russell provided us with yellow decorations, advertisement posters and price tags, meaning all we had to do was bake!
About two weeks prior to the bake sale, IB students collaborated on a list of baked goods. We made sure to record the allergens to accommodate dietary needs and prevent problems on the day. Mitch baked a delicious pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing, Aurelia had classic vanilla cupcakes, and Chloe made an amazing hedgehog slice! Customers really liked Jesse's strawberry shortcake, Alice's truffles and Molly's choc chip cookies.
This was a great CAS opportunity for all of us and we had lots of friendly competition. One of our IB bakers said she was "really impressed that a lot of people chipped in to help". It was a really nice activity for us IB students to get to know one another better.
In total, we raised $534.40 for the Cancer Council this month - an outstanding amount. The bake sale ran smoothly and we had many compliments from customers. We even had some students and teachers donate additional money!
I hope bake sales like these continue to happen as they cultivate a sense of community. I am beyond grateful to Ms Russell and all the bakers who made this event possible.
- Sara K, Year 11
Future Pathways and Education News
Child Safe Standards
As we continue our weekly exploration of the Child Safe Standards, we remain focused on building a strong culture of child safety, inclusion, and empowerment within our College community. This week, we turn to Child Safe Standard 8 - Ongoing Education and Training for Staff and Volunteers.
At Kardinia International College, we prioritise the ongoing education and training of our staff and volunteers to ensure they are equipped to recognise, respond to, and prevent harm to children. Through regular training, our staff are supported in understanding child safety, recognising the signs of harm, and providing a safe, culturally inclusive environment for all students.
This commitment ensures that all staff are capable of identifying potential risks, responding effectively to child safety concerns, and supporting children who need help. By maintaining a well-trained team, we continue to strengthen the safety and wellbeing of every child at Kardinia International College.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to contact your child’s Head of School or speak to a member of our Leadership Team.
Wellbeing Hub News
Happy Families Live webinar with Dr Justin Coulson: Wednesday 18 June, 7pm
Rewards are Just Punishments in Reverse!
Using rewards and punishments as a form of discipline was popularised throughout the 1970s as parenting programs began to be developed. And the approach is still popular today, for a couple of reasons. First, because “I was raised like that, and I turned out alright”. And second, it just makes sense. It’s logical to us—perhaps because it’s how our world seems to work. Our approach to discipline is improving. But we still have a long way to go.
To access the Webinar: https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/kic Password: happykic
* We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Searching for Missing Alumni
Were you part of the Kardinia journey between 1996 and 2006 or are you in contact with those who were? We are searching for missing alumni, particularly from the first decade.
The First 10 Years Reunion is on Friday 21 November and the Combined 5-, 10-, 15- & 20-Year Reunion for the Classes of 2020, 2015, 2010 and 2005 is Saturday 29 November.
Update your contact details or register now: https://kardinians.com Save the Dates and spread the word! Tickets released soon!
Jazz & Blues Concert - Next Week
With over 80 tickets already sold, it’s not too late to join us for a fabulous night of Jazz and Blues!
Date: Friday 20 June 2025
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm (Doors open at 6:00pm)
Venue: College Hall
Tickets: Essential (General seating) https://events.humanitix.com/jazz-and-blues
Donations at the door will support our music program and the purchase of new instruments.
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement & Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
The Kardinians – A Look Back at Our Social Media Journey
The Kardinians have been sharing memories and milestones on social media since 2012! This week, we’re taking a nostalgic look back at some of our earliest posts — including highlights from the Class of 2002’s 10-Year Reunion and a call-out for the Class of 2007’s 5-Year Reunion.
Our Facebook and Instagram pages are filled with treasured moments from across the years. While all new updates will now be shared on our official account, @KardiniaCollege, all past posts will remain available for you to revisit and enjoy.
Thank you for being part of the journey — we hope these memories bring a smile to your face!
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
Community School Holiday Programs
City of Greater Geelong Regional Parenting Programs - Click on the image below to access the website and calendar.
