From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
While we had some major events for our 30-year celebrations at the start of the term with Founders’ Day and our Gala dinner, the celebrations are far from over. I am excited to see our College Production this year which will be in many ways a tribute to the last 30 years. I am also really interested to see what our students choose to include in the Time Capsule.
Another fun initiative is our 30‑year commemorative paving bricks which families and individuals can purchase to celebrate being part of the College community. Around the back of the newly refurbished School of Visual Arts, you can still see many of the bricks that were purchased in the early days of the College.
It is so lovely to see the familiar names of families and individuals whose names are on these bricks, some where the children have not only graduated but now have their own children at the school.
If you would like to have your child or family remembered in this way for generations to come, please see details further in this bulletin. I must get a move on in organising my family brick too. I am just tossing up whether to get creative or just put our family name - time will tell.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
A large number of students, staff and family members took part in the Geelong Mothers’ Day Classic on Sunday. We know that breast and ovarian cancer have touched many in our community, and I was very proud of our Year 11 IB students Ash, Layla, Asha and Teagan for the work they did to bring our team together. I would also like to acknowledge Ann-Marie Iversen, who was an ambassador for this year’s event.
Monday was a busy day in the Senior School, with many of our Year 8 students heading off on the first of the Glenelg River Canoe Camps. We have been fortunate with the weather for this group and pleased by the positive reports already filtering back to school. Thank you to the staff who give their time to make opportunities like this possible for our students.
We also farewelled our second group of students on Monday evening as they left for Chiang Mai. We wish them well and know that their time away will be full of growth, challenge and new perspective.
Finally, all of our Year 11 students attended the ‘You Just Never Know’ Road Safety Initiative at the Geelong Arts Centre on Monday. Hearing from people with direct experience of road trauma, including first responders, victims, family members and health professionals, made it very clear that the effects reach far beyond the moment of an accident. It was a powerful reminder that small decisions on the road can have lifelong consequences.
From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou
International Family Week: Every Family Has Its Own Story
This week, the Junior School is celebrating International Family Week, culminating in our Family Breakfast on Friday morning. Throughout the week, students are engaging in a range of learning experiences and classroom discussions centred around the meaning of family.
International Family Week is always a particularly meaningful celebration, as it reminds us that every family is unique.
As we celebrate this special week, I am reminded of my own upbringing and the important role family played in shaping who I am today. My grandmother fled the war in Cyprus during the 1970s to begin a new life in Australia. She became the person who raised me and guided me through my childhood years.
I have many fond memories of my grandmother walking me to kindergarten each morning and the conversations we used to have. I remember my packed lunchbox (as she didn’t want her little boy to go hungry…) filled with what many would have considered the most “unusual” sandwich fillings. I also remember other children questioning me about my family structure and asking why they never saw my parents. Some children would even tease me about my “mother” being so old, not realising she was, in fact, my grandmother. At the time, those moments may have been difficult, but to me, family was simple- my grandmother was my family.
She cared for me, loved me unconditionally and played a significant role in educating me during my early years. She taught me the importance of resilience, kindness, the importance of education and values that continue to guide me today.
It is stories like these that remind us why celebrating families is so important. Every child’s experience is different, and every family has its own story. What matters most is that children feel safe and connected to the important people in their lives.
We encourage families to take the opportunity this week to speak with their children about their own unique family stories and backgrounds. If any parents or family members would be prepared to speak to their child’s class and share aspects of their family journey, culture or experiences, please let your child’s teacher know beforehand. It would be wonderful for our students to hear and celebrate the rich and diverse stories within our community.
A reminder that our International Family Breakfast will be held this Friday from 7:45am. I am incredibly grateful to the staff, and parents from KIC Connect who have generously volunteered their time to assist with the organisation and preparation of food for the morning.
Unfortunately, I will not be present at the breakfast, which is something I am genuinely disappointed about. I have been invited to attend an International Baccalaureate conference in Sydney and will be representing the College there during the event. While I am grateful for the opportunity, I will certainly miss being part of what promises to be a very special morning for our community.
Highview Family Morning
This morning at Highview (4-year-old kindergarten) was a wonderful celebration of our families. It was heartwarming to see so many families come together to share their traditions, stories, food and experiences with our children. The excitement on the children’s (and educator’s) faces, and the smiles throughout the morning reflected just how meaningful these moments were for them. Classrooms and shared spaces were filled with laughter, conversation and a genuine sense of belonging as families connected with one another and celebrated the richness and diversity of our community.
A lovely highlight of the morning was watching one grandmother teach our four-year-olds how to dance the Zorba, with children and their parents enthusiastically joining in and laughing together. In another room, families gathered to share delicious Dutch poffertjes, giving children the opportunity to experience and celebrate another culture through food. These special moments captured the true spirit of the morning, families coming together to share the diversity that makes our Highview community so unique. Thank you to all of the families who gave their time and helped create such a warm and memorable morning for our children and staff.
Highview Entrance
We would like to provide a gentle reminder regarding safe entry and exit to the JS carpark. We have recently received a few safety concerns about students and families walking through the exit gate. Please note that the exit gate is designated for vehicles only and is not to be used by pedestrians.
For everyone’s safety, we kindly ask that all families enter and exit through the pedestrian gate located on the side.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a safe environment for all children, families, and staff.
Year 6 GRIP Leadership Conference
On Tuesday 12 May, a number of our Year 6 students attended the GRIP (Generosity, Responsibility, Integrity, People) Leadership Conference held at the Geelong Racing Club, joining student leaders from almost 30 schools across the region.
The GRIP Leadership program is designed to build practical, student-centred leadership skills, with a strong focus on what students can do right now to make a positive difference in their school community. Throughout the day, students engaged in energetic, interactive sessions that explored key leadership themes such as integrity, taking responsibility, being a positive role model and serving the needs of others.
Students participated in activities, discussions and group tasks, working alongside peers from a wide range of schools. This provided a valuable opportunity to share ideas, learn from others and be inspired by different approaches to leadership.
The conference emphasised that leadership is about action, initiative and contributing to a positive school culture. Our students returned with practical strategies, fresh ideas and a clear understanding of how they can lead with confidence, integrity and purpose within our school community.
As always, our students represented the College with Wisdom, Respect and Kindness, participating with enthusiasm and care for others.
Celebrating Kardinia's 30 Year Anniversary - SBS Radio Interview with Takahiro Katsumata
On 1 May, Mr. Takahiro Katsumata had an online interview with SBS Radio Australia.
The interviewer, Ms. Onomichi, learned about Kardinia International College through the Consulate-General of Japan, Mr. Furuya, as well as through the 2026 Geelong Japanese Festival.
During the interview, Mr. Katsumata spoke about his fond memories of the founder, Mr. Yoshimaro Katsumata, his first impressions of KIC, the history of the College, the long-standing bond and exchange between KIC and Gotemba Nishi High School, and his perspectives on the relationship between Japan and Australia.
Thank you to Ms Hiroko Suzuki and Mr Yoshi Ota for their support in setting up this opportunity.
The interview is available on the SBS Radio website: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/japanese/ja/podcast-episode/interview-kardinia/vvchnhhwt or Youtube: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/japanese/ja/podcast-episode/interview-kardinia/vvchnhhwt
High-Performance Athlete Program
This week we are excited to feature a biography of High-Performance Athlete Program participant, Alex Brondou - Year 10
"I began my shooting career in June 2023 at the age of 13, joining the Geelong Pistol Club. Since then, I have steadily improved across both 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol, demonstrated through improved scores, multiple grade breaks, and progression to higher‑level competitions.
Early in my career, I achieved success at club level, winning equal first place in the Geelong Pistol Club’s Eileen and John Pile Trophy for 10m Air Pistol, as well as the Stuart McKean Memorial Trophy for 25m Pistol. These results provided a strong foundation for my development and motivated me to pursue higher levels of competition.
At open and representative events, I have consistently placed highly in junior categories. Notable first‑place finishes include the Ballarat Open, MISC Opens, and the Castlemaine Open. These competitions also featured several personal best performances and grade breaks across disciplines. Both my 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol performances have improved significantly, with consistent competition scores above 500/600.
A major highlight of my shooting career to date was being selected for the Victorian Amateur Pistol Team in the 10m Air Pistol Junior Men’s event at the ISSF Nationals in Brisbane. I have also been selected for the Victorian Tri‑State Team in both 2025 and 2026. These opportunities have provided valuable coaching experiences and further motivation to continue developing my skills.
I currently train in both 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol two to three times per week, often spending several hours per session. My training focuses on improving technique, maintaining sustained focus, and achieving greater consistency under competition conditions. This approach has supported my ongoing improvement in competition performance.
In addition, I compete in the men’s open divisions for 25m Rapid Fire and 25m Standard Pistol, where I have progressed to C‑Grade in Rapid Fire and D‑Grade in Standard Pistol.
My future goals are to progress to A Grade and ultimately Master Grade in both 25m Pistol and 10m Air Pistol (Junior), to be selected for the Australian Junior Team, and to represent Australia at the highest possible level, including the Olympic Games."
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!
Wellbeing Hub News
Social media has become such an integral part of a teenager’s life that it can cause anxiety and lower their self-esteem. Modern teens are learning to do most of their communication whilst looking at a screen instead of another person. They are missing out on very critical social skills.
And dependant on what they are communicating online, it can affect their digital reputation. Friendships, relationships and even future job prospects are all at risk. As a parent, it is very important that you are aware of what picture they are painting of themselves online.
Did you know 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.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Save the Date - Parent Trivia Night!
The next College Community Council (CCC) event is the Trivia Night on Thursday 30 July.
Tickets for this event will be released next week!
30th Anniversary Commemorative Paving Bricks
Orders close at the end of this month! Celebrate Kardinia’s 30th Anniversary by securing your Commemorative Paving Brick and preserving your family’s name in the College’s history.
Leave a lasting mark with a personalised brick—engraved or hand‑drawn—and installed in a central area of the College grounds.
How to order:
- Collect an order form (sent home with JS students; also available at JS Reception or SS Student Services).
- Make payment via the link or QR code: https://events.humanitix.com/30-year-anniversary-bricks
- Return your completed form with your name and mobile number before the end of May.
Something every family should cherish — the 30th Anniversary Memento Ripples of Kindness: The Gift That Grew
Does your family have their keepsake to treasure?
This beautifully crafted memento honours the people, moments and acts of kindness that shaped Kardinia International College over three remarkable decades. It’s a heartfelt celebration of community, connection and the legacy that continues to grow.
Secure your family’s copy today: https://events.humanitix.com/apr-may-2026-ripples-of-kindness-the-gift-that-grew
*This link closes at the end of May.
Community AFL Footy Tipping Competition Leaderboard
And just like that, Round 9 produced some top tipping from Mark N, Kate L, Bec D, and Fiona R with 9 correct tips!
The overall leaders after Round 9 are now:
- Holly R.
- Peter P.
- Tania B
- Katherine P
- Scott S
These top 5 are only separated by margins, with Mark N, Isabelle T and Isabelle W hot on their heels!
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Senior School Cross Country - The Early Years
The Senior College Cross Country Competition was held each year in Term Two, throughout the first decade of the College. All Senior School students took part in a run along the Barwon River, a tradition that became a memorable part of the school calendar. Depending on their division, students completed a course that ranged between three and six kilometres, testing their endurance, determination, and school spirit.
Junior School students competed in their own House Cross Country with U10 running over 1,500m while 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds ran 2,000m. Lower Primary students provided enthusiastic support for their Houses.
The perpetual trophies have the following Houses engraved:
Senior School Cross Country Trophy
1998 Gotemba
1999 Thomson
2000 Gotemba
2001 Thomson
2002 Cowie
2003 Gotemba
2004 Thomson
2005 Morongo
Junior School Cross Country Trophy
2000 Thomson
2001 Gotemba
2002 Thomson
2003 Thomson
2004 Cowie
2005 Gotemba
1997
1998
1999
Next week: Memories of the First Production of ‘Dags’
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
