From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
Yesterday we bid farewell to a beloved friend, colleague, and teacher in Christine Anketell. Her service was a wonderful celebration of her incredible life. It was testament to the esteem with which she was held within our community that so many colleagues and students as well as ex-students either attended the service or provided tributes in other ways.
Talking to some of her former students after the service, they told me about how much working with Christine in productions and plays was a major positive influence in their lives, extending well beyond the arts into all aspects of their further studies and work. We are so grateful for the time that Christine was at Kardinia and the many ways she made a positive difference to staff and students throughout that time.
Today is also the last official day for our Year 12 students. They have their graduation on Friday where we will celebrate their achievements during their school years. For now, I just wish them all the very best for their upcoming exams and their lives post school. They have been a fantastic cohort of students and excellent role models for our younger students.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
This week has very much been about farewelling the Class of 2025. This group of students have been a delight, not just this year but throughout their time at the College. Their Year 7 experience (and then Year 8) was significant affected by COVID and I'm not going to pretend that they have had an easy time through Senior School. What they have done though, is built connections, made friends, and had fun together, again and again and again. We have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent with them.
Yesterday we had our farewell assemblies, today we had a farewell breakfast, and then have Celebration Day and the Graduation Ceremony to round out the week. We wish them all the very best for their exams.
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes
Year 6 Camp
Outdoor Education experiences are an integral element of PYP schools. This week our Year 6 students are enjoying some time in South Gippsland. These important experiences are a wonderful way for students to develop social skills, communications skills, relationships, and most importantly have some fun.
GALS in STEM
Last Tuesday, ten Junior School girls attended Deakin University to participate in the GALS in STEM program. This program aims to foster young girls' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and equipping them with the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
Boys Division Cricket Runners Up
It was a wild and windy day for the boys’ cricket team, but that didn’t stop them from putting in a fantastic performance. The team went undefeated throughout the day, showing incredible skill, teamwork, and determination. Despite falling just short in the final, the boys can be proud of their effort, sportsmanship, and the way they represented the school.
Division Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to all students who competed at the Division Athletics! We had an incredible day filled with standout performances and personal bests across all events. A massive congratulations to Lily A, who broke the record for the 11 Girls 1500m — an outstanding achievement! We’re also so proud to have seven students progressing to the Regional Athletics on Tuesday, October 21, a true reflection of their hard work, determination, and school spirit.
Upcoming Lower Primary Athletics Day
We are really looking forward to our Lower Primary Athletics day on Wednesday 22 October. This is certainly a highlight of the year for our lower primary students and staff.
Thunderstorm Asthma
Grass pollen season, which typically runs from October to December each year in Victoria, brings an increase in asthma and hay fever symptoms. It also increases the risk of thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.
Kardinia will implement a range of measures to keep our school community safe as the risk of thunderstorm asthma increases.
Our staff are trained in asthma first aid. We will monitor the VicEmergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings and, where appropriate, keep students indoors when weather forecasts identify greater risk.
During the season, there are some things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and your family:
- If your child has ever had asthma, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating your asthma action plan. Taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.
- If your child has hay fever, see your pharmacist or doctor for a hay fever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer. These are available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
- If your child has hay fever and experiences wheezing and coughing, it is important to make sure they don’t also have asthma. Speak to your doctor about an asthma action plan.
- Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October to December, especially during the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, turn it to ‘recirculate’.
Protect yourself this pollen season – managing asthma and allergies matters.
Further Information
For more information, speak to your doctor. You can also refer to the Better Health Channel website.
Social Justice Committee
"The Timor Soccer Tournament ran over two incredible days (October 9th and 10th), bringing together eight teams and over a hundred players from Years 7–11 in support of our sister community in Viqueque, Timor-Leste.
Inspired by Owen Thompson’s initiative in 2023, the tournament was run by the Social Justice Committee and organised by Charlie B (Year 8) and myself, Sara K (Year 11). We were also joined by a very special guest, Fikki from Viqueque, whose presence made the event even more meaningful. Throughout the week, the senior school came together to donate soccer equipment, filling three boxes of soccer gear to be sent off for kids in Viqueque.
What made it all worth it was watching each team celebrate after every win or support one another through losses. From the bottom of my heart, thank you – to everyone who played, volunteered, grilled, baked, refereed, and cheered. This event was a reminder of what community spirit truly looks like."
Sara K - Year 11
Outdoor and Experiential Learning News
RoboCup Junior Nationals
A huge congratulations to Aradhya S, Clemy W, and Winter Z (Year 10) for representing Kardinia International College at the RoboCup Junior National Championships in Canberra this weekend — and for taking home the Overall Sportsmanship Award! 🎉
This was a massive event, with teams from across Australia — and even New Zealand — bringing together over 800 competitors in the largest robotics competition ever held in the nation’s capital.
Competing in the Standard League Soccer division, the team kicked off with an 8–2 win and held their ground through to Sunday morning, narrowly missing the qualifying rounds in a fiercely competitive field of over 30 teams. Their gameplay, innovation, and resilience were matched by their generosity and positivity — always cheering on fellow teams, sharing advice, and embodying the true spirit of RoboCup.
Presented by Professor Harvinder Sidhu from UNSW Canberra, the Sportsmanship Award recognises not just technical skill, but character — and this team shone in both.
Although Clemy couldn’t stay for the photos due to travel commitments, the team is excited to bring their trophy home to Kardinia!
A big thank you to Mr Antony Benson who has dedicated countless hours to the team's development and accompanied them to Canberra so that they could represent the College.
Wellbeing Hub News
In the whirlwind of school runs, work meetings, laundry piles, and life’s endless to-do lists, it’s easy for family time to fall to the bottom of our priorities. We’re “there” with our children, but are we truly with them? One powerful truth from our family’s journey—and from years of research and real-world parenting—is this: To our kids, love is spelled T-I-M-E.
For the full article, click here.
Setting a schedule is vitally important. Students need to schedule everything from sleeping and eating, to studying and exercising. It is one of the best ways to manage inevitable exam stress. Students need to look after themselves when they have big demands in their life.
When it comes to productive study, sometimes less is often more. It is recommended that students hit the books in 50-minute stints, broken up by 15-minute breaks. This gives the brain, and body, a rest. Adolescents will often underestimate the amount of sleep they need. Getting enough sleep is key to successful study practices.
Research shows that physical activity also has a very positive impact on mental wellbeing. Eating well is another crucial factor to maintaining concentration and staying focused on the task ahead.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Your Invitation to the 2025 Principal’s Dinner!
The College Community Council (CCC) warmly invites all Parents, Staff, and Friends of Kardinia International College to join us for the Annual Principal’s Dinner, hosted by our Principal, Catherine Lockhart.
This elegant evening, now a cherished tradition, is an opportunity to gather as a community, celebrate the achievements of 2025, and reflect on the highlights of the year.
Date: Friday, 14 November 2025
Venue: Truffleduck – 66 Hyland Street, Fyansford
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Tickets: $80 per person https://events.humanitix.com/2025-principal-s-dinner
Your ticket includes a gourmet main course and dessert catered by Truffleduck, along with tea and coffee. Tables seat 10 guests, and you’re welcome to nominate others you’d like to sit with when booking.
Tickets are limited, so we encourage you to book asap to avoid disappointment.
We look forward to sharing this special evening with you!
The Class of 2024 - 1 Year Reunion
We are excited to invite the Class of 2024 to their 1 Year Reunion and the opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate with fellow alumni and staff.
📅 Date: Friday 7 November 2025 🕙 Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
This is a ticketed event exclusively for registered alumni. Head to The Kardinians platform for further information and to access your complimentary ticket https://kardinians.com/
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Les Mis
The 2010 College Production of Les Misérables, directed by the late Christine Anketell to mark the opening of the Katsumata Centre, remains an unforgettable celebration of talent and community spirit.
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
