From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
It’s hard to believe that we’re at the end of Term 3 already. This week the Senior School will be electing their 2026 College Prefects, and I’d like to acknowledge the 25% of Year 11 students who put themselves forward for positions. While not everyone can be appointed a prefect, having so many young people willing to put themselves forward to make a difference at our school is really heartening. I look forward to sharing these appointments with our College community next term.
We have some farewells to people who have been teaching in the Senior School to cover periods of leave. Thank-you to Izzy Willmott, Kate Bramley, Millie Lowe, Liz Packett and Jim Rookes for their support of our students and their learning. I’d also like to acknowledge Soraya Bozzetto who has unexpectedly had to finish her time with us. We are so grateful for her care of the students in her French classes, and we wish her well for the future.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful break, one that I know will involve a lot of study for students completing Year 12 subjects. I look forward to seeing all our students back at school in Term 4.
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes
Dear families, community building events have been the focus of this week and are a wonderful way for us to finish off the term. I would like to thank and congratulate several groups of people.
Year 6 students for the inspiring PYP Exhibition sharing evening on Monday night.
All students for their wonderful presentations at the Student Led Conferences held on Tuesday.
The KIC Connect Committee for organising our footy colours breakfast that is happening tomorrow from 8am, see flyer below.
And lastly, thank you so much to all family members that have genuinely engaged in our students learning throughout the term, especially this week. Our students really love your involvement in their learning.
Please have an adventurous holiday break.
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
French Trip
Our Study Tour group have arrived in France and are enjoying the adventure already. Take a look at some photos from their first couple of days.
Sports News
Year 7 student Zois won a gold medal in his weight division at the Will-Machado Brazillian Jiu Jitsu gathering last Saturday at MSAC in Melbourne. It was his first competition after training for a few years so a new experience, but an amazing achievement taking home a gold medal! Congratulations Zois!
Farewell to Chika and Anri, Gotemba-Nishi High School Exchange Students!
Chika and Anri have spent term three at Kardinia International College, and now return to Gotemba, Japan. During their time here, they shared stories, knowledge, and plenty of photos with our students learning Japanese, supported the Japan Study Tour 2025 group as they prepared for JST2025 (starting next week!), and made many friends along the way. Each year we are fortunate to welcome exchange students from GNHS, and it is always a joy to have them with us.
Before we say goodbye, don’t miss Anri’s spectacular dance performance at the End-of-Term Assembly this Thursday—it promises to be unforgettable!
We sincerely thank their host families, classroom teachers, and Ms. Suzuki (our Japanese Program Officer) for their support.
Have a safe trip back to Japan, Chika and Anri!
Library Services News
Robocup State Championships
A huge shoutout to our fantastic students who gave up their Saturday to represent Kardinia for the very first time at the state-level RoboCup competition!
With over 400 teams competing across five categories and multiple divisions, our students showed what Kardinia spirit is all about—resilience, teamwork, creative thinking, and problem-solving under pressure.
While no official placings were awarded in some categories, our teams gave it their all and kept pushing forward, refining their bots and strategies round by round.
An example of this is when a junior team hit a roadblock during their round. Rather than give up, they re-evaluated their code under the pressure of the clock, made some quick modifications, uploaded the changes, and relaunched—successfully completing over 90% of the course, all in under 2 minutes!
As first-time competitors, our Line Rescue teams held their own, finishing mid-field in a fiercely competitive field featuring some of the top schools in the state. Meanwhile, our robotic soccer teams took home impressive 4th and 3rd placings in their respective divisions.
A special thank you to the amazing parents who supported the day—whether through volunteering or cheering from the sidelines.
And now… drumroll please …Our Senior Robotic Soccer team is heading to the RoboCup National Championships in Canberra this October to represent Kardinia on the national stage! Congratulations to all who participated!
Wellbeing Hub News
Parenting Through Tragedy: Discussing Political Violence with Our Children
The assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has captured the world's attention, including many of our tweens and teens. As parents, many of us now face the difficult task of helping our children process this killing while using it as an opportunity for meaningful growth and understanding.
When news like this reaches our children, it can create a mix of emotions, including sadness, confusion, even a sense of schadenfreude if they didn't like the person, and all-too-often, an unhealthy fascination. It's amplified by the fact that vision of the murder is available online on every platform (which is another reminder of why we need strong social media minimum age legislation).
Rather than allowing such tragic events to become a form of "news entertainment" or fuel for divisive arguments, we can guide thoughtful discussions that help our children develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a deeper understanding of complex societal issues.
Save the date: Term 4 Live Event - Wednesday 5 November 2025, 7pm AEST | 8pm AEDTs
Although we all want our children to succeed academically, the foundation for that success lies not just in intelligence or motivation, but in the study habits they develop. Healthy study habits are essential for children to learn effectively, manage stress, and ultimately achieve their academic potential. Yet, in an age where distractions are plentiful and the pressure to perform is immense, it's more important than ever for us, as parents and caregivers, to guide our children in cultivating these habits.
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that good study habits aren't just about spending more time hitting the books. It's about quality over quantity. Encouraging your child to have a dedicated study space, free from distractions is the first step. Instilling the importance of a routine cannot be overstated. Regular study times help create a sense of normalcy and discipline, making studying a part of their daily life rather than a chore.
Additionally, the way students approach their study sessions is just as important. Periodic breaks are vital in this process. Encourage your child to review their notes regularly rather than cramming before exams. This reinforces learning and reduces last-minute stress.
Finally, balance is key. While academics are important, so too is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adequate sleep, a nutritious diet, and regular physical activity are non-negotiable aspects of a student's life that directly influence their ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy study habits is one of the greatest gifts we can give children, setting them up for a lifetime of learning and success.
Read more here: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-au
Multilingual videos now available on SchoolTV!
Because wellbeing shouldn’t get lost in translation, SchoolTV has introduced a powerful new feature — multilingual videos.
Until now, families could access written content in more than 60 languages. Now, expert-led videos are also available in Chinese, Hindi and Arabic, with more languages to be added next year.
This new feature ensures every family can access trusted, practical guidance in a way that feels familiar, inclusive, and easy to understand.
Explore this feature for yourself by clicking the link below to view SchoolTV content in your preferred language.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Your Invitation to the 2025 Principal’s Dinner!
The College Community Council (CCC) warmly invites Parents, Staff, and Friends of the College to attend the Annual Principal’s Dinner, hosted by College Principal Catherine Lockhart.
This elegant evening is a wonderful opportunity for the Kardinia International College community to come together, celebrate the year that was, and reflect on the highlights of 2025.
📅 Date: Friday, 14 November 2025
📍 Venue: Truffleduck – 66 Hyland Street, Fyansford
🕕 Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
🎟️ Tickets: $80 per person
Includes a delicious main and dessert catered by Truffleduck, plus tea and coffee. Each table seats 10 guests. When booking, you’re welcome to nominate other guests you’d enjoy sitting with. Please get in early as tickets to this event are limited.
The Kardinia Community Foundation Golf Day - Save the Date!
Mark your calendars! The Kardinia Community Foundation Golf Day returns on Tuesday 31 March 2026. This much-anticipated event brings together parents, alumni, and friends of Kardinia for a day of connection, fun, and friendly competition on the green at 13th Beach.
Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets will be released at the start of Term 4, so keep an eye out for details. In the meantime, add the date to your diary and start gathering your team of fellow parents and alumni for this fantastic community event.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The Kardinians 5-, 10-. 15- & 20- Year Combined Reunion
We are thrilled to invite Kardinians from the Classes of 2005, 2010, 2015 & 2020 to a very special event - The 2025 Combined Reunion!
📅 Date: Saturday 29 November 2025
🕙 Time: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
This is a ticketed event exclusively for registered alumni. Complimentary tickets are available now via The Kardinians platform.
🎟️ Reserve your ticket: https://kardinians.com/ Head to EVENTS or check the link in the August Kardinians newsletter.
Reconnect with classmates, catch up with former teachers, and celebrate the memories that shaped your time at Kardinia. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
The Class of 2005 – Celebrating 20 Years
It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since the Class of 2005 graduated! As they prepare for their 20-year reunion, we fondly we fondly recall one of their standout moments: a spirited game of Bocce on the school oval, where students challenged staff in a friendly match. The final score may be lost to time, but the laughter and camaraderie are unforgettable.
We warmly invite all members of the Class of 2005, along with former and current staff, to join us at the Combined Reunion on Saturday, 29 November. Head to The Kardinians for event details and tickets. Let’s reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the journey together.
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
City of Greater Geelong Youth Programs
Geelong Arts Centre - Wonder Children's Festival
