Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 21 May 2025

From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill

On Monday during extended Tutor Group, our Senior School students engaged in a rich discussion around the Australian Government’s proposed ban on social media for those under 16. The students explored key arguments for and against the ban, including its implications for mental health, online safety, identity development and digital wellbeing.

After sharing and justifying their perspectives, they completed an anonymous survey to capture their opinions. The data spoke volumes: 82% of students use social media daily, with YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok the most popular platforms. Interestingly, while most students (67%) viewed social media as having both positive and negative impacts, their top concerns included mental health, addiction and online bullying.

When asked about the ban itself, student opinion was split — 35% agreed with the proposal, 43% disagreed, and 22% were unsure. Their thoughtful reflections highlight the importance of equipping our young people to navigate the digital world both at school, and at home.

From the Acting Head of Junior School - Nikki Petyanszki

At Kardinia International College, we know that our Single Subjects are essential to a rich and balanced education. We believe in developing the whole child and Art, Music, PE and Japanese offer unique opportunities for students to explore their interests, express themselves, build new skills and connect with the world around them.

Please see the photos below as a selection of the incredible art creations that are currently happening in the Junior School. Through these creations, students learn to express themselves, think creatively and solve problems. It’s a space where stepping outside your comfort zone is encouraged and where effort, imagination and individuality are celebrated.

Across all of the Single Subject areas, we see students taking risks and developing pride in their efforts. Single Subjects provide our students with experiences that help them grow into confident, well-rounded learners. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our Single Subject teachers and the enthusiasm of our students.

JS Disco

The JS Disco is fast approaching, and we look forward to this fun event on Friday, 13 June. Please mark your calendars and more information will be sent next week.

Backpack Project

The Junior School have been invited to support a Senior School student’s CAS project. Please see the flyer below for information about the ‘Backpack Project’ to support students in Timor Leste. Donation boxes can be found in the entrance to the Junior School office and in Lower Primary.

Reconciliation in the Park

This Sunday 25 May, there is a public event called Reconciliation in the Park. Between 10.00am and 3.00pm locals will gather at Johnstone’s Park in Geelong for some music, food, and other activities. The day starts at 10.00am with a Welcome to Country ceremony. Please consider backing this event by attending and supporting our local community.

Thank you

Overseas Student Weekend Excursion

Last Sunday, our overseas students had a fun-filled experience exploring the underwater world at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. The excursion was not only a chance to relax and enjoy the weekend, but also an opportunity to learn more about Australia’s unique marine life. A highlight for many was the Oceanarium Tunnel, where they walked beneath turtles and watched sharks glide overhead — a truly unforgettable experience! The day was packed with smiles, snapshots, and special memories. A huge thank you to our dedicated college staff for making this enriching experience possible!

Child Safe Standards

As we continue our weekly spotlight on the Child Safe Standards, we remain committed to sharing how these principles guide our practices and culture of safety at the College. These Standards, introduced under Ministerial Order No. 1359, provide a framework to ensure the safety, inclusion, and empowerment of all children and young people. This week, we explore Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity and Respect for Diverse Needs

At Kardinia, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where the diverse needs of all children are recognised and respected. This includes supporting students with disabilities, those from different cultural or religious backgrounds, as well as those questioning their sexuality or gender identity. We also ensure a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal children.

To meet Child Safe Standard 5, we focus on:

1. Understanding and responding to the diverse needs of our students.
2. Providing accessible support, information, and clear pathways for students to report concerns.
3. Ensuring all students have equal access to education and wellbeing support.

We are committed to upholding this standard through inclusive policies, tailored support, and ongoing engagement with families and communities. If you have any suggestions or feedback on how we can further support our diverse student body, please contact your child’s Head of School or speak to a member of our Leadership Team.

Together, we can continue to foster an environment where every child feels safe, respected, and valued.

Some news from our students on Japan Study 12-week Program!

"Last Sunday, which marked the start of Golden Week, my host family took me to 富士山 (Mt. Fuji). Because it had rained the night before, there was so much snow! We drove right to the base of the snow, where we had an incredible view of Japan. It was such a clear day that we could see 山中湖, Gotemba, and even the tall buildings of Tokyo.

After that, they took me to Himari’s house, which had a rice field. I got to try planting rice by hand and even used the rice tractor! It was so fun and the perfect day for it. Afterwards, we went to a yakisoba restaurant that made handmade soba. So delicious. On Sunday, Toby, Cooper, Ari, Sebastian, and I went to Tokyo with Ari’s host family. They took us to the Tokyo Skytree, we rode a boat down the river, got ガチャガチャ capsules in Akihabara, and visited 浅草寺 (Senso-ji Temple). We did so many unforgettable things that day. Cooper, Toby, and I even got matching Pikachu socks from ドン・キホーテ!" - Yuma

"Recently I have been going to a lot of places with everyone. For example, a bit ago I went to Karaoke, and I have been to Akihabara where it was very fun but extremely crowded for Golden Week. And we did a lot of other things like go to temples and monuments. It is very fun to see the culture of Japan.

What I have been doing at school is recently we have been given a lot of spares so whenever we have class we are divided up in the room and we can basically only ask the Japanese students for help. It requires up to be able to translate what we want to say fast and be able to discern what they have been saying. Overall, it is very fun and at lunch Cooper, Yuma, Sebastian and I all sit with a large friend group who has basically adopted us, and they are a part of my homeroom. Sebastian and I also went to Tokyo speedway and the speedway museum to see a lot of cars and we enjoyed that very much". - Ari

School of Rock

KIC Students Rock the Stage! 🎤

We’re thrilled to announce that several talented KIC students are hitting the stage in Lyric Theatre’s production of School of Rock at the Geelong Arts Centre this weekend!

🎶 Meet the cast from KIC:

• Novalie M as Katie (on bass)
• Daniel L as Mason
• Charlton K as Billy
• Olivia M as Shonelle

And a special shoutout to Senior School staff member Mel Humphrey’s son, Freddie, playing Freddie (on drums)!

Don’t miss this high-energy, feel-good show. Support our students and grab yourself a ticket: 🎟️👏 https://geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/all-events/school-of-rock-presented-by-geelong-lyric-theatre-society/

Sport News

KIC Roars into Division Champs After Strong Display at District Boys SSV 9v9 AFL Championships

The brand-new AFL SSV 9v9 format served up a classic at South Barwon Reserve at the end of last term on Thursday, March 27, as the 6 schools in the Deakin District clashed in the District Boys SSV 9v9 AFL Championships — and KIC made sure their presence was well and truly felt.

KIC exploded out of the gates, racking up three straight wins to kick off the day, showing grit, flair, and the kind of teamwork that had opposition coaches nervously revising their game plans. The standout match was a tough, high-stakes encounter against a strong Geelong College outfit — a true test of nerve and endurance. It was a physical, back-and-forth battle, but KIC dug deep to secure a memorable win.

Despite a late stumble in the final two rounds, KIC’s early dominance was enough to earn them the runner-up spot overall — a remarkable achievement in a field that included the reigning State Champions from Montpellier Primary School, who went on to win the tournament.

Both the champions (Montpellier PS) and runner-up (KIC) were rewarded with an invitation to the Division AFL 9v9 Championships, set for Tuesday, June 24.

Division Champs, here we come.

District AFL 9v9 Boys Team: Harrison S, Oliver V, Jamieson M, Oscar E, Samuel L, Lukas R, Hugh A, Campbell C, Ivan S, Mason S, Sebastian J

Wellbeing Hub News

This week’s Happy Families Webinar …

Life for a neurodivergent child is a journey of highs and lows, marked by the joy of mastering new skills and the challenges of setbacks. As their parent or teacher, your support is crucial.

Educators, parents, and carers of children who are diagnosed as neurodivergent, are undergoing assessment, or are suspected to be neurodivergent are invited to join us for Championing Neurodiversity. This empowering webinar is designed to equip you with practical insights and strategies to help children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions flourish.

Click here for more information and to watch the webinar.

Save the date for our next Happy Families webinar:

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. 

School TV: Gender Diversity

In today's evolving society, young people are growing up with a broader understanding of identity and self-expression. Gender diversity recognises that not everyone fits neatly into the traditional categories of male or female. For many children and adolescents, exploring gender can be a deeply personal journey that shapes their sense of self and wellbeing. Supporting gender diversity means creating an environment where young people feel safe, accepted, and respected for who they are. This includes encouraging open conversations at home, using inclusive language, challenging stereotypes, and learning together as a family. By fostering empathy and understanding, we can help young people develop confidence and thrive in a world that celebrates individuality and inclusivity.

Click here for more information.

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