From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
During the holidays I had the pleasure of attending the Top Designs Opening Ceremony at Melbourne Museum.
Top Designs is part of the VCAA Seasons of Excellence which celebrates the incredible creativity and skills of the top performing VCE and VET students across the state. Top Designs highlights work produced by outstanding VCE students who completed performing, visual, multimedia, or cinematic arts; technology; design; writing; or research studies in 2025.
This year we had three students whose work was showcased. Will D (Class of 2025) for Media and Charlie C (Class of 2025) and Max D (Year 11 2025) for Systems Engineering. Their work is truly inspirational.
As an even bigger highlight Max was awarded the prize for the top student in Systems Engineering, receiving a huge certificate and some great prizes for his efforts. All three students deserve congratulations for their efforts. No doubt their work will also inspire future Media and Systems Engineering students. I would also like to give a big shout out to the students’ teachers Jade Kemp (Media) and Justin Yip (Systems Engineering) as it takes a lot of encouragement and knowledge to support students to achieve at this level.
(Please note that the photos above feature Charlie, Max and Justin Yip, as Will and Jade Kemp were unavailable at the time photos were taken.)
On another note, today we welcomed four visiting colleagues representing the IB for our five-year IB Evaluation visit. The visitors will be at the school until the end of the week. They will be meeting with staff, students, and members of our school community as part of the process, as well as looking at all the documentation which has been provided as part of the self-study phase of the Evaluation.
This work helps our school to grow and improve in our delivery of the PYP and DP programmes as well as in a general sense across the school, as the visitors act as critical friends providing an outside perspective on all that we do.
As we officially celebrate our milestone 30 Year anniversary next week, I hope many of you will join us at the celebratory Gala Dinner as we honour our Founders, reflect on our journey, and look ahead together with optimism and gratitude. Ticket purchases will close soon; more details and the ticket link can be found below.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
Welcome back to Term 2. I hope everyone had a restful break and is ready for what promises to be a busy and rewarding term. There is plenty to look forward to, starting with a highlight right at the beginning of the week.
We are looking forward to a wonderful day of celebration across the College on Tuesday. Founders' Day is one of the highlights of our school year: a chance to pause, enjoy being together, and reflect on the community that makes Kardinia what it is.
The day will commence with a Senior School assembly at 9.10am, followed by a full day of festival activities: rides, food trucks, live music, Battle of the Bands, Silent Disco, animal interactions, lawn games and more, wrapping up at 3.20pm.
It is a compulsory school day for all Senior School students.
A few reminders for families:
- Senior School students should wear sports uniform with their House top.
- Mobile phones are not permitted and will be confiscated if used.
- Students may wish to bring cash or a card for food and paid activities.
- Please be SunSmart; hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are strongly recommended.
A Senior School Event Desk will operate on the main oval throughout the day, and First Aid will be located in the GAC café area. We are looking forward to a fabulous day together.
Congratulations to Terrence and Liwen, who competed at the Australian Swimming Age Championships on the Gold Coast last week, and to Grace and Skye, who competed in the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania in March. We are proud of all four students for representing the College at national level.
From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou
A Fresh Start for Term 2 – The Meaning of Kardinia
It was wonderful to welcome students back to school yesterday and to see the excitement and energy that a new term brings. Term 2 always feels like a natural point for renewal- a time to reconnect, refocus and build momentum for the learning ahead.
As we begin this new term, it is particularly meaningful to reflect on the name Kardinia. Derived from the local Wadawurrung language, Kardinia is often understood to represent new beginnings or sunrise- a powerful and fitting message as we commence Term 2 together. Just as the sunrise signals the start of a new day (and haven’t they been amazing of late), this term offers our students a fresh opportunity to grow, learn and thrive.
While a new beginning invites us to look forward, it is also important to acknowledge the strong foundations built during Term 1. Students developed new friendships, strengthened relationships with teachers, and established routines that support learning and wellbeing. These connections remain important as we continue to build a positive and supportive school community.
A fresh start also provides an opportunity for reflection. Term 2 encourages students to build on what they learned last term, celebrate their successes, and consider areas where they may wish to approach things differently. Mistakes and challenges are a natural part of learning, and a new term offers the chance to reset and set new goals.
We encourage all students to embrace this sense of new beginnings, to try something new, reconnect with classmates and approach learning with curiosity and optimism. With the days settling into routine once again, we look forward to a term filled with growth, achievement and continued strengthening of our community.
We wish all families a positive and productive Term 2 and look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead.
Best Wishes to Our Student Athletes
We would like to wish all of our students competing at the District Cross Country Carnival on Thursday the very best. Events such as these are wonderful opportunities for students to challenge themselves, demonstrate perseverance and represent our school with pride. We are incredibly proud of your preparation and commitment.
We would also like to extend our congratulations and best wishes to the four Year 6 girls who have qualified for Thursday’s State Swimming Championships at MSAC in Melbourne. This is an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to their talent and hard work. We wish Emily K, Alex K, Elise W and Ivy V the very best as they compete at the state level. We are extremely proud of your efforts and know you will represent our school with confidence and determination.
KICConnect
KICConnect will be hosting a Uniform Swap Morning in the JS Conference Room next Friday, 1 May at 8:30am. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to bring in uniforms that are no longer needed and give them a new home, while also purchasing Winter items for the term ahead. With cooler weather approaching, it’s a practical and sustainable way to refresh your child’s wardrobe, connect with other families, and make use of uniforms that may otherwise be sitting unused in cupboards.
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
30 Year Anniversary Gala Dinner
As we approach the College’s 30 Year Anniversary Gala Dinner, we invite our parent community to join us in honouring the vision and legacy of our founders, Mr and Mrs Katsumata, whose commitment to peace, harmony and international understanding laid the foundations of Kardinia College. We are especially honoured that members of the Katsumata founding family will be in attendance, joining us as we reflect on this significant milestone together.
This celebration is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the values of Wisdom, Respect and Friendship that continue to guide our community today. The Gala Dinner promises a memorable evening of connection and celebration — a chance to come together with fellow parents and friends of the College in a warm and festive setting.
Your ticket includes canapés on arrival, a carefully prepared dinner and dessert, and an evening designed to celebrate both our shared history and our future. We would love you to be part of this special night as we celebrate the past, embrace the present, and look ahead to the next chapter of the Kardinia story.
Tickets are limited and bookings close soon.
Tickets are priced at $135 per person, don't miss out! Purchase tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/k...
Please contact marketing@kardinia.vic.edu.au with any questions.
College Production 2026
Celebrating 30 Years!
This year’s college production will be a musical theatre revue celebrating 30 years of Kardinia. The production will include a junior school ensemble, senior school ensemble, featured solo performers, a production pit band, music ensembles, and crew.
There will be 3 performances on the Katsumata stage:
- Thursday 13th August (evening)
- Friday 14th August (evening)
- Saturday 15th August (matinee)
Rehearsals will be rostered, with a focus in term 2 of Wednesday and Thursdays after school. In term 3 and as we approach production week, there will also be some Sunday and extra evening rehearsals (dates TBC).
The staff involved in this year’s production are as follows:
- Executive director – Matt Baron
- Producer – Kate Birley
- Director & Choreographer – Xavier McGettigan
- Musical Director – Ali Worrall
- Junior School Vocal Coach – Adam Burke
- Senior School Vocal Coach – TBC
- Technician – Phil Houghton
- Front of House – Fiona Russell
In casting our production there will be several different processes.
Junior School Ensemble
- Students from years 3, 4, 5 and 6 are invited to audition
- The audition will be held from 3.45 – 5.00pm on Thursday 7th May (week 3)
- It will be a vocal and dance audition
- Students will need to register to audition
- An audition registration form will be made available in week 2
Senior School Ensemble
- Students from years 7 - 12 are invited to audition
- The audition will be held on Wednesday 6th May (week 3)
- It will be a vocal and dance audition
- Students will need to register to audition
- An audition registration form will be made available in week 2
Production Pit Band and Music Ensembles
- Students are invited to submit an expression of interest form
- This digital form will be made available in week 2
- Production Pit Band will rehearse on Thursdays after school from 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Selected Music Ensembles will rehearse at their regular times
Featured Soloists
- Students from years 1 – 12 are invited to submit an expression of interest form
- This digital form will be made available in week 2
- Priority will be given to students who audition for ensemble or band roles
- A featured soloist will need to demonstrate exceptional talent and strong performance capability in at least one of the following: vocal, instrumental, dance, gymnastics or acting.
Crew
- Students are invited to submit an expression of interest form
- This digital form will be made available in week 2
- There will be a variety of positions including backstage, media, front of house, hair and make-up and set design.
- Most crew will not be required until term 3
The College Production is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their talents, make new friends and create lifelong memories. We look forward to bringing the stage to life as we celebrate 30 years of Kardinia International College.
If you have any questions, please email the producer k.birley@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Sport News
We would like to recognise the outstanding achievements of Arkadiy G (Year 8), who had a fantastic season in Little Athletics. At the Little Athletics State Track and Field Championships, Arkadiy placed 1st in the U13 boys triple jump, 4th in long jump, 5th in the 400m and 12th in the 200m, recording personal bests in all events. As a result of his strong performances, Arkadiy was selected to represent Victoria at the Australian Little Athletics Championships in Brisbane, where he continued his success by making the final in both events. He placed 4th in the U13 boys long jump, narrowly missing the bronze medal by just 1cm with a significant PB, and finished 7th in the triple jump. Arkadiy thoroughly enjoyed competing against athletes from across Australia and is already looking ahead to next year’s championships. Congratulations!
High Performance Athletes Program
Rowing
Two of Kardinia’s High-Performance Athletes have just returned from a jam-packed week at what was a very challenging Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania. They were faced with lightening, rain, power outages, strong winds, white caps and icy waters! True character-building stuff!
We congratulate Grace H (Year 12) on an outstanding Nationals campaign, particularly impressive in her first full season racing the single scull. She progressed to the U19 A Final in extremely challenging conditions to finish 6th overall in Australia. Grace also enjoyed success in the U19 quad scull, where a newly formed crew claim bronze in the A Final. She capped off the regatta with another bronze medal in the highly competitive Open Schoolgirls Single Scull.
Following these performances, Grace was selected by Rowing Victoria to trial for the Australian Selection Trials, where she impressed selectors and earned an invitation to Sydney to trial for the U19 Australian Squad. She progressed through two days of trials against the country’s best young rowers and, while unsuccessful this year against international benchmarks, gained invaluable experience that positions her well for future selection opportunities.
Skye Q (Year 9) represented the school as one of the youngest athletes at the Championships, competing in the under-17 single scull, double scull, and quad scull events, and the open school single event. What began as a development trip, Skye more than held her own against older and more experienced athletes, making A finals, narrowly missing other A finals by the finest of margins, and consistently finishing inside the top quarter of large national fields. Skye raced an extraordinary 13 times across the regatta, including four races on her final day.
It was a great effort for a bottom-age athlete in her first year at this level and a sign of exciting things to come.
Cocurricular Program
Football Star Academy
Football Star Academy continues to grow! We’re looking to expand sessions and invite more students to get involved.
FREE trial sessions available
FREE Ballers Capsule for new enrolments (while stocks last)
Bring a friend and train together
Sessions run every Wednesday after school
Venue - Kardinia International College (Junior School Oval)
Join us for a FREE launch session (limited spots available).
We’re also running a Looney Tunes & Warner Bros Holiday Camp during the Term 2 holidays!
Register your interest here: https://forms.gle/4PueFySg7FP48ojr8
Chess Club
Future Pathways News
Senior School Students have had many wonderful opportunities advertised to them in the Pathways News and via KICOnline, Future Pathways page. They range from World of Work programs, which are as good as a work experience placement, they take place during school term and single days of school are missed from 3 to 5 days in total, as well as information about Early Entry into University, Scholarships, Residential College Open Days.
Coming up in week 2 we will be working with our Year 12 cohort on their post school pathway plans and we encourage families to be talking with their year 12 children about plans, ideas and research.
Week 4 will see National Careers Week at Kardinia, where a variety of activities and opportunities will be on offer.
As always, we encourage families to look at KIConline news feeds with their children as well as make use of the Kardinia Pathways Hub for current blog posts, guides and information related to pathways and careers.
Future Pathways KIConline https://kiconline.kardinia.vic.edu.au/homepage/2221
Pathways Hub - https://studyworkgrow.com/education/school/kardinia-international-college/
Wellbeing Hub News
Although the final year of school can be a stressful time for students, and parents, there are a number of strategies that can be applied to help reduce anxiety and allow students to perform at their best. It is important to prepare their brains for success. Studies have shown that there is a clear connection between students taking care of their health and their productivity during the final year of school.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Term 2 Parent Coffee Morning
It was wonderful to welcome both familiar and new faces at our K–12 Parent Coffee Morning on the first day of Term 2. These gatherings are an important part of strengthening our community, giving parents the chance to connect, share experiences, and feel more involved in school life.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey as a Kardinia parent, nearing the end, or somewhere in between, our community events offer a meaningful way to build relationships and stay engaged.
We have plenty to look forward to this year, with the Gala Dinner next on the calendar—an event not to be missed.
ORDERS NOW OPEN - The 30th Anniversary Commemorative Paving Bricks - Preserve your family in Kardinia’s History
Orders for the 30th Anniversary Bricks are now open! Just like the bricks laid back in the first decade of the College, families will have the opportunity to be part of the tradition and legacy of the site, with their name engraved or a hand-drawn image permanently etched in a paving brick. The commemorative paving bricks will be laid in a central area of the College grounds.
STEP 1- Print off attached forms Flyers will be distributed to Highview and Junior school students this week. Additional forms will also be available from Junior School Reception.
Senior School students can print off a copy of the form via KICOnline or the Student Bulletin and submit completed forms to Student Services.
Fill out the form for an Engraved Paver or use the space for the Hand Drawn Paver.
STEP 2- Use the link or QR code to pay for the brick. https://events.humanitix.com/30-year-anniversary-bricks
STEP 3- Drop off the form to JS Reception or SS Student Services. *Include your name and mobile.
NOW ON SALE! Celebrate the Legacy That Shaped Our College
This beautifully crafted, limited‑edition publication invites your family into the remarkable story of our Founders, Mr and Mrs Katsumata, whose vision and generosity laid the foundation for the Kardinia International College we know today.
Through stunning imagery and heartfelt storytelling, this commemorative piece captures the spirit, values, and enduring impact of their extraordinary legacy.
Order your copy today and give your family the opportunity to:
- Connect with the inspiring history behind our College
- Share in the values that continue to guide our community
- Treasure a keepsake that will be cherished for generations
https://events.humanitix.com/apr-may-2026-ripples-of-kindness-the-gift-that-grew
*Pre-ordered copies of the book are available for collection each Friday at Junior School Reception and Senior School Student Services.
Community AFL Footy Tipping Competition Leaderboard
After a few weeks of holiday football, the leaders at Round 6 in the Community AFL Footy Tipping Competition, are:
- Peter P
- Holly R
- Katherine P
Tania B and Scott S also tipped 8 for this latest round and with the top 11 holding a round average of 6 and over, it could be anyone at this stage.
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Celebrating 30 Years – Founders Day Celebrations - The First Decade
‘Each year we celebrate the origins of Kardinia International College. We call this our ‘Founders’ Day”, where students, staff, parents and guests come together to celebrate and honour our Founders, Mr and Mrs Katsumata, with a day and night of incredible celebration and fun.
We usually have a formal assembly reflecting on the ethos of Kardinia International College and our Founders, Mr and Mrs Katsumata. The day’s celebrations continue with high quality entertainment to ensure students will remember their College with pride and affection. A Founders’ Ball has often been enjoyed in the evening by staff and parents.’
Founders’ Day Celebrations over the first decade included:
1997- Airshow, Emergency Services Display and Carnival Rides
1998- Clowning Around, Christof! And Peter Grey, Carnival Rides and Activities
1999- Aston’s Circus, Games and Rides
2000- Magic Unlimited, Bands and Entertainment
2001- Kardinia Heights Centre and Rides
2002- Mic Conway and Fabulous Faces
2003- Costa Hall Performance and Smorgy’s
2004- Kardinia Idol and Carnival Rides
2005 ‘Story of Joy’, Magic Unlimited, Shananigans
2006- Rock On-Battle of the Bands, Killing Heidi, We Love Rock and Roll
Extract from Kardinia International College-Celebrating Twenty Years 1996-2015 P. Dowie & F. Russell
Next week: Founders’ Day Celebrations – The Second Decade
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
Calling News Players in U16 Junior Girls Basketball Competition!
Anyone interested can contact Violeta C (Year 8) or Maddie T (Year 9) for more information!
Geelong Youth Choir - Free Program - Final Performance held in the Katsumata Centre!
Community Health Notice
To support families ahead of the winter season, Geelong Mobile Vaccination Services are holding some community flu vaccination clinics. In 2026, children and teens aged 2–17 will have access to a new needle‑free intranasal spray flu vaccine — the first time this option has been offered in Victoria. The flyer below includes details about clinic locations and availability for those who may be interested.
Monash University - Partners in Parenting Online Program
Partners in Parenting is an evidence-based, online program designed to help parents and carers build skills and confidence in supporting their teenager’s mental health. More than 5,000 families across Australia and the UK have already benefitted from the program. We want to give more families in the community access to Partners in Parenting, and support parents who have concerns about their teen’s mental health. To do this, we’re conducting a research trial comparing two different versions of the program. Both versions include the same online program, providing parents with the same evidence-based parenting strategies. The program is free to join and parents will receive e gift-vouchers for each follow-up survey they complete.
Learn more about PiP: https://p2p.partnersinparenting.com.au/
City of Greater Geelong Parenting Forum
