From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
Last Friday night we held the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony.
It was a fantastic occasion to honour our graduating class of 2025. We were so proud of each and every one of the students who walked across the stage. Each student had their own unique journey to get to that point, and this is what makes it so special. It goes far beyond ATAR scores and awards, to celebrating each unique individual achievement. No one but the student will really understand what they had to go through and experience to get to this point in their lives, the struggles and the triumphs, but they should all be so proud of the person they are today and be excited for the person they will become tomorrow.
I would also like to give a huge congratulations to all the parents and carers of our graduating class. It is an interesting, rewarding, stressful, exciting year having a Year 12 in the house. You travel the journey alongside them but know that they must do what needs to be done and all you can do is encourage and support them to do it. Well done to the parents and carers of the graduating class of 2025, they made it
Finally, on behalf of the CCC I invite you all to come along to the 2025 Principal’s Dinner. It is a lovely way to celebrate the end of the academic year at Kardinia, and I would love to see lots of our parents at Truffleduck to celebrate with us. Details are below:
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 are welcome to nominate others that you would like to sit with when booking.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
Our Year 12 students have now started their Swot Vac period and are focusing on their upcoming exams. This is a challenging period for students, and we know they have worked hard all year in anticipation of this final step. We wish them all the best and remind them that their teachers, Heads of House and all College staff are still here to support them. It was very special to be able to celebrate with them at the Graduation Ceremony on Friday evening, where each individual was acknowledged.
This group of students has been a delight, particularly this year, demonstrating inclusivity, acceptance and genuine friendship. A highlight for me was seeing them stop their activities on Celebration Day last Thursday to help look for a peer’s lost earring on the oval, without any consideration of doing otherwise; we had the entire cohort participating in an old fashioned ‘emu-bob’ along the length of the oval, while they scoured the ground. The earring was eventually found!
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes
Dear families,
Reading sits at the heart of many learning experiences at school. If your house is anything like my house, reading routines at home can at times become challenging, particularly towards the end of the year. As we approach the end of the school year, this week I would love to challenge you to set a reading routine that works for your household.
There are 29 school days left in the year, if your child reads for 15min per day, every school day, they will have added 435 minutes of reading practice to 2025. Whether it’s a story before breakfast, a chapter in the car, or a quiet moment after school—there’s no perfect way, just the way that works for your family. Please remember practice makes perfect progress. Let’s finish the year strong, one page at a time.
Gymnastics
Congratulations to Annie for the effort she has put into her gymnastics. Annie recently competed in the state championships and received a bronze, a fifth and a sixth place. Well done, Annie.
Poetry Results
We are very proud to share that some Kardinia JS students were recently recognised for some wonderful poetry writing.
This year’s Student Poetry Competition drew a record response from young writers across Victorian schools. More than 1300 poems were submitted by students from Foundation to Year 12, the highest number of entries since the competition began in 2020. Each poem offered a glimpse into how young people see and shape the world through words, with many choosing to explore this year’s optional theme of ‘gratitude’, writing about the people, places and moments that meant the most to them. It’s a celebration not just of poetry, but of creativity, reflection and the joy of self-expression.
HONOURABLE MENTION: Year 3/4
- Red World Series by Marcus L
HONOURABLE MENTION: Year 5/6
- Dreams Await by Alex B
- My Dog by Campbell C
- Gratefulness by Jude M
- Cats by Wil K
FINALIST Year 5/6
- Tree by Olivia C
- A Poem of a Pencil by Anisha B
Icy Pole Fridays are back for November!
Every Friday in November students can bring $1 to buy an icy pole at lunchtime if they would like. These are lemonade icy poles.
Senior School Art Show 2025
Come along and support our Senior School Art Students, the first Art Show in the new School of Visual Arts!
Learning Commons News
English Department News
KIC Reads: Fostering a Whole-School Culture of Reading
At Kardinia International College, we recognise the profound impact that reading has on a student’s academic success, personal development, and lifelong learning. In response to national and international research highlighting the benefits of reading for pleasure, we are proud to introduce KIC Reads - a year 7-12 initiative designed to cultivate a rich and inclusive reading culture. Through structured programs, engaging activities, and strong collaboration between school and home, KIC Reads aims to encourage all students to develop a love of reading, broaden their perspectives, and build essential literacy skills. We warmly invite families to partner with us in this journey, as we work together to nurture confident, curious, and capable readers.
Read more here: KIC Reads English
Wellbeing Hub News
Parenting Through the Pushback
Sometimes, parenting can feel like pushing a boulder uphill—especially when it comes to getting kids to do the things we know are good for them: going outside, joining family time, getting off screens, trying something new.
You invite them to the beach, they resist. You suggest a walk, they complain. You plan a family dinner, they moan about being tired or busy. You tell them it’s time to visit relatives. They collapse in a heap and sob.
But here’s the truth: kids don’t always know what’s good for them—and it’s our job, as parents, to gently guide them anyway.
Save the date: Term 4 Live Event: Wednesday 5 November 2025, 7pm AEST | 8pm AEDT
Celebrations, partying and socialising are a fundamental rite of passage and one of the most important aspects of a young person's life. Although the prospect might seem somewhat daunting or even terrifying for parents and caregivers, keeping young people safe can often be a compromise and a challenge.
Your son or daughter may appear to be physically large and mature, but this is not necessarily matched by their emotional maturity and responsibility in behaviour. Most young people try to do the right thing most of the time, but your leadership as a caregiver is crucial. Ensure you are a good role model and discuss your personal views on drug and alcohol use. Your attitude towards addictive substances can have an enormous influence on the way your teenager approaches their own use.
Hosting a celebration at home or at a venue for your teenager can be a fun and memorable event. It all comes down to careful planning. It is important to agree on the ground rules well before your event is announced to ensure there are no misunderstandings later on. As the host you owe your guests a 'duty-of-care' and therefore should take all reasonable steps to ensure everyone attending the party is kept safe. Every party has the potential to get out-of-hand, as sometimes it's hard for young partygoers to make good decisions. Communication and regular discussions are vital, particularly because young people are often faced with peer pressure to do things they prefer not to engage in.
Read here for more: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-guide-safe-partying and/or via the following website: Alcohol & Drug Foundation.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Reconnect, Reminisce, Reunite: Kardinia Alumni Reunions This November!
It’s time to come back to Kardinia!
Whether you graduated last year or were part of our pioneering decade, we’re inviting you to reconnect with old friends and favourite teachers. This November, The Kardinians are hosting a series of special reunion events—and we’d love to see you there.
📅 Upcoming Reunions:
✨ Class of 2024 – 1 Year Reunion
Date: Thursday 7 November
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Celebrate your first year beyond Kardinia with your classmates and teachers. Share stories, laughs, and memories from your first steps into the world beyond school.
🎓 1996 – 2006 Reunion – Celebrating the First Decade
Date: Thursday 21 November
Time: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Were you a student or staff member during Kardinia’s formative years? Join us for a special reunion to celebrate the College’s first decade. Reconnect with familiar faces and reminisce on the early days that helped shape who we are today.
🎉 Milestone Reunion – Classes of 2020, 2015, 2010 & 2005
Date: Friday 29 November
Time: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
This is your moment to celebrate 5, 10, 15 or 20 years since graduation! Whether you’re from the Class of 2020, 2015, 2010 or 2005, we’re bringing you together for a night of memories, laughter, and reconnection.
🎟️ RSVP Details:
All reunion events are complementary, but RSVPs are essential for entry. Please book your place via The Kardinians alumni platform. Head to EVENTS https://kardinians.com/
Let’s celebrate the friendships, the milestones, and the memories that make Kardinia International College such a special place. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Celebrating a Legacy of Graduation
Last Friday night, the Kardinia International College community gathered to celebrate a momentous occasion—the graduation of the Class of 2025. As the latest cohort of bright, passionate, and globally minded students stepped across the stage, they joined a proud tradition that began over two decades ago.
It was in 1999 that Kardinia International College held its very first graduation ceremony, marking the beginning of a legacy that has since seen thousands of students walk confidently into the world, equipped with knowledge, compassion, and a global perspective. From that inaugural class to today, each graduating year has added its own unique chapter to the Kardinia story.
As we celebrate the Class of 2025, we also honour every graduate who has contributed to the rich tapestry of Kardinia’s history. Whether they’ve gone on to pursue careers in science, the arts, education, business, or service, our alumni continue to make their mark around the globe.
To all our graduates—past and present—thank you for being part of the Kardinia journey. Your achievements inspire the generations to come.
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2024
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
