From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
As Term 2 comes to an end, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the many activities and opportunities that have been made available to our students throughout the term. This includes but is not limited to camps, festival days, concerts, sporting activities, excursions, exhibitions, other celebrations and, of course, wonderful learning opportunities as well.
Last Friday night I attended the student-led Jazz Evening (with amazing support from our Music and Back of House Staff). Our Performing Arts Captain, Milly R, was determined to give lots of students the opportunity to perform throughout the year and this showcase was just one example.
There were some incredible performances, some from students who are already seasoned professionals, and others from students just beginning on their music performance journeys, who nevertheless amazed us with their talent. I cannot wait to see what this Friday brings with Senior School House Music.
I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday period and look forward to seeing everyone back ready for Term 3 in three weeks.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
It is very hard to believe that we're at the halfway point of 2025 already! Tonight we will celebrate this milestone with our Year 12 cohort at their Mid-Year Dinner, which has been ably arranged by our College Captains, Edith and Harvey.
Congratulations to Year 11 student, Sophie, who recently competed at the WorldSkills Championships in Brisbane, representing Victoria in the VETis Commercial Cookery division. Sophie was the highest scoring Victorian student participating and came 4th in Australia, receiving a certificate of excellence from WorldSkills.
This national event brings together students and apprentices from across the country to showcase their talents in a wide range of trades, including cooking, carpentry, and hairdressing.
Sophie has shared:
A lot of time and planning went into the competition before we even began cooking. With my mentor, I studied the menu, practised techniques, and mentally prepared for the pressure of a timed, public event. The competition ran for three full days, and I cooked in front of large crowds alongside other young chefs. More than 26,000 people came through to watch all the different trades over those days, and the atmosphere was incredible. Being in that environment pushed me to do my best, and I learned so much—not just about cooking, but also about teamwork, time management, and staying calm under pressure.
I’m incredibly grateful for this real-life experience and the opportunity I had and utilised to make new lifelong friends and connections. I can’t thank The Gordon Geelong and my mentors, Dale and Russell, enough for their support and guidance. Their time and expertise helped me prepare and gave me the confidence to make the most of this unreal experience at WorldSkills 2025.
As we head off to a well-deserved holiday break, we are farewelling some of our Senior School staff who are moving off to new adventures. I’d like to acknowledge Paige Bell, Damian Van Wyk, Mel Nantsou and Georgina Hodge, for all they have contributed to the College. While we’re very excited for them to be having new experiences, we will miss them. We also have Jonathan Chapman and Joe Madunic off on leave next term and wish them well for their time away. Thank you also to Mark Bateup, Fiona Watson and Sue Coates for their support of us this term in covering periods of staff leave.
I hope that everyone in our College community has a wonderful break and is able to rest, reset and recharge. I’m looking forward to seeing all our students and staff back here on July 22 to commence Term 3.
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Nikki Petyanszki
Casual Clothes Day on Friday
This Friday we have a Casual Clothes Day, with a gold coin donation, to support the Barwon Health Foundation. This has been organised by one of our Year 5 students, Emily K, and supported by the Year 6 Action Committee. Emily states, "Barwon Health Foundation slogan is 'Giving is our love language'. By having a whole school fundraiser everyone will be contributing to a local health service to help cancer patients and their families during treatment.” We hope you can wear a touch of red and support this important cause.
Celebration of Learning
Last Friday, Year 2 and FY parents came to see some of the fabulous learning their child has undertaken this term. The students were so excited to share their learning with their parents, and it was clear that they felt incredibly proud of their achievements.
Happy Holidays
As we wrap up this term, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a safe and fun holiday. There has been fabulous learning and growth this term and I hope, as the holiday begins, you can take a moment to celebrate your child’s achievements and get excited about the great things ahead in the next term. We have a normal finishing time this Friday, at 3:15 for Kinder and 3:20 for the rest of the College.
Enrolment Withdrawal
If you are thinking of withdrawing your child, as per the College's terms and conditions a terms notice is required, in writing. Please contact the Marketing and Admissions Department via email: marketing@kardinia.vic.edu.au
A Note from the Finance Department - FINAL REMINDER
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) and School Savings Bonus (SSB)
The CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps, and sporting activities.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid directly to the school to use only towards expenses relating to camps, excursions, or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
The annual CSEF amount per student for 2025 is:
- $154 for primary school students
- $256 for secondary school students.
If you applied for the CSEF at Kardinia International College in 2024, you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances, (i.e. new student enrolments: your child has started or changed schools in 2025, or you did not apply for CSEF at Kardinia International College in 2024, changed family circumstances: such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commenced at the school in 2025)
If a form was not lodged in 2024, parents or legal guardians are required to complete a CSEF application form and lodge it with their child’s school for processing.
Application forms are available through the below links.
Application forms should be completed and lodged with Kardinia International College as soon as possible. Final date for Kardinia International College to process applications is 4 July 2025. Forms must be submitted to Kardinia International College no later than end of Term 2, Friday 27 June 2025
Please email completed application form to accounts@kardinia.vic.gov.au
School Savings Bonus – Non-Government Schools:
School Savings Bonus of $400 is available for students attending Non-Government Schools if they are eligible for CSEF in 2025 and have not already received SSB through a government school in 2024.
There is not a separate application process for the SSB, if you complete the CSEF application process and are eligible for CSEF you will also be eligible for SSB.
Bridges Scholarship 2026
Applications for the Year 10 Bridges Scholarship in 2026 are closing soon! Click on the image below for more information:
Host Families Needed!
Are you interested in Becoming a Homestay Parent? 🌎🏡
Kardinia International College provides a very successful overseas student program for students from Years 7-12. Our program is growing and we are looking for more people interested in becoming Homestay Parents!
Our Homestay families provide a caring and nurturing environment for our overseas students and receive weekly remuneration for undertaking this role.
For more information about Homestay please contact Homestay Coordinator Yuting Zhao on y.zhao@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Sport News
Fencing
Last weekend, two Kardinia International College fencing teams competed in the Schools’ League Teams Competition, hosted by Fencing Victoria.
The College was proudly represented by the Junior Boys team (Jensen C, Tom S, and Henry W) and the Senior Girls team (Sara K, Kalyani S, and Nidhi V).
For the Junior Boys, this was their first ever teams competition. Despite facing fierce opponents, they fenced with determination and teamwork, earning an impressive 14th place out of 28 teams.
The Senior Girls, with more experience under their belts, had a challenging start with a narrow loss in their first match. However, they bounced back to win the next two matches, finishing in third place and bringing home bronze medals.
A huge thank you to our coach, Neil Hick, whose support and guidance helped make the day so enjoyable. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with other schools and push ourselves on the piste. If there’s one key lesson we all took away from the experience, it was to “keep it simple” – don’t overthink!
Sara K (Year 11)
Junior School - Geelong North Boys Division Soccer Championships
The Kardinia boys soccer team has done it again—storming through the competition to be crowned Division Champions at the Geelong North Boys Division Soccer Championships, held on June 17 at Myers Reserve, Bell Post Hill.
After dominating Term 2’s District Inter-School competition without a single loss, the team earned their place among the final eight schools vying for the Division title. The team came out firing with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Newtown PS. A standout moment was Spencer A’s stunning opening goal—a powerful left-footed strike that curled into the top right corner of the net.
The winning streak continued with a convincing 3-0 win over Fyans Park PS and a 4-0 triumph against Flinders PS, securing the top spot in Pool A without conceding a single goal.
In the final, Kardinia once again showcased their trademark attacking flair. With fluid movement, sharp passing, and solid defence, the boys sealed a 2-0 victory to claim the championship title—without conceding a single goal across the entire tournament.
This win marks a remarkable hat-trick of titles for the Kardinia boys, having now secured the championship in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
A massive thank you to Marko Saric for his expert coaching guidance, encouragement, and commitment to the team throughout the season. We wish the boys the very best as they head to Melbourne on August 7 to represent Geelong North in the Western Metropolitan Regional Championships.
JS Boys Soccer Team: Spencer A, Hudson K, Jimmy M, Oscar O, Matthew R, Ivan S, Loui B, Campbell C, Alex P, Seb J, Oliver V, Josh B, Rocco T.
SSV Primary Regional Cross Country Championships
On June 19, under mostly sunny skies at Keilor Park, two determined athletes, Lily A and Katherine T, proudly represented Kardinia, running in the 11 Year Girls event at the Western Metropolitan Regional Cross Country Championships.
Lily blazed through the course with an impressive 3rd place finish, securing her spot at the School Sports Victoria State Primary Championships on July 24. Katherine put in a strong performance as well, finishing 22nd—a fantastic result in a highly competitive field, and something to be proud of!
Best of luck to Lily as she prepares to take on the state’s best!
Music News
Level D Unearthed Music – Studio Day!
Our talented Level D Unearthed Music class spent an incredible day at Don’t Poke the Bear recording studio recently, laying down their original songs and getting a real taste of the professional music world!
Students immersed themselves in the full recording experience. Their creativity, teamwork, and musical growth were on full display — we’re so proud of what they achieved!
Level B - Encore Class
Earlier this week, our excited Level B Encore students took part in an excursion to St Margaret's Primary School. A new environment and audience provided a fun performance atmosphere and the opportunity to showcase what they have been learning through Semester One.
Some more news from our students on Japan Study 12-week Program!
"My stay in Japan so far has been one of the best experiences of my life. From visiting new and interesting places, trying lots of weird and wonderful foods, meeting lots of new people, and really immersing myself in Japanese culture both inside and outside of school.
For me, the first few days were definitely the hardest, as they were filled with nerves, but also lots of excitement and curiosity. I’m very grateful that I have a welcoming, friendly and generous host family of Fumiko, Armadeu and Yuna (Host Mother, Father and sister) whom have been able to show and give me many of these opportunities. I was lucky enough to have my dad stay over for a couple days over the course of the first week, while he was doing some business work. We went to Yamanakako lake and Hakone before he left, and we tried some of the black sulphur eggs."
"Throughout this experience so far, I couldn't be more grateful for the group we’re becoming. We’ve shared so many laughs and already have heaps of awesome memories. I’m also incredibly grateful for the group of Gonishi students we’ve befriended. They’re so, so funny and were incredibly welcoming in the first week. As well as my host family who I mentioned earlier that I am very grateful for."- Cooper
"This entire experience has been amazing, and I am so grateful to be here, nearing our last month of the trip a lot has happened, we’ve made so many new friends, learned and strengthened our Japanese and so much more.
Last weekend my host family and I were lucky to make mochi tsuki from scratch, a traditional Japanese treat made from pounding warm rice into a sticky dough, an array of variations is made with the dough and best eaten fresh. It was interesting to see and make an old Japanese treat and learn from professionals.
In terms of challenges, Gotemba's weather is quite unpredictable, some days it’s pouring with rain and others it’s humid and hot. Japanese summers are known to be brutal, and I now understand why. Most people don’t seem to be too bothered, and we get used to the drastic change quite easily.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with my achievements here so far and I think I can say the same for everyone else, I hope to keep learning and experiencing Japan and all it has to offer." - Toby
"As we entered into the seventh week, we were graced with many different events available for us to luckily take part in. One of these was the sport festival, and after being delayed from Friday 30 May to Monday 2 June due to heavy rain, the weather let up for one day and gave us the opportunity for one of the most memorable experiences on this trip (in a good way).
Japanese school sport festivals are quite different to Australian ones, as they don’t feature the traditional western sports, like High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, or Discus, instead they have ‘Pass the ball’, Jumping Rope, Tug of War, and a Bamboo race. The only “Western” sports that we’re used to in Australia was a set of Relays, like a 200m Relay, a 400m Relay, and an 800m Relay. All of the exchange students participated in a club relay with the ESL (English as a Second Language) and Global English class relay, where we had to purchase our own costumes. Toby wore a goose hat, I wore a horse mask, Ari and Cooper wore matching Pikachu onesies, and Yuma went as a Teletubbie. We all ran 50 metres in pairs, while carrying an Australian flag. The experience was extremely fun, and we enjoyed the opportunity greatly."
"As the trip continues on, we have many things and events coming up, and we’re all excited to see what’s going to come up for us in the future." - Sebastian
Child Safe Standards
As we reach the end of our series on the Child Safe Standards, we continue to reflect on the importance of embedding child safety into every aspect of our College’s operations and culture. These Standards, introduced under Ministerial Order No. 1359, are a key part of ensuring Victorian schools are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all children and young people. This week, we bring your attention the final two standards, beginning with Child Safe Standard 10 - Continuous Review and Improvement
At Kardinia, we are committed to regularly reviewing and improving our child safety practices. This ensures that we stay up-to-date with the latest policies, learn from past experiences, and continue to enhance the safety and wellbeing of all children in our care.
Key practices include:
- Regular evaluations of our child safety procedures
- Addressing concerns and incidents to make necessary improvements
- Sharing the results of these reviews with stakeholders
We believe in creating an environment where child safety is constantly evolving, and feedback from the community helps us build a safer and more supportive school for everyone.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact our Child Safety Protection Officers – the Acting Head of Junior School or Head of Senior School.
Child Safe Standard 11 - Policies and Procedures for Child Safety
At Kardinia, we are committed to ensuring that our policies and procedures clearly document how we keep our students safe. These policies are easy to understand and are accessible to all members of our community, including children.
Our policies address all aspects of child safety, guiding how staff and volunteers should act to maintain a safe environment. They are regularly reviewed and developed with input from best practice models and stakeholder consultations to ensure they meet the highest standards of child safety.
We ensure that our policies are publicly available on our website, easy to understand, and reflect the specific needs of our College community.
Staff are trained to follow these policies, and we continually evaluate and improve our approach to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child at Kardinia.
Wrapping Up the Child Safe Standards Series
We hope this series has provided you with valuable insight into the 11 Child Safe Standards and how they shape the practices and culture at Kardinia. These Standards are essential in ensuring that our College remains a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all students.
An easy-to-understand snapshot of the 11 Child Safe Standards has been included below. If you have any questions, reflections, or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Head of School or speak to a member of our Leadership Team. We are always happy to engage with our community and continue the conversation about child safety.
Wellbeing Hub News
School TV - Respectful Relationships
Initiating conversations about respectful relationships with children is crucial for their emotional and social development. By addressing topics like kindness, empathy, and communication, parents create a foundation for healthy interactions. These discussions promote awareness of boundaries, consent, and mutual understanding, fostering a safe environment where children can thrive. Teaching respect from an early age equips kids with essential skills to navigate friendships and romantic relationships, building a future based on empathy and equality. Open dialogues about respect empower children to recognise and value their own feelings and those of others, cultivating a positive and harmonious approach to all relationships.
Click here to watch this episode: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships
Community Engagement and Foundation News
K-12 Parent Coffee Morning
Join us for the next K–12 Parent Coffee Morning of Term 3 on Tuesday, 22 July—right after drop-off!
Swing by Centrepoint for a warm cuppa, friendly faces, and a chance to reconnect with fellow parents and chat with our College Principal and Deputy, and our Head of Junior School. It’s a great way to start the term and strengthen our wonderful school community. We’d love to see you there! No RSVP required.
Hosted by the College Community Council (CCC)
Jazz & Blues Concert
Last Friday night, over 100 Jazz & Blues lovers were treated to a night of soulful rhythms and smooth melodies. Organised by our incredible Performing Arts Captain, Millie R, this night featured stunning performances by our talented senior students. Their passion and artistry lit up the stage, creating a magical atmosphere for all who attended.
All donations will be used towards the purchase of new instruments to support our music program.
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement & Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
The Tradition of House Music
As Semester One draws to a close, Kardinia students eagerly anticipate one of the most spirited events of the year, the House Music Competition. This vibrant tradition began in 1997, with Morongo claiming the inaugural Shield. Over the years, the competition has showcased incredible talent and fierce house pride, with Gotemba emerging as a dominant force throughout the early 2000s.
Here’s a look back at the champions over the years:
- 1997 – Morongo
- 1998 – Cowie
- 1999 – Thomson & Gotemba (draw)
- 2000 – Morongo
- 2001–2004 – Gotemba (4-year streak)
- 2005 – Cowie
- 2006–2008 – Gotemba (3-year streak)
- 2009 – Cowie
- 2010 – Thomson
- 2011 – Morongo
- 2012–2013 – Gotemba
- 2014 – Morongo
This week, the Archives takes us back to the 2006 House Music Competition, sharing a selection of images that capture the energy, creativity, and camaraderie of one of Kardinia’s most beloved traditions.
Community
Community Holiday Programs
