Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 26 August 2026

From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill

Looking ahead in the Senior School

• Friday 4 September – Casual Clothes Day (raising funds for Feed Me Geelong)

• Monday 7 September – 2027 College Prefect Elections

• Tuesday 8 September – Parent-Teacher Interviews (from 3:40pm)

• Monday 14 September – House Debating Finals

• Tuesday 15 September – Parent-Teacher Interviews (from 1:40pm) – 12:50pm dismissal

• Friday 18 September – Parent-Teacher Interviews (from 9am) – Student-Free Day

Last Wednesday I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take part in the Year 2 IB (Year 12) excursion to see Death of a Salesman at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. Seeing this production of one of their set texts allowed students to experience the play as Arthur Miller intended it: performed live, with the tension, silence and staging that are so central to its impact. It was a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the text ahead of their final assessments.

Congratulations to the Year 11 students who ran Trivia for Timor last Wednesday evening. The event was a great success, raising $1492.60 for the Community Centre in Viqueque to support the purchase of audiovisual equipment. Thank you to the students, families and members of our community who came along and contributed to such a wonderful evening.

A reminder that Friday 4 September is a casual clothes day, raising funds to support Feed Me Geelong. Students should wear clothing that is respectful, safe and suitable for a normal school day. Clothing should not include offensive, discriminatory or inappropriate themes, messages or imagery, and should provide appropriate coverage for classes and movement around the College. Closed-toe shoes are required, hair may need to be tied up for practical classes, and Crocs do not provide appropriate coverage for practical classes.

From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou

Year 6 PYP Exhibition: A Celebration of Learning

There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air on Monday evening as our Year 6 students proudly shared their PYP Exhibition with families and staff. This year's event held particular significance as we celebrated the 20th PYP Exhibition at Kardinia International College, marking two decades of inquiry, student agency and action. The energy throughout the venue was unmistakable as visitors moved from display to display, engaging in rich conversations and celebrating the culmination of the students' Primary Years Programme journey.

The evening was a wonderful celebration of children's learning. Our students explored a range of deep, mature and thought-provoking issues, including deforestation, gender equity, body image, pet cruelty and animal testing for fragrances. Through these inquiries, students demonstrated not only impressive research skills and knowledge, but also empathy, critical thinking and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the world around them.

To say we are proud of our Year 6 students would be an understatement. Their confidence and passion to articulate complex ideas were remarkable. Students spoke with authenticity and conviction, responding thoughtfully to questions and sharing both their learning and the actions they had taken. It was inspiring to see them take ownership of their inquiries and speak so confidently with adults and peers alike.

The Exhibition showcased not only what our students have learned, but also who they have become as learners. They demonstrated the attributes of caring, principled and reflective young people who are ready to take their next steps as globally minded citizens. We congratulate our Year 6 students on their outstanding efforts and thank the teachers, mentors and families who supported them throughout the journey. It was a memorable evening and a fitting celebration of learning, growth and achievement.

Book Week Parade

What a week it has been in the Junior School! Following the incredible success of the Year 6 PYP Exhibition on Monday evening, today’s Book Week Parade brought another opportunity for our community to come together in celebration. The colour, creativity and excitement on display were simply outstanding, with students and staff embracing the spirit of Book Week through an amazing array of costumes inspired by favourite characters and stories.

There was a wonderful sense of joy across the College as students proudly paraded their costumes. From classic characters to modern favourites, the parade highlighted the imagination and sense of fun that make Book Week such a special event. A big thank you to all students, parents and staff who put so much effort into their costumes and helped make the day such a memorable occasion.

Library Services News

What a wonderful Book Week it has been! There has been a real buzz around the school, with students and staff embracing this year’s Symphony of Stories theme, celebrating favourite books and characters, and sharing their enthusiasm for reading.

It is also the perfect time to announce the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Award winners. The awards were announced last Friday, marking 80 years of celebrating outstanding Australian children’s literature.

Here are the winners and Honour Books in the main categories:

🏆 Book of the Year: Older Readers
Winner: Darkest Night, Brightest Star — Barry Jonsberg
Honour Books: Golden — Jade Timms; Unhallowed Halls — Lili Wilkinson

🏆 Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Winner: Inked — Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A Minton
Honour Books: Little Bones — Sandy Bigna, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow; Run — Sarah Armstrong

🏆 Book of the Year: Early Childhood
Winner: The Emperor’s Egg — Rae Tan
Honour Books: Derek — Anne Donaldson, illustrated by Matt Shanks; The Thing About Christmas — Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart

🏆 Picture Book of the Year
Winner: Once I Was a Giant — Zeno Sworder
Honour Books: Bob and Dob — Sean E. Avery; Tiwi in Paris — Glen Farmer Illortaminni

🏆 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
Winner: Peculiar Parents — Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak
Honour Books: Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles — Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams; A Loo of One’s Own — Eleri Harris

These books are a wonderful selection for families looking for their next great read and provide plenty of opportunities to discover new Australian authors and illustrators.

We have plenty more to share about our Book Week celebrations! Look out for next week’s newsletter, where we’ll feature more highlights and photos from across the school.

Visiting Group - Gotemba Nishi High School, Japan

Yesterday we farewelled our visiting students from Gotemba Nishi as they return home after a wonderful week in Geelong.

A visit to Australia wouldn't be complete without some time spotting Kangaroos and Emus! Their final days also included a visit to the National Wool Museum, learning about the region's wool industry and history, creating felt bookmarks, and fitting in some last-minute shopping before departure.

While the visit was brief, there was plenty of time to form new friendships, share cultures, and create lasting memories. A huge thank you to our incredible Homestay families who opened their homes and supported the students during their visit.

Safe travels and thank you for visiting Kardinia!

Arts News

The celebrations for Kardinia's milestone 30 Year Anniversary continue with a very special Art Competition coinciding with the annual senior school Art Show!

Open to students, alumni, past and present staff, artworks can be created in response to the theme, 'Honouring the past, creating bridges to the future.' Plenty of prizes to be won! See Ms D'Alessandro for more details. Thank you to Hannah R (Year 12) for the competition flyer artwork!

Register Here: KIC 30th Anniversary - Art Competition! – Fill out form

Are you Interested in Becoming a Homestay Family?

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 at y.zhao@kardinia.vic.edu.au

Music News

Live Music at Geelong City Market This Saturday!

This Saturday 29 August, students from Kardinia International College will be performing at the Geelong City Market in Little Malop Street.

Come along, grab a coffee and pastry, browse the local produce, and support these talented young musicians as they showcase their work.

Performance Schedule:

🎸 10:30am | Final Exam: Classic Rock
🎵 11:00am | The Brothers: Indie Originals (Winners of Amplified Battle of the Bands)
🎤 11:30am | Square 1: Pop & Soul
🎷 12:00pm | No Standing: Classic R&B, Blues, Rock & Vintage Soul
🎸 12:30pm | Motion: Year 9 band - Indie Originals
🎹 12:50pm | Elliott Thomson - Acoustic Solo

We'd love to see you there supporting live music and our student performers!

Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning News

Throughout Term 3, our students participated in a range of memorable outdoor experiences, including the Year 4 Cave Hill Creek expedition, the Year 9 Alpine Expedition, the Year 9 Mittagundi expedition, the Mt Stirling Cross Country Ski Trip, and the Mt Buller Ski Trip.

Feedback from students, staff, and families was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value of these experiences in developing confidence, resilience, and a sense of achievement. Students embraced challenges, learned a range of new outdoor and alpine skills, and demonstrated perseverance and adaptability in unfamiliar environments.

These expeditions continue to play an important role in fostering personal growth, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.

Wellbeing Hub News

The Smartphone Readiness Quiz has been designed to support conversations about this important milestone. Rather than providing a simple yes or no answer, it encourages families to reflect on key areas of readiness, recognise strengths and identify opportunities to further develop the skills needed before taking this next step.

Read More Here

Register Here

Community Engagement and Foundation News

CCC Family Footy Tipping - Final Results

The final game of Round 24 brought the 2026 CCC Family Footy Tipping competition to a close, with margins proving decisive in determining the prize pool.

Final Leaderboard

1. Mark N — $160
2. Scott S — $96
3. Katherine P — $64

Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to every participant for contributing to an enjoyable season of friendly competition. Please email Fiona Russell at f.russell@kardinia.vic.edu.au to arrange collection of your prize.

Kardinians AFL Footy Tipping Competition

The 2026 Kardinians AFL Footy Tipping Competition was another fantastic year of friendly rivalry and impressive tipping by the alumni community.

Overall Prize Winners

1. Russell C (KIC Staff) — $1,000
2. Hugh P (Class of 2026) — $750
3. Will E (Class of 2022) — $500

Round Prize Winners

• Round 5 — Henri M ($20)
• Round 10 — Jake W ($20)
• Round 15 — Denzil L ($20)
• Round 20 — Gerald A ($20)

Special Prize

• Tricky Trav Prize (Round 3) — Russell C ($50)

Congratulations to all our winners!

Bloom and Brunch - A Wildflower Planting Morning at Serendip Park

Bloom and Brunch returns to Serendip Park on Sunday 18 October, offering a relaxed, family‑friendly morning for our K-12 community to come together. Together, we’ll help enhance the local environment by planting native wildflowers that attract beneficial insects and support biodiversity.

Sunday, 18 October 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, Serendip Park.
BBQ Brunch Provided! (Please complete dietary requirements). Tickets $15 (Family) or $5 (Individual)
https://events.humanitix.com/2026-bloom-and-brunch-a-k-12-community-event

Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator

From the Archives

The PYP Exhibitions

The introduction of the Primary Years Program (PYP) into the Junior School marked a defining moment in Kardinia International College’s evolution as an IB World School. Official authorisation in 2007 signalled the College’s commitment to inquiry‑driven learning, international‑mindedness and the development of the PYP Learner Profile, all of which quickly became embedded across Years K–6. That inaugural year also saw the College’s first cohort of Senior Primary students undertake and present their PYP Exhibition, a capstone inquiry demonstrating the depth of their learning, their capacity for independent research, and their readiness for the next stage of schooling.

The significance of this milestone was captured by Meredith Ferguson in the 2007 Bell Magazine, where she reported on the Program’s early success and the enthusiasm with which students and staff embraced its ideals.

2007 was our first year as an authorised PYP school and has contained many exciting highlights. PYP Learner Profiles and Attitudes continue to provide a strong basis for our program and all children across the Junior School, K – 6, are developing sound understandings of each of them…

Senior Primary students worked towards and presented their first PYP Exhibition. The Exhibition was the culmination of their Primary Years Program. The Exhibition for 2007 was based on the Transdisciplinary Theme – How we Share the Planet. Some aspects the students inquired into include considering what resources are finite, what alternatives may be available to these resources and what actions we can take to support the energy sustainability crisis within our world. Second Year Senior Primary presented their exhibition, explaining the processes they used and the outcomes that they determined to their parents and friends, as part of their graduation. This exhibition covered students using higher-level thinking skills, computer technology, and all aspects of literacy and communication skills.

All staff and students are to be congratulated on the efforts that they have put in, resulting in the outstanding success of the PYP across all levels this year. Thanks also to parents and families who support this program and its ideals at home.

This year marks the 20th PYP Exhibition at Kardinia International College!

Fiona Russell - College Archivist

Community

Gen U Youth Open Day