From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
This week, as a College, we recognise Reconciliation Week and also Multicultural Week. As a school we do not see these events as just something we do to tick a box. Rather, we genuinely try to use these times to engage our students and community in deep and meaningful dialogue and understanding of values that we hold dear and are committed to as a College. Our KIC Way is a values document which outlines our College values and how we hope to see them lived out in the College. One of those values is Global Hearts and Local Hands which is described in the terms below:
We shape globally minded citizens who also act locally.
We look beyond borders, value different perspectives and learn from diverse cultures and experiences.
At the same time, we never lose sight of our local responsibilities – staying deeply connected and active in the communities we serve.
Because building a brighter future starts with how we care for each other today.
People who do not know our school often mistakenly think that Kardinia International College is mainly a school for international students. I usually respond with something like, we do have a few international students, but our students mostly come from the greater Geelong area. What we also have is a mindset that embraces intercultural understanding. To achieve this authentically, we cannot just look abroad but also need to understand and welcome the cultural diversity within our immediate community.
This understanding starts with recognising, connecting with and learning from and with the oldest culture in the world, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. That is why our Reconciliation Week activities are so important.
We also want to recognise and embrace the many different cultures that make up our local community now. Our Reconciliation Assembly yesterday and in the Junior School on Monday was an incredible testament to this purpose. The events planned throughout the rest of the week build on what the students learned and experienced in their assemblies.
As the theme for Reconciliation Week “All In” recognises, one week is not enough. We need to be all in, working together to support reconciliation and intercultural understanding every day.
Another equally important element that we need to consider every day is Child Safety. As part of our ongoing commitment to building a strong, connected, inclusive and supportive school community, we continue to focus on the wellbeing, safety and inclusion of every child. Our whole‑school approach includes proactive wellbeing initiatives such as the Respectful Relationships program, which helps students build positive relationships, resilience and social‑emotional skills.
In line with this approach, our school implements the MARAM framework and Child Information Sharing Schemes, which enables schools and community organisations to collaborate more effectively to ensure children receive the right support at the right time. This helps strengthen the network of care around children, young people and families within our community.
For further information, please visit:
- Information for families, carers, children and young people: Child Information Sharing | vic.gov.au
- Information for Aboriginal communities: www.vic.gov.au/child-information-sharing-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander
- School TV link KICOnline - Wellbeing Hub
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
The past week has offered a series of moments and events that have invited reflection, and more importantly, action, around who we are as a community.
Last Friday we marked IDAHOBIT Day. Yesterday we acknowledged National Sorry Day. This week is Reconciliation Week, with its theme of All In, and on Friday we will come together again for Multicultural Day. Each of these carries its own history and meaning, but there is something important in the way they sit alongside one another.
All In provides a useful thread, not just for Reconciliation Week but in bringing each of these events together. It asks for more than awareness, it asks for participation and commitment.
What has stood out the most across the week is the leadership of our students. The International Council, Social Justice Committee and Rainbow Warriors have worked to design and lead activities that invite our community to engage, reflect and contribute. These are not abstract ideas for them. They are translating values into action.
Each of these days invites a different kind of attention. IDAHOBIT calls us to challenge prejudice and support those whose experiences are not always understood, National Sorry Day asks us to sit with truth and history, and to recognise its ongoing impact, Reconciliation Week asks what it means to move forward with care, respect and responsibility, and Multicultural Day celebrates the cultures that shape our community and our shared life.
Each of these days brings us to a simple question: how do we ensure that every member of our community is known, respected and able to belong? There is no single answer, and this is not something that can be resolved in the space of a week. What is clear, however, is the role our students are playing in carrying this work. Their leadership invites us all to notice, to listen, and to act with care.
From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou
Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week provides an important opportunity for our community to reflect on Australia’s shared history and to strengthen our commitment to respect, understanding and meaningful reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. On Monday, our Year 4 students led a thoughtful and engaging assembly that encouraged us all to consider the importance of truth-telling, connection, respect and working together to build a more inclusive future. Through their confident speaking, reflections and presentations, the students reminded us that reconciliation is not just about acknowledging the past, but also about the actions we take every day to listen, learn and walk together.
Today, our Junior School community came together to create the infinity symbol using individual student footprints. I would like to thank Jen Dowie for initiating this meaningful project and for working alongside our students as they created their own footprints to contribute to the artwork. The footprint symbolism was especially powerful, representing both the unique journey of each individual and the collective path we walk together as a community. The infinity symbol beautifully reflected the ongoing and enduring nature of reconciliation a continuous commitment to learning, respect, connection and unity showing that we are 'All In'. This is a visible reminder that every person leaves an impact and that together, our collective footsteps can help shape a more inclusive and hopeful future.
Meet Millie - our Junior School Wellbeing Dog
We are excited to share more about our Lower Primary Wellbeing Dog pilot program. Millie has already spent time in the Junior School after school and during the holidays. She loves exploring the classroom and enjoys meeting new friends. Here are some frequently asked questions:
Whose dog is Millie?
Millie belongs to Nikki Petyanszki. Ella (Year 6) and Ms Petyanszki are very excited for you to meet her, and we think you’ll love Millie just as much as we do.
How often will Millie be at school?
Next term, we’ll begin gradually with one or two mornings each week. We’ll follow Millie’s lead and do what suits her best. School can be a busy and tiring environment for dogs, so we want to make sure she feels comfortable and not overwhelmed.
What will Millie’s day look like?
Millie’s day will depend on the needs of students on that day. She may spend time in a learning group room, the calm space, or sitting quietly with a teacher and child. Once her work is done, she’ll rest in Ms Bennett and Ms Petyanski’s office until it’s time to go home.
From Farm to Table: Investigating Sustainable Food Systems
Year 3 students are currently inquiring into how responsible consumption and production of food contribute to a sustainable way of life, as part of our How We Organise Ourselves, unit of inquiry. These superstars took initiative to continue their food production research at home and bring what they’ve learned back to school. They did this by reading books, going shopping to buy their food, researching at supermarkets, taking notes and interviewing family members who grow the food. We have also been researching clever recipes that utilise fresh produce and clever ways to reduce food waste. Thank you to Mack and his parents for making some delicious mango sorbet for us to try! Throughout this unit, students have been eager to find out exactly where our food comes from and how much is Australian grown. They have been surprised by what they found – not as much food comes from Australia as we might think and sometimes food packaging labels are too vague about where the food comes from. Our focus now is to summarise the positive and negative impacts of these food systems and think about how we can take action.
Learning Moments
Our Learning Moments continue to highlight and celebrate the rich learning taking place across the Junior School each week. Recently, we have experienced some technical issues which we are currently working to rectify. As a result, Learning Moments may be fewer than usual for the remainder of the term. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we are hopeful that things will return to normal next term.
Year 6 Debating
Last week on Wednesday 20 May, some Year 6 students competed in a debating competition against Highton Primary School. The topic was “Petrol cars should be banned by 2030.” We hosted the debate and it was held in the Conference Room.
Each debate had a chairman. The chairman for the first debate was Aiden L and the chairman for the second debate was Luca A. They both did an outstanding job and didn’t need their script.
The affirmative team for the first debate was Darren C (1st Speaker), Katherine T (2nd Speaker), and Sam W (3rd Speaker). Katherine was also recognised as the best speaker for the whole debate.
The negative team for the second debate was Alanis T (1st Speaker), Frankie R (2nd Speaker), and Aletheia F (3rd Speaker).
In the first debate, Kardinia held their position and they came out with a win.
For the 2nd debate Kardinia battled hard but unfortunately left with a loss.
The adjudicator gave all the debaters feedback about how we could improve for next time. She emphasised the importance of pausing so that the audience could think about our points. She also said it’s important to have some examples to expand our arguments and extend our speaking time if needed.
We would also like to thank Georgie N who was a standby speaker and helped us rehearse. She also helped welcome guests as they arrived to watch the debate! Thanks also Mr Evans and Ms Steele who helped us prepare.
We had lots of fun and are really looking forward to the next debate.
By Sam W and Katherine T
Camp Australia Newsletter
Library Services News
National Simultaneous Storytime was a wonderful success at Kardinia International College, with students thoroughly engaged in this year’s featured book, Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller.
We were delighted to welcome Kardinia alumna Erin Hoare (Class of 2007) as our special guest reader. Erin shared not only the exciting story, but also thoughtful insights from her own sporting journey.
Students were fascinated to hear about Erin’s professional netball career with the Melbourne Vixens and her seven years with Geelong’s AFLW team. Erin also wore a very special Geelong jersey featuring her number, 46, and the names of the many people who helped establish the AFLW program — a powerful reminder of teamwork, gratitude and community.
At the end of the story, Erin answered students’ questions with warmth, honesty and encouragement. Her message strongly connected with the themes of Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller, particularly perseverance, self-belief and courage. In the story, Luna Roo encourages readers to remember that “if anyone doubts you or you feel you don’t belong, muster all your inner strength and prove that someone wrong.”
The session was inspiring for students and staff alike, and we sincerely thank Erin for generously sharing her time, experiences and encouragement with our Lower Primary community.
Library Services Team (Mrs Juros, Mrs Bowman and Mrs Manyati)
Celebrating Excellence in Global Learning
Once again, Kardinia International College has been recognised with the Excellence in Global Learning Award from the Department of Education, highlighting the outstanding success of our International Student Program in Victoria. In addition to this whole-school achievement, we are proud to celebrate several individual awards:
- Alumna Jacky Padungtod (Class of 2025) received the Community Engagement Award, recognising her valuable contributions to a wide range of community activities during her four years at Kardinia.
- The Clark family was awarded Homestay Family of the Year, in recognition of their exceptional care and ongoing support for overseas students.
- Year 12 student Davy Hout received the Commendation for Resilience Award, acknowledging the strength and determination shown in overcoming challenges during her first year of studying abroad.
Congratulations to all award recipients! Your achievements reflect the strong, supportive, and global mindedness community at Kardinia.
VCE Vocational Major
Seeking Community Work Placements for Our Students
The VCE Vocational Major pathway at Kardinia International College has made a strong and exciting start this year, giving students the opportunity to learn through practical, applied and meaningful experiences.
As part of this program, we are currently seeking work placement opportunities to support our Vocational Major students in Semester 2. These placements are a vital part of helping students build employability skills, explore career pathways and gain real-world experience.
We are particularly looking for opportunities in the following areas:
• Floristry or nursery
• Beauty salon
• Café, restaurant or hospitality settings
• Hotels or function rooms
• Automotive or mechanical industries
• Electrical, IT or networking
• Engineering
Students will attend one day per week over 10 weeks as part of their Structured Workplace Learning program.
Across Term 1, students embraced a wide range of hands-on learning experiences connected to Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills, Personal Development Skills and Vocational Education and Training. Their learning was enriched through excursions and immersive experiences including the Melbourne Grand Prix, the Road to Zero road safety education experience, and Ace Karts go-karting. These opportunities supported students to build skills in teamwork, communication, organisation and problem-solving, while engaging with real-world contexts such as workplace safety, risk management and emerging industries.
A highlight of Term 2 has been Founders Day, where VCE VM students planned and operated a range of stalls and activities including the dunk tank, BBQ, Ninja Balls and popcorn stall. The day showcased outstanding teamwork and initiative, with students raising more than $1900 towards their community project supporting youth homelessness.
Looking ahead, students will continue applying their learning through experiences such as planning and navigating public transport itineraries and participating in a Prison Island escape room challenge to further develop problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Students are also preparing for employment through the development of resumes, cover letters and personal statements, building confidence in presenting themselves to potential employers.
If you, your workplace, or someone in your network may be able to offer a placement opportunity, we would greatly appreciate your support.
For further information or to discuss possibilities, please contact Mr Antony Benson, VET and VCE VM Coordinator.
Music News
Regional Concert Band Workshop Day
The Intermediate Concert Band had the wonderful opportunity to workshop their music with Dr Sue Arney from The University of Melbourne recently.
Students from Years 5–8 in the KIC IT Band participated in the event, conducted by Hilary Wimmer and supported by Bianca Josevski. We were also delighted to collaborate with students from Covenant College, Grovedale College, and Belmont High School.
The afternoon concluded with a fantastic concert that showcased the hard work, growth, and enthusiasm of all the young musicians involved.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and make music together.
KICPIC (Kardinia International College Performance in Community) Production
Shifting Ground – A KICPIC Performance Event
A vibrant showcase of scenes from plays, film, television, and dance, Shifting Ground explores the many ways we experience change throughout life. Directed by Alex Joyce and Rose Harley, the production is brought to the stage by the talented members of KICPIC.
Date: Friday 29 May
Time: 5:30pm–7:00pm (includes a 10‑minute interval)
Tickets: $5, with all proceeds supporting the Bluebird Foundation Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/shifting-ground-by-kicpic
Thank you for your support of this community‑driven creative work.
Wellbeing Hub News
Cultural diversity is an inherent aspect of modern society. It enriches our communities by bringing together a wide array of cultures, traditions, and histories, contributing to our unique identity and strength. Embracing and celebrating this diversity is essential for fostering inclusion and a sense of belonging among children. By valuing every child's cultural background, we enable them to excel in all facets of life. Nurturing an environment of curiosity, open-mindedness, and respect for all cultures, will set a strong example for all young people. Through collective efforts, we can pave the way for a more accepting and vibrant future.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
LAST WEEK! 30th Anniversary Commemorative Paving Bricks
You only have a few days left to order a personalised brick to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the College. Orders close at the end of THIS WEEK!
Bricks can be engraved or hand‑drawn and will be installed in a central area of the College grounds.
How to order:
- Collect an order form (sent home with JS students; also available at JS Reception or SS Student Services).
- Make payment via the link or QR code: https://events.humanitix.com/30-year-anniversary-bricks Payment closes THIS SUNDAY 31 May.
- Return your completed form with your name and mobile number before the end of this week.
Thank you to all participants in this 30th Anniversary event. We look forward to sharing the project with you once the bricks are laid.
Parent Trivia Night! Tickets now available and selling fast!
Already half the tickets have been sold in the 1st week! Don’t delay if you are keen to join us on Thursday 30 July for our annual Parent Trivia Night at Murphys Geelong (Upstairs) from 6:30pm–9:30pm. The trivia kicks off right at 7pm, so gather your team without delay! It’s always a great night!
Tickets: $25 per person (Food and drinks available at bar prices)
https://events.humanitix.com/2026-ccc-trivia-night
Teams: 6–8 people. Form a team ahead of time or simply join one on the night. It’s a fantastic chance to connect with other parents, catch up with familiar faces, and welcome new members of our school community.
Hosted by the College Community Council (CCC), this event is all about fun and building community spirit. Don’t miss out!
Our story - the 30th Anniversary Memento Ripples of Kindness: The Gift That Grew
This beautifully crafted memento honours the people, moments and acts of kindness that shaped Kardinia International College over three remarkable decades. It’s a heartfelt celebration of community, connection and the legacy that continues to grow. It’s OUR story!
Order your family’s copy today: https://events.humanitix.com/apr-may-2026-ripples-of-kindness-the-gift-that-grew
*This link closes 31 May.
Community AFL Footy Tipping Competition Leaderboard
Congratulations to the Milky and Nguyen families who were the only members to tip 8 in this round, Special mention to Drake F and Rachel T who managed to move up the board despite a weekend of upsets.
The Top 10 after Round 11 are now:
- Scott S.
- Peter P.
- Drake F.
- Holly R.
- Rachel T.
- Tania B.
- Katherine P.
- Simon B.
- Isabel W
- Isabelle T
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Memories of the 2025 Parent Trivia Night
This time last year, our CCC Parent Trivia Night at Murphy’s lit up the room with laughter, friendly rivalry, and plenty of brain stretching questions. The 2025 champions — “The Bright Sparks” — certainly lived up to their name.
Jane, Ash, Lauren, Ange, Leanne, Kara and Daniel claimed victory, earning bragging rights and their team's name engraved on the coveted Trivia Trophy. A well-deserved win for a sharp and spirited crew.
Here’s to more great memories and even greater competition ahead at this year’s upcoming event!
Next week: Memories of House Music - 1996-2005
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
