Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 28 October 2026

From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill

Looking ahead in the Senior School

• Thursday 29 October – Art Show Awards Evening

• Monday 2 November – Student-Free Day

• Tuesday 3 November – Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

• Monday 16 November – Level D/E and Year 11 exams commence

• Monday 23 November – Orientation Week commences for 2027 Year 11 and 12 students

• Friday 27 November – Last day for Year 11 students

• Monday 30 November – Year 10 Journeys commence

• Tuesday 1 December – Year 9 Wellbeing Day

• Friday 4 December – Last day for Year 10 students

• Tuesday 8 December – Last day for Years 7–9 students

Last Friday, our Future Pathways and Education Department ran programs for students in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11, with each session tailored to the year level and focused on students’ futures. These opportunities encourage students to think about their interests, explore possibilities and consider the next steps in their learning. I encourage families to continue these conversations at home as students look ahead to the choices and opportunities before them.

Final exams have commenced for our Year 12 students, and we are so proud of the focus and commitment they have shown, as well as the support they continue to offer one another. The exam period is a long one, and we encourage students to balance their preparation with rest, regular breaks and time to recharge. We wish them all the very best as they work through this final stage of their schooling.

The annual Year 10 Leadership Program was held on Monday. Students worked closely with their Heads of House to explore their understanding of leadership and develop their skills, both individually and as a House group. They also had the opportunity to apply to become Peer Support Leaders for next year’s Year 7 cohort. This important role helps younger students make the transition into the Senior School, while giving our Year 10 students the opportunity to step forward as role models.

Finally, a reminder that the 30th Anniversary Art Show opened this week and can be viewed in the School of Visual Arts from 9am to 5pm until Friday. The Awards Evening will be held on Thursday 29 October, commencing at 5pm. I encourage families to come along and enjoy the incredible work our students have created this year.

From the Head of Junior School - Mario Chrisanthou

From the Grove: Award-Winning Produce!

There has been plenty to celebrate at the Grove, with our students entering homemade, organic produce in the Geelong Show Home Crafts competition for the very first time. We were thrilled to hear the news that the pickled daikon and pickled beetroot received second and third place respectively in the ‘Any Other Vegetable Picked in Vinegar’ category, with the international judge particularly impressed by the daikon!

This achievement is a wonderful reflection of the growing field-to-table approach at the Grove. Throughout the year, every Year 5 student has spent time in the kitchen, engaging in experiences including dehydrating, baking and pickling using produce grown in our gardens. The cooking and gardening programs have also expanded through to the Pop-Up Markets, where students proudly promote and sell the award-winning produce!

Perhaps most importantly, student voice and agency remain at the heart of the program. Students regularly contribute recipes and ideas from home, including the award-winning pickled daikon recipe, which came from a student suggestion inspired by what their family makes at home. It is a fantastic example of learning moving between home, school, garden and kitchen, while building authentic connections with our community.

Well done to the team of staff at The Grove who continue to create such authentic, hands-on learning experiences for our students.

Speaking of the Grove, a huge thank you to all our wonderful parents who assisted with the Working Bees over the past two weeks. We are incredibly grateful for the time you gave to lend a hand. Your support makes such a difference, and we truly appreciate everything you do to help keep the Grove looking its best.

Year 3 Camp

Year 3 Camp was a wonderful opportunity for our students to step outside their comfort zones, build independence and enjoy some special time with their friends and teachers. There were plenty of adventures and memories made along the way.

'Last week, Year 3 went to Burnside Camp in Anglesea. Camp was a fun experience for all of us! We were so excited to find out who would be in our cabin. We just couldn’t wait. There were so many amazing activities. We did rock climbing, archery and orienteering. We used our creativity to make bug hotels and natural art pieces. The low ropes were challenging, and we used our teamwork skills to finish the whole course. The flying fox made us go so fast, and it was fun racing our friends who were running beside us. We also used safety skills when learning how to put the harnesses and helmets on for the adventure activities. After dinner, we enjoyed a peaceful walk through the bus and saw lots of interesting things on the way. I saw some interesting pink spots on some gum leaves that I’d never seen before. At the top, we looked out over the ocean and the whole of Anglesea. The sun was setting and the sunlight gave a beautiful orange glow to the trees and nature all around us. It was a big walk, but it was worth it! Camp helped us be more resilient and independent and has prepared us for future camp adventures. We are so proud of ourselves for giving everything a try. Year 3 Camp was an extraordinary experience!' - Biola O (3NR) and Anjola O (3JP)

Lower Primary Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to all our Lower Primary students on a fantastic Athletics Carnival! It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm and encouragement throughout the day. A big thank you to all our parents who joined us and helped create such a wonderful atmosphere. A special thank you also to Mr Russell and Mr Hough for all their work behind the scenes in preparing for the event and ensuring everything ran so smoothly on the day. A fantastic day for our Lower Primary community!
'Yesterday, I went to Athletics day. I got there on a bus. When I arrived, I did the house chant, then a 400m run, shot put, high jump, discus, 80m run, long jump and 100m run. Finally it was time for the relay.
I felt happy excited and nervous. It was the BEST day ever. My mum and dad were cheering me on, so I felt happy and kept trying. I was with my friends.
Gotemba came first, Thomson can second, Cowie came third, and Morongo came last!!!!' - Aria - L2DQ

Chess Awards
Congratulations to our Chess Award winners! Well done to the following students on their fantastic achievements:

1st – Gerard N (Year 2)
2nd – Billy M (Year 6)
3rd – Isaac F (Year 6)

Icy Pole Payments
Thank you to everyone who voted on how we should manage payments for icy poles, beginning Friday week. The response was overwhelming, with close to 70% of voters preferring to keep the current system. As a result, students will continue to bring coins to purchase their icy poles each week. Thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say.

Year 6 Graduation Volunteers
We are still looking for a few more volunteers to assist with our Year 6 Graduation. If you are available to spare a couple of hours and would like to help make this special occasion a memorable one for our students and families, please click on the link to volunteer. We would greatly appreciate your support!
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ucHZ8sXp65?origin=lprLink

Playgrounds
Just a friendly reminder that our Lower Primary students should not use the Upper Primary playground equipment, including before or after school. The equipment has been designed and selected with older students in mind and, from a safety perspective, is not considered suitable for our younger children. Thank you for helping us keep all our students safe.

Upcoming Dates
2 November - Student free day, Staff professional development
3 November - Melbourne Cup holiday
4 November - Sport: State Track and Field (selected students)
6 – 7 November - Year 2 Sleepover

Library Services News

Great Aussie Bird Count

At Kardinia, our Citizen Science group combined with Earth Core committee met for our annual Great Aussie Bird Count 2026. Please see below a variety of birds we saw on campus.

Humanities News

Making every drop count!

Our Level A (Year 7) Planet Earth class recently participated in the inaugural Water Heroes: Make Every Drop Count competition, hosted by Barwon Water as part of National Water Week.

With more than 2,000 entries submitted in the Year 7 and 8 category from across the region, we're incredibly proud to congratulate Aara P on receiving second place and Tilly S on receiving third place.

An outstanding result and a testament to the creativity, passion and environmental awareness of our students. A big thank you to Fernando from Barwon Water, for recently visiting the class to present the winners with their prizes! National Water Week Poster Competition

Sports News

GISSA Volleyball

Kardinia International College was well represented at the GISSA Intermediate Volleyball Championships, held at the new Tarratarra Stadium in Armstrong Creek. Both our boys’ and girls’ teams competed in a hard-fought day of volleyball, demonstrating great determination, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the competition. Both teams finished the day strongly, recording two wins each against quality opposition.

Congratulations to Pip and Keshev, who were recognised as our Best Players for their outstanding performances, and to Grace and Jerome, who received the Best Sportsmanship awards for their positive attitudes and support of their teammates. Well done to all students involved for representing KIC with pride and making it a successful day of competition!

GISSA VSAC Athletics

Seventeen Kardinia International College students represented GISSA at the inaugural Victorian School Associations Championships (VSAC) Athletics Carnival, held last week at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park.

Ace R – Inter Boys
Alex B – Junior Girls
Arkadiy G – Junior Boys
Charlie H – Inter Boys
Cooper H – Senior Boys
Cruz T – Inter Boys
Eva D – Inter Girls
Evelyn E – Inter Girls
Gemma – Inter Girls
Guy McP – Senior Boys
Hasaan S – Inter Boys
Ivy G – Junior Girls
Ivy P – Junior Girls
Jimmy M – Junior Boys
Lachie B – Senior Boys
Louisa F – Senior Girls
Teagan R – Senior Girls
Zoe B – Junior Girls

The Victorian Sport Association (VSAC) brings together 13 school sport associations from across the state, with GISSA continuing to build a strong reputation for sporting excellence. Congratulations to our 17 athletes on this outstanding achievement and for representing KIC with pride on the state stage. The standard of competition in track and field at last week’s carnival was world-class, with a number of Kardinia students achieving podium finishes. Congratulations to all Kardinia students who represented themselves, Kardinia and GISSA with pride at this prestigious event, showcasing their talent, dedication and sportsmanship on the state stage. Results can be found here https://www.athsvic.resultshub.com.au/index.html

Long Jump: Gemma Q 5.26m (1st)

Triple Jump: Gemma Q 10.72m (2nd)

4x100m: Gemma Q, 50.30 (2nd)

Discus: Zoe B 28.14m (2nd)

Triple Jump: Arkadiy G, 11.34m (1st)

Medley Relay: Arkadiy G, 4:17.40 (2nd)

4x100m: Arkadiy G, 50.47 (3rd)

400m: Guy M 51.22 (3rd)

Science News

From Waste Audit to Action: Our Students Lead the Way!

Students in Mrs Clark’s Sustaining the Planet classes have turned the findings of our recent College Waste Audit into an inspiring range of practical initiatives to help KIC become a more sustainable school.

Motivated by what they discovered during the audit, students were eager to move beyond identifying problems and start developing solutions. They presented their ideas to Dr Lockhart, Mr Dowie and Mr Lovick, demonstrating initiative, creativity and a genuine commitment to making a difference.

Their proposals included educational campaigns and clearer bin labelling to help everyone dispose of waste correctly, a dedicated fruit sticker pole to collect those tiny but troublesome pieces of rubbish, and House-based competitions to encourage better waste-sorting habits. Students also suggested creating educational videos, exploring alternatives to packaging in the College Café, and introducing a colour-coded system on café items to make correct disposal easier.

Other ideas included investigating the potential to repurpose yellow bins for soft plastic recycling and installing water tanks to support more sustainable water use across the College.

The students did an outstanding job presenting their proposals, clearly communicating how their ideas could address the issues identified through the audit and contribute to meaningful, long-term change. Their presentations demonstrated that even small changes, when embraced across our community, can have a significant collective impact.

Their work directly supports KIC’s strategic goal of achieving ResourceSmart Schools 5-Star certification, building on the College’s existing sustainability achievements and commitment to environmental responsibility.

A huge congratulations to Mrs Clark and her students for taking the initiative to turn data into action. Their work is a wonderful example of student voice, critical and creative thinking, and Global Hearts, Local Hands in practice.

Wellbeing Hub News

Although we all want our children to succeed academically, the foundation for that success lies not just in intelligence or motivation, but in the study habits they develop. Healthy study habits are essential for children to learn effectively, manage stress, and ultimately achieve their academic potential. Yet, in an age where distractions are plentiful and the pressure to perform is immense, it's more important than ever for us, as parents and caregivers, to guide our children in cultivating these habits.

Read more here.

Make sure to join the Wellbeing ‘Group’ in KICOnline:

1. Log in to KICOnline at kiconline.kardinia.vic.edu.au
2. From the top menu, select ‘Groups’.

3. Select "Groups I can join" in the drop-down list to browse the available groups or type in ‘Wellbeing’ and click the “+” to join.

4. Once joined, Wellbeing updates will appear in your News Feed.

Community Engagement and Foundation News

Celebrating 30 Years - The First Decade Reunion 1996-2006

This week we celebrate a special reunion event for staff and alumni who were part of the college community during its first decade. This gathering offers the opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate the formative years that helped shape the College’s identity. Please share this invitation with our alumni from the first decade.

Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Venue: Meet Me at Mary’s
Eligibility: All students and staff who attended the College between 1996 and 2006
Tickets for the First Decade Reunion

If you are in this photo, we’d love to see you there!

Celebrating Their 1-Year Reunion: The Class of 2025

The Class of 2025 has now been out in the world for a year, pursuing study, travel, work, volunteering, and a wide range of new experiences. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with classmates and staff, share stories from the past year, and celebrate their 1st Reunion together.

Date: Friday 20 November 2026 
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm   

This complimentary, ticketed event is exclusively for registered alumni and will be held at Queen of the West, in the Queen’s Terrace Function Area. Please ensure you RSVP to secure your place and reconnect with the Class of 2025.
https://events.humanitix.com/1-year-kardinians-reunion-class-of-2025

Please share with members of the Class of 2025.

Fiona Russell - Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator

From the Archives

Celebrating 30 Years - The Bell 2011-2015

Following the growth and development documented in The Bell from 2006 to 2010, the editions published between 2011 and 2015 capture a significant chapter in the College’s history. As Kardinia International College approached and celebrated its 20th Anniversary, the magazines reflect a community embracing new opportunities, expanding its facilities and strengthening its global outlook.

A key theme throughout these editions is connection, both locally and internationally. The introduction of the Viqueque School Experience visits to Timor-Leste, highlighted on the cover of the 2011 edition, provided students with meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and service, reinforcing the College’s commitment to global citizenship and intercultural understanding.

The magazines also document a period of major campus development, including the construction of the Learning Commons, Senior Centre and Junior School Inquiry Centre pictured on the 2012 and 2014 editions. These new facilities transformed learning spaces across the College and reflected a growing emphasis on collaboration, inquiry and innovation.

Community spirit remained central to College life. The introduction of KIC Fest brought students, staff and families together in a vibrant celebration of culture, music and community, while the spectacular Onwards production marked the College’s 20th Anniversary, showcasing the creativity and talent of the Kardinia community.

This period also included a moment of reflection with the passing of Mrs Katsumata, one of the College’s founders. Tributes published in The Bell highlighted her vision, dedication and enduring contribution to the College’s culture and values.

Looking back through these editions, we see a College honouring its founda

tions while confidently moving forward. The achievements, developments and milestones captured in The Bell from 2011 to 2015 provide a lasting record of a community continuing to grow, innovate and strengthen the connections that remain at the heart of Kardinia International College.

Note: The College’s annual magazine was originally titled The Bell. Following consultation with local Aboriginal leaders, it was renamed The Bridge in 2021.

Images below: Covers of The Bell magazines, 2011-2015.

Photo: College Archives
Fiona Russell - College Archivist