From the Principal - Catherine Lockhart
This week I am really excited that we are celebrating our school’s diversity and inclusion with Multicultural Day in the Senior School on Friday.
I look forward to seeing how our students and staff outwardly show their cultural identity through the traditional costumes and other clothing that represents their cultural heritage. While events like this are great fun, they serve a much greater purpose of celebrating the many rich and diverse backgrounds of our students and staff.
This week our teachers participated in teacher led workshops as part of our Monday afternoon Professional Development sessions. We have had over twenty staff members present to their peers so far this year and I am always so impressed with the knowledge and expertise we have within our own faculty.
I had the opportunity to present to some staff members on putting the E in SPICE. E stands for ethics and is one of the five key competencies which we are continuing to build into our curriculum as part of our SPICE framework. The discussions in these sessions were deep and meaningful and our teachers enjoyed the scholarly debate which ensued with what at first looked like simple questions and prompts.
Our students love the opportunity to engage in these kinds of discussions as well. I encourage you to challenge your students at home with an ethical question or debate around the dinner table. A couple of tips: ask them to look at an issue from a completely different perspective to their own, use real life topics and something to which they can relate. AI is a great one to consider at the moment.
On Monday we discussed who should be responsible for determining the decisions that self-driving cars make? Just be prepared - the discussions may take up quite a bit of your evening.
From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill
At our Senior School Assembly on Monday, we celebrated some student achievements from Semester One.
Application Awards are presented to students who have been identified as demonstrating excellent learning behaviours across multiple classes. Congratulations to our Semester One Application Award winners:
Diya, Genevieve, Sholto, Sabina, Ava, Romeo, Sebastian, Cooper, Fred, Jade, Jonty, Ethan, Abbey, Caitlin, Joe, Ava, Laila, Michelle, Charles, Clare, Chloe, Eloise, Marcus, Ameera, Elliott, Siena, Harry, Stella, Ruby, Jimmy, Kahlen, Emerson, Will, Nathan, Millie, Mitchell, Emma, Elise, Egor, Edith, Markus, Grace, Billy, Pong, Georgia, Emalyn, Tess, Charlie, Francesca, Charlie, Harvey, Sage, Gracie, Violet, George, Claudia, Hannah, Grace, Alina, Aarya, Amelia, Freddy, Jacky, Chloe, Bethany, Ishaan, Chloe, Georgia, Alex, Michael, Taylor, Sanuli, Abi, Tim, Austin, Olivia, Noah, Ollie, Angus, Rhys, Zahli, Avah, and Dhriti.
Academic Awards are presented to students in each year level in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement. Congratulations to:
Marcus, Raf , Devangana, Viona, Marley, Tyler, Anita, Lyra, Mia, Ethan, Tom, Lily , Sean, Abby, Iris, Arkadiy, Gemma, Grace, Daniel, Allegra, Lucinda, Delilah, Neel, Aleka, Malia, Lewis, Will, Grace, Haolei, Luci, Joelle, Esther, Jordan, Tia, Hollie, Matilda, Niamh, Charlotte, Anouk, Millie, Mia, Claudie, Aaina, Kashvi, Prabh, Kalyani, Toby, Shiloh, Elizabeth, and Dante.
Finally, a small group of students received both Application and Academic Awards. Congratulations to:
Zayma, Joel, Alice, Eliza, Campbell, Jessica, James, Lucy, Sara, Ruby, Zac, Darrah, Callum, Muntaha, Tarun, Chloe, Charlotte, Hannah, Chloe, Elise, and Amanda.
This Friday, 1 August, we are celebrating Multicultural Day in the Senior School. This day is organised by the International Council and allows our community to celebrate our diverse cultures and backgrounds. Students are encouraged to come dressed in clothing that represents their culture or identity. This may involve cultural dress or even including a colour that is related to their cultural identity. There will also be a bake sale and special items available from Centrepoint Café on the day.
Our annual College Photos will take place between Thursday 7 August and Tuesday 12 August. An Edsmart will be sent to families shortly with further details.
We are very excited for our College Production this year, Chicago: Teen. Rehearsals for this show commenced in Term One and are looking sensational. The entire production involves over 90 students, from the cast to the band, to the crew and is well worth seeing. Performances run from Thursday 14 August until Saturday 16 August and are selling fast. Tickets are available from: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-kardinia-international-college-production
Finally, we will be celebrating Book Week as a whole school this year. On Wednesday 20 August the entire school will have the opportunity to dress up for Book Week, and there will be various activities throughout the day. Our prefects provided some inspiration for costumes at assembly this week! This year’s theme is ‘Book an Adventure’.
From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes
Students have really enjoyed leaping back into their learning after the holiday break. I could share dozens of examples of deep thinking by our students. Here is one that I would like to share from a year three student Mia.
As part of the Sharing the Planet unit, students were invited to express what they believe diversity means. This relates to the aspect of the unit which explores diversity and actions that can be taken to create an inclusive community. Mia chose to use Lego to represent her thinking. Mia then wrote a short piece which explains her thinking to her family.
Hi Mum & Dad, today we were expressing what diversity means to you we could use pictures, words, drawing or Lego & I choose Lego. The different blocks represent diversity of people. It could also represent different feelings because people might feel different about their disability. The grey blocks represent how some people who are different may feel not seen or in the shadows, green means happy, yellow means proud, blue means sad & pink means embarrassed.
Thanks for sharing your thinking, Mia.
Shout out for cardboard
Mrs Dowie is looking for large, strong cardboard to support the learning she is doing with her year 6 students. If you have any cardboard from a recent fridge or large TV purchase, please reach out to Mrs Dowie j.dowie@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Please have another wonderful week.
Upcoming School Photos
School photos will take place between Thursday 7 August and Tuesday 12 August 2025. Please note that Kinder photos will be scheduled on different dates and further details will be provided separately for these families.
All families will receive a unique ordering code via email shortly. Please refer to this email to register details for notifications and photo order processing. At this time, more specific information will also be shared regarding uniform requirements.
Additionally, family photo registration details will be distributed once available.
Independent Schools Victoria LEAD Parent Satisfaction Survey 2025
Starting next week, our school is taking part in the LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys 2025.
These surveys are designed and implemented by Independent Schools Victoria.
The aim of the surveys is to better understand the perceptions of students, parents and staff regarding the quality of the educational experiences the College provides. The information obtained will be used by College leadership to improve the quality of education for our students.
Students from years five to twelve will be asked to complete the surveys in the coming weeks.
Next week parents will be sent an edSmart message with a link to the survey. Further details will be included in the edSmart message.
Your opinion is valuable to us and we greatly appreciate your upcoming participation in this program.
VCE Vocational Major Information Session Recording
Last night, Antony Benson (VCE VM Coordinator, VET Coordinator and Assistant VCE Coordinator) took parents and carers through an online VCE Vocational Major Information Session regarding the launch of the VCE Vocational Major program at Kardinia in 2026.
The session is now available as a recording for those who were unable to tune in live.
Please find the recording link, slide deck and further information via KIC Online - The VCE Vocational Major (VM)
Welcome, Gotemba Nishi High School Exchange Students
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Chika and Anri who will be studying at Kardinia this term as short-term exchange students from Gotemba Nishi High School.
They both have been settling in smoothly, having support from their Homestay family and KIC students who have travelled to Gotemba Nishi this year and in 2024.
Chika plays clarinet and will be joining the College concert band. Anri is a very keen breakdancer and we hope he can perform for KIC students while he is here!
Future Pathways and Education
Parents and Carers of Year 12 Students
Last week, Year 12 students attended a workshop delivered by the Future Pathways Team on processes involving the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. To assist your child, VTAC are offering webinars to support them through this process.
Please find additional information here.
Sports News
Soccer
Year 7 students Quinn and Scarlett on their way to the soccer field in Singapore! Featured in the Bellarine Times recently, the students are part of the U14 girls soccer team at the Barwon Heads Soccer Club. The team has been invited to play at the SingaCup this November and are currently fundraising for the opportunity.
If you would like to show them some support, please see their story in the Bellarine Times: https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/... and their fundraising page https://asf.org.au/campaigns/b...
Fencing
Last Sunday, a team of senior girls proudly represented Kardinia at the Schools’ League Teams Championships. The team – Sara K, Jess S, and Nidhi V (Year 11), along with Kalyani S (Year 10) – faced off against familiar rivals including fencers from Lowther Hall and Penleigh Essendon Grammar School.
After a tight 21–27 loss in the first bout, the team showed resilience and focus, going on to win the next three matches. By the end of the day, we had secured a tie for first place however finished second after a countback of points – earning silver medals and many proud memories.
Throughout the competition, Kalyani impressed with her energy and endurance, and Nidhi remained calm and strategic under pressure. Jess demonstrated her trademark speed, and I (Sara) kept spirits high with off-key singing between bouts. By the final match, our voices were tired from cheering each other on.
A special thank you to our coaches – especially Mr Hick – whose advice about targeting the shoulder seems to be wiser than we initially gave credit for!
We’re already looking forward to the next challenge.
- Sara K (Year 11)
Table Tennis
Congratulations to Year 7 student Aatmika who recently had the honour of representing Victoria in the Table Tennis Australia National Championships tournament held in Gippsland during the recent term break. Congratulations on your success Aatmika!
GISSA Soccer - Junior Boys and Girls
Congratulations to our Junior Boys and Girls Soccer teams who were wonderful hosts to visiting teams last week. The boys team made it to their finals, losing in penalties against Iona. The girls lost 4-1 to Iona.
GISSA Netball - Year 9 and 10
Our Year 9 and 10 students had a successful and enjoyable day out competing in the GISSA netball competition recently. With great teamwork and positive energy, our two teams showcased fantastic skills on the court to finish at the top of their respectful pools. It was wonderful to see everyone supporting one another and representing Kardinia International College with pride and sportsmanship. A special mention goes to Estelle S, Isabella S and Stella G for being awarded MVP (most valuable players) and to Anja H and Louisa F for being awarded the Sportsmanship/Coaches awards on the day.
Chicago Teen - Tickets Now on Sale!
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Senior School production Chicago Teen! There is a selection of cabaret tables, as well as theatre seating available.
Performing on the Katsumata Stage on:
- 7pm Thursday 14 August
- 7pm Friday 14 August
- 2pm Saturday 16 August
- 7pm Saturday 16 August
Click here to book your tickets!
Outdoor Education News
Parent Code of Conduct Update
At Kardinia we are committed to fostering a learning environment where all members of our community—students, staff, and families—feel respected, safe, and supported. One of the ways we do this is through our Parent Code of Conduct, which outlines the standards of behaviour we ask parents, carers, and guardians to uphold when engaging with the College.
We know that families play a vital role in supporting student learning and wellbeing. This Code helps ensure that interactions between parents and staff, as well as within our wider community, remain respectful and constructive. It reinforces the importance of positive role modelling, appropriate communication, and a shared commitment to our College values.
Why a Parent Code of Conduct Matters
- It helps create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone
- It sets clear expectations for respectful behaviour
- It protects the integrity of our learning environment
- It supports strong partnerships between families and the College
- It ensures that concerns are raised in a fair and appropriate way
We have recently reviewed the Parent Code of Conduct to ensure it continues to reflect current practices and community expectations. Updates include a stronger emphasis on respectful communication (including social media use), traffic safety during drop-off and pick-up, and the importance of privacy and procedural fairness when raising concerns.
We encourage all parents and carers to take a moment to read the updated Parent Code of Conduct, which is available on the College’s website.
Wellbeing Hub News
Happy Families Upcoming Webinar - Wednesday 20 August, 7pm
Helping Your Child Navigate a World of Worry
It’s heartbreaking to see our kids struggling with anxiety. The statistics paint a stark picture: anxiety disorders are on the rise, affecting approximately one in seven primary school children and one in four adolescents. We see our kids burdened by fears and worries, their confidence fading, and sometimes even experiencing panic attacks. As parents, we desperately want to help but often feel lost or unsure of what to do.
Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to support your child’s emotional wellbeing and help them build resilience in the face of anxiety.
Click here to register
School TV - Sibling Relationships
Sibling relationships play a powerful role in shaping a child's social and emotional development. For parents and caregivers, understanding the dynamics between siblings is key to promoting harmony at home and fostering resilience. These relationships can be a source of lifelong friendship and support, but they can also be marked by rivalry and conflict if not guided positively. Encouraging young people to value each other's differences, communicate openly and resolve disputes respectfully, helps build strong sibling bonds. By creating a nurturing environment that avoids comparisons and recognises individual strengths, adults can help siblings grow into compassionate, cooperative and emotionally intelligent individuals.
From the Archives
The Kardinia International College Books
Next year marks a significant milestone in our College’s history - 30 years of learning, growth, and community. To celebrate, we’re excited to announce the upcoming release of a 30-Year commemorative book and a special picture book honouring our Founders, Mr and Mrs Katsumata.
These new publications will reflect the spirit and story of our College and complement the current 10- and 20-year books.
The editorial team (Paul Dowie, Geoff Woolard, and Fiona Russell) is inviting contributions from past and present members of our community.
If you have:
* Photos from College events or milestones
* Personal reflections or memories of your time here
* Early memorabilia from the College’s founding years
…we would be delighted to include them in the book or as part of our anniversary celebrations and Archive Collection. All contributions will help preserve and share the rich history of our College for future generations.
Please reach out to the editors or the College office if you have something to share. Your stories are a vital part of our journey, and we look forward to celebrating them together.
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
Community
City of Greater Geelong Parenting Workshops
Microscopic Science Exploration Event 2025
