Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 1 May 2024

From the Acting Principal - Paul Dowie

Each year we commemorate the opening of Kardinia International College which occurred on 28 April 1996. We began with thirty year seven, eight and nine students and seventy kindergarten students. The opening ceremony held out a promise that we would grow and develop into an outstanding school.

Last term when the weather was warmer, we spent a day attending Adventure Park. This was a Founders’ Day celebration where the entire school gathered in friendship and gave expression to this core element of our College motto. The highlight of the day for me was the many older students who volunteered to buddy with younger students as they rode on the many rides offered at the Park. This was a great example of the Kardinia spirit.

On Tuesday of this week, we held an assembly to remember and give thanks to the two people whose generosity created our College, our Founders, Mr Yoshimaro and Mrs Kiyoko Katsumata. We also stopped to reflect on what our College means to us.

Our Founders’ vision and actions not only created this school, but they are also the reason why our students have so many opportunities here at the College.  Although they are no longer with us, their efforts continue to benefit us all.

During the Founders’ Day Assembly, we reminded students that Mr and Mrs Katsumata are role models who provide inspiration to our Kardinia Community.

For those of us who were lucky enough to know the Katsumata's, we hold many fond memories. They were very friendly and greatly enjoyed meeting new people. Mr Katsumata had a great sense of humour and would always have a crowd around him, laughing at a joke he shared. Mrs Katsumata was gracious and gentle. She had a strong sense of empathy and was very aware of all the people around her. She did not want anyone to be left out. They would spend many months of each year living on the grounds of Kardinia and participated in many activities held at the College.

As we approach the end of our third decade we look back at the contributions and efforts of so many families, staff members and students. Many hands have continued the work begun by Mr and Mrs Katsumata.

The philosophy and motto of the College provide valuable advice that if we can act with Wisdom, display Respect, create Friendships and be Internationally Minded, not only the College but the world will be a better place.

Taking action to make a difference in the world is the example our Founders left us.

From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill

On Friday afternoon we had our annual House Cross Country competition. It was a great afternoon out and saw both students and staff running, walking and enjoying each other’s company.

While we won’t find out which house came out on top until later in the term, I’d like to mention one stand-out performance. Year 12 student and Morongo House Captain, Nathan Lai, found himself in an unfortunate predicament where he inadvertently brought two different runners with him to school – both of them left shoes! Rather than letting this problem stop him, Nathan ran the cross country with one sport shoe and one school shoe – and managed to place 10th in his age group! Even more remarkably, he did this without any blisters! Nathan then went on to lead some intense house chants, encouraging other Morongo students as they made their way to the finish line.

Attending events such as cross country is an expectation for all students in the College. Being a student at Kardinia International College involves attending all aspects of the College program – classes, sport, study periods and whole-school events. Each event is carefully planned to allow for all students to participate at their own level, and make connections with peers from across the school. These activities are central to building house spirit and our overall community. We’re very much looking forward to our next whole-school event, House Music, on the final day of this term.

From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes

Dear families,

We have had yet another action-packed week this week. Thanks so much to all families for taking the time to read with your children. In our busy lives it can be challenging to find time for it. We really appreciate your persistence, it certainly makes a difference with our student's learning.

Mother’s Day Morning Tea Cancer Council Fundraiser

Please refer to the community news section of eNews (below) to learn more about the Mother’s Day morning tea event which has been organised by our amazing KIC Connect Committee. Please note that this event is for parents and care givers to attend after they have dropped their children off in the playground or classroom.

GRIP Leadership Event

On Monday 29 April, Glenn Evans and Izabella Haby had the privilege of taking the 24 Junior School Student Leaders to the annual GRIP Student Leadership Conference held in Geelong.

The students met other leaders from local schools and had the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills by solving problems occurring in school settings, creating new initiatives for their school as well as reflecting on what kind of leader they are and would like to be. As always, our students represented Kardinia International College with pride showing exceptional manners and respecting others.

Student Action Committee Request

Week 5 is National Families Week. To support Geelong families, we are collecting donations for Geelong Mums. This action was initiated by Yashvi in Year 3. Between weeks 4 and 5 we will be collecting items that Geelong Mums need. Things we would like you to bring are hygiene products (new only), wooden toys, arts and crafts, books for children and clothes of any size. All items must be in excellent or new condition. You will find the donation buckets in Upper Primary and Lower Primary. Thank you for your support. – Gus and Amelie, The Student Action Committee Leaders.

Entering the School Grounds

Please be reminded that the school grounds do not open until 8.30 am each morning. For students who arrive a few minutes early, we kindly request that they proceed to the Junior School office where they can wait under supervision until 8.30 am. Additionally, I'd like to remind all families that the school grounds open at 3.15 pm for pick-up and parents are not to enter the grounds until after 3.15 pm.

Tennis News

Congratulations to Esther White, recently Esther competed in the Western Metropolitan Regional Tennis Championships at Williamstown. Esther took out the bronze medal. An awesome effort from her and we are all proud that she finished as Geelong primary school’s top female tennis player for this year.

Junior School Disco

Our KIC CONNECT group look forward to welcoming you to the Junior School Disco. The event will be held in the Katsumata Centre. If you would like to sign up to support this event, please use this link.

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 are remunerated for undertaking this role.

For more information about Homestay please contact Homestay Coordinator Yuting Zhao on y.zhao@kardinia.vic.edu.au

A message from the Wellbeing Hub

Most of you would have seen the thousands of people gathering over the last few days, rallying against gender-based violence in this country, due to there being a sharp rise in the number of women killed this year.

No one can deny the data, it’s harrowing, and a large percentage of the Australian population are affected by violence and maltreatment. In fact, a recent large Australian cross-sectional survey (Australian Child Maltreatment Study) found that 62% of Australians (16-65+yr) have suffered from 1 or more forms of maltreatment and in many cases, this continues to be a gendered issue. https://www.acms.au/

There is no doubt that this is a national problem, one where we must all come together to address – in our homes, our schools, our local communities and cities….. we must do more to make sure that everyone feels safe and is respected.

As a school, we do have an important role in promoting and modelling gender equality as well as respectful and non-violent relationships.

The Respectful Relationship education is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum and at Kardinia we are committed to delivering and embedding this program across all year levels. Our focus continues to be on the core components of emotional literacy, personal strengths, positive coping, problem solving, stress management, help seeking, gender and identity and positive gender relationships (including consent).

Our focus is not only how we teach these important skills, but also how we model and nurture them because how we think, how we speak, and how we behave all matters!!

Remember that there is always support available at school and in our community so reach out if you need.

Support Contacts:

1800Respect: 1800 737 732

Orange Door: 1800 312820

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Kidshelpline 1800 55 1800

School TV KIC – resources available https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter

Careers News

Term 2 is a great time for senior school students to be researching possible areas of interest, strengths and skill sets that they may choose to follow in the future.

Talking with your child is a great opportunity to help them confidently choose pathway options for the future. Possible discussion topics could include:

• Which subjects at school do they enjoy & why?
• Explain something interesting that they have been learning about.
• If they could enter their dream job, what would it be? What makes them interested in this?
• What went well for them today at school?
• Which of their skill sets and strengths did they use at school?

We have lots on offer for students this term, including a series of Lunchtime Careers Workshops and National Careers Week coming up soon!

Please find the first series of lunchtime workshops advertised below. The workshops vary in providers and organisations. Please use the form link to indicate your interest in attending https://forms.office.com/r/sgGc0Usd22 Registration is required to ensure adequate space and resources are provided for all students who attend.

Week 4:

Week 6:

Week 7:

If you have any questions please contact careers@kardinia.vic.edu.au or Kloe Woods, Head of Careers k.woods@kardinia.vic.edu.au

International Students Careers Excursion

On Wednesday, international students were invited to join the Uni open day at the State Library. The event provided valuable insights into our future pathways and offered useful information about university courses. Additionally, we had the opportunity to explore RMIT’s city campus. We are grateful to the school career team for organising the event, especially to Mrs. Flack, Mrs. Outbridge, and Mrs. Zhao for dedicating their time. --- Yoyo Chai

Here are some comments from the students:

Dortha: “It’s worth every second to be here cause I have a chance to meet the admission committees from various prestigious universities around Australia and receive detailed answers for my own pathway due to my academic performance and nationality.”

Jesse: “The Uni Open day was a unique experience. I had a good time talking to the representative and learning more about different universities. I particularly enjoyed the challenge they had created, having the students work to earn stamps and redeem prizes. Overall, a world opening experience."

Bao Han: "The event was interesting and very useful for an international student like me and my friends. I have received a lot of valuable information to prepare for my university application". 

Mothers Day Classic

Every year thousand of people come together to start their Mothers’ day with purpose.

Kardinia has been uniting to support and inspire our community to be part of this joyous event. On Mothers’ Day, Sunday May 12 our Kardinia International College community will come together in the event at Oval 3 East Geelong Reserve Eastern Park for the events. While this is not a school activity and we ask parents to accompany their children we would like to encourage you all to be there to:

WALK

• 4km - 8:50am - Embrace & Honour
• 8km - 9:00am
• 4km - 9:10am

RUN

• 8km - 7:50am
• 4km - 8:00am

We want to celebrate and remember those touched by breast and ovarian cancer and to raise life- saving funds for research.

This is our seventh year as a community supporting this initiative, let’s make it a big one.

Join our team or donate https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/fundraisers/kardiniainternationalcollege

Community Engagement and Foundation News 

Kardinia’s Combined Community Fundraiser for the Cancer Council

The Kardinia Community is supporting Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea across TWO days in May!

The first event, organised by KIC Connect, is for PARENTS & THE KIC COMMUNITY. This is an opportunity for parents/carers to come together in the Junior School Conference room after they have dropped their child/children in the playground on Friday 10 May between 8:30 am - 10:30 am. Students and participants are encouraged to wear a touch of yellow in support of the event and bring a gold coin donation. Direct donations for this event can be made via: https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/kardiniainternationalcollege

If you're interested in volunteering to help run this event please complete this form so we can contact you.

Thank you for your involvement and support!

The second part of this Fundraising Event, co-organised by CAS students and Community Engagement, is on Thursday 23 May with a Biggest Morning Tea for ALL STAFF in the College Hall between 10.45 am-11:30 am and a huge Bake Sale in CENTREPOINT CAFE for SENIOR STUDENTS between 12:50 pm-1.40 pm. Donations for this second day of fundraising can be made via: https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/fionarussell/biggest-morning-tea-vic

We hope you can support this combined fundraiser by your attendance or donation to the Cancer Council.

Kardinians - Calling all past KIC musicians

How awesome was it being a musician at KIC! What's stopping you from being part of this again "One Night in May"?

Calling all musos to the Piano Bar on Tuesday 21 May, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, for the launch of Square 1’s latest EP - "Get It Again". Alumni band 'Lucy Lorenne & The Early Birds' will also be performing, and we will end the evening with an 'all in' ensemble performance, with all our alumni musicians joining in to play “Master Blaster” by Stevie Wonder and “Fishies” by The Cat Empire!

What a night!

Tickets - $20 Adult & $15 Student. Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.

If you were a past musician at Kardinia, please click:

https://forms.office.com/r/MpcWZSjbWN

Welcome Back! ANZAC Day Ceremony

Alumnus Captain Adam Roksa (Class of 2013) participated in the 2024 ANZAC Day Ceremony which was filmed for Senior School students. Adam is a Senior Ammunition Proof Officer in the Australian Army (BSc Chemistry, Master of Systems Engineering.) During the day, Adam spoke to Junior School and Senior School classes and presented a lunch time Careers Q & A session. He was delighted to catch up with some of his ‘old’ teachers while on campus.

Parent Social Evening - Trivia Night! 

It’s here! Tomorrow, Thursday 2 May, is the annual CCC Trivia Night for ALL Kardinia Parents!

The event is at Murphy’s in Aberdeen Street, between 6 pm - 9 pm.

Come along alone, with a partner or friend, or in a group!

Trivia Groups will be signed up from 6 pm for a 6:30 pm start. Come along to meet other new parents and catch up with Kardinia friends.

Tickets are only $15 pp for our Trivia Event with food and drinks at own expense. We’d really love to see you there!

Fiona Russell - Community Engagement & Foundation Coordinator 

From the Archives

The first Founders’ Day - 1997

“On the 27th of March, 1997 a crowd of eager onlookers cheered and clapped as the Australian flag, accompanied by parachutist Russell Lee appeared out of a clear blue sky to launch celebrations in the inaugural Kardinia International College Founder’s Day. Landing safely on the College’s main oval amongst students, staff, parents and invited guests, a purple scroll was then delivered to Mr Yoshimaro Katsumata – the owner and founder of Kardinia International College. Among the invited guests were 15 visitors from Japan and Mr Yoshihisa Katsumata, the Principal of Kardinia’s sister school, Gotemba Nishi High School in Japan.

 Prior to the landing, a whole school assembly had been treated to a stirring new song, “Bridges to the Future”, written by the College’s music teacher, Mrs Debbie Howard. The inaugural principal, Mr John Goodfellow and retired principal of the former Morongo Girls College, Miss Dulcie Brookshaw addressed the assembly where a striking portrait of Mr Katsumata, by artist Graham Cardinal was unveiled.

 Following the assembly, an extravagant aviation and rescue display thrilled the crowds who soaked up glorious Autumn weather. The crowds witnessed demonstrations from: the Corio SES, Mounted Police, Defence Force, Police Air Wing, Police Boat Rescue and St John’s Ambulance. Students revelled in free rides on a giant slide, space ball, jumping castle and train. Other activities included: a hole in one, face painting, spaghetti eating, Supercats Clinic, novelty races, dunking machine, and disco. Students were able to purchase their lunch and snacks from a wide array of international food vans operating on the oval and from the boarders dining hall.”

Dowie, P. Kardinia International College. The First Ten Years- 1996 to 2005.

Cross Country

“The Senior College Cross Country Competition is held in Term Two each year. All Senior School students participate in a run along the Barwon River. Depending on their division, students will run a course ranging between three and six kilometres.

…During the first Cross Country the coloured House tops were launched. The runners were a blaze of red, blue, yellow and green. The Cross Country competition continues to be a highlight of the calendar year.”

The Cross Country Trophy is awarded to the winning House with Gotemba achieving the inaugural win:

1998 Gotemba

1999 Thomson

2000 Gotemba

2001 Thomson

2002 Cowie

2003 Gotemba

2004 Thomson

2005 Morongo

Dowie, P. Kardinia International College. The First Ten Years - 1996 to 2005.

Morongo House

The Level A 'Geelong, My Place' classes have examined the history of the Morongo Homestead site from its earliest days, through its time as a residence, through the Morongo Girls School era to its current use at Kardinia alongside the evolution of the grounds surrounding it.

The Heritage listing of the bluestone building ensures that the property, including its former laundry wing and stables, is retained as a valuable example of “…a substantially constructed and finely detailed residential complex erected in the late 1850s.

The main house is important as an unusually late and very strongly expressed example of the elegantly proportioned and minimally decorated manner usually associated with the Regency style of architecture.”

Extract from Statement of Significance Last updated on - May 5, 1999 HCV. VHR H1138.

Fiona Russell - College Archivist