From the Principal
This is my last eNews for the year, and it is hard to believe that we are in the last few weeks of 2024. I will keep this news brief as I know everyone is busy at this time of year.
My wholehearted thank you to our wonderful Kardinia International College community for your support throughout the year.
I wish all our students and their families the absolute best over the holiday period. I hope you find time to do things that bring you joy and help recharge the batteries.
I look forward to seeing you again in 2025.
From the Head of Senior School
It’s hard to believe that the end of the school year is upon us! Congratulations to everyone in the Senior School. You have all learned things that you didn’t know when the year commenced, you can do things that you couldn’t do before, and you’ve had experiences that you hadn’t had back in January. While the purpose of school is of course learning, that learning happens in so many ways, not just in the classroom. Everyone in the Senior School has made progress this year and has grown in ways that they didn’t expect. Congratulations to you all.
There are some students who are leaving us at the end of this year and I wish them well for their future studies. I’d also like to thank Mr Mark Orton, Mr David Felvus, Ms Leah Grant, Ms Diana Schepisi, Ms Rebecca Fitzsimmons, Ms Sidney Montano and Mr Oscar Slaverio all the very best as they finish up contracts at the College this term.
I’d also like to thank and farewell Ms Jacquie Lesser, Mr Matt Holloway and Ms Christine Anketell, all of whom are leaving the College at the end of this term for other adventures. We are so grateful for what you have given to the College in your time here and wish you all the best for the future.
Finally, there are some very significant farewells in the Senior School, with a number of staff who have been at the College for extended periods of time retiring. Thank-you so much to Mr Mark Bateup, Mr David Auslebrook, Mrs Gillian Armstead, Mrs Helen Verdnik, Mr Jim Haigh and Mrs Lena Townsend. Between them, these staff members have given almost 140 years of service to Kardinia International College. I’ve been speaking to students about these members of staff and they have described these teachers with words like, ‘committed,’, ‘kind’, ‘inspiring’, ‘passionate’, ‘dedicated’, ‘encouraging’, ‘adored’ ‘amazing’, ‘thoughtful’ and ‘wise’. These qualities have made such a difference to countless students over so many years, and we are all richer for knowing you. Thank you all – and we wish you well in retirement.
I wish everyone in the College Community a wonderful summer break and look forward to seeing you in 2025.
From the Head of Junior School
Orientation Day
Today was Orientation Day in the Junior School. Students were excited to learn who their teachers and classmates are for next year and enjoyed spending the morning together.
Christmas Picnic
Join us for the Christmas Picnic tomorrow, 5 December. Enjoy performances by the Junior School Choirs, a Senior School band, and the Mik Maks at the Katsumata Centre. Doors open at 5:00pm, with performances starting at 5:30pm. All Junior School families are welcome. BYO food and drink. Novalie’s Christmas items will be on sale in the foyer.
Christmas Book Fair
The Inquiry Centre will host a Christmas Book Fair from 2-6 December. The Book Fair will be open during lunch, after school and during class library/ATL sessions. Credit Card/EFTPOS facilities are available for parents/carers.
Celebration Day Assembly
Next Tuesday, 10 December, parents are invited to join us for our final assembly for the year. At the assembly various awards will be presented and we will have a performance by the Taiko Drum Club. Parents are asked to be seated by 9.10am in the Katsumata Centre if they wish to join the celebrations.
Last Day Dismissal
Please note that next Tuesday, 10 December, is the final day of school for the year. Dismissal and bus times are as per our normal schedule. Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 3.15pm, with all other students departing at 3.20pm. Buses will depart at 3.30pm and 3.35pm.
Happy Holidays
Thank you to the Junior School community for a wonderful year. Please have a safe and happy holiday and I look forward to another great year in 2025.
Enrolment Withdrawal
If you are thinking of withdrawing your child, as per the College's terms and conditions a terms notice is required. Please contact the Marketing and Admissions Department via email: marketing@kardinia.vic.edu.au to lodge the request in writing.
A Note from the Medical Centre
An Announcement from the Production Team!
In August 2025, Kardinia International College will present:
Congratulations to the following students who have been cast in lead roles:
Roxie Hart – Belle Witcombe
Velma Kelly – Page Punsalang
Billy Flynn – Archie Saunders
Amos Hart – Oscar Perrett
Mama Morton – Anna Birley
Mary Sunshine – Jo Cameron-Johnston
Murderess Liz – Isla Corlett
Murderess Annie – Frankie Davis
Murderess June – Ruby Burns
Murderess Mona – Sarita Muller
Understudies – Benjamin Belsey, Rose Harley and Kahlen Grace
Auditions will continue early in Term 1, 2025 for ensemble, orchestra and crew roles. Check in the bulletin for further information or email the producer Ms Birley (k.birley@kardinia.vic.edu.au) if you have any questions.
Music News
A huge congratulations to all who participated in last week's KIC Ensemble Showcase!
With 230 students and 20 Ensembles taking part (including students from Year 1 - Year 12) the Katsumata Centre was filled with talent! The night concluded with a combined song of Africa by Toto with all students and staff singing or playing an instrument.
A big thank you to all of our wonderful Music department staff for the incredible amount of organisation and support provided in the lead up to the event.
Square 1 Recording
Earlier this year Square 1 competed in a Battle of the Bands at Belmont High School and won first prize – a recording voucher for Don’t Poke the Bear Studio.
This week, band members spent a day at the studio recording two new original songs. It was so much fun! Thank you to the amazing staff at Don’t Poke the Bear studio who supported the students with their work. The students did a fabulous job and we look forward to releasing the tracks soon.
Sport News
Year 9 students successfully participated in the Huff and Puff Triathlon Challenge last week, marking the culmination of their fitness training this semester. The event featured a 200m swim, 5km bike ride, and 2km run. Students showcased incredible determination and resilience, pushing their limits and embracing the challenge. Whether competing for personal bests or simply aiming to complete the course, all participants demonstrated outstanding effort and sportsmanship. Congratulations to everyone who took part—you should be proud of your achievement!
Female Winners: 1st Emma C, 2nd Emma H, 3rd Clare H
Male Winner: 1st Josh G, 2nd Taichi I, 3rd Johnny G
Social Justice Committee News
Tutor Group Fundraiser for SESIM Reflection
"The idea of organising a fundraiser for SESIM, the Centre of Science and Mathematics in Timor Leste, was first proposed to me in Term 3 by Mr Chapman. It was initially planned to be a raffle but after a couple complications was changed to be a tutor group competition. After the problems were resolved, the project was approved, and the timeframe was decided on, I begun reaching out to local businesses, culminating prizes in addition to raising awareness for the cause.
I am deeply passionate about Timor Leste and am involved in various projects associated with education in Viqueque, such as the Days for Girls program, dedicated to educating young girls on menstrual health and allowing them to attend school on menstruation days, as well as the Cans for Scholarships Project, committed to raising funds for student scholarships through recycling cans and bottles for 10 cents.
SESIM (Sentro Estuduo Siensia no Matematica, or…. The Centre for the Study of Science and Mathematics) is a branch of the Timor Leste Ministry of Education based in Dilli that trains teachers in the science and mathematics fields. The Social Justice Committee annually purchases and sends chemicals to our sister school in Viqueque, but unfortunately these chemicals have been mainly untouched due to a lack of confidence in the teaching staff. Many of the chemicals remain in the original boxes they were exported in, so the students are not exposed to the same kind of practical work that we are at Kardinia. In donating to SESIM, we hope to provide quality training and develop a relationship with teachers in Viqueque and Dilli on how to use scientific apparatus for the benefit of student learning. This should eventually result in a wider range of education and job opportunities in these fields.
The actual fundraiser took place from week 5 to week 7. Advertisement on the eNews and Student Bulletin began a week prior to the event with a poster outlining the cause and prizes (pictured above). A survey was sent out to Tutor Group teachers every week and a leaderboard was published on the Bulletin on Monday of week 5 and 6 to encourage friendly competition and intensify the desire to donate. In total, we raised over $3500, surpassing our goal of $2000 significantly. The winning Tutor Group was CHLD, who raised a total of $436.40. They received their hamper prize on Wednesday! There were some very generous individual donations from students – a $200 donation from GHOR, a $140 donation from TNZK and a $110 donation from GNJL. I am very grateful to these individuals and was beyond excited to award them with their prizes.Overall, I am so impressed with the student and teacher involvement with the fundraiser. The idea of incorporating a prize, which was really just another incentive to donate, was very successful and should be noted for future fundraisers. There was a lot of friendly competitiveness between Tutor Groups and some genius ideas on how to raise the most money. I would like to thank the Social Justice Committee for all their support with the project, especially the president, Jade, for her constant motivation and optimism. Thank you to Evelyn, Mr Chapman and Ms Nicholls for helping to count the money (a frustrating but rewarding process!) Finally, thank you to the entirety of the Senior School for their thoughtful donations".
Sara K - Year 10
Careers News
Year 12 Careers Support December 2024
VCE & IB Students Key Dates
VCE Students - ATARs released Thursday 12 December 7am
Kardinia International College Career Support: Email to make appointment
Thursday 12 December 1pm – 4pm (via Teams Meeting online)
Friday 13 December 8.30am – 10am (via Teams Meeting online)
Change of preference closes 14 December 12 noon
IB Students - IB results released Tuesday 17 December 10am
Notional ATARs released Wednesday 18 December 9am
Kardinia International College Career Support: Email to make appointment
Tuesday 17 December – via email
Wednesday 18 December 9am – 1pm (via Teams Meeting online)
VTAC Change of Preference window Wednesday 18 December 9am – 1pm
Students are encouraged to email careers@kardinia.vic.edu.au if they would like to make a meeting time with one of the College Career Practitioners or if they have any questions about results and preferences for course selection. The email inbox will be monitored during the December results and offers period.
Please see a list of University Provider Contact Details during change of preference for additional support.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
The Host Family Christmas Dinner
Thank you to our wonderful Host Families for supporting our international students in our Homestay Program throughout 2024. In recognition of the invaluable role of these host parents, families were invited to Morongo House last Friday Night to celebrate international friendship and community with a shared meal and Christmas festivities, hosted by Yuting Zhao, our Homestay Coordinator.
The Sounds of Christmas
Staff in Morongo House enjoyed the beautiful music from Hannah Moore’s flute ensemble, as they performed Christmas carols over lunch in Morongo House.
The Business Directory
Kardinia parents are able access the Business Directory on The Kardinians, to publicise their businesses and support other parent and alumni businesses in our community.
If you have a business, why not add it to our free business directory.
To access this resource, register on: https://kardinians.com/
Kardinia Community Foundation Golf Day – Expression of Interest for Sponsorship Packages
The inaugural Kardinia Community Foundation Golf Day will be held on Thursday 17 April 2025 at 13th Beach Golf Links. General tickets will go on sale in 2025!
Expressions of Interest for Sponsorship Packages, which include tickets, are now open:
https://forms.office.com/r/3AP2x855JY
Parent Coffee Morning - Save the Date!
The beginning of the school year is a fabulous opportunity to welcome new parents and pause to have a coffee and a chat with other parents straight after drop-off. The first day back for all students is Friday 31 January 2025. Save the Date and complete the RSVP link to assist us with catering. We’d love to see you there!
https://forms.office.com/r/tkvynMCasy
Morongo Reunion - Save the Date!
The next Morongo High Tea Reunion will be held on Sunday 30 March 2025. This annual event is held in Morongo House and includes a social gathering with afternoon refreshments, as well as a tour of the College.
Please save the date and share this upcoming event with other former Morongo students. Further information and ticket details will be published soon.
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement & Foundation Coordinator
A Reminder From the Wellbeing Hub
School TV - Mindfulness
Recent studies have shown that one in seven primary school children have significant mental health disorders, and one in four secondary school students have psychological problems. Every year, in the last five years, that number has increased. Mindfulness, is the practice of being in the moment, being present and being open to what you're focusing on. Mindfulness is all about building resilience. It is not a replacement for therapy or medication for mental health issues but will hopefully reduce the need for it later on.
Research has proven that mindfulness has endless benefits for children. This school taught activity is on the rise, and many experts are wanting it to be a compulsory component of the national curriculum. Not only does mindfulness calm a child’s mind, but it has also been proven to reduce disruptive and bullying behaviour in schools.
Click here to watch this episode: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/mindfulness
Community
