From the Principal
Over the coming weekend, visitors from the Council of International Schools (CIS) will arrive for our first full accreditation with the CIS.
Our visitors come from schools in Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea and the Netherlands. Between them, they have a wealth of experience in Australian and International Schools and together they will spend the week looking at our school through a CIS lens, focusing on Purpose and Direction, Learning and Teaching, Global Citizenship and Wellbeing.
The team will meet with groups of staff, students, and parents, as well as visiting classes and looking at all our operations from the buses in the morning through to activities during and after school. The team will triangulate the information we have provided them through documentation, evidence, artefacts, and the results of the surveys put out to our staff, students and parents, with the information that they gather here at school.
At the end of the week, they will produce a report that highlights and commends us for the areas in which we are doing well and provides us with recommendations for the elements we have identified, and they have identified where we can make improvements.
I am really looking forward to sharing with our visitors our great school. I also look forward to sharing the outcomes of this visit and our planned actions from the visit with our school community in the near future.
Mr Geoff Woolard
After over 26 years dedicated service to the College and over 52 years in education, Mr Geoff Woolard is taking a well-earned long service leave break in Semester 2. He will return to us for a short period at the end of Term 4 before retiring at the end of the year. We will have an opportunity to recognise and celebrate Mr Woolard’s considerable contribution to the College at that time.
Ms Kath O’Neill will be acting Head of Senior School for Semester 2. We will shortly commence a worldwide search for the new Head of Senior School for 2024.
From the Head of Senior School
Dear Parents,
Last week the Senior School enjoyed another successful House event, the annual Cross Country, which was held in Fyansford.
The winners of each age division are listed below.
Results of 1500m by age group:
- U14 Female – Louisa Foreman
- U14 Male – Keppler Snijders
- U15 Female – Zahlie Snijders
- U15 Male – Cooper Hill
- U16 Female – Leila Fabijanic
- U16 Male – Angus Borschmann
- U17 Female – Nicola Cohen
- U17 Male – Hugo Mikunda
- U18 Female – Clara Blersch
- U18 Male – Liam Clark
- Open Female – Sophie Coltish
- Open Male – Jack Burke
The overall results will be announced after adjustments based on numbers of participants in each House.
Also last week the students in Years Ten, Eleven and Twelve attended a very informative and very relevant presentation by Paul Dillon, the founder and director of the Drug and Alcohol Institute of Australia. Paul delivered a very informed message on the potential harm of drugs, alcohol and vaping. He emphasises both the harm aspects of each and the ways in which to deal with a life-threatening event arising from drug or alcohol abuse.
Tonight, Year 7 students and their mothers or mother figures have the opportunity to attend the Time and Space Mother-Child Event in the Katsumata Centre.
On Friday next week, Year Eleven students will attend a Road Safety seminar at Costa Hall.
The Preparations for the annual Year Twelve Mid-Year Dinner are now well advanced. Year 12 parents and students will receive complete details in an EdSmart message early next week.
Finally, just a reminder that Thursday 15 June is GAT day and a no school day for all students in Years seven to eleven, unless they are undertaking a VCE unit 3/4 subject.
From the Acting Head of Junior School
Dear families,
We have had another fantastic week of learning in the Junior School. A special thanks to all families for finding the time to read with your children each day. Reading at home is an incredibly important part of a child’s learning journey and a special time for families to bond. Please enjoy this precious time. Parents of older children regularly describe this time as something that passes quickly, and they miss dearly.
Virtual Field trip to Ancient Egypt
On Monday, our Year 4 students were treated to an amazing field trip across the world and back in time to Ancient Egypt. This experience was part of their ‘Where We Are in Place and Time’ unit. The students are inquiring into ancient civilisations that have impacted our world.
District Cross-Country - A moment to celebrate
On Thursday May 4, Kardinia students competed in the District Cross Country competition. Sophie Erwin (pictured below) was one of those students. Sophie was racing well, however, she stopped mid race when she noticed a student from another school struggling to breathe. She supported the other student and then slowly jogged the rest of the race with that student to make sure she was OK. Congratulations Sophie, your caring attitude is certainly something we are all proud of. What a great example of Wisdom, Respect and Friendship.
GAT day is not a student free day for the Junior School
On June 15, the VCE Senior School students will participate in the General Assessment Test (GAT). This day is a student free day for the Senior School only. It is a regular school day for the Junior School. Buses will run as normal.
JS Uniforms
With the transition into Term 2 and some wintery conditions, this has prompted parent questions relating to the uniform expectations for the Junior School. I would just like to clarify that all students have the option of wearing either Summer or Winter uniform throughout the year. The expectation is that students wear the complete uniform of one or the other rather than mixing and matching Winter and Summer items of clothing.
CHANGE OF DATE - Lower Primary Parent Workshop - Supporting your Child with Reading at Home and at School
Please refer to the broadcast sent to families for further information or click here to RSVP . The new date for the Lower Primary Workshop is Thursday 1 June, from 6.30 – 8pm. The workshop will be held in the Conference Room in the Upper Primary building.
The Upper Primary workshop will remain on Thursday 25 May.
Upcoming Events - International Families Week
Junior School Dress Up Day and Disco
Please have a wonderful week!
Kind regards,
Geoff Geddes
Acting Head of Junior School
A Walk in the Park
Congratulations to our Performance Choir and Saxophone Ensemble, who braved the cold and wet conditions on Sunday to perform at A Walk In The Park. This was a fundraising event for Parkinson’s Disease, and all the performances did Kardinia International College proud. Many of the students and families participated in the 2 kilometre walk around the gardens after their performance.
Many thanks to Miss Moore, Mrs Essery and Mr Brereton for preparing the ensembles, and to our parent accompanist, Melissa Tan, for playing piano. A big thank you to all the performers and their families for their contribution to our community.
Kardinia Fencing Team
Congratulations to the Kardinia Senior Men’s fencing team who won bronze on the weekend in the first state senior school epee team competition of the year. The team managed to win all of their seeding matches, although some by a little as a single hit.
Overall, they placed 4th on the rankings, and proceeded to the tableau of 8, where they beat Camberwell Grammar School 27-16. In the semi-finals they were beaten by the eventual winners Trinity Grammar School.
The team consisted of Captain: Tom Fawcett, Jack McKerron, Lachlan Swadling and Declan Whitford. It was Lachlan and Declan’s first competition; both were vital in the result.
Photo: from right to left
Lachlan Swadling, Tom Fawcett, Declan Whitford, Jack McKerron
Mother's Day Classic
At Kardinia we have supported the Mothers’ Day Classic for the last 6 years, encouraging members of our community to sign up and join the fight for zero deaths from breast cancer.
A Kardinia International College team has been set up on the registration page and we encourage you to join the race and come along on the day and join in the festivities. This is not a school event so we ask that parents come with their children and participate too.
You might ask why?
- Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
- 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
- Approximately 1 in 600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
- Approximately 57 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer every day.
The Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic is Australia’s largest fun run and walk for breast cancer research.Since the event’s inception in 1998, there have been over 1.5million participants and the Mother’s Day Classic community has donated $41.45 million to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to fund life-saving breast cancer research.
So come along on May 14 for this very special community event and be part of funding essential research into breast cancer . Details of the event can be found on the registration page at
https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/register/mothers-day-classic-geelong/register
Don’t forget to join the team!
Judo Victoria State Titles
On Sunday 7 May, 13 members of the judo club walked into the gymnasium of the Broadmeadows Aquatic Centre, ready to do battle in the Victorian State Championships, supported by parents and 5 of the coaching staff. The gymnasium, quickly renamed “The Refrigerator” by all those present that day, had three tournaments and one warm-up mat laid out ready for the day’s competition. Our junior members were the first to weigh in, warm up and do battle. All of our club members fought with courage, some gaining valuable experience and some getting in amongst the medals.
Our final results were:
Tom Jordan (Junior Boys u/34) – 9th
Jamie Growden (Junior Boys u/34) – 7th
Georgie Nguyen (Junior Girls u/32) – 5th
Pearl Reilly (Junior Girls u/40) – 4th
Ellie Shanahan (Cadet Women u/63) – 4th
Luke Branchflower (u/9 Boys u/26) – Bronze
Frankie Jordan (u/9 Boys u/30) – Silver
Alina Murad (Senior Girls u/52) – Silver
Ryan Cheng (Senior Boys u/60) – Silver
Ollie Greig (Cadet Men u/50) – Silver
Jimmy Gibbs (Cadet Men u/73) – Silver
Ciara Molloy (Cadet Women u/57) – Silver
Dylan Keirl (Junior Boys u/46) – Gold and State Champion
Heartfelt congratulations go to all of our competitors, especially our junior “Mosquito Fleet”. The next tournaments for the club are the Geelong YMCA tournament on 21 May, and then our own KIC Cup on Sunday 28 May.
Careers News
National Careers Week (May 15- 21)
National Careers Week is an initiative of the Career Industry Council of Australia and aims to celebrate careers and to promote the economic, social and personal benefits of career development.
Career development is a process of managing learning, work and leisure to progress through life. It includes gaining and using the skills and knowledge needed to plan and make informed decisions about education, training, and work. Everyday decisions and priorities affect career development.
Ultimately, career development is about much more than jobs – it is about how to live your life.
The objectives of National Careers Week are to:
- Develop community awareness of the concept, benefit, and value of career development.
- Raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes, and broaden horizons about careers.
- Highlight the need for ongoing reskilling and upskilling to support careers throughout life.
- Identify the changing nature of work and its impact on all Australians.
- Showcase industries and the career opportunities available in them.
- Provide opportunities to partner with key stakeholders.
This year, the KIC Careers Team has organised the following major events as part of our Careers Week celebrations:
- Geelong Port Authority excursion (Monday 15 May): Students will board a vessel provided by the Port Authority and will be shown the many career options that are available within the Port Authority jurisdiction and within the broader maritime industry.
- Careers Expo and Information Sessions (Tuesday 16 May): Various higher education providers as well as the Defence Force will visit the College to provide information and resources during a lunchtime expo. Students in Years 11 and 12 will also be involved in rotating workshops in the afternoon aimed at providing more information about specific courses and interest areas. Providers will be available in the Katsumata Centre between 3.30pm and 4pm for parents, guardians, and students to ask further questions and explore resources.
- Emergency Services Expo (Thursday 18 May): A variety of emergency services providers including Victoria Police, the SES and the CFA will be onsite during lunchtime to showcase their services and opportunities for volunteering and employment. Select classes in the senior and junior school will have the opportunity to be involved in hands activities and demonstrations.
- Tutor group activities (all week): These activities are designed to spark curiosity and discussions about career- related topics.
Community Engagement and Foundation News
INTRODUCING THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL (CCC)
Michelle Cameron
I joined the CCC to help at KIC and foster community belonging for all families, especially those in the senior school. A fact about me is that I have played AFL and A grade cricket, I play pickle ball and tennis. In 2023 I look forward to meeting other families and hope that a wide variety of parents, carers and those in the KIC community support the Community Council initiatives and events.
Andrew Alexander
I joined the CCC because I enjoy supporting community connections and using my network to help facilitate events. A little-known fact about me is that aside from working at my law firm, I occasionally teach in secondary schools as an emergency relief teacher. I look forward to meeting parents and friends at our events in 2023.
Tania Differding
I joined the CCC as I believe the purpose of life is to connect with people in a meaningful way. Although there are so many opportunities to do this every day, I love having the opportunity to create more!
A little-known fact about me is that it’s my dream to be a comedian.
In 2023 I’m most excited about getting back to doing all of those things we’ve missed over the past few years – seeing bands, going travelling, being social!
Rana Al-Salem
Hi, my name is Rana, I joined the CCC to have the opportunity to connect with others and help bring people together. A little known fact about me is that I wanted to be an astronaut since I was 8 years old until my last year at school! I loved to adventure into the unknown.
In 2023 I am hoping to be able to go out more, volunteer more and contribute more to my community as much as my time allows.
Gyan Upreti
Having joined the CCC, my goal is to engage with more community members and contribute to the success of our school community. I also want to promote diversity within it. One little known fact about me is that in my youth, I have always dreamed of becoming an action hero. In 2023, my goal is to better connect with parents and build a stronger school community by developing creative ways to connect.
Ben Day
I joined the CCC to expand my knowledge of the school and its people. I've not been in this type of role before, and I look forward to challenging myself and being part of the Kardinia community. A little-known fact about me is that before becoming a stay-at-home dad, I was an electrician. Maybe one day I'll get the pliers out again, but until then, getting the kids to school on time is the priority. I look forward to meeting more of the great people in the Kardinia community.
Tamara Madjeric
I joined the CCC as I enjoy getting out and meeting new people and connecting with friends. The school community is a wonderful place for doing just that. A little-known fact about me is that I spent 4 months at an American summer camp working with special needs children and adults as a lifeguard and camp counsellor. I look forward to all the exciting events we are planning in 2023 and building a sense of community within the school.
COLLEGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL-TRIVIA NIGHT
The CCC warmly invites parents and staff to next week’s Trivia Night!
Bookings are still open! https://www.trybooking.com/CHCOO
Thursday 18 May
6:00pm-Dinner at Restaurant prices
7:00pm - 10:00pm – Trivia starts at 7pm sharp!
Murphys Geelong, 30 Aberdeen Street, Geelong West.
Cost: $10 per person
Book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CHCOO
WHERE ARE THEY NOW- THOMAS ALEXANDER- CLASS OF 2016
Congratulations to Thomas Alexander (Class of 2016), who was recently admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria as an Australian Lawyer.
CLASS OF 2008 – 15 YEAR REUNION- SAVE THE DATE – Friday 20 October
It really is 15 years since your graduation and time to ‘Save the Date’ for your reunion! Class of 2008, please ensure you have registered on The Kardinians platform, and that your email and mobile contact details are up to date: https://kardinians.com/
There are plenty of photos in your albums, so view some while you are logged in. The photos will certainly bring back memories! The RSVP reunion link will be sent to you in August and we will look forward to seeing you there!
Fiona Russell- Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
Library Services News
Older readers (13-18 Years)
A historical mystery about a girl who risks everything to track down a vicious serial killer - for fans of The Enigma Game and Last Night at the Telegraph Club.
Virginia, 1943: World War II is raging in Europe and on the Pacific front when Kit Sutherland is recruited to help the war effort as a codebreaker at Arlington Hall, a former girls' college now serving as the site of a secret US Signal Intelligence facility. But Kit is soon involved in another kind of fight: government girls are being brutally murdered in Washington DC, and when Kit stumbles onto a bloody homicide scene, she is drawn into the hunt for the killer.
Younger Reader (7-12 Years)
An enchanting new adventure. An unforgettable land. And the perfect read for young fans of Kate DiCamillo and Karen Foxlee, by beloved Australian author Rhiannon Williams.
Dusty has grown up hearing whispers about her mysterious aunt Meg, who went off to live ‘out wild’ and never returned. Yet Dusty’s father refuses to discuss what happened – and her only clue is a photograph of her aunt as a young girl with a strange, monkey-like creature on her shoulder.
But when Dusty learns that her family’s beloved bushland property might be sold, she’s convinced that only Meg could stop it happening. So Dusty sets off to find her … and that’s when she discovers what ‘out wild’ really means.
Picture Books (0-18 Years)
Explore our wonderful coastline and the joy of a family road-trip with Dad and Daisy!
Featuring 40 pages of extraordinary comic-style illustrations, this unique picture book will have you dreaming of a holiday around Australia or maybe even planning a van life with the help of the journey map in the endpapers.
The hugely popular creators of Why I Love Footy and Why I Love Summer are back together with a moving family story that is also a true celebration of what we love most about the Australian landscape, family holidays and classic Kombi vans.
School TV
The very first Mother’s Day was celebrated in West Virginia in 1908. It was organised by Ann Jarvis as a memorial to honour her beloved mother who spent much of her life helping others. Ann’s mother devoted her life to educating mothers and improving sanitary conditions to stem her community’s appalling infant mortality rates. By 1911, Ann had successfully campaigned to have Mother's Day recognised as a national holiday in most US states honouring all mothers, living and deceased.
It was not until 1924 that Mother’s Day was officially celebrated in Australia with the help of Janet Heyden. She had campaigned for donations to assist lonely and aged mothers in a Sydney hospital making personal requests to many leading business houses and enlisting the help of local school children to help fill small bags with donated goods.
Today, Mother’s Day is a more of a commercial venture, but it is important to remember the true nature and meaning of Mother’s Day and mark it with sincerity, especially now in the post-pandemic environment we currently find ourselves in. Mothers have played multiple roles over recent months providing care and support to those they love under difficult circumstances, often putting the needs of others ahead of their own. However, Mothers sometimes need reminding to also take care of themselves, especially when it comes to mental health. A mother who experiences good mental health, is more available to her children and family, more alert to their needs, and more able to engage in everyday activities.
If you are a Mum and struggling a little bit, it is advisable to seek help from a medical professional. Or, if you just want to talk to someone who understands, you can always call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.
Click here to watch this episode: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-mothers-day
Football Boot Drive
From the Archives
THE BEGINNING OF THE CHIANG MAI EXPERIENCE
Kardinia’s Chiang Mai program began in 2003 as an endeavour to ‘…educate students to have a real knowledge and appreciation of the diversity and richness of the world in which we live.’(1) Between 2003-2010, the College had its own accommodation block within the Prem Centre complex in Northern Thailand. From this base, groups of 24 students were involved in building projects in a Hill-tribe village, working with children, and special environmental and cultural studies, as highlighted in the 2003 Bell:
In 2005, former staff member Bill Dickson (dec), reflected on the first few years of the Chiang Mai program:
“With the conclusion of the third year in which the program has operated, over two hundred Year 9 students have now been challenged by the rigors of the Chiang Mai experience. The program has quickly evolved into a most comprehensive and very beneficial part of the Year 9 curriculum. This year the students continued to be exposed to a wide variety of experiences – controlling and riding elephants, white water rafting, taking classes and completing community work in a Karen hill tribe, riding bikes to some local wats, chatting with a Monk, learning to meditate, visiting a number of orphanages and homes – to name a few. While at the Prem, a number of weekly themes assisted the student’s in gaining an insight into the Thai culture. The themes being Buddhism, Conservation and Aids. The very demanding and challenging 6-day Leadership Course exposed the students to the required actions of an effective team member and team leader.
During the program the students physically travelled thousands of kilometres from Geelong and were exposed to a whole new world. Hopefully this experience has opened their eyes to the opportunities that they have in their lives that are denied many of those they met on their journeys due to poverty, sickness or for political reasons. Hopefully they have become more appreciative of these opportunities and have become more tolerant and understanding of differences that exist throughout the world. No longer viewing the differences between culture as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ but for just what they are – different ways of doing things. If this is achieved then the Chiang Mai program has truly educated the students. “(2)
The following collection of photos are from the 2005 Chiang Mai program:
Credits:
- Dowie, P. Kardinia International College. The First Ten Years. Page 74.
- The Bell 2005- Chiang Mai Experience. Report by Bill Dickson.
The next article features ‘Kardinia Sum Pun’
Fiona Russell- Archivist
