From the Principal
This week we finish the term with the election of College Captains for 2024. Eighteen candidates applied for the position and after Ms O’Neill and I interviewed each candidate six were shortlisted to move to the final stage of selection, where they will present a speech to their peers in the Senior School on Friday. Elections also occur for other prefect roles and overall, we had over seventy students applying for leadership positions. This number of students wanting to give back to the College makes me feel very positive about the future. The calibre of students that we have in the College is so impressive and makes it a very difficult task to choose between them. It is a very nice problem for our College to have. As I explained to each candidate I met, I feel so encouraged by the willingness of our students to stand up and be prepared to lead their peers and they don’t need a badge to do that. The way they act as positive role models to younger students is a stronger display of leadership than any badge. I encouraged each of them, whether or not they are successful in securing an official leadership role to continue to find ways to practice and act on their leadership qualities that they show in abundance, both at school and in the wider community.
Our Year 6 students have also shown amazing leadership to their younger peers in the Junior School through their final PYP exhibition products. The level of maturity, depth of thought and quality of work is truly outstanding and I congratulate our students, their teachers and mentors for this amazing undertaking.
I wish all our students and their families and all our staff, my very best wishes for a safe and happy break over this holiday period. For our Year 12 students who will be having some mock exams and a lot of study over the next two weeks, make sure to balance the study with some rest and relaxation so you have the energy to make it over the final line as well prepared as you can be. Thank you also to our Year 12 teachers who will be supervising and marking exams over this time.
From the Acting Head of Senior School
Thank you so much to all the staff and families who have engaged in Parent Teacher Interviews over the past week. We see the home-school partnership as vital and appreciate the time taken to discuss the progress of our students to date and to set meaningful goals for learning.
At the end of this week, students and staff in the Senior School will cast their votes for the 2024 College Prefects. Sixty students applied for leadership positions, and the feedback from all the staff involved in their interviews has been that this group of applicants is exceptional. While we can only elect twelve prefects for next year, every student who puts themselves forward should be incredibly proud of their individual achievements and their commitment to the College.
Students will be dismissed at 2:30 pm on Friday, with ‘A’ buses leaving at 2:40 and ‘B’ buses at 2:45 pm. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday 2 October – with a reminder to bring their College broad-brimmed hats, which are compulsory to wear outdoors throughout Term 4. Have a wonderful break!
From the Head of Junior School
Morning Melodies
Congratulations to all students who performed at this week’s morning melodies. Thank you also to the instrumental teachers and accompanists for their support and dedication to the music program.
Exhibition and Student-Led Conferences
This week is an action-packed week in the Junior School. On Monday night our Year 6 students hosted ‘The Festival of Hope’ as part of their PYP Exhibition. This was the first time since 2019 that the Exhibition has been hosted on-site, and it was great to feel a buzz in the air as the students shared their learning. The buzz continued well into Tuesday with the K4-Y6 Student-Led Conferences. Thank you to all families who made it along to share in their children's learning. K3 SLCs will be hosted tomorrow.
Family Breakfast, Team Colours Day and Early Dismissal Friday
Our KIC Connect families are busy preparing for the JS Family Breakfast this Friday. Students are invited to wear their team colours on this day and bring a donation for Geelong Mums (see the flyers below). Friday is also the last day of term with all students being dismissed an hour earlier than normal (2.15 pm for K3 and 2.20 pm for all other students). Buses will run at approximately 2.30 pm and 2.35 pm.
Novalie Named Vice President of Abbey Solo Foundation
Our very own Year 4 student, Novalie Morris, has been named Vice President of the Abbey Solo Foundation. The Abbey Solo Foundation was established in 2015 in honour of Abbey whose life was tragically cut short from leukaemia at 9 years of age www.abbeysolofoundation.org
The Foundation helps families with timely and practical support while navigating their child's cancer treatment. Some of the support they offer includes parking vouchers, fuel vouchers, emergency accommodation, food, and funeral expenses. Their mission is all about keeping families together during treatment while reducing financial stress and improving well-being.
Earlier this year, the Abstar Youth Committee was formed comprising of passionate members from ages 7 to 17. They include the friends and siblings of Abbey, as well as those who have benefited from the work of the Foundation (like 10-year-old leukaemia patient, Novalie).
To raise much-needed funds for the Foundation, the Youth Committee decided to organise a spring market. It will be held at Kensington Town Hall on Sunday, October 1.
The Abstar Youth Committee members are organising a wide variety of stalls with all the profits going to the Foundation. Some of the stalls will include Bee Brave Cards, seedlings, candles, ice cream, a bake sale, face painting, a sausage sizzle, a raffle, and kids' games and activities.
Excitement is building for the Youth Committee's inaugural event, and they look forward to welcoming the community to a fun family day out!
Happy Holidays
Have a great holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone safe and sound next term.
Withdrawal from the College
If you are planning on withdrawing your child from the College, one full term’s notice in writing is required, or one term’s fee in lieu of such notice is payable.
For example, notice given in Week 2 of Term 2 will require fees to be paid up to and including Week 2 of Term 3.
Please email marketing@kardinia.vic.edu.au with any questions or if you are planning to withdraw your child from the College at the end of the year. Thank you.
Wellbeing News
R U OK Day? Thursday 14 September
R U OK? is calling on all of us to let the people you care about know you're here, to really hear them.
Asking R U OK? is the first step, but you also need to genuinely listen to what comes next.
R U OK? conducted research to understand what a meaningful R U OK? conversation looks like for Australians in 2023. People commonly mentioned three things:
Trust: They need to know the person they speak to is someone they trust, and, for many, someone they are close to.
Authenticity: They want to know the person asking them genuinely wants to hear the answer.
Environment: People prefer to have these conversations in a private space with enough time to share what they want to say.
By taking the time for an R U OK? conversation and genuinely listening with an open mind, we can all help the people in our world feel supported and connected.
Let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear because a conversation could change a life.
Tomorrow there’ll be several things happening around the College to reinforce the RU Ok? message.
DJ Mitch will be doing some Groove Therapy in front of the Enquiry Centre in the Junior School at lunchtime.
Centrepoint will be selling the following delicious (yellow-themed) treats: Lemon Coconut Muffin $4 Pineapple Sunset Yoghurt Smoothie Cup $4 Frozen Banana Dipped in Yoghurt and Coconut $4 Yellow Cake Donut $3
We’ll also have a limited number of these super cute R U Ok? Bears pins for sale tomorrow; available all day until sold out from the Junior School Reception and from the Wellbeing Hub in the Senior School from 1pm. Either purchase one for yourself or buy a bear hug for someone else! Four colours available to choose from. $2 each with all funds raised going to R U Ok? Day. Limit of 1 per person. (A BIG thank you to Ms Harmer for making these bears for us!)
From the Junior School Wellbeing Team:
R U Ok? Day is the perfect day to reveal our new Buddy Bench! A student representative council (SRC) initiative to support inclusion and foster community, the buddy bench is hoped to play an important role in students' feeling of belonging and being connected in their school environment. If students are feeling lonely or need a friend to play with or someone to talk to they can sit on the bench. This signals to other children in the playground that they need support. This not only helps to foster a sense of belonging and community but also encourages empathy and social skills such as leadership. Students can either join the student on the bench, invite them to play or have a chat with them.
It teaches children that it’s okay to ask for help and to reach out when times are tough. The concept of sitting on a bench as a signal to others that you need support helps kids learn how to better process their emotions. And it enables others to speak to them and offer them the help they need. In turn, this also improves mental health and well-being. The Buddy Bench is an opportunity to foster healthy conflict resolution and is a friendship station, where students can feel safe talking about feelings.
KIC’s buddy bench will be yellow like the one pictured above. SRC chose this colour so that as a college community we could support the concept of checking in on our friends, listening to others, asking R U ok?, being inclusive of all and knowing that we can all help someone. The buddy bench emulates the message of R U Ok? Day.
Make sure you ask your child/children about the buddy bench!
Library News
Attention students in years 3-12!
Going for a drive over the holiday break? Then why not check out an audiobook to listen to or an eBook that can be read on your device? Electronic resources can be borrowed at any time and read anywhere! Just download the apps from your app store.
Click on any of the below suggestions, log in to the KIC library home page or use these links to Wheelers or Borrowbox to browse the digital platforms. Borrow by logging in with your school username and password.
Esio Trot by Roald Dahl. Audiobook, suitable for any age group.
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni. Audiobook, suitable for year 6+.
Lifelike by Jay Kristoff. eBook, suitable for ages 14+.
Runt by Craig Silvey. eBook, suitable for ages 8+.
The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough. Audiobook, suitable for ages 14+.
Meet Me at the Moon Tree by Shauna Plozza. eBook, suitable for ages 9+.
Careers News
Last week KIC Head of Careers Danielle Flack & KIC Career Practitioner Kloe Woods attended an excellent Career Practitioner Professional Development at Deakin University, Waterfront Campus.
The highlight of the day was not only the amazing views and buildings but also the insightful information and perspective from Architecture, Head of School, Prof. Sarah McGann. Professor McGann highlighted some interesting insights into the type of students that they are hoping to recruit into Deakin's Architecture & Construction Management Courses.
https://www.deakin.edu.au/study/find-a-course/architecture-and-construction-management
Did you know that future students and professionals within the Architecture, Design & Construction Management fields should be:
- Critical & Future thinkers,
- Enjoy learning by doing, making, creating, fixing and by taking stuff apart
- Multi-taskers
- Problem solvers
- Artists & Scientists
- Dreamers & realists
- Interested in Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
- Interested in STEM
- Have an interest in Digital or Analogue or both
- Introverted and extraverted
- Community-involved people
- Globally interested, yet locally active community members
It prompted us to think differently about university courses and careers, as traditionally to be considered suitable or desirable for an Architecture course Mathematics was mostly front of mind. We encourage our students, parents and supporters of our KIC students to not be restricted by your own and others perceptions of a career.
Research for yourself:
- Find out about careers from people who are currently in them
- Consider completing some work experience or volunteer work to get a true feeling of an industry or job
- Book for a university tour or attend open days
- Sign up for university newsletters
- Follow career areas of interest or organisations on social media to get current insights
It's really important that we continue to encourage our Senior School students to reflect on their own strengths and skill sets. These could be great conversation starters for your family.
- What are they good at?
- What do they enjoy doing?
- What do they look forward to each week?
- What would their dream timetable look like? Why?
- What is their dream job and why?
Did you know that Geelong is a UNESCO Design City of the world?
What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network?
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004. The aim of the network is to make creativity an essential driver for sustainable urban renewal and development.
Today, the network comprises of 246 global cities who have committed to placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.
To foster partnerships and synergy, the UCCN cities are designated in one of the seven creative fields covered by the Network:
- Crafts and folk art
- Design
- Film
- Gastronomy
- Literature
- Music
- Media arts
Upcoming opportunity for those interested in design: Geelong Design Week October 19th to 29th, 2023: https://www.geelongcityofdesign.com.au/geelong-design-week/
Need to speak with a KIC Career Practitioner? Careers Appointments can be made via the link here KIC CAREERS BOOKING SYSTEM. Students are encouraged to make their own appointments during spare periods & lunchtime. If parents are attending appointments, please indicate this when booking and ensure to sign in when you arrive on campus at main reception.
Music News
Co-Curricular News
Kardinia Hockey Season 2023
This year has been nothing short of extraordinary, with over 70 students from Year 1 to Year 11 representing Kardinia in the Geelong Winter Hockey Competition. In addition, we had numerous Year 9-12 students serving as coaches, assistant coaches, and umpires. This commitment to fostering talent and sportsmanship in the players has truly paid off this season. We entered teams in various age categories, including U10s, U12s, two U14s, and an U17 team. The dedication and hard work of our players, coaches, and umpires have shone brightly on the field.
The results speak volumes. Four of our teams - the U12s, 2 x U14s, and U17s - reached the finals! The journey to the finals was marked by heart-pounding moments, with both the U14s Kardinia Blue team and the U17s team engaging in thrilling penalty shootouts. These nail-biting matches showcased the remarkable skills and resilience of our players. In a spectacular turn of events, our U14s Blue coached by Jack Burke (Year 12 Student) team emerged as the champions of their division, securing a well-deserved premiership final win last Saturday. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular.
Behind every successful team are the families who offer unwavering support, and I would like to express my gratitude. Your encouragement, cheers, and dedication to our young players throughout the season have been nothing short of exceptional. You play a vital role in nurturing the passion and determination of our players.
Furthermore, 13 of our talented players also represented Geelong in the U14s Geelong Sharks Representative teams throughout 2023, and 9 in the U16s. The U14 representative players displayed their prowess in the metro Grand Finals held at Essendon Hockey Club last Friday night, with the U14 Girls earning the prestigious title of 2023 minor premiers. Their hard work, commitment, and sportsmanship have truly paid off, and I extend a huge congratulations to them.
With the winter season now at a close, we can now gear up for a fun Summer Hockey season. All existing players and new players are welcome. No training involved for the summer season, with games for the U12, 14s and 17s taking place on a Tuesday night and U10s on a Thursday night at Stead Park in Corio. Please ensure to express your interest as soon as possible via https://forms.office.com/r/hjsKrPvCUZ
Kane Maloney – Kardinia Hockey Co-Ordinator
Junior School HOTSHOTS Tennis Program Term 4 2023
Run independently by A Game Tennis Academy, ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is a program designed to develop the confidence and tennis skills for children aged 5 – 12. ANZ Tennis Hot Shots uses smaller court sizes, lighter racquets and low compression balls that don’t bounce too high making learning tennis fun and easy for primary school-aged children.
The program is open to all Foundation, Lower, Middle and Upper Primary students of any tennis ability and will run during Term 4 on Thursday afternoons for 6 weeks. The first session will begin on Thursday 5 October (Week 1 of Term 4) with the final session on Thursday 9 November. There will be two timeslots; Group 1 (Foundation/Lower Primary Students – 30-minute session) 3.35 – 4.05 pm and Group 2 (Middle/Upper Primary Students – 45 minutes) 4.10 – 4.55 pm. Training will take place on the Kardinia International College Senior School Tennis Courts. The cost of the program will be $110 for the Lower Primary Program (30-minute sessions) and $120 for the Middle/Upper Primary Program (45-minute sessions) and will be payable to A Game Tennis Academy prior to the commencement of the program to confirm your place. Limited positions are available so be quick to sign up.
IMPORTANT: This program is run independently of the College by A Game Tennis Academy who simply hire our facilities. Please note that parents will be responsible for getting their children from school to the tennis courts in time for their training session and will need to be fully responsible for the supervision of their own child(ren) when they are not in their training session. No College staff will be in attendance. If you need assistance with supervision of children prior to the later session starting please contact A Game Tennis Academy who may be able to assist you.
Please contact Simon Keeble directly at A Game Tennis Academy to register ASAP.
Phone: 0419 897 801
Email: agametennis@hotmail.com
Performing Arts News
KIC Koncert
We warmly invite all Kardinia families to attend our student-led, showcase performing arts concert! The evening will feature bands, soloists, singers, actors, and dancers! Wednesday 4 October, 7 pm in the College Hall. Please bring along a gold coin donation and your wonderful applause, to support our talented performing arts students!
Tickets available via: https://events.humanitix.com/kic-koncert (tickets are free!)
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Community Engagement
Ian Nash-Gilchrist’s numerous theatrical experiences include dance, musical theatre and plays. He has worked with many of Geelong’s theatre companies and professionally with Comic Genius Productions; a company he co-founded with Ed Dolista. Together the two have co-written, produced and performed their material locally and as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF). Ian’s last appearance at the MICF was as Groovy Man during in 2019. He also starred as ‘James Blonde’ and ‘Robin Hood’ in previous ‘Comic Genius’ productions.
Ian’s most recent appearance was in ‘The 39 Steps’ with Geelong Repertory Theatre in late 2022. Other notable Repertory appearances include Barefoot in the Park where he performed the lead role of ‘Paul’, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Boeing Boeing and Exit the King. In 2019 Ian played ‘George’ in the musical Kinky Boots and has also appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Pippin, Wizard of Oz, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, West Side Story, Les Misérables, Cats and Eurobeat-Almost Eurovision. He’s also dabbled in Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, and The Taming of The Shrew. Ian has recently been cast as Les Kendall in Footlight Productions Strictly Ballroom.
Ian has co-directed and co-choreographed several shows such as The Pirates of Penzance, Little Shop of Horrors, Aladdin Jnr, Bugsy, West Side Story & The Addams Family. He also is actively involved in Impetus Dance Theatre as a dance teacher, but his full-time job is teaching drama, dance and science.
Current staff member Katie Loynes debuted for Carlton in 2017. She was named the club’s best and fairest in 2018 before joining the GWS Giants for her final season of AFLW in 2022.
Katie will be on the selection panel for both the AFLW All-Australian Panel and the AFLW Rising Star. The AFLW recognised that Katie will bring her "...unique and extensive experience in footy that will help us recognise the best players in our competition. Katie has a wonderful record in AFLW and will be able to provide a unique perspective to the panel through the lens of a former elite player."
The Kardinians congratulate Katie and Ian on all they contribute to Kardinia and the wider community.
The G.E.M.S. (Great Ex-Members of Staff)
Some former members of staff, known affectionately as the G.E.M.S., gathered at King of the Castle this week to catch up. Life certainly seems busy in retirement, with several G.E.M.S. enjoying recent travels while others are travelling at present. Our final gathering for 2023 will be later in Term 4.
Alumni Reunions
The combined 5, 10, 15 and 20 year reunion - classes of 2018, 2013, 2008 and 2003
The Combined Reunion for the Classes of 2018, 2013, 2008 & 2003, will be held on Friday 20 October and is for registered members only. Please log onto https://kardinians.com/ for further information, to complete your RSVP and obtain your complimentary ticket to this event. We’d love to see you there!
The class of 2022 - 1 year reunion
The 1 Year Reunion for the Class of 2022 will be held on Friday 27 October. This event is for registered members only and is the first official reunion since graduation. Please log onto https://kardinians.com/ for further information, to complete your RSVP and obtain your complimentary ticket to this event.
Fiona Russell - Community Engagement & Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Early Productions - Part 12
Mary Poppins – 2020 and 2021
So close!
"The school production of Mary Poppins, after being postponed in 2020, was set to hit the stage again...The cast, crew, and production team worked tirelessly, ensuring that snap lockdowns did not impede the progress of the show. However, a week from opening, restrictions meant that the show could not be staged for an audience. Nevertheless, the show must go on! Upon a beautiful set, thanks to the Art Department, a selection of songs and scenes were filmed.
Despite COVID, all the people working towards the show came out of it with something to show for all their hard work. We thank all staff who spent so much of their time working on creating something amazing with us, and their efforts do not go unappreciated."
Credit - Tilly Heinrich, The Bridge 2021.
The next article features ‘EARLY PRODUCTIONS - PART 13’
Fiona Russell - College Archivist
School TV - R U OK? Day
Click here to watch this episode: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-r-u-ok-day
Community News
Parent Webinars
Kids+ Kite Festival
The Kids+ Kite Festival takes place on Sunday October 15 at Rippleside Park. The Festival brings together people of all ages and abilities for a fun, accessible and inclusive day with kids activities including kite flying and face-painting, a giant kite flying display, music and food. Bring along your own kite, or kites will be available to purchase on the day or prior through https://kidspluskitesfestival.com.au/. Come fly a kite with Kids+!
THE BIG DANCE - Victorian Regional Dance Festival
Dancers from all over regional Victoria will descend on the Geelong Sports Hub for the inaugural event on Wednesday 20th September (during the first week of the school holidays) – and you’re invited!
Running for ONE DAY in September THE BIG DANCE is a chance to connect with other regional Victorian dancers and share our passion – it’s not a competition, it’s a community of dancers gathering together to do what we do best - DANCE!
Offering a kaleidoscope of dance styles across the day, this momentous event is a celebration of dance and the joy of movement.
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just looking to dip your toes into the world of dance, "The Big Dance" offers something for everyone.
WHAT: THE BIG DANCE - Victorian Regional Dance Festival
WHEN: Wednesday 20th September, 2023
WHERE: Geelong Sports Hub, 1 Crown St, South Geelong
PRIMARY & SECONDARY AGES + BE ME ALL ABILITIES
10 am - 4 pm
4 x 1 hr workshops (with industry professionals)
+ All dancers receive a canvas tote SHOWBAG with goodies!
Tickets available here: https://www.trybooking.com/CIYNB
