Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 15 May 2024

From the Acting Principal - Paul Dowie

Last weekend I was fortunate to attend a “History Alive! Geelong Eastern Cemetery tour,” presented as part of the Australian Heritage Festival. The tour involved actors providing us with insights into the many historical figures buried at Eastern Cemetery. One presentation was on Zillah Crawcour who served the City of Newtown as a Councillor from 1957 - 1977 and died in office as Mayor in March 1977. One story shared with us was how Zillah Crawcour, as Mayor of the City of Newtown, was invited to the Geelong State Government Offices opening. When she arrived, the officials told her ‘We did not realise you were a woman. You will be embarrassed as all the other guests are men.’ Zillah told them she would not be embarrassed as this happened on many occasions! Her hosts later offered that she eat her dinner in a separate room from her male counterparts, at which point she left the gathering. Priscilla Pescott (daughter of Zillah) recounts this story here - https://humansingeelong.com/2017/03/25/wild-women-in-local-democracy-priscilla/

Zillah Crawcour was the first woman mayor in the Barwon Region. Learning of her story as a widow raising a young family and her tireless community mindedness was inspirational. Her story also prompts one to wonder how far we have come as a society. Fifty years after Zillah’s time, the need to continue to promote equality is still as relevant as ever.

The issue of equality, taken together with the many instances of violence against women in our society is deeply concerning. In recent weeks rallies have taken place across Australian cities and regions, with people calling for urgent action. Staff in both the Junior and Senior Schools are working to deliver Respectful Relationships Programs to promote and model positive attitudes and respectful behaviours. We must collectively work toward a safer environment for all.

Last weekend also saw the Mother’s Day Classic which is organised each year to raise awareness and funds to fight breast and ovarian cancers. Tragically, 12 Australians lose their lives to these awful diseases every day. 

The Kardinia International College Team ran and walked through a sea of pink around the Eastern Gardens. The weather was fabulous and the feeling in the crowd was amazing. Many of our Team were deeply moved by the sheer number of people who had come together to lace up their running shoes and take a step forward for women's cancer research. A memorial wall carried the names of those we remember who have been touched by breast and ovarian cancers on this day, and who are in our hearts every other day.

The Kardinia Team raised over $1,450 in donations. The link is still active if you would like to donate.

https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/fundraisers/kardiniainternationalcollege

This was our seventh year supporting this event.  On behalf of the College community, I would like to thank all who participated and/or donated. I would also like to thank Rowena Bailey, Head of House Gotemba Nishi in the Senior School, for her drive and energy in leading this event over many years.

From the Acting Head of Junior School - Geoff Geddes

Kinder Family Visits

Last week our Highview families enjoyed connecting with the learning spaces, the students, and other families. It was wonderful to see this community event being so well supported.

International Families Week

This week is International Families week. Students have enjoyed various activities and conversations in their classrooms. This Friday students are invited to come dressed in clothes that are Traditional Costume, flag colours or clothing that represents their unique family. The concept behind this dress up day is that students clothing can be a conversation starter for chats about all the amazing parts of the world. Students will be encouraged to ask questions such as Where is that from? Where is that country? What do they eat there? What language do they speak? What games do they play? What is your connection to that place? What else do you know about that place?

This Friday is an out of uniform day for all students.

As part of International Families Week, our Student Action Committee have also been collecting goods for the Geelong Mums. This Friday is the final day for collections and goods will be delivered next week. Thank you so much for your contributions so far.

Disco - This Friday

KIC Connect look forward to welcoming you to the JS Disco this Friday 17, from 4 pm - 6 pm. Pizza will be for sale at the event for $3.50 per slice. We are also looking for extra volunteers to help out. To support us with planning and catering, could you please complete this short form.

We look forward to seeing you in the Katsumata Centre - KIC Connect.

Mother’s Day Morning Tea and Fundraiser

Thank you so much for the overwhelming support for the Mother’s Day Morning Tea. It was a wonderful community event. Please refer to the community section of enews for more details and photos.

Upper Primary Relay Races - Morongo Champions

Last Wednesday our Upper Primary Athletics competition was completed with the relays being run on the Junior School oval. Athletes enjoyed perfect weather conditions and a very enthusiastic crowd. Congratulations to all students who competed. A special congratulations to Morongo house for being crowned this year’s Upper Primary Athletics Champions.

Willow’s Superstar Mum goes to Mt Everest! - Article Submitted by Zoe & Austin Year 3.

On Tuesday, Jessica Scholer came to Year 3, to tell us about Mt Everest. She was very resilient and walked 11 kms every day to make it to base camp! Jessica’s talk helped us in our maths unit of mapping because it showed us real uses of symbols in maps. It also helped us with our Who We Are unit because we have been learning about resilience. She was really resilient doing this walk and battling the extreme cold. We learned that if you use resilience (and maths in this case) you can do amazing feats. Thank you Jessica, you did an awesome job!

Planeteers are looking for Bottle Caps and Bread Tags

Seeking: Host Families for Gotemba Nishi High School students coming to Kardinia!

There will be a Gotemba Nishi High School homestay group coming in August (20-26). We will be welcoming 19 students from Year 10 to Year 12 - boys and girls - and 2 accompanying teachers. This is an exchange homestay program and a group of Kardinia students will be going to Gotemba in September this year.

It is a volunteer homestay, and families are required to provide all meals, and a bedroom or a shared bedroom during the stay. They are asked to provide care and friendship while the Gotemba students are experiencing and sharing the Australian life and culture. Gotemba students will commute to/from school with their host family members.

Any families who are interested in hosting, please e-mail h.suzuki@kardinia.vic.edu.au for further details and requirements.

Community Engagement and Foundation News 

Kardinians - Calling all past KIC musicians

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 called 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. https://events.humanitix.com/one-night-in-may

If you were a past musician at Kardinia, please also complete the following:  https://forms.office.com/r/MpcWZSjbWN

Square 1 Merchandise will be available to purchase on the night. $10 for Get It Again or $15 for both the new album and the 2019 release.

Kardinia’s Combined Community Fundraiser for the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea

The Kardinia Community is supporting Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea across various events in May!

The first event, organised by Karen Lindorff and KIC Connect was held last week:

On Friday 10 May a large number of mums, grandmothers and children turned out for our combined Mother’s Day/Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea.  Lots and lots of families donated plates of food and everyone got to share some delicious food, cups of tea and coffee and chat with other members of our KIC Community.  It was a lovely morning to get together and raise important funds for the Cancer Council. Knowing so many have been/or are being affected by cancer, everyone knew the importance of this special morning tea. During recess our Junior School Staff got the opportunity to enjoy the goodies and donate as well. A huge thankyou goes out to our KIC Connect team for helping to help organise and coordinate the day. At the moment our total raised is $886. We didn’t quite reach our target of $1000, but we are very proud of our achievements!

If you didn’t get the chance to donate on Friday, here is the link if you would like to: https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/kardiniainternationalcollege

The next event is for Host Families at a morning tea on Wednesday 22 May 10:00 am -12:00 pm at Gather’d Café, 1/11 Kardinia Dr, Bell Post Hill.

Please book your attendance through the link: https://forms.office.com/r/CSPuGG7xGN to assist us with catering. Donations can be made on the day.

Alumni can support this community fundraiser by their Virtual Participation, by enjoying a quiet cuppa or getting together with other alumni for a catch up. Donations can be made via: https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/fionarussell/biggest-morning-tea-vic

The final part of this Fundraising Event in the Senior School, 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 final 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’s Biggest Morning Tea. Thank you!

CCC Kardinia Parent Event - Coffee Morning

Starting on the first day of Term 3, there will be a coffee morning for all Highview, Junior School, and Senior School Parents and Carers!

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 16 July 9:00 am - 10:30 am.

Further information will be published in next week’s edition of enews.

Where Are They Now - National Careers Week focus - Kai Reynolds - Class of 2018.

After Alumnus Kai Reynolds finished his studies at Kardinia International College, he completed his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Deakin University. Now, he is putting his skills to work as an external auditor at Moore Australia in Geelong. With experience spanning various industries and clients, Kai has tackled everything from medium-sized companies to large private businesses, public sector entities, and not-for-profits.

Connect with Kai on The Kardinians or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kai-reynolds-46217513a/

The Kardinians appreciate the generosity of our alumni in supporting our current students and recent graduates with advice, mentoring and network connections in their field.

Fiona Russell - Community Engagement & Foundation Coordinator 

From the Archives

The Morongo House Conservatory

One of the most beautiful aspects of Morongo House was the glass conservatory. This was accessed via the verandah on the left side of the building, as documented in the architectural plans.

During its period as a homestead, the conservatory was also styled with curtains, which were no longer event in the early days of Morongo as a school. The photographs show that the conservatory was still part of the structure when the additional classrooms, forming the back section of M wing, were constructed. However, it is unknown when the structure was removed.

Fiona Russell - College Archivist