Kardinia eNews - Wednesday 19 March 2025

From the Head of Senior School - Kath O'Neill

The Senior School had a wonderful day at Landy Field today at the House Athletics Carnival. I was so impressed to see students participating in events, supporting their peers, and cheering for their houses. The Year 12s were excellent role models all day and also had some of the best costumes I’ve seen in many years! There were many personal bests, broken records, and outstanding efforts from so many. Congratulations to Gotemba for their overall win. I’d also like to thank Damian Van Wyk and the Health and PE staff for their organisation, both in the lead up to the event and on the day. Days such as these cannot rely on just one person, so I’m grateful to all the staff who supported our students and each other today.

From the Acting Head of Junior School - Izabella Haby

KICOnline News from the Junior School:

Week 8: How do I check my child’s timetable?

Make sure to check your child’s timetable regularly to stay updated on their classes and activities.

1. Log in to the KICOnline desktop version.
2. Navigate to your student and select ‘Timetable’.
3. Review the schedule and any upcoming events.
4. You can also select ‘Timetable’ directly in the App version.

Next week’s focus, ‘How do I find the eNews’?

If you encounter any issues logging in, please contact IT for assistance on - helpdesk@kardinia.vic.edu.au

Cross-Country in Upper Primary: Congratulations MORONGO

Thank you to all the students, staff and parents who supported the Cross-Country event on Monday. A special thank you to Mr Scott Russell who coordinated this event. Students ran proudly and many achieved their PB result. Congratulations to the placeholders this year as they prepare to participate in the District Cross-Country event.

Celebrating Harmony Week:

The theme for Harmony Week 2025 is ‘Everyone Belongs’. Harmony Week 2025 will take place from Monday, March 17 to Sunday, March 23. 

Why is Harmony Day celebrated?

• Harmony Day celebrates Australia's cultural diversity. 

• It's a day to recognise the contributions of multicultural communities. 

• It's a day to encourage inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all. 

Throughout the week, students will make connections to the meaning behind Harmony Week through their Units of Inquiry. Students in the Junior School well celebrate Harmony Day on Friday this week as they focus on some short stories, videos and learning engagements relating to this year’s theme-Everyone Belongs.

Can you help?

The Year 5 students are about to embark on their How We Organise Ourselves Unit of Inquiry. This unit is all about being ‘Internationally minded entrepreneurs who are resourceful, flexible, creative and responsible’. 

The students are looking for donations of pre-used jars (with or without lids), tea cups, planter pots (Eg terracotta, ceramic), sunflower seeds and off cuts of succulent plants.

Any donations can be left at the Junior School Office for us to collect.

Thank you from the Year 5 students and Teachers.

Combined Geelong North and Bellarine Division Swimming, District Boys/Mixed AFL 9s and Girls AFL 9s Football Lightning Premiership:

Please refer to Scott Russell’s news in the following weeks which will share further information regarding these events for selected students.

Reminder to Parents:

Friday 28 March is a Student Free Day in the Junior School as we have Parent Teacher Interviews.

Save the date:

A note from Outside Hours School Care - Camp Australia:

Junior School Sport News

Junior School Cross-Country 2025: A Day of Record-Breaking Achievements and House Spirit.

On Monday, March 17, the Junior School gathered for its annual House Cross-Country event at Barwon Valley Park, where perfect conditions greeted students.

Middle Primary (Years 3 and 4) and Senior Primary (Years 5 and 6) students battled it out for the prestigious Junior School Cross-Country House Trophy. The 10 and Under runners faced a 1.5-kilometre course, while the 11-Year and 12/13-Year students took on the more challenging 2.5-kilometre route.

One of the standout moments of the day came from Lily A in the 11 Girls event, who set a new College record. Lily shaved nearly 4 seconds off the previous record, finishing the 2.5 km course in an impressive time of 10:23.26.

Special congratulations also go to the students who finished in the top 10 in each age group, both boys and girls. These athletes have now qualified for the Deakin District Cross-Country Championships, set to take place on April 24 at Eastern Gardens. There, 60 of our best runners will compete against five other schools in our district, all striving for a top 8 finish to earn a spot in the Geelong North Division event.

A huge thank you goes out to the parents who volunteered as on-course officials this year. Your support as marshals helped make the event run smoothly, and both students and teachers truly appreciated your assistance.

In the end, Morongo was crowned the 2025 House-Cross Country Champions. Congratulations to all involved for making this event such a success! Individual awards will be presented later in the year, and parents will be notified so they can attend and celebrate their child's achievements.

OVERALL RESULTS: 1st Morongo, 2nd Cowie, 3rd Thomson, 4th Gotemba

Kardinia Junior School Swim Team Shines at the 2025 Combined Bellarine and North Geelong Division Swimming Championships.

The heat was on as the Combined Bellarine and North Geelong Division Primary Schools Swimming Championships took place on Tuesday, March 11, at the Kardinia Aquatic Centre. Despite soaring temperatures, the Kardinia International College Junior Swimming team put on an outstanding performance, making waves throughout the competition.

The team left the pool with impressive results: 10 first-place ribbons, 8 second-place ribbons, 4 third-place ribbons, and numerous Personal Bests—with some swimmers slashing more than 8 seconds off their previous times! The atmosphere was electric, especially during the relay events, where Kardinia dominated, earning medals in 7 out of the 8 relay races. Their haul included four 1st’s, two 2nds, and one 3rd!

But the success didn’t stop there. Eleven talented Kardinia swimmers secured their spots at the upcoming Western Metropolitan Regional Swimming Championships on Tuesday, April 1. These students earned their places by finishing 1st or 2nd in individual events, and 1st in relays for the North Geelong Division.

A massive congratulations goes out to the 27 students who competed with such dedication and spirit. Their mutual support was nothing short of inspiring, and their commitment to weekly training paid off in spades.

We also want to extend a special thank you to Rhianna Kennedy from the Kardinia Swim School for her expert coaching and guidance, as well as a huge shoutout to all the parents who cheered on the team, making the day even more memorable.

What a fantastic day of racing, camaraderie, and achievement for the Kardinia Junior Swimming team!

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS:

Zac G – 3rd Freestyle Boys 9/10yr

Elsie B – 1st Breaststroke Girls 9/10 and 2nd Butterfly Girls 9/10yr

Emily K – 3rd Breaststroke Girls 11yr

Alexandra K – 1st Breaststroke Girls 11yr and 1st Butterfly Girls 11yr

Elise W – 1st Backstroke Girls 11yr

Ivy V – 2nd Backstroke Girls 11yr

Patrick F – 3rd Butterfly Boys 11yr

Alex B – 2nd Freestyle Girls 12/13yr and 2nd Backstroke Girls 12/13yr

Jamieson M – 2nd Freestyle Boys 12/13yr and 1st Butterfly Boys 12/13 yr

Zac G – 2nd Breaststroke Boys 12/13yr

Campbell C – 1st Backstroke Boys 12/13yr

FREESTYLE RELAY EVENTS:

Poppy D, Mirebelle S, Zoe S, Elsie B – 2nd Girls 9/10yr

Remi G, Logan H, Ezra V, Zac G – 2nd Boys 9/10yr

Emily K, Katherine T, Ivy V Alexandra K – 1st Girls 11yr

Esther W, Piper B, Isabelle M, Alex B – 3rd Girls 12/13yr

Jamieson M, Campbell C, Zac G, Lachlan S – 1st Boys 12/13yr

MEDLEY RELAY EVENTS:

Backstroke - Alex B, Breaststroke - Emily K, Butterfly - Alexandra K, Freestyle - Ivy V – 1st Girls 9-13yr

Backstroke - Campbell C, Breaststroke - Zac G, Butterfly - Jamieson M, Freestyle - Lachlan S – 1st Boys 9-13yr

Scott Russell
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Sport News

Kardinia International College Students Excel at Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta

Eight dedicated students showcased their talent and resilience at the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta over the weekend (March 14–17). As the pinnacle of schoolgirl rowing, the event saw 42 schools and over 2400 athletes compete in challenging conditions, with intense heat, humidity, rain, and gusty winds testing every crew.

Although the College no longer has a rowing program, we are incredibly proud of these students who continue to pursue the sport. Their performances reflected the core values of the College and demonstrated dedication, commitment, and resilience in this demanding competition.

In an incredible achievement, the College placed 13th overall out of 42 schools, outperforming some of the state’s large rowing programs. This is a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and passion of our students.  Congratulations!

Outstanding results included:

⭐Skye Q & Violet W – Competing in the Year 9 Division 1 Double Scull A Final, the pair claimed Gold finishing more than six seconds ahead of their rivals. After a dominant season together, they capped it off with an incredible performance, showcasing their seamless teamwork and technical skill over the 1000m course.

⭐Jess B & Kashvi S – Rowing in the Year 10 Division 1 (1000m) they claimed 1st in the B Final, ranking them 4th overall in their division. Their strength and determination saw them execute a powerful race strategy, despite only training together for the past three weeks, finishing their season with a well-earned victory.

⭐Eliza J – Competing in the Open Division 1 Single Scull over 1500m, she delivered a strong performance throughout the weekend, narrowly missing a spot in the A Final but came back to dominate the B Final. With a personal best time, she demonstrated remarkable endurance and control against a tough field.

⭐Grace H – In her debut regatta in the Open Division 1 Single Scull (1500m), faced the fastest rowers in the state qualifying for the A Final.  From the challenging lane 1, she fought through to claim the bronze medal in an incredibly tight finish—just three seconds separating the top four boats.

⭐Daisy D & Violet M – Competing in the Open Division 1 Double Scull (1500m), this duo had only been rowing together for three weeks before the regatta, making their bronze medal in the A Final even more impressive. Their ability to adapt quickly and work in perfect unison under pressure was a testament to them both.

A huge congratulations also to Eliza, Daisy, and Violet M, who were awarded the prestigious Morongo Medal, an honour given to Year 12 rowers who have competed in three Head of the Schoolgirls regattas—an incredible achievement that highlights their dedication and long-term commitment to the sport.

We celebrate these student’s success and the values they bring to their sport. Well done to all!

Future Pathways News

The Future Pathways and Education department will be offering students support with subject selection process over the remaining weeks of term. These opportunities have been advertised with students. We look forward to supporting students in their pathway planning and subject selection process.

It is important to note, that parent and teacher conversations around subject selection is an important step to take in the process, to ensure that individual students are making the best choices for their learning. We encourage you to book parent teacher interviews to have these conversations prior to subject selections closing on Saturday 5 April.

Arrive and Thrive Parent Webinar - TOMORROW 6.30pm

91% of teens said their parents are their biggest influence when making career decisions. If that feels like a lot of pressure, you’re not alone. Join our webinar on Thursday 20 March, 6:30pm (AEDT) to learn how to engage with your young person on all things careers and help them navigate the next chapters of high school and beyond.

Come and join Tyson Day, the Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator of Arrive & Thrive, as he shares the best way to have impactful career conversations in and around your home environment. In the webinar, you can expect to learn:

• How you can positively influence your young person in their career decisions.
• How you can effectively navigate the future of work and understand your young person's options.
• How to communicate effectively through the GROW model to support your young person in career exploration.

All participants will receive a Career Conversation Kit to kick off conversations with their young person as soon as possible!
Register for tickets here.

A Note from The Finance Department - CSEF Newsletter Information

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) and School Savings Bonus (SSB)

The CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps, and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF.  The allowance is paid directly to the school to use only towards expenses relating to camps, excursions, or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student for 2025 is:

• $154 for primary school students

• $256 for secondary school students.

If you applied for the CSEF at Kardinia International College in 2024, you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances, (i.e. new student enrolments: your child has started or changed schools in 2025, or you did not apply for CSEF at Kardinia International College in 2024, changed family circumstances: such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commenced at the school in 2025)

If a form was not lodged in 2024, parents or legal guardians are required to complete a CSEF application form and lodge it with their child’s school for processing.

Application forms are available through the below links.

• Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund application form

• CSEF application form – 16 years and over (for mature minors)

• CSEF application form – 16 years and over (requiring parent/carer permission)

Application forms should be completed and lodged with Kardinia International College as soon as possible.  Final date for Kardinia International College to accept and process applications is 4 July 2025. Forms must be submitted to Kardinia International College no later than 3 July 2025.

Please email completed application form to accounts@kardinia.vic.gov.au

School Savings Bonus – Non-Government Schools:

School Savings Bonus of $400 is available for students attending Non-Government Schools if they are eligible for CSEF in 2025 and have not already received SSB through a government school in 2024.

There is not a separate application process for the SSB, if you complete the CSEF application process and are eligible for CSEF you will also be eligible for SSB.

K-12 Staff GenAi Workshops

On Monday, our Innovation and Technology team hosted a variety of K-12 staff GenAI Workshops as part of the College's International Baccalaureate self-study practice. Workshop leads dove into the future of education with sessions on AI-powered tools, including 'Streamlining lesson planning with Padlet', 'Creating dynamic videos with Canva', 'Enhancing student understanding with NotebookLM', 'Engaging lessons with Napkin + Quizizz' and much more!

A great opportunity to inspire teaching methods and enrich student learning experiences.

Wellbeing Hub News

Hopefully families were able to attend the first of the four webinars taking place across the year with Dr Justin Coulson of Happy Families last week, being ‘Emotional Regulation’. For those unable to attend, the webinar recording will soon be available in the membership resources. In the meantime, it can viewed here: 

https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/answers-with-justin-emotional-regulation-watch

The dates for the remaining webinars (pop these in your calendar!) are:

Term 2 – Wednesday 18 June, 7pm (AEST) “Carrots and Sticks: Better ways to build boundaries with your kids”

Term 3 – Wednesday 20 August, 7pm (AEST) “Anxious: Helping your child navigate a world of worry”.

Term 4 - Wednesday 6 November, 8pm (AEST) “Entitled: Raising responsible, respectful kids”.

There’s lots of great resources – webinars and articles (Insights) on our Happy Families School page covering a range of topics:

Education/Learning, Emotional Intelligence, Neurodiversity, Parenting Boys, Parenting Girls, Positive Parenting, Resilience, Respectful Relationships, Responsible Behaviour, Technology and Parenting, Wellbeing and Mental Health.

URL & PASSWORD

https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/kic Password: happykic We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you. 

Cultural diversity is an inherent aspect of modern society. It enriches our communities by bringing together a wide array of cultures, traditions, and histories, contributing to our unique identity and strength. Embracing and celebrating this diversity is essential for fostering inclusion and a sense of belonging among children. By valuing every child's cultural background, we enable them to excel in all facets of life. Nurturing an environment of curiosity, open-mindedness, and respect for all cultures, will set a strong example for all young people. Through collective efforts, we can pave the way for a more accepting and vibrant future.

Click here to watch this episode: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cultural-diversity-au

https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-social-media-comparison-culture-au