From the Principal
As we reach the end of first Semester, I want to take this time to reflect a little on what I am grateful for this year.
I continue to appreciate and be grateful that we have been able to come to school in person every day. I am grateful for our beautiful grounds and surroundings in which we can work, learn and teach. I am grateful to live in a city like Geelong, which has all the benefits of a big metropolis without the hustle and bustle.
I am grateful that we can once again provide our students with opportunities like Chiang Mai, Timor Leste and camps. I am grateful for our wonderful students who I really enjoy talking with and learning from, they inspire me every day.
I am grateful for our highly supportive College Board and that we continue to have such a positive connection with our Founders, the Katsumata family through their son and grandson, Yoshihisa and Takahiro.
I am grateful for the families and friends of Kardinia without whom we would not have the special school community that we do. I am grateful for our staff who are the backbone of this fantastic school.
Finally, I want to single out one staff member, Mr Geoff Woolard, our Head of Senior School, who heads off on Long Service Leave at the end of the week. He will return at the very end of Term 4 for a final farewell before taking a very well earned retirement after 26 years of dedicated service to Kardinia International College and 52 years as an educator.
I am grateful for the wisdom, respect and friendship that Mr Woolard has instilled at the College throughout his tenure, and I am grateful that I have had the privilege of spending the last four and half years working alongside him.
I hope that you all have a fabulous holiday break.
From the Acting Head of Junior School
Reflecting on the Term
It has been an incredibly productive and enjoyable term. One of our aims at the beginning of the year was to reconnect our school community after our time apart during COVID. It has been wonderful to jump back into welcoming parent helpers, going on excursions, hosting incursions, leading parent workshops and sharing our learning by inviting families into the school. Thank you so much to all families that have been able to come into school for these important events.
This term, I have also had the pleasure of replacing Matt as the Head of Junior School. As I reflect on all the experiences, I have had this term, I am reminded of the key role the IB Approaches to Learning (ATLs) play. There are five skill areas that make up the ATLs: Thinking, Communication, Self-management, Research and Social Skills. At Kardinia, we teach these skills explicitly and it is our belief that building these skills in our students will develop them as lifelong learners. As you glance at these Self-Management skills below, I’m sure you can think of multiple times you have leaned on each of those skills throughout the week in your own adult working life. I know I have. Thank you very much for the support I have received during my time replacing Matt. It’s been a pleasure and a wonderful experience.
K4 Visits to the Grove
This week, and last week our K4 learners have been visiting the Grove as part of their Outdoor Education experiences. They have been focusing on developing connections to the land around them and the wonders of nature. These trips have also been an opportunity for students to develop their self-management skills.
Kardinia’s Cross Country runners
Tom Hussey (12/13 Year Boys), Edward Dally (11 Year Boys), Eva Dally (11 Year Girls), Stevie O’Day (9/10 Year Girls), Cobie O'Day (9/10 Year Girls), Lily Armstrong (9/10 Year Girls) and Loui Bowman (9/10 Year Boys) competed at the Western Metropolitan Cross Country Championships at Brimbank Park, East Keilor on June 19 in very wet conditions. They were aiming for a top 12 finish to qualify for the State Championships early next term. Stevie finished (3rd), Cobie (5th), Eva (11th), Lily (18th) Tom (23rd), Edward (59th) and Loui (62nd). Stevie, Cobie and Eva placed in the top 12 to qualify for the School Sports Victoria State Primary Championships to be held in the final week of the mid-year holiday break on Thursday 13 July at Yarra Valley Racing Club. Congratulations to Tom, Edward, Loui and Lily for their efforts and for making it this far and best of luck to Stevie, Cobie and Eva at the State finals early next term.
Single Subject Teachers, Families & the PYP Exhibition
Thank you for all the wonderful support from families who have shared their expertise with our Year 6 students as part of their Exhibition. The focus of the sharing was using your creativity to share your passions, ideas and thoughts. We look forward to seeing what the Year 6 students create next term.
Kardinia’s Got Talent
Kardinia’s Got Talent was a successful event run by the Performing Arts Committee across Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes last week.
There was an awesome display of talent with some wonderful variety from judo and gymnastic displays to soccer skills, musical theatre, instruments, bollywood dancing, singing and acting.
Tuesday’s event; FIRST PLACE was Matilda Schokman and Novalie Morris with their Musical Theatre routine “It’s a Hard knock Life”. SECOND PLACE was Tanvi Doosa with her Bollywood Dance complete with traditional costume- exquisite.
Thursday’s event; FIRST PLACE was Logan McKiernan who played a piece on his guitar, which was behind his head…so doing it backwards. SECOND PLACE was Morris Worrall on piano.
Foundation Year celebration of learning
Congratulations to Foundation Year. Your celebration of learning was a huge success. It was a perfect opportunity for you to put your communication skills to the test and a great way to end the term.
Year 4, Where We Are in Time and Place
Our Year 4 learners have been enjoying finding out about ancient civilisations during the past 6 weeks. This unit is a heavily research focused unit and again, the sharing was a fantastic opportunity for students to use their communication skills.
This Friday 2.20pm finish
Please remember this Friday is the last day of Term 2 and we finish at 2.20pm.
Sport News
The Grand finals for GCNA netball were held Monday 19 June with two Kardinia International College teams making the finals. The Year 6/7 KIC Kangaroos played an amazing game of netball finishing in first place with a win of 7 goals to 4. The Year 9/10 KIC Kookaburras also played an extremely good and fair game of netball with a win as well of 24 goals to 20. Both teams fought extremely hard to bring the win across the finish line. A shoutout to Briella Considine and Scarlett Ord who won individual awards as well. Congratulations to these teams and to the other teams (KIC Dingoes, KIC Wallabies, KIC Emus & KIC Koalas) who worked hard throughout the season. We are looking forward to playing again next season.
Beth Peel – Netball Coordinator
On Sunday 18 June Kardinia International College students Luis and Stella Goldstaw competed in the Victorian State Series Alpinestars School Mountain Bike series in Dromana.
This was the first race of the series with over 250 entrants across all categories. Stella placed 2nd in the under 15 girls race and Luis placed 7th in the under 17 mens race.
It would be great to see more KIC students representing the College in round 2 that will take place at Listerfield on Sunday 23 July, with round 3 to follow at the You Yangs on Sunday 6 August. More information can be found here.
Well done to Luis and Stella on achieving these impressive results!
Backyard Beats
On Friday 16 June the Year 1 and Year 2 students were visited by Monica Brighton from the Canadian TV Show ‘Backyard Beats’.
Backyard Beats is a Canadian children's television series, which premiered on TVOntario in 2020. The series profiles a do it yourself approaches to making music, through a format which sees a professional musician teaching children about musical genres or instruments. Following which she makes her own version of the instrument with everyday household objects.
Library News
We are nearly there, collect your holiday reads now!
Where will you be these holidays... wishing you had a good book to read?
You could be reading: in the sun, in a favourite chair, in the park, at the beach... Waiting in a queue, in a car, in the bath, in bed, at the hairdresser, waiting on a loved one?
Collect your books now!
To view the Oliver library catalogue, please click here. Or borrow from our e-book platforms at our KICOnline library.
KIC College Community Council News
The KIC CCC would like to take this opportunity to introduce the KIC Business Club. We will be running bi-monthly business breakfasts at The Geelong Club with a different relevant speaker from the KIC Community at each breakfast. This is your opportunity to network, meet likeminded business owners in the KIC community and learn something new to bring your business to the next level.
Our first breakfast will be held from 9:15am – 11am on Wednesday 26 July. Tickets are now available to purchase via the following link. We are currently looking for relevant speakers in the KIC community to speak at these breakfasts so if your business supports other businesses (Marketing/HR/Accounting etc) don’t miss this great opportunity, email us ccc@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Careers News
Success looks different to everyone.
Have you considered the last time you celebrated your own success or achievement? By pausing to celebrate or simply acknowledge our success we attach gratitude to it and provide ourselves with the opportunity to feel successful.
What does success look like for you today?
What will success look like for you this week? This month? This year?
Goal setting is really important, as it gives us direction, meaning and purpose for each day. Having something to work towards, a target to achieve can be productive. This doesn’t mean that if you don’t know what you want in the future that you can't be successful. It just means that you might need to devote some time to research, reflection and making the most of opportunities.
For our Year 12 students, the end of Term 2 can be the cause of some stress as they have one more term of formal learning that occurs before revision and exams. It can also be a time when people in their lives start to question them about their future. Asking a young person what does next year look like for you? What are you hoping to achieve this year? Do you have an idea of a potential career pathway? These can all be anxiety triggering questions for a young person who doesn’t yet have all the answers.
Some useful strategies for students, parents and family members are to have conversations and provide opportunity for reflection around skills, strengths and areas of interest or passion. Often, finding out an area of interest, passion or a subject or career prospect that generates excitement is something to continue to discuss and research further.
Keeping the conversations flowing and open is really important to assist young people in making decisions that take them a step closer to their future pathway options. Ideally, at the end of Year 12, all students want to have many options, opportunities and choices available to them. It can be really helpful for a young person to know what they don’t want. Where they don’t want to work, where they wouldn’t be happy or find enjoyment.
Reflection is a very powerful tool and way to spend some time each week. Where have you experienced success? Where have you experienced the most enjoyment? Can you research these areas further to see if a potential career pathway is waiting for you?
Helpful Resources:
Tips for finding balance as a student
Tips for finding balance as a student
Career bullseyes - Start exploring career pathways by selecting a learning area you enjoy
https://myfuture.edu.au/bullseyes
How do you think about jobs?
The Big Freeze is Returning for 2023
The College is aiming to raise $3,000 towards MND (Motor Neurone Disease) research, in an effort to find a cure for this devastating disease. It only takes a minute and any donation (no matter how large or small) will go a long way to helping us reach our target. Together we can beat the beast that is MND.
This year Ms Woods, Ms O'Neill, Mr Ota, Mr Reuben, Ms Mahr and Mr Harding are our amazing volunteers so far!
Please support our amazing teachers through our donation link and following along for updates on the KIC Big Freeze webpage!
We are seeking Homestay Families!
Are you interested in becoming a Homestay family? We are seeking new families to host international students while they are studying at Kardinia. For more information, please contact Hiroko Suzuki via email at h.suzuki@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Community Engagement and Foundation News
Upcoming GEMS. Reunion
The GEMS are Kardinia’s Great Ex Members of Staff. Members are invited to catch up once a term for a casual social gathering, as well as being invited to College community events.
The next GEMS reunion is on Tuesday 12 September. Please contact Fiona Russell for further information and registration. f.russell@kardinia.vic.edu.au
Fiona Russell- Community Engagement & Foundation Coordinator
From the Archives
Early Productions - Part 3
Moulin Bleu
‘Moulin Bleu’ was performed in 2002 in the Blakiston Theatre, GPAC, and directed once more by Ian Campbell. The choice of this production celebrated the introduction of the French language into the College, focussing on the fascination and romance of France in the 1950s. Written by Senior School staff, Ms Harriet Mestitz, Mrs Lena Townsend and Mr Ian Campbell, the show featured a romantic, comic and dramatic story line, with sets and costumes evocative of a 1950s French carnival and dance hall. The highlights of this show were the life size marionettes and dance spectaculars. The College received six Kudos nominations for the production of ‘Moulin Bleu’, winning the Kudos Art Direction Award.
Fiona Russell - Archivist
Water Polo
The Geelong Junior Marlins are hosting a 'Come and Try' session on Sunday 25 June for children interested in trying water polo. Kardinia parents, Binny and Tim Langler, coach the under 12's team and their daughters also play for the club.
Recently awarded the Good Sport National Junior Sporting Club of 2023 the Geelong Junior Marlins is a fun, supportive and inclusive environment, and much more! There are mixed teams for under 12's, with boy/girl teams from under 14's onwards.
If you love swimming and being in the water, and play ball sports, then you will enjoy water polo. The official season runs from October - April with breaks over the holidays.
Please call 0407 173 951 for more information.
