From the Principal
Today I spent an inspiring day with Mr Chapman and members of our Interact Club at the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne.
We spent time meeting with Rotarians from around the world and learned about many of the incredible projects Rotary is involved in. Some are well known like Habitat for Humanity, ShelterBox and End Polio and countless others making small but meaningful differences to communities such as Crutches for Africa, End Trachoma, Teacher in a Box and Adopt a River.
The students also had the opportunity to have a live life size Zoom call with climate activists in Mexico. They met Rotarians from across Australia, the USA, Ukraine, Malaysia, Korea, India, Venezuela, and Mexico, many of them fascinated by our students’ school uniforms, which they all looked immaculate in.
This is what some of the students had to say about their experience:
“I’m inspired to help humanity.”
“We are so much more alike than we are different.”
“Everyone there was there for a common goal of doing good.”
“Peace making is not just a one off, it is a daily practice we can all be involved in.”
I think the Rotarians were also heartened by our students, knowing that there are caring human beings following in their footsteps.
From the Head of Senior School
Dear Parents
On Thursday and Friday this week and on Monday next week all Senior School students will have their Tutor Group and individual school photos taken.
All students must be in full school uniform for the photos. Please also ensure that uniforms are in good repair and that students are fully compliant with all aspects of the uniform including those related to hair, facial hair, make-up and jewellery.
Students who have a Physical Education class on the day of their photos must still be in full school uniform. They should have both uniforms with them and change at school.
Please refer to the photo schedule to determine when your child’s photo will be taken.
From the Acting Head of Junior School
Dear Families,
We have had another wonderful week of learning. This week, I would especially like to thank all families who have experienced illness in the past few weeks for making the difficult decision to keep your children at home while they are unwell.
It is greatly appreciated and supports other students and staff to stay well and continue their learning. If your family is currently experiencing some illness, we wish you a speedy recovery and we look forward to welcoming you back to school when you are feeling well again.
Reconciliation Week
This week has included conversations and learning experiences relating to reconciliation. This learning has been enjoyed by students from K-12. One of the highlights of the week was learning from and with Jordan as part of a yarning circle.
Families visiting the Grove
Last week parents, grandparents and some older siblings visited the Grove. The students shared their learning and their love for the learning space.
Congratulations to Isabelle McDermott
Isabelle has been selected for the Victorian State Team in gymnastics. She will compete in Brisbane during the holidays. Well done Isabelle, and good luck!
Parent Workshops
Last Thursday evening Katie Steele and Izabella Haby presented a workshop to Upper Primary families. The focus of the session was on understanding our approaches and supporting students with their reading and writing at home.
This Thursday Katie with Nikki Petyanszki, will present to families who have children in the Lower Primary. If you have not signed up for this workshop, but would like to attend, please email Ellen Self to register your attendance e.self@kardinia.vic.edu.au.
The workshop will be held in our amazing new conference room in the new Upper Primary building, 6:30pm-8:00pm.
Kind regards,
Geoff Geddes
Acting Head of Junior School
Reconciliation Week
This year’s theme calls on all Australians to honour the work of generations past who fought for justice for First Nations' peoples in Australia and to continue the journey towards reconciliation for future generations.
The College’s Reconciliation Action Team has planned a number of activities to mark National Reconciliation Week – Saturday 27 May to Saturday 3 June.
The program below shares the many activities planned for our students both in the Junior and Senior School. Centrepoint Cafe also has a Bush Tucker inspired Menu all week!
The Senior School kicked off National Reconciliation Week with their Sorry Day Assembly.
Sorry Day Assembly - Friday 26 May
The Senior School was joined by Nikki McKenzie, a proud Wadawurrung woman, and Norm Stanley, proud Aboriginal man with heritage connected to the Kurnai and Wotjabaluk people of Victoria.
Junior School Quiz Trail
The Junior School RAP committee has put together a number of activities for Learning Groups to participate in during the week. They have also put together a Quiz Trail around the Lower Primary and Upper Primary buildings. There will be a range of questions highlighting Australian Culture and Wadawurrung language. Students who partake in the activity have the opportunity to win a lunch-order voucher.
Junior School Yarning Circle
First Nation's Educator, Jordan Holloway-Clarke will work with students within a Yarning Circle to explore what Reconciliation Week is about and what action students in each class can take to 'walk together' and share what they know to “make a difference” - to show Wisdom, Respect and Friendship. This activity will be run for Four-Year-old kinder students through to Year 6 students.
Junior School First Nation's Educator
During the morning, Norm Stanley will work out at the Grove campus with our Year 5 students. The students are studying a unit whose central theme is on Sharing the Planet. Norm will explore the natural resources found on Country and how First Nation's People shared these resources and looked after the environment.
In the afternoon, Norm will work with Year 6 classes by exploring Reconciliation themes through the stories and music of First Nation's artists.
Junior School Visiting Authors
Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir and Sue Lawson will be working in the Junior school with our Year 1 - 4 students.
They are the authors of books -"Sharing", "Family", and "Respect".
Senior School Learning Commons Display
In the Senior School’s Learning Commons, students can learn more about First Nation's People, the Wadawurrung People, the amazing number of First Nation's Peoples spread across this country (through a First Nations Map of Australia), eel traps and how they were used, Wadawurrung language and local Wadawurrung place names. Students are invited to visit this display and learn more about First Nation's people.
Senior School personal acts of reconciliation
During our Senior School tutor group time, we are asking each person, students and staff, to think of one action they can take to increase their knowledge and connection to the First Nation's People of Australia. To learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements.
We will collect our pledges and the Social Justice Committee will help to display them in the Learning Commons, so we can learn from and be inspired by each other.
Senior School Marngrook - Friday 2 June
The Senior School Physical Education Teachers are hosting a Marngrook game during Friday lunchtime with interested students (up on the Senior School oval). Previous experience is not necessary!
Marngrook is recognised as the Aboriginal origin of Australian Rules Football. We will use lamb’s wool covered balls filled with hay that replicate the Marngrook (possum skin outside / with fire ash insides) – type balls from earlier days.
School photos
On Thursday and Friday this week and on Monday and Tuesday next week all students will have their Tutor Group and individual school photos taken.
All students must be in appropriate full school uniform for their photos. For the Junior School, Grove students will be in their Grove uniform.
Please also ensure that uniforms are in good repair and that students are fully compliant with all aspects of the uniform including those related to hair, facial hair, make-up and jewellery.
Senior School students who have a Physical Education class on the day of their photos must still be in full academic school uniform. They should have both uniforms with them and change at school.
Please refer to the attached photo schedule to determine when your child’s photo will be taken.
For sibling photos families must register via the following link by 11:59pm on Thursday 1 June.
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
National Careers Week @KIC
Monday 15 - Friday 19 May 2023
What a wonderful week of activities here at KIC to promote National Careers Week!! The week kicked off with Tutor Group activities for students to hold one on one conversations based on a series of questions regarding careers and future pathways. There was also an excursion to the Geelong Port Authority where some of our students experienced a boat tour of Corio Bay where career pathways and job opportunities in the maritime industry were presented and discussed.
On Tuesday we had a visit from an engineer from the Ford Proving Grounds who brought along one of their Ford Raptors to the school to highlight engineering practices in the automotive industry. There was a presentation held where students were able to listen to and ask questions about the Ford Proving Grounds and engineering in general.
Also, during Tuesday lunchtime and afternoon our Year 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to visit our Careers Expo Display and attend information sessions from a wide range of organisations including: Deakin University, Monash University, ACU, University of Melbourne, The Defence Forces, The Gordon Institute, Carlton FC, Victoria University, as well as a GAP year provider, Letz Live.
During Thursday, we hosted an Emergency Services Expo on the lawns in front of Centrepoint Café, where Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, the CFA, Fire Victoria, and the SES provided a hands- on experience for both our Senior School and Early Years students.
The Careers Team worked incredibly hard to put together a wonderful week of worthwhile activities that hopefully stimulated conversations about future careers, volunteering, and work placement opportunities as well as future study and work options. The feedback we received was resoundingly positive.
We look forward to doing it all again next year. 😊
The Careers Team
Community Engagement and Foundation News
WHERE ARE THEY NOW - Holly Meier -Class of 2015.
The Kardinians caught up with Holly Meier and asked her to share an update
on what she has been doing since graduation:
"I had a gap year to work and then travelled Europe for a couple of months. I took up a job as stylist in Melbourne to be promoted quickly into a content marketing position where I handled social media platforms, shoot scheduling and taking content of new products. During this time, I took on a few clients, handling their social media platforms.
I have recently got a job as a marketing director for a fashion company where I will oversee 3 different brands and launch a business-to-business marketing program whilst handling their digital marketing, plus all social media platforms."
Fiona Russell- Community Engagement and Foundation Coordinator
KIC Cup Judo Games
On Sunday the Kardinia Judo Club hosted the KIC Cup Judo Games in the Old Gym. Students from the judo club, the two HPA11 Defending Fitness classes and visitors from 7 Judo Victoria clubs all took part. The day was largely run by the club’s senior students and coaches, who managed the 5 team events on the u/9, u/12 and u/15 year mats. The team events were followed by an individual age/weight class competition, which saw some terrific bouts and some spectacular throws.
Following the pack up of equipment everyone retired to Café Judo (the C block rooms) to enjoy a wonderful BBQ lunch prepared by our parents. All in all the day was a huge success, thanks to the contributions from parents, club leaders and the students themselves.
The medal winners from the Age/Weight tournament were:
Under 9 Boys and Girls: u/22kg – Gold – Addi Cromb, Silver – Eli Gao. u/25kg – Gold – Patrick Johnston, Silver – Zoe Newman. u/28kg – Gold – Frankie Jordan, Silver – Sumika Yamakawa-Armstrong. o/36kg – Gold – Yaya Huang, Silver – Darren Cheng.
Junior Boys: u/27kg – Gold – William Cromb, Silver – Angus Tysoe. u/30kg – Gold – Lucas Leong, Silver – Evan Morey. u/34kg – Gold – Sam Ayzelman, Silver – Jamie Growden. u/38kg – Gold – Henry Collis, Silver – Jack Volarevic. u/42kg – Gold – Dylan Keirl, Silver – Stirling Fenaughty. u/50kg - Gold - Aiden Leonard, Silver – Raff Adams.
Junior Girls: u/29kg – Gold – Willow Phan, Silver – Georgie Nguyen. u/32kg – Gold – Ellie Growden, Silver – Chloe Gibson. u/40kg – Gold – Frankie Pianta, Silver – Audrey Finnigan. o/52kg – Gold – Chloe Bottom, Silver – Alex Collis.
Senior Boys: u/45kg – Gold – Kenji Yamakawa-Armstrong, Silver – Angus McMahon. u/50kg – Gold – Hudson Drew, Silver – Quinn Parrington. u/55kg – Gold – Tom Maffett, Silver – Sam Newey. u/60kg – Gold – Noah Harding, Silver – Ryan Cheng. O/66kg – Gold – Huon Mirankar-Smith, Silver – Oliver Meyer, Jesse Newton, Mille Newton.
Senior Girls: u/40kg – Gold – Cheyanne Bramley, Silver – Elyse Johnston. u/44kg – Gold – Coco Markus, Silver – Audrey Borg. u/48kg – Gold – Sonia Harris, Silver – Siena Morgan. u/52kg – Gold – Ava Behrens, Silver – Gemma Barrand. u/57kg – Gold – Elidh Sheridan, Silver – Loulou Frost. o/63kg – Gold – Marlee Keirl, Silver – Ashleigh Bottom.
Library Services News
Would You Like To Collect A Specially Curated Box Of Books...
Twice Per Term?
(If you are an avid reader you can choose more…)
Simply click Here and fill in the form so we can get to know you as a reader and you can look forward to receiving your book box.
Each box will include:
· Two books from our collection for you to read and return
· A treat for you to enjoy as you read
· Something to keep based on the theme of your box
School TV
In today’s world, it is becoming apparent that some young people are being influenced by the language around them. It is becoming more common for them to hear derogatory terms or offensive language on the streets, on social media channels, streaming services and in some forms of modern music. Proliferating the use of such language can sometimes normalise, glamorise and sanitise their impact, taking their meaning out of context. Words can be misconstrued to be hurtful, racist, homophobic, misogynistic or even discriminatory. Using disrespectful language is considered socially unacceptable, and if not addressed early, can become a serious problem.
The use of derogatory language or the act of swearing at someone, or about someone, is actually a form of verbal violence. It transgresses the usual rules of social interaction by impinging on an individual’s self-image and sense of dignity. Therefore, many schools enforce a zero tolerance policy when it comes to such language. Parents and carers also need to play an important role in enforcing this approach by proactively monitoring what their children are viewing or being exposed to and discussing the use of words or their origin. This can help prevent inappropriate or disrespectful language being used in the classroom, school yard or other situations.
While some students may use swearing or derogatory terms for attention seeking purposes, others may use it simply because they are still learning how to moderate their language. As young people develop their language skills, it is important for them to have a clear understanding of the impact of their choice of words on others and how their words can impact other people’s perspective of them - an important and essential skill to learn as they progress in their personal and professional development.
Click here to watch this episode: https://kardinia.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-respectful-language
From the Archives
HOUSE MUSIC AND DEBATING
“It’s hard to believe that in 1997, in just the second year of its operation, the College was able to initiate both the House Music and the House Debating Competitions. In that year the total enrolment in the Senior School was a mere 108 students – roughly 27 in each of the four houses.
In the inaugural House Music final, the 27 students in each choir were joined on stage by their two Tutor Teachers. The choir sang two songs – one of their own choice and the school song – newly penned by Debbie Howard, the College Music Teacher at that time.
Over the subsequent twenty years the event has grown along with the student population. The four competing house choirs now each have over 300 students – but no teachers.
The structure of the event has also evolved. In the early 2000’s the focus on the singing shifted towards theatre, dance, and elaborate props. The requirement to perform the school song was replaced by an ensemble performance by 20 or so of the more talented musicians in each house. The ensemble has usually included a mix of singers, dancers, and instrumentalists. Also, in the mid 2000’s the focus for the mass choirs was narrowed to be solely choral with no dance, drama or sets.
In some years, the event has generated a drama or a controversy. In one instance the choir stand rises supporting the Thomson choir collapsed. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the Thomson choir continued with their very apt and effective rendition of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’.
In recent years the adjudicators have been independent, professional musicians. Even so their verdict has not always been universally applauded. In one year a particularly cautious or perhaps foolish adjudicator, awarded a tie for first place to two of the houses and a tie for second place to the other two. He hasn’t been invited to adjudicate at KIC again.
For the first time in 2014 the four houses were required to select songs from the same genre – in that instance the Beatles songs. As in just about every other year the quality of the performances was very high. In 2015 the winning house, Morongo, performed the Lennon – Mc Cartney tune ‘Help!’ a cappella. Gotemba’s choir had performed prior to this with minimal instrumental backing but Morongo’s pure a cappella performance was a first and a stunning one at that.
As with House Music, the House Debating Competition began in 1997 – in just the second year of the school’s operation. That first debating final was a relatively sedate and subdued affair before an audience of only 120 in the auditorium.
As the years have passed, the audience has grown, but the format of the event is largely unchanged. Each year the four houses compete over three rounds in the two debating divisions: Junior – years 7-9 and Senior- years 10-12.
The style of the debates, while not entirely consistent, has generally been in the manner of the Oxford Union – where irony and humour are prominent. This has been particularly so for the Senior division where staff and students have come to anticipate a lively, provocative, and entertaining performance from the debaters.”(1)
Both House Music and Debating ceased over the COVID years, with a re-styled House Music Competition evolving in recent years.
Credits:
- Dowie, P & Russell, F. Kardinia International College- Celebrating Twenty Years- 1996 to 2015.
The next article features ‘EARLY PRODUCTIONS-PART 1’
Fiona Russell- Archivist
