Our Connected Community
The Kilvington community
Rob French, Principal
When people speak about Kilvington, they often refer to the strong sense of community that exists in the School. By definition, a community is a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
When referring to the Kilvington community, we are bound by much more than simply shared characteristics or the fact that we happen to be at the same school. There is something unique, and in many ways intangible, in our shared values and the overwhelming support that students offer each other and their teachers.
The fact that our students allow each other to be themselves, embrace diversity and accept differences helps to build the sense of community that is often referred to when people discuss our school. I am encouraged by the warm and welcoming community our international students and visitors are embraced by when they spend time with our students, staff and families.
The other aspect of Kilvington life that I know has helped to establish our sense of community is the School’s ongoing dedication to community service and social justice. A community in which people are encouraged to look outwards and strive to make the world a better place will be more nurturing and caring than one where selfishness pervades.
From the School’s foundation in 1923 and the emergence of the motto Non Nobis Sed Omnibus (not for our own, but others’ good), this has been a community that has sought to have a positive impact and to improve the lives of those in need.
Coretta Scott King was an American author and activist who, along with her husband Dr Martin Luther King, became a civil rights leader during the turbulent 1960s. When speaking about community, Mrs King said, ‘The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate action of its members’. By this measure, Kilvington is certainly a great community.
Reconnecting ‘face-to-face’ with our partner schools
With the return to face-to face meetings and overseas travel, it has been our pleasure to meet in person some of the key staff members from our partner schools.
SAINT JOSEPH LA SALLE, TOULOUSE FRANCE
On Wednesday 29 June, the Director of the Kilvington Global Connections Program, Lucie Dickens, met with Mr Henri Lem, who was appointed as new principal of Saint Joseph La Salle in Toulouse. Mme Hauvette, who coordinates international exchanges, was also present.
Mr Lem confirmed his wish to resume individual tours as of 2023 and for a group of their students to visit Kilvington in 2024 as part of a reciprocal experience. This visit was also a very good opportunity to meet other key members of their leadership team and foster our relationship.
TODOROKI JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, TOKYO JAPAN
On Thursday 18 August, we had a visit from Shin Ikeda, the Director of International Education at our partner school, Todoroki High School, Tokyo. Mr Ideka was full of praise about the partnership between our schools; which we've had since 2007. Our last school tours to Tokyo were in 2017 and 2019, while the last time we hosted two of their students was in Term 1 of 2020.
Throughout the pandemic, Kilvington students participated in a number of virtual forums and discussed a range of global issues with Todoroki High School students. Mr Ikeda shared and expressed how his school values the importance Kilvington puts on educating students to be global-minded citizens.
The meeting, held between Mr Ikeda, Mr French (Principal), Mr Clarke (International Student Coordinator) and Mme Dickens, was an excellent opportunity to confirm how committed both schools are to resuming individual and school tours. Some of our students are planning to undertake an individual tour in January 2023.
SEIYRO HIGH SCHOOL, OGAKI JAPAN
On Wednesday 10 August, Mr Koji Hirano, Principal of Seiyro High School, met with Mr French, Mme Dickens and Mrs Sano (Japanese staff member). During this meeting, Mr Hirano explained that Ogaki has a strong partnership with the city of Glen Eira.
The new mayor of Ogaki is very keen to develop international partnerships. Mr Hirano is therefore very keen to host our students and send some of his students to Kilvington as of next year. We are aiming to resume individual tours as of January 2023.