Cardijn Connect W4, T4 2023

As we bid farewell to our outgoing Board Chair, Mr Tim Ryan, we extend our deepest gratitude for his exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to Cardijn College. As a former Cardijn College Captain, our school has thrived under Tim's leadership, and we are truly grateful for the indelible mark he leaves on our College.

Some of the major milestones under Tim’s governance include:
2021

• Cardijn College Galilee – became a Campus and extended its offering to middle school with its inaugural Year 7 class. 

2022

• Retirement of Paul Rijken after 17 years as Principal. 
• Served the panel that appointed Steve Byrne as Cardijn’s 7th Principal from the start of 2023. 
• The Official opening of the new Centre for Innovation and Creativity and new home for the new House, Chavoin. 
• New Campus Name – Marian. 

2023

• Steve Byrne begins as Principal of Cardijn College. 
• Annual Improvement Plan in place. 

We are delighted to introduce our new Board Chair, Mrs Kate Alldritt, who brings a wealth of expertise and passion for education to this pivotal role. Kate has been a Board member for just over two years, and we are confident that under her leadership, Cardijn College will continue to flourish and provide an outstanding educational experience for our students. You can learn more about Kate by reading her short bio.

The College is inviting expressions of interest from individuals passionate about contributing to the growth and development of Cardijn College to join our Advisory Board. Your valuable insights and dedication will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our College as we approach our 40th anniversary in 2024. Please complete the Expressions of Interest form by Friday 24 November.

Students at Marcellin Campus came together in a spirit of reflection and gratitude to celebrate the End of Year Mass. The event provided a meaningful opportunity for students, staff, and trainers to gather together to mark the end of another successful year drawing near.

The End of Year Mass at Marcellin Campus served as a beautiful reminder of the significance of community, gratitude and spirituality within their educational journey and trade training.

This week was the inaugural Chick-Chat event, held at Marcellin Campus. The inspiration for Chick-Chat was to provide time for our female students to discuss issues of importance for them as young people about to enter the world of work.  

Being a female in male-dominated industries can be challenging but also super rewarding. What makes the challenging times easier is knowing that there is help and support through lived experiences. 

Marcellin was fortunate to welcome Tayla from Olympic lndustries - a Channel 7 Young Achiever Award Winner (Apprentice of the Year), SA Training Awards Finalist (School-based Apprentice of the Year) and TAFE SA Honour Award Winner. Tayla completed her apprenticeship in Engineering with Stratco, and since undertaking further training, she now works as a Draftsperson and Project Manager. 

Female students across Years 10-12 enjoyed loaded milkshakes, mocktails and sweet treats and relished in an afternoon together. 

Student feedback we received included:

“I loved the positive vibe.”
“I loved the comforting feeling of knowing I am not alone.” 
“I got to meet someone in the same position I am in and could relate to me and my story.” 

Marcellin Campus is proud to share some significant achievements in their ongoing commitment to fostering career development and opportunities for their students. The Campus has seen an impressive surge in apprenticeship sign-ups in recent months, marking a resounding success in their mission to prepare students for the world of work.

One of the key factors contributing to this achievement is Marcellin's robust partnership network. The college collaborates with local businesses, organisations, and industry leaders to provide valuable hands-on experience and apprenticeship opportunities for its students. This invaluable support system ensures that students are exposed to real-world challenges and gain insights into the demands of their chosen trades.

Each week, Cardijn Connect will highlight these student success stories to showcase the diverse and inspiring journeys of our newest school-based apprentices.

Amidst the green surrounds of Galilee Campus, students and teachers came together to celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day, an initiative aimed at reconnecting with nature and learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. 

Outdoor Classroom Day provided a breath of fresh air, quite literally, for the Galilee Campus community. Students traded their usual desks and chairs for the vibrant landscape of our school's outdoor spaces. The day was all about hands-on experiences, engaging activities, and a chance to foster a love for the environment.

It was a day where education, nature, and fun all came together in sync, reminding us that the world is our greatest classroom.

At Galilee Campus, Year 7 students recently explored Indonesian cuisine in a cooking class. Under the guidance of Indonesian teacher Mrs Thorpe, students gathered in the kitchen, and prepared various Indonesian dishes including Sumatran-style chicken curry and Mie Goreng with eggs and vegetables whilst learning about the cultural significance of Indonesian food.

This hands-on experience encouraged teamwork and culminated in a shared meal that celebrated their achievements, offering students a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture and a newfound appreciation for the flavours of Indonesia.

Galilee Campus has been full of excitement as we extend a warm welcome to our newest members, the 2024 Reception students!

Transition visits are well underway and it's heartwarming to witness these young learners taking their first steps into our school community. During these visits, they have the chance to explore their new classrooms, meet their teachers and make new friends.

We understand the importance of a smooth transition into school life, as it lays the foundation for their educational journey. These visits are designed to ensure our little ones feel comfortable and eager about the exciting adventure that awaits them.

Our dedicated teachers and staff are here to provide a safe and joyful environment for each child. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of these young, inquisitive minds who will undoubtedly fill our school with excitement and curiosity in the new year.

Last week, the Cardijn Broadway Chorus took a musical journey beyond the school walls and into the heart of the community. They visited the Silver Citz Over 50s Club, which holds a weekly social lunch at the Hackham West Community Centre. The choir, comprising numerous talented students, performed a selection of songs as an ensemble, entertaining the audience with their harmonious voices. Soloists from within the group seized the opportunity to gain extra solo performance experience, taking the stage individually and leaving a lasting impression on the appreciative audience.

The Silver Citz group expressed their sincere gratitude for the entertainment, and our choir members were delighted to share their love for the arts with the local community. This event was a testament to the power of music to bridge generational gaps and bring joy to all.

Congratulations to Year 11 student Emma who entered the ImPress Writing Competition, which ran in conjunction with the Once Upon A Festival. Her 500 word fantasy story, Supernova, was awarded Runner-up by the judges for the Year 9-11 category, and was selected as the Overall Winner of the Invited Author’s Prize, judged by Tim Harris. Emma’s story was also displayed as part of the festival’s Story Walk. An outstanding achievement!

You can read Emma's story Supernova here.

Year 11 student Milo wrote this reflection on his experience at Once Upon a Festival.

'On the 2nd of November 2023 I was one of 19 students from Years 7-11 who had the amazing opportunity to attend the Once Upon A Festival at Immanuel College, meeting Australian authors such as Karen Ginnane, Amie Kaufman, Mike Lucas, Sean Williams, Jared Thomas and Miranda Luby.

I was able to ask for advice and ask questions that broadened my horizons of the world that authors live in. I also interacted with students from other schools and made a few friends which made my day. Not only that, but I interacted with the younger year students from Cardijn and got to learn about what they did.

Overall, it was a fantastic day because I not only got to listen to well renowned authors but also got to interact with likeminded students.'
Milo, Year 11

This week is STAR week – Science Technician Appreciation & Recognition week. It is an opportunity for schools to appreciate and recognise the professional support, invaluable knowledge and experience that science technicians contribute to our schools.

• Dr Goodwin is so friendly and helpful. She is always organising everyone’s pracs and puts in so much effort. – Brooke, Year 10
• Dr Goodwin is really food at preparing everything we need for practicals. If we are missing anything, she always tries to help as quickly as possible. Thank you for always supporting our classes! – Armani, Year 10
• Dr Goodwin is so helpful. I appreciate her because she is always organising our practicals. – Harriet, Year 8
• Dr Goodwin is always so happy! She is nice, kind and caring. She is an excellent role model and always tries her best. – Andile, Year 9
• Thanks for working with our teachers to organise all of our practicals. They are really fun and we appreciate the time and effort you put in to make them happen. – Peter, Year 7