Cardijn Connect - a source of news and information for the Cardijn community. The blog will be published every Thursday during the school term with past editions always accessible from the menu.

Last week, Cardijn welcomed families into the Marian Gym & Music Centre for our 2025 Pathways and Subject Expo.

The event gave our students and their families the chance to connect with expert providers and subject specialists to explore future-focused education and career options. It was a valuable opportunity to ask questions, gather information, and feel more confident about what lies ahead.

Here’s a glimpse into the well-attended 2025 Pathways and Subject Expo 📷

Our Year 7 Galilee students had a fantastic excursion at the Hart Road Wetlands in Aldinga, where they were accompanied by Jeremy Gramp from Green Adelaide.

During the visit, the students engaged in catching and identifying water bugs, while also delving into the unique features of the Hart Road Wetlands. They discovered that this area, although man-made, hosts a diverse range of birds and macroinvertebrates.

A big thank you to our volunteer Andy for being part of this experience!

Year 10 Marcellin students Serjio and Tyler have officially signed on as apprentices with Universal Carpentry Pty Ltd.

Both students are pursuing a Certificate III in Carpentry. They are pictured with business owner Tim, excited to begin their careers in carpentry.

Year 11 student Lincoln has recently signed an apprenticeship with Hamilton Automotive Group, where he is working towards his Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology.

He is pictured with his proud parents, Kylie from MAS National, and his new supervisor, Adam.

Well done, we look forward to seeing your journeys unfold!

Our Galilee students are making the most of the wintery weather, playing among the trees, building forts, and enjoying the splash of the running creek with their endless imagination in our Sheoak Forest.

Building confidence and motivation in young people is essential for their overall wellbeing and is a key aspect of their development. These qualities can have a lasting impact on their success and happiness. Confidence helps children believe in their abilities and face challenges with a positive attitude, while motivation drives their desire to learn, explore, and achieve their goals.

Fostering these traits involves creating an environment that encourages children to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and celebrate their achievements. Confidence is built when children feel capable and valued, while motivation is fuelled by the belief that their efforts will lead to growth and success. By actively supporting both, we can help young people thrive in the academic, social, and personal areas of their lives.

By offering positive reinforcement, setting realistic expectations, and celebrating their efforts, we can model a positive mindset that can go a long way in helping young people develop both confidence and motivation. Nurturing these qualities, will help them grow into self-assured individuals who believe in their ability to succeed, setting the foundation for a fulfilling future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, discover how to provide opportunities for autonomy and support your child in persevering through challenges.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Confidence & Motivation edition of SchoolTV
https://cardijn.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/confidence-motivation-au

It was wonderful to see Cardijn students wearing pink at their sporting events throughout last week as they participated in the annual SAAS Pink Round, raising awareness for breast cancer research.

Congratulations to our new mid-year intake and Crew M students on successfully completing their White Card Training. 

A White Card is the essential safety certification required to work on any construction site in Australia. It is a crucial step toward safely entering construction and trade worksites.

You are now one step closer to being site-ready!

This week, interested students in Years 11 and 12 at Marian had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Marian West construction site to learn more about the various careers available beyond the hands-on work in the construction industry.

Led by Badge Project Manager Justin Browne and accompanied by Grieve Gillett Architects, students were inspired not only by the impressive building being constructed but also by the many career opportunities they had not previously considered.

Here are some reflections from our Year 11 students:

🌟 "I loved it! It was insightful, helped guide my career path, and it was amazing to see the progress."
- Shaylea

🌟 "It was great to see the space and witness how a design comes to life. It was also helpful to learn about the career mobility within the industry."
- Cristien

🌟 "The site tour provided me with valuable insight into the different opportunities available in design and construction."
- Alexia

The Galilee Robotics Club had an exciting Coding Day this week.

Students worked on their code for either the SUMO or Soccer challenge, carefully reviewing each component. They tested their code on their robots, engaging in plenty of problem-solving and teamwork skills.

As they prepare for the big competition in Week 6, students will continue to refine their code and robot designs!

We are excited to launch our first SALA online exhibition: ‘One Heart, Many Voices’, which is running from 1 to 31 August.

Our online exhibition is more than just a scroll — you can virtually step into the space, click to move around, zoom in on pieces, and explore the gallery like you’re actually there.

Featuring artwork from Years 7–12, the Marist Centre, and past graduates, the exhibition explores themes of identity, belonging, and hope, all guided by this year’s Marist theme: First Light: Pilgrims of Hope.

Take a look! 👉 View the exhibition here

We wish to advise all parents and caregivers that due to Easter falling at the end of Week 10, Term 1, the Student-free week has been moved to support families who might choose to extend the Easter holiday weekend and thus minimise disruption to student learning.

Term 1 - 27 January 2026 to 2 April 2026(Good Friday Public Holiday 3 April 2026)
Student-free week (Staff Professional Learning) in 2026 will be held from Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April 2026

Term 2 - 27 April 2026 to 3 July 2026

Term 3 - 20 July 2026 to 25 September 2026

Term 4 - 12 October 2026 to refer to your particular campus/year level

‘Bluey can teach kids about resilience’

You may have caught this news item this week? In a context where social media platforms are being strongly criticised, if not banned. This is a good news story!

Across our holistic learning programs, we aim to nurture our students’ sense of character such that they are ready to face the ‘real’ world upon graduation from Cardijn. Our Religious Education and Pastoral Programs are two key areas that have a focus on our core, Catholic Christian values and the development of personal skills and interpersonal communication, which assist in developing a well-rounded young person. ‘The Rite Journey’ Program at Year 9 is a classic example.

So, when I read that ‘…Bluey isn’t just entertaining kids; she’s modelling how to deal with life’s ups and downs.’ I am heartened that our young people and their families have an appealing resource by which to discuss the realities of life and the resilience required to cope with the challenges that come our way.

Next month, we have organised a special presentation for families featuring Clinical Psychologist Dr. Judith Locke, who specialises in modern parenting, family wellbeing, and academic environments. 

Please register to attend the Junior session at Galilee or the Middle/Senior session at Marian.

While Bluey is a valuable resource, I strongly encourage all families to avail themselves of Dr Judith’s expertise and make every effort to attend the sessions we are currently advertising.

Steve Byrne
Principal