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Cardijn Connect W4, T4 2026
Calendar

Please remember to check our College Calendar for all the updated information regarding events.

The calendar can be accessed from the newsletter by clicking the Calendar button at the top of the newsletter.

Important Dates
Friday 4 December
Last Day of Term 4
Friday 4 December
Marian: House Day
Friday 4 December
Galilee: EOY Academic Awards
Thursday 3 December
Galilee: Year 6 Celebration of Learning
Wednesday 2 December
Marcellin: Last Day for Year 10s
Wednesday 2 December
Galilee: Community Prayer
Tuesday 1 December
Galilee: Rite Journey Homecoming
Monday 30 November
Marcellin: Final Week of Apprentice Training (30-4 Nov/Dec)
Monday 30 November
Galilee: 2027 Year 7 & R-6 Transition
Monday 30 November
Marian: Year 9 Rite Journey Homecoming Ceremony
Friday 27 November
Galilee: New Family Liturgy
Friday 27 November
Galilee: Community Carols
Friday 27 November
Marcellin: Last Day for Year 10 Classes
Wednesday 25 November
Marian: Summer Sports Presentation Night
Tuesday 24 November
Galilee: Thanksgiving Mass
Monday 23 November
Marian: 2027 Year 12 Orientation Day
Monday 23 November
Marcellin: Year 10 Alternative Week (23-27 Nov)
Monday 23 November
Marcellin: Cert II Completion Week (23-27)
Monday 23 November
Marian: Year 10 Exams (23-27 Nov)
Friday 20 November
Marian: 2027 Year 7 Transition Day (2:30pm Dismissal)
Friday 20 November
Marcellin: 2027 Year 10 Transition Day
Friday 20 November
Marian: Last Day for Year 10 Classes
Friday 20 November
Marian: Year 12 Graduation
Thursday 19 November
Marian: EOY Music Night
Wednesday 18 November
Marian: Marist Centre Christmas Celebrations
Wednesday 18 November
Galilee: Community Prayer
Monday 16 November
Marian: Year 11 Exams (16-20 Nov)
Monday 16 November
Marcellin: Year 11 Work Experience (16-20 Nov)
Friday 13 November
Marcellin: Success Assembly
Friday 13 November
Marian: Year 11 SACE Completion Morning Tea
Friday 13 November
Marian: Last Day for Year 10 Classes
Friday 13 November
Marcellin: EOY Liturgy
Friday 13 November
Marcellin: Last Day for Year 11s
Friday 13 November
Marcellin: Last Day for Year 11s
Friday 13 November
Galilee Gathers & Senior Band Performance
Thursday 12 November
Galilee: Year 6 Reflection Day
Wednesday 11 November
Remembrance Day
Wednesday 11 November
Galilee: Middle School Information Session
Tuesday 10 November
Galilee: Youth Environment Forum
Tuesday 10 November
Marian: 2027 New Parent Evening
Monday 9 November
Marcellin: New Family Information Night
Friday 6 November
Galilee: Become Showcase Year 8 Students
Thursday 5 November
Marcellin: Year 12 Graduation & Awards Night

Welcome to Cardijn Connect

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.

Farewelling the Class of 2026

In Week 2, we farewelled Marian’s Class of 2026 and shared their final official week of school with them.
 
It was a busy week, beginning with the Year 12 sunrise and shared breakfast. The students had plenty of fun with ‘Anything But a Bag’, enjoyed a shared picnic in Tangka and took part in a colour run. Our Year 7s sang Sub Tuum for the Year 12s, who also shared their Graduation Dance with the College.

On Thursday evening, we celebrated our Year 12s at the Farewell Mass and Awards Ceremony. Among the many highlights was the premiere of the Class of 2026 video, and watching the room fill with emotion as it played.

For parents, it brought to life school days they had only heard about from their children or seen in photos. For our students and staff, it was a journey back through the special moments shared this year. A memory to treasure for years to come.

On Friday, their final day, we gathered for the farewell assembly. We thanked our 2026 student leaders for their service and commissioned the 2027 leadership team. A highlight was the sibling speeches, where younger brothers and sisters shared speeches they wrote for their Year 12 siblings.

The 2026 College and Mission Captains closed the assembly with a reflection on a year of “lasts”, encouraging younger students to say yes to opportunities and make the most of every moment.

The rest of the day belonged to our Houses, as Year 12s came together for one last farewell. House Captains shared their words of farewell, and House Leaders looked back on years at Cardijn through photos and videos.

Continuing a Cardijn tradition, our Year 12s came together on the grass outside the gym, where College Captains Jacinta and Andile rang the handheld bell together, marking the end of their official last day.

Well done to our Year 12s, who have been working through their exams across Weeks 3 and 4. We look forward to celebrating their Graduation on Friday 20 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre!
 
Keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we'll be sharing more photos from the Year 12s' final week: Cardijn Facebook Page

Class of 2026 Video

Six years, countless memories and one very big goodbye.

Class of 2026, you’ve shown us what Family Spirit looks like through your kindness, your friendships and the way you’ve lifted others up.

Take the lessons, the laughs and the Cardijn Way with you wherever you go.

Marcellin Welcomes the Hon Heidi Girolamo MLC, Shadow Minister for Education

 
Marcellin was pleased to welcome the Hon Heidi Girolamo MLC, Shadow Minister for Education, for a tour of our facilities this week.
 
During her visit, Ms Girolamo had the opportunity to explore the campus, learn more about the innovative programs offered through Marcellin and MTC Training, and meet with key staff members. She was highly complimentary of the opportunities available to students and the strong commitment to vocational education and training demonstrated across the campus.
 
The visit provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the learning environments, industry partnerships and pathways that help prepare our students for future careers and further study.
 
Pictured are Head of Campus, Liam Brooks, and RTO Manager, Sally Aitken, with the Hon Heidi Girolamo MLC.

Year 2-8 Music Students Showcase Their Talent at Galilee's Instrumental Evening

Galilee welcomed families on campus for a memorable Instrumental Evening on Monday, celebrating the outstanding talent and dedication of our Year 2-8 music students. 
 
Guests were treated to an impressive variety of performances, including guitar, piano, flute, clarinet, and trumpet, with students taking the stage as soloists, in duets, and as members of the College band.
 
The event showcased the accomplishments of students participating in both the Instrumental Immersion Program and those undertaking specialist tuition at the College.
 
Thank you to our dedicated instrumental tutors, Dani-Marie Roberts, Tamara Methofer, and Rhys Thorpe, for guiding and encouraging our young musicians.

2026 Art Exhibition 'Patchworks'

The End of Year Art Exhibition ‘Patchwork’ showcased work created throughout the 2026 school year by Marian students in Years 7-12 across Art, Design, Fashion, Photography and Textiles.
 
The theme Patchwork symbolised how every student's individual story is uniquely articulated through their art; the exhibition beautifully 'patchworked' these narratives together to collectively tell the stories of the students at the College, with a particular focus on the culmination of the artistic journeys of our Year 12 Visual Art, Design, and Fashion Design students.
 
Hosted by the 2026 Art Captains, Anabel and Isabel, the evening celebrated the impact of art on the lives of our students in and beyond school.
 
We were delighted to welcome back Lachie Murrell (’18), an Adelaide-based designer whose work spans a variety of mediums, as our guest speaker. It was inspiring to hear about Lachie’s success, particularly his work with local Southern businesses. His speech was a highlight of the evening.
 
The quality of student work was outstanding and showed the talent and passion of our arts students, including large scale works to digital drawings, printed designs, textiles, garments, and photography, with a 360-degree immersive display of photographs from our Year 9 and 10 students. Marist Gems products were also available for purchase, raising money for Marist charities. You can still shop Marist Gems through our online store.
 
We were excited to share the exhibition with students from Galilee who visited the exhibition to gain inspiration for their own works and contribute to our paper patchwork quilt.
 
A special thanks to the teachers of the Arts for their work in and beyond the classroom, and to the Art Assistants Ms Croser and Ms Hooper for their curation of the exhibition.
 
Congratulations to the class of 2026 on their artistic achievements throughout this year!

Special Invitation | WaveWatch Team Meets Mayor Moira Were Ahead of Brisbane Grand Final

Year 10 students Allegra, Meakylah, and Lila recently received a special invitation. Moira Were, Mayor of the City of Onkaparinga, asked if she could meet the team behind WaveWatch, our finalists in the National Future Anything Challenge.
 
The team shared their idea with the Mayor: a beach-safety app that spots hazards and helps beachgoers make safer decisions. It’s a topic close to home for a council area with so much coastline. They also talked about the National Future Anything Challenge Grand Final, which they travel to Queensland for on Monday.
 
It was a wonderful opportunity for the girls to talk about their work with a community leader, and we thank Mayor Were for taking the time to reach out and show such interest in our students.
 
Wavewatch will compete alongside twenty-nine other showcase teams, all chasing a share of more than $100,000 in prizes and funding. 
 
Good luck, girls!

Galilee Middle School Students Experience Cricket Magic at Adelaide Oval

Galilee Middle School students enjoyed an exciting day at Adelaide Oval on Friday as part of the SACA Schools Day during the Sheffield Shield match.
 
Students watched live cricket, participated in a range of cricket games and activities, and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Adelaide Oval.
 
Highlights included visiting the media room and corporate suites, exploring the museum, and getting up close to a variety of cricket trophies and memorabilia!

2026 Cardijn Rocks!

 

The Marian Music Department hosted its annual Cardijn Rocks evening at the Port Noarlunga Arts Centre, featuring students from Years 7 to 12. This year’s theme, Songs Worth Feeling, aptly captured the energy, emotion and musicianship on display.

The night opened with solo performances. Aria delivered powerful vocals on Francis Forever, One Way or Another and Ground, and Ella made her drumming debut with All Star. Acoustic duo Audrey and Elise followed with Don’t Look Back in Anger, I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing and Wherever You Will Go.

The bands began with Crossfire, the Intermediate Rock Ensemble (Alyssa and Scarlett, vocals; Justine, bass; Campbell, guitar; Adelle, drums; Esther, keys), who played a four-song set of Today, I Think I’m Paranoid, Ana’s Song and Still Into You. Congratulations to the band, and thanks to Mr Adam Ritchie for directing the ensemble throughout the year.

Special guests Leviticus, featuring Lewi and Mr Levi Whitworth with 2025 Old Scholars and former Advanced Rock Ensemble members Charlee, James and Lachie, performed That’s What You Get, Sternum and their original song, Self Insistent. It was wonderful to see former students return, highlighting the lasting connections fostered by our co-curricular Music programme and the value of giving students opportunities to keep making music beyond Cardijn.

Closing the evening was Formation of Grace, the Advanced Rock Ensemble led by Mr Whitworth, with an outstanding seven-song set: Stare at the Sun, Sans Soleil, Love Your Way, Snakeskin, Whatsername, All Fired Up and Appointments. With Tiara and Ava (vocals), Lewi (lead guitar), Mr Whitworth (rhythm guitar), Lily (bass), Elliemay (keys) and Caylen (drums), the band raised the roof and showed the exceptional standard of rock performance being developed at Cardijn.

I would like to recognise Mr Whitworth for his outstanding work developing and supporting the rock ensembles over the past two years, organising Cardijn Rocks and performing in two bands on the night. Thank you to all the performers, the community members who supported them, Ava and Tiara for hosting, and the staff at the Port Noarlunga Arts Centre.

Year 9 Galilee Students Embrace Growth and Community on Reflection Day

Year 9 Galilee students recently participated in their Reflection Day at Seaford Rangers Soccer Club, taking time to reflect on their past, present and future selves. Inspired by Philippians 4:5-9, students considered their growth, strengths and hopes for the next stage of their journey.
The day included valuable insights from students at Marian and Marcellin, as well as former Mission Captain, Callum Barrott-Walsh (’20), who shared practical advice about leadership, goal setting and service.

In the afternoon, students visited Aldinga Community Care, connecting with residents through conversation and shared stories. The day concluded with the traditional Galilee Sand, Water, Vine and Light Blessing, celebrating the contributions of our Year 9 students and wishing them every blessing for the future.

Galilee Competes in 94 Events at SACPSSA Athletics Carnival!

We are incredibly proud of the 33 Galilee students from Years 3 to 6 who stepped up to represent the College at the recent SACPSSA Athletics Carnival. It was a massive day, with our students pouring their energy into 94 different events and bringing home an endless collection of ribbons!
 
While the competitive results were outstanding, the true highlight of the day was the team spirit on display. Our students never stopped cheering, uplifting, and encouraging everyone. What made the day even more special was seeing our athletes willingly step outside their comfort zones, volunteering to fill open spots and take on events to support the team.
 
We capped off the carnival with some big wins in the relays, where 6 out of our 8 relay teams won ribbons!

Are you planning to enrol your child at Marian or Galilee for Year 7 in 2029?

 
Enrolment applications for Year 7 2029 at Cardijn College, Marian Campus and Galilee Campus will close on Friday, 9 April 2027.
 
It’s important to apply before the closing date, even if your child is a sibling of a current Cardijn student.
 
Applications submitted after the cut-off date will be placed on the waitlist, as per our Enrolment Application process.
 
Applications for other year levels across all campuses are also welcome and will be subject to availability.

Enrol online | www.cardijn.catholic.edu.au/apply-online/

Year 11 SRM Students Meet The Merger Star and Writer

Year 11 SRM class at Marcellin had the exciting opportunity to meet with The Merger writer and star, Damian Callinan, via an online Teams session.
 
Students came prepared with a range of thoughtful and insightful questions, exploring the themes, characters and creative process behind the film. Damian generously shared his experiences as a writer, actor and comedian, providing students with a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on Australian filmmaking and storytelling.
 
The session was highly engaging, with students participating in discussion and demonstrating a strong understanding of the film. It was an amazing experience that brought their learning to life and provided valuable insight into the world around them.
 
We are extremely grateful to Damian for taking the time to speak with our students and inspire the next generation of critical thinkers. The class thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will remember this special opportunity for years to come.

Bandana Day

Last week, we took part in Bandanna Day, Canteen’s fundraising and awareness campaign for young people impacted by cancer.
 
Staff and students were encouraged to buy and wear a bandanna of their choice, with all proceeds going to Canteen. It was a simple way to show young people facing cancer that they don’t have to go through it alone.

Marian Year 9s Spend Reflection Day at School of the Nativity

Our Year 9 students spent their Reflection Day at School of the Nativity Catholic Primary School in Aberfoyle Park.
 
They listened to students read, joined in PE lessons, marked work and made plenty of new fans along the way!
 
It was a beautiful lesson in how acts of service benefit everyone involved, and we may just have some future teachers in the making.

Dig, Set, Spike! Year 5 & 6 Volleyball Workshops Run By Rachel Orchard

Our Year 5 and 6 Galilee students have been serving up a storm in PE, taking part in a series of volleyball workshops as part of their physical education program.
 
We were thrilled to welcome school parent and volleyball great Rachel Orchard to lead the sessions. Rachel guided students through fundamental skills, court positioning and proper technique, helping them lift their game.
Rachel brings a wealth of elite-level experience, including:
  • Oregon State University (2006-2010): Full volleyball and academic scholarship
  • Professional career: More than 10 years playing across Europe and Asia, winning multiple championships and MVP awards
  • National representation: Australian Senior Women’s National Team player (2005-2018) and Assistant Coach (2022-2024)
  • Coaching leadership: Head Coach, Performance & Talent at Volleyball South Australia (2024-2025), overseeing more than 130 pathway athletes
Our students loved learning from one of the best in the sport. Thank you, Rachel, for inspiring the next generation of players!

Galilee's PE Week | Week 5, Term 4

In Week 5, Term 4, Galilee is supporting an initiative by ACHPER SA to celebrate Physical Education Week!
 
Throughout the week, Galilee will highlight the importance of being physically active, with additional movement opportunities offered during Outside Learning.
 
On Friday 13 November, students are encouraged to come dressed in their favourite sporting top.
 
Children may choose to wear their club t-shirt or the guernsey of their favourite sporting team. Please wear your usual school sports shorts or skort as part of your uniform.

Message from the Deputy Principal

As we move through Week 4 of our final term, there is a natural tendency to begin looking towards the end of the year. Yet Term 4 reminds us that finishing well is just as important as starting strongly.

With our Year 12 students now completing their final examinations, there are still important weeks of learning, growth and connection ahead for our students across the College. Every day matters, and regular attendance remains an important part of making the most of the opportunities each school day brings.

Finishing well means turning up, remaining engaged in learning, giving our best and supporting those around us, even when the finish line is coming into view. Our parents and caregivers play an important role in this too. Your continued support in encouraging regular attendance, maintaining routines and reinforcing the importance of learning helps our young people finish the year positively and successfully.

The Cardijn Way reminds us that our everyday choices matter. How we learn, how we treat others and how we contribute all shape the community we share.

Together, let’s keep showing up, make every day count and finish 2026 well.

Kate Bawden
Deputy Principal