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.

Students, families, staff, and industry partners gathered last Thursday evening for the annual Graduation and Awards Night, recognising our graduating class and those who have gone above and beyond during their time at Marcellin. This year, the event was held at the beautiful Wolf Blass Event Centre, Morphettville Racecourse.

A special congratulations to Riley Walker, who was named the 2026 Apprentice of the Year. Riley is studying a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology with MTC Training and is employed by SMITH Automotive.

Award Recipients:

🔹Kaurna Dedication & Innovation Award – Lucas Marshall
🔹Reynell Emerging Leader Award – Emily Beeston
🔹ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award – Alex Pearce 
🔹Ampol Best All Rounder Award – Levi Harris

🔹 Love of Work – Blake Grillett
🔹 In the Way of Mary – Maddison Rice
🔹 Family Spirit – Thomas Spratt
🔹 Presence – Harrison Ingham
🔹 Simplicity – Isaiah Threadgold

🔹 John Berne Growth Award – Xavier Hanna and Ned Miles

🔹Most Outstanding Automotive Student – Riley Walker 
🔹Most Outstanding Cabinetmaking Student – Emily Beeston
🔹Most Outstanding Construction Student – Leo South
🔹Most Outstanding Electrotechnology Student – Jack Collett
🔹Most Outstanding Engineering Student – Liam Bradshaw
🔹Most Outstanding Health & Personal Services Student – Jessica Sampson 
🔹Most Outstanding Plumbing Student – Tiger Barry 
🔹Apprentice of the Year – Riley Walker

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our industry partners for their generous support in sponsoring this event. Your partnership plays a vital role in preparing our students for the workforce, helping to shape their future success.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and to all our award winners! We wish them every success in their chosen pathways.

All professional photos from the event can be purchased here: Marcellin Graduation & Awards Night Gallery

On Wednesday, 11 November, all three campuses paused to honour and remember all those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.

On Remembrance Day and every day, we will remember.

Our Receptions had a wonderful day picking and eating lots of delicious strawberries during their excursion to Harvest the Fleurieu.

Relating to our Science Inquiry and Religious Education learning, together we explored how strawberry plants grow and the care they need to thrive. We reflected on ways we can care for God's creation and appreciate the gifts of the natural world. 

The excursion encouraged us to use our senses, particularly our sense of taste, as we sampled freshly picked strawberries straight from the plants. The children delighted in exploring the rows of strawberry plants, searching for the ripest fruit and observing the different stages of growth. 

Throughout the day, we experienced a sense of wonder and awe as we noticed the beauty of creation around us. We were amazed by how bright red, juicy, and sweet the strawberries were. This prompted us to create a class prayer, thanking God for the strawberries we enjoyed, the farmers who grew them, and the many gifts of creation that bring us joy each day. This special time encouraged us to appreciate the wonder of the natural world and our responsibility to care for it.

Bird boxes constructed by our Year 10 Immersion Construction students were donated to Wildlife Welfare Organisation SA, a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured and orphaned native wildlife.

The project gave students the chance to develop and apply their practical construction skills while making a meaningful contribution to local conservation efforts. We look forward to continuing this initiative and donating more bird boxes in the future.

A special thank you to Dulux Trade Centre Morphett Vale for generously donating the paint, and to SA Building Supplies and Fieldquip for their support through special pricing on materials. 

And an update from closer to home…

One of the bird boxes made by our students has also been installed here at Marcellin, and we’re delighted to report it has already provided a home for our local birdlife. Our new little mate, “Sauce”, has given it the tick of approval!

Last week, Galilee’s Reception students enjoyed an excursion to the Jubilee Playground at Port Noarlunga.

In class, we have been learning about what it means to be one parish community that comes together to pray, learn, and celebrate. The excursion was a wonderful way to unite and celebrate a fantastic year.

We asked the Reception students what they enjoyed most about school, and they shared that they loved playing together, sharing laughs, and making special memories with their friends.

Looking for the perfect Christmas cards this year? Our Marist Gems Christmas Cards are a thoughtful and affordable way to spread holiday cheer.

Each pack designed by our talented Marist Centre students includes an assortment of five festive cards, selected to showcase a variety of delightful holiday designs.

And the best part?
100% of profits are donated to a charity chosen by our students.

🎄 $5 per pack (5 cards included)
🎄 Designed by the talented students in our Marist Centre
🎄 Orders close: Friday 4 December (Week 8)

Order your pack today and support a project driven by Marist values.

🛒 SHOP: Marist Gems | Christmas Cards

Last Friday, Year 7 and 8 Galilee students travelled to the Lightsview Community and Sports Centre to compete in the Statewide Schools Volleyball Competition.

Throughout the day, students demonstrated great teamwork and resilience against schools from across South Australia.

We were also fortunate to have Galilee parent and accomplished volleyball player Rachel Orchard coaching our students. Rachel shared her wealth of experience and expertise in skills, technique and court positioning, which students embraced and thoroughly enjoyed.

The girls finished 4th overall, while the boys displayed excellent persistence and sportsmanship in a challenging competition. Well done!

Our Year 8 Galilee students recently explored different career pathways through the BECOME program!

Each student researched a chosen career, created a creative and physical display, and included an interactive element for visitors.

The event highlighted their growing awareness of career options and their ability to communicate and present effectively.”

In this edition of SchoolTV - Physical Activity & Exercise

In the last decade, children’s participation in physical activity and exercise has been in decline. In this digital age, children are using computers and mobile devices, not only for learning, but for relaxation and recreation purposes. This sedentary lifestyle is having a detrimental effect on today’s youth. The key is finding the balance.

Research shows, that regular physical activity and exercise leads to changes in the brain. It improves cognitive function, elevates mood, enhances learning and improves academic outcomes. Playing sport helps kids develop fundamental movement skills impacting positively on their confidence, self-esteem and ability to develop social skills. Parents play an important role in helping children establish positive habits that will benefit their children in the long-term.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will discover practical advice relating to the benefits of regular physical activity and exercise, as well as tips on how to get their kids motivated and moving more.

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.

Link to the Physical Activity & Exercise edition of SchoolTV: https://cardijn.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/physical-activity-exercise

We warmly invite summer sports families to join us for the 2026 Summer Sports Presentation Night at Cardijn College, Marian Campus.

This event is open to all Volleyball, Girls Basketball, Athletics, and Dance students who participated in Term 1 and Term 4 after-school sports, along with their families. We look forward to coming together to celebrate the achievements, dedication, and success of both our individual athletes and teams throughout the summer season.

The evening will begin with a Becks dinner outside the Gym from 5:30 PM, before moving into the Gym at 6:00 PM for the presentations.

We ask that students attend in their formal summer uniform, and we encourage all players to be present and support their team.

We’re looking forward to celebrating the 2026 Summer Sport Season with you all!

Please rsvp on Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/cardijnsummersports2026

Cardijn Remembrance Day 2026

‘Lest We Forget!’

For over 100 years this has been the solemn focus of Remembrance Day in honour of those who gave their lives and served during World War I. However, how quickly we do forget! Within 20 years of the Versailles Treaty ending this war, the world was at war again – and it continues to be in various parts of the world; most notably Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.

The estimated carnage of the World Wars is horrendous reading: 85-100 million deaths comprising approximately 30 million soldiers, the rest civilians and with over 40 million wounded!

Remembrance Day on its own seems so inadequate unless we all take strident steps to achieve peace and harmony – in our homes, our schools, our neighbourhoods, our nations and our world! We all have a role to play!

Truly, Lest We Forget!

Steve Byrne
Principal