Cardijn Connect W9, T1 2024

Year 9 students and their parents/caregivers recently gathered at Rotary Park (Marian) and Pt Willunga Beach (Galilee) for ‘The Rite Journey Calling Ceremony’. This ceremony marks the first step of the Rite of Passage program for our Year 9 students and signifies the beginning of their journey from childhood to adulthood.

Students wrote letters of gratitude to their parents/caregivers who responded with messages of support for their children as they embark on this journey. As the sun set, students then gathered by the water’s edge to throw a rock into the ocean, symbolising the ‘letting go’ of childish things, ways and behaviours as they prepare to move through their teenage years towards young adulthood. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the ceremony. Your presence made it a truly special evening and we are grateful for the opportunity to share this milestone with you. 

Marcellin Campus recently welcomed industry partners from the Electrical and Construction sectors to an Industry Engagement breakfast. This event served as a platform for more than just connecting our students with potential apprenticeship opportunities; it was a sincere expression of gratitude towards our partners for their ongoing support of the school and our Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

The breakfast was an opportunity for industry representatives to experience firsthand the specialised learning environment we offer. Guests were invited to tour our state-of-the-art facilities, providing a glimpse into the hands-on training and educational excellence that Marcellin prides itself on. This interaction also allowed our partners to meet directly with staff, facilitating valuable conversations and strengthening the bonds between the educational and industry sectors.

The event emphasised the importance of these partnerships in shaping the future of our students and the industries they will soon enter. By opening our doors and showcasing our commitment to quality education and training, we reinforce the value of collaboration between educational institutions and the industry at large.

We extend our sincerest thanks to all the industry partners who joined us for the breakfast and look forward to continuing to build these essential connections that benefit both our students and the broader community.

In Week 7, the Mini-Vinnies group was commissioned by Umes from the St Vincent de Paul Society, officially inducting our students into their roles for 2024!

Mini-Vinnies is a social justice group that consists of students from Years 3 to 6 at Galilee. The group meets every week to discuss various issues that are prevalent in our community. Employing the "See, Judge, Act" methodology, we analyse each situation, striving to take meaningful action and extend aid to those in need.

So far, the Mini-Vinnies group has undertaken various charitable activities, including organising an 'Odd Socks Day' to raise money for Project Compassion, baking cookies and cakes for the Cardijn Café, and preparing food for Fred's Van. They are also planning to make ANZAC biscuits for the local ANZAC day service and organising a Winter Sleepout for Term 2.

Mr. Parkes ran a practical 'Change a Tyre' workshop for our Marist Centre students, teaching them essential automotive skills for life beyond the classroom.

Through a hands-on session, our students learnt the step-by-step process of tyre changing, fostering self-reliance and safety on the road.

We are thrilled to share the remarkable achievements of our Marian Year 8 and 9 STEM students in the recent Helter Skelter Engineering Challenge. 

Demonstrating exceptional kinesthetic abilities, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and creative thinking, our students were tasked with constructing a tower to test load-bearing capacity and withstanding a simulated minor earthquake for 10 seconds.

Students took on the challenge of building towers ranging from 35 to 50 cm tall by utilizing only 10 straws, 8 sheets of A4 paper, and a limited supply of sticky tape. This hands-on activity highlighted the importance of kinesthetic learning, as emphasised by educational experts, and underscored the value of collaborative problem-solving and innovation.

The challenge was a testament to our students' ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, fostering a deeper understanding of engineering principles and the dynamics of teamwork. Seeing our young learners engage actively in their education was inspiring, embodying the spirit of exploration and creativity. 

We commend our students for their outstanding efforts and look forward to more innovative projects that prepare them for future challenges. Let's continue supporting and celebrating our Cardijn community's diverse talents!

Last Thursday, Amy Gore, an Inclusive Education Assistant at Cardijn, shared her experience as a woman in the professional surfing industry during the Sports SA panel at the Empowering Women in Sports branch.

We're excited to announce the upcoming VET Life Skills & Career Program! 

Both employers will aim to provide insights on employment opportunities and guidance on why VET is a valuable choice.

Open to Marian Year 9s & 10s and Galilee Year 9s. There are limited spots available, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to jumpstart your vocational journey. 

Please register your interest by emailing andrew.parkes@cardijn.catholic.edu.au or visiting the Pathways Hub in the Library.

Are you planning to enrol your child at Marian Campus for Year 7 in 2026?

To avoid disappointment, it’s important to apply before the closing date even if your child is a sibling of a current Cardijn student.

Any families with children currently in Year 5 MUST submit their application no later than by Friday 12 April

Begin the online enrolment process today: APPLY NOW

On Friday of Week 8, Hon Amanda Rishworth MP visited Mr. Kempson’s Year 11 RE class who had written her letters of advocacy for their Caritas Social Justice work.

The Minister for Social Services fielded many questions on Poverty (abroad and in Australia), the Gender Pay-gap, Climate Change, and International Aid.

We are so grateful for the visit and thrilled that we could engage with our community on such a special level.

On Monday, the Galilee Year 9s visited the Migration Museum for the ‘Unpacking Histories’ workshop. They looked at different stories of migrations to Australia by looking at artefacts from the different suitcases. The students used the artefacts to put the stories together and presented them to their peers. 

On Friday of Week 8, the Mini-Vinnies group ran an Odd Socks day to raise money for Project Compassion. Everyone was invited to wear odd, colourful and crazy socks and bring in a gold coin donation. Wearing our odd socks was lots of fun and even the staff got into it.

We raised a total of $436.80!

On Tuesday evening, Galilee Middle School students gathered for their Social Night, a time for fun trivia, amazing races, games, and some delicious pizza. The students were encouraged to form teams with one another and new connections with their peers from different year levels.

At the end of the evening, students were prompted to reflect on the Marist theme of 2024 “First Light – Reveal the Spirit” and write a gratitude statement to someone that metaphorically shines light in their life.

Of course, being a night of competition and team-based challenges, there could only be one winner. The team called 'The Butter Chicken' won by demonstrating excellent teamwork in the amazing race!

A handful of Marcellin Year 11 students have recently completed their work experience program, which plays a key role in developing important employability skills. 

Matilda enjoyed her work experience at Lonsdale Metal Works. Her employer said 'Matilda has excelled this week, got on with the tasks requested and is a quick learner.'

Lilli completed her work experience at Coast Powersports. While she was there, she pulled apart and rebuilt a buggy; she was totally in her element and looks forward to pursuing a career in the industry. Mark, the owner, said 'Lily was always on time, worked hard, and had a great knowledge of the industry'.

Bella completed her work experience at Half Cut McLaren Vale. Bella's menor, Dana expressed that, 'Bella has shown great initiative and is welcome back anytime to do more work experience'.

This week, Marian Campus welcomed 20 exchange students from Osaka Seiko Gakuin, Japan.

As part of their scheduled activities, the Year 9 Japanese students participated in a Home Economics class led by Ms Pearson!

Together, they baked three varieties of mouthwatering scones. This class not only equipped students with essential cooking skills but also served as a platform for deepening their cultural understanding.