Cardijn College

What Cardijn College does

Cardijn College is a private, non-profit Catholic R-12 co-educational institution operating three campuses across the Southern Vales region of Adelaide, South Australia under Catholic Education South Australia. Founded in 1984, the College serves approximately 2,500 students through: Galilee Campus (Reception to Year 9, Aldinga) focused on eco-literacy; Marian Campus (Years 7-12, Noarlunga Downs) providing comprehensive SACE academic programming; and Marcellin Campus (Years 10-12, Christie Downs) delivering vocational education and apprenticeships across automotive, construction, electrical, hairdressing, hospitality, retail cosmetics, child care, and metal engineering trades. The College employs over 350 staff, including four school counsellors and industry-trained VET instructors, and operates a dual-charism identity rooted in Joseph Cardijn's See-Judge-Act methodology and the Marist tradition of St Marcellin Champagnat.

The business model rests primarily on annual tuition fees (Year 7 at $4,485 up to Year 11-12 at $6,960 for 2026) supplemented by Sports Academies ($100/semester), Willunga Bus Service ($30.53/week), laptop lease programs, uniform sales through Lowes and an online store, and VET course fees. Discount structures include a 5% early-payment rebate, tiered family discounts (11%-33% for 2-4 children), Southern Regional Sibling Discount of $300 per sibling from six partner Catholic primary schools, School Card (50% tuition reduction for eligible families), and fee remission for financial hardship. Payment plans are administered through PaySmart on weekly, fortnightly or monthly cycles.

The College runs no proprietary technology platform, relying instead on an integrated stack of third-party tools: SEQTA Engage (parent portal) and SEQTA Learn (student LMS), ClickView for curriculum-aligned video, Seesaw for R-6 digital portfolios, Qkr! for canteen payments, Consent2Go, Parent Teacher Online, Foldr, and Microsoft 365. Enrolment is direct-to-consumer, with applications processed centrally at Marian Campus following tours, prospectus requests, and family/Principal interviews; ~300 Year 7 students enter annually through a feeder pipeline anchored by six partnership Catholic primary schools. Marketing relies on school tours (with virtual options), prospectus distribution, the weekly Cardijn Connect newsletter, Catholic Schools Open Week, and the annual INSPIRED alumni magazine.

Name

Cardijn College

Legal name

Cardijn College

Website

https://cardijn.catholic.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cardijn College is a private, non-profit Catholic R-12 co-educational school in Southern Adelaide, Australia, operating three campuses (Galilee, Marian, Marcellin) serving approximately 2,500 students through SACE academic and VET vocational pathways.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Catholic Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Catholic secondary education
• Vocational education training
• SACE curriculum programs
• Primary school education
• Trade training apprenticeships

Headquarters

HQ city

Noarlunga Downs

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged to families based on year level. Fees are billed at the beginning of the year with options for upfront payment (5% discount) or payment plans via PaySmart in weekly, fortnightly, or monthly installments. Additional fees apply for bus services, laptop lease, sports academies, VET courses, and extracurricular activities.
2. Uniform Sales: Second-hand uniform shop operated by the College on Tuesdays, and new uniforms sold through Lowes retail stores. The College also sells College branded merchandise through an online store.
3. Incidental Charges and Services: Additional revenue from Willunga Bus Service ($30.53/week), laptop lease program, Sports Academy fees ($100/semester), after-school sports registrations, VET course fees, and replacement items (ID cards, laptop chargers).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cardijn College is an R-12 co-educational Catholic school delivering primary, secondary, and vocational education across three campuses in Southern Adelaide, South Australia. Its core offering comprises Marian Campus (Years 7-12 academic), Galilee Campus (Reception-Year 9 with eco-literacy focus), and Marcellin Campus (Years 10-12 trade training). The College delivers SACE curriculum, VET pathways, Sports Academies, Music Programs, Diverse Learning support, and student wellbeing services, framed by the Marist tradition.

Product overview

Cardijn College is an R-12 co-educational Catholic school with three distinct campuses operating under a unified educational philosophy inspired by Joseph Cardijn and St Marcellin Champagnat. The Marian Campus (Years 7-12) serves as the main secondary campus with comprehensive SACE curriculum, while Galilee Campus (Reception-Year 9) provides early and middle years education with eco-literacy focus. Marcellin Campus (Years 10-12) specializes in vocational education and trade training. The college offers specialized programs including Sports Academies (Football, Netball, Basketball, Soccer), Music Programs (with multiple ensembles and instrumental lessons), VET pathways, Diverse Learning support services, and comprehensive Arts programs including drama, visual arts, and biennial musicals. These offerings are unified through the SEQTA learning management system and supported by student wellbeing services across all campuses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Galilee Campus (Reception to Year 9) Co-educational Reception to Year 9 Catholic school at Aldinga focused on eco-literacy, sustainability, and hands-on learning in a coastal setting; includes OSHC and Vacation Care services and serves as the early and middle years pathway of Cardijn College.
• Marian Campus (Years 7-12) Co-educational Years 7-12 Catholic school at Noarlunga Downs providing a comprehensive SACE curriculum, vibrant extracurricular programs, and the main administrative hub and primary enrolment point for the College.
• Marcellin Campus (Years 10-12 Trade Training) Co-educational Years 10-12 and Apprentices trade training campus at Christie Downs providing vocational education with on-site Registered Training Organisations delivering nationally recognised training in automotive, building and construction, child care, electrical, engineering, hairdressing, hospitality, individual support, and retail cosmetics.
• Sports Academies Specialist sports programs in Football, Netball, Basketball, and Soccer designed to assist students achieve high performance in their chosen sport while developing emotional and social wellbeing, with specialist coaching, guest speakers, strength and conditioning, umpiring and coaching accreditations, excursions, and transport at $100 per semester.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% SACE completion rate at both campuses (2025)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Antonio Catholic Primary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six partnership Catholic primary schools in Southern Vales region that share close links with Cardijn College as feeder schools. Located in Morphett Vale.
• Emmaus Catholic Primary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six partnership Catholic primary schools in Southern Vales region. Located in Woodcroft. Southern Regional Sibling Discount of $300 applies for siblings from this school.
• St John the Apostle Catholic Primary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six partnership Catholic primary schools in Southern Vales region. Located in Christies Beach. Southern Regional Sibling Discount of $300 applies.
• All Saints Catholic Primary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six partnership Catholic primary schools in Southern Vales region. Located in Seaford. Southern Regional Sibling Discount of $300 applies.
• St Martin de PorrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six partnership Catholic primary schools in Southern Vales region. Located in Sheidow Park. Southern Regional Sibling Discount of $300 applies.
• School of the NativitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six partnership Catholic primary schools in Southern Vales region. Located in Aberfoyle Park. Southern Regional Sibling Discount of $300 applies.
• TAFE SAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVET courses brokered for students at outside providers including TAFE, providing additional training areas beyond those offered on Marcellin Campus.
• SATACminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCardijn College provides assistance with SATAC applications for university entry, supporting students in navigating tertiary admission processes.
• South Adelaide Panthers FCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFFSA NPL partner for Old Collegians Soccer Club training. Students train twice weekly either at the College or with South Adelaide Panthers FC.
• Football Federation of South Australia (FFSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOld Collegians Football Club participates in FFSA Collegiate Soccer League, with season running from late March through mid-September.
• PaySmartminorOthersPreferred payment plan provider for families unable to pay full fees by due date. Offers weekly, fortnightly, or monthly direct debit instalment options.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Holy Family Catholic School: Adelaide Southern Vales Catholic primary school — direct feeder competitor and collaborator in the same Catholic Education South Australia system that Cardijn competes with for primary-school families.
• Mercedes College: Adelaide Catholic co-educational secondary school operating Years 7-12 with SACE and VET pathways; competes directly with Cardijn's Marian Campus for fee-paying Catholic families across the Adelaide metro.
• Cabra Dominican College: Adelaide Catholic co-educational secondary school following a Dominican charism, providing SACE and VET — comparable to Cardijn in faith-based secondary education and Adelaide market positioning.
• Sacred Heart College: Adelaide-based Catholic co-educational secondary college and the immediate institutional comparator — current Cardijn Principal Steve Byrne led Sacred Heart from 2013-2022, and both schools compete for the same Adelaide Catholic cohort offering SACE and VET pathways.
• Rostrevor College: Adelaide-based Catholic boys' school offering R-12 education with strong academic and sporting reputation; competes with Cardijn for Catholic families across Adelaide's southern and central suburbs.
• St Michael's College: Adelaide Catholic boys' secondary school with senior campus; former workplace of current Cardijn Principal Steve Byrne (Principal 2005-2012) and direct competitor in the Catholic secondary market.
• Marymount College: Adelaide Catholic co-educational secondary school in the southern suburbs offering SACE and vocational pathways; directly comparable to Cardijn's Marian and Marcellin campuses in size and target demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Concordia College: Adelaide ecumenical (Lutheran) R-12 school offering parallel academic and vocational pathways; competes with Cardijn across the fee-paying segment in greater Adelaide.
• Pulteney Grammar School: Adelaide independent (non-Catholic) R-12 school with similar fee structure and academic reputation; broader incumbent competitor that competes with Cardijn for fee-paying families regardless of denomination.
• Wilderness School: Adelaide independent girls' school with strong academic outcomes; adjacent competitor in the Adelaide fee-paying market for families prioritising high ATAR outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cardijnoldcollegians
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/cardijncollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cardijn College