The annual Cardijn-Tenison Woods Exchange began last Sunday 27 May 2018. This is the 32nd exchange between the two colleges involving students from a Catholic country school and a Catholic city school to compete in sports and debating.
The first exchange was held on the 12th – 14th of August 1987 with just over 50 students and 5 teachers traveling by train to Mt Gambier. Cardijn students were billeted by Tenison families and Cardijn staff were billeted by Tenison staff. There was a historical connection between the colleges at that time with both schools being affiliate member schools of the Marist Brothers. Cardijn College founding Principal Br Walter Smith, a Marist brother was closely connected with the Marist brothers at Tenison College, Mt Gambier. Students attended a social on the first night and were involved in sporting matches including, Mixed Touch, Mixed Netball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Netball and Football. Students also participated in a tour of Mt Gambier, Theatre sports and Debating, before being farewelled at the railway station for the long trip back by train.
Fast forward 31 years and we have come to the 32nd exchange with most of the itinerary still similar. The exchange now consists of Debating, Boys and Girls Futsal (indoor soccer), Boys and Girls Volleyball, Mixed Touch, Boys and Girls Basketball, Football and Netball A and B.
About 50 students and 6 staff from Tenison Woods College traveled by bus from Mt Gambier to compete at a very high standard of competition. Both Colleges take these competitions very seriously, however the fundamental principle of the exchange is one which fosters a genuine spirit of sportsmanship, friendship and excellence.
A home team has an advantage and this year Cardijn was very fortunate to win the Cardijn/Tenison Exchange shield winning six competitions to five. We congratulate the Cardijn team and exchange captains Chloe Wait and Jordan Steer, sports coaches, Ms Emma Knight and Mr Tyler Marsland for their outstanding leadership in bringing these games to a successful conclusion. We thank Mr Ciaran Buckley, sports coordinator at Tenison Woods College, sports staff and Ms Michelle Coote representing the principal Mr David Mezinec and the Tenison Woods exchange team for their terrific sportsmanship and excellence in sports.
Congratulations to Chloe Wait and Blake Bruse-Hall who won the Rijken/Doyle medal as the most outstanding athletes and leaders overall in the competition. The medal is named after Paul Rijken and Robert Doyle, the sports coordinators who established the exchange in 1987.
We look forward to the next exchange in 2019 when Cardijn College will travel to Mt Gambier.
From Your Principal Coach 
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