Cardijn College vs Southern Vales Christian College
Cardijn College (Noarlunga Downs) is a catholic school and Southern Vales Christian College (Morphett Vale) is a independent school. Both are co-educational. Both teach R-12. Cardijn College has 2,247 students and Southern Vales Christian College has 503 (ACARA 2025). They are about 5.1 km apart in a straight line.
Photos: Cardijn College (school website)
See both schools’ full fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
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Key numbers
Students, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025 (students per teacher is total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff; it isn’t class size).
Fees and results
Side by side
| Fact | Cardijn College | Southern Vales Christian College |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | Noarlunga Downs | Morphett Vale |
| Region | Adelaide - South | Adelaide - South |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Students | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Year levels | R-12 | R-12 |
| Religion | Catholic (Marist tradition) | Christian |
| Boarding | No | No |
| Senior years | SACE (VET options) | SACE (VET options) |
| Facilities and sport (school site) | Gym, Oval, Theatre / performing arts centre, Music centre, Library, Science / STEM labs | Oval, Early learning centre, Library |
| Distance apart | About 5.1 km in a straight line | |
Facts from ACARA (2025) and each school’s own website.
Which suits whom
- Families choosing by faith: Cardijn College is Catholic (Marist tradition); Southern Vales Christian College is Christian.
- Size: Cardijn College is the larger school, with 1,744 more students.
- Smaller ratio: Southern Vales Christian College has fewer students per teacher (10.9 against 13.2, ACARA 2025).
- Listed by Cardijn College but not Southern Vales Christian College: Gym, Theatre / performing arts centre, Music centre and Science / STEM labs.
- Listed by Southern Vales Christian College but not Cardijn College: Early learning centre.
History
Cardijn College
Cardijn College was set up as a joint project of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools and the parishes of Noarlunga Downs, Willunga and Morphett Vale. Its first principal, Marist Brother Walter Smith, was appointed in 1983 to oversee the building work, and the college opened on 7 February 1984 with 103 students on a nearly empty block at Noarlunga Downs.
Source: cardijn.catholic.edu.au
Southern Vales Christian College
Southern Vales Christian College began in 1980 as Morphett Vale Christian Community School, with 24 students and a few brick buildings. It was started by people who wanted children to keep learning from the Bible after it was removed from public schools, and its original buildings, including the brick administration block, are still in use at Morphett Vale.
Source: svcc.sa.edu.au
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between Cardijn College and Southern Vales Christian College?
Both are co-educational. Both teach R-12. Cardijn College has 2,247 students and Southern Vales Christian College has 503 (ACARA 2025).
Is Cardijn College or Southern Vales Christian College co-ed?
Both are co-educational.
Which is bigger, Cardijn College or Southern Vales Christian College?
Cardijn College is bigger: 2,247 students against 503 (ACARA 2025).
How many students per teacher do Cardijn College and Southern Vales Christian College have?
Cardijn College has 13.2 students per teacher and Southern Vales Christian College has 10.9 (ACARA My School 2025: total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff).
Which is older, Cardijn College or Southern Vales Christian College?
Southern Vales Christian College is older. Cardijn College was founded in 1984 and Southern Vales Christian College in 1980.
Do Cardijn College and Southern Vales Christian College take boarders?
Neither takes boarders.
How far apart are Cardijn College and Southern Vales Christian College?
About 5.1 km in a straight line: Cardijn College is in Noarlunga Downs and Southern Vales Christian College is in Morphett Vale.
How do Cardijn College and Southern Vales Christian College fees compare?
Each school publishes its own fee schedule. Members see both schedules year by year, the results each school reports and the total cost to Year 12. Always confirm current fees with the school.
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School profiles
Get the full picture: fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Source and date
Enrolment, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025. Other facts: each school’s website, checked 21 October 2026. Distance is a straight line between the schools’ map points, not travel distance. Check details with the schools before deciding. Methodology