Growing Tradition of Post-School Service: Nine Graduates Join Cardoner Program

Nine students from the Class of 2025 have confirmed plans to dedicate their gap year in 2026 to serving communities both in remote Northern Territory locations and overseas through The Cardoner Network - a Jesuit young adult ministry based in Australia that offers transformative volunteering experiences locally and abroad.

Jessica Goodwin, Ruby McGuire, Siena Eliseo, Isabel McKay, Matilda Kimber, Sabina Strojek, Gabrielle Elias, Lucy O’Grady, and Chantelle D’Aloia will step away from formal study to immerse themselves in service, supporting disadvantaged communities and building meaningful connections.

For many of these graduates, the decision was inspired by their earlier school immersion experiences, which sparked a desire to return and deepen those relationships. With the guidance of former staff member Mr Chris Toome and the enthusiasm of Old Ignatian George Hamra (Class of 2017), The Cardoner Network has renewed its partnership with MCPS School on Bathurst Island, Tiwi, and will send volunteers there starting July 2026.

This growing momentum for gap years of service is fueled by the heartfelt testimonies of past volunteers and the unwavering support of the Saint Ignatius’ College community, especially our Faith and Service Team, who continue to champion these life-changing opportunities.

Three Class of 2025 graduates share what inspired them to take a gap year with The Cardoner Network and how they hope to make a difference.

What inspired you to take a gap year of service?

My 2023 Jarrumwani Immersion to Bathurst Island, Northern Territory was my main inspiration for applying to Cardoner.

What are you hoping to gain from the experience?
By serving a community different from my own and immersing myself in a new culture, I believe I will gain a clearer understanding of my role within a global community and how my skills and abilities can meet certain worldly needs. I hope to broaden my worldview and deepen my understanding, respect, and appreciation for other cultures and the world around me.

I also hope to be a positive presence within the community, willing to serve wherever I am needed with energy and enthusiasm, and to meaningfully contribute to something greater than myself.

How do you think your Ignatian education will play a role in your life post-school?
I believe my Ignatian education will always guide the way I approach life. The values instilled in me and the lessons I have learned will continue to ground me and shape my perspective beyond school.

What inspired you to take a gap year of service?
My teacher Mrs McDonald often sends out emails about career opportunities, including activities and services you can participate in during a gap year. That’s when I first began to consider this as an option.

What are you hoping to gain from the experience?
I’m really hoping to grow my knowledge of the wider world. Immersing myself in a vastly different culture is a big part of that. I want to be a volunteer who is always happy to participate in any task and willing to step away from comfort.

What are you looking at doing for a career?
Currently, I’m hoping to study international relations at university. Going overseas will definitely help me ground myself in where I want to take my course and future career.

How do you think your Ignatian education will play a role in your life post-school?
I joined the school in Ignatius Early Years, and the stand-out part of being here is the culture of respect. Small things, like saying thank you to teachers at the end of a lesson, might seem minor, but they make a world of difference when meeting new people.

What inspired you to take a gap year of service?
My previous service experience (a Year 11 Immersion to Timor-Leste) inspired me to take part in a year of service. Despite a short two-week stay, I enjoyed every moment immensely. When I heard about the opportunity to go again for longer, I jumped at the offer.

What are you hoping to gain from the experience?
I hope to be open to new experiences, make lasting connections, and challenge myself in ways I otherwise wouldn’t back home. I want to build a new home away from home, find comfort in the laughs, exchanges, and memories I’ll share. Working in a new environment will shape me in ways I can’t yet name, but I know that by putting myself out there, I’ll grow, flourish, and allow others to grow with me. I hope to return with fond memories, plenty of stories, and lessons that will stick with me for life.

What are you hoping to contribute?
I hope to contribute my love. Thinking back to my time in Timor-Leste, for two weeks straight I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. My time was filled with endless enjoyment because I opened myself up to give love and receive it. I hope to do the same this time - now knowing what to expect a little more, I want to double the love I initially experienced, whether through engaging with the community, the school kids, or simply taking time to appreciate the opportunity to return. I know that what I give is what I’ll receive, and through that, I hope to give it my all.

How do you think your Ignatian education will play a role in your life post-school?
Post-school, I hope to keep all my lessons from Ignatius close to heart - living with our virtues in mind, being mindful to be a woman for others, and most importantly, setting the world alight by leaving my spark wherever possible. I also hope to maintain a sense of gratitude toward the school for providing me with immense opportunities, especially the Timor-Leste immersion, which now fuels my future endeavours.