Maiden, wrote to the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra and received information about Irish Carlingford.

It was then decided to design a badge and motto that would incorporate the "Venturegameness" of the Vikings and the idea that education should be an adventure.

After a quite argumentative meeting the committee finally reached a decision with the agreed motto "Adventure in Learning" put forward by the appointed deputy principal Mr. N. Leeder and the badge design created by Maiden's wife.

[citation needed] Carlingford High was the first NSW school to have a student council rather than prefects, an innovation of Maiden.

Although the weather cleared and concrete was poured on the Friday, And because of an unseasonably warm weekend, the school was able to be officially opened on Tuesday 31 January 1968.