Welcome to 2019

From the Principal

I hope the holidays have given all students and staff the opportunity to renew their energy and refresh mind, body and spirit for the year ahead. We especially welcome our new students, including International students and extend our hospitality and friendship to you as you make this important transition in your lives. In welcoming new students, I am conscious of also welcoming new families to our School and I encourage you to become fully participating members of our community. I know our dedicated staff will go the extra step for every student and family to provide a safe, secure and challenging learning environment that is conducive to bringing out the best in each person.

The Mission of Blackfriars is to be a ‘Catholic School community in the Dominican tradition with the Four Pillars of Prayer, Study, Community and Service central to our education and way of life’. I invite families, staff and students to wholeheartedly embrace the Mission of Blackfriars throughout the year. Our essential purpose as a Catholic School is to educate the whole person and to invite young people into a relationship with Jesus and to encourage that relationship to be a cornerstone and foundation for life’s journey. At the same time, we respect the religious faith and cultural traditions of each member within our diverse Dominican community as we work together to make a positive difference in our world. I invite you to click on the link to the Catholic Education South Australia website (CESA website) and view the brief video, Live Learn Lead to gain a deeper insight into the purpose and value of an authentic Catholic education, such as we offer at Blackfriars.

R-12 Parent Welcome Evening

Wednesday 6 February,  7:00pm – 8:30pm

The purpose of the evening is a welcome to Blackfriars Priory School, with a pastoral focus and an opportunity for parents to meet House Heads, Home-group teachers (7-12), Class teachers (R-6), key subject teachers (7‑12) and members of the School Executive Team.

The invitation is extended to all parents, including parents and caregivers of new students in 2019 (students are not expected to attend).

A letter of invitation will be sent via SEQTA to all parents with the agenda and venues for the evening.

Student Leadership: Announcement of 2019 Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefect

Congratulations to the following students who received the endorsement of their peer leaders at the 2018 Leadership Training Camp and my full support of their appointment:

Head Prefect: Declan Fitch-Woolford

Deputy Head Prefect: Christian Jones

We are very fortunate to have such wonderful young men that are willing and most capable of providing direction to the Student Leadership body serving our broader School community.

I look forward to the opportunity of working with the Student Leadership group of Prefects, House Captains and Deputy House Captains throughout 2019; with the confidence of witnessing and rejoicing in their achievements and the positive impact they will have on our Blackfriars community.

School Executive Team

I would like to introduce to you the School Executive Team and the following staff members who we welcome to Blackfriars for 2019:

• Mr Simon Cobiac - Principal
• Mr David Ruggiero - Deputy Principal (Secondary)
• Mr Matthew Crisanti - Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
• Mr Frank Ali - Head of Primary
• Mr Gerard Leahy - Business Manager
• Mr Patrick Kelly - Director of Development and Community Relations

Chaplaincy for 2019

We welcome Br William Loh (OP) as our School Chaplain for 2019 and look forward to his presence and work at Blackfriars. Br William was born in Sydney and after completing his secondary education he graduated from University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering before entering the Dominican Order. He has subsequently competed his Masters in Theology. Fr Kevin Saunders (OP) will continue to celebrate Mass at our major liturgical events throughout the school year and facilitate the sacramental program for our students.

New Support Staff

• Ms Dianne Bucciarelli - Student Counsellor
• Mr Lawrie Grant - Grounds and Maintenance
• Ms Emma Askem - Learning Enrichment Assistant Primary
• Ms Pamela  Ashman - Learning Enrichment Assistant Secondary
• Mrs Christine - Pupplet Learning Enrichment Assistant Secondary
• Miss Kaela Zawitkowski - Learning Enrichment Assistant Secondary
• Ms Karin Owers - Learning Enrichment  Assistant Secondary
• Mr Kadir Pirbudak - Learning Enrichment Assistant Secondary
• Mr Joshua Connor - Learning Enrichment Assistant Secondary
• Mrs Zoe Cleary - Student Services Officer
• Ms Demi Hoppo - Development Officer-Communications (Starts 18/2)

New Teaching Staff

Early and Primary Years

• Ms Loretta Robertson - Year 1
• Mr Trent Allwood - Year 2
• Mr Oliver Carroll - Year 3
• Ms Chelsea Wymond - Early Learning Centre

Secondary Years

• Ms Dina Hasaneen - Curriculum Leader:Learning Enrichment
• Ms Lucinda Pope - Curriculum Leader:Performing Arts
• Ms Jacquie McEvoy - Teacher Librarian
• Mr Nam Tran - Mathematics and Chemistry
• Ms Samantha Blackmore - Mathematics (replacing Mr Catalano for Semester 1)
• Miss Zara Zampaglione - Drama, Integrated Studies, RE (replacing  Mr Becker for Term 1)
• Mr Daniel Shepley - Media and Digital Technology (begins mid-February)

Ensuring Our School Is A Safe Place For All

As the School Year commences I want to assure all parents and guardians of our absolute commitment to ensuring that Blackfriars is a safe place for all. 

• Our staff are committed and trained to protect the children and young people in our care
• All staff and regular volunteers have current “working with children” police checks
• We teach our children age-appropriate strategies to keep themselves safe through South Australia’s
• Staff complete certification and undertake regular updated training in
• We also promote strategies to minimize bullying and help students stay safe online.

Additional information about the broader child protection policies of Catholic Education SA can be found on their website. http://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/safe-environments-for-all

The website also includes links to online resources for parents and students on a range of topics including anxiety, depression, bullying and how to support your child.

I encourage all parents/caregivers to visit the Catholic Education website as a valuable source of information.  If you have any questions or concerns about child safety please contact any member of the School Executive Team in the first instance. 

School Opening Hours

Parents should be aware that supervision is provided in the mornings from 8:15am onwards and in the afternoons up until 3.35pm. Parents who send their children to school outside these hours should recognise that they are unsupervised and should take steps to insure them against accidental injury.

The only occasions when students should be on the premises beyond these times would be for attendance at sport or for scheduled school events, if they are attending the Out of School Hours Care facility or other special purposes, during which time they will be provided with appropriate/reasonable care.

Uniform Standards and Expectations

Summer School Uniform

I ask all parents to ensure that your son is in the correct school uniform according to the Uniform regulations in the Student Diary. To date I have been very impressed with the cooperation of students in presenting themselves with pride as students of Blackfriars. Our Uniform expectations extend to grooming (length of hair, facial hair) and personal presentation which must be of a high standard in compliance with our uniform code.

At the end of 2017 Blackfriars transitioned to a new Sports and Co-curricular uniform with 2018 as the year of transition. I expect that in 2019, all students will be wearing the new Co-curricular top for Physical Education and the appropriate sports uniform for their sport.

Conclusion

I look forward to working in partnership with you and your children/young men during 2019 as we seek to ensure each student has every opportunity to grow into thriving, happy individuals, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires.

Simon Cobiac

Principal