From the Principal

2019 Term Dates

Term 1 Conclusion: Friday, April 12 at 3:15pm (NB: A full school day )

Term 2 Commencement: Monday, April 29

Launch of Ax Academy Scholarships

The Ax Academy Scholarship program was launched today, Friday, 5 April. Blackfriars is offering 20 Ax Academy Scholarships to students for 2020 and beyond, applicable for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. Application is open to both current and future students of Blackfriars and will be selected on merit. Successful applicants will be offered a 50% reduction in the annual Tuition Fee for the remainder of their education at Blackfriars.

Further information about the Ax Academy Program and Scholarship criteria, conditions and application forms are now available on the School website: www.bps.sa.edu.au/learning/ax-academy

The closing date for the submission of applications to the Principal is Monday, 29 April 2019 at 9.00am.

What is the Ax Academy?

The Ax Academy is an exciting enrichment programme for students in Years 7-11 who wish to explore and extend their learning ability . The Ax Academy offers students a broad range of problem-solving and project-based assignments and activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The specifically designed program will enable highly motivated students to explore further and excel in their learning and knowledge, provide an opportunity for collaboration with other like-minded students and to experience practical application in the genres of STEM. The Ax Program supplements the Year 7-11 Academic Curriculum and has three major components:

Project-based in-school and after-school STEM extension activities
Mentoring by industry experts
Opportunity to participate in local and international STEM experiences.

During 2018 the Ax Program was launched and students, within the genre of STEM, won the Drone Challenge; an outstanding achievement that demonstrated the value and empowerment that such a program has to offer students in the global education of the 21st Century.

Prospect Road Autumn Fair

I express my thanks and appreciation of Mr Patrick Kelly (Director of Development and Community Relations) for his organisation of an outstanding community event, the Prospect Road Autumn Fair that was hosted by Blackfriars last Sunday. The purpose of the Autumn Fair was to bring together the broad community of Prospect, our parent, student and staff community in a relaxed environment; providing a wonderful opportunity to promote our Dominican Pillar of Community. The many visitors to Blackfriars experienced our warm and inviting hospitality and friendship; some even joining me for a Principal’s Tour of our wonderful school. Over 1000 people attended the Fair and helped to create a sense of ‘happening’ at Blackfriars.

I would also like to thank the many school and community groups who contributed to the success of the Fair, including:

The Blackfriars Parents + Friends Association Committee, led by Catherine Morkunas, Jon Driscoll, Denise Hill and Victoria Frith; supported by Natalie Galkowski, Louise Carlier, Marion Fitch, Diana Hatzipalousis, Corinna Renney and the Bakery on O’Connell and Entertainment Book.
Blackfriars Old Scholars Soccer Club (BBQ) led by Ralph Armiento; supported by Schinella’s and My Local Butcher.
Blackfriars Old Scholars Football Club (Bar) led by Michael Clarke.
Mai Nguyen and staff from Little Saigon (Vietnamese).
Staff and students from St Mary’s and OLSH Colleges plus P+F Association from Immaculate Heart of Mary School.
Blackfriars and St Mary’s College Music departments and students led by Lucy Pope (BPS) and Ben Chambers (SMC).
Entertainment by CircoBats (Vashti), Carnival Amusements (Martin Birrell) and Sharon’s Face Painting (Sharon McLean-Carr) and demonstration by Healthy Inspirations (Nola Bellenger).

Prospect Community stallholders:

Andrew Ormandy (Artist & Bumbles the Clown), Caroline Walker-Grime (Artist), GlamiGlam Fashion (Marie & Franca), Splitsplinters Furniture (Reece Horner), the Prospect Local Environment Group (Grace Fitzpatrick), Anglicare SA (Sarah McAllan), Eagles Lacrosse Club (Matt Larwood), School of Little Swimmers (Rebecca Greck), Travel Managers (Michelle Zienkiewicz & Di Bignell) and Wellness Eyecare (Lisa Ly).

Blackfriars staff, especially:

Emily Kenny (and her Year 9 class), Ernie Luongo for the soccer display / demonstration, Robert Bojczuk (and team for the logistical support), Karen McEntee and the ELC team for coordinating the drawing competition, and Development Office team, Anastasia Lambis, Jon Harmer and Demi Hoppo.

Thanks also to the City of Prospect Council for their support, especially Emma Grivell.

We anticipate making the Autumn Fair an annual event and we hope to have even greater levels of support and attendance from our parent, student and staff community in 2020.

Conclusion

As this is the final Newsletter for Term 1, I wish the broader Blackfriars community a blessed and holy Easter, remembering that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered, died and rose again in the hope that we would know him and believe in his driven purpose; that being for the saving of all of humanity.

Please stay safe over the Term break and I look forward to everyone returning to our community at the commencement of Term 2.

Mr Simon Cobiac

PRINCIPAL