Primary School News

Eli joins the Blackfriars Community.

Primary School News

It has been an absolute pleasure coming back to the school where I started my career.  I commenced my first teaching appointment in 1981 (many parents weren’t born then!) and left as Head of Primary in 1998 and I am so grateful to be returning.  I have had a chance to meet a few of you, including dads of whom I taught many years ago, and have been warmly welcomed.  I thank you for that.  If I have not met you please feel free to drop in whenever it suits to say hello.  My door is nearly always open.

 

More importantly we have many new families who have joined our community and I hope the children and you have been made to feel comfortable and settled.  The Primary School includes our ELC and again we have had several three year-olds start in our beautiful facility.  We hope they have a fruitful and fun times here.

 

We warmly welcome Mrs Liz Rowley to our teaching team, working in Year 1 (Monday – Thursday). She comes to us with a wealth of experience in Catholic Schools in England and Adelaide.  I know you will make her feel welcome.

 

Two more changes to last year’s staffing sees Mrs Johanna West taking on the leadership role of Assistant Head of Primary/Curriculum ELC-6 as well as Year 5 teacher.  Miss Kendall Schenk is Year 2 Teacher and Learning Enrichment and STEM Co-ordinator.

 

There have been some changes to the way we operate Learning Enrichment. Rather than withdrawing students from class, ESO/Teachers will work in situ (in the classroom setting). Research is strong in suggesting this is the best way for children, particularly boys, to achieve the best outcomes. Of course, children at the highest end of need will still be withdrawn for one-on-one sessions. Reading Recovery will continue for the first semester with Mrs Michelle McGinty. Miss Kendall Schenk and I will coordinate Learning Enrichment. Please feel free to see me if you have any concerns or queries.

 

There has also been a change to Assembly times (apologies for anyone who has set themselves for a Friday Morning).  We believe that mornings are valuable teaching times and that assemblies can be accommodated on a Friday afternoon, 2:20 pm to 3:00pm. These Primary Assemblies will be on odd weeks starting Week 3 and Masses will be held at that time on even weeks.  We would love to see all at both occasions if possible.

 

I have generally been impressed by the way the boys have embraced “Meditation”. Having 200 hundred boys sit still and be reflective before starting afternoon lessons is not easy. Some of our younger boys find it challenging but the older classes have been great role models for the younger ones.

 

Please note that the team from Ground Force will have dancing lessons for R-3 in Weeks 1 – 5 and Year 4 – 6 from Weeks 6 – 11. Please see below for further important dates.

There seems to a great deal of optimism from all parties about Blackfriars heading forward in a positive direction and I am confident that this will be a great year for all concerned.

 

Mr Frank Ali

Head of Primary

 

Dates to Remember

12 February – School Photo Day

14 February – Photo catch up day

14 February – Ash Wednesday and Opening Mass

20 – 23 February Year 5-6 Swimming

2 March – Year 2 and 3 Dance Concert Assembly

5 March – 8 March – Year 3-4 Swimming

9 March – Primary Swimming Carnival

14 March – Open Day (1.00pm Dismissal)

21 March – Harmony Day

28 March – School Tour 9.00am

29 March – Holy Week Liturgy 9.00 am (1.00pm Dismissal)

4 April – Learning Conversations

6 April – Primary Sports Day

13 April R-1 – Dance Concert 9.00 am

13 April – Term One Ends 1.00pm