Primary School News

Welcome back to Term 4. It has been lovely to see how much the boys have grown over the school holidays. I have also heard lots of stories about the different adventures that some boys had over the holiday. Hopefully you and the boys all had time to recharge your batteries ready for the busyness of the term. Term 4 is short; eight weeks but we manage to fit a lot in during this time.

Friday 20 October, the students in Year 4 to Year 6 attended a virtual author visit, using Skype. The author was Tristan Bancks who has written books such as My Life and other Weaponised Muffins (2017), On the Run (2014), Noob: The Boy who could Fly (2013) and Picture This (2009). There are several of his books in the library which the boys are very keen to borrow after last Friday’s session with him. The boys were very respectful during the Skype interview and asked lots of great questions.

During Week 2 the Reception teachers will start visiting the different Kindergartens of the boys starting in Reception in 2018. This is in the lead up to the five transition Friday mornings that will take place as well this term:

3 November
10 November
17 November
24 November (Parent Information Morning)
1 December

I would like to take this opportunity to thanks Mrs Stafania Stradijot who has been teaching in Year 4 while Mrs Claire Holland was on Long Service Leave. Stefania has done some TRT in the Primary School throughout the year. She already knew the boys and planned the work with Mrs Claire Holland before she left to make sure the boys educational needs were met.

Thank you to all the parents who have attended the different camp meetings that have taken place in the first two weeks of term. The Year 6 dads attended a meeting about their camp later this Term (taking place 17-19 November). If you were unable to attend this meeting and would like some more information about the events, please contact either Mr Henry Vo or Mr John Niedzwiecki. On Monday 23 October, there was a meeting for the Year 5 parents about the camp to Ballarat in Week 4. Once again if you were unable to attend the meeting please contact Mrs Stephanie La Forgia (camp organiser), Mrs Cara Oosterbaan or Mr Cameron Brealey.

On Tuesday 31 October, the Year 6 students will be attending their Orientation Day for Year 7 in 2018. Information outlining the day was sent home to families during Week 1 of this term.

Please note the following details for your son’s Orientation Day:

Meet at Blackfriars Priory School at 8.40am (assemble on the front lawn, we will then progress straight to the new James O’Doherty Theatre),
Wear casual clothes (no thongs or singlet tops – must wear closed shoes),
Bring pens / pencil case,
Bring recess, a drink and a hat,
A BBQ lunch and soft drink will be provided,
The day concludes at 3:00pm sharp.

Please note that the classes they are in for this day are NOT the classes they will be in next year. They have been placed in alphabetical order for the day only.

In Week 1 during Pastoral Care (Wednesday Lesson 1) all the Primary students wrote farewell cards to all the Year 12 students, whose last day was Friday 27 October. The cards were then presented to the Year 12 students during the Pastoral Care Lesson in Week 2. We wish them all the very best in their exams and the next chapter of their lives.

Just a reminder that the boys will need to make sure they have their hats each day at school this term. We have a No Hat No Play policy in line with our SunSmart Policy. If your son has misplaced or left it at home he will be asked to sit under the verandah outside the primary classrooms.

Please see the table of events that are scheduled for Friday mornings during Term 4.

Week 3 – 3 November

2WH Assembly

Week 4 – 10 November

3P Mass

Week 5 – 17 November

5B Assembly

Week 6 – 24 November

4H Mass

Week 7 – 1 December

R – 5 Orientation Day

Week 8 – 7 December

Thursday – End of Year Assembly

On 19 November, Blackfriars Priory School will be hosting ‘A Boutique Life ‘market. The Parent and Friends Committee have been working with the Directors to coordinate different jobs that need to be completed in the lead up to market day. We are asking for any helpers on Saturday 18 November (time to be confirmed) to help with set up. We are also looking for more volunteers to help on Sunday 19 November. If you can spare an hour or two on either of these days, please let Mrs Alison Ronoastro know via email aronoastro@bps.sa.edu.au. It will be a fantastic day with over 90 stalls by local South Australian artists and designers. This will be a great opportunity to start your Christmas shopping.

Mrs Alison Ronoastro

Acting Deputy Principal – Head of Primary