From the Principal

Dear Blackfriars Community

This is the final comprehensive newsletter of Term 2. There will, however be an abridged newsletter for Week 10 with essential information and reminders for the holidays and Term 3.

Staff Professional Development Week - Term 2 | Week 10 | Mon 1 to Fri 5 July

As previously communicated in the Week 5 newsletter, I again remind parents/carers of the Staff Professional Development Week that will occur in Week 10. As a consequence all students, R-12 will conclude Term 2 on:

Friday 28 June 2019

Primary Years @ 3:05pm

Secondary Years @ 3:15pm

NB: End of Term half days no longer exist at Blackfriars – the last day of term is a full day of school and students are expected to attend as per a normal school day, concluding at 3:05pm (Primary) or 3:15pm (Secondary).

The Professional Learning Week for staff will provide continuity in Professional Learning programs, such as:

- Formation in Dominican Spirituality
- Pastoral Care and Well-being for students
- Teaching and Learning for students with Disabilities
- Well-being for Teachers and Education Support Officers
- Formation in the teaching of Religious Education and the MITIOG (Made in the Image of God) program.

Term 3

School resumes for all students R -12 on Monday 22 July, 2019.

Parklands

It is now openly public that the Adelaide City Council (ACC) have granted permission for the Adelaide Football Club (AFC) to enter into a participation agreement (rules for engagement) with the ACC and develop a proposal for Park 2 which includes the North Adelaide Aquatic Centre and surrounding ovals.

Currently Blackfriars has a valid and binding lease with the Adelaide City Council for the use of Park 2 and we have no reason to believe that our lease should not continue in the future as it has over the past 60+ years.

The Adelaide Football Club proposal is guided by the Adelaide City Council’s Unsolicited Proposal available on the ACC website: https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/your-council/policies-papers/#U

The Blackfriars Executive Team and the School Board are closely monitoring the emerging developments and have had recent separate and positive meetings with the Adelaide City Council and the Adelaide Football Club.

It is very clear from public statements made by the Adelaide Football Club and the Adelaide City Council that the Adelaide Football Club will need to satisfy very stringent conditions in their proposal. These include:

No liquor licence
No increased building footprint for the replacement of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre
Public access to the parklands
Environmental regulations and restrictions
Community consultation
Community usage including the use by Blackfriars for our sporting programs.

Student Activities

As we move towards the end of Term 2, I note with pride the myriad of activities that have been made available to students of Blackfriars to engage and participate in, all of which provide a valuable opportunity to contribute to the overall development of their talents and personal skills. The activities represent the remarkable diversity and richness of a Blackfriars education and commitment to delivering programs that extend beyond the formal Australian Curriculum; developing further the capabilities of creativity, problem solving, ethical decision making and collaboration in each student’s scope of learning.

For your interest and information, the activities, programs and initiatives have included:

Dominican Feud
A quiz night involving senior students from Dominican schools in Adelaide - Cabra Dominican College, St Mary’s College, St Dominic’s Priory College and Blackfriars.
Stage 1 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Showcase
An event where students “pitch” their innovative products to an external panel of examiners.
Pedal Prix
Blackfriars inaugural team in the Australian International Pedal Prix provided a fun and interactive opportunity to collaborate and problem solve within a team dynamic.
Year 12 Formal
The Blackfriars Year 12 Formal at Donato Reception Centre will be held tonight. The occasion will provide a unique social opportunity for our most senior students to express and conduct themselves as mature, ready for the world beyond Blackfriars young men.
International Visitors
The recent return visit of eight students and two staff from Fenwick High School, a Dominican School in Chicago. Such international programs opens the minds of our students, allowing them to engage and exchange cultures and develop connections, broaden their intellect and desire to know more and potentially inspire a passion to explore a world beyond Australia.
Co-Curricular Events
The regular sporting and public speaking / debating season of events challenges students in individual and team decision making skills while developing confidence as a person, knowing that they have participated in the event to the best of their ability.

I have attended all of these events and have been absolutely delighted with the engagement and quality of participation of students of Blackfriars. We are justifiably proud of our students for their enthusiastic involvement in the life of our School. Their manners and the respect our students display for others gives witness to their understanding and commitment to the Dominican values of Blackfriars as well as their family foundation and expectations.

I wish all members of our community a safe and relaxing time during the upcoming holidays and look forward to warmly welcoming the boys back to our community on Monday 22 July, 2019.

God bless you and keep you safe,

Mr Simon Cobiac

PRINCIPAL

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