From the Deputy Principal, Secondary

Middle Years Showcase

 Wednesday 5 June, 6-8pm, Frassati Hall

Join us for this evening where we will highlight the broad curriculum on offer at Blackfriars for students at Years 7, 8 and 9. With 60 subjects, 15 co-curricular activities, three camps, multiple cross-disciplinary projects, academic extension and learning enrichment programs on offer in Years 7, 8 and 9, there is certainly a lot to show you!

Each of the subjects will have a display or activity at the Showcase and our curriculum leaders will be on hand to speak with you about the work undertaken in their discipline. You can also learn more about our Pastoral Care program from our House Leaders and how our camps program forms an integral part of student well-being.

From football to cricket, debating to drama, our co-curricular program will also be on show where you can find out more about the activities on offer beyond the classroom. The Middle Years Showcase is an ideal opportunity to learn more about this new and exciting academic extension program Ax. Ax focuses on project based in-school and after school STEM extension activities, mentoring by industry experts, links to further education providers and includes the opportunity to participate in local and international STEM experiences.

The Middle Years Showcase starts at 6.00pm when Mr Simon Cobiac will give a short welcome and presentation about our Middle Years program in the Fr James O’Doherty Performing Arts Theatre. Following the presentation, we encourage you to visit the subject displays and speak to our teachers and students in the adjacent Frassati Hall.

Year 12 Parent Evening – Catch Up Opportunity

At the beginning of 2019 we discussed the future viability of the Year 12 Formal with our Prefects.

It was agreed that a condition of the formal continuing, a compulsory parent evening would be required. Attendance at this evening by a family representative was obligatory for boys to be invited to the formal. The boys and our community were made explicitly aware of these conditions through a variety of media. A follow up session occurred to coincide with parent/teacher evening to enable attendance for those parents who missed the first session. 90% of our families attended one of the two evenings. From this list, the formal invitations were generated.

As a final opportunity to attend the 2019 Blackfriars Formal, a third catch-up will be made available on either:

• Wednesday 5 June at 7.15pm
• OR
• Friday 7 June at 9.00am

Please book in with Ms Mandy Goodfellow mgoodfellow@bps.sa.edu.au with the name of the family representative who will be attending.

In the interim, boys who have not received an invitation can purchase ‘pending’ formal tickets. Ms Goodfellow will send out ‘pending’ invitations. These will be formalised once attendance at either catch up session is confirmed.

Thank you for your cooperation in supporting the students in their aim to create a safe and enjoyable 2019 Blackfriars Formal.

The formal will be held on Friday 21 June at the Donato Reception Centre. Please ensure payment is made promptly.

Year 11 and 12 Exams

Please find attached below the Stage 1 and Stage 2 mid-year examination schedule.

Exam checklist for students:

• Devise a study program in consultation with your teachers and stick to it
• Use strategies to assist you retain information
  • For example: mind mapping, post-it notes, posters, audio recordings, notes, practice exams, group study and peer assessment
• Ensure you have adequate sleep, exercise, meditation and nutritional food
• Arrive early to your exam, in full school uniform
• Have an approved calculator (where necessary) and any subject specific required material
• Place your writing implements in a clear, snap-lock bag for inspection
• Do your best and grow from the experience

Students only attend school for their examination. The Library will be available for study.

NAPLAN

A letter was distributed to our Year 7 and 9 families outlining the opportunity for a NAPLAN re-sit given the nationwide computer outage that occurred during the writing exam. Please check your SEQTA direqt messages to read the letter. The re-sit will occur on Tuesday 28 May.

Encounter Youth

Wednesday 29 May, 6.35pm @ Fr James O'Doherty Performing Arts Theatre

Please refer to the SEQTA message that was distributed regarding the parent session of our Encounter Youth program. Senior secondary students will partake in the program on Wednesday and Years 7 -12 parents are invited to attend an information session on safe partying for teenagers facilitated by Encounter Youth.  

God Bless,

Mr David Ruggiero (BPS'92)

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, SECONDARY