From the Principal - Mr Simon Cobiac

Dear Families and Community of Blackfriars Priory School,

STEMNATION  Concept2Creation Competition

Once again Blackfriars is at the forefront of STEM education in Adelaide. The following awards were presented to students of Blackfriars and highlights the School’s programs and the talent of our students in applying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) principles to creative problem solving. Our STEM program is fast earning a proud reputation for excellence.

Champions of Drone Challenge and Exploration Challenge

Drone Challenge - First Place

Congratulations to Team Captain and pilot, Julian Cornish, Co-Captain Tristan Oakes, Co-Pilot Tom Mears, Technical Support Officer Michael Nong and Script Writer, Victor Lim

Exploration Challenge - First Place

Congratulations to Team Captain Phillip Clark and team member, Alan Banh.

Our talented and creative students were mentored by Mr Matthew Wallace, Miss Charlotte Berrill with the support of Mr Duro Dobrijevic (Curriculum Leader - Science). 

Music Soiree

On Monday night we were entertained and metaphorically transported into a joyous space for a short time by the talent and enthusiasm of our student musicians as they performed renditions of well-known scores such as, Aretha Franklin’s “Think” and “Copacabana” at the final Music Soiree for 2018.

I congratulate our excellent Curriculum Leader of Performing Arts, conductor and student mentor, Miss Jessica Reppucci for her creation and organisation of such a wonderful evening of music. Jessica was supported by a team of people including Mrs Libby Hunter, Miss Marie Wohling, Ms Anastasia Lambis and the Private Instrumental Tutors who work closely with the students throughout the year; my thanks and gratitude for the efforts and dedication of all involved. 

November Month for All Souls

The month of November is dedicated to the loving souls of our ancestors, those who have influenced and impacted on the shaping of our lives and our destiny of who we choose to become.

On Wednesday, 7 November we celebrated the feast of All Souls and Dominican Saints Day with an assembly and liturgy.  The ceremony also acknowledged Armistice Day, 100 years from the end of WWI and Remembrance Day which is officially celebrated on Sunday. We were honoured to welcome to our gathering the Chair of the Blackfriars Board, Mr David O’Loughlin and four Old Scholar Vietnam Veterans, Mr Peter Meaney, Mrs Barry Moulton, Mr Tony Perry and Mr Mark Thompson. Our students and staff gained a privileged insight into the sacrifices made by Australian men and women during periods of war and the way our Australian values and lifestyle has been shaped by their heroism.

As Christians it is incredible how the remembering and honouring of past loved ones and their journey can stir and resonate in our own life and emphasise what is truly important and meaningful to us; our bond with others and the hope of eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ.

On Thursday evening we celebrated the annual Mass for deceased old scholars in the Chapel of St Albert the Great. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.

I share with you’re the following prayer written by Dominicans for us all:

We remember with love and respect all those spirit-filled men and women who poured out the wine of their lives, their dreams, their prayers, their struggles, to show us a way forward.  We take time in November to remember these and all the men and women whose lives were stirred and transformed by a faith in what they could not see; those who became bearers of hope, healing, justice and peace for us and for our world – sometimes without even knowing it.  We hold them in our hearts, remember their stories and invoke the Spirit who stirred their lives to stir ours as well.  May God meet us on all the paths of our remembering and lead us to the lands of restoration.  Amen.

Mr Simon Cobiac

PRINCIPAL