From the Deputy Principal, Secondary

From the Deputy Principal, Secondary

Pedal Prix

The UniSA Australian HPV Super Series is staged by Australian International Pedal Prix Inc. and is a competition where teams race Human Powered Vehicles (HPVs) on a closed controlled circuit. The 2019 Series consists of six Rounds, five staged in South Australia and one in Busselton, WA.

The 2019 Murray Bridge race was the 34th running of the Australian International Pedal Prix. This race is the final Round of the UniSA Australian HPV Super Series and is regarded as the premier HPV endurance race in Australia. The 24-hour race is conducted on a 1.7 km circuit around Sturt Reserve situated in Murray Bridge.

Over 200 teams and thousands of participants and spectators descended on Murray Bridge for a spectacular, albeit somewhat wet and cold, event. Our inaugural 2019 carbon fibre trike (appropriately named Unleashed in keeping with our Hound mascot) was ridden by Kyle Baker, Mitchel Renton, Campbell Griffiths, Jai Harte, Nicolas Pamula and Declan Hillman. Mitchell Gregory was an apology as he is overseas. We were tracking exceptionally well as we held our ground in 10th place, only to fall victim to a mechanical breakdown at 2.00 am. The team, under the leadership of Mr Jeff Drewer, frantically worked on the bike like a F1 pit crew. After an extensive (and time consuming) rebuild of the mechanical systems, Unleashed was back on the track. The boys stoically gave every bit of energy to fight our way back and finish a respectable 24th.

Words do not adequately capture the intensity, vibrancy and magnitude of the event. To be involved in our inaugural Pedal Prix team was a privilege and I look forward to many more years of Pedal Prix at Blackfriars.

The event would not have been possible without the support of our parents. A special thank you to Colin and Karen Renton, Mark and Leanne Pamula, Kylie Harte-Kelly, Scott and Bernice Hillman, Eloise and Andrew Griffiths and Sandra and Derek Gregory.

I also want to thank Mr Kelly for his exceptional organisation and planning. Patrick Kelly is a seasoned Pedal Prix professional having run the event at three schools. His insight was invaluable.

Finally, the most significant thank you is for Mr Jeff Drewer. His calm and caring nature coupled with genuine passion and technical knowhow galvanised the team and left the boys better men for having been a part of Pedal Prix 2019. 

Here’s to 2020!

Term 4 (Advent Term)

We look forward to welcoming our students back in summer uniform on Monday 14 October for the commencement of our final term for 2019. There are numerous farewell events and award ceremonies over the course of Advent Term, and we invite you to revisit our school calendar for any events that pertain to your son’s year level.

Please remember that hats are compulsory as part of our SunSmart School Policy. This is for the safety of your child and we ask that if your son has lost his hat a new one is purchased.

A reminder that mobile phones are banned from 8.40 am – 3.15 pm. If seen with a phone during this time, students will need to place in the safe in the Front Office with an appropriate consequence as per our mobile phone policy.

Please login to SEQTA to view your son’s continuous online report progress. Staff members are required to provide constructive feedback against the performance or achievement standards on every piece of summative work. Please contact your son’s teacher or Head of House through SEQTA should you have any queries.

A reminder to Year 12 families of the below key dates for the remainder of 2019:

Have a wonderful break and thank you for your support over Assumption Term.

Blessings and peace.

Mr David Ruggiero (BPS'92)

Deputy Principal, Secondary (7-12)