From the Principal

Dear Blackfriars Community

Appointment of Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefect

It is my great pleasure to announce the following significant student leadership appointments for 2020.

Head Prefect - Peter (Minh Khoi) Le

Deputy Head Prefect - Harry Catley

Peter and Harry are outstanding leaders who have a history of living the four pillars of Study, Prayer, Community and Service throughout their journey at Blackfriars. I wish them every blessing as they take on the responsibilities involved in these roles and I know they will receive unanimous support from the Blackfriars community.

Calendar Dates 2020

Below are the commencement and conclusion dates for the 2020 School Year.  I remind you all that terms conclude at the normal end of school day; either 3.05pm (Primary) or 3:15pm (Years 7 to 12). 

Term 1 - Tuesday, 28 January to Thursday, 9 April

Note:  ELC, Reception to Year 8 and Year 12 commence Tuesday, 28 January

Years 9 to 11 commence Wednesday, 29 January

Term 2 - Monday, 27 April to Friday, 26 June (3 week term break)

Term 3 - Monday, 20 July to Friday, 25 September

Term 4 - Monday, 12 October to Thursday, 4 December

New Bus Services 2020

The new school bus services to the North East and North West will commence on Tuesday, 28 January 2020. Bus Timetables including the specific routes and collection points have been finalised and are available for download here.

Parents who have already registered their interest for the bus service will be contacted by email from the Development Office to finalise arrangements for the provision of the service. If you have not yet registered your interest in the bus service please contact the School Registrar by email registrar@bps.sa.edu.au by Friday 13 December.

Staffing News

Brother Brendan Retires

Some may already have heard the news that Br Brendan O’Hearn OP has decided to retire from active work at Blackfriars at the end of this School Year after sixty years of outstanding service to the students and families.

Br Brendan, or as he is adoringly referred to by many as BB, has been an iconic and steadfast character with a quiet, but astute presence at Blackfriars for almost as long as Blackfriars has existed, but not quite! 

The School, and in particular St Catharine’s, will take on a different aura in 2020, when the quiet, gentle footsteps of Br Brendan no longer pace the corridor to and from his archives office or up and down the staircase to and from the staff room.  I am most certain though, that the fountain of knowledge, the words of wisdom and experience and the sudden burst of jovial laughter that at unexpected times erupts from Br Brendan, will be greatly missed by many. 

A community event will be planned for early 2020 when we will celebrate with Br Brendan, the Dominican community and the wider Blackfriars community.

Fond Farewell to Staff!

A list of permanent staff not returning to Blackfriars in 2020 is provided for your interest below.

I also thank our short term contract staff who have served our school community throughout 2019.

Further to those mentioned above, I bring to your attention the following staff who retire at the end of the School Year.  Each have over the many years of service, been an intricate and important thread in the life and tapestry of Blackfriars and they will be greatly missed by many.

Chris Packer – 40 Years

Domenic Catalano – 38 Years

Brent Farquhar – 36 Years

Jeff Drewer – 35 Years

Of note, Chris Packer who will transition from career mathematics legend to retiree statistician-extraordinaire!  Domenic Catalano who in retirement is eager and excited to embrace his status of ‘nonno’/grand papa!  Brent Farquhar who will re-invigorate his passion for sport and Jeff Drewer, who following his successful launch of the Blackfriars Pedal Prix Challenge, is looking forw