Edition 11/2017
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Edition 11/2017 Blackfriars Priory School The OPtimist News & Highlights PRAYER STUDY COMMUNITY SERVICE Blackfriars Priory School 17 Prospect Rd, Prospect SA 5082 PO Box 86, Prospect SA 5082 T: +61 8 8169 3900 E: [email protected] bps.sa.edu.au facebook.com/BlackfriarsSchool CRICOS: 02485B Members of the Provincial Council assembled outside the St Albert the Great Chapel Visit of the Provincial Council of the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea) Blackfriars Priory School was honoured to host the historic, inaugural visit of the Dominican Provincial Council to Blackfriars Priory School during the final week of Term 3. The Provincial Council, under the leadership of the Very Reverend Fr Anthony Walsh (OP) assembled at Blackfriars to meet with the Chair of the School Board, Mr David O’Loughlin and myself to discuss the vision and direction of Blackfriars Priory School, including consideration of the Master Plan for the future development of our School. The Provincial Council is the elected group of Friars governing the affairs of the Order of Preachers in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The Provincial Council has ownership of and ultimate governance responsibility for Blackfriars Priory School. We were honoured to host the following members of the Provincial Council: • The Very Reverend Fr Anthony Walsh (Provincial) (AUS) • Fr Kevin Saunders (former Provincial) (AUS) • Fr Kevin Toomey (NZ) • Fr Thomas Azzi (Provincial Bursar) (AUS) • Fr Matthew Boland (AUS) • Fr Henry Natowosi (PNG) • Fr Joseph Truong Pham (AUS) • Fr Joseph Vnuk (AUS) • Fr Stephen Kamoa from the Solomon Islands was an apology. Welcome Back Fr John Neill OP I was also thrilled to welcome back Fr John Neill (OP), former Headmaster (1972-88) to Blackfriars Priory School. Fr John was instrumental in shaping the lives of so many students during his seventeen years as Headmaster. He formed the community in the ideals of the Four Pillars of Dominican Life, Prayer, Study, Community and Service and was influential in the development of many facilities including the all-purpose Gymnasium and Published by: Blackfriars Priory School School Chapel, now the Music studio. Submissions: To make a submission to Fr John was the special guest at the Dominican Cup Debating held at Blackfriars on the next edition of the OPtimist, please Monday, 25 September. Students from Blackfriars Priory School and St Dominic’s Priory forward details to the Development College competed in three debates: Office via email: [email protected] • The Caleruega Cup for Juniors Years 6 – 8. • The Father John Neill (OP) Cup for Intermediate Years 9 and 10. Cover: Reception student Jaxon • The Sister Jillian Havey (OP) Cup for Seniors Years 11 and 12. Babaniotis waters the new raised No doubt inspired by the presence of Fr John, the Blackfriars Priory School teams won all garden beds in the Primary School. three debates. It was a special moment when Fr John presented the Father John Neill (OP) 2 From the Principal Fr John Neill (OP) and Simon Cobiac presenting the Cup to the Intermediate Team: (Back) Fr Anthony and Simon Cobiac drawing the veil on the plaque Harrison Catley, Peter Le, Trung Nguyen, TJ Afungia. (Front) Amir Nazari and Frank Snelling Cup to the Intermediate Team of Frank Blackfriars Priory School; enabling many In conclusion, the visit of the Provincial Snelling (Captain), Harrison Catley, Peter young people to express their dramatic, Council and Fr John Neill (OP) to Lee, Trung Nguyen, TJ Afungia and Amir technical and musical talents in a fit for Blackfriars Priory School during September Nazari. purpose space. was heartening and encouraging for our Blessing and Opening of New and The St Martin de Porres Place is a dedicated entire community; a reassurance of the Re-Furbished Facilities space in the Primary School designed to Council’s clear commitment to the future foster a greater connection to the earth, the of Blackfriars Priory School. With the We were delighted to coordinate the endorsement of the Provincial Council Provincial Council visit to the School environment and the community through play, adventure and collaboration. we can confidently drive the next phase with the Blessing and Opening of St of Blackfriars Priory School’s strategic Martin de Porres Place (Primary School We are delighted with the new and direction with inspiration and motivation Environmental area), refurbishments to renovated facilities. The creatively designed and continue to serve the children and youth the Fr John Neill (OP) Gymnasium and the learning spaces will provide our students of our community through education of new Fr James O’Doherty (OP) Performing with the opportunity to express their many excellence, in the true sense and purpose of Arts Theatre. The Very Reverend Fr Anthony talents and grow in their learning and the founding traditions and enlightenment Walsh (OP) presided over the blessing and personal development over the years to of St Dominic. come. opening of the facilities on Tuesday evening, St Dominic of the Hounds, lead our way. 26 September 2017 before special guests Take Your Seat Campaign Mr Simon Cobiac and staff. The event was celebrated with I thank the Development Office, Mrs Principal light refreshments and the inaugural drama Rachel Elgar and Mr Jon Harmer for performance by senior students in the new their organisation of the ‘Take Your Seat’ Fr James Doherty (OP) Performing Arts campaign and the Old Scholars and friends Theatre. of Blackfriars Priory School who donated The renovations to the Fr John Neill to the fundraising effort. It is not too late to (OP) Gymnasium provides better access show your support to the School through and egress to and from the Gymnasium, participation of this campaign, we have improved display and storage areas, already received further donations following heating and cooling and much improved the witness of the inaugural drama lighting, creating a brighter space for performance. The campaign will remain physical education, games and community open for members of our community who gatherings. may wish to financially support their alma mater. The modification and reassignment of the original squash courts to create the Fr Please contact the Development Office James O’Doherty Performing Arts Theatre to make a donation or receive further is a brilliant use of space that will provide information: a wonderful boost to the Performing Arts Phone: 81690 3918 [Rachel Elgar] or email: curriculum and co-curricular activities at [email protected] 3 Fr James O’Doherty Performing Arts Theatre Opens The transformation of Hound Hall into the new Fr James O’Doherty Performing Arts Theatre is now complete. While this newly transformed space is home to the School’s Performing Arts Program, the theatre provides a multi-purpose venue for student learning across the whole school from Early Learning through to Year 12; including events such as special presentations, music performances, lectures, visual displays and much more. This new venue provides: • Retractable seating for 110 people • Modern stage set • Green room with costume storage • State of the art control booth and audio visual equipment • Professional sound and lighting The Theatre is already being enjoyed by Rolf and Sonia Sharfbillig with their children Estha and Eli and their sponsored seat. students from all year levels for a variety of educational experiences and will be a much used facility for many years to come. Blackfriars Priory School sincerely thanks the generous donors to our Take Your Seat campaign: • Thomas O’Donnell and family • John Balkwill (‘65) • Lam Vuong (‘97) • Rolf Scharfbillig (‘87) and family • Paul Varsanyi (‘64) • Franco Manconi (‘82) • Malcom and Corinna Renney and family • Jason Skene and family • Chris Dalzell and family • David O’Loughlin (‘82) • Jillian O’Leary and family • Laurence Dillon (‘60) Above: Year 10 Drama performance and Scott, Harry and Danni Boyd-Turner and their sponsored seat. • Drew Grieve and family (‘00) • Boyd-Turner family • John Saint (‘67) • Catherine Calleja and family • Graham and Alison Hutt and family • Georgia Sampson and family • Cameron Hewett (‘16) • Thomas O’Donnell (‘16) • Marion Fitch and family • Hai and Thao Nguyen and family • Meryl Tassone and family • Danny (‘86), Bruno (‘89) and Marcello (‘95) Above: Guests in the theatre at the opening. Caiazza Below: The completed new theatre. Above: Seat sponsors Corinna, James (Year 12) and Malcolm Renney. Below: Fr Anthony and Fr Matthew blessing the new theatre. 4 Performing Arts Reaches New Heights Working in the Performing Arts can be wider audience. challenging, but it can also be incredibly 2017 was exhilarating for Drama at rewarding and exhilarating. Blackfriars – The Fringe, a brand new 2017 was all of those – challenging yet theatre, and top quality performances by satisfying because of many achievements. really talented students. The year started with preparation for the 2018 is shaping up to be equally exciting – 2017 Adelaide Fringe Festival Production The Fringe Festival again, the pleasure to of ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’, written by Sally able to work with the talented writer, Karen Hardy and directed by Rebecca Occhiuto- Sierp again and a really talented group of Hassam. This was a new venture for students again. Blackfriars and included a promotional Yes it will be challenging at times; that interview on Breakfast Radio at Radio comes with the territory in theatre. But I Adelaide. am sure there will be some really good, This wonderful experience will be repeated memorable moments too. again as the theatre management at the Mr Robert Becker Parks approached Blackfriars after the Drama Teacher Stage 2 Drama performance of TRUTH, with an offer for the play to be included in The Fringe at the Parks programme for 2018. How could we refuse? TRUTH is a beautifully written play in which the author, Karen Sierp raises some really tough contemporary issues like social media abuse, cyberbullying, power, consent and objectifying women.