Scholarships
The Blackfriars scholarship program recognises boys for their innate personal qualities and achievements across a range of fields.
Blackfriars is committed to providing a well-rounded education: academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. The scholarship program reflects this with a range of scholarship opportunities available that relate to these qualities either individually or in combination.
Applications for 2024 scholarships have been extended to Sunday 30 April 2023.
Scroll down this page for full details of the criteria and application processes involved.
- Br Patrick Hynes Scholarship (Year 6)
- Dac Lo Scholarship (Year 7)
- Music Scholarship (Years 7 and 8)
- General Excellence Scholarship (Years 7 to 10)
- Maurice Leonard Scholarship (Middle Years)
- Peter and Ann Starrs Scholarship (Senior Years)
- John Lewis Scholarship (Year 11)
- Fr John Neill Scholarship (Year 12)
- Ax Academy Scholarship (Year 7 or 8)
- St Albert the Great Academic Scholarship (Year 7) – Online registrations for 2025 open September 2024 >

St Albert the Great Academic Scholarship
Year 7, 2025
2025 registrations open September 2024. REGISTER HERE >
The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) scholarship program is used annually at Blackfriars to award the St Albert the Great Academic Scholarship to students commencing in Year 7. This academic scholarship offers a 50% reduction in tuition fees for the rest of a boy’s education at Blackfriars, subject to terms and conditions being met.
The scholarship is awarded based on the results of the Australian Cooperative Entry Program (ACEP) tests. The scholarship will be awarded by the Principal upon review of the ACEP test results. The criteria for these scholarships include excellence in literacy and/or numeracy.
For further information on the ACER Scholarship Tests, please visit the ACER website >

Br Patrick Hynes Scholarship
Year 6, 2024
This scholarship was established in 1993 and named in recognition of Br Patrick Hynes OP who served as Master in Charge of the Primary School at Blackfriars during the 1970s. It is the first scholarship available exclusively to Primary School students at Blackfriars.
One scholarship valued at $1,500 is offered annually. It is awarded to the successful candidate during the first term of their Year 6 education at Blackfriars.
Eligibility
Application for the Br Patrick Hynes Scholarship is open to any domestic student entering Year 6 at Blackfriars in 2024.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of the Br Patrick Hynes Scholarship is based on an applicant’s commitment to representing the Four Pillars of Dominican Life – Prayer, Study, Community and Service.

Dac Lo Scholarship
Year 7, 2024
Recipients of the Dac Lo Scholarship are entitled to a 50% reduction in tuition fees for the remainder of their schooling at Blackfriars.
Eligibility
Application for the Dac Lo Scholarship is open to any domestic student entering Year 7 at Blackfriars in 2024. Applicants must be enrolled and studying at the Dac Lo Vietnamese Language School to be eligible
Selection Criteria
The Dac Lo Scholarship is awarded based on the applicant’s:
- outstanding academic ability and behaviour at school;
- commitment to maintaining the Vietnamese language and preserving Vietnamese culture;
- involvement in co-curricular activities; and
- financial need and/or that of his parents/guardians

Music Scholarship
Year 7 or 8, 2024
Recipients of a Music Scholarship are entitled to full remission of music tuition fees with a private tutor, instrument hire, music resources and music textbook fees for two years. Scholarships are up to the value of $2,500 (in music fees/resources).
Up to four Music Scholarships are available annually.
Eligibility
2024 Music Scholarships are open to any domestic student entering Years 7 or 8 at Blackfriars in 2024.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of a Music Scholarship is based on an applicant’s:
- performance at a practical audition;
- proven capacity or potential in music;
- aural testing and interview;
- ability to manage all academic aspects of music and school commitments; and
- commitment to enriching the arts culture of Blackfriars by being involved in music making and performance opportunities

General Excellence Scholarship
Years 7 to 10, 2024
One General Excellence Scholarship is awarded annually. The recipient is entitled to a 50% reduction in tuition fees for the year for which the scholarship is awarded.
Eligibility
Application for the General Excellence Scholarship is open to any domestic student entering Years 7, 8, 9 or 10 at Blackfriars in 2024.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of the General Excellence Scholarship is based on an applicant’s :
- outstanding academic ability;
- commitment to co-curricular activities; and
- dedication to the ideals and values of Blackfriars.

Maurice Leonard Scholarship
Year 7, 8 or 9, 2024
The Maurice Leonard Scholarship is provided to assist with the tuition costs for a Middle Years student attending Blackfriars. One scholarship is awarded annually.
Eligibility
Application for the Maurice Leonard Scholarship is open to any domestic student entering Year 7, 8 or 9 at Blackfriars in 2024.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of the Maurice Leonard Scholarship is based on an applicant’s :
- characteristics and qualities that reflect the spirit of Blackfriars, expressed through the Four Pillars of Dominican Life;
- financial need and/or that of his parents/guardians.

Peter and Ann Starrs Scholarship
Year 11 or 12, 2024
The Peter and Ann Starrs Scholarship provides a 50% reduction of the recipient’s tuition fees for the year in which the scholarship is awarded. One scholarship is awarded annually.
Eligibility
Application for the Peter and Ann Starrs Scholarship is open to any domestic student enrolled and attending Blackfriars in Year 10 or 11, 2023.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of the Peter and Ann Starrs Scholarship is based on an applicant’s :
- characteristics and qualities that reflect the spirit of Blackfriars, expressed through the Four Pillars of Dominican Life;
- financial need and/or that of his parents/guardians.

John Lewis Scholarship
Year 11, 2024
The John Lewis Scholarship is provided to assist with the tuition and school expenses for a Year 11 student attending Blackfriars. One scholarship is available annually.
The scholarship is named in recognition of Mr John Lewis, a generous benefactor of the Dominican community in Adelaide and previous owner of St Catherine’s, the property which comprises the Blackfriars campus.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the John Lewis Scholarship in 2024, the applicant must be a domestic student, enrolled and attending Blackfriars in Year 10, 2023.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of the John Lewis Scholarship is based on an applicant’s:
- commitment to exemplifying the Four Pillars of Dominican Life;
- efforts to embrace a spirit of generosity; and
- financial need and/or that of his parents/guardians.

Fr John Neill Scholarship
Year 12, 2024
The Fr John Neill Scholarship is provided to assist with the tuition and school expenses for a Year 12 student attending Blackfriars. One scholarship is available annually.
Fr John Neill OP OAM is considered one of the founders of Catholic universities in Australia and was instrumental in Australian Catholic education for more than 50 years. He served the Blackfriars community for 25 years; 16 as the school’s fifth Headmaster (1972 to 1988).
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Fr John Neill Scholarship in 2024, the applicant must be a domestic student, enrolled and attending Blackfriars in Year 11, 2023.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of the Fr John Neill Scholarship is based on an applicant’s:
- commitment to exemplifying the Four Pillars of Dominican Life;
- commitment to pursuing their studies with the mind of Christ; and
- financial need and/or that of his parents/guardians.

Ax Academy Scholarships
Year 7 or 8, 2024
Applications are open to students currently enrolled or seeking to commence in Year 7 or 8 in 2024. Multiple scholarships will be awarded.
Each Ax Academy Scholarship provides a 50% reduction of the recipient’s tuition fees for their remaining years of secondary education at Blackfriars.
Please refer to the information available to download below for all details and visit our Ax Academy web page for program details.