Getting to know you: Meet our 2024 new staff members

Blackfriars is pleased to welcome a number of new staff members in 2024. We’ve asked them all the big questions – and the not-so-big questions – to help you get to know them a little better.

Thomas Humeniuk

What are you teaching in 2024? Year 2.

Where are you joining us from? I am joining Blackfriars after spending six years working at St Therese, in Colonel Light Gardens.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope I can bring my calm and caring attitude to spread positivity to everyone. Using my knowledge of intervention programs will also hopefully allow me to individualise the learning to each student and provide them with the tools to reach a successful learning outcome in all their schoolwork.

What’s the best thing about teaching? Seeing the smiles and happiness that comes with learning when students are enjoying their learning environment as they are all working so hard to reach their learning goals.

What’s your favourite song and why? The Nosebleed Section, by Hilltop Hoods. Just like the Hilltop Hoods, I also grew up in Blackwood and have a love of Australian hip-hop that was heavily influenced by my uncle. Plus, it’s always a bonus to support amazing local artists!

Your favourite movie? Spider-Man (2002). As a kid, it started my love of superhero movies that continues to grow to this today.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Lots of sweet treats while also making sure to still have healthy snacks, because they are very important!

Michael Bollard

What are you teaching in 2024? I am taking Year 7 core, teaching Maths, English, HASS and Religion. I am also taking Years 9 and 10 maths.

Where are you joining us from? My previous two years has involved studying the Master of Teaching (Primary) degree at UniSA. My previous career has been heavily focused on hospitality within many elements of hotels, bars and restaurants across Adelaide, specifically food and beverage. I am joining most recently from Enfield Primary School, where I worked with students in a numeracy intervention program as an SSO.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope to bring life experience, enthusiasm, humility, and a bit of fun to the students. I sincerely am excited about this new role and the experience I believe I can bring to it. As a father of two, my hope is to take my experience as a parent into my teaching career and bring a new level of fun and joy to the school.

What’s the best thing about teaching? There are many parts which I love about teaching in schools. My experience within my practicals and work at Enfield Primary were all very different. But one element in common is in the interaction with students. I have always believed there is more to simply imparting knowledge and learning from one person to another. Working withing schools give an amazing level of structure, support and encouragement between students and staff that gives me great joy and reason to return daily. Schools and communities are built harmoniously together. I am looking forward to being part of both at Blackfriars.

What’s your favourite song and why? Really hard to answer just one song! If I had to answer just one song, it would have to be …

Your favourite movie? Even harder to answer … there are just so many! Again, the first I can think of is The Godfather.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Now this is an easy one … Fresh fruit, cheese, nuts, tuna. Anything simple and quick to eat with little to no preparation.

Frances Dello Iocovo

What are you teaching in 2024? I am very excited to join the team in the ELC as the new teacher in the Green Room.

Where are you joining us from? I have spent the past six years at St Martin’s Greenacres and prior to that, St David’s Parish School.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope to bring lots of exciting new learning opportunities to the inquisitive minds of our gorgeous ELC children and share in a lot of laughs.

What’s the best thing about teaching? I love working in a school and being part of a school community. Nothing is more enjoyable than being able to witness the growth in young children and celebrate their achievements with them and their families.

What’s your favourite song and why? One you will hear frequently in my room is Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake because it just gets you moving and bopping away. It’s a favourite song to clean up to!

Your favourite movie? I can’t say I have a favourite movie as such, but any feel-good movie would be what I’m up for. However, you won’t ever catch me watching anything scary!

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? I’m a fan of a leftover lunches – usually something made with fresh fruit or vegies from my dad’s garden!

Siva Alagumalai

What are you teaching in 2024? Senior mathematics plus professional development support for teachers (numeracy).

Where are you joining us from? Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Alice Springs.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope to bring a passion for mathematics and mathematical sciences.

What’s the best thing about teaching? Working with students, their families, community and colleagues engaged with education.

What’s your favourite song and why? Bee Gees, Spirits (Having Flown). It had an impact during my teenage years!

Your favourite movie? The Mission for the story, music, setting, actors and acting.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Fruit and nuts.

Tara Marshall

What are you teaching in 2024? Year 7 and Year 8 Digital Technologies and Year 7 Mathematics.

Where are you joining us from? During 2023, I was teaching at St Paul’s College.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I strive to provide a creative, student-centred learning environment for further hands-on, problem-based learning in Digital Technologies and Mathematics. I hope for my students to engage well with my subjects, by connecting their real-world experiences with learning content.

What’s the best thing about teaching? I feel fortunate to have a career where I can be a positive part of an individual’s learning journey. I enjoy assisting students develop inquiry and interest in STEM, to expand their future employment opportunities.

What’s your favourite song and why? One of my favourite songs is OneRepublic I Ain’t Worried. This song often has me whistling.

Your favourite movie? Homeward Bound – The Incredible Journey. I originally watched this movie when I was a child, but it remains a favourite in our household. It has strong themes of perseverance and family. It is about three pets who are left behind when their owners go on vacation. The pets set out on an adventure to find them. Humorous narration by Michael J Fox keeps our whole family viewing this film. The movie was based on The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? In addition to my main meal (which often varies), you will find avocados and chocolate in my lunchbox. NOTE: The avocado is a great source of nutrients and is beneficial for gut health (so I don’t feel as guilty about the chocolate 😊).

Bronwyn Causley-Todd

What is your role in 2024? I’m working as an ESO (or Learning Enrichment Assistant) in Year 1. I’m here to give an extra bit of encouragement and support to a room full of busy boys and their teacher.

Where are you joining us from? I moved from Sydney to Adelaide in 2023 and am loving it! Best kept secret in the country. But the Sydney Swans are still my team.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I’ve been around for a while and hope my experience and positive energy contributes to a fun and successful learning experience for our boys.

What’s the best thing about working in a school? Definitely community. Watching kids grow together while being supported by caring family. Working as part of a team to achieve a common goal – getting all the little parts working harmoniously to produce a fabulous school environment for kids and their families.

What’s your favourite song and why? Flame Trees, by Cold Chisel. It was written about Grafton, NSW, where I spent many childhood holidays on my grandparents’ sugar cane farm; it’s also about being on the road, catching up with old friends and visiting home. It sounds great at full volume, especially because no one can here me singing!

Your favourite movie? Mamma Mia! Love a good musical and who wouldn’t want to live on a run down Greek Island and party with old pals?

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Something wholesome my husband has prepared earlier. (He hates it when I pack a Vegemite sandwich!)

Adele D’Angelo

What are you teaching in 2024? I am excited to join Blackfriars as the Year 3 classroom teacher.

Where are you joining us from? Last year, I taught at St Joseph’s School Kingswood.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope to bring my enthusiasm for education and dedication to seeing children learn and thrive.

What’s the best thing about teaching? The absolute highlight of teaching and working in a school is the genuine joy that comes from interacting with the children. The laughter, the curiosity and the enthusiasm the children bring to the classroom make each day unique and rewarding. The opportunity to have fun while working, share in their discoveries and creating lasting memories together is why I love being a teacher.

What’s your favourite song and why? This is a tough one; I don’t have just one favourite song. I love listening to almost anything on the radio, especially songs from the ’90s.

Your favourite movie? My favourite movie is Step Brothers. I used to watch it on repeat and it still makes me laugh today. Although, I do prefer to watch TV shows. I am a huge Friends fan and have re-watched the show more times than I can remember.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? I come from an Italian background, so I love pasta. If I’m lucky I may have a piece of my nonna’s lasanga. It is the best!

Jordan Norris

What are you teaching in 2024? In 2024, I am teaching Years 9 and 10 Science alongside Year 11 Biology, Year 11 Essential Mathematics and Year 12 Nutrition.

Where are you joining us from? In 2023, I was working at St Mary’s in the CBD. Before that, I was working in NSW. During 2021-2022 my wife and I travelled around Australia, which is how we ended up in Adelaide.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope to add to the enthusiasm and quality learning experiences at Blackfriars and help students become respectable young men who are happy and successful in their lives following their time at Blackfriars.

What’s the best thing about teaching? Getting to help students learn new things and discover and explore their passions is something I really enjoy about working in a school.

What’s your favourite song and why? I don’t really have a favourite song, I will listen to one or two songs repeatedly for days at a time, before moving onto a totally different song or artist.

Your favourite movie? Some of my favourite movies are The Lord of the Rings trilogy ,The Protector, the John Wick series, Dracula: Dead and Loving It and Everything Everywhere All at Once. I really enjoy action and comedy movies that have strong characters and unique worlds.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Hard to beat leftovers from dinner from the night before.