Getting to know you: Meet our 2025 new staff members

Blackfriars is pleased to welcome a number of new staff members in 2025. We’ve asked them all the big questions – and the not-so-big questions – to help you get to know them a little better.

Jake Campbell

What are you teaching in 2025? I am teaching Year 12 and 11 General Maths, as well as Science to Year 10s and 8s.  

Where are you joining us from? I have just moved back to Australia from two years in London, where I taught at North Bridge House, located in Hampstead Heath.   

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I’d like to bring my positive attitude and sense of community. I’ve always found that effective teachers are ones that students can connect with, and I’m hoping to build connections with students to help them achieve their best.  

What’s the best thing about teaching? As a teacher, you’re constantly learning from your students and having to adjust things as you go. This keeps the job dynamic and ensures that I’m never bored, and even when I find myself doing the more boring aspects of the job, I get to see the immediate impact that the additional work I’ve put in has had on the lesson.  

What’s your favourite song and why? Incredibly Loud, Glass Animals. The song tells a story and provides the listener with multiple layers, which I like as I’m interested in music composition.   

Your favourite movie? GoldenEye. I saw it as a child and it has just always stayed with me. 

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Muesli bars and home-cooked meals as cooking is something I enjoy doing in my down time.

Natalie Cruse

What is your role in 2025? Music Administration Assistant.

Where are you joining us from? I am a co-owner and performer in JAM Band – Just Add Music, which is an exciting and engaging music performance incursion for primary schools. I play a number of instruments including saxophone, clarinet, drums and bass. I’ve previously been a private music tutor in various schools around Adelaide.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? As well as keeping on top of the music administration and helping to keep the department running smoothly, I hope to also bring some fun and cheer! I am energetic and I love wearing bright colours.

What’s the best thing about working in a school? Getting to know the students and encouraging them with their skills and endeavours.

What’s your favourite song and why? Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill, because I love heaps of different genres and styles of music and this song has it all!

Your favourite movie? The Emperor’s New Groove. It is the perfect movie! Funny, not too long, a great cast and so many quotable one-liners.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? A boiled egg, an apple, leftovers to heat up for lunch. Importantly, it will all be gluten free, as I have coeliac disease, which actually isn’t as terrible as it might sound.

Ryan Falcione

What is your role in 2025? I am working as a Creative Arts & Design Technology Assistant.

Where are you joining us from? I come from a welding fabricating background and have spent time working for a Blackfriars old scholar business called Dekker Motor Body Builders. Amazing place and highly recommend them for any of your ute tray needs. But, most recently, I’ve been at an OSHC in North Haven.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I am excited to be back here since my time as a student. I hope to bring the knowledge I have learnt from my seven-year trade background, as well as any tips and tricks that can help the Blackfriars staff and students.

What’s the best thing about working in a school? The best thing about working in schools is being able to help students learn and become great members of the community. But, also, the laughter and joy.

What’s your favourite song and why? Not only my favourite song, but single handedly the best song in the world. The Adelaide Crows theme song. Best enjoyed after beating the cross-town rivals.

Your favourite movie? Favourite movie would have to be anything Adam Sandler-related. Can recite just about any line from his movies.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? An apple a day to keep the doctor away. But on special occasions hopefully a pizza covered in pineapple.

Michael Pugh

What are you teaching in 2025? I am teaching mostly in the Senior years in the Design Technology and Engineering subjects. My role is Leader of Learning – Creative Arts and Design Technology.

Where are you joining us from? I have come from Pembroke School, where I taught mostly Senior School SACE DT&E and IBDP Design Technology and, prior to that, Immanuel College, where I taught Middle School IBMYP Design, and Senior School SACE DT&E.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope to support and grow an innovative and creative learning environment. Challenging students to explore and take risks, develop their capabilities and confidence through authentic and contemporary learning experiences.

What’s the best thing about teaching? Working with staff to develop quality learning experiences, working with the wider school community and, most of all, the opportunity to foster an environment where students feel safe to explore and create, to be challenged and think critically.

What’s your favourite song and why? I don’t really have a favourite song, I like different songs for different moods, I like music from a range of genres. Random artists I like from different genres would include Mike Patton, Idina Menzel, Johnny Cash, Andrea Bocelli and Melody Gardot.

Your favourite movie? I don’t really have a favourite. I do like quirky comedies.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Salmon and salad, maybe leftover pizza!

Olivia Punturieri

What are you teaching in 2025?  I am teaching Food Technology, English and Humanities.

Where are you joining us from? I was at Nazareth College for 5 ½ years then moved to Rostrevor College for the last six months of 2024.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I am super excited to bring lots of exciting and fresh new opportunities within the Food Technology space!! As it is the first year running here at Blackfriars, I would love to see as many students as possible come in and experience the amazing facilities and engage in the learning experiences that will be offered. I also hope to create a classroom space that allows the boys to broaden their skillset in a positive and supportive environment.

What’s the best thing about teaching? I love teaching all different types of students. Some challenging, some help me question my way of thinking/teaching, I love helping these students throughout their journey in school, watching them flourish into young adults. I also love the enthusiasm and curiosity students bring to the classroom. Watching them have their ‘light bulb moments’ make each day rewarding. I love being a teacher because I get to have fun, share in their discoveries and create lasting memories together.

What’s your favourite song and why? This is so tricky for me because I love listening to music. I’m a ’90s girl so any RNB or Ministry of Sound from the 2000s is usually my go to. My top song at the moment would be Somedays by Sonny Federa & Jazzy. I recently went on a European holiday and this song was playing everywhere we went. It reminds me of enjoying the beautiful beaches and relaxing on holidays.

Your favourite movie? I love any rom com/chick flick movies but one favourite would be Rush Hour 1,2 or 3.

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Tuna salad, FibreOne Choc Bar, Chips ( I loooove potato chips!) and a nectarine.

Blackfriars also welcomes Ida Masullo as ESO – Food Technology and Food Science.