Getting to know your 2023 prefects

They are the incoming Year 12 students tasked with helping lead our school in 2023. But how well do you know our new Prefects? Never fear! We’ve asked them all the big (and some not-so-big) questions.

Harry Boyd-Turner

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started at Blackfriars in 2014, in Year 3. Mr Richardson was my first teacher. He helped me get to know all the other boys and helped lead me to be the person I am today.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? I love the fact that you are aren’t cut off to just your year level. You can mix with any of the year levels and get to know all the boys in the school. Another thing I love is the teachers’ ability to teach us. Sometimes, us boys can be hard for them to deal with, and the teachers are the absolute best at dealing with us and our struggles.

What does leadership mean to you? Leadership, for me, means to not just lead a group, but to lead with them and be the people’s person. Leadership is not about fixing or changing someone, it’s about getting the best out of anyone or any situation.

Favourite subject? Right now, my favourite subject is Architecture. Even though it is my first year doing the subject, the ability to have creative freedom and build/design anything I wish is important to me.

What are your post-school plans? I don’t really know, I change my mind every three months. First, I wanted to be an aerospace engineer, then I wanted to be a GP, then I wanted to be a breakfast radio host, and now, to my dad’s (who’s an architect) despair, I am looking into architecture.

Port or Crows? Or neither? Port all the way.

What’s your go-to canteen order? Always an Oak Plus and a plain Dairy Milk chocolate bar. Veronica is making me go broke.

Reuben Calleja

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started at Blackfriars as a Year 8 student in 2019. It was daunting going from being the most senior student at my primary school to the newest student again, but it didn’t take long for me to get to know my peers, some of whom are now my closest friends.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? The sense of community. It feels like all the students have good relationships with each other and the same goes for the teachers.

What does leadership mean to you? There are a lot of qualities that make a leader, but the first one that comes to mind is being a role model by trying to set an example in everything you do, even if nobody’s watching.

Favourite subject? My favourite subject is Music and, this year, I’ve studied Stage 2 Music.

What are your post-school plans? I’m not sure. Why? Did you want to hang out?

Port or Crows? Or neither? Geelong, as of this year.

What’s your go-to canteen order? Whatever food the ladies who work there are giving out at the end of the day.

Hudson Cosgrove

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started at Blackfriars back in 2018, in Year 7.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? I love the great community that we have here at Blackfriars; the teachers and students here make learning that much more fun, especially in the later years, everyone around you makes it just that bit easier.

What does leadership mean to you? To me, leadership means putting other people first and doing what is in the best interest of the community.

Favourite subject? Very tough decision, but it would probably have to be Biology.

What are your post-school plans? My post-school plans are very unclear at the moment. I feel like what I want to do when I leave school changes every hour, so, at the moment, I have no idea. But I would love to be able to travel and see the world, as I haven’t actually left the country yet. I would love to see other amazing places that I keep seeing on TikTok and Instagram.

Port or Crows? Or neither? Without a doubt Crows, as they are 100% the better Adelaide team.

What’s your go-to canteen order? My go-to canteen order would have to be the honey chicken and rice, a mango iced tea and a milk chocolate bar. Or, really, whatever my bank account will allow me.

Harrison Dallimore

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started at Blackfriars in 2019 as a Year 8 student. It was a scary feeling to be in a new setting, but I’ve loved every minute of it since.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? I love being a part of such a broad community here. The friendships I’ve made through groups, like homeroom and the football team, mean a lot and I hope will last for years to come.

What does leadership mean to you? Leadership, to me, means putting other people first and representing the school community. I hope to do as much as I can next year by putting my best foot forward.

Favourite subject? PE, for sure.

What are your post-school plans? Definitely want to travel after school – North America and New Zealand are at the top of my list, but would also love to road trip Australia.

Port or Crows? Or neither? No chance! Been a North Melbourne fan all my life and wouldn’t change it.

What’s your go-to canteen order? Tough question, but it has to be between the roast pork roll and the plum beef rice.

Ben Herbert

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started my journey at Blackfriars in 2019 as a Year 8.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? I love the positive culture at Blackfriars. I love how Blackfriars is such a positive and engaging environment where I am able to thrive in my studies. I also enjoy getting to know younger boys and connecting with the wider community. I am fortunate enough to be able to do all this as a student at Blackfriars.

What does leadership mean to you? Leadership, to me, is being an individual who has the ability to influence and guide the people around them. Leadership can be shown and displayed in many ways, but I believe it comes from being a role model and a good person for others to follow. Leadership is displayed through serving in the local and school community and leadership, to me, means you hold the values of a leader, which is being welcoming, resilient, motivating, hardworking and inspiring others to get the best out of themselves.

Favourite subject? Currently Biology.

What are your post-school plans? After school, I want to travel to Europe, in particular France, Spain, Germany and Belgium. I also want to travel back to New Zealand for a couple of weeks.

Port or Crows? Or neither? Massive Crows supporter.

What’s your go-to canteen order? My go-to canteen order is the everyday Mentos packet and some chicken nuggets with the occasional chicken schnitzel burger.

Jonathan Hoang

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started in Blackfriars in Reception, in 2011. So, I’ve been a part of this Blackfriars community a long time.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? Being a Blackfriars student, I just generally love the community I am in. Having supporting teachers and friendly friends in the community, I just can’t help but love it!

What does leadership mean to you? Leadership is the action of guiding people towards a righteous path where future generations will soon be able to follow the footsteps of previous leaders.

Favourite subject? I don’t really have one, but if I had to choose, it would be English because it’s the most relaxed subject I am doing, besides the Biology and Maths I am doing.

What are your post-school plans? At the moment, I don’t have a specific idea on what I want to do for my future, but I aim to get a good ATAR so I can get into a good university of my choice.

Port or Crows? Or neither? Well, I don’t watch the footy, so I wouldn’t know which team is better. But if I had to choose between them, I would go for the Crows – because, why not?

What’s your go-to canteen order? Definitely the fried rice with honey chicken. Best item on the menu.

Abbas Hosseini

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started at Blackfriars only last year after being recommended this school by an ex-prefect, Ehsan Danish.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? I love the sense of belonging I feel at this school. I also respect how hard the teachers and the students work to make everyone feel like they belong.

What does leadership mean to you? I think that your title is not defined by your leadership role; leadership is an activity, not a position. Being a leader means having compassion and doing what is right, not having authority and using it for personal gain. A good leader, in my opinion, is someone who leads by example, exemplifies their commitment to the community and works tirelessly to help all individuals in the community.

Favourite subject? My favourite subject is English.

What are your post-school plans? After Year 12, I am planning on taking a gap year and travelling across Europe, as well as visiting my birthplace, Iran. From there, I will apply for my career job, which is speech pathology.

Port or Crows? Or neither? Crows, obviously.

What’s your go-to canteen order? It’s either a cold roll or a chicken burger with a drink.

Danny Nguyen

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started at Blackfriars in 2019 as a Year 8 student. I was terrified of the high school life coming into Blackfriars, but after making some friends, I was fine.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? The school culture and being around all my mates. Coming to school every day and having a laugh is one of the best things someone can have.

What does leadership mean to you? To me, leadership is listening to my peers and leading by example. I hope to implement ideas from everyone around the school next year.

Favourite subject? My favourite subjects are Science and English. I enjoy writing and reading and I find Science very interesting.

What are your post-school plans? After school, I’m looking to get into occupational therapy and study at the University of Adelaide. Also, I’m hoping to travel to North America and New Zealand at some point. Could go for a road trip around Australia with someone, too.

Port or Crows? Or neither? This year I became a Geelong fan. Before that, I was a Demons fan, then went for Richmond for two years. Before that, I rooted for West Coast, Richmond, the Bulldogs and Hawthorn from 2013-2016.

What’s your go-to canteen order? Whatever Veronica wants to give me for free at the end of lunch!

Dominic Nguyen

When did you start at Blackfriars? I started in Reception, in 2010.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? It is my favourite school; everyone knows me and I feel like I belong.

What does leadership mean to you? It means responsibility and to be organised, caring, patient and supportive of the school community.

Favourite subject? My favourite subject was Soccer with Ernie and having Mr Cheary for PE.

What are your post-school plans? I haven’t figured out what I would like to do after school yet.

Port or Crows? Or neither? I don’t support Port or the Crows, but I do support Manchester United.

What’s your go-to canteen order? Nachos.

Nathan Sewart

When did you start at Blackfriars? I believe I started at Blackfriars back in 2009, doing half a year of Reception. I have remained at Blackfriars throughout my schooling.

What do you love about being a student at Blackfriars? The culture and flexibility. Our Blackfriars culture is super unique, allowing various types of people to come together within our community. On the other hand, the flexibility available in our studies is great, allowing all students to learn on their own path.

What does leadership mean to you? To me, leadership is about guidance. Focussing on assisting my community while guiding them to a better future.

Favourite subject? My favourite subject would have to be Maths; however, I enjoy Music and my study lessons a lot.

What are your post-school plans? I’d love to pursue something in engineering or educational psychology and teaching.

Port or Crows? Or neither? Neither. I’m not the biggest footy fan. Despite this, my family is extremely pro-Crows.

What’s your go-to canteen order? Either a roast pork Viet-roll or fried rice with grilled chicken.