Welcome from the Primary School

Welcome – or welcome back – to all our Primary families. I trust you enjoyed some quality family time over the break, and that your children are refreshed and eager to start another year.

For some, it will be their first year of schooling; 14 boys have started in Reception this year, joining our returning students from the 2019 mid-year intake.

A total of 36 new boys started in the Primary School this year, and if what I saw on day one is anything to go by, the year ahead is promising to be enjoyable and fruitful for all.

Staffing

The following classes and rooms are set for 2020

Room	Class / Year level	Teacher(s)
PR1	Art and STEM	Diana Hatzipolousis (Art – Term 1), Nadia Morris (STEM)
PR2	Year 6	John Niedzwiecki
PR3	Reception	Kendall Schenk
PR4	Year 1 M	Jessica Macolino
PR5	Year 2 A	Trent Allwood
PR6	Year 3 C	Oliver Carroll
PR7	Year 4 H	Claire Holland
PR8	Year 5 LW	Steph La Forgia and Jo West
PR9	Year 6 V	Henry Vo

Michelle McGinty is our Literacy Co-ordinator (Monday-Thursday). Jo Dametto and Chikako Oguma will take Japanese and Nadia Morris is the STEM teacher (Mondays). Jacquie McEvoy will continue in her role as E-12 Teacher Librarian and Libby Hunter will take Music classes. Jo West continues as Assistant Head of Primary Curriculum (ELC to 6).  For Term 1, Diana Hatzipolousis will be taking Art and Matthew Freeman and Nick Cheary will take PE. Jez Bonig and Emma Askem continue as R to 6 ESOs, while Kristine Pupplet will be working in the Reception class for Term 1. Dina Hasaneen is the R to 12 Learning Enrichment Co-ordinator.

Fancy a cuppa?

Our tuckshop has acquired a café-standard coffee machine and our resident barista, Veronica, makes an excellent brew. Parents are welcome to purchase a coffee (at a very reasonable price, might I add) and we will make the Primary Meeting Room available on Mondays and Fridays for anyone looking for a comfortable undercover space to have a cuppa and a chat.

Dental Van visit

The Dental Van will be visiting the Primary School from Monday 2 March until Thursday 5 March. You should have received invites for your sons to attend, but if not then please let me know.

New Kiss and Drop area

Thank you to all the parents who have embraced the new traffic conditions on Highbury Street at the Kiss and Drop Area. The 2-minute only standing seems to be working and traffic is flowing well. Primary boys will be trained to be Safety Rangers to help with this process. Please click here if you need a refresher on how the system works.

Primary dates to remember

17 – 20 February – Swimming Lessons (Year 6 – 9:30-11:00, Year 5 – 11 -12:30)

21 February – Primary Prayer Service, prepared by Year 6 and Year 3

21 February – P&F Welcome Evening (6pm)

26 February – Ash Wednesday – Mass (10am in the Gym)

2 – 5 March – Dental Van Visit

Wishing you and your families a successful and joyful year at Blackfriars.

Frank Ali
Head of Primary