The Dominicans

Six Dominican Friars formed the total original staff at Blackfriars in 1953. The expansion of the school and the decreasing number of vocations to the religious life have resulted in only two Friars on the campus today. The School Prior, a Friar, has the responsibility of maintaining and developing the Christian and Dominican traditions and ethos of the school. He works closely with the Principal, the School Board and the Administration.

The Dominican Friars live at St Laurence’s Priory in North Adelaide which was the first foundation of the Dominican Order in Australasia in 1898. The Parish Priest of the North Adelaide/Prospect Parish is also a member of the community. The school has close ties with both the Parish and the Priory, and the school's vineyard is located at the Priory.

The Dominicans encourage the students to search continually for truth in their own lives, in their scholastic endeavours and in their search for God. They are keen to explore all areas of knowledge because all knowledge leads to God, the Ultimate Truth. Blackfriars has been a leader in providing new courses and a wide range of subject areas so that all students may find their particular path to God.

Dominican teaching encourages students to respect the dignity of the individual. This was a special charisma of St Dominic, typified when he sent  the first members of his fledgling Order out to distant lands. He respected their freedom to make decisions and their personal capacity to spread the message of the Gospel, that promoted the rights and dignity of all people.

The democratic quality of the Order is reflected in the processes involved in the formation of the administrative structures of the school, such as the School Board, and the election of Student Leaders. The students, staff and parents are encouraged to take on positions of responsibility both in the school and in the wider community.

Leadership and responsibility, as encapsulated in the Gospel message, fosters in our students the willingness to be involved in community activities and social justice programs that produce benefits for others and the environment. In 2004 the students and staff raised over $10000 to enable the Dominican Mission in the Solomon Islands to purchase a boat to transport students from neighbouring islands to the secondary technical school in Honiara. In 2005 the students and staff raised over $12000 to help upgrade the Medical Clinic at Sirovagna in the Solomon Islands.

It is in both study to gain knowledge of the truth, and in the service of others that the Dominican charism is lived out by Dominicans and those who share in the Dominican spirit.