Blackfriars Priory School is a private

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...

school for boys situated in

Prospect Prospect may refer to: General * Prospect (marketing), a marketing term describing a potential customer * Prospect (sports), any player whose rights are owned by a professional team, but who has yet to play a game for the team * Prospect (minin ...

, an inner-northern suburb of

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest o ...

. It is conducted by the Dominican Friars of the Province of the Assumption.

History

The school opened in 1953 in its current location which was then a property called "St Catharine's". The house, which is now part of the school, was built for James Angas Johnson (1841-1909), a grandson of

George Fife Angas George Fife Angas (1 May 1789 – 15 May 1879) was an English businessman and banker who, while residing in England, played a significant part in the formation and establishment of the Province of South Australia. He established the South Au ...

Statue

In November 2017, Blackfriars covered up and eventually removed an outdoor statue of

St. Martin de Porres Martín de Porres Velázquez (9 December 1579 – 3 November 1639) was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-r ...

after its "unintentionally provocative design . . . created a flurry of activity on

social media Social media are interactive media technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. While challenges to the definition of ''social me ...

, prompting the school to take quick action," according to a news report.Erin Jones, "Blackfriars Priory School principal explains how awkward covered statue was bungled," ''The Advertiser,'' South Australia, 22 November 2017
/ref> The statue depicted the figure of St. Martin "handing a young boy a loaf of bread, which appears to have emerged from his cloak." The boy's head is waist-high with the body of the priest. Students posted photos of it on social media, and the next week it was "cordoned off." A photo shows it covered with a black drape.Daniel Keane, "Blackfriars Priory School to redesign 'suggestive' statue of saint and child after online ridicule," ABC.net, 21 November 2017
/ref> Principal Simon Cobiac said in a statement that another sculptor would refashion the statue.

Houses

Notable alumni

Arts

Harrison Gilbertson Harrison Gilbertson (born 29 June 1993) is an Australian actor. Early life Gilbertson was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of Julie Sloan and Brian Gilbertson. Career Gilbertson began acting at the age of six when he played the chara ...

, actor * John Schumann, singer

Public life

Leon Bignell Leon William Kennedy Bignell (born 1966), Australian politician, is the member for Mawson representing the South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party since the 2006 election. Background Bignell was a high-profile ABC sports repor ...

, politician *

Don Farrell Donald Edward Farrell (born 6 June 1954) is an Australian politician and former trade unionist. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and has been Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State in the Albanese govern ...

, Labor senator *

David O'Loughlin David O'Loughlin (born 29 April 1978 in County Mayo, Ireland) is an Irish former professional cyclist, who rode at the World Championship (in both Road and Track disciplines) and Olympic levels, and won Ireland's first UCI World Cup Track meda ...

, politician * Jack Snelling, politician

Sport

* Carlo Armiento, football (soccer) player * Rohan Dennis, cyclist * Alan Didak, Australian rules football player *

Callum Ferguson Callum James Ferguson (born 21 November 1984) is a former Australian cricketer and commentator who has represented Australia in all three forms of international cricket. He also represented South Australia in the JLT One-Day Cup. He was former ...

, cricket player *

Ben Hart Benjamin Hart (born 9 July 1974) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League. He was an assistant coach with the Collingwood Football Club from 2012 to 2016. ...