As we come to the end of another busy term, I am sure many of us are looking forward to a well-earned break. There is little wonder people may need some time for rest and recovery when you consider all that has occurred this term: our Year 12s have had trial exams, and completed significant external assessments in their final full term of classes, we have conducted subject selections for our Year 9 to 11s, our Feast of the Assumption celebrations, the Junior and Senior Sports Days, the College Music Night and Catholic Music Festival, the end of Winter Co-Curricular sport, Intercol, the Achilles Cup Athletics and many other sporting events, the Vinnies Winter Sleep Out and the list could go on. 

All these events speak to the fullness of College life at Rostrevor, all sitting alongside a full and rich teaching and learning program. So, it is fitting that we pause to refresh before renewing our efforts in Term 4. I wish all community members a safe and fun two-week holiday and we look forward to seeing students back at school for next term in their summer uniforms. 

On a personal note, it has been a privilege to be Acting Principal for the last four weeks of the term as Shana Bennett has taken some well-deserved leave. Thank you for the support from all community members, with special mention to Daniel Stratford who has taken on the responsibilities of Acting Deputy Principal on top of his responsibilities as Head of School. 

Students who have displayed Rostrevor’s touchstone values of Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity were formally recognised at our Social Justice Assembly this week. These awards recognise students who throughout the year emanate the qualities of the Touchstones through actions for their House. Students who have accumulated a multitude of Service activities in the local and wider community were also recognised. It is through their service such as on Edmund Rice Camps, visiting aged care facilities, volunteering or in their Parish community that we celebrate their efforts that have been above and beyond what is expected. We look forward to watching this grow in coming years.

The Junior Years Choir took the stage at the Festival Theatre on Wednesday evening, joining 350 talented performers as members of the Catholic Schools Music Festival Combined Choir. Their hard work and enthusiasm were on full display, captivating the audience with their wonderful harmonies. The evening was expertly hosted by Year 11 Rostrevor student Alex Minicozzi, whose engaging presence added to the excitement, while the foyer buzzed with the lively sounds of the Small Jazz ensemble and the Senior Band took centre stage as a support act. It was a night filled with incredible talent, celebrating the spirit of music within our Rostrevor community! 

On Monday, Year 12 students Andrew Dunn and Isaiah Miller attended the Catholic Education SA’s Year 12 Graduation celebration at the National Wine Centre with Aboriginal Program Coordinator Che Murray. The event was a chance to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have completed their schooling in Catholic Education. 

Congratulations to the students who recently excelled in the 2024 Australian History and Geography Competition that looked for them to consider global events and issues and their impact on the community. People who are going to be tasked with making big decisions on these matters, either now or in the future, need knowledge and skills that are taught across History, Geography and Civics and Citizenship.  

Classes in the Junior Years have focussed on linking their Religious Education Curriculum outcomes to learning about service and engaging in a collective act of service in their class. Aligning the Crossways outcomes with deepening their understanding of different types of service has led to wonderful hands-on experiences in our local and wider community. From donating recycled materials to the animal welfare league so that they can be used as enrichment toys, donating preloved or new books in Year 1 to ‘Treasure Boxes’ to share their love of reading, to smiley face biscuits packaged with great joy by Year 6s, and mugs of love made by Year 3s all delivered to Hutt St Centre for distribution. These thoughtful donations have been made with love, care and empathy in considering the dignity of the person for which they were intended, and are great examples of living out our Touchstones.

On Wednesday, ten Year 11 students attended the RAA Street Smart High event, which provided information to young people on how to be responsible and safe road users. The event was eye-opening and allowed students to see firsthand how their choices on the road can impact their lives and the lives of others. Hugo Jaeschke was invited to the stage to participate in the driving simulator which demonstrated the dangers of distraction, particularly of mobile phone use whilst driving. 

Year 10 Italian students attended the CESA Taste of Languages at Flinders University event on Thursday last week, where they participated in various language workshops and lectures to highlight the pathways of language learning at university and beyond. The senior Italian students also attended the launch of Italian Language Week at Mary MacKillop College on Tuesday this week. It was run by the Committee of Italian Abroad (Com.It.Es) and the theme this year is "L'italiano e il libro: il mondo fra le righe" which focused on books and the importance of reading. Invited guests included the Vice-Consul of Italy, Giovanni Segre, James Stevens MP, Cressida O'Hanlon MP, Vincent Tarzia, Leader of the Opposition, Rosa Matto, and authors Laura di Martino and Carla Caruso.

The Prefect group invited staff and students in the Middle and Senior Years to wear a crazy tie with a gold coin donation on Wednesday this week, with all funds going to Edmund Rice Community Services SA. Rostrevor has a close relationship with the charity, supporting them through raising money and awareness of the program, and with many staff and students volunteering on camps each year.  Learn more about the important work they do HERE.

Vacation care delivered by the YMCA is available for Rostrevor families on-site over the upcoming school holidays. For activity schedules, fees and to book, view the flier HERE.   

Presentation Night is Rostrevor’s annual celebration of academic achievement and is a compulsory event for students in Years 3-12 with attendance rolls taken on arrival. This year’s event will be on Monday 28 October, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Futures Church Paradise Campus. This event is free to attend, but for the purpose of monitoring attendance numbers, we ask families to please book tickets HERE. Please note that Rostrevor students do not require tickets. See the letter sent to families HERE. 

Rostrevor families are warmly invited to attend the Rostrevor College Music Quiz Night 2024. Organised by the Rostrevor College Music Support Group, the evening is a wonderful opportunity to connect families and celebrate the Arts at Rostrevor. Bring your own food, all drinks to be purchased at the bar. There will be raffles and gold coin games throughout the evening. Guests are encouraged to wear a touch of red and/or black! This event is suitable for anyone aged 12 years and older. Any children aged under 12 years will need to sit with their parent/caregiver. 

When: Friday 18 October, 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start 
Where: Hectorville Sports and Community Club, 31 Fisher Street, Magill SA 5072 

BOOK HERE

Congratulations to all students who participated in the 2024 Junior Years Sports Day this afternoon! Well done to Egan who were this year’s winning House, and to our year level champions on their outstanding performances. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Year 6 student leaders beating the teachers in the relay race after the teachers were slowed down by some early celebrations! Thank you to the Junior Years staff - particularly the Co-Curricular team - and volunteers who ensured the day was a success, and to the many parents who came out to support their sons. 

Rostrevor’s First XI won the Cup Final game on Thursday with a convincing 6-1 win against Roma Mitchell. Roma Mitchell had finished on top of the pool from the School Sport SA competition, and with our First XI winning the SAAS final, Rostrevor has now been crowned the best senior school soccer team in SA! This completes a truly impressive season, winning every title available to them across all competitions.  

Yesterday Rostrevor’s Athletics team competed in the 2024 Achilles Cup alongside schools from across South Australia, finishing in sixth place overall. A big congratulations to the Under 15 students who won the Division A category for their age group! Thank you to Mark Roberts and the Co-Curricular team who have worked hard to facilitate the Athletics program this season. A special mention to Year 12 student Thomas Griffiths who has participated in his final Athletics season for Rostrevor. Tom has been one of Rostrevor’s most successful athletes in recent times, and we thank him for his contributions during his time here.  

Congratulations to Balyn O’Brien (Year 12), Fergus Myall (Year 11) and Noah Daw (Year 11) who have all been selected for the SANFL Under 18 State Football Academy. The trio were scouted from Norwood FC’s ranks and will undertake training either side of Christmas including participating in a three-day camp at Port Hughes.