Yesterday our 2023 Year 12 students and their families celebrated the conclusion of their time at Rostrevor College with a final Eucharistic celebration led by Fr Anthony Beltrame and morning tea on the front lawns of Rostrevor House. We then gathered at the Adelaide Convention Centre in the evening for the Graduation Dinner and Valedictory Ceremony. It was a fitting farewell as we came together as a College community of students, staff, family and friends in celebration of the Class of 2023’s achievements.  

In true Rossi fashion, there was a strong sense of camaraderie at the dinner, it being the last formal College event for the Class of 2023. Thank you to guest speaker, Old Collegian Darcy Smith (’16), who discussed his journey post-graduation into his current role as a reporter for Nine News Adelaide.  

Of course, graduation won’t mark the end of these young men’s connection with Rostrevor, with most choosing to become life members of the Rostrevor Old Collegians’ Association and some already having started playing at Old Collegian sporting clubs. Each of them will remain part of the College community for life. We wish all our Year 12s the very best as they now await their SACE results. Photos from the Dinner will be available next week. 

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2023!  

Congratulations to all those students who were acknowledged in today’s Co-Curricular assembly. Students involved in Athletics, Badminton, Cricket, Handball, Pedal Prix, Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball and Water Polo have been representing the College with pride over Terms 1 and 4. I would again like to acknowledge and thank the many people who have a hand in ensuring these programs continue to thrive at Rostrevor. Whether you’re a coach, team manager, parent or supporter, our students wouldn’t be given the opportunity to participate in these Co-Curricular Programs without your input. The 2023 Co-Curricular Assembly booklet can be viewed HERE.  

Today is White Ribbon Day, an occasion recognised nationally run by White Ribbon Australia. Throughout the week, students have heard about the significance of the movement in Chapel or House gatherings, and showed their support today with White Ribbon ‘respect’ stickers. White Ribbon Day brings attention to the prevention of violence, especially domestic violence and the violence experienced by women at the hands of men. This week our students were encouraged to think about how they can play a role in the prevention of violence.

Rostrevor College music students performed at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial on Saturday. The event was graced by the presence of the Governor General, the Hon Frances Adamson AC, alongside numerous members of Parliament. Our students were proud to be able to perform at such a significant moment in honouring Indigenous people's contributions to Australia's military history.  

This week saw our Year 10 Youth Ministry students visit St Joseph’s Tranmere and St Joseph’s Hectorville to work with their Year 4 students. Our boys used their knowledge and understanding of Youth Ministry principles to facilitate a fun-filled retreat day based on the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Students enrolled in Years 1-7 for 2024 were welcomed to the College on Wednesday for their Transition Day. Junior Years students joined their new peers, meeting their future teachers as they spent the morning getting to know their new school. Students joining Rostrevor in Year 7 next year were treated to a full day of activities alongside our current Year 6s, participating in a PE lesson, a quiz in the Kelty, a science experiment and learning about circuits in the Technology Centre. We look forward to welcoming our new Years 8-12 students for their Transition Day next week.

The Year 10 Outdoor Education students have been refining their snorkeling skills in the College pool and were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to put this into practice at Port Noarlunga whilst exploring the marine life and learning more about the reef ecosystems. Unfortunately, the recent state-wide ban on aquatic activity impacted these plans. The boys were adaptable and enjoyed Stand-Up Paddleboarding and a swim in the Onkaparinga River instead.

The ArchD Podcast Program has returned to Rostrevor this week. Our students shared distinctive voices and insightful perspectives across a range of topics. Stay tuned for the upcoming podcast episode featuring the boys which will be uploaded soon to the ArchD Website.

John Coop’s Year 8 Geography classes visited the Adelaide coast this week to conduct fieldwork on coastal processes and management. A walk from Glenelg to Henley enabled the classes to assess erosion and how councils are dealing with the double threat of sea level change and greater demand for a recreational resource. Using cutting edge technology, the ArcGIS suite and associated data gathering apps, the boys could assess each site against given criteria in order to make decisions about management techniques. 

Junior Years families are invited to come along to the Junior Years Christmas Celebration on Monday 4 December for a social night of performances and picnics on the front lawns. Please RSVP by Monday 20 November. For more information, please view the flyer HERE. 

Over the coming weeks we are asking families to donate items that will be used to create Christmas Hampers for St Vincent De Paul, to help those in need this Christmas season. Baskets can be found in classrooms and PCs for students to place their donations, which will be collected in Week 8. Primary students are invited to donate any items. Middle Years students are invited to donate specific items according to the list of ideas in the letter sent to families today which can be viewed HERE.

When: Wednesday 22 November, 6:30pm - 7:30pm 
Cost: Free 

In this webinar, Elevate Educate will be discussing:  

• What resilience means, what it doesn’t mean, and why it’s important 
• How to help build your child’s resilience levels, both in and out of school  
• How to help your child break their ‘fear of failure’ 

Registration is essential. REGISTER HERE

Congratulations to the six students that were selected for the 2024 State Development teams after a tough selection process and weeks of trials. Their selection into the Elite Athlete Development Program (EADP) teams identify them as possible picks for the State Performance Program teams later down the track. The boys will be competing against the best young talent in the country and showcasing their potential at either the Southern Cross Challenge (Melbourne) or the East Coast Challenge (Sydney) in January.  

Well done to Noah Sampson (U18s), Jack Isaac (U16s), Brock Langeluddecke (U15s), Dylan Lomman (U15s), Dylan Rehn (U15s) and Ryder McNamara (U14s). Congratulations also goes to Rostrevor teacher Carla Saponari who has been selected as Head Coach for the U16 Girls team.