Last Friday I attended the Rostrevor Old Collegians’ Association (ROCA) Business Lunch, and for the second year in a row I was pleasantly surprised by the strong connection that the Old Collegians continue to have to the College! The Class of 2023 are no exception, with the cohort represented at the lunch, and 40% of them choosing to join an Old Collegians sporting club this year! I would like to acknowledge and thank ROCA President Angelo Piantadosi (’82) and our College Development Team for their ongoing efforts this year and for the hours of work they have put into creating such a successful event. The College continues to enjoy working in close partnership with ROCA, ensuring that our Old Collegians are truly connected for life.  

Unfair Day was started at Rostrevor by the Christian Brothers in 1988. It's a day of fundraising for those on the margins - people for whom life can be unfair.  

Funds raised from Monday's activities will be distributed among the Houses' chosen charities and our projects in India, such as Friends of Mithra and the Indian Immersion, as aligned with our touchstones and Catholic social teaching principles. Students enjoyed a range of food, fizzy drinks and fun activities - a favourite being the 'House plank challenge'. 

On Friday last week, a group of Rostrevor students attended the annual display of the Collage of Migration at Mary MacKillop College. This celebration honours the stories and sacrifices of the family and friends of students from Rostrevor College and Mary MacKillop College who immigrated to Australia. The event welcomed more than 100 guests who were treated to a display of stories and photographs, as well as musical interludes by the Rostrevor Small Jazz band and Mary MacKillop College Choir, Italcanti.  

The Stage 2 Outdoor Education students tested a new kayaking route along the Coorong last week. They paddled through the waterways and past the Murray mouth, explored dunes and ceremonial sites, tasted some bush tucker and even tried digging for cockles. The boys demonstrated increasing self-reliance and group cohesion as they build towards their final self-directed journey in Renmark.

Rostrevor’s youngest learners today completed their final transition session. We look forward to having them begin as students in A’ishah Adamo’s Reception class at the beginning of Term 3. The current Receptions are very keen to welcome their new friends into their classroom!

Students from Year 5 to Year 9 participated in a Brainstorm Productions performance today. The one-hour educational theatre program addresses bullying, harassment and aggression at school, at home and online. It explored the influence of peers, family, social media and video games on attitudes and behaviour. The program also provided students with practical strategies for emotion regulation, assertiveness, conflict resolution, resilience, help-seeking and breaking the cycle of violence. The performance also highlights the importance of positive role models and providing space for all students to express their feelings in healthy and authentic ways.

Rostrevor’s school photos took place on Wednesday and Thursday this week. If you would like to purchase additional photos of your children, you can do so through the link in the letter sent home to families HERE.

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

On Friday last week, around 370 Old Collegians and extended community members gathered at the Adelaide Oval for the 2024 Rostrevor Old Collegians’ Association Business Lunch. The day was a resounding success, with networking and catching up with old friends being the focus.    

Old Collegian Fr Anthony Beltrame (’09) led the room in grace and emcee Anthony Medhurst (’99) kept the room in good spirits and on schedule.    

Thank you to guest speakers Alan Young (’73), David McMahon (’79) and Andrew Pridham (’83) - three Old Collegians who collectively have been successful in business, sport and life! They were interviewed by the ever-entertaining Tom Chadwick (’01).   

A huge thanks also goes to the sponsors, all of whom are either Old Collegians or connected in some way. Without the generosity and support of these organisations, the event couldn’t have happened. I encourage all members of the Rostrevor community to support these sponsors whenever possible.   

Finally, I would like to thank the hundreds of Rostrevor Old Collegians and community members who attended the lunch and in doing so, supported ROCA. The overwhelming engagement for the event is testament to how our Old Collegians really do remain ‘Connected for Life’. I invite all Rostrevor Parents to ensure your son becomes a ROCA Life Member upon graduation so that he can remain part of our thriving Old Scholar community!    

Angelo Piantadosi (’82)   
ROCA President 

Three of Rostrevor’s talented footballers were surprised with a visit from Amer El-Hosni from SANFL yesterday who let them know they had all been selected for the Bachar Houli Academy for 2024. The Academy was established by the Richmond Football Club legend to develop young leaders within the Muslim community through football.   

This is the second year Ayman Ismail and Jad El-Hosni have been selected for the squad, and the first year for Laith Saleh. Congratulations to these young men on their wonderful achievement! 

Hear from Coach Jamie Lee about Wednesday’s game against Christian Brothers College:    

Rostrevor College’s First XI once again left it late just as they did against Mercedes two weeks ago to seal another win with an injury time winner, sending the red and black army in attendance into a frenzy. In what turned out to be one of the games of the season, Rostrevor took the lead as Max Wucsko rose highest and headed into the net to continue his recent form in front of goal. Wucsko had a chance to extend the Rossi lead as he neatly fired towards the far corner only to see the ball cannon off the post and roll agonisingly across the goal line before being cleared. CBC made the hosts pay as neat work down the right saw the ball cut back to the penalty area and CBC were level. Just as CBC looked to take the ascendency in the game, Max Koch popped up at the right and looped the ball over the CBC keeper and into the net leaving onlookers amazed. It didn’t take long for CBC to draw level again as some good play down the right saw another cut back into the box and CBC once again took their chance. 

In classic Rostrevor style, they left it late as the referee adjudged the CBC defender to handle the ball inside the area and pointed to the spot. The impressive Barnaby Wood confidently placed the ball and with no hesitation the man from Darwin launched the ball into the bottom corner and headed off to celebrate with his fellow Rostrevor boarders to cap off an incredible game best described by the First XI Team Manager Connor McLaughlin; “That’s one of the best games I’ve ever seen.” 

Thank you to Team Manager Will Hunt for these wonderful photos capturing Rostrevor's Pedal Prix teams' weekend at the Victoria Park Racecourse last week!