Palm Sunday, coming up this weekend, holds profound significance for the Catholic community as it marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As we reflect on Palm Sunday, we are also called to reflect on our own lives and how we welcome Christ into our hearts and communities. On Thursday next week, we will gather as a school community to mark Holy Thursday and remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion with the Stations of the Cross. Families are welcome to join us in the Valley at 12:00pm on Thursday for the Stations of the Cross.

St Paul’s College Principal Paul Belton will be taking leave in Terms 2 and 3 this year, and will be temporarily replaced with current St Paul’s Deputy Principal Josh Foulis. As such, Rostrevor’s Deputy Principal Frank Ranaldo will be supporting our fellow EREA school by stepping into the role of Deputy Principal at St Paul’s for that time. It is my pleasure to announce that Frank’s position will be temporarily filled by Cameron Alexander, current Deputy Principal of Christian Brothers College. Frank will resume his role at Rostrevor in Term 4. 

This week Zack Faraonio, Oscar Crafter, Joseph Tirri and John John were presented their badges at a special ceremony at Government House by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC as Rostrevor College’s 2024 Ambassadors for the Charter for Children and Young People. 

They will help to shape the Charter over the course of this year, by helping to ensure the voice of young people at Rostrevor College and our local community is represented in South Australian Government. 

Harmony Day is a time to celebrate the differences that make us unique and special. We use it to promote respect, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging for students. The central message for Harmony Day is that everyone belongs. Our Junior Years students spent time creating Harmony Day craft projects after learning about the day’s important message.   

The Stage 2 Outdoor Education class embarked on their first camp for the year, setting up on the foreshore at Daly Head bush campground. The boys surfed the pristine breaks of Dustbowls and Blue Bay, encountered several visits from a friendly pod of dolphins and explored Innes National Park to learn more about human impacts on the environment and conservation efforts underway. The students’ attitude and engagement was exemplary. 

Yesterday Rostrevor’s First Nations students attend the Closing the Gap Day: a free community event that celebrates First Nations’ cultures, promotes equality and fosters inclusivity. 

Held at the Wayville Showgrounds, Kevin Kropinyeri, a high-energy comedian and event MC ran an exciting program of First Nations’ music and dance performances, including a set by talented artist, Sonia Smith. Students also had the opportunity to browse an extraordinary array of arts, crafts and textiles available for purchase at the First Nations Marketplace. Interactive games, quizzes and activities related to social and emotional wellbeing awareness in the expanded Youth Zone were also a hit.  

The NCSS Challenge is a computer programming competition open to all school students from across Australia which aligns with the curriculum being taught in the Middle and Senior Years Digital Technologies classes (ACARA 9.0). The Challenge sees students demonstrate coding proficiency by solving real-world problems. Their achievements, reflected in leaderboard standings, showcase their resilience and problem-solving abilities. Congratulations to Year 9 student Felix Szarvas, who finished with the highest score in the competition and competed successfully in the beginner and intermediate levels. Liam Davis (Year 9), Tajveer Singh (Year 10) and Frazer De Cesare (Year 10) also performed fantastically, all achieving perfect or near-perfect marks.

It is with great excitement that I inform our community of an amazing opportunity that we are proposing as an extension of the Manchester City Football School. We are thrilled to announce that an international tour of the United Kingdom is being proposed for 2025. The tour will have a significant Football focus and will further strengthen Rostrevor’s partnership with Manchester City FC. The tour will also be visiting significant cultural landmarks across Manchester and London to immerse students in a uniquely ‘English experience’.  

There will be an information session for interested families on Thursday 4 April. Families of students currently enrolled in the Manchester City Football School will receive communication from Coordinator Jamie Lee with more details.  

Manchester City Football School Coordinator Jamie Lee is excited to host the clinics again during the upcoming school holidays. If you’re looking for a fun, safe and engaging activity to keep your kids entertained these holidays, look no further! The clinics are open to boys and girls from the wider Rostrevor community in Years 1-10 and cater to all abilities.  

Bookings are essential. BOOK HERE

Families wishing to purchase Winter uniform items are encouraged to book an appointment at the on-site uniform shop at their earliest convenience. For opening hours (including school holiday trading hours), to book an appointment or to purchase items online, click HERE. 

When: Wednesday 27 March, 6:30pm - 7:30pm 
Cost: Free 

In this webinar, Elevate Education will be discussing:

• How your child’s memory works  
• How you can optimise your child’s environment for memorisation   
• Three practical memory techniques you can use with your child right away   

Registration is essential. REGISTER HERE   

Rostrevor’s First XI cricket team has been crowned SAAS Division 1 Pool B premiers after winning the Grand Final against Westminster School on Saturday! It was a special day for Year 10 Debutant Dusty Symonds who took a wicket and was at the crease for the winning runs. Year 10 Archie Shaw was awarded the Grand Final Medal after a dominant display with the ball, taking 4/13 off seven overs. This win secures Rostrevor’s First XI a place in the SAAS Division 1 Pool A competition for the 2024-25 season. Final score: Rostrevor 6/78 - Westminster 10/76.

The annual Cricket Intercol with Sacred Heart College is currently in full swing and continues to see our friendly rivalry thrive with our friends from the Hearts Community. I wish both First XI teams luck as they head into the final day of play tomorrow, as well as all the other teams who play over the next two days.

Tomorrow's First XI game can be livestreamed HERE.