The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue. There have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away. But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect. Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. 

Thank you to Year 12 Aboriginal Programs Prefect Isaiah Miller who designed a piece of art representative of him, his journey at Rostrevor and of the College community. The art was adapted onto stickers which were distributed to all students today to show their support.  

Rostrevor’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program students were invited to enjoy a National Reconciliation Week breakfast at school yesterday, joining hundreds of other people from across Australia over Microsoft Teams to hear from First Nations leaders about the importance of the week’s message. Aboriginal Program Coordinator Che Murray also took Andrew Dunn, Isaiah Miller and Michael Bin-Hitam Morgan to the National Reconciliation Week Breakfast at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday.  

Students have been learning about the importance of the week in their PC classes and this morning took part in an art project where they designed First Nations inspired artwork representative of their stories on gum leaves from the 300-year-old trees in the Valley. The week’s activities were rounded off today with the MABO Day football match and BBQ.  

The Year 2 and Year 4 classes are set to move into their newly renovated classrooms next week after building finished this week. The rooms along the southern side of the Junior Years building now mirror the recently upgraded Reception, Year 1 and OSHC spaces, with auditory and visual load-reducing architecture to create calming spaces for Rostrevor’s youngest learners to thrive. The final stage of the building works provides us with four refurbished classrooms, a breakout space, new student toilets and fenced outdoor areas outside both the Reception and Year 1 classrooms. This marks a significant milestone for the Junior Years, and we are excited about the enhanced learning environment that these improvements will provide our students. 

Participants and staff from the local Jupiter Supports program visited Rostrevor students on Wednesday for a morning tea and games ‘meet and greet’ session. Students who volunteered their time for the program spent the morning getting to know the participants. Owned by a past Rostrevor family, most staff at Jupiter Supports are recent Old Collegians, including Josh and Ryan Borzillo, Damon Stepic, Michael Benalis and Julio Musolino.  

Jupiter Supports is an organisation which aims to create a nurturing environment where young people with disabilities can thrive, learn and embrace their full potential. The program will return to Rostrevor soon, with students running sports coaching sessions. This will further develop students’ leadership skills, cement friendships between participants and students, and give participants new experiences and opportunities to practice their communication skills. For information on how the Rostrevor community can get involved with this fantastic organisation, visit the Jupiter Supports website. 

Last Friday Kim Sparks from Udder Delights in Lobethal presented to the Year 10 Agriculture class. She talked about the dairy industry, what different jobs in the industry entail, what her role is at the company and the details of how cheese is made. It was great to connect classroom learning to industry. The boys were also fortunate enough to be able to sample a range of delicious cheeses made by Udder Delights. This presentation complemented the Cows Create Careers program the Year 10s are currently undertaking, where they are rearing two dairy calves (Dani and Candy), learning about their nutritional and housing requirements, technology use in the dairy industry and health benefits of dairy amongst many other things. The Year 10s are also helping to maintain the rest of the Agriculture farm, caring for the chickens, rabbits, sheep and goats. 

Year 10 student Arjun Malhotra has been making waves in the local youth politics scene this year, his most recent venture being at the Youth Press Gallery. Currently in its inaugural year, it is the sister program of the Youth Parliament program. The Youth Press gallery focuses on political journalism and advocacy, and will see Arjun develop articles about current Youth Parliament issues to be shared with an array of publications.  

As a part of the Youth Advisory Committee, Arjun was invited to attend the Campbelltown City Council Volunteer’s Dinner last week. He enjoyed meeting like-minded people including Mayor Whittaker.  

Also involved in Rostrevor’s Social Justice group, Arjun was inspired by National Reconciliation Week to get involved in the advocacy of First Nations matters recently. It was his suggestion to include the ‘Thank you’ in local Kaurna language in the email signatures of staff members this week, which I am sure many students and families would have noticed. Well done, Arjun, for continuing to remain so active in the advocacy and youth politics spheres and endeavoring to improve our community! 

The ROCA Business Lunch is back at the Adelaide Oval for the second year in a row! Old Collegians are encouraged to book tickets ASAP, with sales closing on Monday 3 June. With over 300 tickets sold so far, this event is not to be missed! 

Book tickets  

Edmund Rice Education Australia is reimagining how they work as an authentic overarching organisation governing EREA schools including Rostrevor, CBC and St Paul’s College. Members of our community who were unable to attend a forum in person have been invited to attend an online session to help shape the future of EREA and contribute to the renewed Charter and Mission Strategy.   

• Wednesday 5 June, 10:30am (SA time) 
• Thursday 6 June, 5:30pm (SA time) 
• Tuesday 11 June, 1:30pm (SA time) 

REGISTER HERE 

Congratulations to the First XI Soccer team who won their Reconciliation Round match against Prince Alfred College at the Football SA Stadium on Wednesday evening 3-1. Vincenzo Scalzi put on an impressive performance, scoring all three of Rostrevor’s goals. Kuach Kuach was awarded the medal for the most outstanding performance by the coach of the PAC team, distributed to a player who not only demonstrates exceptional skills but who also demonstrates sportsmanship and spirit.

Congratulations to the First XVIII Football team who came away with a convincing 16.8.104 to 6.9.45 win against Scotch College at the away game on Saturday, sealing Rostrevor’s place in the Division 1 pool. The match was the first event of National Reconciliation Week, with both teams partaking in a smoking ceremony which cleansed players’ spirits and bodies, warding off bad spirits. The First XVIII team will play in the Reconciliation Round match against Prince Alfred College tomorrow on Big Memorial Oval.