As we reach the end of our Centenary Year, I take the opportunity to thank all those who have contributed in many ways to make our celebration of the last 100 years so memorable. It has been wonderful to come together in different ways to share stories of friendship, learning, faith, sport and all things red and black. I thank you all for being part of such a significant year in the life and history of the College. 

I would like to acknowledge and thank all staff for their contributions to all aspects of college life and for their dedication to supporting our learning community at Rostrevor College. As the year draws to a close, we say farewell to staff moving on to new opportunities and experiences. To all those leaving, we thank you for all you have done during your time at Rostrevor, and we wish you every blessing for the future.

As we prepare for the summer school holidays, on behalf of the Rostrevor College community, I wish you all a joyous, safe, and happy Christmas. May the peace, love and spirit of Christmas be with each of you and your families.  

Congratulations to Sebastien Conhye and Harry Isaac who have been named as the 2024 Junior Years Captain and Junior Years Vice Captain respectively. Both boys have displayed tremendous leadership skills over their time at the College, and I’m looking forward to seeing them thrive in their new roles as they lead our youngest students into Rostrevor’s second century.  

Our Year 6s spent some of their final days as Junior Years students at their Kangaroo Island camp last week. Off to a colder and wetter start than hoped, they spent their first day setting up their tents at Raptor Domain and visiting honey and eucalyptus farms before being treated to a birds of prey show on day two. The boys also enjoyed boogieboarding, hiking, sliding down sand dunes, helping to cook their own meals and playing cricket and football on the beach.  

On Monday night, the Junior Years' families, students and teachers ended the year with a Christmas Celebration and picnic. It was a wonderful opportunity for the boys to showcase the Christmas songs they had learnt in Music, as well as the hip hop dancing skills they had mastered in their weekly lessons. It was an entertaining evening full of laughter and community spirit.  

Students from Reception to Year 9 gathered for an Advent Liturgy as we prepare our hearts and home for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Students were reminded of the importance of this liturgical season - a time of waiting and watching, of hope with prayerful hearts and a readiness to be alert to the signs of God around us. We particularly spend time praying for Mary, whose faith, courage and love is an example to us all. During Advent we also look to acts of service in our community. We are all challenged to give of our time and talents and material possessions to help those around us this Advent season. 

Thank you to the many Rostrevor families who donated goods to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal over the past few weeks. Our community collected countless donations to help those in need this Christmas.  

On Wednesday we held our end of year Rite of Passage ceremony for the 2023 Year 6 class. A Rite of Passage is a ritual event that marks a person's transition from one status to another, and in this case marks the transition from Junior Years to Middle Years and all the changes and milestones that come with it. 

The Year 6 Rite of Passage ceremony celebrated each young man for their journey thus far and for their future ahead. During the event we also asked God's blessing on all the Year 6 students as they embark on their journey in the Middle Years in 2024. 

Final reports will be available to families via the SEQTA Engage tab on Wednesday 13 December for Years R-11. The 2023 Year 12 cohort SACE results will be released via the SACE website on Monday 18 December and we look forward to sharing in their celebrations.

The Rostrevor College Advisory Council is seeking expressions of interest from the College community to nominate to join the Council. Parents of students are encouraged to apply, especially those with a risk and performance, boarding or diverse background.  

To learn more about the role and expectations, or to receive a nomination form, please email Julie Ploksts (EA to the Principal) at jploksts@rostrevor.sa.edu.au by Friday 15 December 2023. 

The Rostrevor College front office and Junior Years office will close on Friday 15 December at 2:30pm. The main office will reopen on Monday 8 January 2024, 8:30am - 4:00pm. The Junior Years office will reopen on Monday 22 January 2024.

If you would like an original copy of any photo(s) of your son(s) published by the College this year, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Development Office at development@rostrevor.sa.edu.au.

Twelve middle school students competed in four teams across the Intermediate and Junior categories at the South Australian Triathlon Championships on Tuesday at West Lakes. Congratulations to Ben Maher (swimmer), Liam Underwood (cyclist) and Kalan Marzullo (runner), who took out first place for their age group in Intermediate. Well done also to Sam Cree (swimmer), Ryan Underwood (cyclist) and Zac Seret (runner) who finished third in the Junior category. 

Rostrevor has again hosted St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace and St Joseph's Nudgee College’s Middle and Senior Years cricket teams this week during their annual South Australian cricket tour. Our friends from the two fellow Edmund Rice schools return to Queensland victors, and we keenly look forward to them hosting our cricketers in January next year.