I welcome you to the 2024 school year, the 101st year of Rostrevor College. I especially welcome all new students, staff and families who today begin their journey at Rostrevor - you are all warmly welcomed into our community. 

This year’s Opening Ceremony was a beautiful way for the Rostrevor College community to commence its 101st year. Always an emotive event, this year’s was no exception, with the bagpiper leading new students through a guard of honour and around the Valley as their families, returning students and staff watched on. A favourite tradition of the event for many was the moment Year 12 and Reception students stood and waved at each other across the Valley. The wave unites Rostrevor’s oldest and youngest students and serves as a reminder of how inherrent inclusivity is to our community’s culture. 

I wish each of you well for the year ahead, and trust that we will work together to continue to be a college, like others in the wider Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) family, that provides a Liberating Education, based on a Gospel Spirituality, within an Inclusive Community that is committed to Justice and Solidarity. 

The Prefect’s Investiture this morning was a wonderful way for us to acknowledge and celebrate the leadership journeys our 2024 Prefects are embarking on this year. Beginning the day with an intimate Chapel service for Prefects, Tredecim Annis students and their families, Head Prefect Alex Clark then addressed the entire student body at assembly for the first time in his new role.  

Our thirteen Prefects and their Deputies play a significant role in setting the tone for the student body. They accept the responsibility of being examples of how Rostrevor students are to conduct themselves in all aspects of their daily lives at Rostrevor. I look forward to working with the incoming Prefect group this year and have every confidence that their example and service will uphold what it means to be a Rostrevor man as we step into our College’s second century. 

A Latin term translated as ‘thirteen years’, Tredecim Annis students are recognised every year for their commitment to a Rostrevor education, having attended the College from Reception to Year 12.   

Carlen Becker, Tom Braunack, Pellegrino Iasiello, Darcy Murray, Tristan Russo and Domenico Zappia were presented with their Tredecim Annis badges at the Prefect’s Investiture today with their parents in attendance. I would like to congratulate and thank these boys and their families for their commitment to Rostrevor for the past 13 years. 

On Sunday, as Rostrevor’s boarding students returned to Duggan House, we welcomed 21 new boarders and their families to the College community. Gathering together from all over Australia, the Duggan House community started 2024 with an uplifting liturgy followed by a BBQ at the Pavilion where new and returning students and their families had a chance to meet each other and catch up with staff members.  

All boarders took part in a team building session at the Escape Rooms on Monday afternoon, and have been involved in a number of activities to get to know each other and build community as they settle into boarding life. 

Prior to the commencement of school on Tuesday, Rostrevor staff spent time planning and preparing for the year ahead. Led by Lisa Clark and Br John Ahern, staff came together and explored what it means to be a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition. It was a great opportunity for each of us to reflect on the example that has been given through Christ and the work of Blessed Edmund Rice.  

We also welcomed 15 new staff to the College, both as teachers and support staff. Please join me in welcoming to the Rostrevor community: 

• Daniel Stratford - Head of School 
• Britta Corones - Inclusive Education Coordinator - Years 7-12 
• Lisa Zujic - Academic Staff - Junior Years 
• Silena Russo - Academic Staff - Junior Years 
• Nadia Pinneri - Academic Staff - Junior Years 
• Maria Laurito - Academic Staff - Junior Years 
• Natalie Maglio - Academic Staff - Junior Years 
• Matthew Mullen - Academic Staff (HPE/Maths) 
• Katie Sandow - Academic Staff (Science) 
• James Anfiteatro - Academic Staff (Science/Maths) 
• Ben Thiel - Academic Staff (HPE/JY) 
• Jack Rye - Academic Staff (HPE) 
• Damien Pipicella - Development & Enrolments Assistant 
• Jordan Young - Head of Co-curricular 
• Mhairi Alcorn - Ideas Centre 

Communication was sent home to Year 7 families today regarding the Year 7 Activity Days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. View the letter HERE. 

In early January, Rostrevor’s First XI and Middle Years cricket sides flew to Brisbane to compete in the Australian Schools Cricket Challenge. The Senior cricketers competed against schools from around Australia and New Zealand in the Top Shield division of the competition, while their younger peers competed in the Development Shield division. Despite the overabundance of wet weather, students had a blast as they expanded their horizons and formed friendships with counterparts from across the country and overseas.  

Congratulations to Year 11 Will Fanning, who was one of 11 students selected in the Australian Schools Cricket Challenge Merit Team of the Tournament. From across 26 schools and over 300 players, Will was acknowledged as the best wicket keeper. 

I would like to thank the many Queensland schools who hosted our cricketers, as well as the dedicated group of staff who organised and attended the trip.  

Junior Years students have been taking advantage of the warm weather over the past two days as they learnt the basics of swimming and water safety in the College pool with instructors from Royal Life Saving Society SA. The boys eagerly look forward to the last of their lessons next week before they showcase their new skills at the Junior Years Swimming Carnival in Week 5!