Rostrevor College has a rich history of educating boys in the Edmund Rice tradition since its foundation over a century ago. Established in 1923 by the Christian Brothers, under the direction of the first Headmaster Brother Purton, Rostrevor’s purpose was to cater for the overflow of boarding students from Christian Brothers College on Wakefield Street. The first boarders lived on the top floor of the iconic Rostrevor House, which was built decades before in 1858.
In the early years, there were 90-100 boarders attending classes alongside roughly 75 day students. During this time, Rostrevor was not its own school, but was considered a second campus for CBC. All Leaving students were taught at Rostrevor, and players for sporting teams were selected from both campuses.
In 1939 the current College Chapel was built and Murray Gates were erected, and in 1941 a new dormitory was built to cater for the influx of students seeking boarding during WWII. This building is now the Mary Fountain Music Centre.
In 1943 the campus officially split from CBC to form Rostrevor College – a name up to that time was unofficially used by most community members. The Murray Gates at the top of Moules Road cemented the change, with the words ‘ROSTREVOR COLLEGE’ permanently noting the new identity of the campus.
While Junior Years boys were enrolled at the College from 1923 (then referred to as “the small boys”), the first Reception to Year 2 classes were established in 1998.
In 2023, Rostrevor College celebrated its Centenary Year. The wider community was brought together through a series of celebratory events culminating in the Centenary Gala, which was attended by almost 700 people who shared a collective attachment to the red and black.
We are proud of our history and traditions. The legacy left by those who have come before us continues to shape the Rostrevor experience and culture, adding to the vibrant spirit of our College.
Rostrevor’s stories are told through photographs, artifacts and memorabilia displayed in the Heritage Room in Rostrevor House, which is opened on special occasions such as the annual Old Boys’ Lunch, the Year 7 Enculturation Day or by special appointment.
An in-depth history of Rostrevor College can be found in the Rostrevor College Centenary Book.