College News – 11 September 2026

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce the full 2027 Prefect group to our College community. Following the announcement of the Head, Deputy Head and Boarding Prefects, we have had the pleasure of announcing the Portfolio and House Prefects to our student body over the past two weeks. Each of these young people has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and proved themselves as true Men for Others over their time as students at Rostrevor. I have no doubt that they will excel in their roles next year, fostering an inclusive environment and serving as role models for their peers and younger students.  

I also commend all those students who showed courage and a genuine willingness to serve our community in putting themselves forward for these positions. The quality of the applications and speeches we received as part of the Prefect election process are a testament to the strong leadership and enthusiasm that we see every day across the Senior School.  

Please join me in congratulating the following Year 11 students on their appointments as our community’s 2027 student leaders:    

• Head Prefect | Oscar Crafter  
• Deputy Head Prefect | Joseph Tirri   
• Head Boarding Prefect | Thomas Shanahan   
• Prefect - Identity | Giancarlo Blefari   
• Prefect - Aboriginal Programs | Jack Hein  
• Prefect - Sports | Miles Fotheringham   
• Prefect - Arts | Spencer De Lacy   
• Prefect - Barron House Captain | Liam Davis  
• Prefect - Egan House Captain | John John  
• Prefect - Gurr House Captain | Ryan Hanatschek  
• Prefect - Murphy House Captain | Atharwa Khandelwal  
• Prefect - O'Brien House Captain | Rylan Bartholomew  
• Prefect - Webb House Captain | Owen Tallis  

Shana Bennett

Music Night on Tuesday this week was a resounding success, held in the beautiful Norwood Town Hall, it featured talented students from across the Senior School. The evening showcased a wide variety of ensembles, with each group bringing their unique style and energy to the stage, creating a vibrant and entertaining program for all in attendance.  

The event was a celebration of our students’ hard work, creativity and dedication to their musical craft. It was wonderful to see the joy and pride on their faces as they performed for an enthusiastic audience of family, friends and staff. Music Night not only highlighted the depth of talent within our school community but also the power of music to bring people together. A huge congratulations to all involved for making the night such a memorable experience, especially the parent-led Music Support Group and Music Department staff! 

Rostrevor’s Junior School students celebrated the achievements of their Winter Co-Curricular teams this morning at an assembly. Congratulations to all those students who were recognised as standout players or for consistently displaying Rostrevor’s values on the field! We also commend every student who represented our College over the winter season, as each of them significantly contributed to the program, displaying their red and black spirit at every match. 

This week, a team of students from Years 8 to 12 proudly represented the College at the Royal Adelaide Show, competing with sheep and goats that they had prepared over the past two terms. Students have been working closely with six Merino wethers and six Boer goats, developing nutrition programs, regularly handling and caring for the animals, and learning about the industries and production systems behind them. The experience provided valuable hands-on learning opportunities in livestock management, commercial production and potential career pathways within agriculture. 

Wednesday's events saw the Boer goats participate in the 'Grand Parade', while the Merino wethers were judged in teams of three before being shorn, with their fleece quality assessed and meat value determined. On Thursday, it was the individual sheep competitions in their respective classes as well as 'handler' competitions. The 'Young Judges' contests for both sheep and fleece also took place. It was also the major judging day for the goats, with animals assessed on structural soundness, body condition, muscling and overall presentation. 

A major highlight of the week was our team placing fourth out of 85 teams in the 'Best Pen of Three Wethers' Merino competition. Another outstanding achievement came from Year 8 student Oscar Zadow, who placed sixth in the state in the 'Merino Sheep Young Judges Championship (14 years and under)'. Overall, it was a fantastic week, with students representing the school in a professional manner while gaining valuable insights into livestock industries. 

Thank you to the fathers and special friends who came along to spend a fun afternoon with their Junior School children on Friday last week. Rostrevor’s youngest learners and their grownups enjoyed a BBQ and colour run, being decorated with colourful powder thrown by enthusiastic teachers and Prefects as they made special memories to last a lifetime ahead of Father’s Day. If you would like an original copy of any Colour Run photos, please email development@rostrevor.sa.edu.au.

On Wednesday, the Year 10 and Year 11 Italian students participated in an enriching Italian Immersion excursion, visiting the Piazza della Valle on Main Road, McLaren Vale. This visit provided an authentic conclusion to their studies of Italian migration to South Australia, allowing students to explore the commissioned mosaic steps that celebrate and acknowledge the significant contributions Italian migrants have made to the region. They learned how the area's Mediterranean climate and fertile soils created ideal conditions for growing grapes, olives and other produce, helping to establish the thriving wineries and agricultural industries for which McLaren Vale is renowned today. 

The group then travelled to Santopalato Cooking School in Aldinga, where Chef Pino and Lorena hosted an engaging two-hour pasta-making workshop. Students learned how to prepare a traditional Italian tomato sugo and fresh homemade pasta before putting their new skills to the test by creating a variety of pasta shapes, including ravioli, gnocchi, cavatelli and farfalle. To conclude the experience, they enjoyed a delicious homemade three-course meal featuring traditional Sicilian brioche pizzette, fettuccine alla Napoletana, and Sicilian ricotta and chocolate cannoli. It was a fantastic day filled with learning, culture, storytelling, laughter and, of course, plenty of delicious food! 

As a Catholic community grounded in faith and service, we are proud to support the St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal again this year. Thank you to all those Rostrevor students and their families who donated essential items to support those experiencing hardship. Through our community’s collective generosity, our donations will make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people within our wider community. The donated goods filled the Vinne’s collection van, which members of the Social Justice group helped to pack last week.

Yesterday a group of Senior School students participated in the Prevent Alcohol & Risk-related Trauma in Youth Program (P.A.R.T.Y.) which draws on the experiences of trauma professionals and trauma survivors to educate young people, by showing them what can happen when they make a risky decision.  

The Program focuses on preventing accidents before they happen by giving secondary school students real-life experiences in the emergency and trauma units of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. It features doctors, nurses, emergency workers and allied health professionals who volunteer their time to tell their stories in the hope that they can help reduce the incidence of trauma. The students were fortunate to also hear from volunteer, Neil, who is now quadriplegic after surviving a traumatic motorcycle accident.  

The College is currently holding a significant amount of lost property, most of which was handed in following the Intercol weekend. If your son is missing any personal items, including uniform pieces, drink bottles, shoes, bags, or other belongings, please ask him to check the lost property collection at Senior School Front Reception.  

Please note that all unclaimed items will be donated or disposed of at the conclusion of Term 3. 

Rostrevor's Senior Soccer teams celebrated their season at The Alta Villa club with their end of season presentation dinner on Wednesday this week. The night was an opportunity to reflect on the season as a community, and for the First XI, Second XI, Open Black, Red and White coaches and team managers to present the Most Valuable Player, Coaches and Red & Black awards. Congratulations to all those players who were recognised on the night, and to all those who contributed to a successful season. Thank you to all players, parents and supporters for their commitment and participation, and to the coaches and staff for their hard work and contributions to the Rostrevor College Soccer program this year.