On this page
- Red Earth First Nations Cape York Immersion
- Little Rossi Learners First Visit
- CESA Student Advisory Body Event
- Manchester City Football School Junior Program
- Year 12 End of School Celebration Presentations
- Parent Webinar – Young People, Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Advance Roadwork Notice - Kintyre Road & Heather Avenue
- CO-CURRICULAR NEWS
- First XI Cricket Captains and Coach Announcement
- Touch Football
- RAA Celebration of Football Awards
- State U18 AFL Academy Selection
A very warm welcome to Term 4, the final term of the 2026 school year. While a shorter term, it certainly promises to be rewarding and vibrant time across the College. For our Year 12 students, it is a particularly meaningful time as they complete their official lessons, prepare for examinations and assessments, and mark their final days in the classroom. We extend our best wishes to each of them and to their families as they complete this important chapter of their Rostrevor journey.
Shana Bennett
Red Earth First Nations Cape York Immersion
Over the past week, 23 students from Years 10-12 embarked on the Red Earth First Nations Immersion to Cape York. What awaited them was far more than a camp or excursion. It was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with Country, learn from Traditional Owners, serve the local community and develop a deeper appreciation of First Nations cultures, histories and ways of life.
From the moment the group arrived at Melsonby, they were warmly welcomed onto Country through a traditional Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Larry and Aunty Julie. Students learned that the smoke serves both as protection and as a way of informing ancestors that visitors come in friendship and respect.
Over the following days, students immersed themselves in experiences that challenged and transformed them. They explored ancient rock art sites, learned about bush medicines and native flora, listened to powerful stories shared by Elders and gained a firsthand understanding of life in remote communities.
"This was an eye-opening experience for the boys as it showed us how such a small act can bring joy to other people."
The immersion provided countless opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. Students participated in community projects, including helping to paint the kitchen for the Melsonby National Park Rangers, a project supported through fundraising efforts earlier in the year. They learned traditional skills such as spear making and heard remarkable stories that offered insight into the resilience of communities living in remote Cape York.
A particularly memorable moment came when students heard of the 2023 floods that impacted Melsonby. "We could not picture or even think of this happening to us back home. It really put into contrast the difference between here at Melsonby and at our home."
Students were also privileged to experience cultural practices firsthand. Highlights included helping to prepare a traditional Kup Murri ground oven feast, tasting local foods, learning didgeridoo techniques, fishing in crocodile country and cooling off in creeks after long days of exploration.
Reflecting on their final evening at Melsonby, students spent time journalling and watching the sunset while completing a mural that told the story of their journey and connection with Country. The farewell to Uncle Larry, Aunty Julie and the Traditional Owners was emotional, with students presenting personal letters of thanks before beginning the journey back towards Cairns.
The final day brought another unforgettable experience as the group visited the Great Barrier Reef with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel. Guided by marine biologists and cultural educators, students explored the reef while learning about both its ecological significance and its importance to First Nations peoples. "We saw thousands of species of fish and sea animals, all of many colours."
Throughout the week, students demonstrated courage, resilience, gratitude and a genuine willingness to learn. Living in tents, embracing unfamiliar experiences, contributing to community projects and engaging respectfully with Elders allowed them to develop a deeper understanding of Australia's First Nations cultures and communities.
The Red Earth First Nations Immersion was an incredible experience that will remain with these 23 students for many years to come. It challenged perspectives, strengthened friendships, fostered gratitude and provided life-long lessons.
Little Rossi Learners First Visit
Yesterday we welcomed the incoming 2027 Reception students into the Junior School for their first Little Rossi Learners transition session. They had a fun morning with the Mid-Year Reception boys – their future classmates – doing fun activities with their teacher Silena Russo. The boys will visit the College for the next five weeks to become familiar with the faces, places and spaces in the Junior School. For some it was their first taste of Rostrevor, but others are familiar faces in the Junior School after previous visits to see their big brothers.
CESA Student Advisory Body Event
On Wednesday, Rostrevor College students played an important role in the inaugural ‘Justice Starts with You’ Workshop, a student-led initiative organised and facilitated by representatives of the Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) Student Advisory Body (SAB).
The event brought together approximately 180 students from Catholic schools across Adelaide to explore important social justice issues, share ideas and consider how young people can make a positive difference in their communities.
What made this event particularly special was that it was the first workshop of its kind to be designed and led by SAB student representatives. Our Rostrevor College students, alongside fellow SAB representatives, did a wonderful job planning and facilitating engaging activities and discussions designed to provoke thought, challenge perspectives and encourage students to ask important questions.
Most importantly, the workshop aimed to inspire participants to return to their schools with fresh ideas, a stronger sense of social responsibility and the confidence to take meaningful action. We are incredibly proud of our students for their outstanding leadership, enthusiasm and commitment to social justice, truly demonstrating what it means to be ‘Men for Others’.
Harris Pennington, Year 9
CESA’s SAB is a great place where young students get to collaborate on social justice issues in our society and how we can make a difference. It is exciting as a student to be able to make a positive difference on our broader communities. The highlight for me was meeting and interacting with all the other like-minded students from different schools and backgrounds, it’s a great opportunity to make new mates. It’s important that we can use our voice and shape a better future for us and the generations to come.
Liam Davis, Year 11
A highlight of the workshop was being part of a student-led day that brought together 180 students from Catholic schools across Adelaide to discuss important social justice issues. It was great to work alongside other student leaders to plan and facilitate activities, share ideas and encourage students to think about how they can make a difference. I hope everyone left with a better understanding of the importance of student voice and the confidence to take what they learnt back to their own school communities and put it into action.
Felix Szarvas, Year 11
The event day finally being implemented was a great opportunity for us SAB members to really reflect on the work we have put into the group over the last year and a half. The day had numerous activities, however, Project Rockit really tied the day together with their personal stories and reflection interactivities that allowed each of us to look at the ways in which we are able to make an impact in our own communities, even if minor. Being the first workshop that has been student-led in CESA, it was wonderful to hear all the new voices from schools, many of whom Rostrevor have not interacted with much, and I look forward to future engaging with them through similar events.
Manchester City Football School Junior Program
The Manchester City Football School Junior Program is back for Term 4, with keen players from Years 3 to 6 participating in their first session of the term on Monday this week. These Manchester City sessions see students participating in fun and accessible skills-based clinics tailored to their age groups, learning the methodology of the club before they have the opportunity to join the program in Year 7.
Year 12 End of School Celebration Presentations
On Wednesday, the Year 12 cohort attended a presentation from Encounter Youth as part of their Safety at Schoolies program. This was followed by a presentation by criminal lawyer Mr Mark Twiggs who spoke to students about the legal consequences of poor choices at post-school celebrations.
Both presentations were designed to educate and prepare the upcoming graduates by reinforcing the importance of looking after one another, understanding the effects of alcohol, and recognising warning signs that may indicate a friend is in difficulty. The sessions encouraged students to make safe, informed decisions as they celebrate this important milestone and transition into life beyond school.
Parent Webinar – Young People, Alcohol & Other Drugs
Parents and caregivers of Senior School students are invited by Empower Education to view a recording of their webinar ‘Young People, Alcohol & Other Drugs – A Guide for Parents’. Especially relevant for families of Year 12 students planning to attend post-school celebrations, the webinar covers the best ways to have productive and impactful conversations about keeping safe and making positive choices. More information can be found on the Encounter Youth Flyer. This recording will be available to view until the end of Term 4.
- Empower Education Parent Webinar Recording
- Password: EmpowerEd_PSrecording2026
Advance Roadwork Notice - Kintyre Road & Heather Avenue
The College has been advised of roadworks taking place on Monday 19 October and Tuesday 20 October along Kintyre Road, between Heather Avenue and the top of Kintyre Road. While we anticipate minimal disruption to school drop-off and pick-up, families are encouraged to allow some additional travel time and be mindful of all parking requirements and restrictions in the surrounding area.
CO-CURRICULAR NEWS
First XI Cricket Captains and Coach Announcement
Congratulations to Year 11 student Archah Parisi who has been appointed as Captain of Rostrevor’s First XI Cricket team for the 2026-2027 season – his second season in this role! Archah will be supported in his role by Deputy Captains Tyler Hitch (Year 10) and Oscar Crafter (Year 11).
We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony McDonald as First XI Cricket Coach for the 2026-27 season. In this role, Anthony will not only lead the First XI team but also work closely with all teams to further develop the growing Cricket Program at Rostrevor.
Anthony brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as a specialist coach at the Kensington Cricket Club and with his wide range of playing experience. Already well known within our community as the father of Leo (Year 11) and Sidney (Year 9), we are excited about the skills, knowledge and leadership Anthony will bring to the Program and wish him every success in his new role. Our College community wishes the squad all the best in their upcoming season!
Touch Football
Touch Football has started back up again for the Term 4 season, with Rostrevor fielding three teams at Park 17 on Wednesday afternoon this week. The Middle A and Middle B teams got off to a good start, with both teams recording wins (10-6 and 6-5 respectively), while the relatively inexperienced Year 9/10 team is still finding their rhythm, recording a loss in their first game. All teams show great promise, and our community looks forward to seeing what they can achieve over the last few weeks of the 2026 sporting calendar.
RAA Celebration of Football Awards
Congratulations to Year 12 student Paolo Matto who was awarded the RAA National Premier League U18 Player of the Year John Francis Award at the recent RAA Celebration of Football in the holidays. The ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre welcomed over 1,000 members of the South Australian Football community, celebrating the achievements of the past season. Paolo’s award recognises the best Under 18 Football player from any of the Football SA Premier League clubs from across Adelaide. Paolo had a stellar season with the North Eastern MetroStars Soccer Club, scoring an outstanding 36 goals for the year.
Our College community also extends its congratulations to recent Old Collegian Massimo Cerracchio (’25) who was acknowledged on the night with the RAA National Premier League Reserves Player of the Year Charlie Caruso Award.
State U18 AFL Academy Selection
Congratulations to the five Rostrevor students who have been named in the 2027 AAMI SA U18 AFL Academy! The squad of 36 players from across SA will begin training in November at SANFL’s West Lakes High Performance Centre. Archie Simpson, Max Anderson, Charlie Best, Oliver Easton and Tyler Hitch will spend 15 weeks, including a three-day camp, training with SA’s best U18 players and coaches.
The Academy provides a development program for the state’s most talented U18 players in preparation for the U18 National Championships held in July next year, opening doors to AFL and other elite level pathways. Within the program, players will develop their Football skills, receive strength & conditioning and leadership training, and gain access to education on nutrition, injury prevention and sports psychology. All five players also participated in the SANFL Under 17 Futures Football Squad which played an exhibition game earlier this year.