Pathways

We’re proud to offer an extensive Vocational Education and Training (VET) program, complementing our philosophy that Rostrevor can offer a pathway for every boy. 

VET is nationally accredited training which provides students with industry specific skills, knowledge and practical work experience, setting them up for success in the ever-changing employment landscape.  

We facilitate a broad spectrum of industry offerings with over 30 courses qualifying students in Certificates I, II, and III. From automotive, to business, to hospitality, to screen and media, every boy will find a course to suit his skills and aspirations.  

Rostrevor College offers this training through partnerships with TAFE, private Registered Training Organisations, other secondary schools and industry. We partner with Mental Muscle Education for students completing a Certificate in Fitness, and Western Technical College for a range of courses such as Barbering, Electrotechnology, Graphic Design, Plumbing and Construction amongst others.  

Our VET Program Coordinators often partner with Old Collegians and members of our wider community to connect students to work experience opportunities, apprenticeships and long-term job opportunities.  

Rostrevor’s on-site Agriculture Farm is a unique and valuable educational asset utilised by all of our students.  

Taking advantage of the College’s picturesque 40-acre campus in the foothills of the Mount Lofty ranges, the sprawling Agriculture Farm is home to a vast array of animals across the year including cows, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, trout and a large selection of native reptiles and amphibians.  

Agriculture subjects are popular amongst Rostrevor’s boarding students, many of whom come from a farming background.  

Rostrevor’s youngest learners also enjoy the Agriculture Farm, often visiting when there are new and exciting animals to learn about, with baby chicks a frequent favourite.  

Compulsory in Years 7 and 8, and elective from Years 9 to 12, students who take Agriculture at Rostrevor benefit from hands-on learning across hydroponics, cropping, livestock, viticulture and aquaculture amongst other industries. The career pathways opened by the skills our students learn on the Farm are wide and varying, with many past students going on to find success in the agricultural industry, opening wineries or running their own farms and businesses amongst other pursuits.  

Our Design and Technology program gives students the opportunity to learn by doing; designing, making and problem-solving through practical, hands-on experiences. Studied by all students in Years 7 and 8 and offered as elective subjects from Years 9 to 12, the program is delivered in our purpose-built Technology facilities. Courses are aligned with ACARA and SACE requirements, ensuring students develop both academic understanding and practical capability.

Students experience a broad range of learning, developing skills in furniture construction, woodworking, metal machining and welding, as well as product design using industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Fusion, 3D printing and laser cutting. These skills are extended into electronics, coding, programming, app development and interactive systems design, reflecting the technologies shaping employment opportunities in today’s world.

Our range of programs supports students to follow multiple future pathways. For students aiming for university study, Design and Technology provides a strong foundation for engineering-related degrees such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and software engineering. The program also provides solid preparation for VET and TAFE pathways into trades such as carpentry, electrical, fabrication and manufacturing, where practical skills learned in the workshop translate directly into the workplace. Students can also choose to study externally delivered VET certificate courses to complement learning from our Technology courses.

Equally important are the lifelong skills students develop. Through workshop experiences, students learn to work safely with tools and equipment, manage projects independently and think creatively when solving real-world problems. These capabilities are valuable whether students pursue further study, enter a trade, or simply apply their skills to projects at home or on the farm.

Guided by specialist teachers, the Design and Technology program encourages confidence, independence and curiosity, equipping students with transferable skills and a practical mindset that will serve them well beyond school.

At Rostrevor College, we have a strong focus on educating the whole student, to develop his skills across all areas of life which will set him up for success. The Outdoor Education program plays a key role in this, designed to round out a Rostrevor education through the development of skills such as resilience, teamwork, independence and leadership. 

Especially important in Years 7 to 9, Outdoor Education provides students with the opportunity to experience a wide array of different adventure-based activities and environments which broaden their horizons and extend their comfort zones. It also serves the important function of fostering an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment in our students. 

Our programs are designed in a way which slowly build up students' practical skills and knowledge, utilising facilities such as the College pool, rock climbing wall or the Morialta Conservation Park before culminating in a camp or expedition where they can put these skills into action.  

All students from Years 7 to 9 participate in Outdoor Education as a compulsory component of their learning, and students from Years 10 to 12 can choose to undertake the program as an elective subject.