About The College the difficulties experienced by Catholic parents in the country, the Christian Brothers decided to establish boarding schools for these boys. The first boarding school conducted by the Christian Brothers anywhere in the world was that established at Christian Brothers’ College, Wakefield Street, in Adelaide, when, in 1881, a small number of boys took up residence with the Brothers in their own house at the College.
Rostrevor College Coat of Arms The Rostrevor Coat of Arms, or College Crest, is an adaptation of the first crest of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. This particular crest has a long history during which it has experienced a number of variations. The present version has been the Rostrevor College crest since its foundation except for the motto which was changed from “Signum Fidei” (Sign of Faith) to “Palma Merenti” in 1948. The large red star signifies the virtue of Faith and the Cross above it symbolises Christ and our Christian Faith. The laurels (palms) of the crest are symbolic of practices from ancient times. We are reminded of the early Christians who as martyrs gave their lives in fidelity to Christ rather than deny Him, and thus earnt the ‘palms of martyrdom’. It was customary in ancient times to present a wreath of palms as a reward or an acknowledgement of effort and achievement. Hence, ‘Palma Merenti’, - the reward to the one who earns it - is a challenge to Rostrevor students to strive, to be willing to make the necessary efforts, to do their best in whatever they do and to reach their goals in life so that they may earn the reward of a life lived well.
Founding of Rostrevor College By The Christian Brothers – 1923 The Christian Brothers came to Adelaide in 1878 at the invitation of Archbishop Reynolds and established their first school in South Australia, Christian Brothers’ College (C.B.C.) in Wakefield Street, Adelaide. Classes commenced at this College in January 1879 with 68 pupils. Upon their arrival in Australia from Ireland the Brothers were welcomed warmly by the Catholic people who gave them generous support in the establishment of their schools for Catholic boys. Of particular significance to this short history of Rostrevor is the support for the Brothers offered by Catholic parents in the country districts and the Brothers’ response to those people’s generosity and their special needs in providing a Catholic Education for their sons. In 1880, to help overcome
For the next 42 years Boarders attended Christian Brothers’ College. From the humble beginnings of sharing the Brothers’ own house, the Boarding School developed into a thriving establishment at the College. An extra building (still is use at C.B.C.) was erected and about 60 boarders were accommodated. However, as the inner city site at Wakefield Street become unsuitable for boarders a new property was sought and eventually, in December 1922, the Brothers purchased the Rostrevor Estate at Magill. This large property contained, in addition to the stately Rostrevor House, its coach house, caretaker’s residence, stables, and extensive orchards of oranges, lemons and stone fruits. The previous owner of Rostrevor had been a nurseryman and so the property had extensive and well-kept gardens. On the property was a large lake to provide the property’s own water supply. The years since February 1923, when the Brothers obtained possession of the property have seen a considerable transformation to the property and yet much of its original beauty has been retained. It was the main residence, Rostrevor House, which was, and still remains, an outstanding feature of the property and which became the nucleus of the new school. In this building accommodation was provided for the Boarders, the Brothers and some of the classes. From the time of taking possession in February 1923, a large new Chapel (on the site of the present theatre), five classrooms and a chemistry laboratory were built before the College could be opened. By the end of the first term these facilities were ready and so after the May vacation classes commenced at Rostrevor College on May 29, 1923. Brother Purton was appointed Headmaster of the new college and he, with three other Brothers, McMahon, O’Sullivan and Dean (replaced later in the year by Br Coghlan), all of the boarders and all students in the Intermediate, Leaving and Leaving Honours classes transferred to Rostrevor. Some dayscholars joined the junior grades and from the beginning there were classes from the very junior grades to Leaving Honours at Rostrevor. For many years after 1923 students from C.B.C. transferred to Rostrevor after Intermediate to study for Leaving and Leaving Honours, thus maintaining a very close link between the two colleges. In fact, sports teams were drawn from both until the early 1940’s, when Leaving and Leaving Honours classes were re-established at C.B.C. From then on the two colleges became separate establishments.
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About The College By the end of 1923, Rostrevor was well established as a school. Throughout the year more facilities, including the bungalow for more accommodation for the boarders and extra classrooms, had been built and Rostrevor was able to settle down to a period of consolidation. That this was so after only one year was a great tribute to Br Purton’s leadership and foresight and the efforts of the first Brothers and Students and it is very appropriate that we are reminded of his contribution to our school by naming the hall the Purton Auditorium and presenting Oratory Prizes in his name each year at Speech Night. One striking feature of these early years was the brilliance of the academic results. Five times in its first six years a Rostrevor student was placed first in Honour English and was awarded the prestigious Tennyson Medal. These were Sidney Pick (1923,1924 and 1925), Leo Doyle (1926) and John Funder (1928). In addition John Coffey was awarded the Leaving Tennyson Medal in 1927. Sidney Pick was Dux of Rostrevor and placed first in the General Honours List in both 1924 and 1925. A review of the examination results of all the Rostrevor students reveals that the general standards were very high. Our foundation students certainly set high standards for future students to emulate! During 1983, Rostrevor celebrated its Diamond Jubilee - 60 years contribution to Catholic Education in South Australia. The major project for these celebrations was the substantial renovation to the College Chapel. This saw restoration of the building itself, beautification of its immediate surroundings, redecoration of the interior, new seating at the front of the Chapel and a new pipe organ. During the Jubilee Year attempts were made by many of Rostrevor’s loyal friends to negotiate the retention of the Boarding School. Unfortunately these efforts were not successful, and so the last group of boarders left at the end of 1983 - thus temporarily ending an era in the history of Rostrevor and of the Catholic Church in South Australia. At the same time Matron Duggan completed thirty-five years of splendid service at Rostrevor. Almost every aspect of Rostrevor benefited from Matron’s care and influence. She was Matron of the Boarding School, but she did much more than that - she was ‘Mother’ away from home to the boarders; she exercised special care for the Brothers and their home; she was the ever gracious hostess of Rostrevor and supervised the catering and preparations for special functions at the College. Matron Duggan is remembered with affection and respect by very many people who came to know her. Rostrevor is fortunate indeed to have had the services of such a person for so long. By the mid 1980’s enrolments increased to over 900 and formal management structures were established, with the appointment of Heads of Department responsible for
Curriculum Development and the introduction of new Pastoral Care arrangements. In 1987 the Rostrevor College Board was established, with Justice Kevin Duggan as first chairman. To ensure a sound financial base for future development the Rostrevor Foundation was also established, with Mr Creagh O’Connor as the first chairman. The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, set up a Task Force to examine the needs of Catholic Boarding Schools in South Australia asked Rostrevor to again admit boarders. This was agreed to, thus reversing the decision taken some ten years earlier. The responsibility of overseeing this major development fell to Br Hann and the Rostrevor Board. Br Hann finished his term in mid 1992 and was succeeded by Br P D McGlaughlin. A College such as Rostrevor has a rich and interesting story. A brief history such as this can only refer briefly to some of the highlights of this story and note the contributions of some of the Teachers, Students and Friends who have contributed towards making Rostrevor the great school it is. Hopefully, those of us who are now, fortunate enough to inherit this tradition may work not only to maintain it but also to strive to contribute positively to enhance it in the future.
Headmasters of Rostrevor College Brother D G Purton
1923
Brother J F O’Brien
1924-1926
Brother M P Dwyer
1927
Brother D O Joyce
1928-1933
Brother I L Mackey
1933-1938
Brother J E McElligott
1939-1941
Brother P L Duffy
1942
Brother C A Mogg
1943-1945, 1950-1955
Brother S L Carroll
1946-1947
Brother B G Rooney
1948-1949
Brother J L Kelty
1956-1961
Brother J N O’Sullivan
1962-1967
Brother R M Morphett
1968-1970
Brother W G Hall
1971-1973
Brother J V Bourke
1974-1976
Brother J P Marks
1977-1984
Brother K C McMaster
1984-1987
Brother T X Hann Brother P D McGlaughlin Mr J Croser
1988-June, 1992 July 1992-July 2002 2003-Current
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College Houses BARRON
O’BRIEN
Audaces Fortuna Iuvat
Lamh Laidir An Nachtar
(Fortune Favours The Bold)
(The Strong Hand From Above)
BROTHER PATRICK JEROME BARRON (1858-1949)
BROTHER FRANCIS THOMAS O’BRIEN (1848-1927)
Brother Barron was the Australasian Provincial when Rostrevor College opened in 1923. He, therefore, was a key figure in the purchasing and establishing of Rostrevor, giving great support to Brother Purton in his efforts to move the boarders from Wakefield Street. He was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1858. He joined the Christian Brothers and taught in Ireland for 17 years. He volunteered to go to Australia and after a short period in Ballarat, he was appointed Headmaster of CBC Wakefield Street from 1894 - 1896. He then was appointed a member of the Provincial Council in Sydney which was responsible for the Brothers and their schools in Australia and New Zealand. He was a member of this Council for 39 years and was the Provincial Superior for 23 years. The GOLD HOUSE bears his name.
Brother O’Brien was in charge of the first community of Christian Brothers to come to South Australia in 1878. He was one of 5 O’Brien brothers who joined the Christian Brothers in Ireland. After some years teaching in Ireland, Brother O’Brien came to Australia and was the founding Headmaster at CBC Wakefield Street, remaining in charge there for 12 years. He travelled extensively on horseback to seek financial help for CBC from the Catholic miners near Burra and Wallaroo-Kadina as there were few Catholics in Adelaide at that time. Because of the generosity of country people, the Brothers agreed in 1881 to open a Boarding House at Wakefield Street - the first Christian Brothers’ school in the world to admit Boarders. Brother O’Brien died in Brisbane at the age of 79. The BLUE HOUSE bears his name.
EGAN
MURPHY
Fortitude et Prudentia
Fortis et Hospitalis
(By Fortitude and Prudence)
(Brave and Hospitable)
BROTHER WILLIAM PAULINUS EGAN (1860-1936)
BROTHER JOSEPH LEO MURPHY (1858-1931)
Brother Egan spent the last 13 years of his life at Rostrevor, coming out from CBC Wakefield Street with the first Boarders in 1923. He was born in Ireland in 1860 and came to Australia as a young man. He was a quiet Irish gentleman and was placed in charge of schools in three places in Australia. He suffered from asthma and this brought him to Adelaide. He was the Bursar for most of his years at Rostrevor and died in 1936 at the age of 76. The RED HOUSE bears his name.
Brother Leo Murphy came out to Rostrevor from CBC Wakefield Street with the first Boarders in 1923. He had retired from teaching, but was noted for his great interest in public speaking and he promoted the Literary and Debating Societies which were such an important feature of College life in the earlier years. Both at CBC and at Rostrevor, the Public Speaking Societies were known as the Brother Leo Murphy Societies, as they still are at CBC. Brother Murphy was a very popular figure and was especially honoured by the Old Scholars. The Golden Jubilee of his entrance into the Christian Brothers was a great occasion in Adelaide. He died at Rostrevor in 1931 at the age of 73. The GREEN HOUSE bears his name.
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Edmund Rice Icon The Edmund Rice icon might be described as a story of love… God’s love for people and the response made to that love by one man, Edmund Rice. The story is presented in symbolic colours and pictures, showing joy and pain, good and evil, energy and stillness, success and failure, great sorrow and great delight. There is a feeling of mystery in it all. Edmund Rice dominates the central part of the icon. He is a commanding figure, relaxed yet serious. He shows strength and vision as his head leans back and his eyes focus far ahead. His eyes are compassionate and understanding, determined and kind. Above his head can be seen a hint of the mystery of God who is always with us. Edmund stands close to the heart of this symbol of God. He lives in the presence of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Christ-child is there. The flame of love is seen in the halo about his head. Birdlike shapes, symbols of the Holy Spirit, move down and out from Christ. The Christ-child looks towards Edmund and with his hand asks his mother, Mary, to care for, protect and love Edmund. The way Mary and Jesus are portrayed are reminders of the pictures of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Good Counsel. The shapes symbolising the Holy Spirit flow in a wave-like movement from the Christ- child. These show Edmund’s willingness to follow the Spirit and allow the Spirit to influence his whole life; like music passing through a perfect instrument, the Spirit rules what Edmund did and how he lived. In the icon there are nearly twenty pictures and symbols of the spirit in shapes, in water, in flame, in lightning and in rain. In contrast there are other shapes and hints of dark and ominous things. One dark symbol is the coil of the serpent. On the right of the icon, just touching Edmund’s left shoulder there is a menacing shape, part-raven, part-eagle suggesting an ill omen, the spirit of evil. All of us, the saintly included, have to face evil in ourselves and around us. This evil is shown touching two people important to Edmund - St Teresa of Avila and Nano Nagle - Nano was the founder of the Presentation Sisters. She worked for the education of girls while Edmund’s mission was the welfare of boys. In the icon Edmund has his back turned firmly on evil. The evil shape hovers over the Ireland of the Penal Days of Edmund’s time. Ireland is symbolized by four green fields. From his earliest days Edmund was aware of the misery of his depressed and down-trodden fellow Irish people, even though his own hard-working family was well-off. The Rice homestead is shown in the icon. In many symbols the whole icon tells its story of Edmund’s life. Especially shown are the influences that came together to create the spirit of the man - the spirit of love and compassion for suffering people, especially youth. This icon, then, is a meditation on this man, Edmund, and the spirit that pervades the work of all those who today are engaged in the work he began.
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College Expectations, Policies and Procedures Absenteeism/Lateness Parents/guardians need to contact Student Services before 9.00am that day. When returning to school after being absent, a signed parental note in the Planner must be presented to the Pastoral Care Teacher. If you need to leave school early for any reason, a signed parental note in the Planner must be presented to the Pastoral Care Teacher which includes the time of departure and who will be picking you up from school. This note must be shown to the Pastoral Care Teacher in the morning. Students must sign out at Student Services upon departure. If needing to attend an external appointment during school time, a signed parental note in the Planner must be presented to the Pastoral Care Teacher which includes the times of departure and intended return and who will be picking you up from school. This note must be shown to the Pastoral Care Teacher in the morning. Students must sign in and out at Student Services upon departure and return respectively. If you know if advance that you will be absent from school, a signed parental note in the Planner to the Pastoral Care Teacher must be provided prior. If you are absent from school for more than three days, or from a compulsory school event, a doctor’s certificate must be provided. If you arrive to school between 8.35am and 8.55am you are to report to your Pastoral Care Teacher. If arriving after 8.55am, you must sign in at Student Services.
Absent from Class Students in the Middle or Senior School must ask the teacher to sign their Movement Log, located in the rear of the Planner. Note: Students are only to leave the classroom during lesson time under exceptional circumstances. Students needing to leave the classroom due to sickness must have a signed note from the Class Teacher in the Movement Log and present it to Student Services.
Academic Policies and Procedures Reports Junior School Students (Reception – Year 6) will receive two reports during the academic year, issued at the completion of Semester 1 (mid-year) and Semester 2 (end of year). Middle and Senior School students (Years 7-12) will receive four reports during the academic year, issued at the completion of each term.
Assessments Assessment is made up of various assessment tasks with examinations being more significant as the student progresses to the higher grades.
Continuous Assessment tasks take the form of essays, assignments, projects, tests, work books, orals, practicals, performances, displays, etc and vary according to the nature of the subject.
Assessment and Deadlines – Middle School Boys in the Middle School need assistance in the scheduling of their time to fulfil their commitments to a wide range of subjects. Hence, students will need to negotiate with their subject teachers when work is due. Thereafter, if work is late it cannot be credited towards their assessment and will be given a zero mark. The teacher may still choose to mark the piece for feedback only and to assist the boy’s understanding. In any event, the work must still be done and parents will be notified via the Planner. Extensions are not an automatic right. Any request for extension must be negotiated prior to the due date, exceptions are of course illness, injury or compassionate grounds and a new deadline can then be negotiated. A note in the Planner must accompany a request for extension.
Assessment and Deadlines – Senior School If a Summative Assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a zero will be awarded and the task will be completed at lunch or in a detention class. If a task cannot be completed by the due date, then an extension must be applied for. Students may be granted extension of up to two days for the submission of Summative Assessment work by their subject teachers. Any extension beyond that has to be negotiated between the subject teacher and the Head of Faculty. The procedure for extension application is: 1. The student collects a Blue Extension Card from Student Services. 2. The student completes the card, specifying the grounds/ reason for extension and clarifies this with his teacher. 3. The student takes the card home and has it signed by his parent/ guardian. 4. The card must be signed by the subject teacher. 5. The card must be fixed to the work being submitted by the student for assessment. 6. After the work has been assessed, the card is placed in the Pastoral Care Teacher’s pigeon-hole and then filed. Students who submit after the due dates and who have not been allowed an extension will be awarded a zero score for that assessment task.
Accident/Injury If you have an accident whilst in class, obtain a signed note from the Class Teacher in the Movement Log and go immediately to Student Services for treatment. If you have an accident whilst in the yard, report immediately to the teacher on duty or direct to Student Services for assistance.
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College Expectations, Policies and Procedures Behaviour Education and Personal Responsibility Protocol Statement of Behaviour Management and Personal Responsibility The most essential element of a fully functioning and fully alive College is the right of all members of the community to be respected; respect for learning, respect for teaching and respect for parenting.
Rostrevor College is committed to:
Rostrevor College Values:
»» Respecting each person’s rights and responsibilities and endorsing consequences for responsible and irresponsible behaviour;
»» The responsibility of all members of the Rostrevor community to treat others with dignity and respect and to act with propriety toward them;
»» The values of justice and reconciliation that has a significant respect for human dignity;
»» The contribution of all in the community and endorses all behaviours that model personal responsibility and respect for other members of the Rostrevor College community;
»» Integrating social responsibilities with the Gospel values and teaching them through curriculum and modelled by the adults in the Rostrevor community.
»» Recognises and acknowledges the cultures and values of each family within the community; that it is to be respected but not to take detriment of the well-being of any student or the College community as a whole.
Code of Conduct – Students Rights
Responsibilities
»» To be able to learn and feel secure in a safe, supportive environment.
»» To act in a safe, responsible manner and to be supportive of fellow students.
»» To have my opinion and property respected.
»» To be considerate of others’ feelings and respect their belongings.
»» To have appropriate access to school equipment.
»» To take care of and share school facilities and the environment.
»» To be given the opportunity to demonstrate my talents and abilities.
»» To become actively involved in College activities.
»» To have appropriate access to the teacher’s time.
»» To be aware of the College rules and to accept consequences when necessary.
»» To know what is acceptable behaviour and the consequences of unacceptable behaviour.
»» To respect the rights of other students to share teacher’s time.
»» To demonstrate good manners and courtesy at all times.
Book Hire Scheme Throughout the year students will be issued with text books and materials from the College Book Hire Scheme. This scheme enables students to have access to a wide range of text and reference books at minimal cost to them and their parents. Each student is expected to accept responsibility for the care of these books during the year and for their return in good condition at the end of the year. The cost of replacing books which are lost or damaged to an extent judged to be beyond that of normal usage will be charged to the offending student. The table below should assist students to keep a record of hired books issued to them during the year.
Subject
Title of Book (in full)
Book Number
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