Term
2, Week 9 - Friday 26 June 2020
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Gianni Bergamin
Head Prefect
Dear College Community
For what feels like a millennium,
we, the Rostrevor Community, have had to confine to 'The New Normal'. Like any challenge, this has not
been easy - no handshakes, no sport, no Assemblies, nothing. In keeping with the 2020 theme, 'The Year
of Camaraderie', the Prefects have had to think abstractly 'outside the box' in developing ways to maintain
the morale, spirit and solidarity of the community. This was initiated with a Prefect driven Isolation
video, jam-packed with neglected homework, missed Teams calls, and plenty of Funniest Home Videos worthy
clips!
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It has been truly inspiring to see the
boys support one another in these unprecedented times. At the beginning of the year, I posed a challenge
- "In the year of camaraderie, you are encouraged to look out for one another, be a shoulder to lean on,
and be the guiding light to help people through the darkness." This message has been personified
daily; via the youngest to oldest students who have strived to be men for others, 'shoulders to lean
on', and 'guiding lights'. However, over the past few weeks, earnest has manifested in the
Valley. In the shifting context of restrictions slowly being lifted and co-curricular creeping around
the corner, echoes of the Rostrevor supporters group are splicing through the Mackey columns; we are slowly
transitioning back to normality and welcoming the comfort of familiarity and routine. Nevertheless, we
cannot become complacent, we must keep the distance and respect the restrictions. Now more than ever we
need leaders - leaders in the yard, leaders on the field, and leaders in the class. Leaders are the
common men who have an uncommon passion for change, so what's stopping you?
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Christy Saji
Deputy Head Prefect
There are no words be-fitting, no way to describe, the
unity in unison, the bond that binds the tribe. The pride we feel amid the march of the morning processions,
the involuntary devotion that teeters on obsession. Etched in the fabric of each Rossi boy's booming heartbeat,
remains a place for those we meet.
During Week 9, the young men that grace our lawns bound
together, and raised money for those impacted by breast cancer. As the saying goes, "we only realise
the importance of our voice when we are silenced." Thus, using our voice, the men of Rostrevor sought
out to spread the message to celebrate and commemorate those that have endured the long and tiresome journey
against cancer.
It started with the successful selling of pink ribbons, followed shortly
thereafter by pink shoelaces to be worn in Round 1 by all sports teams. In addition,
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each House Captain prepared PowerPoints
for their House group, to educate students regarding the detrimental toll cancer can have on society.
Amidst the unfamiliar social climate and context of COVID-19 the imminent opportunity to rest
and reflect on an unorthodox year is upon us so embrace the holiday break with loved ones. Term 3 is certain
to provide more challenges and opportunities and it would be remiss of us, Prefects, to not appreciate
the help that has been provided by all our family and friends. We hope everyone is looking forward for
what is to come!
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Cooper Llewelyn
Prefect - Head Boarder
The start of 2020 saw Duggan House welcome 26 new boys,
taking our tally to 64. This was then followed by the annual welcome weekend, made up of a basketball
tournament on the Saturday and followed by a day at Glenelg. This was a great weekend for all, catching
up with old mates and meeting our new lifelong brothers.
Throughout Term 1 many of the boarders
represented the College in summer co-curricular sports including tennis, water polo, swimming and the
most predominant summer sport, cricket. It was pleasing to see a large representation of boarders play
at the highest level in our First XI cricket team, with seven boarders playing regularly and four others
debuting throughout the first term. The debutants included Hugh Jackson, Tom Morgan, Regan Taheny and
Eddie Vaughan. These boys should be extremely proud of their great achievement. Congratulations must also
go to Brad Lymn for debuting in Rostrevor's Drive tennis team while also playing number two seat.
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All boarders were sent home late in Term
1 due to COVID-19. Having to conduct our schooling via online learning was difficult for many boys with
distractions such as helping on the farm prevalent. After the long stint at home, all South Australian
based boarders were welcomed back to school in Week 4, with many COVID-19 restrictions still present.
While this was a frustrating and unpredictable time in Duggan House, we all took on the setback with persistence
and commitment along with camaraderie, whilst obliging by the specific rules and regulations in place.
Term 3 will see the weather starting to get cooler and winter co-curricular proceeding. It is
pleasing to see so many boarders out at training, working hard and I wish everyone all the best heading
into the second half of the year.
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The First XI Cricket Team in action in Term 1 |
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Xavier Tranfa
Prefect - Internal Services
Just like that, our Term 2 co-curricular 'season'
has commenced amidst an incredibly unorthodox 2020. It's finally time for the boys to wipe the ever-growing
layers of dust from their boots. With all Junior, Middle and Senior teams returning to training, the boys'
excitement has reverberated from Rostrevor to all corners of our state. To the relief of many, the 8 round
fixture will remain as planned and launched into action at the start of Term 3.
At the senior
level, Rostrevor's newly appointed Director of Football and First XVIII Coach,
Mr James Allan, has
set high aspirations for the coming season. Mr Allan, a three-time Magarey Medallist, who has a wide range
of football experience is excited to undertake the season ahead.
Likewise, the Soccer Program
has seen the return of experienced Head Coach, Mr Terry Frangakis; joining him for the 2020 campaign as
Team Manager is the self-proclaimed ROCS legend, Mr Evan Pezos.
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The dynamic duo seeks to win it all over
the 8-week competition with a talented side who want to take it 'one better' than last year.
Mr Peter Steel will continue at the helm of the First V, who will be looking to make their mark
on the hardwood against all competing teams, namely Sacred Heart at this year's Intercol.
Across
the College an array of opportunities will again be available from debating to table tennis and pedal
prix. Hopefully we'll have a few extra cups to add to the trophy cabinet at the conclusion of the season.
As restrictions surrounding COVID-19 slowly start to lift, the return of the renowned Rostrevor
supporters group whose chants reverberate through the Valley will soon be heard by every Rossi boy. After
a close encounter in the 2019 final against CBC, the First XI is seeking revenge and encourages all boys
to get down to the Main Oval tonight (26 June) to watch the long-awaited clash of the titans.
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First XI Soccer Team training under the watchful eye of Coach, Mr Terry Frangakis |
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Ned Carey
Prefect
- Community Activities
Edmund Rice Day looked a little different this year for us
all. The iconic Edmund Ignatius Rice song at Mass was not to be heard, and the wide array of penny-pinching
activities were nowhere to be seen. Rather, this Unfair Day, we sat together in our Pastoral Care groups,
and were educated on the inequity that pervades our globe, and how the opportunities we are provided with
enable us to transcend the shackles that hold so many of us behind.
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We followed this by writing letters to
those who are close to us or those who have been working hard in the frontline during the COVID-19 period,
allowing students to show how grateful they are for those around them. We were all able to enjoy each
other's company and the finger buns provided to finish off the day.
Fortunately, Unfair Day
in its entirety is still set to go ahead later in the year. It is a much-loved event by all members of
the community. The Prefect body looks forward to assisting, with all funds raised going to a tremendous
cause.
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Matthew Dnistriansky
Prefect - Social Justice
Over the course of the semester, the Social
Justice team has continued to build on previously successful initiatives, whilst working through several
societal issues on a College level. Each week, alongside Mr Adam Whitefield, the Social Justice team meets
to discuss an array of issues, which not only effect our own community, but further problems present within
our nation and society on a global scale. Through this, the boys were presented with an opportunity to
meet with Liberal MP for Sturt, Mr James Stevens, to discuss a variety of questions regarding carbon emissions,
and future plans of the State and Federal Government. A select number of keen Social Justice warriors
were provided with the chance to research and establish a focus question for Mr Stevens regarding current
practices, in which he was brilliantly able to articulate procedures and plans the National Cabinet has
for these looming issues.
The establishment of the Environmental Action Group (EAG) has also
enhanced the Social Justice sector of the College as new students have undertaken unfamiliar roles in
order to help Rostrevor's environment. Both the EAG and Social Justice team have been hard at work in
encouraging students to reduce waste and to think globally, while acting logically.
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New food waste and recycling bins have
been placed around the College and all families are encouraged to reduce the amount of single-plastics
and disposable food packing that comes to school.
With the theme of World Environment Day being
biodiversity, students were encouraged to explore the beauty surrounding the College's environment and
take time to pause and find one thing that 'is alive and incredible in nature'. Meanwhile, Prefect representatives
and EAG members have been conducting further bin audits on campus as part of Rostrevor's new waste reduction
measures.
Further, the Prefects have declared a 'War on Waste', an initiative driven by House
Captains and Vice Captain in conjunction with
Mr Whitefield. Waste audits, data collections, inter
House competitions involving the correct use of coloured bins, recycling programs, 'Nude Food Wednesdays'
and sustaining Br Michael Coughlin's garden are all a focus for implementation in Term 3, with the goal
of bringing slow and incremental attitude change to students on waste.
The Social Justice team
will continue their work next term, endeavouring to raise much needed awareness for many other important
societal and contemporary issues.
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Climate Action Initiative |
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Patrick Baldwin
Prefect - Barron House Captain
Motor Neurone Disease (MND), is a condition
where the nerve cells that allow us to move around, speak, swallow and breath ultimately fail and eventually
cause death. AFL great, Neale Daniher, has suffered from the disease for the past seven years. He has
used his own misfortune to educate people on how the disease affects us and how it has personally changed
the way he lives.
The 'Big Freeze' brings the AFL community together to support not only Neale
Daniher, but the advocacy that he drives in the hope that a cure can be found. One of their biggest fundraisers
is the Big Freeze beanie, sold all over Australia.
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With this in mind, the Prefect group thought
it would be great for all students to get around something that is very close to many people's hearts
in the community. Thus, the Big Freeze Beanie Day was initiated, with huge success. Many boys went out
of their way to buy a specific Big Freeze beanie, adding to the camaraderie that 2020 is themed upon.
All funds raised were donated straight to MND research.
In closing, I'd like to congratulate
everyone who participated, whether by wearing a beanie, or simply giving a gold coin donation. The initiation
was something all boys should be proud of and it would be wonderful if this continued in future years.
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Thomas Cusack and Liam
D'Silva
Prefect - Egan House Captain and Vice-Captain
2020,
'The Year of Camaraderie', commenced with aplomb for Egan House. In January the group's sights were firmly
set on supporting our House charity, St Vincent de Paul, and the bushfire campaign through selling the
iconic ham and cheese toasties at the Friday morning barbecue, and via the surplus sales and contributions
to Mr Vlad's chocolate confectionery. However, the unprecedented emergence of COVID-19 towards the end
of Term 1 endeavoured to derail the always altruistic work of the Egan Knights, and its presence
has sadly lingered throughout Term 2. However, this interrupted and strange time bought about new opportunities
for innovative and exciting concepts to emerge; most notably Mr Hodkinson's Pump-It-Up Challenge. As seen
on Facebook, this unique initiative involved Mr Hodkinson bench pressing a baseline weight of 100 kg,
whilst acquiring sponsors for every kilo he bench pressed above that weight.
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This initiative to raise money for charity
was open to the collective community; ideally honing in to focus on the importance of establishing and
achieving goals paralleling the words of renowned educator Carol Dweck, "maintaining a growth mindset
throughout," during what has been and will continue to be, an unconventional year demanding the utmost
camaraderie.
As per the sage wisdom of eight-time Mr Olympia, Ronnie Coleman, "Everybody
want to be a bodybuilder, but don't nobody want to lift that heavy weight." We look forward to throwing
Egan's strength behind the rest of 2020; embracing all opportunities and conquering all challenges.
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Egan House with Mr Hodkinson Pump-It-Up Challenge launch |
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Jack Haddad
Prefect
- Gurr House Captain
The first semester of 2020 may not have panned out the way we
all expected it to, nonetheless it has still been a busy start to the year for the Prefects. Having set
out distinct goals at the Prefect Camp last year, a preliminary focus was to rekindle the relationship
with our sister school, Loreto. To consolidate our ideas for initiatives, we hosted a meeting in the Pavilion
with Loreto's Student Leadership Group. This was an absolute success with plans for the remainder of the
year made and many other thoughts shared. The Loreto leaders attended our World's Greatest Shave event
and assisted by selling sausages and drinks. They are also supporting with our Pink Week activities and
we, in turn, are assisting at Loreto for Blue Day.
On a House level, Gurr had a successful
start to the year, winning the Swimming Carnival for the third consecutive year. The exemplary effort
from boys in the pool was complemented by the enthusiastic encouragement from the stands. An all-round
strong performance that we intend to carry into the Athletics Carnival later in the year.
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eager to participate in fundraising and social activities including Marian Day and the inter House basketball
competition. The recommencement of the football season has seen the continuation of the House tipping
and AFL fantasy competitions which students get involved in.
Finally, I would like to extend my
congratulations to all students elected to the Murphy Vice-Captain roles: Lewis Matsis, Hussain Hardwarewala,
Darcy Holmes, Owen Hickey, Finn McGuire-Coward, Arnav Kothari, Marshall Nitschke, Koen Forrester, Thomas
Fotheringham, Harry Maxwell and Fergus Myall. I look forward to working closely with all of them throughout
the year.
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Rostrevor College Prefects and Loreto College Student Leadership Group meet to discuss joint initiatives
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Oscar Klose
Prefect - Murphy House Captain
Three friends and I took part in Ski for Life
from 6-8 March, an event which endeavours to raise awareness of mental health to men of all ages, particularly
those in rural areas; an issue which is both important to me and pertinent for our entire College community.
We skied from Murray Bridge to Renmark, a total distance of 456 kilometres. In the weeks leading up to
the event, I sought donations and the response was overwhelming. I am so very proud of the generosity
and enthusiasm displayed by both students and staff. $500 was donated by the College, the bulk of which
was from my Murphy brothers. In total, I was able to donate $2,000 to the Ski for Life event. I would
like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to everyone who provided a contribution and supported
me along the way.
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Murphy House also conducted a canned food
drive to supply much needed goods for those affected by the devastating fires on Kangaroo Island this
year. Mrs Tiggemann was inspirational in this cause and her passion is to be commended.
The
Rostrevor ethos of 'men for others' has been specifically exemplified by the students and staff of Murphy
House, for which I am extremely proud.
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Murphy House Can Drive for Kangaroo Island Bushfire Victims |
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Jacob van den Kieboom
Prefect - O'Brien House Captain
Semester 1 for not only O'Brien but all House
groups changed drastically from how we thought it would be. The absence of House gatherings and charity
events has left a real void in House spirit. Like many other events within the College, Houses have had
to adapt and find a substitute for our usual gatherings; the introduction of virtual Chapel presentations
each fortnight being one of them.
During Pastoral Care classes we have had the opportunity
to shed light on different inequalities within our world.
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an area which we discussed, through the celebration of Reconciliation Week. During extended PC on Friday
of Week 5, we were viewed the documentary, 'The Australian Dream', detailing the treatment of
Adam Goodes and his fight with racism in Australia. This documentary gave a glimpse of what life is like
as an Indigenous person in Australia. A banner with the phrase, In This Together, was available
for students to sign displaying their solidarity in fighting against racism in Australia.
We hope,
with the easing of restrictions that we will soon be able to gather and re-establish our House spirit
in this 'Year of Camaraderie'.
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In This Together, was available for students to sign displaying their solidarity in fighting against
racism in Australia. |
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Thomas Hill
Prefect
- Webb House Captain
On a hot, Friday lunch time in Week 5 of Term 1, the youthful,
ambitious boarding students journeyed from Duggan House to the Big Memorial Oval to challenge the experienced,
composed teachers in a six over 'Bushfire Bash' cricket match. In front of a packed grandstand of students
and teachers excited to watch the first ever boarders vs teachers cricket match, the fixture raised funds
and awareness for victims of the recent bushfires, affecting areas which are home to some of our boarders.
The boarders got proceedings underway by winning the toss and electing to bat first, with first
innings highlights including a spectacular outfield catch from Mr David Walker and a classy six from Boarding
House Social Captain, Hugh Jackson. First XI cricket coach, Mr Bill Trewartha, wound back the clock with
a stellar batting performance in the second innings, aided by the efforts of new First XVIII football
coach, Mr James Allan, setting their side up with only 8 runs to score from the last over.
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However, some tight bowling and tidy fielding from the boarders restricted batsman, Mr Walker,
to 7 runs from the over, ending the thrilling entertainment spectacle in a draw.
The event
was not only exemplary of some of Rostrevor's finest sporting talent, both young and old, but also the
notion of being a 'man for others'; one of the College's key values taken from Edmund Rice.
As we head into the holidays, I would like to wish everyone a safe and restful break in what has been
a challenging year thus far for all. I encourage students to return in Term 3 with a positive outlook
as normality is gradually restored.
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The 'Bushfire Bash' cricket match,
raising funds for Bushfire Victims
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2020
Term Dates
Term 1: Wednesday 29 January to Thursday 9
April 2020
Term 2: Tuesday 28 April to Wednesday 1 July 2020
Term 3: Monday 20 July to Friday
25 September 2020
Term 4: Monday 12 October to Friday 4 December 2020
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