Principal's Message

Full Commitment

The end of the academic year brings with it formal examinations and final assessment pieces. The WACE Examinations conclude today and as always, we pray that our senior students have done well. Importantly, we trust that they gain rewards commensurate with their effort and application to their studies. Similarly, our Year 11 students are currently completing the last of their Semester 2 Examinations prior to engaging in their Christian Service week. Following an extended holiday break, they will turn their sights to the opportunities for leadership that accompanies the busy nature of their final year of studies at Trinity College. In the coming weeks, our Year 8, 9 and 10 boys will commence examinations that seek to validate class work and other assessments completed throughout the year. They also provide invaluable experience and practice in preparing for more formal examination conditions that will be part of their future school journey.

With exam results and final grades come the inevitable questions about goal setting, future career pathways and the need to fully appreciate and genuinely assess the commitment required to find success in academic studies and personal excellence. All boys are encouraged to set realistic, but aspirational life goals (both short, and long term) and to commit wholeheartedly to such goals. Learning from such commitment and being resilient to the inevitable bumps in the road is an important life lesson, and a vital part in the formation of our young men.

There is an important difference between being generally interested in a goal and being fully committed to a goal. Often, we have goals that we may be interested in and will happily apply a level of effort that is convenient and relatively easy if those actions happen to point us in the general direction of our aim. But if our application to a goal is limited to an interest only, rather than being a full commitment, we may be prone to opt out when the going gets tough or when desired outcomes are not immediate. We can develop our own personal narratives and make excuses as to why we cannot commit to the necessary hard work and hardship to achieve some worthwhile gain. Alternatively, full commitment demands that we apply ourselves wholeheartedly and honestly to achieving our personal best.

In recent weeks, at a variety of significant College events, I have had the pleasure of speaking with and celebrating some of our most recent graduates. They have certainly displayed total commitment and helped demonstrate a Spirit of Excellence in areas of their Academic studies, Music, Sport and Service. In very different contexts, across all aspects of College life, they have shared the value and reward that comes at the end of the well-worn path of hard work and commitment. Aristotle once said; “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Of course, this notion is certainly not new. I am sure that through our own parents and grandparents, we have probably heard phrases such as ‘If you are going to do a job, do it right’; or ‘Near enough is not good enough if it can be done better’. Somewhat old-fashioned values and sentiments that are still as relevant today. 

In forming good young men, it is important that we instil in them a deep understanding of the intrinsic value and personal satisfaction of fully committing to something they value. We pray that all boys commit to their end of year exams and to the hard work that precedes any worthwhile goal!

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill

Principal