Principal's Message

College Prefects

The process for electing next year’s College Prefects commenced several months ago. In fact, given many aspects of the selection criteria refer to demonstrated performance and levels over previous years, it could well be argued that the process is ongoing throughout a student’s journey towards their final year at Trinity College. All of our Year 11 students were given an opportunity to consider applying for the role of College Prefect.  Under the direction of Head of Year, Mr Phil Oddie, our Year 11 boys have been guided through a period of real discernment about leadership, its various forms, and the ability of every person to influence for the good of others. Such a focus on leadership also encouraged each student to examine their own sense of leadership and influence as senior students in the College. 

It was most pleasing to see the overwhelming response by so many of our students to the invitation of being of service to others. A large number of our Year 11 cohort decided to apply for the formal position of College Prefect. Others indicated their willingness to show genuine leadership as senior students and assist the College in less formal ways. This was a wonderful display of their commitment to their school, their support for each other and their willingness to be Men for Others.

The process for the election of our sixteen College Prefects has been long and very comprehensive. It considered a range of factors including; a formal Application which included of a brief synopsis of their participation and achievements, the endorsement of a key member of College Staff, the analysis of Student Reports with a focus on Student Work Attributes and achieving a benchmark score related to the Attribute Point Average (APA), an examination of previous leadership involvement throughout their school journey, a series of short speeches, and finally, the Year 11 Student vote and the Staff vote. This was then followed by a short-listing process and then several meetings and open discussions between key College Leadership Staff to finalise the formal election of the College Prefects for next year. 

Our Year 11 cohort are a wonderful and generous group of talented young men who, through their actions and attitudes, have already demonstrated leadership in many aspects of their life, both within our Trinity College Community and in the wider community. In reading the respective Prefect Applications, I felt very humbled to learn of and appreciate their ongoing commitment to serve within the context of their own emerging leadership. Such a thorough process has confirmed that so many of our students are very capable of assuming the role of College Prefect.  This made the task of arriving at the final group of sixteen Prefects for next year very humbling and somewhat difficult.

At a Year 11 Assembly today, we were delighted to announce the names of the newly elected Prefects for 2027. It was wonderful to see the manner in which they were acknowledged by their peers and by our outgoing 2026 Prefects.  While the 2027 Prefects will be formally presented to the College Community at our upcoming College Presentation Night, I take this opportunity to congratulate them.

The 2027 College Prefects are:

Back row:

Jonah Clarke, Henry Pearson, Joseph Di Ciano, Fletcher Cosby, Ed McLean,

Matthew Murdoch, James Ho, Alphons Joseph

Front row:

 Nicholas Di Biase, Zavier Leone, Jeremiah Santelli, Jarvin Pinesi-O'Brien,

Ben Beros, Reuben Panaia, Oliver Pontre

Absent:

Edward Jones

We look forward to the 2027 College Prefects working with key College Staff to continue their own leadership growth and to promote engagement, responsibility, commitment and a positive culture amongst our boys.  Importantly, the Prefects are challenged and encouraged to provide a positive example to the College community through their authentic service to others and by upholding the values of Trinity College. It is a wonderfully challenging role that benefits the College, supports their peers and promotes their own personal formation. We trust they will be a Spirit of Excellence within our Trinity community.

As a College, we are very blessed to have an extraordinary number of mature, generous and committed young men who have led, and will continue to lead, through the example they set and through their service to others.  In congratulating our 2027 Prefects, I also wish to acknowledge those outstanding Year 11 students who were not successful in gaining such a formal leadership position. Whilst appreciating the very real disappointment that can come with missing out on a role that one aspires to, it is also important to appreciate that true leadership is not necessarily defined by a title or badge.  Rather, leadership is determined by authenticity in service, support for others and the strength of character that resilience builds.  It is also a reminder that leadership comes in many forms; some formal, some informal – all very important! 

Once again, we congratulate our newly elected College Prefects. Well done gentlemen.

Live Jesus in our Hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill 

Principal