In The Spirit

Principal's Message

College Prefects

In a process that commenced a few months ago, 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 Clint Testa, our Year 11 boys have been led 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, while many others pledged their willingness to show genuine leadership as senior students and assist Mr Testa and the College in less formal ways. This was a wonderful indication 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 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 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 an exceptional group of talented young men who, in so many ways, have already demonstrated leadership in many aspects of their life, both within our Trinity College Community and in the wider community. I felt very humbled to read the respective Prefect Applications and to understand and certainly appreciate, their ongoing commitment to serve and within the particular 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 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 2024. It was wonderful to see the manner in which they were acknowledged by their peers.  While the Prefects will be formally presented to the College Community at our upcoming Presentation Night, I take this opportunity to congratulate them as listed below: 

  • Evan Alderslade
  • Lachlan Brown
  • Declan Collins
  • Jamie D'Agostino
  • Yeabsera Fasil
  • Sebastian Foti
  • Rocco Fowler
  • Kade Hampson
  • Jack Hansen-Knarhoi
  • Todd Hassett
  • Owen Hewitt
  • Benjamin Matuszkiewicz
  • William Norman
  • Matthew Petagna
  • Carter Robertson
  • William Thomson

We look forward to the 2024 College Prefects working with key College Staff in continuing to enhance their own leadership, and promote engagement, responsibility, commitment and a positive culture amongst our boys. Importantly, the Prefects are asked to provide a positive example to the College community through their authentic service to others and by upholding the values of Trinity. 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 2024 Prefects, I also wish to acknowledge those outstanding Year 11 students who were not successful in gaining such a formal leadership position. While acknowledging 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