Principal's Message

Fostering Men for Others

One of the many privileges of being the Principal of Trinity College is having the opportunity to watch the boys, their families and our Staff interact as part of our large College community. The extraordinary number of events including breakfasts, concerts, socials, sports fixtures, camps and many others, allow students, families and staff to form important relationships centred on the formation of our young men. 

It is also a special privilege to observe the very special intimate and important relationship between parents and their sons. For many, little changes over the years. The plentiful and generous hugs and kisses that abound in the Junior School can still be seen in the carpark drop-off area in the Secondary School and make a very welcome return at graduation time. For others, this overt display of affection and love that manifests itself in the form of a comforting hug or a well-wishing kiss, can ‘go missing’ during the adolescent years. I was reminded of this at the Year 12 Graduation Dinner a few years ago when, upon warmly embracing his son, one very proud dad remarked, “I have really missed those hugs”.

It was a clear reminder that just as boys develop differently in a physical sense, they also develop differently in an emotional and social sense.  It is all a very normal, and sometimes frustrating, part of the emotional growth that boys experience or, in fact, experiment with as they navigate through their formation as young men. It may also highlight the need for all of us to continually examine the way in which we seek to help young men grow in this fast paced and ever-changing world. (Read more: The emotional pressures young men face in the eyes of Tim Winton)

At Trinity College, we look to complement and support parents in forming Men for Others. This now includes programs and initiatives that have a real and deliberate focus on recognising and understanding emotions, building respectful relationships, valuing true friendships and respecting and celebrating the role of women. Increasingly, a focus on mental health, resilience, leadership and general well-being is emerging within our College. Next year, we look forward to introducing aspects of The Resilience Project, which will aim to cultivate a positive and strong emotional outlook through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM).

As a partnership of family and College, we aspire for the boys at Trinity to be the best they can be and to live in a manner that reflects the values we share. We hope for them a future that allows them to continue to grow and is based on a set of values that embrace inclusivity, compassion, deep respect and awareness of the other. 

The vision and hope of the Trinity community is to form young men who are strong yet gentle, determined yet considerate, focussed yet compassionate, courageous yet gentle, proud yet humble, independent yet inclusive, driven yet inquisitive and upright yet loving. Gentlemen for Others! 

Live Jesus in our hearts.