Principal's Message

Welcome Back to Term 2

I would like to welcome back all students and their families as we commence Term 2. Amongst the normal rhythm and busyness of daily lessons, we will also see Excursions, Retreat Days, Camps, Edmund Rice Day celebrations, Music Performance Nights, a Senior Drama Production, Winter Sport, Carnivals, College Tours, Immersions and important Examinations for our secondary students.

It was very pleasing to see the way the boys presented in their winter uniform from the first day of Term. As a College, we seek to instil in our boys a personal pride and responsibility in the way they conduct and present themselves and display a commitment to their school. Essentially, uniform and presentation standards reflect a commitment to being part of our College community. It is less about following the rules, but rather, about committing to a set of expectations and behaviours agreed to at enrolment and then confirmed every day while attending Trinity College. Such expectations do not change and likewise, nor should the commitment to uphold them. Commitment is a learned behaviour that builds resilience and positively influences all aspects of life. It is hoped that such an obvious and overt display of commitment at the start of this term is maintained throughout the year.

May I also take this opportunity to thank the many parents who availed themselves of the opportunity to meet and talk with their son’s respective Teachers at the recent Year 4-10 Parent Teacher Student Interviews (PTSI). Such occasions allow for meaningful and constructive conversations about student progress and highlight the importance of open and positive Family/College relationships. The Staff were certainly kept very busy across all such occasions in recent weeks. Further opportunities for Parent Teacher Student Interviews (on-line) are scheduled for later in the year. As always, parents are reminded that they are most welcome to contact the College Staff at any time to discuss their son’s progress.

It was particularly pleasing to hear that many such conversations centred around the Student Work Attributes (SWA) and the associated developmentally appropriate and contextual SWA Matrix that accompanied the recent Student Interim Reports. The SWA seek to reflect student application and their attitude to learning and will prompt students to genuinely reflect and purposefully analyse their own approach to academic success. Striving for their personal best should be the aim of every student and fully understanding and appreciating what is required to improve in terms of work habits and application will be very helpful in this regard. The respective SWA ratings for each student are used to calculate an Attribute Point Average (APA) that is then indicated on the respective Student Reports. The College tracks the associated APA data, and the Grade Point Average (GPA) data, for each student as they journey through the school. Both indicators are used as part of selection criteria associated with things such as Course Selection, Student Leadership positions and student invitations for various College events, Camps, Tours and Immersions.

I trust that any such conversations about student progress and application can be points of both celebration and challenge.

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill 

Principal