Principal's Message

Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival

The annual Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival (CSPAF) was officially launched earlier this term with the Opening Celebration and Mass being held at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Our College was wonderfully represented by Year 11 Music students, Henry Bennetts and Ed McLean, who accompanied me to the opening liturgy. The CSPAF is celebrating its 37th year. There will be nearly 20,000 participants, representing over 100 primary and secondary Catholic schools from around the state, participating in all manner of performances and displays over the next few weeks.

The Festival has now commenced and many of our own talented boys from across the College have begun their respective performances. Some of our boys perform as individuals and others are part of respective ensemble groups, bands, choirs or Dance Groups. While it is difficult to see many of our individual students perform, I do have the pleasure of seeing many of our large group performances.

Last week, I was able to see our Senior Chorale and Vocal Ensemble groups perform as part of the Secondary Sacred Choral Music section. The boys were outstanding and certainly impressed the large audience gathered in the Cathedral. Next week, I will have the opportunity to see our Junior and Senior Concert Bands perform and the week after that I will have the pleasure to watch our Swing Bands perform at La Salle College in Midland. Following these performances, Trinity College will host a variety of schools as part of the Chorale section with our own College Choral and Vocal Ensemble groups performing here on 3 September. We are looking forward to them performing in the familiar surrounds of Gibney Hall.

All of the boys involved in the Arts have worked very hard for several months and they have certainly learned the valuable lesson that hard work and commitment bring great reward. They are wonderful ambassadors for our College. They have done themselves proud and should be justifiably excited at such opportunities to perform. I commend the many students who involve themselves so enthusiastically in the Arts and wish them well throughout this Festival.

May I also acknowledge the extraordinary work of the Staff and Tutors in the areas of Music, Drama, Dance and Art. Under the direction of Dr Robert Braham, the boys are given wonderful opportunities and encouragement to perform. Such dedication to our talented young men is well recognised and certainly appreciated.

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill 

Principal