Principal's Message

Commitment and Character

In many College communications and at various Assembly events, I regularly highlight the importance of Families and the College having a shared set of values that assist boys in their development and formation. In acknowledging the ongoing support of families, I have said that, “Student achievement and welfare is greatly enhanced when the school and the home enjoy a positive and meaningful partnership that promotes regular and open communication centred on the care and progress of each and every boy”. Developing such positive Family/College partnerships certainly brings great benefit to all within the College community. 

One of the most essential and affirming characteristics of Trinity College is the level of support provided to the school by our families. Typically, this support takes two forms, and each is equally important. 

The first is the very practical support that is offered through parent assistance at College events. I speak of the College Auxiliary, the Parent Council, the respective ‘Friends of’ groups, and the wonderful parent attendance at Sport, Mass, Music events, Assemblies and the many other school functions.  As I have gratefully mentioned in many forums, the level of family support at Trinity is quite extraordinary and the envy of other schools. Importantly, such support is student focussed and always considered and appropriate. As a College, we are always grateful for the generosity of time and spirit which accompanies this form of contribution and the trust that families place in our school.

The second area of support is that offered to the school through families backing, supporting and emphasising our policies and procedures. We are very unequivocal about the standards and values that are expected of all members of the Trinity College community. They are explicit, immutable and, in an increasingly value-neutral and secular society, often quite counter-cultural. I am sure that all families will remember a discussion and formal acceptance of such values and policies at the time of enrolment and we are extremely appreciative of our families who honour this commitment and fully support the school, and our relationship, in this regard. 

A strong and consistent Family/College partnership that is based on common and shared values is very much needed when dealing with the formation of young men.  As students progress through school, we all hope and trust that their journey of faith, physical growth, knowledge, conscience, values and dreams are built on the common values we share as parents and as a school. The consistency of messaging between home and school can make such a journey safer and more predictable. 

Key attributes of being good young men include resilience and commitment. As a College, we place in front of the students a few very small hurdles; clear expectations, rules and policies that test and build their resilience and demonstrate their commitment. No student is required to do anything extraordinary or extremely difficult. Rather, they are required to do some very simple things and comply with some general pastoral and behavioural expectations as agreed to by both the Family and the College. College rules that challenge students to keep their hair neat and tidy, their top button done up, arrive to class on time, complete work as required, regulate their use of technology and respect all others are all rather minor expectations in the bigger scheme of things. These guidelines need to be viewed less as ‘rules,’ but rather as indicators of commitment and demonstrations of resilience and character. Students that consistently fail to get such ‘small things’ right may not be well-placed to face the challenges that life as an adult will inevitably throw their way. 

College rules and guidelines have a purpose. They are a shared set of values between the adult members of the educational partnership. Their strength is not in the enforcement, but in the respect, they are shown by the students when they accept and commit to them, especially when it may appear easier to do it otherwise. The College respects its role to compliment families in developing each and every student. Likewise, the College appreciates the support of families as students journey through school. Following procedures, accepting policies and complying with simple rules are part of this journey and very much part of every student’s development. 

While each student’s journey through school is obviously about gaining an education and acquiring skills, it is also about their overall formation. School rules, respective policies and clear expectations about Christian Service, study, assessments and the like will definitely be part of this journey. If these small hurdles prove to be their greatest challenge in life, then they will be very blessed. However, as is more likely the case, these small hurdles help develop each student’s sense of commitment and resilience and so better prepare them for other challenges in the future – then likewise they will have been blessed. As adults, we must help our boys live with and work through the small hurdles as this helps prepare them for the bigger ones ahead. In a wonderful article about adolescent development, Professor Erica McWilliam from the Queensland University of Technology, suggested that we must be careful not to take away challenges or reduce our expectations on students, stating that, “We need to think about the extent to which we are prepared to help young people tolerate discomfort and rise to challenges”.  This is where character is developed and where values are gained. 

School rules, high expectations and Christian service are examples of how the College assists in this regard. However, it is in the home where children develop their attitude towards selfless contribution and learn the importance of commitment and meeting expectations. Trinity College is a school which seeks to reinforce existing values on behalf of families. Thank you once again for your ongoing support of the College and our endeavours to form good young men.

Congratulations to Mr Barry McKenna OAM

I am delighted to write to our community to recognise and congratulate long serving Staff member, Mr Barry McKenna who has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia OAM (General Division), For service to the communities of Perth. Mr McKenna was recognised as part of this year’s King's Birthday Honours List.

Mr McKenna has been a long time Councillor for the City of Bayswater and has served in the role of both Deputy Mayor and Mayor. In 2011, he was also awarded the honour of becoming a Freeman of the City in recognition of his 20 years of distinguished service to the City of Bayswater community.

This latest Honour not only reflects the high regard in which Mr McKenna is held by his colleagues and the wider community, but also highlights the spirit of service we seek to instil in the young men who pass through our College. It recognises the compassion, generosity and selfless dedication that Barry has consistently shown throughout his career as an educator and community leader.

Barry joins fellow staff member, Dr Robert Braham OAM, who received similar recognition for his Service to Choral Music in 2021.

I know you will all join me in offering heartfelt congratulations to Barry on his very special Honour. Both Barry and Rob set a wonderful example of service for our boys and it is truly special that they have been recognised in such a manner.

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill

Principal