Principal's Message

Pink Sock Day

As part of our scheduled PSA fixture against Aquinas College this week, Trinity College will host our annual ‘Pink Sock Day’ in support of the McGrath Foundation. As has become an important annual tradition, this special event will see our respective College First Teams wearing pink socks, and special pink team uniforms, for their particular fixtures at Waterford this Saturday morning. Just prior to the commencement of each game, the boys will present a flower to an inspirational woman in their lives, symbolic of the love and respect they have for all women in their life. The various coaches, managers, will also sport bright pink shirts in support of the day, while many other visuals, ground markings and other events will add more colour to highlight the significance of the day. 

Pink is symbolic of respect for women; of raising awareness of women’s health; and of demonstrating a commitment to women’s welfare and safety. Following on from our International Women’s Day Breakfast, our recent Mother’s Day Liturgy, our various presentations on issues such as Consent and Respect, and the consistent focus on such issues within our various Formation Programs, our Pink Sock Day is yet another reminder to our young men to be mindful of such matters. Most importantly, it is an overt demonstration to our boys about the importance of being respectful of all women, in all contexts, at all times. Always, a timely reminder! 

Through Pink Sock Day, the College looks to support women’s health, focusing on our mothers and all the women who continually encourage and nurture us through school, work and life in general. It also presents another one of those important ‘teachable moments’, whereby we can discuss and encourage our young men to demonstrate a greater awareness and appreciation towards women's health and welfare matters. In a practical sense, the day allows us to raise important funds in assisting the McGrath Foundation in their important work to place Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia. Over the past ten years, this event has raised nearly $30,000. This is a very special cause that I know has affected many families within our own College community. 

This will be our eleventh annual celebration of our Trinity Pink Sock Day and it continues the wonderful legacy created by former Head Prefect, Lochie Taylor (Class of 2016). In addition to the funds raised through the boys wearing their pink socks, other fundraising activities will be organised and various raffles will also be held throughout the College and at our Waterford Playing Fields. We respectfully ask all family and friends to continue to generously support this wonderful initiative and assist the College in reaching our goal in providing much needed funds to the McGrath Foundation and in raising awareness and expectations amongst our boys. 

We look forward to a focus on pink and all things related this weekend. Together we can make a difference! 

Performing Arts Assembly

At our most recent College Assembly last Thursday, we gathered as a community to acknowledge all those students involved in the Performing Arts. At Trinity College this includes our numerous and varied Music groups and ensembles, Dance groups and Drama.  A particular highlight was the opportunity to celebrate the many students recently involved in the highly successful and acclaimed Senior Drama Production of CLUE. This fast-paced, energetic and genuinely funny piece saw our students showcase their acting and dance talents. Their sold-out performances and generous ovations were a wonderful reward for their effort in rehearsing and preparing over the last few months. 

I have the special privilege and great pleasure of getting around to see various rehearsals and many performances throughout the year and I continue to be thrilled with the talent on display, and the willingness of our boys to share these talents so generously with our College community. Sometimes this is in the context of formal concerts, productions and performances and equally, it can often be in the support of Assemblies, Masses, Regattas or other College events. At all times, the support from our students in the Performing Arts is presented with humility and a genuine sense of service. It builds community and their example certainly displays a Spirit of Excellence in our community. 

Our Performing Arts assembly afforded us the opportunity to formally thank and congratulate the many talented and committed students in the very diverse area of the Performing Arts - to our musicians involved in our pipes and drums band, swing bands, rock bands, concert bands, orchestras, our many ensemble groups and our choral groups; to our dancers involved in BIG, GIG and Imperium; and to those many students involved in Drama. In congratulating the respective Arts Captains and acknowledging students across all year groups, we were able to thank them for the consistent and varied performances they give, for the great success they achieve, for the positive example they set and for being wonderful ambassadors for our College.

What is particularly impressive about the students involved in the Performing Arts at this College is their dedication and commitment. While we admire the performance at events such as Concert Evenings, Productions and Presentation Night, such quality emerges from endless hours of practice, rehearsals and individual work. Further, as our respective students, staff and parents are no doubt very aware, much of this practice and rehearsal happens very early prior to school, or at the end of a long school day or often on weekends. 

Such dedication to the Arts, and to improving personal performance and seeking excellence, presents some important values that we can all aspire to. Values such as commitment, teamwork, supporting others and truly appreciating and celebrating the whole while respecting the individual parts. Our Performing Arts students certainly work very hard, but I am sure they take great satisfaction in their performance which can be viewed as just reward for their tremendous effort.  While I often marvel at their talent and the quality of their respective performances, I am particularly taken by the sheer joy that our boys get in performing. 

Of course, the quality and quantity of performance that we get to enjoy as a College needs direction and development. As a College, we are blessed to have some very dedicated Teachers and Tutors. Led by Dr Robert Braham, they work with and alongside our students to nurture their skills and encourage a love of the arts.  We sincerely thank them for their dedication and their ability to inspire our boys.

Live Jesus in our hearts

Mr Darren O’Neill 

Principal