Principal's Message

Mother's Day

Yesterday, we welcomed many Mother's and Grandmothers of our Year 6 boys to our Junior School Mother’s Day Liturgy. It was very heartening to see the large numbers in attendance as we took the opportunity to offer a meaningful and prayerful service that honoured all Mother's, Grandmothers and Mother figures. It was a chance to focus our love and attention on these special people in our lives who love us and support us unconditionally.   

Being a mother is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles in the world. Mothers are the ultimate multitaskers, often juggling the responsibilities of caring for children, running a household, and often working as well. They provide a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a nutritious lunch, and love that is unconditional. Mother's Day is a time to celebrate and honour the incredible women in our lives who have given us so much love, support, and guidance. 

Trinity College remains very clear in its understanding that parents are the primary and most important educators of their children. Our role is to complement parents in the formation of their sons. Child Education expert, Michael Grose emphasises this when he says, “… it is within the family unit that children, both big and small, learn the most valuable and far-reaching lessons for life.” Not surprisingly, he goes on to comment on the very special role that Mothers have in this regard. He suggests that in our very fast paced and contemporary lifestyles, with different work patterns and changing family dynamics (and recent health pandemics), it is mums that provide the real presence, consistency and security that children need to develop healthy attitudes and behaviours. In other words, Mothers generally provide the foundation of love upon which children grow and develop. Mums are good at being mums!

That is why we pause this Sunday to celebrate our Mother's and other significant mother figures in our lives. The phrase ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ brings with it much more than a wish for a happy day. Contained within these words can be found some of the many things we seldom say, or do not say often enough! Happy Mother’s Day means I love you, and I want to thank you for all you do. It means you matter a lot to me, and that I honour you and your role as a Mother. 

I trust that all Mother's enjoy a very special Mother’s Day and receive some very special treatment this weekend. As always, I am sure that it will be well deserved!

Edmund Rice Day

Taking advantage of some beautiful weather today, our College enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate Blessed Edmund Rice Day. Beginning with a very special Eucharistic Celebration, students then heard various presentations from respective Service Agencies in and around Perth. After recess, our annual Fun Run for India was held. Students and Staff completed courses set around our river location utilising the nearby Windan, Matagurup and Boorloo Bridges, raising important funds to continue our support of our partner schools and centres in India. Following the Fun Run, everyone enjoyed food and fun as part of the stalls and activities organised for lunchtime and the afternoon. I am very proud of the way that the boys engaged in our Feast Day and continue to be humbled by their generosity in seeking to ‘…creating Justice and Solidarity for those less fortunate than us”.

Edmund Rice Day celebrates the rich history of Edmund Rice Education and its ongoing place across Australia and the world. At Trinity College, it provides a focus on our context as a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition and challenges us to reflect on the values upon which an Edmund Rice education is built. Across the world, in very different and diverse contexts, Edmund Rice schools, Care Centres and Charity Groups continue to provide formation opportunities, educational pathways, support and guidance to many young people and families.

While many within our College community would be familiar with the historical story of Blessed Edmund Rice, what we seek to do as a school is to continue to honour the legacy and mission of his ongoing work. Our strong Christian Service program and mantra of being ‘Men for Others’ is a reminder of these values. At a time when our world continues to witness ongoing conflicts, and a rising trend of extremism and violence, we must examine the ways in which we educate and encourage our young men to challenge such matters and develop respectful relationships. Furthermore, we must examine how we might help form our boys, so they continue to be selfless in their outlook and compassionate in their care for everyone. 

This sense of relationship, authenticity, compassion and community is at the heart of an Edmund Rice education. It would seem that the values of care, courage, faith and stewardship so wonderfully demonstrated by Blessed Edmund Rice so many years ago, remain just as important today. As a school community, we must continue to instil in our boys, the ability to see injustice, the courage to challenge this appropriately, and the wisdom to do things differently and positively for their future. This is what a ‘liberating education’ seeks to do.

Edmund Rice was somewhat a counter-cultural visionary, who understood deeply the transformative power of a holistic education which nourished young people both academically and through Gospel Spirituality. He certainly challenged the ailing system of his time. He could not disregard those in need despite his own life being disturbed. The values so wonderfully displayed by Edmund Rice remain as important today as they did some 200 years ago. This, in fact, may be the most appropriate way to celebrate the feast of Blessed Edmund - in keeping his vision alive, within the context of our world today. 

As we enjoyed our celebrations and reflections today, I was once again reminded that our College continues to be a place where young men encounter each other, the world, and their own faith, inviting the opportunity for action, transformation and liberation. Each one of our students is a special part of this enduring legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice which, we pray, lives and develops in each one of them.

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill 

Principal