Principal's Message
Summer Sports Assembly
At a Whole College Assembly earlier this week, we had the opportunity to gather as a community to reflect and give thanks for our Summer Sports season. It also allowed the College to formally congratulate our very committed Rowers who recently completed their very successful trophy winning season and to acknowledge our College Swim Squad who performed so well at the recent PSA Carnival.
Our Summer season of Sport consisted of 12 rounds of fixtures, commencing in Term 4 and finishing only last week. Over Thursday and Friday afternoons, and on Saturday mornings, we have had nearly 70 teams and over 1250 students proudly representing the College across six different sports and in Swimming. This certainly allowed for a thorough test of skills and teamwork and a deep examination of commitment across all sports and within teams.
Throughout this Term, I have had the great pleasure of getting around to see most teams and at all levels, across all sports. While I have enjoyed watching the wins and witnessing the losses that both happen as a normal part of sport, what I have enjoyed the most is the way our students, representing the blue and green of Trinity College, have participated. They have done so with a real sense of pride, commitment, a determination to compete well and with an attitude of supporting teammates and playing fairly. It is that sense of respecting each other and the contest that I am particularly proud of.
Our assembly afforded us with an opportunity to acknowledge all students who played and enjoyed our season of summer sport with some individual students awarded trophies for their consistent effort and service throughout the season. As a very special part of the assembly, Captain of Boats, Xavier Nicoletto formally presented the Hamer Cup that was won by our Rowers in recognition of their overall achievements at the recent Head of the River Regatta. On behalf of the First VIII crew, and to the delight of all assembled, Xavier also presented the Challenge Cup. This historic trophy was awarded to our top crew in winning the final Head of the River race and reflected their outstanding results throughout the season.
As part of our assembly, each sport Captain reflected on the season past, acknowledged team members and thanked coaches and parents for their ongoing support. What was particularly pleasing to hear within the respective addresses was the recurring theme of showing appreciation for effort, commitment, teamwork and fair play.
The Assembly also provided me with an opportunity to address an emerging attitude of indifference being displayed by a few boys to our much-valued PSA College Sport Program. The vast majority of our boys commit fully to Sport, both Winter and Summer seasons. This actually builds upon a commitment made by each student and their parents when enrolling at the school. The College encourages, expects and celebrates such a genuine contribution to Trinity College life. Unfortunately, a few students have not displayed such commitment and may have chosen to miss training, not turn up to fixtures or in some instances, play for club teams at the expense of their preparation for their own College team. In essence they have let their team-mates and their school down and failed to follow through on their expected commitments.
A full and determined commitment to PSA Sport at Trinity College, across both seasons, is a central pillar of our stated Education Program. All aspects of our Academic Curriculum, Christian Service, Retreats, Camps, Arts, Formation Programs, Sport and College Events make up the rich tapestry of a Trinity education. As discussed at enrolment, and referenced regularly throughout every student’s journey, striving for personal excellence and committing to each other across all areas of College life is encouraged and certainly expected! No aspect of our Education Program is optional or can be successfully achieved with a ‘part-time’ or ‘when it suits’ approach. A sense of community, strong culture and personal resilience emerges from a collective commitment to College life. The unequivocal support of parents in this regard is obviously vital and presents a very clear and obvious pathway for boys that is based on a set of shared values and vision with the College. While the College has introduced various Formation Programs that seek to develop resilience and character in our young men, it is equally important that we do not support boys making decisions that contradict the resilience that emerges from fully committing to any task.
As part of a holistic education, Trinity College prides itself on offering a great variety of opportunities for all students. It is in this sense of developing the whole person and the young TC man, where the College values the place of sport as one of our four pillars. Sport is a medium by which important lessons for life can be learned. Things such as respecting authority; the value of competition; commitment and perseverance; appreciating the reward that comes through hard work and commitment; and valuing the importance of teamwork and cooperation - all have parallels within sport. While the pursuit of winning is in itself a worthy goal, it is the valuable lessons learned on the way that should be most prized.
I trust that some boys will reflect on opportunities missed. To play and work alongside your ‘Brothers’ – at whatever level, is a privilege that not every school student is provided. As has been mentioned previously, you only get out of school, what you put in. This is particularly true at Trinity College. Those boys who consistently apply themselves and commit to all aspects of College life, unsurprisingly, are the same boys who achieve great success, have purpose and become leaders amongst their peers. As we look to commence our Winter season in Term 2, there will be a renewed level of scrutiny and processes in place to ensure that all students are fully committing to this aspect of our College.
I would like to sincerely thank the large number of staff and external coaches that have taken on a coaching or managers role throughout this summer season. The manner in which our coaches engage with our boys, and the tone of respect and sportsmanship that they insist upon, is wonderful to see and greatly appreciated. I would particularly like to offer special thanks to Mr Ryan Lockyer (Director of Sport) and Mr John Black (Sports Administrator) who oversee all of our PSA Sport and carry much of the responsibility to ensure that teams, fixtures, venues, umpires and buses are organised every week.
Sport can be a great teacher if we are open to the lessons it presents. Thank you for your ongoing support of all the boys.
Live Jesus in our hearts.