Principal's Message

College Community

For many reasons, schools are faced with ever increasing number of accountability measures, compliance requirements and administrative tasks. At times, it feels that the various government departments, educational authorities and governing bodies compete to apply respective checks and balances that seek to examine all manner of a school’s processes, policies, operations and programs. While such checks and accountability measures are certainly important, they fail to capture and celebrate those vitally important aspects of schools such as student opportunities, pastoral care, formation programs and the sense of community.

It is actually people who make up good schools. It is in the shared effort and caring relationships of people - the students, families and staff, where community is formed. It is, this strong and obvious sense of community that makes Trinity College such a great school.

It is not buildings that make a school, for they are just shells without some scuff marks and the noise and energy of young people to bring them to life. It is not necessarily Programs and Courses that make a school, but rather the shared work of the staff and students in working towards making such learning relevant. Whilst policies and processes are critically important, it is the manner in which people come together in a spirit of trust, support and care that make such policies real, positive and pastoral. This was particularly evident earlier this year when our community experienced rolling absences due to COVID.  

Similarly, while the provision of opportunities to engage in sport or the arts, or to go on a camp or retreat are exciting, it is people - the students, teachers, coaches and parents, that give such pursuits meaning and purpose. While we are grateful for our wonderful facilities and for the great variety of programs that we do offer, we must remain mindful that our true blessing lies in the quality of the people that make up our College community.

I was reminded of this again this week when we hosted the Parent Helpers’ Sundowner. The many parents who attended and enjoyed a very relaxed evening, represented the extraordinary number of parents who consistently and generously give of their time, energy and skills in assisting our boys and our Trinity College Community. Members of the College Auxiliary, Parent Council, our many Friends of Groups and our many parent volunteers, were formally thanked for their generous and humble support of our boys and the College. Quite simply, the quality and breadth of the many opportunities that we provide for the boys could not happen without the support and drive of our families.  I am very proud of our efforts to foster positive family/College relationships and am most grateful for the support of parents in this regard. As I have stated in many forums previously, student achievement and welfare are greatly enhanced when the school and the home enjoy a positive and meaningful partnership that is centred on the care and progress of every student. This is the essence of our Trinity College community. 

As we consider and value parents and caregivers as partners in their child’s education, it is essential that we continue to focus on open communication between the College and our families on important issues. Our community’s support of our efforts to actively engage on these matters has been overwhelmingly positive. The College will continue to strive to do well in this area and I thank families for their continued support of these efforts and the sense of community that we enjoy and that the students benefit from. It sets a wonderful example of service for our young men.

Live Jesus in our hearts.