Principal's Message

Prefect Investiture Assembly

While remaining compliant with the various operational guidelines for schools, this week we managed to celebrate a somewhat modified version of our Prefect Investiture Assembly. The assembly afforded us with an opportunity to acknowledge and welcome our Graduating Class and formally commission our Prefects for 2022 and thank them for their generous service to our College. Our Senior Students and key College Staff gathered outdoors in Centenary Park for this important assembly which was live streamed into classrooms and made available for families to view.

In a sincere ceremony, citations on each of our sixteen College Prefects were delivered. What was particularly striking was the long list of achievements, commitments and service that each of these young leaders had already achieved, both within our school community and beyond. Further to this, we were able share in their aspirations for their own futures and reflect on their appreciation and hopes for Trinity College. It was humbling to hear about their own journey and a real honour to see each young man presented with their Prefect tie and badge. 

I believe it is important for every student to examine their own sense of personal leadership, a theme that I have emphasised consistently when addressing our boys. Leadership is about influencing others and making a positive difference through our example. Leadership is about action and the effect that our actions leave on other people. Importantly, leadership is about each and every one of us as individuals.

In my own absence, College Deputy Principal, Mrs Sabrina Hughes gave my address that focussed on some important characteristics of leadership.  I have included some excerpts below: 

"....This morning, our College Assembly affords us a wonderful opportunity to recognise, celebrate and learn from the achievements and leadership of our senior students. In particular, we have the chance to acknowledge our College Prefects for 2022. In recognising their fine example, I trust that we may be equally inspired and personally challenged by their modelling of being Men for Others. We rejoice in their efforts and acknowledge their achievements because they have shown themselves to be wonderful examples for us all. In essence, they have demonstrated the Spirit of Excellence and Spirit of Service that is part of our College Ambitions.

Leadership is multi layered and very contextual, but I wish to highlight two particular leadership characteristics. The first being ‘Integrity’. Integrity refers to the extent to which your actions match your words, and the extent to which your actions match your values. Put simply, it is about being true to yourself. You have earned the position as a student leader because of your skills, personality, past performance and your approach to others and your character.  Be true to your own values, the values of your family and those of your school and do not deviate from these.

The second characteristic is about ‘Service’. Leadership is less about what you receive and more of what you can give.  Leadership is about service to friends, peers, all students, the Staff and to your College in general.  It is in humbly serving others, that leaders receive much in return and it will be in humbly continuing your service to your school that you will grow as young men. 

It important that we take this time to recognise the achievements and leadership of others because we must view ourselves as a College Community in so much as the success of one person is shared by us all.

Personal leadership emerges at the end of a well-worn path of authenticity, conviction and living by a clear set of values. That remains the challenge for us all - to strive for our own sense of personal leadership. To do anything less is selling yourself short.”

Of course, leadership is about much more than these characteristics, but our special Assembly allowed us all to reflect more deeply about authentic leadership. This was emphasised further by Head Prefect, James Watson, who gave a wonderful, passionate and humbling address about the privilege of formal leadership and his aspiration for all Trinity students to be ‘Men for Others’.  James touched upon such leadership qualities when he said;

“Leadership is not about telling a group what is to be done. Rather, it is about empowering a group to achieve great things, something every single one of us can achieve at school through being a role model - by being a Man for Others. Leadership isn’t about being recognised but doing little things which can have a huge impact on people.... So don’t be afraid to do something extraordinary this year. Don’t wait boys, find what you are passionate about, and pursue it whole-heartedly in every moment”. 

There is no doubt that our 2022 Prefect group are a real example of this. I pray that their leadership and example can continue to grow within our Trinity College community. We seek your support for them on their journey.

Live Jesus in our hearts.