Principal's Message

College Assembly

At a whole College Assembly earlier this week, we had the opportunity to gather as a community to reflect on our winter sports season, and to acknowledge members of our College Athletics Team as they prepared to compete in the PSA Athletics Carnivals.

Our winter season of sport consisted of 12 rounds of fixtures, commencing in Term 2 and finishing only a few weeks ago. Over Thursday and Friday afternoons, and on Saturday mornings, we have had nearly 60 teams and over 1200 students proudly representing the College across six different sports. The very wet conditions of recent months has certainly allowed for a deeper examination of ability and commitment. Our Assembly allowed us to acknowledge a number of students who received a Service and Contribution Award and other students who were considered as ‘Fairest and Best’ in respective ‘A’ Teams. 

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege and great pleasure of getting around to see all teams, at all levels. While I have enjoyed watching the wins and losses that happen as a normal part of sport, what I have enjoyed the most is the manner in which our students, representing the Blue and Green of Trinity College, have participated. It is with a real sense of pride, commitment and a determination to compete well. It is also with an attitude of supporting teammates and playing fairly. It is that sense of respecting each other and respecting the contest that I am particularly proud of. 

The Assembly also an offered the opportunity to address an emerging attitude of indifference beginning to be displayed by a few boys to our much-valued PSA College Sport Programme. The majority of our boys have committed fully to sport, both winter and summer seasons. The College acknowledges and celebrates such a genuine contribution to Trinity College. 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 College team. In essence, they have let their team-mates and their school down. A full and determined commitment to PSA Sport at Trinity College, across both seasons, is a central pillar of our stated and celebrated 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 in all areas of College life is encouraged; and expected! No aspect of our education program is optional or can be successfully achieved with a ‘part-time’ 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.

I trust that some boys will reflect on opportunities missed. To play alongside your ‘Brothers’ – at whatever level, is a privilege that not every school student gets. 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 put in 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 summer season in Term 4, 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 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 who oversees all of our PSA Sport and carries much of the responsibility to ensure that teams, fixtures, venues, umpires and buses are organised every week. 

The Assembly concluded with the presentation of our 2022 Athletics Team. In his address, Athletics Captain and Head Prefect, James Watson referred to the special privilege of representing his College over the past few years. He spoke passionately of commitment and  saying ‘yes’ to the challenge of intensive specialist training that respective team members have enjoyed in preparing for the carnival day. James also used the occasion to encourage every boy to reach for their own personal best and to apply themselves in a manner that allows them to be part of something bigger – such as the College Athletics Team. 

We congratulate all members of the 2022 College Athletics Team. We thank them for their example, encourage them to support each other and pray that they believe in themselves as they search for their personal best. 

Live Jesus in our hearts.