As the College Principal, I often have the pleasure to speak at a variety of College Events at which our parents are able to attend. This can be at formal Assemblies, Information Evenings, Social events and often at various Sporting fixtures or Arts performances.

I am always humbled by the tremendous level of parental support for the College and importantly, the support provided for the boys as they participate in the many opportunities available to them. This was evident again on Thursday evening (25 February) when such a large number of Year 9 parents stood alongside their sons at the ‘Begin the Becoming’ evening, which acted as a formal launch of the Year 9 ‘Becoming Men Program’ for 2021.

On all such occasions, I tend to refer to the importance of the school and the home enjoying a positive and meaningful partnership - a partnership that promotes regular and open communication and one that is firmly centred on the care, interests and formation of each student. The essence of such an effective family/College relationship is communication and I take this occasion to focus on certain aspects of our College communications that seeks to enhance this important relationship.

SEQTA

While Trinity provides effective telephone and email systems through which family/College communications can occur, SEQTA is predominantly used as the medium where important information is being distributed. SEQTA also provides parents and students with the ability to access select aspects of the College Learning Management Platform. Essentially, this allows students and families to continually refer to current assessment schedules, weekly lesson plans and to track individual student progress in each subject or course. Specific notifications are now being sent to both students and families when assessments are marked and finalised. Similarly, pastoral, behavioural and academic notifications are shared in this same manner. All Student Academic Reports will continue to be delivered via this online platform and current performance data within respective subjects will be available. This is an area of communication that is continually expanding. I would strongly encourage all families to familiarise themselves with the various functions available in SEQTA and to regularly access the information provided. Instructions for families accessing SEQTA can be found here.

An effective and positive Family/College Partnership that promotes open communication is vital for the wellbeing and progress of each student. My clear expectation is that all Teaching Staff will keep parents informed of the progress of their son and that any concerns or important information will be communicated to parents in a timely manner. Likewise, I would ask that parents appropriately express their concerns and provide relevant information to College Staff as issues arise.

Parent Information Evenings

It was wonderful to see the large numbers of parents and students attend our recent Parent Information Evening on 15 February. These evenings are another means by which this partnership can be strengthened. Such evenings always present important information about course details, career pathways, assessments, study guidelines, student formation programs, wellbeing and student support programs and College expectations. The 2021 Parent Information Night offered parents the opportunity to choose from an array of sessions covering topics such as: Cyber Safety & Parenting, Wellbeing, Study Skills, Christian Service programs, Year cohort information and much more. This carousel-type type format allowed parents to select those sessions that they felt were most applicable to their needs and the needs of their son. Copies of the information presented from the respective Information Evenings can be accessed on the College website at https://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/parent-information-night.

Experience shows that parents are always very appreciative of the information presented and it certainly generates discussion about the importance of planning, being well researched and establishing a routine both at school and at home. Such evenings also provide details about various support mechanisms and programs that may be helpful in promoting the wellbeing of our boys. Likewise, our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews are scheduled on either side of the holiday breaks for Term 1 and 2. Specific details about these interviews and the process for booking individual appointments will be provided in the coming weeks. Once again, important and specific information about student progress is shared on such occasions.

College Newsletter, Website and Social Media

Of course, the Weekly College Newsletter is another great source of information about College life. It provides details about important events and celebrates achievement and commitment, in its various forms, from within our community. In a similar way, the College website is regularly updated and provides a significant amount of information about the various activities happening around the College.

Social Media

The College social media channels are another great way to stay up to date with what is happening in the day-to-day life of the College. The Facebook page www.facebook.com/trinitycollegeperth also provides timely reminders of important College events. Other social media channels that the College utilises are:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/trinityperth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/trinityperth
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/trinity-college-perth
YouTube: www.youtube.com/trinityperth

As previously stated, effective and timely communication is essential if positive family/College partnerships are to continue for the benefit of the students. The College will strive to continue to do well in this area and I thank families for their continued support in this regard.

Live Jesus in our hearts

Mr Darren O’Neill
Principal

Two weeks ago, I wrote about some professional learning that all our staff undertake regarding Child Safety and Child Protection Practices.

Our annual Code of Conduct and Mandatory Reporting Training respond directly to the Edmund Rice Education Australia Statement of Commitment to Child Safety. This important commitment expresses that all those in EREA, its schools and its staff, contractors and volunteers place the safety and wellbeing of children at the centre of our interests, where ‘All children and young people have a right to feel safe and be safe’.

The Edmund Rice Education Australia Statement of Commitment to Child Safety is available on the EREA website, the Trinity College website and is also acknowledged by all visitors to the campus who are required to sign-in at Reception.

I strongly encourage you to read this powerful statement on our commitment to the safety of each of your sons.

Edmund Rice Education Australia Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

All children and young people have a right to feel safe and be safe.

EREA and its schools demonstrate commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people by:

taking into consideration the views of children and young people about decisions that affect their safety and wellbeing;
empowering children and young people by taking their views seriously, and addressing any concerns they may have;
acknowledging the cultural diversity of families, and being sensitive to how this may impact on child safety;
taking proactive steps to prevent child abuse, and identifying risks early so that such risks may be removed or reduced;
involving families, carers and relevant communities in decision making processes that support the development of a child safe culture;
continuously reviewing and improving our systems and practices to protect children and young people from abuse;
providing children and young people with the knowledge and skills to understand and maintain their own personal safety;
ensuring that EREA and its schools have in place strategies to embed and enhance a culture of child safety and wellbeing through the leadership, governance and culture of the organisation;
applying robust human resources and recruitment practices for all staff, contractors and volunteers;
providing regular training and education on recognising the nature and indicators of child abuse and other harm, responding to safeguarding risks and how to build culturally safe environments for children and young people;
implementing specific policies, procedures, training and a National Code of Conduct and a set of Child Safeguarding Standards to support the achievement of a child safe culture;
listening to concerns about the safety of children, and suggestions to improve the child safety processes in place;
responding swiftly to any child safety concerns and implementing clear procedures for managing and reporting child safety concerns; and
ensuring that every person involved in EREA and its schools understands the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Statement endorsed by the EREA Board 1 June 2020

We warmly invite members of the TC community to join us for the 2021 International Women’s Day Breakfast. The event will celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality.

Guest Speakers:

Ms Sue Murphy (Director, Monadelphous)

Sue graduated as a Civil Engineer from UWA and after winning an undergraduate Clough Scholarship, joined Clough Engineering. Some of Sue’s notable achievements include being appointed the first woman on the board of Clough Engineering, becoming CEO of Water Corporation of WA in 2008 and in each year from 2009–2016, Sue was listed in the top 100 most influential engineers in Australia by Engineers Australia. Sue’s extensive list of achievements also includes being elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, being named as the 2018/19 WA Business Leader of the Year at the AIM WA Pinnacle Awards, and being made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) on the 2019 Queens Birthday Honours List.

Sue is now a non-executive director on a number of listed and not for profit Boards including Monadelphous Ltd, UWA, WA Treasury Corporation and the Fremantle Dockers AFL Club.

Mr Kevin Brown (CEO, Perth Airport)

Kevin joined Perth Airport as CEO in July 2016. He has been involved in operational and commercial roles in both hub and regional airports for more than 15 years in the UK and Australia. Prior to joining Perth Airport, Kevin held the position of Chief Executive Officer of North Queensland Airports, which operate Cairns and Mackay Airports, where he was responsible for implementing a growth strategy for both airports. He also spent nine years with the British Airport Authority (BAA) and was Managing Director at Edinburgh International Airport. In 2017, Kevin was appointed to the Tourism Western Australia Board and is also a Council Member for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Western Australia and Freight and Logistics Council of WA.

Event Details:

7:00-8:15 am
Tuesday, 9 March 2021
Gibney Hall, Trinity College

This is a ticketed event – bookings essential. Please RSVP by Friday, 5 March 2021 via https://www.trybooking.com/BOIYT

Attendance by gold coin.

Light breakfast, tea and coffee included.

The House Swimming Carnival was a very enjoyable and successful event. Special thanks to Mr Thompson and Miss Garland for their preparation and planning. Thank you also to the staff, parents and students, in particular the House Captains who assisted on the day. It is pleasing to see the way the boys have progressed in their swimming capability from Year 4 through to Year 6, due largely to the aquatics program the school provides.

Congratulations to the following boys who received awards:

Year 4

Champions: Cael McLure and Reuben Quinn-Smith
Runner-up: Orlando Della-Posta
Endeavour: Gabe Little

Year 5

Champion: Nate Cass
Runner-up: Bryce Kyte
Endeavour: Phi Nguyen

Year 6

Champion: Jaxon Lewis
Runner-up: Tyson Cass
Endeavour: Matthew Hodge

Congratulations to the winning House – Queens, followed by Campion, Xavier and Chanel.

Dates to Remember
Monday, 1 March	Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday, 2 March	Year 5 First Aid Incursion
Wednesday, 3 March	Sports Training for Years 5s and 6s
Thursday, 4 March	Summer Sports Photos
	Year 4 Basketball Carnival
	Sport v Aquinas
Friday, 5 March	Year 5 Green Mass 8:40 am
	Assembly commencing 2:40 pm

Thursday evening was the culmination of a big start to 2021 for our Year 9s as they took part in the formal Opening Ceremony of their Becoming Men Program, Begin the Becoming.

As the sun set over the Swan River, Year 9 students gathered in McCabe Court with their families to reflect on their childhood to this point in their lives, and look forward to their journey towards adulthood. Using the Swan River as a symbol for their lives, students were asked to look back on what and who had brought them to this point, and be thankful for the experiences and upbringing which had provided them with the opportunity to develop into the boy they are today.

Following a brief liturgical service, each Becoming Men class gathered alongside the river for the ceremonial and symbolic handing over of the students from their parents to their Becoming Men and PCG teachers for a year of growth and maturation. This moment highlighted to the students that it is time to say goodbye to their boyhood and look towards becoming a man who is a responsible, compassionate and meaningful member of society.

In the modern world, there are often conflicting views as to what values are important to becoming a good young man. The Becoming Men program looks to engage the help of parents, mentors and teachers to assist students to identify which values are most important to them on their journey to becoming a responsible, compassionate, and meaningful member of the community who is capable of distinguishing between what’s right and what’s popular in their pursuit of fulfilling their potential and living their best life.

Thursday night’s occasion was another poignant event which, it is hoped, will set the Year 9 students on course for a successful and enjoyable year, and prepare them for the challenges of being a good young man in the years ahead.

Mr Clint Testa
Head of Year 9