College Assembly: Welcome, 97 Club and Prefect Investiture
Our interrupted start to the academic year meant that we had a very large and important College Assembly on Tuesday, 16 February. We were able to welcome students new to our College, acknowledge some students from our Leaving Class of 2020 by recognising their outstanding academic achievements from last year, and formally welcome our Prefects for 2021.
Welcome and greeting is an important part of any community. As part of our Trinity College community, we were able to experience and celebrate the very special tradition of piping in those students joining our school for the first time; students from Year 4, those many students commencing in Year 7, and those students across other year groups beginning at Trinity College this year. Our Senior Year 12 Class was also honoured in this way.
A Piping Ceremony is steeped in tradition and is symbolic of recognising one’s arrival and honouring their presence. It was a lovely moment enjoyed by students, staff and the parents present. It is important that, as a school seeking to be inclusive and welcoming, that such an invitation to community is always apparent and always respectful. Similarly, the opportunity to acknowledge our various Academic award recipients – both our current students for their achievements throughout last year; and our recent graduates who were inducted into the 97 Club in recognition of their achievements in the WACE Examinations, was done respectfully and sincerely.
I took the opportunity to address all students on the importance of striving for excellence and appreciating the example of others who achieve greatness. Similarly, our 2020 Dux of the College, Lucas Arvino, addressed the assembly and challenged the boys to commit wholeheartedly to achieve their own ‘sense of great’.
Whether excellence is measured externally and recognised with certificates, medals, awards, trophies or grades, or whether our excellence is internally measured in terms of achieving our personal best and the intrinsic satisfaction of knowing that you have truly given your best effort, striving for personal excellence should always be our aim. To do anything less is simply not enough. Personal excellence emerges at the end of a well-worn path of hard work, determination and a clear vision. All things that are achievable!
Our College Assembly also afforded us with an opportunity to commission and formally welcome our Junior and Secondary School Prefects for 2021 - to acknowledge their leadership and thank them for their generous service to our College.
In a most sincere ceremony, Ms Angelica Mallis, Head of Year 12, delivered citations on each of our 16 Secondary School Prefects. 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 to share their aspirations for their own futures and their appreciation and hopes for Trinity College. It was humbling to hear about their journey and a real honour to present each of them with their Prefect tie and badge. In a similar way, Mr Martin Tucker, Head of Junior School, presented our Junior School Prefects.
I believe it is important for every student to examine their own sense of personal leadership and this is 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. Personal leadership emerges at the end of a well-worn path of integrity, conviction and clear values. Once again, all things that are achievable!
Of course, leadership is about much more than these particular characteristics, but our special Assembly allowed us all to reflect more deeply about authentic leadership and the need for all students to find their own way to lead and give back to their College. This was emphasised further by Head Prefect, Thomas Tranter (12.8), who gave a wonderful, rousing and inspiring address about the privilege of formal leadership and his aspiration for all Trinity students to be ‘Men for Others’. Thomas touched upon such leadership qualities when he said:
“...the leadership of a College such as Trinity, cannot be left in the hands of just 16 men. It requires an army of men, who consistently role model what it is to be a Trinity man and who are never afraid to act when it is needed. Today therefore, offers the opportunity to lead to every one of you in those stands... seek the opportunity to be a leader, and do not be afraid to grasp it if the opportunity presents itself. Every time you get on the sports field, give it everything. Every time you get in the classroom, work as hard as you can. Every time you get the opportunity to perform, make it the greatest performance you have given. That goes for every one of you boys sitting here today. Make the most of every opportunity this year brings. Every time you don the three crowns, do it with pride. Every time you walk through those gates, be Men for Others. Every time you get the opportunity to represent TC, bleed the blue and green. Give the best of yourself in everything you do. Give the best of yourself to Trinity...”
There is no doubt that our 2021 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 the support of our College community as they commence their formal leadership journey.
Ash Wednesday
Our Ash Wednesday Mass this week was a wonderful celebration of the Eucharist and signalled the commencement of our Lenten Season. Our celebration also afforded us an opportunity to formally launch our Project Compassion Appeal and to challenge the boys to consider the importance and true purpose of Christian Service – to genuinely consider ‘the other’ in striving to be Men for Others.
Lent is a time for prayer, penance and almsgiving. As we move into this most sacred liturgical time, I would respectfully ask parents to take some time to speak to your sons about sacrifice; about going without, in order to be in solidarity with the marginalised; about the importance of prayer and reflection; about Project Compassion; and about the many lessons that can emerge through serving others. As I have alluded to previously, when the family/College partnership is such that the messages from home are complemented by the messages from school, we have the greatest chance of establishing those life values considered important in the formation of caring young men.
During this time of Lent, when our boys have been challenged to consider their personal commitment to Christian Service and their personal contributions to our Project Compassion appeal, it is very timely to reflect on the thoughts and words of the leader of our Church, Pope Francis. He has continually made strong references to the importance of service to others and the need for all of us, as Christians, to show leadership in this regard.
The very human side of our Pope has been clearly evident through his attempt to instil a new sense of humility and simplicity into our Church. Pope Francis speaks about the importance of having a real and meaningful social outreach and being of 'service to the community'. He has repeated a metaphor in which he had emphasised the model of the shepherd. He said that good Christian leaders must be so in touch with the people around them that “…they are shepherds with the smell of the sheep”. This is a clear call to exercise leadership and service by way of proximity and example. It is consistent with the expectations we have at our College in terms of Christian Service and a timely reminder in this Lenten season.
It is in giving that we truly receive - and it is in reaching out that others may have the chance to reach up. Our Project Compassion Appeal provides an opportunity for students, and indeed families, to reach out; and our commitment to Christian Service helps our boys understand why! We trust that our boys will respond generously.
Life Jesus in our hearts
Mr Darren O’Neill
Principal
