I believe that God is constantly speaking to us. Our challenge, in the ever-increasing busyness of our lives and the complexities of our ongoing societal restrictions, is to find the time to be still enough and actually listen!  I was reminded of this challenge this morning while attending a Catholic School Principals’ Conference and Retreat. Despite my absence from school and clear instruction to clear my mind, my thoughts drifted back to the running of our Fun Run for India this afternoon. In particular, I thought about the importance of raising much needed funds in order to continue our ongoing support of the various missions and charity works that we have established in India. These are the very same missions, schools and charities that the staff and young men of our College have regularly visited, supported and developed important and ongoing relationships through various pilgrimages for several years. Of course, in the wake of the current global pandemic, our outreach work to ‘our brothers’ in this region is particularly important. Amidst my thoughts and prayers for a successful college event, the Gospel of the day that I listened to as part of my retreat experience was a very timely reminder about the importance of our Mission, Charity and Outreach work.

Matthew 22: 34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.  “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  He said to him.  “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it.  ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’.”

In this simple and yet profound Gospel reading is a clear message, Love God and love one another. It is on these two ‘Great Commandments’ that our mission as a school is based and from where much of our work in helping others emerges.  Trinity College does an extraordinary amount of work in helping others.  This can be seen through our ongoing commitment to several charities and organisations who do important and meaningful work both locally and overseas.  Our respective donations and practical assistance to groups such as Lifelink, Brother Olly’s Wheelchairs for Kids, Shopfront, Red Cross Soup Patrol, St Vincent de Paul, Edmund Rice Camps for Kids, the Kimberley Immersion and our India Pilgrimage, to name just a few, is evidence of such commitment to reach out.  Similarly, the boys do extraordinary work in helping others through the Christian Service Program. At this unusual time of Covid restrictions and limited travel, our determined efforts to continue to assist has been quite extraordinary and probably more essential than ever.

In many contexts, and in varied ways, Trinity College lives out the challenge to ‘love one another’.  This was at the heart of Jesus’ message as told through the Gospel of Matthew – to love unconditionally, and to be truly compassionate and caring.  This is also at the core of our Edmund Rice tradition, as captured in two of our Touchstones - Gospel Spirituality ‘invites all people into the story of Jesus and strive to make his message of compassion, justice and peace a living reality within our community.’  Justice and Solidarity challenges us to ‘commit to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the earth itself.’

Similarly, this message of love and authentic care for others, is wonderfully captured by two of our Spirit ambitions as part of our College Strategic Plan. The Spirit of Faith ‘calls us to be a proud faith community where gospel values are known, lived and celebrated’. The Spirit of Service ‘calls us to form young men with the ‘TC Spirit’ who are authentic, active and outstanding role models in their outreach’.

While academic knowledge is important, and the opportunity to engage in sport and the arts is certainly enjoyed, it may be our efforts in teaching and providing opportunities for our boys to be of service, to show compassion and help those in need (to love); that is the most rewarding.  Mahatma Gandhi once said that “Where there is love, there is life”.  Reaching out and serving others is certainly life-giving and we acknowledge all students, parents and staff who so generously give.

As it turns out, it seems the Holy Spirit was also listening this morning. Beautiful weather greeted our students and staff as they walked or ran around the bridges to raise important funds for our brothers and sisters in India.  We trust that the spirit of those students and staff who have previously travelled to India, and the spirit of those that will hopefully be part of future Pilgrimages from our College, will continue to provide valuable support to the various mission schools, orphanages and homeless centres that we support in India. In doing so, they will help spread some ‘Trinity love’ to those that certainly need it.

Live Jesus in our Hearts.

Mr Darren O’Neill
Principal

On Monday, Middle Leaders across the College came together to engage in the first of a series of Professional Learning opportunities specifically for our Middle Leaders.  This first day focussed on The Leadership Challenge of Complex Times.  Facilitated by Brendan Spillane, content throughout the day challenged and provoked Middle Leaders to consider their crucial and pivotal contributions to the College’s Strategic Plan and our Spirits of Faith, Excellence, Service, Community and Stewardship.  Our Middle Leaders were challenged to the courageous work of forming and reforming leadership practices to shape and nourish high performing teams across the College, for the benefit of our students, our staff and the College community.  Adapted from the work of Patrick Lencioni, Brendan Spillane explored the analogy of the campfire in bringing people together to be ‘their best selves’, and our Leaders were invited to reflect on this analogy in their own Leadership of both students and staff. 

Continuing to grow the capacity of our Middle Leaders is an important focus for the College, and this Professional Learning journey will continue as we aspire to be faith-filled Leaders who are faithful to our EREA Touchstones of Gospel Spirituality, Liberating Education, Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity.

Sabrina Hughes
Vice Principal 

Only $2,000 to go to make our $20,000 target!!

This upcoming on Wednesday, 17 Year 12s and a handful of teachers will be taking part in the World's Greatest Shave. The boys will all be shaving their heads with a goal to raise over $20,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Each year, around 18,500 Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer and it is through the generous donations given to the Leukaemia Foundation that saves lives. The Foundation gives vital emotional and practical support to families battling blood cancer, while raising important funds for research.

Help our Year 12s achieve their goal of $20,000 by donating to the following link: http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/trinitycollegeyear12s 

If the boys meet the $19,000 target then Mr Phil Jurjevich will be joining the students and other teachers including Mrs Rosa West in shaving his head and if they meet the big one of $20,000, Mr Ben Mitchell will not only shave his head but the beard will go too!!

Daffodil Day is almost here!! 

For those who ordered daffodils, they will be available to collect from the Junior School undercover area, on Friday, 27 August between 7.30-8.30am or 3.00-3.30pm

Thanks for your support!!

With Wellness Week just around the corner, we ask each year group to provide donations for our Men's Mental Health Collections. Collections will take place during PCG Monday morning, 23 August. Any late donations can be taken directly to Campus Ministry throughout the week. 

Junior School:

• Non-perishable food items that don’t require cooking or preparation, for example:
  • Muesli bars 
  • Canned fruit 
  • Baked beans 
  • Juice box
  • Savoury shapes
  • Biscuits
  • Bottled water

Years 7-9:

• Travel sized body wash/shampoo/conditioner
• Soap
• Roll-on deodorant
• Toothbrush 
• Toothpaste 
• Floss

Year 10:

• New socks and underwear 

Years 11-12:

• Razor
• Travel size shaving cream
• Nail clippers
• Lip balm 
• Band aids 
• Comb or compact brush
• Antiseptic wipes

This week, Book Week in the Junior School commenced today with a highlight being the dress up day. It is wonderful to see so many boys and staff dressed in outfits which celebrated the wonder of books. This year’s Book Week theme is Reading is Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds. Thank you to all the parents who prepared costumes for our boys and to Mr Hayes for compering the parade.

Commencing today, the Junior School is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair in the library. The boys ordered and purchased a range of children’s books before and after school. We conclude the Book Week celebrations next Friday with a visit and talk from Author Mark Greenwood.

On Thursday, the Year 4 boys went to visit Ollie Picket at Wheelchair for Kids where they donated some hand knitted blankets and ring pulls. It was a very insightful visit for the students where they saw what goes into building a wheelchair.

Wheelchairs For Kids give the lifechanging gift of mobility to more than 50,000 children in 90 overseas locations, granting the world’s most vulnerable children a renewed sense of dignity, hope and independence.

On Wednesday, Trinity College Junior School were the host school for the Annual Central Region Interschool Spelling Bee.  

Two students from Years 3 to Year 6 represented their school in the competition.  Schools involved in the competition were:

• Trinity College
• St. Peter’s Inglewood
• St. Paul’s Mt Lawley
• Our Lady’s Assumption School, Dianella
• Sacred Heart School, Highgate
• St. Columba’s from Bayswater.  

Congratulations to Fred B (5W) for winning the Year 5 competition and receiving the trophy.

Congrautlations is also extended to Frank Z (6G) who was the runner up in the Year 6 competition.

It was a tough competition and all the competitors should feel very proud of their contributions.

On Wednesday, our Junior Vocal Ensemble performed in the Sacred Music section at St Benedict’s, Applecross. The boys sang beautifully, it was truly a pleasure to hear them. Tonight the 50+ Boys in Groove will perform their routine at the Perth Convention Centre.

Next week will be the last week for the groups. Our Year 4, Year 5/6 Choirs and Junior Vocal Ensemble will be singing on Tuesday and the Junior Concert Band will play on Wednesday evening. Good luck to the boys. 

The Junior School House Athletics Carnival will be taking place next Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, some of the boys are involved in jumps and the 800m, and on Thursday there are the throws and a range of team and individual events. Parents are most welcome to come and support their boys. 

The boys can have a sausage sizzle lunch, this is only available via pre-order using the online store at https://store.trinity.wa.edu.au/product/js-house-athletics-carnival/. 

Parents and siblings are also welcome to order a sausage sizzle, via the online store.

This week was the first week of the Catholic Performing Art Festival!

On Wednesday, the Junior Vocal Ensemble competed and they did really well. Our BIG Dance group performed in the dance showcase on Friday night.

On Thursday there was House sport for the Year 5s and 6s and they had lots of fun.

On Friday the Junior School had its Book Week parade. Its was great to see so many creative outfits! It was such good fun.

By Tyson Cass and Zavier Leone

Congratulations to Rory Charles (12.2) who was highly commended for his mixed media artwork titled 'Memories of My People' at the Angelico Art Exhibition on Wednesday night!

Showcasing artwork by talented Catholic school students, this prestigious art exhibition also features artworks from the following Trinity students:

• Domenico Germano (Year 12)
• Alexander Santoro (Year 8)
• Samuel Howard (Year 8)
• Virtue Ta (Year 9)
• Zac Gangemi (Year 8)
• Illija Jelicic (Year 8)
• Timothy Lee (Year 8)
• Lewis Murabito (Year 8)
• Dominic O'Hagan (Year 8)

Congratulations to all of these students for being selected.

Running until Friday, 27 August, the exhibition can be viewed at the Forrest Centre in the city, so get along and show your support for our talented students.

For more information about the exhibition, or to take a virtual tour, visit bit.ly/3iXhsow

Congratulations to Flinto Puthuppallil (11.5), Jake Quick (10.5) and Nicholas Gordon (10.3) on recently completing their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards. All three participants have completed hours in the areas of Physical Recreation, Skill and Service, as well as completing a three day Adventurous Journey to receive this Award. 

Flinto, Jake and Nick become the 56th, 57th and 58th Trinity participants to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards and should be very proud of their accomplishments. 

Congratulations boys!

If your son is interested in undertaking his Duke of Edinburgh Award at either the Bronze, Silver or Gold level, please do not hesitate to contact Tim Carslaw (Physical Education and Outdoor Education Teacher) at carslaw.timothy@trinity.wa.edu.au for more information.

The Trinity Chess team played in the Chess Association of Western Australia State Schools final on Monday, 16 August at Perth Modern. Competing in teams of the four the Trinity line up consisted of Kundan Dharmapuri 10.1 (Captain and Board One), Isaac Quadros 9.3 (Board 2), Anthony Milner 8.2 (Board 3) and Xavier Audino 9.1 (Board 4). The games were 15min +3 second per move timed matches. 

The team had a slow start losing their opening fixture to Fountain College 1-3, but after regrouping and refocusing they went on a winning streak beating Shenton College, Kingsway Christian College, Bob Hawke College, Balcatta Senior High School, and old rivals Aquinas College. Trinity would then have a tight 2-2 draw with Wesley College before a final match against Perth Modern. Just putting it into perspective,  Perth Modern are to school chess as the All Blacks are to Rugby. Lead by our skipper Kundan and supported by all team, the boys played gave it their all but unfortunately came up short. Trinity ended up finishing 3rd with Kundan winning the best player of the tournament at Board 1. 

Really great effort from all the members of the chess team. We now set our sights on the PSA Chess Championships to be held at Wesley College on Tuesday, 24 August.

After a reschedule following a snap lockdown two hours before the last one was meant to commence, the Year 9 students and their mentors finally got to come together on Wednesday night for the Becoming Men Movie Night held in the Sports Centre.

With their cushions, beanbags and popcorn ready to go, everyone sat back to watch The Peanut Butter Falcon, a movie that examines the importance of having people in our lives who believe and support us in chasing our dreams. It’s about resilience and never giving up, and the way that our hopes and dreams inspire and motivate us.

Year 12 Outdoor Education students recently attended the Outdoor Ed Camp in Dwellingup where they spent three days riding along the Munda Biddi trail. What an experience!

Yesterday, the Trinity College 1st XV Rugby team beat Aquinas 33-5 in the final fixture of the season to secure the Brother Redmond Cup outright.

The last time Trinity won the Cup was in 2002, 19 years ago. Congratulations to all for an outstanding season!

Curry Stall for Indian Missions

In the lead up to the Fun Run, Year 12 Prefects asked some of the staff to prepare curry for sale at lunchtime on Wednesday. Mr Gordon Dean, Ms Donette Firkins, Mrs Rosa West and Ms Marya Stewart generously agreed to each make a large pot of curry to sell on the day. The response from students was fantastic and every last scrap of curry was consumed by the end of lunchtime. The event raised $468 for projects in India.  

Edmund Rice Common Goal Soccer Game

On Thursday, after school, ten Year 9 students travelled to Mirrabooka to participate in a friendly game of soccer with the local team who train and play in the Edmund Rice Common Goal Football Program. Many of the players come from refugee or migrant backgrounds. They are also excellent soccer players, but our boys always put in a good effort. After the match we joined with the players to socialize and enjoy a BBQ meal prepared by some of the parents.  

India Fun Run

This is our major fundraising event for India. All students in the high school participate in a run around the bridges and are asked to make a donation of $30 or raise money through gaining sponsors. We hope to raise at least $18,000 this year to support the work that our amazing partners do, serving the poor and most marginalized people in Chennai, Gujarat and Kolkata.

Donations can be made through the online store https://store.trinity.wa.edu.au/product/fun-run-for-india/ or in cash to your son’s PCG teacher. We ask that your son returns the Sponsorship Form, indicating how much money was raised or donated to his PCG, even if the donation was made online.

Thank you for your continuing generosity in supporting this essential charitable cause.

On Tuesday, the Year 8 students, together with some Year 11 and Year 12 students, celebrated the life of Regan Smolic.  In the procession at the commencement of Mass, his brother Riley carried a photo of Regan, and his two friends carried a candle to symbolise Regan’s life and a plaque that will be placed in the Chapel.  Fra Oscar’s Homily reminded us of the sacredness of life, and that a loved one’s memory lives on in us.  Regan blessed us with his enormous heart and courage and will be dearly missed.  

Mrs Rosa West

On Friday, 13 August, Year 10 students, as part of the Christian Service component of PDW, cooked up a storm in the Gibney Hall Kitchen, preparing three huge trays of food for people who the Salvation Army feeds over the weekend. As well as the traditional Spaghetti Bolognese and Chili Con Carne, the boys tried their hand at making a Chicken Biryani. The group worked so well together that all the meals were prepared and clean up done by the end of the school day. Thank you to Mrs Rosa West for her assistance with this activity.

Two of the students from this class, Thomas Park and Jack Tanner volunteered to help put together some flat pack furniture for Pregnancy Help during PDW. The help was really appreciated by the ladies who work there, and they were full of praise for the boy’s attitude and involvement

Mrs Marya Stewart

Last Friday evening, 34 students from Year 11 and 12 volunteered to take part in the annual Winter Sleepout. During the evening Year 12 students, Luke Alderslade, Harry Smith, Lucas Siciliano and Isaac Pinto lead the group through a series of activities designed to raise awareness of the situation of homeless people. Colin Krause from St Vincent de Paul was our guest speaker for the event. The only food for the evening was from the Red Cross Soup Van, a cup of soup for each of the participants, of the leftover soup from the evening run. The group spent the night sleeping in the tunnel of the Foley Centre on strips of cardboard they had brought from home. It was a cold night and everyone was very happy to be going home at 7am the next morning.  $1070 was raised by the group to support the work of St Vincent de Paul Passages Youth Centre. Overall, it was a valuable learning experience for the staff and students. Thank you to Mr Jason O’Malley, Ms Claire Wilson and Ms Gabrielle Ietto for their support. 

Mrs Marya Stewart

Last Friday approximately 45 Golden Heritage Club members ranging from the Class of 1947 to the Class of 1971 were invited 'Back to the Classroom' to be interviewed by Year 6 students. As always, the Old Boys relished in sharing stories of their school days with Year 6s, even if slightly embellished for the occasion.

After the interviews, students walked with their new buddies to Gibney Hall, where the conversation continued over lunch before the commencement of the Junior School assembly. Special guest Peter Torre (’89) spoke about the history of this great College and the meaning of each crest that hangs on the walls in Gibney Hall and how they have evolved over the years before presenting the TOBA President’s Awards for TC Spirit.

Students then walked the House flags: Chanel, Campion, Queens and Xavier to the stage before a group war cry, which brought the house down!

We sincerely thank our wonderful Old Boys for ‘returning to the classroom’. Also, thank you to our Year 6 students; Head of Junior School, Mr Martin Tucker ('87); Junior School teachers Ms Evelyn Temmen, Mr Jason O’Malley, Mr Rueben Brennan and Mrs Joanne du Toit and the entire Junior School for embracing this most enjoyable event.

We also thank all Trinity and Auxiliary staff who assisted with this event.

A reminder to check out the below 2021 TOBA Wine and Gin offer

Coward & Black Wines:  CLICK HERE
25% discount offered using promo code: RUMBLE when placing orders
(deal expires: 30 Nov ’21)
Please note:  Minimum $75 spend on all orders.  Free delivery.

Wild Road Spirits:   CLICK HERE
TOBA is delighted to support this new business.
Free delivery when using the promo code:  RUMBLE
Please note:  Minimum $65 spend on all orders.  Free delivery.

 The Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association along with 2021 partners thank you for your support and hope you enjoy your purchases.

Class of 2001 – 20th Anniversary Reunion:  Friday, 3 September
Class of 1971 – 50th Anniversary Reunion:  Saturday, 2 October
Class of 1981 – 40th Anniversary Reunion:  Saturday, 6 November
Class of 2011 – 10th Anniversary Reunion:  Saturday, 27 November
Class of 1991 – 30th Anniversary Reunion:  Saturday, 27 November

For further information on Reunions, please contact the TOBA office at toba@trinity.wa.edu.au or 9219 1132

For more information, click the image above or view this information brochure.

Located in the heart of Perth’s beautiful heritage precinct, Mercedes College are proud to be celebrating 175 years of Mercy education, which makes the 2021 Open Day special! The Tour provides an opportunity for prospective parents to hear from the Senior Leadership Team and enjoy a tour of College facilities led by some of our Student Representative Leaders.

There are two sessions: 8:30am or 11am. The 8:30am session offers families a morning tea, where you will have the opportunity to speak with some of our Teachers. 

Please register via the College website: www.mercedes.wa.edu.au/open-morning/

Whether you attended Mercedes College, Our Lady’s College or St Joseph’s Victoria Square, we welcome all Alumni back to celebrate our 175th Anniversary with an all Years High Tea. Catch up with old friends and share your Mercedes Memories!

$69pp includes a glass of Chandon sparkling, unlimited coffee, tea and herbal infusions. Get your tickets from www.trybooking.com/BTCHO. A tour of the College will be offered prior to the event from 1pm to 1.45pm. Parking will be available in the Mercedes College carpark with entry via Goderich Street.