Principal’s Address

Administration

The Year 2005 will be remembered as a significant year in our history. At Speech Night, our Head Prefect, Matthew Fitzsimons alluded to many of the unique elements that comprise a Trinity College education. Throughout this

Mr Robert Henderson Principal year, several themes have been constant. The goodwill, spirit, passion and commitment of our Trinity students means that coming to work each day is an absolute pleasure. The hard work and dedication of our staff, and the support and friendship of the Trinity parents reinforces our reputation as a wonderful family college.

Students

It is sometimes said that you cannot define class but you know when you have seen it! I saw class this year on a number of occasions. I saw class in the manner with which our Year 12 students comforted and supported each other when Trent Martinz tragically took his own life. I mentioned at the final Year 12 assembly that the real judgement of a Trinity education will be the type of men our students become in 10, 15, 20 years from now. The Jesuits, who like the Christian Brothers, are great educators, have a saying; ‘give me the boy and I will show you the man’.At the time of Trent’s death, the response from our Year 12 students suggests that they will become outstanding ‘Men for Others’ – as sons, husbands, fathers and friends. It was a time for us all to examine what is really important: the

relationships we have with our loved ones; the spiritual dimension in our lives; our relationship with

God. Sadly, the College has also mourned the loss of a Year 7 student, Dean Tarca, who died from a seizure in October this year. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the Martinz and Tarca families.

Teachers

Schooling at Trinity is largely about relationships. A common educational phrase is that “Students learn teachers, not subjects”. Many of our staff at Trinity have the rare gift of being able to make a meaningful connection to their students. I have a teaching background in Economics largely because I had two superb Economics teachers when I was at school (a different Christian Brothers’ School). One was Br Warwick Bryant who went on to become Principal of Trinity in the 80’s and 90’s. The other superb Economics teacher was Murray McKenna. Murray also moved schools and became known as “Mr Trinity”. During his two decades at the College, Murray influenced generations of Trinity students with his outstanding teaching and mentoring of our young men. His passing in Term Two saddened the College community and the large numbers of Old Boys in attendance at his funeral was testament to the profound impact Murray had on so many lives. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Trinity, the Year 12 History Prize has been re-named the “Murray McKenna History Prize”.

Farewell to Peter Bothe

I also saw proof of the Trinity spirit this year as our Principal, Mr Peter Bothe, farewelled the College with a style of grace and dignity. Mr Bothe resigned for family reasons. Peter brought much energy to the role of Principal and was responsible for implementing a Management Restructure at the College and instigating the College’s new Strategic Plan. Both important roles were completed with professionalism and enthusiasm.

More important were the personal gifts that were brought to the role. Peter is a great lover of life and people; he has a marvellous capacity to make the individual person feel very special and a unique child of God. I recall last year a grumpy Vice Principal

berating a group of Year 12 students. “Boys, how many times do I have to tell you – don’t kick the football in this area!”. From amongst the group came the voice of Mr Bothe, “Sorry, Mr Henderson, we won’t do it again”. I congratulate Mr Bothe on his contribution to the College and I wish him well for the future. practicalities of introducing a new system has caused some problems. We need to work to ensure that student learning, assessment and reporting is precise and easy to understand and interpret. There is still much work to be done in this area. However, I am confident that our outstanding teaching staff will meet these challenges and continue to provide excellent learning opportunities for our students.

New trends in Education

Throughout the year education has been in the media on a regular basis. The term “OBE” or Outcomes Based Education is receiving much publicity. A retired Christian Brother put it well when he asked the question; “What is this OBE all about? In my day it was OE – or else?” The underlying philosophy is sound. The opportunities to provide meaningful and creative learning experiences for young people is commendable. We want our Trinity students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and highly skilled with technology. However, the

Sport and Music

I have also seen class this year in our sporting and cultural domains. Success is really about how all our students participate and perform on a daily basis in these spheres. The awards and trophies are just the icing on the cake. In October I attended a conference in Melbourne with the 38 Heads and Board Chairs of the Edmund Rice Schools from throughout the country. It was a fantastic experience. One of the Christian Brothers I met was Br Pat Cronin who is currently Head of CBC in Adelaide. Br Pat was coach of the first Trinity Athletics squad to win the Inters in 1972. He reminded me that when Trinity first entered the PSA, a Headmaster from another school welcomed Trinity with the comment “that he hoped that our athletes would be up to standard”. Winning by over 200 points this year suggests that maybe we are setting the standards these days! I congratulate our 1st X1 Cricketers and 1st XVIII Footballers for also winning their respective competitions. There are many lessons to be gained from both winning and losing in sport and I commend our students for their efforts in 2005. In lots of ways the ethos promoted by PSA sport is counter-cultural to the “win at all costs” approach in society. We regularly remind our students that our expectations in terms of sportsmanship and behaviour are extremely high. Our staff commitment to the PSA is extraordinary and the number of parents supporting, encouraging and feeding our students on Saturday mornings is unbelievable. I would also like to especially acknowledge Mr Ken Sass as he comes to the end of a marvellous 1st XV Rugby coaching career which has spanned 16 seasons, nine premierships and seven overseas tours.

As always our musicians and dancers this year have been phenomenal. At the culmination of this year’s Performing Arts Festival, Trinity was presented with the Zenith Secondary Award for Excellence in Performance and Participation in the Spirit of the Performing Arts Festival. This is the third occasion since 1990 that we have won the major award. In the final concert 6 of the 16 items performed involved Trinity students – an amazing achievement. Congratulations to all our talented musicians and dancers and our marvellous teachers led by Dr Braham and Ms Bott.

Administration

The Future

The conference I attended in Melbourne this year was about planning for the future Governance of the 38 Edmund Rice Schools. These are exciting times as we look to the future. Our staff retreat this year was also 5

Administration

all about celebrating our past and moving forward with confidence. From 1894 at the Terrace (where the Duxton Hotel is now located) until 2005, the presence of the Christian Brothers has been what distinguishes us from other Catholic schools. The baton is gradually being passed from the Brothers to the laity. The Christian Brothers have recently announced that Br Rob Callen will conclude his ministry at Trinity College at the end of the 2005 academic year. Br Rob has been at Trinity since 2001 where he has been part of a team of people who have established a very strong Campus Ministry program and a Christian Service program. Br Rob will leave Trinity with a very heavy heart after putting an enormous amount of energy and creativity into developing Kairos, Quest, Indian Pilgrimage and other programs. I am sure I speak for all the College community in thanking and congratulating Br Rob on his innovative work at Trinity College which has deeply touched the lives of so many students and their families. We hope that his sabbatical time will provide all the gifts he needs for the next stage of his life and ministry. I have given Br Rob an assurance that the great programs that he has introduced will be continued.

Our first two lay Principals, Mr Tony Curtis and Mr Peter Bothe have continued the wonderful traditions established by the Brothers. This year we have appointed a Community Relations Officer and our Old Boys have appointed an Executive Officer. These initiatives are about keeping people in touch with the Trinity College story, past, present and future.

At Trinity we often talk about the four Pillars – Faith, Learning, Music and Sport. Br Rob often reminds me that the faith dimension is really the foundation stone on which the other Pillars are set. We must never lose sight of the story of Edmund Rice, the Christian Brothers and all those who have been part of our wonderful history. Parents, ask your sons about the Quest and Kairos Retreat programs – they are absolutely brilliant! Our Campus Ministry and Christian Service programs are what makes Trinity special. Our success should not be defined by trophies and awards or material possessions but by the quality of our interactions with other people. Next year there will be continued discussions about improvements to our Music facilities and a 20 year Capital Development Plan. We want to be active participants in the East Perth Redevelopment and the years ahead will be very exciting. In addition we have to consider the ramifications of moves to include Year 7 as part of Secondary Schools throughout the State. Clearly this impacts significantly on Trinity and our feeder schools. We also have to face up to the financial imperatives that are associated with these deliberations. As always we will be guided by the Holy Spirit and the vision of Edmund Rice. Our Chaplain, Fr. Michael McMahon, often sends me pearls of wisdom in relation to the power of Prayer. I like this one! “Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement”, Mahatma Gandhi once said. “Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.” “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

The parents at our College should be proud of their sons. No parent will ever do a more important job than parenting. The involvement of so many parents in so many aspects of Trinity life makes an enormous contribution to our school. I have three young children of my own and would have no hesitation in sending them to Trinity. One slight problem – I have three daughters! As a College we have had some challenges this year but I look ahead with great optimism and look forward to being part of this wonderful school in the years to come. “Give us your boys and Trinity College will

show you your men.”