Valedictory Address

from Annual: Trinity 2006

Student Roll Call

Speech Night

When reflecting on our years at Trinity, it seems like only yesterday that we walked through the gates in the Centenary fence as timid Year 4s or 8s. As the class of 2006 ends another of life’s chapters we end with many fond memories. Memories forged and embodied in each and every one of us through close ties and unforgettable friendships. Our time at Trinity has been filled with many great highs and some lows. It is a common myth that the lows are bad in life, but without them we would never move on, for success comes with learning from our failures. Some people say that if you look at a work of art you will always see something of the artist. Others can recognise composers by listening to music. Though what we have created may not be as tangible as a painting or a piece of music, the class of 2006 leaves a legacy that is part of them. When we began high school, the first thing we were taught in SOSE was that a model is simply a representation. A representation of something more complex in real life. Upon reflection on this, I realised that this phrase, although seemingly too simple, really does hold truth. School is much like a model of the real world, minus the bills to pay. It is in school that we are first exposed to rules and limits within a community outside our own homes. It is in school that we expand on our gifts and talents and use them for the betterment of a community. What makes Trinity so special is that we have a sense of belonging here, not only to the school but also to something much bigger in life. A sense of belonging that students from other schools can only dream about.

As custodians of the Trinity tradition we are charged with upholding its values and reputation. We are called to follow the footsteps of Jesus, to be men for others and to be unafraid in the face of adversity. It is the Trinity spirit that grows in us all as students, Old Boys, teachers and parents that sees this legacy live on. A legacy that has been passed on from year to year not only since the beginning of the Christian Brothers College in 1894 but also since the time of Edmund Rice.

Edmund provided an opportunity for underprivileged boys to receive not only a textbook education but also even more importantly an opportunity to improve their lives by developing character and maintaining the Catholic heritage of Ireland. His vision for a life education full of diversity is the same vision Trinity aspires to. Through our many pursuits of higher and higher standards in the four pillars of the College, it is evident that we are being educated for much more than a set of exams. We are being developed into men of character, virtue and goodwill. This year we have seen a tremendous amount of the TC spirit in action: with a close second in the swimming Inters and in the Head of the River, our fourth consecutive Alcock Cup, hat tricks in the Alcock Shield athletics and the Zenith Award for the most outstanding school in the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival. A driving force for this success is the TC spirit embodied in us all. A part of this spirit is to get out there and give it a go. This year we saw record numbers in many activities including the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival, which had over 400 entries and over 200 boys participating. The athletics team also had record numbers and was the envy of other schools.

While these victories will never be forgotten, my most profound memories lie in the times when there were no medallions to be seen. It is only during these times that a person’s true character is really tested. No matter if we won or lost, Trinity students have always had an innate sense of pride in their conduct on and off the field.

Another reason for our successes at Trinity is how the school spirit embodies all the facets of the College together. Much like the Eiffel Tower with its four pillars that eventually come together some 300 metres in the air. Although this may appear to be an odd parallel, it works. Faith, academia, music and sports are all linked. At Trinity we do not sacrifice one facet so that another can do well. Instead we strive to achieve well in all, bringing them together. Did you know that in every year Trinity has won the athletics, we have also won the Zenith award for music – not only in the past three years but also during the 1990s? It just goes to show that the TC spirit so common to us all is a major contributor to success in life.

Desmond Yeo Head Prefect

Every time we see the three crowns on our emblem we will always stand with pride in our achievements. It is a reminder of all that past Trinity students and we have achieved and stand for. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three but one. As one we are always working together and striving to be better men in all that we do. Crowns are also a symbol of power. We wear them with pride to represent the power entrusted to us through education and knowledge. With this power anything is possible. We must now step out into the world and make a difference – to stand up for what is good and honourable. It is often the little things that we take for granted, that we will miss the most – like our chapel. When attending a National Faith Conference earlier this year, as I entered the chapel with one of the delegates, the first thing he said was that our chapel was like a ‘tardis’ – appearing small from the outside but big and spacious on the inside. His words have stayed with me and caused me to think of the fine detail that we often simply walk past in the school, not really appreciating until realising that they are part of the fabric of our schooling life. Each day, Trinity has shaped each of us in a distinctive manner, making each of us unique and less afraid of the outside world, while protecting us somewhat from it.

To the younger students, make the most of your time at Trinity. It will not be long before you too will be at your last Speech Night. Trinity has a lot to offer you as it has to us as the Class of 2006. Use the opportunity while you can. Remember, the roots of education are bitter, but the fruits are sweet. So put your future in good hands – your own. To the teachers and staff – on behalf of the Year 12s thank you for your continual support. Your efforts to try and get us to do our best will never go unrewarded. Thank you for being more than teachers. Your friendship towards us has allowed us to be able to excel past what we ever expected. The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.

To the parents – many thanks for your continual support. It is you who have always been there for us during good and bad times. It is you who have given us the opportunity to attend Trinity and to make something of ourselves. It is your love that has shaped us over the years. And finally to the Year 12s – I wish you all the best in all that you endeavour to achieve in the next year and the years to follow. May the friendships forged over the past five or nine years, continue to be as strong as they have been while at Trinity. May we continue to live justly within our society as Trinity has taught us to do. Thank you to each of you for always being there for each other.

Each and every one of you is a great leader. What you choose to do next is up to you. No one can decide but you. Wherever you go, go with all your heart and follow your dreams. And remember things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out. Accept what you have and move ahead in life, do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.

Desmond Yeo

Head Prefect 2006

Speech Night

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in the organisation of Speech Night this year. It was a resounding success and we have been delighted with the feedback that we received on the quality of the performances. As always the Music and Dance performances led by Dr Braham and Ms Bott were quite outstanding. This year we also had an excellent drama item with Who’s on the wing? very capably performed by Daniel Purcell (10BS) and Patrick Whitelaw (10RB). Mr Liggins cleverly adapted the original Who’s on first base? to fit an Australian context. The 2007 Prefects were presented to the Trinity community at Speech Night. The Prefect Naming Ceremony involved The Book of Gospels, a candle and the Trinity Flag being symbolically passed from the current student leaders to next year’s Prefects. It is worth recalling the significance of each of these symbols: THE BOOK OF THE GOSPELS contain the story of Jesus, our role model and our inspiration. This is the Good News. May we be the good news for others: men of peace, justice and love. THE CANDLE Jesus said: “I am the Light” and He came to show us the way. He also told us to let our light shine before others; to be a good example.

Finally, THE TRINITY COLLEGE FLAG represents all of the sound traditions of our school. It reminds us of strong and lasting friendships, games won and lost, fun days and hard days, academic and recreation. As our College hymn says: “All this is done in the name of Our Lord”. Congratulations to Nicholas Barbas (11CA) and Mark Luca (11RK) who have been named as Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefect for 2007. I am sure that they will provide excellent leadership to the Trinity community in the next twelve months.