Principal’s Address

Administration

It is with enormous pride that I write a few words for the 2008 College Annual. I have deliberately decided not to give a summary of all the activities of the year. To do so would be to ignore the reports from so many people who have contributed to this Annual; rather, I have chosen to reprint the essence of my address from this year’s Presentation Night.

Trinity College offers a superb education for its students, an education that honours the foundations and traditions of our past but recognises the changing landscape of the future. Most of you would be familiar with the journey that we have undertaken to arrive at this point. However, for those not so familiar let me briefly recap our history.

Edmund Rice began his first school in 1802 in Waterford, Ireland; many years later in 1894 at the invitation of Bishop Matthew Gibney, the Christian Brothers were invited to establish a school here in Perth – that school was CBC Perth, affectionately known as “The Terrace”. At the end of 1961, The Terrace closed its doors to reopen them the following year as Trinity College with a new location on the banks of the Swan River in East Perth. Therefore, The Terrace, and now Trinity College, have been offering an authentic Catholic education for boys in the spirit of Edmund Rice for over 115 years.

Mr Ivan Banks The College sees itself as a leader in boys’ education and to this end has joined a number of other Catholic Schools to include Year 7s as part of our Secondary educational program from 2009. A number of years ago the Government changed the starting age of students entering Primary School, with the effect of students being older when they began High School. I believe that including Year 7s as part of our Secondary School will acknowledge these students will be on average six months older and more than ready to embrace the rigours of High School. All other PSA schools will be following this lead in 2010. Our Year 7 structure and curriculum will be presented in such a way to provide a smooth transition between Primary and Secondary School.

What about the future?

Trinity College is firmly committed to the ideals initiated by Blessed Edmund Rice and will endeavour to ensure that we have the personnel and the resources to provide a first rate Catholic education for our students. Speaking of our curriculum, we continue to review and refine our educational offerings with all of our Year 11 subjects now being part of the Curriculum Council new Courses of Study. For next year we have added a number of new subjects that our students can choose including Media Production and Analysis, Business Management and Enterprise, Design (with a focus on Technical Graphics), Materials (with a Wood context), Certificate 1 in Engineering and finally Certificate 2 in Outdoor Education and Recreation.

The opportunities for our students to explore their spirituality and deepen their faith life continue to grow. Our students’ involvement in the recent World Youth Day in Sydney and the India Pilgrimage are just two examples of ways that our students are encouraged to integrate their faith and culture. The Retreat program

Cultural Centre

that exists for Year 8 to 12 students will be expanded to cater for the Year 7 students, with planning already in progress for an exciting retreat experience for these students.

The end of 2008 sees the implementation of the next stage of our building plan with the construction of our Cultural Centre. This four level building will house art, music and staff facilities. The ground floor will bring Junior School and Senior School Art together; house Campus Ministry, as well as relocating the Heads of School, allowing us to remove the Transportable from our front drive. The first and second floors will provide our Music Department with classrooms, rehearsal rooms, tutorial rooms and performance space. The top floor will be staff facilities and a conference room. This building will have the effect of freeing up five classrooms that are currently used as offices, allowing us to cater for our increased numbers due to the inclusion of Year 7 students in the Senior School. I feel confident that this new building will take our music program to a new level, should that be possible. We know that in this year’s Catholic Performing Arts Festival the College was the most successful school in the history of the competition, being awarded nine of the individual shields as well as the Zenith Award for the best Metropolitan Secondary School – I acknowledge Dr Rob Braham and Ms Ruth Bott and all our music staff for their efforts with our students.

Sport will continue to be an important aspect of life at the College – I believe that all students, boys especially, learn a number of life’s important lessons through sport. Whilst I won’t list those lessons here, sport is certainly a vehicle that we at Trinity College use to develop each student more fully. This year we celebrated 40 years of involvement with the PSA and we can proudly say that in so many sports we are the tall poppies that other teams set themselves to defeat. I believe we are well placed to continue to be a powerhouse in sport for many years to come. During this year, the Headmasters and Sportsmasters have spent much time trying to ascertain the model that will best serve our Year 7s as they enter Secondary School. Whilst next year our Year 7s will continue to compete on a Thursday afternoon, the decision for 2010 is still being determined.

One of the big differences that I have noticed between an All Boys’ school and a Co-ed school revolves around student leadership. I have found that at Trinity College the boys are offered, and more importantly, readily accept leadership opportunities. Our Prefect structure continues to be refined with the concept of the different portfolios gaining greater focus each year. I take this opportunity to thank our 2008 Prefects, especially Josh Hicks and Matthew Cowie and I look forward to next year when I will be assisted by Adam Taylor (Head Prefect), Michael Houwen (Deputy Head Prefect) and all the Prefects.

Administration

Administration

Br Russell Peters, Principal Ivan Banks and Br John Carrigg

The demands of existing in a technological community continue to increase. Under the Australian Government’s Schools Computer Program we have applied to purchase 200 notebook computers to be used within the Middle School years. 2009, I hope, will be a year of deepening the relationship between the College and the Old Boys – I am firmly convinced that a strong relationship between the Old Boys’ Association and the College strengthens all aspects of our community.

The shape and location of our boundaries are a matter that the Board continues to explore. Many discussions have occurred with both the East Perth Redevelopment Authority and the Western Australian Cricket Association regarding the proposed road between ourselves and the WACA. The Board have raised the concept of a land swap, using land in either the South East or North East corner for the land needed for the road reserve.

Without a doubt the future of Trinity College looks bright – and before finishing I take this opportunity to thank a number of people.

Firstly, the young men who attend the College – our students are a wonderful group of young men. They are most welcoming and genuinely care for one another. Our students actively look for opportunities to

Ivan Banks accepts a copy of A Book by Boys for the Archives Cross Country Captain Matthew Watson presents the Moyes Trophy to Principal Ivan Banks at the Winter Sport Assembly

Senator the Hon Christopher Ellison, TOBA President Darren Taggart, Principal Ivan Banks and Head of Senior School Martin Tobin, at the Old Boys’ Year 12 Breakfast

share their time and talents with both our community and the wider community. Their generous involvement in Christian Service programs and many other school activities is inspirational. I sincerely believe that many of our students try to truly live out the maxim of being “Men for Others”.

Secondly to the staff – I am constantly in awe of the number of opportunities that our staff are prepared to initiate and undertake for the students of our College. Many of these opportunities occur during weekends and over the holidays when our staff should be with their own families. Some more foolhardy than I may question their sanity but their efforts and dedication must never be taken for granted. I, on your behalf and on behalf of every student who has the privilege of attending this College, thank the staff for their unending generosity and professionalism. Whilst always reluctant to put the spotlight on specific individuals I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Mrs Eileen Lane. Eileen has made the decision to retire after 34 years of loyal service to Trinity College – she is a gifted teacher and a remarkable staff member and has had a profound influence on thousands of Trinity students.

And finally to you, the parents of the College – I believe that as a College we are blessed with a group of parents who believe that their sons’ education deserves their involvement. The value of having such extensive support from a large number of parents must never be underestimated.

In conclusion thank you to everyone involved in making 2008 a wonderful year and let us continue to work together to ensure that 2009 is just as successful.

Mr Ivan Banks

Principal

Administration