College Board On behalf of the Trinity College Board, I am pleased to report another very successful year for the school.
Mr Christopher Sutherland (’81) Board Chair
We continue to observe and listen to many successful outcomes delivered by the students of the College covering the four pillars of a Trinity education, through our Faith, Academic, Cultural and Sporting programs. Last year I reported how the Board had used 2012 as a year to review and reset the structure and capacity of the College and to consider the opportunities and challenges that the school may face in the future. So throughout 2013, we have taken the output of our review and put in place plans to ensure the continued growth and prosperity of Trinity Of high importance to the Board is to ensure the student community remains a reasonably broad cross-section of the WA community. To achieve this aim we must find further ways to support some families and students who may not otherwise be able to attend the school. This delivers significant educational benefits to ALL students as well as continuing the tradition of Edmund Rice. This requirement is considered in all elements of our strategic plan. Thus we have reinvigorated the Trinity College Foundation with a long term goal to build a capital base that can provide scholarships and bursaries for future students to attend the College who without financial support may not otherwise be able to receive a Trinity education. The Foundation under the stewardship of Chris Ellison is putting in place a range of fresh initiatives to encourage greater support for students from a diverse range of backgrounds and circumstances. We welcome discussions with families and businesses who would like to provide support for such students through the Foundation.
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Our Capital Strategic Planning Committee under the stewardship of John Driscoll considered a range of long term factors including; substantial developments that are occurring on our East and West boundaries as well as opportunities to develop on the recently acquired land to the North; the planned new Burswood Stadium and footbridge landing on our boundary; the significant forecast rise in population and traffic directly surrounding the campus and its impact on security, safety and student demographics; the rapid advancement of computing and online technology in delivering education and its impact on the size and shape of school facilities in the future; modified age of leaving students (18 years) arising from the change to the starting school age; a possible commercial precinct to provide a future new source of income; and the need to plan for the replacement of the original buildings, with the ongoing maintenance costs of these buildings rising sharply and some elements now becoming difficult to repair. The result of more than a year’s work and numerous meetings across all sections of the Trinity community was the release in November of an exciting new 25 year Master Plan for the College (of which further details can be found within this Annual). The Finance and Risk Committee has continued in its work under the chair of Andrew Whitechurch. The committee has focused this year on resolving a new federal government funding model and preparing a new financial plan to support the delivery of the first stage of the new Master Plan for the College. We have worked closely with the Catholic Education Office and it is pleasing to have achieved a new four year Federal government funding agreement starting in 2014. In addition the committee has worked with the school team to improve the risk management function within the College. This approach will increase the safety and security of the students and staff as well as protect the reputation and assets of the College.
