Headmaster’s Report

It is with immense pride that I present the 2013 Trinity College Annual Report.

Mr Ivan Banks Headmaster

We began the year by acknowledging the efforts of the Class of 2012. Many of our students performed exceptionally well, being granted entrance into their preferred course either at University or Training Institutes (TAFE).

We had four students: Jeremy Ciccarelli, Roberto Di Giovanni, Adam Taylor and Matthew Ulrich, achieve a Certificate of Commendation (formerly known as a Certificate of Excellence). These certificates are presented to students who achieve a minimum of 20 A grades across their Years 11 and 12 course units.

Two students; Harry McInnes and William Smith, achieved a Certificate of Distinction for Physical Education Studies. These certificates are presented to students who achieve in the top 0.5% of all students studying a particular course.

Roberto is presented with his scholarship by Professor Jill Downie, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) Curtin University A total of 11 students were inducted into our elite club for boys achieving an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 97 or better: Jeremy Ciccarelli, Anthony Dang, Andrew Dewar, Roberto Di Giovanni, Michael Duan, Matthew Hortin, Gavin Lane, Lawrence Page, Christian Phang, Adam Taylor and Matthew Ulrich.

Roberto Di Giovanni was also a worthy recipient of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship. This scholarship is the most sought-after and prestigious scholarship that Curtin University offers to undergraduate students.

New Staff

Due to staff movement, we welcomed a number of new staff for 2013: Helen Andrich (English), Camilla Coverley (S&E), Martin Guest (English), Bindy Hammond (Teacher/ Librarian), Andrew Hayes (Junior School), Andrew Jenkin (PE), Natalie Kenny (Junior School), Robyn Jennison (Archivist), Jacob Marai (Science), Beverley Martinez (Community Liaison Officer), Beth Parkinson (English), Julia Reid (Maths) and Emily Springate (S&E). During the year, Wanda Armenti (Art), Shirley Fullam (Education Assistant), Eileen Lane (English), Donna Landon (Education Assistant), Judy Mackintosh (Clothing Shop), Ben Russell (PE), Natasha Spykerman (Media & Communications Officer), Debbie Viskovich (Education Assistant) all joined the staff.

Edmund Rice Education Australia

As a school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we are proudly part of EREA. Being part of this network of schools allows us to access a number of formation opportunities for staff and students and gives us a connection with similar schools throughout Australia. One of our staff, Ms Kathryn Down was fortunate to complete the EREA Pilgrimage to Ireland and Geneva with nine other EREA teachers and staff members. This pilgrimage was centred on the life and work of Edmund Rice and the current programs that are continuing his legacy.

Strong Schools Safe Kids Project

Our partnership with the Child Health Promotion Research Centre at Edith Cowan University has entered into its third year as we continue to evaluate the effectiveness of Trinity’s Pastoral Care Program and build capacity for action in future years. This project has been instrumental in assessing the climate of our school in relation to bullying and antisocial behaviours. The outcome of our involvement in this project has been a much stronger and collaborative effort by our staff, whilst key initiatives have built on our capacity to deliver improved outcomes for our students. I am very pleased to say that, overall, the analysis of data and comparisons made to schools with similar demographics across Australia, present that Trinity College students are in a very safe and supportive environment.

Our Four Pillars

We offer a well-rounded education based proudly on our Four Pillars:

1. Faith Based Education

Our Faith Based education has a threefold approach: head, heart and hands. The Religious Education program for Years 7–10 and the Religion & Life courses for Years 11 and 12 cover the head aspect. The heart approach is lived in our extensive retreat programs while the hands approach is practised in the generous and enthusiastic participation of students and staff in our extensive Christian Service programs.

The appreciation of Religion & Life as an endorsed Curriculum Standards and Authority course continues to grow. Our senior boys have the opportunity to study the Religion & Life course, counting towards their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Academic Rank). The Middle School curriculum continues to offer appropriate and challenging term tests and investigations for students which enhance the Catholic Education program. Years 7–10 students see a pathway for the Religious Education program leading into Religion & Life 2A/2B, 3A/3B, in Senior School. Our students continue to perform well in the Archbishop’s Religious Literacy examinations.

Our Catechesis activities: Masses, liturgies, retreats, Quest and Kairos are enjoyed and well-supported by our students.

We gathered together as a full community to celebrate the Eucharist on three separate occasions: our opening school Mass in February, Ash Wednesday and the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice. All of our year groups regularly gathered together for Mass. As a staff, we commenced and concluded this year with the Eucharist and we thank Fra Oscar for his presence at Trinity and for leading these liturgies. In January a number of our Year 12 students were trained to be Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and in October we held our Graduation Mass & Ceremony celebrated by Fra Oscar. As a community, we continue to offer the rosary every Wednesday morning.

Support for the needs of others in the wider community continues to grow. This year a record amount of money was raised for the Indian Missions through Unfair Day and the Fun Run. Through donations received for Project Compassion we continue to support Caritas work with poor and marginalised communities worldwide. St Vincent de Paul and the Christian Centre for Social Action benefited from the Quest Retreat food drive and the Winter Sleepout sponsorship. Students collected food items for The Shopfront drop-in centre and Christmas hampers for St Vincent de Paul. Students individually and in groups took part in fundraising events for Edmund Rice camps and cancer research. Staff and students supported Br Olly’s Wheelchairs for Kids by loading containers during the year whenever help was needed. Our retreat program provides opportunities for our students to explore their personal spirituality and gives our senior students a chance to provide leadership to their peers and younger students. This is especially evident in the Kairos and Quest retreats. The Year 7 Becoming Brothers Retreat is supported by 36 Year 12 Senior Ministers who mentor a group of Year 7 students throughout the entire year.

Our Christian Service Program continues to provide many opportunities for our students to serve others and to learn from these experiences about living out their faith. Nine Year 11 students have taken up the challenge of giving service to some of the poorest people in the world, through the Indian Pilgrimage and have been preparing all year, in regular weekly meetings, for this experience. Twelve Year 10 students have been chosen to take part in the 2014 Kimberley Immersion and have also started preparing for this unique opportunity to relate with Indigenous communities.

The Year 12 Class of 2013 was outstanding in their willingness to volunteer in the service of others, with 66 students completing their Senior Project: all of these far exceeding the 40 hours required. Sixty-three of these students completed over 100 hours with Thomas Coltrona, Liam Flynn, Jacob Higgins and Peter Matthys giving over 350 hours. Many Year 12 students volunteered for Edmund Rice camps, Red Cross Soup Patrol and took part in Edmund Rice Outreach activities such as the Winter Sleepout for homeless people. Commitment to Faith leadership was very strong with 65 students involved in either the Quest Retreat as Cadre leaders, as Senior Ministers to Year 7 students or as Kairos Retreat leaders.

Through the programs from Year 7 to Year 11, students learn the basic principles of Christian Service, becoming a person who is aware of the needs of others, which is always responding to a need when we see it, building relationships

Ash Wednesday Mass

with people whom we serve, reaching out to those most in need, being challenged by going beyond our comfort zone and doing more than what is expected. They give service to the environment, family and neighbours, children in local primary schools, elderly people, people with disabilities and marginalised groups. Through all these experiences, our boys grow into socially aware and compassionate young men.

I thank those staff who teach Religious Education or who lead the Catechetical experiences. To share publicly one’s own faith and spirituality is often very difficult and as a school we are blessed with a group of staff who take this responsibility seriously.

2. Academic Education

At Trinity we strive to provide the highest level of teaching and learning that we can. Whether in Year 4 or Year 12, our teachers are dedicated to each student realising his potential. Our students have performed well in both the NAPLAN and the WAMSE tests, with our results being consistently above the state and national averages. We supplement our academic program by entering students in a variety of state, national and international competitions. Congratulations are extended to:

Joseph Bonavita (9.6) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Samuel Carbone (9.5) – 1st Place in NCSS Programming Challenge (Beginner Stream) Samuel Carbone (9.5) – 2nd Place in the Gemini Astro-imaging Competition Samuel Carbone (9.5) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Joshua De Souza (10.5) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Joshua De Souza (10.5) – Prize Winner Australian Mathematics Competition Samuel D’Souza (8.6) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Callum Dewsbury (10.6) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Yiming Dong (10.5) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Yiming Dong (10.5) – Prize Winner Australian Mathematics Competition Joshua Galvin (12.2) – Silver Medal Chemistry Olympiad Christopher Goi (10.6) – Silver Medalist in the Scitech Junior Soccer Robocup Michael Hayes (10.1) – 1st Place in NCSS Programming Challenge (Intermediate stream) Jed Herne (10.4) – Silver Medalist in the Scitech Junior Soccer Robocup Don Hoang (10.6) – Prize Winner Australian Mathematics Competition Trung Le (10.7) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Kane Ottobrino (9.2) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Darcy Port (10.1) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Sheldon Russell (12.6) – Gold Medal in Chemistry Olympiad Thomas Salleo (10.4) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge William Tan (7.7) – Prize Winner Australian Mathematics Competition Samuel Throssell (8.2) – High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Challenge Zen Vakil (12.1) – 1st Place Australian Robotics Challenge

The Year 9 Science and Engineering extension class won the Day Prize for the Science and Engineering Challenge at Curtin; The Year 10 team in the Robocup Soccer competition won Silver. Alexander Ishida-Livings (10.4) represented Trinity at the Sir Charles Court Young Leaders Program in the July holidays; Thomas Coltrona (12.6) and Blake D’Souza (12.2) made the final of the Evatt Competition; Daniel Martinez (10.4) and Jarrod Ng (10.3) represented the College at the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment; Callum Dewsbury (10.6) and Peter Fitzgerald (12.1) were both awarded the Long Tan Leadership Award; Jack Kay (11.1) represented the College at the International Space School in Houston and Thomas Cavanagh (9.5) and Zeke Okely (9.7) represented the College in the State Model CO2 Dragster Championships. Our Lower Secondary Have Sum Fun Team [Samuel D’Souza (8.6), Samuel Throssell (8.2), Kayvan Gharbi (9.6), Charles Owens (9.4), Yiming Dong (10.5), Callum Dewsbury (10.6)] won this state competition. Sheldon Russell (12.6) was not only being one of six students from WA to attend the National Mathematics Summer School, he also received the Larry Blaker’s Scholarship for being the highest ranked student from WA.

Information Technology In 2013 we began the third year of our one-to-one program, now with all students in Years 7–12 having a laptop and Years 4–6 having an iPad. Year 10 students received a device with touch screen and pen input allowing them to take advantage of these advances in technology. Staff at Trinity received new devices with many also taking advantage of touch screen and pen input. Interactive, wireless projectors were installed in all classrooms, adding to the tools available to teaching staff to select best use pedagogies for their students.

The PL Duffy Library Resource Centre The library continues to be a central and pivotal part of the school community. It offers the boys a welcoming and dynamic place to meet for quiet research, reading, playing interactive board and computer games and for using the extensive services provided. This year, Book Week was hugely successful with activities and competitions organised to promote the love of reading and literature. During the week the winners of the Br Gerry Faulkner Creative Writing Competition were announced in the Junior School, Middle School and Senior School categories. Congratulations to the winners on the high standard of their entries.

Italian Italian still continues to be the foreign language that we offer to our students. We were pleased that the Marino family could host Francesco Rinaldi for Term 2 and Term 3. In August, a most successful Italian Week was organised, bringing many aspects of the Italian culture into the school.

3. Cultural

Providing opportunities for students to be involved in areas such as music, art, dance and drama is a priority at Trinity. Through both the formal curriculum and optional activities the boys can develop skills in these areas. Many of these activities have a performance base and our students have been part of school-based concerts, the Catholic Schools Preforming Arts Festival and many others.

The concert at the Quarry Amphitheatre, along with the Junior School, Middle School and Senior School concert nights, were well-attended with a wonderful standard of entertainment provided.

This year, a new program was the development of an Indigenous music group and an Indigenous dance group. These boys, who, as part of our larger Indigenous Education program, have made significant contribution to the life of Trinity College, and gave a highly acclaimed performance at this year’s Presentation Night.

This year, the Art Department, not only held exhibitions of our own students’ work but invited Ms Beverley Egan and Mr Andy Quilty to display their work for our students and community to enjoy. The department also invited two urban artists to assist with an art project, by providing some insight into urban art techniques and to help students learn about this art form. Six of our students had their artwork selected for the Angelico Art Exhibition which showcases outstanding artworks produced by students in Catholic Schools.

This year, there has been a boost in numbers in the Junior and High School Dance programs, with GIG experiencing their highest level of participation ever, with 27 boys. Elise Kukulka has coordinated both dance groups with a renewed focus on hip-hop, break and urban styles. The BIG and GIG students both performed well in Term 3 Dance Drama Showcase and then represented the school with pride in the Dance section of the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. The energy and dedication of these boys continues to impress audiences of parents and public alike.

Drama in the school continues a resurgence with two showcase evenings highlighting students’ work and performances in the Catholic Performing Arts Festival receiving Honorable Awards. The Drama Club is very popular with the theatre sports competition attracting many students to Drama for the first time.

Junior School Almost all our Junior School boys participated in the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival and it is pleasing to report that many of the Junior School choirs received Honourable Mentions. A number of other students competing in individual events also performed particularly well.

Senior School The Zenith Award is presented to the metropolitan Catholic secondary school that is judged to have performed best at the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival. In 2013, Trinity College received this award for a record tenth consecutive year. Congratulations are also extended to the Trinity Chorale (Loreto Sisters’ Award – Choral Singing), Trinity/Mercedes Wind Orchestra (UNDA Award – Concert Band Section), Trinity/Mercedes String Orchestra (Premier of Western Australia Award – Instrumental Ensemble Secondary Section), Trinity Senior Chorale (Therese Temby Award – Sacred Choral Music Section). Also James Newcombe (10.1) (Vera Chidlow Scholarship – Secondary Piano) and Kayvan Gharbi (9.6) (Chapman Scholarship – Secondary Strings).

In April our musicians toured the USA participating at the WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival where the Trinity/ Mercedes Wind Orchestra achieved Third Place in their category and a Silver Award; Trinity Senior Chorale achieved First Place in their category and a Gold Award; The Trinity/Mercedes String Ensemble achieved First Place in their category, a Gold Award, the Outstanding Orchestra Award and the Adjudicators Award. To top off these awards, we were awarded the Festival Sweepstakes Award for overall winning school. Two of our students were selected for solo awards based on their work within their ensemble: Joshua Adams (11.4) (voice) and Kayvan Gharbi (9.6) (cello)

Both the Senior School and Junior School Chorales had commissioned a piece by Australian composer, Paul Jarman. The Senior Chorale performed Let Go of Your Hand with adapted lyrics from a Jack Davis poem entitled Let Go; and the Junior Chorale’s was entitled Spirit, Curiosity, Opportunity.

Many of our students or groups are asked to perform at significant community events, where they continue to make us proud.

Music Captains and Vice Captains Keiran Lynch, Timothy Soon, Scott McCarthy and Max Benson with the Zenith Music Award

4. Sport

Sport is an important aspect of the education of young men. Through sport they have an opportunity to learn more about themselves and others. They learn to develop resilience in defeat and humility in victory. We have a clearly-stated philosophy that every student must play a summer and winter sport for Trinity and I believe that it is this commitment to their fellow students that assists in developing the Trinity Spirit for which we are renowned.

Success in sport should never be measured in terms of silverware in the trophy cabinet. Rather, it is the participation and enjoyment of each student that speaks of the success of our sports program.

Junior School Our Junior School boys are fully involved with JPSSA swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals, as well as the summer and winter sports programs. Junior School students were also involved in the WA Junior Triathlon, the Spikezone Volleyball Cup and were victorious in the Ian McRae Cup (football) this year. A number of students continued with the Fundamental Movement Program, introduced last year, and have made significant progress regarding their general skills and involvement in sport.

Senior School At assemblies, I was pleased to acknowledge the students who represented Trinity at various sports and to be presented with the Br Carrigg Shield (volleyball), and Challenge Cup (Head of the River) and the Dickinson Shield (water polo).

Many of our students excelled on the sporting field representing Western Australia or Australia in their respective age divisions.

Athletics – Isaac Curtis (10.7), Isiaah Caton (10.1), Samuel Throssell (8.2), Thomas Throssell (7.4), Timothy Throssell (12.4); Archery – Lachlan Rogers (8.7); Basketball – Bailey Cole (11.1), Mitchell Hampson (11.5); Baseball – Thiru Elford (9.1), Riley Hanlon (7.3); Cricket – Darius D’Silva (10.1); Cross Country – Matthew Smith (12.6), Michael Martin (9.7); Football – Harry Zimmermann (6G), Jackson Flematti (10.5), Shayne Hille (12.4); Freestyle Wrestling – Thomas Barns (7.8); Hockey – Marcus Di Filippo (10.3); Indoor Cricket – Andrew Bottega (11.1), Daniel Smith (7.3), Luke Smith (9.7); Kayaking – Anthony Carbone (9.1) Timothy Feasey (7.4); Rowing – David Colton (12.7), Joseph Fatin (12.6), Jordan Ziliotto (12.4), Lachlan Hadwen (12.5), Luke Hutcheson (12.2), Nicolo Maurogiovanni (12.1); Rugby League – Tamba Lebbie (9.1); Road Cycling – Michael Storer (11.1); Soccer – Raymond Teakle (7.1), Ben Pellizzari (9.1); Swimming – Callum Lauriston (8.6), Liam Martin (7.5), Nicholas Brown (12.5), Jamie Heslop (7.6); Tennis – Ian Xavier (7.1); Taekwondo – MacKenzie Spiers (7.4); Volleyball (state) – Daniel Bendotti (11.2), Matthew Murphy (11.2), Mitchell Bristow-Stagg (10.6), Nicholas Butler (11.2) (also Australian U/17 team), Brayden Keizer (11.1); Wakeboarding – Callan Starr (11.3); Water Polo – Alexander Bogunovich (11.3), Joshua Zekulich (12.5) (both boys also selected in the Australian junior squad). A number of Old Boys continue to follow their sporting dream and are involved in sport to a very high level.

Other Important Areas in the Life of Trinity College Year 12 Activities

The year started with a series of Year 12 seminars that looked at enhancing study and revision techniques: some of this material was also related to parents at the Parent Information Evening. The Great Gatsby theme was brought to life at the ball through countless hours from dedicated parents in making breathtaking decorations. Our students and their partners were certainly impressed. On Graduation Day, the morning commenced with a breakfast and final assembly followed by the Graduation Mass and Dinner in the evening. These graduation events honour the conclusion of our Year 12 students’ secondary schooling.

Student Leadership

As a year group, the 2013 Year 12s showed great leadership. Whether the boys were Prefects, Year 7 Senior Ministers, members of Cadre for the Year 8 Quest Retreat, Kairos leaders or one of the unprecedented number of boys to complete their senior project, they donated hundreds of hours of community service and provided wonderful role models for the younger students. William Colreavy (12.3) (Head Prefect) and Luke Cannell (12.1) (Deputy Head Prefect) provided exemplary leadership for the prefects and the wider school community. Will Colreavy enjoyed the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Captains Conference held in Brisbane at the beginning of the year. Our prefects also attended the Student Impact Leadership Conference.

Year 11 Activities

The Christian Service Program is the main focus for Year 11s and this year they committed an extraordinary amount of hours, not just to their assigned Christian Service project, but also to many other projects both inside and outside the Trinity College community. We also welcomed the Elevate Education group to help the boys in study skills and time management. The highlight for the boys was the river cruise with Mercedes College students in March. The Year 11s demonstrated wonderful leadership to the College for the Fun Run, especially Jarrod Hall (11.1) who raised the most money for our India Missions.

Year 10 Activities

The students coped well with the transition from being a part of the Middle School, to the responsibility and focus required to cope with the academic rigours of Year 10. Their challenge has been to be more aware of the wider community, of which they are a part, and their place in it. Throughout the course of the year, the students were privileged to hear from a variety of dynamic and cognitively-provoking speakers as a part of the Personal Development & Wellbeing and the Pastoral Care Group program. The service learning opportunities for the students were abundant and it was great to see many students take up opportunities such as being a roadie on the Quest Retreat, the Winter Sleep Out and Soup Patrol, whilst many of them are now successful applicants for the Kimberley Immersion and to be a Peer Minister on the

Quest Retreat as a Year 11 student. Joseph Teakle’s (10.2) efforts in raising $6000 for Princess Margaret Hospital through the Run for a Reason was outstanding. It was wonderful to hear how successful the Trinity and Mercedes Op Shop Formal Social was and how engaged the students were in the Emmaus Retreat.

Year 9 Activities

Year 9 began with a father and son optional camp and busy bee at Camp Kelly in January. This group completed paving, structural work, painting and landscaping. In Term 2 there was the traditional ballroom dancing lessons with Mercedes College, culminating with the final Rock around the Clock Social. During Term 4, 24 students attended the Realising Your Potential camp at Camp Kelly for a set of activities and seminars with a focus on challenging individuals physically, mentally and spiritually. A further group of nearly 50 boys was involved in a leadership and team-building day and all Year 9 boys were part of the Galilee Retreat. The students enjoyed their first experience of contributing time to Trinity’s Christian Service Program with time spent at both Embleton and Bentley Primary Schools, The Year 9 Charity Committee and Year Council has raised $1000 for Brother Olly’s Wheelchairs for Kids. The same groups organised for 80 people from the Trinity community to participate in the City to Surf representing Edmund Rice Camps and raising $15000. Matthew De Cinque (9.3) raised $8900 for the Leukaemia Foundation as part of the World’s Greatest Shave during Term 1.

Year 8 Activities

The Quest Retreat continues the work that began in 2012 as part of the Faith Formation program and induction into the traditions and expectations of being a Trinity College student. Supported by the Year 11 Peer Ministers and the senior girls from Mercedes, this retreat gave the Year 8 students an opportunity to explore their relationship with God. They were involved in some significant events that remind them of their connection to the wider community. The major one was Grandparents’ Day in May, which gave them an opportunity to show their grandparents around and host morning tea for them. Their efforts during the annual Unfair Day and the Fun Run for India were commendable, and built on our efforts to teach them to be Men for Others.

Year 7 Activities

Although the majority of our Year 7s were new to Trinity College they quickly settled into the routine of secondary school. In Term 1 the Becoming Brothers Retreat was a highlight as was the Term 1 barbecue and Term 3 social, both with Mercedes College. Our Year 7 students learned to embrace a new wave of technology in the classroom and peered into the world of electronic curriculum as they embraced the one-to-one laptop program. Junior School

Once again the Junior School students enjoyed the challenges of their Year 5 camp at Forest Edge in Waroona and the Year 6 camps to Kalgoorlie and Dwellingup.

Each of these camps provided opportunities for the boys to undertake innovative learning experiences and develop new friendships in an environment outside the classroom. Chess continues to be a very popular activity and in 2013 the Junior School hosted a two day chess tournament in Gibney Hall with more than 25 schools from throughout the metropolitan area taking part. From an academic perspective the staff of the Junior School have focused on providing a differentiated curriculum to accommodate the variety of learning needs of their students. The support and extension programs were expanded to incorporate a mathematics extension class in Year 5 to complement the existing course in Year 6. The staff of the Junior School are congratulated on their efforts this year as they endeavoured to provide authentic engaging learning experiences aligned to the new Australian Curriculum.

Education Support through the Mary Rice Learning Centre

The Mary Rice Learning Centre, named in honour of Blessed Edmund Rice’s daughter, is a learning centre where students can be challenged to extend themselves and achieve their best. In 2013 their programs included the, Hale School Philosothon, QuickSmart numeracy, Certificate II Business, Sound Way Literacy, MultiLit, a new listening program for students with auditory processing issues and a new initiative for Dyslexic students in Years 7 and 8. We also sent a team of boys to each of the three da Vinci Decathlons held at Wesley College this year. The senior boys also run a recycling program and have established a Koi farm through Certificate II Business. The staff assisted a number of students with organisation and behaviour issues, supervised exams and worked closely with teachers in classrooms. Learning support is always flexible, appropriate and directed towards our students achieving their best.

Careers

While attending to all the usual career education activities, this year staff members have concentrated on assisting students to identify their strengths and develop lifelong learning habits. Students continued to participate in career carousels and expos, Personal Development & Wellbeing classes, UMAT preparation seminars, university life and scholarship seminars and enjoyed personal interviews. Parents and Old Boys have also been valuable partners in this process and their assistance has been appreciated.

Vocational Education and Training

Not every student desires to further his study at university and for many students secondary school will lead into traineeships, apprenticeships or study at one of the training institutes. This year 64 students were supported in this aim with an opportunity to do Certificates I and II in a variety of areas. As a school we offer ten certificate courses for our students to access. This year we had 16 students blending school work with workplace learning and three students were involved in traineeships.

TIDE dance at Government House at the opening of Reconciliation Week

College Auxiliary President Mrs Sharon Maher, Mrs Tonya McCusker and Mr Banks at the College Auxiliary Morning Tea

Aboriginal Education

The Aboriginal Program at Trinity College is continuing its strong commitment to the engagement of the students in all aspects of their education. With the development of Personalised Learning Plans, Deadly Awards and the Gold, Silver and Bronze Club we have seen a remarkable shift in motivation and willingness to learn from our aboriginal students. We have seen an increase in attendance to homework classes and students wanting extra tutorials to assist with their performance. TIDE (Trinity Indigenous Dance Ensemble) and Didge Boys are proving to be a great success. They had four key performances this year – the first being at Government House for Reconciliation Week. The Golden Heritage Club witnessed the talents of our dance and Didge Boys at their morning tea. Our NAIDOC Assembly was particularly successful due to the talent of our didge and dance groups. TIDE performed River, River choreographed by Ms Ruth Bott. Mr Steve Richter directed the Didge Boys and included a solo piece by the Pigram Brothers, sung by Jesse Pigram. Our guest speaker, Jarred Wall (’02), spoke fondly of his time at Trinity College and credits the success of his band, Jake and the Cowboys, to the networks he created at Trinity. The last and outstanding performance was at Presentation Night. The excellent support, encouragement and opportunities that are provided by the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) and Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) enhance ongoing enthusiasm towards the education of our Aboriginal students.

Astronomy and Space Science

The observatory, which is at the heart of our astronomy program, is still very popular. This year we added a new camera to the telescope allowing for images that were four times larger than we could manage previously. We were pleased to see Jack Kay (11.1) represent the College at the International Space School in Houston and Samuel Carbone (9.5) came second in the Gemini School Astronomy Contest.

Marketing & Public Relations

This year saw a great deal of activity in the Marketing and Public Relations department. In addition to three editions of Trinity News magazine and the Annual, an extensive article promoting the College was published in Which School Magazine. Also a promotional video made for the Junior School, iCards produced for Years 4 and 7 Orientation, a Master Plan folder developed and distributed on Presentation Night and the book written by Br Tony Kelly, Trinity College Irish Pipes & Drums, the First Fifty Years published.

Parent Involvement

The level of parent involvement is a hallmark of the Trinity community. The Auxiliary and Council provide a wonderful service to the wider Trinity College community, as do all the ‘Friends of …’ groups, and the Parent Ball is still the hottest ticket in town. Mrs Tonya McCusker, wife of the Governor of WA Malcolm McCusker, was the guest speaker at Auxiliary Morning Tea and a more engaging speaker would be hard to find.

This year, we have worked hard to further strengthen our community spirit, with the role of Community Coordinator being filled by Mrs Beverley Martinez. Parent groups have been formed within the different year groups and events such as casual dinners for mums, outdoor movie evenings for families and parent sundowners have been well attended. Morning tea for parents has been provided following each year group Mass throughout the year and a group of parents has provided meals for those in our Trinity College community who might be in need of support through illness or bereavement. These groups and events have served to give parents and students alike the opportunity to further embrace being a part of the Trinity community, and I thank those who have supported our efforts.

Old Boys

Trinity College enjoys a most rewarding relationship with TOBA. The Old Boys have been significant in providing an additional scholarship to the secondary school and the continuation of their monthly Junior School award for displaying School Spirit is also greatly appreciated. Events like the Golf Day, the Sportsmen’s Lunch, Brendan Ryan (’91) Cup for winter sports, the

Br Tony Kelly and Mr Banks place a copy of the book Trinity College Irish Pipes & Drums the First Fifty Years in the Time Capsule

Steve Leahy (‘78) Cup for the summer sports and the many reunions have kept Old Boys connected with their alma mater. At a very special Anzac assembly the Old Boys presented the College with the remaining Honour Boards acknowledging those Old Boys who were killed or missing in action. These have been hung in the Trinity College Chapel. This year there were two interstate reunions: one in Melbourne and one in Sydney.

The Golden Heritage Club for those students who left Trinity 50 years ago or more, continues to be well supported. I know that our current Year 12 students appreciated being part of their Term 1 Mass, and the members enjoyed being an audience for a senior debate and for the dance and music from the Indigenous students. It is indeed fitting that these men, mostly from The Terrace, now feel more at home with the change to the name to Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association.

Facilities

The focus for the Board this year was to prepare the Master Plan which will allow the College to replace ageing infrastructure in a planned sequential manner. Through the work of the College architects, Parry and Rosenthal, a logical approach of deconstruction and demolition was prepared: this Master Plan was launched at the College’s Presentation Night in October.

Whilst the Board has had one eye on the future it has ensured that our current infrastructure is well maintained. Following the extensive building program that has occurred over the last few years, 2013 has been a relatively quiet year. However, many minor projects from our Capital Development Plan were completed, including a complete refurbishment of the Biology laboratory, Gibney Hall stage upgrade, upgraded Pavilion function room, upgraded kitchenette facilities in Foley Centre, relocated gas manifold, upgraded swimming pool shade cover, upgraded cricket netting and installed triple jump facility.

At Dwellingup, we continued with road and land development in preparation for the installation of two transportables: one as a caretaker’s residence and the other as a dormitory. Thank you to the Clergy

My thanks are extended to all the clergy who have played a role in the school but I especially thank Fra Oscar Aguilera who, as our College Chaplain, makes himself available for Masses, sacramental programs and retreats and his support and presence are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to our parents

Trinity College can be very proud of its parental involvement. It is a credit to the College that we are blessed with a group of parents who believe that the education of their sons deserves their involvement. The value of having such extensive support from a large number of parents must never be underestimated. Many of you take on the additional burden of leadership within your groups and I thank you for the extra time and energy that this involves.

Thank you to our staff

Trinity College is blessed with an extraordinary staff. I am constantly in awe of the number of opportunities that our staff members are prepared to initiate and undertake for our students. Many of these opportunities occur during weekends and over the holidays when our staff would usually be with their own families. We must never take their efforts and dedication for granted. I thank the staff for their unending generosity and professionalism.

Farewell

Each year we say farewell to a number of staff who begin a new chapter of their life. I begin by saying a very sincere farewell to Mark Hackett (’75), Mark has led the Junior School with distinction over the last 12 years and he will be sadly missed. At the end of the year, we say goodbye to Corinna Eagling, Smita Lall, Natasha Rich, Ben Russell, Tim Shanassy, Emily Springate, Richard Trend (’69) and Tanya Vranjes and during the year we farewelled Wanda Armenti, Camilla Coverley, Phyllis Fitzgerald, Eileen Lane, Jane Pekaar and Aimee Somerville.

Conclusion

As 2013 draws to a close, we can look back on another busy and productive year: one where students have been encouraged to realise their potential. I fervently pray that we continue to work together – clergy, parents, staff and students – to provide the best education for every student in our care. I firmly believe that we are well-placed to continue to provide a first class authentic Catholic education for the students of Trinity College.

Mr Ivan Banks Headmaster