7 minute read
Valedictory Address
Valedictory Address at Presentation Night
William Colreavy (12.3) Head Prefect 2013
Good evening Mr Banks, special guests, ladies and gentlemen and my fellow students.
I speak to you tonight with a mixture of pride and humility, and invite you to share with us this important evening where we add another page to the traditions of our College, a night where we come together to recognise and celebrate, not only the achievements of individuals, but the successes, we as a community, have achieved throughout 2013.
Although it seems not long ago that I first walked through the Centenary Gates as a timid Year 4 student – it now becomes the final chapter in our experience as students of Trinity College as the Class of 2013. As we come to the closing stages of our life at school we look beyond the steel blue gates and limestone walls and into an ever-changing world.
I consider myself very privileged to have been given the opportunity to have attended Trinity College, for the tradition and communal elements that this school is founded on makes being a custodian of this tradition an honour to be proud of.
Fifty years ago Martin Luther King spoke to a great people about their better future and provided a dream of equality and hope for a struggling nation. His dream was not to get elected and not to become rich. It was a dream that was for everyone to unite in the face of adversity.
In months, years and now decades that followed Luther King’s pledge, his dream became our dream and great strides forward occurred and continue to happen every day. Similar to the works of Luther King, Edmund Ignatius sacrificed a lifestyle of comfort and wealth to strive for his dream in providing the children less fortunate with a well-rounded education in Ireland. A man who lived a life by the ethics of compassion, determination and humility sprouted an organisation that spread throughout the globe, providing an education to the poor.
A defining trait shared between these two inspirational leaders is that they dreamed, pursued and achieved what many would have considered impossible and beyond the stretch of their imagination.
It can be recognised that in fact Trinity College, as a community, is a product of Edmund, a man’s dream to have an impact in changing the world, through the influence of moulding young boys into fine young men, men ready-equipped with the values and education to strive manfully in the reality beyond the Centenary Gates.
The Colreavy family at the Senior leaders Assembly
Prefects 2013 with Mr Banks
After 51 years at East Perth, and 68 years at The Terrace, the dream envisaged by Edmund Rice lives on. His legacy and spirit following the mantra of being Men for Others has been inculcated in the actions and characteristics of the Trinity man.
An intangible element of our College, recognised as the TC Spirit, is something which resides within the hearts of all at Trinity. In essence, this is what defines a Trinity man, as we come to know that in this world of change, nothing, which comes, stays, and nothing, which goes, is lost. The spirit of which our culture distinguishes itself from any other can be seen through the actions of Trinity men actively involved in our Four Pillars of Education; our Faith, Academia, Sport and Culture.
Throughout the year in all arenas, from the classroom to our debating teams, to our reputable sporting teams, action in faith and performance in the auditorium, Trinity men have excelled whilst proudly representing the College with the prestigious ‘three crowns’ on their chest. It can be seen that the past and present students of this community have dared to dream and outshone beyond the expectations placed on them.
The resilience, dedication and perseverance can be highlighted with our successes in our Senior Project this year; taking out our tenth consecutive Zenith title; victories in water polo, volleyball and rowing; and notable prizes and awards in countless mathematics and science competitions. It is through the achievement of these feats as a community that we have excelled.
However, although these achievements deserve the highest accolades my most profound memories come from the moments where no medallions were awarded. It is there, where in the face of defeat we stood with humility and with great pride for we knew that every individual representing the community were striving to achieve their greatest potential for the College. Phil Jackson, considered one of the greatest American basketball coaches of all time, once said, “the strength of the team is in each individual member, the strength of each member is in the team”.
As individuals we would not have achieved our successes without the tireless efforts of so many around us in this community.
On behalf of the student body, particularly the Class of 2013, I would like to thank our parents and guardians for your commitment and dedication towards helping us to achieve our maximum potential. For the extra strain placed on your shoulders whilst we have been attending school and providing the opportunity to attend such a remarkable school as Trinity, I thank you.
Final address at the Year 12 Graduation Assembly
To the teachers and staff, the effect you have on us could be an eternity, for nobody knows or can tell just how far your influence will extend. For the friendships whilst teaching us far more than just a textbook education and the encouragement for us to excel beyond our expectations, I thank you. Your efforts and devotion towards us does not go unrecognised.
To the younger leaders of the College, I encourage you to make the most of all the opportunities at this school. As the Class of 2013 and I have come to the sad realisation, your time here is limited: your future and the future of this community are within your hands accompanied with a sea of opportunity.
I extend my thanks and appreciation to my fellow classmates, who, some twelve months ago, entrusted me as their Head Prefect. It has been humbling to lead such a fine group of young men. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity you have given me and hope that I have fulfilled the duties and expectations as well as you would have hoped and deserve.
So, to my fellow classmates, as we come to the end of a significant chapter in our lives, I thank you for your service to the College. When we entered the gates some years ago, on Orientation Day, I would never have dreamt of the connection we have made and the strength of the friendships we have forged.
My brothers, our many achievements as a cohort are epitomised through your loyalty and pride in this community. However, in my opinion, the greatest achievement of all is the innate sense of camaraderie we have developed and shared through forming life-long friendships.
I would never have my experience at this College any other way, and on this note I could never have asked for a greater Prefect body. Luke Cannell (12.1) our Deputy Head Prefect and the Prefects – your commitment and leadership has been nothing short of exceptional and for your service, I thank you.
In the words of the Trinity Terrace Old Boys’ President, Darren Taggart (’83), “you can take the man out of Trinity … but you can’t take the Trinity out of the man”. Forever we are custodians of this great community, forever our friendships will last the test of time, forever our memories will stay with us and forever we will be branded as Trinity men – men who I can stand here proudly now and say “you are my brothers”.
I encourage you to aspire towards your greatest potential in the world beyond school, and I hope you will follow your dreams and resist taking the path others before you have taken and, instead, lead where no others have gone before you and leave a trail.
Thank you and God bless.
William Colreavy (12.3) Head Prefect 2013
Year 12 Ball – The Great Gatsby
William receives The Christian Brothers’ Medal from Mr Banks on Presentation Night
