Valedictory Address at Presentation Night

Good evening and welcome, staff, special guests, ladies and gentlemen and of course, my fellow students, to the College Presentation night.

Brayden Keizer (12.1) Head Prefect 2014

This night is both an opportunity for celebration and reflection – a commemoration of the achievements of Trinity College students throughout the school year and also a chance for the graduating class of 2014 to recognise our legacy and turn towards what the future holds.

This year we have had the privilege to write another page of the vibrant tapestry that is Trinity College’s rich history, inextricable as it is from service, care for the poor and education in the spirit of equality. From humble beginnings in Waterford Ireland in 1802 the Christian Brothers and their work has grown into a global force for education in the spirit of the Gospel.

Whilst Trinity College understands that our own history – and our collective history as part of the Christian education movement – is of paramount importance, we must also heed the notion that the past has no power over the present moment. It is for this present moment in time that Trinity College seeks to prepare us – to combat injustices as Christ did, to embody the example of Edmund Rice, and to fight our world’s many inequities with the flaming sword of love and peace. Throughout my time as part of this community, I have witnessed first-hand its inclusivity and the spirit of altruism and service that it embodies – it is no wonder that Edmund’s simple vision for a better education for Ireland’s poorest boys has grown into an international community of like-minded people dedicated to social justice.

Nearer to home, Trinity College Perth has continued to embody its ‘Men for Others’ ethos. I stand here today as a proud young man who has spent nine years – half of my life – as a Trinity College student. A boy who became a man, and a student who has grown to know more about me, others and life itself than I ever thought possible.

Reflecting on the privilege that we have all enjoyed in attending such a passionate and unique school, we must give the sincerest of thanks to the sacrifice, hard work and dedication of our parents and loved ones. It was they who ensured that we received a first-class education not only in an academic sense, but also, and more importantly, on social morality, faith and service. For the tireless commitment and dedication to the betterment of our education, I salute and commend all Trinity staff, parents, guardians, friends and, indeed, all members of our special community.

2014 Prefects with Mr Banks

Throughout this year we have seen Trinity excel in all arenas – on various sporting fields, in music auditoriums, in the classroom and amongst our faith in service programs. Whether it be at our campus in East Perth or on the international stage, Trinity men have been there representing the excellence, compassion and love that the Holy Trinity and the three crowns on our chest pocket represent. We have all dared to be better and dared to create positive change in our world, outshining our own perceived limitations and exceeding the expectations placed on our generation by society at large.

It is said “that he who finds a friend finds a great treasure.” I have discovered treasures greater than any gold or silver in my teachers and friends at Trinity College. I can say with confidence too that the Class of 2014 shares this great treasure of friendship with each other. Once again, it is also the friendships that we have been able to build across year groups – through peer leadership programs, school socials and the myriad of community events on offer – that sets the interconnectivity of our Trinity community apart from that of the average high school.

If it is true that the person who finds a friend finds true riches, imagine then the gravity of the treasure we enjoy when we find ourselves. For most, this process is a life-long journey, an epic pilgrimage of self-discovery facilitated by life’s trials and tribulations.

For Trinity men, it is somewhat different. Upon graduating this year, I can proudly say that in my nine years here, Trinity has enabled me to find myself. In the service of others and my commitment to social justice, academic excellence, sportsmanship and artistic endeavours I have set the unshakeable foundation of my own self-definition. We all have.

In this, Trinity College has given my peers and I the greatest treasure in life, and for that we are eternally grateful. Whilst achievements such as winning 1st team sporting seasons, interschool debates and performing arts competitions are important, and indeed fondly remembered by me and by all in our community, more importantly, and perhaps less recognised, are the events, situations and moments in which Trinity men have been able to grow in character and display humility in defeat.

It is amongst the unproclaimed and humble happenings of our service programs, our academic perseverance and our commitment to the ethos of the College in all realms that the true nature of our College has been defined.

The great modern philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, theorised (amongst other notions) the idea that in any social or indeed human environment, the nature or meaning of words and ideas are relative and subjective, and thus only as true as how they are represented.

To me, this ideology rings true with such organisations as Trinity College. What it means to be a Trinity man or indeed, what is connoted by a community such as ours, is entirely in our own hands, and ever-changing. The generations of Trinity students, teachers and parents that have gone before us have forged by their example a College that is defined by such superlatives as integrity, compassion and selflessness, and our current generation has, in my opinion, been successful in ensuring that this understanding of Trinity College has been maintained and even improved.

I take the opportunity now to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to my fellow classmates, who, a year ago, entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the student body of the College for 2014. It has been greatly humbling to lead such a fine group of young men, and I hope that my service and example this year has done justice to your expectations.

Brayden Keizer (12.1) Head Prefect 2014

I truly hope I have fulfilled my role as a leader within a Catholic context in accordance with Trinity College’s proud history.

To my fellow prefects, I thank you deeply for your service and support. To Andrew Bottega (12.3) our deputy Head Prefect and to all the prefects – your leadership and dedication to this College have been awe-inspiring. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for your maintained commitment and ongoing friendship.

To my head of year, Mr Bobby Emmanuel, and indeed to all my teachers and coaches, I wish you all the best for your future endeavours and extend my deepest gratitude for your emotional, intellectual and spiritual guidance. I thank you, on behalf of us all, for your enthusiasm and unwavering faith in our abilities.

Finally, I extend my love and gratitude to my family. Thank you so much for your unconditional support and ceaseless sacrifice. To make you proud is the reason I strive so relentlessly for excellence and self-improvement.

Before I leave I remind you all that the goal of education in its truest sense is the strengthening of both the intellect and the personal character. Trinity has taught me that as we study and learn we are able to grow in discipline but also in genuine care for social justice – as we apply ourselves in the classroom to foster the growth of our minds, a Trinity education also fosters the growth of our hearts.

An education in the tradition and inspiration of Jesus is the best tool by which we can arm ourselves to change the world. It is not just a preparation for life, but rather the essence of life itself.

Trinity College has taught me to live as if I were to die tomorrow, but to love and learn as if I were to live eternally.

As we – the Class of 2014 and the wider Trinity community – move through this world of ceaseless change and ever-growing inter-connectedness we must come to appreciate that nothing that comes to us ever stays. But, just as everything must go, the important lessons, privileges and friendships are never lost, and the priceless Trinity experience will live like a flame burning in our souls forever.

May Jesus light your path, and may God keep you all in the hollow of his hand.

Thankyou.