Year 12

Despite being smaller in number, they have always been a tight-knit group of students who, with great enthusiasm, have accepted the challenges that come with being a Trinity College student.

The year started off with the prefects meeting for the first time and dividing up the portfolios of academic, music, sports, music and social. This was also the first time that Head Prefect, Brayden Keizer (12.1), addressed them on the topic of ‘how to be a better leader’. Throughout the year these prefects have attended leadership seminars and have represented the College with pride. Finally the staff/student soccer match was played with great spirit, with the prefects overcoming a desperate staff team with some well-timed goals. The prefects have done an outstanding job this year in leading and shaping the cohort and I could not be more proud of the way in which they have conducted themselves. Special mention goes to Brayden Keizer (12.1) and Andrew Bottega (12.3) for providing such strong role models for their fellow students to follow.

Once again, there was a strong focus on the religious aspect of College life. Every Year 12 attended the Tabgha retreat and stopped to take time out of their hectic lives to meditate and look after their spiritual side. The feedback from this retreat was very positive indeed. At the start of the year a small group of boys also attended the India Pilgrimage, giving up some of their holidays to do something purely for someone else who is much worse off than we are. Throughout the year the cohort attended Mass together and these were very inclusive events with many different boys volunteering to help out. The singing at these events was of a very high standard as the Music Ministry and Senior Choir sang with great exuberance. The three Kairos retreats also provided students an opportunity to stop and take time to learn about themselves.

The current group of Year 12s are the only year group to be given a title – the half year cohort. This group of boys has always been special in that they have stood out from the crowd from day one of high school.

Mr Bobby Emmanuel Head of Year 12

Prefects 2014 Back Row: Jayden Balestra, Damon Keizer, Max Formato, Morgan Hindle, Francis James, Andrew Florido, Stephen Murphy, Jack Kay, Mr Bobby Emmanuel Front Row: Benjamin Kruize, Declan Hayward, Daniel Bendotti, Brayden Keizer, Andrew Bottega, Connor Duffin, Brandon Porcaro, Andrew Lim

The feedback from these retreats was excellent as many Old Boys returned to take charge and lead future Kairos events.

The social event of the year was the Year 12 Ball. This year the theme was ‘the blue lotus’, inspired by the Tin Tin graphic novel. Over the Term 1 holidays, Gibney Hall was transformed into a Shanghai nightclub, complete with a giant dragon, and a window looking out over the harbour. The boys and their partners looked on in wonder as the canteen area became a village bar and the stairway was transformed into a garden complete with faux pond and wooden bridge. The highlight of the evening were the dragon dancers who entertained with agile moves and a cacophony of drums and symbols. It truly was one of the best balls ever held at Trinity College.

Musical and cultural success also continued to be a focus this year. Many Year 12s were proud to be involved in the Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools and contributed to the numerous awards that were collected including the Zenith Award, and other awards such as piano, solo duet, swing band and senior chorale.

The Year 12s also contributed to the sporting success of the College. The 1st volleyball and basketball sides won their competitions with many boys who trained hard and competed to the highest level in their respective sports. The swimming and athletics carnivals drew a crowd as the 12s cheered and chanted with great gusto to urge their comrades over the finish line. The amount of TC Spirit shown at these events was awe-inspiring. In conclusion, it has been a fantastic year for the graduates of 2014 and I must give thanks to the pastoral care group teachers, Ms Rita Basilio, Mrs Judy Dawson, Miss Lisa Mack, Mrs Lissa Coleman and Mr Ross Jacobs who spent so much time and effort in caring for the boys this year. It has been a very positive and rewarding time for the five years that I have led this group and I wish them all the best of luck, success and happiness for the future.

Mr Bobby Emmanuel Head of Year 12