Junior School

On a personal level, returning to the College where I spent my secondary school years has proved to be a fulfilling experience.

Mr Martin Tucker (‘87) Head of Junior School

The culture at Trinity is truly unique and the Junior School is a wonderful place to be. The boys receive excellent educational opportunities, as well as access to a range of outlets to help them develop into well-rounded young men.

I am fortunate to walk into a school where a great deal of support exists between parents and the staff. Parent evenings are always well attended as are the weekly interschool sporting fixtures and it is terrific for the boys to play in front of so many friendly faces. The willingness of parents to attend camps is amazing and helps to further nurture the sense of community. Having a strong and positive connection between parents and staff contributes to the ideal that we are on a journey together to do what is best for our boys.

Educationally, there have been a number of areas the teachers have focussed on this year. They have continued to work together in order to improve their teaching of reading and have also investigated better ways to teach spelling. As a Junior School, we have adopted the Diana Rigg Spelling Program which targets the boys’ various spelling needs. The Years 5 and 6 students continue to be streamed for Mathematics. This enables the teachers to focus on providing a better balance of support and challenge for each individual boy. The Year 4 teachers have focussed on providing their boys with the opportunity to enhance their skills in understanding problem-solving in Mathematics this year. The use of technology to engage the boys’ learning has also been a feature this year and this will remain a focus for 2015.

Supporting and challenging the boys at their various ability levels is the essence of a good school. Educational support, ably guided by Mrs Ricki Boe working with the classroom teachers, is an integral part of the Junior School. Challenging our very capable academic boys to think creatively is also important. This takes place both in the classrooms and in programs such as our gifted and talented program. Providing an opportunity for the boys to work collaboratively while competing against their peers from other schools has also been a worthwhile experience. Our Year 6 team won a state wide competition called Clued Up Kids, run by the Law Society of Western Australia. Their entry also won the national competition and this was a tremendous achievement. Our Years 4 and 5 chess teams won their inter-school competitions and our ‘A’ Grade Year 6 team finished third.

Maintaining good communication has been a particular focus for the Junior School teachers and the boys’ learning has been shared via class blogs, teacher emails, formal reporting and the availability of the teachers for interviews. Reporting underwent a major change and our reports are now based on Australian curriculum outcomes. There was also a change to the appearance of our reports as the data is now formulated by the SEQTA Program. To help parents adjust to these changes, parent information sessions were held and were well attended. In Term 1, the boys led their parents through a learning journey showcasing some of the activities covered in class.

The generosity of the boys and their families has been on display on a number of occasions during the year. While the weekly giving of missions for the India Pilgrimage has been outstanding, I have been pleasantly overwhelmed by the willingness of the boys to get behind other worthwhile causes. Their generosity has constantly exceeded my expectations. This year the boys donated five baskets of lucky dip prizes to Princess Margaret Hospital. These prizes are given to children who have cancer after they finish a session of chemotherapy. They also contributed enough money to purchase six wheelchairs for Brother Olly Pickett’s workshop. In addition, the boys rallied behind Year 9 student, Finn Allen (9.3), who was diagnosed with leukaemia, and his family. The boys provided support with their thoughts and prayers, and by donating over $2300 leading up to a special assembly where eight Old Boys had their heads shaved. Developing this culture where boys feel empathy and have an outlet to serve and help others in need is a valuable and positive life lesson.

The Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association has maintained a strong presence in the Junior School. The transition of leadership from Mr Darren Taggart (‘83) to Mr Peter Torre (‘89) has been seamless and the three TOBA assemblies each term are highlights. During the year Mr Taggart and Mr Torre have shared the traditions and history of the College, the Junior School Houses and the PSA sporting origins. The TOBA assemblies provide a very real connection for the boys as current students to the lifelong link that is possible. Seeing the boys so enthusiastically participate in war cries and lining up for

Mars Bars will be images that stay with me for a long time. Some of the pride that the boys feel for Trinity can be attributed to the efforts of TOBA.

The service to the College by Mrs Janine Wyatt cannot be understated. In many ways she has been the face of the Junior School, the first point of contact for parents and a listening ear for the boys. As a library teacher, Mrs Wyatt has shared her love of books with the boys and encouraged and inspired many boys into reading that first book, such a powerful experience! In over 20 years as an educator, I have not come across a teacher who has made the library as exciting a place as Mrs Wyatt has done for our boys. To put it simply, they love the library and they love Mrs Wyatt. We all hope she thoroughly enjoys her well-deserved retirement.

Finally, a personal highlight of the year is seeing the boys grow into fine young gentlemen, striving to be the best that they can be. I thank the Trinity College Junior School community for their part in a wonderful 2014.

Mr Martin Tucker (‘87) Head of Junior School