3 minute read
Society & Environment
The year 2014 has been a most industrious year for the Society & Environment learning area. We have welcomed a number of new staff, who have brought with them a refreshing energy and creativity as to ways of making the study of humanities an enjoyable experience for our students. Mr Chris Morris joined us as our Geography specialist. We have also had Ms Katriese Dalgety and Ms Sonia Scordo join us for a portion of the year as maternity leave replacements. I wish them both well as they move onto permanent positions with other schools. I know that the passion for our subject demonstrated by the staff can only have a positive impact on our students. This passion was certainly reflected in the 2013 WACE results. I congratulate all Society & Environment teachers for the countless hours of hard work in preparing our students for their final exams. This learning journey doesn’t just commence in Year 12, but begins with students developing the habits and discipline required to succeed from Year 7.
The study of the humanities is of great importance to our students in this fast-paced world in which we live. It is vital that boys have the skills to think critically and creatively, as well as making moral, intellectual and spiritual sense of the world. With parts of our world under threat from war, terrorism, climate change and a multitude of other negative influences, it is important that this generation have a sound skill set to make them informed and critical leaders.
There have been many of these opportunities presented to our students over the course of 2014. A number of students have participated in various conventions and competitions. Andrew Bottega (12.3) attended the National Schools Constitutional Convention at Old Parliament House in Canberra. Conor McCarthy-Rymer (10.6) participated in the Sir Charles Court Young Leaders Program at Curtin University. Brendan Jackson (11.6) was selected on the Premier’s Anzac Tour to Malaysia. Stratos Sarris (10.6) participated in the United Nations Youth Australia (UNYA) Crisis Point Convention and Tennessee Buti (9.2) attended the UNYA Young Leaders Day at UWA. Year 11 Accounting and Finance students participate in The Business Experience at Edith Cowan University. Jack Newman (11.7) and James Heald (11.2) attended the WA Schools Constitutional Convention and Economics students attended the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Student Convention.
The chance to move the classroom outdoors is always appealing. This year Mr Chris Morris ran a very successful Year 11 Geography Camp to Harvey as well as a number of fieldwork experiences for the Year 12s. The Year 7s visited the Canning River Eco-Education Centre whilst the Year 9s did a walking tour of Fremantle visiting such iconic sites as the Round House, Fremantle Prison, the Duyfken and the Maritime and Shipwreck Museums. They also sat in on sessions of the District and Supreme Courts and visited the Sir Francis Burt Law Centre.
The access to professionals who specialise in particular fields is always of importance in delivering a quality curricula. This year, students have had the opportunity to hear firsthand from former Howard Government Minister and Trinity parent, Chris Ellison; barristers Dr Jessica Henderson, Seamus Rafferty and Paul Yovich; Graylands Hospital Chief Psychiatrist, Vicki Pascu; former Rudd and Gillard Government Minister Stephen Smith; Notre Dame University Academic Dr Martin Drum; Watercorp employee and former parent Mal Harris and campaigner for justice, John Button. Hearing these stories first-hand helps to make our subjects real and I thank these wonderful people for giving up their valuable time to benefit our students. As the year rapidly draws to an end, I thank all the Society & Environment staff for another great year. The support for one another and the collegial approach to doing what is always best for our students, is what makes working at Trinity College so rewarding.
Mr Chris Allanson (’91) Head of Society & Environment
