Valedictory Address at Presentation Night

Good evening special guests, staff, ladies, gentlemen and my fellow students. Welcome to the 2015 Trinity College Presentation Night.

Alex Ishida-Livings (12.5) Head Prefect 2015

As the academic year draws to a close and another chapter of the Trinity College tradition is concluded, we gather as a proud School community, to recognise and reflect on the wonderful accomplishments the College has achieved over the past ten months. This night also provides us with the chance to look towards the future with hope and optimism, as new opportunities beckon.

But first, let us review the year that was. The year 2015 was another very successful year for the College, with many awards and commendations being presented across our Four Pillars.

The Trinity 1st volleyball and soccer teams won their respective trophies, whilst the rowing collective also won the Hamer Cup. Academically, the College once again experienced much success across multiple fields and, culturally, Trinity maintained its reputation as being home to one of the best Music Departments in the State by winning the prestigious Zenith Award at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival for the twelfth successive year.

However, it was within the Pillar of Christian Service that I experienced the biggest sense of pride. Earlier this year, Trinity was pronounced inaugural winners of the Archbishop’s Prize, presented to the school who gave most generously to the Western Australian based charity, Lifelink.

The reason why this achievement made me most proud, is because rather than it being awarded due to the excellence of a few individuals, it was the commitment and selflessness of the entire College community which led to its presentation.

Blessed Edmund Rice once said “were we to know the merit and value of only going from one street to another to serve a neighbour for the love of God, we should prize it more than silver and gold.”

Mr Banks, Nicholas Moulton and Alex Ishida-Livings receive the Archbishop’s Spirit Award from Bishop Sproxton

Alex with his parents at the Prefects Investiture Morning Tea

Whilst we as a community are humbled to receive such an accolade in its first year of existence, Trinity men do not give out of a desire to receive recognition, praise or material rewards. Trinity men have a strong desire to give out of the kindness in their hearts in order to contribute to the collective goal of achieving solidarity throughout the world.

This character is formed and developed through our association to Edmund Rice Education Australia and their strong doctrine expressed in the form of four key Touchstones. The Touchstones represent the values and charisms of Blessed Edmund, and are frequently reinforced within everyday College life. These Touchstones are Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, Justice and Solidarity and Liberating Education.

It is derived from this that our mantra of Men for Others is developed and a Trinity education provides students with the opportunity to let this ideal blossom. This mantra is somewhat of a culture and a lifestyle by which Trinity students live and subsequently we are encouraged to express this in our day to day lives. Throughout my time as a student, I have heard on several occasions the implication that there is a noticeable difference between the demeanour of a Trinity man compared to those from other schools and I firmly believe that this is due to the benevolent nature instilled within us from a young age.

Upon my impending graduation, I shall be able to say that in my nine years at the College, I have been provided with the best possible foundation for my entrance into the adult world. Trinity College has created within me a definition and an understanding of what it is to be a modern day gentleman – something which I will treasure forever.

It has been both an honour and a privilege to have attended such a marvellous school and it is at this moment that I, on behalf of the Class of 2015, would like to thank our parents and guardians for providing us with this opportunity. Your generosity and commitment towards giving us the best possible chance of realising our maximum potential is something for which we will be eternally grateful.

Mr Banks and Mr Jenkin with the 2015 Prefects

Year 12 Staff v Year 12 Soccer match

To the teachers and staff: it has been a pleasure to have been able to get to know you all over these past few years and the influence that you have left upon us will be everlasting. Rest assured that all your hard work, often behind the scenes, does not go unrecognised and we are most grateful for your extensive efforts.

To the newly-elected prefect body and the future leaders of the College: in the coming years, you will be exposed to a new world full of opportunities and I encourage you to approach and make the most of as many of these as you can. Whilst there will indeed be stressful times, do not be afraid to reach out to your peers, as they will always be there for you.

Finally, to my fellow Class of 2015 members: whilst I will go into further depth regarding our experiences next week at the graduation assembly, I take this chance to reinforce my gratitude for your support across my nine years at the College. I hope that in my role as Head Prefect, I have successfully fulfilled your expectations and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity you have given me. It has been truly humbling to have led such a fine group of young men and I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours. In just under a week, the time will have come for 175 boys to say goodbye to the place we have called our second home for a majority of our lives. And in the years to come, when we return as men, I look forward to observing the ways in which Trinity has developed and thrived. With the Master Plans implementation now in motion, these are indeed exciting times for the College, and under the guidance of Mr Banks, I trust that the College is headed for even greater places.

However, whilst the campus may well be changing, I can assure you that our fundamental values will have remained stalwart. As the former President of TOBA, Darren Taggart (‘83) once said “you can take the man out of Trinity… but you can’t take the Trinity out of the man”.

It has and will continue to be an absolute honour to be able to label myself a Man of Trinity, and I wish Mr Banks and his staff the very best in guiding the College and its students into the future.

Thank you and God bless.