Headmaster's Report

It is with immense pride that I present the 2016 Trinity College Annual Report. We began by acknowledging the efforts of the Class of 2015.

Mr Ivan Banks Headmaster

Many of our students performed exceptionally well, being granted entrance into their preferred course either at university or training institutes (TAFE).

Yiming Dong, the 2015 College Dux, was awarded a General Exhibition for being among the top performing eligible students in the State, based on the average of five scaled WACE exam scores with at least two from each of the humanities/social sciences list and the mathematics/science list.

Jed Herne was awarded a Course Exhibition as the top eligible student obtaining the highest combined mark in a WACE Course in Design. Three students achieved Certificates of Distinction. These certificates are presented to students who achieve in the top 0.5% of all students studying a particular course. Congratulations to Yiming Dong – Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, Jed Herne – Design and Adam Rosato – Physical Education Studies. A total of 12 students were inducted into our elite club for students achieving an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 97 or better: Joshua De Souza, Callum Dewsbury, Yiming Dong, James Heald, Jed Herne, Don Hoang, Alexander Ishida-Livings, Joseph Marino, Darcy Port, Adam Rosato, Thomas Salleo and Nathan Sparks.

We had nine students: Joshua De Souza, Callum Dewsbury, Yiming Dong, Jed Herne, Don Hoang, Alexander IshidaLivings, Darcy Port, Nathan Sparks and William Watson, achieve a Certificate of Commendation. These certificates are presented to students who achieve a minimum of 20 ‘A’ grades across their Years 11 and 12 course units. James Heald was also a worthy recipient of a UWA Fogarty Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship is the most sought after and prestigious scholarship that UWA offers to undergraduate students. There are only ten awarded State-wide, seven for metropolitan students and three for regional students. Recipients of the UWA Fogarty

Foundation Scholarship to study at UWA are selected based on academic excellence and outstanding achievements in at least three of four categories; leadership, community involvement, the arts and sport.

Jed Herne was a worthy recipient of a John Curtin Scholarship from Curtin University. The John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship is the most generous and prestigious scholarship that Curtin University offers to undergraduate students. Recipients of this scholarship have excelled in a wide range of endeavours and have lent their talents and energies to the community around them. This scholarship covers the total cost of undergraduate education.

NEW STAFF

Due to staff movement, we welcomed a number of new staff at the beginning of 2016: Mr David Allen (English), Mr Daniel Bateman (Maths), Mr Reuben Brennan (Junior School), Ms Cindy Chai (Canteen), Ms Jess Chrystal (Psychologist – Junior School), Ms Su-Fen Chung (English), Ms Melissa Coleman (Media), Mr Taylor Colton (Junior School), Mr Anthony D’Ignazio (Science), Ms Isabella Dillon (English), Ms Annalis Harbin (RE), Mr Tim Hince (Deputy Principal), Ms Eliza Knapman (Italian), Ms Alison Mackenzie (Senior Library), Mr Ben Mitchell (English), Mr Nick Moulton (Physical Education), Mr Anthony Murphy (Science), Miss Danielle Pieraccini (Media), Ms Evelyn Temmen (Junior School), Ms Lisa Webb (RE), Mr Carl Wilson (Science). During the year: Mr Rodney Holmes (Science), Ms Marilyn Honeybun (Science), Ms Lisa Potgieter (English), Mr Ben Russell (Business/PE), Ms Lana Thompson (Executive Assistant to Headmaster), and Ms Ventia Webber (Music) all joined the staff.

OUR FOUR PILLARS

Trinity College proudly offers a well-rounded education based proudly on our Four Pillars:

1. FAITH BASED EDUCATION Our Faith Based education has a threefold approach: head, heart and hands. The Religious Education program for Years 4–10 and the Religion and Life courses for Years 11 and 12 cover the head aspect. The heart approach is lived in our extensive retreat programs while the hands approach is practised in the generous and enthusiastic participation of students and staff in our extensive Christian Service programs.

As part of our commitment to providing an authentic Catholic education our Catechesis activities: Masses, liturgies, retreats, Quest and Kairos are enjoyed and well supported by our students. We gathered together as a full community to celebrate the Eucharist on a number of separate occasions including our opening school Mass in February, Ash Wednesday and for the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice. All our year groups regularly gathered together for their year group Mass.

Support for the needs of others in the wider community continues to grow. This year, considerable funds were raised for the Indian Missions through Unfair Day and the Fun Run. Funds and goods were also generously raised for St Vincent de Paul Society, the Christian Centre for Social Action and Shopfront WA. Many students took part in street appeals for various charities and fundraising events for the LifeLink Appeal, Red Cross, Edmund Rice Camps, Archbishop Goody House and Wheelchairs for Kids.

Our Christian Service program continues to provide many opportunities for our students to serve others and to learn from these experiences about living out their faith. A dozen Year 10 students participated in the Kimberley Immersion, the Year 12 Class of 2016 was outstanding in their willingness to volunteer in the service of others, with them being proactive in organising our support for Pink Sock Day in aid of the Glen McGrath Fund.

I thank those staff who teach Religious Education or who lead the Catechetical experiences. To share publicly one’s own faith and spirituality is often very difficult and, as a school, we are blessed with a group of staff who take this responsibility seriously.

2. ACADEMIC EDUCATION At Trinity we strive to provide the highest level of teaching and learning that we can. Whether in Year 4 or Year 12, our teachers are dedicated to each student realising his potential. Our students have performed well in both the NAPLAN and the OLNA tests, with our results being consistently above the State and National averages. We supplement our academic program by entering students in a variety of State, National and International competitions. Special note should be extended to Year 12 team members Kayvan Gharbi, Samuel Carbone, Farruh Mavlonov, Trong Nguyen who, in the International Mathematics Modelling Competition, was one of only two teams selected from all of Australia and were awarded a Meritorious Designation.

Year 9 student, Issac Poon was a prize winner in the Australian Mathematics Competitions with High Distinctions awarded to Year 7 students: Lachlan Eames, Benjamin Fels, Lucas Siciliano, Daniel MacCrae, Fraser O’Sullivan, Anders Phan, Flynn Tyson; Year 8 students: Matthew Bottega, Tomas Petersen, Declan Ryan; Year 9 students: Dejan Bouwhuis, Ryan Thompson; Year 10 students: Timothy Ludovico, Joseph Pinto, William Tan, Year 11 student: Jack Meakins and Year 12 student: Matthew De Cinque. Whilst in the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians, Year 10 students: Thomas Throssell, Joseph Pinto, Poh Yu Chai, David Pham, William Tan, were each awarded a High Distinction.

Two Year 11 students, Jack Meakins and James Michelon achieved a High Distinction in the Australian National Chemistry Quiz organised by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. This year, the Year 11 Media students participated in the international Zayed Future Energy Prize where they were placed in the top four in Australia/Asia. In the National Computer Science School Python Programming Competition, Andre Marchesani (11.1) achieved a perfect score and Max Thorniley (10.5) and David Adams (11.2) received High Distinctions.

Congratulations also goes to James Hoare (12.6) who was named the Western Australian winner of the National History Challenge for his essay titled Triumph or Tragedy: The Vietnam War. Congratulations also to Rohan James (12.2) who was a State finalist in the same competition.

A number of students also competed in the Australian Geography Competition with some outstanding results. Jack Clear (10.6) was placed in the top 1% in the nation.

High Distinctions were also awarded to Benjamin Doyle (8.5), Aiden Galvin (10.8), Jeremy Hansen (10.4), Leo Milazzo (12.6), David Pham (10.8) and Declan Ryan (8.1).

3. CULTURAL Providing opportunities for students to be involved in areas such as Music, Art, Dance and Drama is a priority at Trinity. Through both the formal curriculum and optional activities, the boys can develop skills in these areas. Many of these activities have a performance base and our students have been part of school-based concerts, the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival and many others.

The concert at the Quarry Amphitheatre, along with the Junior School, Middle School and Senior School concert nights, were well attended with a wonderful standard of entertainment provided.

The Aboriginal music program continued in a similar direction this year with an emphasis on composing and writing songs. Jesse Pigram (12.7) and Rashawn Reuben (12.5) wrote and performed Praise your Love with other group members of the band Diversity, Isaiah (10.5) and Nehemiah Reuben (7.8). They performed along with the ‘didge boys’ for the NAIDOC Assembly and Presentation Night. Connor Brahim (12.5) performed a solo didgeridoo piece for Presentation Night. Jake Cox (12.2) coordinated and performed an authentic cultural dance with eight other Aboriginal students and performed at the NAIDOC Assembly. Jesse Pigram was awarded Outstanding ATAR Aboriginal Student for 2016 through the Catholic Education Office.

The 2016 Student Art Exhibition was held in October, showcasing the work of some impressive Visual Arts students. The Parents and Friends’ viewing evening has continued to be a valuable addition to the Visual Arts calendar. During the year the Art Department provided opportunities for students to work with local artists, including ceramicist, Amanda Shelsher, and visual artist and university lecturer, Marie Haass. These professional artists worked with selected groups of boys providing specialist knowledge in their respective art forms. Several Trinity boys had their artwork selected for the prestigious Angelico Art Exhibition which showcases outstanding artworks produced by students in Catholic schools. Among the individual student achievements Thomas Payne (10.3) won a Highly Commended prize in the Angelico Art Exhibition.

From the Dance Showcase in Term 2, to strong performances in the Performing Arts Festival and highlight acts at both the Junior and Senior Presentation Nights, both BIG and GIG have had a memorable year under the direction of Ms Laura Boynes. I thank Laura for her wonderful contribution to dance at Trinity over the last two years.

Drama at the College has taken another step forward with its second year of WACE students completing the course. The production this year was Lord of the Flies which was a creative and engaging performance with a disciplined and enthusiastic cast. Once again, a number of Drama students performed in the Catholic Performing Arts Festival and achieved some excellent results.

Junior School Almost all our Junior School boys participated in the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival and it is pleasing to report that many of the Junior School choirs received Honourable Mentions. The Junior Vocal Ensemble won the Brigidine Sisters Shield and received Honourable Mentions for all their performances. A number of other students competing in individual events also performed particularly well, including Gabriel Pereira (4G) who won the award for outstanding piano solo. The recently formed Year 6 Wind Ensemble performed well, receiving an Honourable Mention. The Junior String Ensemble has grown in numbers this year and continues to improve their performance skills.

Senior School Trinity continues to perform to the highest levels in the Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools and Colleges. For the 13th consecutive year we have been awarded the Zenith Music Award for the most outstanding school in the festival. This is a remarkable achievement of which all our Music, Dance and Drama students should be proud.

Congratulations are extended to the following groups and individuals who were awarded shields in their respective sections of the festival. Trinity/Mercedes Chorale (Secondary Choral, Sacred Music, Liturgical music – original composition), Luis Santos (12.1) and Kayvan Gharbi (12.8) (Secondary Instrumental Duet), Ciaran Paxman (8.2) (Secondary Pianoforte/Pipe Organ solo), Clarinet Quartet (Instrumental Ensemble), Junior Vocal Ensemble (Primary Choral Singing), Luis Santos – (Chapman Scholarship for Secondary Strings) and Gabriel Pereira (Primary Pianoforte solo).

This year our Senior Chorale travelled to the United Kingdom and Ireland to sing with American choral conductor, Janet Galvan and workshop with Professor Andrea de Quadros. During the course of the school year our students also had the opportunity to work with Indian music master Sandip Burman, members of the Magellan trio and international clarinettist, Andrew Simon.

4. SPORT Sport is an important aspect of the education of young men. Through sport they have an opportunity to learn more about themselves and others. They learn to develop resilience in defeat and humility in victory. We have a clearly stated philosophy that every student must play a summer and winter sport for Trinity and I believe that it is this commitment to their fellow students that assists in developing the Trinity Spirit for which we are renowned.

Success in sport should never be measured in terms of silverware in the trophy cabinet. Rather, it is the participation and enjoyment of each student that speaks of the success of our sports program.

Junior School Our Junior School boys are fully involved with JPSSA swimming (fifth), cross-country (sixth) and athletics (first) carnivals, as well as the summer and winter sports programs. Junior School students were also involved in the Ian MacRae AFL Cup, the Katich-Moody Cricket Shield as well as being strong contenders in the State Championships for Soccer and Triathlon with Soccer winning the State Championship for the second year in a row.

Jesse Pigram performing at the NAIDOC Assembly, with his father Mr David Pigram

Senior School At assemblies I was pleased to acknowledge the students who represented Trinity at various sports and to be presented with the Hamer Cup (Rowing – Champion School), Challenge Cup (1st VIII Rowing), the Br Carrigg Shield (Volleyball), the Blackwood Cup (1st V Basketball) and the Moyes Trophy (Senior Cross Country).

Many of our students excelled on the sporting field representing Western Australia or Australia in their respective age divisions.

Athletics – Victor Le Tessier (9.7), Will McDonald (12.5), Thomas Throssell (10.4); Baseball – Aiden Austen (9.1), Conor Merton (11.2); Basketball – Rory Charles (7.2) (WA Country), Luca O’Brien (8.5), Sebit Reath (12.5), Chase Ridley (7.7); Cricket – Jesse Messere (10.6), Brendan McPhee (10.7); Cross Country – Caden Barnett (5W), Hayden Boffey (10.1); Football – Jedd Busslinger (7.5), Brandon Starcevich (11.1); Futsal – Taiga Matoba (7.2); Hockey – Benjamin Fels (7.6), Mitchell McGrath (7.4), Cameron Pell (8.5); Indoor Cricket – Matthew Bottega (8.2), Daniel Vos (8.6); Rugby – Jamie Bonner (11.8), Reesjan Pasitoa (9.6), Josh Spittal (12.3); Soccer – Jackson Lee (9.6) (WA and Australian Joeys), Nicholas McDonald (9.7), Mason Tatafu (9.5); Surf Lifesaving – Lachlan Meldrum (11.2); Swimming – Ethan Bradley (10.4), Cameron Leach (8.2); Taekwondo – Eric Bonney (8.5); Volleyball – Daniel Fitzgerald (10.2), Tylen Keizer (10.3), Nichollas Montero (11.4); Water Polo – Matthew Gibb (11.1), Jed Thompson (12.8) (WA and Australian Under 19).

A number of Old Boys continue to follow their sporting dream and are involved in sport to a very high level.

FACILITIES

This has been another busy year with respect to the further development of our facilities. The blessing by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe and the opening of the Sports Centre by Executive Director of Edmund Rice Education Australia, Dr Wayne Tinsey, on 15 November was a memorable event. At this same event we unveiled the Sports Honour Boards — a wonderful tribute to sporting excellence tracking back to 1894. The College continues to work closely with Lend Lease regarding the Waterbank Development, the Perth Transport Authority regarding transport options for the stadium, York Rizzani de Eccher the successful tenders for the new walk bridge connecting East Perth with the stadium and the WACA regarding their new Master Plan development.

THANK YOU TO THE CLERGY

My thanks are extended to all the clergy who have played a role in the College but I especially thank Archbishop Costelloe who generously gave his time to bless our new Sports Centre and also to Fra Oscar Aguilera who, as our College Chaplain, makes himself available for Masses, sacramental programs and retreats and his support and presence are greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARENTS

Trinity College can be very proud of its parental involvement. It is a credit to the College that we are blessed with a group of parents who believe that the education of their sons deserves their involvement. The value of having such extensive support from a large number of parents must never be underestimated. Many of them take on an additional burden of leadership within their groups and I thank them for the extra time and energy that this involves.

THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF

Trinity College is blessed with an extraordinary staff. I am constantly in awe of the number of opportunities that our staff members are prepared to initiate and undertake for our students. Many of these opportunities occur during weekends and over the holidays when our staff would usually be with their own families. We must never take their efforts and dedication for granted. I thank the staff for their unending generosity and professionalism.

FAREWELL

Each year we say farewell to a number of staff who begin a new chapter of their life. We say goodbye to Ms Laura Boynes (Dance), Mr John Braby (Maintenance), Mr David Ceccarelli (Italian), Mr Taylor Colton (Junior School), Mr John Cumpsty (Maths), Mr Anthony D’Ignazio (Science), Ms Sandra Doick (Administration), Ms Susie Edwards (Maths), Ms Annalis Harbin (Religious Education), Mr Richard Herrmann (English), Mr Rodney Holmes (Science), Ms Marilyn Honeybun (Science), Ms Darlene Levett (Inclusive Education), Miss Athena Litis (Music), Miss Lisa Mack (English), Ms Helen Metcalf (Music), Mr Chris Morris (Humanities), Mr Nick Moulton (Physical Education), Mr Anthony Murphy (Science), Mr Andrew Osnain (Humanities), Mr John Overton (Business/Physical Education), Ms Lisa Potgieter (English), Mr Michael Roche (Information Technology), Mr Jean-Marc Rousset (Italian), Miss Deborah Smit (Speech Therapist), Ms Roxanne Smith (Psychologist), Ms Lisa Webb (Religious Education) and Mr Carl Wilson (Science).

CONCLUSION

As 2016 draws to a close, we can look back on another busy and productive year, one where students have been encouraged to realise their potential. I fervently pray that we continue to work together—clergy, parents, staff and students—to provide the best education for every student in our care. I firmly believe that we are well placed to continue to provide a first class authentic Catholic education for the students of Trinity College.

Mr Ivan Banks

Headmaster

Ciaran Paxman, Thomas Cotter, Reuben Tuffin, Dr Robert Braham, Kayvan Gharbi, Luis Santos and Hugo Katich with their CPAF shield trophies

Ethan Hansen and Matthew D’Souza on the Kimberley Immersion Pink Sock Day soccer match