Year 11 Awards

YEAR 11

The final two years of a student’s education is traditionally a challenging period with greater demands on their time required for academics, social activities and embracing the increased co-curricular activities that are available to them. A keen sense of focus and organisation is needed to provide the foundations for success.

To assist the boys in further developing healthy and positive study habits for these vital last two years of school, Elevate Education was engaged to give presentations at strategic times in the academic year. The first presentation was to assist them create study plans and better organise their lives around their academic commitments as well as commitments from within and outside College life. The second presentation assisted with effective study and exam revision strategies. The feedback received from the boys was positive and they felt the strategies were worthwhile to implement for their academic success. With discussions and observations amongst the cohort, it seemed many of the boys benefitted from what they learnt and they can apply these skills next year.

A defining feature of a Trinity education is the development of our students into decent men – not just academically, but also physically, culturally and spiritually. On the sporting field, it was particularly pleasing to see the many successful endeavours with most students involved in school sporting teams. It is often said that being involved in school sport ignites a passion that leads to greater things. Among the many students from the year group that represented WA in sport, I take this opportunity to especially recognise the inspiring achievements of Jackson Lee (11.6) who was selected to play in the Perth Glory A-League and Jerome Iaconi (11.8) who is ranked as the best junior tennis player in WA. These feats were achieved while still studying a full load at Trinity.

Each boy’s commitment to the Service Pillar is something that impresses me year after year and 2018 was no exception.

Every Year 11 student is required to attend a Christian Service placement at the end of Term 1 at either an aged care institution or a school for physically or intellectually challenged students. Some students faced some confronting situations in this role and, at the least, required them to step out of their comfortable worlds for a short period of time and gain a new perspective on life. A short time after their placements, the students attended the Encounter retreat where they were encouraged to reflect on their experience through guided activities. This led the boys through their own decision making in moral and ethical scenarios, where right and wrong choices were not so clear cut and their own moral compasses guided them, which is not unlike situations in real life.

Beyond the traditional Christian Service placements, so many of the cohort put their hands up for Year 11 service opportunities such as becoming a Senior Minister – who attend the Year 7 Becoming Brothers camp and continue to mentor Year 7 students throughout the year – or a Peer Minister, who participate on the Year 8 Quest retreat. With so many of the boys wanting to participate and only limited numbers available, it is always a hard decision for Campus Ministry to choose volunteers and I know this year was particularly difficult given the number of quality candidates that applied.

Apart from the opportunities above, there were many boys who also volunteered for the College’s Soup Patrol and the Winter Sleepout; both of which bring awareness to the plight of the homeless. Furthermore, a small group of Year 11 students also took part in the Kimberley Immersion, where they travelled to various locations in the Pilbara region to undertake community service work in local towns.

Every year, as a group, we raise money for a Catholic charity and in 2018 it was for Edmund Rice Camp for Kids. Each PCG arranged a fundraiser at some point throughout the year. These ranged from breakfasts, raffle of a signed West Coast Eagles jumper, chocolate sales and sausage sizzles. In total, the amount raised for our charity was over $8,300.

Mr Kenny Chan