From the Principal

Recently, I spoke with the young people in our Junior School about what it means to be a part of a community. 

More specifically, I focused on the idea that being part of a community is a privilege, as in a community you give and receive. You contribute and you benefit. You can thrive because of the community’s ability to support you, and you can make an impact by what you do. 

This concept was underpinned by Tim Minchin’s comments of late that,

“The data shows happiness is most likely achieved through a meaningful contribution to your community. That’s all kids should ever hear, because that’s what makes you happy and it’s achievable.” 

This idea echoes our school’s Purpose Statement, which hangs in poster form in every classroom and permeates the life of our community. There is such a strong sense of our students’ willingness to reach out and help others in the broader community that it is a staple in the daily diet of Trinity. It is highly visible in our Outreach Program, under Mr Tom Purcell’s passionate guidance, but also in all our House units, year levels, sub schools and individuals. Whether it is shaving heads for the World’s Greatest Shave or running on treadmills for Harambee Sundee or any of the very many other initiatives, it is highly visible at Trinity. 

The other day I asked a group of Year 11s to form two separate committees and in the space of 20 minutes, decide how to spend (a theoretical!) $1.3m on something at Trinity that is not a baseline expectation for delivery, would have a legacy impact and would reflect our values.  

Separately, both committees came up with programs designed to support underprivileged communities via service-learning opportunities for Trinity students. It was a powerful response to the challenge and one that demonstrates that contribution to community is part of our DNA. 

When we think about the connections we share; the things that bond us across a 121-year history; the desire to contribute continues to shine through. As does an openness to share knowledge and celebrate our differences across the community.  

In this digital edition of The Trinity Grammarian, we celebrate our connections as a community, from OTGs sharing career insights with Year 12s to our Product Design students creating numeracy tools for our ELC students.  

Happy reading!