The humble origins of the School Motto and Song

“To live our motto and play the game” is the first line of the verse of the School Song which captures and links the Trinity values of 1909 with those of today.

“So run that ye may attain.” This quote from 1 Corinthians 9:24 was Trinity’s first school motto, as resolved by the School Council on December 14, 1903 and evidenced in the bookplates of prizes awarded at the first annual Speech Night just four days later.  In 1904, the prize books have the same crest but a different motto, ‘Viriliter Agite.’ The School Council minutes make no mention of the new motto but the Jubilee Book, published in 1952 to celebrate 50 years since the foundation of Trinity, credits the change to the headmaster, Rev. G M Long.

Viriliter Agite translates from the Latin as ‘Play the Man’ or ‘Act Manfully’ and very much reflects the beliefs and ideals of boys’ schools in the early 20th century.  The Rhodes Prize for General Excellence was instituted at Trinity at the same time.  Encouraging senior students to participate in the selection process for the Rhodes Prize winner, Headmaster Long instructed students to consider aspects of conduct such as, “unselfishness, school spirit, honour, truthfulness and helpfulness to others.”  Such were the attributes and behaviour expected of a true gentleman of the time.

Today we retain Viriliter Agite as our motto but from 2022, it has been interpreted as  ‘Act Courageously’ to align with current school values of Truth, Service, Courage and Community.

“The School Song” is the one song sung with gusto at school assemblies and Gold Mitre reunions alike.  The song has been attributed to Headmaster Long but evidence suggests that it may be a student composition. First appearing in the 1909 Midwinter Mitre on a page headed: ‘ORIGINAL (This column is for original contributions in prose and verse from the boys).’

“The School Song” comprised five verses and a chorus set to a popular tune of the time, John Peel. That two of the student editors of the 1909 Mitre, Neville Ussher and Martin Boyd, went on to pursue literary careers; the inclusion of the line, “Where we’ve dodged our tasks” and an entire verse devoted to winning the football pennant, surely add weight to the contention that the song was indeed penned by a student hand.

The School Song appears in print again in Trinity’s book of School Songs published in 1917 and Headmaster Frank Shann held weekly rehearsals to ensure that students were word perfect. Over the past century, the song has lost a couple of verses but has remained true to the original words, despite Headmaster Alfred Bright’s unsuccessful attempt in 1943 to replace “Where we’ve dodged our tasks and played with a will” with “Where we’ve lived our lives and played with a will.”

For a decade from 2004-2014, The School Song was replaced at assemblies by a song commissioned for Trinity’s centenary celebrations in 2003. “Trinity, We’re the Green and Gold,” was composed by David Hirschfelder, an award-winning film composer, musician and a TGS parent. Trinity staff were invited to contribute words or phrases which reflected the Trinity values, and staff member Andrew Ferguson collated these into the final lyrics.  The song was particularly noted for the final rousing shout of ‘Trinity!’ included at the request of Headmaster Rick Tudor.