YEAR 12 GRADUATION ASSEMBLY 2005

Congratulations Matthew on those excellent reflections on this year. One of the most significant aspects of Matthew’s words is his usage of the collective term, ‘we’ rather than the singular term ‘I’. Schooling at Trinity is like that – it is the partnership between students, staff and parents that makes this place special. Therefore, it is wonderful that so many of our year 12 parents are able to join us this morning. Underpinning this partnership is our shared heritage and faith that is part of all that we do at Trinity.

In the past week we have the opportunity to bask in the glory of significant successes at the PSA Inters and the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. The talents and abilities of many of year 12 boys have been very much on display.

Not only have we been good performers on the big stages of the Perth Concert Hall and Perry Lakes but our boys have also been outstanding ambassadors for the college as non-participants. I congratulate our year 12 boys for the excellent leadership that was provided in the stands. The example provided by our senior boys is the legacy that is passed on to the younger students.

Matthew alluded to the trophies and awards that have been won this year. They are the cream on the cake – in some years the cream will be very sparce; in others year like 2005 it will be abundant.

The real success of a Trinity College education, however, lies in who our students become. For the class of 2005, that judgement can only be made in 10,15, 20 years from now. I urge all our Leaving Class to always strive to be ‘men for others’. That is an outstanding motto for life at Trinity and for life after school.

St Ignatius Loyola invited us to ‘work as if success depends on ourselves alone, but with the heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing and God everything’. Material and personal success will not always come our way. Mother Teresa was once asked why she continued to work in the appalling conditions of Calcutta when she had not succeeded in changing them very much. Her profound answer was that it was much more important to be faithful than to be successful.

In front of me are many fine young men who may are not necessarily leaving Trinity with a bag of trophies or a collection of academic awards. But they are leaving us as heroes who have gained success where it matters most in life – in being a friend and a man for others.

I commend our year 12 boys on the way they have contributed to the college. I am particularly pleased with the quiet dignity and respect with which they have finished this term. As I mentioned earlier there are still some very important events in front of us – Graduation, Speech Night and Exams. I wish you well in all your future endeavours and encourage you to be faithful to God, your family, friends and Trinity College.

Although school does not finish until the last year 12 has finished his last TEE exam, I invite Matthew and Long to symbolically pass the baton of Leadership to year 11 boys Desmond Yeo and Jarrhan Jacky. Please join me in offering congratulations to the class of 2005.