From the Head Master

There is a certain reassurance that comes with familiar rhythms and patterns of life. I imagine that there are all sorts of explanations for this, including the importance of familiarity in reducing cognitive load, the comfort that stems from positive prior experiences, and the reduction of anxiety about the unknown. Be that as it may, I have found this week at school to be a reassuring experience. It has felt as though we are ‘back to normal’.

I recognise that the spectre of COVID-19 has not gone away, and recent developments in Victoria and the Jervis Bay region have reminded us that our normalcy remains fragile. Perhaps this recognition added to my appreciation of the events of the week.

One of the highlights of the School year is our annual Gala Concert, which has taken place at one of the significant performance venues around the city every year since 1999, with the exception of the pandemic-afflicted 2020. On Wednesday this week our musicians reminded us of the beauty and joy that music is able to evoke in us through a challenging repertoire and skilful performance. In his first Gala Concert at Trinity, Dr Michael McGregor has given us good reason for confidence that the co-curricular musical life of the School is in excellent hands.

In a poignant aspect to the evening, we were very pleased to be joined by Mr Phil Pratt, our former long-serving Director of Music and his wife, Ronnie. Due to COVID and some health challenges, Mr Pratt did not have an opportunity to be farewelled by the extended music-loving community of the School. It was lovely to be able to acknowledge and honour him at the Concert, which demonstrated so vividly the enduring strength of the programme that he has done so much to build. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Mr Pratt and his family.

Another aspect of our return to normalcy was the resumption of ‘compulsory home games’, whereby the boys of the Middle and Senior School are required to attend as spectators to sporting fixtures for our First teams. The boys playing for the School at the top level cherish the opportunity to play in front of a crowd, and the School Officers and senior students lead the boys in chanting and cheering their representatives on the field. The School tries to walk a reasonable line between requiring attendance and navigating the competing demands of family life; we require the boys to attend two out of the possible nine fixtures (for Football, Volleyball and Rugby) across the season. As I have said to the boys on more than one occasion, ‘If you can’t get out of it, you may as well get into it!’ Enthusiastic participation makes for a more enjoyable experience for all. The boys may even enjoy it to the point of coming voluntarily!

As a side-note, the First XI Football are locked in a tight and evenly matched competition, the First VII Volleyball are continuing to dominate, and the First XV Rugby are undefeated, having won seven straight games. It would be lovely to see a big crowd turn out to support our teams against Knox at the home fixtures this weekend.

It will be a big day on the Summer Hill site this weekend. The compulsory home games against Knox will take place alongside an Open Day and tour for prospective families, the Back to Trinity reunion for the Old Trinitarians’ Union, and the usual hubbub across all the grounds. Our COVID precautions will be in place, and I would like to remind members of the community that dogs are not permitted in the grounds (except for the two little ones who live at the Head Master’s residence!).

Normalcy is also being seen in the final preparations of the Cadet Unit for the Ceremonial Parade and Dining-In Night, the process for appointing the 2021 School Officers, and all the normal activity that constitutes life at the School. I am reminded and reassured that, much of the time, God’s goodness to us is experienced in the everyday blessings and beauties that constitute daily life. I trust that you and yours are appreciating ‘normalcy’, such as we have it.

Detur Gloria Soli Deo.

Tim Bowden | Head Master

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