From the School Council Trinity has always been clear about what is important, what matters, what is of value. One of the great philosophers of the 20th Century, Bob Dylan, once declared that ‘we are all in a constant state of becoming’. Channelling the German Existentialists of the 1930s, Dylan believed that we must constantly adapt and change to adjust to the ever-evolving context in which we live. For artists this is imperative if they wish to consistently create original work; for all of us this is necessary if we wish to remain both connected and fulfilled. Importantly, Dylan would argue that we need to act authentically in alignment with our professed values, the ethical and moral framework we hold that guides us, as we positively negotiate our pathway through our lives.
The past few months for all of us have been difficult, yet Dylan’s perspective provides us with a set of principles that allows us to negotiate the complexities and challenges that the pandemic has thrown at us as a community. We must deal with them as best as we can, and that means continuing to frame and scaffold all our actions and responses within the values that make us the strong community we are. Trinity has always been clear about what is important, what matters, what is of value. I think it is evident in the way we have navigated the difficult currents of the past few months, which has been enabled very much by the collective sense of the strength of the community and an understanding that we are all in this together. The care and compassion that have been shown for others and the support that has been extended have been exemplary.
Needless to say, in the face of the impact of COVID’s reach into the Trinity community, Council paused much of its strategic thinking for the future in order to focus on adapting and responding to the pressing and unprecedented needs of the present. Our key role has been in supporting the work of the school’s Leadership Team as they lead us through unparalleled times. On behalf of Council, I particularly wish to note the exemplary leadership of our Principal, Adrian Farrer, who, aside from his rapid learning of the intricacies of epidemiology and genomics, has untiringly extended care to all members of our community. I would also wish to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Mark Glover, Director of Business, who has diligently (and sometimes presciently) ensured that all the operational details of running the school during rapidly changing times have been attended to. Of course, Adrian and Mark have been assisted by a team of dedicated professionals who ensured once again that the school pivoted from face-to-face to Distance Learning swiftly and seamlessly, whilst at the same time dealing with the personal challenges that each lockdown brings. But, of course, the most important thing is that we continue to deliver the best Trinity education that we can for our students against the constantly changing context of the ongoing pandemic. Underpinning all, however, has been the clear commitment to assuring a quality learning environment, bedded in the foundational values of the school, within which all students may thrive. Simon Gipson OAM Chair of School Council
Vincent and Elliot enjoy collaborating in their learning
6 | THE TRINIT Y GRAMMARIAN
