Leaning on our rich history to envisage a vibrant future

Adrian Farrer Principal

120 years ago, the famous Wright brothers got their long-imagined project of powered flight, literally, off the ground. As it happens it was 121 years after the first flight of a hot air balloon by the perhaps less famous Montgolfier brothers. (This narrative, by the way, would have been so much neater had it been 120 years instead of 121!).

“The Wright Flyer”, the plane which achieved the feat of the first sustained, powered and fixed wing flight, was in the air for 37 metres and as a result changed people’s understanding of what was possible. 37 metres was a most extraordinary triumph, yet of course in this era humans can fly for months at a time, in amongst the stars and at breakneck speed over the curvature of the Earth. Whereas the brothers – both sets – were visionaries, they might have struggled to imagine what 120 years of progress might afford. It is not easy to see or divine the future and certainly not one that includes such impressive organisational endurance.

Those that ultimately decided to start our school did so with great vision, it turns out, but there was a predictably humble beginning. Those 36 students who were enrolled 120 years ago (how much neater would the narrative been if it had been 37 students!) were pioneers in their own right, as were the founders of the school itself when they dared to believe in the need and future success of an Anglican school for boys in Kew. They may well have been very proud of what they started, and so they should. The subsequent years have seen a continuation of their vision, a consolidation of resources and an enormous legacy created and shared by thousands of students, staff and families who have all called, and still call, Trinity “our” school.

In this 120th year of our school, we will pause to celebrate much of the achievement of those that have shaped us as well as move intentionally to the next part of our existence. Our new Strategic Plan outlines much of our aspiration for our school, while at the same time reflecting the tone, culture and perspective of the “Trinity Way” with which so many are familiar. It picks up some of our most important relationships, such as the Coordinate Program with Ruyton Girls' School, and seeks to reimagine and enhance it in a way that positions our students, and theirs, for society’s contemporary realities. We continue to enjoy “the best of both worlds” as we maintain our commitment to boys’ schooling as a boys’ school, and to the education of the boys in our care, by lending broader world perspectives through our meaningful and now 30-year formal VCE partnership with Ruyton.

These perspectives are important and are consistent with the aim to produce world ready young people. It will also assist them as they assess and engage with various pathways through school, likely tertiary education and beyond. There are many options available to them and choice will continue to be a significant element of anyone’s journey at Trinity. Our Strategic Plan positions us to enable student agency, to develop further staff expertise and capacity, and to foster authentic partnerships with valued community entities.

It is an exciting time in our history. 120 years of learning and growth has set us up well for the challenges of the world ahead. We lean on a rich history as we envisage a vibrant future for our community. We know what 120 years of progress has brought us as a school. We are a global entity, with alumni working and influencing all around the world. We are a world class school, with aspirational and empathetic staff. We are a gathered community – no longer for 36 students from Kew – but rather 1,500 from around 80 suburbs.

I am not sure what the Wright brothers envisaged for the future of flight when they conquered 37 metres on that first day in 1903. It is certain, though, that they dreamed of having a significant impact and they foresaw a future in which flying would be entirely integrated. Our founders may have had similar dreams when they started their little Anglican school in Kew. They may have had a view of a future in which the young people in their care had gone out into the world and made a positive contribution and experienced success. I think they would be proud.