What does "community" mean to you?

We asked four people from across the Trinity community

Ben Rosenberg, Year 10 student

I truly believe the Trinity community extends beyond the school gates.

When I was in Year 7, I became involved in Harambee, Trinity’s outreach program. Harambee is led by Mr Tom Purcell, whose enthusiasm and energy helped me understand how lucky we are and the responsibility we have not just to each other, but to the broader community. It has been great to see the increasing number of students joining Harambee and supporting those in need locally and internationally through fundraisers such as Harambee Sundee.

I am passionate about basketball. One of the highlights of my week comes after school on a Friday, but maybe not for the reason you think. This is the time when many students from different year levels come together as a community to support the Firsts Basketball team.

The sense of school spirit and pride are on display and whatever differences we may have are disregarded as we cheer on the squad as one.

Paul McAuley, Geography teacher and Head of Sutton House

After 20 years of teaching at Trinity, the Trinity community also includes my own family; from my son who only just finished as a student, to my daughters who have been involved with preparing choreography for Sutton House HPAF performances or making last minute props (for example gravestones for Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller ’ back in 2015 – literally the night before the performance).

In fact, Sutton House is probably where I have some of my strongest links when it comes to the Trinity community.

I took over as Head of Sutton House in 2005 and since then I have seen hundreds of boys pass through. Being with these students on their journeys from Year 7 to Year 12 within Sutton, meeting their families at House events –House Breakfast and Chapel Services, HPAF and House Athletics (when it used to be on a Saturday) – really did and does create that sense that we are a community within a larger community.

To me Trinity is a community, with smaller communities within a greater community. In my eyes this is what makes the school a special place to work and I hope a special place for all of the students, families, OTGs and staff connected with Trinity too!

The Trinity community is a caring, kind and inclusive community. With two Junior School boys, I have enjoyed watching their friendships and relationships grow to build their sense of belonging. The high fives with senior boys, the morning chats with staff and watching them help their peers solve problems always makes me smile.

Through the wonderful parent network, Trinity families can build their community to support their child’s education whilst strengthening their connection by sharing similar experiences.

The Early Learning Centre also has a special way to bring the community together and makes the little guys just as important as the big ones! Starting the boys’ Trinity journey in the ELC meant that special relationships started early. I have lovely memories of fellow parents helping to read stories to a nervous 4-year-old on his first day.

The diversity of the Trinity community, together with the endless opportunities to be part of your son’s education, makes for a lovely sense of comfort and belonging for all.

‘A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.’

This proverb has always shaped my thoughts on the Trinity community; as a student, a member of the school’s governance or as an Old Trinity Grammarian. For the Trinity community, it is not only old men, but everyone who has this approach.

The Trinity community for me is about the people and the commitment to shared values, along with the experiences across generations. The interweaving of each individual story demonstrates that you belong and can contribute to something bigger than yourself.

It is a community that supports the individual to reach their fullest potential. A common mantra shared with me is: ‘it’s not about having the best boys, it’s about bringing the best out of the boy’.

This is a community that celebrates success in all its forms, but also has the courage to own its history and all that comes with it; to both restore and model the values for future generations.