It is with a great deal of pleasure that I was able to accept the invitation from the Trinity Catholic school community to attend this open day and speak to you for a few moments about Catholic education and what it stands for and what it offers.
Trinity Catholic school, even though it has a short history of its own, it draws upon the rich histories of St James and St Ignatius schools and will be further enriched by the transition of students from St John’s east Melbourne. The stories and traditions of these three communities are growing into a new story and will establish its own rich tradition in the years ahead. Trinity Catholic school has emerged out of these communities and is now in the initial stages of a new journey.
There is a need to recognise that this new journey will not be, and has not been without some pain and some sadness. When the past identity changes and people are called to begin anew there are always memories and stories and communities that grieve. This is natural and completely understandable. The process of change and growth is never pain free. Take the crab, who spends its life in a strong protective shell. For the crab to grow it must break out of the shell. It must crack its own shell if it is to continue to grow and become stronger. The breaking and cracking is never easy, but it is the only way forward for the crab.
Trinity Catholic school is like a new shell. It is the new shell formed out of the three former shells of St James, St Ignatius and St John’s. The future shell is just starting to form and it will take it shape from all the members of the community that gather under the one name of Trinity.
Even though there is newness there is always continuity. Catholic schools have a proud history in Melbourne. Catholic schools have a particular identity that they give witness to and nurture in the community on a daily basis. In the inner city and the inner city fringes they have welcome families from around the globe and have offered them a first rate education. This is continuing in the Trinity community today.
To assist in the overall education of students since the opening of Trinity Catholic school in 2006 there has been the completion of the Capital Works Program, including the synthetic turf on the oval, enabling students to play and enjoy recreational opportunities all year round. In the near future three more classrooms will be constructed.
These initiatives, and the hard work of the committed staff, and the support and guidance of the Parish Priest, Father Peter Norden, and the generosity and commitment of the parent community means that Trinity Catholic school can look forward to a positive and exciting future. Trinity provides for the religious and educational growth of all those who are within its community. The unique Catholic view of the human person is not something that can be learned or experienced in other forms of schooling. The human person is created in the image and likeness of God,
and as such has a dignity and a worth that cannot be taken away.
The Catholic school stands for many things, but I want to put just a few of them to the students who are here today Trinity Catholic school seeks to create an environment where:
Trinity Catholic school is also one that is marked by its prayer, sacramental and liturgical life. In the celebration of these things the community of Trinity Catholic school is playing its vital role in the evangelizing mission of the entire Catholic Church. Trinity gives witness to the importance of faith in a world that sometimes does not see faith as important.
The road ahead will not always be smooth, and not every step along the way will be easy. Nevertheless, the school community can take great hope and optimism from what has already be achieved, and from the dreams that are yet to be turned into reality.
I want to thank the staff and families of all the schools who today gather under the name of Trinity. You have worked exceptionally hard and skillfully to bring the school to this point and I have every confidence that the school will go from strength to strength.