A Message from our Principal

As per what you might see on social media posts, ‘Trinity Catholic College is feeling very grateful 🙏’ after a great week of community involvement. What a fantastic Open Day we had! We estimate about 800 people visited us on Sunday, meaning we needed to change the format of our day at the last moment. Our student guides, speakers, helpers and Kapahaka members, staff and PFA members adapted quickly and got on with a great afternoon of hospitality and service for our visitors. I would like to publicly thank our staff and PFA who all contribute significantly to what has become a great college community Sunday afternoon event. With such a big turnout, I need to acknowledge our parent community and students who obviously speak so positively about Trinity that people otherwise unconnected to our college want to come along and check it out – thank you!

Two other events have been heartwarming during the past week. We held our Pasifika Fono last Thursday evening and we were able to trial the very first use of our new hangi cooker. Thank you to the  Otago Community Trust that looked favourably on the Rangatahi Fund application put together by our Cutural Prefect, Therese Tili. I can say that the use of the cooker has been perfected now and tasty hangi meals were enjoyed by many who came along to the Fiafia night to raise funds for our cultural groups and their whānau space.  The night of cultural items – Tongan, Māori, Filipino, Cook Islands, Fijian, Samoan, Indian and a touch of Tahitian – was a pleasure to be part of. More importantly, the pride with which the groups shared their culture with the audience was very evident in the polished performances they gave. Well done and I look forward to next year’s Fiafia evening!

The calendar is looking very full over the next few weeks with the Bishop’s Shield Public Speaking Competition at St Kevin’s, Hiphop competitions, Sports tournaments and finals among other things. I spoke with the juniors at their assembly yesterday about keeping our college values front and centre during all of their extra-curricular events. Win or lose, the integrity and commitment with which you perform is what everyone remembers.

I will finish with this prayer and a reminder that it is St Dominic’s Feast Day next Friday 8th August. This will be a celebration day for Dominic House – the Dominican Order holding such an important place in Dunedin Catholic education.

"May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God's work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all."