Education Matters

By Tim Bowden, Head Master

I recently came across the saying “If you can’t get out of it, you might as well get into it.” I think it is a brilliantly pithy articulation of a significant truth, which has particular relevance to our boys but has an equally pertinent application to all of us.

By Tim Bowden, Head Master

Sport takes on different significance in different schools, and in the perspectives of different stakeholders. Sport can be an expression of the prestige of the school, through the quality of the facilities and the kit of the participants. Sport can be a proxy for the success of the school, whereby winning a sporting competition indicates that a school is superior to its competitors on a broader front. Sport can be a channel for the expression of school spirit, where the crowd of cheering supporters identify with something bigger than themselves. Sport can be an avenue to future careers for the elite, providing support and opening doors for glittering success in the years to come.

By Head Master Tim Bowden

In the first half of the twentieth century, a Jewish philosopher called Martin Buber wrote a book called I and Thou (you). This week at a Quad assembly, partly prompted by International Women’s Day, I attempted to explain and apply some of Buber’s insights to the context of our students. The following text is a version of that address.

By Tim Bowden, Head Master

The guiding educational philosophy of Trinity Grammar School is Christian in its foundation and its expression. Trinity is a Christian school. More precisely, it is a school that stands in the evangelical Anglican tradition that is characteristic of the Diocese of Sydney. This Christian ethos has been consistently reinforced and adhered to by the School Council, the School’s Head Masters, and the School’s shared traditions and practices over the decades, and it is evidenced in our motto, our mission, and our educational principles.

By Tim Bowden, Head Master, Trinity Grammar School

The start of a new school year presents the opportunity for reflection and new beginnings. My particular welcome to those students, parents and staff who are new to the School this year. My hope and prayer is that your time with us will be challenging, rewarding, encouraging and positive.

By Tim Bowden, Head Master, Trinity Grammar School

We recently announced a significant change to the Cadet Unit at Trinity; that is, from the start of 2019 Meriden students will join the Trinity Cadet Unit.

By Tim Bowden, Head Master, Trinity Grammar School

This year the Houses in the Secondary School stood in a different location for the morning Quadrangle Assembly. I imagine that those words will have a different impact on different members of the community. Comments I have heard have ranged from ‘So what?’, through ‘This is weird!’, through to ‘I stood there, and my father stood there before me.’

By Tim Bowden, Head Master, Trinity Grammar School

We are entering, once again, into a political debate about school funding. The education of children will become a contested battleground. The metaphor of ‘battle’ is appropriate, because there will be sides, alliances, winners and losers, and a high likelihood that the same territory will continue to be contested into the future.

The terrain of school funding in Australia has a long and complex history, and I don’t know that it can be retold here. However, it may be worthwhile providing some facts about school funding in Australia and three landmarks to help orientate yourself to the debate.

By Mr Tim Bowden, Head Master, Trinity Grammar School

As a Christian school, Trinity understands that the essence of leadership is service. Therefore, in aspiring to lead, we are aspiring to serve. Service is not always convenient, it is not always acknowledged, and it is not always enjoyable. Leadership requires us to do what is right, not what is popular, and to stand up when it would be more comfortable to stand back. Leadership roles require us to sacrifice time and to shoulder additional work. Nonetheless, service is honourable, and I am pleased that many of our young men indicate their willingness to serve in this way.

By Tim Bowden, Head Master Trinity Grammar School

In recent weeks the Commonwealth Games have been rolling on in the background of my family’s consciousness. I must admit that we haven’t paid very much attention, being vaguely aware that Australia continues to dominate in the swimming and that, overall, people seem to be having a good time. However, we did make a big effort to be in front of the screen with Trinity Grammar School Old Boy, Rohan Browning (Class of 2015) competing on the athletics track.