Anglican nature of the College
The Anglican nature of Trinity College
The culture of Trinity College is one which recognises the dignity of the whole person. Central to this is treating others with respect, empathy, generosity and honesty. The character of this culture should be evident and strongly experienced within the daily life of the co-educational College community. This culture flows from the Anglican history and identity of the College, our place in Australia and Asia, and is aligned with the College values of excellence, diversity, community, and society.
The College unreservedly welcomes people of all faiths and none and imposes no expectations on members of the College for worship or participation in religious activities.
The Anglican identity and character of Trinity College can be summarised as:
1. Personal character and public citizenship: a concern for the common good and the contributions individuals are able to make to it.
2. Learning for life: preparing students to become life-long learners with an educational mission of developing the knowledge, skills and wisdom for a meaningful life.
3. Shaping society: working for a better world and preparing people to serve in it.
4. Recognition of different faiths and of those people who have no faith: respect for the different spiritual commitments and understandings of people with alternative traditions, cultural history and beliefs.
5. Celebration of Indigenous traditions, culture and social structures: acknowledging the important contributions of Indigenous people, their spiritual connection to the land, and their knowledge systems.
6. Fostering critical institutional self - examination: ensuring that every aspect of College operation aligns with its values.
7. Respect for a genuine search for truth: seeking understanding and knowledge and valuing the academic freedom to achieve this.
8. A Chaplaincy presence: ideally a full-time Chaplain to engage with students in a regular and meaningful way across all divisions of the College.
9. A living connection with the Anglican Church: fostering engagement with Anglican Parishes, the Dioceses of Victoria, and Anglican agencies.
10. Opportunities for worship and spiritual exploration: freedom to engage with, express and explore the Christian faith as presented by the Anglican tradition.
These ideals are embedded in the Anglican foundations of Trinity College.
In 1853 the first Anglican Bishop of Melbourne proposed an Anglican Residential College which would be closely associated with the University of Melbourne. Today, the purpose of the College is reflected within the Constitution in several ways, two of which stem from the College’s Anglican identity:
(a) to provide an academic community in which the Christian faith, sound learning, critical discussion, social responsibility and ideals of community service are encouraged; and where students from a wide range of disciplines and beliefs are able to share in the academic, social and recreational opportunities of collegiate life.
(b) to make provision for the teaching and study of theology by students of the Theological School and to prepare candidates for ordained ministry.
In addition, the governance of the College is overseen by the Board, having ultimate responsibility to the College Council, which has Church representation including the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne as President.