|
History & Traditions
 |
|
In 1966, a dedicated group of Orlando community leaders led by the late Reverend Canon A. Rees Hay wanted to provide a top-quality, independent secondary education for students in Central Florida. They established Trinity Preparatory School, where classes began in 1968 for 173 students in grades 7 through 12. This independent, coeducational college-preparatory school is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES).
Long recognized as the premier college-preparatory institution in Central Florida, Trinity Preparatory School has never compromised its commitment to a rigorous curriculum, a highly qualified and caring faculty, a low student/teacher ratio, a strong athletic program, and an exceptional college guidance program. Students at Trinity Prep have been consistently noted for outstanding achievement. In 2005, the Malone Family Foundation selected Trinity Prep to receive a two million dollar endowment for excellent students with financial need. TPS is the only school in Florida, and one of 30 in the United States, to be so honored. Since 2006, the National Merit Scholarship Competition has recognized 22% of our graduates and our Advanced Placement test scores represented an 86% passing rate (3 or above). One hundred percent of our graduates are attending colleges and universities across the United States. In 2007-2008, the school was awarded the FHSAA Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for class 3A. In 2010-11, the Athletic Department won the FHSAA Class 2A All-Sports Award.
ALMA MATER
by Sarah Harris Overmeyer '84 and Andrew Walker
Oh, can you hear the bells ring, the bells of Trinity,
Our alma mater glorious, one man's dream to see;
To the stars we travel, our will be always strong,
Ad astra per aspera, ever our song.
The fleur de lis shines brightly on banners gold and blue,
It guides us ever onward as we our faith renew;
Reaching for the future, the Saints will lead us on,
Ad astra per aspera, ever our song.
|
|
The Elephant
Believing that the Rich Library entry should have a focal point, Canon Hay purchased a cast plaster elephant. For many years it has been part of the Commencement procession. One graduate each year is selected to decorate and process to the stage with the elephant during the Commencement ceremony.
Banners
The Trinity processional banner was designed by Winter Park artist Betty Wolfe in tribute to our school and is used at chapel, Baccalaureate, and Commencement. With the help of Trinity parents, Martha Ellis, wife of The Reverend H. Benton Ellis, Trinity’s second headmaster, created the banner that hangs behind the podium on the stage of the Education Center.
|
 |
|
|
Headmaster’s Day
After the first victory of Trinity’s mighty Saints football team in 1970, Canon Hay declared a school holiday. This day has since become a much-anticipated “surprise” day held in the spring. Classes compete in events like crab soccer, ultimate frisbee, the balloon toss, and a pie-eating contest. The morning ends with the annual Junior-Senior rope pull over the canal between Lake Martha and Lake Burkett. School is then dismissed for the rest of the day to allow the students and faculty to relax at an otherwise busy and stressful time of year.
Senior Investiture
At the beginning of school, a ceremony is held acknowledging each member of the senior class. The seniors assume leadership of the student body for the upcoming year.
|
|
Gathering at Senior Rock
Senior Rock was donated to the campus after Canon Hay mentioned the idea to the Class of 1976. Class members Brock Magruder and Bill Schmidt immediately provided the first rock, which was roughly 2’ x 3’ in size. Classmate Susan Bouldin asked her father for a “rock” for graduation. Naturally, she wanted a ring, but her father took her literally. On graduation day, Howard Bouldin provided a truly memorable gift when he had this “gem” brought in from a quarry near Ocala! Since then, the rock has belonged to the members of each senior class, available for them to paint and decorate throughout the year. During Commencement no effort is made to give students their own diplomas; instead, each ribbon around the diplomas is labeled with the name of one graduate. Following the Commencement ceremony, seniors leave the Education Center to the pealing of the Hubbard Bells in the Hay Bell Tower. They gather around Senior Rock in a circle, surrounded by faculty, administrators, and trustees. The graduates then pass the diplomas around the circle until each class member receives his/her own and steps out of the circle. This ritual symbolizes starting out as one unit but then going separate ways, always surrounded by, as well as part of, the Trinity family. Canon Hay introduced this tradition, reproducing a tradition from his own prep school, Mount Hermon.
Senior Privileges
Seniors, in addition to their leadership role on campus, receive privileges that include exclusive use of senior hallway, priority seating at assemblies, open campus, and special exam exemptions.
Homecoming
Spirit week is part of the Homecoming activities that take place each fall. A pep rally, Homecoming parade, Alumni BBQ, and the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony are held in conjunction with the Homecoming game and crowning of the King and Queen.
Year-End Activities
Traditional events that are part of the year-end activities include a yearbook assembly, awards assemblies, senior luncheon, and Baccalaureate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
