Trident College fosters a safe and secure environment that enables each individual to be happy, engaged, productive, inspired and recognized. Pupils are able to seek help and advice from a number of adults, namely: their tutors, house parents, teachers, coaches or school counsellors. The tutor is the most important adult within this group of mentors. Their role is key in ensuring that the tutee benefits from the educational opportunities that the College has to offer. They are also the first port of call for any queries or concerns that our parents might have about their child. Boarders are welcomed into age-specific Houses. This approach helps provide for the particular needs of the pupils.
Our Day Scholars are also catered for within their own Cobre House. This has its own dedicated facility where the Day Scholars go to relax and enjoy their friends. Every pupil is assigned to a tutorial group which meet twice a week where the focus is on a curriculum of Life Skills relating to the specific year group. Each individual is also allocated a Sporting House in which they compete for in an exciting schedule of cultural, musical and sporting inter-house activities.
Trident’s commitment to the wellbeing, care and protection of every child and young person is paramount. The physical health of students is monitored by the House staff and the school nurse who is on site during day-time hours. In cases where the student needs further medical attention, they are referred to the Mary Begg Clinic and accompanied by a matron. Psychological support is offered when necessary by our school counsellors, however students are encouraged to seek advice from tutors or any staff member who they trust. Nurturing individuality and yet understanding and appreciating the differences of others is a central tenet of Trident’s philosophy.
All major sports events are covered by the Mary Begg team who send an on-call ambulance and many staff are trained in First Aid. There are first aid kits in each of the boarding houses, science laboratories and classroom blocks. The school site, including staff houses, is surrounded by an electrified fence along with security guards patrolling the perimeter. CCTV cameras are also strategically placed to increase surveillance while still protecting the privacy of the individual.
Our four boarding houses offer a home-from-home experience which is friendly and welcoming. There are two junior (Years 7 to Year 10) and two senior (Year 11 to Year 13) houses which cater for the individual year groups through the existence of specific sleeping and learning areas. Each dedicated zone has its own common room, a kitchen area, TV and Wi-Fi access. The residents are looked after by the House Parent, Assistant House Parent and Tutor. These live either in adjoining accommodation or in houses either side of the house. A Matron also lives within each boarding house. Their role is to supervise the cleaning staff, the laundry service, emergencies that occur after lights-out and any other domestic issues.
There is a nurse on site during the day who the children can visit when necessary with pupils being taken to the nearby hospital if an emergency occurs overnight. Learner Leaders and monitors are selected annually to assist with the daily supervision required. Pupils are encouraged to engage in the decision making of the hostel by representing their year group in their internal committees that meet once a month. A large central dining complex offers a break-time snack and the daily meals for both day and boarding students. Each House has a different identity while following a similar daily routine with the day starting with breakfast and inspection at 6h30, followed by school commencing at 7h00. After a busy and productive day, pupils do an hour and half prep. before going to bed at appropriate times according to their age group.
