Engaging Minds Blog

Why Trinity?

Written by Carol Awaya, parent and teacher

“Why Trinity?”  If you’re like my family, this question resonates in your home throughout the school year as we evaluate each of our children’s’ strengths and needs.  “Why Trinity?”  What is your answer to that question?  Is it because Trinity is the only fully accredited Classical Christian School in Hawaii?  Is it because your child has found their niche in a sport that they play, or feel as if they are an integral part of their classroom or house?  Is it because Trinity has an academic curriculum that challenges your child and prepares them for college?  Maybe you appreciate that class sizes are small,  ensuring your child has the appropriate amount of attention and they don’t have the opportunity to fall between the cracks.  Maybe your love for Trinity is because of the sense of ohana and community that is fostered here, making the school an extension of your family.  Maybe it’s because you know your child is loved by their teachers as they are in your home—even, when the love involves having to put limits on your child or imposing a consequence to shape their heart and grow their character.  For my husband and me, all of this matters to us. But most of all, we are striving to raise children with Christ at the center of their lives and praying that they develop a heart of respect, humility, love for others, love for learning, become confident and articulate adults, and develop a heart that serves—much like what the “Profile of a Graduate” outlines.

"...It takes time, energy, discipline, consistency, persistence and hard work to develop an individual of such character.  For example, if you want to lose weight, it involves a daily regimen of eating clean, working out, getting enough sleep, minimizing sugar intake, drinking plenty of water, and not giving up.  Classical Christian education involves that sort of discipline."

So, what does Trinity’s “Profile of a Graduate” look like?  It is a good reflection of what we would like our children to be one day: those who love God, love others, love to learn, think and communicate precisely, engage culture, delight in beauty and walk humbly.  Can my husband and I accomplish this on our own?  Not apart from the strength and grace of God nor without those who we surround our children with, day in and day out.

I think most of you would agree with me, that it takes time, energy, discipline, consistency, persistence and hard work to develop an individual of such character.  For example, if you want to lose weight, it involves a daily regimen of eating clean, working out, getting enough sleep, minimizing sugar intake, drinking plenty of water and not giving up.  Classical Christian education involves that sort of discipline.  In the Grammar stage, students are memorizing a ton of information through chants and songs to build a bank of information and facts for one to pull from.  In the Logic stage they are making sense of the information, putting an order to that information and are making connections.  At the Rhetoric stage, while still gaining information, they can thoughtfully express their conclusions and convictions and are able to defend a senior thesis.  This does not happen just because our children naturally grow and mature in that way.  It takes practice, being intentional, moments of taking one step forward and three steps back, and persevering through challenges.  The teachers here intentionally work on training our students to be critical thinkers and life-long learners.  Scripture is memorized so that a “branding” takes place in our hearts and that a student can use God’s word to carry them through a challenging part of life or give hope to another in need.  The elementary teachers are intentional about teaching through songs and chants because they know it helps the information “stick” so that they may be able to recall that information when they most need it.  The school is intentional about training up well-spoken and articulate students via exordiums, our drama club and debate team.  Each of these exercises are valuable in themselves, and consequently help develop skills necessary to interview for a job, make an oral presentation in college and help develop leadership skills. 

Secondary teachers are looking for ways for our students to serve in our community and serve alongside our children.  Our coaches continue to encourage the players to do all things for the glory of God and walk humbly even when they may have earned a Championship win.  These are only a few examples of how the teachers and administration  impact our children’s lives.  As parents, we are grateful for this partnership we have at Trinity. As a teacher, I am also grateful that I have my colleagues supporting and helping me become a better parent and educator.  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My husband and I don’t know what the future holds or what will become of our children when they are adults, but we are thankful we have partnered with Trinity to invest in our children’s lives and their hearts.  Knowing that they know the Lord and have a relationship with Jesus is the best gift we could ask for. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Merry Christmas!