Dinner Day

What is Dinner Day?

Dinner Day (sometimes called Founders’ Day) is one of the most important events in the school year at Hull Trinity House Academy. It dates to shortly after the school’s founding in 1787.

It was originally established by the Board of Trinity House to mark the academy’s foundation and the transition of older students into maritime life – historically, a key purpose of the institution when graduates joined ships and went to sea. Today, it remains a formal tradition celebrating the school’s history and heritage.

Dinner Day combines several distinctive elements rooted in the academy’s maritime heritage:

1. Full Inspection & Parade

The day begins with a formal parade. The Brethren and school Governors inspect all pupils, reflecting the discipline and naval influences from the school’s early years.

2. Chapel Service

In recent celebrations, Year 11 students attend a chapel service as part of the day.

3. Sit-Down Dinner

Year 11 students, staff, and members of the Brethren share a traditional sit-down meal in the refectory. Members of the White Squad serve food to guests and fellow pupils, traditionally a meal of meat pie and vegetables.

4. The Orange Ritual

After the meal, every student takes two oranges from a crate behind them, with their back turned. This tradition was introduced to prevent students from deliberately choosing the biggest or best fruit and to promote fairness. Historically, oranges were valued aboard ships to help prevent scurvy among sailors.

Though students no longer go straight from Dinner Day into maritime careers, the tradition persists as a symbol of: