What have you learned beyond the school gates that Trinity has helped you with?

Trinity Year 11 student

I have learnt many valuable lessons throughout my time at school, but beyond the gates of Trinity, the story is quite different.

Recently, I had the privilege of travelling to Hawaii for my school volleyball trip, and it was there that I truly discovered the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone and connecting with people I would not usually spend time with.

During our time in Hawaii, we visited many schools, where we played several games. While we did experience losses, winning was never our main focus. What mattered most to us was building friendships. The people we met were kind, welcoming and highly competitive, yet they never held our defeats against us.

From this experience, I learned that life should not always be taken too seriously, it is meant to be enjoyed as it happens. If we spend too much time worrying about the future or stressing over outcomes, we miss the opportunity to truly embrace and appreciate the present.

Current Trinity parents

Supporting Ollie (Year 12) Chris (Year 9) through their cocurricular journeys has been an incredible learning experience for our family. Chris’ passion for mogul skiing, from long training days at Mt Buller to international training overseas, has taught us resilience, focus and the value of setting big goals. At the same time, Ollie’s dedication to soccer – training nearly 10 months a year and proudly representing Trinity in the First XI – has shown us the power of discipline, teamwork and commitment.

What has stood out most is the support both boys have received from Trinity. Teachers have shown genuine care and flexibility during heavy training and travel periods, while coaches have built confidence, character and school pride. The encouragement from the wider Trinity community has also made us feel part of something bigger, reinforcing that our boys are not only athletes and students, but young men being guided by strong values.

For us, Trinity has shown that success goes beyond results – it is about perseverance, belonging and embracing life’s broader fields.

Current staff, Teacher of Senior School Chinese and
Coordinator of International Students

The Chinese proverb “百闻不如一见” – “hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once” – captures the value of learning beyond the classroom. Textbooks and lectures provide knowledge, but real-world experiences bring it to life in unforgettable ways. When students step outside through travel, community projects or hands-on activities, they gain deeper, more personal insights into the world.

Seeing historical sites, engaging with different cultures and observing global issues firsthand sparks curiosity, empath and critical thinking in ways traditional learning cannot. I have been fortunate to join Trinity’s international tours and witnessed the profound impact of these experiences. Students adapted quickly, collaborated, asked insightful questions and reflected thoughtfully on similarities and differences.

These encounters reinforce academic learning while building independence, empathy and global awareness. As an educator, it is rewarding to guide them through this transformation and see them return with broadened perspectives and lifelong lessons.

Trinity alumnus

After graduating from Trinity in 2022, I initially thought I only gained an education from Trinity, but as I found out in in the last year, this is as far from the truth as possible.

Halfway through 2024, I went on a year-long trip to Europe and parts of the Middle East. Started in Belgium as I undertook a semester abroad of university, and after exploring many countries, including France, Italy and Dubai, I eventually settled in England for around five months.

I came to the realisation that whilst it is every young person’s dream to be travelling Europe, you are unaware until you are there of just how difficult and daunting it can be, in which life lessons such as communication, resilience and adaptability are so valuable.

It was only recently that I figured out my years at Trinity were where these life lessons were developed. Whether it is on the sporting grounds, in the classroom or studying, Trinity pushed me to develop life skills that are key to dealing with any scenarios.