- Spring 2026
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- All together we make a difference
All together we make a difference
Oscar, Captain of Faith and Outreach
This year, I have been fortunate to serve as Captain of Faith and Outreach, a role that has given me countless opportunities to experience what it truly means to serve others.
One of the ways I have been able to do this is through Harambee, Trinity’s community outreach program. A Swahili word that loosely translates as “all together we make a difference”, Harambee captures the idea that when we unite around a shared purpose, our collective efforts can create meaningful change. From leading weekly Friday morning meetings with students from Years 7 to 12 to helping organise Harambee Sundee, our major annual fundraising event supporting our outreach programs, I have seen this spirit of Harambee come to life. These experiences have reminded me that even small individual contributions can become something much greater when we work together.
One experience has stayed with me above all. Last year, during the Philippines Immersion, I visited local schools and communities we support the charities International Needs Australia and Vineyard. I remember being invited into the home of a mother raising four children in a small house, with beds on the floor and few possessions to speak of. Her husband worked all day, every day, to provide for his family. What struck me wasn’t the hardship; it was the hope and determination they carried despite it, and how genuinely friendly they were to us, virtual strangers stepping into their home. That experience taught me that the impact of our support isn’t measured by how much we give, but by the difference it makes in someone’s life. It also challenged me to reflect on how much I take for granted.
My experiences in Harambee and Homework Club have deepened this understanding. I’ve met people from many different backgrounds and found something special in simply listening to their stories, whether it’s a Year 7 student joining Harambee for the first time, eager to be part of something bigger than himself, or a refugee mother at Homework Club sharing the sacrifices she made to give her children a new life in Australia. Every conversation has offered me a different perspective.
Service reminds us that some of the most meaningful contributions go unnoticed and unrewarded.
– Oscar, Year 12
These experiences have taught me that service is about far more than fundraising or volunteering. It’s about being willing to listen, to understand experiences different from our own and to recognise our responsibility to the people around us. In a world that often celebrates individual achievement, service reminds us that some of the most meaningful contributions go unnoticed and unrewarded.
As I look beyond Trinity, I hope to carry this understanding with me. Contributing to something greater than ourselves doesn’t always require a grand gesture. Sometimes it begins simply, by noticing someone else and asking what we can do to help.
To any student reading this, you don’t need a badge, a title or a formal leadership role to make a difference. The most meaningful contributions are often the quietest, the ones nobody claps for. Welcoming someone new, offering your time, or simply being willing to help without being asked,
these are all forms of service. You don’t need to wait for the ‘right’ opportunity. Service can start today, in the smallest moment.
