Speeches from the Year 12 Final Assembly

For generations, Trinity graduates have bookended their Trinity journey in St Paul’s Cathedral with one Final Assembly service.

At the lectern, every member of the graduating class reflects on their time at the school before being formally inducted into the Old Trinity community with the presentation of an OTGA tie.

This building holds a special place for me. Not only is it where I book-end my high school years, but it is also where I have spent the last eight years singing in the choir; one of the many wonderful opportunities Trinity
has granted to me.

As a young chorister here sitting through particularly boring sermons, I used to count all the arches – the big supporting structures holding up this vast building. I think I usually totaled around 100.

But looking around today, I see many more; I see an amazing cohort of students, a team of incredible teachers, Mr Bolzonello and Ms Fewster two extraordinary and dedicated Heads of Years, and of course mum and
dad. You are all my arches. Your support, mentorship and love have helped prop me and all my classmates up throughout the year, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Class of 2024 – it’s been an absolute privilege and pleasure to get to know and work with you all, and I wish all of you the best of luck for whatever the future holds.

In two weeks, it will be a year since the morning of my Maths Methods exam.

That morning, I think my dad could tell I was pretty nervous, so he read me a poem. And in that poem, Whitman calls life a ‘powerful play’. I think moments like these make us realise that, though what Whitman never mentions, and what I’ve come to learn over the past 12 years, is that one’s life is only ever as powerful as the beautiful and incredible people we have to colour and crowd our stage.

And over the past 12 years I’ve been fortunate enough to have such amazing people crowd my stage. I have my father. Some boys are lucky enough to call their father their hero, and it never gets lost on me how lucky I am to get to call him my best friend. I have my mother. For the past 17 years I’ve fallen asleep each night to the distant sound of her keyboard clicking away. She has taught me that what is received in life is always earnt. She has taught me to work hard and has done so while remaining the most well – rounded and caring person I’ve ever known.

I have my brother. Through ever y mistake he’s made and his many successes, he has taught me that there is nothing more brave than being human. That making a mistake is okay and how we learn from them makes us the people we are.

I’ve had my teachers, so many of whom deserve a mention. Dr Levey, your ability to understand people and, your capacity for compassion is inspiring. Mr Hong, you have what Fitzgerald calls a ‘ heightened sensitivity to the promises of life’. For someone who carries themselves in such an insouciant way, you have a unique ability to see the best in people, and what’s more you help them achieve it, and that’s really special. Mrs Fewster – the godmother of hockey – your endless selflessness. Mrs Magee – your ability to care for people and make me smile. Mrs Dillon – your inimitable wisdom and intelligence. Mrs Papaleo -your ability to both support me and keep me grounded. Mr Garas – the way you navigated me through a truly difficult time last year and did so while making me feel proud of myself. Each of you are incredible.

Finally, my friends. Over the past few years you have made my life so much better and have done so much more than was ever asked of you. Thank you. I love you. And so, as the powerful play of life marches on and my verse unfolds, I’ll be forever grateful to have you all in it.