Stepping Up with Pride and Purpose – celebrating our 2026 Student Leaders

Stepping Up with Pride and Purpose – celebrating our 2026 Student Leaders

“I feel proud to be given this opportunity to represent my peers and give back to the school that’s given me so much.” – 2026 Trinity School Captain, Darcy Stewart. 

We are delighted to announce our student leadership appointments for 2026! Darcy is joined by four Vice Captains, Ryan Cen, Tate Harrison, Anthony Papaleo and Ahilan Sudheshan. 

Our five student leaders report feeling excited and honoured at being appointed, while also feeling humbled as they step into their captaincy roles for the final term of Year 11 and into Year 12. 

Being appointed as a student leader feels like a culmination of all of my experiences at Trinity, experiences that have shaped my character and helped me grow as a young Trinity man,” Tate says. 

“Starting at Trinity in 3-year-old ELC, my desire to be a student leader only got stronger throughout my school journey. I have always seen this position as an opportunity to represent my school with pride and influence my peers to do the same,” Tate adds. 

Ahilan agrees, “being appointed as a student leader has given me the opportunity to take on a new level of responsibility around school”. 

“This is something which I strongly value and I am so excited to take on any challenges that the year will bring,” Ahilan says.

The captains have reflected on the people who have influenced and encouraged them along their educational journey, sharing sentiments of support from family and friends. 

“I was really encouraged by my friends and teachers to go for a captaincy, and having their belief and support made the decision even more meaningful,” Darcy says. 

Furthermore, he was inspired by his older brother, who graduated from Trinity in 2023.  

“He showed me that it’s possible to work hard and aim high while still staying involved in the things you enjoy,” Darcy adds. 

Ryan explains that he would not have imagined applying for a school captaincy role until this year.  

“Throughout my time at Trinity, I’ve been lucky to take part in many opportunities across the school, and the support I’ve received has helped me grow and develop as a person, which encouraged me to apply for this role and further contribute to the Trinity community,” Ryan says. 

Ryan adds that teachers from the Technology department have probably been the most influential in his growth as a student and a person.  

“Both in and beyond the classroom, they’ve taught me to problem solve, adapt and encouraged me to give everything a go, and I’m really grateful for their support and encouragement throughout my time at school,” he states. 

Meanwhile, Anthony shares that his biggest passion at school is outreach. 

“I enjoy being involved in projects and programs that have a real impact on others, both inside and outside the school community,” Anthony says. 

He reflects that he wants to be an empathetic leader, someone who listens and understands before acting.  

“I think empathy helps create a stronger, more connected school community where everyone feels supported.” 

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I feel proud to be given this opportunity to represent my peers and give back to the school that’s given me so much.

2026 Trinity School Captain, Darcy Stewart

Trinity Grammar School announces the appointment of Mr Sean Cox as Deputy Principal, commencing January 2026

Trinity Grammar School announces the appointment of Mr Sean Cox as Deputy Principal, commencing January 2026

Trinity Grammar School, Kew is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Sean Cox as the new Deputy Principal, following an extensive executive search process. 

Commencing Term 1 next year, Sean brings deep expertise in educational leadership, having successfully led senior school, whole-school campus operations (ELC to Year 12) and boarding programs across Victoria and Queensland. 

His wealth of academic credentials includes a Master of Education (Leadership and Management), a Master of Business Administration, and formal qualifications in Education, Educational Neuroscience, and Exercise and Movement – reflecting a broad and interdisciplinary approach to learning and leadership. 

Currently serving as Head of Senior School at Wesley College, Glen Waverley, Sean is widely regarded as an ethical and relational leader. His leadership is anchored in collaboration, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard, respected, and valued. 

On his appointment, Sean shared: 

“It is with both pride and humility that I accept the role of Deputy Principal at Trinity Grammar School. The opportunity to contribute to an aspirational community defined by connection and tradition is one I am immensely looking forward to.  

Throughout the interview process, I was struck by the authenticity of my interactions with students and staff. I look forward to getting to know the students, families, and alumni when I commence in 2026, and working alongside the dedicated staff team to support the continued growth of Trinity.” 

With a clear alignment with Trinity’s purpose and values, we warmly welcome Sean and look forward to the energy, insight, and impact his leadership will bring. 

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Belong

Inclusion, respect, safety and relationships.

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Engage

Encouraging active learning, metacognition, creativity, and strong communication

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Strive

Identity, character, resilience, compassion, service and help-seeking, encouraging goal-setting, persistence and personal effort

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Thrive

Promoting overall wellbeing and healthy development supporting ambition, goals, purpose, passion, leadership, pathways and performance

Wellbeing

Trinity Grammar School, Kew is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Sean Cox as our new Deputy Principal, commencing Term 1, 2026. 

Introducing Personal BEST – Trinity’s Wellbeing Program

Introducing Personal BEST – Trinity’s Wellbeing Program

Trinity’s newly-launched wellbeing curriculum spans from ELC through to Year 12, providing essential support by equipping students with the knowledge and age-appropriate skills needed to manage a complex range of pressures effectively.

In the Early Learning Centre, our youngest students have a collection of Kimochis – a playful cast of characters designed to help young children recognise, understand and talk about their feelings in a safe and engaging way.

“Emotional learning is a journey – not a destination – and it begins in those vital early years with thoughtful, evidence-based practices like these.”

– Naomi Wright, Director of the Early Learning Centre

Meet ‘Huggtopus’ – a cheerful, round, purple octopus with bright green spots on her tentacles and a big heart to match. She’s one of the Kimochis – a playful cast of characters designed to help young children recognise, understand and talk about their feelings in a safe and engaging way.

Grounded in sport and performance psychology, and shaped by the school’s core values, Personal BEST empowers students to grow through the pillars of Belong, Engage, Strive, and Thrive.

IMG_1714 (1)

Belong

Inclusion, respect, safety and relationships.

Image (4)

Engage

Encouraging active learning, metacognition, creativity, and strong communication

Image (6) (3)

Strive

Identity, character, resilience, compassion, service and help-seeking, encouraging goal-setting, persistence and personal effort

Image (3)

Thrive

Promoting overall wellbeing and healthy development supporting ambition, goals, purpose, passion, leadership, pathways and performance

Wellbeing

Our wellbeing program strives to foster an inclusive atmosphere where students are not only known, but experience a true sense of belonging within a supportive community. 

“More than just the green and gold” – Introducing our 2025 Student Leadership Group

“More than just the green and gold” - Introducing our 2025 Student Leadership Group

“I want to ensure that others realise that Trinity is more than just the green and gold, that it’s a part of who we are and what we will become.” – Flynn McNamara, 2025 Vice Captain 

Since his commencement at Trinity in Year 1, incoming School Captain Nikki du Toit’s journey has been shaped by strong student role models.  

“As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised their importance, and now believe I have the capability to lead and help others in doing so,” he said.  

With a strong sense of pride and an eagerness to give back, Nikki says that he is most looking forward to “competing in sports for Trinity as a Year 12 leader, as well as inspiring school spirit by bringing creativity and energy to every event”. 

Nikki is joined by four Vice Captains; Giancarlo Lee, Flynn McNamara, Benjamin Rosenberg and Ben Ross. Together, they form the 2025 Student Leadership Group. 

Giancarlo says he was “overwhelmingly delighted” by his appointment, and Benjamin speaks of his excitement in being able to enact positive change.  

The leadership program at Trinity encourages every student to embrace and embody positive leadership, cross-age mentorship and role modelling throughout their education.  

Our incoming captains will work together within their portfolios and areas of interest to promote and celebrate student voice, community activities and service opportunities. 

For Flynn, relationships will be central to his leadership style. 

“Through my role I aim to build upon and strengthen our community,” he said. 

“I [would like to] grow our already strong inter-year-level relationships but also create a more inclusive and enjoyable environment”.  

 Nikki also speaks to the strong sense of belonging that he feels at Trinity, which he says is “indicative of the camaraderie we share and [the] care everyone has for one another”.  

Having played the symphonic triangle in the Mitre Band, batted and fielded for the cricket team and traversed the great outdoors as part of Outdoor Education program, Ben has always said “yes” to opportunity. 

“My goal is for next year to [help] people realise how many different paths we can take through our time at Trinity, and that simply putting your hand up to say ‘yes’ to things will result in a worthwhile experience,” he said.  

For Giancarlo, who competes with both the Athletics and Water Polo squads beyond his standard summer and winter sports, one of his greatest joys is “don[ning] the green and gold and compet[ing] with those colours just that little bit more”. 

Beginning this term, each captain will oversee different portfolios across the school, including assemblies, outreach and social initiatives.  

Benjamin is keen to focus on community service and the student engagement within those programs, as well as fostering inter-year level collaboration. 

“My area of interest at school is community involvement, and I think my long-term involvement in the Harambee program has fostered that passion,” he said. 

Ultimately for Flynn, he wants to ensure that others realise that Trinity “is more than just the green and gold”. 

“It’s a part of who we are and what we will become,” he said.  

VCE Premier’s Awards

Premier's VCE Awards

The annual Premier’s VCE Awards recognise students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

At the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre last week, four of our students were honoured with a Premier’s VCE Award:

  1. Eric Wu (Year 12) – Algorithmics
  2. Damon Webb (OTG 2023) – Geography
  3. Michael Fan (OTG 2023) – German
  4. Alex Chieng (Year 12) – Music Repertoire Performance

More than 1,000 guests attended the prestigious ceremony, where 310 of Victoria’s top-performing 2023 VCE students were recognised for their outstanding academic results.

The audience enjoyed a solo performance from Alex, who played Carlos Gardel’s “Por Una Cabeza” arranged for solo violin by Augustine Hadelich 🎻

Congratulations!

VCE Results Highlights

Our Dux achieved the highest possible ATAR score of

99.95

Median ATAR:

91

Median Study Score:

35

Perfect Study Scores
across eight subjects

12

Received an ATAR of 99 or above

11%

Received an ATAR of 90 or above

54%

Received an ATAR of 80 or above

72%

Students who ranked in the top 1%

19