Two generations of Trinity Grammarians reflect on the Coordinate Program

Andrew Chieng (OTG 1994) was amongst the first students to experience the Trinity/ Ruyton Coordinate Program after it was first introduced in 1993. His son Alex, who is currently in Year 11, is now experiencing the program himself some 30 years later. In celebration of the 30-year anniversary, the father/son duo reflect on their experiences.

Andrew (OTG 1994)

Trinity made the transition for a new kid from overseas like me seamless, and I quickly immersed myself in the Trinity family and curriculum, especially on the tracks and soccer fields. The Trinity teachers left a deep impression on me as well. I will never forget the booming voice of Mr Brown in my Maths classes and Mr Boys’ passionate teaching which inspired the career path I have today.

It is amazing to think that it has been 30 years since the Coordinate

Program was introduced between Trinity and Ruyton. It was certainly a unique experience for me, having only been in an all-boys environment throughout my school years. There were already a few joint activities with Ruyton prior to the introduction of the Coordinate Program, but having girls in the classroom was a completely new frontier.

A key benefit of the Coordinate Program that I experienced was the opportunity for students from Trinity and Ruyton to interact and collaborate. We participated in joint classes and projects and developed friendships (including finding a date for the Year 12 formal!). There was also lots of fun to be had, with a memorable Year 12 breakfast and volleyball and “poisonball” games to cap off the ’94 year. This collaborative environment fostered a sense of respect.

Seeing Alex go through the program was both surreal and rewarding. 30 years on, the ageless aspects of the program remain - like learning how to communicate with one another!

Alex (Year 11)

Despite the social challenges my dad faced upon immigrating from Malaysia and assimilating into Australian culture, it was evident that his experience at Trinity played a key role in shaping who he is today.

Having attended the school from ELC, I've undergone just about every stage of my childhood at Trinity. Seeing the same friends that I've known for over a decade grow and develop alongside me has been particularly rewarding, as well as meeting people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.

The Coordinate Program in the classroom setting has benefited me from both an academic and social perspective, facilitating a unique class dynamic within all my VCE classes. Perhaps my most memorable experience with the Coordinate Program was playing a part in the band/orchestra in the 2019 and 2022 Trinity/Ruyton school productions of 'Les Misérables' and 'Chicago' respectively.

What I love most about music, and more specifically, the music program I’ve experienced at Trinity, is the tight-knit community that surrounds it. The school's myriad performance opportunities, talented students, and supportive teachers have allowed my passion for music to flourish.

Performance opportunities like the school productions were only made possible through the Ruyton partnership, which fosters an environment of tolerance and empathy that permeates every aspect of the school's culture.