Statistics are sometimes just that. Statistics.
It’s not often that two brothers, let alone of Greek background, get to be appointed school captains for two consecutive years.
Meet Year 11 and Year 12 Trinity Grammar students, Jamie and Spiro Christopoulos.
“It’s a very proud moment, especially for our grandparents and family. We don’t forget our roots. We don’t forget our connection to Greece and we are grateful to be able to represent our Greek heritage and our school,” current school captain, Spiro, tells The Greek Herald.
Jamie, who is set to follow in his brother’s footsteps next year, explains how their grandparents’ migration stories have inspired them.
“Our paternal grandfather is one of seven siblings and was the only one who had the opportunity to come to Australia for a better life. He was not educated but he was very business-minded and had strong values and morals,” Jamie says.
“We appreciate the sacrifice they [our grandparents] made. They left their country in such young age and they came to Australia without even knowing the language. We want to make them proud,” agree the brothers.
“Spiro and Jamie were also the captains in Year 6 of each of their primary schools. They followed each other as well. The last time two brother were school captains was in 1938-1939 – the Ledgerwood brothers,” Head of Community Engagement at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, Kell Daniels, notes.
‘Exams do not define you as a person’:
The COVID-19 pandemic period has been a stressful time for all, but in particular has affected the 180,000 Year 12 students across Australia as it has led to the cancellation of practical classes and assessments, graduation ceremonies, formals and other Year 12 ‘rites of passage’.
But it’s not all grim. There are lessons to be learnt from this pandemic.
“For me it has been an opportunity to learn how to adapt to change and respond to adversity,” Spiro says.
“Don’t take things to heart and understand that exams and scores do not define you as a person,” he concludes.
