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Ms Janet Davey (’13) completed Year 12 at Ruyton in 2013, having achieved an ATAR score over 99 and a perfect study score of 50 in Psychology. She was one of the recipients of the inaugural Tuckwell scholarships at the Australian National University (ANU) and is now studying a double degree in Science and Asia-Pacific Studies, specialising in Mathematics, Psychology, Chinese, and Chinese studies. The Tuckwell programme has a focus on giving back to Australia by scholars reinvesting their knowledge, skills and experience in ways that positively benefit others. Janet says that the Scholarship has already had a significant impact on her life. ‘One thing I love about the programme is that it's really about giving back to the community and broadening your university experience. It allows you to interact with students and academics outside your discipline and see things from a range of perspectives’.
Janet has many positive memories of her six years at Ruyton. She thrived with the diversity of subjects she could study, relishing the challenge of switching from one train of thought to another through the different disciplines. She particularly enjoyed public speaking and debating, developing a real aptitude in this area. She also embraced as many sporting opportunities as she could. She was a valuable member of the hockey team and says, ‘Never have I played in a team that worked so hard or had such enjoyment, no matter the score line’.
She says that Ruyton taught her about the value of persevering in the face of challenges, academic or otherwise, and that hard work would lead to successful outcomes. Janet took this to heart. As a participant in House Cross Country, in Year 7 she was placed last: in Years 11 and 12 she had changed this to come in at ninth place in a highly competitive field.
Janet remembers her connected and highly committed teachers, in particular her humanities teacher, who gave her a keen interest in politics, as well as piquing her interest in many other areas by his wide-ranging knowledge and expertise.

‘Ruyton combines the opportunities of a large school with the heart of a small one. Only now do I really appreciate how much the teachers cared about us, and how much they wanted us to improve at and enjoy what we were learning.’
Janet represents the true spirit of Ruyton. She achieved educational excellence as well as personal fulfilment. She was recognised by her peers as a natural leader and provides an exemplary model for our girls to follow.