When Ryan received a Haileybury Foundation Scholarship in 2018, he was just 12 years old — full of potential, but with little idea of how profoundly this opportunity would shape his future. Today, Ryan is preparing to walk through the gates of an American university, ready to begin a brand new chapter.
At the time of his scholarship award, Ryan admits he did not fully grasp the scale of what had just happened. “I remember feeling very relieved,” he recalls. “My parents were not in a position to afford a school like Haileybury, so it meant a lot that they wouldn’t need to worry about paying for my education.”
Ryan entered Year 7 at Haileybury’s unique City campus — a vertical school unlike any he had seen before. The shift from his previous school was dramatic. “I’d come from a junior school that was incredibly spacious, so going to school in a ten-storey building was a huge change,” he says. “But I was surprised and impressed by how many academic and co-curricular opportunities were offered, even though the campus was still developing.”
While Ryan excelled academically, it was the small, personal moments that left the deepest impression. Being elected Vice-Captain of Swimming in Year 12, despite not being one of the strongest athletes, was one such memory. “It meant a lot to know that the other swimmers and the coaches thought I was a good enough leader, regardless of performance,” he says.
Another was the support he received from his English teacher in the lead-up to final exams. “We worked through the content, of course, but more importantly, we examined the mindset I needed going into the exam. That kind of dedication from a teacher is something I’ll never forget.”
Now, Ryan looks ahead to his time in the USA. “We’re somewhat sheltered at a place like Haileybury, surrounded by high-quality people and facilities. I’m excited to explore the real world — even if that real world starts on a college campus.”
To those who support the Haileybury Foundation, Ryan offers a heartfelt message: “Your gifts can manifest in unimaginable ways. No one — least of all my parents — would have predicted Harvard when I started in 2018. The thoughts and ideas I developed at Haileybury were more powerful than any grade. That is the true power of your gift.”
Haileybury Foundation is changing lives forever. Over 50 students have benefited from these life changing scholarships since 2010. Students who otherwise would never have dreamt of a Haileybury education are succeeding because of the generosity of our community. Please contact Russell Davidson at Russell.davidson@haileybury.com.au to learn more about the impact of a gift to Haileybury Foundation.
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