A Significant Impact

Kayla Salmons (OH 2020)

Kayla Salmons (OH 2020)

Kayla Salmons joined Haileybury in 2019 in Year 11 as the beneficiary of the Robin Fildes Scholarship. Robin was interested in assisting a student who would not otherwise have been able to attend Haileybury, and who was an outstanding all-rounder, possessing excellent academic results and one or more of drama, musical or sporting talent. Kayla was an outstanding recipient. She was a member of the 1st Basketball Premiership team as well as being an excellent academic student. Kayla’s outstanding talent led her to being granted a scholarship to Idaho State University where she reflects on her time at Haileybury and the journey ahead.

> What did you enjoy most about your

time at Haileybury?

What I enjoyed the most at Haileybury was the amazing support from teachers and students alike, which really allowed me to elevate my ability and drive to achieve high results not only in my basketball career but also my schooling, which is equally if not more important to me.

> What did Haileybury provide that was

beyond your expectation?

The teachers really outdid themselves and were completely beyond my expectations. Whenever you had an issue with something, they were always there to help; if you needed extra one-on-one time to fully understand a topic from class they would always stay back or schedule another time to help you. Everything they did was about helping students be the most successful they can be. Something I am forever grateful for.

> How were you able to cope with the

challenges that came with COVID-19?

COVID-19 was not only tough on us VCE students but it was also tough on teachers and faculty trying to find the best way to help us succeed in such unprecedented circumstances. During quarantine we were lucky enough to be able to continue schooling via Zoom, which helped me greatly as I was still able to ask questions and interact with my peers and teachers as much as I could. Online schooling was tough for everyone, but the ability of students, teachers and faculty to work together is what truly made the best out of a bad situation.

> Tell us a little bit about your journey

and how you came to be at Idaho State and how you are progressing with your basketball.

I have been playing basketball for 11 years now and it is something I completely fell in love with. As I got older, the better

I got, until I was given the opportunity to continue my studies in the U.S. on an athletic scholarship for Idaho State

University. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to continue my studies while also doing the thing I love the most.

Although adjusting to a slightly different style of play and rulebook was hard, I have only been getting better and better with my basketball and this is something

I would not have had the opportunity to do if it wasn’t for Haileybury and their dedication not only to my basketball but also to my schooling, which helped me to strive to be the best athletically and academically that I could be.

> What do you aspire to be doing in five

years’ time?

In five years’ time I do plan to continue my studies. I want to be a child psychologist and learning is something I enjoy and want to continue doing. I also plan to keep playing basketball. Whether that is back home or overseas again I haven’t truly figured out, but all I know is that I love both my academics and my basketball too much to give them up!

Caden Ong (OH 2021)

Caden Ong joined Haileybury in 2018 in Year 9 thanks to support received from both the Melbourne Foundation and the Haileybury graduating class of 2007, led by Jason Perri. The Class of 2007 / Melbourne Foundation Scholarship aim was to identify a student who would not be ordinarily able to attend Haileybury and one that had excellent academic ability and a strong sense of community. Caden performed extremely well in his VCE exams despite being in lockdown for the best part of two years. He is highly appreciative of his scholarship and is immensely thankful for the gift that he has received. The impact of our donors has been significant.

> What did you enjoy most about your

time at Haileybury?

During my time at Haileybury I thoroughly enjoyed the duality of the sporting and academic focuses that Haileybury has created. I personally found that despite

Haileybury having a major focus on

Academics the curriculum is structured so that the sporting aspect of school life helps to take you away from school.

> What did Haileybury provide that was

beyond your expectation?

The support during COVID - 19 was tremendous from Haileybury being able to adapt so fast which constant government lockdown laws being changed. Haileybury being able to move around this barrier while still being able to provide the resources and education that they did during the last 2 years was quite amazing.

> How were you able to cope with the

challenges that came with COVID-19?

I think that I was able to cope as the way school adapted the timetable to help fit a covid 19 scenario helped. Along with the frequent availability of teachers to help us whenever help was needed played a big role in being able to cope with the challenges from COVID 19.

> What will you be doing in 2022.

I will be studying commerce at the

University of Melbourne

> What do you aspire to be doing in 5

years time?

I aspire to be working towards if not already in the private equity/investment/ banking sector.