Doctor dreams for Thames High’s Dux

Ruby Molloy’s love of learning has led her to become a two-time Dux recipient of Thames High School.
The successful school leaver is now on her way down south, having received the University of Otago’s Leaders of Tomorrow entrance scholarship.
“Getting my scholarship down to Dunedin was a big achievement for me,” Ruby told The Profile. “The scholarship itself will help to fund my stay at the halls next year, and will provide support that will ease me into my first taste of independence.”
When she was in Year 9, Ruby set herself the goal of receiving the Year 10 Dux – which she obtained. Then, she set her sights on being named Dux once more for Year 13.
She said she was “so ridiculously excited” when she heard her hard work had paid off for the second time.
“After so much hard work, not just this year but in my whole school experience, getting Dux was so affirming,” she said. “It’s always been something I’ve strived towards, throughout my whole school experience but especially this year.”
Ruby said it was her love of learning that supported her goal.
“To me, learning is an enriching tool both for self-discovery and for a greater understanding of the world. Connecting with my schoolwork, and enjoying the process of completing it – at times – was so important to me achieving my goal.”
She said the people at Thames High, both the teachers and her friends, made her schooling experience so worthwhile.
“I’ve got lots of people that have supported me this year, and I’m so grateful for the things they’ve taught me and the values they’ve instilled. I’ve definitely learned a lot and been really inspired to go out and pave my own way,” she said.
She will be entering into first-year health sciences in 2024, with the hopes of becoming a doctor. As a doctor, she said she’d love to specialise in obstetrics or in becoming a General Practitioner.
“The breadth of medical science fascinates me, but seeing its real-life applications and how much good medicine can do is what drives me towards a career in the field,” she said.
“As a doctor, you are not only present for people in their most vulnerable moments but you are also empowered by science to assist them. This, combined with the prospect of lifelong learning makes for my dream career.”
And her advice to those students coming into NCEA exams? Do the work as you get it.
“I like to keep a planner as well, just so I can write down my due date for everything and plan out how much time I want to spend completing assignments each day,” she said.
“I’d [also] say working hard during your practice externals at the end of the year. I know the grade doesn’t mean much, so long as you don’t get sick, but learning all of those standards and sitting the exam as a true practice for your real externals is super helpful for the actual exams.”