29 Aug 2024

Tuckwell Scholar

A top-performing Churchie student has earned a prestigious scholarship at the Australian National University (ANU) following a highly competitive selection process.

Bill McCart, a third-generation Churchie student currently in Year 12, was awarded the 2025 Tuckwell Scholarship, offered to only 25 high-performing school leavers based on their intellect, character, leadership and commitment to Australia. The scholarship will provide Bill with financial support for his undergraduate study at ANU and a wealth of personal enrichment and development opportunities.

Bill was selected from a field of over 1,000 applicants following a rigorous process that evaluated his academic ability, leadership potential, commitment to giving back and strength of character. He found the application process to be extensive yet interesting.

‘The first stage was about getting to know you as a student (e.g. your grades and cocurricular activities), whereas the second stage involved answering long-form questions, like “What street in your town/suburb would you rename?”, which was a great way to get my personality across to the selection panel,’ Bill said.

The third stage was an interview weekend on campus at ANU with 50 other finalists. Applicants toured the university and met with Tuckwell scholarship founders and philanthropists Graham and Louise Tuckwell.

‘The interview itself consisted of four thirteen-minute interviews in quick succession with two members of the selection panel in each room.  You couldn’t study for the interview and had to be able to think on your feet,’ Bill said.

As an International Baccalaureate student, Bill is well prepared for the balance of a rigorous academic curriculum with cocurricular activities, which he was able to demonstrate during the application process.

‘The IB is all about developing a sense of individuality, creativity and integrity along with your education. I think these attributes helped me to stand out throughout the interview process,’ he said.

As a prefect and role model to his peers, Bill made the most of the many opportunities available to him at Churchie, participating in a variety of cocurricular activities including debating, theatresports, football, music and peer tutoring.

‘Theatresports and debating are two activities that really helped me throughout the interview process. I was able to think on my feet when faced with challenging questions, whilst maintaining a clear line of argument and a good sense of humour,’ he said.

Bill is planning to study a double degree in law and actuarial studies at ANU, which he believes will give him ‘a broad array of useful skills’, and he looks forward to the strong community aspect of the scholarship programme.

‘The Tuckwell Scholars have their own “clubhouse” on campus called Scholars House.  Scholars are encouraged to live on campus for three years so that the older Tuckwell Scholars are around to help and guide the younger Scholars,’ he said.

Churchie wishes Bill all the best as he continues his final year of school and looks forward to seeing where the Tuckwell Scholarship will take him in the future.