Ruby a Trew Olympic inspiration at Narrabeen Sports High

In between her overseas competitions, Ruby’s school held a special assembly to celebrate her remarkable achievement, led by a very proud principal, Heidi Currie.

“The role model she is and the way she inspires the other students is just incredible,” said Ms Currie.

“I am especially proud of her teachers, her sports coaches and everyone who helped her during her learning process.”

Ruby’s skateboarding coach is her father, James.

“It’s been amazing to have been on the whole journey with her – from when she was five to now going to the Olympics, the pinnacle of the sport. It’s incredible,” he said.

Mr Trew admits that it is sometimes a challenge to combine skating with schoolwork.

“It’s a matter of finding the right balance. As a top athlete, you’re in your tenth year and you still make time for your friends. It’s a constant balancing act.

“The way a gym like this works gives Ruby the freedom to adjust her workload depending on where she is. If she’s back in Australia she comes to school, if she’s overseas she studies online, so that flexibility in school is great.”

Principal Heidi Currie says it’s all part of being a specialized public high school.

“We have high potential curriculum so she can complete her work at a level where she can achieve those milestones with all her friends, graduate and do all those things that she has come to love here at Narrabeen Sports High.”

Ruby said she wouldn’t have been able to get this far without the school’s help.

“I’m in Year 10 so there’s quite a bit of work but the teachers at Narrabeen High have been so amazing to me. I’ve been away so much this year and they’ve really helped me when I’ve come back,” she said.

But her father says priorities will change once the Olympics are over.

“Oh, absolutely, she has a ton of catching up to do!”

Also competing at the Games from Narrabeen Sports High are Liv Lovelace from the class of 2021, in the street skating event and Sariah Paki, who left in 2018, in the Rugby Sevens.