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She wasn't the worst-behaved kid in the class, but she certainly wasn't the best either.
And because she sat down the front, one of the prefects if you like, her transgressions were all the more visible.
In this new classroom, all eyes will be on her. Now a class captain, she can't afford to carry on the way she did, which saw her kicked out on numerous occasions.
So we're unlikely to hear those 10 words on high rotation the last time around: "The deputy leader of the opposition will leave the chamber."
Now leader, Sussan Ley will have to curb the interjections and unparliamentary language that so often peppered her behaviour in the last parliament's question time.
Not only is a higher standard expected of leaders - even in opposition - but in this new parliament, with its numbers so badly depleted, any shouty bravado from those seated on the Speaker's left will look, well, a little silly.
And any "rhubarb, rhubarb" murmurings of discontent from the opposition benches will struggle to be heard above the government's historical commanding majority.
So far, the new opposition leader has handled the top job well.
Her National Press Club address was measured, reasonable and honest. Three words stood out above the rest for their forthrightness: "We got smashed."
And her handling last week of prang-prone Angus Taylor's off-script comments about making a commitment with the US on Taiwan's security was tight. Since the May 3 loss and her elevation to leader, Ley has presented a much more polished version of herself than she did as deputy.
The first question time of the new parliament will set the tone for her leadership. It won't just be the gravitas she can muster in her questions to the Prime Minister.
Small details, seating arrangement, the MPs she chooses to be in shot behind her for the all-important nine-second grab that makes the evening TV news, they all matter. It's accepted the Liberal Party failed to appeal to young people and women so it would be a bad look placing a huddle of ageing walruses in the background but, given the numbers, a challenge not to.
Choosing who gets to ask the questions is also important.

In the last parliament, the government mocked the opposition for then shadow treasurer Angus Taylor's reluctance to get up on his feet. Knowing he'd make short work of him, Treasurer Jim Chalmers almost begged questions from Taylor.
Now, he's shadow defence minister, a portfolio the Coalition has always claimed it's better at managing than Labor, should we expect to see more of Taylor? If so, will he remember to pull the pin from any grenade he tosses over the despatch box? Or will he hold onto the grenade and toss the pin? So far, it hasn't looked promising.
Sussan Ley's task to rebuild her party is monumental. Her narrow leadership victory - four votes whittled down to one after the departure of Senate colleagues - means the public scrutiny she faces will be less intense than that applied by her colleagues.
Her performance in the theatre of question time will either consolidate her leadership or corrode it.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Will Sussan Ley survive as Opposition Leader? How do you rate her performance so far? Will Angus Taylor help or hinder her? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Sneakers have become an unlikely symbol of the resistance to the cuts being proposed by the ANU's leadership.
- US President Donald Trump recently had a medical checkup after noticing "mild swelling" in his lower legs and was found to have a condition common in older adults that causes blood to pool in his veins.
- Baby Boomers have become the fastest-growing group of cryptocurrency investors in Australia.
THEY SAID IT: "The biggest part of leadership is that you lead by example with your performance first and foremost.' - Jude Bellingham
YOU SAID IT: Garry's been plotting revenge against Qantas and all the other big corporations which have shown appalling complacency about keeping their customers' data safe from cyber criminals.
Robert and his wife were caught up in the data breach: "The spam and bin folders in our email account have had an increase in volume by about 125 per cent. We are now getting around 120-plus scam-type emails a day. Thanks, Qantas."
"Qantas' churlish corporate-speak 'apology' seemed to be suggesting that all was OK because there was not enough stolen data to allow anyone to get into my Frequent Flyer account," writes John. "So what? The hacked data with all sorts of detailed personal information would be of immense use to scammers and phishers who don't give a toss about inspecting my Frequent Flyer points balance but would find it very useful to worm into dozens of other accounts and applications. Another disgraceful episode from the discredited former icon."
Arthur writes: "A bank robber was asked, 'Why do you keep on robbing banks?' He replied: 'Because that is where the money is.' Corporations should not be allowed to create and maintain customer records beyond what is immediately necessary to conduct their business."
"It is really invasive when corporations (like Qantas) demand your full birth, credit card and driver's licence details and cannot guarantee the security of that information; yet you have to give it to them in order to conduct any business with them," writes Mark. "What happens when any or all of these details are stolen or given to a third party without your knowledge? What happens when your identity is stolen and you cannot conduct any further business with these same entities?"

