reporter the ruyton
autumn 2020
100 YEARS AT SELBOURNE ROAD
CONTENTS FROM THE STUDY
1
FROM THE BOARD
2
LEADING WITH RADIANCE AND UNITY
4
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2019
6
100 YEARS AT SELBOURNE ROAD
8
EMBRACING THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT YOU
12
KNOWING YOUR PERSONAL BEST
13
GIRLS DRIVING CHANGE
14
INSPIRING FUTURE STEM LEADERS
15
TO MARS AND BEYOND
16
OUR YOUNGEST GLOBAL CITIZENS
18
YEAR 5 CAMP SYDNEY
20
MUSIC
22
VCE SEASON OF EXCELLENCE
24
VCE ART EXPO
25
CREATING SPARKLY IDEAS
26
COLLABORATING ON GLOBAL ISSUES
27
COMMUNITY
28
PARENTS OF RUYTON (POR)
29
FOUNDATION
30
ALUMNAE
32
REUNIONS
36
If you have any articles you would like to submit for consideration for publication, please email news@ruyton.vic.edu.au or post to 12 Selbourne Road, Kew Victoria 3101. Mark correspondence to: Attention Director of Communications and Marketing Special thanks to Kiara Ruggiero for her work preparing this edition of the Ruyton Reporter Editor Elaine Doyle, Director of Communications and Marketing
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FROM THE STUDY As our world has been hurting in many ways this year, I was reminded of the myth of Pandora’s Box, one that provides hope for us amid our uncertain world. The most powerful of all the Greek gods, Zeus, gave Pandora a wedding gift of a beautiful box with one important condition; that she must never open it. Pandora’s curiosity finally consumed her and she opened the box. After dreaming of fine silks, gowns and gold bracelets her face turned to disappointment and then horror. Zeus had packed the box full of terrible evils and out came misery, death and sadness – all shaped like tiny buzzing moths. The creatures stung Pandora repeatedly and she slammed the lid shut. But there was a voice calling her from inside the box, pleading to be let out. Pandora and her husband agreed that nothing inside the box could be worse than the horrors already released, so they opened the lid once more. All that remained in the box was Hope. It fluttered out like a beautiful dragonfly, touching the wounds caused by the evil creatures and healing them. Even though Pandora had released pain and suffering upon the world she also allowed Hope to follow them. We are all currently being confronted by the complexities of our interconnected world. Our hearts are both challenged and broken while our worldview of material ease and progress has been all but removed. Our fear is the necessary consequence of feeling hopeful again as hope never enters a room without fear at its side. These twin forces are completely entwined in this extraordinary time of uncertainty. Fear is the price of hope, and we all need the courage to be hopeful in these times; to use our networks to create and build rather than to tear down and destroy. To find the unity that will strengthen us through acts of empathy and compassion. Successful education has often focused on teaching content but the criteria for educating children well in today’s world is changing rapidly.
This requires focusing on the development of a reliable moral compass, with the skills to find our way through an increasingly ambiguous, uncertain and volatile world. Educational success is increasingly about extrapolating from what we know and applying that knowledge in novel and challenging situations, where adaptation is crucial. Now more than ever the focus is on creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration as well as the character qualities that will enable us to live and work together and build a sustainable humanity. Like so many school communities around the world, Ruyton rapidly and unexpectedly moved to a distance learning model late in Term 1. How long we will remain in this new mode we are unsure. What we do know is that we will continue to improve and adapt to best meet the needs of our learners. As always, our girls are at the very heart of all that we do. In her book Rising Strong Brené Brown reminds us that our choices have consequences, they make the world a more dangerous place or they cultivate peace. Fear and judgement deepen our collective wounds while that rare mix of courage and compassion is the balm that brings global healing. In this world of uncertainty, we are looking to embrace hope and vulnerability together, choosing courage and compassion despite our fears. Our students are our greatest hope for the future. This issue of the Ruyton Reporter was largely written before the COVID-19 pandemic fully unfolded. As we find ourselves in challenging and uncertain times, we felt that these stories of our girls striving to be their best in so many ways were important to share with you. We trust that this edition unites the Ruyton community in times of physical and social distancing and provides us all with that beautiful fluttering dragonfly of Hope. Our best wishes to you all over the next few months. May you remain connected to friends and family, stay safe and stay well. Linda Douglas Principal
autumn 2020
1
FROM THE BOARD
I hope this edition of the Ruyton Reporter finds you and your family well as we deal with the unprecedented and challenging situation of COVID-19. The Ruyton Board know that connection and support for our families has always been an essential component of the Ruyton culture. The Board continues to be enormously grateful for the support of all our community, particularly at this time.
Visionary leadership is the cornerstone of a successful school. The Ruyton Board is delighted to confirm the renewal of contract of Ms Linda Douglas as the Principal of Ruyton Girls’ School for a further five years, until December 2025. Linda has led the School to new heights in academic excellence with Ruyton regularly reported as a top performing girls’ school in Victoria.
In reflecting on the successes of our past year, we congratulate our Class of 2019, who graduated with outstanding personal achievements and the knowledge that a Ruyton education has prepared them academically and holistically with the skills required for the future. As always, partners in our girls’ education remain our supportive parents, whom we thank for their willingness to assist when needed, along with our dedicated team of teaching staff who inspire lifelong learning. This support and these attributes have, of course, been so clearly evident this year.
Notably, Ruyton celebrates 100 years of powerful learning for girls at Selbourne Road in 2020. While 2020 is not unfolding the way we had hoped, we know that the strong engagement and commitment of our students, staff and parents will ensure our community remains united and finds the strength to weather this storm together. Virginia McLaughlan President, The Ruyton Board
In 2019 we also said farewell to Mrs Glenis Gumley, Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School, a committed educational leader and supporter of our girls. In 2020 we welcomed Ms Lauren Perfect, who has a wealth of experience in and passion for girls’ education, as her successor.
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INTRODUCING LAUREN PERFECT DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL We welcomed Lauren Perfect as our new Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School at Ruyton Girls’ School in January 2020. A passionate educator and leader, Lauren brings a wealth of leadership experience; she has held the roles of Head of Senior School, Head of Year 12, Head of House, Deputy Head of Student Leadership and Head of Department.
‘I feel truly fortunate to have joined such an incredible school community at Ruyton and I thank you for your warm welcome in my first term. In many regards it feels like I have been here much longer than I actually have, and to me this is a measure of the strength that lies in Ruyton’s willingness to welcome new people into the fold and travel the journey together.’ – Lauren Perfect
Dedicated to educational excellence via a holistic approach, Lauren has a clear sense of enthusiasm and determination in encouraging young women to explore their passions and abilities, and equip them for their future. We welcome Lauren to Ruyton, and look forward to watching her leadership flourish within our community.
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leadership
LEADING WITH RADIANCE AND UNITY A reflection from our School Co-Captains As the 2020 Co-Captains, we have pledged to lead this year with radiance and unity. When deciding on the two words to best encapsulate our year level, we were immediately drawn to our first word, radiance: an emission of light and warmth onto others. We consider radiance to be so pertinent because each and every girl in our year level is proud of who they are. It is this which allows their personal qualities to shine through. By being happy, kind, open, warm and most importantly being yourself. We hope this will inspire a collective feeling of pride and togetherness within our community – a sense of unity. Unity is only possible through the tight connection of those within it and made whole by combining our differences. Radiance and unity coexist in order to lift up the other – a symbiosis of sorts. All of our strengths, differences, personalities and diversity makes our student community whole. It is through this support that we hope to raise each other up to be the best version of ourselves, and to have courage and faith in ourselves during times of uncertainty this year and beyond.
As well as our words, we chose a colour to represent our year level’s leadership. We have chosen the colour peach, a blend of pink and orange tones that radiates warmth and love. It is this culmination of different colours to form something seamless and balanced, which we aim to emulate in an inclusive style of leadership. The radiant colour peach is also reminiscent of flowers blooming and a sense of growth. For us, growth is only possible through errors and failure, and this is why we want to encourage girls to live beyond the fear of failure. The peach tree symbolises the evolution and constant renewal of life, something only made possible by the pruning of its branches, allowing it to grow stronger. As leaders we feel it is important to embrace the challenges life throws our way, and to learn and grow from them. We feel peach is representative of the Class of 2020’s desire for this to be a year of connection, kindness and personal growth, and most importantly of growth together. Bella E and Mia W School Co-Captains
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HAVE COURAGE AND FAITH IN OURSELVES DURING TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY THIS YEAR AND BEYOND
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empowering girls
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2019 Grace Audrey Wang, Dux of Ruyton 2019 who achieved an ATAR of 99.90, spoke with current VCE students in Term 1 with words of advice and inspiration. Don’t compare yourself to others: You don’t have to be the brightest student in your year level to do ‘well’, so don’t compare yourself to me or others because we’re all different, but we’re all equally capable. Learn from your mistakes and make them worthwhile: Something that I learned the hard way was the importance of learning from my mistakes. Mistakes are ultimately unavoidable, so if you do make one – as long as you learn from it and fix the problem the first time – then it was well worth the mistake.
Harness your motivation, grit and self‑belief: Motivation is coupled with self-belief and perseverance. There will be times when you feel frustrated, disappointed and stressed because things don’t go to plan or you don’t meet your expectations, but that is okay. Grit is embedded in the spirit of a Ruyton girl. Have faith in yourself and your abilities and remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing. What is your goal, your purpose that you want to achieve? Life is a journey, not a destination: VCE is just one part of your educational journey, not the end. Enjoy this year, build new friendships, strengthen old ones and make some memories. Support and look out for one another because you are always stronger when you are together. And remember, help is always there when you need it.
Our girls’ journeys are rich in personal stories of grit, determination, courage and success
57%
ATARS ABOVE 90
6
eA ac
udrey W a
ng
Strive for balance: Have balance between work and play. Everyday after school I went to the gym for about 1.5 hours. It provided an outlet to vent the stresses of my day. I continued to participate in co-curricular activities such as choir, GSV sport, committees etc. When you go back to studying, you will be more focused and willing to work.
Gr
ADVICE AND LIFE LESSONS FROM GRACE AUDREY WANG 2019 DUX
2019 DUX
99.90
38%
ATARS ABOVE 95
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GRIT IS EMBEDDED IN THE SPIRIT OF A RUYTON GIRL autumn 2020
7
ruyton remembers
8
To move house is quite an undertaking. To move a whole school with boarders, day girls, live-in staff and all, must have been something else entirely. Yet this is what Principal Hilda Daniell decided to do in late 1919, when she announced that Ruyton would move across Kew, from its premises in A’Beckett Street, to Tarring in Selbourne Road during 1920.1
In The Ruytonian of April 1928, Hilda Daniell described the appeal of ‘the new Ruyton.’ It was ‘beautifully situated in a quiet, secluded street, close to trams yet protected from their noise. It had a lovely old garden, and plenty of space for tennis courts and playing fields. The old home furnished a large and dignified house for boarders. To Tarring therefore, Ruyton migrated in May, 1920.’ 3
Hilda Daniell may have been anxious about how the School community would respond to the change, given that the A’Beckett Street premises were regarded with great affection. However, she felt that she had no choice but to undergo such a move despite its attendant chaos and upheaval. Student numbers had rapidly built up since 1914, and by 1919 the A’Beckett Street premises (leased from the Bromby family) were full. With sport a growing priority, Hilda Daniell wanted more playing space for her students. When the Hentys’ old family home and nearly four acres of grounds came up for sale on the other side of Kew, Hilda Daniell saw it as an ideal solution to her twin problems.2
Though the new property may have been beautiful, it was not ready when the staff and 170 students arrived. It was still to undergo the changes needed to convert it from a home into a school, and the work would be done during the first three months that the girls and teachers were there. In 1928 Hilda Daniell wrote frankly about this period: ‘The first term was a hideous nightmare. Till the new schoolrooms were finished, classes had to be carried on in the house, both upstairs and down. The noise of the builders made teaching very difficult.’ To make matters worse, the muchwanted extra playing space was inaccessible as it was being levelled.4 The Senior girls didn’t seem to mind – a little upheaval was a small price to pay in exchange for the interesting goings-on of the carpenters and bricklayers, especially those who weren’t restrained in their swearing by the genteel surrounds of a girls’ school.5
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Hilda Daniell, c.1910, before she became Principal of Ruyton in 1913
Sheila Cooke (Summons, ‘32) was a young Ruyton student in the early 1920s. Her memories, recorded in 1984, provide a glimpse of how ‘the new Ruyton’ settled into Selbourne Road. She noted that most of the classes were in a new classroom block roughly in the location of today’s Foundation Building. The youngest girls were located in the newly extended ground floor section of Henty House (later used as the gymnasium and now the staff room). Due to the shortage of space, each morning this room doubled as the Assembly Hall for daily prayers.6 The remainder of Henty House accommodated the boarders and live-in staff, including a flat for Hilda Daniell. Today in 2020, it’s 100 years on from Hilda Daniell’s brave leap to move Ruyton to a new site. With the clarity of hindsight, it’s evident that Hilda Daniell’s decision gave the School the space to flourish, and stood it in good stead as the education landscape shifted and changed. However, one wonders whether it was with confidence or trepidation, or a tumultuous mixture of both, that she shut the gates at A’Beckett Street for the final time and turned towards Ruyton’s future at Selbourne Road.
Purpose built for Ruyton in 1888. By 1919, the School had outgrown the A’Beckett Street premises
Teachers found the construction of a new classroom block at Selbourne Road disruptive to lessons
Here the extra outdoor space at Selbourne Road is used to practise exercise drills, c.1920
Cathy Dodson School Archivist footnotes 1 Marjorie Theobald, Ruyton Remembers, p109 2 Marjorie Theobald, Ruyton Remembers, p110 3 The Ruytonian, Apr 1928, p10 4 The Ruytonian, Apr 1928, p11 5 The Ruytonian, Dec 1920, p2 6 Memories of Sheila Cooke (Summons, 1932) Ruyton Heritage Collection.
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A rare glimpse inside one of the classrooms, c.1920
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ruyton remembers
12 Selbourne Road purchased ‘Tarring’ renamed ‘Henty House’
1920
Royce Hall opened. Newly acquired ‘Mount View’ named Derham House
1960
1953–1958
The three-stage development of the Hilda Daniell Wing commenced in 1953, and was completed in 1958 (Ruyton’s 80th anniversary) after significant fundraising efforts
10
‘Craft House’ opens. Used today for the Early Learning Centre
1977
1967–1970
Students move into new Junior School and Middle School buildings
The John Bate P.E. Centre opens after a successful fundraising campaign
1992
1989
The Margaret McRae Building and Hiscock Court are opened
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The Foundation Building and the Prue Gillies Centre are opened
2005
1998
After substantial renovations Royce Hall reopens as Royce Theatre
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2008
The Aquatic Centre opens
Wardynski’s House is acquired after a generous bequest
The new Margaret McRae Centre is officially opened
2012
2016
2014
Redevelopment of the South House as a specialist Year 4 centre – originally acquired in 1966
2017
Classes recommence in a rebuilt Junior School
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leadership
EMBRACING THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT YOU Maggie Z gave an insightful and poignant speech at the student-led Captains Assembly early in Term 1, about the power of gratitude and the importance of embracing the perfectly imperfect you. Below is an extract from her speech. I have always found it hard to embrace my imperfections, and I am used to giving myself a hard time for not being perfect. For me, it was how I appeared on the outside. I struggled to accept everything that I am – everything that my parents gave me. This stemmed from insecurities that accumulated over the years. One time my older sister and I went to Bali during the school holidays, and we had a tour guide. When you first see my sister and I, you wouldn’t think we’re siblings. It’s not just our facial features that are different – my sister has much fairer skin than I do; in my culture, being slim and fair is considered beautiful. So when the tour guide jokingly asked if my mother didn’t drink enough milk when she was pregnant with me, that comment stuck, even though I tried to laugh it off. I never know why people say the things they say, because words can hurt. I struggled to find the beauty in what others perceived to be my imperfections, and deep down I was tired and hurt. I wanted to love myself, but I didn’t know how.
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Last month, I volunteered as an Assistant Teacher at a primary school in Nepal. This experience made me realise what it means to be perfect. Every morning I was greeted by the children before class started, and it was their genuineness and sincerity that made me realise there is no definition for ‘perfect beauty’. When the children held my hand, stroked my hair and said, ‘ma’am, you are so beautiful’ I realised that they saw through to my heart. These children taught me to accept everything that I am, because the imperfect me is the most perfect me. Be yourself, because the imperfect you is the most perfect you. What other people think of you isn’t as important as what you think of yourself. Let the burden of perfection off your shoulders. Give yourself the self-love and positivity that you need and deserve. You will heal from the wounds, and in time you will see self-growth. You will grow to appreciate and be proud of the person you have become. So, love yourself and embrace your imperfections, because only then will you feel at peace with yourself and know true happiness. Maggie Z Culture and Diversity Captain
THE IMPERFECT YOU IS THE MOST PERFECT YOU
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KNOWING YOUR PERSONAL BEST The Year 12 Leadership Breakfast was hosted on Wednesday 19 February. Each year, students choose a teacher to deliver an inspirational keynote at the breakfast. This year Damian Harrison, Physical Education and Outdoor Education Teacher provided an extract of his speech on unity, support, grit and radiance. As a PE Teacher and Sport Coach I have had the pleasure and good fortune of witnessing students outside the classroom in competitive situations. This has allowed me to see the admirable character and determination in these students. Sometimes it is the students who don’t cross the line first, or score the goals, that are the most visible. This is because they experience success through the act of competition itself. They need no badge, title or fanfare. They are the sturdy support holding up what everyone else can see. I see unity, support, grit and radiance. A poem for the Class of 2020: I See I see potential, endless and limitless, I see strength and struggle I see support, care and thoughtfulness. I see smiles and participation I see grit and determination. In the Olympics, be sure to pay attention to the medal presentation ceremonies. Of the three athletes on the dais, you can be assured of seeing two big smiles; however, they are generally the faces of the winner and the third placegetter. The winner is beaming because they have achieved their goal of winning an Olympic gold medal.
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The third placegetter is thrilled because they received a bronze medal, and had they been fourth, they would have received nothing. However, the athlete who came second often finds little joy in what most of us would regard as an amazing achievement. This is because they can be consumed by ‘what ifs?’ Did their rhythm stay true, did they hold form properly, was their start perfect? All the tiny things that may have contributed towards them missing out on first place by a fraction of a second. So rather than thinking about the things that went right for them to get second place (and often achieving their personal best), they focus on what went wrong to miss out on first place. They might even blame the coaches. In sport, coaches are process focused; outcomes are not absolute due to external variables. You can only control what you bring to the competition. But if the process is consistently practised and believed in, the outcome – whatever it may be – will be more accepted if you trust in and follow the process. Your teachers set these processes for you. You have to commit and believe in their work and formula to get the most out of you. So, if you study consistently, use your time wisely and give the year your absolute best, would you choose to see a silver as disappointing, or something to be proud of? I urge you to trust the process, enjoy your time in the Ruyton community, work hard, play hard, be mindful and forgiving of yourself and others, and go and shine with unity and radiance.
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leadership
GIRLS DRIVING CHANGE The Global Activist Leadership Programme is a new initiative for all Year 10 students. It is a global partnership between Nightingale Bamford School in New York City and Wilderness School in Adelaide. Through informed activism, students will improve their understanding of leadership, practise team skills and enhance their understanding of the complex systems that govern outcomes for people around the globe. Everyone has the capacity to lead. To support this, students will learn about themselves, what they care about, the values that guide them, their unique ‘superpowers’ or strengths, their understanding of leadership and what it takes to lead change. An exciting and empowering learning adventure, students will drive a selfidentified initiative through the design and implementation of a collaborative Social Impact Project. They will be supported in their endeavours at Ruyton, their local community, or even globally! Students will use a research protocol to guide their project and will support the development of an informed position on the issue. They have access to their very own Leading Change in a Changing World website, which has been strategically designed to lead them through processes that support them as leaders both now and into the future. Dr Bernadette Nicholls Student Leadership Co-ordinator
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INSPIRING FUTURE STEM LEADERS
Over the summer break, two students were selected to attend the Year 12 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), which empowers young people and exposes them to a wide variety of STEM experiences. After a rigorous selection process in 2019 and an endorsement from the Kew and Doncaster Rotary Clubs, Maddy T explored Biology at the University of Queensland in Brisbane and Annabel M was accepted to the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra to gain exposure to Ecology, Environmental Science and Sustainability, for the 2020 11-day forum. From attending workshops on critical thinking and philosophy, to learning about the teeth structure of mammals, interviewing research scientists from Antarctica and learning about lifelong goalsetting techniques, Maddy just scratched the surface:
‘NYSF was a life changing experience that I wouldn’t swap for the world. The connections, networks and friendships I made were unforgettable and I have come away with a wealth of knowledge that has more than prepared me for my final year of school and life beyond. It has opened my eyes to further careers in science and different pathways to follow.’ – Maddy T, Year 12 It was at this time that the devastating bushfires swept across our country, leading NYSF to postpone Annabel’s experience at ANU. Although she was disappointed that her session was postponed, she has the opportunity to further participate later in the year. The orientation she received also showed her the many pathways in health science research, which she is considering pursuing at ANU next year. Jo Oreo Learning Leader of Science
autumn 2020
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curiosity
TO MARS AND BEYOND
INNOVATION IN SPACE EXPLORATION The Year 8 InnovateEd programme has embraced the challenges of using creative and critical thinking to solve complex problems that will be inevitable with the establishment of a colony on Mars. The very nature of these problems will require technical solutions for matters of survival, along with the diverse range of ethical decisions that will underpin a society of people living in a vastly different environment. To explore the complexities of Mars, the students recently visited the Victorian Space Science Education Centre. They participated in an experiential, hands-on opportunity as a team of appropriately suited astronauts. They completed a geological survey in a simulated Mars environment and problemsolved challenging issues while in Mission Control. After a safe return to Earth, the students took core samples and findings to a laboratory for additional scientific testing.
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‘The VSSEC Mars experience required a lot of good communication skills and cooperation. We all got a chance to be an Astronaut and a Mission Control Officer. We realised that it was only when we all worked together and helped each other that we were able to successfully complete the mission. I am sure we all learned a lot from that day and we will use this valuable information in the near future.’ – Lily S, Year 8
‘The Mission to Mars excursion was an excellent experience and provided a great insight into what needs to be done before we colonise Mars. It also allowed us to move into the shoes of different types of Scientists, Engineers and Astronauts and try to solve difficult problems. It was an amazing experience and I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of the excursion, and for the experience and outlook it has given me.’ – Chloe D, Year 8
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Building on this new-found knowledge of Mars, students constructed and coded EV3 robots, designed water filtration systems, filmed Captain’s logs and dissected electronic toys to identify the input, process and output sub-systems. Jane d’Oliveyra Middle Years Co-ordinator and InnovateEd Learning Leader
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global citizenship
OUR YOUNGEST GLOBAL CITIZENS Last year Ruyton Early Learning introduced a shared research project from Kindergarten to Pre Prep, informed by the Ruyton value of citizenship. Our overarching goal was to create a culture that empowers children to be agents of change. In 2019 we saw our 3-year-old Kindergarten and 4-year-old Pre Prep groups engaged in research projects that empowered them to have a voice on matters that affected them, to take action and to make a positive difference in the community. Our Kindergarten children researched how and why we welcome visitors and friends, and introduced new ways of welcoming, including ‘welcome sticks’ for visitors to feel welcome and develop a sense of belonging. Our Girls’ Pre Prep group explored how actions can impact the emotions of others, and created a video to give advice about How to Share Joy. With the guidance of teachers, the Co-Ed Pre Prep group created an animation titled The World Needs our Help, to spread important messages about caring for and protecting the land. If Ruyton Early Learning students are empowered at ages three and four to effect positive change through civic and environmental action, imagine what they will be capable of in the future. The world is in safe hands with Ruyton students leading the way. Sarah Denholm Director of Early Learning
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autumn 2020
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global citizenship
YEAR 5 CAMP SYDNEY
WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR EARLY SETTLERS We recently spoke with Julian Mutton, Deputy Head of Junior School, about the Year 5 camp to Sydney in Term 3, 2019, where students learned about Australia’s history of colonisation. Can you tell us about the purpose of the Year 5 camp? Sydney is a fascinating historical experience, as it allows us to understand the challenges for the Indigenous people and the European settlers, while visiting the first significant places of European settlement. What moment or experience do you think deepened the students’ understanding? Discovering that our accommodation in The Rocks was built on top of an archaeological site, with buried historical items found such as remnants of houses, plumbing, artefacts etc.
You stayed at Cockatoo Island. Can you tell us more about its significance? The camp wore two hats – it was about history; touring Cockatoo Island to learn about the island and its meaning to Indigenous people, and its use as a ship building factory and prison by later Australians. Also, the camp was about personal development. The girls rose to the challenges of sleeping in canvas tents with a bed on the ground; it definitely built resilience, courage and independence.
The NSW Government historians guided us and pointed out artefacts. The girls also got to dig in the sand and analyse the artefacts, understanding more about what life was like.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE PAST, AS IT INFORMS OUR FUTURE 20
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How would you summarise the Year 5 Sydney Camp experience? It’s unique, and I don’t know of other Year 5 students who get this kind of experience. To be able to camp on the historic Cockatoo Island in the middle of Sydney Harbour, even adults don’t get to do this. Visiting sites where European settlement took place brought the history to life. I think we have a responsibility to teach students about what really happened in the past, as it informs our future. The girls realised that the past wasn’t always a nice place to be, and people didn’t treat each other with much acceptance. They learned what life was like for the less privileged, confronting often hard and scary stories of the past, and building a real understanding of Australia’s history. It’s a camp that has great links to what girls are learning in the classroom, and a fantastic opportunity for personal development. It was a challenging and unique experience that took girls outside their comfort zones, and the girls rose to the occasion. Elaine Doyle Community Relations Team
autumn 2020
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creativity
MUSIC A CREATIVE CULTURE OF MUSIC Whether it is singing, listening or playing an instrument, music can have a significant impact on the way we feel, and it affects us emotionally in ways that can’t quite be explained. What can be explained is that music has been scientifically proven to have a powerful effect on the brain. Recent research indicates that music can help in several aspects of the brain, including pain reduction, stress relief, memory, and brain injuries. It also promotes hard work, persistence, teamwork and resilience.
PIANO FESTIVAL
At Ruyton, there are 422 individual music lessons that occur each week, with a total of 298 girls learning music. This is an astonishing 35% of the entire student population. Of these, piano, voice and violin are the most popular choices, having approximately 90 students each. Music ensembles are also very popular. The School has seven co-curricular music ensembles in the Junior School and 18 in the Senior School, with a total of 478 students in this cohort.
The one-week festival that has successfully run for 19 years features over 100 performances from hardworking Prep to Year 12 students. In the past, students have participated in creative workshops run by artists in residence, such as Jon Maddin, and performances by guest artists including Caroline Almonte, Andrea Katz and Ania Massetti.
The Ruyton community, including staff, students and parents dearly value music and the importance it plays in the overall development and education of our girls. It assists our girls to leave Ruyton as wellrounded young women who will enter the world with skills and experiences that provide them with the best chance of being successful in whatever path they pursue.
The piano can be a lonely instrument, but it can be a very dear companion and gateway to a world of personal exploration, individual creativity and powerful learning. The Ruyton Girls’ School Piano Festival is the perfect opportunity for these qualities to shine.
The festival is a true demonstration of powerful learning, wrapped up in community spirit, and is not to be missed. Shaun Jones Co-ordinator of Keyboard
Paul Smith Director of Music
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CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC PER YEAR LEVEL
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
1
6
44
40
YEAR 7
YEAR 8
53
50
44
39
18
39
8
Clarinet Trombone
Percussion
1
Bassoon
91
Piano autumn 2020
64 64
YEAR 9 YEAR 10 YEAR 11 YEAR 12
9
Bass Guitar
YEAR 6
34
PER INSTRUMENT
22
3
YEAR 5
Guitar
10
Trumpet
2
Euphonium Theory
2
5
Double Bass
3
12 Saxophone
24
85
Oboe
7
Viola
Voice
29 Flute
6
French Horn
85
Violin
Cello
23
creativity
VCE SEASON OF EXCELLENCE
On Saturday 22 February, VCE Art students attended the NGV Kick Start 2020 conference. At this event, Ruyton’s Jen Wu presented her folio to teachers and students undertaking Art this year. She articulated her journey with authenticity and intelligence, and later spoke with students and educators about her artworks and future endeavours as an artist. Last year, Jen completed VCE Art at Ruyton, and from March 2020, her artwork will be exhibited at NGV Top Arts. Of 1714 applications, only 46 were selected. Jen was inspired by her mother’s calligraphy, as well as Chinese contemporary artist Sun Xun’s work. These influences translated into her drawings through the use of Chinese brushes. Over time, Jen drew more on influences and technology, and later discovered digital animation. Her theme was ‘Roots’. After completing Units 3 and 4 Art, Jen was encouraged to apply for Top Arts, as part of the VCE Season of Excellence programme at the VCAA. An annual exhibition, Top Arts showcases outstanding student works as part of their assessment for VCE Art and VCE Studio Arts. Understandably, Jen and the Ruyton community are very excited to see her work installed at the Ian Potter Centre at NGV Australia. Jolenta Kirkwood Learning Leader of Visual Arts
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‘“Roots” explores the theme of Cultural Transmission by focusing on the importance of family bonds in the passing of cultural traditions and identity from one generation to the next. The animation draws imagery from my childhood memories shared with my family, featuring hand drawn frames of my memories of conversations in the car with my mother, my father in China (his homeland) and early memories of my mother helping me wash my hair as she told me Chinese folk tales. These memories shaped my understanding and perception of my own cultural identity as a second generation Chinese-Australian immigrant.’ – Jen Wu
The Season of Excellence is a five-month festival that showcases the very best VCE student work from the previous year. The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) organise this prestigious event and in 2019, four Ruyton girls were recognised: Nicola I (‘20) performed her VCE Dance Solo in the VCE Season of Excellence programme at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Monday 24 February. Laura Pryor (Drama Captain, ‘19) was selected to present her monologue performance at the Top Class Drama and Theatre Studies concert. Emma Sutherland (‘19) was shortlisted for VCAA Media. With over 1000 applications, this is an phenomenal achievement. Jen Wu (‘19) was selected to have her 2019 VCE Art work displayed at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV as part of the Top Arts exhibition.
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VCE ART EXPO On Thursday 20 February students participated in a lunchtime session that introduced them to the various art pathways at Ruyton.
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creativity
CREATING SPARKLY IDEAS The inaugural Year 7 Ruyton and Trinity ‘Totally Lit! Festival’ saw students work with celebrated artists and authors to read, write, draw and express themselves. Working with guest authors Mark Smith and Lili Wilkinson, cartoonist Bernard Caleo, and slam poet Emilie Zoey Baker, students developed a deeper understanding about the power of words and how to create a visual representation of an idea or belief. The students worked in collaborative learning spaces that moved them beyond their comfort zones to explore personal expression, workshop ideas and craft pieces of writing. They engaged their imaginations to draw cartoons and used wit and energy to write and share slam poetry. Lili Wilkinson encouraged students to find a ‘sparkly idea’ to inspire their writing, just as a bowerbird collects bright and blue items. Mark Smith advised students to write from their experiences, building upon what they know as the basis for a great story. Emilie Zoey Baker professed her passion for poetry and showed how to create reflective and inspiring emotive responses. Bernard Caleo taught tricks in cartoon creation and encouraged students to ‘write pictures and draw words.’
‘Totally Lit!’ was a wonderful and motivating experience for everyone. I particularly enjoyed learning how to add depth and detail to our characters through backstories, in Mark Smith’s session. I was so inspired by the workshop with Bernard Caleo who assured us that even if you can't draw, you can still make comics because the only thing that matters is how you convey emotion.’ – Sunday W-S ‘I really enjoyed Lili’s workshop because together we created an interesting story concept using different genres, characters and plot twists. The process was really entertaining and enjoyable.’ – Lexie H
We look forward to seeing our students apply their new-found understanding and knowledge of authors of diverse backgrounds. Jane d’Oliveyra and Julie Purcell Middle Years Co-ordinator and Teacher Librarian
Satin Bowerbird image courtesy of Joseph C Boone, licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0
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COLLABORATING ON GLOBAL ISSUES
The Year 4 Level Up Village experience is now in its third year. This programme is a digital pen-pal and project-based collaboration experience. It provides students an insight into issues relating to water usage and needs between differing countries as part of the Global Scientist Programme. The students are connected with three schools – two in the Ukraine and one in Nashville, Tennessee. Our girls are paired up with age-appropriate students, and communicate about their local experiences within a safe digital domain. The girls have to navigate the complexities and foibles of time zones, winter school breaks and even a government coup. They learn about the water needs of another country and culture. They share joint experiments, build aquifers and water filters, and film the progress of their experiments. They exchange videos with their pen-pal buddies and develop empathy when learning about schools and individuals with less access to technologies than us. Tony Doyle Junior School STEM Teacher
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COMMUNITY Staff Farewells
GLENIS GUMLEY After ten years of distinguished service and outstanding leadership, Glenis Gumley, Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, retired at the end of 2019. Glenis was an exceptional leader, and exceptional leaders lead by example. They have high expectations of others, but most importantly of themselves. They lead by focusing on possibilities, bringing people together with purpose and direction, and building others. At times of difficulty they don’t merely react, but act, and meet challenges by focusing on solutions rather than problems. They listen carefully and welcome input from everyone, thereby building a strong and united team. Above all, they cultivate compassion and kindness in self and others. This is precisely how Glenis approached life at Ruyton over the last decade. It is clear to all who know her that Glenis has enriched the lives of so many throughout her career as an educator. She engaged readily with students, staff and parents; and as an outstanding leader, she never lost her love for teaching. She has a great sense of humour with always a great story to tell. She never takes herself too seriously and always shows up wholeheartedly. She added so much to the spirit of Ruyton and to the culture of our School, and she leaves a strong legacy. We sincerely thank Glenis for her dedicated service to the community and wish her and her family every success and happiness in the future.
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ALICE BRAY Throughout her 13 years at Ruyton, Alice Bray has shown passion for her subject and her students, particularly as a Form teacher. In her years as Department Leader, Alice ran French tours and helped to establish the exchange in Aix-en-Provence. We thank Alice for her contributions to the French Department and for her friendship, and wish her an active and healthy retirement. CATE HALLPIKE In her 16 years at Ruyton, Cate Hallpike has inspired a love of learning in the girls in the Junior School who have been fortunate to receive her tutelage. She is a dedicated and highly creative classroom teacher who simply loves to teach. A supportive and trusted colleague, we extend to Cate every best wish as she explores life and her passions outside of full-time teaching.
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PARENTS OF RUYTON (POR) A CONNECTED COMMUNITY We were blessed with a perfect evening on Friday 21 February to celebrate the start of the new School year. There was plenty of chatter and laughter as parents, guardians, teachers and staff mingled on the verandah of Henty House in the beautiful sunshine. Many members of the Parents of Ruyton Committee, along with representatives from the various POR Support Groups, were on hand to chat with interested parents, provide information about what we do, and share the rewards experienced when you become involved. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet families new to the School, and we are grateful to the Year Level Representatives who ensured that new parents felt welcome.
There are so many ways to contribute, support your daughters and community, and meet some great friends along the way. Ruyton’s community enables friendships to form within and across year levels. We encourage parent participation by signing up to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more about how you can become involved. We look forward to seeing you at POR events later this year. Melinda Gray and Melissa Haberfield POR Co-Presidents
We trust your daughters settled in well in Term 1, and that new girls already feel that they belong. Ruyton is well-known for its strong, active and close community, and we hope that girls, parents and guardians can experience the special sense of belonging that is such an important part of our School.
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FOUNDATION It gives me great pleasure to be writing my first article for the Ruyton Reporter. Ruyton truly is an inspirational school and it has been a very happy return to my alma mater. It was a coincidental privilege that in January 2020 I visited our namesake, Ruyton-XI-Towns in Shropshire, United Kingdom. I will never forget the depth of history I felt when I visited the town and the church built in 1230 on which our School was named. Ruyton has a strong and proud history starting over 140 years ago, when our inaugural Principal Charlotte Anderson laid the foundations of our School in 1878. Charlotte passionately believed in educating young girls and began a legacy that has been carried by generations of strong women, who all helped to ensure Ruyton’s place in the Victorian education landscape. As the Director of Philanthropy and Engagement, it is my role to work with our community to help advance our School. Through philanthropy and engagement, we can celebrate and achieve so much. I have witnessed how engaged and connected our community is, and it is clear that we want the very best for our girls and School. Our community supports our School in so many ways, whether through giving back or working on committees and associations; the dedication and commitment shown is uplifting. Thank you all for the belief you have in Ruyton, for understanding the importance of giving back, and for having the foresight to ensure we continue to pave a way for all our girls’ futures.
Earlier this year, Linda Douglas, Fiona Griffiths and I were delighted to welcome and thank some of the community that have given back to Ruyton, through a 2019 Speech Night Donors Morning Tea. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet current parents, past parents and old girls, to not only personally acknowledge their support but to also share a little about our current and future plans for the School. We sincerely thank all of you who have made and continue to make such an important mark at Ruyton, as your generosity allows us to continue to invest in the education of our girls through leading educational programmes, buildings and opportunities.
right: 2019 Speech Night Donors Morning Tea. L-R: Larissa Clarke, Fiona Crosby, Sally de Guingand far-right: 2019 Speech Night Donors Morning Tea. L-R: Eric Ponnampalam, Deb Peterson, Deepa Weeraman and Mahlini Ponnampalam
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far-left: Sally de Guingand at our namesake, Ruyton-XI-Towns in Shropshire, United Kingdom left: Sally de Guingand and Fiona Griffiths
An integral component of advancing our School and ensuring its future is working with the Foundation to build and develop a culture of philanthropy. Together with Fiona Griffiths, Chair of the Foundation, and the subcommittee, we continue to advocate for the role of philanthropy at Ruyton, as it can and does make a real and significant difference. So much of what is around us was done through the generosity of those who came before us, so it is vital we can continue to develop and build our School for those yet to come. It has been wonderful to witness firsthand the generosity of our community and the difference it has made, notably in 2019 with the Founder’s Scholarship. This financial needs-based Scholarship programme welcomed our first recipient in 2019. What an amazing achievement our community has created. Thank you to every single one of you for helping to make a difference to young girls’ lives.
Our hope is to continue to build this Scholarship to $4 million dollars, which will allow us to have six girls in perpetuity receiving this life-changing opportunity. Empowering a girl with an outstanding education – what a gift it would be! Sally de Guingand (‘86) Director of Philanthropy and Engagement
If you are considering the possibility of leaving a bequest to Ruyton and would like to discuss this, please do not hesitate to contact Sally de Guingand (’86), Director of Philanthropy and Engagement on 03 9290 9318 or email DeguingandS@ruyton.vic.edu.au All discussions are treated in the utmost confidence. We would love to have the opportunity to acknowledge any bequest or gift and to say thank you.
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Photograph courtesy of Allan Warren, licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0
ALUMNAE Celebrating Judith Durham AO (Cock, ‘60) On Wednesday 9 October 2019, our muchrevered alumna Judith Durham AO was inducted into the Honour Roll for the Australian Women in Music Awards. The Australian Women in Music Awards is an inclusive annual event that acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of outstanding women in the Australian music industry. Hosted at the Brisbane Powerhouse, a tram power station that has been repurposed into a performing arts theatre, the evening saw Judith recognised for her significant and lifelong contributions to music.
Judith’s extensive charitable endeavours were also celebrated. She is the National Patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia, the Injured Nurses Support Group, the Small Miracles Foundation, the Australian Children’s Choir and the Georgina Josephine Foundation. We congratulate Judith on this welldeserved award, as she continues to inspire the next generation of young women to pursue their musical ambitions.
Judith Durham: front-row, bottom-left
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HANNAH COLMAN (‘01) Hannah Colman is the co-founder of Scarf, a social enterprise that combats discrimination barriers to employment in the hospitality industry. After graduating from Ruyton in 2001, Hannah went on to study multimedia at University, while also working in hospitality and volunteering. It was at this time that she witnessed firsthand the struggles and barriers that newly arrived to Austraila young people faced in gaining and securing employment. Faced with a very real social justice issue, Hannah responded by forming a non-profit organisation, Scarf, which provides training, mentoring and real work experience through Scarf Dinners run in partnership with Melbourne’s best restaurants. This allows trainees to gain skills, confidence, paid work experience, and move into longterm employment.
Scarf now helps 40 young people per year from refugee and migrant backgrounds to establish themselves in Australia by gaining employment and fair working conditions. In 2020 the programme will be extended with the addition of Tasting Plates for Women, providing a further 16 places for women from refugee backgrounds. Hannah’s sense of civic duty and entrepreneurial spirit inspires us to continually strive towards our personal best by looking for, and responding to, the very real needs of our local and broader communities.
ELLE PAYNE (GRANT, ‘93) Ruyton provided an incredible grounding for me to be the woman I am today. Being surrounded by inspiring, resilient and strong women from a young age, I reflect on my time at Ruyton with such happiness. Prue Gillies, our headmistress, was definitely one of the original girl bosses, and I still make my kids laugh when I sing ‘lazy shirkers we detest!’ This, in part, motivated me to establish my business, Keep It Personal. It started with a desire for personalised products in Australia, as I was envious of what was available overseas. Over five years later, personalisation is now a huge trend in the Australian market, and it’s been a wonderful ride with great support of our products. Ruyton instilled a sense of resilience and strength, and this has manifested in the success of the business, which my family and I have all worked hard to create. autumn 2020
Varsity Jumper by Keep it Personal
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alumnae
LIBBY BEAR (‘93) Ever since I was young, I have always had a fascination with how the human body works, and I dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, I didn’t believe in myself to gain entry into medicine, so I pursued a Bachelor of Pharmacy after finishing School. I worked in clinical roles as a Pharmacist, in hospitals, and as a Consultant Pharmacist performing medication reviews for GPs. Although I enjoyed working in pharmacy, I was frustrated by the clinical limitations of the profession. It wasn’t until 12 years later at the age of 36, while pregnant with my second child, that I realised I had spent the last 18 years wishing, but never pursuing, my dream to study medicine. I finally made the decision to put my fears aside and do what I had to do, in order to get where I wanted to be. I discovered that I had to undertake another undergraduate degree (as my pharmacy degree was too old) and sit the dreaded GAMSAT entrance exam. So, I went back to university (pregnant and with a toddler at home) and spent four years studying the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, achieving a nearperfect GPA and passing the GAMSAT and Medical School interview.
I was accepted into Deakin Medical School in 2016, and I relocated my husband, children and dog to Geelong to study medicine. I have just finished the four-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, and I will begin my internship as a qualified doctor in the hospital system in 2020. The journey is long, and I still have another eight or so years to qualify in my area of interest, Intensive Care/Emergency Medicine. However, I have finally achieved my dream of becoming and practising as a doctor. I hope my story inspires other Ruytonians who may have a dream but haven’t had the courage to take the next step. Believe in yourself and go for it! You only have one life, so live it and realise your dreams.
ALUMNAE BABIES
Alexa-Jane (Egan ‘05) and Danny King are pleased to announce the arrival of their daughter, Margot Matheson King, born on 22 August 2019. A future Ruytonian and welcome baby sister to two-year-old brother Darcy, and niece to Krysten Egan-Rae (‘07). 34
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VALE It is with sadness that the Ruyton community notes the passing of the following Old Ruytonian: Louise Evans (‘64) passed away in Albury on 6 October 2019 almost a year after having been diagnosed with cancer. Louise began her education at Ruyton Kindergarten in Kew and then moved on to Primary and Senior School at Ruyton in Selbourne Road. She excelled in swimming and other sports and was appointed Co‑Captain of the School in 1964, after which she attended Melbourne University completing an Arts degree and following it with a Librarian diploma. She subsequently moved to Albury and took up a position as Head Librarian at Albury Library. Louise remained in Albury until her death, where she involved herself in community affairs and became a well‑known identity in the area.
In many ways Louise was a woman ahead of her time. Always fiercely independent, she travelled widely: to New Guinea where she worked with Australian Volunteers Abroad, to Indonesia and India where she spent an extended period, and much later on to Russia and Europe. She was always fascinated by different cultures and made sure she immersed herself in them when travelling. She was superbly well-read and always maintained a great interest in the world around her. Louise was a woman of courage and integrity and her many friends will remember her fondly and miss her greatly. Di Evans (‘72)
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REUNIONS
1957 INFORMAL CATCH UP Ladies from the Class of 1957 got together for lunch. L–R: Beverly Bencina (Cook), Sally Buckner (Latham), Anne Aitken (Levick), Margaret Clarke (Menzies), Jane Teasdale, Judi Boyd (McColl).
2010 INFORMAL CATCH UP A group of girls from the Class of 2010 caught up for an informal Christmas lunch. Attendees in alphabetical order: Felicity Allen, Sophie DeBavey, Lucy Mulcahy, Georgie Musgrove, Maddie Reilly, Alice Tulloch, Sarah Whelan.
REUNION OF THE 2018 ALUMNAE, FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER 2019 The Class of 2018 got together in October at the Flying Duck Hotel. Attendees in alphabetical order: Emma Aldous, Matilda Ancarola, Mim Band, Yolanda Bao, Kathryn Baumgartner, Georgia Bayley, Georgia Berti, Althea Bond, Angela Chau, Lucy Chen, Natasha Chow, Jessica Clarke, Phoebe Clifford, Laura Cockburn, Neve Davison, Mia Delzoppo, Georgia Dick, Ellie Doherty, Pollyanna Dowell, Amy Hale, Amy Hall, Laura Hartin, Jess Hepworth, Narelle Honey, Jemima Jacobson, Haini Jiang, Mary Kanterakis, Ruby Keeble, Amy Lea, Emma Lee, Emily Lu, Maeve Luu, Victoria Magoutis, Zeynep March, Olivia McGregor, Madison Melton, Rosie Roberts, Emma Roberts, Tilly Robson, Charlotte Rose, Taylah Ruiz–Pedley, Claudia Schonfeldt, Claudia Schwarz, Eva Shen, Kate Simondson, Tess Stewart, Laura Tinney, Adeline Trieu, Vanessa Vasilopoulos, Sharon Wan, Annie Wang, Ariane Webber, Jemima Woolston, Shelley Zhang, Zixuan Zhou.
Ruyton ORA Online will keep you connected with our Alumnae community All Old Girls welcome – networking, reunion updates, photos, reconnecting with old friends – don’t miss out! Register at https://ruytonora.com.au 36
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ruyton girls’ school
12 Selbourne Road Kew 3101 Victoria Australia Tel 61 3 9819 2422 ruyton@ruyton.vic.edu.au www.ruyton.vic.edu.au CRICOS 00336J
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