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
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