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. 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. 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.

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. 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

INTRODUCING LAUREN PERFECT DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, HEAD OF SENIORSCHOOL 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. 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.

‘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 journeytogether.’ – Lauren Perfect