UNITED BY THE RUYTON SPIRIT A reflection from our School Co-Captains, Mia Waters and Bella Eames 2020 has certainly not been an easy year. Despite the radical change to our schooling, COVID-19 has given rise to so many acts of kindness and calls to creativity, and has reaffirmed the inseparable camaraderie that typifies the Ruyton spirit. As the Year 12 cohort, we felt that no two words better represented our year level than radiance and unity. While this has certainly been challenged by distance learning, the girls found new ways to radiate positivity and reunite the School. Within our Captains group, we decided to run an inaugural celebration of our wonderful staff, now known as the Teacher Appreciation Day. We thought that there was no better time to surprise the staff than on the last day of the first round of distance learning, as an acknowledgement of their hard work and care for the girls. The Captains group collated heartfelt messages from students, giving thanks to their teachers for the impact they had on them as students, and as human beings. Every teacher received a unique document with messages from the girls, accompanied by a video from the Year 12 girls expressing their immense gratitude, with some shoutouts to some of their favourite teachers. Whether it came from the fatigue of distance learning, or the overwhelmingly kind words of the girls, tears were freely flowing as the Ruyton community remained as tight as ever.
spring 2020
The difficulties of distance learning have been made easier thanks to the weekly online Assemblies that have featured positive messages from staff, musical performances from students, and insights into the everyday lives of staff and girls. This weekly boost of positivity has lifted our spirits and helped us overcome this trying period. While we have had to undergo a longer spell of distance learning, we hope that the connection of the community will continue to inspire us all to remain positive and make the most of the situation. Bella Eames and Mia Waters School Co-Captains
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