SPEECH NIGHT 2020

Required to pivot from the time-honoured tradition of holding Speech Night in an auditorium or concert hall, the Ruyton community gathered to watch the Class of 2020 be sent off in the most creative way. Whilst participating students processed through our gardens and then stood in Hisock Court watching key speakers on the outdoor stage, families and other staff attended the ceremony online from home. In her Principal’s Address, Linda Douglas addressed the Ruyton community with the following speech: Good evening Virginia McLaughlan, Directors of the Board, parents, friends, staff, girls and, most importantly the Class of 2020. We entered 2020 with great plans for events, occasions, milestones and journeys. Our dreams were quickly dashed as we spent much of this year in our homes; together apart. The year started with devastating bushfires where the humility and courage of our firefighters and the strength of our community made us proud to be Australian. Those bushfires cruelly burned our country, decimated wildlife and plunged communities into fear and devastation. As the embers cooled a damaging hailstorm hit Victoria and then the pandemic descended, with our community rallying and uniting again. A year like no other. Victorians lived through a severe 112 day lockdown to suppress the second wave. During this time many found inspiration and joy in Freeman, the documentary that followed Cathy Freeman’s journey from childhood to the race that stopped the nation on 25 September 2000. So much more than a race or a medal, Freeman embodied and carried the story, hopes and dreams of a nation. An unexpectedly beautiful marriage of dance, history, sport and politics in an era when the federal government refused to apologise to the stolen generations. 20 years later, with racial inequity highlighted internationally we watched Cathy’s story; her resilience, her humility and her pride. In Cathy’s words:

‘I think the greatest amount of pressure is the pressure I place on myself. So in a way I chose to be alone.

I feel the sunshine in my chest. I feel the people, I feel the energy.

I feel like I am being protected. My people were the first people to walk on this land. Those girls were always going to have to come up against my ancestors.’ She ran for herself but she ran for the people. She understood the power of unity. And Freeman noted that we all carry some sort of anger or fury or sadness or pain. Humility is a personality trait often overlooked in today’s fast moving world, an ability to accurately acknowledge one’s limitations and abilities, an interpersonal stance that is otheroriented rather than self-focused.

Recent research has revealed intellectual humility is related to curiosity, reflectiveness and open-minded tendencies. Humility, intellectual or otherwise, nourishes our mental health and improves our ability to forgive ourselves and others. It facilitates our ability to walk through life with an “other-oriented” state of mind.

Ellyse Perry is one of our most accomplished Australian athletes. Despite numerous career cricket and soccer records she cites her most significant career highlight as witnessing the progress of women’s sport in recent years. This humble response is typical Perry. Last year she launched her book Perspective, opening up about her own vulnerabilities. Perry notes she lacks confidence outside the sporting arena, away from the place she feels comfortable, prepared for and familiar with. She reminds us that when you throw your strengths and weaknesses together you have a proper person – it is empowering to accept yourself for who you are. Like Freeman and Perry, the Class of 2020 have shown humility and resilience in challenging times. You have learnt to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, come to understand your strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Most importantly you have been other-oriented; your compassion and care for others evident in your actions. We have all thought at times this year that a pandemic gets in the way of life and learning. In actual fact, it challenged us to learn how to cope with adversity. To dig deep and focus on being good people rather than living good lives. It helped us rediscover humanity. We’ve had to let go of our expected trajectories and halt the incessant pushing forward. We’ve had to stop, experience failure and loss, and grapple with uncertainty and letting go. 2020 has forced us to find some sort of peace within this tension. To swim with the current instead of using our ambition to fight it. To come to terms with the fact our lives do not exist in isolation, but within a connected world; an ironic realisation during a forced isolation. We’ve taken the setbacks of 2020 and now we dance with possibilities. We go forward with a renewed sense of purpose, our compassion recharged. Class of 2020, none of us can know what you will do in the future. But we know what you’re capable of. We’ve seen you, virtually and in real life, wielding your power. And it is mighty. When you decide you’re here for something, the world will know it. When you decide time’s up, we will feel it. Your passion and power have been on full display. You have made a difference and will continue to do so.

Every class at Ruyton leaves a legacy, but the Class of 2020 will hold a unique place in our hearts. Radiance and Unity will always be the golden lining that bound the Ruyton community together in a broken year. You will be remembered for your humility, resilience and fortitude.

You will always have a home at 12 Selbourne Road.

We are here when you need us. Believe in yourselves as we believe in each of you. Stay connected – your unity gives you strength. Stay radiant – the sunshine is always inside you. Thank you and good luck to you and your families from the Ruyton Community. Linda Douglas Principal