The Ruyton Reporter - Summer 2022 by Ruyton Girls' School

the ruyton

reporter summer 2022

REAL LIFE AND LEARNING

CONTENTS FROM THE STUDY

FROM THE BOARD

FACES OF RUYTON INTRODUCING TIM ROWLER

LEADING WITH MERAKI AND VIBRANCE

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2021

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2021

WELLBEING AT RUYTON

BUILDING CHANGE

LIBRARIES

EXPLORATIONS IN TIME

NOTHING WITHOUT JOY IN EARLY LEARNING

STRICTLY BALLROOM

ART WEEK 2021

COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERING 2021

COMMUNITY

LEAPING THE FISHPOND

THE RUYTON FOUNDATION

DREAM NOW

PARENTS OF RUYTON

OLD RUYTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION

ALUMNAE

REUNIONS

If you have 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.

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FROM THE STUDY The timeless story of The Velveteen Rabbit tells of his quest to discover what it means to be real. Rabbit has a hard time seesawing between times of being forgotten and very much loved but eventually he finds a friend in the wisest toy in the nursery, Old Skin Horse. Skin Horse tells Rabbit that being ‘real isn’t how you are made, it’s a thing that happens to you’ and ‘when you are real, you don’t mind being hurt’. Being real ‘doesn’t happen to often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept’. Being real means you get scuffed up a bit, become a little shabby. Perhaps in our city of long lockdowns, Melburnians know exactly what it is like to feel forgotten, broken and just a little shabby. Nearly 100 years ago, Hilda Daniell, Principal of Ruyton, expressed her vision for Ruyton girls to be real. To be able to do and see things as they are, not as they want them to be: women with a sane and fearless outlook and with a willingness for service. Leading our school through two world wars, a depression, the fire in Henty House and a global pandemic, Miss Daniell truly knew what it meant to be real. And nearly 100 years later the Ruyton community continues to do her proud in another period of adversity. The truth about our stories is they expose what we are. It’s where we find our true selves. The curiosity and courage of the velveteen rabbit. Hilda Daniell leading a community with grit and quiet determination. Their stories make them real and in their moments of challenge, we see them for their strengths. One day our girls will look back, reflect on how long the pandemic raged and know they did well. Life has been interrupted but this is now part of their story. How they negotiated this significant time, particularly the Class of 2021 in their final years of school; the uncertainty, the challenge and the continual pivoting. summer 2022

As they look back on the highs, lows and special moments, we hope they recognise the values, character, attitudes and skills that make them unique. The compass and fire within that will continue to guide them through life and keep them connected to those who love them — even when distance keeps us apart. Their story is intertwined with the stories of those who have surrounded them in these years of solitude; classmates and family. But also the stories of the people of Yemen and Afghanistan, climate change, George Floyd, Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins and so many more. These are the stories of this time that have impacted our lives and thinking as the world has turned oh so slowly. It seems that a pandemic interrupts life and learning. In reality, it has challenged our girls as leaders and learners to cope with adversity, grapple with uncertainty and simply let it go, refining their emotional agility. Over the last two years they have learnt to let go of unrealistic goals and perfectionism, opened themselves to the love that comes with hurt and the success that comes with failure. They have abandoned the idea of being fearless and embraced the strength to walk into their fears with their values to guide them. They have chosen courage over comfort and learnt how to hear the heartbeat of their own ‘why’, sitting comfortably with the discomfort of discovery. In all of this our girls have found the way to focus on being their best selves rather than living their best lives; Ruyton girls have been real. Linda Douglas Principal

THE BOARD Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 and extended periods in lockdown, Melburnians started 2021 with the hope that life as we knew it had adjusted to a form of ‘COVID normal’. Students and staff returned to Ruyton for the start of the school year and attended camps, small assemblies in Royce and much loved extra-curricular activities. Parents were invited back onsite to usher the new year in at Welcome Drinks, Old Ruytonians’ attended reunions in Henty House and the Parents of Ruyton (POR) reinstated the Second-Hand Uniform Sale (SHUS) and worked with Parent Reps to bring the community closer together after being apart for such a significant period the year before. It was lovely to hear the chatter of students in the playground and feel the joy of human connection that comes with physically being together after being apart for so long. By July the impact of the Delta COVID variant had a significant impact on our school. With mandatory quarantine restrictions placed on staff and students that triggered rapid changes to learning programs, Ruyton responded to the upheaval of the situation with cooperation and understanding. Then remaining in lockdown for most of Term 3, Ruyton sustained itself through this period on the strength of our engaged community, the quality of our teaching and learning programs and the individualised care given to our girls. Amongst the undeniable challenges of 2021 there have been many good news stories. At the Board level, we have focused on the development of our next strategic plan. Having the opportunity to consult with people from across our community about our school and their hopes and vision for it was highly informative and invigorating. I look forward to sharing this document and our goals for the next five years with you.

the redevelopment of Royce Theatre and the Library will strengthen Ruyton's commitment and capacity to deliver an outstanding all-round education and support our girls to become confident women who challenge, shape and change the world. We have started to engage with members of our community to ensure we have the support to fulfil this vision through the Dream Now capital campaign and will ensure that everyone who wants to contribute to this project is involved. I encourage anyone seeking additional information about Dream Now to visit the School website or contact our Community Relations Offce. The end of each school year is bittersweet. Celebrating the achievements of academic and co-curricular endeavour, we also say goodbye to our graduating class, and any stafl and community members leaving Ruyton. On behalf of the Ruyton Board, I publicly acknowledge and thank Dr Jim Watterston for his contribution to our School community. Standing down from the Ruyton Board after three years of service, Jim will be remembered for his wealth of education knowledge, strategic mindset and the generous way he has shared his expertise with Board members as well as the stafl of both Ruyton and Trinity for the betterment of our school. We wish Jim well and hope to see him back at Ruyton again in the future. I have always been enormously proud to be a member of the Ruyton community, but never so much as over the last two years. On behalf of the Board, I would like to say thank you to our Principal Linda Douglas and her dedicated Executive team. Thank you to the stafl for their commitment and passion. Thank you to our families for their significant support. Thank you to our students for never giving up. Thank you to all in the Ruyton community.

Poised to embark on the largest building project in Ruyton’s history, we are entering an exciting phase of our school’s story. Providing worldclass educational and enrichment facilities, 2

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INTRODUCING TIM ROWLER Director of Business, Finance and Facilities and Company Secretary to the Ruyton Board

Tim Rowler has a deep connection to the Ruyton community. His wife Lucy Terracall (1999), sisters in-law Amelia (1997) and Annabelle Terracall (2003) are Old Ruytonians. His mother-in-law Judy Terracall (Hooke, 1971) is also an Old Ruytonian and has a place in our School history as one of the last boarders to live onsite. Having always heard Ruyton stories and aware of its influence on the lives of the women in his life, it ‘was always a school I would look to and was excited to see the position come up’. Having been appointed as Director of Business, Finance and Facilities, Tim is ‘thrilled to be able to contribute to an already high performing school and make a difference’. Originally starting his diverse career as an accountant and working for Cadbury Schweppes in their global tax department in London, Tim has also managed a professional cycling team, owned and operated a wholesale gluten free bakery and worked for a property investment group based in Melbourne. Having held Business Manager positions over the last 12 years at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak and St Joseph’s College in Ferntree Gully, Tim has also been President of the Catholic Education Business Administrators (CEBA) association.

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In schools Tim found a passion with roles that combined his love of finance, property, IT and accounting. The varying nature of the work and the fact ‘every day is different’ allows him to use his broad knowledge base to bring business expertise into a non-profit environment where people are central to the decisions being made. ‘Quite hands on’ in his approach, Tim is motivated by the opportunity to support teaching and learning outcomes and is looking forward to working with the Ruyton Board, Executive Team and staff to ensure every student is empowered to be their best. With significant experience in project management and having overseen the $35m build of the Clendon Centre during his tenure at Loreto Toorak, Tim will play a crucial role in the coming months and years as we embark on the redevelopment of Royce Theatre and the Library through the Dream Now campaign. Looking forward to getting ‘out and about’ on campus and meeting members of the community, Tim’s first impressions of Ruyton are that 'there is a strong culture, and this is consistent with what I knew about the School before arriving’. We welcome Tim and look forward to watching him succeed in his role at Ruyton.

leadership

LEADING WITH MERAKI AND VIBRANCE ‘The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers’. The words of American activist, Ralph Nader, could not hold more truth and are echoed in the legacy left by the Ruyton students who have led before us. Each leader had their distinctive leadership qualities and had a profound impact on those of us who looked up to them, instilling in us that same unwavering passion for service. This year, the Class of 2022 have pledged to lead with Meraki and Vibrance. Our first word, albeit unconventional, stood out to us. Meraki, a modern Greek word, is defined as doing something with passion, devotion and absolute attention. A notable feature of this word is that, due to its origin, meraki is almost impossible to translate directly. It can only be felt and understood through actions. This notion is represented not only by our year level but our school, with the bonds within Ruyton being difficult to describe, but easily perceived. The Class of 2022 has proven repeatedly through their active involvement in sport, music, drama and the broader community that service to Ruyton is a labour of love, thus proving that the most meaningful aspect of leadership is not merit, but rather the fidelity towards one’s duty. Our second word, vibrance, reflects a year level full of energy and life. Despite the challenges that emerged during the last two years, we rose above adversity with collective positivity that radiated through the year level. Our unity was reflected through the sequin leggings at House events, stomps in the School Song, and dynamic Spirit days; all attesting to our vibrant School community. Each Year 12 student displays outstanding personal qualities that collectively create a sense of solidarity, allowing us to 4

advance and grow. We hope our leadership will allow for a colourful outlook amidst an uncertain future and our vivacity will encourage others to overcome hardship. To complement these two words, we chose the colour mauve to reflect the Class of 2022’s service to the school community. The serene light purple hue expresses renewal after two years apart; the calm after a storm. Mauve also represents our mission to support the community through compassion and its symbolism as a colour of inspiration emphasises our cohort’s ultimate goal of leading by example. The women's suffrage movement was represented by this colour describing purple as the colour of loyalty, constancy to purpose and unswerving steadfastness to a cause. With such strong values established by those strong women before us, we continue to create a legacy of unity. With the energy of red and the calm tones of blue, mauve depicts the balanced and considered example wanting to be set by the Year 12s, as well as the energy and warmth by which we want to be remembered. With the influence of the past two years, the roles of the Co-Captains have been challenged and redefined. We have the previous Ruytonians to thank for the potent, established culture evident in such a small, tight-knit community. After this unprecedented period, the strength of the Ruyton community is undeniable and in 2022, we hope to continue the harmony and solidarity that exists in our Ruyton family. We as a cohort, as well as individuals, aim to lead with passion and devotion, to serve with soul and love; ultimately leaving a part of ourselves in our service. Minduli Weeraman and Sarah Lardner School Co-Captains 2022

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endeavour and achievement

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS The annual Premier’s VCE Awards recognises students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). In 2021, a total of 323 awards, including 23 Top All-Round VCE High Achiever Awards, recognised the exceptional dedication and hard work of 297 students across Victoria for their academic achievements in 2020. We are exceptionally proud of the following alumnae who were recognised through these awards. TOP ALL-ROUND VCE ACHIEVER SUE CARR RECOGNISED IN THE 2021 QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST

Maya Wilmshurst STUDY AWARDS Susan Fang, English Simone Lin, Product Design and Technology Simone Lin, Geography Maya Wilmshurst, English

Sue Carr (Franklin, 1962) was recently appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) for significant service to interior design, to education, and to women in business in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Sue Carr, Founding Principal of Carr, has championed and cemented the power of design in Australia since opening her first interior design studio in Melbourne in 1971. Sue’s work as a practitioner and educator has been instrumental in redefining interior design as a core discipline and vital component to architecture. For five decades Sue has stood steadfast in her belief that design can make a positive difference to people’s lives. Studying at RMIT University after finishing school at Ruyton, she has been a life-long supporter of design education through advisory, graduate and scholarship programs.

Susan Fang

Simone Lin

Maya Wilmshurst

If you know of any Old Ruytonians who are achieving great things, please email our Alumnae Manager Kate Nixon with their details at nixonk@ruyton.vic.edu.au. 6

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2021

12%

58%

79%

92.65

27%

ATARS 99 AND ABOVE

ATARS 90 AND ABOVE

MEDIAN ATAR

MEDIAN STUDY SCORE

ATARS 80 AND ABOVE

SCORES OVER 40

STUDY SCORES OF 50 Stella McCombe

Cynthia Hu ENGLISH

Charli Kerr

Jiaxin Lai

HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

HISTORY; REVOLUTIONS

ENGLISH

Ye Wen

ACCOUNTING

Congratulations to Ye Wen, the Dux of Ruyton Girls’ School for 2021, achieving an ATAR of 99.85.

While we celebrate the 2021 ATAR results at Ruyton, our measure of success does not rely on a single score. We empower our girls to lead lives of impact and purpose with courage, character and compassion, both now and in the future. This is how we define success.

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class of 2021

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2021

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'SOMEWHERE INSIDE US ALL IS THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD' — MATILDA BY ROALD DAHL

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GRIT

WELLBEING AT RUYTON Ruyton’s approach to student wellbeing is based on the knowledge that a student’s ability to flourish is maximised when their environment fosters optimal physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive wellbeing. We also know that our capacity to provide this optimal learning environment is enhanced when we work in conjunction with our families and wider community. This approach has certainly held us in good stead this year and it has been wonderful to see our School community, but in particular our Wellbeing teams, work tirelessly together to support each, and every student. Wellbeing should not be seen as a static concept but rather a continuum where starting points, developmental rates and emerging needs differ for each student. This variation has certainly been amplified in recent times and it became increasingly evident that wellbeing programs and structures needed to be agile and responsive to the emerging needs and challenges faced by students and their learning cohort. Capturing the many ways in which we have provided student wellbeing support, whilst simultaneously addressing the significant challenges arising from the pandemic is difficult to do. Added to this challenge was our much-needed response to respectful relationship issues amplified through the courageous voices of young women striving to highlight the struggles faced in being heard, validated and empowered.

Compassion: for oneself and others Gratitude activities; breakfast clubs; homegroup and class-based wellbeing activities focused on lockdown fatigue, sleep, transitioning back to school, mental health, friendships, yoga and mindfulness; R U OK?Day activities; daily wellbeing check-ins. Relationships: to connect with others with integrity and respect Workshops on consent, alcohol and drug use and safe partying; class Kahoots; virtual cooking classes; origami hearts; Connect sessions; morning teas and film nights. Purpose: to discover and celebrate one’s sense of self Passion projects; The Global Leadership Program; service projects; goal setting sessions with mentors; virtual challenges. Engagement: to participate actively in one’s learning and life Virtual baking and crafts sessions; Olympic challenges; Recharge Wednesdays; life-skills sessions and virtual experiments. Empowerment: to utilise one’s strengths and nurture those of others Fundraising activities such as Backpacks 4 Vic Kids and a concert for Yemen; Elevate workshops; careers exploration sessions; student-to-student mentoring.

To reflect on everything would require far more text space than we have in this edition of the Ruyton Reporter, so the following provides just a brief snapshot based on each of our five Wellbeing Pillars; Compassion, Relationships, Purpose, Engagement and Empowerment and the varied ways we have continued to engage and support students in navigating not only their own development but also the complex and at times, confronting world they live in. 10

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‘IT TAKES A VILLAGE…’ It would be remiss of me to overlook the role that parents, and carers also played throughout 2021. It is through them, as first educators, that our work at School was supported and extended. Without their calm, reassuring guidance at home we would not have been as successful as we have been in educating and caring for their daughters. It has also been heartening to see such strong attendance at our Powerful Parenting evenings; even when parents and carers were in many instances managing the demands of distance learning with their own personal and professional commitments. An important focus of these parent evenings was to further equip parents with the skills and knowledge to support their daughters’ emotional and social wellbeing and development and in particular issues emerging on digital media platforms. It was for these reasons we engaged experts such as Peggy Orenstein, an international speaker on consent education, as well as Madonna King who spoke on the challenges of the pre-teen years. In addition, parents attended online presentations on body image by the Butterfly Foundation; Paul Dillon, who addressed the issue of adolescent alcohol and drug use as well as hearing a presentation by the Healthy Mind Project on the wellbeing of our much younger students. Many families also attended our Total Wellbeing Parent Conference, that offered a wide suite of wellbeing topics to choose sessions of particular interest and support for them. We should also recognise the contribution of parents and past students in providing letters of support, words of encouragement and the gratefully received student and staff pamper packs. To know our endeavours were also being supported and appreciated by our wider community was comforting.

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Finally, there is great merit in the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and Ruyton’s village, made up of parents, carers, our entire stafi, leadership teams and our wider community members certainly conffrms this long held belief. There is no doubt that without our combined efiorts this year we would not have been as successful in supporting our students as we would have otherwise been. Trish Hatzis Director of Wellbeing

On behalf the Ruyton Wellbeing Teams

teaching and learning

BUILDING CHANGE Building Change is an elective subject open to students in Year 9 and 10 at Ruyton. It addresses the uncomfortable subject of whether racism exists in Australia, and how we can learn effective ways to tackle racism and unconscious bias. With a ‘truth-telling’ but ultimately positive approach, students examine a variety of different topics, major themes and big ideas about First Nations communities in Australia. This year we built a strong friendship and connection with the senior girls’ class at Tiwi College, and in May we were lucky enough to host five students and two staff who came to Melbourne and experienced life at Ruyton. Darcie Kane-Priestley Director of Drama My perception of the world has shifted from our very first Building Change lesson. Trying to gauge how much we knew, Ms Kane-Priestley asked the class about what and whose land we were on, and we answered the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. Ms Kane-Priestley then asked us what the name of Melbourne was and I had no idea. It is Naarm. In a distinct moment, I realised how much, not just the struggles, but the beautiful living culture of the First Nations people is ignored, pushed to the sidelines, hidden or destroyed.

Getting to know the girls at Tiwi College and hearing about their lives was incredible. Hearing stories about swimming and hunting, and going camping with their families, as well as the culture they learn and live at school was such a beautiful experience. In class, we also listened to music written by First Nations Artists like Thelma Plum, or Briggs which was amazing too and opened my mind to new perspectives. But amongst the celebration, we learnt about the past and ongoing pain and trauma that First Nations people face. A Monologue by Gamilaroi/Torres Strait Islander woman Nakkiah Lui described it as ‘a slow genocide as each generation dies younger and younger’. People always say about the past ‘how could people just let that happen?’ but we are allowing governments to imprison a generation from as young as ten years old. We are feigning ignorance so that we can let languages, cultures and people die. Genocide and racism are not just in our past, they are our present and future unless we make a drastic change to value First Nations language, culture, and people. Juliet Bland Year 10 student

The most powerful part of this course for me was the First Nations voices we heard. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s perspectives and stories had almost always been placed in the past, learning about them through History classes that don't speak to the art, music, language, medicine, stories, singers, sport stars and more that make masterpieces and inspirations that have such a rich patchwork of the past and modern identity. 12

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Through studying the devastating stories of police brutality in Australia, I was confronted by the terrifying realities of being Indigenous or a person of colour in Australia. Although I have been blessed to grow up in a household where I have been taught and made aware of my white privilege, over the past few years I have learnt that not everyone is. Particularly during the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, I found myself having uncomfortable conversations with friends who were unable to see their implicit biases or empathise with the message that the movement brought. Building Change is a subject that, in my firm belief, everybody should do. Our explorations of our own implicit biases and overcoming them together brought our cohort even closer, as we mourned the loss and grief Indigenous Australians suffer, whilst simultaneously celebrating their remarkable achievements, culture and connections to the land. We learnt how to listen to First Nations people, putting them at the front and centre of the movement advocating for their civil rights and liberties and what we can do to dismantle institutional and systemic racism in Australia. Francesca Yatomi-Clarke Year 9

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Being a part of the Building Change elective has enriched my learning of personal bias, racism and the importance Indigenous culture. To kickstart the semester, our first area of learning was ourselves. We became aware of our own personal biases through reflection of past events, completing The Implicit Bias Test and consideration of what we, as people, need to do to change for the better. This unit of study changed my whole world iew. Another focus of Building Change was racism in society. For Indigenous Australians, racism is an ongoing and daily battle. Many awful stereotypes surround Indigenous Australians, leading to an instilled fear put into others. Through my experience of hosting two beautiful girls from the Tiwi Islands, I have been able to connect to and understand why Indigenous culture is so special and should be protected around Australia. Simple things like Acknowledgement of/Welcome to Country should be implemented into every gathering and official meeting Australia-wide. It is so important to remember that Indigenous people have been on this land for much longer than anyone else and we should thank them for protecting and preserving it. Stephanie Elford Year 10

curiosity

LIBRARIES More of a Portal than a Place It’s not surprising that Susan Orlean’s 2019 book The Library Book, described as a ‘riveting true crime exploration and a love letter of libraries’, would appeal to the likes of me, but trust me it’s a cracking read. Full of interesting asides and unexpected twists and turns, the book unpacks the events that lead to the 1989 Los Angeles Public Library fire. While the details of the story may have faded a little from my memory, her discussion on the role and contribution of libraries to their communities has lingered. Most memorable is this statement; ‘In truth, a library is as much a portal as it is a place – it is a transit point, a passage’. As we plan for our new Ruyton library, the idea of a library being more of a portal than a place seems to resonate. On the most basic level our library must provide spaces, collections and programs to support the teaching and learning needs of the School community. But of course, in planning for the new library we strive for much more. The Ruyton library, like all good libraries, must help our community grow into the best version of itself. Absence can sometimes help us crystallise what we most value in services and institutions. I wasn’t the only attendee moved to tears during the Changing Spaces Library Design Conference 2021, as Sarah Slade, Victorian State Library Director, told of her deep sense of loss at being forced to close the doors of the library as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This closure was to become the longest interruption in the library’s 164-year history. The State Library, like all libraries, is so much more than books on a shelf. Recent forced closures remind us that libraries are built to connect. Libraries are built to serve. Libraries are indeed a type of portal, a chance for its patrons to travel through and emerge somehow changed, and perhaps enlightened.

Critical to this, is the provision of safe spaces; physically, emotionally and intellectually safe. Our planning for the new library is underpinned by a desire to empower our students’ journey to become lifelong readers, allowing them to make informed reading choices from diverse collections. Beyond that, our library must provide opportunities for our students, to not only refiect on their own reality, but also explore their place in the world. In planning for the new library, we took inspiration from sites of best practice from around the world. Libraries, while they may take many shapes and forms, must always refiect the needs and values of their communities. It is not by accident that Florence’s Laurentian Library, designed by Michelangelo, is a thing of classical beauty or that the Icelandic Library of Stykkishólmur provides an immersive experience refiecting the wonders of their glacial environment. Likewise, it is with a sense of celebration and connection that the threeton tubular bell hanging in Denmark’s the Dokk1 Library, is rung to welcome each new baby into the community. I think perhaps my favourite is the Haskell Free Library which sits across the border between the United States and Canada. What a wonderful metaphor for the ways libraries can break down barriers and borders, both intellectually and socially. During the last couple of years, a team of people have been working diligently to create a vision for a new library for Ruyton. Students and staff members have imagined a space that is both functional and beautiful. A space that will serve the needs of today’s students and generations of students to come. Like other world class libraries, we seek to anchor our thinking within the spirit of Ruyton, flnding ways to refiect and celebrate the heart and soul of this great school. Julie Purcell Director of Library Resource Centre Reference: Orlean, S. (2019). Atlantic Books

. London:

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curiosity

EXPLORATIONS IN TIME Discovering that they were part of a rich lineage of girls and women in education was at the heart of the Year 2 classes’ History of Ruyton unit earlier this year. The students’ task during Term 2 was to explore how knowledge of the past helps us to understand our present and look to our future. Teachers Meagin Gidley and Cheryl Malcolm have found that using Ruyton’s own history is a particularly powerful tool for investigating this aspect of the Victorian curriculum. When approaching the topic, the girls bring their familiarity with and sense of connection to their school. From that they are able to link what they already know and quickly extend their understanding of how all places change over time. Bringing Ruyton’s story to life were items from the Ruyton Heritage Collection. During a classroom visit by School Archivist, Cathy Dodson, the Year 2 historians examined a selection of objects and documents that help tell Ruyton’s story, from historic photos and pieces of uniform to early copies of The Ruytonian. A visit to the Principal’s study in Henty House, and a tour around the grounds following the ORA Heritage Trail, enabled the girls to discover more about the evolution of the School and the people who shaped it.

Spirit Week brought the opportunity to mix and mingle with the ‘Golden Girls’, our most senior group of alumnae. The Year 2s proudly sang the Ruyton School Song and braced themselves for the much-loved stamping of feet. Each Golden Girl was presented with a hand drawn gift, and then a Q&A session produced many giggles amongst the memories. The students were left with a deeper connection to their school and maybe a new friend or two. Back in the classroom, there was an excited buzz as the girls exhibited their newfound knowledge to Ms Douglas, other stafi and fellow students through a celebration of learning morning in June. Each student shared their projects which included drawings, digital presentations, and even handwritten letters to women from Ruyton’s history. Some girls chose to dress up as a particular individual from Ruyton’s past, or, in one case, as Ruyton’s treasured Moreton Bay Fig. The costumes were just one illustration of how the term’s work had brought the women and girls of the Ruyton story to life for the Year 2s. '… we learnt about the history of Ruyton. I [have] a better understanding how old Ruyton looked and the school life of old Ruyton girls. … My favourite old principal is Charlotte Anderson, even though I never met her, I think she sounded like a truly gentle, patient and kind person.' (Paisley Sun, Year 2.) Cathy Dodson Meagin Gidley and Cheryl Malcolm

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creativity

NOTHING WITHOUT JOY IN EARLY LEARNING 'Creativity seems to emerge from multiple experiences, coupled with a well-supported development of personal resources, including a sense of freedom to venture beyond the known' – Loris Malaguzzi In Early Learning, creativity is not recognised as a one dimensional disposition but instead a diverse culture of differentiated learning opportunities for children and educators alike. From digital landscapes to intelligent materials, the idea of creativity is individualised and celebrated from child to child. Our ideology is ‘nothing without joy’ — therefore we plan for and welcome opportunities for creative experimentation. Educators intentionally design spaces and learning opportunities that inspire and promote the exploration of various creative forms. The use of The Hundred Languages, conceived by Loris Malaguzzi, prompts us to see the many ways creativity can be explored through the eyes of a child. Opportunities and time are provided for the children to fully immerse themselves in discovery and the process of exploring their own creativity. Staff are continually revisiting and revising the way we provide and present materials to children, as well as researching new ways to continue to inspire wonder and joy.

The intersection of art and digital landscapes is an ongoing journey for both stat and children in Early Learning. Digital projections of images have inspired the children to develop collaborative artworks as well as immerse themselves in diterent types of playscapes. Apps such as iMovie, Book Creator and other forms of blended learning have had a signihcant impact on the creative opportunities we can provide for children. Working and learning alongside the children with these tools has enabled us to share our creativity, projects and inquiries not only with our wider School community, but also beyond Ruyton. Interconnecting diterent forms of creativity has supported our stat to research innovative and complex learning, that in turn encourages our youngest students to engage in a rich culture of creative inquiry. Moving forward, our stat strive to cultivate an environment that continually evolves and values the many ways that children can explore their own sense of creativity. Catherine Farrar Kindergarten Teacher Jodie Mitchell Pre Prep Teacher

Through the integration of ‘intelligent materials’ in our learning environments, we have observed the unlimited possibilities and ways that children can use these in all areas of their learning. Our use of these open-ended materials is evident as we see children design play spaces for sea creatures using recycled materials, develop clay sculptures of ‘kind eyes’, and incorporate loose parts in their outdoor learning. summer 2022

creativity

STRICTLY BALLROOM Rehearsing a musical through a pandemic revealed the importance of human connection. We need each other to tell stories, to laugh, to cry, to experience something together. We were so excited to consider the possibility of finally performing to a live audience, as we so longed to connect and share our achievement. Sadly, unless you happened to see the Wednesday night open dress rehearsal, this was not our fate with many cast members becoming primary close contacts to a positive COVID case on opening night closing the show for good.

Strictly Ballroom is not just a story about a couple of ballroom dancers, but an extended metaphor for artistic expression, and the notion that art and rulebooks don’t mix. It shares the story of our ability to withstand pressure and to fight for what we believe. It reminds us of our power to feel, be true to ourselves, and to not let fear get in the way. The world we created in our Senior School musical production of Strictly Ballroom was indeed larger-than-life, flamboyant, and stylised. Our students, from Ruyton and Trinity, did not let fear get in their way of their commitment to this production. They gave it absolutely everything.

Out of isolation, we know our students will continue to need great art because we need each other. Art offers us a unique opportunity to process our experiences, to laugh at them, defy them or to escape from them. The students involved in Strictly Ballroom have the support of each other, the creative team of teachers involved and the broader Ruyton and Trinity communities. We will always remember this journey and the absolute joy it brought us all. We are so thankful for the generosity of parents, teachers and students who worked behind the scenes and for our incredible student and staff orchestra. Darcie Kane-Priestley Director of Drama

Originally slated to open in mid-2020, our production of Strictly Ballroom persisted through four Victorian lockdowns totalling 171 days. Despite enduring distance learning and the complications of virtual rehearsals, Strictly Ballroom continued to unite the Ruyton and Trinity communities. In fact, for many of us it was a focal point in the fog and gave us purpose in navigating the new world described as ‘before COVID’ to ‘the new normal’. It provided us many moments of hope.

the ruyton reporter

‘A LIFE LIVED IN FEAR IS A LIFE HALF LIVED’

— FRAN, STRICTLY BALLROOM

summer 2022

creativity

ART WEEK 2021 Art is not only valued at Ruyton for its educational purposes, but because of the positive contribution it makes to our lives and overall happiness. Amongst the challenges of 2021, we celebrated art with our annual Art Week early in Term 2. Throughout Art Week in the Junior School, students engaged in a range of colourful, hands-on experiences. A ‘School of Dots’ grew in the Junior School Open Space as each student created a dot inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, ‘the princess of polka dots’. Students collaborated at lunchtime to create cardboard cubby houses inspired by the lines, colours, and shapes of the Australian artist Howard Arkley’s suburban houses, and ‘Worlds and Rivers’ in the Sandpit was inspired by the Argentinian artist Alexandra Kehayoglou’s work Santa Cruz River.

With help from our Art Captains Abby Lowe and Stella Wanless, the Art Department was joined by internationally recognised photographic artist Stephanie Rose Wood to present whole year level workshops in the Senior School. Stephanie Rose Wood is an award-winning Melbourne-based commercial and art photographer. Her creative practice is research driven as she creates imagery that tells stories of community and the links we form within them. Working closely with Stephanie to deliver fast-paced and action-packed workshops, the Art staff introduced the Year 7 and 8 students to the historical photographic process of cyanotypes. Students worked in the darkroom and used specialised wet-process photographic chemicals to create unique, nature-driven contact prints. Stephanie also ran intimate workshops for the Year 9, 10 and VCE girls that introduced them to processes and considerations of working in a professional creative environment. Working in pairs, students were given a brief, which they then had to plan, photograph, post-produce, and deliver, before receiving individual feedback from Stephanie and the Art Teachers. Finally, the 2021 Art Week saw Ruyton pay homage to the 19th century Paris Salon with the running of the inaugural whole school art prize, The Ruyton Salon, exhibited in the Courtyard Café. With the theme Reflections, we saw over one hundred entries from students in Prep to VCE, with prizes for each year level chosen by our Art Learning Leader Joey Kirkwood and student captains Abby and Stella. Art Week 2021 was a great success. It showcased Ruyton’s love and passion for Art, and underscored how powerful art can be in helping to bring a community together through the act of creation. Rolly Dempster Art Teacher

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COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERING 2021 All students in Years 9- to 11 participate in the Community Service Volunteering program (CSV-12) by volunteering for at least 12 hours each year. Their volunteering activities are wide ranging. Usually, students help at op shops, toy libraries, aged care homes, sports clubs, dance schools, Auskick, and childcare centres. They have supported Lentil As Anything, Fareshare, the Sacred Heart Mission and have previously volunteered as surf life savers. Of course, most of these activities were not possible during COVID lockdowns so our Ruyton girls found new and innovative ways to help people in need. For many Ruyton students, the community they want to live in is one where all children have an equal opportunity to learn and be educated. For this reason, many of our students have participated in online tutoring and reading programs over the last 18 months. These programs have included Kids Space in Yarra, a homework club for Sudanese children living in communities in Collingwood. Others have participated in an online reading and conversation with kindergarten children in Lopburi, Thailand. The Thai children loved their Ruyton buddies and looked forward to their weekly meetings. For the Ruyton students, it was a great opportunity to learn about other cultures too. ‘What I enjoyed most was that I saw Aki learn and grow through talking to me every week which was really lovely to see. I also liked learning about Thai culture, for example Aki taught me about traditional Thai desserts and food that he made with his mum.’

Ruyton has had a long connection with The Smith Family and its Student to Student Reading Buddies Program. Twice a week through 2021, the buddies connected online and the older buddy listened to the younger one read, providing feedback and encouragement. One of the Ruyton buddies said, ‘the Smith Reading Program is a program I would recommend to everyone. It is a fun and enjoyable environment whereby reading with the same boy or girl each week I have been able to actively see their improvements and create a bond of trust.’ Throughout the pandemic, many of our students found creative and thoughtful ways to bring cheer to others. We have had students knitting squares for Knit One Give One, making blankets and clothing for Miracle Babies, crocheting little hearts and toys for 1000 Hearts and writing letters to the residents of aged care homes. These items and letters became gifts of cheer for people during lockdown. Our students regularly participate in door-knocking or at stalls set up outside supermarkets. This year, the opportunity to do so was very limited, so it was lovely to see so many of the Ruyton students supporting this vital fundraising program. Other volunteer activities included assisting with Orygen Youth Mental Health, and digital volunteering for the Australian Museum. For some students, picking up rubbish in their local park was a valuable activity to support their community. During this time of restrictions, separations and disappointment, many Ruyton students gave support through their volunteering efforts. They should be proud of themselves and the difference they have made to the lives of others. Julie Hoskins Coordinator of Community Service

summer 2022

community

HOUSE QUA-RUN-TINE 2.0 In 2021 we planned and then cancelled the Senior School House Athletics carnival three times. Collectively flattened by the announcement of lockdown six, it only seemed right to find another event to put in its place. Harnessing all the House spirit amongst the community, we announced our virtual running competition, Qua-RUN-tine 2.0. Held over three days at the end of August, over 500 registered participants ran, jogged or walked to contribute points to their House. Unlike the year previous, the invitation to participate in Qua-RUN-tine was not only open to all staff and Senior School students to compete, but extended to include girls in Years 4 to 6 and their families. Embracing the event, participation numbers were bolstered by fantastic weather and helped along by the enthusiasm of the House Captains.

There was a bit of friendly competition amongst the fun at Qua-RUN-tine 2.0. Staff and Senior School students timed their 3km runs and special note must be made of the many Ruyton staff that clocked impressive speeds. These runners come from a variety of areas within the School, including administration and music but the fastest staff member in 2021 was Mr Harrison from the PE Department. With the emphasis on participation rather than results the event was enjoyed by all. However, there had to be a winner… Congratulations Bromby! House at Ruyton can truly bring people together even when we are apart. The sense of belonging begins in Prep and is fostered all the way through Junior School. In Senior School entire School events are held with a sense of House tribalism. I feel that being able to represent our Houses while at home, in a very strict lockdown, every Ruyton staff member, student and parent felt a little bit of virtual freedom. Angela Allen House Coordinator and PE Teacher

the ruyton reporter

summer 2022

community

Stephanie Stamopoulos (2011) Life After Royce

Having performed to tens of thousands of people in her career as a concert cellist playing with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North in the UK and to audiences across Europe, Stephanie (Steph) Stamopoulos has treasured memories of being in Royce Theatre. In fact, Steph’s earliest recollection of Ruyton is of Royce. Arriving at our school as a Year 1 student with her cello, Steph nervously performed at Junior School Assembly with the encouragement of her teacher. ‘I came back to the classroom and the other girls were all cheering and clapping for me. I just remember feeling supported by everyone and knowing Ruyton was a nice place to be’. Other memories include having a pregnant teacher feel her baby kick as Steph played the cello and being challenged by Paul Smith to perform ‘a really tricky piece of music’ (Dance of the Elves by Popper) to thunderous applause at Senior School Assembly. Smiling broadly while recalling these moments, Steph pauses to reflect, ‘effort and achievement were both supported at School – particularly the effort. Anyone who was really putting themselves out there was given the opportunity to succeed’.

Attending Ruyton on a music scholarship and holding the position of Music Captain in 2011 ‘meant everything’ to Steph. ‘I had a great education and the scholarship meant I was able to get specialist opportunities I wouldn’t have ordinarily’. The captaincy pushed her definition of performance beyond the cello and into public speaking where she transformed from feeling uncomfortable to developing new skills at the lectern. Her Ruyton education also provided opportunities to ‘get on stage and just have fun’ through events like the Performing Arts House Festival (PAHF). The confidence and sense of enjoyment gained through performing hasn’t left Steph and looking back it seems as though ‘maybe the experiences were more valuable than I had known at the time’. Participating in School life outside of music, Steph trained with Stephen Ellinghouse and became a runner, an experience she attributes with enhancing her musical ability. ‘In running you have to be relaxed whilst focused. It is the same for cello’. ‘Steve always told me to “keep going” and that has stayed with me into my adult life’.

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Since leaving School, Steph and her cello have travelled the world. Moving to Manchester shortly after completing VCE, Steph completed a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Cello Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and undertook additional study at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna with world famous cellist Natalia Gutman. Winning awards and accolades and with a global reputation as a concert cellist, Steph has recently returned to Melbourne after spending a decade overseas to be closer to family. In a full circle moment, Steph is now teaching cello to school students. Providing individual tuition and conducting a string quartet, Steph draws inspiration from her own Ruyton teachers in her practice. ‘I just remember at School, everyone was so supportive. There was never a bad question. I want to create the same feeling for my own students’. A proud Old Ruytonian, Steph’s years as a Ruyton girl have left an imprint on her for life. ‘When I think about Ruyton and my final years as a student, it is the fearlessness to try new things and give it a go that has remained with me. There is always a benefit to trying something new’. Her advice to any current Ruyton students reading this article? ‘Give it a go. You will have fun!’. Brigid Steele Marketing and Publications Manager

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.stephaniestamopoulos.com www.easyweddings.com.au/ WeddingMusic/Melbourne/StephanieSarah summer 2022

community

Chatting with

Dr. Pip Inge (2006) Chief Medical Officer at the 2021 Paralympic Games

Dr. Philippa (Pip) Inge was in quarantine when we chatted via Zoom last year, having just returned from the Tokyo Paralympic Games, where she worked as the Australian team’s Chief Medical Officer. From ‘hotel quarantine’ in Melbourne straight to Queensland, Pip was off to work as the team doctor for the Australian Women’s Cricket Team who were playing against India in Mackay and the Gold Coast. Having completed 14 days of compulsory isolation after the Paralympics and due to Victorian COVID regulations at the time, she was unable to meet with family, friends or her fiancé before heading into her next role. She’s clearly a talented and very busy health professional whose only communication with loved ones at the time was via telephone, Zoom or a wave to her parents through the window of her hotel whilst in quarantine. A sports medicine doctor who works with athletes at the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), AFL and cricket, Pip’s professional passions can be traced back to Ruyton where in Year 12 she was Sports Captain and also had a penchant for maths and science. This proved to be the perfect combination for becoming a leading sports medicine doctor.

At School Pip loved hockey and running and according to her own 2006 Ruytonian Sport Report, the hockey team she was in from Year 7 to Year 12 won an impressive 37 matches, (they drew and lost only one game a piece) and the 2006 cross country team were crowned State Cross Country Champions. She fondly remembers Ruyton sport staff Louisa Burbury, Angela Allen (Lipshut) and Stephen Ellinghaus as being hugely supportive and wonderful role models enabling all girls, and not just the sporty girls, to achieve their very best. Being a Ruyton girl from Prep, Pip had 13 years to try everything that the School offered. She played in the Henty Orchestra and won an award for sport, music and the Bromby House award. This might have been a tough act to follow for her younger sister Charlotte, who graduated six years later in 2012 however clearly this was not the case as Charlotte was a Ruyton Co-Captain in her graduating year. Charlotte remembers: 'Pip was a real go-getter at school - always keen to have a crack at everything Ruyton had to offer – even if it wasn't her forté (sorry Pip!) – and encourage her peers to do the same. She was a great role model for me, and I definitely tried to replicate her positive and inclusive attitude when I went through Senior School six years later. Pip is still very similar in this sense.'

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It’s taken more than ten years of study and incredibly hard work for Pip to become a doctor specialising in sport. Working with elite athletes is something that Pip adores. She has worked at the Australian Open Tennis Championships alongside Dr Tim Wood (former Ruyton parent of Mia Wood, 2020); and alongside fellow Old Ruytonian Dr Susan White (1983) who has been a wonderful role model and supporter for many years. While gender should no longer be an issue in the workplace, it is wonderful to see women and a former Ruyton student, excelling in what is still a speciality that is dominated by men; less than 25% of sports doctors are female. According to Pip, the growth of professional women’s sports has created more opportunities for female doctors. In a recent interview with Paralympics Australia, she reflected 'What I dislike about that is the expectation that because you’re a woman you work in female sport,” she said. “I love working in female sport, but I think that expectation is gender stereotyping'.

Taking the Australian Paralympic Team to Tokyo is a career highlight for Pip. Navigating COVID restrictions and getting athletes from all over Australia to meet at one destination for departure to Japan is an achievement in itself. Japan was hot, COVID was rampant in Tokyo and so it was remarkable that no team members or staff caught the virus. Military-like planning from Australia’s management team assisted in a really successful Games with the focus on participation and trying your best rather than winning medals. Pip is one of the few Australians who was able to travel in 2021 and it looks like there will be a lot more travel in the years to come. Maybe this year she will also find time to participate in some long distance triathlons and running events which are a favourite pastime; and enjoy life out of quarantine with her new husband Nick Collins. Kate Nixon Alumnae Relations and Bequest Manager

For more information: www.paralympic.org.au/2021/03/on-theshoulders-of-giants-the-women-makingtokyo-possible/ summer 2022

community

Margaret Clarke (Menzies, 1957)

Born in 1940, Margaret Clarke (Menzies, 1957) started at Little Ruyton in 1946. Her older sister Patricia Waters (Menzies, 1951) and cousin Heather Henderson (Menzies, 1946) were already Ruyton girls and younger sister Judith Kuehne (Menzies, 1967) joined them a few years later. With two brothers attending Little Ruyton before heading to Trinity Grammar School; the family connection to Ruyton was strong and has remained so over time with daughter Kate Clarke (1987) and other family members attending the School since. A lack of facilities in the years after World War Two meant the students made their own fun. Margaret’s early memories include climbing trees, notably the Fig Tree and constructing cubbies in the ‘rough area of the School that was a bit neglected’. Physical activity was big at Ruyton and Margaret did her best to keep up with the sporty girls. The hockey sticks were a bit battered, but they made do and playing hockey and tennis were her favourite sports.

Margaret Clarke and Mary Dixon (Macpherson Smith, 1957)

Ruyton had an excellent reputation with Miss Hilda Daniell at the helm, even at Little Ruyton she was known with great affection. Classes were small and Margaret was a keen student. In one school report towards the end of Margaret’s primary schooling, Miss Daniell noted: ‘Margaret has powers of leadership which she needs to curtail. Am I asking too much?’ Harnessing these leadership skills, Margaret was later appointed School Captain and one of five girls to complete her Matric in 1957. Margaret remembers her teachers as being excellent and especially recalls liking the younger staff due to their interesting fashion sense. Miss Luke was a clear favourite. She went out of her way to make learning fun and took the girls on a picnic to the Dandenongs to farewell fellow student and great friend Sandy Crozier (Irwin, 1957) who was returning to the USA. Margaret’s older cousin Heather returned to Ruyton to teach Musical Appreciation. Amazingly, Margaret was her student and was once awarded a prize. Heather is the daughter of Sir Robert and Dame Pattie and the Menzies name was well known at the time. Having the famous surname might have accorded Margaret a little recognition but it made no difference to her schooling. After graduation and completion of an Occupational Therapy course, Margaret moved to the UK in 1965 which was the ‘done thing’ at the time. Through her cousin Graham she met Richard Clarke, an ex-ships officer who would soon become her husband. Richard was very dashing but also an unemployed Irish university student living in Belfast studying Economics and Accounting. However love prevailed and in 1967 Richard emigrated to Australia and married Margaret in Melbourne, continuing his studies at the University of Melbourne. Daughter Kate was born in 1969 followed by son James in 1972. the ruyton reporter

Margaret and Richard have lived a full life. Spending the early years of their marriage abroad in Tokyo, Hong Kong and another London stint with a young family was exciting but not without its challenges. Eventually the Clarke family moved back to Melbourne where Kate commenced at Ruyton and James at Trinity. Describing herself as a ‘20 years out of date OT’ she got back to work with a sympathetic employer who recognised that ‘you never lose your skills’. Later she specialised as a horticultural therapist and finally volunteered her services to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne. Richard is still the Treasurer of the Cranbourne Friends at the gardens. Margaret has always remained close to the Ruyton community. Sitting on the Old Ruytonians’ Association (ORA) committee for many years after finishing School, she became their President for three years in the early 1970s. As a parent she was involved as a Class Representative and tuckshop duty. Returning to School many times since with her Class of 1957 cohort, Margaret last visited Ruyton in May 2021 to attend the Golden Girls and Boarders Reunion. The Menzies clan are still very close which is something Margaret cherishes. She and Richard now live in Mt Martha next door to her sister Judy and family visit often. Having collectively travelled the world, had great careers and experienced true delight beyond their school years, Ruyton always triggers great memories and rich conversation in the family. It is something they share together. Kate Nixon Alumnae Relations and Bequest Manager

summer 2022

Margaret’s uncle, former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies and his wife Dame Pattie Menzies were significant contributors to the refurbishment of Royce Hall (Theatre) and this icon of Ruyton is soon to have a magnificent facelift. It is important to note here that the generous contribution from the Menzies family will continue to be recognised in Royce’s redevelopment. 29

archives

LEAPING THE FISHPOND and other adventures… Boarding House life, 1882-1971 'My parents drove up to the front door of a very large house and took my suitcase out of the car. My Dad carried the case to the huge door and rang the bell. I felt so small and insignificant. A woman answered the door, and I could see behind her a large staircase leading up to another world …' Those words belong to Pam Lambert (Tiller 1972), remembering the daunting experience of arriving at Ruyton’s Boarding House in 1969. She was one of hundreds of girls who lived at Ruyton for some of her education, during the 90 years that the school’s Boarding House operated. By today’s standards, their life was one of strict schedules and spartan living conditions, where meals were plain, showers were short and ringing bells structured the day from dawn ‘til after ‘lights out’. However, overseeing it all was the firm but benevolent eye of the live-in Principal and her residential staff. Their warmth and wisdom while caring for up to 35 girls at once meant that the boarding experience was usually a positive one, where laughs and adventures were had, a sense of independence gained, and lasting friendships forged.

Founding Principal Charlotte Anderson was the first to welcome boarders to Ruyton in 1882, just four years after the School was founded. The addition of a Boarding House had been enabled by moving Ruyton to its second premises, the large house and grounds of ‘Edgecomb’ in Studley Park Road, Kew. Boarders would remain a significant sector of the School community for the next nine decades, until, in a vastly different educational and social landscape, the School Council made the difficult decision to close the Boarding House in Henty House at the end of 1971. Fifty years have passed since the last boarders vacated their dormitories, and the School was turned over entirely to the ‘day girls’ that were once the boarders' friendly rivals. Though boarding may have ceased, Ruyton is fortunate that many boarders have generously shared their memories and photographs with the School Archives, so that their stories will not be forgotten. Here we share a tiny portion of their adventures. Cathy Dodson School Archivist

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'An important event as far as the [visiting Trinity Grammar] boys were concerned was … to jump across the fishpond onto the island, often ending in disaster. This was to the great delight and encouragement of the girls watching from the balcony.' Margaret Allchin (Hand, 1940) 'There were canvas awnings to keep the weather out when necessary. At night we would see a few possums sitting on the railing. We were not allowed to feed them, but they did enjoy the bits of apple that "happened’ to fall to the floor." Margaret Allchin (Hand, 1940) [Describing the north balcony dormitory.] 'The girls who slept on the balcony and others from inside rooms had pillow fights after lights out…' Eunice Malon (Eagle, 1945) 'Every so often we would have a midnight feast!! We didn’t think the staff heard us, but they must have because we crept down the old back stairs out to the little music room in the garden giggling and telling each other to keep quiet. Dream [Miss Daniell] never let on she knew.' Joan Brayshaw (Capp, 1951) 'Boarders’ Picnics – travelling by furniture van and singing Ten Green Bottles’on the way.' June Lee (Evans, 1955) 'Creeping down to the cellar… to explore the secret passageway under the house. Cubbies built with grass down at the back fence – wonderful! Climbing the Moreton Bay Fig and not being able to get down – horrors!' Lindy Tagliabue (Callander, 1960) 'I slid down the banister at every opportunity!' Belinda Burke (Hardie, 1970)

Ghost Night One cold, blustery evening of howling winds in the early 1920s, Principal Hilda Daniell found herself required to invent a ghost story to entertain some of her boarders. Desperation proved to be inspiration and the cobbled-together, fictional story of an argument between two Henty brothers over land and money spiraling into murder was born. The poor victim was buried under the Moreton Bay Fig, his spirit doomed to roam Henty House for evermore. The story was a hit and became annual Boarding House tradition, helped along theatrically by senior girls hiding outside to rattle chains and make suitably ghostly moans. 'So very scary when you were little!!! Afterwards we would toast crumpets by the fire and then have them with honey and cocoa.' Mary Maughan (Zillman, 1953)

summer 2022

THE RUYTON FOUNDATION 2021 was a year filled with many challenges, however what also became clear is how a community can come together when it’s needed – and Ruyton did exactly that. The Ruyton Foundation was established over 30 years ago with the purpose of building funds for the benefit of our school, our staff, and our girls. Wanting to continue the Foundation’s great work through 2021, in May we made the decision to launch the Her Future Is In Our Hands annual appeal. Despite some trepidation around lockdowns, we were surprised to receive an amazing response from our community, and it gives me great delight to announce we raised over $107,000. Wanting to provide people with giving options, we raised funds for three important areas of our school: the Founder’s Scholarship, the Building Fund and our newly launched Henty Excellence in Teaching Fund. Many of you understand the impact and work of the Foundation and the extent to which community support really does make a difference. However, for those newer to our community an explanation of why we continue to work towards building these funds is below. Our Founder’s Scholarship supports girls across Years 10, 11 and 12. It is a financially means tested scholarship awarded to a girl who would otherwise not attend Ruyton. This scholarship is designed to open up opportunities, and to perhaps even change a life. If you know someone who might be suitable, we encourage you to contact us via admissions@ruyton.vic.edu.au.

The Henty Excellence in Teaching Fund was newly launched in 2021. We want to ensure that our teachers have every opportunity to continue their personal education journeys, and in so doing make a positive impact on our girls. The hope is that in building this fund we can build the professional development of our staff and consequently educational excellence at our school. The Ruyton Building Fund is one of our oldest funds and has helped ensure that Ruyton maintains high standard of facilities our girls learn within. Many of the facilities we have today, such as the Margaret McRae Centre and the John Bates Physical Education Centre, were built with the help of this fund and the support of our community towards it. We must continue to invest in our facilities so we can continue to provide the very best opportunities for our girls; it is not about the bricks and mortar but the learning within. Thank you to every single one of you who has supported the Ruyton Foundation, please know it has made a difference. Whether it was to this appeal or another area, the impact you made then, makes a difference now and will continue to into Her future. Sally de Guingand Director of Community Engagement

Moreton Bay Fig Bequest Society Lunch This year we will be holding the Moreton Bay Fig Bequest Society lunch at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on Wednesday 4 May. For enquiries, please contact the Alumnae Relations and Bequest Manager, Kate Nixon by email nixonk@ruyton.vic.edu.au or telephone on (03) 9819 2422.

the ruyton reporter

DREAM NOW It gives us great delight to be able to begin to share with the Ruyton community details around our Dream Now capital campaign to redevelop the Royce Theatre and Library. With intent to launch our Dream Now campaign and plans with the community face-to-face in 2021 through a series of cocktail evenings that would be expanded as the year progressed, repeated lockdowns required us to pivot and move online. Despite being limited to virtual conversations, we are thrilled to have received an incredibly positive response. To date we have raised almost one million dollars, which is truly quite extraordinary. We are so thankful to our community for their support. It is heartwarming to know those we have been able to share the campaign with, are as excited as we about this transformational development and the future it will create for our girls. We are just at the beginning of our journey to raise three million dollars in support of Dream Now, the largest fundraising campaign in Ruyton’s history. By raising these funds we will secure the build of this transformational precinct and see it through to completion and limit any borrowings. While this is an ambitious endeavour, it is less than ten percent of the 35 million dollars it will take to build this wonderful new Performing Arts Centre and Library precinct. For those who would like to support our fundraising, we will be holding a series of face-to-face and online events in the coming months. If you would like to be a part of this once in a decade building campaign, please visit our website and register your interest on the Dream Now page. Alternatively contact me on the details below. (All donations to our Dream Now campaign are tax deductible and can be pledged over five years.)

summer 2022

Later in 2022 and 2023, we will have additional fundraising opportunities to support Dream Now. This will include being able to ‘Take a Seat’ in the auditorium or ‘Light the Lights’ on the main stage, as additional campaign appeals. Keep your eye out on future email communications and Ruyton Reporters for more information in the months and years ahead. Dream Now will transform the lives of generations of Ruyton students today and into the future. Thank you to everyone who has supported Dream Now to date; from past families to those here today. Your gifts have truly made a difference, and your faith in what we are working towards is an immeasurable gift to our school, and our girls. Sally de Guingand Director of Community Engagement deguingands@ruyton.vic.edu.au

For more information: www.ruyton.vic.edu.au/dream-now

parents of ruyton

PARENTS OF RUYTON (POR) Adaptability and resourcefulness were key elements the POR needed to support the Ruyton community as we navigated distance learning, social restrictions, and quarantine in 2021. Year level gatherings moved online with events such as movie nights and cooking classes. A Community Resource Hub was established with essential provisions promoted such as dog walking provided by the MLC Community Care Group. The strong community spirit that exists at Ruyton prevailed throughout. In recognition of the extraordinary contribution of the Ruyton teachers and staff, morning tea treats were organised by the POR and Ruyton Care Group in Terms 2 and 4. The Ruyton Care Group, led by Phoebe Juebner, worked tirelessly throughout the year to support our community with home cooked meals. For Teacher Appreciation Day the Ruyton community uploaded texts, videos and drawings with messages of gratitude and thanks onto virtual Kudoboards which were then distributed to the Early Learning, Junior School and Senior School teachers and staff. These delightful and heartfelt messages were simply an absolute joy to view. In the final weeks of Term 4, a Christmas Stall was held for the Junior School students supported by Rhiannon Broomfield, Elli Beggs, Nicole Bidmead, Annabel Dundas, Bridget Langley and Year 5 volunteers. With their shopping lists in hand the girls were able to select gifts for their mothers, fathers and siblings. One of the key highlights of 2021 was our inaugural Ruyton Christmas Market. Online purchases of the Ruyton knitted dolls, each one unique and handmade by a dedicated team of knitters led by Kathryn Brown and including Susan Cook, Mariagrazia De Luca, Nicola Nagy

and Felicity Whitworth, and the Ruyton rabbits, utilising upcycled winter shirts and summer dresses and handmade by Annabel Dundas and Bridget Langley sold out quickly. Raffle tickets were sold for the chance to win a dream Dolls House. This three bedroom mansion was painstakingly restored by Elli Beggs and simply stunning with intricate interior details and furniture. Included were several bespoke Ruyton touches, such as a miniature Ruyton Community cookbook in the kitchen and the house was festively decorated for Christmas. Ruyton picnic blankets were also made available to the community to purchase and the sale of these has enabled the POR to donate blankets to the Junior School for the girls to use outdoors. The online market orders and wooden Christmas trees and reindeers, provided by Andrea Fyfe, were collected from Wardynski’s House at a stand staffed by POR volunteers Andrea Fyfe, Elli Beggs, Annabel Dundas and Bridget Langley. The event was the POR’s main fundraiser for the year. In recognition of their vision, the proceeds set aside for Questers will be directed towards the beautification of the School. The POR extends a sincere thank you to all the Ruyton volunteers for their remarkable contribution and support throughout 2021 and are extremely grateful for the ongoing support provided by Linda Douglas, Sally de Guingand, Jenni Musgrove, Ann Sciberras, Eden Phillips and Brigid Steele at Ruyton. Annabel Dundas and Bridget Langley POR Co-Presidents

the ruyton reporter

OLD RUYTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION president's report 2021 proved to be another year of uncertainty and challenge for the girls of Ruyton and our broader community. The resilience of the Ruyton community again shone through. The most pleasing aspect of 2021 for the Old Ruytonians’ Association was undoubtedly the recommencement of the reunion program after numerous cancellations in 2020. The ORA and Ruyton’s Community Relations team were able to deliver reunions during periods of eased restrictions last year and are most looking forward to offering a bumper program of events in 2022. This, allowing all cohorts to celebrate their special graduation milestones. I was fortunate to attend several reunion events last year, which were held both at Ruyton and other local venues. Whatever the year level, the energy and enthusiasm of the Old Girls in attendance was irrepressible. From the Class of 2019, many of whom were in their second year of university, despite having never physically attended their university campus to the Golden Girls who likely suffered the greatest social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a heartening desire to connect with one another. In May our Golden Girls and Boarders reunion was held in the Junior School. It was a beautiful morning for reconnecting and sharing special memories of Ruyton. School Archivist Cathy Dodson provided a fascinating history of boarding at the School. The photographs and past student anecdotes she shared offered a unique insight into the lives of (some very young) girls who called Ruyton home from the 1880s to the 1970s. The current Year 2 students also contributed to the morning by performing a delightful rendition of the School Song and spending time chatting to the guests about their school days. summer 2022

The ORA Committee would particularly like to congratulate the graduating Class of 2021 for their hard work and perseverance during their final year of schooling. Like the entire Ruyton community, we are so proud of the poise and resilience of our girls during their second disrupted year of VCE learning. Our online platform RuytonORA.com continues to rapidly grow. The platform provides an opportunity for our Old Girls to mentor, network, advertise employment opportunities and re-connect. In 2021 we were further reminded of the importance of Ruyton’s Old Girls supporting one another and of maintaining our connections with Ruyton, a place which will always be our home. As always, if there is ever anything the ORA or I can do to help one of our members, we encourage them to get in contact. Members can also follow and engage with our social media accounts. Finally, the 2021 Old Ruytonians’ Association AGM, held in April, saw some new faces join our committee as well as the elevation of Belinda Anderson as our new Vice President. I thank the 2021 Committee for their service and am incredibly honoured to have been re-elected to lead the ORA for a third term. Our organisation’s continued success is the product of a cohesive, united and focused committee, and a great deal of work in the ORA occurs ‘behind-the-scenes’. To that end, in closing, I want to pay particular tribute to our sub-committee chairs as well as our Alumnae Manager Kate Nixon for their dedicated work. Phoebe Demiris (Tallent, 2003) ORA President

The Old Ruytonians' Association invite you to their Annual General Meeting Tuesday 3 May 2022, 7pm 35

ALUMNAE WEDDING

Elliot John Lipshut, parents Martin and Shelley

Elliot John Lipshut was born 14 January 2021 to parents Shelley Lipshut (Sutherland, 2007) and her husband Martin, at St Vincent's Private Hospital. 'We are very much enjoying the first few months with our little boy and look forward to all the exciting changes to come!'

Pip Inge (2006) married Nick Collins on 13 November 2021 at Flinders in Victoria. You can read all about Pip on pages 26-27 in this Ruyton Reporter edition.

births

Grace Doyle

Grace Victoria Doyle was born on 14 October 2021 to Katharine Doyle (Hansen, 2003) and her husband Hugh (Trinity, 2003). Grace is a younger sister to five year old Charlotte who attends Ruyton in Prep and three year old William who attends Trinity ELC.

Are you expecting a future Old Ruytonian? Amelia Willow Smith

Amelia Willow Smith, born 30 March 2021, is the third child and second daughter for Andrea Fiorenza (1998) and Aaron Smith. Archer was born in 2015, Ava in 2017 and Amelia just in time for Easter last year. 36

To ensure you receive a place for your child at Ruyton, we encourage you to enrol your child as early as possible after birth. For more more information about enrolment and to apply online, please go to www.ruyton.vic.edu.au/admissions. the ruyton reporter

vale Deaths of Old Ruytonians, former staff members and others who have made a significant contribution to Ruyton of which the School is aware are listed here. Obituaries for the names in italics below appear on the following pages of this edition. BAULCH, Margaret (Crawley, 1946) Born 15.11.1925, RGS 1940-1943, Died 10.3.2021 BOWEN, Vera (Fawcett, 1943) Born 16.09.1926, RGS 1937-1943, Died 8.10.2021 Vera’s sister Norma Leslie (Fawcett, 1944) attended Ruyton COLLIVER, Jocelyn (Bedford, 1952) Born 23.09.1935, RGS 1940-1952, Died 18.4.2021 Jocelyn’s daughter-in-law, Vicki Colliver (Sallmann, 1981) attended Ruyton GLOVER, Robyn (Loton, 1963) Born 6.6.1946, RGS 1953-1963, Died 11.06.2021 Robyn’s sisters Elizabeth Fekete (Loton, 1970) and Kathryn Loton (1974) attended Ruyton GUILFOYLE AC DBE, Dame Margaret (McCartney) Born 15.05.1926, Died 11.11.2020 Dame Margaret’s daughters, Georgina Guilfoyle (1973), Anne Bowtell (Guilfoyle, 1975) and her granddaughters Jenny Bowtell (2006) and Lizzie Bowtell (2008) attended Ruyton McLEOD, Gay (1966) Born 14.4.1949, RGS 1955-1966, Died 5.3.2021 Gay’s sister, Belinda Anderson (McLeod, 1973) attended Ruyton

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REEVE, Susan (1994) Born 16.7.1976, RGS 1983-1994, Died 1.09.2021 Susie’s mother Kate Reeve (Marx, 1966), aunt Lyn Roman (Marx, 1962) and cousin Diana Roman (1996) attended Ruyton ROUESSART, Jacqueline (Pavlis, 1993) Born 23.4.1975, RGS 1986-1991, Died 10.9.2018 WATERS, Patricia (Menzies, 1951) Born 1.8.1933, RGS 1938-1949, Died 30.8.2020 Trish’s sisters Margaret Clarke (Menzies, 1957), Judith Kuehne (Menzies, 1967); cousin Heather Henderson (Menzies, 1946) If you have any updates of Old Ruytonians’ deaths, or wish to send an obituary to the School, please contact the Alumnae Relations and Bequest Manager, Kate Nixon by email at nixonk@ruyton.vic.edu.au or telephone on (03) 9819 2422.

Our oldest known Old Ruytonians are …

(as at 26 November 2021)

Beryl Neely (Adams, 1937), born 11 July 1920, Aged 101 from Mansfield VIC Edward (Ted) Holmes, born 7 November 1921, Aged 100, attended Little Ruyton 1928 - 1930

Dame Margaret Georgina Constance Guilfoyle AC DBE (McCartney) Born: 15 May 1926; Died: 11 November 2020 ‘She opened doors for Australian women which will never be closed again’ Dame Margaret Guilfoyle’s ties with Ruyton were close. She was a parent and grandparent of Ruyton as well as being a generous friend to this School and its community. From speaker at the first Induction Service for Year 12 held at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1988, to her role as a distinguished Australian invited to dedicate the John Bate Physical Education Centre in 1993, Dame Margaret’s grace, composure and measured wisdom gave style, dignity and depth to every occasion. Her abiding interest in the power of education to bring joy, fulfilment and success in life never waivered. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1926, Margaret was the second of three children who immigrated to Australia with their parents, Elizabeth and William McCartney, settling in Melbourne in 1928. Her father died, some eight years later, a calamitous event no doubt prompting Margaret’s observation many years later that ‘at any time, a woman must be capable of independence’. Employed by the age of 15 as a secretary, she attended night classes at Taylors and RMIT, qualifying as an accountant and becoming the senior accountant at an export promotion company. While pursuing this career, Margaret had married Stan Guilfoyle with whom she had three children, a son, Geoffrey and daughters, Georgina (1973) and Anne (1975) who attended Ruyton. Subsequently Anne’s daughters were to be enrolled at the School in Selbourne Road – Jenny (2006) and Lizzie (2008). In the meantime Margaret’s interest in politics, led to her rise through the ranks of office 38

bearers in the Liberal Party and subsequently to her election in 1970 to the Senate to which she was ultimately re-elected four times, retiring in 1987. It was in the parliamentary area that this remarkable woman was to shine a steady, bright, clear light of intellect, combined with an excellent sense of humour and astute judgement, motivated by her commitment to equity and fairness. She was the trst woman to hold a cabinet-level ministerial portfolio in Australia and was successively Minister for Education (1975), Minister for Social Security (1975-1980) and Minister for Finance (1980 – 1983). She had great inhuence on successive federal budgets as well as legislation for family allowances and the development of the childcare sector. In her last three years as a backbencher in the Senate, Margaret studied Law at ANU and having obtained her degree subsequently served on a number of Boards including the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, the Mental Health Research Institute and the Victorian State Opera. She chaired the Judicial Remuneration Tribunal and with former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner led a campaign to secure more nominations for women in the Australian Honours system. It is a privilege to oeer this tribute to Dame Margaret Guilfoyle, a mentor and exemplar to inspire future generations of women; hers is an enduring legacy. There is no more appropriate way to conclude than with her own words: ‘Equal participation of women in the Parliament, in the whole of community life, can only lead us to a better understanding of humanity to the fulfillment of the aspirations that we would have for a civilized society’ Vale Dame Margaret. Prue Gillies AM Principal 1985 to 1999 the ruyton reporter

Patricia Waters (Menzies, 1951) Born 1 August 1933; RGS: 1938-1949; Died 30 August 2020 The following obituary is an abridged version of some memories of Trish from her siblings, John, Margie, Jim and Judy. Trish was born in 1933 and was the eldest of five siblings spread over seventeen years. The family home was in Princess Street, Kew. Bread and milk were delivered by horse and cart and with no car until the early 50s after World War Two, shopping was done using an old pram which had previously been used for the five children. Trish left Ruyton in 1949 so walking to and from School was the norm for her. Kindergarten for all five children was Little Ruyton, with the girls attending Ruyton and the boys at Trinity. Margaret Clarke (Menzies, 1957) and Judith Kuehne (Menzies, 1967) are Trish’s sisters. Trish’s mum acquired a Mini Minor in the 50s and the family home in Kew was purchased around the same time. Times were tough during the war periods and being the eldest, Trish bore the brunt of this with hand me down clothes from cousins and added responsibility. A big treat was when the family were taken to see Annie Get Your Gun in the early 50s, followed by Oklahoma and South Pacific. There were fabulous fun times with the family singing musical scores with great gusto. John remembers ‘escorting’ Trish to dancing classes at Ruyton on Saturday nights, a 2km walk there and back at night and the next day practising ‘three quarter turns’ around the large dining room table.

summer 2022

Menzies siblings, left to right: Jim, Judy, John, Margaret and Trish (seated). Taken at Margaret’s 80th birthday celebration.

Margie’s first day of school at Little Ruyton was supervised by Trish and she remembers a very capable older sister who could make all her own clothes. Trish left Ruyton after completing her Intermediate and attended Stotts Business College where she excelled. She worked in the Melbourne CBD, CSIRO and at Shell. Margie has wonderful holiday memories when Trish visited her in London which was Trish’s first overseas trip. Trish kept a diary and referred to this holiday for many years thereafter. Trish met and married Bruce Waters and had three children, Ian, Janet and Barbara. Trish and her family lived in Myrtleford and Trish worked at the Myrtleford Shire and had a reputation as a very loyal and hardworking employee. Jim remembers spending the summer school holidays in Myrtleford with their big sister and her family. Judy, 17 years younger, also remembers visits to Myrtleford visiting a favourite aunt in whom she could confide. Sadly, Trish died in residential care in 2020 after having caught COVID-19. She was always willing to be outrageous and entertaining and will be fondly remembered by her family.

alumnae

2020 REUNIONS Before Victoria’s first lockdown in 2020, Ruyton was able to hold two reunions. Albeit a little late, we thought it would be wonderful to showcase these reunions and thank the Old Ruytonians who attended.

CLASS OF 2015, 5 YEAR REUNION In February 2020, when COVID lockdowns were unheard of, the Class of 2015 held their 5 Year Reunion at The Flying Duck Hotel in Prahran. Thanks to Eliza Li and Kate Graham who were responsible for whipping the girls into action (since this reunion, Kate Graham has joined the Old Ruytonians’ Association committee). In attendance on the night were the following Old Ruytonians: Margarita Ainsworth, Laura Aldous, Tiffany Angelopoulos, Bella Armstrong, Louise Atyeo, Emma Bannister, Madeleine Benallack, Jemma Billinghurst, Alice Buckley, Phoebe Condon, Emily Dumbrell, Clare Dumbrell, Zoe Fitzgibbon, Kate Graham, Alice Hannebery, Rebecca Jackson, Eliza Li, Vivian Liu, Nicole McAuliffe, Schrader McLeay, Jaime Moschoyiannis, Chae Raymond, Lauren Rigg, Katya Tselios, Hettie Watkinson, Jacqueline Willis, Sophie Wilson, Charlotte Wirtz, Katie Yang, Grace Yuan. Apologies: Chloe Joyce (MIA from the group photo are Bella, Clare, Alice H, Jamie, Hettie)

CLASS OF 1980, 40 YEAR REUNION In March 2020, the Class of 1980, held their 40 Year Reunion at the Auburn Hotel. We had 21 girls booked to attend but with talk of COVID looming on every news station around the country, a few girls who felt unwell decided to stay home to keep everyone safe. Thank you so much to Robyn Kanat for all her hard work in getting this reunion off the ground. 40

The following girls were in attendance: Katrina Allan (Mee), Susan Bennett (Davie), Rowena Cardwell (James), Jenny Carr, Carolyn Castell (Davidson), Anna Cerdan (Scandrett), Cath Cunningham, Kirsty Evans (Vize), Sue Felton (Carre-Riddell), Sue Frost (Mitchelhill), Megan Haines (Barbaro), Robyn Kanat (Bate), Sarah Laird, Andrea Lawrence, Jessica Norton, Robyn Oliver (Shaw). Apologies: Liz Hoyle (Heine), Lisa Maclellan, Lisa Orwin, Caitlin Riva (Miller), Debra Sloane (Paterson), Linda White

the ruyton reporter

CLASS OF 2010, 10 YEAR (BELATED) REUNION The girls from 2010 ended up holding their 10 Year Reunion an entire year later than originally planned. 26 girls booked to attend; the venue, a packed Collingwood brewery. The 2010 Co-Captains Maddy Reilly and Sarah Bush were so helpful in tracking down girls from this cohort, helping make their Ruyton reunion a really lovely night. Ruyton’s Principal, Linda Douglas, braved the AFL traffic and popped in to mingle with the girls. A few apologies meant that 21 girls attended the reunion. In attendance: Felicity Allen, Jacqueline Berry, Sarah Bush, Danah Cummins, Sophie de Bavay, Tammy Gloster, Greta Gurry, Sara Hogan, Georgia Howard, Jess Longmuir, Claire McBride, Sarah McLaughlan, Georgie Musgrove, Alexandra Neylon, Charlotte Paine, Maddy Reilly, Jess Roberts, Kim Stockdale, Alice Tulloch, Emma Ulrick, Sarah Whelan Apologies: Elizabeth Cox, Stephanie Mirabito, Angelica Rush, Hannah Tabart, Alice Tolson

summer 2022

CLASS OF 1981, 40 YEAR REUNION Hats off to the Class of 1981 for a brilliant turn out for their 40 Year Reunion which was held at Ruyton last year between lockdowns. Many girls attended the School Tour, led by Cath Furey, Ruyton’s Deputy Principal. There was a lot of talk about the stairs that lead under Henty House and the shenanigans that the 1981 girls got up to when at School. 33 girls attended in total, two were unable to attend at the last minute and for a small cohort we were really thrilled that more than 50 percent of the class had confirmed their attendance. A really wonderful night, with good food, plenty of wine and great people. The girls kicked on afterwards at the Skinny Dog (a pub within walking distance) and rumour has it, there just might have been a few sore heads the next day. In attendance: Alison Beanland (Tucker), Kate Beckworth (Coppock), Vicki Colliver (Sallmann), Joanna Dipnall (Williams), Jane Fletcher, Sally Freeman, Susan Grover, Elizabeth Grover, Jennie Hill, Jane Hiscock (Briers), Belinda Holt, Elizabeth Jensen, Kate Kantor, Melissa Kingdon (Whitehead), Kate Lambrick (Lukis), Kate Liversidge, Liz Martin (Fowler), Jackie McWilliam, Tammy Michaelis (Dixon), Bronwyn Moline, Elizabeth Roydhouse (Croker), Kathi Sands, Linda Shaw, Meredith Thornton (Walters), Gabriella Tomkin, Andrea Van Orsouw (Wallinga), Tiarni Ward (Snell), Janet Ward (Toy), Meredith Watts, Andrea Wells (Bell), Julia Whittaker (Mitchell), Natalie Wood, Gabriella Young (Smith) Apologies: Clarissa Beyer (Anders), Susan Cook (Chantler), Sarah Gale, Genevieve Hamilton, Serena Hayes (Coe), Andree Kelly (Foletta), Helen Searle, Michelle Trembath (Vize)

the ruyton reporter

ORA DATES TO REMEMBER IN 2022 FEBRUARY

JUNE

Friday 18 February Class of 2017, 5 Year Reunion

Thursday 9 June Class of 2002, 20 Year Reunion

Thursday 24 February Class of 2001, (belated) 20 Year Reunion

JULY

Friday 25 February Class of 1971, (belated) 50 Year Reunion MARCH Friday 4 March Class of 2011, (belated) 10 Year Reunion Class of 1990, (belated) 30 Year Reunion

Thursday 28 July Class of 2000, 20 Year (belated) Reunion AUGUST Friday 12 August Class of 1992, 30 Year Reunion OCTOBER

Thursday 10 March Class of 1991, (belated) 30 Year Reunion

Monday 10 October ORA Golf Day

Friday 18 March Class of 2012, 10 Year Reunion

Friday 14 October Class of 1982, 40 Year Reunion

Thursday 31 March Class of 1972, 50 Year Reunion

Thursday 20 October Class of 2021, 1 Year Reunion

MAY Tuesday 3 May ORA AGM Thursday 26 May Golden Girls and Boarders Reunion

summer 2022

Please note that these events are subject to change and COVID restrictions. Updates will be made on the following ORA social media platforms: Website – www.ruytonora.com.au Instagram – instagram.com/oldruytoniansassociation Facebook – facebook.com/oldruytoniansassociation

GOLDEN GIRLS & BOARDERS REUNIONS After a year of absence in 2020, we were ecscatic to be able to squeeze in the Golden Girls and Boarders Reunion in May last year between lockdowns. It turns out we were very lucky with the timing. It was a really lovely morning which commenced with our current students creating a Ruyton ‘Guard of Honour’ to welcome our Old Ruytonians back to School. There was lots of chatter, mingling and viewing the display of photos which were put together by the School’s Archivist Cathy Dodson who later gave a talk about boarding at Ruyton. 2021 marked 50 years since the Boarding House closed in 1971. The Year 2 girls sang the School Song (yes, complete with the foot stomp) and presented their own piece of art to each Golden Girl / Boarder. They had created a beautiful interpretation of the School’s Moreton Bay Fig Tree in a frame. The young students had recently been learning about the history of Ruyton and they were very excited to meet the famed Golden Girls, all excited to learn that they too will one day, be a Golden Girl. Phoebe Demiris (ORA President), Kate Nixon (Alumnae Relations and Bequest Manager) and Linda Douglas (Ruyton’s Principal) spoke briefly. The bust of Charlotte Anderson, Ruyton’s Founder and Principal was unveiled and will now live in the Junior School grounds where she will be able to watch over our younger students forever more.

the ruyton reporter

In attendance: Sue a'Beckett (Vautier, 1962), Belinda Anderson (McLeod,1973), Micky Ashton (Marshall, 1965), Joan Balfour (Ditty, 1962). Beverley Bencina (Cook, 1957), Judi Boyd (McColl, 1957), Sally Buckner (Latham, 1957), Margaret Clarke (Menzies, 1957), Mary Dixon (Macpherson Smith, 1957), Julie Foletta (1965), Kay Francis (Wolstenholme, 1960), Suzie Gordon (Martin, 1960), Helen Grainger (Kitson, 1960), Anne Griffiths OAM (1960), Diane Harris (1966), Margo Heeley (Harvey, 1965), Elaine Hutchinson (Chipper, 1960), Frances Lean (Palmer, 1967), Suzanne Lucas (Hutchinson, 1961), Jennie Macdonald (1966), Jane McIntosh (1972), Patricia Mitchell (Lanning, 1966), Robin Osborne-Smith (Homer, 1956), Ailsa Pinkney (1964), Julie Porter (Paull, 1969), Felicity Renowden (Piesse, 1964), Kay Salehi (Gillespie, 1972), Margaret Smith OAM, (1965), Robyn Stevens (Eccles, 1967), Jude Stevens (Palmer 1966), Jane Teasdale (1957), Judy Terracall (Hooke, 1971), Julie Thomson (Green, 1966), Janet Trainor (Hansen, 1967), Terry Usher (Reuss, 1962), Louise Utter (Foletta, 1962), Jan Walker (Brock, 1956), Prue Webster (Sewell, 1967) Also in attendance: ORA President, Phoebe Demiris (Tallent, 2003); Director of Community Engagement, Sally de Guingand (1986) Apologies: Helen Bogdan (Bair, 1957), Trish Bradley (Townsend, 1962), Valerie Don (Hall, 1947), Libby Duff (1951), Jenny Elliot (Phillips, 1968), Robyn Grant, (Coop, 1964), Dianne Greig (Beeson, 1964), Jenny Gunson (Waters, 1965), Pam Jowett, (Friday, 1961), Sally Marshall (Backhouse, 1952), Julia Morgan (Simms, 1969), Kate Mudge (Maxey, 1964), Joan Pearson (1944), Vicki Rosenberg (Beseler, 1968), Jean Stanway (Berry, 1950), Ann Teasdale (Bottomer, 1967), Pam Terry (1952), Sue White (1964), Mary-Lou Wihman (Handbury, 1958), Jan Williamson (Strickland, 1956), Diana Wills (Ayres, 1961) summer 2022

SAVE THE DATE The next Golden Girls and Boarders reunion will be held on Thursday 26 May 2022. 45

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 Printed on paper manufactured from 100% post consumer recycled paper and made Carbon Neutral.

The Ruyton Reporter - Summer 2022

Articles inside

REUNIONS

ALUMNAE

OLD RUYTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION

PARENTS OF RUYTON

DREAM NOW

THE RUYTON FOUNDATION

COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERING 2021

COMMUNITY

LEAPING THE FISHPOND

ART WEEK 2021

STRICTLY BALLROOM

NOTHING WITHOUT JOY IN EARLY LEARNING

LEADING WITH MERAKI ANDVIBRANCE

BUILDING CHANGE

WELLBEING AT RUYTON

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

FROM THE BOARD

FACES OF RUYTON INTRODUCING TIM ROWLER

FROM THE STUDY

LIBRARIES