WRITERS @RUYTON

The Writers@Ruyton initiative was developed in response to the passion displayed by students interested and excited about literature and creativity. The program has blossomed and now extends its reach to offer workshops for interested students from Years 6-12.

Last year students and teachers embraced a range of writing possibilities and opportunities including a Gala and Community Salon which was attended by students, teachers and parents at Ruyton; a series of performances which was facilitated by the Wheeler Centre (and will continue in 2023); and the mentoring by a young adult author to girls who were then given the opportunity to publicly share their work.

The 2023 program is offering many exciting possibilities including after school slam poetry workshops, open mic lunchtimes and writing retreats. As teachers we have delighted in seeing students play with language and release their imaginations into new and exciting places, and we look forward to another year of collaboration and creativity with the group that is Writers@Ruyton.

Marjan Mossammaparast English Teacher

Joanna Boer

Learning Leader – English

Writing at the Royal Botanic Gardens

THe Place

A place to catch your breath before another lap round, a place where the sound of chirping birds and distant conversations is battling the whirling of a passing plane and where the clashing of metal and whirring engines can be mistaken as the cry of a whale

A place where the cool breeze rushes through your hair, cooling you down and leaving your skin soft, and yearning for another blast, the strength picks up and suddenly the open space through which the wind travels becomes overbearing, and the cool becomes too cold

A place where the grassy surroundings are covered by white specks, short, tall little, big, daisies, the yellow centre boldly contrasts the bright white petals, yet is begging to be seen from afar the white always wins, as not a speck of yellow is met by the eye from this place

A place where a magpie walks, every couple steps accompanied by the back-and-forth motion of its head, a crunch from which a small twig breaks from beneath its claws, a moment, a pause: silence and then the rustle of its feathers announces its departure

A place where the path is close enough to see passing visitors, yet too far to hear the chatter amongst them, or the way the gravel comes in contact with their shoe after each step, in, out, through, people come and go at their own pace some, presumably looking for a place

A place to catch your breath before another lap round by Maree Antonopoulos (Year 9, 2022)

ode To PaPer

Paper, the almighty paper that carries the power of literature

When reading a book, I respect you so Wondering what it would be like to only read digitally

Oh, how I would miss the texture of the thin, grainy pages

The new book scent when the spine first cracks open

The old, vintage scent of it after it has been opened many times

And the satisfying feeling of turning the pages.