MEET OUR POR PRESIDENTS

BridGeT lanGleY

I attended Ruyton and finished in the Class of 1991; even now you’ll still catch me passionately supporting Anderson House or stomping my foot during the School song. During my time at Ruyton, my mother was very involved in the community. She sewed gifts, organised costumes and later became the President of the POR. At the time, I always appreciated her tremendous support and engagement in my School life. Now that my daughter Harriet attends Ruyton, it seemed only natural to give something in return to the School that had supported me, and to follow in my mother’s footsteps as a member of the POR.

Anyone who has spent time with me will know that I can talk… so what I’ve enjoyed most about taking part in the POR Committee has certainly been meeting new Ruyton families and chatting with members of our community. The POR is involved in countless fun, incredible events and it is rewarding to witness first-hand the buzz of conversations and the delight of socialisation. Through it all, I’ve gained strong friendships with parents across the School and a closer relationship with Ruyton and its staff members.

I’ve been giving a lot of thought as to what makes Ruyton so special. Certainly, the inclusiveness of the School and its ability to retain a closeness and familiarity amongst the student cohort and community, all the while providing outstanding educational opportunities and extensive extracurricular activities is a special feat. But it goes even deeper than that. I look at the Morton Bay Fig Tree and see a symbolic figure of the unique Spirit of Ruyton. With its tall stature, broad trunk and wide-spreading canopy has meaning to every level of the community. For the students, it represents personal growth, building foundations and having the strength to perform to their personal best. For staff, Old Ruytonians, parents, guardians and family members of Ruyton; it is reaching out, connecting and sheltering us all, as we continue supporting and being supported by one another.

A legacy of sorts has begun in my family with me following in my mother’s footsteps as a Co-President of the POR, and perhaps my daughter will one day volunteer. A legacy I would love to leave at Ruyton would be an expansion in the number of POR volunteers, so that many more parents can share in this immensely rewarding experience filled with genuine relationships, fun events and being part of something bigger.

elli BeGGS

I went to a school not unlike Ruyton. I loved the feeling of being in a place where you knew everyone, and everyone knew you. It felt like being part of a really big family. That is what I wanted for my daughter Sophie and now she is in Year 5 here at Ruyton. We have both loved being a part of this School community and have certainly found that family feeling once more.

My parents were strong participants in my school activities when I was younger, and I always felt proud and buoyed by their presence and contribution. I believe being present in our kids’ lives is so important and this kind of involvement can create so many cherished memories. Some of the memories I treasure most from my childhood are those of my dad attending school events as he passed away 16 years ago.

Through my involvement in the POR Committee, I have met some wonderful, creative and committed parents. We have such fun together – whether it be collaborating on luncheon decorations and attending our POR events or serving donuts for the Biggest Morning Tea; we come together, make friends and have a ball. The reality is that we all spend a significant block of our lives involved in our kids’ education. So I believe being a part of the community makes our time supporting our daughters all the more rewarding. We certainly come out of it with more friends and our hearts full.

An event I am proudest of in my time within the POR was our first Annual Luncheon in 2022 post COVID-19. We put our hearts into ensuring it would be a special return, and after such a long time apart it was so rewarding to see everyone smiling and enjoying each other’s company. A close second would be the re-imagined Father’s Day Breakfast, seeing the joy on the faces of dads and daughters alike was something to be cherished.

A legacy I hope to leave at Ruyton from my time as a POR Co-President would be creating a safe space for all parents to come and contribute within. I would hope that others are encouraged to participate in the POR and the School community, as all are welcome.