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Principal’s Report
2015 has been a year of achievement and progress as the
Ruyton community has striven to achieve its best and
explore new opportunities, both collectively and as
individuals. Our student cohort has continued to produce
remarkable results in both curricular and co-curricular
activities and we recognise and celebrate their endeavour,
effort and achievement.
We thank our 2015 Year 12 leaders for their contribution to
our community and for fulfilling their ambition to lead with
effervescence and ambition.We wish them every success
and happiness as they embark on the next stage of their
lives and know that they will continue to contribute to the
wider community as confident and articulate young women,
with a strong sense of purpose.
At the start of this year we congratulated our 2014 Year 12
students on their exceptional VCE results: 65 per cent of our
girls in Year 12 achieved ATARs of over 90 and there were 12
perfect scores of 50. Gillian Limwas announced as Dux of the
School, with a perfect score of 99.95. All of our girls received
a tertiary offer and over 60 per cent received their first
preference. In addition to these outstanding results five of
our girls were recognised with Premier’s Awards and five
girls were awarded the Australian Student Prize, a highly
prestigious award with only 500 prizes awarded nationally
each year to Year 12 students.
Ruyton is well known for its exceptional culture, providing a
clear focus on personalised learning and the attainment of
personal best for each student. Alongside our academic
studies the co-curricular activities and opportunities are a
valuable component of a Ruyton education and support a
productive and balanced approach to life.This year we have
once again seen our girls engage in a wide range of activities,
demonstrating risk taking, experimentation, creativity,
personal growth, and most importantly, enjoyment.
Students have demonstrated their talents and skills through
a variety of student concerts, soirées, productions,
eisteddfods and collaborations with Trinity Grammar School
and Scotch College this year.We saw the introduction of the
Years 7 and 8 play, with the wonderful performance of
Hating Alison Ashley
, ably led by Drama Co-ordinator, Ms
Michele McNamara and involving over 80 girls.The Music
Department took part in Generations of Jazz music festival
at Mt Gambier for the first time, with our Stage Band and
Madrigals representing the School with distinction.
Ruyton girls continued to show that they are a force to be
reckoned with in the sporting arena. In a field of 24 girls’
schools, our girls have excelled in the Girls Sport Victoria
(GSV) carnivals, placing first in Cross Country, second in
Swimming and third in Track and Field. Our Cross Country
squad continued to demonstrate its excellence in terms of
results, succession and individual and team development,
winning three Victorian titles, the All Schools Road Relays,
the All Schools Cross Country Relays and the All Schools Cross
Country Championships. Our rowers completed their most
successful season in the history of rowing at Ruyton, with
their most notable achievements being the Senior Division 1
Quad Scull and Year 10 Division 1 Quad Scull winning titles at
the Head of Schoolgirls Regatta, and the Senior Division 1
Quad Scull also winning both the NSW State Championship
and the National Championship.
Debating has long been a strength of our girls and this year
we saw new opportunities arise. Our Junior School Girls took
up debating with gusto, recognising the International Day of
the Girl Child in their debates with Trinity.The Debating
Captain role was extended to Debating and Forums Captain,
extending the opportunity for senior girls to engage with
experts on challenging current topics.
Through New Horizons, camps have continued to provide our
Junior and Senior School girls with curriculum experiences
beyond the School, a range of activities that challenge them
to take risks, learn new skills and work and live collaboratively.
Student Voice and Leadership are an essential part of a
Ruyton education and 2015 saw additional opportunities for
our girls emerge through structured programmes and
through student initiative. Student-led pledges at Junior and
Senior Assemblies to recognise National Day Against
Bullying and Violence left a lasting impression and
demonstrated a strong sense of standing together against
such acts, as did joining Safe Schools Coalition Australia
(SSCA), demonstrating a commitment to build a culture that
is free from prejudice and supports equality for all.
Annual Report 2015
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