4 / 17
Our Year 10 Exchange programme continued to provide a
unique opportunity for a number of girls to experience
schooling in a different setting in another country.The
programme was extended to include three additional
schools this year: Crofton House in Canada, King’s School,
Bruton and Oakham School in the UK. During the September
holidays a group of very excited students and staff embarked
on our first Space Tour, attending Space Camp USA in
Huntsville, Alabama and visiting the Kennedy Space Centre
in Orlando, Florida. Our thanks to Mrs Susan Fryer, Dean of
Science, for her organisation of this amazing experience.
Personalised learning remains the central tenet guiding our
professional learning programme, with staff continuing their
learning and honing their expertise in relevant areas as they
review and refine learning and teaching programmes.
Staff, students and parents have explored the benefits of
Mindfulness for learning this year.With a focus on training
attention to live more consciously and fully, utilising our time
better, and fostering a growth mindset more conducive to
learning, students and staff have engaged in programmes
and courses under the guidance of Mrs Evie Bowtell, Junior
School Counsellor, who is experienced in this area of study
and practice.We look forward to developing this focus in
2016 and beyond.
As part of our Digital Strategic Plan Mr Brett Moller joined
the staff this year as the Director of Digital Learning.Working
closely with our IT staff and Digital Learning Mentors, this
team has provided strong leadership and support for our
staff and students as we continue to reimagine learning and
teaching opportunities in a rapidly changing educational
landscape. Staff and students have worked collaboratively to
explore and embed meaningful digital learning experiences
in our curriculumwith the use of digital devices ranging
from iPads, to 3D printers, to programmable drones.
As we live in a progressively complex, interconnected and
technological world we are increasingly recognising the
connection between science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM), as well as the importance of the arts
and literature in the world of innovation. Science week this
year at Ruyton focused on the need for blended mastery of
STEMwith arts and humanities and continued to promote
curiosity, collaboration, problem finding and problem solving.
The introduction of experiences such as a Maker Fair, Coding,
Junior Engineers in the Junior School, and a Multimedia unit
for Years 7 and 8 students have provided our girls with
increased opportunity to explore, invent and create in our
rapidly changing world.
2015 has seen the completion of the newMargaret McRae
Centre.This major building project includes Science facilities,
Year 7 and 8 learning areas, Drama studios and an Events
space for the Ruyton community. Clearly focused on
providing flexible learning opportunities, this Centre marks a
new era in learning at Ruyton. Students and staff moved into
the Centre during Term 4, with the official opening scheduled
for early 2016.Thank you to everyone who has made a
personally meaningful donation towards the campaign and
supported Ruyton in providing the best possible learning
environment for our girls now and into the future.
The refurbishment of both the Courtyard Café and the top
floor of the Jacobs Building/Prue Gillies Centre has begun
and will be completed for the commencement of the 2016
academic year.
Plans for the redevelopment of the Junior School precinct
were finalised this year and work will commence over the
December/January holidays, to be completed by the end of
2016. This project will provide our Junior School community
with exciting and flexible spaces to best support learning
and build on our strength of connection and community.
Thank you to our students, parents, teachers and neighbours
for their patience and understanding during this extended
period of construction.
The strength of Ruyton is always the engagement of our
community.Thank you to our many volunteers, particularly
our Old Ruytonians and parents, who make sure that our
culture of involvement remains strong and ensure that we
continue to provide so many opportunities for our girls and
our old scholars.
Our many successes as a community would not be possible
without the dedication and professionalism of our staff. I
thank each and every one of our teaching staff for their
commitment to excellence and their resilience in dealing
with change this year. Most importantly I thank them for
inspiring our girls to achieve their best. Our administrative
and support staff, co-curricular instructors and maintenance
team have all contributed to the excellence of Ruyton and
the spirit of our community. I thank them for their hard work,
commitment and positive approach to their work.
Recte et Fideliter.
Ms Linda Douglas, Principal
Principal’s Report (Continued)
Annual Report 2015
4