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Engagement in Science,Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) is greatest when girls can identify a
personal connection with the learning and see the moral
purpose in problems worth solving. A new unit in the Year 7
and 8 Learning Enrichment Achievement Programme (LEAP)
has encouraged girls to immerse themselves in a range
of activities exploring emerging technologies. From
programming drones and robots to designing useful items
to be 3D printed, the girls have been challenged to explore
how each of these technologies can benefit humanity.
ScienceWeek provided an opportunity for students across
the School to engage in a range of real-life STEM experiences,
including classroom visits and presentations by Professor
David Karoly, an internationally recognised expert in climate
change and climate variability, and Astrophysicist Dr Sarah
Sweet, as well as a week long Maker Fair in the Junior School.
A highlight for 25 girls this year was the opportunity to
attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.The Advanced
Space Academy programme aims to inspire and motivate
young people from around the world to join the ranks of
space pioneers and to spur imagination in the fields of STEM,
to provide students with the necessary skills for the economy
of the future.
For learning to be truly personalised, students must
understand themselves as learners. In the Health
programme, the focus is on developing personal strength
and resilience in students, as well as providing themwith
knowledge to make good choices about their learning and
wellbeing.The Individual Learning team undertakes
extensive testing and evaluation to identify the learning
needs and strengths of students. Girls are supported to build
on their strengths and develop their skills to ensure ongoing
progress in all learning areas. Individual Learning staff work
collaboratively with classroom teachers to ensure that all
students, including those with specific learning needs,
English as Another Language, and those identified as gifted
and talented, are supported and challenged appropriately in
all learning programmes.
‘From little things, big things grow …’
Mr Paul Kelly’s famous words provide a metaphorical
reminder that fundamental change often has small
beginnings.The leadership programme at Ruyton is
flourishing and going from strength to strength.
Ms Carla Bond and Mr Ross Baker took on the new roles of
Prep-Year 2 Co-ordinator and Year 3-Year 6 Co-ordinator
respectively.This initiative reflects our commitment to
nurturing a strong sense of belonging for both students and
staff and the development of programmes tailored to the
needs and interests of the girls.The introduction of Prep to
Year 2 Assemblies has enabled the Year 2 girls to take up an
additional leadership role within the Star Sister programme.
During each Assembly the girls participate in a Mindfulness
session and each year level takes turns to share their current
learning.These opportunities build on the strength of
community and connection and enable our youngest girls to
develop as confident and articulate speakers.
In keeping with the theme for the Year 6 Leadership
Programme for this year,‘Discover the Leader within You’, we
have challenged all of the Year 6 leaders to create their own
pathways as leaders and to leave a unique legacy that they
can be proud of. The Year 6 students attended a leadership
day with the Year 6 Trinity boys where they were inspired by
guest speakers, including the children’s book author Mr Andy
Griffiths. A new focus teamwas established as part of the
Year 6 Leadership Programme this year.The Cultural Diversity
Team encourages students to learn about, recognise and
celebrate different cultural days and events.
In Senior School, we have broadened the definition of
leadership and established a sequenced programme of skills
development fromYears 7-12.The responsibilities of Form
Captains were expanded throughout the Senior School, Year
11 and 12 Student Leaders roles were introduced and the
responsibility for guest-speaker forums was added to the
role of Debating Captain. An inspiring leadership
presentation Speaking Up, Speaking Out from inaugural
Forum speaker Chief Magistrate and Justice of the Family
Court,The Honourable Sally Brown was well received by the
Year 11 and 12 girls and we very much look forward to the
evolution of the forum series. We also tapped into the skills
of those students who lead by quiet example, providing
opportunities to demonstrate these alternative forms of
leadership.This sort of ‘facilitative leadership’ by non-elected
leaders was evident during our recent Orientation Day when
our Year 11 volunteers ran a series of games and ice-breaking
sessions with our incoming Year 7 students for 2016.The
older students’maturity and guidance ensured that the girls’
Learning and Teaching (Continued)
Student Leadership
Annual Report 2015
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