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The Development Office is a thriving place, where a myriad
of activities occur to support the unique Ruyton community.
The Parents of Ruyton (POR) has continued with its
community building and developing new friendships,
through organising social events for both parents, and
supporting girls in their education and extracurricular
activities. Ably led by POR Co-Presidents, Mrs Donna De
Bortoli and Mrs Sue McLeish, we thank them and all our
enthusiastic parent volunteers for their support this year.
With funds raised from the annual Luncheon where the
speaker was Old Ruytonian Ms Jane Hadjion (‘01), to the
biennial Ball, the POR has contributed to our target in the
Capital Campaign to raise funds for the newMargaret
McRae Centre.This year, in order to support the office for
Performing Arts in a more streamlined way, Friends of
Ruyton Drama Association (FORDA) and Friends of Ruyton
Music Association (FORMA) were amalgamated into one
group, Friends of Ruyton Performing Arts (FORPA). In
addition, the Parent Education Seminars continued, with
speakers such as Ms Robyn Treyvaud with the Growing up
Digital series, Mr Kim Grist fromThe Fathering Project and
Dr Craig Hassed presenting on Mindfulness.
As part of our commitment to continual improvement,
a number of student-listening groups were held this year.
These provided staff with valuable feedback in regard to
our learning and teaching programmes, which has been
used to inform our future directions. Our community
surveys involving students, staff and parents rated Ruyton
substantially above the average in the following; academic
achievement, co-curricular involvement, health and safety,
facilities and resources, personal and social development,
parent and community involvement, and student morale.
The Ruyton Velo Group consolidated its operation this year
and has seen numbers steadily increasing for the early
Sunday morning ride once a month. Ruyton Athletic has
made changes, and now trains and competes with Box
Hill Athletics Club to provide track and field competition
opportunities for girls throughout the year. A number of
Old Ruytonians also train with the Box Hill club.
2015 saw a very successful Capital Campaign, raising funds
to support the building of the newMargaret McRae Centre.
At the time of publication we can report that we have raised
over $850,000 the largest amount ever in the history of
Ruyton campaigns. Our success is founded on the generosity
of our community as we all work together as a team to
provide opportunities for future generations of Ruyton girls.
Over 110 individuals or families have donated to this
campaign.We are most thankful for donations which have
been received from current and past parents, current and
past staff, as well as past students.We are also indebted to
the tireless efforts and support of the President of the
Ruyton Foundation, Mr Peter Kanat, and to members of the
Capital Campaign Committee in this venture.This new
Centre, with its state-of-the-art science laboratories, drama
and community spaces, and areas for Years 7 and 8 girls
provides opportunities to further strengthen teaching and
learning opportunities.
The Old Ruytonians’ Association (ORA) continues to maintain
invaluable connections with our past students. Under the
Presidency of Ms Sarah Blyth (‘07) the ORA has continued to
support many reunions this year for the classes of 2014, 2010,
2005, 1995, 1985, 1975, 1965 and The Golden Girls, an
interstate reunion inWestern Australia, as well as numerous
year level ‘catch-ups’.The oldest past student who attended a
reunion was from the class of 1938. The ORA also conducted
an extensive survey of its members to ascertain what, if any,
additional activities were appealing.The results indicated
strong support for the establishment of a mentoring
programme, for gallery tours, a walking/running group and
more networking opportunities. On the ORA Facebook page
Throwback Thursdays was introduced, posting photos from
the Archives, and this has provoked widespread engagement
with past students.We are very grateful for the enthusiastic
support from all the ORA Year Level Representatives who
assist us, and also from the dedicated members of the
ORA Committee.
School Community
Annual Report 2015
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