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Our thanks to the parents and staff who have assisted our
exchange programme by hosting students and staff
throughout the year.The feedback we receive from our
sister schools is always overwhelming in terms of the
opportunities, experiences and ongoing connections
enabled by these visits.
In January a group of students and staff took part in
Ruyton’s first Overland Track Expedition in Tasmania.
The staff and students experienced conditions ranging
from snow to heatwave conditions over the six days of the
trek and enjoyed the challenge of the experience, the
collegiality of the tour group and the breathtaking beauty
of the environment.
A small group of Year 9 and 10 students took part in the
Chinese Tour over the September holidays to improve their
Chinese language skills and extend their understanding of
Chinese culture and history.The tour, led by Mrs Danyang
McAuliffe, visited our sister school the YuXin School in
Beijing, and also the Nanjing Foreign Language School,
with whomwe formed an alliance in January this year.
In December some of our senior girls joined Trinity students
to take part in the Renaissance History Tour.
Camps have continued to provide our Junior and Senior
School girls with curriculum experiences beyond the School;
a range of activities that challenge them and enable
opportunities to work collaboratively. In addition to
continually reviewing and refining our programme, the
School Executive has worked with external specialists
to review risk assessment policies and procedures for
excursions, camps and overseas/interstate tours. As a result
of this work, new procedures will be implemented next year.
This year the School has employed Mr Darren Saunder, an
experienced outdoor education leader, to oversee the whole
School camp programme and risk management of
excursions, camps and tours. Ms Hoskins will continue to
oversee the Exchange Programmes and our connection with
the Girls @ the Centre Programme, in addition to her
teaching duties. I would particularly like to thank Ms Hoskins
for her leadership of the Senior School Camp programme
over the past five years and her ongoing dedication to the
Girls @ the Centre Programme and Exchange Programme.
Our girls have numerous opportunities to develop leadership
skills at Ruyton.This year our Year 12 student cohort has truly
led by example, displaying zest and sincerity throughout the
year. Each year our Year 12s have the opportunity to refine the
traditions and rites of passage that surround Year 12 at
Ruyton, adding their own stamp to the history.This year our
Year 12 Captains have introduced the Captains of the School
Award for Outstanding Integrity.The purpose of this award is
to acknowledge an outstanding student who reflects the
values that Ruyton encourages whilst also exhibiting the
strong development of her own personal morals and values
through her interactions with others and her actions.This
award is not about achievement; it is about recognition of
those with the intrinsic motivation to do the right thing in
the community and in personally challenging situations.
We thank our student leaders for a true vision of leadership
that will be part of their legacy to the School.
Developing our girls as global citizens with a commitment to
community service, sustainability and a global society is an
important aspect of a Ruyton education. Community
Awareness Days, Sustainability committee events, Fairshare
Schools in the Kitchen, Maytime Fair, Green Team and Junior
School CareBear efforts as well as the efforts of individuals,
groups and year levels continue to demonstrate Ruyton girls’
commitment to being responsible and informed citizens
who make a difference.
2014 has seen climate change as a major national and global
topic of debate and action.The Students for Sustainability
have continued to encourage our community to commit
themselves to act positively to reduce Ruyton’s
environmental impact. Participation in open meetings,
awareness raising and activism campaigns, alongside action
both within and outside of the School have enabled our
students and our community to make a real difference
In line with our Master Plan 2014 has seen the
redevelopment of South House as a purpose built centre for
Year 4 and the commencement of the newMargaret McRae
Centre.This major building project will be completed late in
2015 and will include state-of-the-art Science facilities,
dedicated learning areas for Year 7 and 8 students,
specialised Drama studios and an Events space for the
Ruyton community.The Board has engaged Sally Draper
Architects to commence the planning for the refurbishment
of the old Junior School building.This project will commence
after the Margaret McRae Centre is completed and will
provide our Junior School community with exciting new
spaces to best support learning and teaching now and into
the future.The final project in the current Master Plan will be
the demolition of the Royce Theatre to make way for a new
Performing Arts Centre.
The financial position of Ruyton Girls’ School continues to
remain sound with all key budget parameters being met.
Ongoing financial benchmarking with other independent
schools ensures a focus on prudent financial management
aimed at maximising the allocation of resources to the
needs of our girls and their learning.
At the end of 2013 the Ruyton Board of Directors set the
target of one million dollars for the Margaret McRae Centre
Capital Campaign. Under the leadership of Mr Peter Kanat,
Annual Report 2014
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