President and with the assistance of the Capital Campaign
Committee, the campaign was launched in March. By mid
November 2014 in excess of $670,000 had already been
pledged by members of the Ruyton community.The
Campaign will continue through 2015 and we look forward
to friend and fundraising events such as the Ruyton
Luncheon and Ruyton Ball.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. Our sincere
thanks to Mr Peter Kanat for his strong commitment to
providing excellence for Ruyton girls. His enthusiasm and
energy have been driving factors in this campaign: the
biggest Capital Campaign in the history of Ruyton.We also
thank the members of the Capital Campaign Committee for
their dedication and creative thinking.
The Foundation has also continued to provide strong support
for our learning programmes this year though its support of
Masterclass, the Indigenous Cultures Research Award and
the Ruyton Award for Educational Research.The theme for
Masterclass this year wasWe will call Australia Home –
Seeking Asylumwith a keynote address delivered by Mr
Julian Burnside and a Q and A panel consisting of Mr
Burnside and three remarkable women making a difference
in our community.These sessions highlighted the value of
intercultural understanding and compassion; of challenging
perceptions; and how to make a difference as individuals and
as a community.
The Old Ruytonians’ Association (ORA) has continued to
connect and reconnect with members locally, nationally and
globally this year through publications and reunions. In
addition to the many local reunions which took place, an
afternoon tea was held for the Ruyton Outdoor Club (ROC),
a High Tea for former office bearers of the ORA, and an
international reunion took place in New York. Our thanks
to outgoing President Ms Caroline Jarrett and to Secretary
Ms Natalie Pullan for their commitment and dedication.
We have welcomed incoming President Ms Sarah Blyth
and new committee members and look forward to their
contribution to our community.
The Parents of Ruyton are an integral part of the strong
sense of community at Ruyton.They concentrate on friend
raising amongst the Ruyton community but also provide
wonderful support for the education of our girls through
their many support groups.The POR and support groups
have organised numerous events across the year that
provide friend raising, fundraising and support for our girls.
This year also saw the return of the much loved Ruyton Fair,
a wonderful day of community at Ruyton.This event alone
involved the work of more than 350 volunteers.Thank you to
the POR Executive, the Chairs and members of each support
group, our Class Representatives and all of our volunteers for
their continued support. Once again this year approximately
600 volunteers provided support to the School.Thank you to
those who have contributed so generously of their time and
expertise to continue the spirit of Ruyton this year.
To our Year 12 students, the class of 2014, we thank you for
your enthusiastic leadership of the student body this year. As
a School we wish each of you and your families every success
for the future.Thank you for being such a vital part of Ruyton
Girls’ School and for your sincere and dedicated leadership of
our student community this year. Each and every one of you
has enriched the life of the School in your own unique way
through your involvement in different activities and events.
As you prepare for the next stage of your education I urge
you to continue to live your lives with great purpose, to
dream big, aim high and make a difference in your world. You
have the makings of an extraordinary league of women.We
know you will do something amazing if you put your minds
to it; collectively and individually. Enjoy the journey that life
will present to you, taking the good with the bad in your
stride as a resilient young woman.We thank each and every
one of you and your families for your contributions to the
Ruyton community.
I extend a special thank you to the Executive Team,
responsible for the day to day running of the School and the
implementation of the Operational Plan.Their tireless work
and dedication have been greatly appreciated.Thank you to
Mrs Glenis Gumley, Deputy Principal; Mrs Cathryn Furey,
Assistant Principal; Mrs Nicole Ginnane, Head of Junior
School; Ms Leanne Sparkes, Business Manager; Ms Lindy
Broadfoot, Director of Studies; and Ms Tonya Peters, Director
of Development.Thank you also to Ms Helen Tait and
Mrs Robyn Treyvaud for overseeing the Junior School in
Term 1 of this year.
The success of our girls is also a reflection of the dedication
of our teachers and support of our parents. 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 the support and
guidance they have provided for each of our girls. Our
administrative and support staff 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.
Principal’s Report (Continued)
Annual Report 2014
6