15 / 20
Farewell to George
In saying goodbye to
Georgina Canty,
we are in
a unique position. So often
our colleagues become
friends – the very best of
friends – our family away
from home. And when we
say farewell to them as they leave Ruyton, we try
to imagine what School will be like without them,
how different things will be the following year
when they are no longer around.
But in this case we already know. We already know
the void left without Georgina here, since she has
been on maternity leave. Even though we’ve had
18 months to get used to the idea, it’s still a very
sad goodbye.
In her 12 years at Ruyton, Georgina has performed
many roles, most notably Dean of English, where
she led the development of the curriculum, working
closely with many staff and leading her Department
with expertise and efficiency. Being a lover of books,
this role suited George to a tee, as it gave her free
licence to read and read. Georgina was also the
Co-ordinator for the Senior School Gifted and
Talented programme for several years – a role she
relished and the girls benefitted from greatly.
Beyond that, Georgina played an integral role
accompanying Ruyton’s best skiers to Mount
Buller each year for the Interschools’ Snow Sports
Competition. A talented skier herself, George
relished this assignment and the opportunity to
be a part of this programme. In her time at Ruyton,
Georgina has also had stints as Community
Awareness Co-ordinator, Ruyton Student Council
Co-ordinator and was a Lascelles House teacher.
All of us who have had the pleasure of working
with Georgina love her for her humour, her
no-nonsense attitude and her capacity to chart
a course in concert with her peers. But, as strong
as our ties are, we cannot compete with the love
Georgina has for her new role, her greatest role yet
– that of being a mother. We wish her the very best
of luck as she transfers her wonderful skills as an
educator to the challenging, yet ultimately
rewarding, adventures of parenthood.
Miss Michelle Raatjes,
Year 11 Co-ordinator
and Mr Walter Zavattiero,
Year 12 Co-ordinator
15
autumn 2016
We
don’t Hate Alison Ashley
Last year saw the inauguration of the Year 7 and 8 production. Co-ordinator
of Drama (2015), Ms Michele McNamara, together with the Performing Arts
Department, helped the girls stage their first full production, performing
Hating Alison Ashley.
Over 90 girls participated in the production, pursuing
their interest in stagecraft, acting, singing, dancing, costumes and
advertising. Talented performances on stage, combined with opportunities
for humour and a fantastic 1980’s soundtrack, provided a great recipe for
success. It was a fine example of the community coming together, as
teachers, members of Friends of Ruyton Performing Arts (FORPA) and other
parents supported the girls behind the scenes or by being members of the
audience. In addition, the Year 10 VCE Drama students’ production of
Women of the Town
was an outstanding success. Each girl’s sensitive
portrayal of an Australian female criminal from the 1920s provided a very
moving depiction of prejudice and hardship for young women during this
time in history. The performers and Ms McNamara are to be congratulated.
Vocal Concert
It’s not just the acting talent of our girls which is impressive, but also the
diversity of their singing abilities. Both took away our breath at the vocal concert
at the end of Term 3 last year. 2015 Vocal Captains, Emma Bannister and Sophia
Currie, together with 2015 Music Captain Jennifer Tarry-Smith, provided
wonderful leadership and participation at the concert. It was pleasing to see
how issues pertinent in today’s world were covered in an amazing array of
numbers in the concert, ably reflected in the title,
‘I amWoman, Hear Me Roar’.
Once again, the Music Department assisted the girls and especial thanks are due
to members of Friends of Ruyton Performing Arts (FORPA) for their support.
‘I amWoman, Hear Me Roar’