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autumn 2016
Building a new Future
I was delighted to officiate at the opening of the Margaret
McRae Centre on Monday 22 February 2016 with Mr Peter
Kanat, President of the Ruyton Foundation. School
Co-Captains, Rose Adams and Jane Karopoulos, facilitated
this event in great style. Ms Sonja Horbelt, Co-ordinator of
Contemporary Music Studies, wrote and arranged a musical
item specifically for the opening, entitled
Building.
The item
was performed by the Percussion Ensemble and the Stage
Band, supported by two Old Ruytonians, Freya Solomon
from 2014 on first trumpet and Chantal Mitvalsky, who left
Ruyton in 2000, on vocals. This Centre, like the building that
previously occupied this site, is named in honour of former
Headmistress Miss Margaret McRae, who led the Ruyton
community with distinction from 1962 to 1985, having joined
the staff in 1957 as a Social Studies and History Teacher. She
was respected for her forward-thinking leadership and her
focus on innovation in education, often encouraging staff to
adopt new practices in the classroom as well as encouraging
Ruyton girls to aim high. It is her innovative approach and
belief in striving for personal best that we will continue to
celebrate and recognise in this building for years to come.
It is her legacy to Ruyton, carried on by those who have
followed her.
The impressive new Margaret McRae Centre is the result
of a successful collaboration between an extensive team
of people including our girls, the staff, the architects
and builders, and our donors. Through a consultation
process we have ensured that the design specifically meets
the needs of girls and provides flexible learning spaces that
enable a variety of learning and teaching approaches. With
purpose-built facilities to cater for Year 7 and Year 8, Science,
Individual Learning, Performing Arts studios, as well as a
large Events and Performance space, the building design
has delivered so much for our community.
There are many people to thank in a project this large:
I thank Mr Tim Hogg, who chaired the Project Control Group,
a sub group of the Board, for his wisdom and guidance.
Thanks, too, go to our former Business Manager,
Mr Peter Sharples, and to our current Business Manager,
Mrs Leanne Smith, for their overall management of the
project. We are particularly grateful to the architects, Woods
Bagot, to McCorkell, the builders, for their expertise and to
Ochre Landscape, who assisted us with the soft landscaping,
always such an important aspect of Ruyton. As a result of this
expert collaboration we have completed the project within
budget at a cost of $15,000,000.
Thank you to the Ruyton Foundation for their support and
particular thanks to each donor who has partnered with us
to make this possible. We also thank Ms Linda Douglas,
our current and 13th Principal. Like Miss McRae, we recognise
Linda as forward-thinking with a clear focus on providing
powerful learning opportunities for our girls to achieve their
personal best through quality teaching, innovative thinking
and flexible learning environments. With this in mind it is no
surprise that, as I announced at Speech Night 2015, the Board
was unanimous in its decision to extend Linda’s contract.
We look forward to many more successful years ahead under
Linda’s inspiring leadership.
Ms Kathryn Watt,
President of the Board
VALE
A Champion of Girls’
Education
It is with great sadness that we note the
passing of Mr John Bate, OAM, (8.11.1926-
11.2.2016) at the beginning of this year.
He was a former Chair of the Ruyton
Board, a philanthropist and a champion
of girls’ education. John was a past
parent, a member of the Board (1966-
1991) and Chair (1978-1991), a Foundation
Member and a special friend to Ruyton.
Collaborating with four Principals, he
was a true guardian of the spirit of
Ruyton. He provided wise counsel and
was ever generous with his time, talents
and resources. In 1992 the John Bate
Physical Education Centre was opened,
and named in his honour.
As the Ruyton Reporter Winter
Edition 1992 said,
‘Designed to
complement the architecture of
historic Henty House, the new Centre
caters for the needs of a diverse and
challenging curriculum, which teaches
every girl the value of physical fitness.
Team sports such as Netball,
Volleyball, Basketball and Tennis; plus
dances, gymnastics and aerobic
sessions are among the various
activities which will be accommodated
in the new complex.’
John and
Elizabeth (Lizzie) had four children,
Wendy (’75), Jack, Robyn (’80) and
Peter. We extend our deepest
condolences to the Bate family. John’s
presence, enthusiasm and community
spirit will be greatly missed but we
are proud to uphold his legacy.
VALE
Wendy Hewitt
The Ruyton community notes the
death of Wendy Hewitt (‘58). Wendy
served as President of the ORA and
on the School Board. An honorary
life member of the ORA, Wendy’s
active support and significant
contribution to the School was
outstanding. The Ruyton community
extends its sympathies to Neil,
Caroline (‘89), Sarah (‘92), Andrew
and their families.
Building
We are here
To make a difference
Here
To live the Now
Find the way
To move forward
The way
To where and how
It’s the time
To be empowered
It’s the moment
To discover all there is
Building a new future
We are here to lead the way/Now
Community Matters