climb every mountain Year 9 Summit Programme – Challenge and Reward Year 9 is a significant year for our young women. Not only are they playing an increasing part in the direction of their academic learning, but also they are continuing the journey towards independence and responsibility begun in the Junior School. The Summit Programme recognises this important stage of personal growth and gives the girls a chance to step up and work collaboratively, completing a major undertaking in the outdoors. In 2016 the Year 9 girls were our first group to complete the Summit Programme in its entirety. After two preparation events the girls completed a six-day Alpine Bushwalk, which saw them all strive to reach a summit. There was the physical challenge, as well as the group organisation, of which all the girls needed to take ownership. This experience really tested the girls’ sense of perseverance. I congratulate all the girls who participated in the trips, ‘The camp, mentally and physically challenging as it was, as they have set the standard for future years to follow. really taught me how to take my challenges head on and Their attitude and effort saw all the groups complete get through it with a positive attitude, which was my the six-day walks and reach their summits. They have most important lesson. Completing the hikes was a great gained invaluable experience that will prepare them to feeling, especially if you had a lot of trouble in the tackle their next ‘personal summit’ with grit, process, because it was like we were spiting the gymnast of the year perseverance and determination. challenge… Another joy of the trip was getting to the top The annual Gymnastics Victoria awards of our summit, Mount Feathertop, on the second last day. night held earlier this year saw Ruyton Mr Darren Saunder, Director of Outdoor Education Getti ng to see what wehad a Rhythmic Gymnastics (Ruyton RG) bring chieved was an amazing fee ling.’ India Curtain, Year 10 home several awards. Thu Luu (Year 9) was ‘Over the whole hike I learnt more about myself than named Rhythmic Gymnast of the Year I thought I would at the start of the journey. I have used after becoming the all around Victorian these new-found skills to help me face smaller challenges in everyday life. At the start of the camp, I wasn’t sure and National Champion in 2016. Thu was that I could complete it, but when I finished, I was proud also a finalist in the Female Athlete of the of myself because 70 kilometres in six days is pretty Year, beaten by Olympian Larissa Miller. impressive. The Summit Programme also taught me that Ruyton RG was voted a finalist in Small I can face different adversities with a positive frame of mind. I believe I have come a long way since camp Club of the Year and High Performance started: from the person who was ambivalent about Coach of the Year, and won the Excellence the six-day hike, because she wasn’t sure she could do it, Award for All Around National Champion to a person who can push through challenges because for an individual. she knows that, if she believes s he can do something, she can do it (even if it takes a w hile!)’ Ellora Kelly, Year 10 Mrs Emma Tankovich, Head Coach ‘I will never forget the feelings and the ups and downs our group experienced as a whole during the week on the Year 9 Summit Expedition. The Expedition made me realise how I deal with challenges and difficult situations as an individual. I was able to understand how to work well with others when we were under pressure and how to encourage each other to persist. The trip made me aware of how I can improve as a person, in regards to my coping methods and the relationships I have formed. Sometimes I wanted nothing more than to give up and go home, but I have to say that it was the most rewarding experience of my life thu s far.’ Jen Wu, Year 10 autumn 2017 11