foundation This year marks the beginning of a very exciting year for Ruyton and its Foundation. Principal Ms Linda Douglas and Board President Peter Kanat recently launched the new four-year strategic plan for the School. This very considered and researched roadmap underpins all that we do at Ruyton. If you haven’t yet read the Strategic Plan, I urge you to do so. Our girls are so fortunate to be undertaking their learning journey at Ruyton at this time and I thank you for believing in your girls and the School’s vision and for supporting that journey. The Foundation exists to raise philanthropic funds in support of Ruyton’s Strategic Plan. As you would expect, it is an ambitious plan and, accordingly, the Foundation will have a more prominent role to ensure the Plan’s success and help facilitate the transformation of the School. An external review of the Foundation has been undertaken and this has enabled us to have greater clarity around the path the Foundation will take in the coming years. One priority is to provide adequate resources. To this end, we have recently appointed a new Director of Community Relations, Mrs Kim Downes, who will oversee all aspects of how Ruyton develops and nurtures its community and raises the profile of philanthropy. Kim’s appointment has enabled Ms Tonya Peters to follow her passion of focusing only on fundraising for Ruyton. As the incoming Chair of the Foundation, I would like to thank my predecessor, Mr Peter Kanat, who has done a fabulous job these past ten years chairing the Foundation and helping fund the newly refurbished Junior School and Margaret McRae buildings and the dedicated Year 4 space at South House. I would like to congratulate Peter on his appointment to President of the Ruyton Board and, with the Foundation being a sub-committee of the Ruyton Board, I look forward to his continued involvement and oversight of the Foundation. Ms Fiona Griffiths (’87), Chair, Ruyton Foundation 88 keys – The Gift of Music The new Margaret McRae Centre is the perfect performing and rehearsal space for vocalists, bands, drama and ensembles – not to mention a great events space. But it’s missing a piano. As the overture, the Friends of Ruyton Performing Arts (FORPA) have donated $6,000 towards the purchase of a grand piano. At the Summer Soirée held in Term 1 we launched the 88 Keys – The Gift of Music, whereby it is possible to buy a key for the piano in your name, or the name of your daughter. Fifty of the 88 keys have already been claimed and they are many stories behind the choice of a key. Some families chose to associate with a key the number of their house; a note they love to sing, or notes which reflect the letters of their name. Another special story was that of the Rabinowicz family, who chose to make a donation on the night of the Summer Soirée to celebrate Anna’s birthday. At the Leadership Ceremony at the beginning of the year Anna amazed the audience with her performance on the piano of Rachmaninov’s Prelude 5 in G minor. The first note of this complex piece of music is G, the key numbered #35 on the piano, which is why Anna and her family The appeal will continue throughout the year, giving community members the chose to make a donation for that key. opportunity to partner with us across the Ruyton Performing Arts Calendar. Regardless of the story, the common thread was a desire to provide The Gift of Please contact Ms Tonya Peters, Development Manager, on 9819 2422 or email Music to Ruyton. There have been donations from across the School community – foundation@ruyton.vic.edu.au for further details. staff, parents, past parents and grandparents have all made contributions – Let the performance begin! for which we are most grateful. 16 the ruyton reporter