news of former students and staff In the Spring Edition of the Ruyton Report er we published an article entitled Olympic farewells Fever, where we congratulated all members of our community who were involved in Mr Russell Boyl e, Dean of Mathematics, sport at an elite level. We asked for information about other Old Ruytonians and we author and poet, joined Ruyton in 2003 are delighted to share with you news about another former student achieving her from Glen Waverley Secondary College. personal best. Amanda Berntsen, School Sports Captain 1985, attended the Olympics As a teacher he has inspired both in Beijing 2008 as the Physiotherapist to the Australian Womens Basketball Team, the students and colleagues. Some of his Opals, who won a Silver Medal. Amanda worked with Basketball Australia as students used to run to his lesson in Physiotherapist to the Australian Junior and Senior Womens teams. In 2006 she was order to occupy the front row of seats, their Physiotherapist when they won the World Championships in Brazil and the such was their enthusiasm. His passion Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. She also attended four World Championships and love for teaching Mathematics has with Australian Junior teams from 1997-2005 as their Team Physiotherapist. In 2008 been evident to all those who have had and 2009 Amanda went on to become Consultant Physiotherapist to two different the good fortune to have been taught by Russian Women’s Basketball teams, UMMC Ekaterinburg and Moscow Spartak. This is him. Russell has led the Mathematics a timely reminder of how elite sportswomen and men rely on a good support team Department through many changes over around them to help them achieve their personal goals. the years. He championed student involvement in the problem-solving skills of the Australian Mathematics Competitions and promoted the Mathematics Help Desk. Off to Washington We have appreciated his leadership, support, his considered guidance and the Third year Arts/Law student, Kashi Mogens en (Co-Captain 2013) visited Washington integrity with which he has led the Mathematics Department. He is a gentleman DC in January 2017 for a six week internship at the United States Congress as part of and one of a kind. We wish him well in his retirement. her political science studies at the Australian National University (ANU.) Kashi was assigned to the office of House Representative and Republican Mike Kelly of Part of the Fabric of Ruyton Pennsylvania. Her role was to contribute to the running of his office, provide tours to It feels as if Ruyton is losing part of its fabric with the visiting constituents, attend committee hearings and briefings and other retirement of Shane Bowman from the Maintenance congressional events. It was an extraordinary time to be in Washington, with Kashi Department at the end of 2016 after an amazing witnessing the end of the Obama administration and attending the inauguration of 26 years. Shane was appointed by the then Principal, Donald Trump on 20 January. Mrs Prue Gillies, on April 23 1990. Latterly Shane was ‘President Trump represents a big shift known for his carpentry skills, but in his initial contract in the way the US relates to the rest of the he was required to undertake tuck shop duties, set-up world. This internship provided authentic duties, line-marking duties and collecting money from and practical insights into the US political the blue pay phone. system and first point access to a pivotal Shane’s carpentry skills are outstanding and highly valued by the School, peri od in global politics. What a time to as demonstrated in his work in the Heritage Collection (formerly Archives) office visit!’ In November 2016, Kashi arranged in the Wardynski’s House and also in the erection of the art exhibition in the a meeting with Foreign Minister, Hon stairwell of the new Margaret McRae Centre. Julie Bishop MP, through a senior work colleague at Russell Kennedy Lawyers. Shane has a cheery nature and enjoyed working for the School, having the opportunity ‘It was a thrilling experience to discuss the to look after his colleagues. He was always willing to take on any task, most recently internship with a Minister whom I really altering his working hours in order to maintain the swimming pool to ensure it was admire, and on the busy morning right ready for the girls each day before their early morning training sessions. after the US Presidential election result. That’s the beauty of living in Canberra!’ Ms Sue Patters on has left Ruyton after 16 years of committed and loyal service in a number of capacities. Sue has been Head of the Library, Director of Information Janet Walker (Brock ’56) and Rosemary Communication Technology and then took on the role of Digital Technologies Mentor Colli ns (Mitchell ’56) met up in Banff, at a time when some of the biggest changes in the use of digital applications in the Canada in September 2016, after not School were developing. Sue effected many initiatives, mastered the detail of these seeing each other for over 50 years. applications and was the perfect person to support the teaching staff through the Rosemary has been living in Invermere, challenges presented, with her gentle demeanour and boundless patience. Canada for over 40 years and has worked Sue has been a highly organised and skilful teacher, contributing resources and ideas, as a nurse there. Janet is a regular as well as being a flexible member of the attendee at our Reunions at Ruyton. team. She has also made great As you may imagine, there was a lot of contributions in her other areas of news to catch up on in a very short visit! expertise, skiing and bushwalking. Sue attended a range of camps, but Seeking Speech Night Programmes particularly enjoyed the Year 9 ski camps. Do you have Ruyton memorabilia in your We will miss having Sue there to solve filing cabinet or cupboards at home? our problems but wish her every success Perhaps some of the items come from in her future endeavours. your mother’s or grandmother’s School days at Ruyton? Our Heritage Collection Putting the School First is missing several copies from its Rob Ren nie commenced at Ruyton in 2000 on the compilation of Speech Night Maintenance Team and was promoted to Maintenance programmes and we are hoping you can Supervisor in 2008. He also managed the transition help. In particular we are seeking from an onsite caretaker in a seamless way. Rob has programmes from the following years; led the team through most of the recent development 1905–1 925; 1934–1945, 1950–1955, projects, including the Margaret McRae Centre and the 1967 –1968. Our collection is complete Junior School, ensuring staff and students alike were from 1983, so more recent programmes relocated in a timely and appropriate manner at the are not required. beginning and end of each project. He also worked If you think you may be able to help, by either donating or lending us a programme closely with the landscape team to ensure the temporary from one of these years, please contact School Archivist Ms Cathy Dodson at site was an appealing and attractive place to be. Keeping the School safe was archives@ruyton.vic.edu.au or 9290 9343 a high priority, and Rob would monitor the alarms over the weekends and out of . hours. Due to his diligence and dedication the School was always presented in The Ruyton Heritage Collection preserves and promotes the history of our School. an immaculate way. He always put the School first. On a personal note Rob had We welcome your enquiries and donations. a great sense of humour, often belied by his very calm manner. Rob will be much missed and we wish him and his family well in the next phase of their lives. 18 the ruyton reporter