community matters From the Principal and President of the Board After a year of research and wide community Strategic Priorities consultation, 2017 sees us launch into a new • Empowe ring Girls: we will enable girls strategic plan to take us through to 2020, to lead lives of purpose with courage including our 140th anniversary in 2018. and character We wish to acknowledge the members of • Powerful Learni ng: we will build on both the Ruyton Board and Executive Team our strong academic reputation and for their work in the formulation and promote intellectual curiosity, creativity development of this plan. We would also like and collaboration to acknowledge the many members of our • Engaged Communit y: we will nurture community, students, staff, parents and our relationships and alliances, both locally Old Ruytonians who engaged so thoughtfully and globally in the process through focus group sessions and surveys. • Sustainable Resourc es: we will ensure The 2017-2020 strategic plan clearly articulates Ruyton’s continued prosperity as a leading our vision and focus for the next four years, girls’ school. outlined through our mission, vision and The strategies under each of these priorities strategic priorities. are aimed at building on the strengths of our Mission School, whilst ensuring we are best meeting As an independent, forward thinking girls’ the needs of our students and community as school we are committed to preparing girls we define our future. for a lifetime of learning, leadership and The Ruyton Board and the Executive Team engagement in our global community. strive to ensure, through good governance, management and inclusive leadership, that Please visit the Ruyton website to read the Vision we work with the Ruyton community to 2017–2020 Strategic Plan. Inspire girls to be bold. Educate girls to live further develop Ruyton Girls’ School as a lives of impact and purpose. Ms Linda Douglas, Principal and leader in girls’ education. Mr Peter Kan at, President of the Board president of the board community relations It is a pleasure and a privilege to take on the role In February the School welcomed Mrs Kimberly of President of the Board this year after serving Downes as the Director of Community Relations. on the Board for ten years previously, as Kim leads the team in what was formerly known Foundation President, member of the Finance as the Development Office. She comes to Ruyton and Audit committee and member of the with over 25 years’ experience in fundraising, Selection Committee for Significant marketing and community engagement. Appointments. As many of you know, the Ruyton community is a constant in my family, with two Her goal for Ruyton is to build a strong culture of generations of proud Ruytonians, and the philanthropy across our students, staff, parents wonderful legacy of John and Lizzie Bate, in terms and alumnae. She would like Ruyton to be the of both their tireless work and philanthropy. benchmark that other schools look to emulate. On behalf of the Ruyton community I wish to thank Mrs Kathryn Watt for her She believes that philanthropy is learned by observing others. If we, as adults, show dedication and contribution to the School, completing her presidency in December that philanthropy includes Time, Talent and Treasure, then our girls will learn from our 2016 after eight years on the Board. I also thank Ms Kylie Taylor for taking on the example. Not only should we all being doing as much as we can for the communities role of Deputy President and Ms Fiona Griffiths (‘87) for taking on the role of in which we live, but also we should be looking after the School that was made Foundation Chair. possible by those who came before us. This year has seen the completion of the Junior School upgrade, a major project from Originally from Chicago, Kim’s first fundraising campaign was with the Boy Scouts our current master plan. It has been wonderful to see the Junior School community 20 years ago, where she raised $2 million for an outdoor education centre. Since then enjoying the learning opportunities these new spaces support and facilitate. The Kim has consolidated her experience in fundraising and philanthropy by working in formal opening of this facility will take place on Wednesday 24 May and we look multiple organisations and educational establishments. forward to sharing this occasion with the Ruyton community. Kim is excited to work with the Community Relations team, which includes The final major project in our master plan will be the redevelopment of Royce Theatre Tonya Peters looking after all fundraising; Jenni Musgrove working with alumnae; as a Performing Arts Centre. Royce is the heartbeat of Ruyton, the place where our Elizabeth Beattie looking after publications and advertising; Ann Sciberras bringing students come together for performances and assemblies, celebrating our spirit and the Wednesday Weekly together each week and Zoe Clark who we welcome to recognising excellence. This year we enter the initial research phase with the intention Ruyton as the new Community Relations Assistant, working with our POR Groups. of engaging an architect to develop our vision for the future. I look forward to another exciting year at Ruyton as we support our girls to achieve their best. I look forward to catching up with many of you over the course of the year. Mr Peter Kanat, President of the Board. autumn 2017 3