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the ruyton reporter
The Most Important Thing
Yusra Mardini’s house was destroyed in the Syrian civil
war causing her to flee Syria with her sister in August
2015. They reached Turkey, where they arranged to be
smuggled into Greece with 18 other migrants, on a
small dinghy meant for no more than six or seven
people. The dinghy began to take on water in the
Aegean Sea, so Mardini and her sister, along with two
other people who were able to swim, got into the
water and pushed the boat for over three hours until
it reached Lesbos. We can only imagine the courage,
grit and sheer determination this small group of
people mustered to survive. Twelve months later
Mardini and nine other athletes walked into a stadium
to thunderous applause, to compete under the
Olympic Flag as the Refugee Olympic Team. Not your
usual Olympic preparation.
In the context of a worldwide refugee crisis the
Refugee Olympic Team represented the right of every
human to hope and to dream. We can only imagine
what it is like to train while living in a war-torn country
or to flee all you know in search of safety. I only wish
I had been in that stadium to witness not only the
emotion, but also to truly feel the Olympic spirit. This
spirit is best expressed through the Olympic creed,
‘The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not
to win but to take part, just as the most important
thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The
essential thing is not to have conquered but to have
fought well.’
In the developed world today many people are living
a fast-moving, pressured and, at times, highly-
competitive life. There is often a focus on climbing the
ladder, breaking the glass ceiling, being the best and
making the most money. Our expectations of
ourselves and others are not always realistic. Perhaps
we have lost sight of the struggle that is life and the
importance of hope.
Kim Brennan’s (Crow ’03) Olympic performance
reduced many, including Kim herself, to tears.
Australia as a nation has excelled at placing enormous
pressure on the shoulders of our high achievers. For so
many in the Ruyton community who had the privilege
of knowing Kim during her youth, it was the journey
of everything Ruyton girls represent: the well-rounded
individual, grit and determination, a struggle to
overcome setbacks, strong values of integrity,
compassion, fairness and courage. Kim won the hearts
of many through her victory, but it was her strong
stance on the value of team and nation in uniting
people to see hope; highlighting the possibility of
ascending from an intolerable social divide; displaying
courage beyond words, demonstrating the importance
of patience, integrity and humility and making a
difference in the lives of others, that struck a chord
with so many. The girls were excited and honoured
to welcome Kim in a surprise visit to the School at the
end of Term 3.
In a country where the tall poppy syndrome is both
endemic and defeating, it is a problem we need to
face. Ruyton girls will always know they have a
community that is on their side; that supports them
with a wholehearted sense of pride to be the best
versions of themselves; a community that invests
strongly in their future and believes in their ability
to make ripples or life changing waves; a community
that acknowledges sincere effort and endeavour.
Our sense of pride in all of our girls is as strong as
our belief in their ability to dig deep, do their best
and make a real difference. This is our constant;
our touchstone.
At Ruyton we believe in girls.
Believing in Our Girls
In my conversations with Year 3 and 4 girls last term
I was particularly interested in what was important
to them about their School, both now and into the
future. It was heartening to see how they are deeply
connected to their learning and enjoy the opportunity
to have input into the planning process. It is no
surprise to find how much they value particular areas
of the School and associate them so strongly with
positive learning experiences and treasured memories.
The Moreton Bay Fig, Early Learning, South House,
Royce and the Fairy Garden all evoked strong
memories and connections. There is a new-found love
for using the oval, but, interestingly, they expressed a
desire to use it only on some days of the week in the
future, as otherwise they might not value it enough.
As always, the wisdom of the young causes us to
reflect and plan for the future accordingly. I am not
sure that I can fulfil their dream of a waterslide that
circles the School and finishes in the pool, but we all
agreed that it is good to have dreams.
While we watch the Junior School buildings and
surrounds take shape in preparation for 2017, our
girls across the School have continued to engage in
so many different ways to achieve their best, both
individually and collectively. We have enjoyed a rich
season of performing arts, with highlights including
the Ruyton Trinity play
Frankenstein
, Year 6 performing
Shrek the Musical Jr,
the Ruyton Trinity Musical
Into
the Woods,
the Performing Arts House Festival (PAHF),
Jazz night at Dizzy’s and the ultimate finale to Term 3,
the Music Gala Concert. This evening showcase of
student performance was truly an occasion to
remember, as our girls performed in the Melbourne
Recital Centre for the first time. Performing Arts is the
soul of Ruyton in so many ways; bringing us together
to celebrate talent, collaboration and endeavour with
joy and admiration.
Our Senior girls have once again represented us with
distinction in Girls Schools Victoria (GSV) carnivals this
year, finishing second in Swimming, first in Cross
Country and second in Track and Field. After a strong
season of rowing in Term 1 the Ruyton Senior 1st Crew
(Australian Champions) ventured to the Henley Royal
Regatta at Henley on Thames (England) for the first
time in the School’s history. They became not only the
first Ruyton crew to be a ‘selected crew’ for the
Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, but also they were
the first ever Australian schoolgirl crew to do so.
MUSE
I hope many of you will be able to join us at Muse,
the Ruyton Student Art Show, from Thursday
3 November to Saturday 5 November. The Exhibition
is a celebration of student art work from across the
School and will take place in the lower level of the
Margaret McRae Centre, a beautiful area to celebrate
the artistic talents of our girls.
Ms Linda Douglas,
Principal
above:Ms Linda Douglas with Junior School girls.
on our cover:Mrs Kim Brennan (Crow ’03) with Year 2 girls who addressed questions to her at Assembly.
From the Study