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select from a wide range of activities, with a view to
providing experiences for future leisure time pursuits. Some
of the activities undertaken this year included Yoga, Indoor
Rock-climbing, Ice-skating, Ten Pin Bowling, Laser tag and
‘Bounce’Trampolining.
In Year 12 students have worked diligently throughout the
year, aiming to achieve their best in the final exams. Girls
have participated in a number of practical classes to clarify
their learning of content covered in the classroom. They
also attended excursions to Exercise Research Australia
(ERA) in Thornbury to undertake laboratory testing and
some students attended the ERA revision session, in
preparation for their final exam. Thank you to the fabulous
staff in the PE Department who have worked so hard to
deliver these programmes this year.
Miss Brooke Johnson,
Co-ordinator Physical
Education and Health
Performing Arts Department
Music
Music has continued to thrive in 2014, with large numbers
of students involved in all aspects of the Music Programme.
The girl’s enthusiasm for music has enabled the high
standard of performing to be maintained, with ensembles
and soloists giving some wonderful and breath-taking
performances throughout the year.
Curriculum
In Year 7 Music, the girls focused on improving their
musicianship. Aural development was an important aspect
of this, with an emphasis on Kodaly-based activities linked
with the more traditional musical language. Indonesian
music was also studied, with the girls taking part in an
incursion with Bagus Kan! They also improved their
listening skills through the study of Art Music and the
Super Quiet Uninterrupted Listening Time, using Keynote.
Year 8 Music classes developed their skills in performance,
aural comprehension, theory and composition. They wrote a
short song and played the ukulele. Rhythm was a big focus,
and the girls performed with African drums. They played a
basic rock beat on the drum kit and created a composition
using non-musical items. They were also treated to an
entertaining performance by African Beat.
The Year 9/10 Music Performance class worked on
improving as soloists and group performers. Performances
in class were regular occurrences, which allowed for
comment by class members and self-analysis. Aural
comprehension and theory, arranging and concert reviews
continued the development of the girls.
A knowledgeable class of students participated in the Units
1 and 2 Music Performance class this year. They studied solo,
group performing, musicianship and analysis. This
expanded their understanding of performing and the
importance of learning about all aspects of music.
Individual tuition on their instrument was a key component
of this.
The Instrumental Music Programme was again busy, with
400 lessons taking place each week. The balance of
instruments learnt was encouraging, which allowed most
of the ensembles to have a full and true sound. Thanks
must go to the 28 music staff who tutor the girls each week
and we are fortunate to have an incredible group of staff.
Their commitment and work ethic is a big part of the
success of the Music Programme.
Co-Curriculum
The ensembles epitomise everything that is unique and
wonderful about the Ruyton Music Programme, with most
being at capacity and many concerts and presentations
occurring. Highlights of the year included performances at
the Ruyton Fair, the Contemporary Music Concert, the Gala
Concert, the Jazz Night and the production of
Sweet
Charity
. The choirs also performed very successfully at
many eisteddfods and there were many fine performances
at the Victorian Schools’ Music Festival. Most weeks there
were soirees, with over 100 girls performing at the Piano
Festival. Assembly performances took place throughout
the year.
Drama
There is wonderful saying,‘
Creativity is imagination in
action
’. This inspiring quote is what Drama embodies, both
as an art form and what it supports and nurtures in
students’ learning. This is reflected strongly in Ruyton’s
Junior and Senior School curricular and co-curricular Drama
programmes. Imagination in action is evident in the vibrant
Drama classroom environment as students test the
boundaries of their expressive skills, in creative
interpretation of stimuli and in the honing of their skills in
collaborative and independent learning.
The public performance opportunities available to students
enable them to gain confidence and share their creative
vision beyond the classroom. In the Junior School Mrs
Georgina Parker created engaging and highly entertaining
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