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has been well received by students and provides an
opportunity to explore key concepts that will support those
students who continue on to VCE Psychology. The very
successful Year 6 Science programme, which sees Year 6
students being taught by Senior School Science teachers,
has been redesigned to meet the requirements of the
Australian Curriculum and provide further intellectual
challenge to students, while still maintaining student
excitement and engagement. The Year 7 Science
programme has also been reviewed to ensure continuity
of learning from Year 6.
Online learning opportunities have been explored further
this year. Following on from staff professional learning
activities, Year 10 students have commenced using the Big
History Project, a resource on the history of the universe
and life on earth. Cosmos Live Learning has allowed
students to utilise scientific journals in a manner which
enables them to understand the importance of scientific
literature. Year 8 students have also continued to utilise
Science and Technology Education Leveraging Relevance
(STELR) for an inquiry-based approach to their unit on
Energy.
There are numerous excursions offered to students at all
levels in order to enrich their learning. At the Senior level,
there are many opportunities for students to build upon
their knowledge and skills in real-world settings. Physics
students visit Luna Park, LaTrobe University, the Australian
Synchrotron and the Australian Grand Prix. Biology
students visit Queenscliff,Werribee Zoo and the Gene
Technology Access Centre (GTAC). Year 12 and Year 11
Chemistry students visited LaTrobe. Psychology students
engaged in activities with Prep and Grade 2 girls. Year 7
students have taken advantage of Swinburne University
programmes in Astronomy. Year 8 students made use of the
Melbourne Museum for the Rocks and Minerals unit of
work. The Year 8 camp in Queenscliff enhanced student
understanding of Ecology. Year 10 students have had a
number of incursions with guest speakers. Students have
attended the L’Oreal Girls in Science Forum and theWomen
in Science Breakfast.
Ruyton students participated in the following Science
enrichment programmes and competitions, gaining
commendable results: the Big Science Competition, the
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools
Science Competition, the Australian National Chemistry
Quiz, the Australian Brain Bee Challenge, the Science Talent
Search and the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Olympiads.
It was a great pleasure to welcome back Old Ruytonian Jane
Hadjion (Marsdenn ’01) to our ScienceWeek Assembly. Jane
studied Science at Ruyton, won a scholarship to go to Space
Camp as a student and then went on to work for Boeing.
Her presentation to the students demonstrated her passion
for Science, in particular aeronautical engineering. Jane’s
talk was particularly relevant as planning has commenced
for an international tour in 2015 to Space Camp, USA. This
tour will provide an opportunity for students in Years 9–11,
who have an interest in Science, to gain firsthand
experience in astronaut training and Space Science.
Science at Ruyton is characterised by change and growth, a
continual evolution of learning and experiences.
Professional and dedicated staff actively seek out the new,
share with colleagues and students and add to our
experiences, believing that ‘anything is possible’.
Mrs Susan Fryer,
Acting Dean of Science
Sport
In 2014 Ruyton had another excellent year of Sport. There
were students who qualified to compete at Nationals in a
State team and achieved or beat their personal best. In
Cross Country Running Ruyton ranked first out of 23 GSV
member schools. In Rowing our success continued and we
were represented at both State and Nationals. Ruyton
ranked second in swimming and third in Track and Field
Athletics out of 23 GSV member schools. Our Year 9 and 10
Volleyball Team were ZoneWinners and GSV Premiers. One
girl was selected for the GSV representative team in Hockey.
These are fabulous results for our girls and I extend my
sincere thanks to the coaching staff and to the parents for
their valuable and indispensable support. The girls have
trained hard across the board and these results are
testament to the fabulous community we have here
at Ruyton.
Mrs Louisa Burbury,
Director of Sport
Annual Report 2014
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