

Parents of Ruyton (POR)
Sporting a new logo this year, The POR is all about
community building and developing new friendships
within the School, through organising social events for
both parents and students, while supporting our girls in
their education and extra -curricular activities. Ruyton is
unique with regards to the extraordinary level of support
it receives every year from its parents, and this year was
no exception!
We sincerely thank our POR Committee Members, Sub
– Committee Chairs, Year Level Representatives and the
many volunteers for continuing to be a part of the support
groups that make up this very successful network. These
groups put on events, assist teachers and raise funds to
support our girls. Groups include: Performing Arts - FORDA
(Drama) and FORMA (Music), FORART (Art), FOREST
(Sustainability), and the sporting Clubs, FORSA (Sport), FRET
(Equestrian), Ruyton Athletics Inc, Ruyton Saturday Netball,
Ruyton Gymnastics, Ruyton Aquatic Club Inc, and Henty
Rowing. Questers (Craft) are busy all year, organising stalls
for the Fair, Easter, Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, among
their many activities.
The POR also run three very valuable services, the Second
Hand Uniform Sale, the Second Hand Book Sale and our
Ruyton Babysitting Register, with the help of some very
dedicated parents.
The Year Level Representatives organised a huge array of
events to encourage connection across the Ruyton
community, including events to ensure families new to
Ruyton are integrated seamlessly into the Ruyton family.
Many families opened their homes for morning teas and
drink parties. There were also dinners, lunches, golf days,
movie nights and plenty of coffees! Once again we
supported The Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea across
all year levels.
Our thanks, also, to the large number of parents who gave
up their mornings many times a year to assist Lime
Catering in the Courtyard Café.
The return of The Ruyton Fair earlier in the year was met
with huge success.We welcomed the broader community
into the grounds of Ruyton and there was no doubt that
the Ruyton spirit and sense of community was felt by all.
Many thanks to the Ruyton Fair committee for leading such
a wonderful event.
Our annual Ruyton Luncheon was once again a wonderful
afternoon of good food, connection, and sharing stories.We
were privileged to have Ms Belinda Hawkins (‘76), award
winning journalist as our guest speaker, who was
befittingly introduced by her Ruyton teacher and our very
own Mrs Di Berold. Their connection is testament to the
unique and lasting relationships that Ruyton fosters.
Money raised from both of these fabulous events has been
allocated to the new Margaret McRae Centre.
This year the POR has had an increased focus on parent
education, organising a number of parent seminars led by
field experts. Our Growing up Digital series took place
earlier in the year, continuing the involvement of Ms Robyn
Treyvaud, founder of Cyber Safe Kids. Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg
also led us in a discussion on
What Every Parent Needs to
know About Parenting Teenage Girls
and we finished the
year with an insightful talk fromMs Maree Crabbe on the
impact of today’s pornography on young people’s sexuality
and beliefs about relationships.
Ruyton and the POR also became members of the Victorian
Parents Council (VPC) where helpful information is shared
among Parent Associations of non-government schools.
The POR are grateful for the ongoing support from our
Principal, Ms Linda Douglas and from the team in the
Development Office, the Director of Development,
Ms Tonya Peters, the Co-ordinator of Community,
Mrs Marilyn Rouhard, The Administration Assistant,
Mrs Ann Sciberras and the Co-ordinator of
Communications, Mrs Elizabeth Beattie.
In Term 4 Ms Fabiola Mazzocco stepped down and became
Immediate Past President.We welcomed Mrs Sue McLeish
as the new Co-President for 2014-2015.We continue to
encourage parents to support the Ruyton Community and
thank you all for a wonderful year.
Co-Presidents
, Mrs Donna De Bortoli and
Ms Fabiola Mazzocco
Annual Report 2014
24