...what stood out was the first Daughters and Grand-Daughters of Old Ruytonians photograph ...
As School Archivist it was my pleasant challenge to think of a suitable 140 Years Celebration topic for the Wednesday Weekly Spirit Week edition. From the School’s rich history there were many possibilities, but what stood out was the first Daughters and Grand-Daughters of Old Ruytonians photograph taken for the 1952 edition of The Ruytonian.
Photographed on the verge of her retirement from 40 years as Principal, an elderly Miss Hilda Daniell presides over this special group of Ruyton girls. This image was taken to celebrate the strong connections between the School and the many families who had multiple generations of Ruytonians. For Miss Daniell, these connections were deeply felt. She had attended Ruyton herself in the 1890s and later taught at the School before assuming the Principalship in 1913. She knew the family trees of each of these students and had often personally taught their mothers, grandmothers, aunts and cousins.
The Daughters of Old Ruytonians photograph has now become something of a tradition and is often part of the School photo schedule. It has become a yearly acknowledgement of the importance of family at Ruyton, and of our proud history.
Ms Cathy Dodson
Archivist