Our School

Leading with Passion and Authenticity

A reflection from our 2024 School Co-Captains

At the beginning of every new year, the future feels particularly tangible, a prospect which is both exciting and completely overwhelming. As a leadership team, the Class of 2024 has a shared vision to encourage every Ruyton student to step into the arena, to actively participate in the School community and pursue their goals with spirit and ambition. And we’ll be right there with them, leading with Passion and Authenticity. 

The Class of 2024 has embarked on a journey of discovery this year. As pioneers of a new leadership system, with 2024 also marking the completion of our new Performing Arts Centre, we navigate the roads with both uncertainty, and excitement for what’s to come. Evident in our enthusiasm and determination to involve ourselves within the School community, our cohort exemplifies passionate leadership. We are dreamers – a multifaceted microcosm of athletes, musicians, debaters and artists, who share an unwavering commitment to reaching for the stars and a fierce conviction in the face of adversity.

Our hope for this year is to lead by example, inspiring the wider Ruyton community to embrace their passions, to be ambitious in their endeavours, and to have the courage to seize new and exciting opportunities. Our cohort was the last year level to experience Senior School before the pandemic, and as such, our leadership team seeks to revitalise the unparalleled School spirit embodied by past leaders. Whether this be through incorporating music and dancing at Captains’ assemblies, or promoting involvement and joy at sport days, performances and service events, we are so excited to follow in the footsteps of incredibly resolute and inspiring leaders and keep their legacy alive. 

To complement Passion is our second guiding word, Authenticity, which is a quality we will strive towards nurturing this year. Our cohort and wider Senior School community is one with diverse ways of thinking, brimming with authentic opinions and ideas. All of which will be integral in guiding our actions and decisions in 2024. Our authenticity represents staying true to our character and values and extending that commitment to the far corners of Ruyton, encouraging students to be vulnerable and celebrate their individuality. 

In conjunction with these two words, we have chosen the colour red to reflect our leadership vision for 2024. Red is not only a symbol of love and passion, but is also a primary colour, serving as a foundation for a variety of hues. For us, the foundational nature of red represents a sense of grounding, a reminder of the earth as we follow our dreams and reach for the stars. In addition, red is bold – a reflection of our intention to remain authentic to our passions and to exude both warmth and determination as we begin a year that will no doubt challenge and extend us, not only as people but as learners. That is the essence of our leadership vision; holding space for our hearts and being brave enough to wear them on our sleeves. 

Lily Sun and Elise Curry
School Co-Captains 2024