FOREST Friends of Ruyton for the Environment Sustainability and TravelSmart

FOREST supported actions at the School during the year, including the annual tree planting event, hosting a community seminar on Energy in the Home in May in partnership with the City of Boroondara, and raising funds through the sale of Smencils in the Junior School.

The TravelSmart Co-ordinator also presented to a meeting of Green Schools at the request of Stonnington Council.

Due to work commitments Ms Robyne Evans has stepped down as President of FOREST. She was thanked for her contribution to the group, and to all things sustainable throughout 2010. Ms Sally Sutton was elected as the new President.

TravelSmart

TravelSmart continued to be promoted through the Wednesday Weekly and the TravelSmart Notice board.

FOREST continued to support TravelSmart days throughout the School, with one day scheduled for each term.

The Link-a-Lift pilot scheme was trialled throughout the School which culminated in an evaluation survey at the beginning of Term 4. The survey was prepared for three different sectors of School: Junior School – all families; Senior School – girls only completed it in form time; and Link-A-Lift - registered users. The purpose of the survey was to assess the success of TravelSmart generally at Ruyton, and, specifically, to target those who had used the Link-A-Lift software to ascertain its effectiveness. The outcome will determine how Ruyton will proceed with TravelSmart within the School, and, in particular, whether or not the Link-A-Lift software will continue to be promoted.

Walking School Buses

The two Walking School Bus Routes (The Pink Panthers and the Glenferrie Groovers) continued to operate throughout the year. New volunteers have been found to take over from long-serving and retiring volunteers, Mr John Myers and Ms Mary Muirhead on the Glenferrie Groovers' WSB. Their efforts were acknowledged and they were congratualted. Mr Eddie Lau and Ms Jit Au also retired from their roles as Pink Panther WSB volunteers after equally long-service, and they were also acknowledged and thanked. The Pink Panther WSB is now seeking new volunteers and walkers for it to continue to be viable. 

My thanks go to Mrs Elizabeth Beattie and Mrs Sue McLeish for all their work with TravelSmart and the Walking School Buses respectively.

Ms Robyne Evans President

Sustainability Growing