FRET 2009
The year started off with the tragedy of the bushfires which affected us all, including the Equestrian community. A number of people involved in the Interschool Equestrian Events were affected in varying degrees by the fires and hopefully they are slowly getting back on their feet and recovering from any losses. I know that our equestrian team families have been busy donating horse gear and horse feed to various communities hit by the fires.
In March there was some excitement as two horses visited the school for some photography. The two girls riding their horses thought it was fantastic being able to ride on the school oval. It was a bit of a novelty. One of the pre-prep classes visited and watched the girls ride, and then had the opportunity to pat the horses.
The Equestrian Team welcomed a new member from Year 9 which was nice to see. Being an inner suburban school our team numbers are quite small, but the girls we have in the team are enthusiastic and committed to their horse riding.
Along with horse injuries, girls’ illnesses and a couple of girls selling their horses and getting new young horses, Ruyton was only represented by a few girls at most of the Interschool Events held during the year.
Of the girls who did compete they usually came home with a placing which makes all the hard work worthwhile.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the FRET parents for their support of their girls throughout the year. To go to an Interschool Event usually means getting up very early in the morning and driving at least an hour, usually two hours to the venue. Once there, it is usually an all-day event and therefore ends up long and tiring. When the girls are placed it does put a smile on their faces, but even if they are not placed, they feel they have done their best.
During the year FRET again has hosted the meetings of the Victorian Inter-School Network at Ruyton as we seem to be the most central of the participating schools. A group of parents and equestrian staff from the schools around suburban and regional Victoria attend these meetings to discuss and implement strict guidelines and standards for schools wishing to conduct events under the Network. They are all very grateful to Ruyton for providing the venue for these meetings.
Mrs Sharon Roberts
President