In the Big Science Competition, 33 of the 47 participants (70%) received an award, including 2 High Distinctions. Betty Xiong of Year 8 deserves special mention for her perfect score in this challenging competition.
The Australian National Chemistry Quiz was undertaken by all Year 10 students and Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students. 6 girls achieved High Distinctions, with 2 of these going to Year 12’s, and a further 8 Distinctions and 11 Credits were awarded to Ruyton students.
As part of the Year 9 program all students undertake a self-design investigation, where they are able to work, with a partner or individually, to undertake research into a field of their choice, design and carry out an experiment, and write a formal report on their work. 12 of these reports are selected each year for entry into the Science Talent Search, and this year 6 of these entries were awarded a bursary, one of which was a major bursary.
Over 100 Ruyton students received awards or bursaries in external Science competitions during 2009, a testament to the commitment and effort of both the students and the Science staff.
Science Enrolments
One indicator of the success of the programme is the strong enrolments in VCE Sciences. In 2009 more students are studying VCE Science than any of the past 12 years. As part of a survey undertaken this year by the Heads Of Science In Independent Schools group, data was collected about the number of students studying various sciences at VCE compared with total enrolments. Ruyton’s results compared most favourably with a number of ‘like schools’, and reflect the success of our Year 7 to 10 Science programme and the interest and engagement of our students in the Sciences. The data below demonstrates that at Ruyton, the ratio of total VCE science enrolments to VCE students is equal to 1.3, the highest ratio of all schools surveyed.