Ruby Swibel (OA2019) has been working at SACS for five years since her graduation. She transitioned from coaching netball to her current role as the International Baccalaureate Inclusive Access Arrangements Administrator. She organises assistance for students with specialised learning needs. Ruby reflects fondly on her school years, particularly her involvement in productions such as Peter Pan and Fiddler on the Roof. Now a staff member, she enjoys the school's positive environment and admires the respectfulness of the students. 

Ruby also teaches sex education across Sydney, covering topics from puberty to respectful relationships, and is passionate about making a lasting impact. Outside of work, she enjoys film and is considering pursuing a master's degree in secondary education. 

RH: So what do you do here? And how long have you been here? 

RS: In total I have been here for five years, I was coaching netball originally before I started doing my current job. 

RH: So was that straight after you left school? 

RS: Yes that's right. I finished in 2019, then I was coaching netball for four seasons. This is actually the first year that I haven't coached. My current job is the IBIAA which stands for the International Baccalaureate Inclusive Access Arrangements Administrator. 

RH: Wow, that's a lot of big old acronym, mouthful. Tell me about it. 

RS: So it's a lot of admin, a lot of filing for IB and the students who have inclusive access arrangements or specialised learning. They might have a reader, or a writer, or extra time, or rest breaks. That sort of thing - just organising all that and sometimes running around like a headless chicken during exam periods. 

RH: So did you do the IB when you were here? 

RS: Actually no! I did HSC. Though my sister Ivy (OA2021) did IB and my other sister Edie who is in Year 12 does HSC. So I've had a bit of exposure to both. 

RH: So what was School like for you? Tell me about your time here as a student. 

RS: I really loved SACS when I was here, so much so that I can't get away from it. The environment, and the energy around the school is just brilliant. You really notice it when you come back as a staff member too. Not being of school age and dealing with students, you notice how lovely and respectful they all are. Especially compared to some other schools. 

When I was a student here, I'd say I was a bit of a drama kid. I remember in Year 7 getting to play one of the leads in Peter Pan which was amazing. I was in all the major drama ensembles and musicals throughout my time. It was also really cool to do Fiddler on the Roof in 2019, SACS best musical ever, when I was in Year 12 - and also because my sister Ivy was in it too. We were both ladies and I got to scream for three minutes straight, it was great. 

RH: Tell me what the naughtiest thing was you did at school? 

RS: I only ever got one Friday detention, but I remember it well! I was in Year 7 and I got a Friday for messaging my Year 7 boyfriend on my iPad during class. I remember Mr Boddy giving it to me and I was really upset. "But, sir, I've got a Halloween party on Friday. I can't. Like, I actually can't!" I protested. It was pretty funny looking back now. Thankfully that was back in the day when you could actually do school work during a Friday detention. Nowadays you have to just sit there and do nothing! 

RH: And crucially, you messaged your boyfriend, and did he message back? 

RS: Haha! I think so. I don't know if he got a Friday though! 

RH: How has being an Old Andrean affected your role here? 

RS: I think because I went to school here, I already knew the staff, but now I know them in a completely different way, which is also quite interesting. Its great to get to know them as regular people rather than just as teachers! 

I still find when speaking to staff using their first name really weird. I'm like, 'Jim?' no way - Mr. Boddy. Or Lizzie Skipsey, she was my Year 8 English teacher, and now she works really closely with me. Or Kate Layhe who was my French teacher in Middle School - I found quite strange calling her Kate. 

RH: Do you remember the first time you were 'missed'? As in called Miss?

RS: Haha yes, it was when I was coaching netball in my first year working here. I said "my name is Ruby, it's on the board. If you want to call me Miss, you're going to want to sit on the bench for Saturday! It happens all the time now though, I think I need a big name tag that says 'don't call me Miss'." 

 I also think it's quite interesting to see how much the School has changed as well. Especially as a drama kid, it's great to compare some of the current drama productions to the ones I was in. After all, we had flying people in Peter Pan. That's hard to top. 

RH: So when you're not here, what else do you do? What's your other job? 

RS: Well, I have another job with Elephant Ed where I go into Schools and teach sex ed all around Sydney and occasionally further afield. We do workshops all the way from Year 5 to 12. We cover topics like puberty and body safety with Year 5 and 6, which are always so fun. And then, for high school students, things like respectful relationships, consent and pornography etc. I love it. Its amazing to make such a difference in young people's lives, even if they don't realise it right now, but it can be really helpful for them into the future. I would love to do one at SACS one day! 

I also love film and popular culture. Although after I finished my film and television degree, I realised that I like watching movies and talking about them rather than making them. And I've also been thinking about doing a masters in secondary education. Lots to keep me busy.