Kilgraston adopts BSA Covid-Safe Charter
Kilgraston is delighted to pledge its support to the BSA Covid-Safe Charter. The charter identifies clear objectives for schools to adhere to when we return in August. This includes what we will do before the School opens such as cleaning, and testing policies, but also details what we will do when we are back in session including social distancing measures and laundry procedures.
As always, our priority is the health and welfare of all our pupils, parents and staff so to ensure our robust measures continue, key members of staff are already back in School, preparing for the August return. Guidelines and advice are changing week-on-week as the COVID-19 declines so we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate our plans with the wider Kilgraston community.
In addition to what we are doing as a School, our hope is that by adopting the BSA charter, our families continue to feel supported and positive about their children returning in August.
You can read the BSA COVID-Safe Charter here.
Online Assemblies
Please click the links below to watch.
Whole School Assembly - 18th June
Whole School Assembly - 17th June
Whole School Assembly - 15th June
Whole School Assembly - 11th June
Whole School Assembly - 8th June
Whole School Assembly - 28th May
Whole School Assembly - 25th May
Whole School Assembly - 20th May
Whole School Assembly - 18th May
Whole School Assembly - 14th May
Whole School Assembly - 11th May
Junior Assembly - 7th May including treehouse preview with Mrs MacGinty
Whole School Assembly - 27th April
Whole School Assembly - 23rd April
Whole School Assembly - 20th April
Senior and Junior Head Girl Teams Announced
Senior Head Girl Team
The new Senior Head Girl team will be lead by Emily, and she will be supported by new deputies Issie and Libby.
Commenting on what it felt like to be the next Head Girl at Kilgraston, Emily said: ”I was really shocked and very excited. I’m really looking forward to it, I know it will be a big responsibility, but I’m looking forward to working with Issie and Libby and we are hoping to make this the best year we possibly can.”
Issie applied to be part of the Head Girl team after looking up to the Head Girls when she started at the school 5 years ago: ”I really looked up to the Upper 6th girls and the Head Girls as they worked hard to include everyone. I’m really looking forward to taking on more responsibility.”
We asked Libby, who was boarded at Kilgraston for four years, if the team had any plans for the new school year: ”We want to work on getting past lockdown and the impact that has had, to do this we want to organise lots of activities and integrated events across the whole school so that even if we still have to be 2m apart, we still feel like a school community.”
Junior Head Girl Team
This year’s Junior Head Girl Team has taken a slightly different form, with Willow as Head Girl, supported by three deputies; Lucy (responsibility for Inter-House activities and competitions), Ishbel (responsibility for admissions and new girls) and Edith (responsibility as Eco- ambassador). This slightly unusual team was chosen by Mrs MacGinty who said: ”It is unusual for us to have more than two Deputy Head Girls, but the applications were so strong for all of the Lower Third and with specific responsibilities, I think they will make an excellent team. I wish them every success and look forward to them leading the Junior Years next year. Congratulations to the Head Girl team and well done to all Lower 3 who gave really sincere speeches.”
When we asked Willow how it felt to be chosen as Junior Head Girl, she said ”Being selected to be head girl was very exciting because I feel very honoured to be chosen . It is a big responsibility. I felt very proud of myself and very grateful as I knew I had lots of support from my family, friends and of course Kilgraston. I know that I will try my best.”
Ishbel, one of the newly elected deputies with responsibility for admissions and new girls said she applied to be Head Girl because ”In the 2 years I’ve been at Kilgraston, the school has given so much to me and I want to give something back.”
When we asked Lucy, another newly elected deputy, what she was looking forward to next term, she said: ”. I’m looking forward to the many changes and exciting challenges we have in the year ahead and making 2020-21 the best year yet.”
We wish our new Head Girl teams the very best of luck for the new term.
Lockdown Poem
Kilgraston sees surge in new pupils
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Kilgraston has continued to provide the first class education for which it is so well known. So, as we look at our return in August, we have seen a surge in new families looking at our School. Newspapers including The Times are reporting that this is because of ‘confusion’ surrounding a part-time return to normal classes in August.
For Kilgraston, our recent Virtual Open Day was testament to how much confidence parents across Scotland, and indeed around the world, have in our support of our pupils and their education with more than three times the usual number of families attending. Kilgraston’s Headmistress, Mrs Dorothy MacGinty said: “We have been hearing from a number of new families who have concerns surrounding the return to School and what this might look like. Kilgraston and our teachers have moved seamlessly from teaching our children in classrooms to teaching online so we are able to discuss with them how their children might progress here.”
This sentiment is one which is echoed by our parents. Susan and Simon from Fife said: “We have been very impressed with how Kilgraston School moved so quickly and effectively to online schooling. From day 1, there has been an excellent structure to the day which has kept our daughter engaged, challenged and happy throughout lockdown. There was clear guidance from the school for parents too. Of course we are looking forward to returning to school and the classroom but it has been a positive experience for our daughter.”
Over the last few weeks, we have been working on the final arrangements for returning to School in August, and as always our top priority is the health and welfare of all our pupils, parents and staff. Kilgraston is extremely fortunate in that our large countryside campus allows our pupils ample open space to run around. We have initiated clear plans and dates for the return of all our pupils to School in August.
Kilgraston is a School with a strong and rich heritage, one which stretches back to 1930. But this new world in which we live has shown how we can change and adapt whilst keeping our pupils and their education at our heart.
* If you could like more information on Kilgraston, please contact our Admissions Team via [email protected] or call 01738 812 257
A La Mode reflects on Young Enterprise Scotland experience
This year marked the first year for Kilgraston taking part in the Young Enterprise Scotland programme.
A La Mode, a business formed by Flora, Lola, Natasha and Molly, got off to a flying start with their luxury, locally sourced brand that offered affordable self-care products that were sustainable and supported local suppliers.
They created a range of products, including a premium and environmentally friendly self-care box that contained a range of products such as lip balms, candles and soaps. In addition, they were able to adapt this product by creating baubles filled with hand cream or lip balm for the seasonal periods.
A La Mode took the regional title and went through to the national final. Whilst they didn’t come away with an award, the girls gained invaluable experience to take with them as they move on from Kilgraston.
We caught up with Flora, Lola, Natash and Molly to find out what they thought of the experience and what they will take away from it.
How does it feel to be finishing the programme as regional winners?
We are really proud to be regional winners this year especially since it is the first year that Kilgraston has taken part in the programme. We’ve enjoyed it so much and wish everyone taking part next year the best of luck!
Have you enjoyed the experience?
As a team we have all enjoyed the process massively and although the programme required a lot of time the rewards are worth it in the end. Sadly, our journey was slightly different due to Covid-19 but we would definitely recommend the programme to everyone.
What have you learned from taking part?
We have learned a number of different things during our journey but the main thing we learned was to communicate with your team mates. The most important thing is that everyone within the team is having fun and getting involved. It is always easier to face challenges together rather than alone so make sure to communicate and stay positive.
What challenges did you face?
As we did the young enterprise programme in out last ear of school we did find it tricky to juggle our subjects, extra curricular activities and out of school commitments as well at the YES programme. However, it allowed us to improve our organisational skills and team work and gave us something to work towards other than our academic results.
Would you recommend the programme to other pupils?
We would all defiantly recommend taking part in the programme to everyone at school. It provides a lot of new skills and gives an insight into the real business world. It looks good on your personal statement too but most of all it’s fun and something a bit different to our usual classroom subjects.
How do you think this experience may help you later in life?
The young enterprise programme has improved our confidence dramatically which will be helpful in all walks of life after we have left school. It has provided us with a more broad range of knowledge on how business works in the real world and has provided us with a basic understanding of finance within all businesses. As a team our organisational and communication skills have also improved. All the skills we have improved on and new skills we have learned will be invaluable in our future studies and careers.
Here at Kilgraston, we are excited to take part in the Young Enterprise Scotland competition when we return and we’re very excited to hear and see what our next generation of entrepreneurs has to offer.
Naming the treehouse
We received some wonderful name suggestions for the new tree house, some were very traditional and some were very inventive! Sadly there could only be one winner which was chosen by Ms Cooper, Mrs MacGinty and of course, Charlie. The new treehouse has been named:
The Eco Treehouse
This winning name was an amalgamation of two names chosen by Elsie and Sally. Well done girls!
We are looking forward to welcoming the girls back to see their new treehouse in August.
Charlie of the Eco Treehouse!
Dates for your diary
Saturday 13th June - Virtual Open Day (with Q&A at 11am)
With a virtual photo tour, videos from staff and a live Q&A session, our virtual open day is the perfect opportunity to experience Kilgraston from the comfort of your own home. Click here to register.
Wednesday 24th June (12:30pm) - 90th Anniversary Virtual Picnic
We had planned a ‘live’ picnic at Kilgraston, however, we have moved this to a virtual picnic instead. The format will be two short presentations via Zoom followed by Governors, staff, parents and girls picnicking in their gardens and then sharing photographs.
Friday 26th June (12:00pm) - Virtual Leavers’ Assembly
Our annual leavers’ assembly will be hosted virtually this year.
Zoom cupcakes, drama lessons and assessments
The girls have taken the ‘new normal’ for learning in their stride and are still as dedicated to their learning as they were when they were in our real classrooms!
The BFGs have been busy with their LFGs this week and have made some delicious looking cupcakes via zoom.
Lower 3 have been having a great time in their online drama lessons, we think that the toilet roll will definitely be the icon for 2020!
The girls have also been doing assessments via zoom this week and have to be commended on how well they have conducted themselves.
Kilgraston alumnae wins Sword for Sport award
Katie left Kilgraston in 2017 to study Biomedical Science at Abertay University. This year Katie was awarded the Abertay Sword for Sport award, virtually presented by BBC Radio and television presenter, John Beattie, alongside BBC weather presenter, Judith Ralston. You can watch the presentation video here.
After Katie’s season was cut short due to the coronavirus, this fantastic achievement has been much needed boost. We caught up with Katie to find out a little bit more.
How does it feel to have won the Sword for Sport award?
It feels amazing to have won this award because I really didn’t expect to win it as there are many talented athletes at Abertay. This award has given me more confidence as a player and has motivated me to want to push for a Scotland cap soon. The message I received from John Beattie was really inspirational and I was thankful to hear such kind words from him. Unfortunately Abertay had to cancel the sports ball which was where I would have received the trophy but I’m sure there will be another opportunity to have it presented to me.
What have been the highlights over the past (short!) season for you?
The season at Abertay has been the most successful season so far in the 3 years I have played. We won the league title, meaning we have been promoted and hopefully will do well if we get a chance to. Not only did we win, we were unbeaten the whole season which is great. We won the BUCS cup final vs Glasgow University 3s which was another highlight of the season. Thankfully we managed to play all the games for this season and had the chance to celebrate at the time.
How did Kilgraston support you in your sporting ventures?
Kilgraston has taught me how beneficial it is to play in a team sport. At school, I loved playing with all the girls and it allowed me to socialise and meet people that I might not have spoken to if I wasn’t on the team. I was captain of the 1sts at Kilgraston and this has taught me how to be a good leader. At university, socialising is a huge part and being on a hockey team has given me opportunities to spend time with lots of different people. I have made friends for life which I am very grateful for. Next season I have been selected as captain which I am very excited before because I love being a leader. Kilgraston has taught me that it is so important to include everyone and make sure girls are feeling apart of the team. When I first started playing at Abertay, all the girls were so welcoming and so that has made me very conscious of making sure girls enjoy playing for us.
What is next for you?
I am heading into my final year of biomedical science and I hope to get a good degree so I can study a masters. In my final year I hope I can lead the team well as a captain. My aim for the team is if we get a chance to play that we maintain our place in the league as the games will be a lot harder I presume. Outside of university hockey, I am hoping to gain my first outdoor cap for the Scotland senior team as that would be amazing and will be worth the hard work I have put in over the years.
Katie is just another example of our girls going on to achieve incredible things in life after Kilgraston. We are extremely proud of our alumnae, and want to take this opportunity to congratulate Katie on this fantastic achievement and wish her all the best for the future.