Prep school ski to victory
A group of talented Kilgraston girls are celebrating after skiing their way to victory in a prestigious national contest.
Jemima and Daisy Cross, Pippa Boyle and Tess Wylie triumphed in the Scottish Prep Schools Ski Championships at Glenshee, clinching six medals between them.
The team of four took gold after recording the best combined time, defeating six other schools from around Scotland and finishing almost seven seconds ahead of closest rivals, Ardvreck.
Jemima, 10, also claimed gold in the under 11 individual girls race and sister, Daisy, 13, won silver in the under 13 competition.
Kilgraston Prep school teacher and ski specialist, Euphan Stewart, said: “The girls performance both individually and as a team was amazing. They put their heart and soul into their races. They all had two runs. After the first run they’d all recorded good times so they were in an excellent position as they went into the second run.
“I told each of them to really go for it and they just moved up a gear. I was proud of all of them but particularly Daisy who has bounced back having previously broken her leg twice skiing.”
Mrs Stewart, a member of the Scottish Schools Snowsports Association and the 2013 Scottish masters ski champion, praised the girls for turning out for training each week at Hillend in Edinburgh.
She also said the girls had received support in their training from her colleague, Andrew Stewart and Helen Glostein, captain of Kilgraston’s senior school ski team.
“Helen has been a role model for the younger girls who she has helped with their training. She has turned out to help them every week even during a period of personal injury.”
Fairtrade Fashion Show
Kilgraston girls took to the catwalk to unveil a new collection of ethically sourced clothes.
The young models showed they had glamour and style as they showcased their own stunning and original creations during the school’s first Fairtrade fashion show.
The girls, aged between 18 months to 16 years, thrilled their audience at the Prep School with their Fairtrade range, raising £220 for charity.
Kilgraston’s Fairtrade co-ordinator, Andrew Stewart, said: “The fashion show really brought our school community together for a worthwhile cause. There were some great outfits on display, even some made by the girls out of bin bags and fairtrade chocolate bar wrappers.”
Kilgraston was awarded fairtrade status last September following a major effort by dedicated staff and pupils. One of more than 800 Fairtrade schools in the UK, Kilgraston has stepped up its campaign to promote ethically sourced products through a series of sales and classroom activities.
Profits from this year’s fairtrade work are being donated to both the Fairtrade Foundation and ‘Mary’s Meals’, a charity which spearheads feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest countries.
“The real success story for this term for Mary’s Meals has been an enterprise course I ran with girls in P6,” said Mr Stewart. “They set up businesses that I invested £1 in each. They had to turn that money into as much as possible by as many legal means possible. They’ve raised more than £1000 over the course of four weeks by selling origami, face painting and skateboard rides. They’ve forecasted profits, looked at costs margins, drawn up business plans and are delivering presentations next week in an Alan Sugar setting.”
Kilgraston’s Principal, Frank Thompson, said: “Pupils, staff and parents have all been working hard to promote and encourage the local community to support Fairtrade.
“At Kilgraston, we believe being a global citizen is a fundamental part of our values. It’s right that we keep on developing awareness of global poverty issues. By committing to buying Fairtrade products and fashion we can make a huge difference to families at the other side of the world in very different circumstances to ourselves.”
Cooking up a storm
A group of Kilgraston girls will be cooking up a feast for charity next week with the help of a top chef.
Upper Fourth pupils – Bethany Smith, Lexi Young, Emily Belford and Emily Dark – will prepare a mouth watering two course meal with Tim Dover, head chef and owner of The Roost restaurant in Kintillo.
The girls are set for a fantastic hands-on experience working alongside Tim, a classically trained Michelin chef and a 2012 finalist on Channel 5’s Kitchen Wars series.
Sixth formers Emma Garrett and Zara Collings will be waitresses for the evening, serving up scotch lamb followed by ginger crème brulee, poached rhubarb and lavender shortbread.
Kilgraston’s Home Economics teacher, Carole Clarke, said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the girls to see what goes on behind the scenes in a top restaurant. It’s the fourth year we’ve had the chance to send girls to work in The Roost. One of girls who took part last year has now decided she’d like to become a chef and she worked in the restaurant last summer to get more experience.”
This year’s students were all finalists in Kilgraston’s Upper Fourth Chef Competition, judged by Tim. The winner of the contest was Bethany Smith whose stuffed chicken with haggis in a creamy whisky sauce most impressed the leading chef proprietor.
Bethany faced tough competition from runner up Lexi Young and Emily Belford and Emily Dark whose tasty dishes also scored top marks.
The final four were chosen from 10 finalists who had come through three class heats involving 37 girls.
Mrs Clarke revealed: “We had lots of fish, beef and lamb dishes. It all gets very competitive with some of the girls practising hard at home as well as school. It’s been a fantastic experience for the girls who’ve learnt how to work independently as well as researching local produce. They’ve also had to combine flavours and learn which ingredients go best together.”
On the night, Bethany and Lexi will help Tim prepare the meal with Emily Belford and Emily Dark helping with the setting-up and washing dishes.
Tickets cost £30 a head and proceeds will go to Dreamz4u, a local charity dedicated to granting the wishes of sick and disabled children.
Mrs Clarke added: “The charity was Bethany’s choice. In the last year, it has granted 500 wishes to local children. We’re delighted to support the charity and would appeal to parents, staff and friends of Kilgraston to get behind this worthy cause.”
Tickets are available from Carole Clarke via [email protected] or 01738 812257
Prep String Day
Kilgraston was in fine tune after bringing together scores of young string players for a special day of music making. The school welcomed 70 children from across Perthshire and Edinburgh as part of its annual Prep School String Day.
The youngsters from seven different schools, including Kilgraston, were given the chance to work with top professional string players and perform in an evening concert.
Kilgraston’s Director of music, Andrew McGarva, said: “Through activities like today’s String Day we have the opportunity to come together to make music and friends. I’ve very fond memories of attending similar courses when I was at school and still keep in contact with a number of friends who I met through my music making. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to develop musical skills and teamwork.”
Mr McGarva invited six Prep schools – Ardvreck, Craigclowan, Cargilfield, Fettes, Clifton Hall and Morrison’s Academy – for a day’s intensive rehearsals with four guest tutors.
The coaches included violinists, Justine Watts and George Smith, Emma Peebles, a violist and cellist, Emily Walker.
The day culminated in a concert in the school’s memorial chapel in which the prep school string players performed music from Les Miserables, Viva La Viva and some popular Scots’ fiddle tunes.
The concert also featured a stirring violin performance of Fritz Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro by Kilgraston music scholar, Victoria Yeung. Just days earlier, the talented 16-year-old had been named as overall winner in Kilgraston’s Young Musician of the Year Competition, a popular contest showcasing gifted youngsters from both the Prep and Senior schools.
Kilgraston’s Principal, Frank Thompson, said: “The opportunity for young musicians from different schools to meet and play together over the course of one day is both challenging and rewarding. It was a really positive experience for everyone involved.”
Girls visit UN
On Friday 21st February the Kilgraston Action Group, made up of Sophie Aird, Phoebe Choi, Ruth Faherty, Phoebe Reilly, Ola Tkacz and Anna Wylie, linked with four pupils from the John F Kennedy International School in Saanen, Switzerland to travel to the United Nations headquarters in Geneva to meet Mr Michael Møller, Director General of the UN.
The pupils presented Mr Møller with a total of 350 red handprints gathered from both schools, together with a handprint from UNICEF ambassador Sir Roger Moore, in their campaign to help stamp out the use of child soldiers throughout the world. Sir Roger Moore also presented Kilgraston with an additional hand print as a gift.
Whilst in Switzerland the Kilgraston girls gave a presentation to the John F Kennedy School pupils, staff and parents and visiting pupils and staff from a local school in Chateau d’Oex. They also joined in the John F Kennedy school’s fundraising for UNICEF by buying Red Hand Day T shirts and cakes. A total of £1825 was raised and presented to a UNICEF representative.
This is the third year the Kilgraston Action Group has supported this cause. Meeting and talking to the Director General of the UN was a wonderful opportunity for the pupils to debate the issue and actively make a difference.
Scottish Choir Success
TWO Kilgraston girls have taken their first steps towards professional singing careers after landing places in a leading Scottish choir.
Georgina Kemp and Rebecca Black are amongst 60 girls chosen from around the country for the National Girls Choir of Scotland.
The girls, both 14, are sopranos and will get the chance to perform at top venues around the country following a week-long residential camp at Easter.
Kilgraston’s director of music, Andrew McGarva, said: “I’m delighted that the girls have been successful with their auditions for the National Girls Choir of Scotland for young singers, aged 12 to 16. They’re both members of the Kilgraston’s Madrigal Group, our most senior choir, and I’m sure they’ll learn so much from the opportunity to work with some of the best young singers in Scotland. ”
The teenagers who both hope to pursue careers in musical theatre will receive vocal coaching, musicianship and full choir rehearsals from highly qualified teachers who are experts in their field.
Georgina in Lower Fifth has secured a place for the second year running, having worked her way up from the training choir. She said: “We get lots of opportunities to sing at Kilgraston, too, such as the Young Musician of the Year contest. I really like my singing teacher at school – she’s really pushed me forward with my singing. I’ve gone much further with her than any other teacher. We will get to do four to five concerts with the National Girls Choir including two at Christmas and one at the Edinburgh Festival in the summer.”
Rebecca in Upper Fourth, added: “I first auditioned for the choir two years ago but didn’t get in. Since then, I have started singing lessons and Kilgraston has helped me to improve my singing. There are a lot of opportunities to practise with other people here. I’m really excited to have made it into the choir this time and can’t wait to get started. ”
Scotland squad success for Catriona
A KILGRASTON girl has been selected to represent Scotland at a European netball tournament next month.
Catriona Norval, in Lower Fifth, is one of 12 players to be chosen for Scotland’s U17 netball development squad following a series of trials around the country.
The 14-year-old, who plays in defence, made the final team after impressing selectors at two weekend training camps earlier this month.
Katrina Seatter, Kilgraston’s netball coach, said: “I’m absolutely delighted Catriona has been chosen to represent her country as part of the U17 development squad. Catriona is determined and incredibly motivated to improve her personal performance.”
The PE teacher, a former county netball player and captain for Orkney and current Edinburgh Onyx player, added: “Catriona has come on leaps and bounds in the last year, even playing for the school’s senior team on occasions at the age of 14. The team also voted her as their player of the match, which is an incredible achievement for her age. I wish Catriona and the rest of her team the very best in the Netball Europe Championships in March. It’ll be a terrific experience.”
The talented teen was first spotted during a holiday performance camp in December 2012. Last summer Catriona was also selected for the Perth and District netball squad along with four other Kilgraston girls – Amber Shillington, Talitha Thompson, Susie Dougall and Rosie Gow.
She is the second member of her family to reach national level in a sport. Her older sister, Rebecca, a sixth former at Kilgraston, is the Scottish junior equestrian vaulting champion and also clinched three medals at the British Vaulting Championships.
Kilgraston’s director of sport, Pauline Stott, said: “Catriona’s success is much deserved. Her hard work and dedication has paid off and her netball has gone from strength to strength.”
Katie's hockey award
A TALENTED Kilgraston hockey player has landed a sports grant after being selected to play for Scotland for the second year in a row.
Fifth former Katie Stott has received a maximum award of £250 from Perth and Kinross Sports Council to help with training and travel costs.
The 14-year-old junior international from Abernethy is a member of the Scottish Under 16 team and has represented her country in fixtures in England, Ireland and Holland.
Billy Folan of Perth and Kinross Sports Council, said: “Being given an award is a fine achievement for Katie who has worked very hard at her hockey and made the Scottish squad both this year and last. We receive many applications for funding each year and each and every one gets looked at. We have a total pot of around £16,000 and award up to £250 for personal development. Our main criteria is that a player must be part of the national team for their sport.”
Katie, whose ultimate dream is to represent her country at the Olympics, said: “I’m really pleased to receive an award again this year. Each international annual programme costs around £1,000 so the grant will go towards my next trip.”
The teenager is coached by her mother, Pauline, a double Olympian and former GB hockey captain. Pauline, who is Kilgraston School’s Director of Sport, played at both the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics and runs a hockey academy for girls who have reached district level and above in the sport.
Pauline said: “Katie began playing hockey at the age of three and has stayed keen and become more and more dedicated as she has grown older. Like many other parents of a young person achieving highly in sport, I try my best to support her and help her reach her dreams. The most important thing for young people is that they keep enjoying their sport and balance the demands of training with staying injury free.”
Last weekend, Katie continued her winning streak by teaming up with Kilgraston sixth former, Katie Robertson, who also plays for Scotland.
The girls helped to bring the Midland hockey team to victory in Scotland’s Under 18 indoor inter-district tournament with wins over the North, South, West and East.
Championing rights
KILGRASTON girls have raised an amazing £540 for charity following a special week of fun activities and interaction with the wider community.
Their efforts were part of Kilgraston’s Goals Week, giving the girls the chance to focus on one of five objectives shared with other Sacred Heart schools from around the world.
This year’s joint goal is social awareness. The girls chose to highlight the plight of women both at home and abroad, particularly those suffering from oppression and violence.
They also raised awareness about the growing problem of human trafficking and how vulnerable women in faraway countries looking for a better life have become entrapped by this pernicious global trade.
Closer to home, the girls celebrated the achievements of successful Scottish women and also considered how their own lives might be different if Scotland votes for independence later this year.
Girls eligible to vote heard from speakers on both sides of the referendum debate including Rachel Heydecker of the Yes campaign and Councillor Anne Cowan from Better Together, a past pupil whose daughters also attended Kilgraston.
Kilgraston’s chaplain, Stacey Cameron, who co-ordinated the fundraising week with the help of sixth formers, said: “Most of the ideas came from the girls. The theme was ‘Kilgraston goes pink’ and the catering staff made pink lemonade and pink mashed potato with haggis. The girls chose the theme because they were keen to focus on the role of women throughout the week. They led assemblies and we decorated the school with more than 2,000 origami butterflies. We also held a self defence class, a talk on body confidence and the Citizens Advice Bureau came in to run a money management workshop.”
Other activities included a giant hide and seek and a sponsored leg waxing of male staff. In the Prep School, the girls left their uniforms at home for the day to dress up in pink alongside older pupils in the senior school.
The youngsters, aged three to 13, added £93 to the total funds raised throughout the week for the charity Women’s Aid. Kathryn Ebrahim, Head of the Prep School, said: “The girls had a super day festooning the school in a splash of pink.”
Midland hockey victory
KILGRASTON cruised to victory in the Midland district indoor tournament last weekend, winning all four matches to take the title.
In a crunch match, the players from Upper 4th and Lower 5th proved too strong for local rivals, Strathallan School with Kilgraston coming out on top with a 4-2 win.
Despite trailing 1-0, the girls came back within two minutes to equalise before scoring again off a penalty corner and backing up their lead with a further two field goals.
Kilgraston stayed on course throughout the thrilling round robin contest, defeating High School Dundee 3-0, Morrisons 5-1 and Dundee Wanderers Hockey Club, 3-1.
Captain Katie Stott, a member of the Scottish Under-16 team, set the tone for the day scoring 12 out of 15 goals. The 14-year-old junior international from Abernethy is coached by her mother, Pauline Stott, a double Olympian and former GB hockey captain.
Mrs Stott, who is also Kilgraston’s director of sport, runs a school hockey academy for girls who have reached district level and above in the sport.
Training alongside her daughter in the academy are Emily Dark, 13, a member of Scotland’s development squad, Daisy Fonicello, 13, and two newcomers – Rebecca Wright, 14, and Catriona Roberts, 13.
Mrs Stott said the tournament, hosted by High School Dundee and organised by Judy Hutchison, was a perfect test for the Kilgraston girls after an intense period of training.
“Leading up to the indoor Midland tournament the girls worked hard every week to hone their hockey skills in anticipation for the district competition,” she said. “Having five academy players in the squad raised the level, enhancing the skill and technical level of the whole team which was wonderful to see. We’re very proud of the girls who very much deserved to triumph on this occasion.”