Catriona's netball success
A KILGRASTON fifth former has edged another step closer to representing Scotland at a European netball tournament in March.
Catriona Norval is one of 18 players to be chosen for Scotland’s U15 netball development squad following a series of trials around the country.
The 14-year-old, who plays in defence, is now in with a chance of making the final team of 12 if she impresses selectors at two weekend training camps early next month.
Kilgraston’s director of sport, Pauline Stott, said: “Catriona has performed brilliantly this year with her netball play and has shown a massive improvement with hard work and dedication. Having joined Bridge of Earn junior netball club last year along with playing for Kilgraston, Catriona has gone from strength to strength.”
The talented teen was first spotted last year during a holiday performance camp run by NPC Scotland. Last summer, she was selected for the Perth and District squad along with four other Kilgraston girls – Amber Shillington, Talitha Thompson, Susie Dougall and Rosie Gow.
Catriona, who plays for the U15 district A team was chosen out of hundreds of girls for the Scottish squad following trials in the Autumn. 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 Principal, Frank Thompson, said: “Catriona’s progress in netball over the last year has been phenomenal. She was voted ‘Player of the Year’ last season by her teachers and played a massive role in helping her year group to win the Scottish Cup by cutting off many goal-scoring opportunities.
“Catriona, like a number of our girls, is involved in playing netball both at school and within the local community. We’re very grateful to Katrina Seatter, our netball specialist here at Kilgraston as well as the Bridge of Earn Netball Club and the Perth and District Squad for providing so many opportunities for girls to enjoy the sport at a high level.”
Prep in pink
As part of Kilgraston Goals Week , the Prep School girls enjoyed a ‘dress in pink’ day to raise funds for Women’s Aid. A fantastic £93 was raised on the day and the girls had a great time bringing a splash of pink to lessons.
The Prep School activities formed part of the school’s wider Goals Week, which this year focused on Social Awareness that impels to action exploring Social Awareness from a women’s perspective. School Chaplain Miss Stacey Cameron co-ordinated the full week of activities for all pupils from age 3 to 18. More news on some of these events to follow!
Barrowband workshop
Barrowband delight the Prep School
MUSICIANS from a groundbreaking project put a new spin on the importance of healthy eating by delivering their message by song to girls at the Kilgraston Prep School.
Pupils in Reception, Lower 1st and Upper 1st (P1-P3) took part in a workshop and a live performance this week led by the Barrowband, which sung the praises of bananas, broccoli and carrots.
The group is currently visiting primary schools throughout Perthshire to encourage more children to eat fruit and vegetables and to tackle problems such as obesity.
Andrew McGarva, Director of Music and Deputy Head of the Prep School, said: “The Barrowband entertained our girls in a novel way. They taught the girls about the value of fruit and vegetables through their stories and songs - it looked to me that the aubergine was the favourite vegetable of the day.”
The show, based around a market barrow laden with fresh fruit and vegetables, is the brainchild of the band’s leader, Malcolm Le Maistre.
The singer-songwriter was a member of The Incredible String Band, a pioneering group in psychedelic folk in the 1970s, and also set up the Environmental Arts Theatre Company, based in Edinburgh.
He said: “The message of the Barrowband is simple – that fruit and vegetables are very good for you. They’re colourful and they have great stories to tell. For example, very few people know where oranges come from and how many realise that apples originated in Kazakhstan?
“From a pure entertainment level, the Barrowband works and adults have shown that they like what we do as much as the youngsters.”
Mr Le Maistre, who is based in North Lanarkshire, revealed how watching a programme featuring the TV chef Jamie Oliver had inspired the creation of the six-strong Barrowband.
He recalled: “I remember seeing Jamie Oliver holding up a leek to a child who told him it was a kiwi fruit. A leek is a British vegetable but the child didn’t know. I felt driven to set up something music-based that would raise awareness about fruit and vegetables. I’ve found that if you give people information through song, they’ll often look at issues in a sympathetic light. Very few children or adults who’ve seen the Barrowband and learnt the stories behind fruit and vegetables will be able to look at them in the same way when they next visit the supermarket.”
Mr Le Maistre said that the band, which features a range of instruments including the banjo, sitar, guitar, double bass, cello and accordion, had secured funding from The Gannochy Trust and Creative Scotland to visit schools throughout Perth and Kinross.
Pupil's trumpet success
Jenny trumpets her way into Scotland’s top junior youth orchestra
A KILGRASTON schoolgirl has secured a top spot in a flagship Scottish orchestra after a successful audition on the trumpet.
Jenny Whitaker, 12, a music scholar from the Prep School, was selected for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Juniors, which scouted for talent around the country between September and Christmas.
The Lower 4th pupil from Crieff was chosen from hundreds of young musicians who auditioned in towns and cities throughout Scotland. Violinist Nicola Benedetti is a former leader of the junior orchestra and performers from the senior orchestra including the virtuoso percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie have gone on to enjoy professional careers.
Kilgraston’s Director of Music, Andrew McGarva, said: “I am delighted that Jenny has been successful with her audition for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. To gain a place in the trumpet section is a wonderful feat because there are so few places available in an orchestra for brass players.
“As one of our talented music scholars Jenny is heavily involved in so much music making at Kilgraston and this achievement certainly recognises her abilities.”
The youngster, who also plays the cornet, the piano and sings, will get the chance to perform at top venues throughout the UK following an intense period of training with the orchestra starting in the Spring.
Her mother, Hilary, who teaches her daughter brass, is a keen musician and has played the euphonium and baritone with leading Scottish brass bands, performing around the country and at London’s Albert Hall. In 2012, she also revived Crieff’s brass band, which had folded in the 1980s, particularly encouraging adults to return to playing alongside their children.
The primary school teacher revealed how Jenny and her older sister, Lucy, 14, also a music scholar at Kilgraston, developed a love of music at an early age after watching their mother perform.
“When the girls were little, they regularly attended my concerts,” said Mrs Whitaker. “The whole music hobby has broadened their horizons. Jenny became very interested in playing brass and Lucy took up the violin, piano and singing. I’m very proud of what they’ve both achieved. It’s been a big commitment for Jenny to reach her standard in brass so young.”
Jenny, who started playing brass at the age of eight, will also be performing with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland this August in St Andrews. She said: “My mum has encouraged me all the way and we’ve met many lovely people through brass banding. I’m really looking forward to joining the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland to learn more challenging music and to meet new friends.”
Lissie Cook, 13, another Kilgraston music scholar, was also celebrating after gaining a place in the string training orchestra.
Kilgraston’s Principal, Frank Thompson, said: “Jenny and Lissie have shown considerable commitment to their music since joining Kilgraston. They’re both role models to our younger pupils. I would like to encourage other girls in Upper 3rd and above who have achieved a high standard academically or in music, sport and art to consider applying for scholarships at Kilgraston.
“For the first time, we will offer a community scholarship to a local girl who has made an outstanding contribution to the wider community. We will also offer an all-rounder scholarship to a girl who has demonstrated excellence in two or more areas.”
- Kilgraston’s next scholarship day will take place on Saturday, February 1. For details, call 01738 815512 or email [email protected]
- Contact Jim Wishart via www.brasscentralstrathearn.co.uk for more information about Crieff’s brass band
Nursery Science
Kilgraston Nursery children learn about science
CHILDREN at Kilgraston’s nursery have shown that it’s never too early to start learning about science. The youngsters made their own soap as part of a lesson about solids and liquids at the school’s new £1m Science Centre.
Nursery manager, Louise Easton, said: “The children chose from a selection of fragrances, colours and decorations to personalise their creations.
“With the help of some of the senior girls and science teachers they were able to use Bunsen burners to melt down the glycerine soap before adding their chosen colours and fragrances.
“Such hands on practical early experiences will undoubtedly inspire curiosity and the exploration of science from an early age. What better way to explore the concepts of solids and liquids than by making our own soap.”
- More details about Kilgraston School’s nursery from the Admissions Team. Tel: 01738 815512. Email: [email protected]
Pupils sing on BBC
Kilgraston singers tune in for BBC performances
TWO Kilgraston music scholars are on song this Christmas with special performances on national radio and television.
Sixth formers Sarah Anderson and Eliza Younger were chosen to broadcast their talents to audiences around the country in the lead up to festive season.
Sarah, 16, a member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, will appear on Christmas Celebration on BBC One on December 24th at 11.20 pm. The teenager is one of 10 girls to perform new arrangements of carols for the programme, presented by Sally Magnusson from Dunfermline Abbey Church.
Eliza, also 16 and a member of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, sang in Noah’s Flood, an opera for BBC Radio 3, which will be broadcast on January 15th 2014.
She said: “I played a gossip and was one of the people who got drowned because I wouldn’t listen to warnings about the flood. I’ve been a member of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow for three years and take classes there every Saturday with professional musicians from all over the world who’ve had experience of working in the world of performing arts.
“As well as singing, I play the piano and the clarsach – the Scottish harp. At school, I’m a member of all the choirs and get a lot of support with my music. I really enjoy performing and composing and I’m hoping to pursue a career as a professional musician.”
Sarah, who is interested in a career in medicine and also holds academic and sport scholarships at Kilgraston, said: “I’ve been singing from the age of nine. Earlier this year I auditioned for the National Girls Choir, part of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, and was one of 60 girls, out of hundreds, who were successful. I’ve been busy touring with the choir around Scotland and performed at venues in Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh.”
Kilgraston’s Principal Frank Thompson, said: “Both Sarah and Eliza are wonderfully talented musicians who give their best to both Kilgraston and the wider community. Sarah recently raised £1,255 for charity following an epic bike ride around Scotland with her father and was also chosen as our pupil baton bearer for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Relay. Eliza, despite having numerous musical commitments, still finds time to compete for the school in sport and is a role model to many of our younger pupils.
“I admire both girls’ energy and commitment. It is because of girls like Sarah and Eliza that we’ve decided to introduce two new scholarships for 2014. For the first time we will offer a community scholarship to a local girl who has made an outstanding contribution to the wider community. We will also offer an all-rounder scholarship to a girl who has demonstrated excellence in two or more areas including academic, art, music and sport.”
- Kilgraston’s next scholarship day will take place on Saturday 1st February. Call 01738 815512, or email [email protected]
Nursery Christmas
Christmas has come early for Kilgraston Nursery
The children at Kilgraston’s nursery celebrated the start of the Christmas holiday with a new climbing frame. Head of the Prep School, Kathryn Ebrahim, said: “Nursery children at Kilgraston truly enjoy their outdoor learning experiences every day whatever the weather. They’re very excited about their new outdoor equipment, a super early Christmas present for them and there will be many hours spent cementing friendships and exploring for many years to come.”
Role model runner
A KILGRASTON sixth former who took up competitive running less than a year ago is holding her own against the best in her age group in Scotland and the UK.
Annabel Simpson of Lower Sixth made a major breakthrough at the British and Irish Junior Hill Running Championships where she finished 6th. The 16-year-old crossed the finish line ahead of every runner in the Scottish national team and is now hoping for a place in the 2014 squad.
Annabel’s success is all the more extraordinary as she only began training for competition this year. Her running has gone from strength to strength with wins last month in the U17 race at the Scottish East District Cross Country League in Alloa and the Hartley Cup Relays at Forfar at both junior and senior level.
Annabel, who runs for Fife Athletic Club, picked up two gold medals this summer in the 3,000m in races in Glasgow and Derbyshire, beating teams from Scotland, England and Wales.
Other notable achievements include taking bronze at the Scottish Schools Secondary Championships at Grangemouth and silver in the 1500m at the Scottish East District Championships in Edinburgh.
Kilgraston’s Director of Sport, Pauline Stott, said: “The PE department at Kilgraston are so proud of what Annabel has achieved in such a short time.
“Her dedication and training ethic are fantastic and Annabel is a role model to the young girls who run with her at the weekly club. It is evidence that it is never too late to get fit and try your best and we wish Annabel all the best for the rest of her winter training.”
Annabel added: “I started running to keep fit. I enjoyed going to cross country club at Craigclowan, my previous school. At Kilgraston I carried on with running club and did the odd cross country race.
“Mrs Stott entered me into my first race for the school where I came 48th. I was very nervous but Mrs Stott was really supportive. She ran with me in training, chatted to me and helped me to improve my stamina.
“I trained quite a bit in the gym on the treadmill, too. Last year I discovered I could run 5km in 20 minutes. I realised through talking to others that this was a good time and was encouraged to join Kinross Road Runners.
“The first time I went along in January this year I was really nervous. I was thrown in at the deep end doing hill repetitions but really enjoyed it.
“I find running relaxing. I’m happier and healthier and I feel the friends I’ve made through running will be friends for life. My marks at school have also gone up as my fitness has improved.”
Kilgraston’s Principal Frank Thompson, said: “Annabel is hugely talented and her success in running in the space of a few months is extraordinary. She is an academic scholar here at Kilgraston and achieved straight As and 1s in her Standard Grades and Intermediate 2s in the summer. It is to her credit that Annabel has achieved such outstanding results alongside her phenomenal achievements in running. I wouldn’t be surprised to receive her application for a sports scholarship, too.
“I was also delighted to discover that Annabel ran her personal best in a 3,000m race on the track at my previous school, Mount St Mary’s in Spinkhill, Derbyshire.”
Kilgraston tennis tournament
Kilgraston tennis tournament shortlisted for a national award
A NEW junior tennis tournament held at Kilgraston has been nominated for a prestigious award after attracting nearly 200 keen players from across Scotland.
The North of Scotland Autumn Open was served up at the school in October, giving youngsters inspired by Andy Murray the chance to put their skills to the test against a wide field of opponents.
The five-day county level competition is one of three events to have been shortlisted for Tournament of the Year in the 2013 Tennis Scotland Awards.
Organiser Adam Brown praised Kilgraston staff for hosting the tournament, the biggest of its kind to take place in Scotland this year.
The 31-year-old tennis coach from Stirling, said: “Being nominated for an award is a huge achievement but wouldn’t have been possible without Kilgraston. I’d been struggling to find a venue and was about to cancel the tournament when staff at the school stepped in at the eleventh hour to allow us to use their courts.
“The tournament was a huge success with more than 190 players taking part and around 300 matches contested over the week. Some top Scottish juniors took part with players travelling from far and wide including Aberdeen, Inverness and the Borders. There was also a strong, local contingency playing the tournament including girls from Kilgraston and other neighbouring schools and clubs – some taking part in their first official ranking tournament.
“The tournament was visited by a lot of Tennis Scotland staff over the week who commented on the excellent venue, the school’s facilities and the wonderful atmosphere. With such a strong entry we would hope the tournament might be sanctioned as a higher level regional tournament next year, drawing players from not only Scotland but from other parts of the UK.”
Kilgraston’s Principal, Frank Thompson, added: “We were really pleased to be able to help Adam in putting on the tournament. He has been very supportive of tennis at Kilgraston and we felt that the event would also give players a chance to see the school and surrounding area, perhaps for the first time. With our developing tennis academy it was also a fantastic opportunity for a number of our girls to take part in a prestigious tournament on home soil. I hope the event has inspired them to take their tennis further and we’ve been delighted to hear from parents regarding our tennis scholarships as a result of the event.”
Tennis Scotland chief executive officer, David Marshall, said the North of Scotland Autumn Open had been shortlisted for an award along with the East Lothian Tennis Tournament and the Scottish Junior Open (Mini Events).
He explained: “Nominations were received online from across the Scottish tennis community and these nominations were then shortlisted by a team consisting of Tennis Scotland staff and representatives from the Tennis Scotland board.”
Winners will be announced during Tennis Scotland’s Annual General Meeting on December 19th.
Shoebox Appeal
KINDHEARTED pupils at Kilgraston have filled 157 shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for people in some of the world’s poorest countries. The pupils were responding to an appeal from the Christian charity, Blythswood Care. Boxes will be sent to Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.