Category Archive: Latest News

Swimming success

Swimming success for Kilgraston pupil

A KILGRASTON pupil had cause for a double celebration last week after clinching two medals in a high profile inter-school swimming competition.

Hannah Edgley of Upper Fourth claimed a silver medal in the 200m back stroke and a bronze in the 100m breast stroke in the Tayside Schools Swimming Championships in Dundee.

The 13-year-old added to her success by swimming her personal best in both races.

Hannah trains several times a week at Kilgraston’s state-of-the-art 25m pool under the guidance of newly-appointed elite coach Ann Dickson. Hannah also trains with Perth City Swim Club where Ann is Head Coach.

Ann, who is also currently training Perth’s Commonwealth Games freestyle hopeful, Stephen Milne, said: “Any success is all about the swimmers making a commitment to training. Anyone can swim if they’re prepared to commit to it.

“In any sport the most important dynamic is the relationship between the coach and the pupil. The challenge as a coach is to be able to work individually with people who are also part of a squad. It’s about empowering them to reach their goals.

“You have to be able to motivate them and at times push them to a level they don’t think they can achieve.”

Other youngsters looking to practice their swimming skills can do so at a series of swim camps taking place at Kilgraston from 16th-19th. December.

The camps are available to children aged five years upwards and provide direct instruction from water-based teachers through guided discovery and fun games.

The pool will also be open for recreational swimming throughout the Christmas holidays on Sunday 15th December 2-4pm, Monday 16th December 2-4pm & Tuesday 17th December 2-4pm.

To find out more, please contact [email protected]

Sixth Former fundraising

Sixth Former raises funds for Mary’s Meals

Kilgraston baton bearer

Kilgraston nominates pupil baton bearer for Commonwealth Games 2014

KILGRASTON sixth former Sarah Anderson has been nominated to take part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay when it comes to Bridge of Earn in the lead up to the Opening Ceremony on 23^rd July 2014.

The Queen’s Baton was launched on 9^th October at Buckingham Palace where it embarked upon its epic journey around 70 commonwealth nations and territories. Over a period of 288 days, the baton will cover 190,000 kilometres and involve a third of the world’s population, making it the world’s most engaging relay.

Kilgraston was approached to nominate a pupil to carry the baton when it comes to the area, based on the following criteria:

• Someone who has made a positive contribution to the lives of others through community sport
• Someone who has undertaken voluntary work or contributed to schools or youth organisations
• Someone who has contributed towards greater inclusion for disadvantaged sectors of the community
• Someone who has been a role model or mentor to youth through sport
• Someone who has displayed a level of individual achievement against the odds
• Someone who has made a significant contribution to their local community

Sarah was nominated by Kilgraston pupils for her fundraising and contribution to both the local community and further afield. Fellow student Helen Gloistein was a close runner up.

Art success for Kilgraston pupil

A budding Kilgraston artist is to have her work displayed at Perth Museum and Art Gallery after scooping a top prize in a prestigious competition.

Alyssa Dougall, 15, impressed judges with Gramps, a stunning portrait of her grandfather, which will be put on show later this month.

The talented sixth former was runner-up in the Perth Young Artist competition – S4-S6 category. The annual competition held by the Rotary Club of Perth Kinnoull and the Perthshire Artists Association is designed to encourage promising young artists from within seven secondary schools in the Perth area.

Alyssa, who is currently in Lower Sixth and studying Higher Art will receive a voucher from Specialist Crafts as her prize along with the chance to showcase her work for four weeks from November 15^th.

She will be presented with her prize on the opening night of the exhibition to which her family and teacher have also been invited.

The teenager who studied portraiture as part of her Standard Grade course last year and received a Credit 1 in her examination, said this week: “The painting I entered into the competition was the first painting I did this year, and it’s of my grandad – my mum’s dad.

“He has a really good character and is extremely photogenic so I thought I’d try to explore and depict this in the painting. “I found it a lot easier to paint someone else and especially someone who’s close to my heart. He’ll be really happy to know I came runner-up in the competition. I’m extremely pleased too.”

Kilgraston Head of Art and Design, Gillian Macleod, said: “Success and achievement in local and national exhibitions helps to raise the profile of our department and school not to mention the sense of great achievement felt by the winning pupil.”

She added that Kilgraston girls also benefit from regular masterclasses with visiting artists and designers. “This gives pupils the opportunity to work alongside specialists in their selected fields and exposes them to excellent professional practice.”

Kilgraston’s Higher and A level artists are due to take part in a textile workshop on Friday 8^th November with a visiting designer, Pauline Hann.

Ms Hann is a practising textile designer and a member of Edge -Textile Artists Scotland, the International Feltmakers Association and the Embroiderers’ Guild.

She taught Design for 30 years at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee.

Science & Society Events at Kilgraston

Following the opening of our new state-of-the-art science centre, we are pleased to offer an exciting series of lectures and events to mark the academic year 2013-14, which has been dedicated to the theme of ‘Science and Society’.

The new science centre includes four modern laboratories, a plant room and cutting edge technology. From next week, leading academics from both Scotland and overseas will be visiting the school and taking part in the programme of events which will be open to the public.

We launch on Wednesday 11^th September with a talk on renewable energy from Colin Webster of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, followed by a finger buffet. To register for this event, please visit kilgraston.eventbrite.co.uk

On Friday 27^th September, the school will host the Vatican’s research astronomer, Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ who will give a lecture entitled ‘Science, Spirituality and the Stars’ followed by refreshments. To register for this event, please visit kilgraston1.eventbrite.co.uk

Excellent Exam Results

OXFORD success crowns the achievements of the senior students at Bridge of Earn’s Kilgraston School, with the vast majority of its Upper Sixth girls now going on to top Universities north and south of the border.

As the call earlier this week of Prof Polly Arnold, Edinburgh University, was heard by the nation; that Scotland should do more to tackle the lack of female undergraduates in science; the girls of Kilgraston School were receiving outstanding results in their science Highers.

With over half of all the science grades being at A grade, the school is set to build on this success with the opening of its new Science Centre and will dedicate this academic year to ‘Science and Society’. With many leading academics from both Scotland and overseas coming to speak at the school in the coming school year, Kilgraston aims to be a centre for scientific excellence for girls.

Kilgraston, Scotland’s largest girls’ boarding school and former winner of the UK’s Independent School of the Year award, has consistently achieved outstanding exam results and this year sees that success continuing, not just in sciences but across the board.

At Higher level pupils achieved 95% A-C passes, with 56% of these A grades. At Advanced Higher, the picture was equally impressive; with pupils achieving 95% A-C passes, with 52% again at A grade.

Standard Grade results were outstanding too, with 82% at Credit level. In addition, 60% of the Intermediate 2 examination results were A grades, meaning that at all levels the girls have again achieved well above the national average.

Kilgraston has an impressive record of placing pupils in top Universities throughout Scotland and the UK, with over half of the girls set for St Andrews, Aberdeen or one of the leading Russell Group Universities.

Principal Frank Thompson, said that the results are amongst the best in Scotland and a testament to the work of the girls and the staff.

“We are delighted to see, yet again, such excellent results. The girls have worked very hard to achieve this success. With the commitment of the staff and the strong community spirit at Kilgraston, every girl has been able to do her best.”

Some Kilgraston girls achieved exceptional results this year.

Shetland Islander, Flossie Taylor, won a place to St Hilda’s College, Oxford to read Chinese having achieved top results in Latin, RMPS and English at Advanced Higher.

Evie Lindsay, Perth, achieved five A band 1’s at Higher and aims to study Biochemistry at Cambridge University after Upper Sixth. Evie says she has always been fascinated by science and this interest was strengthened by a recent period of work experience with Dr Jenny Rogers at Edinburgh University and attending the Chemistry masterclass at St Andrews University.

“Kilgraston has always supported me in every single dream I have had and the teachers have been an inspiration throughout my schooling,” she enthused. “I am very excited about the opening of the new Science Centre. This new facility will be excellent in helping me gain more scientific knowledge and practice in preparation for university next year.”

Lower Sixth pupil, Iona McKenzie, of Dundee, plans to study medicine. Having also achieved five A band 1’s at Higher she has spent time this summer gaining work experience at Whitefriars Surgery in Perth and is looking forward taking part in the medic insight scheme at Ninewells Hospital later this month.

Upper Sixth student, Katy Barlow, of Perth, is set for St Andrews University to study Management Science and Economics in September.

“It took hard work and commitment but it was definitely worthwhile to achieve these results,” she said, having achieved three A band 1s at Advanced Higher in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. She thanked Deputy Head Academic, Mrs Lund, and her parents for all their help and support.

Mr Thompson commented: “The fact that many of our students are science-orientated shows the importance of the school’s new £1 million Science Centre which opens this term. It is equipped throughout with cutting-edge technology, comprising five state-of-the-art laboratories. The old Science Department has been re-developed to house the new Sixth Form Study Centre.”

Tim Hall, Chairman of Kilgraston’s Board of Governors, said: “I am delighted for the girls and teaching staff that their hard work and dedication have resulted in such impressive grades and entry to prestigious Universities. It is encouraging that our continuous investment in first class education, sporting and residential facilities is reflected in our excellent academic results.”

Prizes and Ribbons 2013

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Prizes and Ribbons…

Chairman of Board of Governors: “the constants that make up this school are strong”

At Kilgraston’s annual Prize-Giving and Speech Day on Saturday June 29, The Principal highlighted the value of perseverance, telling guests, Governors, parents and pupils that success comes from devoting 10,000 hours of practice in order to perfect a skill.

In his end-of-year speech at the Bridge of Earn all-girls school, Frank Thompson referred to research that 10,000 hours of appropriately-guided practice - in academic study, music, sport and many other settings - is the magic number of greatness, and with that level of commitment, anyone can achieve superior levels of proficiency.

In short, the research confirms the old adage that “practice makes perfect”.

Reflecting on his first year as Principal of the award-winning Perthshire school, Mr Thompson said: “This is a community where commitment and excellence matter.

“To be truly excellent requires persistent effort. 10,000 hours is ten years of hard work and, in the real world, that long experience matters. What you must do at Kilgraston is prepare. Every day, in every lesson - be it French, Business, English, Maths, Games or any other lesson - it is an hour ticked off the 10,000 hours which prepare you for life. Each block of time, so small in itself, but without the small blocks, the 10,000 cannot be attained. Each hour must be spent wisely and not wasted.”

He added: “I think the message of perseverance is particularly exemplified in Art. The worry, as a fourth former, is to look at the amazing achievements of a sixth form artist and think - I could never do that. But be inspired, not intimidated - if the sixth formers can paint as they do, then so will you, if you set your heart on it.”

He also praised sporting success at Kilgraston. “We are rightly proud of our successes, whether it be the upper Fourth winning the Scottish Cup Silver Final in Netball, our intermediate and senior riders winning the Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships at Gleneagles or the individual honours of Katie Robertson and Katie Stott in their selection for Scotland in Hockey or Rebecca Norval’s European gold medal-winning success in equine vaulting.”

Chairman of the Board of Governors Tim Hall stressed the importance of “community” at Kilgraston. “I know the work done with the Abernethy Trust, the inter-faith activities, have made this school approach life in an ecumenical and inclusive way, in its broadest sense. I know Stacey Cameron, as Chaplain, has made links with ministers from both Church of Scotland and Episcopalian churches; they have gone on to give assemblies in both the Senior and Prep schools.

“And “Community” can just be about getting out and about and sharing talents - as I witnessed at Oakley Parish Church in West Fife where twenty-four Kilgraston girls entertained a local ex-coalmining community under the guidance of Head of Music Andrew McGarva; their Les Miserables medley left strong men weeping, me included!”

And he insisted: “The constants that make up this school are strong, its pedigree fashioned out of the Sacred Heart goals, its strength of purpose in the whole education of every girl who comes here, and the unabashed striving to do well, whether academically, in music, art and theatre, or in sports.”

In closing, Mr Thompson had a message for the Upper Sixth girls who left this weekend. “We have launched you into adult life and you are ready for independence. You have been role models this year and you can still be. What you achieve at University and in your careers, share with us. We want to tell the years behind you what it is like and give them the confidence and inspiration to fly the nest too without fear but with joy and hope.”

← Photo Gallery “Prizes and Ribbons”

Sports Day Success

Sunday, 16th June may have been on the chilly side, but the weather didn’t stop a fantastic Sports Day taking place here at Kilgraston.

Lots of new records were broken, but more importantly great fun was had by all.
Many thanks to all staff for helping to make it a resounding success.

The final scores were:

Moncreiffe: 140
Kinnoull: 117
Inchcolm: 98
Arran: 84

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2013 Tennis Tournament

On Friday 8th and Saturday 9th June, Kilgraston proudly hosted the Junior and Senior Invitational Tennis Tournaments, two glorious days in the sunshine with some fantastic tennis action. A huge thank-you to the players for making it such a successful event, it was fantastic to welcome so many players from the various schools taking part.