Kilgraston pupils visit Torness Power Station
Last week, our Lower Fifth Physics and Chemistry students embarked on an exciting and educational journey to the Torness Nuclear Power Station. This high-security site offered a unique opportunity for the girls to delve into the world of nuclear power, starting with an extensive tour that took us through the control room, the reactors, and the turbine rooms. An unexpected highlight of our visit included watching the special nuclear police force in action as they carried out their training exercises.
After exploring the intricate systems of the power station, the staff from the Visitor Centre presented the girls with a stimulating STEM challenge: to design and construct a rollercoaster for a marble using only sheets of paper and tape. The goal was to create a rollercoaster where the marble would take the longest time to complete its journey. Our students embraced this task with enthusiasm, demonstrating their creativity and problem-solving skills as they crafted some remarkable designs.
The trip was not only fun but also incredibly informative, offering a deep insight into the workings of nuclear power. The girls returned with a greater appreciation of the science behind energy production and a memorable experience of practical application in a high-stakes environment.
Mr Young, Director of Science
Lawn Tennis Association Competition 2023
The annual Lawn Tennis Association Competition 2023 has taken place and well done Anita, Olivia, Erin, Lucy and Willow on their fantastic tennis. The team won 5-1 against High School of Glasgow, lost 4-3 to MES (match tie break decider!) and lost 5-1 to a strong St Leonard’s team.
The Kilgraston team showed amazing fighting spirit. Olivia had a fantastic win against the MES number 1 player, winning 7-6. Amazing effort girls, super proud of you.
Billy Mcneil, Kilgraston Tennis Academy coach
An interview with Mrs McHugh for International Receptionists’ Day
“August 2013 marked the end of the motherhood ‘protective bubble’ which had surrounded my babies and me for seven years. Today, Mummy was going to work!
Kilgraston’s driveway was the start of my new journey; the trees lining the road providing a useful countdown to my grand arrival at the front door.
What could possibly happen, I thought, that life had not already thrown at me? Four years of University teacher training; ranked in the UK’s top ten for kayak slalom; eight years’ in the finance sector and, the one from which I would mainly draw strength, the ability to react, adapt and smile, gained during motherhood.
Hopefully, I am well presented, punctual and have the ability to communicate effectively with staff, pupils, parents and visitors. Knowing the names of almost every pupil in the senior school makes it easier to deal with the day-to-day demands of a busy office environment.
Kilgraston, as with any school, continually presents different situations - from girls sustaining a knock on the hockey field, to unexpected visits from former pupils and the arrival of School Inspectors. There is never a ‘same’ day and I truly love every minute.
Each term brings something new. Summer, for me is the most exciting time with the promise of longer holidays, House competitions and end-of-year talent showcasing concerts. The expectation of exams has gone, replaced with the emotion of saying goodbye. In the air is the hope that we’ll have good weather for both Sports Day and picnics on the front lawn at Speech Day. Summer brings the school together and it is at these times, when it really does become one body.
It’s not always smooth running though. Head of Maths, and Queen of Stats, Mrs Speed, runs an annual Maths Stats Course, where teachers from other schools come to Kilgraston to work through the latest coursework.
By coincidence, one year, on the same day, Kilgraston held Mass, with both events generating several visitors. Within minutes of the scheduled start of the service, a lady arrived. I enquired as to whether she was here for the start of Mass. “Yes indeed,” she responded. Quick as a flash, I scooped her up and travelled at break neck, high-heeled, speed to deliver her safely to the chapel door, which she entered and was not seen again for another hour. She never did make the beginning of Mrs Speed’s Maths Course. In fairness, it does sound awfully like ‘Mass’!
It would be difficult not to be impressed by the grandeur of the entrance to Kilgraston or the recently redesigned elegant, yet informal, waiting area. Mrs MacGinty has influenced many of the spaces within the school and Reception is just one in which her vision is reflected, producing a lovely place to work.
Here, it is easy to shut-out the influences of the wider world and become absorbed in the pupils and staff, who are collectively striving towards a greater future for woman in the world.”
Summer Term, 2019
Brilliant Berlin
Shortly before half term two Higher and Advanced Higher German students embarked on a three day trip to Berlin, to experience what one of Europe’s most dynamic cities has to offer. They enjoyed visits to many of the iconic sights including the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the thought provoking Holocaust Memorial, the East German Museum and the TV Tower. They also fitted in a guided tour around the Reichstag parliament building where they learned about the troubled history of German politics and were able to get an amazing view of Berlin from the huge dome at the centre of the building. Upper Sixth student Zara Collings commented “I really enjoyed the trip because I was able to see for myself many of the things that we have studied about Berlin in school.” Due to its success, a similar trip will hopefully take place again next year.
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.
Sixth Former fundraising
rmer raises funds for Mary’s Meals“Once we were out of Glasgow we cycled through the Trossachs National Park passing through Drymen and Aberfoyle before reaching Callander. For the next leg of our trip we followed the disused railway line over the viaduct at Lochearnhead before cycling through the spectacular scenery of Glen Ogle to reach the Falls of Dochart.
“Cycling along the south side of Loch Tay from Killin to Kenmore was perhaps the most undulating and demanding stretch of our trip. Almost all of the tourist cyclists coming the other way had given up and were pushing their bikes uphill. We had originally planned to stop over at Kenmore but we pushed on for another 35 miles to reach Pitlochry.
A night’s rest in Pitlochry was desperately needed before we tackled the Drumochter Pass the following morning on our way to Aviemore. What an exhilarating feeling it was reaching the summit at 1508 feet above sea level and then cycle down the other side of the summit. Unlike the previous night we managed to reach our destination whilst there was some daylight.
For more information on Mary’s Meals please click here
Kilgraston Christmas Concert
Tickets for the The 2013 Kilgraston Christmas Concert are now on sale.
The concert will will be held at Perth Concert Hall on Friday 6th December at 7pm and is kindly sponsored by Gleneagles. Tickets are £8.00 and can be purchased from the Perth Concert Hall Box Office.
This traditional start to the festive season is a wonderful celebration and we hope you will be able to join us for some carol singing and entertainment.
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 15th.
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 8th 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.
Holland Hockey Tour
On Wednesday 16th October, 35 pupils from Kilgraston’s first and development hockey teams and three members of staff set off for Nijmegen in Holland on a whistle-stop hockey tour.
The trip took in three games and two training sessions and the girls also had the opportunity to watch Amsterdam play in a National 1 Holland ladies hockey match.
It wasn’t all hard work and no play as there was also a chance to visit Anne Frank’s house and spend some free time sampling the Dutch shopping.
Mrs Pauline Stott, Director of Sport and Hockey Academy Coach, confirmed the trip’s success. “The tour was thoroughly enjoyed by all the girls and staff, both on the hockey pitch and off. The team building sessions and activities were very well received and all the girls participated with enthusiasm and energy. Thank you to all the girls and staff involved for making this trip such a success.”
Equestrian success for Kilgraston girls
Kilgraston schoolgirl, Rebecca Norval has triumphed once again after clinching three medals at one of the toughest equestrian competitions of the season.
She impressed judges with her horseback acrobatics at the British Vaulting Championships where she was competing for the first time in a senior event. The 16-year-old helped her team to a gold medal victory after three hard fought rounds.
Alongside partner and team mate Andrew McLachlan, Rebecca retained the British junior title in the Pas de Deux (pairs) category and also claimed a bronze medal in the highly contested junior female individual class held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire.
The sixth former finishes the season on a high after last month being crowned Scottish junior champion in both the individual and pairs events.
As a member of the British junior team, Rebecca clinched a silver medal in Europe this summer and has now set her sights on the World Equestrian Games in 2014.
The secret to her success, she says, is hard work and never missing a day’s training.
“I started vaulting at the age of nine and there’s never been a day when I’ve not wanted to train,” she said. “As I’ve got older it’s become more challenging to balance my training with schoolwork and school sport where I’m in the first team for both hockey and netball. I’ve learnt the importance of time management and personal organisation.
“I board at school several nights a week. Boarding helps me to cope with my work. I live an hour away from school so not having to travel as much helps me to get my study done and frees me up to go home to train one night a week and at the weekend.
“There’s a lot of fitness involved in vaulting. I love both gymnastics and riding so I’m glad to have found a sport that combines the two.”
Kilgraston sixth former, Olivia Morison, is also celebrating after being chosen to take part in a prestigious national equestrian competition.
The 17-year-old has been selected to ride for the Scottish junior eventing team in the British Championships later this month at Weston Park in Shropshire.
National Schools Equestrian Association competition
At the end of September, Kilgraston girls also attended the National Schools Equestrian Association competition at Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre in Falkirk for Show Jumping and Dressage.
In Dressage, Georgina Chalmers-Gray finished on 75% with both of her horses in the novice dressage which (with the difference in the collective marks) meant that she just narrowly missed out on second place and her other horse was 5th.
Katy Allen also rode very well for 67% in the novice 24 dressage on Sunday, finishing mid table in what was a very large class.
Georgina also finished 2nd and 3rd on the open elementary section, which was a fantastic result.
The 80cm Show Jumping team of Daisy Foniciello, Zoe Niven, Daisy Galbraith and Heather Halley were 3rd out of 13 teams. The 90cm Show Jumping team of Daisy Foniciello, Zoe Niven, Katy Allen and Amber Shillington were also 3rd out of 8 teams – an all-round fantastic achievement.
The course was very tight and technical and the girls should be commended for riding so accurately. The 80cm class in particular saw many of the other schools eliminated.