One of our longest-serving members of staff set for retirement
At the end of this month, Kilgraston is saying a fond farewell to one of our most recognised and longest-serving members of staff, Mrs Lillian Friars, who is retiring. Lillian has worked at Kilgraston for 30 years and has seen many changes.
Lillian said: “When I first started working at Kilgraston, the Grange was just being renovated. There was no equestrian centre, it was just fields full of sheep. There was no science centre or swimming pool either. I’ve worked with five Kilgraston Heads and it has changed a lot but what hasn’t changed is the sense of family in the school.”
In 1992, Lillian initially started working in the school’s laundry which, as every pupil knows, is a vitally important role. She worked her way up and is now Housekeeping Supervisor, managing a team of ten who collectively keep our extensive school buildings – and our boarders - looking spick and span throughout the year, both in and outside of term-time.
Lillian said: “Kilgraston has been a big part of my life for so long, it’s a great place and it’s the sense of family which keeps people working here. I am looking forward to retiring though and to travelling but I will miss the food from the catering team, in particular Helen’s soups which are simply delicious.”
We wish Lillian all the best in her retirement – do send us postcards!
Kilgraston Equestrian team wins at prestigious competition
Friday 13th may be dubbed a luckless day for some but it was not unlucky for one of the Kilgraston Equestrian teams. Horses, ponies and riders headed down to Kelso for a prestigious National Schools Equestrian Association show jumping and arena eventing competition.
It took place in the grounds of the spectacular Floors Castle and the competition ran alongside Floors Castle International Horse Trials where some of the biggest and best names in equestrian were taking part.
Friday was the first day of the competition and the atmosphere crackled with anticipation with the Kilgraston riders and horses showing confidence and poise. The team of Olivia, Hannah, Phoebe and Lucy and their ponies performed outstandingly, winning the 75cm show-jumping class much to the delight of all. This now means they qualify for the National Championships which are held in Bedfordshire in October, a brilliant achievement.
Next up was the 85cm class with Melissa, Phoebe and Olivia coming third, just missing out on further qualification and Hannah, Lucy and Olivia on Beano this time coming fourth.
Saturday kicked off with the arena event, where riders jump round a course of SJ and XC fences whilst getting marked on their style as well as jumping and time faults. The 75cm team knocked a few poles putting them down into 5th place, and the 85cm team of Mellissa, Hannah, Phoebe and Olivia came 3rd, again just missing out on qualification by one place.
The girls did so well, riding in an extremely busy arena with a lot of activity around them with some fantastic results too, a huge well done to all riders and their horses.
We are thrilled and cannot wait until October.
Subject Spotlight: English at Kilgraston
Ms Hall tells us more about: English at Kilgraston
English is a subject that has at its heart discussion; Kilgraston is the place that allows discussion to flourish with the girls assertively articulating their views in an environment that encourages full participation. It is a source of pride that we do not have quiet classrooms with passive listeners. Much of the discussion arises from the sparks that literature provides us with in abundance. Advanced Higher students have delighted in discussing class divisions, the position of women and the unconventional and aspirational hope for love in marriage following their close comparative study of ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Higher students, as they do each year, relished the study of Tennesse Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ with the conflict between two characters, representing two contrasting world views, inspiring much heated debate. Blanche, the central female character, is arguably one of the finest dramatic creations that ranks alongside the likes of Lady Macbeth, and she never fails to provoke powerful reactions in our girls.
The Lower and Upper Fifth girls similarly enjoy the discussion that arises from their study of ‘Of Mice and Men’. Curley’s wife’s character is always understood by the girls who feel the injustice of her treatment keenly. Likewise, the plight of all the characters leads to in-depth and enriching discussion on race, the futility of the American Dream during the Great Depression and the enduring power of friendship. ‘Journey’s End’ also leads to great interest in WWI and it is wonderful to see the girls using their knowledge gained from History to inform their understanding of this most poignant play. Other texts studied at National 5 include ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and Ms Hall’s favourite for the philosophical debate it provokes on the nature of humankind, ‘Lord of the Flies’.
Texts in the early years of the senior school are equally academic in their rigour with the likes of ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘The Merchant of Venice’ being studied. These are mighty texts that the girls derive great enjoyment from. Pleasure in reading is central to what the English department does. Subsequently we balance these classics with modern writing that is of the highest calibre and is simply brilliant to read. Upper fourth, many of whom were staunch ‘Non-readers’ at the beginning of the year, all read and loved the thrill of ‘Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror’, wonderfully crafted short stories, written in an accessible gothic style. Lower fourth had the pleasure of Louis Sacher’s modern classic, ‘Holes’, a carefully crafted novel that plays with time and narrative perspective and yet remains a page-turner; it was eagerly devoured by the girls.
We are fortunate at Kilgraston to be able to be responsive to the reading needs of our girls. Our small classes enable us to know our pupils and their needs fully enabling us to choose texts that we know would be most suitable for them. We do love our classics and delight in making those texts accessible (many parents will certainly recognise a few that we study!) but we are not wedded to them; the needs of our girls come first and we take greater satisfaction in finding just the right text that will unlock that love of reading.
Ms Hall, Head of Kilgraston’s English Department
International Nurses’ Day
It’s 11th May 2022 which marks International Nurses’ Day and what better way to celebrate than to meet Kilgraston’s school nurse, Mrs Louise MacDonald:
“I joined Kilgraston in August 2021 from Kelvinside Academy (a day school in Glasgow) where I was nurse and part of the pastoral team there for thirteen years. As well as my professional role, I’m a Listening volunteer with Samaritan’s, doing shifts in both Perth and Ayrshire.
The Nurses role in a school has a great focus on pastoral care with an emphasis on health and wellbeing. I love contact with young people and being able to support them when they need it. It’s all about making their school experience as positive as possible, them getting the most from their time here. At a boarding school, the challenges can be different. Sometimes pupils are a long way from home and having a good support system for them is absolutely vital.
Kilgraston’s Infirmary has been renamed and now we have a Health and Wellbeing Centre, a less clinical environment with a focus on mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. With a wellbeing space now in place ,I am hoping moving forward into next session ,that some Sixth Form pupils will take on roles as Wellbeing Ambassadors and take forward one or two health initiatives each session.”
A longer length version of this will appear in the next Cor Unum, our annual school magazine. Sign up to receive your copy here.
Reception and Lower First - class trip to Discovery
Our Reception and Lower First class has been learning about some of the early expeditions to Antarctica, including Scott, Shackleton and Amundson and those nautical ‘adventurers’: pirates…arrgh. Happily Kilgraston has the fantastic Discovery Point just along the motorway so class teacher Mrs Stewart filled us in on their recent class trip:
A troupe of terrifying pirates left Kilgraston to go aboard the Discovery. We were made to scrub the decks before sitting round the Captain’s table. We were shown around the boat by Kim, who introduced us to the crew and answering a thousand questions.
We then went to a ‘discovery room’ to learn more about Captain Scott and his expeditions to Antarctica. We were able to model the clothes he and his crew would have worn, comparing them to modern day clothing.
The hungry pirates ate all their lunch and then it was quiz time round the museum and gallery.
A great day was had by all, with no-one having to climb the rigging, walk the plank or being fed to sharks!
Mrs Stewart
Kilgraston Tennis Academy - season update
Kilgraston tennis stars have done so well this term, showing amazing determination and team spirit. We’ve been so busy with coaching and matches and we would like to share with you some highlights from the last couple of weeks.
On April 28th, we had a very well-earned draw against Strathallan seniors, we were over powered by their A Team, but the youngsters in our B Team, fought incredibly hard to get a 5-4 win – which was incredible so well done to you all.
Last week we played away at Glenalmond and again it was a very close encounter, with both teams producing some fantastic tennis. Our under 14 team won overall and our under 15’s lost narrowly to a tough side so again well done on a fantastic team effort girls.
I would like to mention our Tennis Academy players - Olivia and Willow (both L4), who have been a standout doubles pair this term. They were undefeated against Strathallan under 13, under 14, seniors, St Leonards under 15 and Glenalmond under 14. It took the might of Dollar’s Senior Team (both 18 years old) to defeat Olivia and Willow who are both 13 years old and the score was so close 7-6 6-7 8-10 to Dollar. Incredible effort girls, we are so proud of you.
Our next match is against Morrison’s on Saturday 14th May at home, please come down and cheer the players on.
Billy McNeil, Kilgraston Tennis Coach
May the Fourth be with you
Kilgraston pipers celebrated International Star Wars Day, May the Fourth, in style this year. Isobel, Libby and Rhona along with piping instructor, Mr Sinclair, performed the theme tune to the best-selling film franchise on our front lawn.
Kilgraston has a thirving and diverse music department, find out more here.
Ski Trip 2022
Over Easter, PE department staff Mrs Ferry, Miss Patton and Miss Dutch took a group of pupils to Austria on the first overseas ski trip since the start of the pandemic in 2020. The group of 23 pupils and staff went to Alpendorf, in the Eastern Alps and had a fantastic time. Here Martina writes about the trip:
The 2022 ski trip was to Alpendorf, Austria, a beautiful place with amazing landscapes. During the five days we spent there, we had a range of activities. In the evenings we took part in Alpine Coaster and Bowling, which helped us get along and have fun while mixing all together.
Every day we had a buffet breakfast with many different savoury and sweet options, then every day we got a €10 voucher with which we could buy our lunch on the slopes and then we had dinner which included a soup as a starter, a main course and a dessert.
Each day we got five hours of skiing guided by instructors that taught us new skills and helped us improve while enjoying ourselves. I think it was an amazing experience that helped us create new friendships in between year groups and discover some new skills or passions for skiing or mountains.
Martina, Lower Fifth
Kilgraston’s Head Girl Team 2022-2023 announced
Appointments of Kilgraston’s much-coveted Head Girl Team, for academic year 2022/3, have been announced.
Lexie picks-up the Head Girl baton from Maria, while Jeanie and Amy will perform the Deputy roles.
Commenting on her new role, Lexie said: “We had quite a tough interview, but the new Headteacher, Mrs Davie, immediately put us at ease and was very positive and encouraging.”
The girls will start their positions in August, knowing that they have big shoes to fill: “This year’s team has been brilliant,” said Lexie, “they are all very personable and particularly great with the younger year groups.”
The Head Girl Team acts as a conduit between Senior Management and pupils, frequently suggesting ideas and representing the School on many occasions throughout the year. “Kilgraston has given me leadership skills and lots of opportunities to better myself,” said Lexie, continuing, “public speaking, inter-house debating competitions and interacting with all ages have all been invaluable. After the appointment, I felt I grew in confidence overnight, knowing that Mrs Davie put so much trust in us all.”
Lexie honed her leadership skills through both hockey and netball, being the captain of teams in both disciplines: “I love sport, playing for Perthshire Hockey and the Scotland U18 team, where I’m hoping be selected for July’s Eight Nations tournament in Spain.”
Currently having six hockey caps for Scotland, the current Lower Sixth pupil hopes to increase that number during the next few months, training hard with the Scotland Squad, at Kilgraston and at home: “The regular National Squad training is in either Glasgow or Edinburgh, which is high intensive skills training. I do fitness training at School and run in my own time.”
Kilgraston wishes the girls every success for their exciting, fulfilling and enjoyable year ahead.
You can read more about Sixth Form at Kilgraston, our outstanding exam results and our leavers’ destinations here.
Kilgraston’s Headmistress Mrs MacGinty retires
It was with much laughter and some tears that pupils and staff celebrated the end of Spring term as it marked not only the start of the Easter holidays but also the end of the Headship of Mrs MacGinty as she retires.
Mrs MacGinty has been Headmistress of Kilgraston since 2015, and came to Scotland after being Head at St Francis’ College in Hertfordshire. In the seven years as Kilgraston’s Headmistress, Mrs MacGinty has lead the school to many successes including growing the Junior Years school roll and has introduced several initiatives and policies which are close to her heart such as protecting our planet. This has seen Kilgraston be awarded our first Eco-Schools Scotland Green Flag Award.
Under Mrs MacGinty’s tenure, STEM subjects have increased in popularity with year-on-year around 60% of pupils now going onto study these typically masculine subjects at universities. Kilgraston’s academic success, for which it is well-known, continues to grow with 77% of our Higher pupils achieving a Grade A.
On her last day, the school said thank you to Mrs MacGinty, lining up for a guard of honour as she was piped into the Theatre by Mr Sinclair, the School’s piping teacher who also wrote a piece of music from the school for Mrs MacGinty, entitled ‘Mrs MacGinty’s Farewell to Kilgraston’.
The afternoon was then spent with the pupils performing a medley of tunes and skits for Mrs MacGinty before the Head Girl Team presented Mrs MacGinty with a painting of the Sacred Heart made up from the thumbprints of every pupil in the Senior School.
Mrs MacGinty is retiring with husband Frank to Lanark and is looking forward to travelling this year. We wish her all the very best in her retirement and thank her for guidance and leadership.