Perform in Perth success for Kilgraston pupils
Yolanda N came first in a large class of Xylophone players competing within the Perform in Perth Festival 2019 on Tuesday 5 March.
In addition to winning her class, Yolanda was also given a special award - “The Wilkie’s Music Shield” for most promising entrant in the Xylophone Classes. We are all delighted for you, well done Yolanda.
Jason McAuley
Head of Music at Kilgraston
In addition to Yolanda’s success, dozens of Kilgraston pupils have been competing in Perform in Perth music and speech sections, with many winning their classes. Well done to everyone who has taken part.
Full results in The Courier 12 March
Full results in The Courier 11 March
and full results in The Courier 9 March
Kilgraston Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships 2019
It was a very successful day for the Kilgraston riders with three dressage teams and one show jumping team qualifying for the NSEA riding championships with the following results –
Class 1 – Dressage winners Hannah A, Ishbel F, Lucy H and Maisie F
Class 2 – Dressage runners up Daisy N, Hetti R, Emma G and Lucy H
Class 3 – Dressage winners Daisy C, Mischa S, Ava M and Camryn W. Also runners up Flora A, Tia H and Charlotte J
Class 4 – Dressage winners Daisy C, Issie J, Jemima C and Connie W
Class 5 – Show Jumping winners Hannah A, Ishbel F, Lucy H and Olivia K
Class 8 – Show jumping runners up Daisy L, Tia H, Flora A and Poppy P
Class 9 – Show jumping 3rd placed team Daisy C, Issie J, Connie W and
Jemima C
Huge thanks go to all the competitors who took part, equestrian staff Briagha, Ruth and Charlie, Mrs Stott, Mrs Ferry, Mrs Harrison, Mrs Halliday, Mrs Lyle, Mrs Saunders, Mr Allaker, Mrs Speed and Mr McAuley who gave up time on their Sundays to help and support, we could not run such a big event without that support. Thank you also to Mrs MacGinty, Mrs McFadden, Mrs Lund and Mr Farrell for coming to support and present prizes.
Kind regards
Rachael MacLean
Equestrian Manager
Kilgraston School
The Herald - Schools need to be a ‘safe last bastion’ as social media stress rises
Catholic Universe - praise for Kilgraston in latest HMI Report
Catholic Universe - school inspection report February 28 2019
Flower power at Kilgraston
This year, yet again, our beautiful flowers popped up in their thousands, blessed by recent, unseasonably warm, weather. The grounds looked superb, with 70 families enjoying the spectacle during the afternoon of Sunday 24 February.
Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate report on Kilgraston released
Visits from these agencies (Education Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, tasked with improving the quality of the country’s education system; The Care Inspectorate is also a Scottish Government body, assessing social work and social care services, including child protection and the integration of children’s services) occur only once every eight to ten years. Inspections are extremely thorough; twelve inspectors stayed at Kilgraston, conducting a week-long investigation.
I am delighted to report that the results of this inspection can now be made public. Kilgraston has earned the much sought-after valuation of ‘very good’ in all four ‘quality indicator’ categories: Leadership of change; Learning, teaching and assessment; Raising attainment and achievement; Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
Additionally, the inspectors were so impressed with what they witnessed at our school that they have advised us that there is no need for a follow-up inspection, which is so often the case.
Having the light shone into all the corners of the business is, of course, a stressful undertaking for every member of staff. However, staff across all departments responded magnificently to the extra workload and demands made of them, prior to and during, the period of inspection. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them again for their effort as well as the pupils, who shone throughout the process.
As ever, there is no room for complacency. Kilgraston will continue to work hard to continually self-assess and implement changes and improvements. We very much appreciate that there is scope for development and always take, very seriously, points made by pupils, parents and carers and all educational bodies.
For the time being, however, I would like to leave you with some comments from the Inspectorate:
“The inspection team found the following strengths in the school’s work:
- Happy, articulate and kind children and young people who are very proud of their school. They thrive in the stimulating environment for learning, and make the most of the extensive range of enriching activities and learning experiences offered to them.
- The highly effective leadership of the headmistress in leading change and in securing improvement through self-evaluation. She is very ably supported by the senior leadership team. Their dedicated, inclusive approach is ensuring equity of opportunity for all.
- High-quality approaches to learning and teaching across the junior and senior schools, which is leading to very positive levels of attainment.
- The commitment of all staff across the school and boarding houses to creating an ethos of nurture, where children and young people feel safe, valued and respected. The goals of the Sacred Heart Network are demonstrated by all in the day-to-day life of the school.
- The successful approaches to wellbeing and inclusion which underpin the work of all. Children and young people are very well supported in school and in boarding houses. Staff work together closely to ensure the individual needs of all children and young people are met.
- The range of mutually beneficial partnerships and networks that the school has established, within the local community and beyond. The Kilgraston School community value these partnerships and go the extra mile to share their expertise and resources for the benefit of others.”
Mrs Dorothy MacGinty
Head of Kilgraston
5 February 2019
To read the full Education Scotland/ Care Inspectorate report please click here.
Bright sunshine and a busy agenda at Kilgraston’s Open Day
Visitors from around the world were greeted by the school’s impressive all-girl pipes and drums band, braving chilly temperatures to perform beautifully on the school’s front lawns.
A packed agenda started with refreshments in the school’s grand Central Hall – accompanied by a pupil string quartet - and a presentation by the Head, Mrs Dorothy MacGinty.
Prospective pupils had the opportunity to participate in lively Music, Drama and Science workshops together with tours of the school from current pupils.
During the busy morning, both prospective and current Kilgraston Fifth Form pupils attended specific Information Presentations about subject choice in Sixth Form.
Mrs MacGinty commented: “Girls were delighted to welcome all of our many visitors on Saturday and to be given the opportunity to impress upon everybody why they feel that Kilgraston is such a special place.”
Further ‘Open Afternoons’ are to be held on Friday 15 and Friday 29 March at 14:00. Please feel free to come along and join us. Registration
Kilgraston pupils playing in a string quartet in the school’s Central Hall
Pips and Drums on the front lawns taken from Central Hall
CERN, Geneva trip for L6 Physics class
Yesterday our L6 girls left for Geneva to visit CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
They arrived safely after a long journey and are looking forward to lectures and visits over the next 3 days
Horsescotland National Equestrian Awards nomination
This week we received fantastic news that both the Equestrian Team and Equestrian Manager, Rachael MacLean, have been nominated for 2 categories this year in the Horse Scotland National Equestrian Awards.
Our Equestrian team is made up of Rachael, Ruth, Charlie and Briagha who work tirelessly 365 days of the year to ensure the riders and ponies are cared for to the highest standard.
The RDA is now based at Kilgraston and we wish our team every success at the Awards ceremony.
Pictured is Buzz with the some of the Equestrian team
Fly success for Kilgraston pupil in Scottish Schools Swimming Championships
Katherine B swam two races, the 100m Fly and later the 200m Fly, in which she achieved a hard-earned bronze.
This is great news for Katherine who was representing Kilgraston and trains at the school’s pool and with her club, Perth Swim Club. In addition this success, Katherine also broke the Midland District record for the 100m Fly long course.
Director of Sport, Pauline Stott MBE said: “Katherine has developed into an outstanding swimmer and this is down to determination, dedication and focus. The training, both in the water and on the land, can at times be all-consuming and this whilst juggling her considerable Academic work at Kilgraston. She is driven to succeed and her butterfly especially is improving with every race.”
Mrs Stott continued: “I work with Katherine on a weekly basis, when we discuss handling pressure and keeping her concentration when there are distractions to ensure she is clear on her race tactics and outcomes. A star in the making and we wish her all the best.”
Commenting on her achievement, Katherine said: “This was my first time at the SSSC and I am delighted to bring home a medal. I was also thrilled to break my PB in the 100m too, taking off a second. I’m looking forward to the Bangor International meet next month when I’m doing Fly 50, 100 and 200m, Free 200 and 400m and the 200 and 400m individual medley.”
She continued: “Swimming is a tough physical and mental sport so it is vital to have a strong, dedicated team around you. It demands the right mind-set so you must be able to deal with, and bounce back from, disappointments. Mrs Stott, together with Ann Dickson from Perth Swim Club, have given me a great deal of encouragement and support. I couldn’t do it without them!”
The Brodies Scottish Schools Swimming Championships allow pupils at primary and secondary schools an opportunity to represent their school and compete to become the national school champion in a range of age groups and events. Pupils attending certain college courses are also eligible to participate in the 17 and over age group. These championships traditionally take place on the last Saturday in January in one of Scotland’s long course swimming pools.
Scotland is divided into a number of geographical areas to allow a large number of participants throughout Scotland. Each area has the choice of organising time trials or in some of the larger areas school championships. This gives areas the autonomy to choose what fits the specific needs of the many different geographical areas.
A set of qualifying standards are set by the organising committee and each area is allowed to submit a maximum of three swimmers per event provided they have acquired the set time. These trials take place between September and December and the finalists are then notified early January. Medals are awarded to the first 3 in each event and there is also an overall top performance award in each boys and girls age group. The award is based on FINA points with points being assigned based on each swimmer’s best time.
Below is a link to Katherine’s 200m Fly race – minute 39 shows Katherine in her race, while minute 48 shows her receiving the bronze medal, with the commentator mentioning her: “Good swim there and from Kilgraston” together with her “happy, smiling face!”
Katherine is pictured receiving her medal at the end of the day.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=fNdC6VRNVQ4