The United Nations of Kilgraston
Last Thursday, girls from Kilgraston were joined by some of our guests from UWS to participate in an International Perspectives Debate on the development and maintenance of nuclear deterrents around the world. The United Nations of Kilgraston brought together delegations from India, China, UK, Mexico and Germany to communicate and defend their respective positions on nuclear armament.
Responding to questions from one another, and from the floor, representatives found areas for agreement and took constructive positions on areas of difference, showing just how much could be achieved by informed debate. Well done to Cristina Coellen, Lissie Cook, Anna Heezen, Mary Olaitan, Hannah Boyd, Alicia Babalola, Rebecca Watson, Chloe Zhang, Yustina Volskaya, Sakshi Sharma Mohan, Somya Sharma Mohan, Devyanshi Choudhary, Kaavya Gupta, Kemi Dada and Emily Gordon.
Junior Years Hockey Tour
Last Wednesday, the girls set off for their Glasgow Junior years Hockey Tour.
On Thursday, they visited the Scottish Hockey venue at Glasgow Green and met International stars Heather Howie and Karen Belch and the girls loved their chat and having their pictures taken with them.
Then it was on to play Hamilton College and the girls won 6 - 0 with goals from Flora Allen, Laura Inglis (2) and Erin MacGregor (3)
On Friday, they travelled to the Transport Museum for their visit and lunch and then played Glasgow Academy where the score was again a 6 - 0 win with the scorers Flora Allen (2), Erin MacGregor (3) and Talia Macleod (our youngest player) scoring too.
A great trip with the girls enjoying their sport and sightseeing.
Netball News
East Development Squad
India Duffy (U4) and Alex Brattesani (U5) have been selected to attend a trial for the East Development Squad next month following their outstanding play at a District Netball tournament where they both played for Perth Under 15’s. Congratulations and good luck girls!
Senior Netball Report by Rebecca Wright
The Senior Netball team played their first game last week and demonstrated great potential with strong accurate passing and good communication. The umpiring was fair and Alex Brattesani was voted player of the match. She held strong space in the circle and made some super shots! As Captain this year I am looking forward to the prospect of our journey in the Scottish Cup and the Perth and Kinross league which starts after Christmas.
Technical Theatre Workshop
Last week, Kilgraston Drama pupils enjoyed an amazing experience working alongside the Stage Management, Lighting and Sound crew at Dundee Rep.
The girls had hands-on experience of operating all these production skills on the set for August: Osage County, the Rep’s current play. It was especially exciting to have the opportunity to act out scenes from the play on the revolving set. We watched the evening performance with thirteen professional actors in the cast and saw how all the elements came together to create an unforgettable night of theatre!
Autumn Concert
Holy Name Church, Station Road, Oakley, Dunfermline KY12 8EY
Sunday 24th September 2017, 5pm
Do join us for our first concert of the term at Holy Name Church on Sunday 24th September.
Several of the girls will play/sing a solo item and the Kilgraston Chamber Choir will perform.
Music ranges from Albinoni to Beethoven and the Beatles.
Sixth Form Diocese Conference
Kilgraston School hosted the Annual Diocese of Dunkeld Catholic Schools Conference, of which three additional Catholic schools participated. These were St John’s High School, Dundee; St Paul’s High, Dundee and St John’s Academy, Perth. Over 200 pupils, a large number of teaching staff, six priests and two bishops came together as a community to discuss the fundamental issues facing young people today. Bishop Keenan was the keynote speaker, who provided a stimulating lecture on Pope John Paul II’s ‘Theology of the Body’. Bishop Keenan posed challenging questions about the human condition and the meaning of love.
The workshops, in the second part of the day, provided the opportunity for the sixth formers to share ideas with pupils from other schools, on the themes being explored.
Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) representative, Emmet Dooley, provided meaningful reflections on the sanctity of marriage.
Upper Sixth Student from Kilgraston commented:
“It was a great day and helped me to discuss some big issues with peers and students from others schools”
The day concluded with a musical performance from the pupils of St John’s High School, Perth.
All in attendance were encouraged by the inspiring conference, and the tranquil surroundings of Kilgraston Sacred Heart Chapel provided a fitting location.
Unison World School Exchange
On Monday, we were delighted to welcome back the Unison World School (UWS), India for their third annual visit to Kilgraston. This year, thirteen girls and two staff have travelled over four thousand miles to take part in the fifteen -day visit where the girls and staff will be immersed in Scottish culture, living and learning together, sharing the hopes, aspirations and challenges which they face in their respective countries.
UWS is an all-girls residential school in Dehradun, set in the foothills of the Himalayas and is ranked as number three school in India. The girls and staff will live in Kilgraston, attend lessons and visit historical, political, scientific and cultural sites. Their experience will be reciprocated in October when a group of Kilgraston pupils, the Deputy Head and Chaplain will travel to India. The Exchange Programme will continue to promote the advancement of international understanding, the dissemination of learning and the strengthening of cultural ties.
Mrs MacGinty said “It is with great pleasure that we welcome back the Unison World School to Kilgraston for their third exchange visit. After the success of last year’s visit, the staff and girls have been so looking forward to sharing our Scottish history, business, health and culture with them all. Once again, this year, we have a full itinerary for UWS so they will enjoy many excursions and events. As always, we are thoroughly looking forward to seeing and hearing their Indian dance and song. It is always a lovely experience seeing our girls welcome UWS to Kilgraston, where they form strong relationships with the girls. This year is even more special, as a number of our pupils will be visiting the Unison World School in October, staying in their residential school and being immersed in their education and culture. It is a wonderful opportunity for them and I am sure they will bring back a great deal to share with the other girls when they return.”
Art students explore Edinburgh
Last week, all Lower 5th, Upper 5th and 6th form artists went on a Study visit to Edinburgh. As a basis for drawing and visual research and in preparation for this term’s project work, the girls spent the morning at the National Museum of Scotland. In the afternoon they visited the National Galleries of Modern Art 1 & 2, where they were able to view the current exhibition, ‘True to Life / British Realist Painting in the 1920s and 1930s’ and ‘NOW’ the work of Nathan Coley and others.
What did Tatler say about us?
- Kilgraston girls are “confident and very accomplished without being smug”
- Results are impressive
- They are the only (and luckiest) school in Scotland with an Equestrian Centre
- Parents love that their daughters “form lifelong friendships with girls from across the world”
- “Unfortunately we can’t send our son there too” lamented one mother