Tea for thought as Kilgraston School pupils put their ideas through the strainer
Developing pupils’ understanding of the business world is very high on the School’s priority list. Mrs MacGinty, the Headmistress, said: “Kilgraston has been teaching Business Management for the last seven years,” she continued, “developing this subject the aim is to turn the School into an industry hub, becoming the go-to destination for ambitious girls looking to enter the world of business, knowing that they will be nurtured and mentored, fully developing their entrepreneurial spirit.”
Mrs Pinchbeck has caffeine virtually running through her veins. Her mother used to run the famous tearoom at Rannoch Station and, brought up in this remote location, Clare and her five siblings soon learnt the value of a good cup of tea: “I have wonderful memories of that period in my life,” she says, “I want everyone to feel a story behind the flavour when they taste one of my unique blends.”
Using this life-long knowledge Clare was delighted to share her business acumen with 70 senior school pupils: “The level of your success in business and life can be directly attributed to the quality of the goals you set,” she told girls, “Those who set clear objectives will achieve far more than the person who leaves life and business to chance.”
During the morning, pupils learnt how to identify the market they would be trying to attract, creating a successful and clearly identifiable product ‘avatar’: “Who’s our target?” they had to ask themselves. Questions like: “What’s the purpose of the tea? How does it make the consumer feel? What’s the story behind it?” All points girls had to address. The resulting consumer was a sporty, eco-conscious, successful, fun-loving women in her mid-twenties who took her tea-drinking very seriously.
Logos, branding, names and promotional ideas were then all discussed: “Girls were very engaged,” commented Clare, “They were surprised that the product didn’t start with the tea but with a business plan instead.” The girls’ wanted their tea to make drinkers feel ‘bubbly’, ‘invigorated’, ‘driven’ and ‘full of energy’. “The creative energy from the girls was amazing,” said Clare, “they just ran with it and their ideas for the brand and logo were superb.”
The idea of ‘seasonal branding’ was also floated with the tea being iced in the summer and in a Thermos during winter. “Thoroughly planning your campaign was really brought home to us,” said another pupil, “we had to think ‘where and when would our market be looking for product information?’”
Conscience marketing was another subject covered, with the environmental credentials of packaging very high in pupils’ minds: “We want to make this a ‘future-proof’ product, one that can be bought with a clear conscience,” said another young business mind.
The girls’ ideas will now be presented to professional designers, branding experts and a master tea-blender with several options for the final product being put to the girls within the next few weeks. “It’s so exciting,” said one fifteen year old, “the planning process has been really eye-opening and to think that we will have our own unique blend of tea and be able to say that we had the idea and marketed it, is such a great opportunity.”
Clare told girls how she had moved from running hotels to her real love of tea-blending and marketing in 2010 when the opportunity to buy the Tearoom in Pitlochry came along: “The time was just right. Be open to chances that come your way, don’t be afraid to have confidence.”
Girls put their minds to the story behind the flavour learning that Hettie’s Teas make you really feel something: “Rocky’s Rainbow was named after a favourite horse who passed away,” said Clare, “It’s a lighter tea, full of chamomile, designed for younger palettes; every tea should be a cup of atmosphere.”
At the School, it’s not just older girls who are getting the chance to demonstrate the entrepreneurial flair: “Juniors run cake, craft and art enterprise projects, selling them every Friday morning,” says Mrs MacGinty, “And a ‘Dragon’s Apprentice’ programme for Firth Formers in well underway, combining elements of the two popular enterprise-based TV shows, ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Dragon’s Den’”.
Later this month, Kilgraston’s Women and Business programme is welcoming a feature writer from a national newspaper and tax specialists from Edinburgh firm, Saffery Champness.
Independent Education Today’s coverage of Kilgraston’s inaugural Women and Business event
Perthshire Advertiser reporting on the collaboration with the Kilgraston School, Hettie’s Tea & T’Go Creative’s unique tea blend.
Mrs Muller chats about her new role at the School
““Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about her.” So said Urie Bronfenbrenner, the eminent, Russian-born, American psychologist.
I think this is an excellent maxim and one to which I strongly adhere. I try to be that ‘irrationally crazy’ adult to every child in my care, believing in their potential, encouraging them to be the best that they can be in every area of their development.
Boarding staff work as a collegiate, looking after all the girls from age eight to eighteen. Being a good role model is vital; we are all very aware that we need to lead by example. Displaying kindness, patience, respect, flexibility and a good sense of humour, with lots of recognition and praise, ensures that Boarding is always enjoyable.
I love spending time with the girls after a busy school day, providing support, being alert to any concerns, as well as celebrating their daily successes. It is important to me that all of the girls are always happy and achieve their full potential.
I live on site, so am very accessible to the girls. When they live at the School - or stay on a flexible arrangement, giving a great balance of family and school time - they can make use of the School’s extensive facilities. In the evenings, there is lots of coming and going with different activities and sports. Afterwards, the boarding houses seem to relax and unwind. Everyone has studying to do but there is always someone on hand to offer assistance.
Cooking is a particularly popular activity, on many nights the smell of warm bread or cakes permeates the houses. Other evenings are spent in the Art Department doing crafts and design, or outside taking part in team activities.
Weekends in boarding are extra special as we discover Scotland during day trips. Castles are one of the girls’ favourite – after all, we have a lot of amazing history here – as are museums, like Dundee’s new V&Q. I’ll often accompany them to the theatre in Edinburgh or Glasgow or, from Fifth Form onwards, they can go to Perth’s cinema on their own.
Boarding is definitely busy, always varied, but with an underlying sense of rhythm and routine. Sunday brunch is probably the most popular meal of the week and sets the girls up for various activities like hikes, ice skating, trampolining and cycling.
Working in boarding is a great privilege. Watching the girls settle, develop, mature, make friends, it’s so rewarding. They’re all happy, caring, independent, accomplished, articulate and kind. I’m very proud of each and every one of them!”
A message from Mrs MacGinty at the start of the new academic year
“Kilgraston’s new Head Girl recently reflected on her arrival at the School: “Suddenly there was a whole new world to explore. I hope I can make the most of every moment of this year before I go on to the next stage of my journey.”
Making the most of every moment is indeed what our community is all about.
As this new academic year unfolds, I feel the familiar tingle of excitement, anticipation and yes, admittedly, slight nerves, about our journey ahead.
Like every adventure, planning is the key: ‘Have I packed the right equipment?’, ‘Did I remember to call that person?’, ‘Am I clear about the destination?’ and so on. Not every obstacle can be anticipated!
Just as vital is the ability to embrace new opportunities and challenges on the road ahead and these unknown quantities are what still give me such a thrill as we embark on the new academic year.
Your road ahead may well take an unexpected turn; learning to assess and explore are the essential qualities we instil in all pupils at Kilgraston.
Like a parachute, your mind only works when it is open. This is a good adage for everyone to remember; pupils, staff and even someone like myself who has been in the profession for many years.
Looking forward, evolving and developing new skills are all tasks that make me hungry for life. Meeting the needs of an ever-changing workplace is a constant challenge for those educating future generations; the statement: “Your career has probably not even been invented yet,” is often quoted and for a large percentage of pupils, it’s probably very accurate.
One’s road ahead is not an exact science but preparing well really is an essential foundation. Accordingly, I am delighted to announce that Kilgraston’s extensive Women and Business programme begins this month.
This initiative will involve an on-going schedule of high-profile industry experts visiting the School, sharing their experience and advice with senior pupils and giving valuable, first-hand, insight into front-line business. Additionally, useful links to the working arena will be created and who knows where these could lead. Always be open to opportunity.
Employers and universities are increasingly taking a holistic approach to the individual. One university admissions officer commented that: “It’s not enough just to be smart at top universities. Students must also show that they’ll be good classmates and community builders.”
Experience and so-called ‘soft skills’ can, these days, be on a par with hard-nosed academic qualifications; therefore, developing the whole character is an essential piece of equipment to have on your kit list.
Kilgraston recognises and nurtures these key personality ingredients. Recruiting additional members to our Outdoor Education team has ensured that we will be even better equipped for the coming year, regularly requiring girls to push their personal boundaries and explore the unexpected, in tandem with academic rigour.
As we set off together along the path through the new school year, let me wish each and every one of you a very ‘safe journey’. Remember to look where you have been, as well as to where you are heading, and don’t be afraid to stop and ask for directions if you need them!”
Mrs MacGinty
August 28 2019
Superb exam results achieved by Kilgraston
“I could not be more proud of the pupils and staff who have worked so hard to achieve these impressive results,” said Head of Kilgraston, Mrs MacGinty, “Equipping our student-body with superb grades, from which to launch the next exciting chapter of their young lives’, is our whole focus and today has been the realisation of that pursuit.”
Advanced Highers and Highers witness an impressive 60% at A Grade and National Fives 66.4%, at the same mark.
“Additional tracking and monitoring and continual academic rigour has been applied throughout this year and, while tough, has yielded excellent results,” said Mrs MacGinty.
Particularly strong this year are STEM results with Maths Higher achieving 75% at A Grade and Advanced Higher Maths 100% at A/B Grade.
Higher Chemistry also punched above its weight with 88% A/B Grades being achieved; Advanced Higher Chemistry saw 83% at A/B Grade. Physics Higher achieved 82% at A Grade: “Kilgraston is bucking the national trend of STEM subjects with 63% of pupils pursuing a university course in that topic, representing a hefty 22% in subject uptake. We have invested heavily in this area and are delighted to see pupils head-off to their chosen subjects of medicine, engineering, paramedics and bio-scientists, among many others,” said Mrs MacGinty.
Geography Higher also swept the board with 90% A/B being achieved. Music was another success story with 100% A/B at Nat Five, Higher and Advanced Higher. History achieved 86% A/B at Higher level. RMPS achieved 100% A/B at Higher level.
The Advanced Higher results were 60% at A grade, 88% A/B and 96% A/C. The Higher A/C pass rate was 93% with 60% at A grade and 79% A/B grade. 40% of pupils gained 4 or 5 A grades.
However, the School is very aware that strong exam performance, while thrilling, is only the springboard to greater achievement: “Life is a competitive arena,” continues Mrs MacGinty, “we are very aware that we must be constantly striving to better ourselves. High standards and full commitment are a prerequisite at Kilgraston and we shall enter the new academic year with even more energy and enthusiasm for the future challenges. For now though, well done everyone.”
RESULTS IN FULL
ADVANCED HIGHER (U6)
Percentage with:
Grade A 60%
Grade A-B 88%
Grade A-C 96%
HIGHER (L6)
Percentage with:
Grade A 60%
Grade A-B 79%
Grade A-C 93%
NATIONAL 5 (U5)
Percentage with:
Grade A 66.4%
Grade A-B 84.3%
Grade A-C 96.4%
Results day - the highs and the lows and how to handle them, by Mrs MacGinty in TES
READ THE FULL ARTICLE… Results day - the highs and the lows and how to handle them, by Mrs MacGinty in TES
The Times newspaper picks up story highlighted by Kilgraston’s English Department
Shockingly, during the research for this project, English teacher Mrs Saunders discovered that nearly 50% of birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s various works are currently on the RSPBs endangered list.
Of the 64 species cited by the Bard, in over 600 references, 29 are highlighted. This sad fact was picked up by The Times newspaper, which ran the story on Saturday 29 June 2019…
CHAS receive cheque from Kilgraston School
The money was raised by pupils who donated funds during their recent ‘Wear it again’ vintage clothing day, when everyone had to don outfits over ten years’ old, highlighting the huge environmental impact of so-called ‘fast fashion’.
Receiving the cheque, Laura commented: “Thank you so much to everyone at Kilgraston School and a special thanks to Carla for suggesting CHAS. We greatly appreciate the donation.”
Sixth-Form pupil Carla is Kilgraston’s ambassador for CHAS and a volunteer with the charity. One of the main purposes of her role is to help others understand how the charity works and what it means to those involved.
Commenting on her involvement with the charity, she said: “Sick children and their families can stay in hospices to receive support with their conditions and focus on the quality of their life, however long or short that may be.” Carla continued: “Many of these children may not have a lot of time left in their life, so the primary focus of the hospice is to help these children to live each day to the full - CHAS is dedicated to giving the children the opportunities to create treasured memories.”
For over twenty years CHAS has been offering a full family support service for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions at their two centres in Balloch and Kinross. This service includes palliative care, family respite and support – through hospices, homecare services and hospital presence.
Pictured: (l-r) Connie Walker, CHAS Support Care Team member; Carla R, Kilgraston pupil; Laura Campbell, CHAS Senior Community Fundraiser outside Kilgraston School receiving cheque for the amount £206.89 raised by pupils during their ‘Wear it again’ vintage clothes day in May.
International recognition for Kilgraston
Commenting on the awards, Head of Kilgraston, Mrs Dorothy MacGinty, said: “It is always thrilling to have our School’s hard work and dedication officially recognised. Through a broad and varied curriculum, Kilgraston prepares girls for whichever route they wish to pursue having left senior school.”
It is now widely recognised that by 2030, 85% of the jobs in which today’s learners will be employed, will not yet have been invented. Therefore, preparing young minds to be versatile and resilient for this type of future takes a number of caring and skilled professionals operating in a myriad of disciplines.
Private Education & Development Awards 2019 commends and award the efforts of all institutions, organisations and agencies who make the education of our societies their priority.
Discussing the success of their winners, Edward Faulkner, Awards Coordinator commented: “From early learning, to adult education, all who make quantitative and qualitative contributions to this vital sector are recognised through this awards programme. I am proud to offer all of my winners my congratulations and best wishes for the future.”
Splish splash through a watery international dash!
Competing in ‘big water’ for the first time, Bridget managed a creditable 10th - in the biggest canoe slalom series - among a very strong field, gaining valuable experience training at this world-class event.
Well done to Bridget.
Head over heels success
Despite badly turning her ankle only eleven days beforehand (also the night before she appeared as ‘Scarecrow’ in the School’s end-of-term production, The Wizard of Oz) and undergoing intensive physiotherapy, Melissa was determined to take part, demonstrating incredible determination and grit!
The sport of Tumbling is a gymnastics sporting discipline. Skills of artistic gymnastics, combined with those of trampolining, are needed. Frequently the sport is performed on a 25-meter-long spring track. Originally, tumbling was for entertainment purposes only, but it has now progressed to a fully recognised, codified, regulated and judged sport using standardised special acrobatic equipment.
Director of Sport at Kilgraston, Pauline Stott MBE, said: “This is a terrific achievement for Melissa, especially considering she has only been competing in the sport for such a short time; to have risen so far up the ranks, in addition to combining it with her equestrian pursuits, is of great credit to her.”
Competing in the 11-12 age group level 2 section, Melissa qualified for the competition in March when she won a silver medal in Perth. Only silver and gold winners qualified for National Regional Championships.
There were 24 in her round at the weekend; she scored 77.87 coming 19th, with the winner achieving 81.62 – a tight competition indeed.
Very well done from all at Kilgraston School.