Kilgraston Junior Years’ show - ‘Aladdin’
Magical Moments: Kilgraston Junior Years’ Show - ‘Aladdin’
The lights dimmed, the curtains opened, and Kilgraston’s Junior Years transported us to the enchanting world of Agrabah with their spectacular production of Aladdin. Over three unforgettable days, our talented young performers captivated audiences with their incredible acting, singing, and dancing.
From the moment the marketplace opened the show, the stage came alive with vibrant costumes, a clever set design, energetic performances and an inventive flying magic carpet. Each pupil brought their character to life with such enthusiasm and skill, making the story of ‘Aladdin; and his magical adventures truly unforgettable.
The excitement began on Wednesday when we had the pleasure of welcoming P5 pupils from Dunbarney Primary School to enjoy the show. It was heart-warming to extend our hospitality to a neighbouring school and see our young performers shine in front of a new audience. The sense of community and mutual support was palpable, adding an extra layer of joy to the event.
The production was a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our pupils and staff. From the stunning choreography to the flawless chorus numbers, every aspect of the show was a reflection of the creativity and commitment that defines Kilgraston. Special thanks to the teachers and parents who supported the pupils every step of the way.
As the final curtain fell, the applause and cheers echoed through the hall, marking the end of a successful run. The smiles on the faces of our young actors said it all – they had not only entertained but also learned and grown through this experience.
Thank you to everyone who made the Junior Years’ production of ‘Aladdin’ a resounding success. Your support and enthusiasm are what make Kilgraston such a special place.
Junior Years Summer Show 2023 - ‘Annie’
The Junior Years’ pupils have been working hard on the production of ‘Annie Jr.’ We have been performing this week and the experience has been fantastic. The rehearsal process has been busy but amazing. It all started in February with auditions and casting. Soon after that the preparation started with blocking the first scene and creating the choreography for ‘It’s The Hard Knock Life.’ After drama rehearsals we would go to music to perfect our songs and friends would learn their solo parts and learn pitches.
On Tuesday, we started to perform it on stage and each performance has become better and better. The quick costume changes and mic changes have been mastered and everything was perfect. It is a surreal feeling to stand up on stage projecting lines and speaking into a mic doing what we all love.
The Lower Fifth have been a huge help with hair and makeup, and we are very grateful to them. Some of the hair was a bit crazy but it felt like our characters were coming to life. When we take our final bow at the end of the show it is an amazing feeling! They are all cheering for us and our show.
The whole experience has been great and I am going to miss the rehearsals and the nerves before going on stage.
Upper Third would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved who has made this production possible. A special thanks goes to Mrs Murphy and Mr Morley.
Olivia (Upper Third), May 2023
Junior Years’ Parents’ Afternoon Tea
We warmly welcomed our Junior Years’ Parents on Friday 17th March, for our charity fund-raising afternoon tea. The Junior Years Charity Committee put on a fantastic spread at an afternoon tea for their parents. This was to raise money for our chosen charity Mary’s Meals.
The pupils created bunting and decorations to transform the atrium. The afternoon tea also gave Junior Years pupils the opportunity to show their appreciation to their parents for everything they do. Parents were welcomed by Sofia playing on the violin and were invited to sit down and enjoy a delicious feast.
They were also treated to performances by our award-winning Early Years and Junior Years Choir. As it was St. Patrick’s Day, Ceola and Conall also delighted the guests with some Irish dancing. A lovely afternoon full of chatter and cake.
Junior Years Harvest Festival 2022
Each year our Junior Years Harvest Festival offers a time to reflect and encourage charity amongst our younger pupils. Ms Cooper, our Deputy Head of Junior Years, reflects on this year’s service:
As the colours start to change, we celebrate the seasons with our Harvest Assembly and are very grateful for your non-perishable food donations. A huge ‘thank you’ to the Junior Years pupils and staff for their efforts in preparing this special assembly – it’s a great pleasure to welcome parents into school again to share in this together.
Following the service all proceeds were taken to C.A.T.H. (Churches Action for The Homeless) and your generosity will bring great relief to many people less fortunate. The Junior Years Head Girl Team accompanied Trish in taking your donations directly to the charity, which is a heart-warming experience.
Junior School show 2022 review - Matilda
The Junior School show 2022 is ‘Matilda: The Musical’. After last year, when the Junior musical was recorded, it is great to be back performing live in front of an audience, and everyone has certainly taken it in their stride. You wouldn’t be able to tell that we had all been online for the last two years! The energy and enthusiasm of the young actors and actresses can’t help but make you smile.
Matilda is a fantastic choice of script; it has everything you could wish for from a musical – comedy, suspense, and of course, catchy musical numbers. The set, which was designed and created by our own stage crew was indistinguishable from a professionally made set, and really speaks to the talent and vision of our National 5 drama students. The number of people involved in pulling this off speaks to the inclusion and spirit of community within our school, with children aged five performing in the musical, to the exam years helping during the performances and coming in during study leave to assist teachers.
It is evident how much time and effort our head of Drama Mrs Murphy, and Director of Music Mr Morley, dedicated to the musical, as the acting, choreography, and singing came together at the final performance to encapsulate the work of several months of hard work. Mr Murch and Mr Stewart provided the top-notch instrumentals to accompany the scenes. The sound and lighting was carried out by Mr Pryke and a team of talented sound technicians in the making, Emma and Kaitlin, and gave a polished and professional feel to our musical.
I think we definitely have some future stars in our midst - Caitlin played the lead role of Matilda, and made us all fall for this intelligent, quirky character with her heartfelt and genuine performance. Ms. Honey, Ms. Trunchbull and the school children also gave delightful performances, showcasing vocals and acting that rivals a West End production. The entire cast was enthusiastic and shared their feeling of fun with the audience.
This was a superb production and is testament to the dedication and perseverance of our outstanding performing arts teachers, as well as the students! I feel privileged to be a part of this wonderful school community.
Isabel, Upper Sixth, Music Prefect
National Numeracy Day at Kilgraston
Our youngest pupils joined forces with schools around the world in a bid to crush a world record.
The Reception, Lower First and Upper Second classes were taking part in National Numeracy Day on 18 May. They attended a live event, watching the Times Tables Rockstars number roll at the same time. The organisation behind National Numeracy Day was aiming to get 1500 children to watch, but in fact almost 600 joined in - now confirmed as the ‘Most viewers of rolling numbers live stream on YouTube’.
The children all had to know the 5 x table and join in a dance taught to them by Strictly star, Katya Jones.
National Numeracy Day is the only day in the UK dedicated to Maths and a raft of stars joined the pupils online for the event and well done to the Kilgraston pupils who took part as well as everyone else in the UK. You did it!
Kilgraston’s Equestrian Centre discussed in outdoor learning magazine feature
Renowned national magazine, Independent School Parent, has featured Kilgraston School in its Spring 2022 Prep edition.
Increasingly, the narrative to take learning beyond the classroom is gathering traction, no less in the piece, entitled “Let’s go outside,” detailing schools with an approach that “inspires confidence, instils engagement and supports mental health.”
Kilgraston’s on-site Equestrian Centre and benefits thereof are discussed online on pages 24/25/26.
Copies of the magazine are available at main reception.
7 February 2022
Kilgraston Christmas showcase review
History will dictate that Christmas 2021 was a moment when separation, social distancing and the side-stepping of airport terminals was de rigour.
Global constraints included Austria in full lockdown - Germany following suit - Italy introducing a ‘super green pass’ and England not quite sure what it thought about the wearing of facemasks.
The very notion of zipping around the world for a spot of cultural interaction was the preserve of that rosy-cheeked chap, sporting red suit, beard and a vaccine passport recognised by every authority.
All this changed with curtain-up at Kilgraston School’s multi-cultural musical medley, ‘Christmas Around the World’.
Hosted by Perth’s magnificent Concert Hall, the entire school – from five-year-olds with vocal ranges rising and falling like those of their hem lengths – to accomplished senior pupils demonstrating orchestral prowess, took audience members on a whirl-wind tour across international time zones.
Scandinavia became our journey’s departure lounge, 16th Century ‘Gaudete’ heralding a spookily cool blue backdrop, quickly morphing to the warm glow of a Swedish summer sunset.
France was the next in-flight snack, a cheeky little ‘Noel Nouvelet’ delivered by cheeky little Junior Years’ pupils, beaming and blushing to the able direction of Director of Music, Andrew Morley.
Gathering altitude, we were off to Wales, native speakers reminding viewers the country was “very good at rugby, but even better at singing!”. Clarsach and violin tinkled like cats’ paws on Cardiff Bay, the hauntingly beautiful ‘When Christ was born of Mary free’ bringing a tingle to every spine.
Soaring above borders, next stop Austria, restrictions an unpleasant memory: “Here we are in Vienna,” trilled a native speaker, “the capital of classical music.” How lovely, there we all were, strolling aside the Danube, Kilgraston’s Junior Choir’s ‘Still, still, still’ ebbing and flowing like the great river itself.
Bang!
A bit of in-flight turbulence as we approached the States. Wind Band, full orchestra and all three choirs upped the ante with an ear-popping Christmas Medley of everyone’s favourites: “Happy holidays,” beamed a native New Yorker, “It’s time for eggnog!”
Sadly, air stewards refrained from serving alcoholic libation to the stalls, but, after a swift spot of in-flight refuelling, time to buckle-up for the rest of the ride, Caribbean beaches our next destination.
The Dominican Republic - land of festive “suckling pigs and fireworks” according to our captain - was brought to the banks of the Tay by a finger-clicking, foot-tapping Chamber Choir, knocking-out upbeat ‘Cantemos a Maria’ as if maracas were mandatory in Perthshire.
Breaking sound barriers, the same pupils demonstrated all the agility of an F-16 fighter, jetting seamlessly over the Italian Alps with ‘Hodie Christus Natus Est’, both A cappella and in native Latin.
Nosecone over the Balearics, the Instrumental Ensemble was deftly guided through Spain’s traditional carol, ‘Campana Sobre Campana,’ guitar strings plucked.
Swooping over rural England, the Senior Choir ‘Watched their Flocks by Night’ - the song-flight nearing its terminus - circling over France, where pupil soloist Hannah-Rose lit-up the skies with her spiritual ‘Oh Holy Night.’
It certainly was.
Having landed safely, caution was promptly thrown to the tail-wind with a bracing rendition of legendary Live Aid’s, ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’
Answer? Yes, they most certainly did!
Readings, in a multitude of languages, delivered with the crisp pronunciation of a British Airways pilot: full-throttle audience participation of traditional favourites, all made for a First-Class ride.
Throughout the world, many will wonder if it is indeed the season to be jolly.
But for a few short hours, at least, Christmas Around the World - Kilgraston style - was very definitely the destination of choice.
5.12.21
Kilgraston Juniors turn forensic scientists
Kilgraston Juniors Upper Second class have been exploring the topic of Crime this term.
This week the class were lucky enough to have Jon Bates from Sci-High visit the pupils in school to staged a crime for the class to solve.
In a busy day of crime-solving the class had to turn forensic scientist ,detective and finally jury to solve the case using their knowledge and understanding and our scientific skills.
There was finger print analysis, swabbing of blood from the crime scene and footprint examination. The class also examined handwriting, used chromatography, examined clothes from the suspects and compared DNA samples.
The Upper Second class had so much fun and even - after a court case in Scotties - managed to successfully solve the crime, presenting the forensic evidence and learning about the judicial system in Scotland.
What a fantastic day.
You can find out more about Kilgraston Junior School here.
Kilgraston Juniors - show and tell
They love PE and they’re fans of animals such as owls and springer spaniels. Find out what some of the Kilgraston Junior School classes have been sharing in class recently.