KILG NEWS 7.11 AWf.indd

NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2011
ZINNIE TAKES ON
THE ROB ROY
CHALLENGE
RECORD RESULTS!
Congratulations to our girls who have yet again achieved outstanding results in the national
examinations. The Lower Sixth posted a new record with an incredible 57% A grades
(95% A-C) in their Highers. Not to be outdone, the Upper Sixth achieved an excellent 54%
A grades (92% A-C) at Advanced Higher. These results will be amongst the best in Scotland
and the girls and staff deserve praise for all their hard work and their exceptional achievement.
This fantastic success gives the whole school a real boost as we start the new academic year.
BEST IN SCOTLAND
Whilst we had a fantastic year for Higher and
Advanced Higher grades, none were more
outstanding than those of Poppy Deards. Poppy
gained the top marks in the whole of Scotland
for Higher Human Biology. Her marks were better
than those of the other 4037 candidates who sat
the paper last year which really is an unbelievable
achievement. Kilgraston Biology Teacher, Mrs
Amanda O’Hear, calculated her score to around 95%
of the total mark she could have been awarded.
Poppy received an award for her achievement from
the SQA at a presentation in Stirling at the Institute
of Biology’s Annual Conference on Thursday 9th
June. Poppy also achieved 5 As at Higher and 3 As
at Advanced Higher and has received an offer of a
place to study Maths at Bath University next year.
Zinnie Hall, Upper Sixth, competed in the
gruelling Rob Roy Challenge in June through
the Highlands. The route from Drymen through
Aberfoyle and Callander and finishing at
Kenmore saw competitors running fifteen miles
before switching to a bicycle for the final forty
miles. Not only did Zinnie complete the course
in an astonishing six hours, forty-eight minutes
and thirty-three seconds, she came sixty-fifth
overall and was the seventh female competitor
to cross the finish line! Zinnie was very pleased
with her performance and said; “It was very hard
but enjoyable. I surprised myself by running the
whole way and I definitely hope to do something
longer in the future.” Congratulations to Zinnie
on her fantastic performance.
SECTOR LEADING PERFORMANCE
Kilgraston has received praise for achieving the best performance in a recent Girls School
Association analysis. Mungo Dunnett Associates carried out an in depth survey of the leading
forty-seven girls’ boarding schools in the United Kingdom. Although there has been an overall
drop in numbers in the sector, Kilgraston has bucked the trend and achieved the highest
growth rate over the last five years (50.4%). Kilgraston was one of only thirteen of the
surveyed schools to be operating boarding at full capacity.
Commenting on the survey findings, Principal, Mike Farmer said:
“I am delighted by our performance and although there are natural pressures for further growth,
we believe that we are now at the right size and we have no plans for further expansion”.
Mike Farmer, Principal
MARTIN TAYLOR OPENS NEW STUDIO
On Wednesday 18th May, award winning jazz guitarist, Dr Martin Taylor, opened our new state-ofthe-art recording studio. Dr Taylor, named recently as the best guitarist in the world by Jeff Beck, is
an internationally acclaimed jazz guitarist and his inimitable style has seen him recognised as the
world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. He has accompanied and collaborated with
musicians from many different genre including Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Bryn Terfel and Jamie
Cullum. He tours the world over, playing in packed out concert halls, and presides over the uniquely
innovative Martin Taylor Guitar Academy online.
We were very grateful that he could come and open the new recording studio which was named
after him. Girls from Upper First came to watch the opening as they have already recorded three
songs in the new studio with Director of Music, Andrew McGarva. Dr Taylor talked to the girls about
music recording and described some of his experiences from around the world before recording a
track and going to practise with our school Jazz Band. More photos on the next page...
MARTIN TAYLOR OPENS NEW STUDIO
MUSIC
It has been a very busy term for the Music
Department with some outstanding performances.
During March a number of soloists, choirs and
orchestras competed at the Perform in Perth festival
and there were successes for many involved.
In May the Prep school performed a lunchtime
concert at St John’s Kirk as part of the Perth
Festival of the Arts, with the Junior Prep Choir
and Prep Choir starting and finishing the concert.
In between these performances were solos by
Hannah Reynolds, Rebecca Hubbard, Arianna
Clark, Alice Gilyeat and Katie Reynolds. The girls
produced an excellent concert that was enjoyed by
the appreciative audience.
A very busy June for the Music department started
with a Musical and finished with a Musical. In
the first week in June the Prep school pupils
performed ‘Annie’ to very appreciative audiences.
The girls were perfect in their characters and the
performances were outstanding. With over 100
pupils on stage everyone was fully involved in this
fantastic production. The end of the month saw
the Senior school pupils perform ‘Hairspray’ to
sell-out audiences. Both of these musicals were
wonderful examples of the creative talent that is
evident throughout the school from age 5 – 18.
Between these musicals were performances at
Forgandenny Church by the school Fiddle group
under the direction of Joan Blue and the Madrigal
Group entertaining audiences in Oakley with a
Midsummer’s concert.
July will see our very own songster Stella Reilly in the
studio to produce her first EP. We successfully applied
for funding from the Youth Music Initiative to go to
a studio in Scotland and work with a professional
producer and songwriter to develop her skills and
record new songs. These should be released during
the new school year so watch this space!
Well done to all those who passed their Music
Instrumental Exams and I would like to make
special mention of Louise Morgan who gained her
Grade 8 on the flute, and Megan Leaver who also
gained her Grade 8 on the piano this year. It is a
wonderful achievement and the result of a lot of
hard work and talent.
Finally, the Music Department would like to say
a massive thank you to all of the pupils who
have worked so hard this year. You have helped
to produce some wonderful music and great
memories and deserve a restful holiday. To the
leavers we hope you will keep your musical
interests going in future, and please do come and
visit the department as it continues to grow and
develop. There is more music to be made next year
and save the date of Friday the 9th of December for
our Christmas Concert in Perth Concert Hall.
Andrew McGarva
THE HABIT
The Habit magazine has done it again, scooping
up two awards at this year’s PPA Scottish
Schools Magazine Prizes. This year’s Habit was
a Good Food special, featuring recipes and
reviews of food from all over the world. Maggie
Saunders and Leo Plaster accompanied the
editors, Georgina Futong and Clare Alexander,
to Dynamic Earth for the ceremony where
they collected their prizes for Best Design and
Layout, and also The Chairman’s Award which
was specially selected by the Chairman of the
judging panel as his favourite overall magazine
– a great honour.
The competition was incredibly stiff this year
with some fantastic entries from other schools
across Scotland. There was a lot to be learned
from the other magazines which will help
develop The Habit in years to come. Thank you
to all the girls who contributed to the success
of this year’s magazine. Your hard work has
certainly paid off.
RECENT VISIT FROM THE SACRED HEART
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL TAIPEI
On Thursday the 2nd of June forty-five pupils and two teachers
from the Sacred Heart Girls High School in Taipei, Taiwan visited
Kilgraston as part of a UK tour. They arrived early on Thursday
morning ready to experience what Scotland had to offer in
the short time they were visiting. They toured the school and
took part in a number of activities throughout the day before
watching a performance of the Prep School production of
Annie. Sister Margaret Pope also came from Aberdeen to meet
them having worked at the school in Taiwan herself.
On Friday the girls made a presentation to the
Senior school pupils and staff about their culture
and way of life in Taipei, before offering some tastyy
Taiwanese treats.
They visited Falkland Palace in the afternoon and
had a Scottish themed evening and Ceilidh to
round off their short trip.
PREP STRING DAY
Kilgraston music department recently hosted a Preparatory Schools’ String
Day on Friday 18th March 2011. In total over fifty young musicians under
the age of thirteen from a number of schools across Scotland joined staff
and pupils from Kilgraston at the event which was led by Kilgraston’s
Director of Music, Andrew McGarva.
With support from professional musicians from the world of string music
the students participated in a day-long series of rehearsals and other fun
activities concluding with a concert in front of parents and other invited
guests in Chapel. Andrew McGarva said: “Through activities like today’s
String Day children have the chance to make both music and friends.
Opportunities like this allow young musicians to develop their skills while
fun.”
also having fun.
PREP ART GALLERY
In the last week of term the Prep School created an art gallery in the
Atrium to showcase all the artwork which had been created over the
year. On show were sculptures, water colours, photographs and other
designs. Parents were sent invitations from the pupils to the opening
of the gallery. Inserted in the invitations was money designed by the
children for their parents to use to purchase their work.
SACRED HEART
INTELLECT WRITING
This year, our Sacred Heart Goal has been “A Deep Respect for Intellectual
Values”. With our sister schools in Ireland, Malta and Aberdeen, pupils from
3 to 18 years old were all invited to take part in the Sacred Heart Intellect
Writing Competition for 2010-2011. Kilgraston pupils took up the challenge,
writing essays on figures in the public eye who have used their intellect to
benefit others (Age 15+); producing eloquent speeches on the topic “Brains
are Better than Beauty” (Age 12-15) as well as engaging in creative writing
about ‘a time I did something clever’ (Age 6-9) and fictional characters who
use their intellect to solve problems (Age 9-12). It was difficult to choose
winners and runners up, but we can finally announce the results!”
Age 15+
Age 9-12
Write an essay about someone in
the public eye who has used their
intellect for the good of others.
Write a short story with a
character who uses their intellect
to solve a problem.
Winner:
Kerstin Eickhoff
Runner up: Caroline Haselier
Winner:
Lucy Haldane
Runners up: Daisy Foniciello
Scarlet Harland
Age 12-15
Write a speech on the subject of
“Brains are better than Beauty.”
You can either agree or disagree.
Age 6-9
Winner:
Grace van der Wielen
Runners up: Annabel Simpson
Claire Carey
Winner:
Ellie Stott
Runners up: Anna Maclean
Alex Brattesani
Write a story about a time when
you did something clever.
SPEECH DAY
NEW GARDEN AREA
IN NURSERY
The nursery children have been busy learning about plants and growing
various seeds in the Nursery in a new garden area. They hope to use
the beds for planting and growing fruit and vegetables. They have also
been learning about insects. A huge thank you to the Cuthill family for
providing the sleepers and helping with the compost. Thanks to all of you
who suggested where we could get compost from and for the donations
received. The children have taken full advantage of the planting area
and
an hope to continue this for
years
ye
to come. It’s fantastic to
see
se them so involved and having
so much fun with nature!
The Prep and Senior School
Distribution of Ribbons and Prizes
took place on Saturday 2nd July
2011. A day of praise and reflection
was in line for the girls after a very
busy year. The girls, smartly dressed
in kilts and sashes, arrived with
their proud parents and the Prep
ceremony got underway with a
hilarious speech from author, Robin
Pilcher. Picnics on the front lawn
preceded the Senior ceremony
which featured emotional and
reflective speeches from members
of the Upper Sixth before John
Battle, Former Minister for the
Department of Transport took to the
lectern for a thought-provoking and
memorable speech about his time
as an MP. Congratulations to all
the girls who won prizes this year
and good luck to all those leaving
Kilgraston for the last time.
LETHAM FARM
On the 3rd of May, 2O11, a group of Lower Fifth geography students
went on a trip to Letham Farm to learn about the processes of farming
and what it is like to be a farmer. Mr Cheape, the owner of the farm,
gave us a guided tour. We saw some lambs, sheep, cattle and the
odd chicken. He explained his daily routine on the farm and showed
us the differences between the old and new farm buildings. He also
told us about the passport system for each animal and how he goes
about buying new ones. It was a great day out and everyone enjoyed
themselves and learned a lot more about the topic of farming.
Zara Collings
GARDENING CLUB
This year’s Gardening Club has been held every Thursday lunchtime.
It has been regularly attended by a group of younger pupils.
Activities have included harvesting crops such as pumpkins and
runner beans.
We have also set up an indoor miniature garden and greenhouse, a
wormery and a sea monkey colony as well as painting flower pictures.
Because of the very cold start to May and June germination has
been very slow, but fortunately due to regular rain in June the
plants eventually started to grow.
Crops planted included a strawberry, carrots, beans, purple sprouting
broccoli and beetroot.
We celebrated the glory of plants by making popcorn and eating
strawberries and pineapple in an end of term party.
LOWER FIRST
RAISE CHICKS
Reception and Lower First had been incubating chicken eggs
in the last few weeks of term with great success! The chickens
hatched on the 23rd June after being in an incubator in the
classroom for 21days.The class watched them and kept the toom
at a constant temperature of 38.5°C. It has been very exciting
for the children to watch and the class had lots of visitors of all
ages. They were then moved to a run and fed egg yolks, digestive
biscuits and gravel. The chicks were often taken outside to peck
on the grass. Thanks to Millie Wilson and her Mum for giving
Lower First and Reception this opportunity.
MRS BAXTER’S 100TH CAP
AND CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE
Head of Curriculum PE, Mrs Louise Baxter, has been awarded
her 100th Senior Scottish Hockey Cap. She was presented with
a quaiche after a game against Ireland in the Celtic Cup at the
Inverclyde National Sports Centre, Largs, which saw Scotland win
1-0. The tournament is played annually between France, Ireland,
Wales and Scotland with Scotland winning the tournament
overall for the 5th successive year. Well done to Mrs Baxter on
her fantastic achievement.
Mrs Baxter also recently competed for Scotland in the
Champions Challenge in Ireland. They defeated USA, Japan and
Azerbaijan to make it into the bronze medal play-off against
Spain where they played seventy minutes to full-time, 15
minutes extra time and 12 attempts at a penalty shoot out!
KILGRASTON PUPILS
PARTICIPATE IN
NATIONAL AND
EUROPEAN
MATHEMATICAL
CHALLENGES
Kilgraston’s participation in the Junior United Kingdom
Mathematics Trust Mathematical Challenge resulted in L4 and
U4 pupils obtaining three Gold, one Silver and eight Bronze
certificates.
In the Intermediate UKMT Mathematical Challenge, L5 and U5
pupils obtained two Gold, one Silver and five Bronze certificates.
As well as this, Iona McKenzie and Manon Wells-Jesus qualified for
the European Pink Kangaroo Mathematical Challenge.
Also, in the Senior Mathematical Challenge, U6 pupils obtained
one Gold, one Silver and three Bronze certificates.
Edinburgh was our point of call when Kilgraston pupils competed
against other schools in the Senior UKMT Team Mathematical
Challenge and in the UKMT Team Mathematical Challenge.
All of our budding mathematicians may also register their interest
for the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad 2012 by visiting
www.egmo2012.org.uk
Congratulations to all girls who took part in these events.
RACE FOR LIFE
Eighty-four girls, staff and parents took part in this year’s Race for Life
which was held in Perth. Although this was not a competitive event
there were some good runners in the field but none better than our
very own Zinnie Hall who came first along with Mrs Stott being the
first member of staff over the line. Kilgraston has now raised over
£20,000 for Cancer Research UK through Race for Life.
SPORTS
DAY
Sports Day was held on Saturday the 25th
June this year and the rain just about held off
which made for a fantastic day of athletics.
A large turnout of parents and supporters
arrived early to watch Mr McGarva lead
the Kilgraston Jazz Band before the events
started at 1pm. From shot-putt and high
jump to 400m relay and the new assault
course, all the girls had the chance to
compete for a medal. Moncreiffe House once
again went into the day with a large lead
in points due to their turnout at sporting
events throughout the year. They managed
to maintain the lead to the end of the day
taking the overall House trophy.
REBECCA NORVAL
VAULTING FOR ROYALTY
Rebecca Norval has recently returned from an equestrian vaulting competition in
Massenhoven, Belgium. This was a large European event which included vaulters
from 14 European Countries, Russia and USA. She was competing for the Scottish
Equestrian Vaulting Team on their horse Tylers Kernal, under Great Britain.
The team were in 3rd place after round one of Compulsories, lifting to 2nd after the
Freestyle round, and retained 2nd behind Switzerland in the third and final round.
On the evening of Friday 27th June, Rebecca and her team were invited to Hopetoun
House, Edinburgh to perform a demonstration for HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Sunday the 8th May saw the 17th running
of the annual Kilgraston Scottish Schools
Equestrian Championships at Gleneagles
Equestrian Centre. From small beginnings
this competition has grown year on year and
on this occasion a total of 31 teams and 11
individuals, representing 22 schools from
all over Scotland competed over three age
groups for the prestigious combined training,
dressage and show jumping championships.
The 12 and under section was closely
contested, with Kilgraston’s team of Iona
Wilson, Rachel Menzies, Phoebe Reilly and
Sophie O’Neil making a great start to the
day by winning the team Showjumping, and
placing 2nd in the Dressage and Combined
Training Championships. Sophie O’Neil
with Baillie also took the Best Individual
Show Jumping for Kilgraston on a time of
21.39 seconds. Morrison’s Academy stood
both Combined Training and Dressage team
champions by just 2 points over Kilgraston
with The Mary Erskine School standing
second in the Showjumping and third in
both other sections again by just 2 points.
Individually Jessica England, with an excellent
dressage of 28.7, stood head of Arena A in
both dressage and combined training, Nicola
Broad taking the honours in Arena B.
It was Robert Gordon’s School who scored
well in the 14 years and under class
taking 1st place in the team Dressage and
Combined Training with Strathallan winning
the Show Jumping. Kilgraston came in a
SSEC 11
close third place in the Combined, less
than a point behind Strathallan. Wellington
School’s Harmen Lindsay won best overall
Show Jumper on Just Jester, Rosie Williams
taking Arena A both Combined and Dressage
on 23.9 with Amy Clark best individual in
Arena B with a score of 23.3.
The Kilgraston Senior team of Emily Ryder,
Jessica Menzies, Sienna Elles and Mhairi
Miller performed outstandingly in the 15
years and over class, winning the team
dressage and combined training with a
2nd place in the team Showjumping just
behind Strathallan. Kilgraston’s Emily
Ryder on Zippo performed brilliantly in
the Individual Showjumping class as Best
Individual taking home the Jenny Storer Cup.
RACHEL
AND JESSICA
MENZIES
Rachel and Jessica Menzies both competed
at Scotsburn one day event in Ross-shire
where Rachel placed 7th. Jessica’s young
horse wasn’t placed but competed at a
higher level, BE100, which was good for
him as he had done nothing at all when she
got him a year ago. Rachel then went on to
compete at the Oatridge one day event in
West Lothian on 11th June.
This is the 3rd year Kilgraston has retained
the cup proving the quality of talent to
come out of Kilgraston. Kilgraston’s Mhairi
Miller performed an outstanding dressage
test, posting a score of 14 to win both the
dressage and combined training titles in
Arena B. Mhairi also won her class and stood
supreme champion at the previous weeks
Scottish Schools Equestrian Extravaganza
at Ingliston House, Glasgow, a fantastic
achievement! Best Individual Combined
Training in Arena A was Alex O’Mara on Mr
Incredible for The Mary Erskine School with
Anna George for Dollar Academy taking the
individual dressage honours.
Speaking after the event, Kilgraston’s
Equestrian Manager, Kim Greig, said “This
year’s event was an extremely close contest
in all three age groups, showing the quality
and depth of talent within Scottish Schools.
We were once again delighted to welcome so
many teams and individuals to compete for
these championships with some competitors
travelling hundreds of miles to represent
their school. Kilgraston understands that
riding is a very important activity that brings
together so many young people from all
social backgrounds and as always we are
especially pleased to be associated with what
has become the major annual equestrian
event for school children in Scotland”
Official photographs from the day are
available at http://www.hoofprintsphotography.co.uk/
INTERHOUSE
SKIING
CHAMPIONSHIPS
On Friday 6th May the girls competed in the
Interhouse Skiing Championships at Midlothian Ski
Centre in Edinburgh.
The overall results were:
Under 14
1st Mary Reynolds (Kin)
2nd Claire Carey (Kin)
3rd Fenella Wright (Kin)
Under 16
1st Helen Gloistein (Kin)
2nd Alizee Magre (Arr)
3rd Olivia Morison (Kin)
17.3 secs
18.8 secs
21.1 secs
11.97 secs
12.87 secs
15.97 secs
Senior
1st Molly Cuddigan (Arr)
14.62 secs
2nd Catherine Ferguson (Mon) 14.82 secs
3rd Charlotte Von Waldburg (Arr) 15.71 secs
The winning house was Arran with a time of 78.91
seconds based on their top 5 racers with Inchcolm
and Moncrieffe in 2nd and 3rd respectively. The
overall champion for skiing – joint award – went
to Alizee Magre and Helen Gloistein with Molly
Cuddigan in third place. The championship is joint
this year due to Alizee coming 1st for Kilgraston
at the Scottish Schools Championships and Helen
winning the Interhouse Competition. Alizee came
4th in the whole of Scotland which is an amazing
achievement.
TENNIS TOURNAMENTS
On Friday 10th June and Saturday 11th June we welcomed pupils from
Craigclowan, Dollar, Fettes, Glenalmond, Morrison’s Academy, St Leonards,
Strathallan and St Margaret’s, Aberdeen to our annual Kilgraston Tennis
Tournaments.
Friday saw the Under 12 and Under 14 girls take to the courts and with over
90 competitors the scene was set for some fantastic tennis. The weather
was kind to the girls so the strawberries and cream were welcomed by all.
In the Under 12 section our Kilgraston teams of Rachel Menzies playing
with Katie Stott and Rachel Black playing with Lucy Haddow were
unfortunately beaten in the semi finals. The final was played by Appin
Mackay-Champion with Sofia Findlay from Craigclowan versus Rebecca Flett
and Nikki Morris from Morrison’s Academy. Craigclowan won the match
after a thrilling 6 – 6 draw in games and 7 – 4 on the tie break. In the
Under 14 section Beth Barlow and Rea Yellowlees made it through to the
final against Francesca Blair and Amber Patterson from Strathallan.
Strathallan went on to win the final 6 – 2.
On Saturday we welcomed the Under 16 and Seniors to the tournament
but the rain poured down all day long. However, it did not dampen the
spirits or the standard of play. In the Under 16 event Maria Uribarren
playing with Sara Forbes reached the top four but were beaten to the
final. The last two pairings were from Dollar and Glenalmond with the
eventual winners being Hannah Worsley and Sophie Williamson with a
stunning display of tennis. In the Senior event again we had one couple
through to the semi final with Zinnia Hall and Ciara Hayes losing narrowly
to the Strathallan pair. The final again turned out to be an excellent show
of determination and skill with the Dollar pairing of Rachel Mills and Ailsa
Bridges taking the title from Anastasia Veretennikova and Eugenia Ramos
from Strathallan.
Many thanks to all the staff for helping on the day and the girls who played
some fantastic tennis.
KILGRASTON HOSTS
CHARITY TENNIS
TOURNAMENT
On Thursday 16th June, Kilgraston hosted a
charity tennis tournament in aid of Save the
Children and Cystic Fibrosis. Forty-nine ladies
and one brave man played three hours of
‘Turbo Tennis’ whereby each pairing has to
win as many games as possible in twenty
minutes. The sun shone for the majority
of the day and the group enjoyed a lovely
lunch with Pimm’s to take a break before the
finals. The final was played by Judy Dallas
and Barbara Wallace against Caroline Trotter
and Fiona Wallace with Caroline and Fiona
taking the win overall. As it turns out, Fiona
is a former pupil of Kilgraston and was very
pleased to see the new sporting facilities put
to good use. The day was a great success
with a grand total of £2,700 raised from entry
fees, silent auction and raffle.
PREP HOUSE
TENNIS 2011
Results - Played indoors for the first time,
excellent play from everyone. Special
mention to Daniella Negri who played for
Osprey at the last minute.
Final scores
1st
Ptarmigan
57pts
2nd
Capercaillie
52pts
3rd
Osprey
40pts
WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY
iPRAY24
A small group of pupils have helped to
design a new sensory garden and a mural
in Moncreiffe Care Home’s outside space. It
was built to enrich the lives of the Care Home
residents and will be a lasting contribution
from Kilgraston. Manager, Norma Macleod,
said, “This was just a dull unused patio area,
but it has now been absolutely transformed.
The girls worked so hard and their efforts will
help to improve the quality of life of all the
residents here.”
In addition to this, sixth form pupils have
continued to attend Women’s Royal Voluntary
Services Tuesday lunch club. This club gives
elderly people an opportunity to meet with
friends and to remain connected to their local
communities.
Jesus once said, “For where two or three meet in
my name, I am there among them” (Matt.18:20).
Sixth form pupils have continued to volunteer
at Moncreiffe Care Home for the elderly each
Saturday and Sunday. This involves chatting,
playing games and helping in other tasks.
All of these activities help to create bonds
between the different generations within our
community.
Finally, elderly residents from the local
community have attended the preparatory
production of Annie. They thoroughly enjoyed
themselves.
For 24 hours (8am Tuesday 21st June – 8am
Wednesday 22nd June) the community at
Kilgraston took Jesus up on his offer. Small groups
of girls and staff took it in turns to spend time in
the candle-lit iPray ‘tent’ throughout the day and
all through the night. We reflected, meditated,
prayed, listened, created and wrote. Different
spaces in the tent took different themes: one
area asked us to remember victims of genocide;
another was devoted to Mary, Mother of God;
whilst a third encouraged participants to help
create wings for our Prayer Angel. The final area
provided space for people to go ‘Freestyle’ in their
prayer, with nothing more than spiritual reading
and cushions to aid them.
The effects of being in the quiet, prayerful
tent were profound. One person observed,
od s
“I feel God’s
e
presence
gly. It’s
so strongly.
elming..”
overwhelming.”
romise
e
Jesus’ promise
ds!.
still stands!.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Pupils have visited gardens of local elderly residents after the severe winter weather and helped
to restore them. This involved removing leaves, light weeding and general tidying, which the
elderly would find difficult.
A new project to promote a green corridor and improve the biodiversity in the area of the Deich
Burn path in Bridge of Earn has begun, and our pupils have helped to remove an invasive
species of plant. This is the first stage of the project and our pupils will be involved throughout.
Preparatory school and senior school pupils have also contributed to the local Brig in Bloom
competition by planting half barrels. Last year the village received awards for this and it is
hoped that they will be as successful this year with our pupils’ help.
CONFIRMATION
This term Marisa Dawes and Romy Boyd both made the Sacrament of First Holy Communion
and Confirmation. If you would like further information regarding Confirmation at Kilgraston for
your own daughter please contact Mrs Margaret McCabe.
Kilgraston, Bridge of Earn, Perth PH2 9BQ. Telephone: 01738 812257. Fax: 01738 813410
email: headoffi[email protected] www.kilgraston.com
KILGRASTON SCHOOL TRUST IS RECOGNISED AS A CHARITY: SCOTTISH CHARITY NO. 029664