St George's Chronicle Magazine 2019 by St George's School, Edinburgh

2019

CHRONICLE

Contents G

Contents

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36 Student Leadership Team 2018-19

The Big Four

Head Girl Team

Introduction from Alex Hems Junior School Birthday Celebrations

Head Girl – Aurelia Houbert Deputy Head Girl – Alice Young Senior Prefect – Anna Macfarlane Head of Boarding – Jenny Ho

Aladdin’s Cave

House Captains

130 years of St George’s

Homefront Histories – Primary 4 Battlefields Trip Old Girls’ Award Winner Junior School Leadership Coastal Learning – Nursery

Argyll – Gigi Oram Buccleuch – Tilly Scott Douglas – Cara Haston Lindsay – Gemma Bole Moray – Francesca Ross Strathmore – Julia Rambukkana

The Rainforest – Primary 3

School Prefects

The Lunchtime Challenge – Remove

Olivia Bargeton, Laura Cameron, Karen Dong (and Deputy Head of Boarding), Fi Fakunle, Chloe Guijarro, Anushka Irodi, Emily Jefferson, Kiana Macpherson, Taylor May, Amber Murray, Prithi Natarajan, Ruth Neill, Lydia Rowan, Eve Scobie, Gerri Stanley, Molly Younie

Drama World of Work – Lower 4 Butterfly Facts – Primary 1 Conservation Documentaries – Primary 5 The Great Outdoors – Primary 2 Primary 6 Camp Combined Cadet Force International Exchange A Year in the Life of Houldsworth Sport Staff Leavers Valete 2019

House Captains Argyll – Jennifer Grandison Buccleuch – Jemima Walls Douglas – Ellen Forshaw Lindsay – Aidevo Eferakorho Moray – Katie Mackay Strathmore – Jemma Platt

Chronicle Team Editor: Rebecca Warren Features Editor: Tricia Lancaster

Introduction G

G Student Leadership

The Big Four Aurelia Houbert, Head Girl Being Head Girl this year has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Through my responsibilities, I have learnt many invaluable skills and life lessons that I will definitely take with me on the next stages of my life. Working with the Big Four and the Student Leadership team has been an incredible opportunity and has made this last year so memorable and special. Our year group has grown even closer together and we have many fond memories to look back on. I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and I could not have asked for a better ending to my journey here at St G’s. Alice Young, Deputy Head Girl My final year at St George’s has definitely been my favourite, and taking on the role of Deputy Head Girl has made it all the more special. Working amongst the Student Leadership Team has helped me to form strong friendships and developed my teamwork and leadership skills hugely - something I imagine will be of immense benefit as we all move on to university next year. The role has challenged me at times and I’ve learned how to balance my responsibilities alongside my academic work and extra-curricular activities. I’ve found it rewarding and it has been an honour being Deputy Head Girl this year. Upper Sixth has been such a special year. Our year group has become much closer and made lasting memories of our time at

school. I am ever grateful that I have had such a wonderful experience here at St George’s. Anna MacFarlane, Senior Prefect Taking on the role of Senior Prefect this year has been a very rewarding and enjoyable task. It has undoubtedly improved my leadership, social and time management abilities, which I know are all valuable skills that I will take with me into the next stages of my life. Planning the Sixth Form Leavers’ Ball was definitely a highlight of my year. Although it was stressful at times, it was a lot of fun having the freedom to organise this important event with all the other girls in the year. Overall, this final year has been very special and I have made memories that will last a lifetime. Jenny Ho, Head of Boarding Ive learnt so much. Although the workload could be quite demanding due to academic work, extracurricular activities and duties as Head of Boarding, I learnt how to manage my time better and to improve my communication skills. I have never felt such great sense of accomplishment especially when the boarders trust you as a role model and your hard work is being recognised by the community. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of the Student Leadership Team and this is an incredible experience that I will never forget. Aurelia, Alice, Anna and Jenny.

Letter from the Head This edition of The Chronicle is a record of a very exciting year for St George’s, our 130th birthday year. We chose to make it an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our energetic and inspiring founders, and to reflect on the way in which their values and commitment to opportunities for women and girls are expressed in the school of today. Founders’ Day on 3rd October saw the whole school enjoying Party on the Pitch together, after a day of creative thinking and cross-year collaboration. It was a great pleasure on the same day to welcome former staff, previous Heads of St George's and representatives of the Old Girls’ Association to plant trees and to lay a wreath at the grave of our first Head, Miss Mary Walker, to mark our gratitude for the work of our founders and our commitment to the school of the future. I think she would have enjoyed the challenging and creative all-

female production of The Tempest in December, the moving performance by the St George's Community Choir of Fauré’s Requiem in March and the thoughtprovoking discussions at our literary event in January, all of which you can read about in these pages. Over the course of the year we were privileged to hear from so many impressive women who gave their time to speak to girls, staff and the wider community. From sportswomen to leading scientists and journalists, their message was consistently about the importance of seizing opportunities when they come along, and recognising that very little will ever be achieved without hard work. I think that every page of this Chronicle shows that the students and staff of St George’s take that message to heart in all that they do. Alex Hems 2019

G 130th celebrations

130 years of St George’s In 2018, St George’s celebrated its 130th birthday. In the late nineteenth century, the founders of St George's School campaigned for equality in education. They believed that equality for women could be achieved only through equal opportunities in education. St George’s was set up in 1888 with the precise intention of educating young women so that they might enter Higher Education and the professions. Today our Founders' far-sighted ideas still influence the school and help to shape the way we work. Although we’re a thoroughly modern school, our Chaucerian motto is as relevant today as it has ever been and it continues to inform our values and school ethos. Trouthe & Honour, Fredom & Curteisye To celebrate our birthday, each school faculty arranged an activity that paid tribute to the ideals of our founders. The girls had a wonderful time pondering on the heritage of St George’s and reflecting that although times may have changed in many aspects of the school, its traditions still run deep. In Science, our U4s and L5s, under the guidance of a team of sixth formers, created and developed their own photographic images of inspirational women from all walks of life. After printing inverted ‘negative’ photographs, the girls added a UV-sensitive dye and left their images outside to react in the sunlight. Despite the cloudy skies, enough light managed to creep through to allow the photographs to be developed. The girls researched each woman to create a short biography that was added to her image, with the resulting posters now displayed along the science corridor. In the English department, our U5 students worked with the editorial team of Independent Women to put

together a special 130th Anniversary issue of the school's magazine. Each of our four classes were assigned a historical era - approximately 1888, 1918, 1948 and 1988. Students in each class researched their era, using materials from the school archive, as well the library and online resources, then prepared a series of articles reflecting on life in the school back then and how things have changed. Two students enjoyed a poem written by a student in 1892 about women's suffrage, and so wrote their own take on the topic: they took inspiration from their 2018 curriculum, by styling their poem (titled 'we wanna be equal') after John Cooper Clarke's 'I wanna be yours'. Other students wrote speeches considering the pros and cons of women getting the vote (after discovering, to their horror, that the school's debating society did not support suffrage!). Other classes composed a diary entry, imagining the experience of boarding students present during the Great War, and contrasted the boarding experience in 1948 with today's Houldsworth life. The class allocated 1988 reflected on the Queen's visit, interviewing our very own Miss Lancaster, who joined the school in its centenary year. The magazine even included a pair of articles summarising hockey matches against George Watson's College: one from 1909, the other from 2018! The Social Science faculty produced a ‘natural disaster’ that destroyed the school. The L5s worked in teams to construct a new school, which allowed them to look at the traditions of St George’s. They created a business plan, produced a uniform, investigated different forms of governance, and created a sustainable school building. The Art department created a panoramic photocollage of St George’s from hundreds of photos of the school taken at different times.

Head of Junior School G

G Head of Junior School

Junior School celebrates St George’s birthday Every birthday is special but when it’s your 130th birthday, it is very special indeed! Like every good birthday, our celebrations involved cake, balloons and even a bouncy castle. Florence designed a section of our birthday flag and she described the moment she found out her design had won as her “proudest memory of Junior School”. The day started in Junior School with an assembly celebrating famous, pioneering women who have made outstanding contributions in their fields throughout the past 130 years. Our Primary 5 girls chose women whom they admired and who had inspired them, from Malala to Serena Williams. Our Primary 3 girls looked ahead to their future and their

career aspirations. Our Primary 1 girls know exactly what they want to do when they grow up and were very excited to share their dreams with everyone. Each girl made their own contribution to a 130th anniversary year art exhibition. Thank-you to our wonderful staff and art teachers, who worked together to make it a memorable and fitting tribute for our birthday celebrations. We ended a fabulous day of revelries with the Party on the Pitch. Junior School girls do love a party, especially if it involves fairground games, dancing and ice cream! Here’s to the next 130 years… Sue Hay, Head of Junior School

G Feature – Aladdin’s Cave

Who let the Genie out of the bottle? Aladdin’s Cave... our school’s history through clothes, as recalled through the eyes of staff members Claudine Tate and Joelle Nicholson. Most of us will have enjoyed performances at St George’s over the years and been struck by the amazing costumes.... you may even have spotted an item of clothing you or a member of your family has donated to school yourself. Costumes make a production, and here at school there is the most amazing store of costumes and accessories, hidden away on the top floor of the main building. Many students and staff have never been inside this hallowed space but just about everyone has heard of it and it is known as Aladdin’s Cave! This amazing resource, housed in the attic, is the most magical place. Various dedicated members of staff and interested students have spent a great deal of their time and energy researching - and searching - for clothing from another era for a production and teams of wardrobe assistants have acquired valuable skills in creating, adapting and recycling costumes over the years. The clothes in Aladdin’s Cave have been donated over many years by Old Girls and staff and recycling of all sorts of garments enabled productions to shine. Amongst the endless hangers, and stored carefully in tissue paper, are authentic uniforms from both World Wars, ball gowns that would not be out of place at a Debutantes’ ball, and workwear worn by Land girls. Each area of the store tells the story of a changing society. An extensive inventory was handwritten and has been added to and amended over the years and can be read as a social history. In 1979, Claudine Tate, now retired, took on the responsibility of creating costumes for school productions. At that point, the costumes were stored under the stage of the upper school hall but in 1988, the school’s centenary year, there were so many exciting events requiring costumes, it became obvious that a new home for the costumes must be found. In that year, Claudine Tate joined a group of staff and students to discuss ways of raising funds to finance a new library in the space that was the girls’ dining room, on the top floor. She came up with the idea of mounting a wedding dress exhibition and the idea soon took off. The exhibition featured a heavily brocaded dress from the 1880s that had been donated to the school and contemporary dresses worn by three members of staff at their own weddings in 2001. So many human stories are woven into the fabric of the garments in Aladdin’s Cave: a wedding dress from 1910, again donated by an Old Girl, is stored alongside a black mourning gown, worn by the same lady after her husband was killed in the war. There is an example of utility wear, a government sponsored attempt to promote frugal use of fabric during rationing after the second world war. The ‘suit’ has the appearance of being a two piece from the front but is made of one simple piece of material at the back. There is also a

Feature – Aladdin’s Cave G dress belonging to Queen Victoria, given to the collection by Wendy Barrie, whose great grandmother was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen. Another centenary celebration event was ’That Was the Century that Was’ - a pageant that embraced the fashions of each century of the school’s existence. As Claudine Tate set about sorting the costume store, she gave each area of the attic a name: ‘Genie’ and ‘Magic’, to name but two. There have been many outstanding productions at St George’s, some with casts of hundreds, and to prepare for such a large cast, work would start in the previous academic term. The director has an idea of when the play/musical is to be set and maybe has a feeling for a theme or colour palette she/he envisages, then the wardrobe mistress sets to work, researching, sketching and exploring Aladdin’s for fabric and costumes that can be used or adapted. Once measurements have been taken, the costumes are created and sewn by a willing team of helpers, mainly staff and some senior students and parents. Productions such as “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”, “The Merry Widow”, Jean Anouilh’s “The Lark” and Smetna’s “The Bartered Bride” stand out in Claudine’s mind as productions which she particularly enjoyed designing costumes for. The detail and care that has gone into the costumes over the years is evident in the notes for a production of “The Crucible” in which the dynamic between characters was reflected by the colour of their clothes. Key characters could also be connected to one another using colour and details. From a student perspective, being involved in Aladdin’s Cave and indeed, being part of any one of the teams involved in a production, offers the opportunity for creativity in bucketloads. Inspiration for costumes and sets can come thick and fast: from a painting, for example, Klimpt was the inspiration behind the outfits worn in “The Merry Widow”. Various fans and hats, including a toreador’s, were sourced in Seville for that year’s opera, “Carmen”. Props and accessories can also be found under the eaves. Indeed, there are some unique and imaginative creations, such as moon-shaped head dresses and harps for Greek Gods and Goddesses. Productions also offer girls the chance to get involved in the design and making of costumes. Rachel Lobban, Rachel Lobban, an old girl, loved her time as assistant wardrobe mistress. Rachel went on to study textiles and now designs costumes for the theatre. Claudine shared her passion for her work on costumes over the years: “Each year on the opening night, whether it was a play or a musical, as the curtains opened, I felt the same emotion and a sense of real achievement at bringing it all together.” Joelle Nicholson, of the Chemistry department, took over the role of wardrobe mistress on Claudine’s retirement and still has the key to Aladdin’s firmly in her grasp today. Her highlights have been creating a magical world for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, producing and adapting costumes for a later production of “The Crucible” and the Lower School production of “Into The Woods”. She, too, has faced the challenges of sourcing and adapting costumes from one year to the next. In terms of recycling, the productions have shown just how far ahead School has been in terms of creativity and awareness of the environment. She has been able to share her talents and vision with many teams of students and they have thrived under the pressure and her support. So, next time you’re sitting in the audience at a performance, take a closer look at the costumes – they say so much more than you might think!

Primary 4 G

G Primary 4

Learning about WWII with Homefront Histories In February, Primary 4 enjoyed a visit from Captain Mainwaring of Homefront Histories. Captain Mainwaring prepared a wonderful range of activities and brought a vast collection of WWII artefacts for the girls, who were dressed up as very authentic evacuees. Each girl wore an identity tag and everyone enjoyed having a portrait photograph taken by Mr Fleming. The day was spent in the Futures Room until everyone took part in intensive fire training, outside in the field, on how to extinguish incendiary bombs: all hands to the pump! A few comments from the girls about this exciting day: I especially liked wearing an army jacket and looking at some of the equipment. It was great fun going round the six activity stations. Dressing up as evacuees was very special. Making nametags and identity cards was great. I loved looking at the foods on ration and all the WWII food tins. When the siren sounded we had to run to the air raid shelter. I liked looking at the old money from WWII. Defusing a bomb was great fun. Pumping the water and hosing the incendiaries was hard work!

History G

G History

Battlefields brought to life

A long bus journey full of historical information and a relaxed ferry trip was the beginning of the Battlefields experience for our group, which was soon given the name ‘The Fourth Battalion, St George’s Pals’. The school pipers set us off on a cheerful note and, while we had relatively little idea of what we had signed up for, we were in the expert hands of a group of experienced and enthusiastic tour guides and historical experts. Getting off the bus for the first time in Belgium, we were in the middle of nowhere. There was a long, flat field stretching out behind us, and a large, natural pool out in front, surrounded by the soft sounds of birds and a glorious green wall of wildlife. We were asked to stay quiet as we listened to the birdsong. It was serene. Beautiful. This was the ‘Pool of Peace’; a crater, created from an explosion on the battlefields of World War I, ten metres in diameter. The shock waves had killed dozens of soldiers who presumed themselves to be out of harm’s way. And this bomb explosion had been one of thousands. It was at this point that we recognised what we would really be in for on this ‘holiday’: an experience of

what life, and death, were like for those on the battlefields of World War I. The bus ride to the next stop was decidedly quieter. We had all begun to recognise something about the destruction that had happened here, the horrors that had occurred, and what it felt like to remember it all. Before we were able to find our way back into our easier, simpler conversations, we came upon The Messines. A beautiful church in a small town, used as a hospital in the war. We were brought to the crypt, the only part of the church that had survived both World Wars. While bombs and bullets flew outside, the crypt had been a haven to many, where they could rest and recover underground. It had also, doubtless, been a last memory for so many. The church had been held by both sides during the war; it had seen losses on both sides. We were asked to think, before condemning one side as entirely villains, that young men of many nationalities died here, and their suffering was just as horrific, regardless of the uniforms they wore. This area also prompted thoughts about the repercussions of World War I. A young Winston Churchill had fought in

History G

G History

the surrounding fields and a young Adolf Hitler had been treated in the hospital. One of the greatest horrors of the ‘war to end all wars’ was surely that a few decades later it had seemingly been forgotten and Europe was at war again. This sense of futility was mirrored in the inscription on a grave of a young man in a nearby cemetery: ‘sacrificed to the fallacy that war can end war’. We saw one photograph on a roadside signpost of the faces of the young lives that were lost. It was a signpost placed to commemorate the Christmas truce, along with a cross placed in their honour. Most look back on the famous Christmas truce with happiness and hope for the human nature of love and friendship prospering in hardship, even in a place where our humanity seemed to be buried under dead bodies. Certainly, the Fourth Battalion, St. George’s Pals, felt this too as we looked out over the field where they played, where they set aside differences and violence for a day and tried to recreate some sense of home and normality. It was beautiful that these men could

connect like that. But, in a few feeble hours they would go back to killing and dying and this one group of people playing football on Christmas day would change very little. And we felt a sense of anger - anger that they were just boys, many our own age, who didn’t know what they were getting into and had signed up to give away either their childhoods or their lives and, in another world, they might have been friends. Throughout the experience, we saw the graveyards of British, French and Belgian soldiers. Many of these were dedicated ‘To the Glorious Dead’, but yet more were to the missing. At Thiepval and at Poelkapelle we encountered tens of thousands of graves ‘Known Unto God’ and names of men whose bodies had never been recovered. In seeing these memorials to men who were never found, we were forced to confront the grief of the families - parents, partners and children - made greater by their inability to visit the resting places of their loved ones. One of the other very striking aspects of the graves we visited was their international nature. Amongst the rows of soldiers there were individual

monuments to the many Commonwealth nations and territories who had sacrificed their young men to a war even further from their shores. Yet one question persisted throughout: where were the Germans buried? I doubt we were really ready for the answer. We drove through the open, flat plains of Belgium for days before we saw a German graveyard. Langemark Cemetery was hidden in the shade of oak leaves, under the colossal trees that had been planted there to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the German army. Oaks were symbolic of the soldiers, standing tall, straight, to attention. There was a single small room, full to the ceiling of names of the One-year Volunteers – young German conscripts who delayed their full national service to study at college or university. It is a memorial to Germany’s lost generation. When we left the room, we were greeted with a graveyard that was smaller than most, and we were asked to take a walk around and look at the graves. All around this graveyard were mass graves, no single soldier in one grave as the British soldiers had

been laid to rest. Statues of German soldiers watched over the largest grave – 25,000 men. Our group spent time thinking about the problems faced after war is over: how to reconcile sides and countries, how to come to terms with loss, how to decide how to deal with the dead. So much was given for the war, and so much was lost. More than a million lives were lost in the battle of Ypres. We commemorated this in our own ceremony in the final night at the Menin Gate. We were all very moved as April played the last post, and girls lit candles and laid wreaths before leaving Ypres in silence. The Battlefields experience reminded us of the horror that war brings, and of those who sacrificed themselves so that we might live the lives we have today. In experiencing and discussing the realities of war, however, the St. George’s Pals’ Battalion collectively felt the importance of remembrance and the role it plays in keeping peace. Emily U6

English G

G Nursery

The generation game This term, some of our Nursery children had the great privilege of teaming up with the residents of Murrayfield House Care Home and an ensemble of musicians from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, in what can only be described as an incredibly moving and enchanting project. The project was one that beautifully linked the older and younger generations using the magical power of music. It was a special sight to watch as the project unfolded over a period of four weeks where both generations engaged together by singing a mixture of well-known songs and rhymes, appropriate for both age-groups. Our singing was led each week by a talented opera singer and complemented with live orchestral music. Some of our favourite songs to sing together were ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, ‘I Love a Lassie’, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’, ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ and ‘Moon River’. Each week, the room was set alight with a burst of life, colour and song as the residents and our girls collaborated and came to know one another a little better each time. The Nursery team noticed the positive effect the sessions brought to each of our girls’s personal and social development, as well as a deep sense of goodness, achievement and inclusion for all.

Moniack Mhor During the February half-term, girls from Upper 6 had a fantastic opportunity to go on a creative writing trip to Moniack Mhor, a writing centre in the Highlands of Scotland. Surrounded with nothing but wide-open space and complete tranquillity, Moniack Mhor was the perfect setting to develop creativity and with the help of an unlimited supply of tea and cake, 4 U6 girls got the chance to do just that. The trip was a mix of workshops on different forms of writing, creative alone-time and one-on-one sessions with the tutors on the trip, who were all published authors. It was an invaluable experience, especially for those taking Advanced Higher English and in the process of

completing portfolio work. The trip consisted of bonding over prose and poetry that had been composed at Moniack Mhor or extracts from our favourite authors and poets. The complete calm and thoughtfully structured workshops allowed for the creation of some pretty amazing pieces of writing, such as those describing our first memories and poetry about home. If you get the chance to go on this trip, take it! It’s a perfect opportunity for budding writers or those looking to explore their own creativity, and who wouldn’t want to do that all in an idyllic setting, sitting around a log-burning stove? Sophie, U6

“Somewhere over the rainbow way up high There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true”

Old Girls’ Award G

G Old Girls’ Award

A Letter To Poseidon

“She was once most beautiful in form, and the jealous hope of many suitors. Of all her beauties, her hair was the most beautiful – for so I learned from the one who said he had seen her. ‘Tis said that in Minerva’s temple Neptune, Lord of the Ocean, ravished her. Jove’s daughter turned away and hid her chaste eyes behind her aegis. And, that the deed might be punished as was due, she changed the gorgon’s locks to ugly snakes. And now to frighten her fear-numbed foes, she still wears upon her breast the snakes which she has made.” - Ovid, Metamorphosis book IV, pg. 235 To Poseidon, I was soft, once. Like a hazy lilac sky; skin alabasterwhite, all pomegranate stained cheeks and slender, curious fingers, flushed with girlish optimism. The world tasted honeysuckle sweet, as if summer had let out a great sigh. Her gentle breath caressing the meadows until crocuses spilled into being, their golden stamens like delicate strands of filigree beneath the amber lustre of the sunset. Wild laughs of my fellow nymphs hummed in my ears like stardust as we bathed, submerged silhouettes stark against the sapphire water, woven with threads of sunlight. The current coaxed my hair until it was a billowing mass of wheat coloured silk, petal soft (I was not lucid yet, snakes still sleeping in my core). Boldness was not my style, before; I sat silent, a girl holding the sun in her mouth. My knees were permanently mottled green-yellow-blue from kneeling, worship engulfing me like sweet perfume. I prayed as if I was Atlas, shouldering the sky, it was all I knew; the words of devotion spinning round and round like Helios’ chariot burning through the thick sky. Oh, how I long to wade through a night made of honey just once more. Feel the dense air’s warmth on my bare legs, grass tickling the soles of my feet, the gentle buzz of cicadas like a midnight hymn. I can still sense the ghost of my butterfly heartbeat, a fluttering shadow, reminding me of all the tenderness I once possessed. I will never be tender again, not after what you did. “Pretty little thing. Come on, smile for me.” Once I thought worship and love were synonymous, that I was born to feed the insatiable hunger of the gods. But I never knew love. I was only a child, not yet tempted by the dulcet whispers of Aphrodite that devoured so many nymphs. Still, I wanted love to touch me the way light plays on your skin, seep into my veins

like they were nothing more than tissue paper. I wanted a rose to be planted in my heart. Silly little girl. A violation, they called it. When you took your fingertips and felt the fragile membrane of my gossamer soul and pushed at the pulsating wall, stretching, stretching, stretching. You tore out my heart like a grape from your vineyard. Not a person at all, but a ruby sphere, ripe and yearning to be plucked, bursting with sticky juice, eager to be consumed. Still they do not dare to utter the word rape. Choosing instead to choke on its acridity, leaving it to squirm in the back of their throats as if they are somehow able to suffocate such a repugnant creature. They can’t. I ponder, sometimes, how my name would taste on the tongues of unborn generations, if not for you, Poseidon. Would their lips ooze with sugar as the syllables escaped them? Would they spit acid? Perhaps I will slip, sand through time’s fingers, a name whispered in the night, dwindling into obscurity. I can picture you now, body draped across your coral throne as you drink in my words, laughing at the woman who dares scream sea tyrant. I hope they poison you. Do not mistake my femininity for weakness. BABY HONEY PRINCESS DARLING DANGEROUS DAGGER SHARP FURY Men wax lyrical about how I was ravished in Athena’s temple, a stain left on her proud divinity like crimson wine blotching snowy linen. Justice for mankind gave me shining snakes where my curls once fell. Made my eyes drip like bloodied bullet holes and my tongue a flickering dagger… so they say. “Cursed by the very goddess she worshipped, don’t you know? That’s what happens when you spread your legs and ask for it... the dirty slut.” I laugh at the narrow-minded whisperings, how I could crush them like raspberries underfoot. Tart juice exuding from the berries, drying pink and sticky on my toes. They can’t see that a woman witnessed my desecration and made it so no man could ever have such power over me again. Athena, whose Aegis bears my contorted image. Whose grey eyes peeled back my skin until I became a mass of aching, bruised sinew. Until I became sharp-edged, female rage itself. So tell me, Poseidon, mighty Olympian, god of the

Old Girls’ Award G

G Old Girls’ Award ocean, great deity who caresses Icarus’ limp corpse as he drifts, you rapist. How does it feel to have all that power smouldering into ash? To be whittled away at until you can never touch me again, omnipotence set alight. Do you remember me? How my screams resonated? Do you remember at all? How you stripped me of my tenderness, dissolved my womanhood until all that was left were the jutting bones of a soul seeped in venom, the piano key rungs of my ribs slick with a swirling mess of sweat and bloody fingerprints. My own blood, mortal, crimson, unlike the liquid gold that throbs through your chthonic form. And I wretched and heaved and palpitations surged through me and you just kept going. That’s when I saw the ocean for what it truly is; all the death it holds, a cavernous graveyard of rotting bodies. It drowns you. My innocence has rotted like a sweetly decaying rose. Now all that is left are the thorns. Now I wear rage like a gown made of titanium velvet. Now there is fury in my lungs. Now my hair is serpents and my hipbones dagger-sharp. To face me is to burn in my wroth until all that’s left is a stony scream. Kiss me, and my lips taste of pure anger, concentrated and bitter. Everything is red red red. Curses for you escape my bright mouth like miniscule stars from the inferno raging in my womb, those children of rape. I can feel them, curdling in my belly, lurking like swallowed glugs of shrapnel, swelling, haemorrhaging. They will be born with bared teeth, chew and spit the bloody remnants of my love because when I look at them I will drown in their saltwater eyes. I pray to Athena for revenge. Ask for shoulder blades forged from gunmetal. I want to sprout wings and yank at your threads until you are strung up and swaying in the breeze. To trace the landscape of your body with a sliver of moon, ease open your taut skin until it blossoms with ichor; pooling, dripping, flowing in ribbons down my sculptures so they weep gold. Then they will have felt what it is like to be a woman stripped of her dignity. Those stupid men, who looked me in the eyes and saw their true form, reflected in my gaze, realised I was never theirs. How do you like my statues, Poseidon? They make the most exquisite garden ornaments, don’t you agree? How many times have you been cast in stone, bronze, gold? It is a strange thing, to watch flesh tarnish. Swallowing men like a lilac bruise, my gaze rendering each who dares look upon me just another addition to my museum of cold faces. I do love sharp things. I like their delicacy. How I can clutch feather

and blade, summon blushing peonies or scarlet pearls from your throat. How do you fancy your chances? I will wear you like war paint. Soon Thanatos will come for me too, and I am grinning broken glass because I have met him in the petrified gaze of every man that decorates my island home. You think you’ll get away with this, don’t you? That death will silence me. You think of women as mere playthings, conjured in clay by Prometheus’ nimble fingers for your pleasure and nothing more. How quaint. I think you have forgotten what you are without your worshippers. Humanity, who kneel at the altar and pray for the love of rapists and murderers, then scatter the rubble of their temples, ashes and dust throughout the eons. Have you seen your father recently? How’s he holding up down in Tartarus, that deathless, ticking thing? You too will fade into the chaos from which you emerged, seen for what you really are. Not long now. They will scream “POSEIDON THE RAPIST!” Tear you at the seams, tattoo your name into the stars and make the night sky your grave. Let you drift far from your ocean realm, bloodied crown blazing. Do you see bones seeped in fragility when you look at us (the human race, mortals)? We must seem so funny to you; the way sadness wells up inside us as we scatter fervent spring blossoms over the lifeless bodies of our kin. Death haunts us like a shadow. In a mayfly blink I will be gone, but not you. You will never know catharsis. I don’t think you quite understand that to be mortal means… means you can have something worth dying for, and in turn something worth living for. This is a thought I keep cupped in my palms like a tiny wriggling hummingbird. I will become a martyr for womankind. I have heard tell of a great hero whose quicksilver blade is hungry for my flesh. I am going to die, and when I do, I hope to do so cradled in the arms of every woman whose truth has been siphoned from history by the cruel power of a man. It shan’t hurt (death); it will be like a dream, my heart an empty cage, sound of wingbeats filling the air. It will feel like letting go of a fistful of sky and watching it shimmer into nothingness. Perseus is his name, my hunter. A boy of Danaë, forged from Zeus’ poisonous golden rain. Soon he will arrive and slay the foul gorgon Medusa, whose head writhes with snakes and mind with questions. And I have one for you, Poseidon.

LOOK AT ME WHEN I AM TALKING TO YOU. Who is the monster now?

Medusa Misunderstood Isobel, Lower 6, is the winner of this years Old Girls’ Award, awarded for a short story or project report completed over the summer. Here, she describes the influences behind her submission. As a seven-year-old, I was fascinated by Greek mythology. A love fuelled by the Percy Jackson novels, but beginning with Lucy Coat’s audiobook Atticus The Storyteller’s 100 Greek Myths. As I entered primary school, the heroic feats of Heracles and the etymology of the word narcissist had been burned into my brain. In high school, my love for history had moved beyond the Ancient Greeks and I had developed a penchant for more modern topics. It wasn’t until studying German in S1 that this sparked into something more. Germany’s word for story (geschichte) is identical to their word for history. Despite my unawareness of the etymology, I became offended that history was a male’s property in my language, that is was his story, not mine, nor any other woman’s. Further consideration brought to mind the lack of female historical figures I had encountered. By this point I was well aware of the saying “History is written by the victors”, but was adamant an edit was required: “History is written by the victors: men.” Therefore, retelling a well-known story from the viewpoint of a central female character instantly appealed as my OGA topic. I chose Medusa’s story due to her notorious place in legends as the foul monster that petrifies men with a mere glance. On reading Stephen Fry’s Heroes, I was elucidated to the extent of Medusa’s victimisation as a female and began to challenge conventional perception of her as a monster. I hope my creative writing will inspire a reconsideration of the how we relate legends and historical accounts, particularly to children. In Ovid’s Metamorphosis, Medusa is a beautiful woman, a devoted worshipper of the goddess

Athena. Her beauty attracted many suitors, including Poseidon, God of the Ocean. Poseidon ‘ravished’ Medusa in the temple of Athena, prompting Athena to change her into a gorgon with serpents for hair as punishment for offending her ‘chaste eyes’. Medusa’s gaze now petrified anyone who made eye contact with her. She went to live on Lesbos with her gorgon sisters until Perseus travelled on a quest to bring king Polydectes her head. Helped by Athena and Hermes, Perseus successfully decapitated Medusa, ending her ‘reign of terror’ My retelling is in the form of a letter from Medusa to her rapist, Poseidon. It aims to show a different side of Medusa, her rage a manifestation of all the fury caused by abuse to which she was subjected. It is often said that monsters are made, not born, and I want Medusa’s voice to prompt a consideration about what created her. It may have been Poseidon who raped her, but isn’t a creation of our patriarchal culture? We are the tellers of history; relating legends until they become intertwined with morality, so surely society is responsible? Nowhere is this more evident than in that Poseidon is devoid of blame for the rape, he is in fact worshipped. The sole justification for the so-called innocence of the rapist is that he is being judged by a series of stories detailing male glory. His divinity, masculinity and power are all hallmarks of a world in which women’s voices are stifled. In a way, I would also like Medusa’s words to her rapist to act as her voice in the METOO movement. Never before has the time been so fitting to raise questions about the power and wisdom of a woman rendered worthy of no more than a mere paragraph in the Metamorphosis. My Medusa is bloodthirsty and filled with rage, rage I believe justifiable due to the monstrous connotations of her name and her portrayal in a multitude of (patriarchal) legends. My piece acts as a release of every pent-up emotion Medusa doubtlessly harboured following her traumatic rape and subsequent punishment. It’s not right; how masculine power stifles the prospects of so many bright young women; I want to change that. Whilst writing, I had in mind a quote: “Someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.” (Terry Pratchett, The Wee Free Men). I hope to have spoken clearly for Medusa.

Student Leadership G

G Student Leadership

Leadership in Lower School Head Girl Being Head Girl of Lower School this year has been a really great opportunity for me and I feel that I have improved my skills, especially in writing speeches, public speaking and leadership. I have particularly enjoyed supporting all the Open Mornings and events, the speaking aspect of the role, and putting forward the ideas of my peers at meetings. Rosie

Charities Champions This year I was given the opportunity of being one of three Charities Champions of Lower School and I was honoured that I was chosen for this important role. I was involved in organising many charity events in Lower School over the course of this year. This experience has boosted my confidence in public speaking as I was involved in assemblies. It was a privilege to obtain this valuable experience of a leadership role. Sara I think that having the leadership role of Charities Champion has given me more confidence. Having the role and the responsibility that goes with it has made me a much more self-assured person. Taking part in the charity events and helping to organise them has taught me important lessons. Iona

Learning and Teaching Champion Student Voice Champion My role means I take suggestions from the students, organise Fairtrade tuck and work on building a better community in Lower School. Over the year of having this leadership role, I’ve learnt more about teamwork, communication, listening skills and working with people, which I wasn’t as good at in the beginning of the year. I’ve had to overcome many problems, for example, struggling with communication, working with other people and having a lot of responsibilities. Emerson

This year I have been lucky enough to be a Learning and Teaching Champion. I was a bit hesitant to put my name forward at first but was persuaded to do so. It has been great having a leadership role this year as I have been able to make decisions about my learning. My first task was a learning walk where I figured out which things could be improved upon in the classrooms. With my partner, we pin-pointed two things: the decoration in the classroom and the lack of reflection on good or bad work. Over the year we managed to get more displays up and we partnered with the Upper School to find out what they were doing. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to have a leadership role and hopefully it will leave a lasting impression on Lower School. Lauren

Eco Champions I have had lots of fun going to the meetings and helping our school improve the environment. I talked about Kenya in assembly as I lived there for 11 years. We adopted a baby elephant; I love elephants and I am happy that we did something to help them. I think we need to get rid of plastic, not use plastic cups and have just one water bottle each. Thanks for letting me be an Eco Champion, I loved it! Samantha This has been one of my first times of being in a position of leadership. I learnt that being a leader is harder than it looks. I had a lot of responsibility and that put me under a lot of pressure, but, overall, I would say it has been a really good experience. Alexandra

Playground Champion I have really enjoyed being a playground champion this year. Every Wednesday morning, I go to breakfast club and play with the little ones; I have made friends with a lot of them. At lunch if they see me, they come to say ‘hi!’. I have also enjoyed the responsibility of manning the stationery sale that we ran to raise money for more playground equipment. Sarah

G Student Leadership

Wellbeing Champions I really enjoyed being a Wellbeing Champion because I got to try to make Lower School a happier and more comfortable place. I liked having a Wellbeing Wall in Lower School because it had kind words on it and when people walk past it they can look at the kind words and hopefully that will give them a boost of kindness or make their day happier. As a Wellbeing Champion, we made up new rules to make sure everyone in Lower School is respectful to each other. Lindsay I’d never really taken on any leadership roles before putting myself forwards for Wellbeing Champion and it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my school career. Student welfare is something I care a lot about, and when I heard about this leadership role, it was one of the first times I’d thought ‘that’s something I want to do’. I particularly enjoyed the challenge of coming up with new ideas, and then setting the ones we chose into motion. Isla M

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House Captains To be a House Captain you have to be organised and on time to meetings. Another important quality is to be unselfish and put your House before yourself, always thinking, ‘what would my House most enjoy?’ ‘What would they want?’ Having a Vice Captain by your side is extremely helpful and often Lucy and I didn’t let our different roles determine how much responsibility we each had. She was so helpful, telling me about meetings I missed when I was ill, and I couldn’t have done it without her. The organising of events is stressful though fun, but the thing I found most enjoyable was seeing everyone smiling. When you see everyone smiling, you know that it is worth all the hard work and the build-up. I’ll be sorry to leave this role, but I am sure the next round of House Captains will experience the exact same joy next year. Mhairead

CHARLIE IRONS COACHES

Vice House Captain This has been my biggest responsibility throughout Lower School and was an amazing opportunity. It was a job that required me to be organised, focused and positive. The role was very different to what I thought it would be. I thought that I would not have very much to do, and that it would mostly be the House Captain’s job to do everything, but I discovered that it took both of us to achieve anything. We had to work well together or else nothing would work. It has been such a fun role, especially when we organised a Lower School singing event; this took so much determination to get everyone in the House motivated and excited for it. Another fun part was when we held a Junior School games morning; this was one of the best parts because it was so nice seeing them all having so much fun. Orla

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G Outdoor Learning

Coastal Learning

Outdoor Learning G Playing outdoors is an enormous part of what we do every day at St George’s Nursery. We are fortunate to have many outdoor areas within the school grounds that offer our children many opportunities to play and learn in a natural setting. We also like to extend our horizons further afield and, each week, we travel by school minibus to visit one of the local beaches. Our ‘sandy classroom’ allows us to extend our scope for the outdoors by taking our children to experience and explore the natural world in a coastal environment. Learning through open-ended play on Silverknowes beach in Cramond has been a highlight for the Little Owls and Big Owls children once again this year. Silverknowes offers a large sandy space to ignite our children’s curiosity and imagination, fostering important emotional and social development through health and well-being curriculum outcomes. We have our packed lunch from school while we are at the beach which just adds to the fun of going on an adventure with your friends. Supported by staff and developed through observation, responsive planning in the moment and extended play opportunities, our children live and learn through interactions with an abundance of natural loose parts. Going to the beach helps you work less, play more, worry less and smile more! What more could we ask for from such an excellent nursery experience! Matthew - ‘I love going to the beach on the minibus with Jamie’ Sunniva - ‘I can see snails on the rocks’ Annabeth - ‘You can see the Eiffel Tower away over there, Miss Falconer’ Jamie - ‘I like the aeroplanes and climbing on the rocks’ Alice - ‘Miss Falconer, will there be kitkats for afters, on the minibus?’ Miss Falconer - ‘By far one of the best learning experiences I have initiated, designed and led within early years education, promoting openended play opportunities, mindfulness and a sense of calm. I am extremely proud of all the children who chose to come along to Coastal Learning sessions week in week out, in all weathers, and to the amazing staff who got on board and gave it their all down by the shore at our ‘sandy classroom’... not all classrooms have four walls!”

Primary 3 G

G Primary 3

The Rainforest Rain raining weather every day

Rainforests are amazing and so interesting

Animals scurry and scuttle on the forest floor

All sorts of wild animals live in the rainforest

In dark places you find terrifying bats

In the understoreys, there are so many creatures

No sunlight squeezing through the huge trees

Nature is everywhere in the rainforest

Falling leaves from tall trees

Finally, at the end of the hot day it starts to cool down

Orangutans swing in the tree

Orangutans looking in the trees looking for food

Rainforest's stinky swamps are disgusting and slimy

Rivers in the rainforest are full of ugly, old crocodiles

Enormous trees reach up to the sunlight

Every animal in the Rainforest home is being cut down

Strong stinging leaves in the rainforests make you feel itchy

Streams are home to fish and crabs

Tarantulas crawl up in the trees.

The flowers in the Jungle are exotic and perfumed

Rainforest noises, buzzing monkeys, screeching and chattering

Rotten leaves on the wet slippery forest floor

An interesting place to explore animals

Animals hunt for their daily food and drink

Inside the rainforest it hot and humid

Investigating the rainforest animals is the most amazing thing

Noisy animals shrieking, screaming, hissing, grunting and croaking.

Nature is very colourful with brilliant plants and flowers

Fantastic big smart animals to see

Fallen leaves make a soft carpet to walk on

Oxygen is high level in the rainforest

Odd looking fruit in the rainforest

Resting animals get woken up by the soft forest sun

Rustling leaves in the deep dark forest of rain

Emergent trees have buttress roots

Enormous animals running everywhere

Steamy air sticks to the trees

Scampering animals on the forest floor

The treefrogs are brightly coloured but poisonous

Tall, thin trees in the emergent layer shoot up into the tropical sky.

Samhita Emmea Lucy Bonnie Sophie Agnes

Anthi Isla G Ava Katie Amelia Roni

Megan M Isla K Isla M Charlotte M Emily Emilie

Aarna Tabby Eva Sophia Emilia Daisy

Georgia Megan R Diya Larissa Charlotte S Helena

Olivia

St George’s Foundation G

G St George’s Foundation

Foundation Office Being part of the St George's Community means you belong to a ‘Network For Life’, supported by the Foundation Office and the Old Girls’ Association (OGA). Use the power of the network – join NETWORK St G’s to CONNECT, INTERACT and GIVE BACK.

The Foundation office supports the Old Girls’ Association (OGA) in connecting the St George’s Community. OGA members are provided with

London and Hong Kong. In future, this can expand to include more locations, groups by industry, profession or University, interest groups – the list goes on.

• access to the Foundation Network, our new online community

Over the last year, the Foundation Office has run a series of events, bringing the community together, and allowing the Network to be used for learning, empowerment – and some fun along the way.

• the Dragon Magazine, published twice yearly in Spring & Autumn, offering a glimpse into the lives of our alumnae, and a place to share news past and present. We’ve already heard of alumnae reconnecting with the school, or with old friends, as a result of reading The Dragon, which is lovely to hear. • the annual alumnae Summer Lunch, hosted on site, with a delicious lunch, drinks, tour of the school, archives display, and an opportunity to catch up with former classmates and teachers • a 10-year reunion hosted on site • a bi-annual London reunion • a Hong Kong reunion • a Dragon Mascot, a lucky talisman to take with you on your travels!

We have been proud to support the Walker Series – events involving inspirational women, named after Miss Mary Walker, one of the founders and the first headmistress of St George’s School. This included a fascinating talk by Judy Murray and Judy Dalton on Equality for Women in Sport; and a visit by broadcaster Gabby Logan who enthralled the audience with a talk on succeeding in a ‘man’s world’. Edinburgh Hub events: 10-year reunions for the Class of 2008 and 2009, and the annual Alumnae Summer Lunch; London Hub event: bi-annual reunion in June 2019; Hong Kong Hub event: alumnae drinks‘ reception, October 2018 (next one October 2019).

130th Anniversary Events • Founders’ Day tree planting (Oct 2018) • Walker Series - Judy Murray & Judy Dalton: Equality for Women in Sport (Sept 2018) • Walker Series – Gabby Logan: Making it in a Man’s World (Nov 2018) [photo from MHB] • Parents’ Ball (Jan 2019)

Edinburgh Hub • 30-year reunion – Class of 1988 (Sept 2018) • 10-year reunion – Class of 2008 (Nov 2018)

Foundation Office Activities: In January 2019, we were excited to launch the new Foundation Office website, our online community for interacting and keeping up to date with school and alumnae news and events. We are delighted to have over 500 online members already, with the number growing steadily. NETWORK St G’s exists as a club within the Foundation Office website, allowing members to CONNECT, INTERACT and GIVE BACK. As the membership grows, so too will the power of the Network. We currently have ‘hubs’ in Edinburgh,

• 130th Anniversary Parents’ Ball (Jan 2019) • 10-year reunion – Class of 2009 (May 2019) • Alumnae Summer Lunch (June 2019) • Tree planting ceremony to honour Griselda Fyfe (Class of 1954) (June 2019)

London Hub • Biannual reunion (June 2019)

Hong Kong Hub • Alumnae drinks reception (Oct 2018 & 2019)

G Remove

The Lunchtime Challenge The Lunchtime Challenge was a hard task for everyone competing. We all arrived at 9:30am so we had half an hour to set up. At 10:00am we started to cook. Some people started with making their pudding whilst others started with their main or salad. We all had a great morning but it was very competitive. Everyone managed to complete their lunch in the two hours. To judge the competition there was Chef James and Wendy Barrie. The Lunchtime Challenge wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just about how your meal looked or tasted, it was also about how you worked. We were told to keep a clean surface, which everyone did. By the end of the two hours we were all exhausted. We all took our food to

the music room where we placed it on the buffet table. Once our food was on the table, we met our parents and sat down to enjoy all the competitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; food. By the end, all the food was almost gone! Everyone was given a certificate, three recipe books, two which were made by Wendy Barrie herself, and everyone got a photograph with Chef James and Wendy Barrie. Everyone did extremely well, and the judges said it was a very tough decision to make. Everyone agreed that it was lots of fun and our cooking skills and confidence in the kitchen have definitely improved! Anna and Tabitha

G Drama

O, Wonder!

Drama G

St George’s Girls went one step further than the RSC this year and put on an all-female version of The Tempest. This was a brave new world and gender was irrelevant here – beautifully delivered verse and prose on the nature of family, free-will and colonialism, seen to great effect in Hannah’s genuinely threatening but also sympathetic Caliban, took centre stage. This was a play of flowing movement and there was real vibrance in the chorus of spirits and in Sheetal’s nimble Ariel. A believable relationship emerged in the interactions between Susie’s Prospero and Francesca’s Miranda; humour was found and expressed clearly in the lines of the sailors – not an easy feat. The idea of this play, probably Shakespeare’s last, as a parable of the Elizabethan stage and Prospero as a reflection of Shakespeare himself was explored to great effect and left a thoughtful audience after the curtain closed.

G Drama Merchiston’s musical, Beauty and the Beast, was a very different production – but equally enjoyable. Perfectly polished with attention paid to setting, props and costume, the details of this play showed it to be a true team-effort. The singing and dancing were

delivered with a great deal of enjoyment and humour made possible by real understanding of the audience and assisted ably by an excellent live band. Each spoon, oven and fish slice performed with contagious enthusiasm and a great sense of fun.

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Music G

G Music

Hitting the high notes Life in the RMC got off to a busy start with the introduction of a new annual event, the Young Musician of St George’s Competition. It was fantastic to hear the department resounding with the sounds of very focused practice in the run up to the event! The judges were extremely impressed with the high standard of all of those who entered: congratulations to winner Louise, L6, on an extremely poised performance. Continuing with the theme of competition, we were delighted that the St George’s Brass Ensemble received a Silver Award at the Scottish Concert Band Festival 2018. These excitements were followed by our usual round of Christmas Concerts and Carol Services, culminating in the annual Upper School Carols Service at St Giles’ Cathedral. March began with the ever-popular Ensemble Concert and continued with the spectacular 130th Anniversary Choral Concert at Greyfriars Kirk. A spirited performance by the Lower School Choir was followed by two very engaging smaller vocal ensembles and finally a full performance of Fauré’s Requiem by the Senior Choir, Community Choir and orchestra. We were grateful to Old Girl Lizzie Thomson and fellow Royal Northern College of Music student Liam McNally for their inspiring solo performances. This busy term was rounded off with the Senior Spring

Concert and a trip for the Senior Orchestra to hear the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and violinist Pekka Kuusisto at the Queen’s Hall. Whilst our Senior musicians were away preparing to sit their exams, the Junior and Lower School pupils were busy preparing for their Summer Concerts. As always, these were very well attended and demonstrated a huge range of musical talents. We are very grateful for the support from home that these young musicians receive; it makes such a difference to their progress! In the final weeks of term, we welcomed 60 Primary 5 students from Roseburn Primary School as part of our World Music Day. This exciting day culminated in an open workshop for parents, showcasing the learning on samba, djembe and vocal skills. Finally, we had the bittersweet Jazz Farewell and Leavers’ Recital. We took great pride in seeing how many pupils have achieved Grade 8 during their time with us: some have even reached this standard on two or more instruments! On this note, over the three very busy Associated Board and Trinity music exam periods this year we had 9 successful Grade 8 candidates and 44 girls who received excellent results in their Grade 1. A great sign that we have every reason to be very positive about the future of music here at St George’s!

Upper School G

G Nursery

Minibeasts This term, the Ducklings group of children have shown a continued interest in learning about minibeasts. Our young children enjoy digging around in the garden to find woodlice and worms, whilst others look to the sky in excitement to discover the highways of butterflies and bees. Recently a Ducklings child brought in some pictures from their own home minibeast experiment which consisted of live caterpillars growing within a cylindrical mesh net. The experiment allows children to observe the caterpillars as they grow and watch as they form their chrysalises and then hatch into butterflies. Our Ducklings children were very interested and curious about this experiment! To explain the abstract concept of metamorphosis to such young children, the Nursery practitioners have been reading ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this beautifully written and illustrated text that explains each stage of the butterfly's lifecycle. The Ducklings children have loved feeding the classroom’s cardboard caterpillar (which they helped create) each piece of food as it is mentioned in the story. The practitioners have also supported further learning by extending the children’s experiences of counting, sequencing and recalling. Here at St George’s Nursery, we love learning about animal life through first-hand experience to help children better learn and understand the world around them, while allowing them to be more connected with nature. Our minibeasts topic has been lots of fun!

Mean girls!

The Mathematics Department have had great success this session with the Scottish and UK Mathematical Challenges in both the team events and the individual challenges. Our senior team sailed through the regional heat of UK Mathematical Team Challenge competition, winning by a large margin, to qualify for the national finals in London during February. They performed exceptionally well, producing an excellent Mathematical poster and working well as a team to solve the challenging problems that were set. The girls had a brilliant day in London and we were all very proud of their achievement. In the individual UK Mathematical challenge, the girls exceeded all expectations, achieving six gold

awards and entry into the next level of the competition. One student, Alice, achieved such a high score that she was invited to attend a training camp at Trinity College, Cambridge, one of only 24 students in the country to be asked to this camp. She was also asked to join the UK Mathematical Olympiad for a girls team that participated in the European Championships in the Ukraine. The team of four performed well, coming fifth out of fifty teams. Alice also gained individual recognition and was awarded a silver medal. In the Scottish Mathematical Challenges, we had girls who participated in the Senior, Middle and Junior levels, with many achieving Gold, Silver or Bronze certificates. Well done to all the girls who took part.

Lower 4 G

G Lower 4

World of Work Sainsbury’s It would not be entirely accurate to say it was sunny. Neither would it be accurate to say it was chucking it down. It would be accurate to say the weather was experiencing a midlife crisis, and the resulting lightmedium downpour was unpleasant, but not actually cold or making people very wet. Even the weather couldn’t weigh down our spirits as we trudged to Craigleith, narrowly avoiding bicycles and dogs.

In a surprisingly short amount of time, we were at Craigleith and signing into Sainsbury’s. It was very strange going to a large Sainsbury’s early in the day, because there was nobody there aside from the staff putting baskets of food and racks of products in their different places. We were taken to the management offices, which were quite homely with big pinboards, and felt like a

big family lived there (not too dissimilar to St George’s.) We were introduced to Jemma, a manager, who told us a history of Sainsbury’s and answered our questions. We were then taken downstairs to look at the warehouse. It was big and had a set of clear double doors. The freezer there was set to -20°C. We had little time to digest this information before the door to the freezer was opened and we found out that being in close proximity to anything at -20°C isn't pleasant. The mood was lightened with a cookie from the bakery. We stuck our heads round the bakery door for the warm pleasant smell of raisins and spices to come and greet our noses and looked mournfully at the sterile industrial kitchen, wondering how such a cold environment could produce a smell that you would find in your kitchens at home. After looking at the bakery we found ourselves

facing the unpleasant prospect of taking a walk through the fridge, kept at the comfortable -5°C. It was cold there but it wasn’t windy or wet like it would be outside; even so, we were glad of walking out into the comparatively warm warehouse and after that the back door of the supermarket, which contained a complicated array of boxes and trollies which were guarded by another set of clear double doors. After the tour of the warehouse, we went to the checkouts to learn how to operate them. They were a bit like fancy self-checkouts, but they were complicated and nobody could do them quickly. That was the end of our time at Sainsbury’s, but we had a lot of fun. Imogen

Home Store On the 6th of May, a group of girls went to visit Home Store + More as part of our World Of Work day. When we first got there, we saw staff stocking the shelves and using what they call a ‘Wally’, which is a machine that helps them reach the higher shelves. The manager introduced us to the staff, told us all about the history of Home Store + More and we asked some questions we had prepared. After she answered our questions, we had a tour of the store and were told about the sections that were most popular and who watches over them. We were taken to the stock room to see how

they store stock and move it to the floor. Afterwards, we played a game where we were given five minutes and a hypothetical £50 to make up our bed for our room. Then we went to get checked out and to see who had the best bed and was closest to £50. Once we were all checked out, we went to restock the items on the shelves! When our visit was over, we were gifted a £10 gift card each, so we could come back and get some of the things that we liked when we were there! Addison

Boots About a quarter of Lower 4 went to Boots for their World of Work day. When we got there, we met one of the Boots employees, who showed us around the shop. First, we had to remove the old stock from the shelves and put it back where it had originally been. Then, we had to slot the price labels into the shelves. After that, we were given a list of products which were to be on the discount shelf. We had to take the stock from the shelves and put it on the discount shelf. Next, a pharmacist called Kirsty talked to us about the kind of work pharmacists do. She showed us how to properly package medication

and talked to us about the training needed for the role. Once we had done that, we watched a few videos about the history of Boots, which was very interesting. We found out that Boots had invented Ibuprofen and Soltan, which I don’t think anyone knew about! We also learned about the man who had founded Boots, and the ethos of the company. Finally, the Boots employees were very generous and gave us each a bag with two different kinds of perfume! We were all extremely grateful for the work experience, and the gifts! Clara

Upper School G

G Lower 4

Forth Road Bridge We visited the Forth Bridges education centre, where we learned a lot about engineering and how to build bridges. We worked in groups to do a problem-solving task, which was great to get our minds going. After that, half of the group walked over the Forth Road bridge whilst the other half of the group did a bridge building challenge. To make the bridges, we used big sets with poles and connectors. Our task was to design and build our own bridges in 17 minutes. Building the bridge was so much fun because we got to work as a team and be

creative. Afterwards, each team had to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their bridge and their teamwork. Two of the main things we learned on this trip were that we have all been engineers before, even though we might not realise it, such as when we solve problems. The other thing we learned was that a bridge is weakest in the middle, so that is where it needs the most support. Lucy and Charlotte

Leonardoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On World of Work day, a group of 15 Lower 4 girls visited a global company called Leonardo. When we arrived, we were given escort passes and went to a conference room where we met our host, Allan Colquhoun. Allan had invited people who were apprentices or graduates and those people told us about themselves, including what they were interested in when they were our age, any difficulties they found during their journey, which department they work in and which project they are currently working on. The main thing their projects are based on are lasers and radar. For example, if a missile that is heat-censored came toward a plane, the laser would flash on it so the missile will get confused and it will go the other direction. For radar, they will put one on a ship so they can find people during searches and rescues. We were then split up in two groups and given a

tour of the building. They showed us the labs and told us that sometimes they must wear full body suits, hair nets and if they have a beard, beard nets! This is because the lenses that they are making for the lasers are super sensitive, so a single hair can destroy the entire lens! We also got to see models of radars and lasers. On the final floor, we saw a display of 70 years of Leonardoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. It was extremely fascinating seeing all those inventions through the ages. We came to a stop in the canteen where they said that we could get anything we liked. We then made our way to the conference room where we asked any final questions and said thank you and goodbye to our amazing host. Overall, we had an amazing time and learned a lot of fascinating facts and gained useful knowledge. Anaysa

TIGER! Pride, fury and anguish; the striking golden beast preys on the vulnerable. The sword-like whiskers and claws tear ambition straight from those who fear it, purging the savannah of the weak, enabling such creatures of obscure monstrosity to roam - superior. I live in fear, sharing a habitat with a beast far more powerful than me. The serene blue skies are polluted by dark and powerful fear. I am but brittle and bone, a carnivorous object for a beauteous jungle delicacy to devour. Swimming in the pool of desire in the beast`s eye, I bend my frail neck to ingest water. I am a gazelle. Poachers long for the idea of horns which embody me, to lie on the mantlepiece of their newly sculpted fireplaces. I am hunted. I am prey. Ruby, U5

G St George's Community

St George's Community G

Timeline A timeline celebrating St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich history was installed alongside reception. It chronicles the people and events that have shaped St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over the last 130 years.

Young Enterprise G

G Young Enterprise

Young Enterprise The Young Enterprise Teams start setting up their companies in August and close down at the end of March. Every new company must deal with choosing directors, deciding on product ideas, selling at various school events and fairs, sitting an examination, writing a report, being interviewed and making a video and a presentation. There are prizes to be won at both the Young Enterprise Christmas Market in December and the final Awards Ceremony in March. This work can be hard at times but the rewards they reap make it all worthwhile. This is not only in financial terms as they can also develop new friendships, learn how a business works and maybe even have some fun. 2018 – 2019 produced five diverse and lively companies who have had their ups and downs throughout the year: 1

Fuzzy Feet - fun socks

Charmed - charm jewellery

Stuffed - hot drink cups filled with sweets

Scrunchbunch - scrunchies

Hoops - hooped earrings

Individual Awards Best HR Director - 2nd place - Sophia (Scrunchbunch) Best Marketing Director - 3rd place - Mahnoor (Stuffed) Best Finance Director - 1st place - Lexi (Hoops) Best Sales Director - 2nd place - Rishika (Charmed) Best Company Secretary - 3rd place - Lara (Fuzzy Feet) Best Company Secretary - 2nd place – Yumi / Tala (Stuffed) 2

Whole Group Awards Best Video - 3rd place - Stuffed Best Presentation - 3rd equal place - Stuffed and Fuzzy Feet

Georgia, Managing Director of Hoops • It was an interesting insight into running your own business • Seeing the result of our product idea was very rewarding • I appreciated the hard work and dedication from my team Tilly, Sales Director of Scrunchbunch • I developed my business skills and an understanding of the director roles and responsibilities • We needed to act with maturity to get the job done • There were many diverse selling opportunities where we could develop our selling and marketing skills • I learned more about the ins and outs of business • I practised developing and managing a product to make a profit • We had lots of fun! Molly, Managing Director of Fuzzy Feet • The commitment of time to run the business required us to manage our schoolwork effectively • We encountered unexpected business problems and had to deal with them • It was an amazing experience! • We boosted out skills that we will use in the workplace and in the future

Congratulations to them all and well done to all the people involved who ensured that the Young Enterprise Companies at St George’s had a busy and prosperous year!

At the Young Enterprise Christmas Market held at the Central Hall, Lothian Road, they had an exceptionally high standard of product display and proved they had good sales and marketing skills by making a fair profit. All teams had an exceptional amount of detail in their display and professional layouts that encouraged customers to stop and buy. All the students were enthusiastic and worked hard on the preparation for the day and on the day itself. All companies presented at Napier University in March at the Young Enterprise Scotland Lothian Area Team Awards Evening. The standard of the presentations made by all schools was extremely high this year. The five teams from St George’s presented confidently in a professional manner. The following students worked extremely hard along with the rest of their company to achieve recognition this year and received the following awards.

Tala, Company Secretary and Mahnoor, Marketing Director of Stuffed • I enjoyed taking part • I learned how a business truly works and how to deal with problems quickly • We had to work effectively as a team • It was great getting to know the other company members and becoming friends Irina, Marketing Director of Hoops • It was fun to experience • I had the chance to find out what the business world is like • My confidence and communication skills have improved Joanna, Finance Director of Charmed • YE helped us learn how to work with new people and form new friendships • I realised the importance of time management • We developed our managerial and team-working skills

Best Finance Director - 1st place - Lexi (Hoops)

Imisi, MD of Stuffed • I obtained a pragmatic insight into how a business works • The experience helped me to improve skills such as organisation, patience, resilience, teamwork and how to work well under pressure • I learned how to be a better leader and the importance of being confident and approachable

Primary 1 G

G Primary 1

Primary 1’s butterfly facts!

Butterflies like flowers Julia Butterflies collect pollen Grace Butterflies all have patterns on their wings, but some girl ones don't have as much colour Imogen Butterflies like to fly around in the summer because they like the sun and don't like the rain Poppy F-R Butterflies can fly Pandora All butterflies have different patterns Chelsea Some boy butterflies are more colourful than the girl ones Mila Some butterflies lay eggs on nettle leaves Audrey The life cycle of a butterfly is a metamorphosis Lydia Butterfly patterns are the same on both wings. They are symmetrical! Poppy P A butterfly starts off as a little egg, then the caterpillar chews its way out and then it turns into a chrysalis, and then out comes a beautiful butterfly Ella In between being a caterpillar and a butterfly, they are a chrysalis Lilly

Butterflies like to eat mushed up banana and apples Selma Butterflies can't fly in rain Elizabeth A butterfly can fly Pranavi A butterfly can sense with their antenna Tessa They use special straws to suck pollen out of flowers Lucy B Butterflies have patterned wings and they are symmetrical Alba Butterflies can smell with their antenna Poppy N When a caterpillar hatches, it eats all of its egg Bronwyn A butterfly’s body is skinny Abigail Butterflies lay eggs Isabella Butterflies have six legs Madeleine After a few days, a caterpillar turns into a chrysalis Violet Butterflies’ wings are bigger than their body, otherwise they can't fly! Isobel Butterflies drink nectar Esme

Modern Languages G

G Modern Languages

From St George’s: Staff: Mr Clarke, Mrs Porteous U4 Students: Phoebe, Charlotte, Lucie, Sophie, Lauren, Eva, Emily, Hannah, Louisa, Stella, Amelie L5 Students: Fleur, Amelie, Anna, Grace, Urja, Katie, Abbey, Emma

From the Päda:

St G’s go to Germany

Staff: Mrs Hoppe, Mr Quast. Päda Students: Lena, Alexandra, Lilly, Nina, Melina, Celina, Melia, Katja, Stella, Elsa, Lara, Sinika, Kimberley, Lina, Giulia, Lotte, Lena, Carlo, Jurek On Sunday 9th June, girls from U4 and L5 were thrilled to welcome their partners from the Päda Gymnasium, a co-educational private school in Bad Godesberg, Germany. The arrival of the German students came after weeks and months of exchanging emails, texts and FaceTime calls between the partners, which undoubtedly made their first meeting in the flesh that little bit less awkward. Our visitors were greeted by a sea of smiling faces and waving homemade banners, welcoming them to Edinburgh. The rest of the day was spent getting to know host families and was the perfect way to kick off a busy week before school the next day. While Monday morning was a relatively normal one for our students, our German partners departed school soon after registration for a visit to Edinburgh Castle followed by an open top bus tour of the city. Scottish weather has a reputation for being unpredictable at the best of times but I am pleased to say that the sun was shining and the canons firing on the Castle esplanade (for the Duke of Edinburgh’s birthday apparently, but if our German hosts thought we had organised it especially for them, who am I to correct them!) Tuesday was a chance to escape the city limits and discover another beautiful part of Scotland. A day trip to St Andrews was a first for Mrs Hoppe, a veteran of the German Exchange since its conception, and also for her colleague, Mr Quast, who had never been to these bonnie shores at all before. The group was in high spirits as we embarked on a short tour of the old town and the University with its many traditions and superstitions (never step on the PH!), followed by a well-deserved stop at a Fish and Chip Shop for a very British lunch. Free time in the town followed and a brief opportunity to feel the sand between our toes, not in the middle of a bunker on the Old Course, but rather on St Andrews beautiful (albeit windswept) beach. A great day had by all and a chance for our girls to see the beautiful country they live in through their partners’ eyes.

Wednesday evening is always a highlight of the week as we welcome the entire group to our German Exchange Ceilidh Evening. This year we were fortunate enough to be able to invite a live ceilidh band to host the evening, which certainly gave proceedings an authentic flavour. Understandably. the German students always show a mixture of nerves and bemusement when they realise just what they have signed themselves up for but all of this was quick to melt away once the first dance got going. Fuelled by an interval snack of Irn Bru and Teacakes, the students stole the show and flung themselves headfirst (some taking this a too little literally at times) into every dance. Thursday evening was no less eventful as we were entertained by the ghosts and gore of the Witchery Tour. This is always a favourite amongst the students, thanks to a careful balance between gruesome facts about Edinburgh’s history, comedy one liners from the tour guides and things that go bump in the light (not night unfortunately, as it was still broad daylight at 7pm in June). One of our L5 students, Katie, lost a hand for begging and Mrs Hoppe was placed in thumb screws and indicted for being a witch. You win some, you lose some, I suppose. Miraculously, Katie’s hand grew back, which I was thankful for, seeing as there was a writing homework due in the following week! With the arrival of the weekend, we were left wondering where the week had disappeared to. Our German partners departed for a trip to the Zoo on Friday morning and some were lucky enough to attend a L5 Social with their partners on the same evening. The rest of the weekend was spent in host families and before we knew it, it was time for them to pack their bags and say their goodbyes at the airport. Although we were sad to see the group go back home, we are very much looking forward to our return visit in October and to the chance to flex our linguistic muscles as well as experience some German culture. Finally, everyone at St George’s would like to wish Mrs Hoppe all the very best for her upcoming retirement. Marion has been doing this exchange since the beginning and it has remained a huge part of her life each year. Her enthusiasm for keeping the exchange alive and maintaining strong links with St George’s has never wavered. She has become a trusted and reliable colleague and, more importantly, a good friend. We look forward to working closely with Mr Quast, who will be taking over Marion’s exchange responsibilities in October and in the future. Here’s to many more years of hard work, fun times and exciting opportunities between us. Mr Clarke

Science G

G Computing

Engineering a win at the Talent2030 competition

Cyber Security During the summer holidays I did work experience at a company called Fortinet. They create “high-performance network security solutions that protect your network, users, and data from continually evolving threats." On my first day I was nervous, as I'd never done any work experience before and didn’t know what to expect. I was shown to a desk that I would be using for the week and given the technology I would need and a ‘plan sheet’ of the week. That day, I played an online game where you were a judge in court and had to see if people were guilty of violating the Computer Misuse Act, completed NSE 1 and NSE 2 (Fortinet training courses) and used Minecraft to solve logic puzzles. Tuesday was very exciting. My challenge was to try and infiltrate the company next door. They knew what was happening, so it wasn’t illegal. You're probably wondering why on earth was this even relevant! In cyber security you can become an ethical hacker where you test security systems of companies. Sometimes, this means physically going to the place using social engineering. Social engineering is when you convince people to give you access or information by posing as somebody you are not. After researching the company, I created a fake ID and job, then just rang the doorbell, told them my story and asked for

the pass. Surprisingly they believed me! I felt a bit like James Bond. The next day I learnt how to use a Linux operating system. One of the people in Dev Ops created a maze of files, images and documents that I had to use the command line to navigate. I had to look for a secret message hidden somewhere in all these files. At some points it was very frustrating as it felt like you were going nowhere but using the right commands, I found the message hidden in an image file. This technique of hiding a message in an image is called steganography. On Thursday I solved loads of different types of ciphers, like Substitution and Playfair ciphers. One of the most difficult ones ended up just being the elements on the periodic table and I'd just completely missed the not very subtle clues. On my last day I presented a PowerPoint presentation to the employees, which wasn’t actually that scary as they were all really cool and made me feel really welcome. Over the week I saw some big differences between school and work. At school you are on a timetable and don’t have much independence but at my work experience I was allowed to get my lunch whenever I wanted from wherever I wanted and I didn’t need to ask to get out of my seat, That took a bit of getting used to. Overall, I had a great time and I learnt lots. Emily, L5

Talent 2030 is an engineering competition for girls aged 11-18 in the UK. The first time that I heard about the competition was in 2015 as it was advertised on the board in the Physics department. That same year, two of my classmates and I entered and we were one of the ten teams shortlisted for the finals in the UK- wide competition. This was very exciting as it meant that we were asked to present our ideas at the Big Bang fair in the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham. It was a really enjoyable experience so I decided to try again after completing my GCSEs. In 2018, I entered the Talent 2030 competition with my cousin, who lives in Cornwall. Over the course of our preparation we used social media to communicate and allocate work. We used our different skills to produce a project that involves using plastic to help refugees. Since I have a programming and web design background, I was responsible for designing the website. I also had experience using CAD (computer animated design) software so I designed our models which we used to visualise our innovations. My cousin has a YouTube channel dedicated to education so she did our main experiment. Our project consisted of three ways we could use plastic to help refugees, which we came up with after creating a list of problems that refugees face. The first problem we wanted to solve was shelter. We devised a method to make a brick out of milk bottles, created a model, then made a prototype and performed tests of absorption and sturdiness to ensure that houses

made from the bricks are safe to live in. On our website we discuss how using an interlocking shape for the bricks means that no adhesive or cement is required. Another problem we wanted to solve was light. Being in dark places has been linked to depression. The physical needs of refugees are too often prioritised over their mental health. We wanted to find a way to use plastic to make refugee shelters bright. I found a technique, created by Alfred Moser, a Brazilian mechanic, that involves putting bleach and water in a plastic bottle to make lights. The bottles are put in a hole in the roof of a house and the water refracts the sunlight which allows the bottle to glow brightly. The last problem we wanted to solve was that of unstable boats. We explored different shapes and alignments of plastic bottles that could make a sturdy boat and used CAD to come up with a design. Our aim was to have maximum stability and flotation, so we adapted methods of tying bottles together to produce the best structure. We came first in the 15-16 year-old age category and were asked to present our ideas at the Big Bang Fair, where we received our prizes: £1000, a trip to RollsRoyce and PepsiCo, and a Gold CREST Award each. I loved the experience and will enter the competition next year in the 17-18 category. This is the link to our website: http://www.reuserethinkrepair.weebly.com Imisi, L6

Primary 6 G

Primary 5

Protecting Scotland's wildlife

In the Autumn term, Primary 5 gave the BOPS (badgers, otters, puffins and squirrels) project a makeover, taking inspiration from the likes of David Attenborough to become budding filmmakers. Continuing with the theme of Scottish animals, each class decided to choose an endangered Scottish animal about which to create a documentary. P5X focused on the Golden Eagle, P5Y took on the Scottish Wildcat and P5Z opted for the Pine Marten. Step 1: We began by understanding features of a documentary, looking at camera angles, music and presenting skills. Step 2: It was then time to start researching our animals, thinking about what information we’d like to include. In small groups, we focused on one or two areas in detail, using research from the internet, books and any other sources we could find. During this stage, we explored how to find and use reliable sources of information. Step 3: Once all the research had been collated, we structured this information into storyboards and scripts, in preparation for filming. Step 4: Time to start filming! Various filming locations were used, taking advantage of the vast school grounds as well as our trip to the National Museum of

Scotland. Some of us used our own time to interview experts at Edinburgh Zoo, too! We took on different roles during this stage; from presenters to camerawomen to voiceover artists. Step 5: With help from the IT staff, we navigated Movie Maker to input our footage. This is where it all came together! During this editing stage, we added transitions, voiceovers, captions, titles and music to bring our documentaries to life. To end this project, we were delighted to invite our P5 parents in to watch their documentaries. We proudly explained the process of making our films and shared our finished product.

P6 visit the Royal Highland Show

Here’s what some of us had to say about this project: “Saying it out loud felt more natural than writing it down, I wasn’t scared of making spelling mistakes or anything like that”. Katrina “I loved watching the other class’ documentary because I learned a lot about their animal!” Sophie “I found the research part so much fun because I wanted to find out all about the Scottish wildcat” Selena “I loved going to the zoo and seeing the animals in person!” Emma “This is the first time we’ve been able to use filming equipment in Junior School – it was so interesting” Lucy

Art G

G Debating

The art of debate When we first started debating, we had a general idea of the type of skills we would be developing. Communication, persuasiveness, eloquence of speech. While these are undoubtedly features of debating, we slowly discovered that the crux of debating is based on a very different skillset At a debating workshop last year, the St George’s debaters were introduced to an apt analogy for debating - debating is the art of building a strong sandcastle whilst simultaneously destroying your opponent’s sandcastle. The tool used for both building and destroying is analysis. Analysis to prove why each of your points is effective, analysis as to why your actors are the most important in the debate and destructive analysis in the form of rebuttal to demolish the opposition’s case. The pivotal role of analysis is most apparent in the British Parliamentary style of debating, a format characterised by four teams (two people in each team) where style of speech is disregarded in favour of the strength of your arguments. At St. George’s, the Debating Club, meeting weekly, follows a format similar to that of the ESU Mace, with two teams that present opposing cases for the motion under discussion. The motions vary greatly and have been based on current affairs, interesting debate competition motions and creative seasonal whims (“This House Would Prosecute Santa”). After both sides’ cases have been presented, the debate turns to the floor, where any and every club member is given the chance to bring up their own points, or questions directed towards a team. The floor debates are a lively source of engaging discussions, with the St. George’s girls presenting incisive and often witty counter-arguments, and often end with club members being given something new or interesting to think about. The positive aspects of learning to debate are

endless. Naturally, skills of analysis, structuring information and presenting it effectively are honed alongside clear communication and confidence. But on a deeper level, debating fundamentally changes how you view and approach everyday issues. Instead of vague feelings and instinct, debating forces you to defend your position on a contentious issue with facts and thought-out analysis. Other rules of competitive debating – presenting a clear mechanism or definition for the debate, not being able to interrupt another person’s speech unless accepted by that person – become entrenched in your mind. With all this in mind, the St George’s competitive debating club had a very busy and successful year. Taking part in competitions from St. Andrews in the north, to Oxford in the south, often on consecutive weekends, the girls showed hard work, skill and resilience to draw praise from judges, debating coaches and other debaters. As well as allowing for the team to demonstrate their success in placing well in these competitions, they also provided invaluable opportunities to learn from our feedback and our peers, in turn increasing the standard of debating in our own club. This year, we were delighted to qualify for the Finals Day of the Oxford Schools Debating Competition. As part of this residential trip, two members of the team took part in a full day of debating inside the historic Oxford Union, competing against and alongside the very best teams and schools in Britain. Although the occasion and the surroundings could have been overwhelming, the team put in a strong performance, winning several rounds, learning a huge amount and having great fun. This was a lovely way to round off the year for the team, and a fitting end to their St George’s debating career for our leavers. Anushka & Emily, U6

n o i t i b i h x E t r A nior School at the Ju

G Primary 2

Primary 2 G

Mapping

Time Laila & Lucy

The Great Outdoors

Isabelle & Emily

We have been having a lot of fun learning outdoors this year. We created our own maps of islands, complete with keys, using natural materials. In Maths, we played games to show oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock, half-past, quarter-past and quarter-to times on clock faces, using chalk and sticks. Our trip to the Botanical Gardens included games and sensory activities to help us learn more about trees and to understand the different uses of plants.

Botanical Gardens Imogen & Emily

Kana, Alice & Isobel

Eryn

Poppy & Marie

Jaanhavi & Matilda

Harriet & Anushka

Eryn & Alice Marie & Isobel

Zoe

Bess & Olivia

Eva & Laila

Matilda & Kana Laurie & Alice

Phoebe & Disco

Planting Isobel & Zandi

Eloise

Zoe, Caoimhe, Poppy & Harriet

Zandi & Fleur

Poppy & Eva

G Ourdoor Education

Primary 6 camp Primary 6 visited Kendrick Muir, near Rumbling Bridge, on their Outdoor Education camp. At camp we worked hard, had fun – and kept arguing to a minimum! Annabel I loved camp because of all the fun activities and the adventures. Anastasia I loved working together at P6 camp. Vittoria I really enjoyed the King Swing because it felt like flying. Ashmita I enjoyed making new friends and sharing new experiences. Lottie I had a blast! Poppy The best thing about camp was the food – it was fabulous! Sienna I learnt to try new things even if they are out of my comfort zone. Jamala I really enjoyed all the activities, but the King Swing was amazing and I am going to remember it for ages. Ella I really enjoyed the raft building and I learnt how to tie a new knot. Tilly S I loved the King Swing – it was super scary, and I screamed so much! Faye I loved the groups we were in because I didn’t really know the people that well before. Charlotte I learnt to never give up on something that is challenging. Zara H I really enjoyed my dorm because I made a few new friends with people I hadn’t paid much attention to before. Rachel

CCF G

G CCF

St G's soldier on From section attacks to sociable evenings with Merchiston and Loretto, CCF summer camp 2019 was a blast. This year, summer camp exceeded my expectations; I enjoyed the week so much that I wanted to stay for another week up at Barry Buddon as I often do after every camp. I had the role of Section Commander. I was nervous at first but once at camp and out on the 36-hour exercise with my section, I found the role very fulfilling and fun. It taught me good leadership skills and I liked being responsible for my section. I led them to do some very successful section attacks of which I was proud. I learned how to be an effective leader and it also made me more confident in my CCF knowledge. One of my highlights of camp was going to the Ranges. Putting our rifle training into practice on the ranges is very satisfying and I enjoy shooting at the targets. Going down to the butts of the ranges is also fun, putting the targets up and down as a team. At camp, I also enjoyed the round-robin. My

favorite station was the paintballing. We were taught how to use a paintball gun and we then did an attack in teams. It gets competitive but everyone enjoyed it. We were also taught first aid skills at one of the stations, which I think is very useful. Lastly, one of my favorite things about camp is marching around Barry Buddon in our platoons or as a full contingent. The drill is very satisfying. Not only did I love the CCF side of camp, I loved the social side. We get to bond with people from other year groups at camp, be it in our dorms or during activities. I became closer with new people and had fun in the evenings playing rugby on the grass. It was a great camp this year and I look forward to CCF camp 2020! Naomi, CCF Sergeant CCF camp was an amazing experience. We get to experience many activities including a 36-hour exercise, which is really challenging, but fun. It was

good to be able to put into practice all the things we had learned and trained for throughout the year at our weekly sessions. One of the best things is that we get to work with girls from other year groups and meet cadets from other schools. We are challenged during camp and are encouraged and supported to step out of our comfort zone. The round-robin day gives us an opportunity to take part in different activities including first aid, paintball, stalking and the army obstacle course. We get to shoot the rifles on the range for a full day, which is great fun! Sophie, CCF Corporal I was quite unsure what CCF was going to involve when I first started, and was initially quite nervous since I had no experience with anything of the sort, but was really pleasantly surprised when I saw that the older girls would teach the others as I found this a lot less intimidating and daunting. I really enjoyed the routines

and exercises we do and saw a change in myself over the year in terms of discipline, thinking skills and confidence. This was very useful considering I had just joined the school. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve definitely noticed that in my day-to-day life I have become more confident, outgoing and more responsible, which I believe was helped by CCF, as you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be in the background and you have to be willing and enthusiastic with everything you do. Having our CCF sessions with Merchiston during the summer term was really fun as we could train and practise procedures with them in preparation for camp in the first week of the summer holidays. Camp was really amazing, and the seven days were over before I knew it. Being grouped with different people from different schools really puts you in the position of responsibility and ups your teamwork skills. I am very excited to continue CCF this year and work towards the position of a corporal. Sahiba, CCF Lance Corporal

Creative Writing G

G Literary event

A voice of one’s own In late February of last year, St George`s hosted a literary evening, comprising a distinguished panel of women writers speaking to the title A Voice of One’s Own. The panel, chaired by Jenny Brown, Scotland`s leading literary agent, was made up of Christine De Luca, poet and former Machar, Sara Sheridan, author, June Launceston, ex St George`s student and now an academic, and our own Emily Jefferson, from U6. They had been given the task of speaking about influential female authors of the last 130 years, in no more than 5 minutes. Quite a challenge! Our Head, Alex Hems, introduced the discussion and reflected on the title of the evening, which evokes Virginia Woolf’s work A Room of One’s Own, first published in 1929. Woolf reflects on the conditions that are necessary for writing, and the reasons why relatively few women had found it possible to make a living from writing in the course of history. She makes the case for the need for privacy, quiet, and a reliable source of income as necessities for a successful creative life and points out how rare that combination was in the lives of any but the wealthiest of women in the past. We can give thanks that anyone can write a blog or a novel nowadays and self -publish to have a voice. It was Woolf who was a driving force in opening up the Arts to independent women. Alex pointed out that education has been at the heart of enabling women’s voices to be heard and taken seriously, allowing them to have a voice of their own. She acknowledged that the girls at St George’s feel free to be themselves and in a follow up assembly later that week she reminded them of the importance of finding their own voice; not the one that they think others will expect them to use, but the words that are truly their own. Award winning novelist Sara Sheridan inspired us

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Sara Sheridan

with insights into some wonderful short stories written by female writers from the past, including short stories by early nineteenth century Scottish writer, Lorna Moon, and intrigued us with snippets from her latest book in which she rewrites history to tackle gender equality in Where are the Women? - a guide to an imagined Scotland. In her book she explores the problem of gender representation on our streets and in our collective history. Christine De Luca engaged us with her own love of Shetlandic poetry, much of which tells the story of women`s role in island life, and spoke about her role as a poet for our time. June Laurenson studied English following her time at school and shared with us her favourite women writers, including children`s author Enid Blyton. One of the greatest pleasures of the evening was hearing Emily, one of our current U6 pupils, speaking on the panel. Her chosen writer was Helena Kennedy QC, whose two works about women in the legal system, Eve Was Framed, and the more recent Eve Was Shamed, had opened her eyes to the inequalities that women face in the justice system, whether as defendants, victims or practitioners. Emily was an assured and eloquent contributor to the evening`s discussion. Members of the audience were invited to share their best loved female authors, and these included Margaret Atwood, Jane Austen, Toni Morrison, Sally Vickers, Maya Angelou and Alice Walker. It was a fascinating evening and one that stirred our imaginations and our ambition. It was lovely to see so many in the audience talking about books and sharing their passion for reading. This was clearly evidenced by the healthy book sales at the pop up Edinburgh Bookshop.

Christine De Luca

100-word sagas Here are some of our winning entries for this year`s Young Writers` national creative writing competition. The theme of the competition was “Mission Contamination”. U5 students were invited to write a survival saga in only a hundred words. “Promise Me” by Amber “Close your eyes. Tight. Really tight, so that you can`t see anything. Hold your breath. Hold it, as long as you can. The second you breathe in, it could all be over. All of it, everything, so don`t. Promise me now you won`t breathe in? You don`t understand now but you will. What`s in there could destroy you.” I told him all that but of course young boys don`t always listen to their fathers, they are curious and playful. That is their only fault. Because he opened, he is dead, and I am running from whatever it is.

“The Last Survivors” by Niran We finally emerged from the underground bunker. Light covered the earth like a blanket, filling it with warmth and comfort. Comfort - something we haven`t had for twenty years. We scanned the uninhabited land, hoping, praying for more survivors, but there were none. All we were left with were the remains of our people, displayed across the ground for us to see. How will we survive? We looked towards the horizon and in the distance, the trees whispered as if calling to us, compelling us into the unknown. Taking tentative steps, overwhelming dread suffocated us. There is no life here...

“Test Subject 101” by Sophie Something scuttled under my skin. I twitched, tracing the virus` mosaic down my forearm. Being chosen to test the antidote many considered a gift offered me the chance to live, breathe and survive another day. But I knew, with ever increasing mortality rates, I stood about as much chance of survival as the last test subjects. The crawling up my spine curled into a fist, clutching, twisting hurting. Click. The door swung open presenting a scientist, in white, brandishing a blood red syringe. My stomach lurched. “It`s your lucky day” he brawled, looming closer. Eyes shut, pain`s epitome enveloped me. “Sinking” by Alice The giant poisonous cloud fixed in the sky was spewing out a storm. The sea was crashing against the boat, effortlessly bringing it down. I could feel my feet starting to sting from the cold puddle I was standing in. There was no way out. I was on my own, stranded, defeated. The boat was quickly filling up now, sinking into the darkness below me. The water was up to my chest now, all I could do was swim, but to where? Where can I go when I all I see are grey clouds and a dark monstrous sea below me?

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North American exchange Havergal College, Toronto

On the 13th of April ten St George’s girls flew to Toronto, Canada. We were very warmly welcomed into our host families and to Havergal college. The weekend started very busily by some of us going to the CN Tower and the others to Niagara Falls. Then, Monday was our first day of school. We all enjoyed it very much, making new friends, meeting all the teachers and enjoying the new activities and classes. We all felt that the week went by really quickly as we had a long weekend because it was Easter, and we all did some more really fun and exciting activities such as ‘inside skydiving’, flying to Alberta, Ripley's aquarium and lots more of what Toronto had to offer us. Then came the last few days. On the final Wednesday, some of us attended a typical Canadian musical called Come From Away and visited city hall afterwards. Thursday was our last full night in Toronto so all exchanges from Havergal college and St Clement’s school met up for dinner and all celebrated our amazing experience, as well as Olivia's birthday. When it came to Friday, we were all in tears as we said goodbye to our new

St Clement’s School, Toronto On the 13th of April we flew to Toronto in Canada. When we arrived there, we went to St Clements School for two weeks. We had lots of fun. Some of our highlights were the edge walk where we walked along the edge of the CN tower and the Blue Jays game where we watched them play the Giants. We really enjoyed our stay and everyone was so nice. Anna and Isla

Canadian friends, our amazing exchanges (our host families who we felt really attached to) and this beautiful city. This was an amazing learning experience! Emilie and Olivia My time in Canada was really amazing! It showed me how much more capable I was than I thought; it also gave me that opportunity to branch out and be that little bit more responsible. It let me figure out how to deal with difficult situations like flying by myself and homesickness. It was so much fun going to school there and just seeing what the students do day-to-day, and how it differed from St George’s. The CN tower was so much fun, so was Niagara Falls. This exchange has really been such a great experience for me, and I highly recommend going if you get the chance. Lucia The experience was amazing and very eye opening. Our only regret was that we didn't stay longer! Komal, Kate, Olivia and Charlotte

Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia Being on this exchange might have been the best thing we’ve been allowed to do. It let us get a true taste of what life is like 3,000 miles away and allowed us to meet people that we wouldn’t have met otherwise. We also got to see areas in America that we might not have been able to go to if it weren’t for the exchange, such as places in NYC, Washington DC and in Pennsylvania. When we went to NYC, we found it really interesting and cool to see places and areas we’d only ever seen in movies! We all found the experience of going to a different school really interesting, especially because Germantown Friends school is so different from St. George’s. GFS is co-ed, they don’t have a uniform and they are a Quaker school. We found going to a Quaker school very interesting and we got to experience their unique style of worship. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and have made life-long friends. We really appreciated this exchange. Beth, Kenzie, Lauren and Saskia

Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth The four of us set out for Texas on April 12th. As we boarded the plane, we were all buzzing with a mix of emotions. We arrived in Texas after a change of flight in Philadelphia and we were all filled with excitement about meeting our new exchange partners. As soon as we got off the plane, we headed to the baggage reclaim where our exchanges were waiting with huge banners and even Starbucks drinks. Getting to experience their lifestyles and going to an American school for three weeks was something completely different to what we are all used to, but it was one of the best experiences of our lives. Trinity Valley School was so welcoming, and we are all very thankful to them for hosting us. During our time at TVS we did their outdoor ropes course which was very fun. Some girls travelled through to Dallas to visit the Reunion tower and apparently, the view was amazing. We all loved learning about the Texan culture and trying traditional foods like Tex Mex, and learning more about Christianity, especially when we all experienced a church service. Some girls also got to watch a live rodeo in the stockyards of Fort Worth. We visited malls in Dallas and went to one of the biggest amusement parks in Texas, Six Flags. We were all in floods of tears at the airport; we were just managing to keep ourselves under control, let alone keeping our suitcases under the weight allowance! We have all gained so much from this trip, especially building independence for ourselves. The four of us are so grateful for this amazing opportunity. This experience is something we will never forget, and we will take on board everything we have learnt. We are all looking forward to welcoming our exchange partners to Scotland and showing them our culture. Kitty, Havia, Lily and Robyn

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Hockey highlights A year in the life of Houldsworth

The 1st XI enjoyed a successful season under the Captaincy of Amber. Towards the start of the season the girls travelled to Holland on tour. The girls displayed some of their best hockey all season here and really gelled as a team. In the Scottish Cup the girls had a tough draw, playing Edinburgh Academy in the first round. The girls took the lead 2-0, only to be brought back to 2-2 late in the game, before winning on penalties. They then met The Mary Erskine School in the second round, which produced the result of the year. The girls won 10, Amber had a fabulous game in goal, the defence was patient and Gemma Bole kept her cool late on to score the all-important goal and send the girls into the quarter final. We then came up against a very strong Dollar Academy side and unfortunately lost the quarter final. At the Inter-District tournament this year Amber and Emma represented East District Under-18s winning a silver medal. From these performance’s Emma has been selected for the Scotland Under-18 squad and Amber for the Scotland Under-21 squad. Georgie and Amy represented the Under-16s, winning gold with Georgie being selected to represent Scotland Under-16s. The 2nd XI was a wonderful blend of experienced U6 students; talented L6 girls moving up from the 3rd XI and exciting U5 players enjoying their first season of Senior hockey. Everything got off to an excellent start with eight highly competitive matches in the first half term (3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses). Travelling to

Holland in October was a valuable and enjoyable experience where we were tested to the limit both individually and collectively, especially in the matches that lasted for twice as long as usual! Performances were even better on our return with a superb win against a strong Dollar Academy team and an exciting draw with The High School of Glasgow. The 3rd XI, captained by Lydia, had an enjoyable and competitive season. The team played very well throughout the year and had excellent wins over George Heriot’s School, High School of Dundee, Trinity Academy and Edinburgh Academy. St George’s hosted the 2nd XI tournament where the 3rd XI played extremely well and enjoyed the challenge of playing against 2nd XI teams in a competitive tournament. All the girls have shown excellent commitment to playing matches throughout the season and should be proud of their achievements. The 4th XI, captained by Tilly, had an excellent hockey season with many new girls playing their first year of senior hockey. We had great attendance throughout the year, both at club and weekend

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matches. The girls have really enjoyed competing against other schools at home and away and have forged a strong bond within their team. They have experienced some fantastic wins and some losses but overall have grown from their experience in the 4th XI hockey team. Lower 5 Hockey club this year had over thirty girls participating in matches for the A and B teams on Saturdays, with lots of girls attending sessions on Mondays and Fridays. For the A team, some of the highlights came in the cup competitions. After big wins over Dunfermline, Wellington and Robert Gordon’s, the girls were unfortunate to lose to George Heriot’s School on penalties in the Scottish Cup Quarter Final. A defeat to Fettes College in the East Cup ended our run at the semi-final stage. The team saved their best performances for the East District tournament, where they did not concede a single goal and were fantastic in the semi-final but unfortunately lost to The Mary Erskine School after a dramatic penalty shootout. The B team had a range of results over the season, with some high points including wins over George Heriot’s School, Fettes College and Hutcheson’s

Grammar, as well as battling draws with Edinburgh Academy and George Watson’s College. The team finished the season playing in the S3 East District tournament, in which they competed well against many school’s A teams. Well done to Ciara who represented East District Under-16s, winning the Inter District tournament. The Upper 4 girls have had a very successful hockey season, building on a great foundation in L4 and learning to play on a full pitch. The girls have worked very hard at developing their individual and team play throughout the season on Tuesday club and Friday morning sessions resulting in great improvements in their hockey both individually and as a team. The A squad started the season well beating Edinburgh Academy 4-1, building on this success throughout the season to end the year on a high, beating George Watson’s College 2-1 in their last match in U4. A great finish to the year. The girls played some very effective, mature hockey, which was evident at the East District tournament at the end of the season. The girls had some close matches in their group which resulted in them narrowly missing out on winning the plate in the final.

The B team have also enjoyed a successful season. One of the highlights of the year was beating Loretto school with a convincing 7-0 success and High School of Dundee 2-0. The C team have also enjoyed success this year with their best results coming from beating The Mary Erskine School 3-0 and George Watson’s College to finish the season with a 2-1 win! Congratulations to Kate on being selected for the Under-14 Hybrid Squad for the District Tournament; the team performed very well to finish in third place. Lower 4 Hockey club was very popular this year, with very enthusiastic girls attending on Fridays after school, many of whom represented the school on Saturdays. During the first term all matches were 8-aside, with four L4 teams representing St George’s each week. In the second term the girls made the transition to 11-a-side hockey, with three teams each Saturday. There were a number of highlights to the season: for the A team it was their superb performances at the East District tournament, where they were unfortunate to lose to a late The Mary Erskine School goal in the semi-final, before taking third place via a penalty shootout win over George Watson’s College. The B team finished the season strongly with a great 5-2 win

over St Mary’s Melrose, while the C and D teams both enjoyed wins over George Heriot’s School, Trinity Academy and Fettes College. The Remove hockey teams have worked very hard throughout the season focusing on the 8 a-side structure. There have been some very close and competitive matches with highlight of beating Hutchesons’ Grammar. The end of the season finished on a high at the George Watson's College Primary 7 tournament where the girls reached the plate finals. Over 30 Primary 6 girls attended hockey this session with the girls experiencing their first competitive matches for the school. Across the year the girls played in over forty fixtures scoring over ninety goals! The girls worked hard to develop their core skills, while also enhancing their tactical play. Throughout the year the three teams competed well with strong wins against Dollar Academy, The Mary Erskine School and High School of Dundee. The season culminated in a strong second place finish in the Erskine Stewart’s Melville School Primary 6 Tournament! Well done to all the girls who took part in hockey this season!

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A perfect match The Remove and Primary 6 tennis club has been extremely well attended. They have enjoyed playing in festival-type matches with Dollar Academy and The Mary Erskine School, where the girls developed their skills and worked on their match play in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The competitive match highlights for the Remove teams were wins against George Watson’s College and George Heriot’s School. It has been a great year at L4 tennis club. The girls have enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to develop both their singles and doubles match play. Girls who opted to play in weekend fixtures did well in their matches against George Watson’s, Dollar, High School of Dundee, MES and George Heriot’s. Doubles pairings were changed every week giving the girls the opportunity to play with different people and develop their skills. Well done to all the girls who showed such great enthusiasm and commitment to club this year. Keep playing over the summer! The Lower School Tennis Championships was won by Julia, 6-4, against Honor. The U4 tennis club has been well attended and the girls have enjoyed competitive matches throughout the term. A couple of highlights include the A team beating the High School of Dundee and the B team beating their George Heriot’s counterparts, both in straight sets. The girls have played well throughout the season at club this year and as a result have reaped the benefits when playing competitively. Well done on a fantastic season! L5 tennis club has been a very successful and well attended club this year, despite the girls juggling their Duke of Edinburgh and other commitments. Monday night club alongside senior players has greatly helped with challenging the girls and building their play. The A and B teams have enjoyed a busy fixture list both midweek and on Saturday mornings. Their greatest

successes were against George Watson’s College, with both teams winning their tie. The L5s also had an excellent end to their tennis season against The Mary Erskine school, with both teams combined only losing one set. A great match to end the tennis season. In the LTA matches this year, the Years 9 and 10 A team played three matches. The girls played some great tennis in poor weather conditions, winning all their matches against The High School of Dundee and a strong side from Kilgraston. The LTA Year 10 B team had mixed results in their last tie in the competition. The team won 5-1 against the High school of Dundee and unfortunately narrowly losing to Morrisons. The girls enjoyed the experience and the chance to play a combination of both singles and double play. The St George’s Intermediate Singles Championships is open to any L5 and U4 student. Four U4 girls made it through to the semi-finals for the first time. The final was an intense and very competitive three set match between Kate B and Beth M. Beth clinched the victory 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. The Senior tennis teams have had a very busy season with at least two matches on a weekly basis for up to three teams. Highlights of the season include victories over George Heriot’s School, The Mary Erskine School, George Watsons’s College and Loretto. The 2nd VI have had a phenomenal run and have won every fixture! Well done to all involved! The annual St George’s tennis championships took place in June. Congratulations to the following girls: Senior Singles Champion: Anna Senior Singles Runner up: Charlotte Bargeton & Benson Doubles Championship Winners: Anna & Charlotte

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Netball

Cricket

Netball at Lower School continued to thrive after another extremely successful season. Time was spent over the winter months developing individual skills, learning the rules and new tactics, whilst playing friendlies against other schools. In the summer term, club nights were always busy and action packed. The girls have enjoyed a range of mid-week fixtures against local schools, such as Roseburn, Bruntsfield, Corstorphine and MES. The St. George’s tournament, which we host every year, was again very successful and good fun for those involved. It was great to utilise our two courts at Lower School and all the schools that come along fed back to us what an action-packed and fun afternoon of netball they had. Special congratulations go to both the Primary 6 and Remove teams, who were undefeated on the day and overall winners of their respective tournaments. It has been another very successful season for the St George’s netball teams participating in the Scottish Cup. The L4s, U4s and Senior girls all entered teams in their respective age groups, managing to progress to, at least, the quarter final stage. The preliminary rounds are regional, and we always face some tough competition from schools around Edinburgh and the Lothians. The L4 were undefeated in the preliminaries and progressed to the Gold section of the cup. They faced Stewarton Academy in the third round and played some of their best netball of the season to progress to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, their cup run was cut short by Peebles High School, the eventual winners of the tournament, who are a very experienced school group and will participate in the World School Games later this year. The St George’s girls put up a great fight and should be extremely proud of how well they did in their first year of this competition. The U4s progressed into the Gold section of the cup after winning all of their preliminary matches against James Gillespie’s and North Berwick High School. They then made the trip to Peebles and were put out by a very experienced team after another hard-fought performance. The girls are very determined next year to make sure that they can go beyond the quarterfinals stage. The Senior girls, made up of U5 and L6 students, did very well to progress to the Silver section of the cup. These girls faced an extremely competitive preliminary round with teams from Firrhill High School, Holyrood High School, Fernihill High School and Paisley

Cricket has once again proved a popular club at St George’s in the summer term, with around 35 Primary 6 and Remove girls attending after school on a Tuesday and another 50 girls in L4 and above on Thursdays. All the girls have practised enthusiastically, and many have participated in matches, often for the first time. A team of Remove pupils, all playing in their first match, made a great start by drawing against The Mary Erskine School. Our L4 team began by winning all their games at a tournament hosted by Dollar Academy. As the season progressed, we had fixtures for Primary 6, Remove and L4, playing against Craigclowan, Mary Erskine’s and Loretto. The season finished with two tournaments. Firstly, a mixed Remove and Primary 6 team competed well at the The Mary Erskine Primary tournament, winning against The High School of Glasgow but just losing out in their other two games. Secondly, three St George's teams took part in the girls’ cricket festival run by Cricket Scotland on Monday 10th June in Perth. Our Remove and Primary 6 team competed in the Primary school competition and won three of their four pool games, eventually gaining a third place in the overall competition. In the S3 age group, we had two teams, one made up of L5 and L4 students and one with L4 girls only. Despite being younger than some opponents, our teams won three games out of four and two out of four respectively, finishing in 4th and 7th place overall. Well done to all who took part in training and games!

Athletics Grammar. After winning two out of two, they met Castlehead High School from Paisley in the third round. It was a convincing win and the girls played some excellent netball. Moving onto the quarterfinals, the girls had a very evenly matched game against Robert Gordon's College. It went goal for goal in the first half and then the St George's team managed to pull away. There was some impressive defensive play and very accurate shooting to secure the win. The girls then made the journey to Strathallan for the semifinals. They prepared extremely well for this, but unfortunately on the day were beaten by a much more experienced and well-practised team. The positive thing for these girls is that they will have another year to play together in this age group and perhaps aim to reach the finals next year. Well done to all the girls for all their commitment and hard work over the season.

Three relay teams represented St George’s at the Scottish Schools’ Championships in Glasgow this year. In Group C 4x100m, Anise, Anna, Sofia and Darcey qualified for the final, before finishing in 5th place, while in Group B and D the girls narrowly missed out on qualifying for the final. In the individual events in Grangemouth, Anise won silver for the girls’ 800m final and finished in 5th place for her run in the girls’ 300m final. The Athletics teams have participated in a number of matches throughout the summer term. Two highlights of the season have been wins against George Watson’s College and The Mary Erskine School. Well done to everyone who has represented St George’s and attended clubs during the athletics season.

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Badminton

Lacrosse

Upper School badminton club saw over thirty girls attending each Friday night. The focus was to improve shot variety and match play. This saw the Under-18 teams have a win and a loss against The Mary Erskine School in their fixtures. More impressively, the Under18 team entered two strong pairings into the Edinburgh School Tournament with Moa and Rachel finishing second. Meanwhile in the Under-16 Maithili won the singles, and when paired with Vibha, also won the doubles. The season culminated with the Senior School Championships with Moa winning the singles and Niranjana and Megan winning the doubles. Junior badminton club was extremely well attended this year by over 50 girls from Primary 6 to L4. The girls have worked hard to improve their skills each week and have developed a good understanding of the rules and tactics for match play. It has also been great to have Moa, Chloe, Megan and Niranjana volunteering to coach younger players. Our Lower School girls were very keen to play with others from different year groups, providing great opportunities for the girls to learn from one another and get to know other people. The Under-14 teams played some fantastic badminton in friendly matches against The Mary Erskine School, with outings from the L4 girls in their first competitive school match. All matches were closely contested, including a 23-25 game! The Junior Badminton Championships was a well subscribed tournament with lots of close competitive matches being played. In the final, Helena beat Rachel to claim the top spot!

This year our Under-15, Under-14 and Under-13 lacrosse teams all trained together on the same evening, with an additional specialised stick session for Upper School players. It was fantastic to see the girls working hard with their peers from across the year groups to progress as a school. The girls had a very busy six-week run of competitive fixtures in the Spring term, bringing in some excellent victories, especially against Loretto. They finished the season at their age-relevant Scottish Schools tournaments. The Under-15 squad were faced with a difficult draw but the girls fought hard in each of their games, showing great resilience. The Under-14 squad demonstrated great teamwork and clean stick work, winning most of their matches. Our Under-13 squad finished second overall, having beaten the overall winners, Fettes College! Well done!

Cross Country The cross country runners have had a great year and it has been fantastic to welcome some younger runners into the group. They have trained hard through some challenging conditions and raced lots of great courses. Through the Lothian League season, St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School was represented in all age categories, with success coming in the Junior and Senior girls. Anise won the individual category, with the team of Anise, Robyn, Honor and Esme finishing in second place. Lizzie claimed top spot, with her team of Harriet and Alice also finishing with the gold. The Lower School runners had a couple of events that were dedicated to them and they rose to the challenge. In the Scottish Prep Schools Cross Country Championships, the Under-11 team finished ninth, with Mairi crossing the line in the top fifteen. The Under-13 team finished in seventh position with Honor racing well to finish in seventh, with Esme not far behind. The annual Edinburgh Primary Schools Cross Country competition was a great race for the Primary 6 and Remove runners, with Florence in the top fifteen and Mairi in the top twenty-five. The Scottish Schools Cross Country Championships were held over two weekends for the primary and secondary categories. The secondary championships were held at Hopetoun House. The course was challenging with both the weather conditions and the

mixed terrain. In the D group, Honor and Esme ran a great race to both finish in the top fifty. Robyn ran well in the B group, with Lizzie finishing in thirteenth in the A group 4km race. Anise equalised her result from the previous year to finish in seventh place in the C group. In the primary championships that were held at Kirkcaldy High School, Florence ran well to finish twentieth. Ella and Vinnie helped the team to ninth position. In the Primary 7 races, Sophie and Rachel finished well.

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Staff Leavers Louise Clark

Louise, a graduate of George Watson’s college and the University of Edinburgh, came to St. George’s from Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow in 2005. Her skills as a teacher of Spanish and French, a talent for efficient organisation and her capacity to understand and support her colleagues soon saw Louise as head of the Faculty of Modern Languages. The Faculty flourished under Louise’s guidance with the successful development of the Chinese Department particularly owing much to her vision, energy and enthusiasm. Aside from matters of academe, Louise’s less well publicised talent for song and dance brought the Languages Faculty to stardom in a “glee style” inter-faculty charity event. They remain unchallenged to this day…..! Louise was keen to develop her career in the direction of student welfare. Her years in the leadership team of the Sixth Form were of enormous benefit both to her colleagues and the students, the latter gaining immeasurable support and guidance from Louise’s calm, no nonsense approach to the intricacies of university application, the social and emotional pressures faced by students at this age and even the organisation of the U6 Year Book At some point during her intensely busy schedule, Louise found a moment to devote to her own emotional wellbeing. The whole school was delighted by the engagement between Louise and our very own Mr Clarke in the Languages Faculty. Despite their very best efforts to keep things under wraps we had had a

fairly shrewd idea of how things were developing, but had indulged them and feigned total ignorance! Our and their joy was cemented by the arrival of a baby boy sometime later. The pinnacle of Louise’s career at St George’s was her position on the Senior Leadership Team as Head of Lower School. Louise brought all of the aforementioned qualities to this role and achieved the seemingly impossible result of preserving and prolonging the fun, light-heartedness and energy of childhood whilst simultaneously embedding the qualities of thoughtfulness, resilience and a sense of individual responsibility in the girls of the Lower School, so that they left Lansdowne fully equipped to face the intellectual and emotional challenges of the Upper School. We were saddened by the thought that we wouldn’t be seeing so much of an outstanding friend, colleague and teacher when Louise moved on from St. George’s in June 2019. She will henceforth be working her own style of magic as Head of Modern Languages at George Watson’s College. We wish Louise every success and happiness in her new post and are heartily relieved that it’s not TOO far from Myreside to Garscube Terrace.

Adéle Henderson

Adèle started in her role as Deputy Head Pastoral in August 2017. From the first moment when she stepped out to address new parents and students at the preterm welcome tea party, it was clear that she was a natural in the role. Her warmth, calm and good humour

quickly brought girls flocking to her door. Firm but always fair, generous with her time and deeply compassionate, Adèle brought wisdom and a healthy dose of common sense to her work. In her time with us I know that many girls and their families benefited from her care, and that colleagues too found her to be an excellent listener and support. I know how much the Heads of Year enjoyed working with her, valuing her support and clear leadership immensely. It is the lot of the Deputy Head Pastoral to manage some of the least glamourous and appealing aspects of school life, and Adèle cheerfully took on her share of this work with a smile; she also undertook substantial, and largely unsung work on policy revision for the school for which we were most grateful. Her discretion and good judgement made her an excellent sounding board for me as Head, and I valued her insights and perspective whenever we worked closely together. Always an historian at her core, Adèle loved being in the classroom and was a popular and respected teacher, as was apparent in the warmth, tinged with sadness, of the girls’ farewell to her. We wish her happiness and success in this new stage of her career, as she takes on a new role at George Heriot’s School.

teacher, who will try out new ideas with classes and really does put the students first. His energy and dynamism made a hugely positive impact on both the development of new courses and raising of attainment within science. He was welcomed across all departments, and his work with outdoor education was invaluable, enabling girls to experience outdoor learning across all school year groups. He was meticulous with his preparation when he had been away, and would readily jump into the breach when needed, without fuss or drama. His sense of humour is spectacular, with a sharp wit that some may say verges on childish – something his colleagues in biology will miss! Other skills include acquisition of food – he can be relied upon to bring back treats to the department from foraging expeditions. He has worked with the CCF and his cycling exploits on any one of his six bikes have become legendary. We wish Alasdair, his wife Emily and their son Fergus every success in the future. It has been a huge pleasure for us to have worked with Alasdair, and Gillespie’s are gaining a very fine teacher.

Alasdair Alexander

Diane Molyneux

Alasdair joined us five years ago from Kendal in the Lake District. His talents and skills were evident from reading his initial letter of application, and we were delighted to welcome him to St George’s. Alasdair established himself as a creative, positive and caring

Diane entered the teaching profession in 2000 when she joined St George’s. She began as a Primary 6 class teacher and then moved to the Junior School for six years. There, she introduced the EcoSchools Programme to St George's in 2000, led the school in achieving the Bronze Award in 2004 and became the Junior School Head of Science. She has conducted research sponsored by GTCS in strategies for mental calculations and created resources for SQA primary science assessments. Diane was appointed as Team Leader of Primary 6 where she continued to lead EcoSchools and Student Council in Lower School and chaired the Health and Wellbeing Committee. She was a treasurer of the South-East Scotland group of the Association for Science Education and, for her commitment to developing science education for teachers, Diane was awarded Chartered Science Teacher status in 2010. We are very sorry to see Diane go at the end of the autumn term 2018 but she has already returned several

Lower School Leavers

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G Staff times since to help us out and has supported us as an exam invigilator this summer. Diane - thank you for all that you have brought to the school.

Kat Lord Watson Kat joined the Primary 6 team in January 2019 and quickly won over the entire Lower School team with her regular baking, dry sense of humour and of course her trademark red lipstick. She was full of enthusiasm and new ideas from the off and it is safe to say that many changes have taken place in the delivery of the Primary 6 curriculum as a direct result of Kat's influence. It is no mean feat to take over a primary class mid-year and yet Kat very quickly bonded with her class, aided by their mutual love of Class Dojo and her focus on positive mental wellbeing. She also willingly took on the Eco committee and, in typical Kat fashion, really shook things up, leading to our Clothing Swap Shop and sustainable tuck for our eco day of action, which has allowed us to adopt two elephants and an orca - or possibly a dolphin - to add to our Guide Dog puppy. Kat was also our resident personal trainer, instigating weigh-ins in the Lower School kitchen and dragging a certain colleague out for a run come rain or shine. Kat is unapologetically North American and we love her for it. She is enthusiastic, fun and has brought new ideas and energy to Primary 6, ensuring high standards from the girls in terms of behaviour, effort and academic attainment.

Houldsworth Leavers Fiona Morris

colleague for four years. Highly organised and very experienced in boarding life, she was the go-to houseparent for travel arrangements, plans for social and sporting events, and in-house activities. Her fancydress costumes were legendary, and she was generous in lending these to girls and colleagues in need. Christmas will not be the same without Fiona collecting apples from the Houldsworth garden to make into gifts of chutney for our guests, secretly wrapping dozens of presents, and making the House advent calendar. We wish her well in her new job.

Marianne Le Gallo for creative ideas for activities and posters and we will never forget her wonderful costume for the Willy Wonka party! We wish her well for the future.

Junior School Leavers

Michelle Coutts

Sarah Knox

Marianne has only been with us for a year but she has made her mark on Houldsworth in various memorable ways, including: • Colour coding the night sheet for the three houses in Houldsworth; • Redesigning the sign in/out sheet so that we no longer have to flip the pages - simple genius; • Making delicious pork and vegan dumplings with the girls - a talent we found out about FAR too late; • Supervising the trip to Deep Sea World and the Rabbies Tour; • Masterminding the Houldsworth hoodies order; and • Designing this year's stunning Houldsworth scrapbook The boarders have loved Marianne's gentle sense of humour and her colourful socks, and the houseparents have appreciated her IT skills. We wish her every happiness as she continues her studies.

Ruth Forbes Fiona was a resident houseparent and valued

Sarah’s previous career was in galleries and as a researcher/producer for creative television programmes. She continues to value the gallery experience, leading tours in the National Galleries of Scotland and ensuring her classes always visit exhibitions to enhance their learning. Sarah, herself, is a renowned artist, having found commercial success in her own art - in paintings, prints and film - and she displays her own works in galleries across Scotland, reaching places such as the Isle of Colonsay. She never stops learning and remains an avid student of art, attending many professional learning courses at Leith School of Art to extend her own talents and skills. Sarah is married to Peter and has a son, Christie and a daughter Hollie. Sarah – we wish you all the very best as you move, not so very far away, to ESMS.

Ruth was a non-resident houseparent for a term. Her gentle manner and artistic talents made her a popular houseparent and colleague; she could be relied upon

Sarah startedas a Teacher of Art by Judith McClure, a former Head in 1997. In her 22 years at St George’s, Sarah worked with four Headteachers and four Heads of Art. For many years, Sarah worked in the Junior School as its Art specialist. The corridors are adorned with work that she has inspired. With her artistic touch, the work produced is of a very high quality, and all visitors to Junior School comment on its excellence. Her art clubs were extremely popular, with many pupils choosing to study art because of her enthusiasm and encouragement.

Michelle worked across the junior years as a valued member of the primary staff. She was always keen to be included in working parties and contribute to the extra-curricular life of the school. Her Science Club for P5 girls was very popular, extending an interest she has always had in Science. A genuinely friendly and lovely colleague to work alongside, Michelle had oodles of patience and understanding for the girls. She always sported a winning smile and she was loved by all the pupils in her class. Michelle leaves us to further her interest in the development of Support for Learning in a small unit in one of her local schools. We wish her well on this new journey, which will also allow her to spend more time with family and her two precious daughters.

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Michelle Smith

and then as part of our Primary 5 team. Her energy and enthusiasm for teaching meant that her classroom was a fun, creative and exciting place to be for the girls. Staff too miss her vibrant personality and witty sense of humour. Katie recently had a baby girl, Halle, a younger sister for Hugo and Teddy, so she has been promoted to a full-time mum!

Nursery Leavers

We were sad to say goodbye to Michelle Smith. Michelle joined us as a teacher in Primary 4 (as Miss Benson) and loved working in the P4 team with Mrs Peden and Mr Dunlop. Last session, she joined the P3 team and became Mrs Smith at Christmas time. Her calm demeanour and considered responses to challenges have been particularly noteworthy and have given her added experience on which she can build as she moves to secure a position in the City of Edinburgh schools. Michelle could also be spotted at Port Edgar supporting sailing or in Houldsworth as an esteemed boarding tutor. Her computer club has been nurturing the programmers of the future and Michelle is to be commended for her work with Junior School Charities too, leading the committee in fundraising for a number of worthy causes.

During this academic year, there has been some planned restructuring of our nursery, which meant that some of our staff team made the difficult decision to move on to fresh challenges in their careers. Although we miss them, we are grateful for their expertise and commitment to St George’s over the years and we are very pleased to develop our continuing nursery team as we move forward into the new academic session.

Alison McGregor

Saika Mohamed

Katie Mackie

Katie was with us as for a short time as a supply teacher

Nursery Administrator, has in recent years allowed her to showcase her admirable organisational and interpersonal skills, working more closely with our parents and members of the management team. Saika’s daughter was educated here at St George’s and, by her own admission, she will always feel a part of our community. Saika is missed as part of our Nursery team but we know that she is already looking ahead to the fresh challenges that her next role will bring.

After 18 years with St George’s Nursery, Saika made the decision to take up a position as a high school Pupil Support Assistant with the City of Edinburgh Council to provide her with an opportunity to work with an older age group of children. During her time at our nursery, Saika undertook a variety of roles, providing a high standard of childcare to our children and their families. As an Early Years Practitioner, Saika showed great commitment to the children and had much enthusiasm for their learning, bringing her irrepressible sense of fun to all activities. Over the years Saika has been a friend to all on the staff teams and also to our parents in Nursery, carrying out her roles and responsibilities with a cheerful, professional manner. Her most recent position at St George’s, as

Alison was a practitioner at St George’s Nursery for just over 13 years and during that time made a lasting impression on the children, who have thrived under her care. Endlessly kind and patient, ‘Miss McGregor’ showed a great amount of love to the children of St George’s and, through her passion for the early years, nurtured and developed strong bonds with many of our St George’s families. Alison has a unique ability to engage with young children on their natural level and joins in their play with great pleasure. Many a time at nursery she was to be found sitting on one of the small nursery chairs, adorned in garlands of beads and necklaces as the children ran happily around her, bringing her pretend cups of tea! Over the years, Alison developed strong friendships with many of her colleagues and regularly keeps in touch with familiar faces from years gone by. We wish Alison the very best of luck for the future at this new stage in her career.

Lizzie Falconer Lizzie worked at St George’s school for 11 years and will be known to many as a practitioner in the Junior School as well as the nursery. For many years Lizzie was a Junior School learning assistant, working closely with the Primary 1 and 2 teachers from the Discovery Room, developing play-based learning experiences for the

children there. During this time, she led the Holiday Club team and organised a fun repertoire of activities and outings for the children. Most recently, Lizzie has been an Early Years Practitioner in the nursery, and for the last two years has led the ante preschool team in the Little Owls room. Lizzie is an advocate for outdoor play experiences, never happier herself than when setting off with a minibus full of children (and their packed lunches), heading for Silverknowes beach. Lizzie leaves us to take up another Early Years Practitioner post with the City of Edinburgh Council and we are certain she will continue to nurture the learning and development of all the children she encounters.

Natasha Houston After four years with St George’s Nursery, Miss Houston left to take up another position as an Early Years Practitioner with the City of Edinburgh Council. During her time at St George’s Nursery, Natasha was an enthusiastic colleague and had lots of good ideas to contribute for activities and resources. She was committed to developing an exciting Coastal Learning programme of activities for our children and enjoyed the weekly outings on the minibus to Silverknowes beach, opening up a fresh world of learning and adventure for the children who accompanied her there. Natasha had a lovely rapport here in Nursery with our children and their families and we wish her well for the future.

Emily Rogerson After almost three years with St George’s Nursery, Miss Emily decided to take another position as an Early Years Practitioner within the City of Edinburgh Council. During her time in nursery, Miss Emily showed great love, understanding and warmth to all the children under her care. Emily has developed strong bonds

G Staff team during her two and a half years of working at St George’s Nursery. The children of our nursery loved spending time with kind and caring Mrs Beccy. She was most often to be found outdoors in the forest, with our children at the beach or in the playground engaged in some gardening fun or yoga poses! Beccy has a strong love for travelling and managed to explore almost every corner of the British Isles in the few years that she lived in Scotland; she has now returned home to her native Australia. Thank you, Beccy, for bringing some Australian sunshine to our nursery and we wish you well for the next stage of your own life journey. with many of our nursery families and her passion for the early years was evident in all that she undertook. She was a supportive, well-respected colleague to others in the Nursery team and we thank her for her commitment to Nursery+ and Holiday Club where she helped to provide a welcoming environment for our families. We wish Miss Emily the very best of luck for her future and thank her for her contributions to St George’s nursery.

Rebecca Newbold ‘Mrs Beccy’ made a big impression on our nursery

07557 732773 joyfuloriginal.com

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VALETE 2019 Platinum Badge: awarded to girls who joined us in Nursery and completed their school career at St George’s School for Girls. Gold Badge: awarded to girls who began and completed their school career at St George’s School for Girls or who have boarded since Remove.

UPPER 6P LUCY BADGER 2014-2019 Central Saint Martins – Art and Design Foundation

OLIVIA BARGETON 2003-2019 Platinum Badge University of Bristol – History

JENNIFER GRANDISON 2013-2019 Robert Gordon University – Applied Social Sciences

ALEENA HANIF 2013-2019 Edinburgh College – Social Sciences

MOA KOMIYA 2006-2019 Gold Badge University of St Andrews – Management

SOPHIE LESSELS 2003-2019 Platinum Badge Northumbria - Marketing Management

CORDELIA MCLEAN 2013-2019 University of Dundee – Digital Interaction Design

GEORGIANA ORAM 2006-2019 Gold Badge Durham University – Accounting and Finance

EVE SCOBIE 2011-2019 University of Leeds – International History and Politics

AMY THOMLINSON 2015-2019 Glasgow Caledonian University Physiotherapy

UPPER 6S LAUREN BUTLER 2013-2019 Open University - Psychology

SHEETAL TRIPATHY

YUTONG SHAO

2013-2019 University of Glasgow - Medicine

2017-2019 University College London – Mathematics

EMILY SMITH

UPPER 6Q GEMMA BOLE 2009-2019 Gap Year - Volunteering in South Africa with Project Trust. Newcastle University – Medicine and Surgery

RACHEL BRUCE 2012-2019 University of Edinburgh – German and Philosophy

AIDEVO EFERAKORHO 2013-2019 Newcastle University – Psychology

2014-2019 Gap Year – Working in Australia Applying to Drama schools in 2020

UPPER 6R LAURA CAMERON 2008-2019 University of Dundee - Medicine

ANNA COOPER 2013-2019 Gap Year Applying to university in 2020

JIAYI DONG

ELLEN GEDDES

2014-2019 University of Edinburgh - Psychology

2013-2019 University of Edinburgh – Nursing

FIYINFOLUWA FAKUNLE

ANUSHKA IRODI 2017-2019 Gap Year - Medical Research Project at Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh. University of Cambridge - Medicine

DAISY-BELLE JARDINE 2003-2019 Platinum Badge Gap Year – working abroad Applying to university in 2020

LAURA MCKELLAR 2011-2019 University of Aberdeen - Medicine

FLORA MILLER 2004-2019 Platinum Badge University of Leeds – International History and Politics

MOLLY RUTHERFORD 2014-2019 Queen’s University, Belfast – Drama and English

JOMANAH SAQUR 2017-2019 Queen Margaret University – Psychology

SARA SARWAR 2012-2019 Edinburgh Napier University – Business Management

2012-2019 University of Aberdeen – Law with English Law

HANNAH FERROL

SOPHIE GRAY 2004-2019 Platinum Badge University of Stirling – Criminology and Sociology

CHLOE GUIJARRO 2011-2019 University of Glasgow – Physiology and Sports Science

SOPHIE HOGG 2017-2019 Paris College of Art – Foundation Year

EMILY JEFFERSON 2013-2019 University of Cambridge - Law

JESSICA LATIMER 2016-2019 University of Amsterdam – Economics and Business Economics

ELEANOR MCDONALD 2013-2019 Gap Year working in a dental practice. Applying to university in 2020

AKSHITA NAGARAJ

2017-2019 Edinburgh Napier University – English

2011-2019 University of Edinburgh – Medical Sciences

LAURA MACLEOD

CHARLOTTE NEAVES

2014-2019 Durham University – Criminology

FRANCESCA ROSS 2011-2019 MGA Academy of Performing Arts – Musical Theatre

HANNAH SHAFIQ 2013-2019 Gap Year Applying to university in 2020

MADELINE SMYTH 2003-2019 Platinum Badge University of Edinburgh – Oral Health Sciences

GERALDINE STANLEY 2013-2019 University of Dundee – Law (Scots) with Spanish

2005-2019 Platinum Badge Gap Year University of Bristol - English

ANNA SYME 2010-2019 Gap Year Applying to university in 2020

BLUE HOCKEY-MARTIN

JANEY FULTON

2013-2019 Glasgow School of Art – Fine Art – Painting/Printmaking

2017-2019 Gap Year Applying to Drama Schools in 2020 to study Acting

AMY HOOKE 2004-2019 Platinum Badge University of St Andrews – Psychology

TAYLOR MAY 2010-2019 University of Aberdeen – Law with English Law

ELOISE NELSON

SUSIE MARSHALL

2014-2019 University of Aberdeen - Zoology

ANNIE PENLEY 2008-2019 University of Dundee – Geography

HOPE REILLY 2010-2019 Heriot-Watt University – International Business Management and Languages

YASMIN SCOTT 2015-2019 University of Brighton – Fashion with Business Studies

DANA STOYANOVA 2013-2019 University of Glasgow – Physics with Astrophysics

XIUYIN ZHENG 2017-2019 University of Edinburgh - Chemistry

2012-2019 University of Highlands and Islands – Childhood Studies

RUTH NEILL 2004-2019 Platinum Badge Lancaster University - Criminology

UPPER 6Y ELLEN FORSHAW 2004-2019 Platinum Badge Newcastle University – Sociology

CARA HASTON 2002-2019 Platinum Badge Northumbria University – Social Sciences Foundation Year

ANYA MUNRO

UPPER 6X ANNIS ARCHER

AMBER MURRAY

OLIVIA DEVINE

KIRSTY BATHGATE

2004-2019 Platinum Badge University of St Andrews - English

2012-2019 King’s College London – French and Spanish

EMILY WATSON

UPPER 6W

KIANA MACPHERSON

2011-2019 University of Manchester - Criminology

2017-2019 Robert Gordon University – Fashion Management 2014-2019 University of Aberdeen – Geography

2006-2019 Gold Badge Gap Year – Ski season then travelling Oxford Brookes University - International Business Management 2013-2019 University of St Andrews – Modern Languages (Arabic and Spanish) and Management

EMILY MORAN

2018-2019 Gap Year - Volunteering in a rural hospital in South Africa with Project Trust Applying to university in 2020

KIRSTY THOMPSON

KATHERINE MACKAY

2004-2019 Platinum Badge Gap Year Applying to university in 2020

HANNAH DOUGLAS 2014-2019 Solent University – Musical Theatre

2011-2019 University of Edinburgh – Medical Sciences

PRITHI NATARAJAN 2003-2019 Platinum Badge University of Edinburgh - Medicine

CATHERINE REID 2011-2019 University of Edinburgh - Chinese

JEMIMA WALLS 2013-2019 Gap Year – Ski season and travelling Northumbria University - Psychology

G Valete KIRSTY WONG

JEMMA PLATTS

2013-2019 Heriot-Watt University - Civil Engineering

2013-2019 University of St Andrews - Psychology

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM

ZARA PURDY

JENNY HO

ALISON YUEN

2014-2019 University of Aberdeen - Psychology

2014-2019 Head of Boarding University of Dundee – Biomedical Sciences

2011-2019 University of Manchester – Law with Politics and International Study

JULIA RAMBUKKANA

UPPER 6Z

2009-2019 University College London – Applied Medical Sciences

LUCINDA CRAWFORD

LYDIA ROWAN

2014-2019 Royal Agricultural University International Business Management

SEHEE HWANG

2008-2019 University of Bath – Sport Management and Coaching

TILLY SCOTT

2016-2019 University of St Andrews - Medicine

2013-2019 University of Leeds – Theatre and Performance

MAUD JOSEPH

MOLLY YOUNIE

2003-2019 Platinum Badge University of Dundee – Art and Design Foundation

ANISHA MUSHFIQUE 2013-2019 Applying for Apprenticeships

2003-2019 Platinum Badge University of Exeter – Biological Sciences with Study Abroad

YIROU ZHU 2015-2019 Glasgow School of Art – Interior Design

A bespoke p and p personal approach, pp , tailored to your needs

. Business Advisory . . Corporate Advice . . Accounts and Audit . . Personal and Business Tax . . VAT . . Payroll .

www.chiene.co.uk l 0131 558 5800

ANNA MACFARLANE 2013-2019 Senior Prefect University of Bristol – Social Policy

ALICE YOUNG 2013-2019 Deputy Head Girl University of Bristol - Law

AURELIA HOUBERT 2003-2019 Platinum Badge Head Girl University of Dundee - Medicine

Garscube Terrace, Murrayfield, Edinburgh EH12 6BG

Day and boarding school for girls, 3-18 years T 0131 311 8000 E admissions@stge.org.uk OSCR Charity No: SC012632 Help with fees available

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