Spring 2020
Strathallan News
Featured Founder’s Day commemorated
This year we reinstated a 74 year-old tradition, commemorating and giving thanks for our Founding Headmaster. Between flurries of snow and rain, the Headmaster was joined by our Chaplain, Captains of School, School Prefects, Heads of House, members of Riley House and staff in a procession to the grave of our Founder Harry Riley. His lasting legacy was honoured by the wreath laid in his memory. The values upon which Strathallan was founded were summarised at the graveside by our current Headmaster Mark Lauder, as he read Philippians 2: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
Students slalom to success
Luka H-T, Iona R and Maisie M took to the slopes in challenging conditions but all three pupils sped down in pole positions at the British Schoolgirls’ Race in the French Alps. Maisie took second place in the under-16 age group and Strathallan was ranked second school in the UK for Giant Slalom after their success.
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Strathallan swimmer selected for Scottish squad
Pupil Elise C, 14, has been selected for Team Scotland’s Youth Development Squad. The Third Form pupil, originally from Tain, says she is over the moon to be selected for the squad which included an invitation to take part in the international swim meet in Ireland between 20-23rd February. She said: “Less than 5 months ago, I was training mainly on my own but now I’m part of a team preparing to swim internationally for Scotland. I can’t believe it. “I’m so excited for the meet in Ireland next month, it will be my first swim competition outside of Scotland.” Elise has been making waves at the school ever since she joined in September on a Swimming Scholarship. Since starting at Strathallan, Elise has recorded a number of significant personal best times and has really begun to stand out. Swim coach, Elaine Johnston, says that her pupil’s fast sprint times aren’t the only thing Elise’s competiton should worry about. She said: “Elise’s progress has been exciting to watch. She came to us not that long ago as a sprinter but her determination and hard work ethic has meant she is now equally holding her own at longer distances. “The Youth Development Squad is a fantastic introduction to international swimming; in fact it was the same squad that former pupil and current Olympian Duncan Scott was first selected for. “We are thrilled to see Elise get the national recognition she has worked so hard for. Training with the Scottish squad is only going to increase her performances and her goal of representing her country across the globe.”
Strath at the Six Nations
Six former pupils played for Scotland during the Guiness 2020 Six Nations. U20’s Ollie Smith (no. 15) and Cameron Henderson (no. 5) played pivtoal roles in Scotland’s young squad, starting for Scotland in every U20 match and helping secure a huge win, including a bonus-point, against Wales. Meanwhile, Strathallians Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie, George Horne and Matt Fagerson all capped for Scotland, taking on Ireland, England, Italy and France before global events put an end to the campaign early. The entire school community was out in force at every Murrayfield match, supporting our former pupils and the countries playing.
BSA appoints Headmaster as 2020 Chair
Mr Lauder takes over the reins from Nick Wergan, Executive Headteacher at Steyning Grammar School. Over a career that has taken him to St Edward’s, Oxford, Felsted School in Essex, and, before Strathallan, as Headmaster at Ashville College in Harrogate, Mr Lauder has been embedded in boarding as a Housemaster, Head of Boarding and Deputy Headmaster, and Headmaster, as well as a passionate rugby and rowing coach and CCF officer. Mr Lauder said of his appointment “I’m honoured and excited to take on the role as Chair at the BSA for 2020. The BSA’s mission ‘for better boarding today’ is one close to my heart, having spent so much of my career in boarding schools endeavouring to provide just that. It’s a mission that mirrors that of Strathallan’s founder Harry Riley when he set out to reimagine what a boarding education could be in 1913, as relevant today as it was a century ago. I look forward to playing my part over my term as Chair in 2020, and putting Strathallan at the heart of the UK’s boarding sector as we seek to continually improve what we do and how we look after our pupils.” 3
Academic Third Form Reading Group
Every pupil at Strathallan is encouraged to read for pleasure. Our beautiful library is used as part of curriculum English for at least one lesson a week. This ‘Deep Dive’ into reading has been taken further by third form who now building reading groups into their library lessons. The first whole-class reader was Neal Shusterman’s ‘Scythe,’ part of a young adult dystopian trilogy. Calum P (3N) first read this last year and his enthusiastic perusal of the next two instalments gave us the idea for our first book. The reading group itself took place three weeks later with snacks, drinks and informal discussion of those who had most enjoyed the book or who had the most to say about its ideas. Molly H (3G) loved the book, describing it as, “one of the best books I’ve read in ages. I have such a clear idea in my head about what the main characters such as Rowan look like. The whole story was really thought provoking with some very unexpected twists, I’ve started the second one already.”
Biology Olympiad
Out of 9250 students taking part worldwide, our Upper Sixth Form trio, Nika, Catriona and Ellie came in the top 18% of all Biology Olympiad participants.
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Maths team score top marks
Congratulations to our team who came first in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge Regional Finals. Derek, Ruairidh, Angus and Joshua are now through to the National Finals.
Flora May’s photography captures attention
Student Flora May H placed second in Perthshire’s Rotary Young Photographer compeition after she submitted photos taken for her Art class. The Lower Sixth Form student says that coming runner-up in the presitigous contest has given her more confidence with photography, an art form she only recently started to explore. “I didn’t expect to come in the top ten, never mind second,” Flora May said. “Photography runs in our family but I’d never really given it a go until I took these photographs for Art and I’m glad I did, I will definitely continue learning more about photography in art.” Frank Glancy, Head of Art, says Flora May should be proud of her achievement: coming second out of a total 73 entries is no mean feat. “Including Flora May, our department has been very successful in local and national competitions this year,” he continued. “We won best Art department and had students finish 1st in both senior and junior categories at the Perthshire Young Artist Exhibition earlier in the school year and now, thanks to Flora’s eye, we’ve have scooped runner up in a photography prize.”
Top of the Bench 2019-2020
We had our best ever result in the national chemistry competition ‘Top of the Bench’ which is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Having previously only made the regional final once before, we were delighted to make it through to the final again and make the trip through to St Andrews University for the evening event. Our team of Conor C (5R), Melissa F-S (4W), Rosalind Q (4W) and Caitlin McM (3T) did themselves and the School proud by coming third place overall, our best result ever. The competition format was a bit like university challenge with buzzers and various rounds on different chemical topics. Some of the questions were fiendishly difficult and our team coped well with all the challenges thrown at them. Melissa and Rosalind had lessons in the morning, a hockey fixture in the afternoon (which they won) and then the Top of the Bench final in the evening! Well done to them for performing so well after such a busy day and thanks to Mr Giles for getting them from Dundee to St Andrews. Our youngest team member Caitlin did really well considering it was her first experience of the competition; I can already tell that she will be a good asset to next years’ team. Huge thanks also to Neil, Caroline and Archie’ our first ever set of supporters, who cheered the team on and helped me on the night. A final special thanks and well done to Conor, a great captain this year and a stalwart of the competition in previous years. He is too old to take part next year but other fun challenges such as chemistry Olympiads are already in his sights.
Public Speaking
Chloe M and Mia R beat strong opposition to make it to the Second Round of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Public Speaking Competition at Blairgowrie High School.
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Beyond the classroom Debating Society
The Debating Society continues to go from strength to strength and is, in terms of participation in local and national competitions, one of the most active in Scotland, taking part in the Law Society’s Donald Dewar Memorial Competition, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Competition as well as the Oxford University and Scottish Schools Debating competitions. Chloe M and Mia R went through in the second round of the Crown Office competition and await news of their next round tie. The major school competition this term is the Senior Inter House Competition which was on the motion This House Believes that the Health of the Individual is more important than the Health of the Nation. This was won, in a very strenuously-fought contest by the Simpson team of Will L and Matthew R who just sneaked past Freeland and Muna N and Francis Y. Mention must be made of the sterling efforts of Ethan W (F), Max M and Macka P (R) who undertook all the judging and, as juniors, took on the role of correcting and guiding their elders.
Giving Back
Our pupils handed over a cheque for £1,800 to Macmillan Cancer Support after collecting at house music, a number of Macmillan coffee mornings and a Riley quiz earlier this year.
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh students are getting ready for expedition season, with training already happening in anticipation of spring trips by our Bronze, Silver and Gold participants. However, we wanted to show another aspect of the award, and a very successful one at that. DofE students doing Volunteering have been collecting food and toiletries donations for the Perth and Kinross Food Bank. In a short period of time Strathallan students have donated over 200 items. We want to send a special thanks to the parents who have certainly helped pick up items for donation, as well as school Chaplain Rev Jonny Wylie for organising a fundraiser that collected £450 for the food bank. This was a great start to what is hoped to be an ongoing successful endeavour. Congratulations to Alex B & Fergus S for completing the Bronze Award.
Variety Show
This year’s Variety Show was a feast for the scenes, with music, rap, dance and magic on display. All in aid of the Strath-Kenya Project, Variety Show 2020 was won by the spellbinding performance by Ethan W.
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Visiting Speakers in our students’ words Robert Fairweather
Mr Fairweather gave the 6th form a lecture about his fascinating career working as a British diplomat for the past 23 years, working in places all over the world including Sudan, Switzerland and the Netherlands to name a few. Robert was part of a Nobel Prize-winning team and was also awarded an OBE for Services to international relations in 2018. Robert spoke to us about his somewhat unconventional route into diplomacy, working in several jobs before he decided on diplomacy, throughout the lecture Robert heavily encouraged all of us to focus on what interests us rather than what is expected of us or what would be the most lucrative option. I have personally known Robert and his two sons, Mark and John for the past 12 years. I remember being amazed that one of my friends’ dad could work with chemical weapons and even won a Nobel Prize for his work. Robert’s lecture not only informed us on his amazing career as a diplomat, but also gave us all important advice to follow our passions and not to be certain of our futures before we have explored all of our options. - Fin D (Lower Sixth)
Professor Alison Britton
On Monday the 9th March, I was lucky enough to attend a workshop and lecture run by Professor Alison Britton. At the workshop, Professor Britton let us ask her some questions relating to any queries we had about Medical and Healthcare Law. The Coronavirus was brought up and she helped explain, with the aid of her micro-biologist daughter, what the Coronavirus actually was and the risks it posed. She also provided interesting insight into how the UK and NHS is prepared for the virus and reiterated that the media coverage portrays the situation as worse than the reality, a point she emphasised in her lecture as well. As a specialist in professional ethics, Professor Britton offered an expert opinion on the ethicality and legality of genome testing on foetus’s in the UK and internationally. She explained that in the UK genome testing is illegal, except for special medical circumstances. While discussing the benefits she used a term called everyone’s “YUCK” factor. This is the factor that makes people feel uncomfortable with an idea and she explained that everyone’s is different, which is why ethical advice is always changing and very hard to agree on. This morphed into a conversation on euthanasia, and the morality of being helped by doctors to die. Again, her experience in the healthcare field helped us all understand the term better and left us questioning about the future and the possibility of “assisted dying” being implemented in the UK. Her lecture on euthanasia provided even more insight, and what was particularly powerful for me was the sad idea of “suicide tourism”, the act of going to a country overseas to be euthanised. Professor Britton unpacked the world of Healthcare and Medical Law and helped us all to understand by using relevant examples. Overall, the lecture and workshop was academically enriching and left us all with a lot to think about. - Emma C (Lower Sixth)
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Music Musical Outreach
From singing in Gaelic to sharing stories with those suffering from Alzhemier’s, our music scholars and teachers have been sharing the gift of music with local primary schools, community groups and audiences across Scotland this term.
Music in the Community Our Music staff and pupils do so much to support music in our local community and beyond. From raising funds to support music lessons for children in local primary schools to volunteering time and expertise teaching and playing with adults with a variety of learning difficulties, they are helping to keep music alive for all in our community.
92 The number hours of choral and instrumental tuition in local primary schools paid for by funds raised at the Performing Arts Showcase in December
20 Chanters purchased for an entire class at Goodlyburn Primary to keep traditional music alive in our communities.
7 Scholars volunteering two hours per term to work with Dementia Support
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Funds raised at at single Performing Arts Showcase in December 2019
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Adults with disabilities supported by our pupils and staff through the Inspiration Orchestra in Perth
Riley Divisional Music
Congratulations to all of the Riley acts for their powerful performances at the Divisional Music competition. Well done to the winners; Glenearn. www.strathallan.co.uk
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Pipes and Drums School piper starts the salmon season
On request from Gleneagles Hotel, Stan B piped the fishermen, ghillies and guests of the hotel to the river Tay, declaring the season open.
Playing for the Beatson
Cancer impacts so many of us directly and indirectly, so the Pipeband were honoured to join friends at the Beatson Cancer Charity and pipe in their Burns Supper.
Edinburgh University
It was a very busy term for the Pipeband as they also played for the Edinburgh University Sports Union Ball, led by Pipe Major Archie. They also caught up with lots of former pupils.
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Performing Arts Performing Arts Showcase From Pilate’s Dream to Sister Act, our pupils put on an outstanding performing showcase this year.
Perform in Perth
Riley Y 5 and 6 were named winners of the choral speaking after they performed Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll and The Witches Song from Macbeth.
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Eric M wins the William Soutar Tassie
Congratulations to Eric, who won the William Soutar Tassie after reciting ‘Muckle Sae Like’ by William Soutar at Perform in Perth.
Riley - Strathallan’s Junior House World Book Day
Our Riley pupils took the school and the local press by storm on World Book Day, dressing up as Danny Champion of the World, Mario, Wally (from Where’s Wally) and many more amazing literary figures.
Snow Day
Riley House and Third Form took to the slopes this term, heading up to Glenshee for a great snow day.
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Sports Cross Country Invitational and Inter-House Races
Congratulations to all who took part, particularly the Riley pupils who were out en masse; there were some excellent performances from them.
Results
A Boys - Alex W (1st) Team 1st - Alex W, Shay F-C, Demeter K. B Boys - Blake H (2nd) James L (3rd) Team 1st - Blake H, James L, Connor C C Boys - Jamie L (3rd) Team 1st - Jamie L, Fionn T, Alexander E. D Boys - Jacob H (1st) B Girls - Orla F (3rd) Team 1st - Orla F, Eva M, Georgia S. C Girls - Anya M (2nd) Elise C (3rd) Team 1st Anya M, Elise C, Louisa B. D Girls - Layla M (2nd) Francesca W (3rd) Team 1st - Layla M, Francesca W, Freya C.
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Inter-House Results
Overall Winners - Ruthven & Glenbrae Junior Boys - Freeland Junior Girls - Glenbrae Middle Boys - Ruthven Middle Girls - Woodlands Senior Boys - Ruthven Senior Girls - Glenbrae
Sports Boys Hockey Sevens
Congratulations to Cargilfield School U13 Boys for their great win at our Strathallan Hockey Sevens and well done to all the teams who competed.
Athletics
Congratulations to our athletes who competed in Glasgow at the Scottish Schools Indoor Championships. Sophie W Calum T
Bronze 200m PB in 400m
Silver 60m
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Well done to our clay pigeon shooters and Coach Eddy Buchan who took part in the first selection shoot for the World Championships. They were all placed high in the competition and Angus T and Eddy won their respective classes. Angus was top Junior securing the early top spot for Scottish selection with four more shoots to go.
Basketball
Scottish Schools Plate Quarter Final 1st V v Holy Rood HS
107 – 102
W
Fantastic match and great resilience and composure from our players. They now play Lasswade HS in the semi Final.
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Sports Cross Country
Glenalmond Invitational Races Girls Group C 1st Anya M 2nd Katie M 3rd Tilly W Boys Group C 1st Jamie L 2nd Fionn T 3rd Alex E Girls Group B 2nd Orla F 3rd Katherine H Boys Group B 2nd Calum T 3rd Blake H Boys Group A 2nd Alex W 3rd Shay F-C
Scottish Schools Championships Well done to all the runners who took part; we were the only School with a team in every age group: Boys Group A - 4th place Girls Group A - 4th place Boys Group C - 3rd place/Bronze medals Fionn T, Jamie L, Alex E, Ivan M. Group C Girls - Anya M 9th place out of 147 and as a result is being considered for selection for Scottish team.
Equestrian
Scottish Schools Competition Strathallan riders won a total of 11 first places plus 2 teams & 3 individuals qualified for the NSEA champs in October at Addington. Well done Pebbles, Brook & Rowan.
Scottish Schools Event at Howe Our team won Class 6, 75cm. Team of Emily S, Elspeth W, Francesca W, Pebbles W.
Football
Strathallan v St Leonards School 1st XI 6 – 0 W Strathallan v Albyn School 1st XI 0 – 3 L
Golf
Gleneagles Academy Congratulations to Alexander E who has been selected for the Gleneagles Academy. This is the second year that he has achieved this accolade. 14
Hockey
Boys Hockey Strathallan v George Watsons College 1st XI 0–6 L 2nd XI 1–4 L U15A 4–0 W U14A 8–0 W Strathallan v Loretto 1st XI 0–4 2nd XI 0–1 U15A 4–2 U15B 1–1
L L W D
Riley Boys Hockey Riley v St Leonards U12A 7–0 U11A 4–1
W W
Girls Hockey Scottish Schools Cup Quarter Final Juniors v High School of Dundee Penalties Scottish Schools Cup Semi Final 1st XI v High School of Glasgow 3 – 1
0–0 2–1
D W
W
Great team performance to take us into the Cup Final. Two impressive penalty saves from Charlotte G and three good goals for Captain Lisa B. They will play Mary Erskine in the Final. Riley Girls Hockey Riley v St Leonards U12A 5–2 U11A 0–5
W L
Netball
Scottish Schools Cup, quarter-finals
Rugby
National Selection Well done to Callum B and Andrew S who played for Scotland Academy sides down in Wales last weekend. Andrew scored a try and is now involved in the training in preparation for the forthcoming international U18 matches.
1st VII v Woodmill HS 3A v Strathaven Ac
26 – 7 16 – 12
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Perth League 1st VII v Pumas
46 – 12 W
Riley Girls Netball Riley v Fettes College U13A 12 – 3 U13B 5 – 18 U12A 6 – 20 U11A 2 – 12
W L L L
W
This term also saw our 1st VII take on our 1st XV Rugby team in a charity match for Cancer Research UK:
And congratulations to Charlotte G who played for Scotland U18 Futures squad with Ireland and scored a try in her first match.
District Selection Well done to Duncan W, Callum B, Harris McL who were selected for Caledonia U17 to play in the FOSROC 4s at the Oriam in Edinburgh. Jay C was selected to play for Borders. Caledonia won the competition with defeat over Borders in the Final.
Netball
Independent Schools Tournament Huge congratulations to the 1st VII who won the tournament last Saturday defeating Robert Gordons 2, Gordonstoun 2 and Fettes in the group stage. They were then drawn against our 2nd VII in the semi-final as they had finished 2nd in their group. They then defeated Robert Gordon 1st VII in the Final.
Perth League 1st VII v TNT - 26 – 42 (Win) Players of Match Imogen McM & Dani D
Tennis
District Selection Fantastic to see six of our pupils selected to represent Tennis Tayside at the upcoming Tennis Scotland Inter-District Championships. Congratulations to Katie B, Marcus McL, Ben C, Nicholas B, Freya C and Thomas D. Well done to Ben and Freya Con winning the U14 Winter County Tour events in Stirling and Glasgow respectively. Well done to Thomas D on his 3 out of 4 wins and impressive performances in Aberdeen. Great weekend for the North County boys team including Marcus McL. The team gained promotion with 3 wins and Marcus was undefeated over the 3 days. It was tough for the girls team, including Katie B who were a very young team. Well done to Nicholas B who finished as runner up to the top seed in the U18 boys singles at the Afron Winter County tour event. Congratulations to Alexander E on winning the U18 boys singles at the North Winter County Tour event in Manchester last weekend. After a strong run to the final, Alexander won 6-2 6-2 in the final.
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Sports
Skiing
Scottish Schools Ski Alpine Final Well done to our skiers at Glenshee in the Scottish Schools Finals. Maisie M - Winner -S1-3 (at 34.05secFastest time of the day) Robyn L - Winner - S4-6 (41.68sec) Rolie S - 7th Place - S4-6 (41.09sec) Jamie S - 18th Place - S4-6 (49.61sec) Iona Ross - DNF The team finished in 2nd place overall on 9 points, beaten by GWC by 1 point.
Scottish Schools Ski Alpine Races, National Qualifiers Congratulations to our skiers who competed yesterday. The team finished 4th overall and have qualified for the National Finals at Glenshee. Team Robyn L (also placed 1st Senior Girl) Roli S Jamie S
Swimming
Strathallan swimmers secure a wave of medals and trophies at the Midlands District Age-Group Championships, leaving the prestigious competition with personal bests (PBs) across the board. Katelyn T - 1 x Gold Christopher A - 2 x Gold 1 x Bronze Owen C - 4 x Gold, Trophy for Best 100 Backstroke Elise C - 4 x Gold, 3 x Silver, 1 x Bronze, 2 Trophies for Best 100m Freestyle and Best 100m young swimmer. The squad’s performance was even more significant as the trophies they secured also bore the name of their swim coach Elaine Johnston, who achieved her own international swimming success before becoming Strathallan’s swim guru, coaching the likes of Duncan Scott and Scott McLay.
Forgandenny, Perth PH2 9EG / T: 01738 812 546 / info@strathallan.co.uk
www.strathallan.co.uk