Strathallan Newsletter Spring 2024

Strathallan News

Featured

Soaring success: Fife airport welcomes Strathallan student-built plane for testing

Exciting news for Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust as the two-seater aircraft built at Strathallan School moves to Fife Airport at Glenrothes for flight testing. Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust (ASSET) is counting another success in its STEM outreach with the completion of a second “School Build a Plane” (BAP) project.

This build has been completed at Strathallan School in Perthshire, where up to forty pupils took part, as part of the STEM curriculum, in the assembly work which got underway in January 2023. Over the build period, another 360 or so school children have enjoyed visits to the workshop to see the aeroplane and learn about the project.

The plane has now been moved from the school to Fife Airport to undergo rigorous flight testing prior to a Civil Aviation Authority Permit to Fly being issued.

The school build programme has been managed by expert volunteer, and ASSET trustee, Robin Chisholm under the auspices of the British Microlight Aircraft Association inspection regime.

Similar to the first Build a Plane project at Kinross High School in 2018, the ASSET team once again selected a Eurofox two seat light aircraft for assembly as a school project. The kit was manufactured in Slovakia and transported to the school in Forgandenny, Perthshire.

The aircraft has been pre-registered with the CAA as G-OLOV reflecting the Strathallan School motto – Labor Omnia Vincent –“Work Conquers All”

Headmaster of Strathallan, Mark Lauder, said: I am so proud of all the pupils whose collaborative efforts have contributed to the completion of a fully functional light aircraft. This achievement embodies not just our commitment to make STEM education accessible and exciting for all ages in our school, but also exemplifies the power of teamwork and dedication. I am very much looking forward to seeing Strathallan pupils enjoying the fruits of their labours once the plane is certified for its first flight.

Commenting on the project, ASSET chairman Alisdair Stewart said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of our second Build a Plane project, forming a key strand of our STEM outreach programme. It gave pupils a hands-on chance to learn about aircraft design, engines and avionics and to experience the build at every stage and might just be the encouragement required to lead some of them further into STEM and aviation related careers.

“Robin Chisholm has given an immense amount of voluntary time and dedication to the project and we want to sincerely thank him and Strathallan School staff for working collaboratively with our small team of volunteers and the pupils to bring this project through to fruition.

“Watch out for our news on G-OLOV taking to the skies”

Once the permit to fly has been obtained, pupils will get the chance to experience the sheer joy of flight in the aircraft they helped to build and to learn about associated disciplines such as meteorology, navigation and radio telephony for years to come.

Hedgehogs find a new home at Strathallan School

Ten hedgehogs, released back into the wild by the Scottish SPCA, have found a new home in Perthshire.

Seeking a suitable environment for their rescue hogs, Scottish SPCA approached Strathallan School which, as partner of the Northwoods Rewilding Network, is committed to fostering greater biodiversity on campus, most recently dedicating over 53 acres of land to rewilding efforts.

Already a thriving habitat for rabbits, deer, swans and other wildlife, the school was delighted to welcome 10 hedgehogs to campus.

Strathallan Biology Teacher and Lead of the School’s EcoSkills groups, Paul Vallot, said, “We were delighted to get the call. The SSPCA team was fantastic in coaching our pupils, parents, and staff on the chosen locations at school and how best to care for the hedgehogs now residing here. We are thrilled to welcome even more wildlife onto our campus.”

A small group of families were on hand to learn more about their new neighbours and how best to help feed them over the next few months.

Strathallan School pupils and sisters Kate and Amy M said that rehoming the hedgehogs was an experience that they won’t forget.

Amy said, “Releasing the hedgehogs was amazing. To give them a better home felt great, I’m sure they will love it here.”

Kate added, “It was so fun getting to name some of them and seeing their handlers setting them free. I was surprised by how small they were and how fast they went off into their new habitats.”

Manager of the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre, Chris Hogsden, said, “Every year we see hundreds of hedgehogs come into our wildlife hospital.

“Being able to release hedgehogs safely back into their natural environment is one of our main priorities and we are delighted Strathallan school are becoming hedgehog helpers to use their 53 acres of land to help.

Amelia crowned Perthshire’s Young Photographer of the Year

Strathallan Prep School pupil Amelia S has been crowned the Perthshire Schools Young Photographer of the Year, awarded by the Rotary Club of Perth Kinnoull.

The talented 12-year-old from Perth not only won the Junior Photographer of the Year award but also outshone all other junior and senior entries, securing the prestigious title of overall Young Photographer of the Year 2024 with her entry ‘Palette of the Soul’.

Amelia, who joined Strathallan in September, expressed her delight and shock at winning. She said, “I am thrilled to be named Young Photographer of the Year. Receiving a new camera as the top prize has made me so excited to further explore and develop my photography skills.”

Francis Glancy, Head of Art at Strathallan, said, “Amelia should be incredibly proud. The Young Perthshire Photographer of the Year is a prestigious award and I know from the submissions I’ve seen she was up against some brilliant young artists. It’s fantastic to see Strathallan pupils continue to showcase their skills and get recognised for their talent.”

Strathallan student selected as ambassador for British Eventing National Youth Forum

Strathallan Sports Scholar Kyle F has been selected as an ambassador on the inaugural British Eventing National Youth Forum

Kyle is just one of two young Scottish riders selected for the nationwide panel, who will work with British Eventing to assist in shaping the future of Eventing in Great Britain.

Kyle, who has been riding since he was 7, said it was a honour to be called up for the National Youth Forum.

He said, “It’s an absolute honour to be selected as an ambassador. I am delighted and feel really lucky to be chosen. It means I can help grow a sport I am deeply passionate about. I’ve gained so much from Eventing, from friendships for life to experiences I’ll never forget, so I’m keen to give back.”

Since joining Strathallan in 2020 as a Sports Scholar, Kyle has gone on to represent Scotland in Triathlon, Tetrathlon and Eventing in the Scotland U18 100 squad.

He admits that he has thrived at Strathallan, taking almost every opportunity presented to him, from singing in House Music to racing for the school in the Williams F1 Esports Student League. Kyle was also recently named Best Scottish Rider - BE U18 100 at the British Eventing Scotland Ball.

Looking ahead, Kyle said “As well as balancing my exams, this year I’ll be aiming to ride at 2* level. Strathallan has given me opportunities like nowhere else; I feel I have found a lot of success here, all while meeting some amazing people from all over the world along the way.”

Cosmo Fairbairn

Strathallan School was deeply saddened to learn about the death of Cosmo Fairbairn on 19th January. Mr T C G Fairbairn dedicated thirty-two years of his life to the school before retiring from the role of Second Master in 1991. During his time at the school, Cosmo's influence saw the growth of the CCF, 365 boys pass through Nicol House, and the integration of the school's first cohort of girls in 1979. His legacy is one of unwavering dedication that continues to impact the Strathallan community to this day.

Build a Race Car

Now that they’ve helped Build-A-Plane, our student engineers are starting to build the School’s Formula 24 single-seater electric race car for racing in 2024/25 season

Strathallan shooters triumph at British School Clay Shooting Championships

Strathallan’s Sporting Clay Shooting team secured a clean sweep of results at the British Schools Championships held at the Oxford Gun Company last week.

Led by Captain Alasdair T, the team, comprised of Alex M, Robbie W, Molly H, and Hunter S, claimed several top honours including Overall Team Winners.

Shooting against teams from leading English schools including Millfield, Wellington and Warwick, our Scottish pupils surpassed the runners-up by 22 clays to become overall Team Champions.

Alasdair T’s remarkable performance earned him the High Gun 1st prize, achieving a flawless 50 straight for the second consecutive year. Molly H shone as the top lady, achieving an impressive score of 48. Robbie W secured 2nd place in the High Gun with a score of 47, while Alex M claimed 3rd with a score of 46. Hunter S, the talented colt of the team, shot a competitive score of 42.

Reflecting on their success, Captain Alasdair expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, he said “With us narrowly losing out last year, it felt amazing when each and every member of the team performed so well that we won by a margin of 22 clays. It felt great to finally get the result we came down to achieve.”

Molly H, who took the top prize in the Ladies category, said, “We came down to Oxford with a goal and we smashed it, winning everything we possibly could have. It feels great to bring home ladies high gun for the second year, especially with the second highest score in the competition. It makes going all that way worth it.”

Hunter S, the youngest member of the team, added, “Being the youngest in the team I had huge pressure on me going down to Oxford, I ended up shooting a 42/50 which was not as well as I should have shot however, we still managed to take the overall win at the Oxford Gun company which was great as we narrowly missed out last year to Millfield. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

The team’s triumph continued at the Elite British Open Schools Championships held by County Clays in Dunkeld, where they secured further accolades, including A Team Champions and B Team Runners-up, and victories in various individual and team categories.

Sharing in the team’s success, Robbie said, “It’s my last year at Strathallan, and to be able to contribute to the team by shooting the best I’ve ever shot down south is a great feeling. Bringing such a big trophy up to Scotland and an individual second place shows the hard work put in is paying off. To then win back-to-back trophies, after shooting a clean 80/80 in the flush, shows the talent in our teams, as we collectively won 9 of the 11 possible trophies over the two competitions.”

Master of Clays at Strathallan, Mr Paul Vallot commended the team’s hard work and collective achievements, “I am so proud and delighted for the A team who have returned from Oxford with a clean sweep of the trophies from the competitions they entered. Their success as individuals and as a team are just rewards for their hard work and ability. The icing on the cake to a fantastic year was the success at County Clays at the weekend where our teams again came home victorious, with the young guns also showing we have strength in depth, epitomised by Duncan G who scored 40/40.”

Thammasat University

We were delighted to welcome a delegation of 70 Education administrators, Mayors, and Deputy Mayors representing all regions of Thailand led by the education team from Thammasat University.

In a trip to visit four UK universities, we were honoured to be asked to host the delegation on its only school visit.

Discussions about UK Boarding and immersive residential education were complemented by a tour of the campus and presentations by staff at the school.

We look forward to visiting Thailand in due course to continue our dialogue with the University and its associated schools.

We wish the delegation safe onward travels and an enjoyable stay in the UK before heading home. Thank you for the beautiful porcelain university dish presented to the School.

Equestrian Excellence: Strathallan Riders shine at Kilgraston's Championships

Over the weekend, 20 Strathallan riders joined a bustling field at Kilgraston's annual Dressage and Show Jumping Championships, hosted at Howe Equestrian Centre in Fife.

With 17 schools from Scotland and the Borders in attendance, competition was fierce, offering qualifications for the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) Championships.

Strathallan School riders showcased remarkable determination and enthusiasm, resulting in outstanding achievements: 5 teams (3 Show Jumping, 2 Dressage) and 8 individuals (4 Show Jumping, 4 Dressage) secured qualifications for the NSEA Championships at Addington, Buckinghamshire in October 2024.

Among the highlights were Dressage first place awards to Lucy H and Farrah C, while Mischa S, Lucy B, and Grace M claimed top honours in Show Jumping. Noteworthy performances included clear rounds achieved by several riders, showcasing their skill and precision.

Mischa S, said, “I was so delighted to bring the trophy home to Strath in my final year, and was so pleased with my amazing horse, Tui. I was so proud of the equestrian team who I know work incredibly hard and were all amazing on Sunday, bringing home some great results.”

“A massive thank you to Mrs Summersgill, Mrs Waugh and Kyle F, one of our Equestrian Captains for their support to the whole team.”

Farrah C, said, “It felt amazing to win the dressage and my horse, PJ tried so hard for me, it was a great weekend and well done to everyone who competed!”

Lucy H, added, “I’m so pleased with my results. It was fantastic to see so many Strathallan riders competing side-by-side and winning together.”

Courtside celebration!

We are honored to announce that Strathallan School is shortlisted for Tennis Scotland’s School of the Year! Huge congrats to our amazing coaches, players, and supporters!

Strathallan School Featured in L’Equipe!

We are thrilled to announce that Strathallan School has been featured in the prestigious French newspaper L’Equipe!

The article highlights Strathallan’s remarkable achievement of being “the school that has taken the most Scottish players to International level over the last few years,” according to L’Equipe.

This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and coaches. It’s fantastic to see Strathallan gaining international recognition for its contribution to Scottish rugby!

AMCIS Awards

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for 3AMCIS Impact Awards

These awards celebrate excellence in Admissions, Marketing & Communications in Independent Schools and we are thrilled to be in the running for:

- Strategic Marketing Impact Award

- Branding Impact Award

- Admissions Impact Award

Charity Walk

Almost 500 Senior School pupils walked a 10k route to raise funds for the My Names Doddie Foundation

The sun shone for us and it was great to welcome Ang Armstrong to support the pupils along the way. Ang spoke to the school community in Chapel last week about the work of the charity and the loss of her husband David to Motor Neurone Disease.

Special Chapel Guest

Our guest speaker at chapel was Ang Armstrong from the My Name is Doddie foundation. Ang gave a very powerful talk and Motor Neuron Disease, including a personal reflection about the death of her husband David from MND.

She informed the pupils of how the disease starts and what the symptoms are as-well as how the foundation is conducting research to try and find a way to treat the disease.

Making a paw-sitive impact!

Strathallan embraced the spirit of giving on non-uniform day, raising funds for Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre (BARC).

Jayden M shared his personal connection to BARC in a moving assembly this morning, highlighting the vital work they do for over 400 dogs and 200 cats in need.

We're proud to support this non-kill shelter's mission of rehabilitation and rehoming. And, we are delighted to reunite with our former Head of Drama, Mr Foster at St Christopher's Senior School in Bahrain, as we make a difference for dogs and cats together!

P&K Sports Awards

Congratulations to Strathallan Tennis Coach Tommy Ogilvie who has been named as a Coach of the Year finalist in the Perth and Kinross Sports Awards.

Assembly accomplishments

Massive congratulations to all our senior students who were awarded Colours, Trophies and Plates in assembly for their well deserved successes in Music, Dance, Performing Arts, Sports, Duke of Edinburgh, Debating, CCF, and Shooting. It was inspiring to see all the rich and varied accomplishments achieved by our pupils beyond the classroom.

Stone of Destiny

Strathallan students witnessed a historic moment this week as the Stone of Destiny heads to its new home in Scotland.

Strathallan School pupils Isabella DCT, Zoë T, Maia B-A, and Éva B joined Mr Vallot and officials in Edinburgh to see the Stone depart from Edinburgh Castle to its new home at the new Perth Museum, which opens to the public on the 30th March.

Reflecting on the experience, Isabella expressed, “It was a profound honour to witness such an important moment in Scottish history.”

Maia added, “The event was rich in culture and heritage - we won’t forget it anytime soon”

In addition to meeting the Lord Lyon and viewing the Stone of Destiny firsthand, the students also engaged with media, including an interview with STV and a memorable selfie with the First Minister, Humza Yousaf.

After a 700-year-long stay in England and one infamous heist on Christmas Day in 1950, the Stone will now stay in Scotland, residing in its new home in Perthshire, just 8 miles from the School.

Seamlessly Honoured

Strathallan Piping Instructor Mr Howie shares his surprise at being stitched into the Dundee Tapestry.

A lovely surprise for Mr Kyle Howie, our Piping Instructor, The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band Pipe Major and Dundee’s very own, as his name has been woven into one of 36 beautiful panels of the The Dundee Tapestry - now on display at the V&A Dundee He said, “I was rather surprised to see my name appear on the music panel for the Dundee Tapestry and I’m not quite sure what I’ve done to deserve being featured in such a significant project!”

“I’m really touched by whoever has put my name forward and it’s an honour to share the same space as Pipe Major James (JB) Robertson of the Scots Guards and Anne Spalding who has taught hundreds of young people to play pipes in Dundee.”

“As all the pupils of the Piping and Drumming and Traditional Music Department at Strathallan know, I’m a very proud Dundonian and I’m looking forward to visiting the Tapestry Exhibition at the V&A Dundee.”

A team of over 140 volunteer stitchers from Dundee and the surrounding area have been working on the panels since spring 2022, many practicing the art of stitching for the first time as they work in groups to share, collaborate, learn new skills and tell Dundee’s story stitch by stitch.

The Dundee Tapestry is currently free to view at V&A Dundee until Sunday 28th April 2024

Strathallan appoints new Director of Netball

Louisa-Jayne Walker joins the school from the University of Worcester and Head Coach of English Universities Netball

Strathallan School is proud to announce the appointment of Louisa-Jayne Walker to the newly created role as Director of Netball. With an illustrious career in netball coaching and leadership, Louisa-Jayne brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Strathallan’s flourishing netball programme. Louisa-Jayne joins Strathallan from the University of Worcester, where she served as Director of Netball since 2016, alongside her role as Head Coach at English Universities Netball, where she has contributed significantly to the development of aspiring netball players on a national level.

Expressing her enthusiasm for her new role, Louisa-Jayne said, "I am delighted to have been appointed as Director of Netball at Strathallan School. The staff and students at Strathallan have a great love for the sport of netball. This passion combined with outstanding netball facilities, including three indoor courts, means the Strathallan netball program has a wealth of potential. The opportunity for me to shape and drive Strathallan School netball forward is very exciting."

Louisa-Jayne's impressive coaching career includes stints at prestigious institutions such as Millfield School and New Hall School, Essex. She has also served as the Head Coach for Severn Stars U15s and U17s, as well as the Wales U21 national team, showcasing her versatility and capability in developing players across different age groups and levels of competition.

With her UK Coaching Level 3 Netball Coach certification and a proven track record of success, Louisa-Jayne is well-equipped to lead Strathallan’s successful netball programme to new heights. The programme, which in the last few years as seen the U13 & U14 teams win national titles, and the 1st VII win back-to-back independent school tournaments, last year saw the U15 team were named School Team of the Year at the Perth and Kinross Sports Awards. The U14 team is currently unbeaten and hoping to retain the national cup when they attend the national final at the Emirates Arena in April. Louisa-Jayne’s appointment at this point in the programme’s growth underscores Strathallan's commitment to providing its students with access to top-tier coaching and opportunities for athletic development.

"We are thrilled to welcome Louisa-Jayne to the Strathallan community," said Jim Thompson, Director of Sport of Strathallan School. "Her extensive experience and passion for netball make her the perfect fit to lead our netball program. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our students and the broader Strathallan sporting community."

Louisa-Jayne Walker's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for netball at Strathallan School, and the entire community eagerly anticipates the future successes under her leadership.

New Deputy Head

We caught up with Laura Sibbit, our new Deputy Head Pastoral, after her first week at Strathallan. From exploring our Houses to diving straight into netball, she said she’s feeling very welcome.

“I’ve been getting to know everybody, going round the Houses and playing Netball with the Prep School which was great! I’ve been becoming familiar with the systems and getting lost around campus!”

“I know its really cheesy to say, but it is genuinely a dream come true. When I worked at Belhaven before Cheltenham Ladies College, I thought that working here one day was a pie in the sky idea so to be here now, with my family, and meeting the people that work here, who have all been so friendly, has been amazing. Thank you for the wonderful welcome.”

Academic

Model UN: Strathallan students stand out on the global stage

Earlier this month, 14 Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Form students from Strathallan showcased their diplomatic prowess at a model United Nations conference hosted by St Leonards School. Under the theme "Combating social and political polarisation to advance international cooperation," they represented the UK and Sierra Leone.

Distinguished British diplomatic ambassadors provided guidance throughout the conference. Divided into seven committees, our students debated a range of pressing global issues, including the Syrian conflict, technology access, censorship, education, decolonisation, and pharmaceutical pricing.

Against 24 country delegations from 15 UK schools, our students excelled. Sierra Leone secured the top delegation award, with the UK coming in second. Notable individual achievements included Charlie M and Eve B as top delegates, Blaise C, Constantin B, and Ben W as best first-time delegates, and Zoe T and Saba P receiving Highly Commended status.

Mia L stepped in late and did an excellent job contributing to the Legal committee and Matthew T kept everyone in check. Rosie E, Amy A and Lucy H also rose to the challenge and the team was bolstered by Maxim P and Iusuf M demonstrating their bilingual abilities and diplomacy skills in admirably forming alliances with other delegations.

It was great to see our students bring such energy, passion and commitment to this event. All the students who participated have walked away enriched by it both in terms of a greater knowledge of world events, and an enhanced set of negotiation and diplomacy skills which they will continue to build on in their school careers.

Subject Fair

To guide subject selection for the coming year, Academic Heads of Department hosted a Subject Fair for Fifth Form and L6th Highers pupils.

Students actively participated in the event, gaining valuable insights into the A Level and Highers/Advanced Highers options offered.

Piping

Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships

Congratulations to our pipe band who secured an impressive 2nd place in the Novice Juvenile B Category, out of 24 competing bands at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships in Kilmarnock.

It was also the first ever competition appearance for our Development Pipe Band and our Folk Band joined the Pipe Band once again for the Freestyle event.

Congratulations to all three bands for their outstanding performances! Well done to the students, and a big thank you to the department staff for their hard work, as well as to the parents for their continued support.

Resounding results for Strathallan students at The Vale of Atholl Solos

1st Place for Surina C and Andrew G

2nd Place for Rory M, Madeleine E and Struan R 4th Place for William N & 6th Place for Oscar P!

Great achievements all round

Celtic Connections

Fantastic to see Harry T centre stage for National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland at Celtic Connections.

Great to see Harry representing in the Strathallan Pipe Bans Kilt as he performed at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.

Piping at the Usher Hall

Our Pipe Band had an amazing time performing in the Chinese New Year Concert at the historic Usher Hall. Our pupils shared the stage with the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra and entertained the VIP guests which included the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

Music

Well done to our 3rd and 4th form Music Scholars for putting on an incredible performance at our 3rd and 4th form Music Scholars Recital last night in the David Pighills Room. A wonderful evening of music showcasing many genres.

Bringing a bit of Burns to the folk in Forgandenny

Thank you to our Folk Band who took time of our their day to play for our friends in Forgandenny Village Hall, sharing their passion for traditional music with our neighbours.

Performing Arts

Smash hit ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ graces Strathallan Stage

From set design to spine-chilling performances: Little Shop of Horrors: The Musical wows audiences at Strathallan School.

Mrs Irene McFarlane, LAMDA Teacher, reviews the latest production to take centre stage at the School.

A well-deserved standing ovation was bestowed upon the cast, band and crew of Little Shop of Horrors on the final evening of the show. This was Mrs Carr-Bates’ first senior School musical since arriving at Strathallan. And it was, indeed, a stunning success in every respect.

This hugely popular musical, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, was first staged in New York in May 1992 and has since been performed hundreds of times all around the world. There is also a movie version.

Pupils and staff watched with amazement as the set build gradually took shape over recent weeks. Piece by piece the stage was transformed into a multi-level cityscape of New York, with its crowded streets and skyscrapers. Once again, the School is indebted to Strathallan alumnus, and real-life awardwinning architect, Oli Beetschen, for his set and lighting design. The experience must have brought back many memories for Oli because, when Strathallan last put on Little Shop of Horrors, he was a pupil here and had his first experience of being Stage Manager. In this production he was assisted by an extremely competent group of pupils, including fourth formers, building up their skills.

We are fortunate indeed in having so many talented musicians in the School and from among their number, and with a couple of the music staff, Musical Director, Mr Hamilton formed the band. I’m sure everyone appreciated what a difference it made to the show having such excellent live music to accompany the fine performances by the soloists and the whole ensemble.

And then there was the cast! All credit to Mrs Carr-Bates who used her very experienced directorial skills to select performers ideally suited to the roles they were given. In his buttoned cardigan, baggy trousers and slippers, Maximilian E so realistically portrayed the world-weary, Mr Mushnik, the elderly shop owner. Carter R made a perfect Seymour, torn between his conscience and his desperation to please shop assistant, Audrey. Annabel A gave a flawless depiction of Audrey, the abused girlfriend of the all too realistically portrayed sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello. Kyle F’s Orin would discourage anyone from ever attending a dentist appointment again!

Then, of course, there was Audrey 2, the flesh-eating plant that Seymour cultivated to bring prosperity to the shop and to impress his beloved Audrey 1. Rather than use a puppet for the mature Audrey 2, Mrs Carr-Bates opted to costume Emma K as the plant. Emma’s performance was disturbingly excellent! Even with her face totally covered in green, she was able to portray by facial expression the disturbing reality that this was a plant that would eventually take over the world.

All credit to the choreography provided by Robyn Goodfellow (assisted by Miss Chloe Roome and Eve B), particularly for the group of five girls who were on the stage for much of the time, almost as if in the role of a Greek chorus – Amelie S, Olwen H, Megan A, Evie B and Josie C. The whole ensemble, in fact, gave us an outstanding evening’s entertainment.

The production was an example of great teamwork, from the staff involved, to the stage crew, under Jayden M’s experienced supervision. Sound design was by Paul Smith of Apex Sound. All credit to the sound team under Lisa B, make-up team led by Sophia E, props led by Rebecca J and all those others assisting and building skills for the day when they too can step up and take charge.

It was a colourful and thrilling experience. Well done to everyone involved!

Sixth Form

Burns Night

Saturday night saw a gathering of over 140 Sixth Form students taking part in a magnificent Burns Night Supper, celebrating the Bard and the Headmaster’s birthday with music, poetry and cake.

Sixth Form Lecture

Continuing the theme of ‘change’, the latest 6th form lecture took place this week, and we were privileged to welcome The Lord Lyon King of Arms, Dr Joseph Morrow, to Strathallan.

As told by pupil Maia B-A in her short write up, The Lord Lyon aspired her to follow her dream of becoming a judge.

Inspiring talk by Bryan Appleyard

Our sixth form students were lucky enough to hear a lecture from renowned journalist and author Bryan Appleyard CBE. He shared some fascinating thoughts on the future, including:

• "AI will change the way we live our lives, the way you will live your lives."

• "A few years ago young people were advised to get into coding, with the development of AI, I would advise you get creative as AI will do the coding."

Strathallan truly impressed Mr. Appleyard, who commented, "There is a wonderful and happy atmosphere in this school."

This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn from a leading figure in the world of journalism and media. A big thank you to Mr. Appleyard for his visit!

Strathallan Prep School

Celebrating 101 days of Year 1 & 2

Yesterday, Year 1 & 2 celebrated their 101st day of school by dressing up as Dalmatians and hiding from our very own ‘Cruella’.

Mrs Gilbert said “I am so proud of what the Y1/2 class have achieved since they started in September until now. We have had so many adventures together and will continue to have more as we grow.

We have had a fantastic day hiding from Cruella, exploring the history of Strathallan and reflecting on the last 101 days. We have explored the number 101 and have been so surprised to see how big it actually is!

We can’t wait for the next 101 days to see what we can further achieve!”

History of farming

Our Year 3 & 4 students are taking a baa-rilliant trip through the history of farming.

To complement their learning, SPS parent Mrs. Stewart brought in two adorable pet lambs for a visit.

The children had a fantastic time learning about these woolly wonders firsthand.

British Science Week

Prep School kicked off British Science Week with a bang with Y1-6 trip to Dundee Science Centre.

Child-led learning at its finest!

Year 1 & 2 turned a colour-mixing mishap into a thriving coffee shop adventure.

What started as a brown puddle became the inspiration for a bustling cafe, complete with its own menu and specials!

Their journey included market research at our on-site Art Cafe and feedback sessions with staff.

Their families were invited to join us for a treat.

And get this, their current topic is Handa’s Surprise, complete with some African fruit tasting.

Who says learning can't be deliciously fun!

Mothering Sunday

Our amazing SPS boarders brought Mothering Sunday to life with a special Chapel Service they led themselves!

Tabitha C donned the robes as our “Rev for the Day” and Eloise touched our hearts with a beautiful poem. Ollie R led us in prayer, and Findlay G delivered a thoughtful Bible reading. A few of the boys even shared their heartfelt messages about their mums.

The service ended on a high note with the boarders handing out daffodils and love hearts to all the fabulous mums present. It was a truly enjoyable and memorable celebration!

SPS Lego Team Roars at Competition!

Our incredible SPS Lego Team battled it out at the huge Dundee & Angus First Lego League competition.

They faced off against 19 other teams, putting their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills to the test.

Their robot game was on point, scoring an impressive 235 points and almost grabbing the top spot! They also wowed the judges with their innovative project and robot design strategy.

So proud of their dedication, spirit, and amazing performance!

Prep hearts were pumping with excitement!

To celebrate #WomenInScience, our Upper sixth girls led heart dissections for our prep school, igniting their curiosity and showing them the amazing world of science.

Burns Day

Inspired by the nation's Bard, Year 1 & 2 have written a poem about their school day.

Goals, giggles and the Giant's Causeway: Our Prep School Hockey Tour is taking Northern Ireland by storm!

Before the Easter break, 34 Prep pupils from First and Second Form are making memories and new friends in Belfast.

Our four U13 teams, comprising two girls' and two boys' teams, have already showcased their talent against Ballycastle HS and Ballymoney HS. Today, they're gearing up to face off against Annadale HC and Pegasus HC, promising even more thrilling matches.

Between games, our young athletes have been taking in the rich culture and beauty of Northern Ireland. From the natural wonder of the Giant's Causeway to delving into the history at the Titanic Museum, they're making the most of every moment. And of course, getting in a wee spot of bowling.

Best of luck for the remainder of the tour and special thanks to GB Sports Tours and our staff for a unforgettable experience!

Tennis Tayside

Congratulations to Prep pupil Findlay P on his selection to represent Tennis Tayside at the upcoming Tennis Scotland Inter-District Championships being held at Strathallan School from the 2nd to the 4th of April. Good luck, Findlay!

Greek Theatre

Year 3/4 have been learning about the ancient Greek theatre in Classics this term. They learnt about the Greek chorus who acted as the narrator as well as interacting with the characters. After making sure they could tell the story of a hero in unison, they made some masks which were worn by all actors in Ancient Greek theatre.

Strathallan's Netball Team Triumphs in Dubai Tour

The netball tour to Dubai was a memorable trip not just because of the activities provided but also because of the netball played. It has enhanced our Netball and provided experiences for every member to play in a way they hadn’t before, and against teams with different styles of play. It showed us the level and difference of netball in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and how much we can gain from the experience as a team. The tour provided many opportunities outside of the matches for some team building and experiences that will always be remembered.

Day 1-2

Starting the tour after a long flight, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the culture of Abu Dhabi by visiting the largest mosque in the UAE. It was a great experience and beautiful place to see, and we were all able to view another culture many of us hadn’t experienced before. We finished the day with a team meal. Our first day was a very culturally exciting and relaxing day for all of us, and was a great start to the tour ahead of our first match the following day.

Day 3

On day three, we woke up early ready for the first match of the tour, against Capital Netball Club. Playing outside in the heat and under the sun was definitely new conditions for the girls but a great experience. Capital Netball Club was a strong side but we kept determination and kept the score close. Although both teams lost the game, there was good netball played and a comfortable start to the matches ahead. After finishing the matches, the girls transferred to Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park and home to the fastest rollercoaster in the world. We enjoyed fast-paced rides, mind-bending stimulations, and exploring the amazing arena. A jampacked day!

Day 4

On day four, we travelled from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, entering the city around midday. We stopped at the Dubai Emirates Mall for a meal before returning to our hotel to prepare for our second match. As a team, we arrived at the Dubai Sevens Stadium to play our match against Dubai Hurricanes. The girls played exceptionally, gaining two strong wins with some great examples of play and getting a sense of the competition and level of netball in Dubai. Finishing off the day with a meal in the Sevens Stadium clubhouse.

Day 5

On day five, we had time to relax and a lie-in before heading to the famous Kite Beach, where we enjoyed sunbathing, cooling off in the ocean, and grabbing some snacks at the restaurants. Afterwards, we were picked up by jeep from our hotel for a Desert Safari, where we experienced heartracing dune bashing which had us holding on to our seats. We then got to experience desert activities such as camel-riding and henna designs, before admiring the sunset and the expansive view of the dunes. The day was finished off with a BBQ and performances such as cultural dancing and fire breathing.

Day 6

Day six brought a trip to the Dubai Souks, a maze of markets that we accessed via local boats over the river. There, we got to experience the selling of many spices and herbs as well as a whole market dedicated to gold jewellery. It was a great experience of culture and a great opportunity to do some souvenir buying and practice our haggling skills. We then transferred back to the hotel to prepare for our third match against Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) where the teams got to play outside under a canopy and experience life inside a Dubai school. DESC were a very strong side with multiple players playing netball for the UAE. We played extremely well, already improving our play and working together better as teams.

Day 7

On our 7th day in Dubai we headed to Atlantis Aquaventure where we had a blast exploring the numerous thrilling rides and attractions that the waterpark has to offer. From heartpounding, almost vertical water slides to six-person rides with the teachers to relaxing lazy rivers, there was something for everyone.

Day 8

On day 8 we played against Dubai College, our final fixture of the netball tour. The match was highly anticipated, and both teams gave it their all. Despite losing, we were glad to have had the chance to play against such a talented team containing multiple UAE national players. After the match, we headed to JBR Beach where we were able to relax and take part in Aqua fun, the world’s largest inflatable waterpark. The day ended with a beautiful sunset on the beach.

Day 9

We spent our final day in Dubai on the 125th floor of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, and then explored the grandeur of Dubai Mall, the biggest shopping mall in the world, containing hundreds of shops as well as an aquarium, ice rink and plenty of other activities. The day ended with a big team meal at Carluccio’s where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we watched the Dubai fountains show. It was a great day to end the tour with all of us being together ahead of the long flight home.

Day 10

On day 10 we were up before sunrise for our flight home. After seven hours on the plane and only a few stops in the airport, we all made it back to Scotland.

The tour was not only a way in which we were able to play challenging teams and expand our netball abilities, but also gave us time together as teams. The games we played against clubs and schools were great experiences to add to our netball at Strathallan and outside of school. All clubs and schools were most accommodating and welcoming and provided excellent play and matches. Outwith the netball, we were able to spend time together as teams which will no doubt further enhance our gameplay. From the games to the camel riding we experienced and tried new things we never had before, and the tour in all was an experience I and the others will never forget.

Report by G.Hyslop ( Captain) G.Harding and E. Simpson

Strathallan Rugby Stars Shine Bright!

A fantastic display of talent and teamwork unfolded at the Hive Stadium as Edinburgh Rugby clashed with Glasgow Warriors in the U18 inter-city derby on Sunday.

Three Strathallan players showcased their skills on the Glasgow Warriors team, contributing to a remarkable 56-33 victory!

Logan W's exceptional performance included two impressive tries and a pivotal role in setting up a sensational try finished off by Archie M. Meanwhile, Fin R worked tirelessly and made some telling tackles and hard accurate clears at ruck time that were instrumental in securing this impressive win. We couldn't be prouder to see our boys excelling on the field, and it's no surprise that they've all been named in the Scotland U18 squad!

Caledonia U18 Champions 2024

Congratulations to Archie M, Adam W, Boyd C, Finlay R, Logan W and Oscar B who played a huge role in today’s FOSROC Academy final.

Working together as a team, they helped the strong Caledonia side control the match, winning 38-19 against Glasgow & The West.

Inter-District Championships

Well done to our 15 boys who represented Caledonia at the Inter-District Championships at Oriam!

U17

Seb G, Fergus T, Adam W, Max E

Milos C & Jack L.

U18

Boyd C, Finlay R, Archie M, Logan W, Olly S, Ellis A, Zac G, Oscar B, Stuart P.

Rosslyn Park National Sevens

It wasn’t to be for our U18 Sevens squad, who despite 6/7 strong wins over two days narrowly missed out on advancing through to the quarter-finals at Rosslyn Park National Sevens by a mere 4 points difference.

We are incredibly proud of their performance, with a tough loss to Kingswood yesterday morning, they followed this up less than thirty minutes later with a 19-0 win over Merchiston and a 15-12 victory over Magdalen College.

Netball

Scotland U17s recorded 3 wins from 4 & and finished with a silver medal!

Well done Olivia & the Scotland team!

Scottish Independent Schools Netball Champions!

Huge congratulations to our 1st VII who became Scottish Independent Schools champions.

The girls played some brilliant netball throughout, winning all 5 games!

Thank you so much to all the staff, umpires, coaches and teams! It was an amazing day of netball at Strathallan.

A shoutout to our triumphant U18 Rugby Sevens squad who clinched victory in the High School of Glasgow 7s tournament.

Huge congratulations to Olivia D, who represented the Scotland U17 netball team at the European Championships in Gibraltar.

Huge congratulations to our U14 netball girls who have qualified for the Scottish Schools Cup Final after beating St Ninians 46-26

Football

Huge congratulations to our boys 1st XI football team who beat The High School of Glasgow 4-1 to reach the final of the ISFA plate!

Swimming

Scottish Schools Swimming Finals

Elise C - Silver in the 200 I/M & Bronze in the 100 Free

Finlay B - Silver in the 100 & 200 back

James G - 5th in the 200 Br & 6th 100 Free!

Congratulations to Elise, Finlay & James on some excellent results!

Fencing

Massive congratulations to Joshua B who has been selected to represent GB at the World Cadet Championships 2024 in Riyadh & for this year's Cadet & Junior European Championships, taking place in Italy.

Equestrian

Congratulations to our team of riders who won the Crystal Rose bowl for 7th year in a row. They all put on an incredible display at the Fife Pony club annual competition.

The results are as follows:

In Class 100cm:

The Strathallan/Strathallian Gold team of Amelia E, Pebbles W and Eliza E came 1st, winning the crystal trophy.

Individual awards: Amelia 2nd, Eliza 3rd and Pebbles 4th

The Strathallan Navy team of Pebbles W, Lucy B and Emily S came 3rd

Individual awards: Pebbles 1st

In Class 105cm:

The Strathallan/Strathallian team of Amelia E, Lucy B and Pebbles W came 2nd

Individual awards: Amelia 2nd and Lucy 6th

Badminton

Huge congratulations to Hailey H & Hailey W who won the P&K schools senior girls badminton today! Hailey H also won the senior singles!

Our badminton captain Hailey H is now ranked in the top 10 in Scotland! Well done girls!

On Saturday, our badminton captain Hailey H placed second in Yonex U19 West of Scotland championship with her girls doubles partner Lanna C.

The next day, Hailey played in the semi-final of the girls singles, just being pipped by the eventual winner!

Hockey

Huge congratulations to our U15 Boys who won the National Junior Boys’ Plate after beating Glenalmond 3-1! The team played exceptionally well & should be proud of what they have achieved!

Our U14 hockey girls finished in 2nd place at the HPC hockey tournament

They played brilliantly, winning all 3 group matches, before drawing 2-2 with Grove Menzieshill in the final, only to lose out 2-1 on penalties!

Anna G also player of the tournament!

Well done to our Strathallan Prep boys who finished 2nd at the Merchiston hockey tournament!

The boys enjoyed wins over ESMS, Merchiston & Heriots, draws with Belhaven & Watsons, followed by a close 2-1 loss to Cargilfield!

Congratulations to our U18 Hockey Sevens Girls team who made it to the finals of the High School of Glasgow 7s tournament, securing a well-deserved 2nd place out of 16 teams!

Huge congratulations to our 1st XI girls who won the Kilgraston hockey tournament.

The girls went unbeaten throughout, retaining the trophy from last year!

Well done to Jing W, Anna H & Anna G who played for the Northern Devils in a 3-1 win v Glasgow Thunder at Peffermill.

Well done to our Strathallan Prep pupils who represented the Caledonia hockey & netball teams at the Scottish IAPS Representative Hockey and Netball Tournaments.

Congratulations to Finlay, Will, Nikita, Sebastian, Poppy, Madeleine, Violet & Eilidh!

A brilliant effort from our U16 boys, who won 2 games at the Hockey Performance Consultancy indoor hockey tournament in Perth.

Well done to our U18 boys who finished runners up at the Scottish indoor finals today!

An outstanding achievement from our boys!

Cross Country

What a brilliant afternoon at the Belhaven Cross Country today! Our U11 & U13 teams ran so well! Special congratulations to Will L who finished 1st & Finlay B who finished 2nd. Our U13 boys’ team of Will L, Finlay B, Sebastian D & Charlie C won the overall team event! Well done boys!

Huge congratulations to our U14 girls who won a team bronze at the Scottish Schools’ Athletic Association cross country championships

An outstanding achievement. Well done Anna G, Aila, Annabel & Anna H!

Our prep school cross country runners enjoyed a great afternoon at the Merchiston Cross Country Relays on Tuesday.

Our U13 Boys team won the U13 boys race, following on from their win at the Belhaven Cross country races on Sunday. Thank you Merchiston Castle School for a fantastic afternoon of Cross Country relays and well done to all our boys & girls who all ran so well yesterday.

Tennis

Congratulations to Jed M, who won the U18 boys singles at the Tennis World Tournament this week in Middlesbrough. The number 3 seed won the tournament without dropping a set, well done Jed. Findlay P also performed well with 2 x silver in the U12 singles and doubles.

What a couple of days at the U18 Scottish Junior Indoor Singles Championships for Freya C and Thomas D. Congratulations to Freya, the new U18 Scottish Indoor National Singles Champion!

Freya, who was unseeded, defeated the 2nd and 4th seeded players on her route to the final, before coming back from a set down against top seed Hanna A, to claim the title! Amazing, Freya!

Thomas, who was also unseeded, fought his way through a tough draw to reach the U18 final, before going down to top seed Lance N. A great effort!

A great weekend on court for Ben C, winning the men’s singles at the Scotland Tour event in Hamilton. Ben, our tennis captain for the year commented after the final ‘It was a great event. I played well and I am really pleased with the level I found today.’

A fantastic start to the year for Findlay P and Alexander E! Findlay secured runner-up in the U12 singles category at the Giffnock Open and later triumphed in the U14 doubles event in Sunderland with his partner Arthur M. And big congratulations to Alexander E and his partner Ben W, who clinched victory in the men's doubles competition in Hull.

A busy weekend for our County Cup players, with the North boys team finishing with a silver medal in Div 1 - a remarkable performance from the team. Congratulations also to the North girls & the South boys, both finishing second in their groups.

Congratulations to our Strathallan Prep pupils who were competing in the Scotland Tour at Hillhead TC. Sophie D, finished as runner-up in the U14 singles and Findlay P won the U12 doubles with partner Arthur M. Well done Sophie and Findlay!

Strath students secure Gold and Silver at the U18 Scottish Junior Indoor Doubles Championships 2024!

Huge congratulations to Alexander E and his partner Calum M for clinching the Scottish U18 Champions title.

A big round of applause to Jed M and Ben C for their own outstanding performance and winning.

Fantastic to see so many of our formidable tennis players in the national finals

Congratulations to Strathallan student Freya C on winning the girls U16 Scottish Indoor Doubles Championships, with partner Anna M.

Congratulations to the pair who defeated the top seeds, Hanna A & Aadya C in the final.

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks at Strathallan, filled with fierce competition and incredible achievements in our Senior InterHouse and Prep School Inter-Divisional Sports!

From cross-country to netball and hockey matches, our pupils poured their hearts and skills into every event

The real waves were made in the pool at our Inter-House swimming meet! The atmosphere was electric as 5 incredible new school records were shattered:

Elise C blazed past the competition in the senior 50m backstroke, rewriting the record books with a stunning time.

Evan D dominated the open category, leaving his mark on both the 100m Individual Medley and the 50m backstroke with record-breaking performances.

Finlay B showcased his talent in the junior division, setting new school standards in the 50m backstroke and the 25m butterfly.

A huge congratulations to all the pupils who participated and a well-deserved shout-out to the winning Houses and Divisions

CCF

Rear Admiral Jude Terry

Rear Admiral Jude Terry Royal Navy, Director People and Training and Naval Secretary, visited Strathallan CCF and met with cadets from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army Sections.

She observed cadets carrying out Commando activities in the pool and Rules of the Road using RC Boats.

It was an honour and a privilege for our cadets to meet and speak with Rear Admiral Terry and we thoroughly enjoyed hosting her here at Strathallan CCF and showing her what amazing opportunities our cadets have within our CCF. We are hugely thankful for Rear Admiral Terry taking time out of her extremely busy schedule to visit us.

Strathallians

Nicki Cochrane

Huge congratulations to Scottish Hockey Goalkeeper and former pupil Nicki Cochrane who was awarded her GB Cap in St Andrews by her former Great Britain Hockey teammates Ali Bell and Amy Gibson.

Nicki won ten caps for Great Britain between 2018 and 2019 and was awarded her cap by the Scottish Hockey Heritage Group.

Charlie Guest Retirement

Congratulations on an extraordinary journey, Charlie!

Your legacy shines bright.

Wishing you all the best for the future, from all of us at your old school.

Lottie Russell

Congratulations to former pupil Lottie Russell who has been selected for the U18 programme ahead of the upcoming Six Nations Festival.

6th for Scott

Dunks finishes with a strong freestyle leg in the Men's 200m IM final in Doha

Angus sings with Tom Odell on national TV

What a memorable moment for former pupil Angus Knechtli who sang in the choir for Tom Odell on The Graham Norton Show to millions of viewers.

Part of the choir for Tom's new song 'Black Friday', Angus said, “It was an absolutely incredible experience, and being able to record with all of the extremely talented musicians involved in the BBC studios was very surreal and a great learning experience.

Most Capped Prop

Former pupil Zander Fagerson will become his country's most-capped prop when he runs out for Scotland against Ireland in Dublin.

Zander became the fourth-youngest prop to play for Scotland in the 2016 Six Nations, aged just 20.

Now the experienced Lion is making history once again.