Minerva, January 2018

The Magazine for the Kelvinside Academy Community January 2018

1st uK senior school to win Digital award

Ka opens new nursery in Milngavie

the road to MurrayďŹ eld

Heritage Angel Awards and Sophie Joint (S6) and Maliha Shoaib (S6) progressed through the first round of the English Speaking Union debating competition. To be truthful, this is just a snapshot of the many and varied achievements of our pupils, and I would commend our social media platforms to you as a useful way to keep up to date with school life in real time.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Joanna Maclean for spearheading the Senior School’s successful application to become the first ‘Digital Senior School’ in the British Isles. A detailed report on this initiative can be found within Minerva, however, suffice it to say that the national recognition which the School has received points to our desire to provide a truly sector leading education at KA.

Welcome from the Rector Welcome to the first Minerva of 2018, and please accept a belated but sincere ‘Happy New Year’ from me. The lead up to Christmas in any school is always a busy time, however, the final few months of 2017 seemed to be extraordinarily full and successful at KA. For example, The Sound of Music played to full houses and was the product of the hard work of over 100 pupils; the Nursery’s production of Whoops a Daisy Angel was also a huge success; our 1st XI hockey side reached the semi-final of the West District Plate competition and the 1st XI boys went all the way to the final of the Scottish Shield at Murrayfield; Dominic Ferrie’s (S4) research into KA’s architectural history saw him gain a finalists place in the Scottish

More novel development can be seen in the opening of our new Nursery in Milngavie, which places a firm emphasis on the importance of the ‘outdoors’. This facility further cements the School’s commitment to outdoor education, as does KA’s new Wilderness Campus in the Cairngorms National Park, which, at the time of writing, is very near completion. I remain firmly convinced that the outdoors provide an excellent environment for young people to spend time in, and not just because of the character building side of things. We must never forget the rejuvenating power of nature, which is perhaps an important counterpoint to an increasingly digital world.

I trust you will enjoy reading Minerva as much as I do, and here’s to another busy term at KA. Ian H Munro BSc, PGCE, MEd(Cantab), FRSB Rector

KA

Cover photo: Libby Armstong (SP) and Cameron Reid (SP) are using Pip, a coding device designed by two KA parents, to turn a banana into a controller for the game.

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Pip introduces children to the world of coding, allowing them to design fun games, invent apps, play some retro classics or take control of other objects!

CONTENTS

4-5

Digitally Dazzling…

6-7

Kelvinside Academy Green Forest Nursery

8

KA Open Day

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10-11

Staff UPDATE

Academic

Community

Expressive Arts

13-21

22-27

28-33

34-50

Connect with /kelvinside1878

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Trips

Development Trust and Academicals

Sport

www.kelvinside.org

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Digitally Dazzling…

KA becomes the 1st senior school in the UK & Ireland to be named a ‘Digital School’ Kelvinside Academy has won the race to become the first senior school to earn a prestigious Digital Schools Award.

Digital Schools Awards commended our ambitious and innovative approach to education, which they recognised has created a strong digital culture and solidified KA’s reputation as a centre of modern learning and teaching.

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The award promotes excellence in digital learning and teaching across the curriculum, and aims to equip pupils with cutting-edge digital skills that can be transferred to the world of work.

The body, which initially recognised only primary schools, made our Junior School one of the first Digital Schools last year. Now the Awards have been rolled out to secondary schools across the UK and Ireland, with Kelvinside Academy again leading the way.

Rector Ian Munro said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised as the first ever Digital School in UK and Ireland. It’s a huge honour.

“At Kelvinside Academy, we have a desire to innovate across all areas of education, and we work hard to be as open-minded and curious as possible, so we can embrace new methods and technologies.

This gives our pupils the tools to make an impact in an ever-changing, inter-connected world.

“Our Head of eLearning Joanna Maclean has been instrumental to this success as she has been the driving force behind digitally enhanced learning at Kelvinside.”

Kelvinside Academy was commended by Digital Schools Awards validator Dr. Victor McNair for its digital innovation and creativity, enhancing learning across the curriculum.

Dr. McNair commented: “Kelvinside Academy is an excellent example of a digital school where the learning, teaching, assessment, monitoring and administration are seamlessly supported by digital technology. Teachers have not lost sight of the primary goal of education, to inspire and enable lifelong learners and they have managed to enhance

this vision by creating a learning environment that will allow Kelvinside Academy pupils to engage with, and indeed shape, the future digital world.”

Although the School’s heritage goes back almost 140-years, Rector Ian Munro and his team are constantly exploring ways to adapt and evolve the education of pupils. The validator was impressed by the exclusive partnership established with the world’s leading innovation school, NuVu. With the school investing in 3-D printers and a laser cutting machine, pupils have access to cutting-edge technology all year round.

Our Thinking Space Library also made an impression, situated in the heart of the school, inspired by Silicon Valley and designed to foster creativity and collaboration. The space hosts computers and iPad stations, encouraging pupils to make use of digital devices to access the school’s vast online subscription content platforms.

All of our teachers have iPads which connect to classroom smart boards, enabling a digital learning experience. Frog, our Virtual Learning Environment, works on tablets and laptops and is a library of online resources and digital files. Here, teachers create dynamic websites, set and mark homework online and collaborate with pupils.

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Kelvinside Academy Green Forest Nursery

Woodland Setting, Milngavie

W

e are delighted to have opened a new nursery on the north side of Glasgow.

The Kelvinside Academy Green Forest Nursery is situated at Langbank Farm in Milngavie and is open to children aged 1-5 years.

Our newly opened nursery is housed in a beautifully converted stone farm steading which is now a bright, modern and welcoming Nursery, providing a stimulating indoor environment where children are at the centre of the learning.

Nestled in 10 acres of lovely old private woodland and lush green paddocks, it offers a wonderful Nursery setting for young children. An emphasis is placed on outdoor learning in the extensive natural area, encouraging children to explore and develop their sense of curiosity.

The Nursery boasts two large open plan play areas.

The Skylight Room, with quiet sleep area, caters for 1-2 years. The Courtyard offers 3-5 year olds reading, baking, creative, technology, physical and free-play areas.

Daily outdoor playtime in our secure woodland garden is a highlight for children with its pirate ship, sandpit and hobbit house tunnel.

Young children thrive in an outdoor setting as minds and bodies develop best when they have access to a stimulating outdoor environment where they can learn through play, real experiences and adventures.

The woodland garden and direct access to wild woods and green fields allow children to thrive; learning and playing outdoors throughout the seasons. Kelvinside Academy Green Forest Nursery is a magical place where children can develop a wonder of nature and foster an understanding of the environment in which they live.

The new Nursery logo features a green owl – an appropriate link to Minerva who held the owl as a sacred creature, representing wisdom.

Rector Ian Munro said: “We constantly explore new approaches to ensure all our learners can benefit

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from an innovative and sector leading education.

The educational research that points to the benefits of outdoor learning, such as improved concentration and wellbeing, is too abundant to ignore.

“Innovation is key to creating the best learning environment for children. Teachers and pupils have fully embraced outdoor learning throughout our curriculum and I am excited by the possibilities the new outdoor nursery campus presents. The Milngavie location is a new one for Kelvinside, and we look forward to welcoming pupils from the town and beyond.”

Mrs Sandra Sweeten, Manager of our new Nursery, said: “We aim to provide a secure, nurturing and happy environment that supports every child in fulfilling their early years’ potential, as well as instilling a deep appreciation of the natural world.

We believe strongly in a broad approach to education which includes fostering invaluable qualities such as courage, compassion, courtesy, self-awareness and confidence.”

The combination of play, learning and care at Kelvinside Academy Green Forest Nursery, together with its connection to Kelvinside Academy School, is invaluable in preparing children for school life.

Whether deep in a book in the reading den, painting a masterpiece, dreaming up science investigations, singing songs, looking at nature or just having a riot in the mud kitchen, Green Forest Nursery is a very happy and inspiring place for a child.

For further information on Kelvinside Academy Green Forest Nursery, visit www.kelvinside.org/green-forest-nursery or call Lynda Andonovic on 0141 357 0923 to arrange a visit.

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KA Open Day O ne of the most important days in the KA calendar is our Annual Open Day. This year, due to the late October break, it took place on the first Saturday in November. It was our busiest Open Day ever – with almost 90 families coming to visit. A high proportion of our visitors were interested in the entry points of Senior Prep and Senior 1, but we were delighted by the encouraging number of families interested in starting their child in J1.

Such was the demand for tours, that once all our S4, S5 and S6 pupils were engaged showing visitors round, enthusiastic S2 and S3 pupils also stepped up to the task. Huge bubbles and 3D glasses in Science are always a favourite alongside sampling the tapas in Spanish. Popular new additions to open day activities included the Forest School demonstration on our new roof terrace with Mrs Lynne Hill and Mrs Esther Henderson, and Green Screen demo and drone in the Thinking Space with Mrs Joanna Maclean. Special thanks must also be given to our PTA who offered wonderful hospitality to all our visitors and were hugely helpful talking to prospective parents and answering their many questions. It was a fantastic KA community effort.

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Staff News Farewell We said goodbye to Mr Blair Parham, Biology Teacher and Head of S5, who has worked at KA for almost 10 years. A committed teacher and lively colleague, he will be much missed by both pupils and teachers. We wish him well with his new role working with international choirs visiting the UK or, as described by the pupils, as an ‘international concert producer’.

Hello Our new biology teacher is Miss Susie Edmond. She believes in making the most of every opportunity and over the last few years, in amongst her teaching, has been the Skipper of the world famous yacht ‘Drum’, owned by Arnold Clark and based here on the Clyde. This is a skill set she is most looking forward to bringing to KA, with particular interest in the School’s yacht, ‘Level Best’. As well as her passion for the sport, she is also a keen musician and hopes to take the opportunity to play with KA orchestras throughout the year.

We also welcome Ms Rachael Simpson to our after school club and Ms Kim Laurie who has joined the KA Nursery as an early years support worker.

A Question of Ethics Embarking on a truly fascinating journey, we welcomed multiple schools from around Scotland into the Kelvinside world, for our Ethics Conference.

Excitement echoed around the School as the genius himself, Peter Vardy, set up his presentation. This is the fourth year that we have welcomed Peter to Kelvinside, and every year places at our conference are sold out.

Putting any school rivalry to one side, we bonded with the 300 visiting students and teachers as we drank our orange juice and nibbled our biscuits together before we engaged in wonderful thinking and probing questions with Peter. What seemed to be a long day at first quickly flew in, as Peter discussed the Cosmological Argument, genetic engineering and euthanasia, amongst many other topics.

The presentation was split into four segments, each divided by breaks. However, the fun did not stop

at the breaks as we showed all the visiting pupils around Kelvinside and even took a few people up to Churchills!

Peter Vardy was immensely engaging, he even triggered a few “wow’s” during his presentations.

As always, he brought his light touch of humour to proceedings.

The day ended with an inter-school debate discussing genetic engineering and the eradication of disability and disease. Many students were not afraid to stand up and accentuate their points. On behalf of Kelvinside, Della Pirrie (S5) spoke on several occasions with great passion.

From a student’s perspective it was a truly remarkable experience, deepening our understanding, but also giving us a slight hint of what await us in university style lectures.

Cian Shelton (S6) Minerva

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KA Heritage Angel The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards were established in 2014 and celebrate the efforts of people who go to extraordinary lengths to protect, save, record and share their local heritage. The awards recognise people who champion their local heritage and share and practise forgotten craft skills.

They also celebrate young people, recognising their efforts to learn about heritage.

Dominic Ferrie (S4) made the final shortlist in the category of Best Contribution to a Heritage Project

by Young People. This award recognises the contribution to heritage projects by young people up to and including the age of 25. The ‘contribution’ should be towards a heritage project or place.

A broken foot playing rugby meant that Dominic had to miss Games for a few weeks and spent quite a lot of time in our School Library. It was there that his interest in the history of the School building was sparked. Apart from the Category A-listing entry

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of 1966 there has never been a full architectural investigation into Kelvinside Academy since it was built in 1877. In addition to “deconstructing” the building itself, Dominic also managed to track down the plans, which had not been seen in all likelihood for a century. After three years of research, Dominic is now a recognised champion of James Sellars, the Glasgow architect who died in 1888 at the height of his fame at the age of 44. Dominic has already written three publications on Sellars.

Dominic received a High Commendation at the glittering awards ceremony, but lost out on the overall award to the Apprentice Guides at the National Mining Museum Scotland.

UK Maths Challenge

Linda has been invited to participate in the Senior Kangaroo which is for the highest scoring pupils.

Try a Maths Challenge sample question for a bit of fun!

Teenagers Sam and Jo notice the following facts about their ages: The difference between the squares of their ages is four times the sum of their ages.

The sum of their ages is eight times the difference between their ages. What is the age of the older of the two? A) 15 B) 16 C) 17 D)18 E)19 Answer: D)18

Every year the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust run a Senior Maths Challenge aimed at final year pupils throughout the UK. Over 82,000 pupils entered this year and three of our S6 pupils gained awards. Linda Lin achieved a gold award which is for students who score above 85% in the test.

Peter Miao and Hamish Bottomley were awarded bronze awards.

Investing In A Fairer World This term Kelvinside Academy launched a new Fairtrade group and our dedicated Ambassadors are working to increase awareness of Fairtrade and highlight the issues associated with global citizenship.

Martha Armstrong (S2), one of our Fairtrade leaders, is enjoying being part of the new group and commented ‘we are gaining life-skills and have made many positive connections’ which was echoed

by Ben Faulkner (SP) and Iain Maclean (SP), two of our youngest members, who reflected that ‘we have had lots of fun’ through our ongoing projects.

With help from Mr Michael Smith, work has started on the Winter Garden and its hydroponics growing system. We have a well-established Fairtrade Tuckshop and also created an informative notice board and Frog site, which provides up to date information on our ongoing developments. Most notable to date was the success at the Christmas Fayre, where some beautiful items were sold, from our preferred suppliers Shared Earth and Earth Squared, raising over £245 towards forthcoming projects.

KA Fairtrade Ambassadors have made exciting connections within the local community, including one of our largest supermarkets. They have offered to teach us about their supply chain of Fairtrade products and how consumers can improve conditions for the World’s most disadvantaged.

In the New Year we aim to organise a Junior Fairtrade Challenge, with the help of ‘Pablo the Super Banana’ which we hope will redefine the notion of equality to younger pupils. We are also looking forward to Fairtrade Fortnight from 26 February where we hope to be involved in various whole school activities. Along with the possibility of a Spring ‘Fairtrade Breakfast’ we are creating interesting input for World Fairtrade Day on 18 May. We are always looking for Ambassadors and would greatly appreciate both parental and staff input from those willing to spare some time to support a wonderful cause.

Ms Chantal Winning, French Teacher

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cOmmuNitY S6 supporting ScotsERVS

Santa Dash

TEFL Qualifications

The chosen S6 Charity this session is ScotsERVS, the Medical Transport Charity. This emergency rider volunteer service has been delivering specialist medical logistics to NHS Scotland since 2011. They operate all year round, utilising a range of specialist vehicles and their service costs are funded entirely by private and public donations.

They transport ‘everything but the patient’ such as biochemistry, microbiology & pathology samples, blood specimens for diagnoses, specialist feeds, chemotherapy medication, case notes & records, medical teams, surgical equipment and specialist neonatal equipment.

Our S6 pupils supported a recent ScotsERVS fundraising push in Glasgow city centre in the run up to the festive season as well as carol singing in Princes Square.

During December and one of the coldest days of the year, some of our S6 pupils took to the streets of Glasgow in the biggest ever Santa Dash. They were raising awareness and funds for VTO Glasgow – a charity our S6 pupils work with to provide one-to-one tutoring support for children in Greater Glasgow.

Our S6 curriculum now includes Outreach projects which the S6 pupils incorporate into their study timetables. Some of our pupils are working alongside volunteers from the Maryhill Integration Network to teach English to Syrian refugees on a weekly basis. To facilitate this project, the School offers pupils the chance to study for a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification.

Last term the following pupils gained their TEFL certificate: Maura McGoldrick (S6), Hamish Bottomley (S6), David Leca (S6), Ellie Kemsley (S6), Harry Gillies (S6), Colette Elliott (S6), Della Pirrie (S5), Oliver Wilson (S6), Angus Stuart (S6), Cameron Faulds (S6) and Monica Sloan (S6).

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ExprESSivE ArtS

Whoops-A-Daisy Nursery This year’s Nursery Christmas Show was ‘Whoops-A-Daisy Angel’. It’s a delightful story of a disorganised but lovable angel who is chosen to show the way to Bethlehem.

Snowflakes, Wise Men, Shepherds, Sheep, a Donkey and a beautiful host of angels tell the Christmas story from the point of view of a very untidy and unreliable angel. Her character never seemed to get anything right until one day when she was given a really important job to do – to spread the message that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem.

Our Nursery pupils did an outstanding job – with solo singing, group singing, individual and group dances and lots of lines to learn – they pulled off this ambitious undertaking with confidence and enthusiasm. Rosa Donnelly (N2) had many lines

to learn and did a wonderful job in the role of the scatty angel who has a wonky halo and keeps losing her harp in the sky. Jorge Lopez (N2) learned his moves alongside the other dancing snowflakes but also gave a beautiful solo singing performance.

The children had six songs to learn including ‘Whoops-a-Daisy Angel’, ‘We’re So Angelic’ and ‘Six Little Snowflakes’. Mrs Pauline Argue did a wonderful job as Producer of the Nursery show and was ably assisted by stage manager Mrs tracy Nugent!

The children enjoyed singing the songs so much that Mrs Nugent organised a special visit with the residents of Balmanno House Care Home who were a very appreciative audience for their performance.

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Expressive Arts

It was a time of great fear and doubt. The spectre of fascism lingered in our community. Tyranny and terror and tragic failure loomed over us all. Screams could be heard from the auditorium; Austrian children were laughing nervously in every corner; nuns and Nazis were running amok in the corridors.

What was this impending doom?

That’s right: this year’s annual senior school show.

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The Sound of Music with its dark themes of rising fascism and its complex score with notes higher than the glacial Alps was to be an ambitious undertaking. But as she has proven in the past, Mrs Angela Schneeberger is the woman capable of surmounting such a challenge. Previous school shows such as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate were proof that

ambitious stagings could be successful with the right woman at the helm. But could she maintain her high standards this year?

Would the current pupil cohort be capable of stepping into the iconic dancing shoes of Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumber?

Well, any passer-by who happened to peek into the Gilchrist Theatre of a weekday evening to witness the rehearsals might be astonished at the sight before them: Mrs Schneeberger herding a vast cast of singers and dancers and two separate casts as though she was high on the hill with a lonely goatherd being chased by a panzer division with an accompaniment of snow leopards. Such was the chaos. But, somehow, with vision, determination, and the charisma of any great general, she got those goats to sing in tune and dance in time!

AND to remember their lines!

I am being facetious of course. The effort put in

by Mrs Schneeberger and the music teachers Mrs Jenny Cunningham and Mrs Sheena Crichton was indeed astonishing, and indicative of their love of teaching and their classy and tireless devotion to

their vocation. But, I must also include the pupils themselves in this praise. Yes, as with any big show, things were hectic at times, but the commitment, work ethic, and talent they all displayed must be commended. If you have never worked in ‘show business’, you can only have an inkling of just how much effort it takes to put a show together. A real war effort…

Anyway, onto the show itself!

I was privileged enough to see many different nights’ performances, helping as I was with the sound desk, alongside Mr David Miller and two pupils: the imperturbable whizzkid, Nic Cannon (S5), and Joshua ‘Mr Professional’ Zacharia (S2). As such I hope I can do justice to the double cast in my review.

First things first: was it fabulous? Answer: a resounding yes. There is something truly joyous seeing pupils you know well and have taught at different stages of their school careers standing on the stage singing their hearts out and creating memories that will no doubt last a lifetime. If that sounds a bit soft and cheesy, well, I don’t mind.

Musicals bring that out in me!

The production itself came together extremely effectively, with the director managing to tie all the ends together to interweave complex plot strands into their essential narrative arc and create a compelling and moving drama. But the best bit was the songs. The live band was magnificent and the fantastic score by Rogers and Hammerstein was done wonderful justice by fantastic vocal performances from the whole cast. If you were there, don’t pretend you weren’t secretly singing along under your breath to ‘Do Re Mi’ and ‘Edelweiss’!

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First night performance we had Scarlett Green (S6) and Scott Bell (S6) in the lead roles of Maria and Captain Von Trapp. Scarlett’s voice was dulcet throughout and she showed a natural rapport with the Von Trapp offspring, both motherly and defiant – Julie Andrews would have been proud! Scott gave a commanding performance as the Captain and there was general relief that he did not have to portray the patriarch in plaster after a rugby leg injury (the show must go on)! Both were hard acts to follow, but fortunately, on the second night, we had Hannah McGregor (S6) and Cian Shelton (S6) in the principal roles. Hannah has always graced school events with her musical talent and this was perhaps her greatest performance yet. She hit the high notes with ease and panache while playing Maria as a pious yet fun-loving matriarch who was not afraid to stand up to the oppressions of men.

Cian as the Captain was a joy to watch, especially seeing a lad who was somewhat shy in his younger years take to the stage with such confidence and charisma in his final year of school. He brought an element of humour to the stern character of the Captain making him a more likeable, sympathetic character.

Sophie Joint (S6) wowed as the Abbess. What a voice! Some of those high notes were simply ridiculous – practically out with the range of human hearing! She nailed every song she sang.

Sasha Nakhaei (S6) reprised this role the following evening with equally admirable musical ability and wonderful stage presence as the Abbess – plus pulled off some unreal yodelling on ‘The Lonely Goatherd’! I also watched her teaching some of the boys how to dance in rehearsals, which was both amusing and admirable; perhaps a career in the theatre (or even teaching!) awaits.

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One of the boys she taught to dance was Cameron Milne (S6) who was great fun as Friedrich, the lovelorn Brownshirt. His duet with Molly Macluskey (S6) as Liesl was performed with excellent choreography and charm, and Molly’s singing in particular was a delight. Harry Gillies (S6) played the same role as Cameron but with a more sinister twist, breaking away from the jovial and compassionate young man we know Harry to be in reality. Eden power (s5) as Liesl showed us all what years in the school choir will do for your singing voice – angelic. A girl so studious in class yet so vibrant on the stage.

Monica Sloan (S6) and Nikki Burns (S6) played Baroness Elsa as a powerful, no-nonsense business-

women whose performance added extra glamour to proceedings while adding more conflict to the drama by acting as a foil to Maria’s love interests.

Hamish Bottomley (S6) and Fergus Watson (S6), as the affable Max Detweiler, took to the stage with a calm assuredness which always lends itself to confident acting and singing.

when they too are in S6.

I feel it is a shame I can’t name every pupil on stage and critique them all individually as they were all excellent and can be proud of their performances.

I definitely saw future leading men and women amongst some of the S1-5s who made up the nuns, von Trapp children, the soldiers and the dancers.

Hopefully they will all audition for the lead roles

Finally, a big thanks goes to all ye long-suffering parents for endless reserves of moral support for your future superstars!

I would also like to give a special mention to the people behind the scenes working hair, makeup, costumes, props, mics, stage design, cleaning, lighting, advertising, managing. Again, if I mentioned everyone this would begin to read like the credits at the end of a movie.

Overall, The Sound of Music was a delight.

Mr Douglas O’Neil, English Teacher

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Expressive Arts Prickly Hay The J2/J3 show involved another twist on the Christmas story, being a retelling of the familiar tale from the perspective of the stable boy, Sam, who was confidently played by Rory Dalziel (J3). Little more important than the stable animals themselves, Sam was used to being overlooked and even despised, smelly and dirty as he was from his daily labours. In the end, though, he and the shrews – two spirited performances here from Bridget Harris (J3) and Harlow Kayes (J3) – got the recognition they deserved for preparing a soft bed for the baby Jesus!

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Before we got to this happy ending, we had some wonderful comedy, notably from the innkeepers: Lula Milne (J3) was wonderfully slick as the operator of a 24-hour hotel service which was just too fully booked to admit the holy family and the farcical “Knock, knock…who’s there?” routine between Sotiris Avgerodimos (J3) as an importunate Joseph and Ryan Stark (J3) as a very grumpy innkeeper was the funniest part of the show.

Many staff and parents helped with different aspects of the show, notably Mrs Sarah Gillan and

Mrs Gillian Robertson who worked to develop the singing of all those catchy songs. But the main credit for pulling off such a wonderful show goes to the partnership of Mrs Emma Laird-Jones and Mrs Esther Henderson, class teachers in Junior 3 and Junior 2 respectively, who worked tirelessly on the acting and the choreography.

The poignant final song, emphasising that everyone matters and everyone is important no matter where they sit in the pecking order – stable boy or king – was a great reminder of one of Kelvinside Academy’s key values. However, the sense of fun and sheer joy in the performance meant that this serious point was made in a light and charming manner. What a wonderful way to go into the Christmas holiday – well done all the children of Junior 2 and 3.

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Expressive Arts

Christmas Concerts Both the Senior and Junior School Christmas Concerts took place in the last week of term and were both wonderful celebrations of musical collaboration with all our choirs, orchestras and ensembles taking to the stage. Well done to all the pupils and teachers who worked so hard to make these such uplifting and enjoyable events.

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SPORT Rugby The Road to Murrayfield ‘Winners fall and they get straight back up…losers fall and they stay down’ Declan Kidney, former Ireland rugby coach Kelvinside have a good recent record in the School’s Cup and Shield competitions, appearing in semi-finals and finals far more often than our numbers should really merit and hopes were high this year of a good run in the U18 competition at least. However before that could be contemplated, a game against Robert Gordon’s College from Aberdeen awaited.

A below par performance from our 1st XV, after the long weekend break, gave RGC passage through to the next round where one of the ‘big’ schools awaited them. There would be no place to hide at that stage and it was perhaps fortunate that we didn’t turn up on the day.

As a result of this Kelvinside dropped down into the Shield tournament, a competition we had reached the Final of just 3 years previously. Before this though, we had a good tour of Toulouse, with two hard and competitive games to set us up for a hectic schedule at the beginning of November.

Our opponents in the quarter final were to be Royal High School from Edinburgh on the 8 of November, just 4 days after a tough local derby with HSOG and 3 days before facing another local adversary in Glasgow Academy. In a match, the result of which was secured really by halftime, the players showed no little skill and adapted their usual style to a much more expansive one, with the backs running in 6 tries. Royal High

presented us with some problems and it was good to see a ‘Plan B’ being employed. This was a particularly hard week for the players and certainly demonstrated the benefits of being on tour. Some of the younger players were showing well and the depth of the squad was being developed, a problem we have encountered in the past.

A home semi-final was the reward for that victory and again our opponents were to travel from the North; this time it was to be a game against Gordonstoun where the Royal Family have a tradition of attending.

Indeed, the patron of the SRU, Princess Anne, had a son Peter who played rugby for Scottish Schools whilst boarding there, so there is definitely a rugby lineage at the school.

On a dark afternoon, on a very heavy Balgray pitch and with the match on the previous Saturday having been cancelled, Kelvinside made heavy weather of beating a spirited Gordonstoun side. The final score of 31-7 definitely flattered the hosts but again the players demonstrated a doggedness in their play; not quite the champagne rugby of the previous round but mission accomplished, goal achieved… Murrayfield here we come.

One person’s misfortune can be another’s opportunity, but even before the semi-final one blow had been dealt when vice-captain Scott Bell (S6) was ruled out for 6 weeks with ankle ligament damage. This was then compounded when Rory Jackson (S5), one of our other District and potential International players, was concussed. However, all the other players were fit and healthy although slightly underplayed due to yet another cancellation.

The mood in the school was palpable in the week

leading up to the Shield Final. Buses were laid on for pupils and staff, flags were prepared, bobble hats appeared and new warm-up tops were supplied for the players. It was decided that we would stop en route for some food – sandwiches, fruit and water – at the Norton House Hotel. A walk round the grounds like a professional side added to the build-up.

Murrayfield on the night was buzzing with 8 games being played in total; 6 on the back pitches and the 2 main Finals on the International pitch. Unfortunately there was also a gale blowing straight down the pitch which was going to make conditions tricky.

Having already defeated our opponents, Hutchesons’ Grammar in the Conference game, confidence was high but we tried to tell the players that it would still require a full 100% effort from every player – sport has a habit of biting you badly.

Playing with the wind in the 1st half Kelvinside started reasonably brightly, winning scrums against the put in and being dominant in defence, with one particular tackle from Captain Gavin McKirdy (S6) driving Hutchie back. However, it was they who scored first after 5 minutes. Kelvinside responded 5 minutes later when Jamie Campbell (S5) forced a turnover and Jack Houston (S6) and Ross Wilson (S5) combined well.

This was to be their last foray into the opposition half for a while though, as poor game management, ineffective kicking and poor tackling allowed Hutchie to dominate the game. Not for the first time this season we fell foul of the referee at ruck time and frustration was building and concentration slipping accordingly.

Two tries in the space of 5 minutes gave Hutchie a lead of 5-19. Almost on the half time whistle a well

taken try by Euan Brady (S6), breaking blind off a good scrum, gave Kelvinside some hope going in to the 2nd half, but it was going to be a tough ask playing into the wind.

So it proved. Basically Kelvinside were penned into their own half for the first 20 minutes and eventually a yellow card was given to Fergus Harvey (S6) for repeated infringements by the team. Despite being down to 14 men, Kelvinside restricted the opposition to a single penalty in the 13 minutes that they were reduced – a heroic effort and a demonstration of what might have been achieved in the 1st half had we ‘got off the bus’.

Even a well worked series of pick and goes which gave Callum Brown (S5) his customary try was not enough and the final score of 15-22 was a hard one to take for the players. Definitely a case of what might have been.

Despite that, they demonstrated that they were good losers by waiting around for the presentations and thanking the parents, staff and fellow pupils who had travelled through. It was also a great advert for rugby that they found many of the side defeated 3 years previously had come along to watch and were willing to give them advice and generally cheer them up great to see!

Mr. David Wilson’s wise words at the end about many players not even getting to a final may have fallen on deaf ears at the time, but this one game should not define these boys as a team; they have represented the school well and will no doubt continue to do so for the rest of the season.

Mr Ally Craig, 1st XV Coach

SPORT Rugby

Hockey

Minerva Trophy

The 1st XI reached the semi-final of the West District Plate Competition and were really unlucky to lose out to Hutchesons’ Grammar School in sudden death penalties. It was a tough end to a really closely contested match which finished 0-0 prior to penalties.

GHK Rugby introduced the Minerva Trophy this year to be played for annually by Kelvinside Academy and High School of Glasgow. KA were victorious in the first Minerva Trophy encounter on 4 November.

This term sees the 2nd XI competing in their West District Tournament and Senior Prep taking part in a Primary 7 Tournament at Jordanhill.

Football Congratulations to Sophie Osman (S3) on being selected for the Scottish Schools U15 Football squad.

Congratulations to Oliver Wilson (S6), Peter Miao (S6) and Remy Cho (S5) on their recent selection for the Scottish Independent Schools’ U18 Football squad.

Scotland U18 Selection

Karate

Huge congratulations to Rory Jackson (S5) for selection for the Scotland U18 National Development Camp that took place at BT Murrayfield in December.

A black belt is not something you wear, it is something you become…and that is exactly what Anvi Pandit (SP) has become after 5 years of training. Anvi has had an amazing period of success recently becoming Swedish National Champion for her age group, winning Silver at the British International Open, Bronze at the Scottish Karate Grand Prix and Silver at the Manchester Youth Open.

Climbing Pippa Cooke (S4) scaled the heights in the recent Scottish Schools Climbing Competition held at the Glasgow Climbing Centre. Pippa came 2nd in the S3/S4 age category.

Synchronised Swimming Lara Ptolomey (S3) recently won two bronze medals at the Scottish Synchronised Swimming Championships in October at Drumchapel Swimming Pool.

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Handball GB selection Congratulations to Alexander Geddes (S6), Euan Brady (S6) and Hamish Bottomley (S6) for being selected for the Great Britain U18 Men’s training squad, as part of the team’s preparation for the 2018 Men’s European Championship 18 in Austria this summer.

Handball National Championships Round Up The S1-3 girls have made a vast improvement from last year. In 2016 we finished a disappointing 7th so our aim was to improve on this. The girls started strongly and finished unbeaten, top of their group. In the final we faced Our Lady’s but lost 6-2. An awesome performance from the girls, runners up in the National Championships.

The S6 girls were playing in their last ever competition but a recent injury to Captain Colette Elliott (S6) meant our starting 7 was depleted. Steffi Geary (S4), Daisy Metelli-Smith (S3), Sophia Green (S3) and Olivia

The GB coach worked with national team coaches in England & Scotland to draw up the initial list for the GB U18 squad and the players now go through a round of trials, with final selection coming in July 2018.

Morwood (S3) stepped into the team to compliment the strengths of Cameron Faulds (S6), Monica Sloan (S6), Hannah McGregor (S6), Chloe Gibson (S6) and Scarlett Green (S6). The girls won all their matches en route to the final and looked like the team to beat. The final was to be a tense affair against Our Lady’s. We started strongly but ended up losing 5-2, however the score did not reflect the match. A fabulous performance from all.

During both competitions some of our S6 boys were able to put their recent refereeing training to good use as they were involved in tournament refereeing and being table officials. Well done to Euan Brady, Hardie Brown, Hamish Bottomley, Alexander Geddes and Jack Porter.

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run, Santa, run!

The Annual Junior School Santa Dash and Senior School Road Race both took place in the last week of term. Junior School followed three different routes around the Botanic Gardens creating quite a KA spectacle. S6 pupils helped out with stewarding and fundraising efforts for the Roald Dahl Marvellous Children’s Charity. Thanks also to all the parents who came along to steward and support the children.

The Senior School pupils follow a route of 2.3kms along the River Kelvin and round Dawsholm Park.

Some pupils relished the challenge and attacked the course winning points for their house. Others preferred to enjoy the fun festive spirit of the occasion but all finishers gain a house point.

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Full results follow.

SP Sophie Sproule S1 Chloe Orr S2 Christie Burns S3 Lily Evans Haggerty S4 Kate McGill S5/S6 Scarlett Green

Josh teo-Winter Sandy Barr Stewart Millard Ethan Wilson Camron Sibanda Caolan Millard

Overall Winners: Girl Champion: Lily Evans Haggerty Boy Champion: Caolan Millard House Result: 1 Buchanan 2 MacGregor 3 Colquhoun 4 Stewart

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TRIPS

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USA, October 2017 During the October holidays, a group of pupils and staff travelled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After an early Saturday morning start at Glasgow Airport, we arrived at Lancaster Country Day School early evening where we were kindly met by host families and staff. The pupils spent an enjoyable weekend with their American counterparts before attending school at LCDS on the Monday. The early start to the school day, open lockers and more relaxed uniform policy being three of the most noticeable differences between our two schools.

The pupils were then very lucky to visit an Amish Farm and School and were treated to a delicious breakfast, made by solar energy as no Amish homes have mains electrical supply. The school was very different to anything we have experienced before. There were 30 pupils ranging from P1 to S3 being taught by an 18-year-old teacher, using textbooks that were between 15-25 years old. The teacher commanded the upmost respect from the pupils, who worked in pristine silence and waited patiently to get help from the teacher or an older pupil when they needed it.

We spent a day in Washington where LCDS Headteacher, Steve Lisk, gave us a whirlwind tour of the main sites including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial and the Smithsonian

Museum. We even got to see the President from a distance as a trio of helicopters landed on the White House lawn. Before we knew it we were on the train to New York from Lancaster where we spent an action packed 2 days in the city that never sleeps. We had dinner at Ellen’s Star Dust Diner where all the staff sang show tunes in between ensuring we were well fed and watered and that evening went to the Top of the Rock, where we experienced 360 degree views of the city from the top of the Rockefeller Centre.

On Friday morning we visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - very impressive pieces of American history and we could only imagine how tough it must have been for immigrants to the USA when, after a gruelling transatlantic ship crossing, they were then herded into the facility at Ellis Island not knowing if they would actually be allowed to stay or be sent back home. We had fun on Broadway at The School of Rock. The show builds upon the successful film and we were all enthralled from the first song to the epic finale. Before we knew it we were back at JFK airport on the Saturday evening to catch our flight home. It was a fantastic trip which the pupils will remember for a long time.

Mr Neil Reid, Geography Teacher

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TRIPS Teacher Exchange Hearing about the Lancaster Country Day School (LCDS) Teacher Exchange I knew it was something I’d like to do, having gotten on so well with Jill Englert, the LCDS exchange teacher who visited KA in March. I bit the bullet and sent in a Handball coaching proposal and was thrilled when my application was successful.

I had 4 weeks to prepare! Armed with what I hoped would be engaging Handball sessions and a tartan tin filled with homemade tablet I was all set for my US adventure.

Despite an early start I was glad to be traveling to the US with our school trip group.

Chris & Rob from LCDS were waiting for us when we landed in New York. Luggage retrieved, we made our way to the school mini vans. I’m not sure if I drew the short straw or was the lucky one; my van was definitely the loudest! We compared film notes from

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the plane, admired the scenery and the 5 pupils in the back played games and sang the entire 4 hour ride to LCDS. We were greeted by host families, staff and a giant pile of pizzas and Whoopie Pies. I was staying with Jill and was very grateful to her and Brian for opening up their home to me. The first thing that struck me was the difference in the US and Scotland’s approach to Hallowe’en. Her house was festooned with Hallowe’en decorations and the most unusual pumpkins I have ever seen (pumpkins would feature heavily in my US week).

Jill and Brian couldn’t have been more welcoming and had prepared a special kind of homemade apple juice that was enjoyed around a campfire while we devoured S’mores. Streetlights aren’t common place in the suburbs of Lancaster so sitting admiring the night sky was a welcome change from airports, planes

and mini vans.

Sunday saw an action packed day of local sightseeing and forcing my body and brain to adjust to the new time zone. Despite waking up at 4am hungry, I was ready for a busy day.

After the treat of a homemade breakfast of scrapple, eggs and potato bread (scrapple is a local speciality but don’t ask what’s in it) we packed in visits to the Wolf Sanctuary, Amish Country, a buggy ride, dinner out with pig’s stomach on the menu, Whoopie Pie sundaes, iconic covered bridges and navigating a corn maze at dusk.

Arriving at the School on Monday, everyone could not have been nicer. A tour of the School kicked off my exchange programme followed by observation in a 2nd and 3rd grade class. One of my favourite parts of the tour was the 5th grade class who don’t use chairs, they have Swiss balls that all pupils sit on at their desks (see photo). Our Senior Prep were very taken with the idea and it’s something that they’d like to try.

I was also struck by the tidiness of the open lockers, the trust pupils have in each other with valuables left in plain sight as well as the camaraderie between players in sports teams; lots of good luck messages left for the soccer boys and the golfers who were all in competitive action during the week.

Lesson 1 was a baptism of fire! Seventy 4th and 5th graders and 5 staff watching on was not how I envisaged the start of my exchange teaching! Lots of fun games focusing on 3 steps and the correct hand and arm position as I tried to embed the handball fundamentals. After a quick discussion a new plan was formulated and the rest of the day was much easier with 6th, 7th and 8th grade all getting a taste of handball. Lesson learned quickly that Americans don’t call sports bibs ‘bibs’, they are ‘pinnies’! This proved to be a running joke throughout the week.

Day 2 and 3 of coaching were very enjoyable and highly entertaining, LCDS have some talented athletes and a match against our older players would be interesting. 4th and 5th grade continued to love the fundamentals with small sided games, while 6th, 7th and 8th grade moved to single sex matches and 7-a-side. The 8th grade were particularly interested in positional handball and the tactics used. A few videos showing European handball at its best gave them a real insight as to what the game should look like. The video that met with the best reception was of our own KA pupils v the USA, a match we played when in Sweden at the Partille Cup in 2015! Day 3 ended with a senior Varsity soccer match, the state semi-finals.

Monster, our flag, bagpipes and Highland Games.

Their favourite was definitely Auld Lang Syne or trying Highland dancing! Next it was to 2nd and 4th grade to read a story filled with Scottish words and to answer many, many questions! They were most fascinated by our money, the fact it is all different colours and sizes.

I then had the opportunity to chat to Steve Lisk, LCDS Headteacher, although our time was interrupted by an unplanned, surprise fire drill. It was interesting to see the differences, the staff all wear high vis jackets and carry an emergency rucksack with supplies.

On my final day I taught each of my PE classes one last time. I was very impressed with how welcoming and friendly the students were as well as their keenness to try whatever game I suggested. Each lesson ended with team photos and selfies. One of my favourite parts of the week were the morning meetings, or assemblies.

These were very relaxed, pupil led with a constant supply of music! The only common thing between them all was the pledge of allegiance to the flag at the start, after that it was anyone’s guess. Pupils and staff could have notices, there were games, awards, a video and lots of positivity. My final assembly consisted of all the aforementioned as well as a presentation and anecdote about my week, I shall forever be known as the fancy lady!

On the train back to New York to catch my flight home, I was struck with a real sense of sadness to be leaving LCDS behind. This was due to how welcome and at home they had made me feel. There are many similarities between both our schools, but also many differences, some of which are cultural. At the varsity soccer match proceedings started with the national anthem and each spectator had to pay to watch. I think lessons could be learned on both sides and we could adopt many of the practises I saw at LCDS into KA. For anyone considering the exchange programme, do it! It truly was an enlightening experience; I wonder if I’ll be asked back…

Mrs Fiona Kennedy, SP Teacher and Head of S1

Day 4 started with bus duty, where two staff members stand out on the street welcoming all pupils, and parents, as they arrive at school. I spent time in Kindergarten talking about Scotland, the Loch Ness Minerva

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TRIPS Rugby Tour Toulouse, 14-18 October 2017 Day 1

Despite the fact that everyone going on tour is relatively used to getting up early on a Saturday morning, there were some very bleary-eyed members of the touring party at Glasgow Airport at 0600hrs.

There were also one or two teary-eyed parents, no doubt having second thoughts about entrusting their offspring into the tender care of Messrs Wilson, Mercer and Craig for 5 days in the south of France.

It has to be said that the players were looking very smart and professional in school uniform and drew several complimentary comments. No problems encountered at security, we proceeded to the various eating establishments to get breakfast and it was there that our party of 24 boys and 4 staff (our Making Trax representative Craig had joined us for check-in) were added to by our famous former pupil. Richie Gray (2006) was travelling back to Toulouse after a 2-week spell of rehab following an operation and was actually booked onto the same flight.

An uneventful flight by Ryanair – yes they had a pilot took us into Carcasonne airport where we met our bus and driver for our whole stay, Davide. Richie declined our offer of a lift back to Toulouse as his girlfriend was picking him up…no contest really.

Once in the hotel it was to be a quick change into training kit and back on the bus for a training session.

By this time, it was late afternoon and in the high 20s°c. 90 minutes of touch, unit skills and a team run later, we boarded the coach to return for dinner in a pizza restaurant 10 minutes walk away. Dinner was much anticipated by the boys as was the free time they were given to watch some of the Champions’ Cup rugby after dinner.

Day 2

A relatively late start on Sunday as we were only due to go Karting and then do some sightseeing in Toulouse.

And so it was off to the first competition of the trip – go-karting. It was indeed very competitive! Cars were bumped, staff were shoved off the track quite regularly but everyone managed to escape injury despite the best efforts of someone (no names will be mentioned for the social events…what goes on tour stays on tour!). This pupil managed to jam their kart under the barrier which necessitated the kart being ‘retired’ from further use. Pity help their parents when they start driving lessons.

After burgers and chips it was back on the bus and return to the hotel for an afternoon of sightseeing.

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Toulouse is a lovely city and Gary Mercer was a hive of information on where to go, as a result of previous visits with professional and international teams. The first match was the following day so, in preparation, an early night was had by all.

Day 3

A real ‘rugby’ day with a trip to the Stade Ernest Wallon, home of Toulouse (les Rouge et Noir) and then the first match against Muret RFC. Just like at Glasgow Warriors, the stadium is right beside the training pitch but Toulouse have everything just a little bit bigger. The first thing which struck us was the line-up of identical Peugeot cars in the car park. Richie Gray later told us that the players all have one and that they are allocated spaces beside the changing rooms for training according to the length of time they have been at the club.

Richie introduced us to Charlie Faumuina, the All Black World Cup winning prop who took time out of his programme to talk to the boys about the differences in training. A typically humble All Black with no inflated personality or sense of himself. A group photo was then taken before we boarded the bus to return to the hotel for lunch and some time with their feet up for the players.

At 1800hrs we left for the first match and there was a hint of trepidation among some of the players. This was to be an unknown team, not comprised of people they had played against for years, and was to be an experience of a different type of rugby.

Muret is a suburb of Toulouse and the pitch was in a typical French council owned stadium, with a fence over the tunnel area – intimidating in itself! Our hosts were desperate to observe the usual pleasantries; players coming out the tunnel together, national anthems (I think we won that contest as well) and photographs but unfortunately the referee had not turned up so one of the Muret coaches refereed the 1st half and as

a result the scrums had to be uncontested. This was an area we particularly wanted to test ourselves in, but the players acquitted themselves well in that half.

Two tries from Hamish Bottomley (S6) and one from Scott Bell (S6), one of which was converted by Ross Wilson (S5), allowed us to go in at half time 17-14 up.

Muret had about 30 players but they held back the younger ones until about 10 minutes into the 2nd half. By that time a Kelvinside blitz of 3 tries – 2 from Euan Brady (S6) and one from Rory Jackson (S5) had eased the scoreline out to 38-14. After the spirited young players came on, they restricted Kelvinside to 2 further tries and managed one of their own which was by far the most popular try of the evening. A victory then by 50-19 for Kelvinside.

The hospitality afterwards was exemplary. Rugby became the common language and, as usual we were

After all escaping we were back on the bus for the 2nd match against Balgnac RFC who we had been informed would be a tougher opposition than Muret.

The ground we played at was part of a very modern complex with numerous sports going on around us on a balmy evening.

Full on scrums against a very useful pack and some abrasive and elusive backs were to give us a completely different game. A Hardie Brown (S6) try in the 1st half allowed us to go in at half time tied at 5-5 but lethargy and a general lack of commitment allowed our hosts to score 3 unanswered tries in the 2nd half. Final score 5-24 It was always going to be a tough ask playing 2 games in 24 hours but if some of the players had applied themselves a little bit more this was a game that could have been won. Back onto the bus (again!) and off to the actual Blagnac RFC ground and clubhouse.

Day 5

put to shame by our hosts whose English was much better than our stilted, schoolboy French…and that’s the staff I’m referring to! Stories, memories and e-mail addresses swapped, a tired but happy group departed a smashing wee club with some really good rugby people.

Day 4

The tour was at a crucial stage – a 24 hour turnaround was not ideal, but if everyone kept their rugby heads, the confidence gained from that first match could be put to good use.

The morning was to be spent at the nearby ‘Escape Rooms’. Before anyone gets too concerned these are rooms where the boys are locked in a room (no, really, don’t get worried!) and have to use their brains (okay, get worried!) to extract themselves using cryptic clues.

The players were split into groups of 6 and taken away and then the 4 staff were led away to another room, blindfolded by a young lady and then handcuffed!

Now we were worried!

More travel! Another coach trip! At Carcasonne we bade farewell to Davide with a gift of a bottle of wine and a Kelvinside polo shirt and headed for the departure ‘lounge’, such as it was. Just as some of us went through security, we noticed that the dreaded delayed sign had come up opposite our flight. The ‘lounge’ was stifling with little or no ventilation – a bit like the information we got and one of the passengers decided to open a small window. Five minutes later a very irate ‘pompier’ arrived just after we had tried to get Jamie Campbell (S5) to open the adjoining window.

It appeared that an alarm had been set off somewhere and his rest had been disturbed! Fortunately our plane boarded soon after and we were on our way back to ‘sunny’ Glasgow.

All in all a successful and enjoyable tour. As is the case on any of the tours I have been on, the players were fine standard bearers for the School. Indeed, on our return to Glasgow airport a couple of staff in the baggage handling area asked who they were and complimented them as such. It’s always pleasing when this happens so the boys should congratulate themselves on representing the school so admirably.

Thanks must go to Mr David Wilson for all his work in organising the tour. Thanks also to the 2 ‘assistant gaffers’, Mr Gary Mercer and Mr Ally Craig for looking after the minutiae of touring. Gavin McKirdy (S6) was his usual self as Captain, good humoured but competitive and harsh on himself when we were defeated. Finally, thanks to Craig, the rep from Making Trax.

Now, who said South Africa next year…

Mr Ally Craig, 1st XV Coach Minerva

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miNErvA EducAtiONAl truSt dEvElOpmENt updAtE The John Duff Lodge As intimated in the previous Minerva, we are extremely grateful to former Rector, John H Duff, for his generous donation which has enabled the School to secure the John Duff Lodge in the Cairngorms and a nine seater Land Rover. We are delighted to announce both are ready for use and the Rector will be unveiling a new Outdoor Education Programme in due course headed up by a new Outdoor Education Instructor. The John Duff Lodge will also be available for hire to the Kelvinside Family.

The Governors appointed John H Duff, MA (Cantab), MA (Edin) to succeed Mr Mair in 1980. He was a bachelor aged 39 years who came originally from Selkirk. John was educated at St Mary’s School, Melrose, and Edinburgh Academy. He obtained an Honours Degree in Economics at Cambridge University and an Honours Degree in History at Edinburgh University.

Before going to Cambridge, he taught for a year at Malsis School in Yorkshire and, between his Cambridge and Edinburgh degrees, at Allen Court School in Essex.

He also taught at Kelly College, Tavistock, Devon, where he was a House Master, in charge of athletics, cross-country running, squash, adventure training and ski-ing. An all-round sportsman, he was a Devon County squash player for eight years.

In 1969 he was commissioned in the T.A.V.R and also served in the Royal Marine Section of the Combined Cadet Force.

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John is pictured below in 1980 instructing the art of javelin throwing and in 1998 when he retired.

Many Academicals will be aware of John’s love of the outdoors and travel. You will also remember the many trips to the “old cottage” and below is an extract from an article written by John in the 1996 Chronicle.

The Cottage “The cottage trips over weekends or in the holidays were again generally over-subscribed and about a hundred and fifty boys made the journey North over the year. As has become the pattern, the walking programmes were the most popular and a good selection of the high tops in the Cairngorm area were all included. In the early summer, glissading off the tops was the best for years, and for the first time ever, I managed to get the whole way down the White Lady and Coire Na Ciste ski runs (head first, of course), a feat not usually possible until the ski season has ended.

The criterion for enjoyment is a total abandonment of common-sense, and apologies and grateful thanks are due to all the mothers whose washing machines are subject to such gross abuse on return.

Unfortunately, the cottage trips are not really suitable for beginners at present, although I had made arrangements to use a proposed new development which would have been ideal for them. As things turned out, the snow came from a different direction this year, and the project never got off the ground, though I shall keep it in mind for the future”

We would love to receive stories of your time spent at Insch and collate these to present to John, who now resides in Glasgow Erskine. Please email these to Development Manager, Elaine Solman (elaine. solman@kelvinside.org).

The new Wilderness Campus has 11 bedrooms, 4

public areas and a John Duff Room. We are also honoured to have received all of John’s travel albums. John, who is now unable to travel, only had two countries left to visit in the world. These albums will be available for our pupils to view when they are at the Lodge. Pictured below are some photographs of the new Campus.

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miNErvA EducAtiONAl truSt dEvElOpmENt updAtE

140th Anniversary Celebrations Celebrations will commence on Sunday 2 September to celebrate 140 years of excellence. This is the introduction of our Minerva Day which will then become an annual feature on the school calendar.

The PTA will organise the BBQ, Bouncy Castle and the usual entertainment that takes place on their Annual Fun Day and the Academical Hockey and Rugby Matches will also take place. A full itinerary will be distributed later this term.

Academical Club Lottery We are delighted to announce the following winners from the December Lottery Draw.

Inaugural Minerva Burns Supper Sponsor

Mr K McAlpine, Mr C Neill, Mr A McChleary, Mr S Dalziel, Mrs A McGowan, Mr I Munro, Mr A Ireland, Mr D Wyatt, Mr P Waddington, Mrs J Ptolomey, Mr S Marshall, Mrs J Westwood, Mr G Stewart, Mr J Harvey, Miss D Scade, Mr D yao,

We would like to thank Nigel Ovens (1994) of McCaskies, the award winning butcher for supplying the Haggis for our event.

The Lottery takes the form of a monthly standing order of £10.00 which acts as a ticket so by the time the draw is due you will have a number of chances.

Scottish Craft Butcher National Haggis Champion 2015/16 and 2016/17

1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize 4th Prize

£500.00 for 1 person £150.00 each for 2 people £100.00 each for 3 people £50.00 each for 10 people

To take part, please complete the enclosed Standing Order Form, with your payments set for the tenth of each month, to Development Manager, Elaine Solman.

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McCaskies have won more leading national awards for their Haggis than any other Scottish Butcher:

Haggis Fest Golden Haggis Champion 2015 Haggis Fest People’s Choice Champion 2015, 2016 and 2017.

McCaskies have won numerous other national awards for their products, and are proud to make Scotland’s most awarded Black Pudding (twice National Champion, once Reserved Champion and five times Regional Champion)

MAKERS OF SCOTLAND’S

MOST AWARDED HAGGIS & MOST AWARDED BLACK PUDDING McCaskie’s are proud sponsors of Kelvinside Academy’s inaugural Minerva Burns Night

*Leading Awards for McCaskie’s Haggis Haggis Fest People’s Choice Champion 2015, 2016 and 2017 Scottish Craft Butchers National Champion 2015/16 and 2016/17 Haggis Fest Golden Haggis Champion 2015

*Leading Awards for McCaskie’s Black Pudding Twice National Champion, Once Reserve Champion and five times West of Scotland Regional Champion

We are delighted to offer members of the KELVINSIDE ACADEMY FAMILY seasonal special offer prices. Please call 01475 520192 to discuss the latest in-store or online offers.

Please visit us in Wemyss Bay (why not have a meal in our award winning bistro?) or shop online at www.mccaskiebutcher.co.uk Mearns T. McCaskie Butchers, 9a Bayview, Shore Road, Wemyss Bay PA18 6AR OF ORIGI N

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OTECTED PR

SIGNATIO N

DE

Deliveries to Glasgow every day

‘Ever to eat the best’ Minerva

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Minerva Educational Trust Development Update KA-NuVu Partnership There have been really exciting developments with this programme and, due to the generosity of a Kelvinside Academical, we are now in a position to host a NuVu Teaching Fellow at the School throughout the 2018 – 2019 Session. Work is being carried out on our current curriculum to ensure as many of our pupils as possible are given a rare opportunity to experience this excellent curricular offering.

We are delighted to report that a number of academics and leaders in industry are interested in supporting the evolution of the KA-NuVu partnership to establish Scotland’s first “School of Innovation” at our Kirklee Campus by 2020. An update of progress and full details of our plans going forward will be in the next issue of Minerva.

Black and White Ball The Ball will be held on Saturday 6 October in the Glasgow Hilton and will be a fantastic whole school event. We look forward to welcoming parents, staff and Academicals to what will be a great night of celebration for the KA family. Next month you

will receive booking forms along with sponsorship opportunities and an appeal for live and silent auction prizes. In the meantime, if you would like additional information please contact Development Manager, Elaine Solman.

Parent Teacher Association The Autumn Term is an exceptionally busy one for the PTA and once again they have done an excellent job co-ordinating and supporting three Senior School Ceilidhs, a great Christmas Fayre and their well-received refreshments during intervals of the Sound of Music and Christmas Concert.

Saturday mornings are a pleasure at Balgray when you can start the day with a hot beverage and a breakfast roll.

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Please remember that tuck shop and coffee are served in the Kennedy Mall on Friday afternoons from 2.45pm.

If you are able to help out at any PTA events throughout the year please contact Yvonne Craig (pta@kelvinside.org).

ve te Sa a ed th

140TH ANNIVERSARY

BLACK & WHITE BALL 6TH OCTOBER 2018 Hilton Glasgow, 1 William Street, G3 8HT

£70 per person - cash payable at school reception Please make cheques payable to: Kelvinside Academy Minerva 39 Book online via: https://makeagift.kelvinsideacademy.org.uk/book-your-event

AcAdEmicAlS Annual Dinner The Academical Club Dinner will be held on Friday 23 March 2018. Drinks will be held in the Kennedy Mall prior to dinner being served in the Games Hall. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Elaine Solman (elaine.solman@kelvinside.org), online or by completing the enclosed form and returning to the School. Tickets cost £40 per person and £25 per person for our Academicals under the age of 25.

Reunions We would be delighted to see Academicals planning a reunion to join us on 23 March at the Annual Dinner. The relevant year groups will have received an invitation to join us in School prior to the dinner for refreshments and a tour of Kirklee Road, which

USA trip The Rector, Ian Munro, Development Manager, Elaine Solman, KAWMT Chairman, Donald Wilson (1980), and MET Chairman, Mel Scott (1979) are planning a trip stateside in April this year and are looking forward to meeting as many Academicals as possible. This will be an opportunity for you to come and meet everyone and find out about the future plans for Kelvinside Academy.

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includes the newly upgraded Mirrlees Drive and the famous “old gym”. You will also be able to see the many changes that have taken place including the new Fraser Library, Sixth Year Centre and the Kennedy Mall.

The London Section Dinner 2017 The 2017 dinner had a record turnout of 36 people in attendance. Once again this was a fantastic event and a great opportunity for our Academicals in the South East to come together. President, Edward Gordon-Steward (1986) gave a marvellous

speech and once again thank you to Secretary, David McGill (1973), for co-ordinating the event. If you would like to find out more about the London Section events throughout the year please contact David at scotlandend@btinternet.com.

Class of 1967 Reunion We were delighted to welcome 16 members of the Class of 1967 into School on Friday 1 December for their first ever Class Reunion, celebrating 50 years since they left KA. On the previous evening, some of the group had enjoyed a curry at one of Glasgow’s famous restaurants. The Academicals enjoyed a tour of the School, much changed since 1967, followed by a trip to Balgray and then lunch in Mackenzie House. Most of these gentlemen hadn’t seen each other for 50 years, nor had they ever come through the front door, except when they came for interview with the Rector. Special thanks are due to those who helped to arrange the day and also for supplying some great photographs.

David Simpson is pictured with his grandson Luke who is now in Junior 1.

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Ian W.D. Dalziel (1955) Weighing the Antarctic Ice Sheet Research Professor, Institute for Geophysics, and Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin) It was in the inspiring geography classes of the late Norman Dall at Kelvinside that I learned of “old hard crystalline rocks” and “fold mountains”. Little did I know that I would spend my entire career studying them from academic bases at The University of Edinburgh, The University of Wisconsin, Columbia University in the City of New York and, for the last 30 plus years, at The University of Texas. When I was in Wisconsin during the 1960’s I had the opportunity to study in the southernmost Andes of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and to travel around the islands of the mainly submarine Scotia Ridge* that geologically joins South America to the Antarctic Peninsula. I hoped that studying a young and tectonically active mountain range would lead me to better understand the ancient rocks of the Scottish Highlands that I had puzzled over while undertaking my doctoral studies in Edinburgh. It did, but it also led me deeper into the heart of the Antarctic continent which I have now been studying for nearly fifty years. [* The ridge was named after the Steam Yacht Scotia used by the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition whose leader W.S. Bruce charted it in the early 1900’s] One cannot work in Antarctica without being impressed by ice! After all it covers almost all of the continent leaving a meager 1% of its land area for a poor geologist to look at, even if the rocks that are exposed for study are located in spectacular mountain ranges, most notably the Transantarctic Mountains and the Ellsworth Mountains. Not only

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is the Antarctic Ice Sheet of vast extent, it is thick.

The South Pole is an elevation of 9301 feet (2835 metres) yet the land beneath the ice is near sea level – so nearly 2 miles (around 3 kilometres) of ice, and that is not the thickest point! The ice sheet is composed of two parts, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, south of the Pacific Ocean, and the East Antarctic Ice Sheet south of Australia, India and Africa. The East Antarctic Ice Sheet rests on one of Norrie Dall’s ‘shields’ of Precambrian “old hard crystalline rocks”, and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet on a complex archipelago of younger rocks more akin to his “fold mountains” and part of the circumPacific so-called ‘ring of fire’ with active volcanoes.

The Antarctic Ice Sheet carries about 61% of the fresh water on the planet, equivalent to a global sea level rise of nearly 200 feet (58 metres). Ice on a continental scale has existed on the continent for about 34 million years, its loss would obviously be catastrophic for a society with so many people and so much infrastructure built on or near the coast lines. Geoscientists have for many years been concerned particularly about the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. It contains fresh water equivalent only to 1620 feet (5-6 metres) of sea level rise, but is regarded as being less stable because it’s base is up to 8200

feet (2500 metres) below sea level and therefore vulnerable to the effects of warming water and rise in sea level.

Satellite measurements of ice elevation and gravity over the ice sheet over the past 15 years or so have led to uncertainties regarding ice mass change.

General indications are that coastal West Antarctica is losing ice, but that interior West Antarctic Ice is stable and the East Antarctic Ice Sheet may even be gaining mass because of increase in temperature and hence water vapor content of the atmosphere, in other words more snow. Readers have probably all heard of parts of massive floating ice sheets breaking off the continental edges. These do not in themselves lead to global sea level change as they are floating like ice cubes in a drink, but they do act as buttresses to the seaward movement of inland ice, and when one is lost the inland ice moves faster towards the sea and will tend to raise sea level.

As a geologist who has worked for many years on the continent, I became involved in trying to “weigh� the ice sheet and hence to calculate change in ice mass because it turns out that interpretation of satellite measurements of ice elevation and gravity

are wholly dependent on what is happening to the bedrock beneath the ice. Uplift from ice mass loss since the Last Glacial Maximum some 20,000 years ago results in bedrock uplift due to reduction in ice load. That uplift is in turn related to movement of mass in the deep crust and mantle of the Earth down to several hundred miles. To measure the bedrock movement, deduce the structure of the deep earth, and hence eventually understand ice mass change and its contribution to global sea level rise, my colleagues and I in the United States, in cooperation with scientists from several other countries including the United Kingdom, have installed Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and seismometers at more than 50 sites scattered across a huge area of the Antarctic continent.

Perhaps these instruments, located about far as one can go on Earth from the Kirklee Road classroom where I first heard about the rocks on which they rest, will eventually lead to better understanding of global sea level change. That should in turn permit humankind to better plan for its future on our wonderful planet.

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Emma Cowan (2009) joined the Kelvinside Academy staff in August 2017. Emma is now a valued member of the Development Office and PE Department where she will also be coaching Hockey.

Donald Wilson (1980) kindly donated his Academical Club Membership Card to the School Archive.

Peter Drummond (1971) kindly arranged for Rector, Ian Munro and Development Manager, Elaine Solman to experience curling first hand during a lesson at Braehead. Both Ian and Elaine thoroughly enjoyed the event and felt they would tackle the ice again! The Rector is pictured below with the School curlers.

Ian Forrester (1962) QC, Judge to the General Court of the European Court of Justice in Luxemburg took time off his busy schedule to visit the School and speak to some of our Seniors who are interested in Law. Ian gave us a fascinating insight into the complications to be taken into account regarding Brexit. Ian left KA in 1962. Ian took silk in 1988, is a member of the New York State Bar, England and Wales Bar and the Brussels Bar.

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Nigel Ovens (1994) Congratulations to McCaskie Butchers, owned by Nigel on receiving his latest Haggis award. The following article was recently published in the press.

McCaskies win People’s Choice Haggis Award 2017 McCaskies retain haggis trophy for the third year McCaskie Butchers haggis has been voted ‘People’s Choice Champion’ for the third year running at the annual haggis fest championship, the Golden Haggis Awards, which takes place as part of the yearly Winter Festival in Oban.

Scotland’s top butchers, who are all well-known for their high quality haggis, battle it out for this top award which is shaped like a haggis!

The ‘People’s Choice Champion’ is highly sought after as this award is voted by members of the public who have sampled the competing haggises.

Each of the entries to the competition is tasted with the public voting in their favourite.

This is the 5th leading trophy McCaskies has scooped for their haggis in 3 years and reinforces McCaskies position as producers of ‘Scotland’s most awarded Haggis’, and at the ideal time of year with St.Andrew’s day just a couple of days away!

Graham H Soutar (1982) Congratulations to Graham on his new post and the following article appeared in the Glasgow Herald.

McCaskies have recently opened their new state of the art production facility in Wemyss Bay, which has allowed them to increase output, meaning that more consumers will be able to enjoy their haggis, and other high quality products, including their multi national and regional award-winning black pudding.

And here is the haggis-shaped trophy!

“ONE of Scotland’s top cancer charities has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive.

Graham Soutar will take on the role of CEO at Beatson Cancer Charity after the departure of David Welch, who headed up the creation of the charity in 2014.

Having held senior executive roles in finance and management for more than 30 years, Greenockborn Graham brings international experience in senior level management.

He said: “It’s an honour to be appointed to this position and I’m looking forward to the many challenges and opportunities.

“With some pioneering projects in the pipeline, I’m keen to raise awareness of the life-changing work this charity does every day.”

Graham has acted as interim chief executive and has been responsible for the day to day running of the charity since former CEO David Welch’s departure earlier this year to become the new Chief Executive of Leeds Hospital Charitable Foundation.”

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Hunter Reid (1964) tango of the Isles In November 2017 I was asked by a good friend, who is a professional dance teacher and performer, if I would dance tango with her in the Nutcracker at An Lanntair, the main Arts Centre/Theatre in Stornaway.

She teaches several forms of dance in Lewis and Harris and recently set up her own dance company “Absolutely Heb” and also comes to Glasgow one week a month to work and teach dance. She had been asked by Ballet Hebrides if she would dance tango in the Party Scene of their 4 performances of The Nutcracker. It did not take me long to accept the offer.

We have been dancing tango together for over ten years and from time to time we have danced at events such as the Monachyle Mhor Festival, the Scottish Food and Drink Festival at Scone Palace and the Summer Olympic Women’s Football in Glasgow in 2012 for Dance House.

Going to Stornaway was a real adventure. I had lived on the Isle of Canna for about a year in 1974, when my wife was the Island Schoolteacher, but I had never been to the outer isles. There are currently 6 flights a day between Glasgow and Stornoway run by Loganair and Flyby The flight takes 50 minutes and a return with a 20kg suitcase and hand luggage can be had for around £100 - a real bargain!

The descent into Stornoway was breathtaking with the beautiful hills of Harris looking majestic and, unusually, partly covered in snow. I was excited and a bit nervous, as I was flying up on the day of the first performance and arriving a couple of hours before the dress rehearsal. I met my dance partner Louise at the airport and after a relaxing lunch we set off for An Lanntair for the dress rehearsal and arrived just 5 minutes before the rehearsal started. The cast of around 10 adults and about 30-40 children had been rehearsing for several months and really knew what they were doing. Getting to know the stage and learning a short group dance all in the space of about five minutes was pretty challenging! There was only about an hour between the end of the dress rehearsal and the first performance, so we grabbed a quick coffee in the theatre cafe and then on with the show.

Our entrance was with other cast members carrying lanterns through the auditorium at the start of Act 1. About a dozen of us were hidden in a small darkened lobby at the top of the auditorium and the anticipation as the overture started was very

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powerful indeed. We all had to keep silent and huddled in a tiny space. One of the children was overcome by emotion and in tears but was consoled by kind words and reassurance. For the first time in my life I experienced the joy and camaraderie of being a part of the cast of a theatre production. The music changed and that was our cue to enter.

Our dance was about three quarters way through the first twenty minute scene and it was nerve racking, waiting for our tango music to start. I had the opportunity to select the music and chose a beautiful slow guitar tango piece called Milonguea del Ayer.

The cue came and I managed to focus in the moment and enjoy the performance. It is always a delight to dance with a professional dancer. Tango is all about improvisation, so there is no step pattern to follow or remember. All you need to think about is the connection with your partner and how you are going to interpret the music - no two tango dances are the same. At KA, for a lot of my time there, I was painfully shy and did not dare get involved in any of the school productions. Dancing on stage for the first time at aged 71 with an adult and children’s ballet company has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Tango is not the flirtatious dance that is portrayed in some of the media and TV shows - although, given the right circumstances it can be blissful. Tango is serious - really serious, and can border on a religion and can easily become an obsession. It is about two people connecting in a way that does not require words. It’s about giving your whole self to your

partner and the dance. It is a long term project. The maestros in Argentina say it takes 20 years to learn to walk tango. Tango is very much a walking dance balance is all. You are forever learning, changing and adapting the way that you dance and you go through stages when you think you are doing well and then you realise how little you know and how important it is to go back to basics. As with life, the simplest things often reap the greatest rewards and you get out what you put in. The music is spellbinding and touches the soul. It ranges from utterly joyful to extremely melancholy. On occasion, the sense of connection and oneness you get when dancing with someone you have never met, and perhaps speaks a different language, is almost a miracle - if you both give your all. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen, no matter how competent both of you are as dancers.

You can’t really explain this other than you are just not on the same wavelength as people.

Tango can give you a lot of self confidence and fitness and you will make many new friends. It is very international - you can dance tango almost any night in most major cities in the world. There is a big tango scene in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. You will be welcomed and looked after by the local tango community wherever you go. I would recommend tango to anyone of any age, who is prepared to put the time and effort in to learning this beautiful dance.

If you are interested in tango please email me at hunter.reid@btinternet.com I am organising monthly Barefoot Tango classes, which Louise is teaching, at Western Tennis Club in Hyndland Road in Glasgow.

Go on - give it a try? And maybe one day tango will even be on the curriculum at KA!

An Afternoon with Blowers Colin Crichton (1975) was delighted that the Rector, Development Manager and several Academicals were able to attend “An Afternoon with Blowers” in aid of the Lord Taverners Charity. They were joined by, Peter Donald (1963), Richard Eadie (1966), John Harvey (1957), Alan Ramsay (1965), Rev John Murdoch (1972), Graham McAlpine (1953) and Alastair Moodie (1949). The School looks forward to Colin speaking to the Senior 6 pupils next term.

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Geoff Dugmore (1978). Geoff is one of the worlds top session Drummers with 150 hit Records including 53 # 1 albums to his credit with some of the worlds biggest selling artists including Tina Turner (Simply The Best), Rod Stewart (Downtown Train), Robbie Williams, Stevie Nicks, Dido, Richard Ashcroft (The Verve) and Debbie Harry (Blondie) to name but a few. Having left school at age 17 he moved to London in order to pursue his dream of being in the music business. He secured his first recording contract with the legendary A & M records and released 3 albums with his band Europeans in the early 80s. After the band split up in 84 he was quickly pursued to come and perform with other artists. His first session being the Gold certified album “Slight Of Hand” by Joan Armatrading. After receiving a call from the Finn Bros during the making of the album he went to Australia to work with the brothers on the early incarnation of Crowded House. Success came quick and fast and his reputation was soon recognized worldwide. He has been involved in 4 Grammy nominated albums and has 4 times been voted #1 European Session drummer and 5 times Top 3 in the world. He recorded with Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) “Whole Lotta Love” for the handover ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.

An estimated 4 billion people heard his performance.

He continues to tour extensively around the world with major artists playing stadiums and arenas. He worked for 17 years with French legend Johnny Hallyday. Geoff currently lives in Hampshire with his wife Karin and two sons Louie and Fin. Burns Shearar (1964). We would like to thank Burns for donating his School magazines, Senior School notebooks and School photographs, which many of you will have enjoyed seeing on the Academical

Club Facebook Page. Burns also kindly donated his father’s Honour Cap which is currently on display in the Cricket Museum, Hampden Park, along with a School scarf belonging to Burns.

David Sturgeon (1979) is continuing with overseeing the gathering of information for the Kelvinside Academy 150th History Book. If you have any memories you would like to share please send these to elaine.solman@kelvinside.org.

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Yesteryear 1878 The first boy to “join up” on 2 September 1878 was A Stephen (‘Kilty’) Wright, whose father, it is said, was very anxious that he should have this honour. Many years later, in 1923, home on a visit from Canada where he lived for many years, ‘Kilty’ Wright attended a Prize Giving, and produced his matriculation card marked ‘No. 1’. The matriculation card, which every boy received, had a very practical use favoured by many young Kelvinside boys – it admitted them to all matches played on the grounds of the West of Scotland and Glasgow University Football Clubs (the ‘West’ ground was at Hamilton Cresent, Partick for 80 years from its founding in 1865).

1921 Installation of Electric Light (extract from School History 1878 – 1978) During the summer holidays electric light was installed in the Common Hall, on the staircase and in the corridor and classrooms upstairs of the west wing of the School. In the Common Hall two Chandeliers hang from the roof; they are of pierced metal work, displaying the initials K.A and the school badge. There are lights also at the end of the room and special plugs and switches for the use of the stage. This very great improvement to the Common Hall and other parts of the School is the generous gift of Messrs. Primrose & Primrose. By temporary installations in the past they have frequently given most timely help at concerts

and June plays; and now by this gift they had added to the resources and the appearance of the School in a manner which has won the warmest gratitude to everyone.

First Girls

1928

In the Autumn term of 2000 Mrs Sybil Davis, daughter of former Rector Mr Robert Muirie (1939-1956) visited the School. During the latter part of 1939, when the School was evacuated to Dougarie Lodge in Arran, Mrs Davis was briefly a pupil, joining the boys in their studies.

Rector Low with Prefects 1928

Helen Broadfoot (2005) daughter of former Rector John Broadfoot (1998 – 2009) was the first and indeed for a while, the only girl in the Senior School during the Autumn term of 1998. The photograph of Helen and Sybil was taken in 2000.

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Obituaries Sadly we have received notifications of the death of the following Academicals. The School and club send their heartfelt condolences to their families during this difficult and sad time.

Arthur Humphreys (1955) Suddenly at home, on May 19, 2017, Arthur, beloved husband of Diana, proud father of Diana and Clair, father-in-law to Fraser and Graham and loving grandpa of Gregg, Heather and Catriona.

John Jackson (1973) John passed away in Edinburgh Hospice on 11 Sep 2017, after a protracted illness, bravely borne.

Known as Jackie to his friends, he was an ever cheerful, positive and really friendly classmate. He was an enthusiastic and accomplished cricketer, with a dynamism and passion for the sport, which he always played with a smile on his face and an ever ready quip or joke. Laughter was never far away when playing with Jackie He began his banking career at the branch in Kessington, Bearsden before being transferred to Lochgilphead where met his wife, Ann. A return to the Glasgow area followed and he worked in the Bank’s offices in Sauchiehall Street, Hillhead and Ibrox before moving to Edinburgh to take up a position in the company’s share dealing operation.

exchange outlet within Edinburgh airport for a spell before leaving due to ill health.

Although he played cricket for the school, football was John’s first sporting love, both as a player and as a lifelong supporter of Partick Thistle. He was also a keen golfer and held a membership at Swanson golf club in Edinburgh.

A dedicated family man, John leaves behind wife Ann, son John jr and daughter Lynn as well as two granddaughters, Blair and Peyton.

John settled with his family in the capital and went on to become a relationship manager in the Bank’s centralised mortgage department where he held responsibility for developing and maintaining connections with a wide range of high profile national clients, a role he carried out with great success, gaining the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike.

The financial crisis of 2008 led to John taking early retirement and he worked at the AMEX foreign

Gibb Thomson (1958) died peacefully on Saturday 17 June 2017 in Ayr Hospital. Gibb lived most of his life in Glasgow, before moving to Dunoon, and latterly Ayr. He is survived by his loving wife Diana and will be greatly missed by her and all his family and friends.

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Rev John Oswald (1965) died on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at home in Blairgowrie, after a long illness bravely borne, beloved husband of Barbara and much loved father of John.

Alexander (Sandy) Waugh (1963) died suddenly at home in Banchory, on Friday 28 July 2017; dearly beloved husband and best friend of Sheila, much loved and very special dad of Sheila and Angus, proud grandpa of Ewan, Rachel, Lizzie and Alix.

Public relations

Events

Digital marketing

Brand building

Websites

bigpartnership.co.uk

Crisis comms

0141 333 9585

Video

Stakeholder engagement

Design

DAtES FOR yOUR DIARy Listed below are some of the events taking place throughout the year.

Tickets for events can be purchased by contacting Elaine Solman (elaine.solman@kelvinside.org) or online by using the following link: https://makeagift.kelvinsideacademy.org.uk/book-your-event.

Friday 23 February 2018 Friday 23 March 2018 Sunday 25 March 2018 TBC Sunday 2 September 2018 Saturday 6 October 2018 Thursday 8 November 2018

Business Breakfast Academical Club Annual Dinner Easter BBQ Gent’s Day Out Minerva Day 140th Anniversary Black and White Ball London Section Dinner

DATA PROTECTION

In May 2018 there will be changes to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and we will therefore be looking at our privacy policy and the ways in which we communicate with the Kelvinside family. Over the years we have worked hard to ensure that we keep your personal information secure and we will never share it with third parties without your express permission.

We want to continue to send you Minerva and to tell you about forthcoming events, dinners or reunions, and to send you details of our development plans and sponsorship opportunities. We are therefore carrying out an internal audit to ensure we comply with the new regulations and we will keep you updated on our progress.

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