“In a time of challenge and change across the wider educational landscape, our School has stood strong and steady: a community of learners and educators who continue to strive, to grow, and to support one another with quiet resolve and shared belief.”
As I reflect on the past academic year, I do so with deep gratitude - for the people, the purpose, and the principles that continue to define St Leonards. In a time of challenge and change across the wider educational landscape, our School has stood strong and steady: a community of learners and educators who continue to strive, to grow, and to support one another with quiet resolve and shared belief.
This has been a year defined above all by purpose, progress, and pride. Our pupils have worked with real determination, navigating examinations, performances, competitions and personal milestones with resilience and grace. The academic achievements of our GCSE and IB cohorts are matched by the spirit with which they have approached their learning - not simply to succeed, but to understand and to contribute.
In the arts, we have witnessed excellence of the highest order. The quality of this year’s concerts, exhibitions, and drama productions has been extraordinary; not just for their polish, but for the imagination, discipline, and collaboration they have revealed. These moments remind me that education is not only about knowledge, but about voice, expression, and humanity.
Sport, too, has continued to shape character and build confidence. Whether through Island competitions or national and international representation, our young people have competed with both joy and integrity. In golf especially, St Leonards has taken a bold step forward. As we look ahead to our new indoor golf facility, the School is building its reputation as one of the finest in the world for the sport. Our young golfers are showing what is possible with bold vision, inspirational coaching, and relentless commitment.
In the Junior School, I continue to find great joy and inspiration in the energy and positivity of our youngest learners. Their curiosity is infectious - on the beach, in the grounds, in the classroom - and their progress is a testament to the care and skill of the teachers who guide them.
Behind every one of these stories are the people who make St Leonards what it is: staff who go the extra mile, families who give generously of their time and trust, and pupils who give their best to each day. I am humbled by their collective efforts, and proud to lead a school that continues to prepare young people Ad Vitam - not only for success, but for life in all its richness, complexity, and possibility.
This edition of The Gazette offers a glimpse into that life: the learning, the laughter, the challenges faced, and the goals achieved. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed living it.
Simon Brian Head
In the first week back, our Senior pupils gathered on Birdcage for the Island Launch. New students were assigned to Islands based on their interests, popping a balloon to discover their Island colours from the falling confetti. Would it be Blue for Skye, Green for Mull, Yellow for Harris or Red for Lewis? After the ceremony, our Islands went head to head in a whole school ceilidh, a traditional Scottish dance.
Back to School! There were smiles all around as pupils arrived at St Leonards on the morning of 28 August, some for the very first time. It is wonderful to see them all start this new chapter as they continue their learning journey. It was a pictureperfect start to a year filled with new opportunities, friendships and exciting adventures. Wishing all the St Leonards community a very warm welcome back!
It was also wonderful to have our fantastic Junior School Liaison team supporting both the Island Sorting Hat and the Junior School Island Event. Sarah, Maggie, Molly, and Tom, now in Year 13, joined us, sitting with the pupils in assembly and taking part in the craft activities. They support the Junior School in a number of ways, arranging for Year 12 and Year 13 pupils to support After School activities and clubs, and whole school events such as Open Day and our Junior School Prize Giving. It is fantastic to have this link with the Senior School and for our youngest pupils to see such inspiring and excellent role models within the St Leonards Community.
- Claire Robertson, Head of Junior School
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Congratulations to Tom R (Year 13) for winning joint first prize in the prestigious Julia Wood History Essay Competition, run by St Hugh’s College, Oxford. His essay, titled “To what extent were the methods used to foster an East German national identity different under the regimes of Ulbricht and Honecker?” was selected from over 387 entries.
Tom’s achievement showcases his exceptional historical analysis and research skills, reflecting the strength of the St Leonards History department. Reflecting on his win, Tom shared: “I was genuinely surprised! This has given me the confidence to apply for History at Oxford University. Visiting Oxford and meeting the professors was an incredible experience.”
We are incredibly proud of Tom and look forward to seeing where his academic journey leads him next!
Over the summer, Nicola F-P (Year 13) and Arabella H (Year 11) had the incredible opportunity to perform with National Youth Choir Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival for the UK premiere of Julia Wolfe’s ‘Fire in My Mouth’. The piece was brilliantly conducted by the renowned Marin Alsop, accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra. Both students described the experience as unforgettable and an honour to be part of.
As they gear up for the new season, the hockey players participated in pre-season training on the first day back to school. They were greeted by a stunning double rainbow as they took to the pitch for the first time this year. Special congratulations to this year’s Hockey Captain, Jil R in Year 13!
The boarders in St Rule were very busy team building in the St Andrews sunshine in the countdown to term starting again! They were challenged to assemble the tallest free-standing structure possible using just spaghetti, tape and, of course, a marshmallow! Some of their creations were ingenious to see and surprisingly nobody ate the marshmallows before they could be used.
First Dook Ollerenshaw pupils headed to the blustery East Sands Beach for the first dook - as you can see everyone was literally swept off their feet! Some of the boys braved the chilly waters for an invigorating end-of-August dook, bringing in the start of a new term with a splash!
The Running Club had a strong start to the new year! Taking in the sea breeze along the coast, the first few meetings were a wonderful way to get back on track. Mr Brian even joined the group for a sprint along the beach one sunny Thursday evening!
The final day of term saw the school come together for St Leonards Day, a brilliant celebration of Island spirit and community. Pupils wore their Island colours with pride, adding face paint and tutus to the mix, and took part in a full afternoon of activities and challenges.
Junior Years kicked off with a charity fun run, raising £206.30 for their chosen causes, including the RNLI and Young Lives vs Cancer. A whole-school tug of war on Birdcage brought the day to a close in style. Congratulations to Lewis, who were crowned Island Champions for 2024.
Just before the October half-term break, the Northern Lights lit up the skies over St Andrews, much to everyone’s delight. Pupils and staff were encouraged to capture and share their stunning photos of the event, and we are thrilled to showcase some of the best images here. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Tom Morris Championship Back in October, pupils on the IB Careers Programme successfully organised the Tom Morris Championship as part of their “Managing an Event” module. Open to all St Leonards pupils, the event reflected their hard work, collaboration and passion for golf.
The championship was played on the Eden and Jubilee courses at the St Andrews Links, a fantastic opportunity that highlights just how lucky we are to have world-class facilities right on our doorstep. Led by Project Manager Ewen F and Marketing Manager Kira K, the team handled everything from planning to promotion, and the day was a great success.
The Junior School gathered for the most frightfully fun night of the year - the Pumpkin Party! St Katharines Hall was transformed into a ghoulishly haunted and delightful site, featuring apple bobbing, spooky games, and sweet treats.
Year 7 pupils fully embraced the Halloween fun, arriving in costume and bringing plenty of spooky energy to the school day. There was a great mix of clever, creative and classic outfits!
Boarding pupils embraced the Halloween spirit with pumpkin carving, crafts, and plenty of creative costumes!
The St Rule boarders enjoyed an actionpacked weekend outdoors, starting off at Cairnie Fruit Farm’s Funyard. There was plenty to get stuck into, with go-karts, trampolines and giant slides keeping everyone busy.
Later in the day, they set off on a trek with the alpacas at Bowbridge. It was a brilliant outing and just one of many memorable weekend trips from this year’s boarding calendar.
At 11am on Remembrance Day, the St Leonards community gathered together in solemn unity to observe a two-minute silence in tribute to those who gave their lives in service. The ceremony was made all the more poignant with a heartfelt performance by a lone piper, followed by a powerful and moving reading of The Fallen by Mrs McQuadePowell.
Hannah in Year 1 and Brian in Year 6 had the responsibility of carrying and laying a poppy wreath on behalf of the entire school community, marking this meaningful moment - a special thank you to both.
We will remember them.
It was a brilliant month for music at St Leonards, with performances across Junior and Senior School. Pupils in Years 4 to 6 took to the stage in the Junior Informal Concert, sharing solos and ensemble pieces with classmates, staff, and families. In the Senior School, we enjoyed the Strings Concert and the much-anticipated Autumn Concert, which featured everything from Concert Band’s rendition of Back to the Future to the bold sounds of the Pipe Band, soulful solos, SLUGs and Baby SLUGs, Jazz Band, and the ever-energetic Daemon Barbers.
Capping off a fantastic month of musical moments was the annual Jull Medal for Singing - a tradition dating back to 1916. This year, twenty talented vocalists took to the stage, performing in front of an appreciative audience and guest adjudicator Mr Jonathan May, Head of Vocal Studies at the University of St Andrews. With such a high standard on show, it was no easy task to choose a winner. After much deliberation, Nicola F-P was awarded the 2024 Jull Medal for her stunning performances of Flight by Craig Carnelia and El Vito by Obradors. In the Years 710 section, joint winners were Ernest R and Daisy-Mae F, with Elena S receiving a ‘Highly Commended’. Archie B, Shreyas D and Weronika Z were also recognised with ‘Highly Commended’ in the Years 11–13 category. Congratulations to all involved!
Congratulations to the 1st XI Hockey team, who finished runners-up in this year’s Midland 1st XI Tournament. This marked the first time St Leonards has reached a Midland Tournament final, and it was a fantastic achievement.
Year 11 sisters Eileen and Heather enjoyed success in national writing competitions this autumn. Heather was awarded first place in the Inclusive Voices Writing Competition, run by Calibre Audio to mark their 50th anniversary. Calibre is a charity providing audiobooks for those who find print inaccessible.
Eileen was named a finalist in the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Words of the Wild competition, part of their 60th anniversary celebrations. Her work was exhibited at the Scottish Parliament, where she also received her finalist certificate. A fantastic achievement from both.
Pupils in Years 12 and 13 visited the Scottish Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh this term, followed by a reading from former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. As one of the UK’s most celebrated poets and a key figure in the IB English curriculum at St Leonards, it was a valuable opportunity to hear her work brought to life.
During Self-Care Week boarders took time to focus on their wellbeing through a range of thoughtful activities. From baking and crafts to journalling and a trip to Jannettas, it was a welcome opportunity to pause and recharge.
On Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 December, the Junior and Senior Schools gathered for the annual Carol Services at Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews. A much-loved St Leonards tradition, the services brought the school community together ahead of the festive break, filling the historic church with music and celebration.
After much consideration, the St Leonards Christmas card for 2024 was chosen. This year’s design features beautiful artwork by Jessica D, painted while she was in Year 6 at the Junior School. Now in Year 8, Jessica’s piece brings a thoughtful and personal touch to this year’s card, and it’s a lovely way to celebrate creativity across the school.
This month, boarders enjoyed a festive Christmas meals, Secret Santa gifting, gingerbread house decorating, and Scottish Country dancing!
After weeks of rehearsals, pupils in Years 1–3 brought the magic of Christmas to life with their Nativity production, Follow That Star. Performed to an audience of parents, staff and pupils, the show was a colourful and joyful retelling of the Nativity story.
The Brightest Star, played by Rupert H-G, guided Mary (Beatrice C), Joseph (Dominic H-G), and their faithful donkey (Riagan B) on their journey, supported by a lively cast of angels, shepherds, soldiers, narrators, and wise men. Every child played their part in making the performance one to remember.
This year, the Island Trees were donated to local organisations who work yearround to support the community.
Mull Tree brought festive cheer to the Police Station, while Skye Tree, decorated in blue to match the fire engine lights, was delivered to the Fire Station.
Lewis Tree, with bold red decorations, now brightens the foyer of St Andrews Memorial Hospital, and Harris Tree made its way to the RNLI Station in Anstruther, just in time for their children’s Christmas party.
Well done to everyone involved for helping spread festive spirit throughout the local area.
This term, the school community came together to support meaningful causes both locally and beyond.
Mr Findley’s Amnesty International Food Bank Challenge encouraged donations for Storehouse St Andrews, with over 100 items collected for delivery later this month.
Meanwhile, Dr Grainger’s Year 12 Tutor Group led a Toy Drive as part of the wider North East Fife initiative. The group were delighted by the response, with generous contributions from both the Senior and Junior Schools.
Anthony Nolan Drive A big well done to all the pupils who signed up for the Anthony Nolan stem cell donor register this month. Of the 65 students who attended the presentation, an impressive 50 chose to register, taking a big step in the fight against blood cancer. Annabella, an Anthony Nolan volunteer and St Leonards Senior, praised the school’s outstanding participation rate, calling it one of the highest she has seen.
SLM Blues make history in U16 Scottish Bowl Final
History was made on Wednesday, 4 December as the SLM Blues secured their first-ever national title, defeating George Heriot’s 23-14 in the Under 16 Scottish Bowl Final.
The team delivered a composed and confident performance. Supporters travelled in numbers from St Andrews to Edinburgh, and their encouragement on the sidelines helped lift the team on what was already a milestone day for St Leonards rugby.
On Friday, 24 January, Storm Éowyn brought strong winds and disruption across Scotland. For safety, the school closed for the day, with pupils continuing their studies from home.
The storm left its mark on campus, shifting the iconic clock weather vane. On 31 January the weather vane was carefully removed by crane, which made for quite a sight. This marks the first stage of its refurbishment, and the community will be kept updated as the work continues.
Lunar New Year Celebrations The Senior School celebrated the Lunar New Year, with an assembly that featured a traditional Tai Chi recital, and an engaging presentation from Year 12 pupils Sofia R and Enyu L on the origins of the festival and the legend behind it. They also shared an insight into the food and customs associated with the celebration, including how to make dumplings! Heidi M and Jayon L (Year 12) then gave a piano and violin recital, before Teacher of Chinese, Ms Wang, led a traditional Tibetan dance.
Year 4 kicked off the term by becoming the first year group to take part in the School’s Brass Initiative. Led by Teacher of Brass, Mrs Irons, pupils began by exploring the basics using brass mouthpieces, with each pupil allocated a trumpet or trombone based on the sound they produced in the “raspberry test”!
Scottish snow can be unpredictable, but a keen group of ten enthusiastic Pre-IB skiers, accompanied by Ollerenshaw Housemaster, Mr Shiells, and Assistant Housemaster, Mr Pennycook, spent the day at Lecht Ski Centre in the Cairngorms. With great conditions and expert guidance, the group embraced the slopes. For some, it was even a surprise to learn that snow really does fall in Scotland.
Later in the month, more boarders took advantage of the return of snowy conditions with a second trip, this time to Glenshee Ski Centre, where they enjoyed sunshine, snow and a brilliant day on the mountain.
Sixth Form Winter Ball To close January, Sixth Formers dressed for a night to remember at the New York-themed Winter Ball. A brand new event on the school calendar, the evening brought a new sparkle to the winter months, with food, dancing and celebration!
The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) is a week-long residential camp for 16 and 17-year-olds in the North and East of Scotland. Sponsored by local Rotary clubs, the programme helps young people develop leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills through outdoor activities and group challenges.
Year 12 pupils Andrew M and Islay M have been selected to attend RYLA in 2025. Islay said she is most looking forward to the 10-mile bike race, while Andrew is excited to meet new people and learn new skills. Congratulations to both pupils on securing a place in this fantastic programme.
Year 12 pupils came together for a full day of scientific exploration and teamwork.
Pupils undertook a series of hands-on challenges in the science block, including forensic investigations (which explained the appearance of a mysterious skeleton), along with tasks designed to test problem-solving skills.
Junior School pupils joined the event for a Q&A session, asking thoughtful questions such as “What is a galaxy?”
From 5 to 9 February, pupils attended the Change the World Model United Nations Conference in Rome while exploring the city’s rich history. Highlights included debate at the UN FAO headquarters, visits to the Colosseum, and cheering at a Six Nations rugby match. Congratulations to Cecily P and Eva S for Best Delegate awards, and to the highly commended group led by Tristan C.
Year 2 hosted their Parents in Partnership event during National Storytelling Week, sharing their retelling of Our Tower by Joseph Coelho. The activity included exploring the school grounds with parents to imagine enchanted realms through a ‘magic stone,’ followed by drawing and storytelling in the classroom. It was a wonderful opportunity to reimagine the world together.
The whole school came together for a memorable morning at East Sands to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer. Senior School pupils led the charge into the chilly water, followed by brave Junior pupils who dipped their toes, waded in, and quickly retreated to warm up. The event brought together staff, pupils and parents, which showed the incredible spirit of our community. Young Lives vs Cancer expressed their gratitude, sharing, “We really appreciate the wonderful support from St Leonards School.”
Sporting success for Year 5 pupil
Several Year 5 pupils took part in the Step Rock Gala at the end of February, delivering strong performances across the board.
A special mention goes to Louis G, who reached all five finals and placed first in each event. He also secured first place in the U11 Boys Race at the U11 and U12 Cross Country Championships held at Lathallan, rounding off an exceptional month of sporting achievements.
A February highlight for boarders was Spanish Night, with Chef Juan preparing paella outdoors for 90 boarders in a giant pan. The evening was lively and delicious, offering a real flavour of Spanish cuisine and culture.
The Year 7–9 Concert and the Piano Concert showcased an array of musical talent. Highlights included performances of Malibu Mist, Edelweiss, Abiyoyo, Clair de Lune and Primavera.
Valentine’s Social Boarders rounded off the month with a Valentine’s Social in Restaurant 1877. Dressed for the occasion and carrying bunches of roses, they enjoyed a relaxed evening of dancing and time together.
It was all go for this year’s STEM Family Day, as St Leonards pupils and families from across the local area joined us for a morning filled with experiments, exploration and scientific discovery. With potion-making, levitating objects and plenty of hands-on challenges, it was a brilliant opportunity for children and parents to get stuck in and share the fun.
St Leonards was a sea of orange as pupils took part in Wear Orange Day for Maggie’s Centres. From joyful accessories and orange ribbons to bright outfits, it was fantastic to see pupils and staff embracing the theme and raising over £1,000 for a wonderful cause. With the sun shining on the last day of February, it was a truly special occasion.
Students across the school embraced the magic of World Book Day. From Matilda to Tintin, Slinki Malinki, Harry Potter, Hermione and Dobby, Dog Man, Sherlock Holmes, the Wolf Queen from ‘The Lonely Castle in the Mirror’, and Mr Darcy, to Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Witch (in space!), and so many more, the costumes were imaginative and brilliantly put together.
Neurodiversity Week celebrates the many ways our brains work, and how every pupil brings something unique to our school community. The Junior School led a powerful assembly to launch the week, with pupils bravely sharing their experiences. Pupils explored the meaning of neurodiversity, listened to stories, took part in class activities, and visited the library to find books by and about neurodivergent individuals. It was a thoughtful and inspiring week that celebrated individuality and kindness!
Karen Darke and Ms Sherwood Take on Mt Everest Teacher of Geography, Ms Vicky Sherwood, joined Paralympic gold medallist Karen Darke MBE on an expedition to Everest Base Camp. Karen aimed to become the first female paraplegic to reach Base Camp, using a specially adapted off-road handbike. Ms Sherwood shared moments from the journey along the way, from temples to mountain trails, as the trek progressed. It was an extraordinary journey and an inspiring achievement for both.
We’re thrilled to share that Xander S and Manuel B in Year 11 have been selected for the Glasgow Warriors U16s, following a demanding series of national training camps and regional matches. This is the highest level of recognition at this age group!
Mr Damian Kell, Head of History, has been made an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. This recognition is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the field of History. Alongside his work in the classroom, Mr Kell has directed academic tours of Medieval Burgundy and Romanesque art, led residentials at Windsor Castle, and written historical drama for TV.
Pupils in Years 8 to 12 took to the stage this week for informal performances of their Trinity Drama pieces. Held in the School Hall on Monday, 24 March (Years 8 and 9) and Tuesday, 25 March (Years 10 to 12), the events were a fantastic opportunity for pupils to share their hard work and talent.
Performing as characters from plays and books, the standard this year was especially impressive. It was a joy to see their dedication come to life on stage.
Robin & the Sherwood Hoodies
This month Year 6 put on a spectacular show, performing Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies to not just one but three packedout audiences. The show had audiences laughing throughout, with plenty of jokes and quick one-liners.
At the start of April, Year 12 and Pre-IB pupils travelled to Iceland for an unforgettable trip exploring glaciers, geysers, lava tunnels and waterfalls. The wild weather added to the adventure, with everything from snow and sunshine to sudden downpours.
Pupils tuned into a live fissure eruption via webcam, explored a lava tunnel in complete darkness, and walked on the Sólheimajökull glacier. The Golden Circle and Thingvellir National Park offered breathtaking views, while visits to Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss gave a true sense of the country’s natural power. Time in Reykjavik and along the coast brought Icelandic culture to life, rounding off a brilliant few days!
Psychologist and podcaster Dr Maryhan visited St Leonards to speak with pupils, staff and parents. Her sessions covered a range of helpful topics, from exam preparation and managing friendships to building resilience. Dr Maryhan also met with the Year 13 Psychology class, offering some final tips ahead of their upcoming exam. The pupils really valued the chance to speak with an expert and found her insights incredibly useful in supporting their learning.
Shao Hao (Class of 2009), a singer-songwriter in the K-pop industry, returned to St Leonards to perform for Senior School pupils and speak about his experiences with mental health, identity, and neurodiversity. His honest and powerful words resonated deeply with pupils, who left feeling inspired. Shao Hao also reunited with former teachers in the Music department and shared some lovely moments with fans!
Bikeability is going strong for Year 7 pupils. With guidance from Mr Baxter, Mrs Henderson, pupils have been building their cycling skills out in the sunshine on the school grounds. It certainly looks like they’ve been having a lot of fun!
The U18 Basketball team were crowned Fife Schools Champions after a brilliant 67-48 win in the final. Glen T was named player of the match, scoring an incredible nine three-pointers. We are so proud of the team and their successes on the court!
St Leonards emerged victorious as the 2025 UK Champions for the Independent Schools Golf Association. Travelling to Northumberland with Director of Golf Fintan, Captain Finlay, Martin and Johann delivered an outstanding team performance to secure the national title! Congratulations to everyone who took part - what a tremendous effort!
The St Leonards High Performance Golf team were named World Champions after a phenomenal victory at the prestigious International Independent Invitational in Boston, USA. Building on their UK Championship win in April, they secured the title by an impressive 11 shots – a first for the St Leonards Golf Academy. Martin S placed 2nd overall, Finlay finished 5th, and Johann M 7th in a highly competitive international field. Beyond the competition, the trip included visits to Princeton and Yale, giving pupils a glimpse into the opportunities available to student-athletes in the USA. This remarkable achievement is a proud milestone for St Leonards Sport and a testament to the academy’s dedication and talent.
After much hard work and preparation, Year 6 presented their PYP Exhibition projects with confidence, covering topics from sustainability and yoga to video games and guide dogs. Pupils spoke to peers, parents, visitors and staff, showing impressive research and presentation skills.
As part of Mental Health Week, incoming Heads of School for the new academic year, Luis and Emmy, organised a surprise ice cream van visit. Pupils enjoyed their treats on Birdcage in the sunshine, making for a sweet end to lunch.
Congratulations to Najann V and Matylda K, winners of the London Finals of Junk Kouture. Their sustainable fashion design now heads to the World Final, a testament to their creativity and determination. They were supported by Miss Lamont and artist-in-residence Emma Brown.
The annual Art & Design Exhibition brought together work from across MYP, GCSE, IBDP and IBCP programmes, with artwork in clay, print, sculpture, fashion design and painting. Visitors were able to speak with the young artists about their work, which added a personal touch to the evening. Live music from Archie B in Year 12 created a wonderful atmosphere and refreshments were kindly provided by the Parents Association.
The Junior School Art Exhibition was equally impressive, showcasing every child’s artwork linked to their Units of Inquiry. Highlights included intricate embroidery, vibrant paintings and a collaborative loom installation that invited pupils and families to weave recycled materials into a shared piece. A special favourite was the collaborative piece inspired by Peter Reynolds’ The Dot, which beautifully reflected the children’s creativity.
In glorious sunshine, the Junior School set off on their annual sponsored walk in support of Mull and the Riding for the Disabled Association charity. Years 1-3 enjoyed games and playtime at Cockshaugh Park, while Years 4-6 made it to Craigtoun Park for frisbee, football and zip-wire fun before a picnic lunch and ice cream. It was a day of fresh air, friendship and fantastic fundraising. Thank you to everyone who donated.
Year 4-7 took to the stage for the annual LAMDA Showcase, performing for large audiences in the Auditorium. The evenings were filled with short pieces that ranged from comedy sketches to dramatic monologues, giving pupils a chance to build their confidence on stage ahead of their exams. Highlights included a face-off between two cats, a reimagining of ‘Macbeth’, a solo piece as ‘Alice in Wonderland’, two girls discovering a secret diary in an attic, and a brilliant piece where the actors could not agree on what to perform at all.
West Sands was alive with energy as teams from across Scotland competed in the St Leonards Madras Blues Beach Rugby 7s. With glorious weather and great play throughout, it was a day to remember! The event created a vibrant atmosphere with players, staff and families enjoying the setting. Thanks to Dook Café for their fantastic support with catering and post-match presentations.
This term, pupils took part in exchanges with Schloss Neubeuern in Bavaria and Le Régent in Switzerland. In Germany, pupils enjoyed lessons, city visits and even a trip to Salzburg. Meanwhile, at Le Régent, pupils practised French, toured Sion, attended a career fair, and took part in golf tournaments. Both exchanges offered rich cultural experiences and lasting friendships.
Year 9 pupils took the lead in supporting causes close to their hearts. Projects included Mia G’s fundraising for Guide Dogs Scotland through bake sales, Tavo M and Willow W’s work raising awareness for the Malala Fund, and Chloe B’s campaign supporting Women’s Aid. Their presentations and projects highlighted how young people can create positive change.
We had an action-packed activities week for Years 7 to 9 this year! Whether staying local or going further afield, pupils had a blast on various adventures. Local highlights included Blown Away on the beach, bowling, bikeability and a visit to Dundee Science Centre. Year 8 adventurers went up to Craigower Lodge in the Cairngorms, taking on outdoor pursuits designed to build teamwork and confidence. Meanwhile, Year 9 went on a Cultural Experience Trip to Northern England, visiting Hadrian’s Wall, museums in Liverpool, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, and castles at Alnwick, Bamburgh and Newcastle!
June always means the return of the annual Sandcastle Competition, and Junior pupils headed to the beach ready for an afternoon of teamwork, creativity and plenty of fun. Some well-deserved prizes were awarded for innovation, collaboration, best solo project and decoration.
During the annual Techno Challenge pupils coded robots, built paper towers and tackled maths and ICT challenges in another fantastic year of community collaboration and STEM exploration. The Year 6 St Leonards team of Albert Z, Emma P, Islay C and Luca S finished as runners-up in a tough field!
The St Leonards Enterprise Programme (STEP) concluded with the finalist businesses, Little Darlings, Etoile, Aura, and Blue Tree Designs impressing with their creativity and professionalism in presentations to a panel of judges. Ultimately, Aura was named Company of the Year. All groups donated part of their profits to charity, which showed their commitment to giving back. Amazing work by all companies this year!
Boarders celebrated National Boarding Week with a wide range of activities, including sports, baking, concerts and crafts. It was an action-packed week, with every day bringing new activities to the table - the St Rule Mini Olympics, Ollerenshaw Masterchef, a Boarders Concert, an extra-special Summer Solstice Ball, and Self Care Sunday. It was a wonderful week that highlighted the strong friendships and community spirit within our community.
New boarders visited this month through the FourWeek Summer Immersion, “Give it a Go” and our School Exchange programmes. The Immersion Programme welcomed 15 new pupils to the boarding houses for a month, and “Give it a Go” offered St Leonards day pupils to experience life as a boarder for the first time, staying with their friends in the boarding houses, and taking part in socials! Pupils from Schloss Neubeuern, our partner school in Germany, also joined, adding to the lively and international atmosphere.
Sports Day took place under sunny skies on two of the warmest days of the year so far! Pupils took part in a wide range of events including sprints, relays, shot put, javelin and high jump. Novelty races such as a race to the finish line on space hoppers and the egg and spoon, rounded off the days with plenty of laughter and
Ridgway and Dalguise
Year 5 enjoyed outdoor activities at PGL Dalguise, including climbing, zip-lining, raft-building and archery. Meantime, Year 6 travelled to Ridgway Adventure in far-north Scotland, where they learned survival skills, went hillwalking and tried abseiling. A highlight was their night on “survival island,” which tested their independence and teamwork.
Martin S, Performance Elite golfer and Tom Morris Scholar, triumphed at the Barrie Douglas Junior Masters at Strathmore Golf Centre. He finished 9 under par with rounds of 71, 67 and 69, four shots clear of the field. This fantastic result at a leading junior event adds to Martin’s growing list of successes at home and abroad.
The Eden Course hosted the Junior and Adult Golf Competition, with pupils teaming up with parents and staff! Neil S and Charlie S came 1st, with Head, Mr Brian and Theo B 2nd, and Mr Wooldridge and Sandy S 3rd - well done to all on a fantastic day on the course!
Learn. Grow. Golf.
Don’t dream your life, live your dream...
Step into the Home of Golf and experience something truly unforgettable. At St Andrews Golf Camp, junior golfers (ages 9–18) sharpen their skills, deepen their love for the game, and walk the same legendary fairways as golfing greats.
With world class coaching, access to iconic St Andrews courses, and a welcoming community of players from around the globe, every moment is crafted to inspire, challenge, and excite.
Whether you choose our Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Parent & Child Camps, you will leave with more than an improved swing. You will take home lifelong memories, new friendships, and the confidence to dream even bigger. We are proud to be recognised as the leading junior golf camp in the world, and this is your chance to be part of it.
This year has been truly filled with wonderful and inspiring events that beautifully highlight our pupils’ incredible development and their heartfelt embodiment of the Learner Profile attributes.
Our Islands, ably led by the Year 6 Captain and Vice Captains, demonstrated caring and principled action through their impressive fundraising efforts. Harris brought joy and support to the RNLI with their delightful ‘Guess the Bear’s Birthday,’ while Mull’s enthusiastic Year 1-6 walk generously aided Riding for the Disabled. Lewis bravely participated in a wholeschool ‘dook’ for Young Lives vs Cancer on World Cancer Day, showing remarkable courage, and Skye’s charming Wildlife Day and Bake Sale successfully benefited the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
The vibrant spirit of collaboration was clearly evident in our exciting Island competitions, bringing pupils together across all year groups in a wonderfully positive and engaging way. From the joyous Island Sing and creative Sandcastle Competition, to the festive Christmas Tree Decorating, these events truly fostered unity. Lewis emerged victorious for a second consecutive year, which was a truly fantastic achievement for them! World Book Day featured a wonderful array of imaginative costumes, a fantastic readathon that captivated everyone, and the much-anticipated and welcome return of the Masked Reader. We also observed Orange Day, raising valuable funds for Maggie’s in support of Mr Gough’s inspiring London Marathon run.
Beyond the classroom, a significant number of Junior School pupils enthusiastically participated in our diverse after-school activities, fostering balanced and knowledgeable individuals. The year also included an array of informal concerts that showcased budding talent, the entertaining Year 4 panto, the truly impressive Year 6 show “Robin and Sherwood Hoodies,” and our fantastic LAMDA Showcase evening. Various engaging day trips and the memorable Year 5 residential to Dalguise and Ridgway Adventure further broadened their horizons and created cherished lifelong memories.
As you turn the following pages, you will discover even more about the vibrant community and inspiring spirit that so wonderfully defines our Junior School. These pages will showcase the incredible array of opportunities and enriching experiences on offer, but most importantly, they will celebrate the truly incredible pupils who make our Junior School such a special, thriving, and joyful place.
Claire Robertson Head of Junior School
embraced the IB Learner Profiles during the year and through their inquiry, they explored many new ideas, taking their learning in the direction they chose.
During our Celebrations Unit throughout the year, we celebrated various festivals and seasons from our calendar, including Autumn. A highlight of the year was our Andy Goldsworthy project. The pupils collected and collated Autumn leaves of varying hues and arranged them in a mandela as a whole class project, collaborating with each other. Through the project they witnessed the decay and decomposition of natural things in the natural cycle of life.
Finding out more about Materials, the pupils’ inquiry led them to comparing and contrasting different materials around us and how they can change. A favourite experiment was chipping away at frozen blocks of hidden treasure, aided by mini pick axes, observing them melt from a solid to a liquid,
The summer term brought wonderful weather this year and the opportunity for the pupils to take their learning outside. Investigating the different lifecycles of a number of chosen living creatures, the pupils enjoyed a pond dipping workshop at the St Andrews Botanics, re-enacting the life of a tadpole and a chicken. Making connections during our inquiry, particularly into bees, the pupils took action by creating pollinator posters to educate the school community about the importance of looking after our wildlife to save our world.
The Year 1 pupils are already moving up into Year 2, armed with all the wonderful enriching experiences of Year 1, ready to continue the next stage of their journey and curious about what Year 2 holds for them!
Annabel Lindsay Year 1 Class Teacher
Later in the year, Year 1 pupils investigated different festivals and celebrations, including Christmas, Chinese New Year, Diwali and Hanukkah. We were lucky enough to have parents who visited in order to share with us their traditions and customs through storytelling, food and games.
During their inquiry the pupils wanted to learn more about weddings, sharing photographs of their own parents’ weddings and creating their own chosen vows, leading to the class staging a full wedding ceremony and party.
What is Base 10? Well, the children in Year 2 can explain very well how to use this Maths manipulative to work out the addition and subtraction sums. It is a number system that uses ten digits from 0 to 9 to represent any number. Simply put it is the way we assign place value to numerals. The children enjoy ‘building’ the number and can express a number in a different way whilst retaining its value. 1 ten can be renamed in 10 units and 1 hundred can be renamed in 10 tens. The children have become knowledgeable in Maths by using this hands-on manipulative!
This year, Year 2 has explored many interesting topics throughout the year. We often use the ‘I See, I Think, I Wonder’ strategy that helps them develop crucial thinking skills in a structured and accessible way. This strategy, part of Visible Thinking routines, encourages the children to move beyond simple observation to deeper analysis and inquiry.
A particular highlight was our Celebration of Learning, where the children shared what they’ve learned about family histories. This topic helped them discover their cultural origins and grow their historical awareness.The children used their research skills to look into what life was like for their grandparents and parents and compared it to what is the same or different to their own life. Each child prepared a presentation sharing their learning in class alongside artefacts from home. The Fife Folk Museum came to school to show them many items which were used in the home, at school and at play in the past. Combining this with Art, the children also made beautiful still life drawings of some of these artifacts, looking carefully at perspective and light.
Marije Sneddon Year 2 Class Teacher
Another year has flown by and Year 3 have been incredibly busy exploring all aspects of the Primary Years Programme. They started the year by using their research skills to investigate the inventions that have changed our lives and had an impact on how we live today. We were delighted to welcome Enzo’s dad, Mr McLean, to school to share his knowledge on AI with us.
What makes a hero? This question prompted much discussion and we reached the conclusion that a hero is someone who does good things for others. Dr Mukherjee visited us in school to share what it is like being an anesthetist and helping those in need. It inspired us all, making us realise that heroes are all around us.
We visited the McManus gallery in Dundee and explored further heroes in our community from times past, and discovered that not all heroes are humans that wear capes! Our action for this unit was to invite our parent heroes into class for our Celebration of Learning and share our knowledge on heroes from the past and heroes of today.
One of the highlights for us all was the day trip to Dynamic Earth where we explored Space. We participated in an educational workshop and visited the amazing planetarium. We also invited our parents into school during this Unit of Inquiry to share our knowledge and to take part in a rocket building space mission as part of our Parents in Partnership afternoon. We launched many rockets successfully, some so successfully that they got stuck in a tree!
There have been many special moments and we are very grateful for all of those parents and friends who have volunteered or been persuaded to share their expertise with the children throughout the year.
Anna Fisher & Nikki Arkwright Year 3 Class Teacher
When asked what the children would like to share about their time in Year 3 they had the following to say:
“ The lunches at school are really yummy. I also like P.E. In P.E I like playing dodgeball. School is so, so, so fun!” Una
“I loved the trip to Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh” Rupert
“I like P.E with friends” Hunter
“I like when we do the trio” Olivia
“I like doing P.E with my friends and the food is really good” Rian
“Year 3 is the best because the crafts are amazing and I love P.E.” Riagan
“I like dodgeball in P.E because it is fun” Flora
“I loved the beach missions. They were very fun!” Maggie
“My favourite subject is maths. I like swimming too” Ralph
“I liked doing LAMDA with Rian and Mrs Swankie” Andrew
“I liked when we made our Solar System” Abigail
“I like independent inquiry time” Poppy
“I like having P.E 3 times a week” Arthur
When we went to Holyrood Palace
• Visiting Mary Queen of Scots’ bedroom
• We saw where David Rizzio died
Year 4 Celebration of LearningLiving Museum
• Imogen enjoyed the songs
• We thought it was funny that all of the narrators and Lords were wearing kilts
• Meena enjoyed playing the part of Mary, Queen of Guise
• Miss Anderson enjoyed Sofia playing a pregnant woman, and Maggie wearing a giant ear to represent an ear infection
McManus Gallery during our Express Yourself Unit of Inquiry
• We got to see Mary, Queen of Scots’ embroidery of a cat and mouse
• We learnt that in Mary’s bedroom, there was a secret stairway behind a curtain
Year 4 sat around the outdoor fire, roasting marshmallows and telling spooky stories for Halloween
Craigtoun Walk
• We walked from St Leonards to Craigtoun Park in Years 4-6
• We each got an ice cream
• We used the flying fox
Year 4 Pantomime of Aladdin
• We enjoyed rehearsing for the pantomime with Mrs Stewart and Mrs Swankie, and Archie in Year 12
• Trying on the costumes was a lot of fun
• We loved the singing at the end with lots of actions
• The Mexican wave at the end was good fun
• It was exciting to perform in front of the parents
The Year 4 Puppet Show
• Patrick enjoyed when Theodore made an advert to allow time for changing of puppets
• Owen enjoyed playing the part of ‘Timmey-Flamey’
• Luna enjoyed it when the parents helped us make our puppets
• Clodagh enjoyed it when Sofia made tiny kid puppets that cried all the time
The Transport Museum
• Noah enjoyed going in the firetruck
• Charlotte enjoyed doing the treasure hunt around the museum to find letters that spelt out ‘Scare Plane’ (It was a Halloween joke)
• We saw a replica of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, which had the reallife used horn from the movie
• We also saw the bathroom from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• Clodagh enjoyed when we got to draw pictures of what we saw around the gallery
• We loved making the prints out of foam and paint
• To get there, we travelled on a public bus
• Alec enjoyed seeing the first copy of Beano, which has been running every week for 86 years
Marble Treat with ice cream on the beach
• Clodagh remembers getting a white chocolate and cookies ice cream
• We watched Lilo and Stitch as our class movie
• Owen enjoyed making the 4-way tunnel with Patrick
• We loved free play on the beach
Byre Theatre Pantomime
• Miss Anderson enjoyed when the Fairy ‘Bounty-Bahooki’ heckled Miss Cormack
• Luna enjoyed it when they played the music at halftime
• Agnes enjoyed it when the confetti fell down
Hannah Anderson Year 4 Class Teacher
Y E A R F I V E
Year 5 Building Business Summer Fair. Fun games, challenges and collaboration.
Ecosystems Unit, learning all about biomes and the environment, visiting the St Andrews Aquarium.
Athletics, sports fixtures, tennis, hockey, swimming, golf, running, many, many sporting events. Teamwork.
Road trips to Dundee RSS Discovery learning all about Captain Scott and the Antarctic Expedition. Visit to Dundee Science Centre, learning all about forces and energy.
Fun runs for charity, finding countries in “Passport to the World” at Dalguise, fun times on the beach learning about Ecosystems, Forces and fun with friends being creative.
Inventing Parachutes and Kites. Working with our Parents in Partnership to make our Kites.
Various charity events, including Dooks, guessing bear’s name, cake sales and walks to Craigtoun.
Exciting Dalguise, lots of new challenges, lots of fun activities, working as a team, raft building and supporting each other on the vertical challenge and big swing.
“In this play I had so much fun being a Hoodie. My favourite line was “Shimmy Shimmy Jazz Hands”. All the songs were amazing and fun to sing. It also had a lot of funny jokes in the script.” Olive
Year 6 has marked a wonderful end to the Primary Years Programme with the highlights being undoubtedly the Year 6 show and the PYP Exhibition.
The show ‘Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies’ was a funny and heartwarming version of the Robin Hood story where a band of actors are mistakenly taken to be a band of outlaws and are hired to rid Sherwood Forest of the Sheriff and his henchmen. All the rehearsals and hard work of the cast paid off as the play was a huge success. The acting and singing were phenomenal and the Year 6 cast were backed up brilliantly by the Year 5 Chorus.
The Exhibition was the culmination of the Primary Years Programme, where students were able to choose their own theme for their Unit of Inquiry based on the Central Idea ‘We can use our passions to make a difference to others.’ The themes varied hugely and included sustainable fashion, service dogs, horses, ocean pollution, global warming, gaming, access to sport and caring for animals. Over the course of eight weeks, the students researched their themes in depth and created a fabulous presentation of their learning which was shared with parents and the school community.
“The Exhibition is an independent experience that I would do again. Our Year 12 mentor did an amazing job, and I loved that we had to show independence and self-reliance.” Emma
The end of the year was rounded off with our Year 6 trip to Ridgway Adventure in the far North of Scotland. On the whole the weather was good this year although our camp at the bottom of Arkle was rather wet and windy. For the most part our ascent was made in good weather but the descent was a little damp. Each of the groups worked well together to overcome many challenges in preparation for a night on Survival Island. This was a great success and enjoyed by all despite a few midge bites. Other activities included rock climbing and abseiling, kayaking and swimming in the loch on the doorstep. The trip finished off with a fantastic beach day at stunning Oldshoremore on a perfect Scottish June day.
“Ridgway was really fun and it toughened me up. I was really happy with my team (the blue team) because we all worked as a team and we had people better at some things than others. I was good at putting up the shelter and Aggie was good at making the fire and Ruby and Luca were good at making the tripod. Even if we were in different teams, we all worked together to help each other.” Bee
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” the old proverb reminds us, but there is certainly nothing dull about life at St Leonards!
With the IB Learner Profile Attributes embedded in every part of the Junior School day, our pupils learn from the very beginning the value of balance: of work and play, of curiosity and discovery, of learning and living well.
From Judo and Yoga to Ballet, Multisports, and Gymnastics, children can now choose from a wide and exciting range of pursuits that catr to all personalities and abilities.
When lessons end, the adventure continues. From Kindergarten to Year 6, every child enjoys a rich programme of clubs and activities designed to expand their skills, nurture their interests, and spark new passions.
Staff from across St Leonards contribute to this vibrant co-curricular life, sharing their own expertise and enthusiasm to create truly memorable experiences for pupils. Running Club, Mindful Colouring, and Science Club are just a few examples of how staff channel their passions into activities that engage and inspire.
The great outdoors plays a starring role too. Beach Club, Nature Club, and Gardening remain perennial favourites. There’s nothing quite like racing along East Sands in the dark with a torch in hand, or seeing the first buds emerge in our garden beds. Our extensive school grounds provide endless opportunities for exploration and hands-on learning, and pupils embrace every moment.
Over recent years, the programme has expanded to meet pupils’ evolving interests, with the addition of activities led by specialist coaches and professionals. From Judo and Yoga to Ballet, Multisports, and Gymnastics, children can now choose from a wide and exciting range of pursuits that cater to all personalities and abilities.
Our extraordinary teaching team also offer an array of creative and intellectual clubs each week, including Construction, Craft, Weaving, Thinker, Football, Swimming, Coding, Film Club, and Book Club.
Music fills the corridors at lunchtime, with opportunities for all budding musicians through String Club, Choirs, Orchestra, and Music Theory sessions.
And, of course, there is golf: a cornerstone of St Leonards life here in the Home of Golf. In partnership with the St Andrews Links Trust Academy, we have developed a unique, progressive golf programme for our youngest pupils. Starting with SNAG Golf for beginners in Year 1, pupils can progress to Cadets or Minis from age 8, gaining access to the driving range and further coaching in the Golf Academy. This initiative, now in its third year, continues to flourish as enthusiasm for the sport grows.
Whether it’s a first step into something new or the pursuit of a growing passion, St Leonards pupils are encouraged to explore, experiment, and enjoy every opportunity that comes their way. Supported by a dedicated team of staff, they are building confidence, developing skills, and learning for life, one club at a time.
Claire Boissiere Assistant Head of Junior School
As St Leonards looks ahead to its 150th anniversary in 2027, we are delighted to announce two special ways for our community to play a part in this historic milestone and support the creation of our 150th celebration book, a beautifully written and illustrated volume by Jane Claydon, Honorary Senior, former Deputy Head and Housemistress, chronicling the school’s remarkable journey since its founding in 1877.
For those wishing to make a deeper contribution to this project and to the future of St Leonards, we invite you to become a member of the 1877 Society, a group of 150 subscribers, each investing £1,877 to help seed not only the publication of the 150th celebration book but also the wider celebrations marking our sesquicentennial year. Importantly, the 1877 Society will continue beyond the publication of the book, remaining a close circle of supporters who will be invited to particular school events and included in future fundraising and community initiatives. This is not only an investment in the 150th celebrations, but in the future of St Leonards itself.
Alongside the 1877 Society, we are also launching an exciting opportunity for 150 donors, each contributing £150, to play their part in bringing the 150th celebration book to life by becoming Book Patrons.
Whether you choose to join the 1877 Society or become a Book Patron, your contribution will help bring this landmark publication — and the wider 150th celebrations — to life.
For those who wish to support the project in another way, details of the standard subscriber option will be shared soon, offering an opportunity to secure an early copy of the book, and to have your contribution recognised as part of this historic publication.
Whether as a member of the 1877 Society, the 150 Club, or a standard subscriber, your support will help ensure that the 150th celebration book, and the celebrations that accompany it, reflect the spirit, heritage, and community that make our school so special.
If you would like to express your interest in joining the 1877 Society, 150 Club, or becoming a subscriber, please contact us at development@stleonards-fife.org. Together, let us celebrate our past, and invest in our future.
Being a member of the St Leonards Parents Association embodies the four essential Ps for wellbeing.
Purpose: Our mission is to create enriching experiences for children and their families. We accomplish this through a variety of annual events, all infused with the unique spirit and dedication of the PA. The funds we raise support the purchase of Head’s Wish List items that enhance daily experiences for children at St Leonards.
People: The Parents Association nurtures a strong sense of community. Members connect with parents, staff and students from across the school. Through our collaborative efforts, meaningful friendships develop.
Place: Being part of the PA fosters a deep sense of belonging to the school and its magnificent grounds. This connection strengthens commitment to the ongoing success and vitality of this exceptional place.
Play: We share lots of laughter and a sense of camaraderie as we work together to create memorable events. Our greatest reward is witnessing the children and their families enjoy these experiences.
In this way, the St Leonard’s Parents Association elevates the lives of our children and the adults who support them, creating a thriving community that values wellbeing and connection.
Lucie Galt Co-Chair
Second Hand Uniform Shop: Our largest fundraiser for the PA, SHU generated £7,400 in profit this year. Huge thanks to the exceptional team of volunteers who run the shop and to the parents who support it through their generous donations and purchases.
Class Reps: Countless messages were shared via our 13 Class Reps who played a vital role in strengthening our community by ensuring effective communication with parents and carers throughout the school.
Burns Night: Following a traditional Burns supper, 80 were piped to St Katharines Hall for a lively ceilidh.
delightful adventure unfolded as 96 children participated in an Egg Hunt, exploring the school grounds to find hidden clues and win chocolate prizes.
Gingerbread House
Decorating: In a display of creativity, 50 children engaged in this festive activity.
Santa’s Grotto: 65 children were welcomed into the yurt to meet Santa, who captivated them with a story.
Pumpkin Party: 97 boys and girls danced to a DJ, enjoyed spooky stalls and showcased their costumes in a parade!
Sports Day Tea Tents: Our tea tents enjoyed tremendous success, serving over 1,600 strawberries among other treats.
Christmas Fair Emporium: Children raised an impressive £990 for their chosen charities; the RNLI, Young Lives vs Cancer, Riding for the Disabled Association and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
and
Head’s Wish List: We received 28 submissions from students and staff. A total of £12,000 was invested in gym equipment, an outdoor cinema projector and screen, pipe band waistcoats, play equipment for the junior school, a learning library for staff and more.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who volunteered, donated baked goods and contributed to making this year’s PA events so enjoyable.
No matter your level of commitment, we warmly invite you to join the PA! The Parents Association (PA) Committee
We’re proud to be part of life at St Leonards, where food brings people together.
As your catering partner, Independents by Sodexo is passionate about creating joyful, nourishing experiences that support pupil wellbeing and achievement. We serve fresh, seasonal meals that fuel learning and care for the planet.
Our catering service has been designed to reflect the spirit of St Leonards - welcoming, vibrant, and full of character.
From cooking classes to tasting sessions, we encourage pupils to explore food with curiosity and confidence. And beyond the kitchen, we support the school with tailored facilities solutions and community initiatives. Whether it’s reducing food waste or working with local suppliers, we’re here to help St Leonards thrive - inside the dining hall and beyond.
For more information, visit our website: www.independentsbysodexo.com
The fantastic creative achievements of pupils from Years 1 to 6 were showcased during the Junior School Art Exhibition in May. St Katharines Hall was transformed into a vibrant gallery, with artwork from every pupil on display. The exhibition celebrated imagination and curiosity, with pieces ranging from woven sea life sculptures exploring plastic pollution to a large-scale collaborative work inspired by Peter Reynolds’ The Dot. Visitors were also invited to take part in an interactive weaving project, adding their own creativity and colour.
The exhibition was the culmination of a year of exploration in Art and Design. Year 1 explored identity through self-portraits in their All About Me unit, and symmetry and pattern in maths, creating striking butterflies for their lifecycles unit.
Year 2 brought stories to life with painted story stones and created vibrant canvases inspired by Alma Thomas. Cutting and arranging 3”x3” squares was a valuable step before unleashing bold colours and patterns.
Year 3 tackled climate change through seascapes and woven jellyfish made from recycled materials. Their collaborative charcoal montage of St Andrews harbour, part of their Homes unit, drew much admiration.
In Year 4, pupils studied Mary Queen of Scots and how she used embroidery for secret messages, then created their own stitched artworks to share something personal. They also explored Matisse’s cutpaper techniques, translating their designs into colourful radial compositions. Pupils developed their understanding of colour theory and printmaking skills to create their final artwork.
Year 5 examined ecosystems by constructing 3D camera models, considering how artists, scientists, and explorers use photography to understand the world. They also developed expressive painting skills, using palette knives to create stormy seascapes as dramatic backdrops for lighthouse artworks, tying into their Unit of Inquiry on energy and forces.
Year 6 experimented widely, from acrylic painting and printmaking to illustration. Inspired by their surroundings, they designed lamps decorated with St Andrews architecture in pen and watercolour. Taking advantage of summer sunshine, they sketched St Oliphant’s Gate, later developing the drawings into expressive mono-prints.
The joy on the pupils’ faces as they toured their families around the Exhibition was a testament to the belief that everyone is an artist, and the power of art to express emotion, bring calm, peace and communities together.
Emma Lamont & Claire Robertson
‘Looking In Looking Out’ was a starting theme for our Year 10 GCSE class and describes our year in Art & Design overall this year. I’m not just referring to the new roof, which has at times allowed us more looking out than usual. Getting out of the classroom is an important ethos of the department and many opportunities to gain inspiration beyond the classroom were taken this year.
One of the first trips of the year was to Edinburgh to see the fantastic Do Ho Suh exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art. The exhibition dealt with themes of relocation and ‘what is home’. For our boarders in particular the exhibition allowed for strong personal connections.
We returned to Edinburgh throughout the year to visit the Portrait gallery with our Year 12s and the printmaking exhibition at the City Art Centre. In blizzard conditions a few visited Wasps studios, where they met and learned about many artists’ work. Later in the year they also visited the Edinburgh College of Art degree show, the Annual RSA exhibition, the National Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. This helped with their very strong print unit back in school.
For our Year 9s there was a trip around the boundaries of the school as well as the main courtyard to produce impressive group pieces to look in at the community of the school as well as looking out at the world beyond our walls.
In Dundee our Year 8s enjoyed the amazing Kimono exhibition at the V&A which resulted in some super silk screen prints of their own. The Far East was an inspiration along with Renaissance and Grayson Perry for wonderful shrines both printed and in 3D.
St Andrews provides such fantastic opportunities, whether it is drawing by the harbour or castle sands, or photography by the cathedral or Main Street, we are fortunate enough to have such resources on our doorstep and we took advantage of them whenever possible this year.
We enjoyed a super collaboration with Open Studios North Fife where our pupils assisted various artists and again experienced the work involved in a career in the arts. We look forward to developing this further.
David Prosser Head of Art & Design
This has been a wonderful group of pupils who have been independent, creative and a pleasure to teach. What they have managed to achieve this year has been fantastic to see and they played an important role in the end of year exhibition looking great this year. Several are moving on next year so we wish them all the best on their creative journeys, and for those remaining we are excited to see what they will achieve next year.
In June, sixteen Year 10 pupils and three members of staff spent a fantastic weekend in Venice, soaking up the art and culture of the beautiful city. The days were filled with inspiring visits to galleries and exhibitions, plein air sketching sessions, and of course, delicious pizza, pasta and gelato.
Saturday morning began with the first of many scenic canal journeys by vaporetti. Following a walk over the iconic Ponte Di Rialto, pupils found themselves immersed in vibrant city life at Mercato di Rialto. The market provided multiple opportunities for drawing, with stalls brimming with fresh fruit and seafood, as well as the bustling life of the city passing by. Following the morning’s drawing session, the group headed to Galleria Ca’Pesaro. Here, pupils explored a wonderful collection of nineteenth and twentieth century painting and sculpture. After a delicious lunch, with one pupil describing her pasta as the best she had ever eaten, the group visited Piazza San Marco. Some pupils ventured inside the magnificent Basilica di San Marco, admiring its glittering mosaics and soaring domes, while others spent time sketching the plaza’s grand architecture and bustling crowds.
The second day was packed with gallery visits. The group visited the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Punta della Dogana and Palazzo Grassi; a whirlwind tour through the history of Western art from fourteenth-century Venetian altar paintings, through Renaissance masterpieces, to twentieth-century abstraction, contemporary sculpture and installation. Between gallery visits, pupils took every opportunity to sketch the canals, architecture, and everyday scenes of Venetian life. A popular spot was Squero San Trovaso, a traditional boatyard where gondolas are built and repaired. An enjoyable hour was spent observing the colour and craftsmanship of a centuries-old tradition. Throughout the trip, from the pre-departure briefing until the flight home, pupils used their sketchbooks to observe the world around them and reflect on their experiences. As Rosa wrote on the final page of hers:
“The trip was amazing and so much fun. Many memories were made and some beautiful sights were seen. I hope we have another experience as special—just longer! The museums were so cool, the food was delicious, and the culture was beautiful. I am so gratful to have experienced such an amazing trip!”
It has been another exciting and packed year of musical events - our programme of concerts and collaborations with the Drama department remains busy and varied throughout the year, with pupils eager to take part and regularly displaying a very high standard of performance.
This year we said goodbye to several long term contributors to the musical life of the school, Nicky F-P, Isla B, Ruairidh L, Tom R and Jamie B. All have been invaluable contributors to the musical life of the school since arriving with us many years ago. They will be hugely missed and it was a joy to be part of their final performances in the Leavers’ Concert.
During the year we have welcomed one new member of staff - Mrs Melanie Scullion who teaches upper strings, and we have said goodbye to Mr Peter Thomson and Mr Dale Birrell - both piano teachers and to our organ teacher and Musician in Residence, Mr Anthony White. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Sue Clark (piano), Ms Hannah Scholz (organ) and Mr Luke Anderson (guitar) into the department next year.
Our various instrumental initiatives in the lower years continue to bear fruit with a healthy number of upper string players, harpists, clarinetists, and brass players on their way. Following a generous donation from the Cookie Mathison Trust of a pedal harp, bass clarinet, piccolo, and marimba, we are looking forward to continuing to build on the instrumental playing in the school, and it promises to be an exciting future.
Jennifer & Shreyas - our erstwhile Music Monitor and Head Chorister - will shed light on the year from their perspectives but for my part I would like to thank all of the students, from Year 1 to Year 13, who have taken part in a musical activity or event this year, and also extend a massive thank you to all of the Music School staff for their, at times gargantuan, hard work and commitment to the pupils and the school. I hope that all members of the school community have appreciated the music making this year - it has certainly been a pleasure to produce.
Fiona Love Director of Music
Reflections from our Head Chorister
I am very grateful to have served as Head Chorister this year. Experiencing the amazing talent and wide successes of our school’s vocalists in so many concerts and performances has been so exciting! Singers and choirs are such an essential part of the music department, and these performances are a testament to every individual’s immense hard work and dedication. Thanks to our brilliant vocal teachers, Ms Read and Mrs Rice, whose continuing encouragement, expertise, and support help every student to succeed. This year brought some great opportunities and performances from the singers - Prizegiving, the Jull competition, the Carol Service, Christmas Mix, and every concert and choir rehearsal in between. We were lucky to enjoy a cultural exchange event with the Argentinian St Andrews Scots School, which included combining both our choirs into one! Also, a personal highlight of mine included the opportunity to co-lead the wonderful Year 7 cohort of the St Leonards Ukulele Group Students, the Baby SLUGs. As always, the music students and staff have achieved so much - I look forward to the many successes still to come!
Shreyas D
Reflections from our Music Monitor
This year, I have had the honour of being Music Monitor. Music has played a significant role in my schooling, particularly the way it brings people together, fostering a welcoming environment.
It’s been an exciting year with outstanding performances from ensembles to soloists in the various concerts, showcasing their talent and dedication. The Choir also took part in two important events, the Carol Service and Prizegiving, in Holy Trinity Church. These are cherished traditions and special opportunities to unite the school community in music and celebration.
The St Andrews Scots School of Buenos Aires joined us for an exchange of culture and music. Their rendition of Loch Lomond was breathtaking. The IBDP Music students had IB Music specialist Jim Yarnell join them. He worked closely with everyone, providing insightful guidance, inspiration, and support. Special thanks to all the Music School staff, in particular Ms Love, Mr Shiells, and Mrs Shiells for all their hard work.
Jennifer N
“These are cherished traditions and special opportunities to unite the school community in music and celebration.”
This year Drama teacher Mrs Shiells and I, Mrs Stewart, decided that we would write our own Nativity play for Years 1-3. Quite the challenge but we loved it!
The title was Follow That Star! Little Bright Star played by Rupert H-G was picked out by God to lead Mary and Joseph to the stable in Bethlehem so that Mary could have her baby there. The Little Bright Star found themselves busy that night as they had to show not only Mary and Joseph but also The Shepherds, the Angels and The Five Wise People the way. Without realising it, Bright Little Star also led Herod’s soldiers to the Stable but luckily, when they saw the new baby their hearts were softened and they too joined in the celebrations of the new baby. Mrs Shiells composed the wonderful uplifting songs to go with my script and Follow That Star: The Nativity was born! The Stewart/Shiells duo might well be back with another Nativity in the future!
Our Panto this year was Aladdin, the story of Widow Twankey, her children Sapphire and Aladdin, and their auntie, Widow Twinkie. The family are always short of money and run the local laundry. Aladdin is persuaded by a nasty character, Abanazer, to go into a dark cave which is full of treasure but Abanazer only wants an old lamp. It is an adventure full of genies, guards and a grumpy Sultan who is trying to protect his only daughter, the beautiful Princess Jasmine. This traditional Pantomime was adapted to give each Year 4 class half of the story each. They did such a wonderful job of acting the script Mrs Stewart adapted and the songs chosen and arranged by Mrs Shiells. We were so proud of every student’s contribution to the performances. Well done Year 4!
What a fantastic show! The Year 6s absolutely nailed their performances which were all ‘Fabulous Darling!’ This was a show full of mischief and funny lines, goodies, baddies, and misunderstandings! The Merry Men were actually a band of trained professional performers and singers not a band of trained professional fighters!! A battle ensues against King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham with some intervention from a couple of dubious robbers called Grabbit and Bolt! Year 6 were a joy to work with in rehearsals; they delivered every line with character and sang every song with a wonderful energy and enthusiasm. Always remember, If at first you don’t succeed… then skydiving is not for you!
Laura Stewart Teacher of Drama
The St Leonards Players brought this original piece of theatre to the stage in November. It was a story written around wonderful songs by ‘The Beautiful South’ and focused on a community living in an eight storey block of flats with a broken lift.
All members of the cast were pushed to the limit of their comfort zones as they were expected to sing and dance and, boy, did they! Some even newly identified moves and voices they didn’t know they had.
The show appeared at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2025 and received excellent reviews!
In early March, Years 11, 12 and 13 brought a Terry Pratchett classic to the stage, Wyrd Sisters
After the effort to create the amazing tragedy of The Crucible the year before, the students turned their hand to very unsubtle comedy. This is an equally demanding skill as it involves strong physicality, wonderful facial expressions and, of course, timing. It was a joy to direct and I have never laughed as much as I did through the rehearsal process; I just hope the audience enjoyed watching it as much as Mr Kell and I did directing it. Once again the performance was supported by the amazing digital art work of our Head of Art, Mr David Prosser.
The Last Resort is a joyous piece of theatre written by Chris Owen. It follows a day in the life of a British seaside resort in the 1980s when the appeal of such places was fading. We had the opportunity to contemporise but the cast chose to keep it in the eighties and have fun with the costumes and the music.
This was a real ensemble effort, lots of multi-rolling and a disciplined chorus keeping the narrative flowing. Learning new skills has never been so much fun.
The final play (No.7) of the school year was brought to stage, in June, by Years 7 and 8 under the direction of Laura Stewart, Christian Olliver, and Director of Music, Fiona Love. It was a superb production with toe-tapping songs and magical moments of physical theatre, fully embraced by the cast. They created busy streets, taxis, trams and trains without any difficulty at all, displaying huge ability to adapt to a very stylised way of creating theatre. There were some outstanding individual performances. But it was the cast’s ability to work as an ensemble which was impressive. The show performed to packed houses on two nights to extremely appreciative audiences.
Widely recognised for possessing one of the finest archives among early girls’ schools, we participated in the very first #SchoolArchivesDay on 12 March 2025!
This nationwide event saw schools across the UK celebrating their unique collections, and St Leonards enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to share its vibrant past.
With its 150th anniversary approaching in 2027, the school highlighted its enduring legacy of providing education since its foundation in 1877. Our archive is the tangible memory of the School, and #SchoolArchivesDay was a fantastic opportunity to share stories of the School and the people in it, for stories are important.
The day was filled with engaging activities that brought the school’s history to life. Assemblies featured pupils and staff modeling school fashions of yesteryear, with the iconic School Cloak proving to be an instant favourite. Stickers, including the popular ‘Geography on Fire’ from 1928, were distributed, and a quiz featuring a QR code on posters challenged the knowledge of the entire school community.
The archive’s stories highlighted the remarkable achievements of St Leonards’ alumni:
• Eunice Guthrie Murray (1890-1892, Q.T.), depicted in an 1891 photograph, made history as the first woman in Scotland to stand for Parliament in 1918.
• Betty Harvie Anderson (1927-1931, D. & S.N.) became the first woman to sit in the Speaker’s Chair in Parliament (as Deputy Speaker) between 1970 and 1973.
• Chrystal Macmillan (1888-1891, Q.T.), a prominent suffragist, peace activist, barrister, and feminist, is honoured on the plinth of the 2018 Millicent Fawcett statue in Parliament Square, London. She was also the first female science graduate and honours graduate in mathematics from the University of Edinburgh, and her proposals influenced Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points for peace negotiations after World War One. Perhaps our favourite role of Chrystal’s was as Head of House at St Leonards!
The excitement extended to parents and
In a special tribute to famous mathematician and senior Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, the Mathematics department and Year 9 pupils took on the challenge of a 1909 Mathematics Entrance Paper. While initially presented with the daunting original paper featuring pre-metric units like shillings and farthings, pupils were quickly introduced to a converted version that included Magic Squares, an area of particular interest to Dame Kathleen. After an intense double period, prizes of bookmarks and Rubik’s Cubes were awarded, a fitting tribute given Dame Kathleen’s own experience of solving one of the first Rubik’s Cubes, which famously required surgery on her thumb afterward!
Some of the school’s more adventurous pupils embarked on a secret passage tour of QML, culminating in the notorious Punch Room. Ascending a stone spiral staircase, they discovered walls adorned with Punch magazine cartoons, including one immortalising Agnata Ramsay (1887). Ramsay was the only person in her year to achieve a First in the Classical Tripos at Cambridge, a remarkable feat! She should have graduated with a first class degree but at this time the majority of universities did not award degrees to women. The School’s Ramsay Society is named in her honour. As St Leonards approaches its 150th anniversary, the celebration of #SchoolArchivesDay served as a powerful reminder of the rich tapestry of stories that form the school’s identity and continue to inspire its community.
What does it mean to educate for the 21st century? In a world being transformed by Artificial Intelligence and unpredictable geopolitics, the answer is clear: now, more than ever, the future belongs to those who possess the critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity that a machine cannot replicate.
At St Leonards, fostering these skills is our core mission; this is not a new approach for us. From our foundation as a pioneer in girls’ education in 1877, to being one of only a handful of schools in the UK to offer all four International Baccalaureate programmes, we have always been at the forefront of educational development. We are actively engaging with the challenges and opportunities of AI, teaching our pupils not only how to use these new tools, but how to approach them with the curiosity, ethical rigour, and intellectual confidence that have always been the hallmarks of a St Leonards education. We are not just preparing pupils for an ever-changing world, we are giving them the tools to shape it.
Will Gaisford Deputy Head (Academic)
This academic year proved to be a whirlwind for students across the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Throughout the year, our MYP students consistently demonstrated the qualities of true IB learners, embodying all aspects of the learner profile. This commitment was celebrated monthly with the highly sought-after Learner Profile certificates, awarded to students who best exemplified that month’s specific learner profile attribute.
Sharon Moan, Kate Gilbertson and Mark Baxter MYP Team
A Seamless Transition and Flourishing Engagement
The transition from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to the MYP was remarkably smooth for Year 7. They swiftly adjusted from having a single main classroom teacher with a few specialists, to navigating a timetable with 15 different subject experts. Beyond core academics like Maths, English, and Science, Year 7 fully embraced the broader MYP curriculum, including Core, ATL (Approaches to Learning), Service Learning, and PSHE (Ad Vitam). The year kicked off with a strong focus on transitioning to senior school, emphasizing essential study skills. They quickly grasped the ‘3 R’s’ of organisation: Required; Recharge; Redundant, in Ad Vitam, setting them up for success.
In addition to their rigorous, inquiry-led academic pursuits, Year 7 enthusiastically participated in a wide array of co-curricular activities. Highlights included the impressive performances
of ‘Baby SLUGS’ (our Year 7 ukulele group) at various concerts and school events, a fun Halloween dressup day that raised money for charity, an autumn term disco, and a fantastic time during activities week, engaging in water sports at Blown Away, Bikeability, summer games, bowling, and cinema trips, embodying every aspect of the learner profile. The year culminated in a truly exciting achievement as a team of five Year 7 pupils: Dylan D, Marnie W, Theo S-L, William M, and Ernest R, who triumphed through two rounds of the North of Scotland Rotary Club Primary Schools Quiz to battle it out in the final, where they were sadly pipped to the post.
Years 8 & 9:
Social Events, Enriching Trips, and Artistic Triumphs
Year 8 and 9 students also experienced an incredibly active year, filled with social events and enriching trips. They showcased impressive dance moves at their autumn term disco and eagerly embraced a beloved St Leonard’s
tradition: the Roller Disco, where even MYP staff laced up their skates! In June, Year 8 enjoyed an action-packed week in Newtonmore, tackling activities from rock climbing to kayaking down the River Spey. We were particularly delighted to see so many Year 7 and 8 students shine in the year’s final drama production, Emil and the Detectives, a testament to their talent and hard work.
Year 9 had the fantastic opportunity to embark on a Cultural Enrichment trip, not only exploring Liverpool but also visiting remarkable venues across the North East of England. Their dramatic flair was further celebrated when members of Year 9 graced
the stage at the Byre Theatre in the captivating production of The Last Resort.
We were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the Community Projects undertaken by Year 9, many of which will have far-reaching impacts, from environmental clean-ups to writing letters for care home residents and assembling summer packs for less fortunate children. Despite a packed term, Year 9 still had the energy to conclude the year on a high note in the English department with a spectacular Model United Nations Day and finally a celebration of all our Year 9 have done with a wonderful celebration assembly in the final week of term.
At St Leonards, Years 10, 11, and Pre-IB are pivotal, marking a significant leap in our students’ responsibility and independence.
These GCSE years build upon strong foundations from Primary and Middle Years Programmes, while also warmly welcoming new students. This is an exciting, yet often daunting, time as pupils face their first national examinations. It’s a real step up, meticulously preparing them for Sixth Form and beyond.
At the heart of our GCSE programme is unwavering encouragement and support. We are proud of this culture, empowering learners to be proactive, reflect on their learning, and contribute ideas for improvement. This period often signifies a profound transition into young adulthood. We view exams as a challenge, a mountain to be conquered, promising pride and achievement. Equipped with exceptional learning skills and the unique attributes of every IB learner, the “summit” of examinations is truly within their grasp.
In Year 11, we expand our focus to life beyond St Leonards, exploring potential career pathways. Every student meets with a senior leader to discuss next steps, identify strengths, and consider suitable professions. These are always fascinating journeys of discovery!
We highly value parental partnership. We encourage attendance at our online and
in-person coffee mornings to connect with the Head of Year, GCSE Coordinator, and fellow parents, discussing progression and what lies ahead in these important, formative years.
This year, our GCSE students have been incredibly busy, both in and out of class. Art students honed sketching skills in Venice, and closer to home, Year 10s and 11s have enjoyed numerous socials throughout the year. They’ve also starred in many theatrical and musical performances and excelled in rugby finals, district hockey and basketball competitions, and countless other sporting fixtures.
Many GCSE students were integral to hosting St Leonards’ first Model United Nations conference, seeing schools from around the world converge on St Andrews – a testament to their leadership.
We are incredibly proud of all our pupils’ achievements throughout their GCSE years. They have tackled every challenge with resilience and a positive attitude, and we are certain their efforts will be richly rewarded. Our GCSE students should rightly be immensely proud of themselves, as we are of them.
Chris Meighen, Dave Blair, Susie Adrian The GCSE team
This year has been another exciting one for St Leonards’ Sixth Form, with pupils embracing academic, sporting, creative, and service opportunities across the board.
In August, we welcomed our largest ever Year 12 cohort with an induction exploring St Andrews’ rich European links on the “Eurowalk”, complete with ice creams at Jannettas and a community beach clean at West Sands. This day set the tone for the year, sparking strong tutor group bonds and inspiring Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and Service Learning (SVL) projects. Pupils led toy drives for local children, book collections for families overseas, and whole-school non-uniform events, from colourful Christmas jumpers to international costumes.
Our connection with the Rotary Club of St Andrews continues to enrich Sixth Form life. One pupil described attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp as “completely unforgettable”, while others joined thoughtprovoking debates such as the Schools’ Forum on “Why we need apex predators”. We look forward to hearing the experiences of two more pupils at the 2025 camp.
The Career-Related Programme also goes from strength to strength. October saw pupils organise the Tom Morris Golf Event, showcasing skills in marketing, communication, and teamwork, while a visit to a local tapas restaurant gave Spanish students the chance to practise their language skills in a real-world setting.
Social highlights have included the glittering New York–themed Winter Ball, with Year 12 and 13 pupils celebrating together in style. The Collaborative Science Project again stood out academically, as pupils applied knowledge from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and ESS to solve quirky challenges—including producing video responses to Junior School science questions.
The Theory of Knowledge (ToK) programme has inspired critical thinking, with the annual ToK Exhibition in March giving pupils the chance to present research to the wider community. A varied series of guest talks—from Dr Karen Smillie on inquiry in medical research, to Professor Vivienne Wild on searching for other planets, to Musician in Residence Anthony White on ethics in the music industry—gave further depth to pupils’ studies.
October also saw the inaugural Pupil Leadership Conference, organised by our Pupil Leadership Team. Leadership groups from across the region gathered for workshops and discussions, with keynote input from Dr Eve Poole.
“This year we have seen record numbers of pupils applying for universities outside of the UK, as well as working with over 50 UCAS applications.”
Supporting our pupils as they research and apply for the next steps in their academic journey continues to be a true honour. This year we have seen record numbers of pupils applying for universities outside of the UK, as well as working with over 50 UCAS applications. Outside visitors from the Universities of St Andrews and Stirling have provided excellent support with this process, and those applying to US colleges have been given outstanding advice from The University Guys, and Mariel Kessel, who has previously worked in Admissions at Princeton University.
After final exams, Year 13 pupils marked the end of their school journey with a programme of celebrations: the traditional Quad to Birdcage walk, an outdoor ceilidh, Golf Day, sand yachting, the annual art exhibition, and the Leavers’ Concert. The year concluded in style with graduation at Holy Trinity Church, followed by dinner and dancing at the Old Course Hotel—a fitting finale to a remarkable year in the Sixth Form.
Aileen Rees, Ben Seymour, Tom Finley Sixth Form Team
As I write, I can hear in the classroom below me a mock trial of the witches in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible
The sound of the gavel repeatedly and frantically hitting the table alongside slightly hysterical laughter indicates the high level of engagement in this activity that is just one of many examples I could have selected to showcase the creative and innovative ways in which our pupils are encouraged to interact with the various texts and issues that we study. At the end of my first year as Head of English at St Leonards, it has been both a pleasure and a privilege to support my colleagues in the English department and to learn from and with them as we seek to make our pupils aware of the vital importance of English as a subject, even more so in today’s world of alternative facts and the age of misinformation.
This year has also featured a number of trips that have allowed pupils to explore their enthusiasm for English outside of the classroom. In November, a group of Sixth Form pupils were able to attend a reading of the former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s work in Edinburgh, along with a visit to the Scottish Writers’ Museum. In March, Year 11 pupils had the opportunity to attend a showing of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman in the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, a text that will be part of the Year 12 curriculum next academic year. It is so important for our pupils to have opportunities to watch plays and hear authors present their work, and this is something that we look forward to developing next year.
Another highlight from this academic year has been the Year 8 Debating Day, organised with the support and help of the St Andrews Debating Society, who sent members of their organisation to help judge the Y8 year group as they debated motions linked to the subject of History. I would like to thank Mr Damian Kell and Mrs Lorna Greenwood for their help and support in this initiative.
As we come to the end of this year, it is with great sadness that we say farewell to Mrs Kate Gilbertson, a trusted and valued member of the English department for the last 12 years. A former St Leonards pupil herself, she has been an exemplary teacher of the English department and will be truly missed.
John Hathaway Head of English
The Maths department is delighted to have completed our first full year of Puzzle of the Month! Each month, pupils were challenged with a seasonal problem designed to keep our young mathematicians thinking creatively and sharpening their problem-solving skills. Pupils across all ages impressed us with their enthusiasm, creativity, and excellent solutions dropped into the Maths letter box each month.
St Leonards teams competed at Madras College and Fettes College this year, with one team qualifying for the National Competition in Glasgow! There, they achieved a commendable 27th place out of 59 top schools – the first time a St Leonards team has reached this stage. A fantastic achievement – well done to all involved!
Heading out for the “Enterprising Maths in Scotland” competition with two teams
The tradition of UKMT Maths Challenges continues at St Leonards, and we are proud of this year’s successes. Pupils across both the Intermediate and Junior Challenges performed brilliantly, with four earning invitations to the follow-on rounds: the Junior Kangaroo and the Pink Kangaroo.
At the end of the Spring Term, we said a fond farewell to our fantastic Head of Maths, Mr Russell Hall, who joined St Leonards in 2017. We thank him warmly for his commitment and leadership. We now look forward to an exciting new chapter under the guidance of Mrs Struck, as she takes the department to the next level.
It’s been another busy and rewarding year in Physics.
Pupils have engaged enthusiastically with the subject, supported by a steady stream of inventive practical work (courtesy of Mr Day’s boundless resourcefulness). With Mr MacGregor now also leading the charge in Computer Science, we’ve been joined by two colleagues from other departments: Mr Fulton Peebles (from Biology) and Mrs Moan (from Chemistry) - both seasoned Physics teachers in their own right whose fresh perspectives have already made a valuable impact. Mr MacGregor, of course, remains a central figure in our GCSE and IB teaching, and his insight and assistance with practical work continues to be invaluable.
Mr Day, our indefatigable technician, remains the lynchpin of the department. From fashioning wind tunnels to constructing magnetic braking rigs, his work supports a wide range of hands-on science across the department.
Academic outcomes have continued to be outstanding. Over half of our Y11 students achieved a Grade 9 in the Physics component of the Trilogy Science GCSE. And at IB, 45% of our candidates across the last four years have attained the top grade of 7, which is triple the global average.
This year saw an unprecedented eight students undertaking Extended Essays in Physics, with topics including:
• Angle of attack on aerofoil lift
• Terminal velocity under magnetic braking
• Temperature dependence of the Leidenfrost effect
• Bounce efficiency and hysteresis in balls
• Rotational speed vs thrust in drone propellers
• Modelling the Magnus effect on a rotating cylinder
• The effect of magnetic field distribution on induced emf in generators These were ambitious projects that demanded perseverance, care, and deep engagement with real-world physics. The students’ efforts have been extremely impressive.
Beyond the classroom, we have had more entries into the various Olympiad competitions than ever before. Our pupils collected 12 Gold Awards across competitions, including a standout performance by Felix Schultz-Süchting, who earned a strong Gold in the gruelling and prestigious BPhO Round 1.
Our extra-curricular offering continues to grow and this year, we will be sending a team of our senior pupils to compete in the UK Space Design Competition, a fast-paced engineering simulation set in a near-future space industry. They will be tasked with designing a space settlement for thousands of people, including systems for life support, industry, recreation, and infrastructure. It’s a demanding brief that will test both their creativity and teamwork, requiring them to incorporate concepts from orbital mechanics, radiation shielding, and sustainable closed-loop life support systems. We wish them luck!
Patrick Smith Head of Physics
2024-25 provided Chemistry students and staff with endless opportunities and new challenges. Our driving focus this year was “Inspiration, Innovation, and Success.” There was definitely a buzz of productivity and it’s all down to our remarkable students and dedicated staff.
Inspiration:
The Royal Society of Chemistry Christmas Lecture on ‘Elements and the Periodic Table’ at the University of Dundee provided a valuable extension to the GCSE syllabus and highlighted applications of Chemistry in our world. Congratulations go to Year 10 students Tristan C and Harry P, who were placed 1st and 2nd in the live Kahoot competition!
Between September and November we welcomed a 4th year Chemistry student from the University of St Andrews into our department for a teaching placement. This collaboration was a wonderful opportunity for St Leonards pupils to engage with an undergraduate, ask questions, and further develop subject knowledge.
In MYP students have experienced new curriculum themes to ignite interest and develop higher order thinking skills: Crime Scene Investigation (Forensic Science techniques), Shipwreck (factors affecting rate of decay), and Chocolate Chemistry (mixtures, melting point, tempering).
Innovation:
STEM and Junior Science Clubs have been popular choices in co-curricular time! They challenge students to work in teams, develop problem solving skills, be creative, and use cross-curricular knowledge to construct models, explain observations, and suggest alternative solutions. Favourite activities were ferris wheel, fluffy slime, bouncy balls, helicopter spinners, and musical beakers.
Chemistry teaching staff have been focussing on developing their own professional practice through experimenting with AI, and trialling innovative teaching approaches based on current Educational Research.
Success:
St Leonards pupils were finalists in the Regional Finals (Fife, Tayside, and Angus) held at the University of St Andrews in January. Congratulations go to Captain Lewis H, Fergus F, Tristan C, and Sarah M, who were crowned ‘Runners Up’!
The Collaborative Science Project, a compulsory element for both DP and CP Courses, saw Year 12 competing against each other in teams to solve 18 different challenges across all sciences in one day - no mean feat! Congratulations go to Group 12 (Henry S, Kayleigh N, Heidi M, Monika G, and Tristan V) who placed first.
A final and worthy commemoration goes to our wonderful lab technicians, without whom none of this is possible. You make the magic happen. Sincerest thanks.
Beverley Hood Head of Chemistry
The 2024-25 academic year has been an exciting and enriching journey for all Biology students at St Leonards. From classroom learning to immersive fieldwork and inspiring lectures, our students have delved deeply into the wonders of biological sciences.
Some enthusiastic students attended a trip to Surgeons Hall at the University of Edinburgh for the Christmas Lecture. The lecture was titled ‘visualising surgery, modelling innovation’ and focused on the use of 3D printing and machines for complex surgery and to support organs for transplant.
In May, Year 12 students embarked on a pivotal field trip to the Blencathra Field Station in the Lake District. This trip was essential to give them hands-on experience of Ecology investigations. They sampled river and hillside ecosystems and used the mark-release-recapture method to estimate small populations, bringing textbook concepts to life. The combination of experiences in the field and academic lectures significantly enriched our students’ understanding of biology. They have fostered a deeper appreciation for the complexities of natural ecosystems, the associated global ecological issues and strategies being used to overcome them.
During the summer term, Year 8 pupils undertook an engaging research project on animal digestion, each selecting an animal of their choice to study and present to the class. The project was met with great curiosity and enthusiasm, with pupils demonstrating both creativity and scientific research in their work.
Adding a memorable and personal touch to their presentations, several pupils brought in their own pets to support their findings. Highlights included a visit from Maisie, a 13-week-old Golden Retriever puppy, and Barnaby the Tarantula, both of whom captured the attention (and hearts!) of the class. It was a wonderful way to bring learning to life and deepen understanding through hands-on experience.
As the year comes to a close, we celebrate the curiosity, dedication, and hard work of our Biology students. Their achievements are a testament to their passion for science and to the nurturing learning environment at St Leonards. We look forward to their future accomplishments and the continued pursuit of knowledge and discovery.
Rachel Deegan Head of Biology
In September the annual ESS trip to Blencathra saw students build up their field work investigation skills as we learnt how to gather data in the Yorkshire countryside. Despite the slightly damp conditions, pupils were able to enjoy and start to read and understand the beautiful but complex landscape.
In October the Year 9 cohort took a trip to Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. This was an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Earth and how the theories of Earth’s creation were researched in Scotland. As well as interacting with exhibits, pupils took part in an Earthquake planning activity which complimented their MYP unit of study.
Throughout the year, GCSE pupils have taken part in coastal and urban fieldwork, whilst we picked the perfect weather window for pupils in Year 10, the Year 11 classes experienced a very blustery afternoon and their resilience was impressive!
At the end of March, the department headed back to Iceland for a fabulous trip that included walking behind 3 waterfalls, a trip to Thingvellir National Park to see the tectonic plate boundary, a glacial walk and a trip to a deserted village, which two days later saw a fissure erupt. Fortunately the group was not in Reykjavik when the area experienced a magnitude 5 earthquake and we were at least 90 minutes away from the eruption that occurred on 1 April. Instead we went to visit Geysir, the Lava centre, and head into a lava tunnel.
Reflecting on another busy year in the Geography department, it’s clear that we’ve seen and experienced some fabulous geographical features on our journeys, that have been both national and international.
In April the Year 7 pupils attended an outdoor workshop run by GeoBus - an outreach project from the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at University of St Andrews. As part of their coastal unit they studied the flora and fauna of the rock pools at Castle Sands.
In June Year 9 pupils headed off on their Cultural Experience Trip, and what a trip it turned into!
Starting at Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall, we investigated how the Romans had developed the area into a functioning fort, complete with saunas and underfloor heating! We then travelled to Liverpool to visit the National Museum, the Museum of Liverpool, and the Beatles Experience, learning about the history and architecture of the city, as well as its famous residents. Our next stop was to visit the Manchester City Etihad Stadium, where we learnt how investment in the club had regenerated the area around it and had now become a massive sporting and cultural hub. Returning north, we visited Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, the Quayside of the River Tyne and then headed to Alnwick Castle - which is famous for its part in the Harry Potter films and for being the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Pupils were able to build their own castles and complete a Dragon Quest in the stable walls. On the final day, as we returned back to school, we visited Bamburgh Castle, strategically located on the north-east coast near to the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne.
The trip created some wonderful opportunities to explore the historic past - both ancient and modern, but more importantly it created memories that will last a lifetime.
Jill White Head of Geography
The 2024-25 academic year has been an exceptional one for the History department at St Leonards. For the Class of 2024, we are proud to celebrate our pupils’ highest ever IBDP History results, a testament to the dedication of our pupils and the hard work of our department team. Our IGCSE cohort also achieved an impressive 100% pass rate, reflecting consistent academic achievement and dedication from both students and staff.
Beyond examination success, our students have continued to engage critically and creatively with the past, exploring a diverse range of historical perspectives and developing the analytical skills that lie at the core of our subject. Inquiry-based learning remains at the heart of our teaching, especially in the MYP, encouraging students to ask challenging questions, draw evidence-based conclusions, and connect historical understanding to the modern world. This has seen Year 7 students engage with Zeus at Mount Olympus, highlighting the connections between his ancient world and our modern world, as well as evaluating the achievements of significant women in History, with a guest appearance from Mary, Queen of Scots. Year 8 journeyed through Ancient Carthage to the Space Race, and Year 9 examined the effect of technology on societies and how protest movements cause change. There is always an emphasis on interdisciplinary links and wider engagement with other subject areas, further fostered in the Year 9 Cultural trips (huge thanks to Mrs Moan and Mrs White) which included visits to Hadrian’s Wall, Castles at Alnwick and Bamburgh, as well as the history of Manchester City and The Beatles. We have also continued to support students through tailored feedback, structured preparation, and a supportive learning environment. Rewards for this are not only seen in examination results but also in individual confidence and capability. This saw for example Thomas R in Year 13 winning the prestigious Oxford University Julia Wood History Essay Competition, before going on to win a place at Oxford to study History. All of our IBDP historians worked incredibly hard, displaying commitment
and curiosity. They rigorously explored 20th Century topics that help underpin our current complex geopolitical climate, whilst also developing academic rigour and a growing confidence in presenting and debating complex ideas - skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. The IGCSE curriculum considers both western and eastern perspectives looking at both Russian and US History and we are delighted that many students have chosen to continue to study History in the Sixth Form, where these perspectives are further developed and explored.
As we look ahead, the department remains committed to innovation and excellence, ensuring that History at St Leonards continues to inspire curiosity, foster intellectual independence, and nurture a lifelong love of learning, qualities that lie at the heart of the IB and its ethos.
Damian Kell Head of History
2024-2025 was another vibrant year of language learning, intercultural exchange, and global citizenship at St Leonards. From international exchanges to community-based projects, pupils have embraced opportunities to develop linguistic skills while broadening their horizons.
From Bavaria to the Alps, and from environmental action to a myriad of linguistic endeavours, this year has exemplified the power of language to connect, inspire, and empower. We commend all pupils and staff who have embraced these opportunities with curiosity, courage, and openmindedness — true ambassadors of the IB Learner Profile.
In May, five pupils participated in an enriching exchange with Schloss Neubeuern, a boarding school nestled in the heart of Bavaria. Accompanied by Ms Schoenfeld, the group received a warm welcome with a traditional Bavarian dinner before settling into school life.
Cultural highlights included an excursion to Rosenheim, a visit to Munich amidst the excitement of the Champions League final, and a memorable day in Salzburg — complete with the unexpected discovery that they had crossed into Austria without passports. One pupil reflected:
“This was
an amazing
opportunity
to explore
another
country
independently. The school was so welcoming, and the exchange helped me improve my German in a fun and supportive way.”
The partnership continued in June with a return visit from Schloss Neubeuern pupils to St Leonards, strengthening bonds of friendship and international understanding.
Elsewhere, pupils enjoyed a week at Le Régent International School in the Swiss Alps, accompanied by Miss Julie Curtet. Pupils were paired with Le Régent buddies and immersed in school life through lessons, a historical tour of Sion, and a careers fair — all conducted in French. The week also included two golf tournaments, where our pupils performed admirably. The exchange fostered academic growth, resilience, and intercultural competence.
Back on campus, Year 9 pupils engaged in a creative Frenchlanguage project on sustainability. As part of their MYP community engagement, pupils designed posters and campaigns promoting ecoconscious living. The project culminated in a collaborative beach clean-up, reinforcing the connection between language learning and environmental action.
This year’s Mandarin Club comprised mainly Year 12 pupils who demonstrated strong commitment and enthusiasm. Through interactive sessions led by native speakers, pupils developed their skills via role-plays and conversation practice, taking pride in their progress and linguistic confidence.
In preparation for future certification, Year 6 pupils sat a mock DELF Prim A1 exam. With formal A1 or A1.1 exams planned for next year, students approached the challenge with dedication and competitive spirit. All St Leonards French teachers are certified DELF instructors and examiners, ensuring a high standard of teaching and preparation.
We are excited to announce the launch of the Language Olympiad Club in the coming academic year. Open to all levels, this co-curricular initiative will offer pupils the chance to develop their linguistic and logical thinking skills through national and international competitions. The club will include challenges in vocabulary, grammar, logic, and cultural knowledge — an ideal opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom.
Trump’s tariffs are a big talking point in the news and they are likely to significantly affect international trade. In Economics, we try to understand the pattern of exports. Why do countries export the goods and services that they do? Do countries specialise and trade according to their absolute advantage as outlined by Adam Smith? Or do countries specialise according to the theory of comparative advantage as outlined by David Ricardo? If so, what are the sources of comparative advantage? Or do free trade agreements and protectionism play a more important role in determining what countries export?
The graphics provided (from the Observatory of Economic Complexity) show the breakdown of goods exports for 4 different countries. Are you able to identify these countries? Email the correct answers to Mr Funcasta at p.funcasta@stleonards-fife.org. The first five correct answers will be entered into a draw to win a prize!
Hint: each country is from a different continent. China is the biggest exporter in the world and the value of its goods exports is $3.4trn.
If you enjoyed this puzzle, then we recommend that you play the OEC Tradle game. We often play OEC Tradle at the end of an Economics lesson in order to improve our understanding of international trade.
Pablo Funcasta Head of Economics
It’s been another fantastic year for Business Management (BM), with its popularity soaring as we welcomed over 30 enthusiastic students! Our focus extends beyond just theoretical knowledge; we emphasise the practical application of business concepts. A true highlight of the course is witnessing pupils transform theory into practice through their presentations.
Earlier this year, students were divided into groups and challenged to develop new business ideas ranging from cafés and mobile hairdressers to after-school activities and even energy drinks. Their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit were outstanding and continued to shine throughout the year.
The introduction of Social Enterprise into the syllabus has further enriched their understanding of real-world business applications.
This inspirational topic has encouraged our BM students to think beyond profit, considering the wider social impact of their ventures.
This year, the St Leonards Enterprise Programme (STEP) saw the successful formation of ten innovative companies, each developing a diverse range of products including handmade bracelets, handmade bags and keyrings, bag accessories, mugs, and more.
Throughout this journey, our students gained invaluable experience, mastering not only entrepreneurial skills but also crucial organisational capabilities, time management, and interpersonal communication –essentially, everything required to operate a real-life company. Due to overwhelming demand, we introduced a semi-
final round, where each company produced a compelling “Elevator Video.” These videos eloquently captured their experiences, outlining the challenges they overcame, the successes they celebrated, and why they deserved a spot in the final. Seven dedicated teachers meticulously evaluated these submissions, and we were thrilled to see “Little Darlings,” “Etoile,” “Aura,” and “Blue Tree Designs” advance to the grand final.
The final presentations, held before the entire year group and a panel of five judges, showcased an incredibly high standard of talent. The competition was fierce, making the judges’ decision exceptionally challenging.
I am immensely proud of the tremendous effort, remarkable professionalism, and
advanced entrepreneurial skills demonstrated by all the students in STEP this year. Their commitment extended beyond business acumen, as every company generously donated a portion of their profits to a charity of their choice, showcasing their valuable contribution to the community.
Paula Prudencio-Aponte Business Management Teacher & STEP Coordinator
4th place
Blue Tree Designs
Best and Most Original Video
3rd place Etoile
Best Social Media Presence and Best Presentation
2nd place Little Darlings
Best Concept and Product Idea
1st place Aura Company of the Year
On 10 October, the IB Career-related Programme pupils successfully organised the Tom Morris Championship as part of their “Managing an Event” module. Open to all St Leonards pupils, the event showcased their hard work, collaboration, and passion for golf.
Special recognition goes to Project Manager, Ewen F, and Marketing Manager, Kira K, for their leadership in making the event a success. Prizes were awarded at the end of the day, presented by Julian G, who had recently won the Stephen Gallacher Open Golf Tournament.
The pupils learned valuable lessons that will undoubtedly benefit their future careers.
Year 13 CP students Kira K, Violet H, Ewen F, Kasper H, and Daniel S, pictured here with their Language Development teacher, Ms De Celis-Lucas, celebrated the end of their course with a lunchtime visit to Sol y Sombra, a cosy tapas bar in Broughty Ferry. The group enjoyed the opportunity to practice their Spanish in a real-world setting while sharing a meal in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The lunch was a chance to reflect on their journey over the past two years, connect with classmates and teachers, and mark the culmination of their hard work.
Computer Science at St Leonards develops the foundational skills to enable students to use, program, and design the technology of the future.
The Year 8 Design module saw students enjoy developing skills in Robotics and programming. Students learned to program BBC Micro:Bit devices to interact with their environment. Applying those skills they designed and built 20 robots that carried out a variety of tasks. Many students developed digital remote controls for their robots and others programmed them to interact with their environment. The course also includes a brief module in web design where students learn basic HTML, and how to style their websites using cascading style sheets.
The Year 9 unit focussed on computer game design. Pupils developed their coding skills by creating characters, backgrounds, and other sprites, and learning how to control them with the keyboard and mouse and program interactions between objects. Variables such as score and health were also included. Their end of unit project saw about 40 excellent graphical computer games developed.
The GCSE cohort continues to study the foundations of Computer Science. Pupils delve into the details of how computer processors work, how data is represented in computer memory, and how computers communicate with each other. Computational thinking focuses heavily on coding in Python where about 1,000 computer programs in total were written. Pupils also design algorithms to solve problems and learn how to produce robust, reliable systems.
This year, Coding Club has seen students work on a variety of projects including complex Scratch games, programming challenges in Python and C++ and robotics.
Robert MacGregor Teacher of Computer Science
It’s been a brilliant year in the Psychology department, full of exploration, debate, and new experiences that have deepened our understanding of the human (and non-human!) mind.
One of the year’s highlights was our Psychology trip to Edinburgh Zoo in September, where our Year 13 students took part in an immersive session at the zoo’s Education Centre on Animal Behaviour. Through studying Comparative Psychology (the study of non-human behaviour), students explored the social dynamics, evolution, and behavioural adaptations of primates and other animals around the zoo. They also had the chance to consider how psychological research contributes to improving animal welfare, before conducting their own pilot observational studies at the primate centre. It was an inspiring and memorable day, and a valuable opportunity to see psychology in action beyond the classroom.
Back at school, our Year 12 and 13 students have continued to impress with their analytical thinking and curiosity. Congratulations go to Isha B, who was awarded the Year 13 Psychology Prize in recognition of her dedication, insight, and academic achievement, and to all of our Year 13 leavers who worked tirelessly in the run up to their final exams.
It’s a privilege to guide students as they make sense of human behaviour and reflect on how psychological knowledge can be used to support others and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive world. I’m particularly excited for the year ahead, as we welcome a large new cohort of Sixth Form students to the subject. The coming year also marks the launch of the new IB Psychology syllabus, offering fresh opportunities to explore new research and global perspectives on the mind and behaviour.
Dr Catherine Grainger Teacher of Psychology
These courses aim to take students beyond exam-focused learning, encouraging them to think independently, flexibly, and across subject boundaries. By engaging with complex, open-ended questions, students are not simply acquiring content but developing the habits of mind essential for navigating an increasingly complex world. These skills directly support their success across the curriculum and prepare them cognitively for Theory of Knowledge in the IBDP and the Ethics component of the IBCP.
The Year 7 ‘Knowledge Quest’ course tackles big questions from the outset, exploring ideas of space and time, and how humanity has come to understand its place in the universe. This is followed by a unit on artificial intelligence, tracing its development and examining where ethical boundaries should lie in our current and future societies.
In Year 10, students explore what it means to be human, asking fundamental philosophical questions as a basis for analysing AI Ethics and the evolving relationship between human and machine intelligence. Year 11 continues this journey, diving deeper into contemporary ethical dilemmas in AI and engaging with Political Philosophy. Students assess the strengths and weaknesses of different political systems, critically reflecting on the functioning of democracy, particularly during the lead-up to the 2024 US elections, and examining their roles as responsible citizens.
This year has marked the continued development of our innovative Philosophy and AI Ethics programme. Building on our vision to foster critical, creative, and interdisciplinary thinking, we introduced a new Year 10-11 Philosophy course with a dedicated focus on AI Ethics, alongside an interdisciplinary critical thinking course for Year 7, which also explores the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
These courses speak directly to the Socratic dictum: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” As highlighted in the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, analytical, creative, and flexible thinking are among the top five core skills needed in the future workforce - closely followed by technological literacy and AI awareness. Through Philosophy and AI Ethics, we aim to ground students in the best of timeless ideas, while equipping them to navigate the challenges of a fast-moving digital world. AI, like a train, is moving ever forward, and it is crucial our students are not only on board, but helping to steer it wisely, with human values keeping it on track.
Damian Kell Head of History & Curriculum Lead, Philosophy and AI Ethics
The English B & EAL department at St Leonards continues to grow and flourish. This year, we warmly welcomed Miss Louise Lacaille to teach IB Diploma English B alongside Miss Catherine Gratwick. Head of Department, Mrs Nicola Greener, is thrilled to have such an experienced languages teacher joining the team. Meanwhile, Mrs Rose Finley’s role as the School’s Learning Mentor continues to develop, supporting small groups and individuals across both the EAL and Learning Support departments. Her work is vital in helping students overcome significant barriers to learning, including English as an Additional Language (EAL), identified learning difficulties, and emerging or established mental health needs.
As an international school, with 31% of our students speaking more than one language, it is essential that both English and mothertongue languages are recognised, respected, and celebrated across the curriculum. The EAL department ensures excellence in integrated language learning from Years 1–13. This year, the department has expanded the use of the Oxford Placement Test to give students, teachers, and families greater awareness of CEFR levels. The internationally recognised qualification supports curriculum accessibility and provides evidence of English proficiency when transitioning between learning stages.
Students benefit from carefully structured programmes of study, opportunities to review class materials before each term, and additional resources such as vocabulary booklets and subject glossaries to enhance academic language. The department also collaborates closely with teachers across subjects to create inclusive, multilingual classrooms that value cultural diversity. Creative thinking, an essential part of the IB philosophy, is supported by EAL, providing the foundation for students to grow confidently in all areas of learning. Collaborative activities, such as building spaghetti towers, help students develop teamwork and relationship-building skills that last a lifetime.
Responsible for nurturing our bilingual and multilingual community, the English B & EAL department remains dedicated to providing high-quality education with an open-minded approach. By encouraging students’ individual talents, we help them succeed academically and personally. We look forward to another exciting year, continuing to welcome and support all bilingual and multilingual students and their families at St Leonards.
Nicola Greener Head of English B and EAL
Although considerably modified and altered by subsequent owners, the original structure was built c. 1520 by Alan Meldrum, Vicar of Leuchars, Professor of Theology at the University of St Andrews, and Canon of the Priory. A private residence from 1525 until 1926, when St Leonards School purchased it to house its library, Queen Mary’s House has enjoyed visitors such as Mary, Queen Of Scots, Charles II, Samuel Johnson, James Boswell, and HM the Queen Mother. Enjoyed now as a 21st-century library, housed in a wonderful 16th-century building, the building’s interconnecting rooms provide space for classes, group work, individual study, and activities. Most importantly, it is absolutely not haunted…
On the ground floor is The Vaults, an inviting, informal space full of sofas and comfortable chairs to relax, read and study. Always a popular space, this area houses our fiction collections in all languages. Pupils and staff can browse the shelves by genre or take inspiration from our Reading Lists or Bookflix noticeboard. Grab a book, find a sofa, blanket and cushion, and spend a relaxing period stretched out letting your mind wander through the pages of a book.
QML is excited to welcome its quincentenary in 2025, and 140 years since the beginning of the Library in 1885.
If an eBook or eAudio book is more to your liking then these can be accessed via our QML website or via the app. Our eBook collection can be translated into 150+ languages with grammatical workup and text to audio.
Upstairs is our Sir Robert Lorimer designed library providing plenty of study space. Pupils are supported by a collection of print resources and online collections are accessed via the QML website. The library is open in the evening and also weekends during exam time. From History IAs, to TOK essays, QML is the place to gain inspiration!
Angela Tawse Librarian
Y8 pupils put on their detective hats again to study some of the artefacts in QML to complete their History Summative Assessment, to learn what objects can tell us about the past. Objects to choose from included a 16thcentury coin called a Crookston Dollar, a 17th-century map and one of the School’s first school reports, from 1877.
A QML badge is a badge Ad Vitam. Awarded for services to the library, they are becoming well travelled indeed. Last year, one badge visited Paris and enjoyed the sights of the Eiffel Tower and L’Arc de Triumph. This year, a sojourn in Amsterdam took in the canals, clogs, windmills, waffles, Anne Frank’s House, and some sunflowers. Many thanks to St Leonards Senior Abby Edmonstone for keeping us updated!
At St Leonards, education thrives far beyond the confines of the traditional curriculum. We continuously seek to connect classroom learning with the wider world, demonstrating its real-world impact. Our unique location, nestled alongside a worldclass university, immerses our pupils in a town renowned for its intellectual engagement.
This spirit of inquiry is championed by our Ramsay Society, named for the distinguished academic and Senior, Agnes ‘Aganata’ Ramsay. The society serves as a hub for intellectual curiosity, meeting regularly throughout the year for vibrant discussions. This encouragement to explore ideas beyond the syllabus bore fruit this year, with our pupils achieving national success in highly competitive essay competitions. Nikita R (Year 11) and Mia O (Year 13) were Highly Commended in the world-renowned John Locke Essay Competition. Furthermore, Tom R (Year 13) won the prestigious Julia Wood Essay Competition in History at St Hugh’s College, Oxford—a success that was followed by a conditional offer to read History at the very same college.
The conversation was broadened by a diverse range of guest speakers who shared their expertise. Professor Sumantra Ray, a leading expert in global nutrition, offered a fascinating perspective on epigenetics and the role of nutrition in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Following the US election, Dr Vicki Sutton (Housemistress of Bishopshall) and Mr Ali Iromlou led a timely reflection on its aftermath. Our Year 12 pupils were treated to a particularly rich series of talks, including Professor Vivienne Wild on discovering new planets, debut novelist Josie Ferguson on writing historical fiction, Dr Karen Smillie on the science of Huntington’s disease, and a discussion on politics and diplomacy with John Edwards and Andrew Bradley (Senior).
These opportunities underline that a St Leonards education is about more than achieving excellent academic results; it’s about sparking a curiosity that lasts a lifetime.
There are very few clubs where you can accuse France of war crimes, declare war on the Vatican or make alliances with North Korea, and still be praised for your “fruitful debate”. This is Model United Nations.
Every week, a group of delegates take on complex global issues like humanitarian relief, nuclear war, and economic downfall—or not-so-serious topics like alien invasions or supervapes. Delegates deliver opening speeches, debate subtopics through moderated caucuses, and work together to write, amend, and vote on resolutions. All while Chairs maintain order with gavels or just plain shouting.
It may sound like chaos— and sometimes it is—but MUN is more than just an after-school club. It’s about creating a space where ideas are tested, voices grow louder, and a Year 7 in the back can deliver a speech so articulated that it silences the room. It’s where rules like “yield the floor” and “third-person pronouns” somehow become second nature, and where people argue passionately over clause
wording like it’s a matter of international law.
Yes, there are moments of total absurdity: we tried sending children into mines (more than once), but also moments that genuinely made people think. Experienced delegates can teach newcomers, on everything from how to write a resolution to how to insult a country diplomatically. And there is a lot of arguing, sure, but also laughter, inside jokes, and that rare blend of chaos and structure that somehow just works.
MUN isn’t just confined to our classrooms. Every year, we take our diplomacy on tour, to Edinburgh, Peebles, PSMUN in Athens and most recently, CWMUN in Rome. These conferences bring together students from all over the world to debate real-world issues in professional, highpressure settings, and our team consistently rises
to the occasion, bringing home awards like Best Delegate. Between intense committee sessions, getting lost on foreign metros, facing police in riot gear and scrambling to finish your work in the hotel lobby, these trips have become some of the most memorable parts of the MUN experience.
More excitingly, the 2nd iteration of StLMUN is coming in March 2026. Over three days, we’ll welcome like-minded, sharp-tongued, suitwearing students from around the world for what promises to be a whirlwind of diplomacy, debate, and gossip. After taking a break from hosting this year, we’re back with a brand new secretariat, bold plans, and the same spirit that made 2024 unforgettable.
“It
may sound like chaos—and sometimes it is— but MUN is more than just an afterschool club.”
2025 will be remembered as a defining year for the St Leonards Golf Academy, whose talented young players achieved extraordinary success on both international and national stages.
Victories at the Independent Schools Golf Association (ISGA) National Championships in England and the International Independent Invitational (III) in the United States have marked a defining season for the Academy, and confirmed St Leonards as one of the world’s leading schools for golf.
“To win the ISGA National Championships is a remarkable feat on its own, but to do so while balancing academic commitments, social lives, and a demanding travel schedule across Europe makes it even more impressive. This is a young, international team with extraordinary dedication, maturity, and resilience. They’ve represented St Leonards with excellence both on and off the course.”
Fintan Bonner, Director of Golf
In May, our golfers had a resounding triumph at the ISGA National Championships, held at Slaley Hall in Hexham. Competing against the very best independent school golfers from across the UK, the St Leonards team, Finlay H (Captain), Martin S, and Johann M, displayed outstanding consistency, composure, and teamwork to capture the prestigious national title.
This national victory marked a major milestone for the school’s Golf Academy and strengthened its position as a leader in youth golf development.
Global Glory at Crumpin-Fox
Hot on the heels of their ISGA success, the St Leonards team travelled to the United States for a tour of the North East, culminating in a spectacular victory at the International Independent Invitational (III), hosted at Crumpin-Fox Golf Club in Massachusetts.
After a closely fought contest with Wellington College, the final round saw St Leonards dig deep and surge ahead over the closing holes to claim the championship by nine strokes. It was a commanding team performance and a fitting finale to their US tour.
Martin S shot the low round of the tournament, a superb two-under-par 70, to finish second in the individual standings, while Captain Finlay H placed fifth and Johann M, one of the youngest competitors, finished seventh.
Special thanks were extended to Fintan Bonner, Director of Golf and Mrs Adrain, who chaperoned the team throughout the trip and provided invaluable support both on and off the course.
Based in the historic Home of Golf, St Leonards offers one of the UK’s most comprehensive school golf programmes, combining academic excellence with elite-level coaching in partnership with the St Andrews Links Golf Academy.
The dual triumphs at Slaley Hall and Crumpin-Fox make 2025 a year to remember; a season that showcased not only the skill of St Leonards golfers but their spirit, teamwork, and drive to succeed on the world stage.
Boarding is a truly special part of life at St Leonards. It is a privilege to be part of this community and to play a role in supporting each young person as they grow, flourish, and find their place in the world. To watch students build lifelong friendships, develop independence, and discover new passions is one of the great joys of working in boarding.
This is more than just a place to live—it is a home filled with opportunity. Whether it’s through shared meals, late-night conversations, weekend adventures, or moments of quiet reflection, boarding offers experiences that shape character and create memories that last a lifetime.
We encourage every boarder to embrace all that this wonderful community has to offer. Be open to new friendships, get involved in activities, step outside your comfort zone, and make the most of every moment. The boarding journey is a rich and rewarding one—and it begins here, together.
What a year it has been in St Rule! My first year as Housemistress has not been a dull one - it has been fun, challenging at times, but at the same time very rewarding. No day is ever the same in this house, and that’s what makes it such a great house to be part of. There are lots of different cultures and nationalities which creates a vibrant environment - it feels like we live within one big international family.
St Rule Boarding House is where our youngest boarders’ journeys begin - not just within a building, but within a vibrant, caring, and supportive community.
Here, our boarders don’t just find a home; they discover a family that nurtures their growth, celebrates their individuality, and supports them through every step of their journey. It’s a place where every smile, every shared moment, and every act of kindness fosters a sense of belonging.
Within its walls, students grow in confidence, resilience, and emotional maturity, before continuing their boarding journey into Bishopshall and Ollerenshaw. St Rule is where students from around the world come together to grow, form lasting friendships, that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. We hope our boarders carry with them the memories of their time at St Rule - the laughter shared, the friendships forged, and the growth experienced. These moments of their journey will always remind them of where it all began and the enduring presence of St Rule in their hearts.
At the heart of St Rule is a deep commitment to the wellbeing of each individual. The house is known for its welcoming atmosphere, where every student is supported not only in their academic journey but in their personal and emotional development too. It’s a place where diversity is celebrated and traditions are shared.
Each academic year brings a mix of new faces and familiar ones; returning boarders eager to reunite with friends and new boarders ready to begin their own journey. The transition into boarding can be a big step, but the nurturing environment makes it feel natural. Students settle quickly thanks to the strong support network of boarding staff and fellow students who help them feel at home, often within days of arriving.
Daily life in St Rule is full of variety and excitement from evening sport activities to weekend trips, inter-house events, socials, and movie nights, there’s always something happening. Shared laughter in the common rooms, quiet moments of study, adventurous trips and house celebrations all contribute to a sense of belonging. It’s in these everyday moments that students build trust, resilience, and friendships that often last well beyond their time at school.
“Whether it’s a first boarding experience or a final year before moving on, St Rule leaves a lasting impression on all who pass through its doors: a place of laughtr, learning, and lifelong memories.”
St Rule truly embodies the values of care, respect, and personal growth. It’s a place where pupils are encouraged to be the best version of themselves, supported every step of the way by staff. Whether it’s a first boarding experience or a final year before moving on, St Rule leaves a lasting impression on all who pass through its doors: a place of laughter, learning, and lifelong memories. Being Housemistress for the past year, I have learned a lot; watching our pupils grow and flourish is one of the most rewarding parts of my job and I am very privileged to be part of their journeys.
Johanna Banks Housemistress
A home away from home. That has always been at the heart of boarding life at St Leonards, and the ultimate goal of the dedicated staff who work in each house.
“At Bishopshall, we’re more than just a boarding house—we’re a community where laughtr, support, and lasting friendships are part of daily life. It’s a place where we grow in confidence, feel at home, and look out for one another.”
Hannah L (Head of House 2025/26)
Bishopshall certainly succeeds in providing this. With a full house this year, 67 in total, there is always something going on, and yet our busy home never fails to also feel warm and caring. Our housemistress, Dr Vicki Sutton, endlessly highlights to visitors and newcomers how kind the girls in BH are, and not without good reason.
The supportive environment that is Bishopshall can be clearly seen through the academic peer support that the girls bring to each other, and their remarkable dedication to their studies. The girls have taken this dedication to their studies and used it to help support each other, and younger students, through the ‘Peer Support’ scheme, led by our incoming Head of House, Hannah L. However, even beyond formal support systems, it only takes a quick lap around the house during exam season to see not only how hard the girls are working and how ambitious they are, but also how much support they bring to each other.
The Year 13s taking full advantage of their ‘Year 13 Snug’ for group study sessions. It’s such a popular space, that we even expanded our shared study areas to a newly renovated common space! Special mention to Carson H and Stella for their painting skills.
Academics aside, life is about balance! And with 67 girls, there is always something occurring. From golf to horse riding, jewellery making to perfecting our chocolate fondue technique (ensuring enough chocolate coverage while hoping not to drop it everywhere…), the girls have a vast array of interests and talents. This was highlighted at our two boarders’ concerts during the year organised by Marie W and Marie H respectively. Here we saw just how talented some of our girls aredefinitely a highlight for Miss Pettigrew! Elsewhere, Bishopshall’s Baker-inChief, Miss Campbell, has kept us fully stocked with treats and her world famous scones! However, she has faced challenges for her podium from Cara K, Chiara M, and Hannah S, resident bakers for birthdays, end of term or just because - that is if they can fit into the busy kitchen schedule where so many others are cooking up a storm!
“The people in Bishopshall are my second family.”Marie
H
These cooking skills were put to the test when the girls of Bishopshall hosted a Chinese New Year celebration, coordinated by Mrs Pollard, with delicious cooking, games, and entertainment, lovingly created by Jessica P, Sofia R, Angela C, Olivia C, and Emily Z. The girls invited friends, day and boarders alike, to join them for the evening and celebrate. Far from the only studentorganised event of the year, the Summer Season Soirée, curated by Catharina Carl and Paula Wendland, was truly the perfect way to close out the year - only further improved by a group ‘get ready with me’ in the kitchen, epitomising the culture and character of our home away from home.
Dr Vicki Sutton Housemistress
“Bishopshall is full of laughtr, quality moments, and shared memories - it is the best second Home I could ask for!”
Catharina C
Taking over as Housemaster of Ollerenshaw in August it very quickly became clear to me just how sociable and friendly a boarding house this is.
The kitchen and common areas have been buzzing with energy throughout the year, and there is a continual stream of boys popping into the duty room for a chat. I was keen to ensure that the themes of kindness and respect underpin everything we do in Ollerenshawwhether this is helping new boys settle in, giving each other space to study, collaborating in the kitchen, or just being an open-minded listener, it has been such a pleasure to see the boys living harmoniously as they learn and grow together.
Our beautiful kitchen remains the heart of the house. It has seen hundreds of tasty steaks, risottos, pizzas, and pasta feasts cooked up, although cheese and ham toasties remain the number one snack of choice. Our inaugural Masterchef Challenge was a fantastic way for the boys to show off their skills in the kitchen and I felt very lucky to get to taste their marvelous creations!
Improving the table tennis, darts and pool options has kept the other common spaces packed too. This freeflowing social space has made Ollerenshaw a popular place for our weekly socials, organised with so much energy by Mr Pennycook and Mrs Pollard. Themed evenings such as Halloween, Valentine’s, and the Summer Soiree have given pupils multiple chances to dress up and practice their dance moves. These nights
often end up back in Ollerenshaw kitchen with the karaoke microphone and the tunes pumping. There have even been a couple of impromptu ceilidhs in our car park!
Another highlight of this year was managing to take two day trips to Scottish ski resorts. It was such a pleasure to show our international boarders the stunning highland scenery and give them a chance to practise their turns under blue skies, and on fresh snow. When the spring arrived we put a new volleyball net up in our beautiful garden. This has been fantastically popular, and offers daily opportunities for the boarding and day communities to mix. I am also delighted that the Saturday morning cold-water dook has carried on: a great way to begin the weekend! When I think back over this academic year I remember many other highlights: boarder concerts in the auditorium; cinema trips to Dundee; evening squash, tennis and football sessions; outdoor Pilates; Secret Santa gifts… I could go on but the real highlight of the year has been to feel the warmth of this fabulous boarding community in Ollerenshaw.
Paul Shiells Housemaster
“It was such a pleasure to show our intrnational boarders the stunning highland scenery and give them a chance to practise their turns under blue skies, and on fresh snow.”
As my first academic year as Director of Sport at St Leonards draws to a close, I reflect with immense pride on the dedication and passion demonstrated by our students, staff, and parent community.
Your unwavering support, from early morning dropoffs to enthusiastic sideline cheering, is truly invaluable and deeply appreciated. The spirit of sport within our school community is not just strong: it’s thriving and continually growing.
Our vision for St Leonards sport is rooted in a philosophy that prioritises maximal student participation, champions competitive sport, and guarantees excellent opportunities for all. We firmly believe in the intrinsic value of competitive sport, whether through vibrant inter-house “Island Days,” challenging school fixtures, or exciting sports tours.
Looking ahead to the next academic year, we are enthusiastic about the comprehensive opportunities available and our commitment to supporting all sportspeople, from those discovering a new passion to our high-performing athletes. Sport and physical activity truly embody our school motto, “Ad Vitam” – for life. We eagerly anticipate another year of significant growth, rewarding challenges, and collective success on and off the field.
Daniel Main Director of Sport
“The spirit of sport within our school community is not just strong: it’s thriving and continually growing.”
The 2024-25 academic year has been a testament to the dedication, sportsmanship, and burgeoning talent within our Senior Boys’ sporting programmes. From the rugby pitch to the football field, and the basketball court, our students have embraced challenges, celebrated successes, and developed invaluable life skills that extend far beyond the game.
Football saw a strong start, with our Year 8 and 9 teams kicking off the season at the Robert Gordon Academy Football Tournament, demonstrating exemplary attitude and work ethic. We entered competitive teams into the Scottish Independent Schools leagues for U18 and U15 boys, and have entered the Fife Schools Football leagues, ensuring all teams had ample opportunity for action. Every senior boy participated in football as part of their games programme, with additional after-school opportunities fostering a deeper passion for the sport.
Our collaboration with Madras Rugby Club continues to thrive, enabling St Leonards to field a record number of teams from U13 to U18. This programme is steadily expanding, with several students achieving representation at regional and national levels. Highlights included a fantastic win for our U16s in the Scottish bowl final at Murrayfield. They were cheered to victory by a very noisy and colourful band of supporters. The spirit showed was a perfect example of what a strong sporting culture can do for the school.
Basketball continues its rapid growth. Senior boys had opportunities to participate in games lessons and various activity choices, with our senior team successfully competing in the Fife Schools’ Basketball League, showcasing their developing skills and competitive spirit. Similarly, Hockey saw vigorous pre-season training, preparing players for a challenging fixture list and building team cohesion.
Beyond specific sports, our commitment to enhancing performance and support has been a key focus. Strength and Conditioning has been integrated across all sports. We are incredibly proud of the resilience, teamwork, and passion displayed by our Senior Boys this year.
“ The spirit showed was a perfect example of what a strong sporting culture can do for the school.”
The Senior Girls’ sporting calendar for 2024-25 has been vibrant and hugely successful, reflecting the growing engagement and competitive spirit of our female athletes. Our comprehensive programme ensured diverse opportunities, fostering skill development, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for physical activity.
Netball emerged as a significant focus area this academic year, responding directly to feedback from our community sports survey. Senior School students embraced afterschool activities, and netball was integrated into all games lessons during the Spring Term. This dedicated attention has allowed the programme to develop significantly, and we are now establishing competitive fixtures, providing our girls with invaluable match experience and a platform to showcase their talent. Our entry into the Fife School Leagues for Netball was a proud moment, marking a new chapter for the sport at St Leonards. Hockey continues to be a cornerstone of our girls’ sports offering. The team underwent rigorous preseason training, including conditioning, skill drills, and match scenarios, demonstrating their commitment from the outset. Congratulations to Jil R, who captained the 1st XI this season with exemplary leadership. Our hockey teams continued their strong presence within the Scottish
Schools Conference, facing challenging competition and displaying remarkable resilience and teamwork throughout the season.
Football for girls has also seen significant growth. Alongside the boys, our girls’ U18 and U15 teams entered the Scottish Independent Schools leagues, providing regular competitive opportunities. Additional after-school sessions ensured that girls of all ages could develop their skills and passion for the sport in a supportive environment. Basketball, too, has garnered positive feedback, with girls actively participating in games lessons and senior teams competing in the Fife Schools’ Basketball League.
Beyond team sports, our girls have excelled in individual pursuits. Running Club, led by Mr. Gough, remained popular, with students participating in events like the Scottish Schools Athletics Road Race. This year has truly celebrated the strength, determination, and inspiring achievements of our Senior Girls.
At St Leonards, our Junior School sports programme is meticulously designed to ignite a lifelong passion for physical activity, fostering holistic development where every child can discover the joy of movement and build essential skills. This past academic year has seen remarkable engagement and growth across all age groups, laying strong foundations while championing our core school values.
For our youngest learners in Early Years (Years 1-3), the focus has been on building fundamental movement skills (FMS). With three dedicated Physical Education lessons per week, our comprehensive programme meticulously crafted for Kindergarten to Year 3 emphasised movement and spatial awareness, throwing and catching, and striking and fielding. Our primary goals were to enhance coordination, agility, and balance, build teamwork and confidence, and introduce basic concepts of games and sports through inclusive and engaging activities using age-appropriate equipment. The dynamic and enjoyable learning environment has been a joy to witness. Students in Years 4-6 benefited from a balanced programme featuring two Games lessons and one Physical Education lesson per week. The Games lessons introduced students to competition within our Core Sports: Hockey, Football, Cross Country, Tennis, and Athletics. Competitive fixtures were consistently held on Wednesday afternoons, with Miss Dawson finalising a comprehensive fixture list that provided ample opportunities for students across all core sports. We maintained strong relationships with Fife Cluster Primary Schools and nearby independent schools, ensuring a broad variety of enriching experiences.
Swimming remains a cornerstone, with all Junior School students receiving a dedicated lesson every week. Our progressive aims initially focused on water confidence and safety, advancing to basic stroke techniques, reinforcing crucial water safety, and ultimately improving technique, independence, and endurance. It has been inspiring to see the progress and confidence gained by our young swimmers.
St Leonards’ burgeoning reputation as a premier golfing school extends robustly into our Junior School. Every student had the invaluable opportunity to learn golf, with a dedicated block of SNAG Golf in the PE curriculum for Term 3, providing a fun and accessible introduction. Regular visits from St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA) coaches provided outstanding co-curricular offerings on campus. With the recent appointment of Mr Chadwick as a dedicated Golf Academy Coordinator, these experiences are being further enhanced, leveraging the worldclass facilities in St Andrews and strengthening our partnership with St Andrews Links. We are incredibly excited about the holistic development and opportunities awaiting our Junior School students in sport.
The St Leonards Golf Academy continues to set the benchmark for school golf in the UK, combining academic excellence with sporting ambition.
With more than 180 pupils enrolled across eight progressive tiers, the Academy offers a structured pathway for golfers of all ages and abilities, from Year 1 beginners to elite international competitors.
Through its long-standing partnership with the St Andrews Links Trust, pupils train on some of the world’s most iconic fairways and enjoy access to outstanding facilities, including advanced swing-analysis systems such as TrackMan, Toptracer, Digital V1 Pro, SAMPuttLab, and BodiTrak BalanceLab. Together with expert coaching and a holistic performance framework, this creates a learning environment unlike any other.
The structured Golf Academy, comprising Minis, Cadets, Introduction, Q School Junior Development, Development, Performance, and High Performance, enables every pupil to progress at their own pace. Whether earning their first handicap or competing in global tournaments, students are nurtured to reach their full potential.
“Excellence in Golf, Inspired by St Andrews.”
The 2024/25 season has delivered another series of outstanding results across all levels of competition. At national level, St Leonards captured the U15 National Golf Championship title, overcoming long-time rivals Loretto School in a close and spirited final, and the High Performance Team triumphed at the ISGA National Championships. These victories were proud moments for the Academy and reminders of the depth of talent within our squads.
Further afield, the High Performance Team achieved global recognition by being crowned World Champions at a major international schools event, an extraordinary achievement that reflects the Academy’s growing global reputation. Director of Golf Fintan Bonner described the win as “a reflection of the players’ professionalism, preparation, and belief — qualities that define the St Leonards ethos.”
The Academy is equally proud of its younger players, with rising stars such as Annie P (Year 9) claiming success on the junior circuit this season. Her victory in a recent national event highlights the promising new generation of golfers now emerging through the lower tiers of the programme.
Beyond trophies and titles, the Academy’s greatest achievement lies in the culture it cultivates: one of discipline, sportsmanship, and mutual support. Pupils learn to balance academics with training, competition, and travel, developing the skills and resilience that will serve them long after they leave St Leonards. As preparations begin for the 2025/26 season, there is a renewed sense of confidence and pride across the school. From regional championships to world-class tournaments, the Golf Academy continues to exemplify the spirit of excellence that defines St Leonards — inspired, as ever, by its unique home in St Andrews, the birthplace of golf.
A highlight of the year was the appointment of Martin S as the 2024/25 Tom Morris Scholar, a distinction recognising outstanding achievement, dedication, and skill in golf. A standout member of the High Performance team, Martin has also been selected for the Swiss National Boys Team 2025. The scholarship, presented by Sheila Walker, Tom Morris’ great-greatgranddaughter, honours golfers who embody the values and traditions of St Andrews, the spiritual home of the game. Martin’s success, both as a player and as a role model, exemplifies those principles of integrity, perseverance, and excellence.
Celebrating 100 years since Kitty Godfree’s historic triple Grand Slam finals and honouring two St Leonards sistrs who shaped women’s sport.
Sisters Kathleen “Kitty” Godfree, (1909-1914, S.R.W. ) and Margaret “Peggy” Stocks, (1909-1913, S.R.W.), nee McKane, both attended St Leonards and shared a lifelong passion for sport. Each served their House, St Rule West, as Captain of Games and through their outstanding achievements, created a sporting legacy that continues to inspire more than a century later.
The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Kitty’s extraordinary achievement as the first person to reach the tennis singles finals of Wimbledon, the U.S. Championships, and the French Championships in their career. Considered the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Kitty won the Wimbledon ladies singles title twice; first in 1924 when she mounted a stunning comeback from a set and 4-1 down to defeat American Helen Wills, and again in 1926. Wills avenged the 1924 defeat in the US Championships of 1925, where she beat Kitty in the final on home ground. Also in 1925 at the French Championships final, Kitty lost to Frenchwoman Suzanne Lenglen.
In 1922, Kitty and her sister Peggy made history, becoming the only sisters to contest a Wimbledon doubles final - an unmatched record until Venus and Serena Williams repeated this feat in 2000. Kitty also won two Wimbledon mixed doubles titles: one in 1924 and another in 1926 with her husband, Leslie. Fittingly, in 1977, the centenary year of both Wimbledon and St Leonards, Kitty was honoured on Centre Court with a Wimbledon Centenary Medallion.
Kitty’s international career extended to Olympic level. 105 years ago, she competed at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games, winning three medals: gold in women’s doubles, silver in mixed doubles, and bronze in women’s singles. Kitty returned for the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, earning another silver and bronze, bringing her total to five Olympic medals in tennis.
A record that stood unchallenged for 92 years until Venus Williams equalled her tally in 2016. To this day, Kitty remains
Britain’s joint second most successful female Olympian.
It is poignant that during the 1924 “Chariots of Fire” Olympics, where Eric Liddell famously refused to sacrifice his beliefs and run on the Sabbath, Kitty competed at the same Games as Liddell. Both athletes exemplified integrity, perseverance, and excellence in their respective fields. St Leonards marked the centenary of Liddell’s stand in 2024.
In addition to her tennis triumphs, Kitty was also a superb badminton player, beginning her run of eight titles at the All England Open Badminton Championships between 1920 and 1925. At that time, the tournament was regarded as the unofficial Badminton World Championships. Peggy too made her mark, winning the singles title in 1925 and, with her sister, the doubles titles in 1921 and 1924.
In recognition of her extraordinary sporting achievements, Kitty Godfree was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1978.
As St Leonards celebrates this centenary year of her landmark 1925 season, we look back with pride on the McKane sisters: pioneers whose passion, talent, and sportsmanship embody the very best of the St Leonards spirit.
IBDP Results
IBCP Results
GCSE Results
36
Average IB Point Score, our highest on record
5 Scores above 43 points 86% Scored 7/6/5 at Higher Level
Top University Destinations: University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, King’s College London
100%
Merits & Distinctions
163
Average UCAS Tariff Points
Top University Destinations:
242 Highest Ever Score (Violeta H)
Furman University, Iowa State, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Hult International Business School, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Dundee 96% Achieved Grades 9-4 55% Achieved Grades 9, 8, 7
20 Pupils Achieved 9/8 in 6+ Subjects
On Friday, 23 May, our annual Prizegiving for Years 7–13 was held at Holy Trinity Church in St Andrews, bringing together pupils, families, staff, and friends to celebrate another year of achievement and the graduating Class of 2025.
The ceremony opened with a warm welcome from Philip Petersen, Chair of the Board of Governors, followed by an inspiring Head’s Address from Mr Simon Brian. Music was woven into the celebration, with the St Leonards Choir performing moving renditions of My Soul, There Is A Country by Hubert Parry, and John Rutter’s For The Beauty of the Earth.
Prizes were awarded across the Senior School, recognising outstanding academic, creative, sporting, and service achievements. The ceremony also paid tribute to our Year 13 leavers, with an address from Mr Eric Heitmann, former San Francisco 49ers American football player, celebrating their hard work and contributions to school life, while offering some wise
words for the future.
This year’s Heads of School, Madeleine F and Patrick P, delivered a memorable joint address, reflecting on their experiences and the legacy of the Class of 2025. The theme of legacy ran throughout their words, as they encouraged younger pupils to seize every opportunity, make memories, and leave their own mark, whether through kindness, creativity, or leadership. Closing with gratitude, Maddie and Paddy thanked teachers, parents, and their peers for the experiences that have defined their time at St Leonards.
The event concluded with closing words from Mr Brian, before the graduating Class of 2025 were piped back to school to enjoy the traditional strawberry tarts, ahead of an evening of celebration at the Leavers’ Ball, which took place in the Old Course Hotel.
It was a day of celebration and reflection, honouring the achievements of our prizewinners and bidding a fond farewell to the Class of 2025 as they embark on their next chapter.
Esteemed Members of our Board of Governors, Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, Parents, Pupils, and our Year 13 class of 2025: it is such a privilege to stand before a community that values learning, service, and education so highly. Whether you’re a familiar face or joining us for the first time, your presence makes this day truly special. My warmest thanks go to the team here at Holy Trinity for hosting us and ensuring today’s celebration runs smoothly.
It is a particular honour to welcome our Guest Speaker, Mr Eric Heitman, whose journey, as we will all shortly learn, exemplifies so many of the qualities we strive to instil in our young people - resilience, passion, and leadership. Eric was a professional American footballer, but not just any footballer - he was starting center and team-captain for the San Francisco 49ers. Eric is also an incredibly talented musician, and music has been fundamental in his life. His insights on the importance of a rounded life will no doubt inspire us all.
I’m also delighted to welcome back Eilidh Grant, from the class of 2015 and former Pupil Head of School who once walked in your shoes, and now returns as a Senior to offer your year group encouragement, and welcome you into our Seniors community.
Before turning our attention to our leavers, I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to every St Leonards pupil for your outstanding achievements this year. Each of you has contributed to making this school a place of curiosity, camaraderie, and excellence. So many of you have achieved great things in sport, blown us away with a rousing musical performance, raised the curtain on a stirring drama, and given the School’s academic life your very best; all your combined efforts represent the incredibly rich tapestry of our life here at St Leonards. None of this would be possible without the steadfast support of your parents and the tireless dedication of our teachers.
To our teachers - I see it every day: your passion for your profession, your expertise in your subjects and the genuine care for each young person’s journey are the bedrock of our success; the influence you have on our pupils is so positive, and we are enormously grateful, especially at what I know is a busy and challenging time.
To all the parents here today: your encouragement with morning routines, sports matches, musical and theatrical performances, and late-night revision have been the steady hand guiding our pupils. Your support has been invaluable, and if you feel moved to invest in the future of this community, I invite you to consider making a gift to St Leonards. Whether large or small, your generosity helps us to enhance our facilities, broaden our bursary programme, and ensure that every child - no matter their background - has the opportunity to thrive. In giving, you become partners in our mission to nurture not just scholars, athletes and artists, but compassionate, capable citizens of the world.
Each year we also bid farewell to valued colleagues whose professional impact and personal warmth have left an indelible mark on our community.
Bill Peat, Maintenance Assistant, retired earlier this year after 13 years of service. Bill could always be relied upon to go the extra mile, quietly but always with care, pride, and an unwavering commitment to the smooth running of our school. His steady presence will be deeply missed. Thank you, Bill, for everything you’ve done and for joining us today.
We say goodbye to Aileen Rees…, whose infectious enthusiasm in the biology labs have sparked countless magic moments, and whose career guidance and pastoral care in Houses and in our Sixth Form have been invaluable to the young people growing up in our community since she began her St Leonards journey in 1994. Aileen’s wise counsel and dedicated service have been truly outstanding and enriched our school in countless ways.
And to Catherine Brannen, whose care and passion for our Junior School has been a guiding light for so many of our younger pupils. Catherine joined us in 2019 and
her passion for, and understanding of, the Primary Years Programme has been invaluable in the successful development of the PYP in our school.
Though you leave our day-to-day, your influence will remain in the laughter, achievements, and memories you’ve helped create. We will hold a full farewell event in late June to express our gratitude and wish all our departing staff the very best in their next chapters. Now to our Year 13; in true IB spirit let us take a moment for reflection. Pause to acknowledge just how far you’ve come - academically, personally, and as global citizens. Carry forward the experiences that have shaped you into whatever you pursue next. Our time together may be drawing to a close, but your journey is only beginning.
On the theme of experiences, I have chosen to do things slightly differently today and I’m going to read one of my favourite poems to you. It is by Simon Armitage, the UK’s poet laureate since 2019, a man who comes from close to where I grew up in northern England in the 1970s and 1980s. Before we hear Simon Armitage’s poem, I’d like to share a few words about it. Armitage reminds us that while some of life’s most profound moments often lie in grand adventures, they can also be just as poignant in the quiet, everyday experiences that change us from the inside. This poem really resonates with me, as his words invite us to listen for the ripples our own actions create, and to acknowledge the sensations that shape who we are. Leavers, as you prepare to step beyond St Leonards, Simon Armitage’s words remind us that it is not the magnitude of our adventures but the way they shape us that endures. Some of you may well go on to bum across America with only a dollar to spare, or pad barefoot through the Taj Mahal’s marble halls - but each simple moment here has left its imprint on you: the late-night laughter in the boarding houses, the nervous hush of expectation before a drama performance, the sensation of a coldwater dook, the thrill of that first goal or try scored, tuning your violin the first time you played in the auditorium, or the quiet companionship of studying with one another in QML - these everyday experiences have stirred something deep and meaningful within you, and I hope that these experiences remain with you.
Recall the image about the magic of ripples fanning out across still water; similarly, your kindness in a single friend’s moment of need, your curiosity in chasing up a challenging idea, your courage in tackling a fear when performing publicly: these are the small stones whose ripples extend far beyond that first cast. The lessons you’ve learned here - resilience, compassion, curiosity, courage, kindness - are the ripples that we all believe will shape who you become.
And when Armitage speaks of toying with a parachute cord while perched on the lip of a light-aircraft, he contrasts extreme risk with a simple act of care: I held the wobbly head of a boy at the day centre, and stroked his fat hands. You have not always faced dramatic trials, but the way you’ve supported each other - in friendships
It ain’t what you do, it’s what it does to you
I have not bummed across America with only a dollar to spare, one pair of busted Levi’s and a bowie knife. I have lived with thieves in Manchester.
I have not padded through the Taj Mahal, barefoot, listening to the space between each footfall picking up and putting down its print against the marble floor. But I skimmed flat stones across Black Moss on a day so still I could hear each set of ripples as they crossed. I felt each stone’s inertia spend itself against the water; then sink.
I have not toyed with a parachute cord while perched on the lip of a light-aircraft; but I held the wobbly head of a boy at the day centre, and stroked his fat hands. And I guess that the tightness in the throat and the tiny cascading sensation somewhere inside us are both part of that sense of something else. That feeling, I mean.
Simon Armitage
offered, in words of encouragement spoken - matters just as much. It is in those moments of empathy that we find that tiny cascading sensation of connection, that sense of something else: our shared community; our shared humanity.
So, to conclude, as you leave St Leonards, carry with you the knowledge that it ain’t the scale of your experiences but what they do to you. Let that tightness in your throat in graduation today remind you of the joy and the emotions you’ve known here. Let that something else guide you as you begin on new paths at university, in the workplace, or beyond. Congratulations, Class of 2025: my wish to you all is that the ripples of your time here continue to shape you, inspire you, and lead you onward with wonder and purpose.
Before we commence the Prizegiving, I have great pleasure in presenting the Robert Durward Memorial Prize. In memory of entrepreneur Robert Durward, this award celebrates the spirit of the IB Careers-related Programme - ethical leadership, creative problem-solving, and an entrepreneurial mindset. I am delighted to present it to Ewen Farquhar, who has excelled in this programme over the past two years.
We also wish to recognise two leavers whose commitment to St Leonards began thirteen years ago, both of whom joined St Leonards in Year 1, and today leave Year 13. To grow within one school from such a young age is a testament to dedication and the friendships forged along the way. Please join me in congratulating Ewen Farquhar and Tom Rowlands; would you please come forward to receive a memento of our school?
And now, the results of the 2024/2025 Inter-Island Challenge Shield.
Fourth place goes to Mull (1335)
Third place to Skye (1678)
Second place to Lewis (1880)
and first place to Harris…… with an impressive 1914 points. Your teamwork, resilience, and island pride have shone through - congratulations to every participant. I invite Island Leaders Kirsten Main and Noah Dollinger to collect the Shield on behalf of Harris
Thank you all for your presence, your support, and for celebrating the achievements of our St Leonards community. And now, please join me in welcoming our School Choir, whose voices will carry us forward.
Simon Brian Head
To begin, we would like to thank our wonderful guest speaker, Eric Heitmann, for his entertaining speech. We believe there is a lot to take from it as we all look towards the future.
For everyone who has not met us already, we are Maddie and Paddy, your outgoing pupil heads of school of 2025. It has been a delight representing such a high achieving student body and to see your successes during our time as heads of school.
Starting out as your pupil leadership team, we learnt three things about our headmaster very quickly. One - Mr Brian will catch you off guard at some point. Two - he will push you out of your comfort zone. As showcased when we were emailing hundreds of schools to attend our heads of school conference. Three - he will always have time to talk about his most recent round of golf. However, according to an anonymous source, he may still be a bit shaky on the rules. By having a head that so strongly believes in your potential, it is easy to make the most of your time here at St Leonards.
This leads us on to his favourite word - Legacy. When the leadership team was appointed, the first thing Mr Brian asked us was: what is going to be your legacy? Over the
past year we’ve realised that legacy isn’t some unattainable thing. It’s what you leave behind: the memories, the effort, the change you make, and St Leonards has made sure we leave with something worth remembering.
We’re proud to say we’re the number one independent school in the world for golf — and if that doesn’t impress you, I should mention we also currently have numerous players representing their national teams. Not to forget the recent international win in Boston.
Behind that success, is Fintan Bonner and all of the coaches at the links, whose unwavering support and tactical genius helps us master the ancient art of swinging a club in 40 mph winds on the Links. Truly, nothing builds character like sideways rain and a 5 hour Sunday session in the winter when you can’t feel your fingers. Golf isn’t just a sport here, it is a commitment, it is discipline, patience. We are not just a school that pushes its students to achieve but also to grow and leave behind a legacy that lasts, with many in our cohort leaving to attend top Division 1 schools in the States, good luck to you all.
So when Mr Brian asked us, “What is going to be your legacy?”, golf illustrates how everyone at St Leonards has helped us to start answering that question, not just through
wins but also the quiet determination to keep improving, with all the pupils putting in hardwork to improve in their respective facets at school.
Drama encapsulates our schools take on Ad Vitam. At the centre of it all is our devoted teachers, Mrs Stewart and Mrs McQuade Powell, whose energy and vision transformed even the most boring rehearsal into something unforgettable, sometimes intentionally, sometimes… less so. Under their direction, no idea was too bold. Whether it was a steampunk Romeo and Juliet or Ms MQP asking you - are you ok to wear fishnets in this scene?. They taught us that good theatre, and a good legacy, starts with taking risks.
And this summer, we’re taking that legacy one step further.
“Eight Stories of Love and Heartbreak”, Written by Ms MQP and performed by SLP, is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival — the world’s largest arts festival. That’s not just an incredible experience — it’s a way to give back. To leave our mark on a wider stage and build our schools legacy. To show that what began in a small drama room at St Leonards can echo far beyond it.
Our drama department proves that ambition, when nurtured, can turn into something truly unforgettable. It reflects St Leonards’ motto: Ad Vitam — for life. Because drama teaches us lessons that go far beyond the stage: how to communicate, how to collaborate, take a bow and sometimes take a deep breath when everything goes wrong.
At St Leonards, music doesn’t sit quietly in the background. It fills the corridors, the auditorium — and at times, the quad when the leadership team enlightens us with their questionable music taste.
It’s hard to think of another part of school life that brings together so many people from so many different places, backgrounds, and skill levels. From lunchtime concerts to full-scale productions, the Music School has given every student the chance to be part of something bigger. A well done to all of the performers last night, what an emotional evening.
At least half of sixth form would have given show choir a go to try to finish off some perseverance for CAS. And yes, sometimes we were “volunteered” before we even knew what we’d signed up for. But in doing so, we were pushed to try things we probably wouldn’t have chosen on our own — and we’re better for it. That’s what legacy is: stepping out of your comfort zone and realising you’re capable of more than you thought.
Of all the legacies we leave behind at St Leonards, few are quite as both mentally challenging and rewarding as our journey through the IB.
Some of us became permanent fixtures in Mr Pennycook’s classroom — attending extra maths sessions like it was a competitive sport. And while a revision village membership could not have saved us from that one final paper, at least we were working together together. And of course, we had the guiding light of the sixth form
team — who somehow managed to convince us that TOK and CAS were not only essential to our development, but actually exciting. A group who pushed us to do our best, but also made us all want to smile on our way into the exam hall and for that we will be forever thankful.
Then there’s the IB itself. An academic conquest that promised to “prepare us for life.” We’ve been hearing that since the first day of Year 12, and we’re still waiting to see if university really will be “a breeze by comparison.” We’ll get back to you on that.
But in all seriousness, the IB and St Leonards has given us something deeper than just grades. It’s taught us how to think critically, how to manage time, and how to ask big questions — often at 2am, while referencing three sources and juggling our multiple deadlines.
More importantly, it’s taught us resilience, a skill we’ll carry far beyond the exam hall. That’s the heart of our academic legacy: not perfection, but persistence. If nothing else, we’ll always have the IB bragging rights. Forever.
Although we have not experienced what it is like to be a boarder at St leonards, we are always envious hearing what they get up to and forever grateful for the occasional invite to a social or two. And when the sun does make a rare appearance in St Andrews, there’s an unspoken rule as a boarder: you drop everything and head outside. Even if it means abandoning homework and revision to play volleyball and tennis like it’s the world cup.
But behind all the fun is something more important, boarding is preparing us for life in a way that few other experiences can. Living alongside people from dozens of different countries, you have learned to appreciate other cultures, compromise, and communicate — sometimes without speaking the same language fluently.
You have made friendships that will outlast school and found a kind of independence that most people don’t discover until much later in life.
And that’s where your legacy lives — not in the walls of the boarding house, but in the bonds you’ve built within them. St Leonards students welcome each other, support one another, and help shape a community that we are proud to have belonged to.
Ad Vitam – For Life. The school’s motto. It is not just something written on the walls. It’s a guide. St Leonards has prepared us for life in many ways.
It’s taught us what to treasure: the multidisciplinary approach to learning, and those free- I mean study periods when your teacher happens to be climbing Mount Everest. But of course, we will also take forward and treasure the passion for our subjects and all of our endeavours.
Ad Vitam, it also teaches us what to take advantage of. Every opportunity. Every teacher who sees more in you than you see in yourself. Take advantage of every moment, because, as we’ve heard so many times, blink and you miss it.
It describes your sixth form at St Leonards perfectly. We’re
graduating now and it feels like yesterday that we got just started. Don’t take it for granted.
A few words of wisdom to the future sixth form. Number 1 - Befriend Ms Tawse, the biscuit stash will come in handy before your final maths papers. Number 2 - Emmy and Lewis no one will ever be happy with or follow the duty rota. Best of luck to you next year, you will smash it. Number 3 - make the most out of everything St Leonards has to offer because tomorrow you will be thinking about the future and standing up here graduating just as we are, and believe us, it comes around too quickly.
So, we leave you with this: What will your legacy be?
Maybe it’s the club you started, the kindness you showed, the music you made, or the people you inspired. Whatever it is, make it count. Because St Leonards has given us the tools—we just have to choose how to use them.
Finally, we just wanted to say a massive thank you to the people who’ve guided us, supported us, and answered every desperate, last-minute cry for help. We’re of course talking about... ChatGPT.
No, let’s be honest, without the hardwork and dedication of our teachers we wouldn’t be here graduating today. We applaud your patience. We must also not forget the overdue words of thanks to all of our parents. They have been our rocks, our biggest supporters, and our inspiration to keep striving for the best that we can achieve. Last but not least, thank you to all of you, our peers. Together we have made this sixth form experience one that we will never forget, and for that I am sure we are all eternally grateful.
But Year 13, tonight isn’t about CAS reflections, which we promise we will get in Mr Finley, or that one exam that might not have gone so well. Tonight is about us. About our achievements. About celebrating our memories and our friendships and our endless nights of hard work.
Here’s to the class of 2025. We are all capable of something amazing and St Leonards has set us up nicely for the future.
Thank you.
Maddie F & Paddy P Heads of School 2024-25
“Ad Vitam – For Life. The school’s motto. It is not just something written on the walls. It’s a guide. St Leonards has prepared us for life in many ways.”
What subjects did you study?
Maddie F (MF): I studied Higher Level History, Economics, and English Language and Literature, and Standard Level Biology, Maths AI, and Spanish B.
Paddy P (PP): I studied Maths AI SL, English Language and literature HL, Theatre HL, Geography HL, Environmental Systems and Societies SL and Italian AB
What are your plans for the future?
MF: I will be going to university in September, which one depends on my grades, where I will study International Relations. As of right now, I am looking towards paths into law after I have finished university but this may change.
PP: This upcoming September I am hoping to study Geography at the University of Edinburgh, and hopefully find my passion from there to help me decide my journey after university .
What is your favourite memory from your time at St Leonards?
MF: The history trip to Berlin in IB1 was such an unforgettable experience, made both by the teachers and my peers as well as all of the meaningful places we visited.
PP: Performing in the Edinburgh Fringe festival with SLP, and I am very much looking forward to going back this summer!
is your favourite Learner Profile attribute and why?
MF: Reflective. It will always be applicable to everything you do moving forward. During the IB it helped me become more thoughtful about the work I produced and facilitated personal growth.
PP: Risk Taker, as I feel it reflects the St Leonards experience perfectly as it pushes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to try new things.
How has your time at St Leonards shaped you as a person?
MF: St Leonards pushed me to try everything it had to offer and this, as well as our tight knit community, has helped me become a more persevering and openminded person.
PP: St Leonards has shaped me as a person quite a bit being here since year 4; improving my public speaking skills and made me a more well rounded individual.
Sum up your time at St Leonards in three words.
MF: Community. Laughter. Life.
JP: Fulfilling. Caring. Exciting. What advice would you give to a new pupil starting at St Leonards?
MF: Throw yourself into everything. Try new things and approach new people. There is something for everyone at St Leonards and you will regret not making the most of all the school has to offer.
PP: Push yourself to try new things, and to make the most of what St Leonards has to offer.
What will you miss most about St Leonards?
MF: The smaller year groups. There is no better feeling than knowing everybody that you are at school with. It is warming and you leave with so many friends for life.
PP: The tight knit community on campus; everyone is a familiar face.
What is your favourite event in the St Leonards calendar?
MF: It has to be the annual Island Day. Dressing up in island colours, becoming overly competitive, bonding with all year groups, and bending the rules in mixed hockey was certainly a highlight of my St Leonards experience.
PP: St Leonards Day, seeing everyone get involved in a variety of sports which ultimately leads to tug of war on birdcage it’s my favourite event of the year.
is your favourite view on the St Leonards campus?
MF: The view of St Leonards Grass from the maths and history classrooms. I have taken many photos of sunsets during the winter from those windows.
PP: Walking down to junior school past Big Field on my way to the toasty shack is a personal favourite.
William M
Prize for Achievement in Year 7
Ernest R
Prize For Attitude to Learning in MYP in Year 7
Eleanor H
Prize for Achievement in Year 8
Elena S
Prize for Attitude to Learning in MYP in Year 8
Ishbel R
Prize for Achievement in Year 9
Andre M
Prize for Attitude to Learning in Year 9
George C
Prize for Work in Year 10
Maryna M
Prize for Attitude to Learning in Year 10
Ida H
Prize for Work in Pre-IB
Filippa G
Prize for Attitude to Learning in Pre-IB Pre IB Science Prize
Alexander S
Rosemount Quaich for the best all round Sportsperson in Year 11
Dominic A
Rutherford Trophy for Endeavour in Sport
Ellen H
Lucy Watson Cup for Improvement in Golf for Girls
Thomas (Harry) J
Lucy Watson Cup for Improvement in Golf for Boys
Heather P
The Miss Leveson Bowl for Poetry
Harrower Prize for Spanish in Year 11
Lyons Prize for English in Year 11
Zola M
Senior School Quaich for Drama Prize for Art & Design in Year 11
Alastair M
Prize for Computer Science in Year 11
Eileen P
Prize for History in Year 11
Brewis Prize for Geography in Year 11
Prize for Chemistry in Year 11
Miss Leveson Bowl for Prose
Xiaoxuan (Olivia) C
Prize for Mathematics in Year 11
Hung N
Morag Ramsay Prize for German in Year 11
Gilliland Prize for Physics in Year 11
Sienna P
Aitken Prize for French in Year 11
Jack S
Jack Prize for Latin in Year 11
Maksym S
Prize for English as a Second Language in Year 11 and Pre-IB
Hamish S
Clerk Rattray Prize for Biology in Year 11
Charlotte R
Biology only Prize
Mia G
The Galloway Award for Junior Instrumental Music
Sophia Z
The Kitching Memorial Prize for Music for All Round Contribution to Music in Years 7-10
Chi Ho (Charles) L
The Iona Jack Award for Composition
Edward M
Kyle Cup for Commitment to Rugby
Shreyas D
Prize for St Leonards Enterprise Programme (STEP)
Madeleine F- Head of School
The Head’s Prize for Head of School
Patrick P - Head of School
The Head’s Prize for Head of School
Jamie B
Macdonald Haig Cup for Music for All Round Contribution to Music
Isla B
Jane MacMillan Prize for English - LIT
Isha B Prize for Psychology
Alexander E Prize for Business Management
Ewen F
Prize for Excellence in Sport
Robert Durward Memorial Prize for IBCP
Charlotte F
Juliet Smith Quaich for Outstanding Contribution to Drama
Nicola F-P
Malloch Cup for the Most Outstanding Musician
Julian G
Robson Prize for the most outstanding Athletic Achievement of the Year
Grace H
Wendy Dagg Memorial Award Silver Salver for Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) and Service Learning (SVL)
Violet H
KWM Graham for Students Progressing to Study Music Prize for English B
Rafferty H
Sixth Form Drama Quaich
Charlotte K Prize for Language A
Kira K
The Carslaw Cup - IB Learner Profile
Sarah L
MacRobert Thistle Cup for the Best all round Sportsperson
Ruairidh L
The Duncan Award for Senior Instrumental Music
Kirsten M
The Cornwell Cup for Achievement
Shivam M Prize for Chemistry
Anastazie M
Prize for Endeavour in Languages The Dove Prize for Good Citizenship
Anton M Prize for Language B
Thomas M
The University of Dundee Prize for Leadership
Velvet N
Helen Story Sixth Form Prize for Contribution in the Sixth Form
Yee Ki (Carina) N Prize for Debating
Mia O Prize for the IBDP Core
Jil R
Claydon Sixth Form Prize for Contribution to Sport Prize for Mathematics Prize for Physics
Yate Lee Memorial Prize for The Leading Academic Scholar
Thomas R
The Macdonald Prize for History
Jane MacMillan Prize for English - Lang Lit
Felix S-S Prize for Economics
Glen T
The Caithness Quaich for Commitment in Sport
Maya T P Prize for Environmental Systems and Societies
Margaret V
Helen Mitchell Award for Art and Design
Sarah W-P
Mary Henderson Quaich in Recognition of Good Citizenship
Bettina Y
Jill Green Prize for Geography
The Katherine Fleming Memorial Prize for Biology Prize for Language Ab Initio
Heads of School
Madeleine F & Paddy P
Deputy Heads of School
Ewen F, Riccardo E, Nicola F-P & Emma V
Junior School Liaison
Molly D, Maggie V, Sarah W P & Thomas R
School Events and Socials
Tayla N, Ester O & Ellie C-H
PUPIL COUNCIL LEADERS
Catering
Alexander E, Anastazie M & Felix S-S
School Rules and Policies
Isha B & Carina M
Wellbeing
Alec G, Özge K & Weronika Z
Co-Curriculum
Isla B, Jil R & James R
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Claudia D, Finlay H & Mia O
Teaching and Learning
Anna H, Charlotte K, Shivam M & Bettina Y
MONITORS
Drama Monitor
Rafferty H
Stage Manager
Anastazie M
Dance Monitor
Charlotte F
Music Monitor
Isla B
Head Chorister
Nicola F-P
Orchestra Leader
Thomas R
CAPTAINS OF SPORT
Captains of School Sport
Tom M & Sarah L
Football
Riccardo E
Hockey
Jil R
Rugby
Thomas M
PUPIL ISLAND LEADERS
Harris
Noah D & Kristen M
Skye
Grace H & Jamie B
Lewis
Rafferty H & Maya T-P
Mull
Kaspar H & Naomi K
HEADS OF HOUSES
Bishopshall
Sarah F
Ollerenshaw
Anton M
DEPUTY HEADS OF HOUSES
Bishopshall
Weronika Z & Margo N
Ollerenshaw
Tyron N
Scholarships are awarded at St Leonards in recognition of excellence and outstanding achievement in academia, music, sport, drama and art. The following pupils held scholarships in the 2024-25 academic year.
Academic
Thomas R
Molly D
Shreyas D
Polly M
Art
Ting D
Henry S-B
Drama
Paddy P
Rafferty H
Arabella H
Archie B
Music
Arabella H
Charlotte R
Ben S
Shreyas D
Jennifer N
Isla B
Nicola F-P
Ruairidh L
Thomas R
Lana M
Archie B
Camryn P
Angela C
Paula T
Sophia Z
Mia G
Marie W
Piping
Scholar
Hamish F
Sport
Ewen F
Harriet F
Lana M
Governors, Ladies, Gentlemen, Staff, boys and girls, good morning everyone!
It is a pleasure to be standing here before you all today, at the culmination of another amazing year in Junior School.
Before I begin, I want to take a moment to commend and congratulate our Island Captains and Vice-Captains for their excellent speeches. You spoke with confidence and clarity beyond your years and it is wonderful to hear how much you love this school. I would like to invite you up to thank you for all of your hard work and efforts this year in leading your Islands.
Today is a celebration! We are here to mark the end of another academic year and to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work of each and every one of you in front (and behind me)! That includes all of the staff, and I want to start by thanking you for everything that you do for the children around you. Your care, devotion to your craft, endless energy and enthusiasm is what makes St Leonards so special and for that, I thank you.
It is at this point that I would like to say goodbye to three staff members who have taught in the Junior School that are leaving us.
Mr Anthony White, a Senior himself departs St Leonards after four years teaching piano and organ and working in the boarding team. To us in the Junior School, Mr White has given us the joy of music every week in our Junior School Assembly over the last two years. You have left us a lasting legacy, composing our very own Island theme tunes which announce our weekly winner! Thank you for all of the joy your music has brought to us and we wish you all the best for the future.
Miss Louise Carroll, leaves us after teaching in the PE department for 14 years. Having taught across the school, she has inspired so many of the Junior School pupils in the swimming pool, on the astro or Big field in all aspects of PE and sport. We wish her all the best as she moves across the Tay and know that she will always be wearing a little bit of blue and red under the gold!
Miss Catherine Brannen, our Primary Years Programme Coordinator leaves today after six years of teaching and leadership at St Leonards. Your dedication and passion for the PYP has been central in creating, implementing and embedding the curriculum and inspiring incredible learning experiences for each and every one of the pupils. Many of them have also been lucky enough to have you as a class teacher or accompany them to Dalguise. I speak on behalf of the whole of the St Leonards community when I say that you will be greatly missed by us all. We wish you all the very best in your next chapter.
For year 6, today also marks the end of a chapter, your Junior School chapter. Some of you around me today have been at St Leonards for only a matter of months, others of you have been here since Year 1! And so today, we are all going to reflect on the past six years, after it is June and our Learner Profile Attribute is, Year 6….. Reflection!
Now, I often pull out a mirror at this point, an easy metaphor for reflection but today, I have chosen a different object, inspired by a conversation I had with Agnes R a few months ago as she arrived at school one day. This object is one all of you on stage have had at some point, and in fact an item that each and every one you in years 1-5 has too. Your bookbag!
Think back to Year 1, your bookbag was so shiny and new, not a scratch on it or a mark. The St Leonards badge was bright and colourful and it was ready for the promise of all the things to come! Even if you can not remember this, your parents undoubtedly will - this was the item you were likely most proud of when you got your uniform for the first time. You will have opened and closed it, fascinated by the velcro and proudly carried it around the house for weeks before your first day. Soon it would have been filled with your first reading book to take home, or a library
book with big picture and simple words and its role in helping build your knowledge had begun.
Before long it would have held that first wobbly lost tooth, which your teacher would have watched you for weeks trying to persuade to fall out before you held it aloft and presented it to them! It would have been wrapped up in a tissue or an envelope and carefully carried home safe in your bag. Your bag would also have been filled with drawings and cuttings, and tiny sequins, and possibly a found bead or feather. It had become a portable museum for your natural inquisitiveness and also your risk-taking because it was definitely filled with sand from a beach trip. Even though the book bag did not go to the beach it was still filled with sand having carried shells, rocks or maybe even a crab claw home. Sand that is probably still there nestling in the corners to this day, as we all know, once it is there, it’s never coming out, no matter how much shaking you do.
As you moved into Year 3, your school bag started to change. It now was a bit more worn and lived in. The keyring that you adorned it with would have evolved and changed too. Maybe a souvenir from a family holiday or a favourite children character would show your developing personality and blossoming interests. And inside, what new treasures did it hold? Maybe music books for your instrumental lessons or your scripts for the Nativity or Pantomime or LAMDA piece. Just think of all of those lines that you have had to learn over the years for Mrs Stewart and Mrs Swankie! Your bag had become a stagehand, helping you to become confident communicators, through music or drama. And there were no doubt notes tucked in there from your friends. Special mementos or drawing or perhaps an item you had made in creative club, or a pamphlet or keepsake from a school trip.
By this point your book bag would likely have been lost once or twice. Left behind in the playground, St Katharine’s Green, in the hall, the changing rooms, in the cloakroom or the classroom! Each time, it would have found its way back to you. Maybe once or twice it was forgotten at home, only dawning on you as you were on the way to school - you would have pleaded with your parent to go back and fetch it, and knowing how important your book bag was, they will have done this without complaint, regardless of the stress it might cause to their day or the apologies to work or colleagues for running late! To all our parents, thank you for your commitment. We are so lucky at St Leonards to have such a supportive and engaged parent community and the partnership between us results in the happy and successful children that sit in front of us today.
Now, in Year 6, your school bag is a true veteran. It has seen it all and is a testament to your resilience, with a few scuffs, a hole here or there and likely some very worn velcro that might not want to close anymore - battle scars of a brilliant education. And what might we find it carrying?
Your favourite novel, thick with pages, showing your love of reading and your deepening knowledge and
“ We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you for the journey you’ve completd within the Junior School. Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone and completing the Primary Years Programme.”
understanding of the world. Music exam pieces, possibly for multiple instruments, the bag so heavy that you have to carry it in your arms. Or possibly your ideas and thoughts for your Exhibition, your homework, the script for the Year 6 play or maybe even your speech for today! And what about your keyring? Well now it is probably a collection of memories, maybe a gift from a best friend or a symbol of a cause you care about.
Over the years, your bag has changed hands countless times - it has met each of your teachers and classroom assistants and been by your side on all of those first days. Your book bag is not just a bag, It is an integral part of your incredible journey. It has been a loyal companion watching you become a thinker who solves problems, a balanced individual who juggles many different interests. It has carried your hopes, your dreams, your homework and your treasures and represents the vast knowledge that you have gained, the wonderful friendship you have made, the challenges that you have bravely overcome, the creativity you expressed and the responsibility that you have learned.
As you prepare to move on to your next adventure, your school bag might be retired, or it might continue its journey with a new purpose, finding a home with a new year 1 pupil or even Kindergartner next year. But the memories, the skills, and the wonderful qualities you’ve developed over these past six years will stay with you always.
Year 6, you are courageous young people, ready for the next exciting chapter. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you for the journey you’ve completed within the Junior School. Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone and completing the Primary Years Programme. We can not wait to see the amazing things you’ll achieve next as you move into Senior School.
Claire Robertson Head of the Junior School
Captain’s Speech
Dear Teachers, parents, friends and pupils, my name is Bonnie and I am Mull’s Island Captain. I joined St Leonards at the start of Year 5, and the last two years have been packed with adventure, learning and wonderful new friendships. Some of my best memories are of Dalguise: getting almost to the top of Jacob’s ladder, the discos with Mrs Majcher and Miss Brannen, and capsizing in a canoe! Then of course Ridgway, where we climbed Arkle (which was a very long hike up a 758m mountain), and were eaten by midges on Survival Island. But we did get some awesome hoodies so that made it ok!
I also loved doing the exhibition with Emma and having a brilliant Year 12 mentor (Erin) who helped us with our exhibition (Marine Conservation). Also a huge thank you to everyone who participated in our fundraising event in support of our chosen Island Charity the RDA, we raised an incredible £387 from our Craigtoun walk and £247.50 from the Christmas Fair..
I have enjoyed experiencing activities associated with the learner profile attributes such as being a risk taker by going to Dalguise and Ridgway; being an inquirer by asking lots of questions in the exhibition; being open minded while trying a winkle at Ridgway; and being knowledgeable while learning to multiply, divide and subtract fractions in maths!
I would like to say a special thank you to all the wonderful teachers who have helped us to reach this milestone
of finishing Junior School. And being so well prepared for Senior School. So thank you to: All the PE staff, Mrs Stewart, Mrs Swankie and Mrs Love for helping with the Year 6 play and being wonderful Drama/Music teachers, Mrs Majcher who helped me feel so special and welcome in my first year at St Leonards, and of course Miss Cormack and Mr Crumpton. You have been the most amazing class teachers and have managed to make learning especially fun and memorable in our last year in Year 6.
And last but not least our heads of school: Mrs Robertson and Mr Brian. Thank you so much for helping us through Junior School, we will continue making lots of new and exciting memories as we move into Senior School.
Thank you everyone..
Bonnie I Captain of Mull
Vice-Captain’s Speech
Good morning everyone.
My name is Dallan M, I am the Vice Captain of Mull. First of all, I would like to thank my Island for voting me as Vice Captain. I have really enjoyed having this privilege. I was very lucky to get voted and have had a lot of fun experiences this year. I loved raising money for the Riding for the Disabled Charity and thank you to everyone who has donated this year.
I arrived at St Leonards two years ago. It was hard adjusting to such a different lifestyle than living in Dubai. All of my amazing new friends and the teachers were a huge help to me settling in.
It has been a brilliant time in Junior School and having all these opportunities and chances to go to some amazing places like Dalguise and Ridgway. I can’t forget about the Year 6 play. It was so much fun and I’d like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Love, Mrs Swankie, and Mrs Stewart for making it possible. I discovered a huge love for drama this year.
Joint Captain’s Speech
Olivia: Hello my name is Olivia and I am the Harris Island Captain. I joined St Leonards in Year 3 and have loved every second of it. It has been a great pleasure to work with you all. A special thank you to Agnes for being such an amazing vice captain. We are not the biggest Island but we have big hopes to win, to us everything’s a competition.
Agnes: Hello my name is Agnes and I am Vice Captain of Harris. It has been amazing to meet all of you properly this year and I have been very happy any time we raised our flag. We would like to thank some teachers: Mr Brian and Mrs Robertson for giving us such a wonderful school; everytime we walk into school Mrs Robertson and sometimes Mr Brian are always there to welcome us to school where we and everyone feel safe. Thank you Mrs Love, Mrs Shiells and the specialist music teachers for all our music lessons and helping us with the Year 6 play. Mrs Beebee, thank you for helping us as Island Captains and all things you have to do for it. Thank you to Miss Knowles for everything you do for us in the Junior School. You are amazing.
Olivia: Thank you Mrs Sneddon and Miss Boissiere for giving me such a fun first year in Year 3 during Covid. Can’t forget Mrs Stewart and Mrs Swankie for the lovely drama and LAMDA they give us, we have learnt so much from you both. You have given us confidence on stage and helped us be more passionate about Drama. Our awesome play (Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies) was such fun, you are the best drama teachers ever to be known. Thank you so very much Miss Dawson you have helped me with sports and in the PYP exhibition you have helped me throughout
The past two years have been so much fun and I’ve made a lot of new memories. I’ve enjoyed going to every swimming gala, athletics, cross country events, football matches and so much more. I’ve been given many opportunities to play sports, which is what I love to do. Going into year 7 is an exciting time but I will miss all of my friends in the Junior School - even my little brother!
I am really excited to see who the new Island Captain for Mull will be next year. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful teachers here. Finally, I would like to thank my parents because none of this would be possible without them.
It has been an experience of a lifetime in the Junior School. Thank you everyone and have an amazing summer.
Dallan M Vice-Captain of Mull
as being my mentor. The amazing PE department has helped us become faster and better at sports.
Agnes: Thank you to the groundsmen for giving us the school we have today, it wouldn’t be nearly the same without them. Thank you to all the Teaching Assistants, for helping our wonderful teachers and doing so many playground duties. Last but by no means least, Mr Crumpton and Miss Cormack for giving us all an amazing last year in Junior school. You have been such fun as well as guiding us throughout the year with the hard stuff, and when we struggled you would both be right there to help guide us.
Olivia: Now we can’t miss Dalguise, Ridgway and the day outs. We absolutely loved Dalguise because it was a very active trip. We had parties and biscuits, but our favourite part was all the activities. It felt like a massive sleepover. Now Ridgway was the best out of all. It was great, there was so much opportunity to show our talents and learn how to survive all on our own, and work as a big team.
It taught us so many skills that we will probably need in future, like how to put up a tent, how to make bread out of water and flour and how to tie different types of knots. It is definitely something that the year 5s should look forward to! We also loved the beach days and when we went to the Byre Theatre to see the Pantomimes, they were so funny. We had fun at the beach digging, making sandcastles and playing football.
Agnes: The days out of school were absolutely amazing. Our trip in Year 4 when we went to Dynamic Earth, it was out of this world! Then in Year 5 we went to Discovery in Dundee, an incredibly big boat that sailed to Antarctica, which was an amazing journey with incredible discoveries.
Captain’s Speech
Hello, my name is Ivy M and I am Island Captain of Skye. I joined St Leonards in Year 3 and I have to say, I have enjoyed every single second of it.
When I first joined the school I was very shy and I truly believe that St Leonards has had a big impact on my confidence, the fact that I’m standing here today is proof of that.
The most important part of school for me is the relationships that we form. This was shown every day at Ridgway, through team work, patience, kindness and encouragement. It was probably the biggest adventure of my life so far.
I’m really going to miss all of the Junior School teachers that have made such a positive impact on me, especially Mrs Majcher, who had such inspiring sayings, such as, “Heads will roll” and “Children are Maggots” - we miss you Mrs Majcher.
I feel so lucky to be moving up to the Senior School with all of my friends, we will be there to support each other in every step along the way, we have achieved goals that we never thought we would.
The Exhibition and the Robin Hood play were both very challenging, but through hard work, commitment and bravery we all managed to do extremely well.
It was an honour to be Skye’s Island Captain this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed my Junior School years but I can’t wait for Senior School.
I want to thank you all for supporting our Charity this year, the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Along with the Christmas fair and the Cake Sale, we raised £420. Thank you..
I would like to wish the next Island Captains and all of the Junior School students the best of luck!
Thank you
Ivy M Captain of Mull
Olivia: Finally we would like to thank all our classmates for helping us and giving so much support during our time in Junior School. We have loved being the Harris Island Captain and Vice Captain, even if it is a lot of work collecting Island points, getting people together for competitions and raising money for the wonderful RNLI charity, where we raised nearly £380 this year, so thank you.
Agnes: We will never forget Junior School and all the fun things that happened.
Olivia & Agnes: Thank you
Vice-Captain’s Speech
Hi, My name is Layla and it has been an honour to be the Skye Vice Captain. Today I am going to tell you about the highlights of my journey through Junior School.
I joined in Year 2 in the middle of Covid and I still remember all the online meets! I loved the egg experiments as well. That was super fun. We had to drop our eggs off a high surface and see if they cracked even with lots of protection. I dropped mine off my trampoline and it didn’t crack!!! I also remember doing an Island sport event that was difficult to do online but we managed it and it was so exciting. In Year 3, I enjoyed the games we did and the teachers were so kind!!! I loved doing art as well. In Year 4, I remember doing technology and learning about being online. I also loved the Craigtoun walk. Because it was my first time, I thought it was very tiring, but on my second and third time I really enjoyed it and found it much easier. Also, how could I forget the pantomime. I loved being an evil henchman in Snow White as it was such a great experience and I loved all the songs.
In Year 5, my highlights were the Summer Fair when I did the nerf gun game at my stall, going to The Discovery and getting to go inside the boat, singing in the Shakespeare Rocks play, and finally going on our trip to Dalguise. It was a great experience. I feel so lucky that I was able to have the opportunity to go to such an amazing place. A
big thank you to the teachers who took us. My favourite activity was canoeing as at the end we got to go in the water in our clothes with no boat or anything to hold us up, just our life jackets.
In Year 6, I would say I loved our Year 6 play, Robin Hood. It was amazing and the songs and script were great. I loved being a robber and kidnapping Maid Marion too! It was a really great experience and I am so thankful to all the teachers who made it happen: Mrs Stewart, Mrs Love, Mrs Swankie, Miss Cormack, and Mr Crumpton. That was such an incredible experience that I will never forget. Also, the Exhibition was amazing and I really enjoyed talking to people about my topic. Finally, Ridgway was incredible and I loved the experience of staying a night on an island. It was amazing! Apart from all the midge bites! Thank you Miss Cormack, Mr Crumpton, and Miss Dawson for taking us.
I asked a few people in Skye what their highlights were and here are some:
Ruby in Year 6 said that she loved the Year 6 play because it was a great bonding experience.
Captain’s Speech
Good Morning, I am Grace P and I am the Captain for the amazing Island, Lewis.
My brilliant Vice-Captain and I have been together since our first day at St Leonards. In fact we met even before we started school, on our taster day. We’ve therefore learnt a lot, laughed a lot and occasionally shared a tear together and this is our story of the last 6 years.
We started in Year 1 with Miss Boissiere as our teacher. We settled in almost immediately and soon discovered how amazing learning at St Leonards is. We did maths on the beach, learnt to read around the fire with a marshmallow and to write by making words using objects gathered from around our beautiful school grounds. It was perfect. Then our world turned upside down as Covid 19 forced us into lockdown. Suddenly, rather than sliding down the slide or exploring Mentone with our friends, we had to learn to take classes on the computer. Miss Boissiere and then our Year 2 teachers Miss Fisher and Mrs Lindsay rose to the challenge with creative and fun learning at home. We built complex machines from recycling (mine took over the kitchen and dining room), explored stories by dressing up as our favourite characters and replaced our dooks in the north sea with dips into freezing cold baths. We also discovered that we could still create mischief online: Sholto mimicking Miss Boissiere’s teaching, while not noticing she had come back online, was particularly memorable.
By Year 3 we were thankfully back in the classroom together and learning that teachers do have favourite classes, with Miss Boissere choosing to take our class
Ellie in Year 5 said that she loved Dalguise because the activities were amazing.
And Emma in Year 6 said that she loved Ridgway and that the food was the best!
It has been an incredible experience to be able to support the Scottish Wildlife Trust this year and I really enjoyed running the bake sale with Ivy and Ruby. We sold a lot of cakes (and ate a lot too!) and in total we raised £420 for the Scottish Wildlife Trust. I’m sure they will be very happy with that!
Finally, thank you to all of my teachers who have taught me throughout the Junior School. It has been such an incredible experience and thank you to everyone in Skye for being such a great team. I wish everybody here the very best of luck for next year.
Thank you.
Layla Vice-Captain of Mull
once again. Year 4 was the turn of Mrs Arkwright and Mrs Lindsay, and Year 5, Mrs Majcher and Miss Boissiere once again (I told you we were her favourites). We became principled as we took on the 90 kilogram rice challenge and developed as communicators with our panto, Snow White and the Numerous Elves, led by the amazing Mrs Stewart and Mrs Shiells. Year 5 culminated in our amazing residential at Dalguise.
Finally, we made it to Year 6, and what a year we’ve had with Mr Crumpton and Miss Cormack. Our exhibition challenged us to be knowledgeable, open-minded and reflective. We raised over £500 for our island charity, Young Lives vs Cancer (supporting a friend with cancer) by organising a whole-school dook and stalls at the Christmas Fair. And we can’t forget the incredible Year 6 play, Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies, thanks to Mrs Stewart and Mrs Love, and our amazing experience that was Ridgway, both of which took risk-taking to a whole new level.
There’s so much more that we could tell you about: the Tour de St Leonards cycle challenge, class trips, informal
concerts, the annual walk to Craigtoun, sports days and competitions with the fantastic PE department, and many an after School activity: yoga, lego club, running club, dancing to name a few. We’ve been helped by so many amazing teachers too, Miss Brannen, our ever present PYP Coordinator, who clearly couldn’t be without us as she’s chosen to leave for new adventures today (I told you we were everyone’s favourite class), our language teachers, art teachers and classroom assistants. A special shout out to Mrs Souter, who’s stuck with us all the way. I think you’ll agree, it’s been pretty memorable.
We’ll miss the Junior School, but no doubt there will be many more stories for us to tell at the end of 7-years together in the Senior School.
Grace P
Captain of Lewis
The Anderson House Cup 2024 - 2025
Good morning, everyone! My name is Sholto M, and I’m proud to be the Vice-Captain of Lewis.
Ever since I started at St Leonards in Year 1, there hasn’t been a single day that I haven’t looked forward to coming into school. I even sometimes miss it during the holidays! I’ve particularly loved taking part in drama, going on thrilling school trips, and spending time outdoors with the best bunch of friends I could ever wish for.
My little brother Magnus is joining St. Leonards in August and so I’ve been passing on some hard-won pearls of wisdom to prepare him.
Now, without further ado, here are my top tips for flourishing at school:
#1: Manners maketh man! Always be kind and polite, and greet your teachers with enthusiasm. Trust me, a little charm goes a long way, and embracing the caring trait from our IB learner profile will make you a great friend to others.
#2: The Games teachers are always right even when it may seem otherwise! Whatever you do, don’t argue back. After plenty of extra laps around the astro, I’ve learned this lesson well. But hey, we’re encouraged to be risk-takers!
#3: Avoid being a snitch! Unless it’s a serious matter, try to resolve issues among yourselves rather than going straight to a teacher. From my experience, maintaining trust and solving problems together makes friendships stronger, and teachers appreciate it too!
#4: Be open-minded and make an effort to befriend students from different year groups. This makes break times way more fun and when the time comes to vote for captains, you’ll have a great chance of receiving their support and who knows, you may end up here giving a speech like me!
#5: St Leonards embraces individuality, encouraging us to explore and express our unique strengths and talents which creates the vibrant school community we love, so always be yourself!
And lastly, and perhaps most importantly, if you want bigger portions at lunchtime, when queuing up in the CDR, don’t forget to stand on your tippy toes to make yourself look older. I promise this works. You can thank me later.
As we step into this exciting next chapter, I feel immense gratitude for my teachers and friends and the wonderfully magical childhood we have shared. And thank you, Grace, for always keeping me on the straight and narrow. Here’s to Year 7! Bring it on!
Sholto M Vice-Captain of Lewis
Millie C - Year 1 Prize for Effort
Sylvie G - Year 1 Prize for Progress
Daniel E - Year 1 Inquirers Prize
Elisabeth H - Year 2 Prize for Effort
Toby G - Year 2 Prize for Progress
James P - Year 2 Inquirers Prize
Enzo M - Year 3 Prize for Effort
Abigail W - Year 3 Prize for Progress
Arthur D - Year 3 Inquirers Prize
Hector L - Year 4 Prize for Effort
Theodore L - Year 4 Prize for Progress -
Alfie C - Year 4 Inquirers Prize
Rory H-S - Year 5 Prize for Effort
Olivia W - Year 5 Prize for Progress
Finley S - Year 5 Inquirers Prize
Main Prizes
Niamh W - Cathles Memorial Cup for Singing
Grace P - Fraser Cup for All Round Musicianship
Agnes R - Cardew Quaich for Enthusiasm in Music
Sholto M - Lamb Cup for Drama
Harris
Captain: Olivia A
Vice Captain: Agnes R
Lewis
Captain: Grace P
Vice Captain: Sholto M
Mull
Captain: Bonnie I
Vice Captain: Dallan M
Skye
Captain: Ivy M
Vice Captain: Layla K
Catherine T-I - Anderson Quaich for Improvement in Music and Burnet Prize for Speech and Drama
Ruby-Rose F - Campbell Quaich for All Round Contribution to Drama and St Leonards Cup for Art
Rian M - Joan Gibson Quaich for Years 1-3 Embodiment of the Learner Profile
Parisa D - Kilgour Cup for Swimming Improvement in Year 1-3
Sholto M - Cooper Cup for Best Boys Hockey Player
Layla K - Cockburn Quaich for Best Girl Hockey Player
Marisa G - St Leonards Gymnastics Award
Ellen M - Stevenson Cup for Junior Swimming Year 4-5
Dallan M - Cowley Trophy for Year 6 Swimming and Easter Grangemuir Cup for All Round Sporting Contribution for Boys
Grace P - Richardson Cup for Best U11 Rugby Player and Joan Gibson for All Round Sporting Contribution for Girls
Bonnie I - Cameron Cup for English
Luca S - Hunter Cup for Maths
Emma P - Louise Easton Cup for Languages
Catherine T-I - Mackay Award for Inquirers (Year 6)
Grace P - Joseph Morton Memorial Trophy for Effort
Ruby-Rose F - Kathleen Morton Memorial Trophy for Effort
Anwen F - Crawford Prize for Progress
Louis W - Alexander Cup for Resilience
Catherine T-I - Liverpool Seniors Quaich for Community Action
Olivia A - Chairman’s Cup for The Spirit of Ad Vitam
Ruby-Rose F and Grace P - The Wright Cup for Generosity of Spirit
Serena K - Tosh Cup for All Round Achievement
Hello! Hearing updates of your journeys, achievements, memories, and milestones has filled the Seniors Office with a buzz this year. We love hearing from you—our Seniors—and warmly invite you to stay in touch, share your news, inspire our pupils, and remain part of school life in whatever way feels right for you.
Michelle Wilkinson Alumni & Development Manager
We’ve loved connecting this year with our vibrant community of Seniors, families, and alumni — from dedicated gatherings to school events that brought us together. Each occasion offered the chance to share stories, hear updates, and strengthen the bonds that tie us to St Leonards.
Our travels have taken us from Edinburgh and London to Belfast, Madrid, Munich, and Boston, reminding us how far the St Leonards spirit extends across countries, generations, and time zones. Thank you to everyone who joined us — we’re always delighted to meet our global community!
Monday, July 28 2025, marked the 135th anniversary of the Seniors becoming an organised body! The first official meeting took place on July 28, 1890, during which Dove was elected President and J.K. Stewart was appointed Secretary.
The Class of 2014 returned to St Leonards to celebrate their 10-year reunion, gathering with staff in the Green Room before enjoying a campus tour. They appreciated what had changed, cherished what had stayed the same, and were perhaps most impressed by one small detail — the digital keypad on the Main School door!
We were delighted to welcome the Class of 2004 for their 20-year anniversary, with Seniors staying up to two nights in Ollerenshaw. Event highlights included a Friday dinner off-campus, a welcome reception with staff in QML, a campus tour, and a delicious lunch and dinner in Restaurant 1877. Initial plans for an evening game of Pin the Jabot gave way to a ‘00s-themed St Leonards quiz, followed by lively conversation into the early hours.
The Class of 1975 celebrated their 50th anniversary with glorious weather and a warm welcome! The day included a tour of the School and grounds, with a memorable moment at the boarding houses when Seniors were surprised to enter through the main door — in their day, girls had to use the back to “preserve the doorstep”. The celebration was topped with a laughter-filled lunch in Restaurant 1877, where memories were shared, stories revisited, and plans for the next reunion already underway.
Prizegiving, held this year at Holy Trinity Church, and the glittering Leavers’ Ball took place on Friday, 23 May. These events marked the culmination of a fabulously full Year 13 Graduation Week: a series of festivities to welcome our newest Seniors, the Class of 2025, Ad Vitam - For Life.
Our Seniors and the wider St Leonards community are wonderfully rich in experience and insight. Whether it’s chatting at a careers breakfast, sharing your story at graduation, or joining a conversation online, our students would be so grateful to hear from you. Contact us at seniors@stleonards-fife.org if you would like to get involved.
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Whilst in St Andrews for her book launch tour, Josie Ferguson, Senior and author of the Waterstones Debut Fiction of the Year shortlisted book The Silence in Between, had time to visit St Leonards and speak with current Sixth Form pupils. She joined Year 12 in assembly, to discuss how the Arts, and literature in particular, can be used as a means to consider different perspectives in the knowledge we create from history. The Year 12 and 13 History class enjoyed a talk about the role of women in Nazi Germany, and the effect of the Berlin Wall on families in 1961. Josie also embraced the opportunity to visit Hepburn House (formerly St Katharines) to see her former dorm and be reminded of the stunning view from the top floor.
Boys Boys Boys 2024 was extra special, as it marked 25 years since we welcomed the first boys to St Leonards. Tom, Brad, Angus, Christian, and Andrew are our inaugural male Seniors. Since then numbers have grown, and today male students make up half of our pupil population.
Oxford Bound! We are delighted that St Leonards
Senior Roma Dhasmana (2019) has accepted an offer to pursue a Masters in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition at the University of Oxford, beginning this September.
Roma, who graduated from the University of Aberdeen last year with a First Class degree in Linguistics and Languages, credits the St Leonards IB programme with equipping her with the skills and academic foundation that helped her succeed at Aberdeen and secure her place at Oxford.
This remarkable achievement is testament to Roma’s hard work and ambition, as well as to the strength of a St Leonards education. We wish her every success as she embarks on this exciting next chapter!
Sally Shaw (APS 1984-89) was made full Professor of Sport Management in the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ in 2024.
Sally’s research focuses on gender and sexuality in sport organisations, and she was also awarded the honour of becoming a Research Fellow of the Sports Management Association of Australia New Zealand at the annual conference in Geelong, Victoria, Australia in December 2024 at what was the inaugural year of the awards.
We were delighted to welcome Vivien (Jenny) Gilderdale (nee Innes), 195459 (SRE) - mentioned in the Andrew Greig book Preferred Lies - back to St Leonards. During her visit, she enjoyed re-discovering the building and grounds, met with the Head, Simon Brian, and spoke with one of our high-performance golf pupils to learn more about what a typical school day looks like for our young athletes.
St Leonards athletes enjoyed hearing from Senior and Scotland Wheelchair Rugby League player Olivia Fulton when she visited and spoke about the importance of balance in training and the resilience needed to succeed. Emphasising the value of consistency while allowing space for reward, she encouraged pupils to “adapt and overcome” in the face of challenges.
Pupils loved hearing from an inspiring female athlete and valued member of the St Leonards community who has achieved so much.
It was fabulous to spot Senior Catriona Stirling (2011) in the recent Netflix series Dept Q! Another St Leonards Senior, Ti Barbosa (2023), was recently announced as one of the cast in the upcoming BBC Studios drama Crookhaven, an adaptation of the successful book series by J.J. Arcanjo.
Nice to see you! It’s always special to welcome Seniors back to St Leonards. Please get in touch with the Seniors Office at seniors@stleonards-fife.org to arrange your visit.
Over the 2024 summer break, St Leonards embarked on an exciting programme to renovate our much loved Music School Auditorium. First opened by Princess Alexandra in 1987, the much-used, flexible space provides a stage for our pupils, staff, and the wider community. The project has both enhanced the space and increased its capacity from 95 to 116 with stylish, and incredibly comfortable, new seating.
We would love to extend the renovation to the wider Music School and so are offering the opportunity to personalise one of the beautiful new velvet seats, to help us achieve this. By becoming one of our Seat Sponsors, you will contribute to the further promotion of music and performance at St Leonards and play a leading part in leaving a lasting legacy.
A donation of £300 secures sponsorship. To recognise your contribution we will place a personalised inscription of up to 34 characters onto your seat, which you could choose to dedicate as a gift, in memory of someone dear, or simply for yourself!
Email sponsoraseat@stleonards-fife.org for more information.
£18.77
From its foundation as a pioneering institution for girls in 1877 to its evolution into a fully co-educational school offering globally recognised International Baccalaureate programmes and an unrivalled Golf Academy, St Leonards has always demonstrated a progressive spirit and embraced forward-thinking ideals.
We invite you to join a growing group of loyal donors who care deeply about the School and are looking to make a lasting difference. Club 1877, our easy-to-set-up regular giving programme, enables Seniors, families, and the wider St Leonards community to play a vital role in shaping the School’s future.
Your monthly gift will go directly to where it matters most, helping cover essential items beyond what fee income supports - preserving our historic buildings, enhancing facilities, funding scholarships, and enriching everyday experiences.
