Strathallan Newsletter Spring 2025 by Strathallan School

Spring 2025 Strathallan News

Featured

Strathallan Musicians Hit High Notes with University-Level Achievements

Strathallan School is celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of 16 talented musicians who recently earned an impressive array of music exam certificates.

Among their achievements are prestigious Diplomas from the London College of Music (LCM), qualifications equivalent to performances at university level - a phenomenal milestone for school-age pupils.

Among them, Sophie D achieved an ACLM, equivalent to a second-year university performance. Reflecting on her journey, Sophie said, “It feels great to receive an ACLM. I’ve been building up to this for nearly a decade, having been at Strathallan for 9 years, so it feels amazing to get this recognition.”

Constantin B, who, along with three other Sixth Form pupils, earned an LCM Diploma, shared, “This recognition highlights the effort that goes on behind the scenes in the Music Department, beyond the Big Sing and concerts. It’s the unseen hard work with our music teachers that has helped make it possible for us all to achieve these diplomas.”

He added, “Achieving this qualification at school is such a unique and brilliant opportunity. I wouldn’t have had this chance at my old school in Germany. Strathallan has made it possible.”

Director of Music, Jason McAuley said, “A huge well done to all our talented musicians, and a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated music staff for their guidance and support. Your hard work behind the scenes has truly paid off.”

Exam Highlights: ALCM:

Sophie D

LCM Diploma (Vocal Performance):

Megan A

Isla C

Olwen H

Constantin B

LCM / ABRSM / Trinity / Rock School:

Grade 6

Apple M – Distinction

Evie B – Distinction

Maia M – Merit

Grade 7

Ivianna Y – Distinction

Anna P – Distinction

Jing W – Distinction

George B – Merit

Grade 8

Amy A – Distinction

Elspeth W – Distinction

Amelie H – Distinction

Strathallan Prep pupils spell out future success with Junior Duke Award

Strathallan Prep School is proud to announce the adoption of the Junior Duke Award, an exciting programme designed to boost pupils’ independence, confidence, and resilience.

Although inspired by the principles of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, the Junior Duke is an independent programme created by Dawn Waugh of Hutchesons’ Grammar School. Since its inception, the initiative has helped thousands of children aged 3 to 13 develop life skills through challenges such as planning trips, cooking, performing, and caring for others.

The Junior Duke Award is a ten-level programme that provides pupils with a non-academic platform to achieve success and build self-esteem. With inclusivity at its core, the award ensures that every pupil, regardless of their background, can gain confidence and practical skills through engaging and meaningful challenges.

Miss Rona Leese, Assistant Head of Strathallan Prep School, shared her enthusiasm for the new programme, “We are thrilled to introduce the Junior Duke Award at Strathallan Prep. It’s designed to be inclusive, allowing every one of our pupils to benefit from the confidence and competence that these challenges develop. Our pupils are already diving in, and we can’t wait to see them thrive through this fantastic initiative.”

By adopting the Junior Duke Award, Strathallan Prep School is reaffirming its commitment to nurturing well-rounded, confident, and capable young individuals who are ready to tackle life’s challenges head-on.

Hands-On Help: Strathallan students team up with TASH for Ukraine

Strathallan School pupils have joined forces with Tayside And Strathearn Help for Ukraine (TASH) - Scotland’s largest humanitarian aid hub for Ukraine - to provide support this term.

TASH has achieved incredible milestones recently, sending 94 articulated lorries filled with aid and delivering over 1000 Christmas boxes to those in need during the festive season.

Under the guidance of our Chaplain, Rev Wylie, Third Form pupils are dedicating two days a week this term to assist TASH’s dedicated team of volunteers.

From filling boxes to sorting much-needed donations, our students have embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.

They quickly adapted to the fast-paced environment, working alongside volunteers from all walks of life and gaining valuable insight into the collective effort behind TASH’s success.

We are excited to see this partnership continue to grow and help make a meaningful difference

This is one of many future-building opportunities our pupils get to enjoy through our Third Form programme.

Strathallan Netball Team

Crowned 2025 SISNA Champions

We are thrilled to announce that to our U18 Girls Netball team have defended their title in style, claiming the SISNA (Scottish Independent Schools Netball Association) Open Championship for the third consecutive year!

Facing fierce competition throughout the tournament, the squad delivered when it mattered most, clinching a 12-7 victory over Robert Gordon’s in the final to retain their crown. Their journey was not without challenges - having lost to RGS in the group stage, the team showed true grit and determination to bounce back and reclaim the championship.

Player Achievements:

Louise B – Midcourt Player of the Tournament Lily T –Shooter of the Tournament Lily T – Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Tournament

Reflecting on the team’s success, Director of Netball, Louisa Walker, praised their commitment, “This was a resilient performance from a team that had worked incredibly hard in preparation for the tournament. We set out with a clear goal to retain the title, and I’m absolutely delighted that the girls were able to achieve this.”

MVP Lily T also shared her thoughts on the victory, “I’m really proud that the girls and I were able to win the Independent Schools Tournament for the third year in a row and retain our title. Winning the final against RGS was an especially exciting moment for the team after having lost to them at the beginning of the tournament. It was definitely as much of a mental battle as it was physical to keep the girls’ heads up and stay positive. I feel really honoured to have been named Best Shooter and Most Valuable Player – it was the highlight of my season so far.”

Celebrating the Women in our Lives

Ahead of International Women’s Day tomorrow, our pupils ran a pop-up flower stall in Harry’s to raise funds for Perthshire Women's Aid, creating a space filled with kindness, conversation, and celebration of the women and girls in our lives.

Captain of School, Eve B, said, “We wanted to do something people would remember and actually make a difference.”

With a wall of names honouring the women who inspire us and senior boys donning skirts to Chapel to help challenge stereotypes, today was about support, appreciation, and making a positive impact

Rose Reilly

Our Sixth Form was privileged to hear from the legendary Rose Reilly MBE, a true trailblazer in women’s football. From facing prejudice and sexism—being belted by her primary Headmaster for daring to play football with the boys—to becoming a world champion, Rose’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

With her trademark passion and determination, she shared invaluable advice with our pupils:

“Whenever I came across an obstacle, I didn’t go over it, round it, or under it—I went through it!”

“Never wait for someone to do something for you. Do it yourself.”

To mark the occasion, Girls’ 1st XI Captain Sara MacDonald presented Rose with an iconic No. 7 Strathallan football top—a fitting tribute to a footballing icon.

What an honour to hear from a true game-changer!

Strathallan School pupil qualifies for World Fencing Championships

Strathallan School pupil Joshua B has achieved a monumental milestone in his fencing career by qualifying for the U20 (Junior) World Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China.

The 16-year-old, ranked number one Cadet Men’s Sabre in Great Britain, has had an exceptional season. Building on his title as British Cadet Champion Joshua had a stellar performance in Spain over the festive period and just last week placed in the top 30 at the European Championships in Turkey.

Reflecting on his recent competitions, Joshua shared, “It’s the best I’ve ever felt before competing. After training at an Olympic camp in Italy and then heading straight to Spain, I came 11th out of 200 fencers in Segovia, which was incredible. I was knocked out of the competition by an Australian fencer I’d trained with in Italy, so it didn’t feel as bad but qualifying for the World Championships in China this April is a dream come true.”

Training five times a week at Salle Ossian Fencing Club, Joshua is determined to make his final year as a cadet count.

“I’ll be heading back to Italy for more training and will give it my best shot,” Joshua said. “Recently, I’ve been on a good run, becoming the British Champion and winning double Scottish titles. I’ve got a good buzz about it, and I know I can compete at a high level. A lot to look forward to — I feel ready. It can only get better.”

Closer to home, Joshua recently teamed up with fellow Strathallan pupil Veer C and Salle Ossian teammates Bruno and Anara at the Stirling Swords competition. As the youngest team in the event, they competed against adults and achieved an impressive bronze medal out of 20 teams. Their performance showcased their resilience and skill, proving age is no barrier when it comes to talent.

Joshua’s fencing journey began at Salle Ossian Fencing Club in Perth at the age of eight. Over the past ten years, he has represented Scotland and Great Britain at numerous international events, including the World Cadet Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As a Fencing Scholar at Strathallan School, Joshua trains five times a week, balancing his academic commitments with his passion for the sport.

Prof. Phil Carson, Salle Ossian Fencing Club coach said, “Josh is the first of a new generation of fencers whom I’ve had the pleasure to coach whilst at the same time modernising fencing coaching in Scotland. Josh is certainly the proof in the pudding as he keeps pushing the boundaries of what is possible and reaching levels of performance we haven’t seen before.”

In May 2024, Joshua added to his already impressive list of accolades by becoming the U16 British Champion at the British Fencing Youth Championships in Sheffield. He followed this triumph by retaining his title as the Scottish Schools U16 Sabre Champion for the second consecutive year.

He also gained a Bronze Medal at London Commonwealth Games as part of the Junior Team.

Director of Sport at Strathallan, Jim Thompson said, “We are thrilled to support Joshua as he continues his fencing career alongside school. We are immensely proud of the progress he continues to make on and off the piste and wish him the very best of luck in Turkey and China.”

Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships 2025

On Sunday 16th March, Strathallan School hosted the Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships at Howe Equestrian, welcoming riders from 20 different schools and over 200 entries throughout the day.

Congratulations to all the competitors who took part!

Strathallan School Equestrian team achieved excellent results, with several individuals and teams qualifying for the NSEA Championships.

Showjumping Success

Team Victories: Strathallan School won both the 90cm and 1m Showjumping Team titles.

Individual Champion: Lucy B claimed the 1.10m Individual title.

National Championship Qualification (90-95cm): Pippa M, Emily S, Pebbles W, and Farrah C won their team event, while Pebbles W and Tino finished 2nd individually.

National Championship Qualification (1m-1.05m): Olivia secured 2nd place individually, with the team of Pebbles W, Lucy B, Farrah C, and Emily S finishing 1st, and another Strathallan team of Pebbles W, Farrah C, Olivia, and Pippa M securing 2nd place.

Dressage Achievements

The Dressage Team of Scarlett, Ruby, and Farrah finished 3rd, with Scarlett earning the top Strathallan score of the day.

80-85cm Competition

Grace M and her new pony, Caro Roxy, finished 6th individually in the largest class of the day, with her team placing 3rd.

A huge thank you to Julie Summersgill and Mrs. Waugh for their invaluable help in organising and running the event—your efforts were greatly appreciated.

An Unforgettable Sixth Form Burns Supper

Our annual Burns Night for our Sixth Form students was a truly memorable evening, brimming with music, poetry, laughter, and, of course, haggis!

The evening was expertly chaired by the incredible Mrs McFarlane, who received a standing ovation as she marked her 25th Strath Burns Supper – a milestone celebration of her dedication and flair.

A huge round of applause to everyone who performed, recited, and brought this magical night to life. From moving poetry to traditional Scottish tunes, it was a heartwarming celebration of Scotland’s culture and heritage.

Perform in Perth 2025

Over three vibrant days at this year’s Perform in Perth, more than 100 performances from Strathallan and Strathallan Prep School pupils captivated audiences at St Matthew’s Church. A Celebration of Speech, Drama, Piping & Drumming Speech and Drama Success

Pupils from across the age groups showcased their talent and passion for performance, with 16 first-place finishes and three major trophies won. Trophy Winners

• Alexander W – Year of the Bible Trophy and Honours (85+) for his reading of Psalm 8

• Annabelle M – William Soutar Tassie for her recital of “The Patriarch”

• Darach R – Burns Trophy for an extract from “Tam o’ Shanter”

Other Standout Performances

• Stella du P, Orla T, and Charlotte W (Years 3–4) – 1st in Prepared Reading, Verse Speaking, and Burns Poetry

• Paige M – 1st in her William Soutar class

• Matthew T – 1st in the 15–17 Burns class

• Francesca W – 1st in Dramatic Solo (15–17)

• Sylvie M and Brooke B – 1st in Dramatic Duologue (11–12)

• David L – 1st in Verse Speaking (Honours)

• Alexander W and Will D – 1st in Prepared Reading (13–14), with Will also achieving Honours

• Sophie du P and Tabitha C – Highest Honours mark in Dramatic Duologue

• Year 6 – 1st in Choral Speaking, a much-loved annual tradition

• Eric M – Runner-up in the 15–17 Burns class, also awarded Honours

Piping & Drumming Highlights

Almost 30 pupils took part in the Piping and Drumming events, performing across a variety of categories. We’re proud of every participant, and delighted to celebrate so many podium finishes:

Drumming Results

10 and Under Pad and Sticks 1st Conan L | 2nd Rory A 11 and Over Pad and Sticks 2nd Struan M (Joint) | 2nd Will D (Joint) | 3rd Henry G

Novice Snare Drum 1st Struan R | 3rd Matthew M

Senior Snare Drum – March 3rd Alfie P

Novice Tenor Drum 1st Tara C | 2nd Anna M | 3rd Florence J

Senior Tenor Drum – March 1st Surina C

Piping Results

Practice Chanter (11–14) 1st Austen M

Novice Bagpipes (13–14) 2nd Thorsten B

Novice Bagpipes (15 and Over) 1st Hector C | 2nd Fergus G | 3rd Douglas P

U15 March 3rd Calum B

U15 Jig 1st Archie D

15–17 MSR 1st Rory M | 2nd Angus C

15–17 Jig 2nd Rory M

Congratulations to all performers! Whether on stage, with chanter or drumsticks in hand, every pupil who took part did so with skill, enthusiasm, and pride. A fantastic showing from the Strathallan community!

Academic

Big questions, big impact

Students from Modern Studies, MUN, History, and Economics, along with aspiring medics, had the incredible opportunity to meet Baroness Finlay through the Meet the Lords programme.

From discussing the House of Lords and key legislation to insights from her distinguished medical career, our students didn’t hold back - asking thoughtful, challenging questions that sparked real conversation.

A huge thank you to Baroness Finlay for sharing her expertise and inspiring the next generation of leaders, policymakers, and medical professionals.

Exploring Edinburgh’s Art Scene!

Our GCSE and A Level Art students embarked on an inspiring trip to Edinburgh, exploring some of Scotland’s most renowned art exhibitions to gather ideas and evidence for their newly launched exam projects.

From the National Museums Scotland to the National Galleries of Scotland and the Ingleby Gallery, they immersed themselves in a world of creativity and history - gaining fresh perspectives and inspiration.

A highlight of the day was hearing from the owner of the Ingleby Gallery, who shared insights into his own journey in the art world!

Discussing the future

Our Fifth Form GCSE pupils had the chance to chat with our Academic staff about their subject options for Highers and A Levels.

It was fantastic to see so many pupils and parents at our Informed Subject Choices Fair.

Exploring Antiquity in London

Dr Francesca Sapsford, our Classics teacher, took four students to London over the weekend to explore Greek and Roman artefacts at the British Museum.

The group also visited the Mithraeum, immersing themselves in its fascinating exhibit and discovering a contemporary art installation inspired by the ancient site.

A brilliant opportunity to step back in time and see history in a new light!

LEGO League Success

Our Senior and Junior LEGO teams took on the LEGO League at Dundee and Angus College, coding and competing in this year’s Submerged theme. Despite a tough start, our student engineers rallied, improving their scores in the final round.

While both teams impressed with their presentations on plastic pollution, the Prep team won the coveted LEGO Performance Award for achieving the highest-scoring match of the event - outperforming 16 other teams, including senior competitors! A huge achievement, showcasing their hard work and dedication.

A big thank you to Dundee & Angus College for hosting an inspiring day of STEM learning and to Miss Gill for her dedication in helping the teams prepare The LEGO League represents STEM learning at its finestfun, interactive, and engaging!

Ready for Regionals!

Good luck to the eight members of our Debating Team as they take on the Oxford Union Schools Debating Scottish Regional Competition at ESMS.

We caught up with seven of them ahead of the big day. Captain of Debating, Ben W, shared “While we know the competition will be fierce, we’re quietly confident. Regardless of the outcome, this is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to test our abilities on a big stage.”

Run by the Oxford Union, Oxford Schools’ is the largest British Parliamentary school-level debate competition in the world, open to students aged 14-18.

Our four teams heading into the competition:

Strathallan Team Labor – Francesca W & Ben W

Strathallan Team Omnia – Iona F & Amèlie H

Strathallan Team Vincit – Paul B & Isla C

Strathallan Team – Maria B & Isla S

Celebrating LAMDA success at Strathallan!

24 pupils were awarded LAMDA Certificates & Medals in assembly, recognising their achievements in Grades 6 to 8 across Acting, Speaking in Public, Reading for Performance, and the Speaking of Verse & Prose.

An outstanding 18 pupils earned Distinctions - testament to their hard work. Well done all

Piping

Snare Drumming Scottish Champion

Huge congratulations to Alfie P who has been crowned the new Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Section 2 - Snare Drumming Scottish Champion!

Alfie took 1st place at the Lothian and Borders Solo Piping, Scottish Solo Drumming and Indoor Contest - an incredible achievement that highlights his outstanding progress. A proud moment for the family, as his older brother Oscar was on the pipes.

Bravo Harry!

Massive congratulations to Strathallan student Harry T, who made his debut with Inveraray & District Pipe Band today at Celtic Connections annual piping concert at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

He joined our Director of Scottish Culture & Traditional Music, Mr Muirhead who was also playing on stage and Mr Ian Duncan who was assisting the band.

George Watson’s Invitational Competition

Well done to our Competition Pipe Band who competed at the George Watson’s Invitational Competition coming 6th out of 16 bands.

A special mention to Callan E who was awarded 4th place in the Under 15 March, Strathspey and Reel completion!

Thank you to George Watson’s for hosting an excellent competition and well done to all the prize winners!

Tartan Week

Strathallan student Archie D has been busking his way through the Big Apple during Tartan Week, sharing a slice of Scotland one tune at a time.

Thanks to our Piping Instructor Mr Duncan, former Pipe Major of the Atholl Highlanders, who invited Archie to join the band for a few unforgettable tunes on their Tartan Day tour of NYC.

Success for our pipers and drummers

Callan E was awarded 4th place in the Junior Piobaireachd at the CCF Piobaireachd Competition, held at Glenalmond College – an impressive achievement!

The success continued at The Vale of Atholl Solo Piping and Drumming Competition in Pitlochry, where we had many prize winners across a range of categories. Congratulations to everyone who performed and represented Strathallan so well!

Here are the results:

Surina C - 3rd Tenor Drumming March

Anna M - 2nd Novice Tenor Drumming

Rory M - 6th 15-18 Piobaireachd and 5th 15-18 March, Strathspey and Reel

Archie D - 3rd U15 March

Calum B - 3rd U15 Jig

Callan E - 3rd U15 Piobaireachd

Angus C - Best Dressed Piper

Struan R - 1st U10 Drumming on Pad, 2nd Novice Side Drumming and 3rd Dress and Deportment

Henry G - 3rd U10 Drumming on Pad

Conan L - Joint 4th U10 Drumming on Pad

Will D - 1st 11-18 Drumming on Pad

Alfie P - 2nd U18 Side Drumming

Ewan G - Joint 5th 11 - 18 Drumming on Pad

Struan M - Joint 5th 11 - 18 Drumming on Pad

Music

Young Musician of the Year

What it means to be recognised in the Strathallan Young Musician of the Year competition

This year, 64 talented pupils took to the stage in our annual Young Musician of the Year competition, showcasing their passion, dedication, and exceptional musical ability across all categories.

A huge congratulations to every musician who stepped forward to share their talent – your hard work and commitment were truly inspiring!

Congratulations to all our musicians - what a fantastic showcase of talent!

Strathallan Young Musician of the Year 2024-2025Constantin B

Strathallan Prep School Young Musician of the Year 20242025 - Alfie McA

Strathallan Prep School: Beginner/Grade 1 Class - Conan L

Strathallan Prep School: Grade 2 Class - Rory A

Strathallan Senior School: Senior Intermediate Class - Hector C

Celebrating Scottish Icons

From groundbreaking scientists to world-renowned artists, Scotland has given the world some genuinely remarkable figures. Recently, our talented young artists paid tribute to these Scottish cultural icons, capturing their influence and legacy through a stunning collection of portraits.

As part of our Strathallan on Stage Arts Festival, students from Third Form to Upper Sixth created 13 unique artworks showcasing trailblazers from Science, Politics, Sport, Music, Literature, and beyond. The icons & our artists:

Annie Lennox by Natalie DCT

Martyn Bennett by Mikella K

David Tennant by Orla P-H

Tilda Swinton by Lily C

Jenni Fagan by Eloise R

Arthur Conan Doyle by Rose C

Gordon Brown by Sophie D

Sheila Rowan by Janna C

Alexander Graham Bell by Mini L

Andy Murray by Nancy Z

Andy Robertson by Gabriel McE-G

Alison Watt by Niamh C

Callum Innes by Natalia M

A huge well done to our artists for capturing the spirit and impact of these incredible Scots!

Performing Arts

The Watsons

In real life, Jane Austen never finished her novel, ‘The Watsons.’ Laura Wade’s play of the same name takes this premise and runs with it, giving us a witty, bold and thoroughly modern satire which explores what happens when an author loses control.

Evie B more than rose to the challenge of playing our wonderfully unfortunate playwright, Laura, whose authority is quickly challenged by her unruly cast of characters. At the forefront of this is Emma, played superbly by Iona F, whose growing fury at finding she is a literary construct was handled sublimely.

The cast were excellent and handled both the wit and more thoughtful philosophy of the play with equal aplomb. Amy F and Shannon D delighted the audience with a two-handed role of Nanny; Eric M was magnificent as the clergyman and Douglas P was both haughty and hilarious as Lord Musgrove. Every character was played to perfection: the sometimes complex humour handled with such skill that the audience on both nights simply roared with laughter.

There were suitors, including George B and the Militia Men, and snobs – played to perfection by Francesca W, Daragh R and Tabitha C. This young but magnificently adept cast of 22 handled themselves, the subject matter and the complexity of the script unbelievably well.

They were helped in no small part by the production values of the performances. A beautiful set and magnificent costumes were testament to the dedication and professionalism of the pupils backstage.

Out of the lime-light but in every way equally responsible for the success of the play were a number of others equally deserving of praise. Running the lighting of the show were Niamh H, Rose C and Sunaya C. Stage crew, including Kailyn M and Violet C-B, led by Natalie DCT and Max F were magnificent. Costumes, make-up and hair were the domain of Freya P and Ailsa T – and these are only the tip of the iceberg. A magnificent showing from all, including drama scholars and our out-going Heads of Drama, Matthew and Olwen, and testament once again to the breadth and excellence of Drama at Strathallan.

A Masterclass in Physical Theatre with Kirsty Stuart

We were privileged to welcome Kirsty Stuart to Strathallan for an inspiring day of drama workshops! Our talented First and Second Form pupils, along with our Drama Scholars, had the incredible opportunity to explore the understanding and practice of physical theatre under Kirsty’s expert guidance.

Kirsty, a renowned Scottish stage and screen actress, recently played Blanche DuBois in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s award-winning production of A Streetcar Named Desire. Her passion and expertise brought a new depth to our pupils' performances, and we can’t wait to see how they put their skills into action!

A huge thank you to Kirsty for sharing her knowledge and inspiring our young performers!

Edinburgh Playhouse

Fourteen Strathallan students had an exciting night at the Edinburgh Playhouse, experiencing the magic of Chicago! Accompanied by our Head of Drama and Performing Arts, Mrs Carr-Bates, they were treated to all the iconic Bob Fosse choreography and back-to-back hits.

Strathallan Prep School

When in Rome… (or the Prep School!)

Some of our Prep pupils stepped back in time for Roman Day, hosted by our Classics teacher!

Dressed in togas, Year 3 & 4 baked honey biscuits and Roman spelt bread, learned more about ancient traditions, and enjoyed a picnic fit for an emperor out on the paddock. A history-making day!

World Book Day was a blast at Strathallan Prep School!

We soaked up the sunshine with a day full of literary magic.

Our incredible pupils transformed into their favourite book characters, bringing stories to life!

A huge shoutout to our amazing teachers who rocked the "Day the Crayons Quit" look!

And our SPS librarians? Simply enchanting as the iconic characters from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"!

Year 3/4 enjoyed a delightful story time outdoors, and we were thrilled to welcome visiting author Alex Mullarky!

What a day celebrating the joy of reading!

Year 1-6 Poetry Competition

Our Year 1-6 Poetry Competition saw our youngest pupils take to the stage to showcase their expressive talents, performing a wonderful mix of Scottish poetry and verses from around the world.

Expertly judged by Mrs McFarlane and Mrs Mullen, three pupils from each class were selected for the final, where they delivered fantastic recitations.

Congratulations to our winners!

Elodie W

Orla T

Rory A

Munro M

A huge well done to all our finalists for their confidence and creativity!

Year 5 stepped back in time

Visiting the Victorian School at the History of Education Centre in Edinburgh, they experienced first-hand what school life was like in the 1800s - complete with lessons on slate and even learning how Victorians washed their clothes. A fantastic day of immersive learning and discovery.

Fresh snow, fresh skills!

63 of our bold adventurers from Year 3 to Second Form in the Prep School carved up the slopes Glenshee Ski Centre. Epic days out are just part of the curriculum!

Easter Fun

Year 5 & 6 got into the Easter spirit with a fun-filled afternoon of themed activities!

Pupils put their teamwork skills to the test, following instructions independently to create delicious chocolate nests (with no teachers needed!)

Creativity was in full swing as they sculpted their own adorable Easter bunnies from clay.

Outside in the sunshine, pupils got hands-on with Miss Leese, crafting beautiful papier-mâché Easter eggs!

Prep School Science Fair: Curiosity in Action!

The spirit of discovery was alive and well at this year’s Prep School Science Fair, where our young scientists showcased their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The event challenged pupils to explore the British Science Week theme, ‘Change and Adapt’, sparking fascinating questions: Why do crisp packets expand on a flight?

How are plants adapting to their changing environment?

How do our eyes adjust to darkness?

With more participants than ever before, the standard was exceptionally high. Our esteemed judges, Dr Mitchell (Head of Physics) and Dr Cooper (Head of STEM), faced a tough task in selecting the winners. After much deliberation, here are the standout projects:

Year 1/2

Winner: Theo S – Seeds

Year 3/4

Winner: Austin R – Does comet size matter?

Highly Commended: Orla T – How to make a lava lamp

Year 5

Winner: Paige M – Worms at work

Highly Commended: Ajay S – Tractors

Year 6

Winner: Thomas LP – Can I turn the Sun’s energy into heat energy?

Highly Commended: Evie C – How do I slow down an apple from turning brown?

Form 1

Winner: Tejas C – Home-made motor

Highly Commended: Erin M – Adaptations of swimwear

Form 2

Winner: Boris F – Edaphoecotropism (when living tissue engulfs stuff!)

Highly Commended: James P – Beaks

A huge well done to all our participants for their incredible projects! Your enthusiasm and passion for science continue to inspire us all.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Year 5 had a fantastic time exploring the traditions of Chinese New Year, and discovering the traits linked to the animal year of their birth!

RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch! It might have been a wild and windy weekend, but we hope you managed to take part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch!

Our Prep School pupils have been busy preparing over the last few weeks. From crafting bird feeders and creating birdthemed artwork to honing their bird identification skills, they’ve truly embraced the spirit of birdwatching.

Year 3 & 4 pupils carried out a bird survey in a rather magical spot on campus.

Sports

Results: Strathallan Invitational Cross Country Championships

On Thursday 6th February, we held our annual Invitational Cross Country Championship, which saw runners from schools and colleges across Scotland take on our course.

A huge thank you to all the runners from Craigclowan, Cargilfield, Hamilton College, St Leonard’s, Glenalmond, Forgandenny Primary School, Kinnoull Primary School, Dunning Primary School and Strathallan School for takining part in our epic Invitational Cross Country Championships.

It was a fantastic day for racing, with impressive performances across all age groups and some thrilling finishes.

Below are the race results:

1 ‘G’ Race

1st Farras F - Cargilfield

2nd Elliot L – Hamilton College

3rd Billy S - Cargilfield

Girls

1st Zanna T - Cargifield

2nd Lizzie D – Strathallan

3rd Izzy C – Cargilfield

2. ‘F’ Race

Boys

1st Daniel W - Kinnoull

2nd Wyatt F - Craigclowan

3rd Ruthven S - Craiglowan

Girls

1s Evie C - Strathallan

2nd Janie T - Strathallan

3rd Hannah B - Craigclowan

3. ‘E’ Race

Boys

1st Alex H - Kinnoull

2nd Macauley OB – Hamilton College

3rd Fergus G - Craigclowan

Girls

1 Francesca J - Strathallan

2nd Gabriella J - Strathallan

3rd Morven S - Strathallan

4. ‘D` Boys

1st Findlay B - Strathallan

2nd Sebastian D - Strathallan

3rd Charlie C - Strathallan

5. ‘D` Girl’s

1st Phoebe F – St Leonard’s

2nd Katie McL - Leonard’s

3rd Ellie H - St Leonard’s

6. Intermediate Girls - `B`

1st Aila D - Strathallan

2nd Anna H - Strathallan

3rd Alana H - Strathallan

7. Intermediate Boys - `B` Boy’s

1st Alastair Mc – St Leonard’s

2nd Adam S - Strathallan

3rd – Leo C - Strathallan

8. Junior boys -`C` Boy’s

1st William L - Strathallan

2nd Joshua Y - Strathallan

3rd Matthew F - Strathallan

9. Junior Girls - ‘C’ Girl’s

1st Fearne J - Strathallan

2nd Sophie D - Strathallan

3rd Cara L – St Leonard’s

10. Senior Boys - ‘A’ Boy’s

1st Ben E - Glenalmond

2nd Jacob H - Strathallan

3rd Luca G - Glenalmond

11. Senior Girls ‘A’ Girl’s

1st Francesca W - Strathallan

2nd Lucy W - Strathallan

3rd Fig G - Glenalmond

Swimming Championship Season Starts with Powerful Performances

Over the past few weeks, the dedication of Strathallan’s swimmers have been on full display. From national age-group meets to international trials, our current and former pupils have proven that consistent effort and a passion for improvement pay off.

At the Scottish National Age Group Championships (SNAGs) held at Aberdeen Sports Village from 5–9 April, eight members of the Strathallan Swim Academy stepped up to compete against the best in the country. For many, this marked a milestone in their development - one shaped by early mornings, long sessions, and commitment.

Among the standout performances was Finlay B who delivered an exceptional series of swims in the 16 age group:

Gold: 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, 200m IM, 400m IM, 400m Freestyle

Silver: 50m Backstroke

Director of Swimming Elaine Johnston remarked, “Finlay was on top form, in the last length on the 100 back and in 400 free overtaking with 100 to go. I'm very proud of all the hard work all of our swimmers have put in the school pool paying off across the board.”

Andrew L also impressed in the 14 age group:

Gold: 100m and 200m Butterfly

Silver: 50m and 100m Freestyle

Bronze: 100m Backstroke

Alongside them, Luke J, Euan W, Sam C, Imogen J, Soren Y, and Kristin M each delivered determined performances across various events and distances. While not every swim was a medal finish, every swimmer came away with valuable race experience, personal bests, and clear goals for the next phase of training.

Meanwhile, at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships, which serve as trials for the World Championships, World Juniors, EYOF, and European Juniors, Strathallan pupils past and present made a major impact.

Evan D, still a junior, showed extraordinary focus and maturity to win the 400m Individual Medley Junior Final in a personal best time of 4:25.22 - a performance that marks him as one of the nation’s brightest young talents.

And in a powerful moment for the wider school community, Duncan Scott, Strathallan alumnus and Olympic medallist, broke the Scottish Record in the 200m Butterfly, qualifying for the World Championships with a time of 1:54.89.

The medal was awarded by none other than his former coach, Elaine Johnston.

“Duncan’s parents had reached out to me and asked if I would like to present his medal as a surprise,” Elaine said. “I’d had a coffee with Duncan the day before, and it was lovely to reconnect and see how he’s continued to grow - not just as one of Scotland’s top athletes, but as a person.”

Hockey Plate

Congratulations to our U18B 7s squad for winning the plate at Morrisons Academy 7s! The team played some excellent 7s, culminating in a victory over the Glenalmond 1st team in the final!

School Team of the Year Award

We are delighted that our U18 Girls Tennis team have won the School Team of the Year Award at the Perth and Kinross Sports Awards.

This is an incredible achievement and is very deserved recognition for the team’s incredible dedication and success on the court throughout the 2024 season. It was amazing to see former pupils Anni and Cecilia alongside our current captain, Freya C attend the awards ceremony in Perth to collect the trophy.

Congratulations to the Strathallan U15 Hockey team who were also nominated. They are a remarkable team who thoroughly deserved their nomination in the same category.

Congratulations also to our Director of Tennis Tommy Ogilvie on his nomination in the coach of the year category.

Cricket Scotland ICC Level 1

A huge congratulations to our pupils (and staff) who successfully completed their Cricket Scotland ICC Level 1 coaching award during the final few days of the Spring Term!

We’re excited to watch them grow and develop their coaching skills through the school’s cricket programme and beyond.

A big thank you to Gordon and Kari from Cricket Scotland for their outstanding delivery and support!

Caledonia Hockey and Netball

Well done to our 12 Strathallan Prep School pupils who represented the Caledonia Hockey and Netball teams.

Both teams did brilliantly, enjoying some excellent matches with the Thistles and the Saltires representative teams!

Adrian Nicklin

Thanks to Adrian Nicklin for today’s workshop. A very helpful sports psychology session for our tennis pupils.

Thinking about the 3 A’s - acknowledge, assess and apply. How we can use the “dead time” on court and how it can really impact performance in a positive way.

Building ‘anchors’ into our game, as a safety net. All very helpful tools for any aspiring tennis player.

Rugby

Strathallan students Alana H and Charlotte L took part in the first Girls Regional Series and looked set to play again.

Speaking of her experience, Alana, the youngest player in the programme, said, “It was an amazing experience, it was my first game of rugby in a long time and it was really good to get out and get amongst all the girls and to see such a big turn out. I was playing against girls from the Summer Series. I hoped to get out really good game sense and friendship with the team. It’s great to get to play at this level and it showed how much the girls game was developing.”

Three members of their 1st XV U18 team faced each other across the Oriam as Ben McD played for Edinburgh U18 and Adam W and Matthew H started for the Glasgow Warriors U18 in the first Inter-City games.

Ben McD said, “It’s pretty amazing to be selected considering I’m one of the younger ones. It was a great experience and really looked forward to it.”

“It was good to play against Adam and Matthew, I knew how they played so I had a wee advantage there but they were great players so I didn’t doubt it was tough. I hoped to add to the great Edinburgh team and gave it my all.”

Captain of Rugby at Strathallan, Adam W, said, “It made me immensely proud to be selected for Glasgow Warriors U18, it felt like my hard work in all the setups was paying off and I hoped to help bring my pace and game awareness to the match. I’m very happy to see Matthew alongside me and I’m glad I got to play against Ben and the Edinburgh side.”

What a weekend for Strathallan Rugby!

Friday night saw our Development squad light up the field with an incredible 85-10 victory over Holy Trinity Catholic High School Ontario on the last game of their tour! The winning streak continued on Saturday as our 2nd XV triumphed over St Leonards/Madras 48-14, with a special shoutout to Angus B for scoring his first try!

Under the lights, our rugby players stepped up to the challenge, with several U17 players taking on roles in the 1st XV for a thrilling match against the West of Scotland RFC.

It was a debut for Captain Buzby W who told us, “I was honoured for this opportunity to be captain for the U17s in our first game together as a team. It felt amazing to be under the lights for the first time and to see the support from Strath. I’d like to thank the coaches for giving me this opportunity and the players for helping me throughout the game.”

The game was hard-fought from the start, but as confidence grew, so did the team’s performance. “At the start, it was 50/50, but as we settled in, we gained confidence, grew as a team, and put more pressure on our opposition - leading to more tries.”

A step up in competition, an electric atmosphere, and a strong team effort made this a Friday night to remember.

14 of our senior rugby players proudly represented their regions in the first of this year’s Boys Regional Academy Fixtures, with our pupils lining up for Caledonia U17 & U18 and Glasgow & West U18.

Congratulations to Sebastian G, Max E, Fraser S, Kyle B, Adam W, Ben McD, Jack L, Milos C, Bertie W, Brodie C, Finlay A, Jak C, Callum R, and Matthew H went head-to-head and side-by-side in competitive matches, pushing each other to new heights.

While some of them may face off as opponents on the field, these fixtures are a shared journey; offering an exciting pathway for young players to grow their skills, develop their game, and aim for higher honours.

We wish them all the best as they continue to make the most of this fantastic opportunity.

Our 1st VII squad delivered an unstoppable start at the Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, winning all four of their day-one matches—38-24 against St George’s Weybridge, 24-7 against Chislehurst & Sidcup, 54-7 against Sixth Form College Colchester, and 20-7 against Ivybridge Community College—securing their place in the final 32.

Meanwhile, our U16 7s squad, competing in a highly competitive pool, experienced an enjoyable day, starting with a narrow loss to national champions and eventual semi-finalists Stowe Rugby, followed by an impressive 24-19 victory over Epsom College, and concluding with a close 28-26 loss to St Johns.

A massive congratulations to our U18 rugby 7s squad for successfully defending the Charlie Forsyth Trophy with a 4519 victory over Hutchesons Grammar in the final of the High School of Glasgow 7s! They played some excellent 7s and remained unbeaten throughout the day!

Well done to Hugo J, Oskar E, and Rory D who represented the U16 Caledonia teams in the second instalment of the regional series. Top work, lads!

Athletics

Jack D struck gold in the U20 shot put at the Scottish Schools Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow. An incredible achievement to kick off 2025 in a new-age category.

Jack said, “Winning gold in Glasgow felt like a massive accomplishment after a tough outdoor season last year, where I narrowly missed out on a national medal and selection. To come into my first competition of 2025 in a new age bracket and take gold feels like all the hard training has finally paid off. I am now aiming to medal again in the Men’s Indoor Championship next month.”

It was an outstanding event for our senior athletes, with Leo C also winning double bronze in the U17 200m and 60m!

Football

Congratulations to our 1st XI boys football team, who put in an excellent performance away at Glenalmond where they won 5-2! Goals came from Matthew M x2, Cameron C x2 and Henri H. Henri was also awarded Man of the match!

What a brilliant way to end the football term. Well done, boys!

Equestrian

Well done to our equestrian team who took part in the Kirriemuir Horse Trials

Olivia K 9th in BE80

Pebbles W 2nd BE100 and 4th BE90

Klara T 6th BE90

Well done to Ruby A, who completed her first BE event

Swimming

Medals and PBs for Imogen J and Finlay B at the Midlands District Long Course Age Group Championships!

Imogen and Finlay delivered standout performances at Round 1 of the SASA Midland District Long Course Age Group Championships, bringing home multiple medals and personal bests.

Imogen claimed gold in the 100m freestyle, following in the footsteps of former pupil Elise C and Strathallan’s Director of Swimming, Elaine Johnston, who won the title before competing at the Commonwealth Games.

She also secured gold in the 50m freestyle, silver in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and played a key role in her team’s relay victory. Reflecting on her performance, she said:

“It was a great experience. The 50 free was my best race— it’s tough to get a PB, but I managed a big one, so I’m really happy with it!”

Meanwhile, Finlay dominated his events, powering to victory in the 200m IM, 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke, and 50m butterfly.

“The 200 IM was my favourite, it was a really entertaining race and fun to swim,” he said. “Breaking the one-minute barrier in the 100m backstroke for the first time was a huge moment for me.”

It’s been a busy start to the season for our swimmers, with outstanding performances at the Scottish Schools Swimming Championships, the Geneva International Swim Meet, and the Forth Valley Trident Meet.

Several members of the Strathallan Performance Squad travelled to Aberdeen to compete at the Scottish Schools Swimming Championships, delivering impressive results:

Andrew L – Gold in 13/14yrs 100 & 200 Fly and awarded Overall Best Boy Trophy for his age group.

Adam S – Bronze in 15/16yrs 100 Back, plus 6th in 200 Back.

Kristin M – Silver in 400 Free, plus 9th in 200 Breast.

Harriet W – 7th in 200 IM, 10th in 100 Breast.

Luke J – 9th in 200 Free, 10th in 100 Free.

Soren Y – 14th in 200 Free, 18th in 100 Fly.

Sam C – 5th in 100 Breast, 12th in 200 Free.

A fantastic effort from all our swimmers despite challenging conditions!

Geneva International Swim Meet – Debut for Finlay B

Evan D and Finlay B travelled to Geneva as part of the Scottish Junior Team to compete on the international stage. Unfortunately, Evan had to withdraw after day one due to injury, however, Finlay, in his first international competition, had an excellent meet, recording several personal bests and reaching the B final in the 200 Back – an outstanding achievement!

Forth Valley Trident Meet

Luke J also competed in Falkirk, delivering a string of huge PBs and earning a Bronze in the 200 Back.

A huge well done to all our swimmers for their determination and impressive performances in Scotland and beyond!

Cross Country

Huge congratulations to Fearne J, who ran for the Scotland U15 cross-country relay team in the SIAB Schools International Schools Cross Country Championships in Falkirk.

This is a prestigious competition, featuring the top athletes from Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland, all selected through their Schools National Championships. Well done to Fearne for her outstanding performance and representing Scotland.

Strathallan Prep School cross country teams had an exceptional day at the Merchiston Cross Country relays!

Our U11 girls, U13 girls & U13 boys teams all came 1st overall, with our U11 girls and U13 boys also setting new course records!

Well done to all our runners who ran so well today and thank you to Merchiston for a great event!

Our Prep School Students had an amazing day at the 39th annual Belhaven Hill School Cross Country Championships!

All our runners displayed incredible grit and determination throughout their races!

We enjoyed 8 top 5 finishes, with both our U13 Boys and Girls teams winning the team events - a truly remarkable achievement!

A huge well done to all our runners, and a big thank you to Belhaven for hosting such a fantastic event!

Huge congratulations to our cross country teams, who had a successful day at the Glenalmond Cross Country Invitational

U13 Girls - 1st - Francesca J

U15 Girls - 1st - Fearne J, 2nd - Imogen J, 4th - Annabelle A

U15 Girls Team - 1st Overall

U18 Boys - Carl B - 3rd, Ben W - 4th, Blaise C - 7th and Francesco MR - 14th

U18 Boys Team - 2nd overall

U18 Girls - 1st - Francesca W, 6th - Amelie H, 7th - Farrah C, 8th - Lucy G-M

U18 Girls Team - 2nd overall

Well done to all our runners who ran so well and thanks to Glenalmond for hosting

Congratulations to our senior cross country teams for an outstanding performance at the Hamilton College Cross Country Competition!

In the team competition, our U15 girls claimed joint 1st place with Hutchesons' Grammar School! Our U14 boys also secured 3rd place in their event. Across the board, all our runners performed incredibly well!

Hockey

An amazing effort from our U15 girls in the national final who lost 3-2 on running penalties following a 1-1 draw with Edinburgh Academy.

A tough way to lose, but the girls should be proud of their performance. The support for the team was outstanding, and their resilience and determination were inspiring.

Congratulations to Perthshire Hockey Club for their stellar performance in the Midlands U15 Scottish Indoor Qualifiers! The team went unbeaten, with Strathallan students Sophie D, Esther B, and Anna G making a huge impact by scoring an impressive 9 goals between them.

Special shoutout to Anna G on her selection for the 2024/25 National Emerging Girls Scotland training squad.

A huge congratulations to our U13 boys’ hockey team for winning the Strathallan Hockey 7s tournament for just the second time in 44 years!

The team went unbeaten throughout, finishing with an excellent 3-1 win against Cargilfield in the final. A special mention to Seb D, who was also named Player of the Tournament.

Thank you to all the schools who attended. The level of hockey was outstanding, and we hope everyone who attended enjoyed the tournament!

Our 1st XI Boys are through to the National Cup Final after a thrilling 5-2 victory over The Edinburgh Academy! An epic match showcasing skill, determination, and fantastic sportsmanship from both teams.

Well done to the 13 teams competing in our U18 boys and girls Strathallan 5s hockey tournament

Lots of great hockey was played on a stunning afternoon. Thank you so all who attended, and congratulation’s to the following teams who won on the day!

Girls

1st - Edinburgh Academy

2nd - Fettes

3rd - Strathallan School

Boys

1st - Strathallan School

2nd - Gordonstoun

3rd - Morrisons Academy

Clays

Great result for Strathallan School Clays Team at the Oxford Gun Company’s British Schools Challenge Championship.

Results:

1st Overall team winners - Ali T, Alex Mac, Duncan G, Hunter S & Finn G

1st Ladies high gun - Isla T

3rd Boys - Ali T after a shoot off with fellow pupils Fraser S & Hunter S.

Well done to all. We are very proud to be part of your development.

Netball

Massive congratulations to our U15 Netball squad who advance to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with an impressive 61-18 win over Lathallan!

Tennis

A fantastic start to the half-term break for Strath Tennis! Sophie D and partner Ella finished as runners-up in the U14 doubles at Rutherglen TC, while Findlay P and Lewis took the U14 doubles title at Newlands TC - congratulations! We’re also thrilled to see our girls’ team ranked 9th in the 2024 LTA School Rankings, following our boys’ 6th-place finish in 2023 - what an achievement!

And it’s great to see our former pupils continuing their tennis journey, whether competing, coaching, or simply enjoying the game in the United States and around the world. Tennis truly is a sport for life!

Congratulations to Findlay, Sophie, Ali, Thomas, Freya and Jed on their selection to represent their Districts, at the Tennis Scotland Inter-District Championship’s, held at Strathallan School over the 5-8th of April. Marking the start of the summer season, this competitive but fun team event is enjoyed by some of the best players from all over Scotland - good luck to our 6 pupils for the event.

Congratulations to Freya C, Thomas D & Jed M on their selection to represent their respective counties in the U18 County Cup. Freya and the North girls team will travel to compete in Sunderland, while Thomas and the North of Scotland boys team travel to Bath, to compete in Division 1. Jed and the South of Scotland team will travel to Grantham. County representation is a great reward for the hard work and dedication shown by the 3 pupils.

Congratulations to pupil Jed M, and partner George B, on winning the men’s doubles title at the Tennis World Easter Tournament in Middlesbrough. Well done, Jed!

Congratulations to our U18 girls team who travelled to Sunderland to compete in the LTA Youth Schools Year 11 - 13 North Regional Finals 2025. The team of Freya, Olivia, Nancy & Leni did brilliantly to finish 3rd.

Congratulations to Findlay P on winning the U14 singles at the Scotland Tour Event at Bellfield Park in Inverness.

Well done to Evie C & partner, Jessica H on finishing third in the U11 doubles event at the Scotland Tour - Giffnock Tournament.

Congratulation’s to Y6 pupil Evie C, winning the U11 Scotland Tour Oriam event in Edinburgh.

A fantastic weekend for Thomas D, winning the TS 500 event at the University of Stirling - earning a wildcard into Scottish Indoor Open Championships.

A great weekend at the Scottish Junior Indoor Doubles Championships for Ali E & Jed M.

Congratulations to Ali & partner Oran M, who won the U14 doubles!

To Jed M, and partner Findlay P, who are the new U18 Scottish Indoor National Doubles Champions!

A great day at the Scottish Junior Indoor Doubles Championships for Ali E & Jed M. Congratulations to Ali & partner Oran, who won the U14 doubles! To Jed M, and partner Findlay P, who are the new U18 Scottish Indoor National Doubles Champions!

Congratulations to our Y11-13 girls team who have qualified for the Regional Finals of the LTA Youth Schools Competition.

124 teams entered & we are through to the last 16. Our girls team will be Scotland’s representative at the girls Regional Finals, in Sunderland.

Another great day for Sophie D and Ali E, at the G3 February Holiday Tournament - Rutherglen. With both players finishing as runners-up in the U14 singles in their respective events. Well done, to you both!

A fantastic weekend for Ali E, picking up 2 titles. Winning the U14 singles event at the Scotland Tour - Oriam. Backing it up by winning the U18 doubles at the Scotland Tour - Moray Sports Centre Tennis event with partner Oran M.

Golf

Well done to our golfers who played in the St Leonard’s Championships at St Andrews. Our golfers played some excellent golf on the world renowned Jubilee and Eden courses.

Inter-House

Senior Girls Inter-House Basketball

Our senior girls enjoyed a competitive night of basketball

Results below!

Thornbank vs. Glenbrae 9:7

Thornbank vs. Woodlands 12:10

Glenbrae vs. Woodlands 28:6

Awards

Celebrating Excellence!

CCF

CCF Field Day

A massive thank you to 7 SCOTS, Royal Regiment of Scotland, for delivering an incredible CCF Field Day for our Fourth Form cadets!

From learning tactical manoeuvres to exploring the radios and equipment used by the Infantry, our cadets had an action-packed day.

A huge congratulations to our senior students who received Colours, Trophies, and Awards in this morning’s assembly for their outstanding achievements in Music, Performing Arts, Sports, Model UN, John Muir, Duke of Edinburgh, Debating, and CCF.

It was truly inspiring to see the rich and varied accomplishments of our pupils beyond the classroom! Special mention to our Sports Colours recipients, representing 12 different sports!

Strathallians

Going the Distance for Doddie Aid & My Name’5 Doddie Foundation

A huge shoutout to the Pedalling Ploughmen – Robert Mackenzie (former Captain of School & former Governor), Allan Hay (former Captain of Rugby), Sam Reid (High School Of Dundee), Marc Gentles (Brechin High School), Gavin Baillie (Dollar Academy), and James Brunton (Glenalmond College) – who came together to take part in the epic Doddie’s Grand Tour to help the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.

Despite being self-confessed non-seasoned cyclists, these six friends rode an incredible 700km from Stranraer to Murrayfield, joining Rob Wainwright and the rest of the tour. Their efforts have helped raise over £58,000 for an incredible cause, contributing to over half a million raised by the Grand Tour so far!

From Captain of School to one of Harvard's Rugby Captains!

Congratulations to former pupil Charlotte Gilmour, who has been named as one of the three Harvard Women's Rugby Captains this season.

Since achieving her Highers at Strathallan, Charlotte has been studying Human Evolutionary Biology alongside her instrumental role in the team's success, helping guide the Crimson to back-to-back NIRA National 15s Championship Titles and the USA Rugby CRAA 7s Championship in 2024.

In her first year, she scored one of the two tries in the NIRA Championship final against Dartmouth. In her sophomore year, she ranked second on the team for both carries and dominant carries with 88, and this past fall, she transitioned to prop, dominating in the scrum.

Speaking of her selection, Charlotte said, "It means a lot to be named Captain, after a really successful three years on the pitch, earning a few national championships, it’s really exciting to be able to give back to the team by serving as Captain and also get the chance to leave my own mark on the teams legacy through the role."

Good luck to Charlotte, Nafi, and Tiahna as they lead the Crimson squad this season! Cheering you all on from Scotland

Scottish Rugby

Best of luck to former pupils Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie, Matt Fagerson, and George Horne as they take on Italy in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations!