The Strathallian 2021

The

Strathallian 2020-2021

Leaping into 2021

George M

Contents 02

Strathallan 2020–2021

03

The Headmaster

10

The Captains of School

14

The Chaplain

17

Salvete

18

Prize Winners 2021

20

House Reports Strathallan Prep School Freeland Glenbrae Nicol Ruthven Simpson Thornbank Woodlands

44

The Year That Was

58

Creative Strathallan

84

Academic Strathallan

100

Active Strathallan

128

Staff News

138

Valedictory

144

Valete

Sophie B models the must-have accessory of 2021 — the Strathallan face mask.

Marines Contingent at Speech Day 2021 Sebastian P, Robert B-S and Roli S.

The Strathallian Magazine 2020-21 VOLUME XXI NUMBER 8 © Strathallan School Published October 2021 Editor: Catherine Howett, English Teacher, Strathallan School

Strathallan Photography: Dominic Glasgow, Ken Paterson,

Design: DUFI ART (www.dufi-art.com)

Neil Hamilton, Struan Davie

SMARTMedia Scotland (www.smartmediascotland.co.uk)

Cover Image: A Midsummer Night's Dream, June 2021

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2020-2021 Chairman of Governors Richard K Linton, LLB, NP Headmaster D M Lauder, MA (Hons) Governors Mr N M Campbell CA Prof. Dr J Crang BA PGCE PhD FRHist FRSA Mr K C Dinsmore BA LLB DipLP Mr S Fairbairn MA LLB DipLP Mr D Gillanders Mr M A Griffiths LLB (Hons) CA Mr R G A Hall BArch DipArch RIAS RIBA Ms E Lister BSc DipEd

Mrs C Miller MA (Hons) Mrs P A Milne BA MBA FCIPD Mr A J Sinclair BSc Mrs G M Wilson MA (Fine Art) PGCE Mr S J Hay BA MBA MSc Mr P Johnston ACCA Mr A Wood MRAC FRICS

Bursar & Clerk to the Governers Mr A C Glasgow, MBE BEng MSc CEng

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Speech Day 2021

THE HEADMASTER

“We have felt the impact of this pandemic in every facet of school and community life.”

T

HOUGH SPEECH DAY THIS YEAR ENDED UP BEING VIRTUAL ONCE AGAIN,

it is and was a pleasure to have the opportunity to welcome our Chairman, Governors, parents, staff and pupils to reflect on another extraordinary year at Strathallan.

My thanks too went to Margie Burnet, our Guest Speaker. I am pleased that Margie was able to come to school in this year for two reasons; firstly, we have not seen Strathallians for some considerable time through the normal events we would host and Margie as a Strathallian helps maintain that important link; secondly, and with particular significance for 2021, Margie was the first ever girl at Strathallan, arriving fifty years ago, into the Sixth Form. Ending her distinguished teaching career as an HMC Head at Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire, Margie knows the form for Speech Days of course but she is also something of a pioneer at Strathallan and to mark fifty years of girls at Strathallan, next year we will award the inaugural Margie Burnet Trophy for a pioneering and innovative achievement — for a pupil or group of pupils who achieve something new, original or ground-breaking for the school.

In the midst of end-of-year joy and celebration it is important to pause and reflect for just a moment on one pupil who was not at Prize Giving and who would have been leaving school this year along with all his friends and classmates. Alistair Jeynes-Ellis died tragically in November 2019 and we remember his contribution to school, his joy, passion and zest for life — a big character who has left a big hole in this year group and we cannot forget him.

I am sure that many of you have already thought about AJ as term ended — some of you hopefully may even have felt his presence with us in spirit.

A new award of the ‘AJ Ski Cup’, made possible by AJ’s mum Allison and dad Guy and which was presented at our Senior Prize-giving, embodies within its criteria something of the essence of AJ: humour, kindness, positivity and teamwork. These values will be shared by the winners of this cup. A tree has been planted close to Chapel to create a permanent reminder in school of the life of AJ along with a plaque in Ruthven House.

He will never be forgotten.

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I would like to thank the Captains of School, Suzy and Fergus. It’s been an odd year to be Captains of course but their quiet, efficient and effective leadership has been of tremendous help to pupils and staff alike. Well done to you both, to the Vice Captains Forbes and Dani, as well as the whole of School Authority for your work and support in this challenging year. You have been excellent.

I was pleased to be able to address the school at the end of the academic year; sad that it could not be in person.

I am pleased we managed to have an inperson summer term after the second national lockdown; sad that we were not allowed to have parents and guests on campus to join in with all the events we managed.

I am pleased that we had prize-giving for each year group; sad that parents could not be here to see them.

I am pleased we ran athletics competitions over several days this summer; sad it couldn’t be a normal sports day which is one of our traditional highlights.

I am pleased we had a dinner for the U6th in their bubbles, sad there was no Leavers’ Ball, sad there were no parents and sad there was no reeling and dancing. I’m pleased we had Head Man’s Music at least with a limited audience; sad it was without parents again; pleased we ran a truly spectacular outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, very pleased the pupils could see it, but yet again sad parents could not join us and that they will have to wait for the video.

I am pleased we finally had a rugby season this academic year, astonished it was in June!

I think you get the jist.

In the academic year 2019-20, we had two more or less normal terms and then we locked down for what ended up as being the whole of the summer term.

We had been briefed to anticipate a lockdown followed by a gradual reopening and then a return more or less to normal. And then the coronavirus variants began to appear — at this point we are on our fourth — and impacted on what we thought we might do and what in the end we could do.

With the assistance of effective vaccines we did begin to see restrictions eased but only after the summer half-term. The impact of all of this has been significant.

Parents have not been here, out of cars, for over 15 months; neither have governors. Hardly any sports fixtures have been played; there have been no live assemblies and literally only a handful of year group 04

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“As the song says, ‘Life’s a play; we’re unrehearsed.’

There was no script, no playbook, and too many external ‘directors’ giving conflicting advice. We remained patient and focused on being flexible and responsive to what we saw here on the ground, to what our pupils and parents and staff told us and by working with other schools to present a best case for changes we needed to see.” chapel services. There has been almost no singing together. There have been virtually no school trips.

The school has hosted boarders through all holidays and since mid-August 2020 has operated continuously except for a few days over Christmas. I could list much more besides.

We have felt the impact of this pandemic in every facet of school and community life.

But if our ‘glass’ at Strathallan has been less than full this year it's certainly been much more than ‘halfempty’. In formulating this approach, instinctive at Strathallan I believe, I was reminded of the song lines from the Mel Brookes comedy, The Twelve Chairs: “Hope for the best, expect the worst; Life is a play; we’re unrehearsed.

Some reach the top, friends, while others flop, friends, Hope for the best, expect the worst!”

He borrowed this, I believe, from Benjamin Disraeli, the 19thc. British Prime Minister, who wrote in his novel The Wondrous Tale of Alroy, “I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.” He took it of course from an ancient proverb. But I digress.

We devised a timetable for this academic year that could transfer online if required. We equipped staff with upgraded IT equipment, laptops and stylus pads for online marking and ensured our WiFi and internet capacity was future-proofed and robust. We worked

on improved ways of teaching online that alleviated the tedium, the screen time and the isolation of no ‘pupil to pupil’ chat and conversation. We embraced blended learning — where online and in-person learning took place simultaneously — in case of periods of isolation or travel disruption. It’s just as well we did. We prepared for the worst in that sense.

We also knew we were unrehearsed, as indeed was everyone from government downwards. We had to debate rule changes and restrictions that were not clear to our context; emerging and changing guidance didn’t quite fit our boarding and rural context; UK Border policy overlooked for a time the issues around international school-aged students; and we worked with the Scottish Government and SCIS on regulations around quarantine. In all of this, we had hoped for the best but had prepared for the worst.

As the song says, ‘Life’s a play; we’re unrehearsed.’ There was no script, no playbook, and too many external ‘directors’ giving conflicting advice. We remained patient and focused on being flexible and responsive to what we saw here on the ground, to what our pupils and parents and staff told us and by working with other schools to present a best case for changes we needed to see.

And I think it is that, as I look back over this year, which stands out for me. We’ve learned about ourselves, learned about each other, our community and our true capacity for overcoming doubt and difficulty. We’ve learned new strengths, conquered feared weaknesses and gained new insight, new strength and new confidences.

We’ve learned that help for each other and ourselves really is the key to strength, that our core values really do matter, that who we are is more truly defined by how we live and treat one another than by who or what we define ourselves against.

This pandemic may have done some things to weaken our community for a time, but overall I suspect it has in fact strengthened us.

Labor Omnia Vincit has often been invoked at Speech Days before, it’s a nice link to make on such occasions, but perhaps it’s never been more apt than it is today.

First there was the relief for pupils in September of being back at school with friends.

We’ve learned the importance of real people and real friendships this year and the perceived reliance of children and young people on social media has been given a healthy dose of perspective because of this.

We’ve seen more pupils together outside spending time together this year, valuing their ability to do this in a safe and beautiful campus. As one pupil said to me, “2D chat is fine online for a while, but 3D people are better.

Then there was better than expected academic progress. Online attendance rates were sky high and progress was clear with various Key Stage courses being completed ahead of schedule. New ways of learning have emerged also in classrooms, not least because being in class has become more valued by pupils. IT skills have become integral to the way we work together as pupils and teachers, and using digital media is de rigeur — our overall skillset has advanced about a decade I think.

Greater individualised discussions with pupils have emerged as a norm and online parents’ meetings have seen engagement levels up in the 90% range. Thanks in particular to staff, parents and organisers of these crucial meetings. For the past three years our results have ranked alongside or better than the larger, more selective co-educational boarding schools and they lead the pack in the north. On that note, I congratulate last year’s leavers for their results and the current L6th for their GCSEs, Teacher Assessed Grades regardless. “Mateja and William, school Duxes in 2019 and 2020 respectively, will have to wait for their newly cast medals until 2022 when they will be joined by this year’s Dux — and there’s a joke there I’m sure about ‘getting our Dux in a row’, but I’ll work on that.”

We’ve seen more pupils together outside spending time together this year, valuing their ability to do this in a safe and beautiful campus. As one pupil said to me, “2D chat is fine online for a while, but 3D people are better.”

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We sought to bring variety and freshness to pupils’ lives in the challenging conditions of the year. As Harry Riley said, education ought to be enjoyable and not, definitely not, a drudgery. So, changes to prep (including cancelling or reducing it!), to tutor activities (conducted as socials or as walks) and lessons themselves (outside, some on the move and others using this wonderful campus more creatively) have all been seen this year and to great effect. Al fresco lessons are now proven to be beneficial provided they are in moderation and part of a varied delivery from staff. The outdoors is clearly no longer just for Forest Schools and I am delighted to see this being embraced in our senior school lessons as much as prep school. I’ve often described Strathallan as ‘being on the march’ in recent years — this year it has been quite literally!

and Grounds teams who helped set up much of our outdoor activities and new facilities that these new activities have relied on.

The potential for isolation and restrictions to stifle creativity was avoided with new approaches devised by pupils and staff alike. Essays, poetry, debating, reading achievements and much more besides were all discernible and noted as strong positives. Our brilliant musicians manoeuvred around some of the most restricted practice conditions to ensure continuity and even innovation: see the simply stunning Strathallan Suite from the Headmaster’s Concert this term, composed by John Macrae while working with our scholars; or the electronic chanters that have allowed indoor tuition for our pipers to accelerate rather than stagnate; or the flexibility of the drama team who pushed back and pushed back the

The importance of chit-chat and time together ‘doing nothing’ became clearer too and we ensured this was factored into our pastoral provision. We have a multitude of fire pits now on site and even a BBQ hut that seats 25 — named colloquially as “Hagrid’s Hut.” And if you ever thought about buying shares in marshmallow production, this year was the time (I think putting a toasted marshmallow between two chocolate digestives is now the dessert of choice!).

Superb and caring tutoring overall — well done to all our tutors and house staff including the Matrons and the house domestic teams as well as the Estates

Summer Term play and stuck their guns to bring about an extraordinary outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream — visually stunning, fully engaging a pupil audience (no mean feat), masterfully delivered by both experienced and fresh dramatic talent; and of course, and perhaps the best compliment of all, just great fun — as the best Shakespeare is. I take my hat off to all our staff and pupils involved in the creative life of the school.

The pandemic has not weakened our creativity but has further strengthened what was already impressive, hopefully you will get to see all of this in person next year, at the Arts Festival planned for the Spring of 2022.

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Mindfulness, kindness, sensitivity and appreciative relationships are all too often spoken about and expected but somehow lost a wee bit in the melee of a normal busy term.

All came to the fore this year. Inclusion was strengthened and appreciation of diversity and its importance to our identity as individuals and as a community was reemphasised. Tolerance was tested and stretched and found to be greater than expected too. Strathallan has always been one of the kindlier schools; this year we’ve become much more conscious of the need to ensure this is actively nurtured and ensured for the future. It is clearly seen in the work, for example, of the Inclusion and Diversity Committee and has been recognised in the Headmaster’s senior prizes.

In the catalyst of the pandemic, we’ve listened, adapted and progressed more and faster than might otherwise have been the case. Parents, staff and pupils have enabled this in the response to the challenges.

This has been seen time and again, though the many achievements listed in this magazine, but I will single out the Fit in February challenge. Over 900 members of the Strathallan community took part for the school. We won weeks 1,3 and 4, we won the time limited fixtures, we won the Governors' Competition and we won overall.

A great symbol of the school’s ability to pull together and to come through with flying colours. I think the final winning margin was 2,500 km, not that I’m competitive or anything. But the trophy does look good in my office!

I’ve often described Strathallan as ‘being on the march’ in recent years – this year it has been quite literally!

So, at the end of the year, what have we to look back on?

We’ve seen and been reminded of the importance of work and study to our pupils as well as the critical importance of socialising and games and activities. We’ve seen their adaptability in how we’ve approached training in sport, practice for music, rehearsals for drama and the pursuit of DoE, John Muir, CCF and many more activities besides. We’ve seen resilience alongside vulnerability, resolve in the face of difficulty, trust in the face of uncertainty and community togetherness at a time of individuality and isolation.

This is a strong community, this is a strong group of pupils, this year has had an overwhelmingly positive outcome and this is all impressive, awe inspiring and humbling. This speaks to strong core values. This speaks to hard work in adversity winning through. This is the school at its best. This is Strath.

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In my eleven speech day speeches so far as a Headmaster, I think every single one has focused on values. Last year I spoke of those values we had redefined and articulated fully for the first time in recent years: Honesty, Humility, Kindness, Respect, Excellence and Hard Work, summed up in the overarching approach to life as being about Love. This year, these values appear in all school buildings, explained in words, images and quotes, including in the Chapel, as a reminder to us and our visitors of what our values are and what we stand for as a school community.

I am deeply grateful to all sections of our community for its support of, faith in and encouragement of the school and our pupils in their education and formative years.

To parents especially in these uncertain times, I thank you for your support, kindness, encouragement and patience as well as understanding. To the governors and especially our Chairman Richard Linton, our sincere thanks for unstinting and generous as well as wise advice, counsel and governance. Richard is stepping down after seven years, the longest anyone has served the school in this role. Due to the restrictions, we have not been able to 08

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thank Richard fully yet but rest assured we will recognise this and we also thank Kay Linton for lending Richard to us so often.

I am grateful too to all our teaching staff, our support staff and the SMT. Keeping pupils motivated despite exam cancellations, no fixtures or fewer performance opportunities is no mean feat. That we have done so well and with so many pupils is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the school staff. And to those staff leaving for retirement we wish you a long, happy and fulfilled retirement. For those starting new roles in new schools the best of luck to you all. Thank you for all you have given to the school and our pupils, whether you’ve been here for one or thirty-three years or anything in-between.

Perhaps the biggest thanks of all however must go to the pupils — you have excelled in ways that were perhaps unexpected and you have risen admirably to the challenges posed by events outside of your and our control.

Remember the tough times you’ve navigated, remember the fact you got through it, remember the positives — there are many — and build on the resilience that you have gained from the work and challenges of the year.

Congratulations to this year’s prize winners and to others who were recognised in assembly at the end of term and assemblies throughout the year. Well done for all your hard work and application and thank you for leadership in all areas that has been shown and which has helped others. You are an impressive bunch — of that there can be no doubt.

Last year I described accelerating out of the pandemic — that we should not just aim to survive but to thrive.

Listed are just five examples from the many ways this has been achieved.

1.

We’ve had a first year of our prep school — and numbers are up; next year we open to Primary 3 pupils and so growth continues.

2. We have joined IAPS and are the first Scottish school to be accepted into the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate — both will give increased access to fixtures and competitions, opportunities for staff training and new focus and depth to skills and an ethos based approach to the primary curriculum. This will include new eco lessons for SPS for the first time with IT skills being adopted as a core literacy.

3. Forgandenny 100 celebrations have been developed further, including reinstating campus nature trails from fifty years ago, a re-wilding of the campus, a focus on our environment and biodiversity for teaching and learning, a new permanent and upgraded golf course, a tree planting scheme and an arts festival in the planning too.

4. School numbers are growing again. September 2021 is due to see the fourth successive rise in the pupil roll; we are increasing teaching capacity to ensure balanced year groups for success in and out the classroom and to keep set sizes down. We are headed for one of the biggest school rolls ever in September and we are rapidly running out of places in 1st to 5th forms with Sixth Form approaching over 200 again.

5. Last year we won an Independent Schools award for International Student Experience. This year we’ve been nominated for three awards — including one for the best Prep School. This is exceptional and better than we thought. Strathallan is making headway in Scotland, the UK and internationally.

To have moved these and other key strategic initiatives forward in spite of the pandemic is encouraging and underlines our continued determination to be an ambitious school. While we live in challenging times, they are exciting too for an ambitious school and its future.

Our school is in great heart and continues to grow in confidence and purpose through our values and ethos, which are right for the times and the challenges we face. I remain hugely optimistic and excited about our future.

More importantly, I wish our leavers every success.

You have done so very well. We are proud of you all. We will miss you and we will be willing you on to succeed in whatever you are going on to do.

Pupils in the schools we compete against find you all ‘infuriatingly nice’! I like that. Don’t lose that ability to get along with everyone and to be kind and respectful of others. Be ambitious of course, as I am for this school you have served so very well but be humble with it and stay grounded. Keep us informed about your progress from time to time; remember to live our shared values and you won’t go far wrong. Remember the school motto and above all, be human and humane. Serve others and look after their happiness as a way to enhance your own.

So go with our blessing, for which I’ll use my favourite as I did last year:

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

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Captains of School

BY FERGUS S AND SUZY M

I

N ANY NORMAL YEAR, THE CAPTAIN OF SCHOOL'S ADDRESS AT SPEECH DAY IS THE HIGHLIGHT EVERYONE LOOKS FORWARD TO.

But this, of course, has been far from a normal year and like our predecessors Will and Imogen, we found ourselves addressing a camera and facing the prospect of the school’s virtual reach.

In some ways this was rather a relief — a year with significant periods of isolation wasn’t the best preparation for a live speech to hundreds of people. On the other hand the recording of this speech could be lurking for years to come in the farthest reaches of YouTube and the school’s social media channels.

Nevertheless, as our year as Captains of School ends, we do have some important points to make.

This hasn’t been an easy year and we are sure the teachers have been tested to their limits looking after us, even during the holidays and then having the never-ending marking of extended assessments this final term.

First of all we’d like to offer a huge thanks on behalf of all the pupils to the governors, teachers and support staff for all their hard work this year. This has been crucial in keeping the school afloat during what has been one of the most difficult years in the school’s recent history.

We’d also like to thank Mr Lauder for putting up with us this year and selflessly giving us his time to deliver hour long lectures (or meetings as they are officially called).

This hasn’t been an easy year and we are sure the teachers have been tested to their limits looking after us, even during the holidays and then having the never-ending marking of extended assessments this final term.

As pupils we are all very thankful and appreciative of these efforts and we hope you will enjoy your well-deserved break in the summer.

This said, the endless hours spent at school has led to some dubious decisions for both students and staff alike — who knew beards would be the new trend? Alex W might claim that his was “for a drama role” but we think there was some serious taking advantage of extraordinary circumstances going on.

Despite lockdowns and quarantines much has been going on at Strath this year. All of Mr Kalman’s fitness sessions finally paid off when rugby fixtures eventually returned this term and it was great to see Strath winning both of the matches we were able to have, despite some of the boys sleeping through practice. It has to be said though that these games weren’t the most important fixture on the boy’s calendar this year. The summer term also saw the return of the 1st 10

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank the school authority for all their hard work this year, especially our vice captains Dani and the so called ‘people’s captain’ Forbes. We couldn’t have asked for a better team around us and we certainly wouldn’t have got through the year without you guys. girls vs 1st boys Netball match. Naturally the girls won. Netball is a game of skill, fitness and athleticism after all. The eventual score of 21-12 came after some questionable defending from the boys, midair collisions, and some score tampering. But credit where it is due. After scoring 12 points and pulling off the netball dress surprisingly well, we can confidently say Charlie R really does have a future in sport — even if it’s not the main sport he has been focusing on for the past five years at Strath.

This year also saw the popularity of quiz nights soar and return of black-tie dinners when the regulations allowed. The school underwent a significant change with the introduction of Strathallan Prep School and our victory in the virtual challenge of ‘Fit in February’ gave Mr Lauder plenty to be proud of. As Captains of School we obviously share his pride but we do have to admit that one of our number — Forbes — claims he took part in no form of physical activity at all in lockdown other than speed-eating! Our reward for this — ‘Fit in February,’ not Forbes’ speed eating! — was a Saturday off school — unless you had a Maths exam scheduled for that day! At this point we do have to say how proud we are of Strath’s sporting legacy. At the point of writing, having seen several Strathallians achieve national representation, most notably in the Scotland Rugby team: we are really excited about Xander Fagerson’s selection for the 2021 Lions squad.

As a school, our pride in the achievements of Duncan Scott at this year’s Olympic Games is immense. His status as Britain’s most successful Olympian in a single Games is simply breath taking. If we ever needed an example of how our school motto, Labor Omnia Vincit, is relevant, we need look no further.

These guys, and many others who have gone before us are truly inspirational, but it has to be said, in responding again to the challenges of Covid 19, the Strathallan cohort of 2021 has been pretty inspirational too. Our lessons moved on-line again as the UK went into another lockdown in the Spring. Once again Mr Lauder’s quest for global domination was furthered with the reintroduction of Strath WorldWide. School continued but it was a challenge. Well done to everyone for keeping going in what felt, for many of us, like a much more difficult period. I think we were all happy to get back to the relative normality of school, though having face-masks on, social distancing and enduring brutal 50 minute lessons reminded us all that we’re not quite back to normal just yet. We want to thank the entire student body for keeping morale high and persevering. Thanks to you all we made it to the end of term with plenty to be proud of.

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As a school, our pride in the achievements of Duncan Scott at this year’s Olympic Games is immense. His status as Britain’s most successful Olympian in a single Games is simply breath taking. If we ever needed an example of how our school motto, Labor Omnia Vincit, is relevant, we need look no further.

We adapted. The school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream moved outside; sports fixtures became virtual and we developed a newfound interest in Inter-House competitions. We can all be proud of the collegiality and resilience displayed by the Strath Community and yet we are hopeful that the next school year can finally revert to some level of normality. Perhaps the Upper Sixth will even be fortunate enough to reclaim the back row of the dining hall — something we have truly missed.

The multiple lockdowns and isolations this year have given us the opportunity to look back at all our years at Strath and the lessons we have learned. From riot shields in the Riley dorms; Rev’s attempted comedy in chapel; Mr Gallier’s iconic rants; Nephi chasing the girls around campus — the past decade at Strath has given us some truly iconic moments but the most important realization is … Catriona is the undisputed GOAT. The Strathallan community used lockdown as a chance to develop new skills.

Some of us became barbers, the Ruthven boys learned how to sneak into house, Dale learned to swim and OMJ even learned how to read.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the school authority for all their hard work this year, especially our vice captains Dani and the so called ‘people’s captain’ Forbes. We couldn’t have asked for a better team around us and we certainly wouldn’t have got through the year without you guys.

We’d also like to wish the best of luck to our successors Ollie and Charlotte.

Your captaincy will be undoubtedly different from ours but if you use the team around you and have a little fun with the role you’ll be just fine. The lives of all the Upper Sixth are going to change drastically now and we’ll all soon realise how big the world really is. Some of us might drift apart, whereas others will be friends for life. But we will always have something in common. We will all have the memories and the lessons that Strath has given us. No matter where we go or what we do with our lives, whether it be traveling the world, running companies, or even living at home with our parents, we will always be able to call Strath home — even if it is a home that many of us are ready (and happy!) to be leaving. And who knows, maybe in 20 years’ time Prime Minister Rouse will come back to address Speech Day. And so we close by reflecting for one last time on another year that was not quite what we expected. Despite the bumps along the way the essence of Strath has prevailed. Campus has been lively, spurred on by some atypical Scottish sun — and we hope there will more of that to come over the summer.

We would like to leave you with something we have most certainly learned on our journey this year — make the most of your time at school, enjoy the here and now, and take every opportunity that comes along. Once you get to Upper Sixth everything will fly by and before you know it, you will be in the same position as us.

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“I am excited at the challenge ahead to recreate that sense of solace, contemplation and love that is so needed within our community after a tricky period in history dealing with the pandemic.”

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A lockdown life in the day of the Strathallan Chaplain

I

T IS TRUE THAT THE WORD UNPRECEDENTED HAS BEEN MUCH OVERUSED IN RECENT TIMES, but it is probably the best description of life over the past 18

months.

For Chaplaincy at Strathallan it has provided wonderful opportunities to become inventive, creative and original but at the same time not being able to have real, live services has been challenging, frustrating and isolating.

Very quickly during the first lockdown Strathallan adapted to online school and that included online Chapel. I will forever remember and be thankful for Dominic Glasgow who turned up every week for over a year to record, edit and distribute the Chapel Services to pupils and indeed the wider public. His commitment, positivity and patience are amazing and between us we managed to keep alive the spirit of Chapel. This was aided in no small measure by the wonderful contributions of the music department who used all their considerable skill to produce a musical worship song or hymn every week – whether a solo, a small group or a full band with faces from around the world on screen. I must pay tribute to the Director of Music, Mr. Gooch along with the long-serving Chapel band creator and leader Mrs. Sim-Sayce for all their efforts and particularly I would like to thank them both for their support of Chapel over many years and I wish them well in retirement for one and new opportunities as a housemaster for the other.

Most excitingly our Bible reading each week was conducted from an original and unexpected location — whether Hong Kong harbour, on a paddle board on the Tay, within a herd of deer beneath Schiehallion or most notably from the nose cone of a Tornado fighter jet. In fact, we potentially reached an even wider audience than expected and I was left agog when a member of public who I had never met before approached me in Tesco to discuss the latest service!

When my next-door neighbour suddenly started chatting to me about the latest sermon theme on the golf course it suddenly dawned on me how powerful this new-fangled internet can be!

“Now I know what you have been up to,” he said followed by that classic Scottish moment of faint praise, “I suppose it is much better than I thought it would be…”

Whilst Chapel services continued in a different form with no small measure of success and a far reach, the routine ‘behind the scenes’ pastoral work was much more difficult. Lockdown chats online could be frustrating and not being able to see someone in person was not ideal. A number of groups continued including the Baptism/Confirmation group which has had more preparation than any Church minister could ever hope to give! Sadly, it was not possible to finish the year with a big, special service and we will await next year for a chance to finally Baptise and Confirm a number of young people. We did manage to have one very unique, small and bespoke service for a pupil who will not be returning next year which was a memorable and intimate occasion attended by only a handful of close friends and recorded for family at home in South Africa.

When my next-door neighbour suddenly started chatting to me about the latest sermon theme on the golf course it suddenly dawned on me how powerful this new-fangled internet can be!

In March, Strathallan students, staff and members of our wider community wore fancy dress to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The inspiration for this was Natasha G’s story which can be seen here:

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The autumn term was truly frustrating to have pupils back in school and yet unable to hold Chapel or Assembly. The building felt very lonely and although open for private prayer became underutilised, quiet and remote for many pupils. The connection which we had built over the past five years had largely broken and much work will be needed next year to reintroduce music, singing, laughter and a sense of importance, relevance and purpose for the building. I am excited at the challenge ahead to recreate that sense of solace, contemplation and love that is so needed within our community after a tricky period in history dealing with the pandemic.

Spring saw us back to lockdown and online once more with perhaps not the same enthusiasm or gusto from the majority of pupils, parents or staff. It was a relief to get to Easter and a restart of live school again and the summer saw an attempt to get somewhere close to ‘live’ chapel albeit without singing, all wearing masks and only in small year group bubbles. It will also be remembered as the term with two Valedictory services — one for the delayed class of 2020 and then the traditional final day Valedictory 2021 which hopefully points the way forward as it was the first Chapel service to feature live singing for over sixteen months.

An unprecedented year? I think we will look back in history and acknowledge how difficult a period this was for everyone, staff and pupils and parents. It was a year we will want to forget in many ways but a year we will not forget easily. In the midst of the pandemic, we saw acts of unselfishness, ingenuity, creativity and real kindness and love — hopefully that will be the abiding memory from this year in Chaplaincy.

J Wylie.

The Valedictorians of 2020

I will forever remember and be thankful for Dominic Glasgow who turned up every week for over a year to record, edit and distribute the Chapel Services to pupils and indeed the wider public.

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Salvete 2021 PREFERRED NAME

SURNAME INITIAL

YEAR & HOUSE

PREFERRED NAME

SURNAME INITIAL

YEAR & HOUSE

PREFERRED NAME

Ethan Jonas Amy Ellis Paul Fergus Jock McKenzie Santiago Nisha Laura Charlotte Ben Finlay Leo Zheel Fedor Nora Angus Daniel Jason Thomas Max Harris Katie Bella Carla Hilda Fredi Kami Will Bei Aila Freya Max Kim Chloe Robert Nico Iona Matthew Olivia MacKenna Pablo Polly Charlotte Lilly Ella Abigail Nick Owen Niki Inga Jonny Anastasia Aslan

A A A A B B B B B-C B B B B B B B B B C C C C C C-H C C C D D D-A D D D E E F F F F-C F F F F-L G-F G G G G H H H H H I K K

6F 5F Form 2 4S 3F 3N Year 5 3F 5S 3W 6W 5T 3S Form 2 Year 5 6W 6F 5W 3S 3N 5R 4N 4N Year 4 4W 6W Form 2 4G 5F 4T Year 6 6W Form 1 6W 3S 3T 6G 3N 5N 3G Year 6 4T 6G 4R 6W 6G 3G 6G 4T 5R 3F Form 2 5T 6F 5W 3S

Sebastian Thomas Sasha Ed Zac Mini Sparke Charlotte William Beryl Onyx Jacob John Morpheus Apple Hector Amy Katie Lily Anna Alfie Joel Max Mason Maria Romy Anton Ava Iusuf Miguel Rita Andres Stanislas Emelie Lizzie Léan Helena Katie Michael Fergus Innes Holly James Sasha Bennett Freya Adiel Cecilia Ashley Felix Richard Philine Neil Struan Timo Emma

L-P L-P L L L L L L L L-N L-N M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M-B M-B M-B M M N N N N N O-L P P P P P P P-T Q Q R R-S R R R R R

Year 5 Year 4 Year 4 6N 4S 4W 3F 5G 3F 3F Form 1 4N 6F 3R Form 2 Year 6 Year 6 Year 3 3W Form 1 Year 5 Year 6 6N Year 5 6T Form 2 4F 6T 3S 4R Form 1 3F 6F 5W 4W 5T Form 2 3T 4N 4N 7S Year 4 Year 5 Form 2 5N Form 1 4S 3G 6T 3R 3N 5G 3N Year 3 6R 5T

Fran Nathalie Charlotte Aksil Isla Caspar Ornella Jessica Barclay Corinna Hannah Amy Ivy Emma Emily Charlie Imogen Klara Matthew Zoe Nikita Rodri Rox Isobel Peter Michael Harriet Isobel Adam Daniel Fiona Ben Ivianna Alisa Abbie

SURNAME INITIAL R-S R R S S S S S S S S S S S S-M S S T T T T V-A V-A W W W W W W W W W Y Y Z

YEAR & HOUSE 4N 6G 6G Year 4 Form 2 4F 5G 7G 3R Form 2 5T 6W 3T 6T 6T Year 6 Form 2 3T 4R 4G Year 6 3N 6G 6T Form 2 4R 4G 6G 4F 4F 3G 3F Form 2 6T 3T

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William L

The Smith Cup for Head Boy

Fergus S

The Morley Quaich for Head Girl

Suzy M

The Draper Cup for Deputy Head Boy

Forbes W

The Draper Cup for Deputy Head Girl

Dani D

The Houston Prize for All Round Merit

Woody L

The Scanlan Cup for Merit

Sarah K

The Thomson Salver for Achievement

Natasha G

The John Fulton Memorial Prize for Overall Contribution

Alex W

Headmaster’s Prize for Conspicuous Leadership

Sebastian P

The Buchanan Strathallian Prize

Mine O

The Hayward Award for Citizenship

Aeden D

The Campbell Award for Best All Round Sportsman

Andrew S

The Campbell Award for Best All Round Sportswoman

Georgia G

AJ-E Prize

Iona R

The William Tattersall Art Prize

Amy M

The Senior Drama Prize

Anna M

The Senior Debating Prize

Dan D L

The Louise Wallace Memorial Cup for Junior Public Speaking

Ethan W

The David Bogie Prize for Economics

Mine O

The Lord Kincraig Prize

Mine O

The University of Dundee English as an Additional Language Prize

Elena S

The Richard Moffat Prize for History

Luka H-T

The Robert Rankin Prize for Mathematics

Sara K

The Wilfred Hoare Senior Reading Prize

Morgan P

The Gary Rogers Prize for Creative Writing

Mia R

The Patrick Grandison Prize for Strings

Madeleine S

The William Pasfield Salver for Outstanding Contribution to Music

Madeleine S

The Robert Barr Memorial Prize for Music

Isabelle D

The Choir Prize

Alex W

The McMaster Quaich for Piping

Oliver S

Strathallan Travelling Scholarship (Music)

Alex W

The Lauriston Broadsword Prize

Anna M

Quaich CCF Prize (RM)

Dani D

Royal Navy Section Prize

Natalia Y

The Rick Trophy Army Prize

Sarah K

5th Form Marines

Mia R

5th Form Army

Harry T

5th Form Navy

Struan D

Best Navy Recruit 4th Form

Rebecca J

Best Army Recruit 4th Form

Ratmir K

Headmasters Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Dance (Sixth Form)

Madeleine S

Headmasters Prize for Outstanding Contribution to the Performing Arts (Sixth Form)

Molly E

Headmasters Prize for Outstanding Leadership and Commitment to improving Environment (Sixth Form)

Harvey D P

Headmasters Prize for Outstanding Leadership and Commitment to improving School Inclusion and Diversity

Sebastian P, Thandi S, Morgan P, Iona F, Hazel M, Harvey D P, Dani D

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Prize Winners 2021

Dux

UPPER SIXTH FORM PRIZES Biology A Level Human Biology Higher Business Studies A Level Business Management Higher Chemistry A Level Chemistry Higher Classical Civilisation Computing A Level Computing Science Higher Design and Technology A Level Design and Technology Higher Economics Higher English A Level English Higher French A Level French Higher Geography A Level Geography Higher German A Level History and Modern Studies Mathematics Higher Music A Level Physical Education A Level Physical Education Higher Physics A Level Physics Higher Psychology A Level RMPS Higher Spanish A Level Spanish Higher

Sarah K Iona R Donald Q Miles C Sarah K Iona R Flora H Ben M Natasha G Hazel M Alex C Dasha T Mine O Hazel M Christopher A Charlotte W Izzy B Miles C Anna M Archie F-I Iona R Alex W Dani D Iona R Fergus S Iona R Alina T Molly E Blanca E G Miles C

Eric D Gregor S Charlotte G Amelia E Eilidh H Andre K Adria P M Omar J Anna T & Thandi S

FIFTH FORM PRIZES ISP Pre-A level Art Biology Business Studies Chemistry Computing Design and Technology Drama (from 2020) English French Geography German History Latin Mathematics Music Physics Physical Education Spanish

Valerie K Maisie M Isabella Z Isabella A Sophie W Isla M Hamish N Louisa K Madi S Isla M Finn G-R Khrystyna B Isla M Rosalind Q Isabella Z Jacy E Isabella Z Sophie W Kristina K

FOURTH FORM PRIZES

LOWER SIXTH FORM PRIZES Art A Level Biology A Level Biology Higher Business Studies A Level Business Management Higher Chemistry A Level Chemistry Higher Classical Civilisation A Level Computing A Level Computing Science Higher Design Technology A Level Design Technology Higher Economics A Level English A Level English Higher EPQ French A Level French Higher Geography A Level Geography Higher German A Level Graphic Communcation Higher History A Level History Higher Human Biology Higher Mathematics A Level Mathematics Higher Modern Studies Higher Music A Level Music Higher Music Technology Higher Physical Education A Level

Physical Education Higher Physics A Level Physics Higher Psychology A Level Psychology Higher RMPS Higher Spanish A Level Spanish Higher Theatre Studies

Sophie C Roli S Millie W Angus T Roshan B Linus S Charlotte G Jemima F-S Vanja Z Omar J Jay P Laura P Dan D L Jemima F-S Millie W Amelia E Adria P M Thomas C Jonny M Millie W Dmytro B Saoirse O'C-B Jemima F-S Jacob W Charlotte G Vanja Z Charlotte G Iona B Sebastian P Sophie C Saoirse O'C-B Chloe M

Art Biology Business Studies Chemistry Computing Design & Technology Drama English French Geography German History Latin Mathematics Music Physics Physical Education Religious Studies Spanish

Chloe T Angus G Nicola C Nicola C Eva D L Emma F Jayden M Yi W Sofia E Angus G Joshua C Eva G Joshua C Joshua C Joshua C Angus G Elise C Caitlin M Angus G

THIRD FORM PRIZES Academic Achievement Academic Achievement Academic Achievement Academic Achievement Academic Achievement House Academic Effort Freeland House Academic Effort Glenbrae House Academic Effort Nicol House Academic Effort Ruthven House Academic Effort Simpson House Academic Effort Thornbank House Academic EffortWoodlands

Charlie M Eve B Zak M Fergus T Lucy T Ruairidh P Kya-Mei K Fergus T Fionn T Fynn H Eleanor R Pebbles W The Strathallian

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“There was the relief for pupils in September of being back at school with friends. We’ve learned the importance of real people and real friendships this year.”

(DML 06/21)

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HOUSE REPORTS

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Strathallan Prep School T

HIS SCHOOL YEAR SAW A LANDMARK MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF JUNIOR SCHOOL PROVISION AT STRATHALLAN. Strathallan Prep School has

been established to formalise the specialist provision from Year 4 upwards (Year 3 from Sept ’21). Riley House remains at the heart of this. It is both the boarding house and the focal point for the day to day pastoral provision of the prep school. Taking over as House Parents of Riley are Stephen Dick and Carolyn Warren, whilst Emma Lalani’s new role on the school’s Senior Leadership Team is that of Head of Strathallan Prep School. Already the Prep School has had a sector leading impact, becoming the first school in Scotland to join the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate programme. This exists to support high-quality educational opportunities for pupils and staff in its school. The Prep School Baccalaureate is an assessment model that focuses on the active development and assessment of six core skills: Communication, Collaboration, Leadership, Independence, Reviewing and Improving and Thinking and Learning. These skills are seen as essential for developing capable and balanced adults, able to make the most of the opportunities of a fast-changing world. A strong but appropriate knowledge base compliments this, with the use of focused tutoring, pastoral care and Wellbeing programmes. We have also secured accreditation of 22

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the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS). This is an elite professional network with Prep Schools across the globe, providing a kite mark of quality and demonstrating the highest standards of education.

We returned to school in September facing a unique situation in the history of education: all the pupils were desperate to come back! They bounced and skipped to the entrance to have a temperature gun pointed to their head (‘Green light, phew’), be interrogated (‘Haveyouhadanynewcough hightermperaturelossofsenseofsmellortasteorbeenabroadinthelasttwoweeks — I wish!!’) and disinfectant squirted on their hands.

On entering the common room they found imaginary walls separating the different year bubbles and the one-way-system through the House and the campus gave a new meaning to the phrase ‘going the extra mile’. Years 4, 5 and 6 were assigned the SPS classrooms as their territory and spent most of their time outside and in Mrs Ailinger’s front garden retrieving balls. Also loitering outside a lot in the mornings was a member of Form II who had forgotten their face mask yet again.

Otherwise, with face-to-face lessons, sport and activities, we quickly got used to the ‘new normal’ and were just relieved to be back to ‘face to face’ teaching. Unfortunately, term came to an abrupt end, cutting short Mr Gooch’s Form II Pizza Night and giving Santa an extra shift in January for the Form I pupils, but not before we had managed to squeeze in some festive fun, including pizza and ice-skating, at the school’s Winter Wonderland event.

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At the beginning of the so-called Spring Term, we found ourselves in a mini Ice Age with a term of online learning ahead. Drawing on the experience and skills acquired in the previous Summer Term, the teachers and pupils coped very well for most of this time. Some found online learning challenging, some relished it; all of them missed their friends, but I bet they enjoyed staying in their pyjama bottoms all day (the teachers certainly did).

The Summer Term saw a return to the autumn routine — and to school uniform! It was wonderful to see all the pupils looking smart and hearing their chatter and laughter on the paddock again. The weather certainly helped to integrate the pupils back together and Matt and Rachel, our Gappies, organised some great ‘back to school’ activities, even reviving the Prep School favourite…Zombies.

Although some of our usual events had to be postponed, many of our divisional competitions were able to still go head and it was pleasing to see the strong inter-division spirit amongst the pupils continue. Mr Thompson and Ms Wardlaw organised many enjoyable, yet competitive sporting competitions and Mr Hamilton managed to arrange an online Divisional Music Competition. Well done to all the pupils who took part and sent in clips of their performances. The competition between all four divisions to win the comfy seats in the common room next year was close, but Dron proved victorious once again and were the eventual winners of the Divisional Shield.

This year our activity programme continued to grow and we welcomed new activities amongst our old favourites. Beginner Russian proved a favourite amongst the Form I pupils and debating continued to go from strength to strength. We were so proud to see some Prep School pupils take leading roles in the school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Francesca W and Eric M played two of the five Pucks with Isla C and Amy G in the roles of Cobweb and Wing. Natalie DCT played an important role in stage crew and we mustn’t forget that many of our Prep School pupils opened and closed the show playing the role of supporting fairies.

Some found online learning challenging, some relished it; all of them missed their friends, but I bet they enjoyed staying in their pyjama bottoms all day (the teachers certainly did).

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To end what has been another unusual year, Ms Sime organised a week of activities for the whole of the Prep School. Paintballing, inflatables at Foxlake, a stem science project, pipes and drums and bushcraft to name a few. However, most memorable was the ‘Tour de Strath’ with years 4,5 and 6 conquering Masters Hill! I hope all the pupils made many memories of the fun time that they had.

It has also been a good year for our Charities Committee, who through the Riley Ramble, online quiz night ably led by the Form II pupils and Sweetie Tuesday organised by Year 6, still managed to raise a huge amount of money.

It is always sad at this time of year that we have to say farewell to those members of staff that have moved on. Emma Cockle, our matron left in May after two years with us and we wish her all the best in her new career.

Matt White and Rachel Corbett, our gap students who joined us in October, have been wonderful and will be greatly missed. We also said goodbye to Zara Thompson, Matt Gooch and Kate Streatfeild-James, experienced teachers and tutors who will be a huge loss to the Prep School team. We wish them well in their future endeavours and look forward to keeping in touch and hearing their news.

I would also like to wish the Form II pupils well as they move across the causeway to the senior part of the school. It has been good seeing them grow and develop and they are more than ready for the new challenges they face. Lastly, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone in the Prep School team who have worked tirelessly in what can only be described as an extraordinary year and to all the parents for their continued and extra support.

Emma Lalani

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Strathallan Prep School Prizes 2021 Hewson Cup for Contribution to Prep School

Eric M

Form 2 MSG Academic Prize

Caitlin M

Form 2 MSG Effort Prize

Jack F

Form 2 TA Form Prize

Eric M

Form 2 TA Effort Prize

Natalie DCT

Form 2 KMM Academic Prize

Rosie E

Form 2 KMM Effort Prize

Francesca W

Form I KSJ Academic Prize

Rebecca S

Form I KSJ Effort Prize

Anna P

Form I PK Academic Prize

Sami L

Form I PK Effort Prize

Annabel S

Year 6 ZAT Academic Prize

Annabel A

Year 6 ZAT Effort Prize

Ruby A

Year 6 SD Academic Prize

Mikella K

Year 6 SD Effort Prize

Ava C

Year 5 Academic Prize

Sophie D

Year 5 Effort Prize

India H

Year 4 Academic Prize

Isla A

Year 4 Effort Prize

Phebe M

Commitment in Drama Boys

Eric M

Commitment in Drama Girls

Isla C

Boys Most Promising Musician

Eric M

Girls Most Promising Musician

Emily P

Sports Prize for Boys

Jacob H

Sports Prize for Girls

Rosie E

Art Prize for Boys

Tristan S R

Art Prize for Girls

Natalie DCT

Riley Prize for Commitment to Boarding

Jasper F-I

English as an Additional Language

Tristan S R

Headmistress Award for Leadership

Rosie E

Adam Pattinson Memorial Prize

Logan T

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SIS INVITATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

I

N MAY, 14 PREP PUPILS ATTENDED THE 36TH ANNUAL SCOTTISH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INVITATIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, HELD AT BELHAVEN HILL SCHOOL IN DUNBAR.

This was the first time Strathallan Prep School had attended this event, and it was a hugely enjoyable day with several outstanding performances from our young runners.

Annabel A produced a superb performance finishing 7th in the U11 girls race, followed closely behind by Ruby A and Jing W. Alexander W also ran outstandingly well amongst a big field in the U11 boys race.

Emily P finished in the top 10 in the U13 girls, with Layla M finishing 13th, which was an outstanding achievement being in the 1st form. Olivia D and Amelia C both finished closely behind in the top 20.

The performance of the day was by Jacob H, who won the U13 boys race by a clear distance.

Our U13 boys team, which consisted of Jacob H, Freddie L, Matthew M and Euan W went on to win the overall trophy, which was a fantastic achievement.

FUND RAISING HERO

P

REP SCHOOL PUPIL HUNTER S COMPLETED AN EXTRAORDINARY FUND RAISING CYCLE CHALLENGE IN MARCH THIS YEAR. He cycled over

200 miles and in the process managed to raise over £1,900 for Maggie’s Highlands; a cancer care charity based in Inverness.

Hunter’s dad is going to continue this incredible feat with a further cycle challenge in the summer.

School Authority 2020 – 2021 Captains of Strathallan Prep School Natalie DCT Eric M Rosie E Hamish Q Captains of Sport Olivia D Jack F Niamh C Fraser S Captains of Music Emily P Archie C The Strathallian

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FREELAND I N ANOTHER YEAR DISRUPTED BY THE COVID-19 VIRUS, FREELAND HAS ENJOYED PLEASING SUCCESS.

The year was heralded in with the appointment of Fergus S as Head of School, this due recognition of his leadership qualities was quite the honour for Freeland House.

With lots of restrictions in place, we made the most of the situation and did our best to make the House a safe place to live. Social distancing, handwashing, face masks and chats around fire pits became part of our lifestyle and Freeland remained a great place to be. With no Inter-school matches, our attention turned to swimming and an impressive win in Swimming Standards was quickly followed up with the Swimming Gala trophy.

Acknowledgement must be made of the outstanding contribution of Owen C, Evan D, Linus K, Eric D, Craig S, Gia K and Cameron M for their excellence in the pool.

Football made the headlines when our charismatic Deputy Head of House, Andre K, was selected to play for Kenya in the African Under 20 Championships. National selection came later in the year for Hamish N in the Scotland Under 16 Hockey team with matches against Ireland and England.

Innovative use of technology during lockdown allowed an interhouse cross-country competition.

Ratmir K, Stan B, Oliver K and Charlie R impressed with long distances covered on Strava. Ethan W displayed pleasing commitment in encouraging the junior debating team of Ruaridh P and Reece M. He then followed this up by partnering Struan D to reach the final of the senior competition. Further accolades came Ethan’s way in drama, inter-school debating, public speaking and in umpiring 30

The Strathallian

Head of House Beau L Deputy Head of House Andre K

the final of inter-house football. Mention must also be given here to Struan D who, behind the scenes, played a major role in photographing the rehearsal process and final performances of the school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The highlight of our Athletics season was the awarding of Junior Victor Ludorum to Finlay T with outstanding performances in the sprints and long jump. As the year came to a close, the award for Outstanding Contribution to the House went to Oliver M-J for thoughtfulness towards others and his sustained efforts in organising and encouraging our many sporting teams.

We wish our tutor Mr Richardson all the best as he moves on to Ruthven. His enthusiastic engagement with the house members of all ages will be greatly missed. On behalf of the whole house I’d like to give a big thank you to House Captain Beau and his deputy Andre for their energetic support. We would like to thank all of the tutors for their tireless support in a challenging year and to acknowledge the efforts of the Matron, Diane, and the House Staff in keeping the environment safe and the spirits up.

Brian H

With lots of restrictions in place, we made the most of the situation and did our best to make the House a safe place to live. Social distancing, handwashing, face masks and chats around fire pits became part of our lifestyle and Freeland remained a great place to be.

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GLENBRAE

D

URING THIS TOUGH PAST YEAR, THE GIRLS IN GLENBRAE HAVE GROWN TOGETHER to tackle

the difficulties of remote learning, social distancing and staying within our bubbles. Within covid guidelines we have been able to come together as a house and have a strong community spirit which has seen everyone do their best to volunteer for Inter-House competitions, spend more time outdoors and making the most of the time we could spend with our immediate peer groups.

After a rather quiet Autumn term, the Christmas party allowed the girls to come together and socialise a little more. By hiring in catering to the car park we were able to navigate around restrictions and have a great night.

This was thoroughly enjoyed by all the girls and gave them all a chance to dress up, eat good food and enjoy each other’s company. A quiz was organised by the members of the Upper Sixth and we quickly found out who had taken part in more than their fair share of pub quizzes and who needed to read the news and listen to the radio more!

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Head of House Bowes M-B Deputy Head of House Shelley W & Emma C

The Strathallian

After a rather quiet Autumn term, the Christmas party allowed the girls to come together and socialise a little more. By hiring in catering to the car park we were able to navigate around restrictions and have a great night.

The Glenbrae girls always find their competitive spark when it comes to Inter-House activities.

Most girls in house were able to join in online with the ‘Fit in February’ challenge against Fettes and the Inter-House competitions included in this. We did incredibly well.

Glenbrae had the most participants, both past and current girls, parents, friends and other family, and completed the greatest distance over the course of the month. The challenge gave the girls the motivation to get out of the house and stretch their legs during the very monotonous second lockdown with some even using the time walking to chat with other girls from house over the phone. This was really the only event that could take place this term, but there was still a Glenbrae presence at Strath. Some girls had arrived before the lockdown announcements were made or had been affected when the previous term ended. It’s clear from the photographic evidence that those girls whose lockdown was spent at Strath had a great time with snowman building, sledging on the dining hall tea-trays, poker nights, sushi dinners and a lot of movie watching. There were competitive dance competitions on the Wii and significant amounts of snacking!

When we did all manage to return to school in April, the

Glenbrae girls were victorious in the tennis Inter-House competitions against Woodlands and Thornbank (Go Glenbrae!), we had mixed success at athletics and netball and managed a win in the final Inter-House competition — basketball! Thankfully, this term allowed us to start doing other things too, namely outdoor activities. The weather behaved and so we were able to get the fire pits out for marshmallows and our version of s’mores, play with the new sports equipment (Swingball is vicious!) and do a bit of sunbathing too.

Miss Haddick, the Glenbrae resident tutor, organised a fun water sports trip for pupils to St Andrews. We did a variety of different activities from 8- man paddle boarding to kayaking.

Overall, the Glenbrae ethos has allowed us girls to gain lifelong friends during our time at Strathallan, whether this has been one term, one year or many years since Riley.

This was thoroughy enjoyed by all those who took part, and it was a nice change of scenery for the pupils. We also agreed that it was such good fun that we decided to return again during the last week of term and give it all another go, as well as some beach games.

There is a Wednesday evening tradition in Glenbrae — Bingo Night! Taken by one of our tutors Mr Samson, this is where many of the girls come together to test their luck and hopefully win some sweeties. This is a fun activity where all girls in house catch up and socialise. Along with this we are lucky to have our House Mistress, Miss Wilson, supplying us with biscuits — when the bell rings 2 times the girls know what to do! We’d like to give a huge thank you to all of our house tutors and, of course, to Linda, Amanda, Belinda and Lynn who keep up going every day, ensure that we are on top of the house side of things; we promise we are getting better!

We feel we can flourish as unique and confident individuals, confident that our experiences have set us up for the future. We leavers will look back on our time in Glenbrae, and at Strathallan, fondly and know that it will be in good hands next year. Good luck Jemima, Sophie and Sophie!

Bowes M-B and Lilyan M The Strathallian

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NICOL

Head of House Blair M Deputy Head of House Donald Q & Woody L

I

T IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ANOTHER UNFORGETTABLE YEAR. It has been a year that has

featured competition, hard-work and lots of adapting, all of which the boys did with a spring in their step. This reminds us of the character and confidence that Nicol teaches us to bring into everything that we do. This can be seen as we carry on the Nicolite legacy in succeeding in every category; academic, sporting and creative.

From the start of the year we already knew it wasn’t going to be a normal year with the removal of in person roll-call in house. I’m not entirely sure that this was actually missed by the boys in house as now they only needed to listen to Mr Bergin’s talks once a week instead of every day. However, this did mean that we all had to get up earlier to get temperature checked every morning and this was definitely difficult for some of the boys (Woody L being a main perpetrator). It has been a tough year as we have missed out on the events which normally mark the school year at Strath such as House Music — which I am sure this year we would’ve won — along with a few other inter-House competitions. Due to restrictions this year’s Christmas party was a little different. We tried to bring as much normality to it as possible, however due to us not being able to travel we needed to switch it up. Thanks to Dominos (not sponsored) the food was great that night.

Unfortunately due to technical issues, it didn’t go quite as well as planned. I am sure the boys still had a great night.

Andy S has done a great job as Nicol’s Captain of Sport this year, alongside his role as Captain of the Rugby 1st XV. He may have made some questionable team sheets such as some dodgy swimming choices, but we did still win

most of the events including badminton, basketball and athletics standards (not swimming though). Our InterHouse football glory was sadly short lived. Even with the world class coaching from Roli S and Alex N we couldn’t pull through. It wasn’t just sporting endeavour where we had Inter-House success, we also won inter-House debating for the 11th year running. There was also an interesting addition to the Inter-House competition list in the form of drama. For this Nephi B wrote a script for the boys to capture and act in creating a short film. Given some of the real acting prowess shown in the end of year whole school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream it’s surprising we didn’t do better now that we’ve realised that Roli, Kai and Alex can actually act!

Due to the development of the COVID-19 virus we spent the spring term in a lockdown and went back to online learning. This period of time I think everyone can agree felt a lot longer than it was but we tried to do as much as we could to make the days go faster. Thanks must go to Mr Bergin for doing WhatsApp quizzes

This period of time was especially hard for those sitting exams in summer due to the unclear guidance from the government, however the Nicol Boys just got their heads down and got through their work.

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The Strathallian

throughout the lockdown. The school also did a ‘Fit in February’ challenge where we competed against Fettes.

The boys got involved in great volume and helped to lead Strathallan to the victory.

This period of time was especially hard for those sitting exams in summer due to the unclear guidance from the government; however, the Nicol Boys just got their heads down and got through their work.

This inevitably will have made a huge impact in the results that we get in August. Our assessment period for those who were due to sit external exams was one of the most draining things the boys could’ve gone through this year as we had 5 weeks of assessments with some GCSE students doing up to 45 tests over the period. Sadly, we weren’t as lucky as last year and actually had to sit some sort of examinations. We hope everyone got the grades they wanted (or needed for those with conditional University offers!).

First of all we must thank “the girls” (Yvonne, Lana, Shona and Alisson who left), without them the house would be in a state. Despite having Jay C, Ali F and Nephi B not knowing what laundry is, they persevere and still clean our rooms every week. Thank you to Mr Fraser (our resident tutor), for letting

us steal his Ps4. Even though he claimed to be the GOAT on FIFA, Alex LL and Harris M managed to annihilate him with some ease.

Every Tuesday evening when he is on duty we see him having interesting chats with the 4th form and Vanja Z. Thanks go to the rest of the tutors too (Mr Banda, Mrs Birrell, Mr Higginbottom, Mr Foster and finally Mr Wiles who left). It is very impressive that they can deal with all the boys in house and do it with a smile (most of the time). We cannot leave out our matron Fiona who has been fantastic in helping out the boys in house and being here to do temperatures every morning since Christmas when she took over from Kirsteen (we will

miss you Kirsteen!).

It’s been a pleasure having Mr Bergin in house for the past 3 years. He is generally relaxed (on the outside) but if you ever get on the wrong side of Mr Bergin…… run. The House authority for next year has recently been announced.

Congratulations to Ling R who has been named Head of House with his deputies Jonny M and Callum N. I wish you all the best in the year ahead (you have got to live up to the legacy). We hope that the lower 6th boys step up and become “the man”, maybe one day Cameron G will learn to read a clock and Callum N will stop bragging about Scotland rugby and focus on helping manage the house.

I’m sure the Nicol spirit will pass onto the new U6 and rest of house, along with the great Nicol house Instagram password.

Well done to all the U6 boys for contributing to the house from supporting the boys to playing for national teams. Donald Q and Woody L have played a big part in the running of the house and Forbes W has done a great job as Deputy Head boy, the house wouldn’t be running as smoothly without them.

I wish the rest of Nicol House the best in the future and I am sure you will all do Nicol proud. I don’t have to remind you what the best house is, right?

Blair M The Strathallian

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RUTHVEN R

Head of House Rory M Deputy Head of House Harry H & Alex W

UTHVEN THIS YEAR HAS BEEN VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE RUTHVEN MOST PEOPLE ARE USED TO. The absence of simple things like being

able to socialise in areas such as the common room with friends amongst different year groups was very apparent to those of us who have been used to it, but is also exactly the sort of lifestyle that people who were new to Ruthven this year and indeed last year have not been fortunate enough to experience. Nevertheless, as a house we have adapted and kept our morale up.

Upon returning to school from a long summer, Ruthven boys were quick to adapt to a new COVID safe routine. Ready as ever to meet the challenges of the year, this became a year of sporting triumph and achievement. The first Inter-House sporting event of the year was ours in spectacular fashion. We won at every level and retained our title with Alex W the senior champion. Duncan W and Callum B trained with the Rugby National Academy and Macka P represented GB in snowboarding. Also on the slopes, Murdo H achieved 3rd place in his class in the Scottish ski racing championships.

The Spring term saw boys learning from home during a lockdown that extended over the entire term. Ruthven managed to continue its streak of sporting successes as we won the mile challenge by a large margin, finishing almost 50 points ahead of our nearest competitors.

Elsewhere, Findlay M made the Scotland K1 men’s slalom kayaking team and Blake H was selected for the GB pentathlon programme.

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Ready as ever to meet the challenges of the year, this became a year of sporting triumph and achievement.

In the Summer term boys came back to school with a smile on their face after the long lockdown.

For many pupils, this was their first summer term ever, but for others it was a sad reminder that their time at Strathallan was coming to an end. This did not dampen the Ruthven spirit though and we enjoyed some spectacular events such as the L6th Ruthven dinner and various other tutor innings which took place in the summer term. We tried to be as social as possible given the restraints we were still operating under. I am sure Ruthven would have stood a strong chance at winning tug-of-war had it gone ahead thus retaining our title there too. The Summer term was particularly fruitful for those boys who had missed their rugby, but we didn’t miss out on cricket, the two sports ran concurrently this term and we fielded not just strong players but enthusiastic spectators too. Our junior cricket team, spearheaded by Joe T, were convincing winners of the junior Inter-House championship – our first cricket title in nearly 10 years. Ross T and Joe T also played hockey for Scotland U16 in a 2-1 win against Wales in August.

I think that for most of the people here, losing a good friend and pupil has been extremely hard, especially in the tragic circumstances we experienced last year. We seniors all had points through the year where we found ourselves at a loss without AJ being his classic cheeky self in Ruthven. The loss of AJ was a huge shock followed by grief, regret, sadness and in a way left many speechless.

Despite this it was amazing to see everyone, staff and boys, being there for one another and sharing the load.

The result of this has been to provide Ruthven with a stronger bond between years and individuals as we have all had something in common to relate to. I believe that AJ’s funeral was where this shone through the most, with the support of one another being evident and strong. Now, a year and a half since losing AJ, I believe that strong bond has stayed as we have a more communal Ruthven than ever with a better understanding between senior and the younger years especially.

I gave plenty of advice to next year’s U6th at the end of term, but I’d like to share the most important piece of this here. You must enjoy every second of Ruthven and school life, as before you know it you will be sitting in my position as I write this, with a little over 2 weeks with your friends left before entering the big wide world without them.

As much as it can be stressful, annoying and challenging at times, at the best of times this is a great place to form friendships, to work as a team, to share in successes and disappointments, and to learn about yourself along the way.

Your time, as much as it may seem to be long, will pass in the blink of an eye and I can tell you having been here for a fair while myself, that it won’t be long until you head out to make your mark on the world, and your time here will quickly become but a happy memory. You will always be a Ruthvenite and that’s something to be truly proud of.

Rory M.

As much as it can be stressful, annoying and challenging at times, at the best of times this is a great place to form friendships, to work as a team, to share in successes and disappointments, and to learn about yourself along the way.

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SIMPSON

T

Head of House Marcus C-S Deputy Head of House Christopher A & Alex C

O SAY THAT THIS YEAR WAS A BIT DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS IS A COMPLETE UNDERSTATEMENT. We started off the year with

a warm welcome back by the teachers after spending the previous term in lockdown. Myself, with my deputies Christopher and Alex, were also keen to welcome back old and new Simpsonites alike and endeavour to make the term as ‘normal’ as possible.

With the house in order and everyone settled in, it was time to move onto the more important tasks of the year — Inter-House competitions. With the strong leadership of our Captain of Sport, we were ready for a successful year. We quickly knocked out both the Junior and Senior cricket competitions in the first and last term, followed closely by senior tennis, football, golf and senior athletics. Even though our Captain of Sport was once again ‘injured’ the other UVI pulled one out of the bag, along with the other relay runners to secure the win against Ruthven and thus winning us the competition.

Inter-House drama was one of the very new experiences that the house underwent, with the forceful hand of our own Special Effects Jedi, Arthur,

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at the helm there was no doubt it was going to be a great movie. The movie that we chose to remake was Revenge of the Sith and although it sadly didn’t win the overall competition it did see one unlucky extra getting shot about fifty different times, which was entertaining enough on its own. Due to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the pandemic, InterHouse music sadly did not happen, but seeing that we won the competition last year (the first time in 20 years) I think that it’s only fair that the win should be carried over to this year as well which would result in Simpson house holding the title for two years in a row.

Over the past year as head of house, I have certainly seen a few things. Some of my peers (against all odds) getting girlfriends, the chaos of the younger years on the top floor of the house and my personal favourite, burning toast to a chunk of carbon, causing the whole house to smell of burnt toast for weeks on end. What a way to end the year.

I would like to finish off by thanking Mr Batterham, Mr Muirhead, Carol and all the other Simpson house staff for all that you have done over the years. I have been at this school for eight years now and out of

Over the past year as head of house, I have certainly seen a few things. Some of my peers (against all odds) getting girlfriends, the chaos of the younger years on the top floor of the house and my personal favourite, burning toast to a chunk of carbon, causing the whole house to smell of burnt toast for weeks on end. What a way to end the year. those years five of them were under the careful supervision of Mr Batterham and Mr Muirhead. I think I speak for the whole Simpson Upper Sixth when I say that we have had a lot of good times (and the occasional less good). Above all this I wish them the best of luck running the house (gosh knows you’ll need it after TWO years of Cleaver-Smith leadership) and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in the future.

Marcus C-S

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THORNBANK

C

ONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAVE FACED US IN 2021, THORNBANK HAS CONTINUED TO THRIVE AND GROW STRONGER AS A HOUSE AND AS A COMMUNITY.

After welcoming many new girls into the house in September, the girls settled back into Strath life straight away: forming closer bonds than ever before and adding to the positive environment Thornbank possesses.

We didn’t let this abnormal year get us down and still managed to achieve many amazing things in areas such as sport and academics. Many of the girls got involved with the Fit in February initiative run by the Sports department to help us keep fit during the lockdown. Online learning had positive

Head of House Georgia G Deputy Head of House Molly E & Emily H

what makes Inter-House activities exciting and pushes us! Although we did not take all the prizes, we enjoyed huge success in the pool, one of our traditional strongholds, and in the athletics, Lilli J proved to be the best female athlete on track and field. Our Sports reps had a tough year this year, but even though we had a large number of Inter-House events to cram into such a short season, they were able to take advantage of the house community’s willingness to get involved and represent us. A large number of Thornbank girls also managed to perform in concerts through the year and took lead and behind the scenes roles in the fabulous school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed on the school field.

When Inter-House activities resumed, the girls took them in their stride. Involving as many of the girls as possible is always Thornbank’s main aim and making everyone feel a part of something more than just a team. impacts on pupils and made the girls contribute more and helped the quieter students, in normal classrooms, gain confidence which they then applied to physical lessons when we returned to school.

When Inter-House activities resumed, the girls took them in their stride. Involving as many of the girls as possible is always Thornbank’s main aim and making everyone feel a part of something more than just a team.

Thornbank’s team spirit and sportsmanship is

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Socially distanced parties, taking account of bubbles and other Covid rules, proved difficult but we managed them, something that we hope will become easier as the world relaxes and Covid is brought under control. And obviously, during lockdown we had the assemblies, quizzes, and other events, many run by pupils themselves, their tutors or Mr Kent. One theme in these assemblies has been good mental health and wellbeing and we have worked hard as a community to look out for each other, support each other, and find help for each other when needed — the peer mentors have worked hard too. As usual, Thornbank has been a busy community, and all this on top of the studies and assessments for examinations disrupted by Covid.

Being Head of Thornbank this year has been a privilege, even though it has been hard, and I have loved every minute of it. I have enjoyed supporting the girls in house in any way that I could and working with the Upper Sixth form team that helps the house function properly. Each member of my year group has given something to the house as they are all reps with certain responsibilities and as a result, Thornbank has had an extremely successful year even though it has been such an unusual one.

Georgia G.

We have worked hard as a community to look out for each other, support each other, and find help for each other when needed — the peer mentors have worked hard too.

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WOODLANDS

E

VEN DURING THIS YEAR WITH ITS CONSTANT RESTRICTIONS AND DISRUPTIONS, even though there

was a whole term spent behind screens, the Woodlands girls managed to flourish and excel. Thanks to our excellent Upper Sixth we ran multiple weekly activities and had meetings between year groups to keep the tight bond that defines the Woodlands girls. Even so, there were some things that the pandemic meant that we missed this year. At the foreground of this was House Music. We take great pride in preparing for this and we were confident that we were favourites to win this year. Of course it has to be noted that there were numerous successes, including junior tennis and athletics standards both jumior and senior. As this was the first time in 10 years for this particular honour there must be hope for the next through years with these up and coming young athletics superstars coming up through the ranks. Our biggest achievement of all was winning inter-House hockey, again at both junior and senior level. Our 1st team hockey captain scored the winning goal against Thornbank; our longest-standing rivals. Though they put up a great fight it really sealed the sweetness of the victory for us.

Along with those inter-House events, Woodlands also did an amazing job with our house drama entry. Directed by our drama reps: Thandi S and Mine O, written by a genuinely talented group including Arabella R, Alex G and Katherine H and performed by these renowned actors along with many others, we were able to put together an amazing competition piece. Salty as we are for not winning any of the prizes, we know the value of our own work and are proud of what we were able to achieve. The school play, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ saw many of our Woodlands girls take leading roles — we do know our acting pedigree, and they did us proud. Even with the roadblocks that threatened the performance, with the correct precautions in place and minor adjustments to the plan, the most amazing outdoor interactive play was able to go ahead: cast and crew filled with Woodlands girls from 3rd Form all the way to Upper 6th. It was certainly an amazing experience for all involved, for all who watched it live, and it will be for anyone who watches the recording of it.

The year was a time of adjustment for Woodlands even without the constraints of the pandemic. After everything Mr McKinney helped us achieve and do he stepped down from the role of Housemaster and we welcomed our new House Parent, Mrs Ettle. She must have known she had big shoes to fill, but already Mrs Ettle has a special place in all the girls’ hearts and has helped make my last year enjoyable and successful. Madeline and Rosie have also been great assets in house and Madeline has become like everyone’s younger sister. Although we only had Mrs Ettle care for us 42

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Head of House Erin M Deputy Head of House Mine O & Flora H

for one year, we as an Upper Sixth want to wish her every success in the years to come. Woodlands is once again in very good hands.

Alongside Mrs Ettle we must mention our beloved matron who has a very special place in our hearts. After a long time being at Strathallan, Margret is stepping down to retire and we want to thank her for being our mother away from home and for being the backbone of Woodlands, I personally don’t know where I would be without her ongoing support. Margaret runs a brilliant team in house and we are also grateful to our excellent team of cleaners — Ishbel and Mary. Mary has been with us Woodlands girls for a long period of time now, looking after us in ways we always appreciate. She is also retiring this year and she will be greatly missed. Again, big shoes to fill and it is difficult for we leavers to imagine our house being supported so well by a new team of people but I am sure that it will.

Other activities that we have done as a house this year have included a whole house Christmas dinner organized by our Head of House and deputies. We haven’t held an in-house formal event like this before and it was a great success.

We managed to work around covid restrictions and have the annual Woodlands Upper Sixth dinner where, inevitably, I rose to the challenge to produce the highly anticipated toast/roast which, it was made clear, was very much expected of me.

I want to wish my future successor, Millie all the very best of luck for her year at the helm of this amazing house. I know she will continue to lift the house spirits, to support the younger years and keep up the passion for InterHouse challenges. I also know Anna and Thandi will give her the help that she will require. I speak on behalf of all of the house leavers this year when I say I will miss my Woodlands family, but I know I have made bonds that will last a lifetime.

Erin M

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THE YEAR THAT WAS “We sought to bring variety and freshness to pupils' lives in the challenging conditions of the year.”

(DML 06/21)

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Beginning the year with a splash

W

E’RE ALWAYS INTRIGUED TO HEAR WHAT OUR PUPILS GET UP TO OUT OF SCHOOL. In mid-June,

brothers Magnus and Eric M started to show an interest in water-skiing having tried just once previously. Despite initial shaky (although highly amusing) starts and a few inelegant ‘back-side out’ laps of the lake, they soon got the hand of things and embarrassed the majority of long-standing adult skiers at their local club. In just 8 weeks they progressed to successfully running a full slalom course at 40kmph — outskiing many of the longstanding club members.

The boys had youth on their side but that also brought disadvantages for Eric. Whilst Magnus has the muscle-power to correct errors, Eric’s 11yr old frame did not yet have the physical strength to recover from mistakes or propel himself through the course in the same manner as his older brother. But, none-the-less, he turned that to an advantage and perfected his technique in order to succeed. Magnus now makes the slalom look easy and will move on to shorten line lengths as soon as he has perfected his one-handed cornering of the buoys.

They have been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to be coached near Oxford with one of the best (Steve Glanfield - a former British team captain and coach to a former World Champion and current US Masters Champion, Freddie Winter) and to have spent time with accomplished skiers such as the World No 15 and British Seniors Campion. It has been a fantastic experience for them which they will hopefully continue.

It will obviously be more difficult for them to continue skiing through the winter — although the Scottish national centre is just north of Dunfermline — our harsh Scottish weather and the dark evenings will test the most committed sportsmen but I’m sure they’ll give it their all! And given the school’s legacy of sporting excellence this year, where indeed Magnus M and Eric M (opposite page) will they end up?

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Bubbling to be back

I

T WAS GREAT TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER AND TO SEE REAL PEOPLE AGAIN.

Some things were different, like face masks, bubbles and a one way system which we tried our hardest to stick to.

In House we were in year group bubbles, there was a strict one-way system around the campus and access for parents was restricted.

Even the dining hall was different.

Any food we have the option to touch now comes pre-packaged.

Behind the clouds the sky is always blue

A

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ND WHILE THIRD FORM COULDN’T DO THEIR TRADITIONAL TEAM BUILDING CAMP, our friends at Bluesky Experiences were able to

come in to school and organise some great fun activities there.

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A Sunday well spent brings a week of content

N

ORMALLY ON SUNDAYS THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF OUTINGS AVAILABLE. This year these were limited so

we organised our own activities — the DT staff helped some of us to make Christmas Decorations this term.

Making it a December to remember

W

E REALLY GOT INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

— Christmas Jumper Day raised over £1500 for the new AJ Bursary.

Morgan, Molly and Natasha lead up our other regular festive fundraiser — the selling of candy canes.

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Winter Wonderland

A

FTER A YEAR THAT LITERALLY BROUGHT THE GLOBE TO A STANDSTILL — CHRISTMAS CHEER WAS DEFINITELY LACKING. No Christmas celebrations

loomed to offer the excitement of Christmas.

Rumours began warming the chill winter air and soon things started to happen. Hay bales were transported in and provided a rustic charm for seating areas around warm fire pits, ready for roasting the marshmallows, whilst providing Christmas cheer to all of us who sat around them.

The Christmas Wonderland was establishing itself on the lawn and firmly in the school diary for years to come!

An ice rink provided much fun and hilarity with the less adventurous of us opting for the penguin support! An outdoor cinema screened The Grinch — the irony provided as he didn’t steal Christmas!

Wintery scents filled the air — the sweet smell of toasting marshmallows, hot chocolate and of freshly baked pizzas circulated around the mini village. The excitement was palpable as everyone chattered, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The overwhelming reaction to the Winter Wonderland?

Brilliant fun and let’s hope this is not a one off.

Cara B. Fourth Form

The Christmas Wonderland was establishing itself on the lawn and firmly in the school diary for years to come!

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Relive the festive fun by scanning here:

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Burns Supper

J

ANUARY BROUGHT WITH IT THE TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION OF SCOTTISH CULTURE THAT IS THE BURNS SUPPER.

Clearly we had to move on-line but all the traditional elements of the Strathallan event were in place, together with a few surprises and this time it was available for all to join in within the comfort of their own homes.

Our Burns Supper went virtual too. It had all the usual elements of toasts, the Bard and Mrs MacFarlane. Scan here to relive the whole experience:

Sun, Sea, Sport & Supplies

B

Y THE SUMMER TERM WE WERE BACK TO SCHOOL AGAIN AND DESPITE THE RESTRICTIONS, BOY WERE WE BUSY! The John Muir trust

volunteers were hard at work rewilding the land around Hagrid’s hut.

Because we couldn’t go out, we really made the most of bringing new and exciting food options into school. Food trucks will always be a treat

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but the variety of experiences on offer was really appreciated.

We were able, after a while, to have some Sunday outings and we made the most of the opportunity to go to St Andrews for some seaside fun.

And though sport had been hugely restricted for the year, we were able to make sure the most gladiatorial fixture of the school year took place.

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Girls V Boys Netball — The fixture of the year

I

T’S BECOME A GLADIATORIAL FIXTURE IN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND THIS YEAR MORE THAN EVER, IT WAS THE GRUDGE MATCH WE REALLY NEEDED. In probably the toughest match the boys’

rugby team has faced all year, it was only natural that the girls’ first netball team came out on top.

Winning 21-11, playing out of position, our girls barely broke a sweat. Being our only game of the

season, all our energy was channelled into making the most of the game as for many of us, this was our last opportunity to play together. A massive thank you to those who came to watch, to our coach Mrs Tod for umpiring and especially to the boys who were a very entertaining opposition. You all looked lovely in your dresses.

Emma C. UV1

Online for Lockdown

I

N JANUARY WE WERE BACK IN LOCKDOWN AND STRATH WORLDWIDE WAS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. On-line lessons

were really varied and Fit in February kept us all active.

Some of us started knitting.

Over 70 hand knitted scarves were donated to the homeless via CATH (Churches Action for the Homeless) and the Woodlands girls knitted hats, shawls and bootees to Ninewells Neonatal Unit in Dundee.

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In the summer term, our bee keepers had the chance to give a hive a Strath home with a pretty spectacular view.

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Finishing off the year in style THIRD FORM ACTIVITIES WEEK

T

HE FINAL WEEK OF TERM SAW THIRD FORM FINISH OFF THE YEAR IN STYLE. A programme of outdoor

activities was planned which allowed friendships to be cemented and the hard work of a difficult year to be rewarded. The weather was magnificent and it was good to take full advantage of all that our amazing location in central Scotland allows us to enjoy.

My favourite thing this week was the paintballing — and not just because it was great fun to be able to be able to shoot my friends and teachers! It was really well organised to have planned such a range of activities for us to do — everybody had things to look forward to that they really liked and was able to then take part in things they might not have enjoyed so much because it was something their friends looked forward to. The paintballing day though was fun from the very beginning and the coach journey to fighting on the battlefield and then discussing tactics and glory on the way home.

Ramsay S. It was great for us all to pile on to coaches and get out of school for a few days. One of my favourite days was when we went to St Andrews beach. We did such a wide range of activities from volleyball on the sand to paddle boarding and kayaking in the sea. The paddle boards were huge and we jumped in and out of the sea. Well, sometimes we jumped and sometimes we had less control over when we went in. What made it even better was the weather, it was really hot and sunny. I don’t know how many times you can say it was good to go into the sea to cool off in Scotland but this was one of them. It was great to spend such a relaxed and fun few days with friends before we all go off for the summer.

Tally M.

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I loved every day of the activities that we did. It was such fun to go out every morning to try something new and then to come home at night exhausted but excited for the next day. I really enjoyed kayaking and paddle boarding. I loved jumping in the water, shoving people and capsizing other people’s boats — though I should say this was all done with the instructors telling us what to do. It was great to spend all this time with friends and made the end of term really fun.

Magnus H Third form activity week was certainly one of the highlights of my year. There were lots of different activities on offer but one of my favourites was canyoning. I really enjoyed it because of the variety of things this involves, like slides, jumps, climbing and abseiling. It pushed me to do things I wouldn’t usually do. I made lots of great memories with all my friends and I have proved to myself that I can do a lot more than I think.

Orla M. We had an amazing few days at the end of the summer term. It had all started on the Monday when we drove all the way up to Pitlochry to go canyoning. This was my favourite activity out of all of them as it was so much fun. It really pushed you into some scary situations but we did so much in that day and it was all brilliant. Then on Tuesday we spent the morning orienteering which was hard work but again, fun. It was challenging and competitive which I really liked. Then on Wednesday we headed to St Andrews and went kayaking and paddle boarding. The weather was really hot and it was good to be on the water learning new skills in a fun way. I loved this final week of term and would love to do more of these activities.

Max E. The Strathallian

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S

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CREATIVE STRATHALLAN “The pandemic has not weakened our creativity but has further strengthened what was already impressive.”

(DML 06/21)

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a

midsummer Night’s Dream

“I have had a most rare vision”

W

ITH THESE WORDS, BOTTOM DESCRIBED WHAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE FELT AT THE END OF STRATHALLAN THEATRE’S 2021 PRODUCTION OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. “Rare” in

several respects, it was for many of us the first live theatrical production we had seen since the start of the first Covid lockdown in March 2020. For many of our pupil audience it might well have been the first time they had ever seen an outdoor performance. And in its truest Jacobean sense, rarity or excellence defined the whole production.

“Masters spread yourselves” These words of Peter Quince were appropriate for the evening as the audience took their socially distances seats on the edge of the cricket pitch with the wood behind the manylayered set spelling out the word DREAM. It was the evening of the day after the actual Midsummer Day, heavy rain having caused a postponement.

The early moments of the play brought a tangible ripple of anticipation as we gazed at the smoke covered stage and became aware of the sound of drums being beaten and of

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strange other-worldly music. Oberon and Titania, trailing aloft wreaths of coloured smoke then manipulated the crowds of nimble fairies and Pucks who danced and flitted their way through the audience before launching into an exhilarating dance to Bowie’s Rebel Rebel. The musical tone then changed as the human characters, clad in white, took their processional place to the song Golden Brown. Even before the play proper had begun, the visual and auditory treat in store was evident.

“And now, fair Hipployta, our nuptial hour draws on apace.”

Theseus, played by Alex W, opened the play with regal dignity — a bearing increased by the actual beard he had grown for the play. Molly E’s disdain (understandable for this Duke had wood her with his sword) was both subtle and throughout defined by a beautifully light comedic touch.

“Thanks, good Egeus. What’s news with thee?”

It’s always great to see those multi-talented but unexpected moments when a major dramatic role is undertaken for the first time and Kai’s confident and commanding portrayal of Egeus was just one of these. His LAMDA credentials were clear as he condemned his daughter to death should she fail to marry the suitor he had found for her. And herein is the dramatic centre to the play, the plight of the four hopelessly entangled lovers: Egeus’s daughter Hermia (Mine O) forced to leave her beloved Lysander (Hannah J) to marry the unsavoury Demetrius (Ethan W), erstwhile lover of her best friend Helena (Anna T.) All four of these central characters were excellent; by turns powerfully dramatic and at other times hapless and hilarious. Hermia and Lysander garnered our sympathy, Helena was a masterclass in self-pitying grief and Demetrius was as self-servingly arrogant as has ever been seen. Anna’s mastery and understanding of the blank verse was a delight.

“I am that merry wanderer of the night.”

And then we met Puck in one of the play’s boldest and most unexpected incarnations. This Puck could indeed wander everywhere because he was played by not one actor but five! Dressed as they were identically in black and obscured by bold monochrome make-up, I found it impossible to distinguish one from the other until they spoke and I recognised their voices. From Anna M in UV1 to the Prep School’s Eric M and Francesca W, this glorious and chaotic troupe encompassed the full span of the school. Their number was completed with the brilliance of Louisa K and Joely F from fifth Form and LV1 respectively. These five performed as one and enabled the audience to experience the agile, ever moving Puck as a “shrewd and knavish” presence who was amongst us all the time and on whom you could never turn your back.

lion, but a joiner was another Nicol triumph. Katie B’s Snout showed once again what a fine comic actor she is, her facial expressions making it only too clear that being a living wall with a chink isn’t at all dignified. To top this off I thought Katharine H’s portrayal of Peter Quince was exceptional — how we felt the patience and practicality she used to deal with her little cast of amateurs, and how we enjoyed her loss of constraint at the end.

“It shall be called Bottom’s Dream because it has no bottom” Magnus M rose to the challenge of this role magnificently. He showed Bottom to be totally unaware of his own ridiculousness, believing that everyone should take him seriously and accepting without question the bewitched adulation of Titania and her fairies.

“I do wander everywhere, swifter than the moon’s sphere.”

The fairies too were omnipresent. They wove around unseen by the human characters but observing absolutely everything that went on, taking mischievous delight in the idiocy of human behaviour. Isabella DCT, Isla C, Tara GR, Madeleine S and Amy G were supported by 20 Prep School fairies who combined to create a profoundly effective sense of other-worldly magic and mystery.

“Certain stars shot madly from their spheres to hear the sea maid’s music.”

Much use was made of music throughout the production, both live and recorded. The beautifully ethereal voice of Izzy D added to the magical atmosphere of the play and Alex W’s original composition was integral in setting the scene.

“I will draw a bill of properties such as our play wants.”

“Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania!”

“What, jealous Oberon.”

Two of the finest performances in the play were provided by Chloe M and Iona F as Oberon and Titania.

Their lines were delivered with clarity and authority, both portraying strong characters who were a match for one another in their power struggle. Then Iona, as the drugged Titania ‘in love’ with Bottom as an ass, cast off her dignity entirely, transformed very effectively into a coquettish teenager.

“And, most dear actors, eat no onion or garlic for we are to utter sweet breath.”

The mechanicals are always a highlight in productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and ours — who arrived on scooters and who danced — did not let us down. The play within a play was certainly a comic highlight that none of us will forget in a hurry. Roli S’s big bosomed Thisbe reduced those both on and off stage to tears of laughter. Alasdair M’s Starvelling was the comic epitome of frustration as he wasn’t allowed to finish his lines and Alex N as Snug desperately attempting to reassure the ladies that he wasn’t a real

These words of Peter Quince remind us that a great deal is required for a play to take place at all and so praise is due to those whose hard work and imagination led to such an excellent production. Strathallian Oliver Beetschen’s stunning set design was simply spectacular.

Jim Salisbury and his stage crew led by Hazel M excelled themselves in bringing the vision to fruition with the technical support of our friends at Apex Acoustics allowing the potential for a professional standard to be realised. One of Puck’s aliases in the play is Robin Goodfellow so how appropriate that the excellent choreography for the production was provided by Robyn Goodfellow herself. In the last show of her career, Kate Streatfeild-James excelled herself with probably her most spectacularly creative endeavour yet. Of course, Kate would want due credit given to the amazing work done by Molly E which helped to define this production.

And finally, to Catherine Howett and David Foster — codirectors — congratulations on an incredible production which will be long remembered by everyone involved and all of those who were fortunate enough to be there on that most magical night of the school year.

Irene McFarlane The Strathallian

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“Now, thou and I are new in amity”

“Never so weary, never in woe, Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briars”

“And though she be little, she is fierce”

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“On the ground, sleep sound. I’ll apply to your eye, Gentle lover, remedy.”

“Thisbe, the flowers of odious savours sweet”

“I’ll give thee fairies to attend on thee,”

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“”Give me your hands if we be friends”

“A crew of patches, rude mechanicals” 64

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“ Is all our company here?”

“And farewell friends, thus Thisbe ends”

“I’ll streak her eyes, and make her full of hateful fantasies.”

“How now, mad spirit?”

“Here come the lovers, full of joy and mirth” Act 5 Scene 1

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Expressive Arts W

HEN THE 2020 SHOW, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, WAS PULLED THE DAY BEFORE PERFORMANCE IN RESPONSE TO THE FIRST SET OF PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS we knew we had a challenge ahead to keep

the Expressive Arts provision up and running. From the outset, the plan for A Midsummer Night’s Dream was an outdoor project utilising the school’s beautiful campus to its best advantage. Little did we know that as the challenges of the 2020/21 session continued, this would be the beacon of hope we all needed.

We adapted, as did the whole school, to on-line life. Inter-House Drama was reintroduced, its success being in no small part a reflection of the efforts of the newly appointed Head and Deputy Head of Drama; Anna M and Iona F. The competing house videos were presented to a virtual audience beautifully by them. They did so with their own masterful adaptation of a ‘Staged’ style performance which deserved accolades all of its own even though the formal house prize was awarded to Simpson.

The dance opportunities also continued apace. Our choreographer Robyn Goodfellow held virtual dance competitions where dancers submitted videos in costume. Dance captain Madeleine S taught dance as part of the games curriculum three times a week via Teams and, on the return to school in April, these lessons took place outdoors for the first three weeks of term.

Ballet continued too, our most talented students working with outside agencies and our own Ballet teacher, Kelly McCole. Kelly, who will be taking the reins of the Royal Ballet Associates programme alongside her Strath teaching in September, was delighted with the achievements of Amelia C and Mia B who completed their RAD 4 and of Jemima B whose extraordinary progress now sees her at Advanced 1.

Speech and Drama also continued unabated with LAMDA and Perform in Perth entries providing the level of success we have come to expect. Mrs MacFarlane might have been somewhat hesitant in her initial response to the virtual environment and lack of face to face interaction but this was quickly overcome to ensure continued excellence in the school’s participation in these disciplines.

Throughout the academic session, rehearsals for A Midsummer Night’s Dream took place on-line, providing a useful team building exercise as well as grounding our diverse range of actors in the play itself. Practical tasks, such as dressing up as a character, were set as weekly challenges but perhaps the most significant off-site challenge was that of the costume designers, Mrs S-J and Molly E whose creative skills were in full force throughout making the costumes themselves. Not to be outdone, Music Scholar Alex W was also busy, composing a piece to open the show itself.

On our return to school the play rehearsals went live and stage crew stepped into place with their set build. As time went on though, it became apparent that the risks presented by the pandemic meant that no parents or external visitors could be allowed onto the campus. We adapted once again. A live performance was always our goal and this was realised with an appreciative audience of pupils and staff. The whole amazing experience surpassed our hopes and was captured on film.

Catherine Howett

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Scan here for our magical memories of the whole production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, from page to stage:

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Music T

HIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. Our pupils,

however, have shown real resilience and have achieved some amazing things in the face of adversity.

September saw our return to school after the first lockdown term. It was good to get back to performance, albeit on-line. Our first informal concerts saw a blended provision of live performance and pre-recorded.

It was a challenge in so many ways, even our audiences had to get used to registering an interest for the Zoom platform we were using. Nevertheless, that first concert back in September was one of the highlights of my year simply for the joy of seeing and hearing performances again.

Early on in the year the department and its scholars began work on our centenary project. I was absolutely delighted at the quality of both the resulting Strathallan Suite and the process that our scholars were an integral part of. To have a composition written bespoke to their instrument and ability that incorporates original ideas they have created is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. This was the culmination of a huge amount of focus and dedication from all the scholars in a project that lasted the entire year.

It was a challenge in so many ways, even our audiences had to get used to registering an interest for the Zoom platform we were using. Nevertheless, that first concert back in September was one of the highlights of my year simply for the joy of seeing and hearing performances again 68

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Over the Christmas period we produced nearly 30 videos to put out on social media. These were a mixture of various ensembles and most of these were pupil-led projects as well.

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As always, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of our pupils, staff, parents and the wider members of our community who continue to support everything that we do.

As the Autumn term progressed, we weren’t able to do our usual large-scale events but our pupils still stepped up. Over the Christmas period we produced nearly 30 videos to out on social media. These were a mixture of various ensembles and most of these were pupil-led projects as well.

Post-Christmas, of course, we were into our next lockdown and once again our pupils were absolutely astounding in what they were able to achieve. They took part in competitions; the Prep School Inter-Divisional music competition took place; our choir rehearsals, our community choir rehearsals and our orchestra rehearsals still took place. Our pupils turned up every week to take part in music.

Then moving into the summer term we were able to start playing live together again. Throughout the term our ensembles grew bigger and they got better and better. This culminated in our Headmaster’s Music Concert which was a spectacular event; a real climax to the year and proof that despite everything that has been thrown at our music department, our musicians have still thrived, they have progressed and they have achieved.

Hearing some of those performances was such a proud moment for me and the department and I know that our pupils are going to go on next year to achieve even more when they are allowed to do more. I wish my successor and the other in-coming members of the department every good fortune as this takes place.

As always, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of our pupils, staff, parents and the wider members of our community who continue to support everything that we do.

See the summer Head master’s Music concert here: https://youtu.be/1drUMcEdff0 Matt Gooch

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The Strathallan Suite

The “Strathallan Suite” is the result of a year-long project which saw Stuart work closely through a series of workshops with music scholars from First Form to Upper Sixth.

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S PART OF THE COMMEMORATIVE SERIES OF EVENTS PLANNED FOR FORGANDENNY 100, the centenary of the school’s move to

its Forgandenny campus, the music department commissioned a unique collaborative project with award winning composer, Stuart MacRae. The Strathallan Suite is the result of a year-long project which saw Stuart work closely through a series of workshops with music scholars from First Form to Upper Sixth. The workshops generated ideas based on the school’s values of Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Hard Work, Excellence and Humility. The 10-minute suite was recorded at Strathallan in the school’s state-of-the-art recording studio with pupils also having the opportunity to work with a professional director to produce a film of the work.

The Strathallan Suite - 100 Years of Innovative Education in Forgandenny can be viewed here:

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THE STRATHALLAN SUITE WAS COMPOSED WITH AND FOR THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARS: Harry A Freyja D Flora R Emily P Sophie D Josh C Angus K Elvie H Finn G-R Lewis D Oliver K

Piano and Glockenspeil Ukulele and Voice Flute Flute Voice Cello Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Voice Electric Guitar Drum Kit and Vibraphone Trumpet

Struan D Ava K Seb P Sophie C Millie W Isabelle D Madeleine S Alex W

Alto Sax and Whistles Voice Voice and Electric Guitar Harp Trumpet Voice and Piano Violin and Voice Voice and Cello

(With thanks to sound engineer, Mr Fraser Christie.)

Meet the Composer – Stuart MacRae “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the music scholars at Strathallan School and this project has been a ray of hope and sunshine over the past few months. I’ve tried to create a varied suite of pieces which uses everyone’s talents and incorporates many ideas from the scholars themselves, as well as embedding the school’s values and even its name into the music.

I’m very grateful for all of the hard work and dedication that students have shown and staff have put in to creating this excellent production.

I hope that you all enjoy The Strathallan suite as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it.”

Find out more about Stuart MacRae at https://stuartmacrae.com/ 72

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Speech and Drama D

ESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THIS YEAR HAS THROWN AT US, our pupils have once again excelled

themselves in speech and drama activities.

We were fortunate that both in November and in June we were able to have LAMDA examiners come to the School to assess our candidates face to face. In the Spring term (when we were not able to be physically in the School) Perform in Perth organised their festival online with competitors submitting entries for adjudication.

Considering it was their Centenary Festival, it was good that it was able to go ahead.

Eric M, for the second year in a row, won the William Soutar Tassie for his recitation of Soutar’s “Crusts o Kindness” and Isabella DCT the Year of the Bible trophy with a reading from St Matthew’s Gospel. Chloe M achieved two firsts for verse speaking (Shelley’s “Ozymandias”) and for Old and New Testament readings, which won her an Honours mark (over 90%).

In their respective age group categories, Alexander W and Tom N won the English Poem competitions, Harriet R, the Soutar class and Sophie D, acting.

In LAMDA exams this year, 53 Distinctions (80% plus) have been achieved by our pupils with many gaining over 90%. The top mark went to Iona F for Silver Medal Speaking in Public. She also gained Distinction in Grade 7 Devising. There were triple Distinctions for Chloe M in Acting Bronze and in Grades 6 and 7 Reading for Performance. Carlos C also achieved a double in Bronze and Silver Speaking in Public.

Other Silver Distinctions in Speaking in Public went to Nephi B, Sebastian P and Callum N, with Bronzes for Amelia E, Max M and Roli S. Isabelle D has set herself up well for Drama College next year with her Distinction in Gold Medal Acting. Similar marks in Bronze Acting went to Melissa F-S and Louisa K, to Katherine H in Grade 6 Reading for Performance and The Strathallian

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to Ethan W and Magnus M in The Speaking of Verse and Prose Bronze.

In exams from Entry Level to Grade 5, Distinction marks were achieved by the following pupils: In The Speaking of Verse and Prose, Sunaya C, Harriet R, Tom N and Alexander W. In Reading for Performance, Francesca and Alexander W. In Speaking in Public, Alasdair M. In Acting, Isla C, Natalie DCT, Imogen H, Francesca W, Sophie D and Tara G-R. Not to be forgotten, of course, is the 85% achieved by the 21-strong Verse Speaking Choir of the Prep School’s Year 6, with their renderings of “Fi’baw in the Street” by Robert Garioch and “Gran, Can You Rap” by Jack Ousby!

But in this, the 25th year of LAMDA exams being taken at Strathallan School, special mention must be made of one candidate who has just achieved Distinction in Gold Medal in The Speaking of Verse and Prose. Morgan P has been doing LAMDA exams here for 9 years, usually doing more than one exam each session. In all that time there has been only once when he achieved a mark less than a Distinction.

Over these years he has performed recitations on many other occasions such as Burns Festivals, Edinburgh Competition Festivals, Perform in Perth.

He recited Soutar at an official function in Edinburgh, and who can forget his rendering, with Daisy Richards, of Tam o’Shanter, as part of Strathallan’s Opening Ceremony at the International Eventing Championship at Blair Castle in 2014? We hope that Morgan continues to make the most of his prodigious talents as he moves forward in life.

Irene Mcfarlane

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Art I

T HAS BEEN ANOTHER BUSY YEAR IN THE ART DEPARTMENT HERE AT STRATHALLAN. We

were delighted to have students back in the Winter term and we set about making up for lost time with our GCSE and A Level students focusing on moving their coursework projects further towards completion.

Our 5th Form students sat a two day trial exam in early December with some fantastic work created focusing on the theme of Contrasts.

The Spring term brought more disruption with the School and indeed the country moving back to online lessons. Students continued to stay engaged and were very resourceful and creative when producing work at home. The students worked very hard at the beginning of the Summer term to complete their projects and you can view our GCSE and A Level exhibition virtually by following the link below. There has been some truly fantastic work created this year and we are very proud of our students. We were also successful again at the annual RSA Schools Art Award with Woody L (UVI) being Highly commended in the Senior category and Topaz W (LVI) winning the Senior prize for schools in the North. Topaz was picked from over 600 entries which was an amazing achievement. We are delighted that our students are consistently being recognised for the standard of their art work. We have now placed in the winning and Highly Commended categories in the Senior section for the last three years running which demonstrates the talent and ability that we have here at Strathallan.

Frank Glancy

We are delighted that our students are consistently being recognised for the standard of their art work.

Please visit our fantastic Speech Day exhibition here:

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THE UVI CLASS OF 2021

My focus this year has been on Architecture.

I’m interested in the way artists use buildings in their work. I’m fascinated by the way in which they distort the colours, shapes and different elements of both interior and exterior spaces, creating work that moves beyond Architecture and into abstraction or distortion. I have also been interested in the life cycle of Architecture. No building lasts forever and I have seen how artists such as Charles Sheeler have used layering to create an impression of old and new, showing what exists now and what has come before.

Constantin H

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Pop Art is a movement originating from the mid to late 1950s that challenged traditional fine art, aiming to blur the boundary between “high” art and “low” culture. Pop art often takes imagery from mainstream culture, such as advertising, comic books and everyday-life objects.

Continuing right up to the present day, the pop art movement still has a huge influence on modern culture; traces of pop art can be found everywhere from fashion to music and even politics. The movement has also altered the way people view art, as it has become more popularised in modern society instead of being an “upper-class entertainment.”

I am fascinated by the influence pop art has had on our culture and everyday life. I‘ve investigated how artists have used the popularity of pop art to increase the accessibility of their work to a larger audience and how this has been achieved through many generations of artists. My work explores the way in which artists express their ideas in order to captivate an audience and how this has impacted society and culture as a whole.

Woody L

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Portraiture is a broad and complex theme. Different people seek different answers in a portrait. Some people may be looking for the hidden emotions of the person displayed in a painting or a photograph, while others might be looking for some type of story behind it. Portraiture helps us see how some people view others. Mostly it presents how someone looks, or the way someone wants to be seen. People often use self-portraiture to express their true emotions which they cannot describe to others. Just adding certain colours, posture, facial expressions to a portrait can say a lot about the artist or the subject's mood or even personality. During the process of painting a portrait, the artist begins to understand more about the subject. This could be their story or their feelings which are hidden from others. My work looks at how artists use different materials, colours, and techniques to convey the full meaning of their work to a viewer.

Elena S

What does it take to recognise someone? Following the recent implementation of mask wearing in everyday life, I have wondered what it really takes to recognise someone. Research has shown that mask wearing slows down the process in which we recognise (something which is normally instant) and reduces the success rate of identifying a person by 15%. An element of distortion has now become an accepted part of everyday life, alongside our limited (and distanced) social interaction. Whilst many insist that the mandatory wearing of face coverings allow for protection against catching and spreading COVID-19, opponents argue that compulsory wearing of masks infringes on their civil rights. The commonplace wearing of masks in our everyday lives will forever change our ability to recognise others as well as our illusions of ‘safety’ and ‘security’ from others. My work explores this distortion which is now present in our everyday lives in greater depth.

Amy M

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The connections that people have with nature and the world around them is a deep rooted fascination, often forgotten. We are all more united than you think to the natural world. The relationship, mood and emotions of people can be reflected and associated to the landscape and conditions. Pathetic fallacy is a literary device in which human emotions are attributed to aspects of nature, such as the weather. For example, the weather can be used to reflect a person‘s mood, with dark clouds or rain present in a scene involving sorrow. Cinematic pieces always use this device as another visual layer in portraying the feelings of the characters thus helping those watching to feel more linked in. From childhood I have always loved the outdoors and the picturesque moments and memories it has to offer, with my parents encouraging us to get outside whatever the weather for exploring and adventures. Whether that’s walking to a legion of beautiful beech trees in the autumn or finding hidden gems like waterfalls and swimming spots in the rivers in the summer. Mighty snowy mountains and stormy seas ignite feeling such as power or anger or something completely different within everyone who takes a moment to embrace and connect with the wonders around them. The effect of weather and colours on a person provides interest with its profound relation to art and literature, a sunset with gold, dusty pinks and purples could, for me, indicate peace and contentment similar to looking outside in the morning to a snow covered glittering, serene wonderland. The white and stillness of the snow makes me calm and happy but in contrast a wild storm can tap into feelings of anxiety, fear or anger. My work aims to capture this connection between the natural world and landscape with people and emotional feelings, looking at style, technique and the use of colour as well as the influence it has on portraiture with pathetic fallacy as a focal point.

Flora May H

From childhood I have always loved the outdoors and the picturesque moments and memories it has to offer...

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The philosophy I have been exploring with regards to the human condition has its roots in existentialism, my primary inspiration being philosopher Jean-Paul Satre, and his philosophical novel “Nausea”, published in 1938.

This novel tells the story of Antoine Roquentin, a troubled young writer, as he becomes increasingly more perceptive of certain existential truths, one of them being that the world around him is far stranger than he initially thought. At one point, he starts fearing a stone, as he remembers feeling a certain odd sensation in regards to holding the stone. He describes that while cradling the stone he felt a “nausea of the hands”, thinking that there was something new about his hands. Such moments in which Roquentin begins to question the familiarity he feels towards his reality are continuously invoked throughout the novel. He states that “nothing has changed, yet everything is different”. What Roquentin is experiencing is what Satre refers to as “the absurdity of our world”. In my work, I aim to explore the absurdity of our world, using a surrealist style in order to emphasise this theme, but trying to make it subtle enough, not too detached from reality.

I believe that studying the human figure has not only improved my technical skills, but has also helped me to arrive at my current theme, by making me think about how I could incorporate these studies into my previous aspect which vaguely centred around dark surrealism. The artists I have researched, in particular Xhxix and Xue Jiye, have impacted my work, inspiring the ideas I wanted to explore, as well as the style I wanted to develop within my work. My final pieces centre around the figure, including a range of background or foreground elements which bring together all of the ideas I have discussed but also leaving enough ambiguity for the viewer to create their own interpretation of my artistic intentions.

Adina S

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I believe that studying the human figure has not only improved my technical skills, but has also helped me to arrive at my current theme, by making me think about how I could incorporate these studies into my previous aspect which vaguely centred around dark surrealism

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Piping I

T HAS LONG BEEN THE BOAST OF THE PIPERS AND DRUMMERS AT STRATHALLAN THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST CLASSROOM IN THE WORLD. Not just the

affectionately named ‘hut,’ but the vast expanse of the Strathallan campus which rolls away from it. The acres and acres of green fields with their distant backdrop of the Perthshire hills were put to their best use this year and allowed individual lessons to be held despite the restrictions imposed across the academic and extra-curricular timetables. A large number of electric chanters had been ordered as a failsafe back-up and these allowed indoor practice to continue as well. The profile of Piping and Drumming therefore remained high, literally in the case of Xander G whose rooftop playing at the Remembrance Day service was one of the year’s highlights.

The leadership roles taken on by pupils remain an important part of the department’s ethos and this year our Pipe Major, Jay C and Leading Drummer Max M stepped up to their respective plates to make sure that the musician’s experiences of the year was as uninterrupted as possible. My thanks go to them and to the Term 3 Headmaster’s Piper, Gregor S for being so integral to keeping our profile and spirits up this year.

And though our public performance opportunities were limited, our drummers really enjoyed leading the procession at the start of the school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – and being costumed in a way that captured the other worldly feel of the production.

It was good to take part once again in the Barbados Music Festival – tragic that it was in a virtual capacity and not in the Caribbean itself as it has been on previous occasions but when the time is right we will be back to our international best.

Meanwhile we’ll settle for the hope that restrictions will lift soon, that our players and playing will be able to get back to some sort of normality. We are immensely proud that in the difficulty of the pandemic, the Piping and Drumming department provided a beacon of stability for the school as a whole and excited that the 2021-2022 school session will see this furthered with the establishment of a Traditional Music and Scottish Culture department.

Craig Muirhead 82

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And though our public performance opportunities were limited, our drummers really enjoyed leading the procession at the start of the school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – and being costumed in a way that captured the other worldly feel of the production.

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ACADEMIC STRATHALLAN

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“You have excelled in ways that were perhaps unexpected and you have risen admirably to the challenges posed by events outside of your and our control.”

(DML 06/21)

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The Academic Year 2020-21 Dr Woodman reflects on the academic highlights of the year when adapting and embracing the different become the new normal.

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N MUCH THE SAME WAY AS GALILEO GALILEI ENDURED MULTIPLE PERIODS OF LOCKDOWN during bouts of plague in Europe and Isaac Newton’s enforced residence

in the countryside during the Great Plague of 1666 was actually his most productive period – coined his ‘Year of Miracles’ – Session 20-21 has been a story of adaptation and embracing the different.

There were some huge differences to embrace: bubbles, masks, sanitiser, reconfigured classrooms, outdoor classrooms, Mr Hamill’s one-way system, blended learning and Strath WorldWide 2. In much the same way as socials and Perth Leave were restricted, there were no in-person visiting speakers for the Senior School while the Academic Challenge, Academic Dinner and MAADSS were, unavoidably, rescheduled for Session 21-22.

But, in so many ways we did adapt and we did embrace the different. Mr Vallot’s Sixth Form Lecture Series continued via Zoom and saw Strathallan host Economist Mark Blythe, Geographer Mike Robinson and Life Coach and Entrepreneur Robin Slegar.

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Mrs Hodson’s Medical Ethics Group accessed Medical Research Scotland’s online webinar series in much the same way that extension groups and Academic Scholars made use of online lectures such as those hosted by Cambridge, Edinburgh and St Andrews Universities and marking International Women’s Day. Similarly, the Holocaust Educational Trust moved their ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ to Zoom and opened the programme up to four students per school instead of the customary two, while Fifth Form and LV1 historians accessed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s and Scottish Government’s commemoration online ceremonies in which they were supported in developing understanding of the confronting realities of genocide.

Subject Challenges and Olympiads continued much as usual, however, with some customarily impressive performances by Strathallan students in Biology, Maths and Physics. English students made submissions to the Scottish Schools’ Young Writer of the Year current affairs competition and Art students Topaz W and Woody L furthered Strathallan success in the Royal Scottish Academy Art Award with Topaz gaining First Prize in the North category and Woody receiving Highly Commended in the National competition. While we prioritised the need for balance between online learning and a break from screens over the Senior Academic Essay competition in Term 2, SPS produced some stunning Colour Competition entries during Term 1 exploiting a variety of media. They further satisfied their competitive spirits in the King of the Mountain and Yellow Jersey races of the Modern Foreign Languages Department’s Term 3 Tour de France simulation in which students also developed their understand of the culture, food, and history attached to the route and technology involved in its racing.

At the same time, embracing the different offered new opportunities such as increased participation in debating competitions, albeit virtually, with Mr Dunn’s and Mr McGowan’s team performing well in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford and St Andrew Universities’ competitions as well as that hosted by the English Speaking Union in which Ethan W was appointed a Chair and Judge.

Amy F-P impressed in submitting a question to assembled MPs and MSPs during the BBC’s Debate Night. Likewise, Mrs Barker’s Third Form Discussion Group wowed with the quality of their reasoning in the John Stuart Mill Cup. As Mrs Barker summarised, drawing one match and losing their second by just two points, against students three-to-five years their senior, was an ‘outstanding achievement for 13 and 14-year olds’.

In the virtual classroom, Mrs Miles’ students enhanced their practical skills through interdisciplinary research projects analysing where Psychology meets Art and Biology. Dr Sapsford’s budding Greek scholars progressed from mastering an unfamiliar alphabet to exploring Hermes’ misspent youth in reading a short novella, while the extracurricular GCSE cohort continued to tackle original, non-adapted texts in preparation for the 2022 exam.

SPS and Third Form geographers swapped field work for volcano modelling, producing some amazing simulations. Staff, too, embraced Lockdown 2 to enhance their online delivery with Mrs Angus, Mr Gardiner, Mr Glancy, Mrs Pfupajena and Mrs Troop offering training sessions in IT apps and tools.

Thus, much of Session 20-21 looked and felt different but Strathallan rose to COVID’s challenges in its customary manner and, as Galileo and Newton did in their periods of pandemic adversity, students and staff adapted and embraced the different in style!

Isla Woodman The Strathallian

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Strathallan Prep School Colour Competition Colour is bright It lightens up the day You can see them if your cone cells work right When we are in a match, it helps divide the teams so you can play There is nearly none at night Colours can be blinding, but hey Colours are like your armour They are what people recognize It feels amazing when you’re wearing your team’s colours as a player Colours are everywhere, including the prize Their colours against ours Red vs Blue Every week we train for hours Fans stay true by supporting and wearing their team’s colours Some sit at home watching tv whilst having a brew Strath Colour Competition - Isla T

There are certain colours that represent things in sport Red means you’re off Yellow means you’re in the sin bin for 10 minutes which is a lot The rainbow is an array of colours from red to violet No one sees the rainbow the same Jack F

Colour is everywhere you will ever go.

Outgoing through everything.

Light and dark it is.

Everyone loves it.

You use it in more than art.

It can represent things in sport, the top or the team.

It is on animals in many different patterns and for so many different reasons.

Different colours can show emotions.

Some people see it in different ways but still colour.

Very important to seeing colour are cones.

It can be expressed in many different ways.

All nature has it in manY different ways.

Where you are it will be there with you in different forms.

Extinction is happening to many different forms of it like barrier reefs and animals.

Soon the world’s colours will fade but things will carry on the same.

So we need to change or more than colour will be gone.

Jasper F-I

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Colour can mean so many different things. It can be the smile of a new born baby as it laughs for the first time, a smile that lights up the world. Colour can be the world itself, the tall, majestic forests of the Amazon, the wide, blue, rolling oceans that we are so carelessly destroying.

Our world, the world that we know, could be reduced from the thriving, colourful, alive, wonderful, world, to a colourless, dishevelled shell of darkness that had once been so bright. And, people can regress to these broken shells as well. They can be bright and buzzy, only to be polluted by the unkind, destructive words of others. It is our job, like with the world, to nurture them gently back to the person they had once been.

Colour can have a different meaning to everyone, and everyone can have their own different versions of colour. While your colour may be shopping and living in a city, my colour is so many worlds apart. My colour would be galloping through a field on a horse, on a night with a beautiful sun set setting the sky on fire behind me. My colour is sitting on the sofa, after a long tiring walk, hearing the snuffly breaths of my dog as she sleeps next to me. My colour is spending time with those who I love. It does not matter the place or the time.

And I think it is time to bring up the masked metaphor behind colour. Go back through this essay and replace every word ‘colour’ with the word ’happy’ or ‘happiness’. Here is the real question … what is your colour?

Francesca W

A Year of Seriously Fun Science in Strathallan Prep School

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NCITING PASSION AND CURIOSITY IN OUR YOUNG STUDENTS IS THE MAIN AIM OF OUR SCIENCE LESSONS. Yes, there is a curriculum to cover and

knowledge to learn but, more than that, we strive to develop enquiring minds, scientists of the future. We pose ‘why’ and ‘what if ’ questions and love nothing more than investigating our theories in the lab.

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

Albert Einstein

The Circle of Life

SPS students were thrilled to see learning brought to life as we hatched our own chicks and marvelled at the miracle of life as we observed their development from egg to fully grown chicken. Many names were in contention, but we decided on a Stars Wars theme with the names Hen Solo, Chew-Pecker, Princess Layer and R2-tweet-2.

Students developed understanding of animal classification, life-cycles, cells and genetics, as well as gaining immense enjoyment from seeing the chicks’ personalities develop. It goes without saying that there was a little sadness as we said farewell to the chicks at our end of term ‘hen’ party but we were able to rest assured in the knowledge that Mr Watt would be providing a forever home for our feathered friends and that his broody silky was in waiting to take on the role of adoptive mother hen.

We still enjoy his weekly updates.

Not to be overshadowed by our fowl family was our army of tadpoles, which we were also able to observe in the lab. The Science Club showed great responsibility in maintaining the tadpoles’ tank as well as regularly observing their development under magnification. We were amazed to learn that you can actually view their little lungs developing through their translucent skin.

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Online Learning brought to Life Online learning did not hold us back from getting ‘hands on’ in our Science lessons with much of our Science taking place in the kitchen!

Year 4/5 enjoyed recreating the digestion system, Form 1 made models of animal and plant cells and Year 6 investigated ideal conditions for mould growth.

Many SPS students also benefited from talks from a variety of guest speakers. It is always inspiring, and sometimes enlightening, for our younger students to discover that Science is not only the realm of white-coated men and women in a laboratory. Form 2 were fascinated to learn about a day in the life of Duncan MacFarlane, a BP drilling engineer working on offshore drilling rigs in Azerbaijan, as well as the pathway to his career. As part of their studies

on Evolution, Year 6 received a talk from real-life palaeontologist, Dr Elsa Panciroli. Students were quickly absorbed by her knowledge about mammals from the Jurassic period on the Isle of Skye, as well as one of Dr Panciroli’s most famous finds — the stegosaurus bone found on the Isle of Eigg last year, the first discovery of a dinosaur bone in Scotland outside of Skye. Meanwhile, Year 4/5 enjoyed an interactive presentation from Glasgow University dentistry students who taught oral health through a fun ‘whodunnit’ themed activity entitled ‘What killed the tooth?’

British Science Week

A huge commendation should go to our Prep School Science Leaders, Rosie E, Freyja D and Tom N for organising many fantastic activities during British Science Week.

Our creative young scientists arranged a poster competition, created kitchen science experiments and conducted interviews with their parents to discover how scientific innovation has impacted their work. The opportunity to run British Science Week gave these admirable students a great opportunity to demonstrate our school values of respect, honesty, hard work, kindness, excellence and humility.

Claire Angus

Strathallan Prep School STEM Club and Crest Awards

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UNIOR STEM CLUB SEEKS TO GET PARTICIPANTS THINKING FOR THEMSELVES AND TRYING NEW THINGS.

All activities are designed to be fun and challenging, and count towards a CREST Superstar Award. We built bridges, straw towers and marshmallow towers; explored human anatomy; pitted ourselves against escape room puzzles; and manufactured slime, bouncy slime, spinners, paper rockets and helicopters. Many of our 2020-21 STEM clubbers are close to completing the eight activities to qualify for the Superstar Award — no mean feat during COVID. Logan T (SPS) saw his regular attendance and logging of five hours STEM work rewarded with a CREST Discovery Award. In pursuit of this accolade, Logan set up a worm farm in the Biology Department and completed a mini project to discover which fruit insects prefer. In doing so, he improved his practical skills and learned how to present a scientific poster of his results.

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Senior STEM Club and Crest Awards

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HE STEM DREAM TEAM — JIAYU H, JESSICA T AND ISABELLA Z (ALL FIFTH FORM) — RETURNED FOR 2020-21, THIS TIME CHASING A SILVER CREST AWARD. A step up from the Bronze gained last session,

this requires twenty hours of work and a much more demanding scientific report. The team investigated the effect of pH on the effectiveness of shampoo, a challenging project that involved a combination of good microscopy skills and careful quantitative analysis using a colorimeter. Having sourced a steady supply of dirty blond hair (thanks, Elizabeth Cooper), which is easier to see colour change in, students were able to compare the effectiveness of several different shampoos and identify whether this correlated with the pH of the shampoo.

Silver CREST certification should follow in 2021-22.

In tackling the Bronze CREST level, we had no lack of creative thinking. Joshua C (Fourth Form) was first to meet award criteria by designing his ideal games console using Solidworks software. Looking to improve upon the Xbox controller, he added new buttons and sought feedback on his design using a questionnaire of other Strath gamers.

Inspired by the devastating bush fires in Australia of recent years, Callum P (Fourth Form) devised a project on the flammable properties of limonene, the major component in the oil of citrus fruit peels. Working with a fume hood, he burned dried orange, lime and lemon peel safely and recorded the temperature change and length of burn. His report modelled good scientific skills and should gain a Bronze Award.

Eleanor R (Third Form) built a working remotecontrolled car and, with the experience gained at STEM Club and at home, looks to engineer an eco-friendly model in 2021-22 and secure her award.

Similarly, ongoing projects to be completed in the new academic session include Caitlin M’s (Fourth Form) insightful comparison of the responses from a traditional IQ test with one that she devised herself and Rohan M’s (Fourth Form) project on fizzy drinks which contrasts the properties of homemade and shop bought lemonade.

So, despite the restrictions imposed in 2020-21, we continued to thrive – the more the merrier!

Brian Cooper

UNESCO Futures of Education Initiative and Zero Water Day Partnership

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S PART OF BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK AND STRATHALLAN’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND REWILDING EDUCATIONAL FOCUS,

SPS students deepened their understanding of Scottish rivers and hydroelectric power, waste management and constructed bird feeders and bug hotels in our outdoor classrooms.

Meanwhile, participating in the UNESCO Learning to Become (Futures of Education) initiative, Third Form reimagined how knowledge and learning can shape the future of humanity and the planet. As part of their vision for 2050, they concluded that education is essential to sustainability and should be central to any future planning.

As an extension of this, ahead of November’s COP 26 Conference, the Zero Water Day Partnership invited Third Form to work with students and teachers from other schools in exploring how to protect mountains, The Strathallian

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as ‘water towers of the world’, against the impacts of climate change. In the latter project, students were asked to look at the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals and use these to build a model for the development of a sustainable plant, human health and equity for all. Third Form worked on the project throughout the year, crafting their own rain gauges to measure rainfall at Strathallan as well as looking at the way in which Scottish people use water.

Paul Vallot You can see more of our environmental work by visiting: https://www.strathallan.co.uk/eco-school

Big Questions: How should we enquire about, and commemorate, devastation and atrocity?

‘Remember them well…they may die…like so many others but let it not be anonymous, as if no one had died.’

Poli Delano on Pinochet’s takeover of Chile.

When, from university, Strathallian Alameen K emailed to ask why school enquiries into World War I do not address the Armenian Genocide, this resonated with questions recently debated by educationalists; should we be doing more to support students in developing wider understanding of genocide? It echoed calls from those working with the Holocaust Educational Trust, such as Nadhim Zahawi MP, to facilitate contextualisation and discussion as part of developing young people’s global competence. At the same time, similar conversations were taking place over the lens used to explore such devastating global events as the world wars; do customary enquiries allow processing of not only the international experience but also change and continuity within this wider context? Inevitably, no single enquiry can treat these questions exhaustively and, to a degree, teaching is influenced by the demands of national curricula. Likewise, embedding understanding is contingent on revisiting aspects throughout a young person’s school career. With this in mind, Third Form to UV1 combined classroom enquiries with participation in commemoration events hosted by the Holocaust Educational Trust and Scottish Government to begin to address these questions and develop wider understanding of the impact of World War I on ‘civilisation’ as society knew it, our obligations as historians in contextualising the Holocaust, and the impact on survivors of genocide in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur.

Isla Woodman

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How far did the Great War change civilisation? fides decernit tua fata – faith decides your fate Workers worked throughout the day, building new structures or farming the hay.

The rich were prestigious and the poor fought on, richest of kings helped not the pawns.

Middle class bathed at leisure beaches, and the workers ate luxury peaches.

Women waved as they saw those whom they knew, their children always kept under close control.

As this was the time to live, nobody wanted or needed change, Victorians said they had it best, as they smiled and lay down to rest.

There was a shush as the town went to sleep, nobody moved except under their sheets.

Horses, chariots, swords and spears, we conquered, we cheered and conquered some more.

That was 1890s dear, all fun and games, not a Boer.

A good man was fearless, merciless and bold.

Everyone was a leader but followed the gold.

Canada, Australia, India and Africa.

We conquered and cheered.

Then there was a change.

No horses, no chariots, not even swords or spears, Heavy metal played but without any music.

Machine guns killed a hundred at a time.

Bang bang bang, and three were no more.

The beaches were war zones and the peaches were rotten.

This war changed wars but what did it mean, for the future of our children and the children beside me.

I wanted to scream but I would not be heard.

The world was not as one, instead we greeted World War One. Once this is over we will see it differently, our stories will be accepted and war will not be.

Fifteen years on, very little is different, my stories are still not widely accepted.

The truth is too hard to hear, for the people of today don’t believe their ears.

The new born look like the old man, only before the ‘glorious war.’

Fergus T (Third Form)

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Lessons from Auschwitz (The Holocaust Educational Trust’s accredited programme)

T

HE LESSONS FROM AUSCHWITZ COURSE IS AN ONLINE PROGRAMME RUN BY THE HOLOCAUST EDUCATIONAL TRUST INVITING FOUR STUDENTS FROM EACH BRITISH SECONDARY SCHOOL TO TAKE PART. Through a mixture of

live and self-guided modules, the course enabled us to learn about the Holocaust with other pupils from across Scotland.

The course allowed us to hear from a Holocaust survivor named Mala Tribich and listen to her testimony. This linked to the pre-war Jewish life module we had previously completed with an emphasis on rehumanising the victims through faces, names, and stories. The course also tackled the common misconception of the choices the perpetrators had and made it clear that there was always an alternative role that a person could have. Additionally, as a collective, we took time to understand the importance of defining the Holocaust and how we can use the term as a starting point to provide clarity through meaningful word choices in making our own definitions.

To complete the programme, we presented the information we had learned to a III Form History class. We used a PowerPoint incorporating HET resources, activities, and class discussions to do so.

The information we shared touched on the geographical spread of the Holocaust, the ghettos, camp conditions and commemoration. In putting together our resources, we had to think carefully about our use of visual material, drawing on understanding gained through the online modules about what is appropriate when teaching the Holocaust. Using survivor testimony extended Third Form’s understanding of the reach of the Holocaust and the experience of camp survivors. To conclude the lesson, Thies K read a poem that the HET asked him to share during the commemoration ceremony of our online module, which was followed by a reflective analysis by the class.

Jemima F-S (LV1) with Carys C (LV1), Bethany E (LV1) and Thies K (LV1)

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We were all extremely fortunate to be a part of this course. The lessons we have taken from this will allow us to share what we have learnt and emphasise the Holocaust’s contemporary relevance.

Holocaust Memorial Day and Srebrenica Memorial Day (Scottish Government) ‘The message I take away is how people can act so inhumanely towards others and how one person, or regime, can change life for so many people. As part of a new generation, I hope that we see this as a totally shocking century, however, I understand that although there is light, people and communities need time to mend.’

Louisa A (Fifth Form) ‘It was moving and difficult but genocides must be acknowledged to spread awareness and understanding of similarities and differences between peoples. It seems inconceivable that these atrocities happened so recently and continue to happen. It really highlights the part we have to play in the world with our opportunities’.

Madi S (Fifth Form)

‘The ceremony was really important in exposing us to incidences that we were not aware of and, through this, made me realise that Memorial Day stands for significantly more than I had previously thought.’

Louisa K (Fifth Form) ‘As a German, I learned much about the Holocaust at home but had not had the opportunity to listen to the testimony of a survivor – that was special and an honour. It is something different to hear from a person who experienced the Holocaust. I cannot describe it with my words but it gives what happened an expression … I will never forget it. I also learned something new about the role of the many French who collaborated with the Nazi regime but also the many French who helped Jewish refugees and children. I find it frightening that survivors have guilt that they survived when family and friends did not. We must never forget and must work together across peoples to make sure these events are not repeated.’

Thies K (LV1) ‘It was an immense privilege to be able to hear first-hand testimonies from people who actually lived through and survived what you learn about in the classroom. It brings horrific colour to text and discussion. It is important that we listen as each generation needs to remain witness to the terrible atrocities of recent history but also needs to understand the legacy of previous centuries.’

Jacob W (LV1)

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SPS and Senior Debating

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N A FIRST THIS YEAR, THANKS TO COVID, DEBATING BECAME A MAJOR COMPETITIVE SPORT!

Teams entered the English Speaking Union and Edinburgh and Cambridge University competitions in the Winter Term and Oxford, St Andrews and Edinburgh University competitions in the Spring Term during which the British parliamentary style of debating was used.

Dan de L (LV1) and Ethan W (Fifth Form) performed extremely well throughout the year, Ethan being appointed a chair and a judge for the ESU debates.

Carys C (LV1), Eva de L (Fourth Form), Amy F-P (Fourth Form), Jemima F-S (LV1), Tessa H (Fifth Form), Jayden M (Fourth Form), Caitlin M (Fourth Form) and Magnus M (Fifth Form) have all taken part, be it in teams or as swing speakers. And that, to my count, makes a lacrosse team of debaters!

This is not to forget the major internal debating competition of the year, which was the Senior InterHouse. This is judged by pupils – the winners of the Junior Inter-House in the Winter Term have the responsibility of judging the senior competition the following term and also of helping to create the

motions that will be debated. It is also chaired by a pupil – Douglas P (SPS), who did so with aplomb and style. Jayden M and Gleb Y (Fourth Form) took on the task of judging and, after some really intense debating, the Ruthven team of Dan de L and Max M (Fifth Form) won the final with a magnificently argued and reasoned opposition to the motion that there is too much information in the world.

And, in another first, SPS Debating became a reality as a very enthusiastic group of a dozen pupils attended on Thursday afternoons, both remotely and in class, and began to learn the rudiments of debating, which they then applied in competition in class.

It is hoped that Inter Div Debating will soon enter the range of competitions. Rosie E and Francesca W, joint captains of the SPS Junior Debating Society, took part in the prestigious Edinburgh University Juniors Competition by remote means. From the cosy IT suite in the Main School Library, they were able to compete against schools from all over Scotland and, indeed, even South Hampstead!

Louis Dunn

English Speaking Union, Cambridge University, Edinburgh University Team: Carys C (LV1) Dan D L (LV1) Eva D L (Fourth Form) Jemima F-S (LV1) Tessa H (Fifth Form) Jayden M (Fourth Form) Caitlin M (Fourth Form) Magnus M (Fifth Form) Amy F-P (Fourth Form) Ethan W (Fifth Form) - Chair and Judge English Speaking Union Debates.

Edinburgh University Junior Debating: Rosie E (SPS) Francesca W (SPS)

And, in another first, SPS Debating became a reality as a very enthusiastic group of a dozen pupils attended on Thursday afternoons, both remotely and in class, and began to learn the rudiments of debating, which they then applied in competition in class.

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Academic Achievement 2020-21 CREST Awards SILVER Jiayu H (Fifth Form) Jessica T (Fifth Form) Isabella Z (Fifth Form) Discovery Logan T (SPS)

Mathematics Maths Challenge (Intermediate)

Scottish Maths Challenge

GOLD AND BEST IN SCHOOL Isabella Z (Fifth Form)

Vanja Z (LVI) GOLD Katharine H (LV1) SILVER Louisa K (Fifth Form) SILVER Eleanor R (Third Form SILVER

GOLD AND BEST IN YEAR Gleb Y (Fourth Form) GOLD John L (Fifth Form) SILVER Joshua C (Fourth Form) Rex H (Fifth Form) Kevin M (Fifth Form) Jessica T (Fifth Form) Katelyn T (Fifth Form) Yi W (Fourth Form) Hailey W (Fourth Form)

BRONZE Adam A (Fifth Form) Digby B (Fifth Form) Nicola C (Fourth Form) Jacy E (Fifth Form) Melissa F-S (Fifth Form) Louisa K (Fifth Form) Rosalind Q (Fifth Form) Chloe T (Fourth Form))

History Holocaust Educational Trust Lessons from Auschwitz Project Delegate and accreditation Carys C (LV1) Bethany E (LV1) Jemima F-S (LV1) with Commendation Thies K (LV1) The Strathallian

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Physics British Physics Olympiad Arthur M (UV1)) BRONZE 1 Tyler J (UV1) BRONZE 2 Fergus S (UV1) BRONZE 2 Alex G (UV1) COMMENDATION

British Physics Olympiad Intermediate Challenge Isabella Z (Fifth Form) GOLD Digby B (Fifth Form) SILVER Melissa F-S (Fifth Form) SILVER Louisa K (Fifth Form) SILVER Max M (Fifth Form) SILVER Katelyn T (Fifth Form) SILVER Elspbeth W (Fifth Form) SILVER

British Physics Olympiad and Senior Physics Challenge Vanja Z (LV1) GOLD

Conor C (LV1) BRONZE Sebastian P (LV1) BRONZE Gregor S (LV1) BRONZE Thomas T (LV1) BRONZE Theresia V (LV1) BRONZE

Sofia F-K (LV1) SILVER Carlos K J (LV1) SILVER Lingfeng R (LV1) SILVER

John Muir Awards Discovery Timofey A (Fifth Form) Isabella A (Fifth Form) Cameron G (LV1) Jiayu H (Fifth Form) Kristina K (Fifth Form) Pia L (Fifth Form) Isla M (Fifth Form) Kevin M(Fifth Form) Andrew P (Fifth Form) Rosalind Q (Fifth Form) Madi S (Fifth Form) Jessica T (Fifth Form) Terry T (LV1) Sophie W (Fifth Form) Martin W (LV1) Isabella Z (Fifth Form

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Explorer Thomas C (LV1) Joely F (LV1) Ross G (LV1) Cameron G (LV1) Lingfeng R (LV1)

RMPS John Stuart Mill Cup Eva B (Third Form) Zac M (Third Form) Eleanor R (Third Form) Ramsay S (Third Form) Fergus T (Third Form) Finlay T (Third Form)

Strathallan Prep School Colour Competition Key Stage 3 Jack F

First

Jasper F-I

Second

Anna P

Third

Maxim P

Highly Commended

Eric M Isla T

Commended Commended

Key Stage 2 Alfie P

First

Sophie D

Second

Sunaya C Madeleine E

Highly Commended Highly Commended

Special Awards Creativity Annabelle S Independence of Thought Francesca W

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ACTIVE STRATHALLAN “We’ve seen and been reminded of the critical importance of socialising, games and activities.”

(DML 06/21)

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Sports Report SUMMER TERM 2020

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S WE ALL KNOW, IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR IN ALL PARTS OF LIFE, INCLUDING SPORT. Returning to school

in September, we were all hopeful that normality would return in some way or form. As it turned out, normality has seemed a very long way off for the whole of this year, but it has never been clearer that sport is at the heart of the Strathallan experience.

Participation and competition became a lifeline when lockdowns and restrictions were in place and

provided a sense of normality when everything else was chaotic and uncertain.

Planning had started for returning to school sport during the summer holidays and we were delighted to offer return to hockey and rugby pre-season to over 150 pupils from the Prep School right up to senior first teams training before term started. Pupils were delighted to have the opportunity to meet friends and take part in some sport together before returning to school the following week.

AUTUMN TERM 2020

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OR THE FIRST HALF OF THE AUTUMN TERM, WE OFFERED ALL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN A MIXTURE OF SUMMER AND AUTUMN TERM SPORTS. This was due to pupils having missed out on

summer sports the previous term and to enhance the programme whilst restrictions were still in place.

The term started with several COVID-related challenges in place. We were still restricted with the different protocols across the sports we offer, especially indoor contact sports. The organisation of the protocols and cleaning of equipment has been a challenging process, but the school is very well organised and we continued to adapt what we offer to the pupils as regulations changed.

We were delighted to offer some hockey fixtures during the second half of term, which were enjoyed by all who played. The proposed rugby fixtures scheduled for 2nd half of autumn term were cancelled, which was hard to take for all our boys and girls rugby players. Even without our usual competition, I was hugely impressed with how resilient our pupils were during this time. Despite the lack of competition with other schools, the InterHouse competitions continued apace and we were able to offer over 100 different sports and activity sessions every week.

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SPRING TERM 2020 - LOCKDOWN

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EVASTATING THOUGH THIS WAS, WE WERE ON FAMILIAR TERRITORY HERE AND ABLE TO BUILD ON OUR PROVISION FROM THE FIRST LOCKDOWN. We introduced Strath Sport Online Get

Active challenge during January, a programme which promoted health and wellbeing for all of our pupils.

Participation rates were high and really brought home to us just how important the sporting provision is for staff, pupils and the wider community alike.

We continued to offer our pupils live fitness sessions during games sessions every afternoon. Alongside our timetabled practical and academic PE lessons, we also introduced timetabled S&C sessions. These popular and challenging sessions mirrored, as closely as we could, the normal school provision. We also developed our activity programme to include specific sessions like dance, athletics yoga, cup hockey, and specific cross country, rugby, netball and hockey skills sessions.

The biggest success from our sports provision during lockdown was our ‘Fit in February’ competition against Fettes College, which was a running / walking distance challenge between both schools. This was open to the whole Strathallan community. We had over 920 signed up on running app ‘Strava’ and the engagement from pupils, parents, staff, and former pupils was better than we all expected. The competition included a ‘virtual fixture’ and a whole school virtual inter-House cross country, which engaged a large number of pupils across all age groups. This competition was one of the biggest community engagements events in recent years and both schools were delighted with how the competition went. The Strathallan community ran

/ walked over 51,000 kilometres over the 28 days of February, which was an amazing accomplishment.

We also continued with webinars and Instagram live Q&A sessions, which included former pupils Jamie Ritchie, Zander Fagerson, Matt Fagerson and George Horne. We also had our head of hockey and current Dutch women’s assistant coach Rhett Halkett; Scotland rugby captain Stuart McInally and Team GB athletes Cat Morrison and Georgia Tindley. These live sessions have been great for our pupils while attracting interest from local schools and sports clubs.

For a retrospective look at our year in sport scan here:

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SUMMER TERM 2020

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UR PUPILS RETURNED FROM THE 2ND LOCKDOWN WITH A CLEAR APPRECIATION OF BEING ABLE TO DO SPORT TOGETHER AGAIN. Our summer term games programme ran fully, and we were

delighted to be able to introduce some Inter-School fixtures again in sports like cricket, tennis, rugby and athletics.

Inter-House competitions in sports like basketball, football, tennis and cricket. Even though we were not able to run our usual whole school sports day due to restrictions, we introduced year group Inter-House athletics events, which still gave all our pupils the opportunity to represent their house in a sports day format.

As we finish the summer term, sport at Strathallan is in a fantastic place, ready to move towards some

form of normality when we return for the new academic year in September. Our pupils and staff have shown outstanding resilience throughout the pandemic, and they should be commended on how well they have all coped during this time. Even during a testing year, our pupils have excelled in a wide range of sports as you can see from the noticeable achievements below. We have always been proud of the way we meet the demand for sporting challenge and participation at Strathallan. This year we are especially proud of the more than 35 Strathallan students who have been chosen to represent Team GB and Team Scotland in their respective sports. But more than this, we have been proud of the way the entire Strathallan community has used sport to join together and thrive through one of the most difficult periods in our history.

We wish our leavers all the very best and thank them for all they have given to sport during their time at the school. We hope they continue to enjoy sport and they will always be welcome back anytime.

Jim Thompson – Director of Sport.

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SENIOR INTER-HOUSE COMPETITIONS SUMMER 2021 WINNERS Boys Cricket Junior Boys Senior Boys Basketball Senior Boys Senior Girls

Ruthven Nicol

Nicol Glenbrae

Football Senior Boys

Simpson

Netball Senior Girls

Thornbank

Golf Boys Simpson Tennis Junior Girls Senior Girls

Woodlands Glenbrae

Tennis Junior Boys Senior Boys

Nicol Simpson

VICTOR AND VICTRIX LUDORUM SPS Girls VL SPS Boys VL

Francesca W Euan W

Junior Girls VL Junior Boys VL

Mia L Finlay T

Intermediate Girls VL Intermediate Boys VL

Naomi H Archie R

Senior Girls VL Senior Boys VL

Lilli J Alex W

STANDARDS THE ROWAN CUP Nicol THE JOHN FLEMING CUP Woodlands

SENIOR INTER-HOUSE ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Girls 3rd Thornbank 140 2nd Glenbrae 168 1st Woodlands 192 Boys 4th 3rd` 2nd 1st

Freeland Ruthven Nicol Simpson

91 105 108 144

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STRATHALLAN PREP SCHOOL INTER-DIVISIONAL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS 4th Dupplin 3rd Glenearn 2nd Dron 1st Balmanno

109 111 116 118

SPS DIV CRICKET

SPS DIV TENNIS

4 Balmanno 3 Dupplin 2 Glenearn 1 Dron

4 Dupplin 3 Balmanno 2 Glenearn 1 Dron

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS JUNE 2020 – JULY 2021 FIT IN FEBRUARY CHALLENGE Strathallan v Fettes Winners – Strathallan Community 920 Participants: 51,000 km covered.

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ATHLETICS New School Records Sophie W Anya M Aicha S Lilli J

Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Senior

100m, 200m & 300m 1500m Javelin Long Jump

CANOE SLALOM

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N JULY, TALLY M WON THE K1W AND C1W

( Junior ( J14) Scottish Slalom Championships held at Persley in Aberdeenshire. The win promoted her to Division 1 K1W.

National Selection

Findlay M Scotland’s K1 Men’s Slalom kayaking team Findlay was also selected for Great Britain in WWR at the Junior World Championships in Slovenia in August.

Findlay trains with Breadalbane CC and Strathallan CC will race on the Soca River in Solkan between the 25th and 28th of August.

CLAYS

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TRATHALLAN’S CLAYS TEAMS PUT ON A VERY GOOD PERFORMANCE AGAINST 20 OF THE TOP SCHOOLS at the Holland and

Holland Independent Schools Clay Pigeon Championships.

Captain of Clays (Boys) Angus T was the competition High Gun scoring an impressive 75/80. The boys’ team, comprising Angus, his brother Ali, Thomas W and Ali F came second place overall.

The team travelled to the competition with Mr Vallot, Mr Buchan and Mr McBain who were delighted with all the performances.

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Following on from this, Angus and Ali T’s shooting season continued with their selection for the World Clay Shooting Championships. In a warmup event on the evening of the main competition, Ali entered and won the silver medal. Over the course of the following event, the three members of the Scotland team shot 200 birds each, winning a silver medal after beating Wales in a shoot-off.

Ali, who was named Colts World Champion also won bronze in the Colts World Sports Trap and came top in the ‘C’ class against guns of all ages — phenomenal considering that he is only 14 years old. Well done to all involved with Clays this year.

National Selection

Angus T - Scotland U21 for World Championships.

Alasdair T - Scotland U15 for World Championships.

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CRICKET Centurian

Joe T 100* in inter-House cricket

CROSS COUNTRY Annual Scottish Independent Schools Championships Jacob H 1st U13 Boys U13 Boys Team Winners – Jacob H, Freddie L, Mathew M, Euan W

DANCE UK online competition 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place

Kristina K Lauren S Madeleine S

UK Rainbow Stars online Competition Group Dance 2nd Place

Alex L-L, Duncan W, Callum N, Callum B Louisa K, Madeleine S, Mine O, Lauren S

Modern Dance 3rd Place Louisa K Commercial Dance 1st Place Kristina K

EQUESTRIAN National Selection

Scotland Tetrathlon Team for Royal Windsor Horse Show Kyle F, Pebbles W, Jacob H

Fife Pony Club Show Jumping Championships 85cm Class 1st Place 95cm Class 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 105cm Class 1st Place 2nd Place

Pebbles W Topaz W Kyle F Millie W Kyle F Sophie B

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Foresterseat Cross Country 80cm Class 1st Place

Francesca W

Warwick Hall Championships BE90 2nd Place

Millie W

Forgandenny Horse Trials BE90 3rd Place

Sophie B

Horse of the Year Show

Eliza E won her class at the Royal Highland Show to qualify for the Horse of the Year Show.

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Athlete Profile – Millie W, Equestrianism

“I have been riding horses since a young age and competed all my life in the Strathearn mounted games team. Mounted games is a sport within equestrian in which a team of 5 riders race against many different clubs across the country.

We perform a variety of different relay races on horse-back to see which team can complete the race the quickest. It involves jumping off, picking up equipment, re-mounting at speed and passing on to the next team player.

I was lucky enough to be selected for the Scottish Mounted Games Team in 2018 & 2019 to ride against different countries within the UK at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. I felt honoured to be selected both years and felt privileged to be given the opportunity to compete for my country, as well as riding in front of the Queen. (2nd in 2018 & 3rd in 2019, and we won a session in front of the queen in 2018) My club team, Strathearn, also managed to qualify for the Horse of The Year Show in 2019 where the top six teams from across the country compete over

a week for the Prince Philip Cup. After a week of racing, we came 3rd.

In the following year of 2020, I managed to get picked for the Great British Mounted Games team that was set to take place in Australia against different countries from across the world.

Unfortunately, it could not take place because of the pandemic although I was thrilled to be selected.

I also enjoy British Eventing on my horse Lexy in which I compete in a competition of three phases (dressage, show-jumping and cross country) at venues across Scotland.

The pandemic has made it difficult to compete in the last year because big events need large crowds in order to run. Restrictions on numbers at competitions meant competing for GB in the summer of 2020 was cancelled. However, once venues worked out how to run competitions smoothly with reduced numbers of spectators as well as restrictions on the number of competitors riding, I was able to get back out competing at a few events across Scotland.”

We perform a variety of different relay races on horse-back to see which team can complete the race the quickest. It involves jumping off, picking up equipment, re-mounting at speed and passing on to the next team player.

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FOOTBALL National Selection Andre K, Kenya U20

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NDRE CAME TO STRATHALLAN TWO YEARS AGO FROM NAIROBI TO TRAIN WITH THE RANGERS FC YOUTH ACADEMY.

Through a mutual connection with the Strath-Kenya project and the Gloag Foundation, the school was happy to host Andre for his time in Scotland which saw him take a full suite of Scottish Highers alongside his training commitments. The restrictions this year meant that the training academy was not able to run so to get the call up for Kenya’s national under-20 team in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers (the biggest tournament in Africa), was a dream come true for Andre.

GOLF Champion of Champions Perth & Kinross Event Junior Winner

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Alexander E

HOCKEY - GIRLS Scottish U16 Academy Rachel F

District Representation U17 U15

Orla F, Charlotte G, Ava K, Erin M, Millie W Emma F, Naomi H, Lucy T, Lucy W

HOCKEY - BOYS National Selection Hamish N, Scotland U17

Scottish U16 Academy Joe T Ross T

NETBALL Olivia D (U15) & Jos N (U17) selected for Perth & Kinross regional Squad

RUGBY National Academy Callum B Callum N Jonny M Eric D Duncan W Harris M Andy S

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SKIING National Schools Open 3rd place

Murdo H

National Selection Scotland Alpine U18 team (GB pathway) Maisie M Iona R GB Training Squad, Snowboarding Mackenzie P

SWIMMING New School Records Euan W (SPS) Grace H Katelyn T Evan D

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50m Free and Open 100m (Both held by Olympian Duncan Scott) Junior 50 breaststroke Senior 50m breaststroke Junior boys 50m backstroke and 25m fly

N JULY THERE WAS, FINALLY, THE CHANCE TO SWIM COMPETITIVELY in the multi-venue Scottish Swimming

Festival of Swimming as Strathallan swimmers represented their clubs for the first time since March 2020.

Competing for Dundee City Aquatics, Evan D, Ewan W and Ollie S all put in superb performances. Evan came in first position across Scotland for the 14 years age group in all six of the events he competed in. Ewan W also placed in the top 10 of all of his six events, including 1st place in the 200m backstroke and 400m freestyle. Owen C and Elise C swam for Perth City with Owen sitting 2nd across the 16 yrs age group and Elise placing 4th across Scotland in the 16yrs 100 and 400m freestyle.

National Selection

Scottish Youth Development Squad Selection Elise C and Evan D Scottish Bronze squad Owen C

TENNIS Scottish Schools Cup

Semi-finalists in both girls and boys events - both to be completed in September.

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Individual success Nick B Selection for U14 Boys North of Scotland Team – Battle of the Scots County Level Doubles Event (Winning Team) U14 Scotland County Tour Doubles Runners up with Ben C Tennis Tayside G3 16U Boys Doubles Winner Lucas B U11 Boys North of Scotland County Cup Selection ABTA Doubles Grade 4 – U11 Boys Runner up Katie B, Marcus M & Oliver S have all completed their Level 1 Coaching Qualification Marcus M Bridge of Allan Summer Doubles Cup U16s Winner.

Kilgraston ABTA Open Doubles 18s Winner.

East of Scotland 18s Winner Tennis Tayside Moir Construction 18’s Winner Rating and ranking progression allowing qualifying for Grade 1 Junior National Championships at Surbiton.

Annie W Winner Bridge of Allan Summer Cup U14 Doubles Winners of the Tennis Tayside Open U16 Doubles Thomas D Selected for County Cup U12 Battle of the Scots Dalgety Bay U14 grade 5 13/11/20 Winner County Tour U12 grade 4 13/12/20 Runner up Jed M Road to Wimbledon North Of Scotland Court Winner Tennis Tayside U16 Boys Doubles Winner East of Scotland U14 Boys doubles Runner-up Winner Gannochy County Tour U14 Selected for South of Scotland at the County Cup Selected for South of Scotland at the Battle of the Brits

Freya C North County Cup selection and North County team Battle of the Scots selection 14u Road to Wimbledon National Finals in August Winner of 14s West of Scotland.

East of Scotland U16 Runner-up and Doubles Winner Tennis Tayside U14 singles Runner-up and Doubles Winner

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DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS AT STRATHALLAN

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HIS YEAR HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR D OF E WITH COVID IMPOSING SEVERE RESTRICTIONS ON PUPIL ACTIVITIES AND EXPEDITIONS. Nonetheless, we have persevered and the pupils have done

fantastically well to achieve all that they have this year.

Working with Outlook Adventures we have run a total of 6 expeditions. These expeditions have all been return to school which has increased the logistical challenge but has enabled us to get out in the hills.

Whilst COVID has been challenging it has also offered us some new perspectives and the pupil expeditions being based in the local area have allowed pupils to explore the Calendar and Dunkeld Hills as well as East and West Lomond. DofE programme changes have also allowed us to run a combined Bronze practice and qualifier expedition which gave the pupils an excellent experience and which has provided a firm basis on which to develop future Silver and Gold expeditions.

DofE is however, not all about the expeditions, and pupils have had to be creative in completing the other sections of the Award as the lockdown restrictions increased. Some notable examples are pupils helping their younger siblings with their online school work, or shopping for elderly relations, or even just ringing elderly or shielding people in their home community. It has been fantastic to read how some pupils have really embraced the volunteering section and the ethos of helping others during lock down.

We are also really pleased to announce that, whilst DofE completion figures are understandably lower this year, we have nonetheless managed to achieve 7 Gold Award, 10 Silver Awards and 16 Bronze Awards. We have also had quite a bit of success with the DofE Certificate of Achievement which recognises pupils who have completed all sections except for the expedition. (1 at Gold level, 8 at Silver level and 10 at Bronze level.)

The pupils should be really proud of their achievements this year in DofE and I would encourage Bronze and Silver award pupils to consider the next level of the award next academic year.

We have already started to look at next year’s programme and as well as the usual hiking expeditions we are trialing a paddling expedition this summer which offers an exciting variation at Gold level.

Brian Miles

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“I started the DofE Gold award in September 2019, exactly 18 months later I received an email congratulating me on my successful completion.

Those 18 months were challenging and presented me with a lot of uncertainties, but through this experience I have learned new skills and learned a lot about myself along the way.

I started volunteering every Wednesday in the primary school helping the teachers. I learnt the game of netball and as a result of this could participate in inter-school matches. Alongside, I learnt the most unexpected skill of knitting. I made little hats for the local hospital’s baby care unit and small snowmen to decorate my room. It was really wonderful to see how a small ball of wool can make so many things.

After Covid was introduced to the world I had to rush back to India. My volunteering changed to teaching my sister and doing house chores. My plans for the expedition were postponed until further notice and no organisations were able to run residential experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme was, like every other aspect of life, on hold.

Fortunately, the start of the new academic session in September found me back at school and both of my expeditions were quickly completed in the span of 20 days. I found a very established company for building and designing houses, and worked with them in the interior department for my residential.

I liked working in teams during expeditions, we cooked together and had amazing talks during the breaks. The most challenging part of this was certainly physical! My short legs restricted me when walking through the heather and add a yellow weather warning into this really pushed me to my limits during one memorable six hour walk. But at this level, teamwork is everything and my team was the most supportive.

They helped me work my way through. I would recommend doing the Gold award to anyone who wants to enhance their skills, meet new people and see the amazing Scottish scenery.”

Kushi B

The pupils should be really proud of their achievements this year in DofE and I would encourage Bronze and Silver award pupils to consider the next level of the award next academic year.

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STRATHALLAN SCHOOL COMBINED CADET FORCE 2020-2021

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HAT A YEAR TO START AT STRATHALLAN CCF! A big thank you to the staff

for running the largest co-curricular activity at Strathallan which has run every week, whether that has been in person or on Teams during lockdown.

Despite restrictions being in place all year, the Cadets have still been out and about training, having fun and developing their leadership skills This has been no mean feat and praise is due to the dedicated staff and cadets that have made this happen.

In a time when roles in the forces are now open to all, we have been proud that our CCF and all our sections have been led by female cadets this year; Cadet RSM Anna M, Sarah K, Danielle D and Natalia Y.

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ROYAL MARINES

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HE MARINE CADETS ARE A STRONG AND KEEN SECTION WHICH HAS INCREASED IN NUMBER OVER THE YEAR. They have been led

by Danielle D who has kept the Marine Cadets on their toes and the smartest turned out of the three sections. They have developed their military fieldcraft during the first term, guided by Lt Craig Wiles and could often be seen running across the school grounds, carrying out section attacks! They have also focused on navigation, using the school orienteering course and building models to give orders. The cadets had a fantastic field day in October which was run by the Royal Marine Engagement Team. They completed team building exercise in the morning followed by military skills and patrolling in the afternoon. The L6th Cadets attended the Method of Instruction Course during the first term to enable them to teach and instruct the Troop on military skills need for Marines training for the Pringle Trophy.

The Pringle Trophy is the annual competition between all Royal Marine CCF detachments from schools throughout the UK. This trophy is the most prestigious event in the Royal Marine CCF year and competition is always fierce.

Unfortunately the competition did not happen this year but we are really looking forward to developing our programme for training and competing in this event in the future.

During lockdown the Troop were visited virtually by the Commando Chef, CSgt Mike Beaton RM, who showed them how to rustle up a quick and healthy meal in a very enthusiastic manner - he is like the Joe Wicks of cooking! They also completed model building and fitness, contributing to Strathallan’s victory for ‘Fit in February.’

Unfortunately, camps did not run last summer and have been cancelled for this summer but with another field day at school and one being hosted by 45 Commando in Arbroath, we have been able to conduct some fun and challenging training and will come back raring to go next year with Pringle Trophy Training. There was a large interest in Cadets wanting to attend the camps, which was pleasing to see and we hope to be able to get these cadets off to camp next year.

We were very sad to see Lt Wiles go during the year and would like to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he did for the Royal Marines Troop. We have been lucky and want to thank Lt Col Stu Robertson and Lt David Richardson who have stepped in to help run the Troop. Lt Col Robertson’s enthusiasm for all things fitness has kept the troops in ship shape and introduced the Fifth Form to Royal Marines Fitness and swimming. As restrictions have lifted we have enjoyed the visits by the Royal Marines Youth Team led by WO2 Mark Stuckey RM and thank him and his team for their support to training this year.

Finally, thank you to the Cadets for their enthusiasm and dedication to the Marines this year. There is much to look forward to next year and with a strong base, we look forward to welcoming new Cadets who join from the Army recruits.

During lockdown the Troop were visited virtually by the Commando Chef, CSgt Mike Beaton RM, who showed them how to rustle up a quick and healthy meal in a very enthusiastic manner — he is like the Joe Wicks of cooking!

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ROYAL NAVY

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SMALLER BUT NO LESS ENTHUSIASTIC SECTION, IS THE ROYAL NAVY CADETS.

Led ably by Natalia Y, the cadets have had an interesting and varied year. During the first term, Natalia and her senior cadets took the new Navy recruits through drill, introduced them to the Navy badges of rank and lessons from knot tying to the Navy’s fleet of ships. They had a field day in October run by the Royal Navy Youth Engagement Team and carried out command tasks, using team work and developed their problem solving skills. They also got to see a submarine simulator and talk to Navy sailors and officers about their careers.

During lockdown, it was good to see the Navy cadets take part in the training, which was more Army and Marines focused.

They were lucky enough to have a visual talk from the Navy Engagement Team based at Rosyth who told them all about their experiences in the Navy from chefs to submariners, engineers to logisticians.

Afloat training is the defining activity of the Naval Cadet Forces.

The Royal Navy proficiency syllabus bases its training emphasis on leadership, afloat activities and adventurous training. Therefore this term we have focused on sailing, with the Fourth Form Cadets attending every week and older Cadets attending when they can! We

We have experienced all types of weather, from hail, rain, wind and glorious sunshine. The cadets have therefore sailed in all types of weather and paddle boarded if there was no wind.

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sail at Port Edgar in Queensferry and have had great fun out sailing on the Firth of Forth. We have experienced all types of weather, from hail, rain, wind and glorious sunshine. The cadets have therefore sailed in all types of weather and paddle boarded if there was no wind. This training is led by instructors from Port Edgar but we have many accomplished sailors in the section. Thank you to Nephi and Natalia for guiding the less experienced cadets on the water. There have been lots of laughs and singing in the sailing boats (Rebecca, Hannah and Yi), capsizing (Rebecca, Hannah and Yi again!), going for a swim (Foon and Nephi) and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Despite the cold conditions at the start of term, morale was high throughout and it has been great to get the cadets out sailing every week.

The Navy cadets had a mini camp at the end of term with walking, sailing, watersports and another visit from the Navy Engagement Team. All in all, despite all the restrictions this has been a very busy year! This would not have been possible without the enthusiasm from the cadets (Fourth Form, you have been fab!) and the leadership provided by Natalia and her team. A big thank you to Chief Petty Officer Stevie O’Neil from the Royal Navy Youth Team who has supported us hugely over the year and is always there to help our training to be as fun and varied as possible. And of course our staff; SLt Siobhan Birrell who has focused on leadership and thank you to her enthusiasm for developing the Lower Sixth and Fifth Form cadets to plan the training for next year. Lt Russell Newham, who left us this year, has driven the Navy Section forward. They are a well organised section which has benefitted from his cadet knowledge and enthusiasm over the years. We hope to bump into him in future cadet events as he remains in the Navy Cadets at his new school. Thank you also to SLt Susan Halley who retires from CCF this year. SLt Halley served with the cadets for over 10 years participating in many activities and grew the Naval section. Luckily for us she is still at school so will not be far!

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ARMY

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HE ARMY SECTION, LED BY SARAH K, HAS HAD A VARIED YEAR OF TRAINING IN FIELDCRAFT, LEADERSHIP, WEAPON, NAVIGATION AND DRILL.

The Army Section split into two companies - the more experienced Fifth and Sixth Form and the Fourth Form recruits.

The recruits start off by learning everything green from badges of rank, patrolling, navigation, drill (military marching) and they are issued their uniform and boots. There was a big intake this year with 47 recruits in the Fourth Form joining the Army Section.

This is great to see this level of enthusiasm for the CCF and to carry forward into 5th form. The recruits had a field day in October, organised by Capt Nigel Gallier, where they got to put their military skills to the test.

They focused on their military fieldcraft, perfecting their patrolling, instructed by Sarah K and her team.

They learnt how to build bashers (military shelters) in the woods and camouflaged up using cam cream for the first time. They had their first experience of cooking and eating military rations and found them delicious! After lunch they completed command task and observation exercises.

Whilst the recruits were learning the basics, the Fifth and Sixth Form started weapon training. This has been

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more difficult this year due to no cadet having attended annual camp last year and therefore they have lacked the experience of previous years. However, this has not stopped their enthusiasm for training and learning how to operate and look after their weapon. They put their training to use during their field day, organised by Capt Iain McGowan, patrolling through Scouts Wood and going through firing positions.

The Methods of Instructions course was also run for the Lower Sixth Army cadets during the first term, alongside the Royal Marine Cadets. This was the first time the cadets had been formally trained to instruct other cadets. It is, of course, a brilliant life skill for them. This has enabled them to return to their companies to instruct recruits and other cadets in the CCF. Due to lockdown and assessments, they have not been able to put this into much use yet but hopefully on camp and next year, they will develop their instructional skills.

During lockdown the cadets attended online training, benefitting from the training alongside the Navy and Marine Cadets. This would have been the term that the recruits learnt their weapon skills and the Fifth and Sixth Form developed theirs. Unfortunately, this was not to be so this training had to move into the summer term.

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EPLACE IMAGE WITH new...

The summer term was a busy time for the cadets who had to learn the weapon skills which would enable them to attend camp. They have also managed some adventure training with groups attending climbing each week. Due to restrictions, a three day camp is planned for this year and it is hoped that all Army cadets in the Fourth Form, along with Fifth and Sixth Form cadets that have opted to attend camp, will be able to fire their weapons this year.

This training has required dedication from the staff and cadets alike and it was great to see an almost 100% turnout at the field day to train on the weapons. The uptake for camp this year was huge and all Fourth Form cadets are attending (apart from those who have had to travel home early). This camp is important for a number reasons; first of all, it is great fun! The skills and teamwork the cadets learn on this camp are vital for the ongoing success of Strathallan CCF. This is where the leaders start to develop the skills and experience needed to lead in the CCF and beyond and lifelong friendships are formed. Thank you, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Form, for your enthusiasm for camp this year. I am sure it will be a fantastic experience for all!

This training has required dedication from the staff and cadets alike and it was great to see an almost 100% turnout at the field day to train on the weapons.

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Thank you also to all the staff who have trained the Army cadets this year; Lt David Richardson started with the CCF in September - welcome and thank you for joining the CCF. He brings vital experience and wisdom from his time as a regular soldier with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and he loves drill! Capt Mark Higginbottom has led navigation and climbing, providing variety in training for the cadets. Capt Iain McGowan has organised and run all our field exercises this year and ensured all Army recruits and many Fifth and Sixth Form cadets got to fire their weapons this year.

This year we see a number of our staff leave or retire from the Army Section and we thank them for their loyal service to the Army Cadets in CCF. Lt Shona Collister left the CCF to accompany her husband on his military posting. I unfortunately did not get to meet her but I know the CCF staff and cadets have missed her and want to say a big thank you for her service with Strathallan CCF. Good luck in your new posting and we hope you find another CCF to serve with on your travels.

Capt Elena de Celis Lucas joined the CCF in 2003 and started in the Royal Marines Section, training many Royal Marine Cadets before transferring into the Army Section. She spent years training recruits in fieldcraft, first aid and weapon handling. She is an excellent contingent first aider and pastoral carer at camp. She has supported and attended numerous weekends away at military skills competitions, both Army and Royal Marine. Our Royal Marine Cadets have won the prestigious Pringle Trophy just once, and it was the year that the training was organsied by her. Being a

member of the CCF staff has allowed her not only to promote and develop young people’s life-saving skills but also to learn and experience many interesting and exciting activities, challenges and abilities that were new to her before she joined Strathallan School. The Cadets have certainly gained a huge amount from her knowledge, good humour and enthusiasm for CCF. She has been a dedicated CCF Officer for the past 18 years and we thank her for her service. She will be hugely missed and we wish her all the very best as she moves to a new teaching post at the end of the summer term.

Capt Nigel Gallier MBE retires from the CCF after 12 years’ service. He started at Strathallan School in September 2009 and immediately took over the entire Army Section. It had been without a Head for a number of years and in 2009 the total number of army cadets in all year groups was 24. Two years later 95% of all Fourth Form elected to join the Army Section of the CCF. From 2012 to 2018 we had a total of around 100 cadets in all year groups. “His enthusiasm, quick wit and humour has driven the Army cadets and ensured we are always well recruited in 4th form.” As a former regular officer, his knowledge and enthusiasm for team work and leadership has been evident and the cadets have benefitted from many activities using barrels, planks and their initiative to solve complex command tasks. Luckily for us, he will still be at school so we hope he will pop back and visit the CCF now and again and see his Fourth Form recruits flourish as they move through the cadet ranks. His tireless dedication and knowledge is going to be hugely missed. Thank you for everything you have done for the CCF and best of luck in your CCF retirement.

His enthusiasm, quick wit and humour has driven the Army cadets and ensured we are always well recruited in 4th form.

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SSI Tom Lindsay

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HIS YEAR SEES THE CCF RETIREMENT OF SSI TOM LINDSAY who joined

Strathallan CCF straight from regular service on 14th July 1996. He joined the CCF as the School Staff Instructor (SSI), using his many years of experience in the regular Army to enhance the experience of the Strathallan Cadets.

In the past 10 years an increasing number of pupils at Strathallan School have joined the CCF. Most of our Cadets will not go on to serve in the Forces, but whatever path they take through life, learning to be more responsible and resourceful will make them better leaders for the future. Strathallan School CCF has thrived with Tom as the SSI, training and inspiring the leaders of the future.

SSI Lindsay has led the way on skill at arms training and drill. His attention to detail has benefitted the cadets who have become highly skilled, even this year during the pandemic. His energy and enthusiasm for cadets has not waned and his inside out knowledge of the CCF has supported Cadets and CFAVs alike.

This year would have been SSI Lindsay’s 25th Annual Camp and we are still hoping to attend day camp to ensure he receives a well-deserved send off. His energy, humour and enthusiasm for CCF over the last 25 years have shown him to be a highly dedicated SSI and we thank him for his service and wish him a happy retirement from Strathallan School CCF. Major Charlotte Marjoribanks Contingent Commander

Strathallan School CCF has thrived with Tom as the SSI, training and inspiring the leaders of the future.

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CCF FIELD DAY OCTOBER 2020 ARMY SECTION

The annual CCF field day is one of the most anticipated activities throughout the year of army training. It is a great opportunity for recruits and cadets to put the theory and knowledge they learnt in the first term to practical use.

We started the day off with collecting kit, applying cam-cream and revising patrol formations. Our base camp was situated in the woods behind the Riley paddock; the perfect place for cadets to practise setting up temporary tents amongst the trees, improvising by using the fallen branches and tree trunks as support. The highlight of the day was definitely enjoying our lunch in the woods; the army ration meals and chocolate brownies are somehow so much more scrumptious when heated in tin cookers on a leaf-covered floor.

After feeling re-energised, the cadets were led by their section commanders in round robin activities. These included observation lessons, command tasks and the stalk, where teamwork is tested, and army knowledge is put to use as sections compete against each other for prizes at the end. A favourite out of all the activities was the stalk, where cadets have to stay hidden as they make their way to the other end of the woods without being seen by the instructor. There were a lot of impressive attempts where cadets used the ‘5 Ss’ of concealment’ and different movements in the field, such as the leopard crawl and the ghost walk. Prizes were given out to the best performing sections for each activity at the end of the day, concluding the enjoyable yet educational CCF field day.

By Sarah K Head of Army Section

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ROYAL MARINES SECTION

In October of last year, the Marines section of the school CCF had the pleasure of attending the field day hosted right here in our campus. Throughout the day our team took part in various activities that reinforced the skills and values that are taught in the marines. We learned about the importance of working as a team during the section battle drills whilst working in fire teams. We practiced spotting an enemy at distance whilst keeping ourselves concealed, and even got the chance to make a 3D model of our campus. One of the highlights of being in the Royal Marines at Strathallan is the annual Pringle Trophy competition, which unfortunately was cancelled this year due to Covid. This competition consists of three days at the Royal Marines base in Lympstone, competing with other schools from throughout the United Kingdom in 10 different disciplines, testing mental and physical strength. However, this hasn’t stopped our section turning up every week to CCF and giving it their best.

This, I am happy to say, has resulted in a great year of fun and new friendships within our team. The qualities within this group of young people optimise the core values of the Royal Marines, which are courage, determination and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. These are skills that we are lucky to have learned here and will most certainly will take forward and use them as an asset as we move on through the school and beyond.

Danielle D Head of Royal Marines Section

The qualities within this group of young people optimise the core values of the Royal Marines, which are courage, determination and cheerfulness in the face of adversity.

ROYAL NAVY SECTION The small but mighty Navy Section at Strathallan has had a very successful year, and field day was no exception.

We were lucky enough to be joined by some regular officers and sailors from the Royal Navy. After the lovely Drumhead service led by Rev, we did a fitness drill, which got us awake and ready for conducting some PLTS (practical leadership tasks). These tested our teamwork and leadership, particularly when we didn’t get it right the first time, so had to regroup and try again. The highlight of the day was the STEM activity, in which some of the engineers from the Royal Navy gave us a virtual walkthrough of a vanguard class submarine, which make up the UK's nuclear deterrent force, Trident. It was very interesting to see what life is like on a submarine from how its location is kept secret to what they do in their free time with no contact with the outside world. We ended with a quiz, which, as always, brought out everyone's competitive side. In the end, it was very close, going to a tie-breaker! The biggest lesson of the day was to not rush into things, formulate a plan before and stick to it, which is something we can all take into the classroom and other walks of life.

Natalia Y Head of Navy Section The Strathallian

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STRATHALLAN STAFF NEWS

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“I am grateful to all our teaching staff, our support staff and the SMT. Keeping pupils motivated despite exam cancellations, no fixtures or fewer performance opportunities is no mean feat. That we have done so well and with so many pupils is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the school staff. And to those staff leaving for retirement we wish you a long, happy and fulfilled retirement. For those starting new roles in new schools the best of luck to you all.

Thank you for all you have given to the school and our pupils, whether you’ve been here for one or thirty-three years or anything in-between.”

(DML 06/21) The Strathallian

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Strathallan Staff News We bid a fond farewell to...

Adam and Kate Streatfeild-James’ Adam and Kate's contribution to the school in many ways defines its modern era. It saw them arrive as a young couple to combine bringing up their own family, Jake and Olivia, with the running of Woodlands House. Years later, on leaving this pastoral role, Adam became the school’s first Director of Studies and Kate’s position in the Support for Learning department was established — a department she would later lead for eight years. Of course, both retained their pastoral roles, Adam as a visiting tutor across several senior houses. Kate’s role as Div Leader of Balmanno cannot be over-estimated and her input here will be profoundly missed in Riley House and Strathallan Prep School.

In addition to this, both have played such diverse and significant roles throughout the school that it is difficult to summarise them here.

Adam’s role as director of IT saw the school able to rise successfully to the challenges of on-line learning during the pandemic and Kate has overseen the expansion and development of the Support for Learning department which has become the sector leading provision it is acknowledged as being today.

Last year’s edition of The Strathallian paid tribute to Adam as being “the best contingent commander the school has ever known,” with legions of those who have come through the school’s Navy contingent or enjoyed the hospitality of the legendary annual CCF dinners echoing Nigel Gallier’s 130 The Strathallian

sentiments. Kate’s extra-curricular contributions command similar respect. Indeed, the creative skills she has brought to theatre wardrobe mark the area where Kate is probably most irreplaceable. The images over the past 20 years of school productions, with amazing costumes designed and made by Kate and her team, are testament to an incredible talent and dedication that we may never fully replace. Yet all of this tells only part of the tale. There is not the space here to go into the deserved detail of Adam’s teaching in the Modern Foreign Languages department or Kate’s regular work with young riders and the myriad of other ways in which they have contributed to the running of the school. In skimming over the surface of these achievements at Strathallan, it becomes evident that the school’s motto; Labor Omnia Vincit applies in this modern era to staff as well as pupils. They have given so much to Strathallan for an incredible three decades and now it is time for them to take time for themselves.

We all wish Adam, Kate, their extended family, their cats and of course the horses a very long and happy well-deserved retirement in their new borders home.

Claire Laurie Newham & Russell Newham Similarly long standing and established at the heart of the Strathallan community is computing teacher, Claire Laurie Newham: Woodlands tutor and Head of Netball, who has also moved on this year. Once again, it’s the impact above and beyond the day job which is Claire’s true legacy. She was most often seen striding Valkyrie-like around the campus accompanied by an assorted pack of Strathallan dogs led by her own beloved Beau. A passionate believer in kindness, fairness and equality, particularly towards animals, Claire matches her uncompromising work ethic with a vivacious sense of fun.

It is unsurprising therefore that when an unsuspecting Support for Learning teacher, Russell Newham arrived at Strathallan five years ago he found himself blindsided by this tour de force. As Russell said to the (virtually) assembled staff as he left, “I arrived resolutely single with a sports car and a trailer full of outdoor adventure equipment and I’m leaving after the longest period of time I’ve spent in one job with a wife, a dog, a van and a mortgage.” All joking aside, however, as Russell and Claire leave with their hearts full to start new jobs and their married life together, they’ll leave our hearts a little emptier. We’ll miss their collective friendship, energy and fun. Our pupils will miss their supportive and enabling teaching styles – certainly as a school we are grateful to Russell for the extraordinary success of the EPQ project he was responsible for. We wish them every success as they move to pastures new.

Andy Collins & Fiona Bell Also leaving the Strathallan scientific community after making significant contributions are Andy Collins, whose temporary, part-time position lasted for almost ten years leaving generations of Strathallan chemists grateful for his patience and expertise. In addition to this, the science block in general will be significantly changed following the retiral of long-time lab assistant, Fiona Bell.

Fiona’s good-natured efficiency supported the delivery of the entire scientific curriculum for many years and her contribution has been valued hugely for this time.

Carole Sim-Sayce Retiring this year, unbelievably, is Carole Sim-Sayce. Over the past 13 years Carole has wrought magic on the teaching of junior music at Strathallan. Under her leadership music in Riley House grew to include every child. Regular informal concerts became the norm and the Riley Show at the end of the summer term became a triumphant and joyous end of year celebration. In the senior school, Carole leaves a legacy of chapel bands and ensembles which have been the pride of the school in recent years. She reminisced in her leaving speech about the bizarre nature of arriving to start her new job 13 years ago and being sent on her first weekend to Crathie to lead a performance for the queen. It was a diversity which clearly suited her. She has done musical outreach work, led meaningful staff CPD sessions, been a supportive tutor and in the true spirit of the Strathallan ethos, has thrown herself down ski slopes at every available opportunity. Carole is certainly a pocket rocket: a passionate advocate of the arts (most of them embodied in her daughter, Madeleine,) she moves now to Glasgow and a new chapter. She goes with our love and thanks.

Elena de Celis Lucas Elena has left us after nearly 20 years to take up new opportunities in St Andrews. She might already have her eye on her potential to improve her swing at the home of golf but for those of us still here it will be strange to imagine Strath without Seniorita. As a teacher in the Modern Foreign Languages department, a tutor in Woodlands and an officer in the CCF, Elena’s valued contribution speaks for itself but as is so often the case, the C.V. tells only half the story.

Elena’s kindness and compassion mark her real impact. The number of Spanish Strath families who owe her a debt of gratitude is significant and this is just the tip of the iceberg from a colleague who has gone above and beyond on too many occasions to count. The friendships Elena forges will last a lifetime and will simply be added to as she moves forward to her next adventure.

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Dr Stephen Ferguson Head of Maths, Dr Stephen Ferguson has left us this year for pastures new. After a significant stint at Strathallan overseeing one of the busiest departments in the school, being in charge of fencing and playing a full pastoral role, Stephen is meeting changing personal circumstances with a move to Dundee. He and his son James have been a valued part of the Strathallan community for several years with Stephen taking full advantage of the ways in which he could indulge his passion for the great outdoors by helping with Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and his delight in Ceilidh dancing by joining in with reels. We wish him every success in his many new adventures.

Craig Wiles Our Head of DT, Craig Wiles who made such an impact when the pandemic first struck left us at Christmas to take up an exciting post at a brand-new school in England. If Craig’s legacy at Strathallan is to be his innovative response to the PPE crisis of 2020, there can be no finer representation of the man. We know that he and his family are very excited to be just a little closer to their own wider family and wish them every success with this exciting new opportunity.

Carole Sim-Sayce Retiring this year, unbelievably, is Carole Sim-Sayce. Over the past 13 years Carole has wrought magic on the teaching of junior music at Strathallan. Under her leadership music in Riley House grew to include every child. Regular informal concerts became the norm and the Riley Show at the end of the summer term became a triumphant and joyous end of year celebration. In the senior school, Carole leaves a legacy of chapel bands and ensembles which have been the pride of the school in recent years. She reminisced in her leaving speech about the bizarre nature of arriving to start her new job 13 years ago and being sent on her first weekend to Crathie to lead a performance for the queen. It was a diversity which clearly suited her. She has done musical outreach work, led meaningful staff CPD sessions, been a supportive tutor and in the true spirit of the Strathallan ethos, has thrown herself down ski slopes at every available opportunity. Carole is certainly a pocket rocket: a passionate advocate of the arts (most of them embodied in her daughter, Madeleine,) she moves now to Glasgow and a new chapter.

She goes with our love and thanks.

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David Yeaman Also leaving a significant gap in the wider Strathallan community is our out-going Head of Chemistry, David Yeaman. It’s not just David’s passion for his own subject we will miss, nor his championing of Badminton. He bought a culture of academic extension to the chemists who passed through his department and of skills development to the sport he loved. It’s not even his significant contribution to Ruthven House as a tutor which we will miss the most, though I am sure the Ruthven boys and Iain McGowan might disagree here. No, more than all of this it’s the memory of two little boys in particular, Matthew and James ( joined later by their sister) and their matching little cars and bikes which were such a delightful part of Strath life. David’s career trajectory is still very much on the rise and we look forward to seeing how he, Amy and the family get on in their future endeavours.

Yamika Banda One of Shona’s great friends at school, and also a new parent is Yamika Banda. Our erstwhile Head of Business Studies was part of the great Nicol House double act with David Billing some years back. He’s now following his heart back into Housemastering with a move to Dean Close but he leaves behind a body of staff and students devastated to see him go. Not only an inspiring teacher for the last seven years but an inspirational sports coach. Yamika, alongside Ed Kalman and Andy Henderson was one of the First XV coaches of our cup-winning squad three years ago. He was an innovative presence within the delivery of our sporting provision, bringing his own connections with Christians in Sport to school, a great experience for many of our pupils. Yamika’s faith is hugely important to him and there were a number of key periods where he stepped to the fore in this capacity too. We wish Yamika, Sophie and Isabella every happiness in their new ventures. Yamika said, half-jokingly that he had imagined staying at Strathallan forever in the style of DJB or PK but we know this move is an amazing opportunity for the Bandas. They go with our love and blessings.

Shona Collister You will have noticed by now that family and community are of paramount importance to Strathallan. Often a shift in family dynamic underpins a move and this was certainly the case for our former Head of Geography Shona Collister.

As a new mum to Ruairidh we knew we were going to see a little less of Shona for a while but when as a military wife the redeployment of her husband also became a factor, it was time to say a sad goodbye. Shona was the very best of role models for the young people of Strathallan. Young, academically and professionally successful, a superb sportswoman and all round thoroughly good egg — there aren’t too many people who can manage all of this with a large measure of good old-fashioned decency thrown in for good measure. She’s a brilliant poet and it is to my regret that I haven’t been able to compose a sonnet in her honour — she would have managed it easily for someone else had she been here, probably with a baby on her hip, her faithful puppy Handsome Hamish at her side and whilst taking a brief break between wild swimming and running an ultra-marathon. She’ll be a hard act to follow and a huge asset to wherever her next adventures lie.

Zara Thompson Our newly established Prep School also loses two significant members of staff this year. Zara Thompson was first alerted to Strathallan because of a home connection with Yamika. Like him, she has made a huge impact during her time with us and like both Yamika and Shona, family circumstances elicit a move. In this case, Zara is getting married and while we are sorry to lose our fun, friendly, inspiring, patient and wonderful friend, she isn’t going that far away and it is for the very happiest of reasons. The professionalism she bought to our youngest pupils was exemplary, Zara will certainly be a hard act to follow and I’m sure that her dearest friends at school – Jessie, Kathryn and Emily amongst others won’t wait too long before they are all meeting up again for paddle boarding adventures.

Matt Gooch Also leaving the Prep School, is the popular tutor and Div leader Matt Gooch. Matt has been associated with Riley for the last couple of years and it’s fair to say that his ability to be a truly inspiring mentor to his charges has been evident throughout. Not surprisingly, he too is moving into being a Housemaster and there is no doubt that he will excel in what could be seen as an unexpected development to Matt’s career path. For Matt is, of course, better known at Strathallan as Director of Music. Moreover he goes to prove that you don’t have to be at Strath for decades to make a significant impact. In just four years Matt has made the department his own. From overseeing a radical investment in the department and its technological provision when he first arrived to championing the school’s appreciation of the department in all its manifestations, Matt has achieved in a short period of time what would take others decades. Most recently he took the challenges of the pandemic and the opportunity to mark the school’s centenary at Forgandenny by commissioning a major project. The Music Scholar’s centenary project is outlined in more detail in the music report but what remains, as well as a significant legacy for the school, is the vision of a driven and innovative man, musician and leader. We can’t wait to see what Matt gets up to next.

F

INALLY, WE SAY A FOND FAREWELL TO FRIENDS WHO WERE WITH US FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME. Our Gap Year students were

certainly not deterred by the extraordinary circumstances of the year and a number of people stepped up to help us out on a temporary basis. We give our thanks to Matt White and Rachel Corbett in the prep school, and in the senior school to Jack Collister, Calum James, Rhona McKinnen, Sarah Tennent, Peter Lovegrove and Gerry Kennedy.

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...and this year we have welcomed Tom Sharples – Head of Chemistry Teaching people to better understand the world around them through science has been an important part of my work throughout a research career that has taken me from Oxford to Edinburgh via Chengdu in China. Having made the jump to full-time teaching, I join the school from Lornshill Academy in Alloa. Though I began life at the school during the challenging winter lockdown, I have found working at Strathallan very enjoyable, and I am very grateful for the warm welcome I have received from staff and pupils.

In particular, I am excited about developing the work of the chemistry department. I’ve enjoyed the chance to get to know the pupils at the school through my chemistry teaching, as well as being a Woodlands tutor, running the Senior Chess Club, and mucking in with conservation work for the John Muir Award.

Carolyn Warren – House Parent, Riley House.

Following postgraduate study at the University of Strathclyde, I entered teaching as a Physical Education teacher in 2014 at Blairgowrie High School. Subsequently, I additionally trained as a Primary School classroom teacher and I now work at three primary schools within Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) as a visiting PE specialist – this is alongside my houseparent role here at Strathallan. Whilst I have not worked in a boarding school previously, I have significant experience of life here at Strathallan and it is great to work with experienced professionals in a boarding environment.

Away from teaching and running the boarding house, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing hockey and tackling the odd Munro. As a keen horse rider, I can also be seen occasionally eventing other people’s horses!

Having been in position as Houseparent in Riley House for a year now, the highlight of my year has been getting to know the 100+ SPS pupils, especially the 28 boarders of Riley House. Every one of them is unique and it is a privilege to work with them on a daily basis.

Ian Barrett – Head of DT. Graduating over 30 years ago now from Ravensbourne College of Design in London, my enthusiasm and passion for Product and Furniture still burns strong. Following a successful career in commercial Design and Leisure my teaching began back in 2000 after the successful sale of a gaming design company that I had helped found.

The last 20 years have seen me teach and lead Design Technology in a number of HMC Schools in the UK as well as teaching internationally and as my time here at Strathallan begins I can already sense the numerous opportunities and potential projects that the school has to offer.

Relocating to Scotland in these strange and restricted times, my wife and I are looking forward to the summer and beyond when we can finally get out and explore the beautiful scenery that is on offer. Until then we will continue to both hopefully improve our golf game at Dunning!

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Conor Swaile – Head of Geography I am originally from Dungannon, Northern Ireland where I attended The Royal School Dungannon. In my final year at school, I was awarded a scholarship to Dilworth School in Auckland where I was a Resident House Tutor and Sports Coach. On my return, I attended Dundee University and gained an MA in Geography. After completing this undergraduate course, I undertook my PGCE at Durham University. Before joining Strathallan, I worked as a Geography teacher, Sports Coach and Housemaster at Glenalmond College.

A fanatical sports fan, I am a keen follower of the Ulster and Irish Rugby teams, as well as Liverpool FC. I spend any free time with my young family, on the golf course, or on the North Coast of Northern Ireland.

I have received a fantastic welcome to Strathallan and the Geography Department has been a huge support in what has been a very different Summer term. It has been wonderful to get to know the pupils and particularly the boys of Simpson House, where I am a tutor. The campus facilities are excellent and there are significant opportunities for pupils to learn both in and out of the classroom. I have been heavily involved in sport throughout my career and I am excited to be coaching one of the rugby teams. I look forward to getting to know the wider community in the coming months, but if my first term is anything to go by I know I will thoroughly enjoy my time at Strathallan.

Amanda Pfupajena – Teacher of Mathematics I graduated with a BSc Honours Degree in Actuarial Sciences at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh in 2008. I worked in the Financial Services for 5 years and I decided to do a PGDE in Maths Education at Dundee University in 2014 as I had a huge passion for both teaching and Mathematics. I have taught in a couple of Scottish schools and I was delighted when I joined Strath in January 2020 as this gave me the opportunity to teach the A Levels as well the SQA Highers. I enjoy teaching Mathematics and sharing my personal philosophical approach to Maths education which includes making Mathematics relevant to everyday real life examples. I also enjoy making cross-curricular links with other subjects.

The school has an outdoor whiteboard and taking the pupils outside on a nice sunny day to learn Mathematics is an opportunity not to miss.

I have a 10 year old son who recently joined the school.

We have both been made to feel at home and part of the Strath family. My favourite day of the week is on a Wednesday when pupils and staff wear their National Dress. This is a great way to learn and embrace other cultures and I love wearing my African dresses. I have been enjoying the chance to get involved with the extracurricular activities. Before the Covid-19 restrictions began, I was part of the Community Service group led

by The Rev, and we would go with some of our pupils to support local charities in the community. This was a very rewarding role to staff and pupils involved and this is certainly something I hope we can do when all restrictions have been lifted off.

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David Richardson At the age of 16 I joined the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. During my time with the band we were successful in competition and in signing a £1 Million record deal. It was through this record deal that we produced 3 albums under the name of Spirit of the Glen. The second album won us a Classical Brit Award for album of the year.

On leaving the Army I really wanted to get involved in teaching, and in particular with younger people. Initially I joined the Army Cadet Force as one of their national training advisors. Here we prepared kids for music exams, as well as performances for Her Majesty the Queen. I later moved on to teach at schools across Wester Ross, which lead to the Ullapool band winning the World Championships in grade 4A. Before taking up my role with Strathallan, I had been teaching the Bucksburn & District pipe band. Whilst I was there, our junior band managed to win a world drumming title, and the senior band managed to win a European drumming title in grade 2.

I was extremely excited to join the Strathallan piping and drumming team in April 2020, and I can’t wait to see what we can all achieve. It’s been a busy move for my whole family and I’m enjoying the variety of my role here: teaching, CCF and as a tutor in Freeland House.

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Zoe Ettle – House Parent, Woodlands After an initial career as a solicitor in an international law firm in London, I chose to follow my heart and my passion for the outdoors and working with children, and so I moved up to the Highlands, where I began my initial steps towards becoming a Teacher of Outdoor Education, Primary and French. I then spent 6 wonderful years working at Aiglon College, an international co-ed boarding school in Switzerland, before returning to the bonny Highlands with my husband, Graeme, and our daughters, Rosie and Madeleine. I joined the school last September as Woodlands Housemistress and split my teaching time between the Prep and Senior Schools. Whilst starting a new job in the midst of a pandemic has had its own challenges, I have, nonetheless, really enjoyed becoming part of such a supportive school community. As my first year draws to a close, I already have so many fond memories and I have the girls to thank for that. They have adapted to the change of Houseparent quickly and have been very welcoming and supportive throughout, especially the excellent Head of House, Erin M and the rest of the Upper Sixth year. It’s been a tough year with so many restrictions in place due to the pandemic, but at all times the girls have made the best of the situation and have always managed to have some fun. It’s this enduring optimistic spirit that makes this job so rewarding and one that I know I will increasingly enjoy for many years yet to come.

Charlotte Marjoribanks – Teacher of Mathmatics and CCF Commander As a Maths teacher, former Scout leader and British Army Officer, I was very excited to join Strathallan at the start of the 2020/2021 academic year. I served for a fantastic ten years as a British Army officer and was a major in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. After that I moved to Canada and worked with the Scouts, cementing my aspiration to work with young people. I trained as a Maths teacher on my return to the UK and have taught in secondary and prep schools for the last six years, prior to starting at Strathallan. I am very privileged to now be able to combine both my careers! I have throughly enjoyed my first year at Strathallan and what a varied year it has been from being in the classroom teaching maths, being in Woodlands with my lovely tutor group, on the parade ground with the cadets, out sailing with the Navy Cadets or out in the hills with the walking group! Thank you to all the staff and students for such a warm welcome!

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VALEDICTORY

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Freeland

Glenbrae 140 The Strathallian

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I wish our leavers every success. You have done so very well. We are proud of you all. We will miss you and we will be willing you on to succeed in whatever you are going on to do. Pupils in the schools we compete against find you all ‘infuriatingly nice’! I like that. Don’t lose that ability to get along with everyone and to be kind and respectful of others. Be ambitious of course, as I am for this school you have served so very well but be humble with it and stay grounded.

Keep us informed about your progress from time to time; remember to live our shared values and you won’t go far wrong. Remember the school motto and above all, be human and humane. Serve others and look after their happiness as a way to enhance your own.

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Valete 2021 PREFERRED NAME

SURNAME INITIAL

LEAVING FORM

PREFERRED NAME

SURNAME INITIAL

LEAVING FORM

PREFERRED NAME

SURNAME INITIAL

LEAVING FORM

Christopher Cema Callum Izzy Anastasiia Roshan Carlotta Nephi Sam Khuchu Mitchell Victor Laetitia Zhibo Alex Emma Marcus Sarah Jay Scott Lara Miles Cassie Harvey Massimo Artem Dani Izzy Fin Blanca Molly Alexander Ali Jakob Archie Caimin Rory Natasha Georgia Alex Alex Flora May Imogen Eva Johnnie Emily Rex Mia Mark Harry Constantin Luka Stuart

A A B B B B B B B B C CM C C C C C-S C-B C C C C D-M DP DP D D D D EG E E F F F-I F F G G G G H H H H H H H H H H H-T H

7S 4F 7R 7T 7G 6T 5G 7N 5F 7W 3S 7R 6G 7S 7S 7G 7S 7W 7N 7F 7T 7S 7W 7S 7S 5F 7T 7T 7S 7W 7T 7F 7N 5R 7N 7S Year 5 7G 7T 5W 7F 7W 7W 6G 5N 7T 5N 6G 7F 7R 7R 7W 6F

Malcolm Omar Oscar Lilli Tyler Andre Louisa Thies Anson Kristina Sarah Jerry Bella Thibault Woody Robyn Pia Alex Yunliang Ben Louis Casper Beau James Jemima Blair Suzy Bowes Amy Lilyan Arthur Rory Harris Tamara Keira Anna Caitlin Calum Cameron Ben Eva Hazel Erin Oliver Hugh George Saoirse Tamanna Mine Morgan Larissa Laura Leonard

I J J J J K K K K K K L L L L L L L-L L L L L L M M M M M-B M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M MJ N N O'C-B O O P P P P

7F 6F Form 2 5T 7F 7F 5G 6R 5F 5G 7T 7S 5G 3N 7N 7T 5T 7N 7N 7F 5N 7N 7F 7R 7T 7N 7W 7G 7G 6G 7S 7R 7N 5W 7W 7T Form 2 5F 3F 7R 6G 7T 7W 7F 7S 7R 7G 7T 7W 7N 3W 6T 5S

Donald Tom Catriona Craig Charlie Iona Matthew Mia Tristan Nico Georgia Pablo Matthieu Madeleine Adina Sonya Misha Elena Isobel Fergus Mark Andrew Johanna Tjark Alina Dasha Theresia Thomas Duncan Ruth Alex Cosima Charlotte Forbes Jacob Shelley Kevin Natalia Sofia

Q R R R R R R R SR SD S SNC S S S S S S S S S S T T T T V W W W W W W W W W X Y Z

7N 7F 7W 6N 7F 7T 7S 5G Form 2 7R 7T 4R 3R 7G 7T 5G 5S 7G 7G 7F 5N 7N 7G 5N 7G 7G 6G 7R 7R 7G 7R 5W 7G 7N 7R 7G 7F 7W 5T

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A campus made for outdoor learning.

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