Surely Nicol haven’t won again! Just as well it was The Voice we were auditioning for, I suppose. W ell somebody has to write the School history. So this is what they meant by a career-trajectory. Front Art & Activities Captains of School Design + Technology CCF - Arm y 82 44 Headmaster's Report A rt CCF - Marines 83 Salvete Design + Technology 49 Debating 86 Speech Day Duke of Edinburgh 87 Sport Antibes 89 Houses Cricket 54 Coll trip 90 Rugby 57 International Committee 91 60 Reels 92 Freeland 12 Football Hockey - boys 62 Burns Supper 93 Nicol 14 64 Ruthven 16 Hockey - girls Athletics & Cross Country 66 Simpson 18 Strathallians Netball 67 Thornbank 20 Rachael and the meerkats 94 Badminton 67 Woodlands 22 Strathallian Updates 96 Equestrianism 68 Glenbrae 24 Interview: David Dinsmore 10 1 Coif 70 North America Connections 102 The Chaplain Canoeing 71 Lectures 27 Ski racing 72 Back Cycling 73 Speech and Drama 28 Charities 105 Tennis - boys 74 The WestEnders 29 Obituaries 10 6 Tennis - girls 75 Summer Headmaster's Music 30 Prizewinners 10 7 Orienteering 76 Senior Music 31 Staff Valete 1 0 8 Basketball 76 House Music 33 A Kilted Ukrainian 109 Fencing 77 Pipe band Valete 1 1 0 Sailing 78 Variety Show 35 The Ball 112 Musical Showcase 36 Swim Team 80 Riley Music 37 M— — — — — IHIWIIWIHHMMWMMW HB Drama p l l Riley: High School Musical II 38 Senior: The Comedy of Errors 40 Musical: Into the Woods 42 The Strathallian 2012-2013 Volume XX No.13 Editor: EG Kennedy Design: Douglas Colquhoun 0141 418 0483 www. st rat hallan .co. uk The STRATHALLIAN 2 0 1 2 -2 0 1 3 1 Captains of Schoo Launched from an absurdly powerful three-man slingshot, the balloon’s trajectory could be followed over the dining-hall roof as a blur of red against a backdrop o f clear blue sky. Who knew a water balloon could smash through reinforced glass? certainly didn’t. Despite his being Moving up into IV Form all of a sudden things a physics teacher, Simpson’s change. Having been at the bottom of the pile for Housemaster suffered a decided a whole year there is now the unavoidable feeling of being a Strath veteran despite four years of sense of humour failure and a stern school remaining. W ith the arrival of IV Form Italking-to about responsibility was the came my introduction to the CCF department, outcome. Things were not looking good infamous for hunting and eliminating Taliban for the following day's Captain of School that have got lost and found themselves stuck interviews. But... apparently there really are up Scouts' Hill. A favourite m em ory o f mine on opportunities for all to excel. one of these sorties is of newly-arrived Spaniard Quique Martinez heatedly questioning Tam W h en I started at Strath in III Form I was doing (Head of the Army recruits section) as to where boarding school the proper way, with the family the vegetables were in the MoD rations that we based over 6000 km away in Oman. But despite had been issued. the distance from parents and siblings never once was I homesick. This was largely due to how Sooner or later V Form arrives and with it you are busy you are kept as a newly-arrived III Former, staring down the barrel of a year dominated by especially in the early weeks with numerous trips worries about the dreaded GCSEs. Despite the and excursions including the critically-acclaimed nervousness shrouding the prospect of the first III Form retreat. My introduction to boarding "proper" exams, all the teaching staff have the school life brought with it the opportunity to fundamental experience and ability to take you try many sports and activities that I had never every step of the way. Providing you put in your previously had the chance to have a go at. Before best efforts, they will ensure that you achieve III Form I had no idea that I was rubbish at so to the best of your ability. But V Form is not all many things; hockey, cricket, golf, judo, guitar doom and gloom, the great thing about Strath is and shooting are but a few examples. However that there is time to breathe and relax in between the exciting thing for me was the ability to give all the frenzy of activities that become the day-to- o f these new things a try with all the necessary day norm; whether that is sim ply sitting back support to help me at each activity. and watching a film or passing about a rugby 2 The STRATHALLIAN 2 0 1 2 -2 0 1 3 www.strathallan.co.uk James Spalding Ruthven UVI Millie Galashan Woodlands UVI ball outside. I distinctly remember one particular study break during exam leave when Adam decided to unwind by climbing a tree, up which he became I I I realised that my time at Strathallan had, irretrievably stuck until, hours later, we managed to after five fantastic years, come to an end... help him down. To quote him upon his return to earth: “Jeez, guys. Thanks! You really saved my bacon!". Millie Galashan Woodlands UVI N ext stop is Lower VI Form, and with it com es the long awaited VI Form privileges, many of which centre r Kennedy's most recent email reminding me upon access to the VI Form common room and the events and functions associated with it. This is another of the fast approaching Strathallian deadline, prime example of how in between the six days of study finally motivated me to sit down to compose and games each week there is time for a bit of RGR, Mmy own rendition of the annual cheesy Head Girl's especially for VI Form who are really beginning to reflection on her time at Strathallan. Perhaps my focus on what lies ahead after school and the exams reluctance to write this summary was because I realised that need conquered before then. A prominent feature it meant that my time at Strathallan had, after five of L VI for me was the introduction of the famous fantastic years, come to an end. On the other hand, it slip ‘n’ slide (again a product of constructive use of revision breaks). At about 2 metres wide by 40 long could be due to the fact that since I had finished school, it was large enough to be seen by satellite and being I no longer needed the ability to manage my time down made of industrial grade BGQ tarpaulin it was next to the hour as I did at Strathallan in order to juggle my to indestructible. W h en deployed down the intense various commitments, and had, as a result, become gradient o f “Dead M an’s Drop" it was not unknown for considerably less organised. Zander Fagerson to reach supersonic speeds provided enough fairy liquid was applied. At times in Upper Sixth, as almost all Strathallians will understand, it was non-stop between sports commitments, Finally Upper VI Form arrives with the start of the year my attempts at studying, roles in school plays, committee heralding UCAS applications. Once again the support meetings and the, ahem, special lunchtime meetings with the in this area is exceptional, with many members of headmaster. Nonetheless, although I did not have the most staff who willingly take the time to read over personal peaceful last year at Strath, I wouldn't have had it any other statements and offer advice and suggestions where way. My advice, like that of anyone who has been involved needed, which I found to be invaluable in the run-up in the various opportunities Strathallan has offered them to finalising my university application. The thing that is: try something new and get stuck in. Strathallan offers everyone says about Upper VI is how fast it goes but 'opportunities for all to excel' but it is up to you as students I don’t think that you can truly appreciate that until to take them. Looking back at my time in 3rd and 4th Form, you come across the stark realisation that it is the end before the pressures of public exams set in, I tried a lot of of the year and you have your final exams looming; different things. I found some that I loved, other things that I leaving you questioning, “Where has the past year didn't excel at (namely chapel choir much to the amusement gone?”. W ith the sudden comprehension that my of anyone who has heard me sing). But it is this mentality of time at Strath was rapidly approaching its conclusion, trying whatever opportunities you are given which will really I began to feel the inevitable sentiments of nostalgia lead to experiencing Strath to the fullest extent. that come from having spent the last five years of my life here. Nonetheless, despite this the excitement and Critical to building a com m unity in which you can feel like you preparation for the years ahead leaves me excited for can take risks to try new things and realise your potential, is the future, and ready to move on from what has been the staff. I would like to thank all of the teachers and coaches m y second hom e for so long. for all the support the leavers of 2013 have received; whether it be pastoral, academic or on the sports field. I There is absolutely no doubt that m y tim e at would especially like to thank; the Tods for always keeping Strathallan has had a profound im pact on m e as me sane, Senorita de Celis for reminding me at crucial points a person and I know that in som e ways I would be that School is not just for fun- we have to study sometimes very different had I not come here.