Information Booklet 2020/21 1
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Information Booklet 2020/21 1. Senior School (Main Building) 2. Junior Years 3. Sports Hall 4. Indoor Swimming Pool 5. Science Centre 6. Equestrian Centre 7. Chapel 8. Pavilion 9. Tennis Courts 10. All-weather Astroturf Pitch 11. Sports Field Boarding Houses 12. Barat 13. Butterstone 14. Mater 15. Swinton P. Parking LIFE AT KILGRASTON THE HOUSE SYSTEM Every child who joins Kilgraston, whether in the Junior or the Senior School, belongs to a House; a community within a community and at the heart of our overall approach to pastoral care. There are four Houses – Arran, Inchcolm, There is an ethos of friendly rivalry which, Kinnoull and Moncreiffe and every junior as well as creating a lot of fun, also pupil, senior girl, boarder and day, belongs creates opportunities to build both team to a House for the whole of their school and leadership skills. Throughout the career. year, pupils will be awarded House points for excellence in academic work, service The Houses are at the heart of the school to the community and for enterprise and and house loyalty soon builds up. Each achievement in each area of school life. House is led by a Housemistress and appoints, from amongst its own, a head The pupils are awarded termly certificates and deputy head of house as well as a for these dependent on the number of sports captain. Other members of the House points they have accumulated. Upper Sixth are also part of the House The House points are also added together team and they will support and mentor in each of the Houses and at the end of younger pupils within the House. the year a House cup is presented to the There are a variety of House competitions House with the most number of points throughout the year ranging from speech awarded. The pupils take great pride in making to hockey, netball to music. Pupils their Houses and the announcement of the of all ages from the youngest to the oldest winner is always greeted with a mixture of are encouraged to participate in these elation for some and disappointment for competitions and there is never a shortage others but a sense of ‘there is always next of volunteers. year’ for everyone. 4 5 FAITH The spiritual development of our pupils is central to Kilgraston’s ethos. We are a member of the worldwide These values are experienced in many network of Sacred Heart schools. We ways within the academic curriculum, aim therefore to help each child to the broader curriculum and in school life become a responsible member of society, as a whole. There is a strong tradition at to recognise their own self-value and Kilgraston of both teamwork and pupil capacity to be happy as well as their ability leadership. We strive to live by these goals to bring joy to others. We are a Catholic and we choose one in particular to focus school but warmly welcome pupils from all upon each year. faiths or none. The Sacred Heart network has in excess We encourage our pupils to grow in of 200 schools across the globe. From wisdom through the experience of formal 2013, all senior girls have been offered and informal prayer. In so doing, every the opportunity to visit another Sacred pupil can reflect on their personal growth Heart school overseas for a fortnight as and the significant relationships in their part of an exchange programme. This is life. Through community service and an exciting development which offers a participation in charitable activities, every uniquely formative experience, building pupil can develop their full humanity and friendships and providing the opportunity discover a sense of completeness and to experience another culture in a caring purpose in life. and safe environment. Sacred Heart guides Our Chapel is at the heart of the school and inspires all we do Our school Chapel is located at the We express the Kilgraston ethos through heart of the school. It is there the school and are inspired by the five goals of community congregates for assembly, Sacred Heart. involving a prayer, a thought for the day and a hymn of thanksgiving. • To develop a living faith The Chapel also provides a space for each • To hold a deep respect for member of our school community, staff and intellectual values pupils alike, to take time to reflect, pray • To nurture the personal and step back from the hustle and bustle growth of each child in our care of school life. It is also a place where we gather together to celebrate and mark • To be a valued part of the community special occasions. and to help build that community • To have a social awareness which impels action 6 7 BOARDING A whole new world of social and cultural opportunities. Boarding is a very popular choice even Pastoral help and advice day and night for pupils whose families live within Our boarding and pastoral care staff are commuting distance of the school. friendly, approachable, sensitive and The boarding community plays a vital role highly professional. in maintaining the vibrancy and pulse of They offer boarders help and advice at any the school and creates new opportunities time of the day or night. for a wealth of cross-curricular links with other schools and organisations. They are also there to support the boarders with their studies and work Boarders have an active social calendar closely with each boarder’s tutor to make and enjoy many events from ‘getting to sure she is getting the individual attention know you’ evenings to Highland Balls with she deserves. our brother school, Merchiston. Boarders are also involved in many volunteering activities within the local community. A boarder at Kilgraston will experience a whole new world of social and cultural opportunities contributing to a broad new dimension to her Kilgraston education ‘experience’. 8 9 PASTORAL We pride ourselves on the quality of our pastoral care. It is at the heart of school life. We ensure boarders and day pupils alike to the success of the BFG concept is the can truly thrive in a caring and welcoming support provided by our pastoral care team community. We foster an environment of with specific training in safeguarding and interaction and team spirit for all pupils. Our welfare. aim is straightforward and our focus clear. Our BFGs importantly have access to Each pupil will thrive and grow to their full ongoing support from senior staff. Younger potential with a resilience that will support pupils can turn to their BFG at any time. each individual one their way in the world. This could be for a quick and reassuring At Kilgraston, we expect all those working chat, help with a particularly tricky with our pupils to help them to become assignment, involvement in shared equipped with the confidence and skills activities and group outings. It could also to be effective learners and effective involve more formal academic mentoring. members of the community. Parents are often concerned about how Pupil development and pastoral care is their shy or quiet child will fit into our monitored in a variety of ways. Each pupil bustling school community. Be assured, our has a Form Tutor. ‘big sister’ BFGs offer that welcoming hand. From Lower Fourth to Upper Sixth each year group has a Year Head to oversee Guardians the care of each tutor group. For boarders Overseas pupils need to have a guardian there is the added support of a residential who can be contacted if parents are mistress and team of assistants in each unavailable for any reason. Guardians boarding area. need to be able to make important decisions about the welfare of the pupils A significant ingredient of the Kilgraston and to look after them if parents are unable approach, and a supplement to the formal to do so. care provided by our highly experienced senior pastoral care team, are our Big Guardians are generally based in the Friendly Girls (BFGs); an innovative United Kingdom. At Kilgraston, we are concept introduced by our Head Girls. very fortunate to have our own in- house guardian and teacher, Mrs Bluett. BFGs are Upper Sixth students who play Alternatively, we can provide parents a ‘big sister’ role to younger pupils. Critical with a list of recommended guardianship companies if required. 10 11 Health and Wellbeing Any chaperoned medical appointments Support for Learning ESOL: held outside the School will be charged Health and Wellbeing is an important All children and young people may English for Speakers aspect of school life and to support this separately on the school account at the experience a short term difficulty requiring we have the services of a school nurse, end of each term. some extra flexibility in their lessons and of Other Languages a school doctor who provides a morning It is important to inform the school nurse of school work and the Learning Support The aims of the ESOL department is to surgery every Thursday for our boarding any specific medical needs your child may department can assist in making such enable bilingual students to develop their pupils, a Child Protection Officer who is have and parents of new pupils will be provision. English skills and as far as possible fully available at all times and members of staff access the curriculum. ESOL staff support asked to complete a confidential medical For some children and young people who are trained as First Aiders and Mental pupils throughout the school within their questionnaire to keep the school up to however, additional support in teaching Health First Aiders. date on any relevant health problems.