NEWS Winter '09 - Strathallan School

10 www.strathallan.co.uk
Exchange to Hilton College
Our exchange programme with schools in the Southern Hemisphere continues to be
popular and Lower VIth pupil, Ben Melville was lucky enough to spend six weeks at one
of South Africa’s most prestigious schools this summer. Hilton College is an hour from
Durban and is set in the beautiful countryside of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Ben is the first Strathallan exchange pupil to attend Hilton. The first hurdle was being
flung into a form of sixteen boys but they all proved very welcoming and friendly. It wasn’t
long before Ben found himself fully involved in all aspects of school life, including learning
the tribal language of Zulu.
Some of the highlights were camping in a game reserve, spending a weekend in mud
huts with no electricity and learning about the culture and traditions of the Zulu tribe.
Finally Ben took part in a 5-day leadership course with the rest of his year which proved
both physically and mentally challenging. Hilton student Lloyd Mercer arrives at
Strathallan in January for what we trust is an equally unforgettable experience.
Strathallian
Lecture
Strathallian David Dinsmore, Editor of the
Scottish Sun, gave an entertaining talk to
the Sixth Form this term. His opening slide
was a picture of his old athletics team and
he went on to read an letter written to
himself at the age of seventeen detailing
what life had in store for him on his journey
through adulthood and describing some
of the interesting people and situations
he would meet along the way. Good
discussion ensued at the question and
answer session with Mr Dinsmore justifying
his position on certain stories. The discussion
continued over dinner in the Wilf Hoare room.
Third Form Retreat
The Third Form Retreat was its usual fun-filled, action-packed weekend, providing the
pupils with the opportunity to make new friends and share new experiences. Laser tag,
white water rafting and canyoning were all on offer and they rose to every challenge
with great enthusiasm and comradeship.
The evening barbeques provided a
welcome feast for the hungry, tired and
soggy groups before retiring to what
apparently was like ‘one big sleepover’.
A great weekend was had by all and one
pupil was even heard saying that it had
been ‘the best time of her life’.
Visit of Professor Nick J. Clifford
to the Geography Department
Handover
of Glenbrae
The new girls’ boarding house Glenbrae
was officially handed over to Mr Thompson
during a ceremony in the stunning new
building. Edinburgh Architects Oberlanders
designed this attractive, modern yet homely
building and the Stirling based company
Ogilivie Construction completed the build in
just sixty three weeks. An impressive spiral
staircase is a central feature of the House
and links all the accommodation and
communal areas.
The House has been a high quality
and essential addition to the Strathallan
community.
Professor Nick J. Clifford from the School of Geography, University of Nottingham visited
Strathallan School to present a talk to the Sixth Form Geography students. The talk
was entitled “The Trouble with Trash-The Dark Side of River Management” and proved
extremely interesting as he covered a variety of case studies from across the globe
and used computer models to simulate actual flood events within rural and urban
environments. He gave pupils an insight into the many social, economic and political
problems as well as the potential conflicts which have to be addressed when
considering the management of a river system.
Some pupils were provided with the opportunity to discuss his research with
Professor Clifford in more informal surroundings over dinner.