Art Pupils Among Top Ten in Country Headmaster's Music

NEWS - Wi n t e r 2008
Art Pupils
Among Top
Ten in Country
Two of last year’s Upper Sixth Form
students, Cara Duncan and Charlotte
Garven were among the top ten students
presented to Edexcel, the UK’s largest
awarding body at A level Art and Design.
Jerry Jarvis, Edexcel’s Managing Director,
said: “This is a tremendous achievement and
testament to the hard work the students put
into preparing for their exams. We send our
congratulations to Cara and Charlotte.”
Headmaster’s Music
The School returned to the Perth Concert Hall in early November for Headmaster’s Music. The
evening saw a wide variety of performances including the Pipe Band and a rock band, as well as the
Orchestra, Chamber Choir, String Quartet, String Orchestra, Choral Scholars, Choral Speaking, Big
Band, Wind Band and a range of ensembles.
Highlights included Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten performed by the Chapel Choir, the
Choral Scholars and String Orchestra performing Lennox Berkely’s The Lord is my Shepherd, the
wind band performing a medley from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and finishing off with an excellent set of
‘Basin Street Blues’ and ‘Ain’t That a Kick in the Head’ by the Swing Band with soloist Ollie Wale.
There were over 100 performers with pupils ranging from Riley to the Upper Sixth playing to an audience
of over 1000. The event raised £1140 for the Brick by Brick Appeal to build a School in Malawi.
Medal Haul for Strathallan Swimmers
At the Tayside Schools’ Championships pupils won thirty-seven medals: seventeen Gold, six Silver and
fourteen Bronze. Strathallan was, as a result, the most successful school in the competition. Gold
medals were won in the 17 – 19 Relay, the 15 – 16 Relay and the U12 FC Relay as well as individual
medals by Duncan Scott in the U12 50 Fly and FC, Maggie Luck in the 15 – 16 200IM and Joe
Lipworth in the 15 – 16 200IM and 100BS.
The School improved even on the thirty-three medals (thirteen gold) won at the same event last
year and real credit must go to the Strathallan coach, Elaine Johnston for the ongoing success of the
School’s swimmers.
In regular fixtures the swimmers have continued their winning ways with victories on each occasion.

Basketball
The season started brightly for the Strathallan basketball team. Following
a win in the Merchiston Tournament the boys have gone on to defeat
Merchiston, Fettes and Glenalmond in regular fixtures. The Scottish Cup
campaign also got off to a good start with a convincing 59 to 33 win over
St Aloysius’ College.
We have taken on a number of bright new recruits in the Lower Sixth
and Jackie Wong continues to provide leadership and inspiration. His
involvement in the Perth Phoenix senior men’s team has taken his play to a
new level and has provided us with a variety of new training drills.
Fencing
Fencing has seen a revival at Strathallan with the arrival of Dr
Ferguson, the new Head of Mathematics and Fencing Coach. He
has brought a breadth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to
Fencing at the School which has been evident in the results throughout
the term.
Sarah Hellewell won a Silver medal in the U16 Sabre and a Bronze
in the U16 Foil section at the Scottish Youth Fencing Competition.
At the Scottish Schools Individual Championships Dr Ferguson was
impressed with all the fencers, some of whom were competing for the
first time. Many of the pupils finished in the top ten in their sections
and Sarah won bronze medals in the U16 Foil and U16 Sabre.
In November four pupils travelled to Glasgow for the second round of
Scottish Youth Development Series where Jonathan Blackburn fought well to
gain two Bronze medals, Sarah won a Bronze and Silver medal, Torri Douglas
Song won a Bronze medal and Connor Blackburn made a spectacular return
to competition fencing, gaining a Silver medal in a close final.
The most recent Fencing competition of the term was the Scottish
Schools Team Competition where the girls’ Epée team, Sarah
Hellewell, Bianca Dembke, Cerrin Romeike and Bronya Woodes
Rogers lost narrowly in the final to win Silver medals.
Equestrian Update
This has been another successful term for Strathallan’s equestrian
performers. In Dressage, Andrew Glover was selected for the
U25 A team and Gareth Watt was selected to train with British
Young Riders Dressage Scheme. Also, in the Summer holidays four
pupils, Andrew, Rosie Williams, Morven Miller (’08) and Alice
Page (’08) competed in the Scottish Team at the National Dressage
Championships. Half of the Scottish team were Strathallan pupils.
Other equestrian successes include: Heather Larson being selected for
the GB Junior Eventing team, Rosie Williams winning the National
Pony Club Novice Eventing Championships, Bronya Woodes Rogers
winning the Senior Tetrathlon Championship, Emma Cheape winning
the Junior Tetrathlon Championship and qualifying for two National
Pony Club Games, and Flora Hay finishing in fourth place at the
Scottish Cross Country Championships.
Judo
Ben Giles took part in the Scottish Age Group Judo Championships at
Meadowbank in Edinburgh earlier this term. He competed in the 15years
55 – 60 kg weight class and won the Bronze medal.

Pupils Sing for
the Queen Again
In September the School’s Chamber Choir travelled to Crathie Kirk, Royal
Deeside to perform for HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Pupils stayed at Crathie
Manse the night before and after successful rehearsals were ready for the
Morning Service at Braemar Kirk, followed by the Service at Crathie Kirk
which was attended by the Queen and other members of the Royal family.
The Choir performed Oculi Omnium by Charles Wood as the Introit,
Love Divine by Howard Goodall as the Anthem and the Gaelic Blessing by
John Rutter as the blessing.
Cricket Stars
Freddie Coleman had a successful season playing for both the Scotland
U17 and U19 teams. He has gained a place at the Warwickshire Cricket
Academy having scored 82 in his trial match against Gloucestershire U19.
Nick Farrar also had a successful season playing for the Scotland U15
team which won the European Championships in August.
Outstanding Success
for Girls’ Hockey
The 1st XI had an outstanding start to the hockey season when they won
the Madras Tournament, beating Dunfermline High School, Waid Academy
and St Leonards before facing the High School of Dundee in the final which
Strathallan won 2-1 on penalties.
This early success continued when the 1st XI won the Midlands 1st XI
Tournament. Strathallan beat Glenalmond, St Leonards and Bell Baxter in
their group and Perthshire in the semi-final. The tournament went down to
sudden death penalties with Elizabeth Cachia making an outstanding save
and Ina Eller stepping up to score the winning penalty. In the Midlands
Junior Tournament the U15 team were runners up after a very close match
went to extra time golden goal.
The 1st XI have reached the final of the Midlands Schools Cup, semi finals
of the National U18 Youth Cup and the U16 team is in the semi finals of
the U16 Midlands Cup.
In regular fixtures the 1st XI have had a successful season beating Gordonstoun
7-1, Fettes 4-1, Kilgraston 8-0, St George’s 6-0, Queen Victoria School 8-0 and
Dollar 2-0. The arrival of Scottish International Louise Carroll has inspired
the younger players. Louise is working closely with the junior teams who have
continued to improve throughout the season.
Laura Glasgow and Nicky Cochrane have also been invited to join the U16
Scotland Squad.
Debating
In the St Andrews Union Debating Society Senior Schools’ competition
held in November Sam Lipworth and Morag Elwis were finalists.

17 Pupils Selected for
Midlands Hockey
Seventeen Strathallan pupils have been selected to play for Midlands
teams: Elizabeth Cachia, Alice Farrar, Lynsey Knowles, Kirstin
Lamotte, Jenny Wood, Jayne Carmichael, Robynne Smith and Ina
Eller for the U18 Girls, Nicky Cochrane, Ciara Elwis, Hannah Cox
and Philippa Orr for the U16 Girls; Ian McKenzie and Douglas Britton
for the U18 Boys and Michael McKenzie, Patrick Morris-Eyton and
Murdo Elwis for the U16 Boys.
Scottish Schools’ Clay Pigeon
Shooting Champions
Strathallan secured four trophies at the Scottish Schools’ Clay Pigeon
Shooting Championships held at Cluny Clays at the end of September. In
the Senior Competition Ian MacKenzie, Grant Murdoch, Patrick Morris-
Eyton and Will Fraser finished top of the Scottish Schools with a score of
110 out of a possible 150. Patrick also won the high gun trophy with a
score of 41 out of 50.
Strathallan was also triumphant in the Senior B Team Competition with Toby
Culham, Connor Blackburn, Simon McBride and George Burbury taking home
the trophy. The girls’ team, Finola Lundgen, Rosie Gibson and Heather Larson,
completed the trophy haul by winning their section.
Malawi Book Appeal
The School is equipping a library for The Trust Academy in Mzuzu,
Malawi, donating novels, picture, story and non-fiction books suitable for
children aged 3 – 12. The books do not have to be new but need to be in
good condition and can be put in collection boxes in the Houses.
Pool Refurbishment
Over the summer holidays extensive work was carried out on the School
swimming pool to bring it up to the high standard worthy of our very
successful swim team. The pool lining tiles were replaced with a modern
membrane, the walls were completely lined with the latest ‘wet-wall’ and the
ceiling was replaced and fitted with acoustic tiles to improve the environment
of the classrooms above the pool.
All of these measures are designed to reduce maintenance whilst providing
a clean and attractive finish to the pool. New lighting was installed
including emergency lighting to improve both the look and the safety of the
pool. Lastly, an efficient modern air-handling system was installed to make
the pool environment far more conducive to high levels of comfort and
swimming performance - no more steaming windows!

Barbados Tour
During a two week tour our netball squad enjoyed some challenging games of netball in addition to the wonderful experience of seeing the island
of Barbados. The girls played school teams and the National champions and gained much from the experience in very hot and humid conditions
against very competitive opposition.
Netball
The 1st VII Netball Team has had a successful term, winning all inter-school games to date in regular fixtures and the Scottish Schools’ Cup. This success has been
reflected in selection for district teams with Hannah Johnstone, Lucy Coleman and Ella Coleman being selected for the Perth and Kinross U15 squad
and Sophie Howell, Sally Lungmuss and Lynne Howie for the U17 squad.
Rugby
This term’s rugby for the 1st XV has been challenging in terms of injury with no Saturday seeing the same team fielded. This has led to a mixed bag of
results; it has however, given the opportunity for more players to test themselves at 1st XV level. Some young players have acquitted themselves well and
now know what is required to be first choice 1st XV players.
The Scottish Cup at both U18 and U15 level has given another opportunity to players who are not normally first choice. The U18’s travelled to Wick and
played in artic conditions but returning a 62-0 victory. The subsequent round was against Stewart’s Melville who were too good for our inexperienced side.
The U15 Cup side had good opening wins against Kirkcaldy High School and Dunblane, before meeting Edinburgh Academy and losing out to one of the
favourites for the tournament. Throughout the season the Fourth Form have applied themselves well and show an ambition to improve which is good
news for the senior teams for next year.
Individual successes include Declan Ferry, Andrew Hall and Ryan Hood making the Caledonian U17 squad and Etienne Melville the Caledonian U18 squad.

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
AS Level English pupils were visited this term by Annabel Rodger, Youth Creative Learning
Coordinator from Perth Theatre, for a unique text workshop on ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.
Using Tennessee William’s classic emotional text the pupils explored style, character and dramatic
technique in this practical workshop. With professional rehearsal and performance techniques,
there was the chance to examine the text as actors and directors. They then visited Perth Theatre
on 18th November and were able to enjoy the play in performance.
Biathlon
In Strathallan’s first appearance at the Scottish
Schools Biathlon Championships Bronya Woodes
Rogers was victorious overall coming first in both
the run and swim.
National MOD
Swimming:
Individual
Success
Alice Inglis competed at the National
MOD in Falkirk in October where she
and her singing partner, Kim McDonald,
won the Duet (McTavish’s Kitchen)
Trophy for the sixth year in a row. The
Royal National MOD is Scotland’s
premier festival of Gaelic language,
arts and culture and is held annually in
different locations throughout Scotland.
Joe Lipworth has had another successful
term in the pool. At the Midlands Schools’
Championship Joe won Gold in the 100M
Freestyle. He also took part in the Dundee
City Championships where he recorded an
exceptional eight Personal Bests and achieved
57.79 seconds in the 100M fly which is the first
time he has swam this event in under a minute.
Joe was also voted ‘best overall boy’ for his age
group at the Portobello Long Course Meeting
where he won two Gold, three Silver and two
Bronze medals.
Maggie Luck has also had a successful term,
winning a Silver and three Bronze medals at the
Midlands District Sprint Championships and a
Gold and two Bronze medals at the Portobello
Long Course Meeting.
Duncan Scott had individual success at the West
District Swimming Championships recently
when he won five Gold and three Silver medals
to be awarded the best overall swimmer for
10/11 year old boys.

House Music Competition
The Annual House Music Competition took place in mid October, just before the School broke
up for half term. The adjudicator, Mr Stewart Fyfe had the tricky job of selecting the winning
house. Each house performed three pieces, Choir, a Solo Item and an Ensemble Piece. The prizewinners
on the day were as follows: Best Boys’ Choir – Nicol, Best Girls’ Choir – Thornbank,
Best Choir Conductor – Thornbank (Lizzie Vine and Kirsty Scobie), Best Soloist – Ciara Elwis
(Flute), Best Ensemble – Freeland and Best House Overall – Woodlands.
The collection at the end of the event raised £486 for the Mosanto School Brick by Brick Appeal.
Ms Sime visited Malawi in July 2008 and after she reported back to pupils and staff on her
experiences the Charities Committee decided to raise the £2500 required to build a new School.
Tennis Success Continues
The tennis season started with success at the Perth and District Singles Tournament. Ina Eller was
victorious in the U16 Girls’ competition. Ruairidh Watson beat fellow pupil Michael Wells to win the
U16 Boys’ competition and Callum Thomson did not drop a set in winning the U14 Boys’ Section.
Mark McGuire (U12) and Christian Kolb (U16) were both runners up in their sections.
In the U14 Section of the North East Ratings Tournament, held during the summer holidays, William
Lyburn was seeded as No. 3 but won the tournament beating the second seed in the semi final and the
first seed in the final.
Both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams are undefeated in the Scottish Schools’ Cups which
continues next term.
Dominik Diamond
On Friday the 5th of December at the inaugural
Strathallian Lecture, members of the Sixth Form
were privileged to hear Dominik Diamond. A
television and journalism celebrity, and also
former pupil, Mr Diamond spoke about his
professional career and impending life choices.
One might say that the animated Mr Diamond
delivered a speech which was not the conventional
‘lecture’ because of its informal style, but all were
agreed that the underlying message – to pursue
what you really love to do - was well affirmed and
made an impact on the pupils. Mr Diamond’s
comedy interludes, along with anecdotes from
his time at Strathallan, made the talk thoroughly
enjoyable, and the Sixth Form thank him once
again for coming to speak to us. As a token of
thanks, Strathallian Club President, Mr Graeme
Robertson, presented Mr Diamond with a
donation for Yorkhill Childrens Hospital.
Work Experience
All pupils do work experience in Fifth Form
and pupils use the Post-GCSE period for this
purpose. This year some tried things which
were not necessarily their chosen career
such as estate work or the Fire Brigade;
others followed traditional opportunities
in the professions. A few chose overseas
placements, at the British Embassy in
Azerbaijan, surveying in Bahrain, and Kirsty
Lamotte and Carla Crossan worked on a
Safari Park in Tanzania (pictured). Other
placements in the UK included the fashion
industry, Horsecross in Perth and the London
Metal Exchange.

Ice Hockey
Tim Welp, who joined Strathallan this year,
brought with him a love of Ice Hockey.
Every Thursday night Tim travels to
Dundee where he undertakes an intensive
training session with the Dundee Stars.
Because of the rules governing overseas
players it has taken some time for Tim to
receive clearance to play but he is really
looking forward to his first match.
Boys’ Hockey
The Scottish Schools’ Hockey Cup has been moved into the first term when all of the boys are playing
rugby. Nonetheless it was decided to enter and we won the first game against Edinburgh Academy
5-1. We then played strong favourites George Watson’s College, going down 3-2 after a very spirited
performance. In the quarter final of the Scottish Youth U18 Cup a good victory was recorded against
CALA Edinburgh Club, moving us to the semi finals. The fixtures will continue into next term when
hockey is the main sport for the boys.
Federation of
Festivals
Mrs McFarlane and Ollie Wale were invited to
perform at the Federation of British Festivals
Annual Conference in Greenock in September.
They performed on behalf of the Festivals of
Scotland in the concert of traditional Scottish
culture, providing a programme of poems by
William Soutar, Robert Burns and Robert Garioch.
The boys’ indoor team (pictured above) competed at the Midlands U18 Indoor Tournament in late
November where they beat Menzieshill, Perthshire and Harris to qualify for the National Indoor
Youth Championships in January.
After the inter district tournament, Ian McKenzie has been invited to join the Scotland U18 Squad.
Music in Hospitals
In mid November the School hosted a concert for the Music in Hospitals charity which saw a
number of pupils and three professional musicians, Shuna Sendall, soprano, Matthew Brown,
piano, and Emma Wilkins, flute performing in the Music Room to an invited audience.
Gillian Dinsmore, Scottish Convenor of Music in Hospitals, said: “We are delighted that Music
in Hospitals’ happy association with Strathallan continues to flourish. It seems particularly
appropriate given the School’s outstanding musical reputation throughout the country”.

Performance Awards
The annual Schools Festival organised by the Perth Burns Club provided
the usual crop of Strathallan successes. Charlie Mearns and Joanna
Barrack jointly won the trophy for recitation by pupils in secondary schools
aged under fifteen. Ollie Wale won in the over fifteen section. Once again,
Murdo Elwis triumphed in the accordion classes. A new trophy this year
was for the outstanding performance of a work by Burns, judged by the
President. This was won by Eleanor Kemp for her rendition of the song,
John Anderson, my Jo.
Strathallan
Drawing Room
The proceeds from the successful Strathallian Fund Raising Dinner
held at the School in 2007 have been put to good use refurbishing the
old Headmaster’s Drawing Room. The room now provides a warm
and welcoming location for visitors to the School. Annie Stewart of
ANTA, wife and mother of Strathallians, has provided the furnishings
and enabled the delivery of a very stylish and comfortable room.
The Club would like to extend it’s thanks to all those who gave so generously
on the night. Pictured are the Headmaster with Graeme Robertson,
Strathallian Club President and Paul Vallot, Strathallian Club Secretary.
This term’s LAMDA exams produced a Distinction in Gold medal
public speaking for Morag Elwis. The two Ollie’s (Wale and Beetschen)
did equally well in Silver medal acting, with Ollie Wale adding to that
a merit at the same grade for the speaking of verse and prose. Other
Distinctions were gained by David Cameron for Grade 8 reading for
performance and by Hannah Grant and Ashlee Barnett in grade 4
spoken English. High marks in Bronze medal exams went to Alice Inglis
(acting) and Josiah Bircham (verse and prose) and in grade 7 reading for
performance to William Farmer. II set II achieved Distinction for choral
speaking. Frances Myatt’s results for mime and spoken English take her
total of Distinctions in 2008 to five.
Scottish Wood Fair
Strathallan was the only school invited to display work at the Scottish
Wood Fair which was held in mid September at the Dewar’s Centre,
Perth. The Woodfair is an annual professional exhibition which promotes
the use of products utilising timber grown in Scotland. On display were
coffee tables made by Ian McKenzie, Finola Lundgren and Toby Culham,
as well as pieces by Kirstin Lamotte, Gemma Lear and Rory Gibson.
Creative Writing
Congratulations to Alison Ramsay, Angus Watson, Cammy Mack,
Gareth Watt, Rosie Williams, Charlie Mearns, Sarah Nicol,
Robyn Somerville and Monty Peeters whose poems were selected
for publication in “The Big Green Poetry Machine” published in
November 2008. Their entries were chosen on the basis of their
perception, imagination, expression and good use of language from
thousands of entries from all over the UK and overseas.
Pipe Band
At the Scottish Schools’ Quartet and Trio Piping championships held at
George Heriot’s School in November the Strathallan Quartet, Pipe Major
Adam Michie, Pipe Sergeants Sean Townsley, Etienne Melville and Piper
Will Fraser won the Headmaster’s Trophy.
Jamie Parker won a Bronze medal in the 13/16 years Novice Piping Section
of the Scottish Junior Piping Championships.

Kilt and Rugby Shirt Day
In celebration of St. Andrew’s Day pupils and staff donned their kilts and
rugby shirts to raise money for the Sandpiper Trust. The trust works
towards making a significant difference in rural Scottish communities by
providing GPs and nurses with appropriate emergency medical equipment
which enables lifesaving pre-hospital procedures to be carried out.
Charley’s Aunt
Five years ago, three first form boys performed a scene from Charley’s
Aunt for a LAMDA group acting exam. They achieved Honours for
their efforts and enjoyed the scene so much that they suggested that at
some future point it should be done as a School play. Five years on,
Jamie Parker and Ollie Beetschen, have been cast in their original roles
of Lord Fancourt Babberly and Charley Wickham. Charley’s Aunt, is
known as the “evergreen farce” and although it was written in 1892,
it has rarely been off the stage since then.
Lord Fancourt Babberly, dressed as a woman is helping out his friends
Charley and Jack (William Farmer) by acting as a chaperone to their
two girlfriends (Sophie Arnott and Hannah Cox). In typical farce style
complications arise when the fake Charley’s Aunt finds “herself” being
courted by two men (Ollie Wale and Andrew Glover). And the worst
complication of all comes when, inevitably, the real Charley’s Aunt
(Catriona Mackenzie) turns up.
It is easy to see why the play has remained so successful because it is lively
and very funny. The superb set, designed and built by David Hume,
assisted by the stage crew involved three scene changes, two interior and
one exterior, and was surely one of the best the School has ever produced.
The play was directed jointly by Mrs Irene McFarlane and Strathallian
Ishbel McFarlane (Woodlands ’04).
Exam Results
At A Level 46% of entries were graded A, 74% A-B and 91%
A-C. There was a 100% pass rate A-E. Places were achieved at top
universities including Oxford and Cambridge, a number of Russell
Group universities, and all the main Scottish universities. There were
also a small number of pupils whose A Level results gained them
places abroad. The diversity of course choice reflects very well on the
individual profile of pupils at Strathallan. We have been particularly
pleased to hear of notable academic success from a number of former
pupils including prizes in areas as diverse as Fashion and Architecture,
and firsts and university prizes in Psychology, History of Art, English
Literature, Sport and Exercise, and Chemistry.
Flute Medal
Ciara Elwis was recently awarded a medal for the highest marks in a
grade 8 exam in Scotland.
Strathallian Pipe Band
Three Strathallians, Gordon Wallace (Nicol ’66), Iain McLean (Nicol ’71)
and Ross Peters (Ruthven ’62), are making it their mission to set up a
Strathallian Pipe Band to celebrate 100 years of Strathallan in 2013.
The three volunteer bandsmen commented “We hope that there will be
enthusiastic support for a mass band, our intention to hold a couple of
practice sessions over an agreed set. We would like also to have a little fun
along the five year practice route which could well involve a meal or two.”
To this end would anyone sufficiently able bodied reply to
alumni@strathallan.co.uk indicating that he/she would like to participate.
Name, email address and telephone number would be much appreciated so
that the necessary contact can be made.

Combined Cadet Force
At the Combined Cadet Force Central
Camp at Warcop in July the Strathallan
Contingent won the March and Shoot
Competition by a comfortable margin
against the eight other schools attending
the camp. This was a strong performance
from a young team, and rounded off a very
enjoyable week.
At the Royal Marines Pringle Trophy
Competition at Lympstone in October,
always a keenly contested event, the
Strathallan team (pictured) won the
Leadership Trophy.
Forthcoming
Strathallian Events
The Strathallian London Dinner: Thursday
12th March 2009, The Caledonian Club,
London. This is a hugely popular evening for all
Strathallians in the London area and beyond.
Ruthven House Reunion: Sunday 3rd May 2009.
All former Ruthven House pupils are most
warmly invited back to School for a Ruthven
House Reunion.
Strathallian Day: Sunday 7th June 2009, at the
School. Come along to this family day and bring
the whole family. Spend the day relaxing in the
grounds, enjoying the cricket or if you are feeling
more energetic sign up for one of the Strathallian
sports teams and test yourself against a current
School side. For the younger members of the
family the Riley Paddock is the place to be, with
numerous activities on offer.
Jamie Number 1 at Under 21
Jamie Cachia (Nicol 06) has lived and breathed hockey during 2008 which has paid off with major
personal success. Studying Education and Geography at Durham University has enabled him to be the
first choice goalie for the University First team. The team plays both in the North premiership and the
British Universities northern premiership league.
In July he was rewarded for his training efforts when he played for Scotland under 21 in the Celtic Cup at
Edinburgh against France, Wales and Ireland and won a gold medal as part of the winning team.
On returning from Spain and the European Championships Jamie was chosen to go on tour
to South Africa to play several international teams with the University of Durham. His final
accolade for 2008 was being named for the initial under 21 squad for the Junior GB
Olympics. Unfortunately he was over 21!
Jamie has been supported with generous sponsorship from the Strathallian Club, for which he is
very grateful.
Girls’ Reunion: 20th September 2009, the
School. Come along and help us celebrate 30
years of girls at Strathallan. Meet up with old
friends and House staff and see Glenbrae – the
new Girls’ House.
Strathallian Golf: Old Prestwick, Sunday 2nd
August 2009 and Panmure on Sunday 13th
September 2009. If you are interested in playing
please contact fmacmillan@stuartandstuart.co.uk.
The Strathallian Club is also organising an Angling
Day for next year (date to be confirmed). If you
are interested in taking part in this great day out
please contact Aileen and let her know. This event
is open to all Strathallians and it would be great to
expand numbers and see some new faces.
For further information on any of the above
events, please contact Aileen Wilson, the Alumni
Co-ordinator.
If any of your contact details change or you
know of anyone who is not on the database
and would like to hear from us please let Aileen
know. t: 01738 815082, f: 01738 815080,
e: alumni@strathallan.co.uk.
Economics Trip to the IEA
Political Economy Conference 2008
Earlier this term a group of Upper Sixth pupils attended the Annual IEA Political Economy
Conference 2008 in London. The day was made up of four lecture sessions prior to lunch. These
presentations included such topics as Discrimination in the Labour Market, The Role of the
Central Bank and Climate Change.
The afternoon debate included contributions from two MPs, a leading Academic and the
President of the Libertarian Alliance. The topic “Consumer Sovereignty in Health and
Education” was looked at in detail from various political and economic points of view.

Strathallian Snippets
The Strathallian Dinner, held in The Royal George Hotel in
November, returned to its traditional format, with the focus being
firmly on renewing old acquaintances. It gave everyone a great
chance to catch up with current news and to reminisce.
Colin Williamson (Nicol ’01) was part of the Leander crew which
won the Ladies plate at Henley Royal Regatta.
Struan Dewar, (Nicol ’07) has been selected for the full
Scotland Sevens squad which has already taken part in the first
tournament of the year in Dubai. He is also a member of the
Scotland U20 squad.
Lt Dave Robertson (Ruthven
’95) had a close encounter
recently when a rocketpropelled
grenade ’bounced
off’ his chest before exploding.
He escaped with only minor
injuries. Lt Robertson received
the Queen’s Medal when he
passed out in December 06 for
the cadet who achieved the best
scores in military, practical and
academic studies.
Ishbel McFarlane (Woodlands ’04) is heading for the ‘Big Apple’
in January. She performed a monologue in ‘Eight’ written by
a student friend, Ella Hickson, as a member of the Edinburgh
University Theatre Company’s cast in the Edinburgh Fringe. This
production won three awards: a Scotsman Fringe First, A National
Student Drama Festival Emerging Artists’ Award of a transfer of
the play to London (this took place in October) and the Carol
Tambor Award of an all-expenses-paid transfer of the play to New
York for two weeks in January.
Stuart Harron (Simpson ’58) returned last year from his second
and possibly last scientific expedition to Chile. His first visit was
in 1972 as a member of the Joint Services Expedition to Chilian
Patagonia in which he acted as Geologist and Interpreter. The
second expedition had a serious and very topical aim to add
knowledge to our understanding of the extent of global warming
within the Southern Hemisphere.
Nigel Pennie (Freeland ’71) went to the Beijing Olympics in August to see
his daughter competing in the canoe slalom. Although she did not win a
medal he had a tremendous time seeing several events including the men’s
100 metres final.
Fi Martin, Kate Streule, Sandie Mackie, Katherine Duncan, Jane
Cooper, Lesley Meikle and Clare Gadie (Woodlands ’86) got
together in York for a weekend in November to celebrate their
fortieth birthdays.
Robert Ferguson (Ruthven ’81) emigrated to Queensland, Australia
in July 2007 with his wife Keirdre and children Holly and Jake and is
currently working in the Solar Industry.
Stewart McLennan (Ruthven ’47), Neil Paterson (Nicol ’47) and
John Blanche (Freeland ’47) have kept in touch since leaving
Strathallan and since retirement have holidayed together every
second year. This year they travelled to Islay with their wives.
Frazer Philip (Nicol ’04) recently became the youngest ever
individual in the first British team to complete the coast to coast
crossing of Greenland. The team covered 500km in 27 days
beating the previous world record by a staggering 16 days.
Scottish Charity No. SCO 08903
Forgandenny, Perth PH2 9EG, Scotland, UK
T +44 (0)1738 812546 F +44 (0)1738 812549
E admissions@strathallan.co.uk
W www.strathallan.co.uk