The Pillars Summer 2011 - High School of Dundee

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................Integrated Curriculum....................................................................L7 Geography dayL7 pupils have been preparing for thetransition to the Senior School witha mission to explore the campus.Each class spent forty minutes solvinga series of challenges on a set routearound the Senior School facilities,answering questions on everythingfrom the height of nearby buildings tothe price of a Mars bar in local shops.Each group was accompanied by amember of the Geography staff, andfinished the activity with a tour of theGeography department.Head of Geography at the High School,Jenni Stewart, said: “Today’s activityis designed to help ease the transitionfrom Junior to the Senior School, byintroducing these pupils to the teachersand classrooms they will be using nextyear. All of the pupils involved have hada great time exploring the campus, andwill be feeling much more confidentabout joining us in August.”....................................................................Red Cross projectSix pupils in F3 have taken part in theBritish Red Cross Awareness to Actionproject. The group chose the issue ofChild Soldiers as a topic for research,and prepared and presented a lessonfor their fellow pupils. As well asraising awareness amongst pupils andstaff, the group also held a fundraisingcupcake sale which raised £90 for thecharity. Pupils involved in the projectwere Nassim Branine, Katie Lumsdaine,Kirsty Mellor, Ellen McLean, Erin Smithand Mariam Okhai.....................................................................Award-winningauthor visits theHigh SchoolMelvin Burgess, the award-winningchildren’s author, has paid a visitto the High School.F4 pupils had the opportunity toparticipate in a two-hour writingworkshop, and he also gave talksto pupils in Forms 1 and 2 as partof the full day of activities.Librarian Catherine Owens said:“Our pupils particularly enjoyed thecreative workshop and it was inspiringto see him encouraging them to exploredifferent ideas and approaches. We’redelighted that he was able to take thetime to come and see us.”Melvin Burgess won the CarnegieMedal and the Guardian Children’sFiction Prize for his novel Junk.In total, he has written more than....................................................................Pupils meet fiercecompetition inMaths ChallengeA team of four pupils has comesecond in the Regional Final of theUKMT 2011 Team Maths Challenge.23 teams took part in the five-hourcompetition, held at the University ofEdinburgh. The competition consistedof four different rounds with teamseither working together as a group orworking in pairs. Team members wereJoshua McLaggan F2, Andrew Guest F2,Scott Macandrew F1 and AnushkaPathak F1.....................................................................Salters’ Festivalof ChemistryAt the time of going to press, twoteams from the High School ChemistryClub were set to take part in theSalters’ Festival. Held this year at theUniversity of Dundee, the annual eventis an opportunity for enthusiastic youngstudents to spend a day in a universitydepartment and to take part in fun,practical chemistry activities.An Indicator Challenge was held toselect which club members would wina place at the event, and two teamsof four F1 pupils were chosen to takepart.These were Team Plutonium(Iain Wallace, Stuart Duncan, GonzaloAlessi-Cuenda and Andy Boyle) andNaughty Bubbly Sciency Magic (MayaNurbhai, Taskeen Bailwal, Sophia Singhand Ciara Mitchell). Both teams will behoping to repeat the success of 2009,when a High School team won thecompetition at Heriot Watt universityin Edinburgh.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................Inspection for CCFThe High School of Dundee CombinedCadet Force has welcomed ColonelCharles Coull, Deputy Commander(North) of 51 (Scottish) Brigade,as part of its biennial Inspection............................................................................................................................................Spartan Enterprise, made up of agroup of eight F6 pupils, won firstprize of £100 and a cup for theirBusiness Plan, while the five-strongPinnacle were awarded first prize and£60 for in the Trade Stand category.High School teamstop Enterpriseaward schemeTwo teams from the High School ofDundee have taken top spots in theYoung Enterprise Tayside Awards.Seventy cadets from F2 - 6 took partin the Inspection. Col Coull witnessedactivities including leadership training,drill, rock climbing and First Aid, amongothers. He was welcomed by a Guardof Honour consisting of the oldestcadets, and a performance by theSchool’s Pipes and Drums.Spartan Enterprise impressed thejudges with their proposal for the saleof branded water bottles. The bottleshave been a hit with pupils and staffalike, and a second order for bottleshas been placed to cater for demand.Pinnacle partnered Scottish biscuitswith pots of Mackays preserves inspecially presented gift packs, anddeveloped the Scottish theme in thedesign of their trade stand. Mackaysdonated products to the group inreturn for leaflet distribution, whichenabled the group to reduce start-upcosts, and every pack was sold.twenty books for young people.4 highschoolofdundee.org.ukThe Pillars NewsletterTel: 01382 202921German trip forRay and MilaTwo High School pupils have gainedplaces at a summer languageprogramme in Germany, followinga national competition.Ray Lynham and Mila Georgieva, bothin F3, will travel to Wolfsburg in Augustas part of the UK-German Connectioninitiative, designed to develop andpromote international co-operationat school level.It is the first time that two High Schoolpupils in the same year group havegained places on the scheme.The two-week programme consists ofdaily lessons, activities and excursions,and participants stay with a host familyduring the trip. The scheme provides anopportunity for pupils to get first-handexperience of German life and cultureand improve their German languageskills at the same time.....................................................................A Jacobite InvasionPupils in L6 experienced a surpriseinvasion recently, as part of a projecton the Jacobites.Their History project was broughtto life with the help of very specialvisitors, who gave the children ademonstration of the weaponry andclothing that would have been inuse during the period.5

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................Integrated Curriculum..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Business Breakfastis a first for theHigh SchoolTwenty four local companies andeducation establishments gatheredat the High School of Dundee recentlyfor a groundbreaking careers event.Representatives of each organisationjoined more than fifty senior pupilsfor a Business Breakfast, aimed atallowing young people to networkwith local business people, and informtheir choices for university and futurecareer paths.The Breakfast also welcomed renownedbusinessman Jim Pettigrew as keynotespeaker at the event. Jim, himself aFormer Pupil of the High School, spokeabout his own career in the City andthe five golden rules of business thathe follows, before taking a look at theworld we are likely to face in the future.The pupils, all in Forms 5 and 6, alsohad the opportunity to network withrepresentatives from organisationsincluding the Universities of Abertayand Dundee, Dundee College, AllianceTrust, Bright Solid, Thorntons Law,Henderson Loggie, McNulty and WoodGroup GTS among many others.Lord Advocate’svisitPupils at the High School of Dundeereceived a first-hand insight into thelegal profession, when they welcomedScotland’s Lord Advocate, the Rt HonElish Angiolini, QC, for an address inTrinity Hall.The event was arranged by Headof English at the High School,Jane Phillips. “This was a fantasticopportunity for our pupils to hear froma truly inspirational individual,” saidMrs Phillips. “Elish Angiolini was thefirst woman, the first Procurator Fiscaland the first Solicitor to be appointedto the role of Lord Advocate, and sheprovided our pupils with a fascinatinginsight into the law and our justicesystems. We are extremely gratefulto her for taking the time to meet ourpupils, many of whom hope to followin her footsteps and pursue a careerin Law.”Elish Angiolini stepped down as LordAdvocate in May this year, shortlyafter the visit.Bell RockLighthouse TripTo commemorate the 200th anniversaryof the Bell Rock Lighthouse, the PhysicsDept organised a boat trip fromArbroath harbour to visit thisextraordinary feat of engineeringon Saturday 11 June.The trip, on board the boat GirlKatherine II, included a physics elementwith the study of the engineeringand design of the Lighthouse anda presentation by the Geographydepartment on the rock on whichthe lighthouse is built. The Biologydepartment gave a presentation onthe fish caught on the day and theChemistry department carried outwater sampling. The day also includeda visit to a local lifeboat station.....................................................................Senior SchoolMusic CompetitionsThe breadth and depth of musicaltalent at the High School was on showonce again in the annual musiccompetitions last term, this year judgedby Nick Ashton of Napier University,culminating in the Southgate Prizefor Ensembles and the Premier Quaich.Gillian Craig (F6) was the justifiedwinner of both.Space Schoolfor ElliotF5 pupil Elliot McKillop has beenawarded a place at the Scottish SpaceSchool. The residential one week coursetakes place at Strathclyde University,and is organised in conjunction withNASA. Elliot follows in the footstepsof Kevin Singh (F6) who gained aplace on the same scheme last year.....................................................................RYLACongratulations to Oliver Baker,Gabriela Manley and Chloe Scahill(all F5) on their selection for theRYLA Summer Camps this year.The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards,run by the international Rotaryorganisation, are designed to giveparticipants an opportunity to developleadership skills through an intensiveprogramme.World Book DaySenior pupils celebrated World BookDay with a giant Book Swap.Pupils and teachers donated 500 of theirfavourite books in the weeks running upto World Book Day, and were invited toattend a Big Book Swap at lunchtime toselect a different book of their choice,free of charge.....................................................................Animationshort-list for EllenFor the second year running, EllenMcLean (F3) has been short-listedfor a prize in Manchester University’s“Animation 11” competition. Ellen,who is a member of the School’sAnimation Club, has been invitedto attend the awards festival inManchester at the beginning of July,when the results will be announced...................................................................Table TennisThe School Table Tennis team recentlywon the Dundee Schools’ League,coming top out of ten teams from sixdifferent schools. The boys involvedwere Jory Peters (F6), Andrew Guest(F2) and Filip Jovanovic (F1). AlasdairRennet (F2) also competed during theinitial stages. Congratulations to theboys and their coach, Kirstie McKie.Sports LeaderAwards 2010-201118 pupils have achieved the SportsLeader Award this year. Participating inthe award helps pupils to develop theirleadership skills including organisingactivities, leading activities, motivatingother people and communicating withother people.The pupils achieving the award,all in F6, were: Madi Adamson, AlexBatchelor, Claire Dobson, Ben Flack,Muhammed Gani, Brett Hampton, DavidJohnston, Callum Leese, Alistair Lynch,Cameron Milne, Ben Mowle, EmmaPattullo, Rebecca Reid, Gemma Riley,Hannah Sampson, Jill Stevens, GavinTallett and Ramsay Walton.The pupils received five full days’training in June last year where theylearned about organisational skills,communication skills, health andfitness, fair play in sport, the role of theumpire and opportunities in sport andrecreation. A second module wascompleted between June and Marchwhich saw the pupils helping to runsports sessions for other groups ofchildren, in the Junior School PEprogramme, in co-curricular clubs, inother clubs outside the School and inthe Mayfield summer camp. This is thethird year pupils from the School havebeen involved in the award programme.6highschoolofdundee.org.ukThe Pillars NewsletterTel: 01382 2029217

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................Performing Arts....................................................................A Night atthe TheatreAn audience of around 1000 parents,friends, staff and pupils joined membersof the general public for the annualSpring Concert in the Caird Hall. Onthe theme of “A Night at the Theatre”,the concert included appearancesfrom the School choirs, concert band,symphony orchestra, the training bandand training orchestra, and pipes anddrums, together with a number of soloperformances. More than 400 pupilstook part in the event.With the programme inspired by stageand screen, music on the night coveredeverything from the soundtracks fromTransformers and Snow White and theSeven Dwarves, to Schindler’s Listand Pride and Prejudice, as well as hitsfrom musicals including Mamma Mia!and We Will Rock You. Opera wasrepresented by excerpts from PrinceIgor by Borodin, and ballet by Ravel’sMother Goose Suite.....................................................................Our Country’sGoodAs we went to press, preparationswere well underway for the end ofyear production, ‘Our Country’sGood’, by Timberlake Wertenbaker.Highly theatrical, often funny and attimes dark and disturbing it is the storyof convicts and Royal Marines sent toAustralia in 1789 as part of the firstpenal colony there. The play followsSecond Lieutenant Ralph Clark’sattempts to put on a production of therestoration comedy The RecruitingOfficer, the first play ever to be stagedin that country – with only two copiesof the text, a cast of convicts and oneleading lady who may be about tobe hanged.The High School production is stagedaboard the frigate Unicorn, which is thesame class of ship as would have beenused to transport this disparate groupof individuals to colonise the NewWorld. A full report of the production,and a gallery of photographs, will bepublished on the website in due course.History Rocks!The pupils of L6 and L7 – not tomention staff, parents and friends –worked extremely hard during theproduction of this year’s Junior SchoolMusical. Running for four nights inTrinity Hall, the sell-out production of‘History Rocks!’ took the audience ona musical journey around the worldin a thousand years.The story began 1000 years ago inChina with the invention of gunpowder,ending in the present day in a worldwhere the internet and world travel arepart of daily life. Along the way theaudience was introduced to historicalcharacters including King John, GuyFawkes, Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth I,and many more.....................................................................High School’sGot TalentTen acts fought it out in the finalof the High School’s Got Talentshow, raising more than £1000 forBarnardos Playschemes Dundee.Elliot Killick (F5) took first prizefollowing an audience vote, whilethe Single Ladies dance routine tooksecond, and the night’s youngestcompetitor, Hattie Wood, wasplaced third.Well done to the Interact Club, whoorganised this fantastic event, andthanks to all the staff, pupils andparents who supported it.Sport....................................................................Golf successTwo pupils have met with success inthe St Leonards National Junior GolfChampionships.Campbell Gibson (L7) was first in theUnder 11 Boys category in both scratchand handicap on the StrathtyrumCourse with a net 65 score. F3 pupilHenry Sampson won the Under 15 BoysHandicap category on the Eden Coursewith a net 66.Over a hundred youngsters travelledfrom all over Britain to take part in thecompetition. Congratulations to bothboys on their performances, and to allthe High School pupils who took partin the event.....................................................................8highschoolofdundee.org.ukThe Pillars NewsletterTel: 01382 2029219NetballTwo High School teams have beenpipped at the post in the NetballScotland Scottish Schools Cup.The F2 and F3 teams each played inthe final of the Silver section of thecompetition. Both teams played verywell, with the F2 team losing by 12goals to 10 in the closing minutesof the game against Lomond. TheF3 team also fought bravely, butwere eventually beaten 32 goalsto 16 by St Ninians.The competition took place atEdinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadiumon 26 April. All the girls were delightedto be awarded a silver medal, andare already looking forward to nextyear’s event.....................................................................SkiingIn the Scottish Schools Skiing oursenior girls team of Alice Burnett (F3),Hannah Douglas (F3), Kirsty Gray (F4)and Kerry Voice (F4) finished in a verycreditable 9th place at the Lecht inglorious conditions.....................................................................Team selectionsFive pupils have been selected to playin key tournaments across Scotland inrecent months.F4 pupils Georgina Black and SusanGraham were selected on severaloccasions as part of the U16 Scotlandhockey team, with Georgina playing forthe squad against Wales, both girlstaking part in the match againstEngland, and Susan travelling toMannheim for matches againstGermany, Holland and Belgium.In rugby, Harris Brown and CraigMorrison (both F4) together withChris Jollands (F3) have seen theirsuccessful rugby season culminatingin their selection for the CaledoniaU16 squad that won the Inter DistrictChampionships. Winger Brown, scrumhalf Morrison and flanker Jollandsplayed a vital part in the team’s victory.Selection is confirmation that the boysare continuing to improve and impressthe selectors. This is especially so forChris who is competing against boysa year older.Well done to all of you, and we lookforward to watching your progress.....................................................................House RugbyAfter a very keenly contested andcompetitive Senior House Rugbytournament the surprising but welldeserved result was: 1st Lindores,2nd Wallace, 3rd Airlie, 4th Aystree.In the Intermediate competition,the final placings were: 1st Wallace,2nd Lindores, 3rd Airlie, 4th Aystree....................................................................Cross CountryDespite sudden snow falls whichprevented us taking a team to theScottish Schools Cross CountryChampionships in March, F1 pupilEilidh Reynolds managed to reachthe competition where she finishedan excellent 7th in the U14 Girls race,in a time of 11:26....................................................................Junior NetballCongratulations to the L7 team on theirvictory in the Directors’Trophy this year,a tournament for all Dundee schools.They beat Ancrum Road PS in the firstround 12-2, and met St. Mary’s PS (theonly team to have beaten them thisyear) in the semi-final where the girlsplayed some outstanding netball tosecure a 9-2 victory. In the final, theyplayed St Peter and Paul’s PS and won12-2. A well-deserved gold medal foreach of them at last!

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................Girls AllowedDistinguished Old Girl of High School RememberedThe Heritage SocietyAgnes is seated in the centre of the picture.Courtesy of the University of St Andrews Library, Group-1896-4aAs part of the celebrationsto mark their 600thanniversary, the Universityof St Andrews decided toadd four more bells to theexisting two bells in thetower of St Salvator’sCollege Chapel.Once the belfry within Kennedy’smassive 15th century tower had beenrebuilt, the six bells formed a ring ofbells suitable for traditional changeringing,one for every century of theuniversity. They were dedicated at aspecial service in St Salvator’s Chapelon 3 October 2010, also marking550 years since the chapel itselfwas dedicated.Agnes was born in Broughty Ferry,the daughter of Robert Blackadder, anarchitect and civil engineer, and AgnesSturrock. She left school for St Andrewsin 1892 and she passed the preliminaryexaminations the previous year. In April1893 she is recorded as having passedin Chemistry and that October, in Latinand Botany; in March 1894 she hadpassed in Natural Philosophy [laterbetter known as Physics], Logic andEnglish and that October in Zoology,receiving her MA degree on 29 March1895.From St Andrews, Agnes went onto University College, Dundee for theacademic year 1897-1898 and then toQueen Margaret College for Womenin the University of Glasgow, whereshe obtained MBChB in 1898 and herMD in 1901. That same year, she marriedDr Thomas D Savill but was widowedin 1910. As Dr Agnes Savill, sheachieved great eminence during adistinguished medical career as aconsultant dermatologist in London, —one of the first women to be appointedin such a capacity in a hospital notexclusively for women. She publishedpapers on the forcible feeding ofsuffrage prisoners on hunger strikeand played a central role asradiographer in the Scottish Women’sHospital at Royaumont, France, duringthe 1914-1918 War.The Heritage Society was set up in2009 to recognise the support of andthank individuals who have indicatedtheir intention to include the Schoolin their will. Since the foundation ofthe School 771 years ago there hasbeen a history of giving, enablingthe School to maintain its highstandards of excellence in all areasand supporting able pupils needingfinancial assistance to attend andenjoy all that a High School ofDundee education has to offer.Members of the Heritage Society areinvited to an exclusive lunch every yearwhen they are kept up to date on theprogress, successes and future plans forthe school. Living legacies such as arepledged by Heritage Society membersare greatly appreciated and vital for thelong term planning of the school.Our most recent members are Jim,a highly successful businessman andJoanna Pettigrew, a Consultant atMoorfield’s Eye Hospital, who recentlydecided to pledge a legacy. Jim says,‘My wife Joanna and I are former HighSchool pupils and we both highlyvalued the education provided to us bythe School. When we look back now,some 35 years after leaving school,we see very clearly how important thisbroad education has been in helpingus build our future careers and moregenerally stimulate our interests in somany different directions. In some smallway we want to help future generationsto have the same opportunity as usto benefit and enjoy the excellenteducation experience provided bythe High School of Dundee’If you would like to become a memberof the Heritage Society and pledgea legacy to High School of Dundee,please fill in the form below and sendit to: The Development Office, HighSchool of Dundee, Euclid Crescent,Dundee DD1 1HU. Your supportwould be greatly appreciated.I intend to pledge a legacy to High School of Dundee in my will. My legacy will be in the form of:The residue of my estate% of the residue of my estateA set sum of moneyTitle Forename SurnameAddress✁Two bells have long hung in thetower above St Salvator’s CollegeChapel: Katharine (or ‘Kate’) so namedin 1460 for his niece by the college’sfounder Bishop James Kennedy, whichis tolled; and Elizabeth, cast around1520, formerly the bell of St Leonard’sCollege, which strikes the hours.The After Many Days Club at StAndrews is the oldest for Alumni inthe University of St Andrews andbecause they had made a donationtowards the new bells, the club wasinvited to choose a name for one ofthem. Members voted in favour ofAgnes, after Agnes Forbes Blackadder(1875-1964), the first female graduateof the university and formerly a pupilat High School of Dundee. She (thebell) weighs 3cwt-2qr-3lb, withdiameter 25.9” and note E.The foregoing is reproduced courtesyof the University of St Andrews Library.PostcodeEmailDate of BirthSignatureTelephoneDate10highschoolofdundee.org.ukThe Pillars NewsletterTel: 01382 20292111

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................A Runaway SuccessThe Sky’s the limit for JoannaBig Brave Boy : French WivesIn the short time since leaving school,Joanna Van Der Ham, Class of 2008,has had a meteoric start to her chosencareer. Having always had a love foracting, whilst in Form 6, Joanna madethe decision to apply to drama school.Having got a taste for acting duringher appearances in school productionsof Oliver as well as well as Romeoand Juliet, Joanna decided to take thehuge step of moving from her home inPerthshire to Cardiff to attend the RoyalWelsh College of Music and Drama. Thiswas a complete break from tradition asher family are all in the medical field!Now in her final year, Joanna feelsthat her course has readied her forher chosen career.The course is 90% vocational, coveringall aspects of a potential actor’s careerfrom vocal training to acting lessons.It was during this period of study in hersecond year at Cardiff that Joanna wasspotted by the Casting Director of thetelevision adaptation of Martina Cole’sbook, ‘The Runaway’. It was during aworkshop on screen tests that she wascast in the lead female role of ‘Cathy.’Life then moved very quickly for Joannaas she jetted off to South Africa to startfilming with Scottish screen legendsAlan Cumming, Ken Stott and fellowrising star Jack O’Connell. Joanna learnta lot from working with such prestigiousactors at such an early point in hercareer, especially Alan Cummings, withwhom she had many scenes. As wellas new acting skills, she became awareof the more technical aspects of theprofession such as set design; vital ifthe audience were to believe that theywere watching scenes in Soho inLondon, not on set in Capetown!Joanna’s life has changed dramaticallysince her big break and with her face onmagazine covers and billboards all overthe country, she is widely recognised.With the experience of her first smashhit behind her Joanna is now lookingforward to her next role, as an actressin ITV’s popular series, “AboveSuspicion”.When asked which actor Joanna mostaspired to be like, she said that as longas she was happy and successful, thatwas what was most important to her.We hope that Joanna has a long andhappy career and is as much of arunaway success as her last role!When FP Chris Barclay left school in2006 little did he think that he wouldend up with French Wives!! But it’snot quite what it seems; Chris is atalented musician having started toplay trombone in P6, fascinated in howthe instrument could be played withoutany keys or valves. By the time hewas 13 he was looking for anotherinstrument he could play in a rockband and as he was accustomed toreading the bass clef, he chose bassguitar. This is where the FrenchWives come in.Having started to pursue a career inmusic he was looking for a band tojoin and met a group of like-mindedmusicians who played drums, leadguitar, rhythm guitar and violin. Withtheir first gig booked for April 2007 theywere still without a name. With timerunning out to get the posters printed,they decided on French Wives, afterdiscovering that all the members ofJarvis Cocker’s band ‘Pulp’ had Frenchwives! As well as many sell out gigs allover Scotland, the indie-pop band haveplayed at ‘T in the Park’ and ‘Rockness’festivals and last year they won theScotsman Radar Prize for the bestunsigned band in Scotland! The bandhas released several singles and oneEP which includes the track ‘Big BadBoy.’ They are also are featured onYouTube in ‘Covered in Grace.’ Thisyear they will be recording their debutalbum which will be released on the‘Electric Honey’ label.But Chris’s talents do not end there;he is still much in demand as atrombone player and in 2008 he wasinvited to join the Glasgow ImprovisersOrchestra, a large ensemble of aroundtwenty musicians from diverse artisticorigins such as free improvisation,experimental music, jazz, classicalmusic, folk, performance (art), and pop.Since its inaugural project in October2002 the orchestra has established areputation, both locally andinternationally, for innovative andcritically acclaimed improvised music.He loves his involvement with theGIO as it enables him to explore andcreate music in new and exciting ways.Chris is also involved in small theatreproductions for children which stretchedthe musician’s talents when asked toplay trombone, whistle, act and dancefor the production! This theatricalinvolvement has led to him being askedto join a production called ‘The Farmer’sCheese’ where six musicians and twoactors perform works in a low registerespecially for children with cochlearimplants as high sounds are challengingfor these children.This summer promises to be really busyfor Chris, with the band’s busy scheduleand the show taking him to Boston andChicago. Bonne Chance, French Wives;we look forward to hearing your album!12highschoolofdundee.org.ukThe Pillars NewsletterTel: 01382 20292113

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................Where are they now?....................................................................GoldenAnniversary1961 was the year that John F Kennedycame to power and made plans to puta man on the moon within a decadeand the Beatles were also playingtheir first performance at the Cavern!Meanwhile in Dundee, the Class of1961 were leaving school to maketheir way in the world.Half a century later, 42 of the yeargroup met up at school to renewfriendships with their classmates andsome of their former teachers and torelive their youth. On Saturday 14 May,the Rector welcomed back former pupilsfrom Canada, Denmark and all areasof the UK. The group then enjoyed awhistle-stop tour of the school beforeleaving for lunch at the Royal TayYacht Club, vowing to meet againin 10 years’ time.....................................................................Class of 1967Plans are afoot for a reunion of theClass of 1967. Old friends will bemeeting on Saturday 24 Septemberfor a tour of the school and then morecelebrations at the Apex Hotel. Manyof the former teachers from the yearhave been invited and will be joiningformer pupils to reminisce. For moreinformation contact development@highschoolofdundee.org.uk....................................................................Class of 1976Reunion InvitationCalling all former classmates from1976! Are you keen to catch up withold school friends? If so why not joinus at the Royal Tay Yacht Club onSaturday 3 September at 7 for 7.30pm.Invitations have been sent to as manypeople as possible but there are stillothers for whom we have no contactaddress. If you wish to attend or wantmore information then please contactSusan Chalmers (nee Jackson)on 01382 731660 or emaildonald.chalmers@btconnect.comHope to see you there!....................................................................Class of 1982Scott Gibson is helping to arrangea reunion for the Class of 1982 onSaturday 2 June 2012. Will FPs pleasecontact the Development office on01382 220056 for more information.The Oxford Union is recognised asthe world's most prestigious debatingsociety, with debates regularlyattracting high-profile guest speakersand international coverage. The postof President has previously been heldby individuals including Boris Johnson,Benazir Bhutto and William Gladstone,amongst dozens of other notablenames.....................................................................FoundationNewsCalling all golfersThe second annual Foundation Golfcompetition, Drive for Dough isset to take place on 30 August atScotscraig Golf Club in North EastFife. Andy Nicol has kindly agreedto be the auctioneer for the eveningand to present the prizes after anafternoon of golf and a sumptuoussupper! Teams of four playersare already booking places forthis popular event. Early bookingis required as places are limited forthis fun and friendly event.Contact the DevelopmentOffice on 01382 220056 ordevelopment@highschoolofdundee.org.uk to secure your place.....................................................................Lauren Pringle, a FormerPupil of the High Schoolof Dundee, has beenelected President ofthe Oxford Union.Lauren, who left the High School inJune 2009, is reading Law at WadhamCollege in Oxford and currently holdsthe position of Librarian in the Union.She will now take a year's sabbaticalfrom her degree in order to preparefor and complete her term as Presidentin January – March 2012.It is the first time that a former pupilof the High School of Dundee has beenelected to the post of President of theOxford Union.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................Tributes and passings....................................................................Dr James Yeaman Baxter(Class of 1936)James was born in 1918 and wasan active Old Boy of the school withan interest in the Rugby Club.Sadly James died recently.....................................................................Charles Robin Doe(Class of 1948)Charles attended school from 1935 until1948 and in 1949 he joined the RoyalNavy where he served for 34 years andduring that time he captained 3 ships.Sadly Charles died during 2010.....................................................................Katherine Lenman(Class of 1978) 1960-2009Katherine became a resident and citizenof Canada and worked for Deloitte andTouche. Sadly Catherine died in 2009.....................................................................Winifred Agnes Ingers(nee Meston)(Class of 1952)Sadly Winifred died on15 December 2010.....................................................................Dr Harry Leadbitter1939-2011Harry was very much part of the HighSchool community, both as a formerparent and ardent supporter of the HighSchool Foundation, chaired by his wife,Sheena. He was a well- known DundeeDoctor and former Director of TaysidePrimary Care, having also been amember of the children’s panel, vicechairman of Dundee United andassistant district governor with DundeeRotary Club. Harry will be sadly missedby the Dundee community and moreespecially by his wife Sheena, hisdaughters Karen and Katrina and hisfour grandchildren.....................................................................Dr Robert Neilson JohnstonRobert, a former parent and friend ofthe High School of Dundee, was wellknown in Dundee medical circles wherehe had worked before his retirementas a Chest Physician. Sadly Robertdied in October 2010.....................................................................Rena Lorimer McLachlan(nee Smith)(Class of 1955) 1937-2011Rena attended the school fromP1–F6 leaving school in 1955 to goto St Andrews University where shegraduated before training as a teacherin Dundee. She then taught Physics atMorgan Academy and Larbert HighSchool. Rena married another FPProfessor Jeff McClachlan in 1981.Sadly Rena died on 5 March 2011.....................................................................Elizabeth Russell Dickey1916-2011Former teacher Elizabeth Dickeywas born in St Andrews to Rev andMrs Helen Dickey. She was educatedat Glasgow High School and came tothe High School of Dundee in 1951where she became Head of Needlework.Elizabeth was a very popular teacherand was sadly missed on herretirement in 1976. She sadly diedin February this year.....................................................................Professor Ian Kidd(Class of 1940) 1922-2011Ian left school in 1940 and joined theArgyll and Sutherland Highlanders,serving during the Second World Warbefore returning to St AndrewsUniversity and graduating with an MAin 1947. He stayed at the University,finally becoming Professor of AncientPhilosophy and Professor of Greek.Ian is survived by his three sons.....................................................................John Wallace(Class of 1974) 1956-2011John left school to go to EdinburghUniversity where he gained an Honoursdegree in Agriculture. He returnedhome to farm at Pitpointie Farm,Perthshire, where he specialisedin dairy farming with his father andbrother. He married Sheila and togetherthey had four children. John’s favouritesport was curling and he was wellknown in curling circles. His familyand friends will miss him greatly.....................................................................Frederick Sturrock(Class of 1944) 1926-2011Frederick was a Dundee born boywho spent most of his life living inSt Andrews. After leaving schoolhe served with the Fife and ForfarYeomanry before joining the familyfirm Thomas Sturrock and Family.Frederick was an avid golf fan withan enviable single figure handicap.He will be sadly missed by his twosons, six grandchildren and twogreat grandchildren.....................................................................Inglis Goodfellow(Class of 1956) 1938-2011Inglis left school to study bakery atprestigious schools in Glasgow andLucerne before joining the familybusiness in Broughty Ferry. In 1965he married Rhona McLeod and theymoved to Arbroath where Inglisenjoyed sailing and he became veryinvolved with the RNLI. A very popularman, he will be sadly missed by hiswife, family and friends.14highschoolofdundee.org.ukThe Pillars NewsletterTel: 01382 20292115

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................HSD Community....................................................................Chemistry blognominated forawardA blog aimed at inspiring a love ofchemistry, and written by High SchoolChemistry teacher Dr Phil Taylor, wasrecently shortlisted for an award in theEducation Blog Awards. The site hasalready attracted around 12,000 hits,and has a worldwide following.View Dr Taylor’s blog athttp://drtchemistry.wordpress.comDr Taylor has also given a workshopfor Chemistry teachers at the recentScottish Science Education Conference.The workshop, entitled “Royal Societyof Chemistry Classic Chemistry andNew Tricks” was aimed at the lessconfident or experienced Chemistryor Science teacher seeking hands-onexperience of some of the classicdemonstrations. Delegates had theopportunity to try out numerousdemonstrations and experiments..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................The High Schoolof Dundee FPAssociationHistory will be made on 31 October2011 when, on the 152nd anniversary ofthe Royal Charter granting the name ofthe High School of Dundee, a meetingwill be held in school to form the newFormer Pupil Association. The purposeof the Association will be to “promotefriendship and association amongst theFormer Pupils of the High School ofDundee, to maintain contact betweenpast and present pupils and to furtherand secure the best interests of theSchool at all times.”Up to now school leavers and formerpupils have joined either the Old Boys’Club or the Old Girls’ Club respectively.These two bodies will of coursecontinue, but from the summer of 2012,unless they wish to opt out, all schoolleavers will become members of thenew all-encompassing FP Association.Mark preparesfor next greatadventureFormer High School pupil MarkBeaumont, who in early 2008 becamethe fastest man to circumnavigate theglobe by bicycle, is in the final stagesof planning his next adventure – anexpedition in the Canadian Arctic.The two existing Clubs will alsoautomatically become a part of the newAssociation and will be able to continueorganising their respective activities asbefore. However, the FP Association,with its own office bearers andcommittee, will oversee and organisemany more activities for former pupilsof all generations and in a range oflocations and venues in the spirit of funand friendship.All former pupils and staff and formerstaff who have spent at least onesession at the school will be invited toattend the inaugural meeting on 31October 2011 to ratify the constitutionand elect the inaugural office bearers.All those who love the school and whowant to be involved are most welcome.Time and venue of the meeting will beconfirmed after the summer break. Theeve of All Saints’ Day, otherwise knownas Hallowe’en, will mark the beginningof a new era in the development of theHigh School as a vibrant family andcommunity............................................................................................................................................The trip is scheduled to start in July,and further information will beposted in due course on his websitewww.markbeaumontonline.comMark has also recently published anew book, “The Man who Cycled theAmericas”, detailing his 13,000 milejourney from Alaska to thesouthernmost tip of South Americain 2009-10...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................inspiring educationEuclid CrescentDundee DD1 1HUTel: 01382 202921highschoolofdundee.org.ukContact the EditorIf you would like to suggest an article for The Pillars,contact us on magazine@highschoolofdundee.org.ukTo download past editions of The Pillars,visit highschoolofdundee.org.uk/latest/newsletters