Girls' School Flora MacDonald Day

When Principal, Dr Hastie threw the challenge out to the girls to learn the bagpipes at last year’s Flora MacDonald Day, only two determined girls accepted the task. One year on and Year 8 students, Kate Pennycuick and Fayth Doherty proudly displayed their hard work in learning the chanter, the first practice instrument in mastering the full pipes. Playing to a full hall of students, families, invited guests and Trust Board members at the official ceremony, the girls drew two rounds of well-deserved applause.

Honouring Saint Kentigern’s Scottish heritage and all things tartan, the day started off with a march led by the College Pipes and Drums. The girls all paraded in their clans with the House Leaders at the fore, holding their House flags high and the girls clutching their Scottish memorabilia, followed by the Girls’ School staff, Trust Board members and invited guests.

During the ceremony, we welcomed back Highland Dancer and Year 13 student, Sarah McQueen who impressed the audience with her skill and stamina of the Highland Fling, accompanied by Andre Mason on the pipes. In Dr Hastie’s address to the audience, she explained the three different types of drums played today in the College Pipes and Drums band – the Bass drum, Tenor drum and Snare drum. The players of these instruments, College students Nathan Walker, James Milner and Jack Stewart then joined Dr Hastie on stage to demonstrate the sound of their drums.

After the formalities were over, parents and guests joined together in the Drawing Room for morning tea and thistle decorated shortbread baked by Food Technology teacher, Mrs Shona Wadams. The girls were then able to get started on their clan activities for the day, and this year it included the fun filled challenges of aqua orbs on the pool and a giant inflatable obstacle course! The girls were also able to try their hand at Highland Dancing, getting crafty creating bookmarks and thistle brooches and making a bowl of the traditional Scottish staple, porridge, with a selection of tempting toppings.

It was another successful day of Scottish heritage and observation for the School. We look forward to the day when we can hear girls play on a set of full pipes!