Centenary Celebrations, Functions and Events
Kate Ferrier
“Unbelievably, I left Lathallan six years ago now. Reflecting on my time there – and there’s a lot of it, having started at three and left at eighteen – it’s so hard to summarise in just a few paragraphs just how much the school gave me during those years. I have just started a PhD in Scottish Literature which focuses on early 19th century Scottish women’s writing and which has already given me so many amazing opportunities, visiting new places, meeting new people and always, constantly, pushing me out of my comfort zone. Since leaving school, I’ve completed an undergrad, a Masters, I’ve rowed and road cycled, travelled, and grown up. There have been tough times – namely a global pandemic – but all in all, I’ve been so lucky to have studied and competed and made friends in the many ways that I have.
So how much do I owe to Lathallan? Of course, I have to start with an ode to all of my English teachers, from Miss Smith and Mr Brown in the prep school to Miss Herickx in my exam years and the many in between. In their different ways, all of these teachers inspired in me a love of literature, and of learning; passions which have clearly stayed with me during my early studies and career. But, thinking back, Lathallan offered me so much more beyond books and the classroom. From playing Lady Olivia in Mr Page’s rendition of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, to falling in love with netball at the age of seven, to singing my heart out on the side of a remote hill during Silver DofE, Lathallan introduced me to drama and music and sport and the outdoors. I wasn’t, by any stretch of the imagination, good at all those things, but I took the opportunities and, over time, I learnt to be more confident, more curious, to work hard and to listen to others, to believe in myself and in everyone around me. Without any of these lessons, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
I think everyone who has been to Lathallan will agree how lucky we were – and are – to have gone to school in such beautiful surroundings and to have been taught by such genuine and generous teachers. But maybe it isn’t until you’re slightly older that you begin to realise just how much the place and the people have become a part of you. I think everyone’s advice would be to take every opportunity you can at Lathallan. But I think my suggestion might simply be to stay enthusiastic. Find what you enjoy, what really makes you happy – whether you’re good at it or not – and run with it. Ask questions, start clubs, play more, work harder and, with all that energy, just embrace every other part of school life. Nothing bad ever came from being too enthusiastic and who knows, maybe you’ll end up doing a PhD in that area … or maybe, you’ll simply leave school knowing you are capable of doing whatever you put your mind to.”
Visit other Old Lathallians
Old Lathallians and friends of Lathallan
The Old Lathallian Association Is open to all former pupils of Lathallan, to members of staff, past and present, and to parents. Old Lathallians can expect a regular newsletter (generally four times a year) as well as invitations to reunions and events.
Old Lathallian Contact
Karen Runcie