Reel to the Rhythm
By Kingston, second year specialist (year 13) & Juno, first year specialist (year 12)
2 december 2025
charterhouse news
On Saturday 29 November, we celebrated the 29th annual St Andrew’s Ball – the highlight of a lively Quarter (term) of weekly reeling with the Scottish Dancing Society. Nearly 70 guests, including Specialist (Sixth Form) pupils and staff, filled the Hall with an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Dance cards were eagerly completed, and soon the floor came alive as the George Buchanan Scottish Dance Band struck their first chord.
Kingston, Second Year Specialist (Year 13), shares his reflection of the night:
Among the various opportunities offered to the Specialists (Sixth Form), it is without hesitation that Scottish Dancing is my absolute favourite.
Complete with music, dancing, and some great food, it certainly isn’t the most orthodox society in a school setting, but to me, that is its most charming quality.
As a Specialist currently working with deadlines and coursework, there is never truly a moment in which I can simply relax and ignore my priorities. I often fail to devote time to my own social life and presence with others, and it’s no secret that many others feel the same.
Sometimes, people just want to put aside the work and enjoy what we have now: the people we meet, the experiences offered to us, and the time we have for ourselves.
St Andrew’s Ball holds a very special place in my heart for that very reason. Pure exaltation is how I see it, whether it is while dancing through the Eightsome Reel, polkaing during the Gay Gordons, or coming together for Auld Lang Syne at the finale of the night.
It doesn’t just teach someone to know how to dance, set, weave, or twirl. It teaches them to let go of their worries, enjoy the company of others, and truly live in a moment that is, for most, once in a lifetime.
kingston, second year specialist (year 13)
It is a night in which nothing truly matters beyond our friends and our freedom to dance.
Having now taken part in the last St Andrew’s Ball of my time at Charterhouse, I can say with absolute confidence that it is a night to remember and an effort worth making.
It is a memory to which I, and many others, will always harken back.
We danced through ten spirited dances, with favourites like the Dashing White Sergeant, the Eightsome Reel, and the Reel of the 51st. The three-course meal of traditional Scottish fare was delicious, and the night ended perfectly with a rousing Auld Lang Syne. By the end, we were tired but so happy – it was truly an unforgettable evening.
louise batty, Head of scottish dancing
Juno, First Year Specialist (Year 12), also took the time to share her thoughts on a great evening:
As a First Year Specialist who has only joined Charterhouse this year, the St Andrew’s Ball was an unforgettable welcome into the School community. The dresses were stunning, and it was such a joy for us to get ready together for our very first dance of the year.
It was an amazing opportunity to make friends (which I certainly did) and practise the many colourful dances together. A few of us helped prepare the hall beforehand, bringing a festive Christmas vibe early!
The food was delicious – huge credit to the catering team – and the live band played beautifully, with an encore that ended the night on a fantastic high.
It’s a night we are already looking forward to next year, and we are all excited to expand the group to include anyone who has heard of our bright stories. It’s a new opportunity that everyone can get involved in, and truly such an enjoyable experience for us all.
Altogether, it was a wonderful blend of music, dancing, and new connections that has us all excited for the year ahead.
It’s an opportunity that everyone and anyone can get involved in, and it's truly such an enjoyable experience for us all.
juno, first year specialist (year 12)
Every pupil has the opportunity to find their passions, often in the most unexpected of places. |
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