We are proud to be Blair School head defiant after difficult year
Pupils, teachers, staff, parents and friends of Blairgowrie High School gathered for its annual prizegiving ceremony last week.
The celebrations marked the achievements of pupils throughout the school year.
The dux award for academic excellence was presented to Murray Cunningham.
Megan MacDonald was announced as the senior sports champion while Anna Walker won the Vincent Jamieson Memorial Rosebowl for raising funds for and taking part in a volunteering programme in Malawi.
AJ MacGregor and Robbie Smith piped guests into the hall.
Other performances from pupils included ‘Duet of Two Cats’ by Kirsty Barnett and Nicole Law and a moving rendition of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ by the school choir.
Guest speaker Peter McAvoy, the former head of education services at Perth and Kinross Council, presented the prizes.
He said: “Blairgowrie High School is one of my favourite prize-giving ceremonies as it is so inclusive.
“This school is at the heart of the community and binds young people from all over the area together with a common sense of idenity.
“My advice to the young people here tonight is not to doubt yourself, be thankful for any quirks you have, don’t take anything for granted and be happy about your success. Be joyful for the recognition.”
In her address headteacher Bev Leslie acknowledged that it had been a difficult year.
She said: “We have had a bad press this year, in our opinion undeservedly so.
“I want to ensure that the community knows the true Blairgowrie High School.”
Highlighting some of the successes and achievements of pupils in various departments at the school, Mrs Leslie said: “I choose not to focus on the political landscape or austerity.
“I choose to focus on taking care of business - that never changes - and the joy of teaching. What I see on a daily basis is the staff trying to do their best for the pupils.
“It’s a privilege to work with a team who live by the school principles, modelling a can-do attitude that we hope our pupils will also develop. “We are proud to be Blair.” Pupils in first, second and third year were awarded certificates for their diligence, endeavour and performance while prizes in each subject were presented to pupils in fourth, fifth and sixth year.
Robbie Alexander was presented with an award for achievement in hockey, Kirsty Barnett was recognised for her outstanding contribution to sport and Abbi Coghlan’s outstanding achievement in sport was recognised. Bethannie Galloway and Megan Macdonald shared the honours for the girls sports champion, while DeeJay Tolmie was boys sports champion.
Special awards (in alphabetical order)
Zoe Ainslie (working with others), Kirsty Barnett (leader of orchestra), Arran Black (initiative and example), Ryan Bowen (peer support), Mollie Castle (diligence), Ben Clarkson (citizenship), McKenzie Edwards (diligence and perseverance), Lisa Fairweather (Skeet and Wake choir), Kay Henderson (nursing award, WRI Shield for hospitality, demonstrates values of the school), Kirstie Henderson (SDS - career management skills), Stacey Hilton (senior art and design prize for excellence) Connor Ireland and Victoria Johnston (service to the community), Lewis Kinney (Law Prize, Headteacher’s Medal), Nicole Law (Lyric Choir Award for singing), AJ MacGregor (contribution to music, service to the school), Gordon MacKenzie (outstanding achievement in extracurricular activities), Andrew McFarlane (outstanding achievement in business education, service and example to the school), Jazmin Myles (culinary achievement), Marc Pattullo (diligence and perseverance), Callum Ritchie (Heather Halhead Memorial Quaich, Blair Engineering Quaich - technological), Dulcie Robertson (Daghill Ducket Music Award), Hannah Robertson (Headteacher’s Medal), Anna Walker (charity work), Nathan Mowatt (Probus Club). ● See pages 18 and 19 for more pictures and prizewinners.