A year of success at Arran High School
Pupils, parents and members of the Arran community received high praise from Arran High School head teacher Barry Smith at the annual awards ceremony where he thanked all of those involved in paving the way for a curriculum of excellence for pupils past and present.
The ceremony, during which the Dux is announced, also included attendance and sports awards as well as formally announcing the prefects and captain for the upcoming school year.
Following the group awards, guest speaker Blair Cartmell – who was the lead performance coach for the Scottish triathlon team at the Commonwealth Games – spoke to the attendees about his journey to success and the path that he followed in reaching his goals.
Jamie Thomson and Charlotte McKillop then entertained the audience with a tenor hornpipe and a fiddle performance before the much anticipated inter-house award winner was announced and which went to Glen Shurig this year.
Mr Smith then addressed the audience, his fifth since starting at the school, speaking of the numerous changes at both a regional and local level, making special mention of a number of talented teachers who were moving within the educational system.
Welcoming new depute head Susan Foster, he then went on to praise the accomplishments of the pupils, along with the continued success of the school which has consistently been showing an improvement in attainment, quality of learning and sporting prowess and achievements.
The special awards were then presented with pupils across the spectrum receiving trophies for various disciplines and subjects, including music, technical and business education, hospitality, mathematics, English, science and social subjects.
The evening was concluded with the highest honour, the Dux, being awarded to the highest ranking student who this year is Nastassja Alberti, with hearty congratulations from Mr Smith.