High school’s virtual awards
Shape your own future, pupils told
Pupils at Blairgowrie High School were honoured for their efforts during a virtual prize-giving ceremony.
As well as the awards, the online ceremony included a photo reel highlighting achievements prior to schools closing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It also included speeches and video messages by senior pupils, head teacher Bev Leslie and comedian and local farmer Jim Smith.
Pictured is dux Riona Harrison, who received the Robertson and Black Cup and the Perth and Kinross Medallion for Academic Excellence.
Pupils at Blairgowrie High School missed out on their annual prize-giving ceremony at the end of the school year last week due to lockdown restrictions imposed as part of efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
However, senior management at the Beeches Road school were determined pupils should be recognised for their achievements throughout the school year, despite the closure of the school in March due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Pupils in first, second and third year were awarded certificates for their diligence, endeavour and performance and prizes were awarded to pupils in fourth, fifth and sixth year in each subject.
The Barcelona Trophy for achievement in hockey was awarded to Robbie Alexander, while the Ian Smith Outstanding Contribution to Sport award went to Ardal MacKenzie.
The Robertson and Black Cup and the Perth and Kinross Medallion for Academic Excellence was awarded to dux Riona Harrison.
And the senior management team also recorded a virtual ceremony for pupils, parents and carers to enjoy which included a photo reel of some of the highlights and achievements of the academic year prior to the pandemic.
This included visits to the school by John Swinney MSP and musician Dougie MacLean – a former pupil at the school – trips, the Christmas concert, the Youth Philanthropy Initiative, a careers fair attended by around 400 pupils, a group of pupils performing at the Hamish Matters festival in November, students taking part in the Leslie Street Art Trail and the opening of a new gallery space at the school.
In a speech given at the virtual event, head teacher Bev Leslie said: “This is the first and, I hope, the last virtual Blairgowrie High School awards evening.
“I would like to thank the Blairgowrie High School team for their unstinting commitment to the school - both in school and from their dining room tables since March.
“2020 is the year of Covid-19 and is a year no-one will forget.
“The staff at Blairgowrie High School go above and beyond to give our young people a variety of learning experiences and this year was no exception.
“Our awards evening marks 100 days since school closed and 103 days since we last saw our pupils and we miss them terribly.
“Everyone has struggled with the multiple challenges that this terrible virus has brought upon us all but out of this dreadful situation we must applaud ourselves that we listened to and followed the advice and that we are now, we hope, returning to school in August.
“I would like to thank the parents and carers and staff for supporting Blairgowrie High School during lockdown but, mostly, I would like to congratulate all of our pupils receiving an award.
“And to all our young people – please do not let 2020 define you negatively. Let love and kindness be your road map and shape your own future.”
Former pupil, local farmer and stand-up comedian Jim Smith was invited back to prize-giving for a second year. In a video message to pupils he said: “My only advice to you is to find a job that makes you happy – it doesn’t matter what you want to be or do, if you love what you do you will do it to the best of your ability.
“And it is never too late to decide you want to do something else. It’s not been an easy year and I wish all those of you who are leaving school this year all the very best.”
Head pupils Nathan McIntyre and Roisin Penny also recorded video messages.
Nathan described his experience at the school as “absolutely amazing”.
And Roisin said: “It goes without saying that this school year has not been what anyone expected but despite that we have all pulled together and had another great year.”
Mrs Leslie also announced that the closely contested house competition was declared a draw.
The ceremony concluded with a poignant online performance of Home, the song written by music pupils at the school with Dougie MacLean and debuted at the Hamish Matters festival last year.