Milne's High honour achievers after 'year like no other'
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STUDENT achievements in a “year like no other” were lauded at Milne’s High School prizegiving, making a welcome return after a two-year break due to Covid.
There was much to celebrate in every year at the school, in and out of the classroom, across a year that saw the country finally emerge from pandemic restrictions. It was certainly a night to remember for Joshua Ward, who was presented with the Sir Ashley Mackintosh Medal for S5 Dux.
Carrying on the tradition of inviting back former pupils to share their journey post-school and explain how their school experience has supported them to get to where they are today, guest speaker for the evening was Carla Gray, who has gone on to work at Diageo as a technical specialist in distilling.
The evening also marked a prizegiving ceremony for Jemma Playfair, the new rector at Milne’s High.
Describing the outgoing academic year as a “year like no other” she went on to pay tribute to the two other rectors who have guided the school since August 2021 –Trish Cameron and acting rector Caroline Boyd. Acknowledging the challenges of taking over the reins so late in the school year, Miss Playfair said she had “felt at home” from day one.
Looking ahead to next year, Miss Playfair highlighted that there would be many difficult challenges ahead, including dealing with a post-Covid world, changes to the Scottish education system and the effects of the cost of living crisis on many in the Milne’s High community.
She continued: “Milne’s High School is more than just a school, it is a community that is committed to ensuring each and every young person gets the best experience throughout their school years.
“We are at a point, where despite the challenges we face, we do have lots to look forward to and this term has seen the reintroduction of some firm favourites with the pupils (and staff!)
“We were able to re-introduce our Activity Days which included trips to Blair Drummond, Infinity Trampoline Park, Landmark and lots more. Thank you to Mr Elder for organising and Mrs Valentine for sorting the admin side of this.
“We also recently had our Farmers’ Market back in Milne’s High School and it was fantastic to welcome people into school to host stalls, buying local produce and I especially liked the items that our enterprise groups were selling (the ice-cream wasn’t too bad either!). Thank you to Mrs Mackenzie and the Business and Computing Department for putting on a wonderful day
“Our school sports day and school fete took place only a few weeks ago and we had a lot of parents/carers join us for a fun-filled afternoon. It was a huge success because of the amazing planning and organising that our new S6 pupils did. The whole day was planned by them and it was a roaring success. I am looking forward to working with this group of young people over the next year because I am excited at what they can and will achieve.
“And lastly we had our Neon Colour Fest Summer dances. Our parent council wanted to put on something fun to end the year for our pupils and it was great to see everyone having fun and enjoying themselves.
"I want to say a huge thank you to the staff that also volunteered that evening to support the parent council and ensure a great night for the pupils!
“I am positive that with our committed pupils, dedicated staff and supportive school community Milne’s High School will continue to go from strength to strength next session.”
A vote of thanks was given by new School Captains Beth Jenkins and Gemma Beange.
The duo made sure that all those who make Milne's High tick in and out of the classroom received their due kudos at the ceremony.
As new School Captains they went on to share their vision for the new school year.
Gemma said: "Along with the support from our House Captains, Prefects and Ambassadors we would like to continue to make Milne’s High School a place where the voice of the pupils is front and centre of all policies, procedures and school improvement moving forwards.
"A difference that Beth would like to make is seeing the Senior Phase pupils and BGE pupils working together more as a whole school community following on from the difficulties post- Covid.
"We feel this is very important as we are a school which cares about the whole school community and everybody in it. This would involve Senior Phase pupils leading and supporting Wellbeing and Attainment classes and offering extra peer support for BGE pupils where needed.
"Furthermore, we would like to support the addition of more study support for seniors throughout the year.
Prizewinners:
Sports awards: The Murray Trophy for 1st Year Girls (most individual points in sports events – Alex Wheelan; The Murray Trophy for 1st Year Boys – Fraser Masson; The 2nd Year Girls’ Athletics Trophy (most individual points in sports events) – Skye Gardener; The 2nd Year Boys’ Athletics Trophy – Ellis Routledge; Fochabers Bi-Centenary Trophy for 3rd Year Girls (most individual points in sports events) – Chloe Munro; Fochabers Bi-Centenary Trophy for 3rd Year Boys – Finlay Reid; Moir Trophy for Effort and Endeavour (individual effort /endeavour/contribution to athletics) – Callum Macpherson; The Donald Morrison Junior Footballer of the Year – Jake Newlands; The ‘Cos’ Trophy (Hockey) Player of the Year – Catherine Lewis.
Sponsored special awards: Merit Awards (Paul Devine Trophy) 2022 – Tynet; Glenfiddich Art Quaich – Rory Milne; Speyside Homes Bicentenary Rosebowl for Excellence in Performing Arts – Lottie Du Pon; The Donald Morrison Creative Writing Prize – Eilidh Wiles; British Steel Distribution in Recognition of Technological Achievement – Owen Brown; The Gordon Baxter Culinary Award – Alasdair McGuire; Ena Baxter Art & Design Award – Daisy Edmond; Milne's High Soup Challenge – Kyle Anderson, Aaron McPherson, Beinn Hay; The Christie Cup for Special Achievement – Ryan Coy; Amy Collie; Nicole Reith; Matthew Thompson; The Cantlie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Personal and Social Progression – Andrew Wilson; The Molly-May ‘Believe’ Award (awarded to a pupil who has kept a positive outlook, showed resilience and kept a belief in themselves despite having to overcome hurdles and challenge in their life) – Ronan Winchester; The Ryan Morton Memorial Trophy – Kathryn Bell; Ishbel Lena Macrae Award for Leadership in BGE – Erin Shand; Special Service to the School Community – Alana Parnaby; Develop Young Workforce Award – Briony Stewart; Miss Playfair Award (headteacher’s award to school captains) – Alana Parnaby, Briony Stewart, Leacsaidh Lucas; Munro Medal for Broad General Education (S1-3) – Krystal Green.
Sir James Sivewright Medal for Senior Phase – Isla Davidson.
Dux of the School Sir Ashley Mackintosh Medal – Joshua Ward.
ASN awards: S1 Kyle Favel, Dylan Younie; S2 Connor Blackhall, Alice Jackson; S3 Kirstie Burke, Codie Young; N1 Brodi Landon; N2 Andrew Wilson.
Lennox Community Council Award (community service give to the refurbishment of the D of E memorial in Fochabers) – Dylan Younie, Kyle Favell, Aaron Palmer.
BGE subject awards: Art – S1 George Davidson, Roan Morrison; S2 Kyle Anderson, Fergus Smith; S3 Jayne Armitt, Levi Lewis. Business – S2 Leon Jagger, Alex Rattery; S3 Alexa Mann, Hannah Jupp. Business Enterprise – S1 Ava Brook, Zennor Muckle. Computing – S2 Deri Hayward, Erin Shand, Cali Rattray. ICT – S1 Sophie Collie, Calum Harper; S2 Robbie McTurk, Dylann McLennan; S3 Alexa Mann, Joshua Fiori-Lawson. English – S1 Cameron Reid, Krystal Green; S2 Iona Macleod, Erin Shand; S3 Cali Rattray, Tolu Arojojoye. French – S1 Erin Mackenzie. HE – S3 Matthew Moir, Phoebe Lindsay. Social Subjects – S1 Calum Harper, Mason McConnell; S2 Bethany Forrest, Erin Shand. History – S3 Caitlyn Parnaby, Cormac Marshall. Geography – S3 Finlay Reid, Alba Scanlon. Modern Studies – S3 Cody Roy, Arran Morrison. Maths – S1 George Davidson, Lorna Brown; S2 Iona McLeod, Brogan Munro; S3 Calum MacPherson, Finlay Reid. Music – S1 Brandon McArthur Jappy, Leo Winchester; S2 Ethan Lambourne, Kaitlyn Giles; S3 Beth Manson, Cali Rattray. PE – S1 Fraser Masson, Sophie Collie; S2 Fergus Smith, Courtney Grant; S3 Hannah Jupp, Finlay Reid. Sports Leadership – S3 Leyton Sim. Dance – S3 Ruby Mackenzie. RME – S1 Amy Roberts, Fraser Masson; S2 Erin Shand, Finlay Stuart; S3 Leyton Sim, Finn Askew. Science – S1 Calum Harper, Arran Palmer; S2 Connor Blackhall, Alistair McKillop. Chemistry – S3 Mia Jackson, Finlay Reid; Biology – S3 Alba Scanlon, Teagan O'Shea. Physics – S3 Alex Chambers, Caitlin Parnaby. Engineering Science – S3 Cormac Marshall, Finn Askew; Design Technology – S1 Lorna Brown, George Davidson; S2 Iona Macleod, Alex Rattray; S3 Suzi Ross, Tadd Ward.
Senior phase awards: Accountancy – NPS Eve Mitchell. Admin – N5 Kai Hay; H Josh Ward. Art – N5 Amy Jackson; H Rory Milne; AH Daisy Edmond. Biology – N4 Tiegan Stewart; N5 Hebe Muckle; H Carla Robertson. Business Management – N5 Connor Corbett; H Eilidh Wiles. Chemistry – N4 Frazer Graham; N5 Hebe Muckle; H Owen Brown; Computing – N5 Anna Jones; H Jacob Wood. Dance – NPA Lauren Campbell; N5 Lottie DuPon; H Eve Mitchell. Design Manufacture – N4 Tavis Thompson; N5 Keane Redford. Engineering Science – N5 Sydney Cooper; H Joshua Ward; English N4 Karis Marwick; N5 Hebe Muckle; H Gemma Beange; AH Eilidh Wiles. French – N5 Eva Melrose; H Matthew McLuckie. Geography – N4 Paige Edwards; N5 Hebe Muckle; H Eilidh Wiles; AH Eve Mitchell. German – H Briony Stewart. History – N4 Corey Young; N5 Ellen Nicol, Lucas Kendall; H Eilidh Wiles; AH Leacsaidh Lucas. Maths – N4 Apps Liam Norcross; N4 Maths Isla Davidson; N5 Apps Mina Mae Elliott Anderson; N5 Maths Eva Melrose; H Owen Brown; AH Alana Parnaby. Modern Studies – N5 Isla Davidson; H Samual Bayley. Music – N5 Music Tech – Ronan Winchester; N5 Music Emily Bremner; N5 Music – Arran Collie; PE – N4 Frazer Graham; N5 Ellie Thomson Bialy; H Gemma Beange; AH Megan McKay. Philosophy – N5 Sam Newlands; H Rory Milne. Physics – N4 Jason Thickett; N5 Eva Melrose; H Owen Brown; AH Samuel Bayley. Practical Craft Skills – N3 Brodi Landon. Practical Woodwork – N4 Corey Young; N5 Archie Milne. RMPS – N5 Amy Jackson; H Lillie Hunter. Travel and Tourism – N5 Alex Collins.
